Outside of the food and football (both of which we enjoyed today, despite being halfway around the world), today is about gratitude.  And while I try to make it a habit to express my appreciation for the people, things and experiences in my life daily, I don’t think a person can be too grateful. (Not to mention I have a ways to go on the “daily” thing).

Like last year's Thanksgiving, we made a few choice American dishes for our family. You don't even want to know how much butter, whole milk, sour cream and sugar we used.

We have so much to be thankful for.  For parents, who I can say probably all wish we were living closer to home and doing something a bit more “normal,” but support us nonetheless.  For siblings and extended family that help us feel a little closer to home and a little less homesick.  For friends that email and chat us out of the blue.  For our new heater (seriously, it’s a game changer – I hope to forever appreciate my central heat when I’m back in America).

Sean broke out the much-coveted Velveeta for some traditional mac 'n cheese, which went over well.

Last night Sean and I were talking about leaving – as in, what it will actually mean to say goodbye to our family, tutor, work friends, neighbors, fellow volunteers and staff next summer.  And I realized then, too, that our people here are more than the family we lived with, or the woman that taught us Georgian, or our co-workers, or the people we knew through Peace Corps.  They’ve taken us odd Americans in, in such a whole-hearted way, that I simply have to be humbled by their kindness.  We are so very thankful for the friendships we have here.

My apple pie was a hit, even if it wasn't the prettiest pie and came out of the pan in chunks.

We always say that being here is a gift; that this experience is something we need to treasure (even with the lack of showers and heat).  We know that us having this means that we and others don’t get to have something else – our families in Iowa are feasting today without us, for example, and we’ve missed out on birthdays and weddings as well as the challenges and struggles of our family and friends.

All the fun people we skyped with today: my dad and grammie; Kelly and Brian (who told us the happy news that they're expecting!); my mom and brother, Justin; and Sean's mom Jo and our kitten Lola (wrangling both cats at once is almost impossible).

So we’re grateful for your patience; we will be home soon.  We’re grateful for your support as we have tried (and continue to try) to find our way here.  Most of all, we’re grateful that we were able to spend one more Thanksgiving here, celebrating with our family, skyping with people from home and soaking up another holiday in Georgia.