Dear Journal~

Bill here.  Thought I would write in here while the getting is good; super quiet here:  nobody else is up except me and the animals.  LOL  Hope it lasts for at least several more hours (like that is going to happen ... )!

I am also writing to wish each and every one of my friends a very happy Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I am going to enjoy my day off from work today, spend it with my family.  It is good to have most of the kids here; the house is full, near-to-bursting, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  :)  It is great to see some of the grandkids; they are all getting so big!!

Come to think of it, all of my kids are getting big.  *sigh*  Makes me feel at least sixty at times; seems like only yesterday when mama Louie was wiping their noses, kissing their boo-boos, or changing diapers!  And it seems like only yesterday when I would roughhouse with the boys and join in the girls' tea parties or other pretend-games!

At least I still have some little ones to where I can still play with them:  Emir, Isaiah, and Ian, as well as Arjun and Vijay, keep me entertained for hours.  They are all good kids; think I'll keep 'em!  :)

I am just glad we don't have to worry about cooking this year.  We're going out to eat; going to let someone else do the cooking for us.  Going to eat at Golden Corral today after we watch the big Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC, then come home and watch the Dallas Cowboys play football (hopefully they won't turn into the Dallas TURKEYS!!), and let our bellies flop around until we crash by nine. 

Then tomorrow, I have to be at work at four in the morning as I face "Black Friday" (it should be renamed "Black-and-BLUE Friday"!).  NOT looking forward to that at all!!).  I'm just glad I work in the back, in Security, where I can safely watch the action going on without the risk of getting trampled on or injured in the mad dash of shoppers looking for bargains and "that perfect gift" they must have!!

Right now, though, that's furthest from my mind as I think of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me and my family:  health.  Financial blessings/miracles from when we needed it the most.  A loving church family.  A beautiful woman to love and amazing children who are all talented, smart, and gifted.  Loving friends who are there when we face the trials of life.  A job in today's shaky economy when so many others are out of work.  A beautiful home.  Grandkids who are the apple of their Boppa's eye.

So many people don't have what I do; for that I am extremely grateful.  God has been very good to our family over the years; I pray it continues!

I just hope that Lightning and her husband, Darnell, can work out their marital differences.  They are seeing a counselor to help them; I pray this works out for them!  I'd hate to lose Darnell as a son-in-law; he is a wonderful provider and father to their children!  Maybe they will be able to come for Christmas; I certainly hope so!  The house isn't the same without them being here!

Well,  I hear Jodie crying, so I'd best see what she needs.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Bill wishing each and every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving Day!  Enjoy your day with family, and don't eat too much turkey!  And above all, give thanks in all things; after all, giving thanks to God above is the main reason why we celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving!

~Bill.  :)

Another thing I'm thankful for:  going back to bed; don't have to get up early; can sleep in for at least five and a half more hours!  LOL