so thankful

Our thanksgiving this year was beautiful.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Our health

Michael and I started our day with a Turkey Trot 10K race on the coast of Huntington Beach.  We had a lot of fun, and felt proud to finish in 56 minutes, despite training minimally.  I am so grateful for my body, my health and my ability to exercise!

Shelter

 Knowing that the workers would be off, we took the opportunity to sneak into our new house.  Construction is moving along!  Our counters and cabinets are in, and we felt overwhelmed with excitement about turning this adorable house into our future home.  We also felt immense gratitude towards my parents, who by giving us a place to stay for these past few weeks, have infinitely helped us to accomplish our goal!  

Our Faith

We went to mass at a nearby abbey to give our thanks to our great God, to whom we owe everything.  What a blessing to be able to witness 40+ holy priests celebrating mass together.  I am so grateful for my Catholic faith.

Our Family

After mass, we headed up to Tom and Judy's for a wonderful thanksgiving dinner.  It was our first gathering as a family since Michael's grandmother passed away in October, and it was simply nice to be together.  We watched football, ate, and watched the cousins run around together. 

After the Ricci's, we feasted once again with my side of the family.  Dominic invited us all to join him in a "dance party", and once again, I felt so thankful for my beautiful boys, my husband, my family and for the precious time that we have been given to spend together.

Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.  Amen.