Always thankful ...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Turkey, family, relaxing moments and the lack of stress all push this November date to the top of my list. No gifts, no running and no "this is a Christ-centered holiday, but I'm going to act otherwise" mentality. Simple and inspiring, and that's just how I like it.

But today is Veterans Day, not Thanksgiving. Yet, I can't help but think about all of the things I'm thankful for today. At the top of that list: Veterans. Count my sister, Daniele, and my father, Keith, among them. I'm thankful that they served, but I'm also grateful they both came home after their service to our great nation unharmed.

And those veterans fought to protect our freedoms. I'm thankful for those freedoms. I'm thankful I can write this blog without fear of government reprisal. I'm thankful I can worship as I choose. I'm thankful I can tote a gun if I want, vote as I see fit and write for a newspaper, promoting public awareness.

But, today, I'm thankful for even the small things, like the innocence of a child. I'm grateful that Alex and Lucas are still young enough to enjoy life without the fear of humiliation. They can be overjoyed at the fact that they got to wear blue hair paint in their hair today in honor of Veterans Day. Their much older and wiser brother would never consider such a thing -- after all, he's way too cool for blue hair these days.

I'm overjoyed at the fact that Emery is getting well enough that Henry and I got to go to bed early last night and get a full night's sleep. Ahhh, the little things ...

And that when I'm bloated I can reach into my closet and pull out my "fat" jeans and laugh to myself that they are the size 5/6 pair. I'm thankful for a workout regimen and a husband that allows me the time to enjoy it.

I'm thankful for friends, a loving family, an adoring husband and wonderful kids. I'm grateful for a flexible job, good insurance and a comfortable middle class lifestyle that affords me an enjoyable life in a small town.

As Thanksgiving approaches, there's a lot I am thankful for, but more than anything, I'm grateful and humbled by a heart that acknowledges these blessings all year long.