I am thankful for the “Freebird” scene in Elizabethtown. The movie itself is one of my very favorites. But sometimes Ben & I will just play the “Freebird” scene when we need a good laugh. Rent the movie & see for yourself.

I am thankful for a wonderful set of “in-laws” (though that term feels sort of cold & distant and that’s not how I view them at all.) And with this bonus family comes another brother. Daniel!

I am thankful for Daniel’s joy for life & hearing about his adventures.

Plus, he is really nice to me & even calls sometimes just to talk to me, or to ask me a question.

And he’s turning older today. 29, just like my brother! Happy Birthday, Daniel!

I am thankful for a welcoming outlet for my creativity. I have been honored to be included in some local craft shows with some amazingly talented artists. And this Christmas, I have an opportunity to be a part of some “Pop Up” Shops that are taking over some empty retail spaces downtown.

Consider buying local this Christmas!

Here’s some more info about the Pop Up Shops:

http://www.maketulsa.com/2011/11/indie-emporium-is-pop-up-shopping-2011/

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20111030_11_a23_cutlin153169

It is my little brother’s birthday. He’s not so little anymore, as you can see by the picture evidence below.

(1985-ish)

(2001)

He’s probably got 8 inches on me, but he’s still my *little* brother. He’s a marine, stationed in Japan for the next few months. Happy Birthday, Michael!

I am thankful for that feeling of anticipation that comes with the approaching holidays. There’s just a sweet spirit in the air of excitement & I love it.

I am thankful for friends who come help us pack!

I am thankful for organizations that are doing a lot of work to strengthen our community. I was at a regular meeting today with TACSI (Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative.) I always leave these meetings encouraged & overwhelmed by how many different people & organizations in our area are participating in strengthening this community.

Take 4 minutes & watch this video Ben made for them this year.

The community schools initiative is happening all over the country, not just in Tulsa. But we are proud to report that one of our Tulsa Schools won the National Award for Excellence this year-a pretty big deal!

Here are some interesting facts about that school.

I am thankful for allergy medication. I have been feeling crummy the past few days. Then I realized that it was probably just allergies. 2 days into taking my Zyrtec again & I can breathe, sleep, swallow, and move around without a cloudy head or a low-grade fever.

I am thankful for saving money!

Our local grocery store has a rewards program set up. For every $50 we spend, we get 5 cents off of gas at their station. It’s not hard to spend $50 at the grocery store, is it? I was a bit skeptical (because I always am) about these sort of things. But this one has really paid off for us. We go to that grocery store anyway, it’s on our way home. And we get gas there often enough (because it’s on our way home).

Today I paid $2.83/gallon when I filled up. (Often we end up paying less than $3/gallon.) I saved $4.11 today!

[For my fellow skeptics]:

I am thankful that I was able to make a FINAL payment on my credit card this week. A burden lifted, and I feel lighter for it. Now to chip away at the other debt…