Happy Thanksgiving from Station 9

Food is in the oven- check, football on TV- check, kids napping- check (the highlight of their life today, actually :), & family memories being made.  It just all happens to be at the fire station.   A lot of people on FB have been listing each day what they are thankful for...I think I will just do mine in one post while the kids are napping and Hubby is "watching football" - whatever, he is napping too :)

(1) My Savior who loves me unconditionally, despite me failures, and teaches me more about true love every single day. 

(2) My Hubby, who is completely and totally sold out to the Lord and our family.  I am more than blessed by what the Lord has given me and the man that my husband has become.

(3) Brother is an honest, hardworking, practical little boy.  He has so much of his Daddy & Mommy in him...and he got all the good stuff.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for his life.

(4) Sister is our ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.  Only God knew how much she would change our lives and the dynamic of our family.  We wouldn't be who we are without her!

 (5&6) I know, I am putting 2 together, but trust me if I listed them all it would be WAY longer.  I am thankful for Christian friends.  A few years ago we began praying for couples to be in our life that would change us, help us grow and hold us accountable.  The Lord has blessed us beyond measure.  We have small group friends, loyal, dedicated, life-long friends, and friends we consider family.  

(7) Our family...life hasn't always been easy, but our families are people that no matter what will always be there.  I am thankful that my kids have people like this in their lives who love them and only want the best for them.

(8) Our church...we have been members of our church for about 9 1/2 years.   It is the only church we have gone to since leaving the church we both grew up at, and I still know without a shadow of doubt it is where we are supposed to be.  The Holy Spirit is moving and I am honored that the Lord has included our family in His plans there.

(9) Although the fire department might not always work on my schedule, I am thankful for the job my husband has.  He gets to do a job he loves and is surrounded by a brotherhood of men who strengthen each other and invest in each others lives.

(10) BBP wasn't even on my radar a few years ago, but not only did the Lord lead me there to work (with some AMAZING women), but he lead me to a place for my children to belong.  Spiritually, mentally and physically this school has meet the needs of our family for many years and I will forever be grateful to the foundation that has been set for my children.

 (11) I truly believe laughter really is one of the best medicines.  I LOVE to laugh.  It is the reason I prefer comedies to drama (unless there is a "drama" that makes me laugh- Castle / double plus :).  The reason we love to watch AFV with the kids and the reason I love practical jokes.  Laughing is just good for you, period.

(12) I think love is a good medicine too.  It can be harder to take and even harder to hand out, but the Lord has really been working on me regarding this one this year.  "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul and mind." I have been challenged to LOVE the Lord with everything I have and then love others the same way.  Not an easy task when you have been hurt, or don't agree...but that isn't what he asks of us...just love.

(13) Our home is a very special place to me.  A few years ago I would have easily sold it to the highest bidder (when there were actually bidders :), but today I love it.  I love the things that make it ours, I love the memories that have been made there, and I am grateful for the roof over our heads, heat in the winter, and AC in the summer.

 (14) Today is a beautiful day! I am thankful for the amazing FALL weather.  I love that we can play outdoors, go geocaching and spend time together enjoying something that the Lord created so beautifully for us.

 (15) I am also thankful today for medicine...mainly ibuprofen b/c I pulled a muscle in my back (and it is a big help when Hubby has migraines :), but really any medicine and the doctors who are trained to use them. 

(16) And I am also thankful that when medicine doesn't work, sometimes there are miracles that do.  It changed our life, we are eternally grateful.

(17) The testimony the Lord has given us is powerful and I am thankful for the good times and the hard times b/c it made us the people that we are today.

 (18) The Lord places convictions in our lives to make us stronger, to set an example and to grow our faith.  I am thankful for the convictions He places in our life and on our family.  And I am even more thankful for a husband who stands by our convictions and doesn't let public opinion sway them.

(19) I am thankful for the men and women who are serving our country.  We have many military connections in our family.  We are extremely proud of them and the stand they took.  I pray that the families that are separated are able to reunite soon and make many more memories together.

 (20) I am thankful for people who speak TRUTH in our life. People who don't care what is popular, or what is the "correct" thing to say, but speak Biblical truth and teach us how to apply it.  We are blessed to have people like this in our life. 

 (21) I love my camera! I am grateful that I can capture memories & silly moments that we can look back on for years to come.  

(ha- they crack me up!)

 (22) I love the my kids love to nap (*disclaimer for Brother- he doesn't like going to sleep, but likes how he feels after a nap :)  They both wake up such happy, excited children. And I love being productive during nap time!

 (23) Yummy food!! I am thankful for good food that we get to enjoy and fun holidays that give us an excuse to fix it.  (I can smell it in the kitchen...10 more minutes!)

 (24) Last, but not least, I am thankful for every second of everyday that I get to spend with my people.  I miss them when I am gone (although, I am thankful for girl's nights too :), but I can't wait to see them again. They light up my life and make me smile more everyday.  I am still in awe of how perfectly the Lord can construct our family to fit together.

And that, my friends, is my thankful list...I am sure I could think of more, but maybe I will finish up the month on FB.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy time together with your family.  As long as we are together, no matter where we are, we can make it a tradition...cause that's how we roll.  Happy Thanksgiving!!