Happy Thanksgiving and what I am thankful for...

First and foremost, I am thankful for my husband, Lucas. He spends 6 months of the year apart from the family to go work in dreadful conditions where is light all day or dark all day and survive freezing conditions, just so he can provide a good life for us. Secondly, I am grateful for my kids. There's not a day that goes by that they don't make me laugh and smile. I am thankful for my mother who is dutifully serving her country in less than great conditions. From what she tells us about her life in Iraq, I know I would break down in tears everyday, but she sees the bright side of everything and that is something I am jealous of. I am also grateful for all those times I was a bad kid and my mother restrained herself from beating me to death. I am grateful for my Mom and Grandfather( who recently passed) who taught me the value of hard work and doing a job well done. That is a gift that has helped me out so much in life. I am thankful for my brother and sister. We don't always get along great, but I know that we are always there for each other. I am especially thankful for my brother who suffered for years to care for my grandparents when my father did not step up. He is now suffering from wrath of Terry (my father) and doesn't deserve it. I wish I was there to support him and help him out. I am thankful for my nice home, when I know there are people who will be sleeping on the streets tonight. I am thankful that I didn't have to cook the big thanksgiving dinner. I let Kennedy decide what she wanted and chose a Stouffers Frozen Lasagna. All I had to do was stick it in the microwave and she told me this was her best thanksgiving. Selfishly, I am grateful for my computers and the knowledge that they have given me. Who would have ever thought that a 22 year old girl who one day picked up a computer manual would end up working for Microsoft. I am really blessed. I am thankful for the gym (I know it sounds weird) for keeping me healthy both physically and mentally. I am grateful for Lucas who puts in so much work in the summer on our 1/2 acre lot. You don't really know how big it is until you try and work on it. I am grateful for the entire Skinner and Gilbert families. Since day 1 they have always welcomed me into their homes and never once judged me... just loved me and Kennedy like we were on of them. I am grateful for all the Skinner girls. It's nice to have a big family to lean on. I am grateful that I can run, jump, talk, see, breathe and all the other gifts that God gave me. I am grateful for so much more that I just can't fit in... but most of all, I am grateful for all of you who read this today. Thanks for the love and support!