Gobble Gobble!

A few of the things I am thankful for:

My family- old and new… how cool is it that when you decide to get married your family doubles instantaneously? And you actually love your future mother-in-law? And how cool is it when your sister and brother become your closest friends? I still get to see my grandparents on a regular basis, and they are the most fabulous people I know. My mom is incredibly loving and creative and talented - hard at work on my wedding dress. My dad has made sure our reception is set to go at Terrace Lakes. My family is coming here from half way across the world (Norway and hopefully India) to see me get married. I could go on and on…

My friends- amazing, amazing people that light up my life in so many ways. Things change so quickly in your thirties. Parents die, people get married, have children, get divorced, grow apart, people move away. It is so good to know that there are so many people on my side if I need them. The Bunco girls, the Girl’s Night ladies, friends from college, friends from elementary school. Luck doesn’t begin to describe it.

My dogs- old and new… as much as I joke about getting rid of one of them, I have to say that having three dogs has its advantages… and having three adorable creatures wag their tails ecstatically when I walk in the door is defiantly high on that list, even if they do occasionally get into the garbage. And dig holes in the back yard. And knock stuff over. And get mud all over the floors. And jump up on our guests when they clearly know better. And chase the cat. The tail wagging is good though… really it is…

My kitty cat Cairo Gyro a.k.a. Shaq- People say that cats are not loyal like dogs are, but I disagree. Cairo had to have been pretty far away for him to finally venture home after a year and a half. Now that is devotion! I’m so glad he came home. It wouldn’t be fall unless I had that cat curled up on my lap purring the night away. Even if he does hate dogs now!

My co-workers – Somehow all of the men I work with here in computer geek lumber land turned out to be like brothers, and my boss is like a second dad. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with.

My health- Something that I will never take for granted again. For so many reasons.

Michael – For being on a constant hunt for music that he thinks I might like, for always believing in me in a way that no one ever has, for being my sounding board, for never going more than a few weeks without bringing me flowers, for putting up with my mood swings, for learning all the BCS standing stats so we can talk football, for his amazing culinary skills, for wagging his tail when I walk through the door, for everything. I’m so thankful that he had no idea what he got himself into when he asked me to marry him.