You've been so kind and generous, I don't know how but you keep on giving, for your kindness- I'm in debt to you, for your selflessness, my admiration, and for everything you've done... you know I'm bound, I'm bound to thank you for it...

I know, I know- as my dear friend Andi so kindly pointed out to me- it's been a while since I last updated my blog... and she even pointed out that she's written 3 since I wrote my last one... so here ya go! This one is for you... <3

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (yea, yea, I get it, it was a few weeks ago, but whatevs...) I want to express my great thanks for a vast many things in my life that I don't think I spend time thanking or appreciating near often enough. 

First of all, the one person who I have to thank so much for just being all around wonderful and putting up with my crazy antics- is this man:

I honestly don't even know where I would be without him. He's the yin to my yang, the sock to my shoe, and the all around glue that keeps this hot mess together. To think of a life without Jason is just unfathomable to me and something I never want to have to experience. His selflessness, caring and supportiveness continues to blow me away...and we've been together for almost 13 years. I couldn't do IT (and IT is almost anything you can think of) without you. Thank you. 

I'm thankful for my family- supporting me through every bit of anything! They are always there when I need them and I am beyond blessed to have their love and support always. 

I'm thankful for the many friends that I've been blessed to have in my life. Some I talk to often, some I talk to only every once in a while- but I know in my heart that the closest ones would do anything for me at the drop of a hat (they know who they are).

Then there are my friends that are my family... The relationships that we share are special and unique and completely comfortable. I never have to worry about being anything but my authentic self with them and I treasure that. They are in it for the long haul- babies, graduations, retirement homes- I will be there with these 2 by my side guaranteed. They are my family in every sense of the word except for blood relation... but that doesn't matter.

Here are some pics of the siblings that I chose... 

See, they even look alike-... 

I'm thankful for my sweet dog, Chloe. She is always at the front door anxiously awaiting my arrival home with kisses in tow. I love when she's feeling protective and barks when she hears a noise. I love the way she curls up next to me when she's cold and I'm thankful for her unconditional love. 

I'm thankful for a job that allows me to give something back- while paying me a more than decent wage to do so. I'm thankful for the opportunity to care for others, whether directly or indirectly. I'm thankful for the staff that I work with "now", and the staff I worked with "then"...

Although it hasn't been pristine- I'm thankful for my health... especially after working in a hospital for so long I have seen how bad it can really be, and I thank God every day that I am not there. 

I'm thankful that I do not have a hell-ish commute- DC traffic is ridiculous, but we were lucky enough to find a precious little place in Georgetown which means we have a 12 minute walk-commute to work Monday-Friday... my friends that live across the Potomac... not so lucky. 

I'm thankful to have been born in the United States and to taste a freedom that I know many others in other parts of the world will never experience. 

I'm thankful for a life that is full with so much more than I deserve...