My Thankfulness Journey

Well "Thankful Thursday" only really lasted two weeks this month.  We have been traveling so much and it has been difficult to get to a computer, but I am still determined to write what I am thankful for each day of this month.  For the final day of November I am completing this series.
22. Facebook
OK, this sounds cheesy, but without it I would have a really hard time keeping up with my friends and family.  Sure I have people on my friends list that I probably wouldn't spend much time with in person but I am so grateful to be able to see what is going on in the lives of my close friends and family since I live so far from most of them
23. Extended family
I have a lot of cousins and I am thankful to be close to so many of them.  John is close to his extended family as well.  We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with John's family and we had a great time with so many family members!  I have to post this picture of my little man all dressed up on Thanksgiving. 

The cuteness is almost too much to take!
24. My car

I'm sorry I refer back to our time in Japan so much, but living overseas really makes you so thankful for some of the things we have in the US!  When we moved back to America we bought a new Honda Pilot.  I have never had a new car before and I am so grateful we were able to buy this one.  I absolutely LOVE it!!!
25. John having a job
After recent trips to large cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas, I have become even more thankful that John has a job.  It seems as if you become more aware of how many people are homeless when you visit large cities.  There are so many people who are not as fortunate we are and have lost their jobs and homes.  His job isn't an easy one, but I don't think he is at risk of losing it any time soon!
26. Dates

It has been a while since John and I went on a date, but thanks to my cousin Cami for watching Ryker while we attended the Marine Corps ball, and John's parents for watching him while we were all in Vegas, my husband and I have had two evenings out by ourselves!  Dates are now much more meaningful since we do not have them often.  When Ryker gets a little older and we get to know more people around here, I hope to have nights out with my hubby more often!
27. Black Friday...or the lack thereof

I absolutely hate Black Friday.  There is nothing I could possibly want, or a bargain so great that I am willing to wake up at 2am and fight crowds for.  Thankfully stores are offering some great deals on their websites so I can shop from the comfort of my own home!  On the news this week, I saw stories of several people who were seriously injured during the Black Friday mayhem.  No thank you.
28. Healthcare
A great benefit of being a military family is not having to pay for healthcare.  After seeing the bill from the hospital when Ryker was born, I am so thankful we did not have to pay a cent!
29. Being an American
America can get a bad reputation sometimes, and of course there are so many problems our nation faces, but there is such pride we can have in being Americans.
I must share the blog address of a friend of mine.  She and her husband just welcomed their fourth child into their family...a little girl from China.  They will be on their way home soon with their sweet little girl.  Please pray for a smooth transition for all of the members of their family!
http://usmcfamilyoffive.blogspot.com/
30. Being blessed

I must say that I am flat out blessed.  Not lucky, not fortunate, but blessed.  I have to give thanks to God for all of the incredible blessings He has given me and my family.  Looking back at my life I have seen blessing after blessing and I know they are from God.
I hope all of you have taken the time to pause and reflect on all of this reasons you have to be thankful and I pray we remember them throughout the year!