Melody's Memories: So much to be thankful for...

As I grow older, (and I like to think, wiser), I realize that Thanksgiving is possibly my favorite holiday. Not only because you are surrounded by family and friends, with an excuse to totally pig out on many flavorful and high-calorie foods, but because it usually brings about a week of reflection. Reflection on all the blessings in our life that we frequently forget about and take for granted. Blessings such as:

Our life: The very fact that we are here. God took the time, in His infinite might, to create us and give us a means (His son, Jesus) to commune with Him, through His spirit. What an amazing gift that we often forget.
Our families: Most of us have people who love them. People to gather around the table with at the holidays. People who welcome them with a warm, genuine hug. Whether blood family, a group of friends, a community at church, we ought to recognize that these people make up our heart and soul, and we would not get through this crazy life without them.
Our country and freedom: Men and women fighting, by their own choice, to keep us safe night and day, whether hot or cold. Politicians fighting to protect the constitution and foundation of our country.
Our health: Perspective is everything here; Even when we do get sick, we have doctors and medicine freely at our disposal, as close as your neighborhood pharmacy.
Our society: Intelligent, hard-working, fun-loving people who make up our daily lives, working hard to provide "services" we so often expect. (The dry-cleaning lady, pizza delivery kid, assistant coach, middle school teacher, nurse, grocery bagger, church pastor...people we see all the time that make up our world, yet often go unnoticed.)

I could go on and on of all I am thankful for.

I'm thankful for my sweet, hard-working husband. God blessed me with a loving man, who tries hard to love me and provide for our family. I'm thankful for the support he gives me and encouragement when I get discouraged.

I'm thankful for a healthy, happy daughter. Ryleigh has brought more emotion, love, joy, and laughter in my life than I knew possible. I'm thankful for each sweet smile on her lips, and each squeeze of her hand.

I'm thankful for our families. For moms and dads who love us unconditionally, and give abundantly. I'm thankful for the fellowship of my sisters and sister-in-laws, women who I laugh and cry with. I'm thankful for wise grandparents, who instruct in kindness. I'm thankful for my brother-in-laws who treat me as a real person and always make me smile. I'm thankful for niece and nephews who show me what it looks like to truly live and love.

God, I am SO thankful for the blessings in my life, and the blessings you continue to pour down on me daily. Please show me how to be constantly grateful, not just once a year. Give me a heart of thanksgiving and praise to you, and those you have placed in my life.

2007 was a fun Thanksgiving in the Shulse family. :) Ryleigh woke up early, and I got her dressed for the day. Unfortunately, she had other plans, and proceeded to throw up her (orange) sweet potatoes all over her white shirt. When Jesse got home from work, he asked where she was, and I pointed to her room. He walked in to find her naked, asleep in her crib. Considering how cold it was, he looked at me like I was crazy. I explained that she had spit up on her Thanksgiving shirt, and it was being re-washed. He truly did think I was crazy, and said, "it's not like she couldn't wear something else today..." but I was determined!

Jesse and I worked together in the kitchen, heating up the stuffing, cooking the green bean casseroles, and the rolls, and loading it all up (including the carrot cakes we had made the day before) in the back of the Escape. We were all ready to head over to his parent's house...we just had to wait until Ryleigh's shirt finished drying.

Then we were ready. :)

See? So cute. The hat was a little small, but I put it on for cute pictures.