Surprise!

I know I owe you a Saturday story. I have one, but it may have to be a "Sunday Story" now, because I have a special surprise today! A GUEST BLOGGER.


Give him a round of cyber applause. (Clap, clap, clap...)


Since it's American Thanksgiving this week, I figured THE.AMERICAN. should be the one to post a Thankful List today. (Is it apparent that this every day blogging gig is killin' me??) Take it away, Richie!

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Thanks for that intro! I guess I'll do a "Thanksgiving thankfulness" post a week(ish) early, since we'll be off to camp next week with our fantastic group o' yutes. And on that note, I'll dive right in, saying I'm thankful for:

• The aforementioned youths! We have a great bunch of kids in our youth group, and it's been a fantastic blessing to both get to know new ones every year and to see the others mature as their 3 year stints with us go by.
• Continuing on that theme: the entirety of our church. Scroll down a few posts and you'll see a great example of why. Couldn't ask for a better, friendlier, or more supportive group of people.
  
• Cake mixes and pudding (hey, this doesn't have to all be deep). Take 1 yellow cake mix, add in a pudding mix to the batter (lemon and white chocolate are quite good), and you've got an extra-yummy cake w/o much work.
• My family. Yes, it's a cliche, but I can hardly leave it off. The upbringing I was given by my mom, and the support that's now provided even over the long distances, just can't be beat. And my "newer" family (aka C's side) has made me feel as welcome as can be, to where they all feel like long-time friends & family as well. (Wait, we've been married nearly 10 years now, so I guess that is long-time. Yikes!)
• Winning the cribbage tournament in Grand Forks. Because it's also fun to beat said family on occasion. (High-five, Ross!)
  
• The Internet. Beyond the typical reasons for which a geek like me can list (astronomy & gaming blogs, anyone?), there's the fact that its existence means I can have a job where I can still work with the same great group of people that I did TX, and will still be able to do so when we go away for E's therapy. And on top of that, E can video chat with her "sussern gramma"!
  
• The thus-far mild winter. Because I am not thankful for needing a snow shovel. To all my southern friends I say: snow is nice for the first month or two. The next 4-5... well, it's no coincidence that no one seems to visit us mid-winter. That is, with the exception of my parents & brother, who all vowed to never do that again.
• Last but most of all: my 2 girls, young & even younger! (Brownie points: +1)

And now, 2 more things I'm thankful for are calling: Tivo & college football. All we need is some turkey, and it'd be just like Thanksgiving!