We went away for Thanksgiving this year. Back to my hometown, where my in-laws still live.
It's about 2 hours away, but took 3 with traffic, as we cut through Los Angeles during a holiday week.
As I look back on our 4 night stay, I feel thankful for so much.
I'm thankful for my car that has never given us any problems for the last 7 years. I'm thankful for the luxuries it was stuffed with; the kids' pillows and blankies, a big box of Legos, the cupcake maker, and so much more. We have a good life, overflowing with material blessings. Our Volvo runneth over.
I'm thankful for my traveling companions. Readers, the whole lot of them. (Except the 3 hours and the reading didn't go so well for this guy. We had to pull over, get some fresh air and a 7-Up.)
I'm so thankful for that joyful smile. She is a happy and fun and childish big girl. Childish in a good way. Innocent. Not afraid to be herself. I remember this post I wrote about her what seems like forever ago...I wasn't so sure how her self-confidence would change with age. I'm thankful that most of the time, she knows who she is. I mean, that's pretty good for all of us, right? To most of the time be sure-footed in one's identity?
I'm thankful for my hometown, the warmth I felt, the familiarity and nostalgia I had from living in this comfortable, safe suburb for the first 20 years of my life. God first called me here and I met Him, and got to know Him in this town.
But most of all, I'm so very thankful for my family.
The family my husband has brought with him into my life - his parents and siblings and their families - have taught me so much. All the stories I hear of conflict involving in-laws don't apply to my experience. Though my husband's family culture is very different from the one in which I grew up, it has helped me become a more balanced person just as a spouse's differences can help regulate one's immature areas. I don't know if that made sense to you. But I'm saying I'm grateful for them in my life, and I wouldn't be the same person I am today without their love, support, and influence.
It would be nice to show a photo of them here. But we were so relaxed and enjoying our time being together (and let's not forget all the eating, eating, eating) that I never thought of it. In my hometown, in their home, I was truly in vacation mode. And I felt blessed to high heaven the whole time.
And lastly, look at this. Here is a photo of Jami and I. We are sitting at a Peet's Coffee wishing we had more time to chat and laughing about something I don't remember anymore. Jami and I met through blogging, before I knew she lived in my hometown. I loved her blog and how she shared her heart and her journey with God in such a humble way. It turns out that we went to rival high schools, graduated one year apart from each other, and she even attended my same church youth group from time to time. Yet we never met. And God is so tricky because He brought us together through blogging. Isn't that sort of weird? When I started blogging, I just never expected I'd meet a friend online and then start hanging out with her regularly.
Like we were supposed to be friends all along. I'm thankful for a God who sees past what seems weird, and meets our needs, however He sees fit.
Jami is just one of the many friends I've met in the blog world. Who would have guessed there was a community of Godly women seeking my same BFF named Jesus just like I am, writing about Him, sharing His stories, and doing their best to honor him as wives and mommies? Who knew?
For that, I'm so thankful.
Because this is fun, this blogging thing. I'm coming up on three years soon, and it keeps getting better. Really.
So what were you thankful for this month? It shoud be an easy one. It's November. You've already thought about it! So link up, homies.
(And know I'm thankful for you too. Always.)
What a fun trip!! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I think it's awesome that you met a friend who grew up in the same town as you through blogging!! This blogging thing is pretty neat that way! I love the community and the encouragement from bloggy friends :) Thanks for this fun link-up and the reminder to always be thankful!! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeletelove fun trips like that! two things: i think we drive the same car :) AND my kids adore those classic starts books like your son was reading. i love them too...terrific reading!
ReplyDeletethankful for my volvo and classic starts ;)
Thanks for popping over.
ReplyDeleteSweet post.
I'm glad your daughter is doing so well. she is a beauty.
What fun to have a blog friend in your hometown! I too am grateful for the few blog friends I've made that have turned into real life friends. I am so blessed by their encouragement.
beautiful post. There's something so special about going home for a few days, my hubby and I went home for 4 nights over the holiday and it was so refreshing but exhausting at the same time, I can't imagine what it would be like with kids!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely trip full of warmth and joy!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Love you! Totally feel Nate on the whole "reading while driving" thing, it's such a bummer. And I think we were laughing at the horrible lighting and our over eager smiles. hahaha
ReplyDeleteTalk soon.
Thanks for your kind words as always... Very neat that you and your husband have a similar story. I believe hard times test your strength and make you more thankful than you thought possible. Jesus is so sweet that way...
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful Christmas!!! xo
I love your smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed to have been able to move back to the small town I grew up in. I LOVE being someplace familiar. Near family. It is definitely something for which I am thankful. :)
I like this post. Refreshing to hear all that you are thankful for. My Honda runneth over, too. I need to remember that. Also, I like you. I like Jami. I had breakfast with her a few months ago and I could have stayed for hours. Blog friends are the best.
ReplyDelete