When I hear the word Thanksgiving, the first thought that pops into my head is PUMPKIN PIE!! Followed by turkey, mashed potatoes, greenbean casserole, pretzel jello salad (it's heavenly and my family only serves it during the holiday season), spice cookies, corn pudding, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and....well basically as soon as the weather gets cold (or slightly "chilly" here in the tropics) and people start talking about the holidays, I start thinking about stuffing my face. It's the only time of year when I will voluntarily bake.
But eating until I puke is not the point of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about being thankful.
There are a lot of things I am thankful for. Here are some of them:
My Amazing Family (all of whom really suck at holding still for photos):
(My perfect husband)
(The best parents ever)
(My favorite brother)

(The above two photos seem to be the only two photos I have of my favorite inlaws)
(And my favorite sisters-in-laws)My Wonderful Friends:
(My Colorado Friends)
(Rebecca - The Bestest Pal Eva - My Almost Sister)
I'm thankful for friends who still care enough to keep in touch regularly, even though I have been gone for a decade (Megan, James, Jessica's Family, Tara).
And I'm thankful for Rachel (far right) - who had her brain bashed in by a reckless driver this summer, and is getting a second chance at life thanks to her wonderful doctors, supportive family, and her own personal miracle. I'm so glad you're still here Rach.
I'm also thankful for all my Okinawa friends, but I don't have room to post the hundreds of photos I have of you guys. It's nice to have a family away from home though.
My Neurotic Animals:
(The Fierceness)
(The Queen Bee)
(The Goofball)
(Bigfoot)
(Lover Boy)
I have a nice apartment with ocean views in a nice neighborhood on a tropical island.
I have plenty of food to eat, even when it isn't Thanksgiving.
I am not only employed - I have four jobs.
I had the opportunity to go to college.
I have the means to go to college AGAIN so I can get ANOTHER degree and ANOTHER job.
I have two cars.
I can afford to travel.
But the biggest things I am thankful for this year are Peter.
I am thankful he is mine.
I am thankful we have such a happy marriage.
I am thankful that he is on a boat right now, and not in The Sandy Place (he was supposed to be).
I am thankful that he has the means to communicate with me almost daily.
I am thankful that he had the opportunity to train extensively before he deployed, so that he will be better able to do his job.
Hopefully next year, I will be thankful that he is HOME.