This Thanksgiving, I Give Thanks For....

For such an amazing Dallas weather!!!!! yippee!!!

The Turkey Carb Lowdown 2011

Family, carbs, Black Friday, more carbs, Weekend, more and more carbs...and lots of naps.

Here's Raquel napping with Mocha.

Turkey defeated Vanessa on the first round. 

Mandy didn't stand a chance either...

The Fantastic 4! 

Raquel was fascinated by Mocha.

Sofia and Super Coco Beware!

On Black Friday, we got up late, ate breakfast late and went shopping for our Christmas tree and our individual ornaments. This year was the very first year that I didn't do anything but help John with the Christmas tree stand aside from that the girls took over decorating the Christmas tree! yippee!

To end the night, the girls decided the animals needed to be shown the way to Noah's Ark.

It is not a Seaman Reunion without dancing!

For What Shall I Give Thanks?

This year has been another year with its usual ups and downs and looking back I want to give thanks for,

1. Making peace with a friend even though it was very hard, I was able to find peace.

2. The Doctor who operated on Sofia's Adenoid Glands and successfully removing them, now she's breathing better and we haven't gone to the doctor since August for Sinus infections.

3. I give thanks for having a job that helps us pay our bills, our house and the girls school and not occupying some city public park, and even if I didn't have a job, I wouldn't blame Capitalism.

4. For my Stephen Minister Counselor who advised me to write and in doing so I have found an outlet.

5. Yesenia and David who were so kind in including us in their wedding; we felt very special.

6. For the few friends that I do have even though nowadays it is hard to go out and mingle, thank you for being patient and understanding.

7. For family! Even though we are crazy and dysfunctional, we are there when it matters.

8. For my Nanny, because she shares the same principals and values that John and I do. She's amazing!

9. Retrouvaille, because every time we give our marriage talk, we grow stronger every time.

10. For the Corporation that invented running shoe insoles, because they allowed me to run again and lose my pregnancy weight.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank You, God, for sustaining my breath, and thank You, God, for preserving my life. Thank You, God, for providing what I need this day, for I do not know if tomorrow will come, nor what it will bring. But if it comes, and if I see it, thank You, dear Father in heaven, that, in the midst of all the wrestling, and despite all my weakness, You will bring me along.

Thanksgiving 2010

I give thanks every day for the beautiful Seaman family the Lord gave me!

Here's John cutting the Turkey

Good times! and lots of great food! 

Sofia playing with her cousins, Aisha and Cameron 

All the cousins, including Sofia picking up the leafs

Thank you!

This year I’m thankful for my husband who loves me; I’m thankful for my two beautiful daughters. I’m blessed to have become a mother for the second time. I’m also blessed to have such a great extending family in the Seamans. My in laws are awesome! They accept me for who I am, and during our separation, they never judge me but kept telling me they loved me no matter what.

Vanessa, what can I say! You are the best Auntie my daughters can possibly ever have! You are also there when I need a shoulder to cry on. I love you very much!

Guy and Mandy keep doing what you are doing; you are an inspiration to us all!

James, you will always be my brother in law no matter what happens from this moment on. I do not regret choosing you to be Sofia’s godfather.

Pati, I’m glad we connected again. Let’s begin a new friendship!

Hollis, you and I still need to talk and I promise it will be very soon. Then we will begin a new friendship based in forgiveness, love and acceptance towards each other.

Zarah, thank you for being so caring, kind and understanding towards me. You seem to always call me when I need someone to talk to. I look forward to meeting your beautiful twin baby girls in February!

Jo, thank you for recommending the raspberry leaf tea for my morning sickness. It sure helped!

I feel that each year that passes by, the Lord challenges me to grow in Him and takes me to paths where I don’t want to walk across but He wants me to break free from my old ways and build new ways based in Him. The Lord is humbling me once again.

This year, I have been loved, I have been hurt, I have laughed, I have rejoiced, I have conquered, I have lost, I have gained, I have cried, I have forgiven. But most importantly is to know that family is the most beautiful thing to cherish each and every day. What I have now, I will not take for granted ever again. I make a choice each and everyday to love.

So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Forget Black Friday and instead choose to spend the day with your family and love on them! God Bless, Sandra.

p.s: A year ago I ran my first 8 mile Turkey Trot! I can't believe it!