thirty days of thanks #6, #7, #8 and #9

i have not written for five days. i have felt really down. it has been a heartbreaking week for my family and i haven't felt much like blogging. our thoughts and prayers have been with my brother and his wife and children. we love them so much and wish we could be there to encircle them in our arms. i know that i have many things to be thankful for but it has been a very sad few days for my extended family and my brother's family in particular.

#6. i'm thankful for my siblings. i love them so much and i feel their love for me. i grew up with my siblings as my friends and our vacations now are all visits to see family.

#7. i'm thankful for my parents. i love them and appreciate everything they do for us. it was so good to see them and spend some time with them this last week.

#8. i'm thankful for this season. it is a great opportunity for me to appreciate all that i have even when i am feeling down.

#9. i'm thankful to be in our own place. we have been blessed by the generosity of family this year that have opened their home to us for months at a time and i am thankful for that, it is also nice to be able to have a place of our own to create a home for our little family.