Thankful

As we drove home tonight after a wonderful afternoon and evening spent with the SMTs, enjoying a superb Thanksgiving meal and some play time with the five little kids, we noticed a packed Walmart parking lot and a long line of people waiting outside the doors in anticipation of a great deal.

I got to thinking about the best deal I could get tonight for this holiday season. And it doesn't involve standing in line or rushing to a store or trying to 'save' money by spending it on the latest and greatest whatever.

I got my best deal, just now, as I performed my nightly routine of quietly going into the boys' room to check on them and make sure they were warm, covered, and comfortable. They were. I then went into baby Emmie's room (she's hardly a 'baby' anymore it seems!) and found her just where I left her only an hour ago, still wrapped up nicely in her big warm brown blanket, breathing gently and quietly, sleeping soundly.

I just now lay down in my own bed with fresh clean sheets, Suzanna about to crawl in next to me. It's not even quite 10:00 pm yet, and I didn't have to wait out in the cold or spend a dime for the best deal available: each of my family members tucked safely into their warm beds, sleeping soundly with full tummies.

You can't buy that on Black Friday.

Luke, a couple of different times I've snapped a photo of him when checking on him at bedtime. 

Logan, when he fell asleep next to me on my bed recently.

I don't dare take a photo of Emmie while she's sleeping, and Suzanna didn't approve of the photo I recently took of her while she was napping, but you can take my word for it: they look peaceful when they're sleeping, too. 

msh