Our first Thanksgiving!

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude recently. Maybe it’s been sparked by all the thankful posts floating around blogland recently… 🙂 or maybe it’s the fact that the holidays this year mark a whole slew of “firsts” for us as a newly married couple. Either way, I really am feeling a deep sense of joy as I daily realize just how many blessings there are in life – from the little things like how the yellow sunshine glints on early-morning blue snow…to the big things, like having a loving, committed man as my best friend and life companion.

So, on this chilly Tuesday night, I’m sifting through some happy although perhaps grainy phone pictures – it’s time for some thankful thoughts and reflection!

These last 5 days were a gift in themselves, since it was our Thanksgiving break off from school! There sure was a buzz of excitement in the hallways that two-day school week, and the kiddos in my small groups weren’t as focused as usual. Everyone was looking forward to break. I think the elementary and middle school staff needed it as much as the kids did! 😉

We filled our time off with:

mugs of hot chocolate, the Reddi-Whip foaming obscenely high,

hours standing in the kitchen, mashing potatoes for the big meal, splashing each other with sudsy water,

whipping up a recipe for yummy pumpkin cheesecake,

a lazy afternoon or two, wrapped up in blankets with a movie on,

game nights and fireplace lounges and laughs with family,

Cracker Barrel peg games and sweet tea with Bjorn’s sis,

a 3-hour pancake brunch with our dear friend,

last-minute grocery store runs in -8 degree weather (thank goodness for small-town grocery stores that are still open on Thanksgiving in the morning!),

and trekking across slick snow for that perfect Christmas tree at sunset.

After finding that perfect tree with my side of the family…Bjorn and I bought an artificial one from Home Depot 😉 Someday, we’ll continue the tradition of cutting a tree, but for now, this beautiful, cozy scene (complete with pine-scented ornaments) will do just fine! 🙂

There were so many things – big and little – to be grateful for over this long weekend. And it was all so special with my husband at my side. 🙂 How was your Thanksgiving break?? What special traditions and excursions do you enjoy during this season?

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By the way, there is still a $225 CHRISTMAS CASH GIVEAWAY going on!!!