Thankful Thinking

As I sit here in the Christmas Spirit with Pandora Holiday Music playing, I'm trying to figure out how to write a blog about things I am thankful for without it taking someone 15 years to read. I'll be honest...it's a long list this year.

I'll start with the obvious. I am SO thankful for my family. Not just my immediate family, either. I mean my Hubby, Mom, Dad, my two brothers, my mother-in-law, both of my sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, my nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins....the list goes on. I'm thankful for every darn one of you. And, to all of my friends who have truly become family, too.

This year I've had the opportunity of a lifetime as Mrs. West Virginia International and I want to say how EXTREMELY thankful I am to have had this opportunity. This includes The Arthritis Foundation, my official platform - I have had such a wonderful time with this organization all year and I have met some of the most outstanding people who have pain, just like me.

I'm thankful for my home, my pets and my neighbors, too.  They all make my world a better place.

We are at a point when times are hard. I am thankful to have a career that I love and enjoy.

I'm thankful for the many organizations I am a part of - this includes, but is not limited to Leadership WV, The Arthritis Foundation, WV International Pageants, Alzheimer's Association, Jackson County Animal Shelter, WEXCR, Read Aloud WV....I feel like I am forgetting something. Anyway - not just the organizations that I am a part of, but also the volunteers and people who take the time to be involved in something they care about. It's so important. Volunteers are role models...and you should be proud of what you do.

New babies this year, too. Leeann and Sean, I'm so thankful for your happy and healthy baby boy and Jessica and Jarrod, I'm so thankful for a Kennedy on her way!

Thank you to those who may not be able to be with their families because they are fighting for our freedom and thank you to those who are lucky enough to be back.

Thank you to Sephora for coming to the Charleston Town Center, too. That really has been a highlight of my year - and a hit on my paycheck each month.

While my list can go on and on, I will stop here, but there's one final thing I want to list. Thank you to everyone for supporting my year as Mrs. West Virginia International. The year has changed my life, it has inspired me to do more, be more and help more and more importantly, it's given me the opportunity to meet people across our state, nation and the world. I am blessed.