Thanks

I should be at a birthday party. Instead, I am at home with Harley listening to Christmas music drinking hot chocolate topped with whip cream and I just started a fire. The fireplace is in the bedroom-which is by far my favorite feature of the house. I am obsessed with fire- I could watch it for hours and not realize anytime passed by.

This is my favorite time of year. My love for Christmas has intensified 100x the past 2 years because Christmas = my entire family is going to be together. And I love that. I love that more than I love anything. It doesn't happen much anymore because Jami and her family moved to Minnesota last summer and I am in Seattle. Christmas might be the only time we are all together- for the next 3 years anyway.

While Christmas is just a couple weeks away, I don't want to ignore that Thanksgiving was a couple weeks ago. Thanksgiving is my moms favorite holiday- and is becoming my favorite too. I love what Thanksgiving means- I love that it hasn't been too commercialized. I love that you can't go sit on a turkeys lap and tell it what you want (I was flabbergasted when I learned you could go sit on the Easter Bunnys lap!). For me Thanksgiving is a day to reflect and express thanks- and I have so much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for God and the love I know He has for me. His never ending love has been a saving grace in my life.

I am thankful for my mom. Lately I have been so aware of her selflessness. There isn't much time to think about yourself when you're a mother of 5. She is my hero!

I am thankful for my dad. He works so hard for his family. He is able to stay positive when things are hard and doesn't speak badly about anything.

I am thankful for Jami. I turn to Jami when I need a good laugh or when I need to cry or when I need advice- or when I need anything.

I am thankful for Jessica. I feel closer to Jess now than ever before. Sometimes we call each other just to chat- and I love that. She is passionate and giving and has such a beautiful heart!

I am thankful for Nils. He is great example of goodness and hard work. I believe all men should be more like my brother; honest, kind, hard working; and hilarious!

I am thankful for Curtis. Curtis just turned 16 but to me he is more like 25. He has a big heart and is able to see what people really are and what people really need. He is an example of love.

I am thankful for Becka. She is a silent example of goodness (unlike the Nelson clan- who are all very loud). She is loyal and dedicated. She is giving. She is beautiful- her heart is the most beautiful part of her.

I am thankful for Harley. He is the best dog and is always so excited to see me. He has brought so much love and so many smiles to my life (along with a lot of ruined things :-)

I am thankful for my mind, and for my job, and for my bed, and that I can go to the grocery store and get all my food- sure does make things easy! I am afraid I would die if I was responsible for growing and killing my own food. I am thankful for my clothes and my car and all of the things that make my life easier (easier but sometimes more complicated).

I am soooo thankful for the beautiful earth. There have been a lot of times where I lose my breath or become completely speechless because Im in awe of my surroundings.

I am thankful for my body. It allows me to do what I want to do. I can walk and run and climb and swim and dance. I love to dance!

There are soo many other things I am thankful for- like little moments in the day when I feel happy because a song comes on that reminds me of a happy memory. I feel thankful when I see little kids or hear laughter.

People say you should have the Christmas spirit all year long- but I think it would be more productive to have the Thanksgiving spirit all year long. Being thankful can change the world.