Thanksgiving.......

Today was Thanksgiving. In truth my cup does runneth over. I do thank G-d every single day for the blessings in my life. I am fortunate to spend many days by myself driving through beautiful countryside to closings, people envision New York as just Manhattan but that is only the city. The rest of it is hills and trees and water and lots of unbelievable beauty that takes my breath away. I have one drive to my biggest client that is about an hour away. It is just gorgeous, in the town of St. James. I drive along winding roads with trees all around it. Watching the leaves change colour and it warms my soul. I chat to G-d as I drive at least once a day, to thank him for all that is good in my life, and there is a lot.

I am grateful for Josh and all that he does. How he puts up with me I will never know. My friend Loren was here glowing over how much Jeff had done that day in the house, things J does on a daily basis that I take for granted. I am amazed when I hear from other wives how little their husbands are prepared to do and how much J does. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, watches the kids so I can go out with my friends. He includes the kids in all that he does whether it be cooking or working on the landrover. He is a great husband and a great dad. Today he cooked a feast of note, took him two days to make everything. He was up at 6am to start the Turkey, he roasted it on the BBQ/braai. He made so many courses and dishes that we all declared a truce and pushed ourselves away from the table just stuffed to the gills. My folks were there as were J's dad, stepmom and J's best friend Bob.

I am grateful to my folks for giving up so much to be able to be a part of our lives. They have never stopped putting their kids first and I am so grateful and feel so lucky to have had these kind, loving people to guide me in my life. Nothing is ever too much and they are always on hand with sound advice and a way to make things happen. Anything.

I am grateful to the two little people who occupy such a large part of my heart. How did I get so lucky to get hugs and kisses every day??

I am grateful that not only do I like my in-laws but that I love them. They are wonderful people who really care about us and try to their best for our kids and for J and I.

I am grateful to all my friends around the world, some I have known for ever, others I feel as if I have.

I am grateful to have my sisters, nephews and my cousins. How lucky to love and be loved.

The kids made placemats for all our guests. We typed what they are thankful for (they dictated it to me) and they decorated the placemats. Here is what they wrote....

I am thankful for Oupa because…….

He is such a great grandpa. He takes us out and spoils us like crazy. We love Oupa. He lets me sleep over at his house and takes me out for dinner. He is the best. Love, Ryan

I love Oupa. Because he takes me out to buy birthday presents whenever I go to his house he lets me and Ryan have ice cream and other special treats. He is the best Oupa. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Gugga because…………..

She tells Diane to take me out to the movies or to do a craft or to buy a thing for my scrapbook. She let me go see Chicken Little. You can never get another Gugga as special as she is. I love her. She lets us watch TV on her bed. She takes me swimming and we have lots of sleepovers at her house. Love, Ryan

She is special to me. She lets me play in her pool. She takes me out to the Diner. She is my Gugga Goo Goo and I love her. We have lots of fun together. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Grandpa Ralph because………….

I love Grandpa because he does most of the things I like. He brings me fishing, he brings me to stores, he loves to laugh. He is crazy about me. He gives me big, big kisses and hugs all the time. Love, Ryan.

I love him and he is the sweetest Grandpa ever. Grandpa lets me jump on him. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Grammy Leslie because…………..

She brings me to special places. She loves me so much and I love her. We play in the dollhouse and that is fun. I am so lucky to have her as my grandma. Love, Ryan

I love her. She kisses me every time she sees me. We do lots of arts and crafts together. She lets me go out somewhere. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Daddy because………….

He is my dad and he is so special to me. He brings me to work with him. He loves the color purple and he is the best dad. I sit on the swing and cuddle with him. He is very strong and I love him. Love, Ryan

I love him so much. He is special to me and plays Mojo Jojo. He is so sweet and special to me. We work on the lambrover. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Mommy because ……………..

She is brings me to special places and she spoils me. She loves me so much and I love her too. I love to shnuggle my mommy. Love, Ryan

I love mommy more then she loves me. She spoils me up. She makes me go crazy all the time and I make her laugh all the time. We go out with each other to the Diner. I like to paint with her. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Uncle Bob because…….

He likes my dad and is one of his best friends. He likes us too. Love, Ryan

He is a sweet guy. He is friends with my dad. Love, Nikki

I am thankful for Ryan because …………………..

She is my nice big sister. She is my bestest sister, she plays with me a lot. She is a nice girl. We play tag outside. Love, Nikki

She is a wonderful girl who is very kind. She is so creative and does amazing art projects. She makes me very proud and I love her very much. I love to shnuggle and kiss her. Love, Mommy

She is a wonderful, sweet and considerate and adoring girl. I love her very much. Love, Daddy

I am thankful for Nikki because ……………….

She is my sister. She makes silly faces and pictures. She likes me. We play games. Love, Ryan

She is a wonderful friend and is kind. She gets serious cases of mommy-kiss-a-litis and is such a great shnuggler. She is a great listener and I am proud of her. I love her more then she loves me. Love, Mommy

She is funny. A good sharer and I love her. Love, Daddy

Hope you hug all those you love and that you have plenty to be thankful for!