So, since tomorrow is the big T day, I just wanted to make a little list of what I am currently most thankful for (my top 5), seeing as we are to GIVE THANKS, not just eat ourselves stupid.

First and foremost, above all else, I am thankful to be the recipient of God's greatest gift, salvation. Without it, life would be meaningless, hopeless, and without purpose.

Secondly, I am thankful for God's faithfulness. Why? Because no matter how I try, I am not, never will I ever be, as faithful as God commands, yet HE is faithful to me, an undeserving wretch. How awesome is He for that?!

Thirdly, I am thankful for my husband that works his hiney off for the piddly wages our government pays law enforcement to deal with the stupidest, most ridiculously twisted people in society. Not just one time, but repeatedly seeing as our judiciary system can't give the sentencing needed, and because our penal system is so overloaded that they don't even serve those meager sentences. Oh, and not to mention the people that curse him for a speeding ticket, but complain if it took him 6 minutes to get to their home when they thought someone was trespassing. And the people calling him a pig, or Po-Po, or any other derogatory term because they judge him for his job without even getting to know him.

Fourth, for my family. I cannot imagine life without my parents, brother, kids, husband...They mean the world to me. God could not have put me in a more loving, supportive family!

And fifth, for my beloved friends. You guys are my support, not because you are obligated by relation, but because you CHOOSE to love me as your friend, and that means so very much to me. You have been there for me in my toughest times, you have prayed for me even when I couldn't pray for myself, and I love you all for it.

I thank God for all of these things every day, but thought I'd share this with you now. I hope you all take some time away from the Thanksgiving extravagance, time by yourself, and think of all you have to be thankful for. Thinking of what we have and thanking God for it brings so much joy! You are all in my prayers, always.

Please keep my little sweetpea in your prayers tomorrow. His surgery is to start at 7:45am at Watauga Medical in Boone. He is having tubes put in his ears, his adnoids removed, allergy test injections, and possibly his tonsils removed. His recovery should take 2-4 weeks, but shouldn't be too awful in the meantime. We are hoping that 2008 will be his first year without loads of antibiotics, antihistamines, and breathing treatments. Please pray, too, that he will not catch my cold while his tiny body is trying to heal. Abigail is staying with my mom and dad tonight and tomorrow to allow me to give Aiden some one-on-one mommy time. She was a bit upset that she wasn't going to see me on my birthday, but I took her to Dos Amigos for lunch, so she's happy now! I will do my best to post tomorrow night to let you all know how he did. You have my love and prayers!

Yeah. So I was up every hour last night with Aiden. Why? No clue. I think he is having a hard time adjusting to the time change and the cold weather. He got up for the day at 6:30, so I kept him in his room so that Ab and Wes could sleep. They both got up and 8. I started making breakfast for my three kids, when I first saw it. It looked like an over-cooked grain of rice moving just a wee bit, on my counter. Last week, Wes went to Abingdon, VA, to attend his great-aunt's funeral. He came home with a bag full of chestnuts from his dad. You got it...wormy chestnuts. Apparently, the heat from the house finally sank into the heart of the nuts and the worms came out. I was appalled. I am a bit anal retentive when it comes to clean. Not overly organized by any means, but CLEAN. I fed the kids, and spent 15 hours cleaning my kitchen. I ended up slaughtering 23 of those nasty vermin. I cleaned everything...completely. I even scoured the outside of spice bottles and food containers. I pulled out the refidgerater and oven and scrubbed under them. Who knows what those things crawled on!? So I cleaned every conceivable surface. Of course, there were interruptions in those 15 hours, such as Bissel cleaning the living room carpet wear Aiden decided to pee, ironing Abby's elf outfit for tomorrow's parade she is in, making lunch and dinner for the fam, washing/drying/folding six loads of laundry, reminding Abigail to clean up her toys that she scattered all over the house, moving the two kids to opposite ends of the house so they would not be so wild, etc. So off to bed they went and back to bleach I went. Next, I will be scouring myself after today! Sometimes, I truly believe that women should be paid the biggest bucks to stay home, especially on days like this. I did get some good baby love at bedtime, though...and that is priceless.