My favorite Christmas moment...

#28

Day of Thanksgiving #28: The Panera Parking Lady. I don't even know her name. But every time I drive up to the parking booth to pay my $.50-$1.00 for parking (depending on how long I've chatted with whoever I was eating with), this sweet lady smiles and waves me through. I don't pay a dime. Now, I always have my money in hand, ready to pay. I never take this gift she gives me for granted. I am so thankful for her giving spirit and I hope I bring her as much joy as she does to me every time I see her.

Today, I went prepared. As I was pulling out, she saw my face, smiled, raised the arm to let me out...but I wouldn't leave. I handed her a little piece of thanks - a Starbucks gift card. A small way to say thank you from this stranger friend.

I think I saw a tear. :)

#27 - Thanksgiving Day

Day of Thanksgiving #27: Tradition & Reflection. Today we celebrated another year of blessing and provision. My dad always say, "we don't have any traditions". But in the last few years, we have realized that there really are things we do every year - things we come to rely on for our security and happiness. We laugh about some things that have become tradition simply because we're reminded of those events each year - and that is a tradition in itself. We may not think about when mom spilled the water in Matt's lap at all this year....until we sit down to Thanksgiving next year...it WILL come up.

#26

Day of Thanksgiving #26: My sister, Carrie. Don't think for a moment that I'm playing favorites. I love all my siblings. The last 6 months, though, have given me the opportunity to be with Carrie more often. Since I work from home, and Carrie stays home to raise Wyatt, we've had several opportunities to meet for lunch, or just spend the day together on our respective computers. Carrie and I have gotten a lot closer because of our extra time together. And for that, I'm thankful.

#25

Day of Thanksgiving #25: Catching up. Today I went shopping at the Lancaster outlets for Christmas gifts and more. It was such a blessing to not only get a jump start on my shopping, but to meet with friends I went to college with. We sat at dinner, at Panera of course (maybe Panera should be a day of thanksgiving post) talking and catching up. We picked right up where we left off and had a great time of fellowship.

#24

Day of Thanksgiving #24: Drive-thrus. You don't have to get out of your car on a rainy day, and you dont have load all your belongings up in your purse to take in with you. You often get a giggle from trying to understand the static-y voice in the speaker, and try and picture what they look like before ever seeing their faces. And, your food stays warm in the bag until you can enjoy your fast-food delights in the comfort of your house....or a friends.

What is bad about that?

His face gives it away

Can you guess what Drew is doing?

#23

Day of Thanksgiving #23: My new camera. Ever since the UPS man rang my doorbell and I turned it on, I've been so thankful for this great gift to myself. Coaching volleyball enabled me to get a little extra cash to invest in a camera I've been wanting for quite awhile. I've taken so many pictures already. I'm still adjusting to it but I've been able to make a lot of people smile....or furrow their brow because of my lens stuck in their face!

I love it.