to be grateful...

...means you can recognize that you have food in your tummy, love in your heart, and the wellness of a sane mind. (Two out of three isn't bad either! :)From the abundance of fresh cranberries to the sweetness of pumpkin dip and sweet potato casserole, we sure have plenty this year.

I may not know what the path in front of us has in store, but if this weekend has taught me anything I know I must be more patient, step back every once and a while to see all that we are surrounded with, and thank God for the fortune we have. We, truly, are blessed with beautiful everything - every where we look.

The importance of learning the special recipes (even if it was mixed up in a Toy Story cereal bowl), is something I know Brandan will cherish later (though he can't foresee it now). To the simple touches (the napkins that Aly and I folded and added to the table settings) that makes something show effort was in place; these are things of which to be grateful.

Too much?
Nah...seven hours (not counting the evening before) of preparation is all worth the thirty minutes of drooling mouths and gobbled up food.

Eventful?
To a tee.
Perfect?
Yup.
Brandan would say so. He is making grand gains on his uncle. Half way there. Basketball might do the trick, yet.

Hope YOU enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday, too!