Thankful

The month of Thanksgiving has arrived.

Not sure how it got here so fast...but I guess it is because time flies when you are having fun.  

November is a full month for us.  Not only is it the beginning of holiday season, it is also the beginning of our show season.  

Once the holidays arrive, it is easy for us to get caught up in all the hoopla and forget what the holiday is all about.  

I love Christmas.

It is my favorite holiday.

The one we spend the most time preparing for...

The one we spend the most money on...

The one we spend the most time focusing on...

It isn't just a day...it is a month long event.

Christmas has been in the stores for a long time and it is easy for us to completely skip over Thanksgiving.  

Thanksgiving isn't just about eating turkey with extended family.

Thanksgiving isn't just the day before Black Friday.

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for our blessings.  

With show season less than 2 weeks away...I don't want the busyness of the month to make us forget our blessings.  

That is why this month....we are starting Thanksgiving early.

There are two kids in that pile of coats. I think we wore them out this weekend. Almost home #heartofitall #lima

A post shared by 4 Wiley Farm (@4wileyfarm) on Nov 30, 2014 at 11:58am PST

I am thankful for...

​Time...with my boys in the car each day.  Time with all of us in the truck on the way to a show.  Time working together toward a common cause.  

Time is slipping away.  Much of our time is spent discussing college and the things that will take our boys away from us.  

We are savoring this time together.

​Home...the place we come back to each day.  The place we take for granted and assume will always be there.  The warm and cozy place we lay our head each night after a long day.  The home that no longer has a leaky roof!

America...a country that chooses to be thankful. 

​A country like none other.

Neighborhood baling party going on. 1 dog, 2 balers, 3 spears, 4 tractors and 9 farmers #4wileyfarm #makinghay

A post shared by 4 Wiley Farm (@4wileyfarm) on Jun 3, 2016 at 4:13pm PDT

Neighbors...that keep things together when we are away.  Whenever we leave for a show, we leave behind the rest of our herd and a lot of work.  Not every one is as fortunate as we are to have several neighbors we can call on to endure the cold and muck to keep our farm running.  

Neighbors who loan us equipment and labor to get things done...especially hay.

Neighbors who check on our house every time they drive by...

Neighbors like everyone used to have...that know everyone's business...that are always there for you.

Knowing...where we belong.

Knowing that this is where God wants us.

Knowing that everything will be O.K....even when we doubt. 

Farm Life...no explanation needed.

Understanding...teachers who encourage our kids and understand that homework done in the barn doesn't always reap the best grades.  Understanding when the weekend cattle show has just been that rough and they would rather sleep in class.

Not everyone understands this life or why we do it...but I hope they understand that we love doing it.

Laughter...when it all goes awry...sometimes all you can do is laugh.

​If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed that the million who will not survive the week.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75 percent of the world. 

If you have money in the bank or in your wallet, you are among the top 80 percent of the worlds wealthy.  

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
-Author Unkown-

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