The one time of the year I get to eat Cranberry Sauce..YUM!

I must say I am looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Every year we have our family gathering which usually includes our extended family (no blood relation but good friends we have made along the way)..My mom cooks a mean Ham and Turkey and her stuffing can not be beat! My mom's an awesome cook, but she goes out of her way on Thanksgiving! And yes, I will be forgoing my diet to enjoy everything she cooks on that day :)

And while Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate with family and friends and enjoy a great meal together it is also a day to reflect upon all the blessings we have...blessings that I should be Thankful for every day, not just on Thanksgiving.

Some of the things I am Thankful for this year...

The good health of my children..no major illnesses, no broken bones just a couple of scrapes here and there

My mom...She a great lecturer, a great listener and an awesome mom and I wouldn't be where I am today without her

Mom #2 Donna, for always being a good friend and looking out for mom, always thinking about us kids and our kids in all that she does and for everything she has done for me over the years!

Waking up in a nice bed with a cozy comforter because that means I am not homeless :)

Having a Great job, and one where my hours were not cut and I haven't been threatened with pay cuts or unpaid holidays

conquering my fear of flying and finally meet my Biological Grandfather for the first time ever in April..what an incredible man!

Being engaged to man who may not be perfect in every way, but is perfect for me.

For Pat, our housekeeper...without her I would never have any time to spend with the kids because I would always be cooking for them or cleaning up after them..I am forever grateful for her help

My blog, which has allowed me to meet some pretty cool people, to read opinions (that I may not always agree with) and share mine with others..

The view from my office which reminds me every time I look up from my computer that I live in paradise

PAWS because without them I would have never been united with my cats Uli, Moli and Butterball (although uli is still missing and the kids and I miss him, I hope he is safe where ever he is)

The Coast Guard for taking good care of my daughter and teaching her things that I never could and opening her eyes to a whole new world

Being able to pay my power bill...even though I cringe each time I have to

Harry's blog for sharing all the awesome underwater pictures he takes (especially the turtles :) and making me realize that there is equally amazing beauty beneath the water as there is above it..

My awesome friends that have shared my laughter and tears and remained true friends through it all..

My brother William for never ceasing to amaze me with his incredible generosity and care and concern for other people. my brother Glen for reminding me to stand up for what I believe in no matter what other may think, and my brother Rob for ..let see..for...ummm...for...hmmmm...just kidding Rob..ha ha...I'm thankful for you too!

All the soldiers who have fought and died for my freedom, for those who have been injured and for those who continue fighting...I could never express in words my gratitude for the sacrifices they have made.

I am thankful for Forgiveness and the ability to forgive people who have hurt me in the past, learn from it and move on.

For my employees and co-workers who make it so much easier for me to do what I do..and a special Thank you to Sarai for bringing me coffee when she can sense that I need a cup but that Im too busy to run and get one myself!

for tv shows like I love NewYork, A shot of Love with Tila Tequila, The singing bee and What not to wear that allow me to watch them, forget about all the real issues going on in the world for 30 minutes and just LMSAO!

and for just being able to wake up every day in such a gorgeous place and know that life is beautiful and i am so privileged to be here and how thankful i am that as i drive to work or where ever it is that i am going, that as i am driving, i'm counting kingfishers along the way and not bullets or bombs...