i am thankful for...

• lovely "africa mercy style" version of the nutcracker
• a successful "walk into town" to get a "skype stick" (soooo not the right name...but that's what i call it)
• the fun time caroline had with catherine and catherine friday night/saturday morning
• the decorations the previously mentioned ladies put up for emma's birthday
• emma's birthday cuteness

• the ease & simplicity (and meaningfulness & joy!) of birthdays here on the ship
• jar of olives from a crew member that i don't even know (well, now i know her - her name is hannah...and i will be grateful for the jar of olives and her thoughtfulness every time i see her!)
• pinata fun - it's just fun to hit stuff sometimes
• the cupcakes remy made for emma's birthday

• josh, emma o. and stephanie's willingness to make cookies for the party!
• mr. ben tucker's character & christ-likeness
• waking up in the middle of the night and realizing i've still got 4 hours to sleep! (as opposed to waking up 5 minutes before the alarm goes off, wishing i had another 4 hours of sleep)
• clean children
• the library has the next book in the series i'm reading!! (and the next one after that!)
• watching "white christmas" with nick
• the hall's christmas letter - so clever! (and their picture - so lovely!)
• job 33
• googly eyes (there's a pair staring up at me from the table...they just add a new level of fun to crafts...)
• peace & quiet
• marking items off my list
• tugboats - those little boats move tremendous ships (reminds me of how the Kingdom of God works sometimes)(and this particular ship isn't even all that big....)

• finding sweet notes from eli to his sisters
• we made it back to the ship (that was a tough run!)
• cold water for a thirsty girl
• a delightful dinner with a fabulous family tuesday night
• people who do the best they can with what they have (and it's especially nice when their best is so wonderfully enjoyable!)
• the combination of snickerdoodle and pretzel
• christmas packages are all packed up and stamped! (now i just need to find someone with room in their luggage to bring them back to the states and mail them!)
• ice (yup, i'm still thankful)
• a husband who takes the kids swimming...and the chance to have a few moments of quiet to type up this episode of thankful thursday.