Thankful

Well, it is the week of Thanksgiving. Although I think it is sad to have to have a holiday to remember what to be thankful for ... I digress ...
On Monday we had "friends Thanksgiving" with a group of our closest friends. It was Isabella's first little outing. (We ended up having to leave after about an hour and a half when she started screaming to be fed.) While eating turkey and tasting Ellen's awesome homemade cranberry sauce, we began discussing how special friends really are. Luckily, I have a great family. However, several people often feel like they are "stuck" with their family and just have to love them. Friends are the family that we get to choose. I am overwhelmed at all the support our friends have shown us with the arrival of our first child ... everyone coming by to love on her and make sure we are eating well. My friends truly are an extension of my family and I love them so ...
Speaking of my family ... I have the best! Sure, each one of my family members has their quirks and sometimes can make you want to pull your hair out ... but ... I wouldn't trade them for the world. Also, my family is not just my intermediate family members ... we have a HUGE family made up of extended family members. Holidays when we were younger were seriously like the ones you see in movies. I have such great memories with this family of mine and have so many people that I know would do anything for me at the drop of a hat. I am truly blessed. On that note ... I have a prayer request.
One of my sisters, Nancy Moore, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is much younger than the age at which you expect to be faced with such a challenge and we have recently discovered it is more aggressive than we had all hoped. I know that God will get her through this ... she is strong and healthy and happy and loved by many ... and I just ask that you add her to your prayer list. This holiday season, my family will all be cheering her on ... and that will be our main focus and concern.
Finally, I must mention before I sign off ... that I have the most precious little girl I have EVER SEEN! (I know, I am a tad bias ... okay, more than a tad ...) And I couldn't possibly be more thankful than for the gift of Isabella Lynn Runyon.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and the friends that are my family too! I love you all so much!