{"id":998,"date":"2013-11-01T07:10:55","date_gmt":"2013-11-01T12:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/carolyncares.wordpress.com\/?p=998"},"modified":"2013-11-01T07:10:55","modified_gmt":"2013-11-01T12:10:55","slug":"30-days-of-thanksgiving-day-1-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolyncaresblog.com\/2013\/11\/01\/30-days-of-thanksgiving-day-1-family\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Days of Thanksgiving – Day 1: Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CarolynCares<\/a><\/p>\n

The best decision I ever made, was to accompany my college friend on a night with her cousin and his friend. Her cousin was coming up to our small Christian college in the Twin Cities to introduce her to his friend. She was uncomfortable hanging out with two boys, even though one was a relative. Her solution was to invite me to tag along, since I pretty much had no social life. (Small campus, and I was quite shy at the time. Really!) My instructions were that if she liked her cousin’s friend, then I could hang out with her cousin. If she didn’t get along with him, than I could hang out with him. Either way, we all would have fun.<\/p>\n

The night arrived, and I met both of these college guys for the first time. We started with small talk, then went for a walk around campus. I’m not really sure how my friend’s evening went with her cousin’s friend. I really didn’t care. Her cousin and I hit it off immediately.<\/p>\n

Jonathan and I have now been married for 25 years. It hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. When we were first married, and we moved into a tiny house on a gravel road in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, I had a bit of culture shock. If you have read the book, “How To Talk Minnesotan”, you would understand that moving to Southwest Minnesota was like moving to another state. Being three hours away from my family, friends, and church family, I was very dependent on Jonathan as a spouse and as a friend. We did a lot of growing up in the first few years of our marriage.<\/p>\n

Jonathan is the calm one in our marriage. I am so thankful for his patience in teaching me how to run farm equipment, and for believing in me when I was sure I would fail miserably. After 25 years, that hasn’t changed a bit. I still hate not being perfect on the first try when I’m working outside with him. I like to worry and fret and get my undies all in a bundle. He reminds me that all we have are blessings from God. We can’t worry about what the weather is doing, if we have a breakdown, if the crops are not yielding as expected, or if the Vikings defense isn’t stopping the opponent on 3rd downs. He loves me unconditionally. That is the best gift!<\/p>\n

We have three beautiful daughters, who bring such joy to our lives. I love when we are all together. Mealtimes bring laughter, jokes, and bad puns. The girls all have their own interests, yet they enjoy getting together as sisters and as friends. I am so thankful for each one of them. They make me a better person.<\/p>\n

I am so thankful for this family of mine! We may be a bit nutty, we may get the giggles in church, and we may be a bit loud at times, but that is exactly how I like it.<\/p>\n

Introduction to the 30 Day Challenge<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow along with Holly Spangler here<\/a>, and the rest of the 30 Day Bloggers below.<\/p>\n