{A Week of Gratefulness}

"Pumpkin spice cake,
pumpkin rolls,
cranberry sauce,
apple pie,
set the tables,
print off Bible verses.." said the list hanging on the refrigerator. {Thankful.for.lists.} As the days before Thanksgiving passed quickly by, the more things on the list got crossed off. Excitement and pre-thanksgiving jitters filled the house. Each day we tackled a new project. I watched Diana standing over the hot stove stirring her bright red cranberry sauce. Her hair was tied up and loose strands curled around her sweaty forehead. {thankful.for.my.sister.} I can remember many years ago when Diana and I used to sit at the counter and help mom prep for Thanksgiving. We were so little back then; we didn't know the tricks of the kitchen as we do today. ;) 
Wednesday came; the busiest prep day. Dad, Diana and I were sent to purchase the final Thanksgiving meal item. "Twas the night before Thanksgiving..." I quoted on the great expedition to pick up the bird.  We drove to the great beyond {about 10 minutes} to fulfill the desired request by the most dearest of mothers; and what a ride it was. {thankful.for.my.mom.} Christmas music streamed through the speakers of our good old van as Diana and I belted out the words to our favorite Christmas songs. They were so long forgotten, we hadn't sung them for a year. {thankful.for.memorable.moments.} We embraced them like long, lost, forgotten friends; and a bit off tune I must admit. ;) We walked into the cinnamon-y smelling store and browsed past the fresh bright red apples and vibrant veggies. We casually walked down the candy isle. Glass jars of chocolate balls and candy cane sticks appealed to our eyes. There were chocolate Christmas trees, red and green M&Ms, Christmas taffy, and cute little stuffed Christmas bears. {thankful.for.m&ms.}
 "Awww!" I squealed hugging one. Diana looked at me, "Please, we don't need any more dolls." We "oooo"ed and "ahhh"ed our way past the festive arrangements. After standing in line for what seemed like eternity, we finally walked out with our great big turkey. Pilling back into the van, I burst out that we were the only ones in the store who had actually purchased a turkey uncooked; everybody in line was purchasing "cooked Thanksgiving" meals. Dad just shook his head. :P {thankful.for.homemade.food.} {and.a.mother.who.won't.buy.anything.premade.} ;)
I woke up early Thanksgiving morning; the sun streamed through my window. {thankful.for.sunrays.} Excitement drew me out of bed; I didn't care if I was the only one awake! We took a trip up to the arboretum for a nice pre-meal hike. It was beautiful. The clean crisp air did well to our souls. It was a few hours of thankfulness to our Creator for the beauty which lay around us. {thankful.for.trees.and.fresh.air.}
2pm arrived, and so did our guests.  Food, crock-pots, coats, shoes, little kids, big kids, friends, family, my nephew; the excitement in our house grew with every moment. {thankful.for.happiness.} Our kitchen was overflowing with food; pies, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce. {yum} 
All day and afternoon we enjoyed the laughter streaming from each room of our home. I walked in and out smiling to myself and taking it all in. I sat at the table with one little girl on my lap. Her long thin brown hair brushed against my cheeks; she looked up at me with her bright blue eyes shining. {thankful.for.little.friends.} We whispered together and tried to predict the winners of the games. My baby nephew's giggles echoed and brought smiles to everyone as he ran around from person to person. {thankful.for.the.nephew.} 
Our Thanksgiving Day came to a close as we started our hymn sing. The kids got out their violins, violas, and cellos. A whole string ensemble joined me on the piano. In-between songs, we shared with each other our thankfulness and our prayers. We spend time in prayer not just a friends, but as family in Christ. {thankful.for.the gift.of.like-mindedness.} I believe God puts people in our lives for a specific reason. He chooses your family members for a reason, He chooses your friends for a reason; all to bring glory to His name. {thankful.for.the.ones.He.chose.for.me.}  (: 

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”

{Psalm 100}