Josh and Becca Thrap and Family

So, I’ve made it successfully through my first three Thaksgiving gatherings–now only two more to go! I’m feeling very chubby today. I wouldn’t say that I gorged myself or anything, but I’m definately not going hungry. My family has been lucky this week to spend time with lots of family and close friends. I’m so glad we’re still in Iowa! Actually, as is appropriate this time of year, I’ll take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate and express my gratitude for the many blessings in my life. I know that I am guilty of taking much for granted and greedily wanting more and more. I have a wonderful husband who enriches my life in more ways than I can count, and four of the most wonderful children to ever bless the face of the Earth (and they’re all–husband included, so darn cute)!!! I have a large, close, and caring extended family and considering how many people I’m related to now (including in-laws) as a group we’re in relatively good health. I have friends. New and old, far and near, and all of them so dear to my heart. (small rant on friends coming up.) In my life I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends. (And if you’re reading this, chances are good that you’re one of them!) Whether you consider me a friend or just a close aquaintance, or perhaps you feel compelled by relation to associate with me, or you are my kindred spirit–a bosom friend, our relationships have meant the world to me. I truly feel honored to have had so many close and meaningful relationships–I appreciate even the ones that have dissipated over the years for whatever reasons. Ok, moving on, I have a home and food and clothing and transportation etc etc. I am relatively well educated (you may not have known by my writings here–I am queen of rambling on with the comma splice!) and I have been given a ginormous multitude of life experiences. And while these are the big, more obvious blessings in my life, I am also thankful for things like having my own washer and dryer and having the kids’ school in my backyard so I don’t have to get everyone up and dressed early every morning–I can just send the older ones out the back door. I am thankful for comedy and the seasons and traditions and my senses. I am glad that Justin Timberlake decided to bring “SexyBack.” I’m not neccesarily convinced that he was the guy to do it, (or that he could) but the song has provided me with great entertainment and for that I give him Kudos. Ok again. I have grown quite weary and simply must retire for the night. I am grateful for sleep. And for the belief that tomorrow will come and be a new day…”with no mistakes in it”…yet.