Today I am Thankful….

As I was preparing the Thankful Turkey craft for Elly’s class, I got to thinking that this year we truly have a lot to be thankful for.  Maybe I need to make myself a Thankful Turkey.  But I don’t think there is enough room to include everything that I am thankful for.  This year we will not celebrate Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day.  We will not have any family or friends (who have been our KC family) to celebrate with.  In fact, Joel will go to work and the girls will go to school.  When we do have our Thanksgiving dinner, we won’t have sweet potato casserole and the green beans taste different.  We won’t have a full Turkey.  But truthfully I don’t care.  This Thanksgiving, we will be sharing just us, and the happiest we have been.

So to honor Thanksgiving, this is my list of what I am thankful for this year.

1. I don’t share my problems much, but Missouri was smothering me.  I loved our friends but I just don’t belong there.  Joel’s frustration at work and my unhappiness really took a toll on things.  So I am beyond happy with our move.  I am so over the house and stupid drama.  Joel busting his butt 12 plus hours a day 6/7 days a week for 4 years with little overtime pay and other BS.  Being in Istanbul has completely removed all the stress and unhappiness.
2. For old bosses that remember how hard Joel worked and sacrifice for the company.  That they just offered him the job.
3. My wonderful, amazing kids!  They have done such a great job adjusting to our new life.  The girls are thriving at their new school and have many new friends.  Nate is happy as long has he’s got his sisters with him.
4. That my biggest stress is no internet.  Can I tell you how nice it is to not pay bills every month! 
5. Finding how welcoming the Turkish and Expat Community is.   One of my biggest worries was establishing a network here, it still has far to go but I am relieved how easy it has been
6. Potty Training my son earlier than the girls!  LOL
7. Being able to take our families to France for Christmas this year.  Our parents have done so much for us over the years.  It just feels good to return the favor.
8. Getting to experience a city and area that I studied as a kid.  Really getting to know how the Turkish enjoy their city.  Our driver said that he sees many expats come here and miss the best parts of the city.  I refuse to be stuck in my complex behind a guarded wall for the next three years.
9. For a wonderful husband!  His commute is killer.  About 3 hours a day.  But he rarely complains about it.  Many people said that moving here would hurt our marriage.  But I think it has just made it stronger.  We can just be us and be completely happy.
10. Being an American.  Even though quite a few of you suck at the moment, living in Istanbul has showed me how very lucky we are.  We are paid good wages, have inexpensive cost of living (for the most part) and easy access to anything you want.  There are things about Turkey that I would love to see in the US, but for now….. I am grateful to be an American
11. Our driver Murat.  We really thought we would end up with a Turkish speaking driver.  There were very few English speaking ones and the higher up got them.  So we were very relieved when Joel interviewed Murat.  He is overqualified for us, but he accepted it.  He used to drive for Holden in Australia.  All the high ups in GM, he’s driven for them all.  He also grew up down the street from us.  So he knows every little thing about our area.  He and his family have been a wonderful addition to this trip.
12. Our parents.  For not freaking out that we were moving their grandkids to another continent.  And my parents for transporting and storage our junk.
13. The education the girls are receiving at the British International School.  And that Ford covers most of the cost!  Never in MO would Jocy have two BFF’s from India and Columbia (not MO) and Elly’s from England and Korea.  They spent a whole week learning about all the nationalities in their school. 
14. For my friends at home.  Its good to know they are worried when there is an earthquake in Turkey.  Maybe the other side but still.  And getting notes checking in and seeing how we are doing.  The comments on FB that they are enjoying following our adventures. Getting to call friends every so often.  And that I get to talk to Jenny Dressler at least once every other week!  Makes it feel like I’m not sure far away.
15. Being able to have a cell phone, computer with internet, and a car.  After living with out them for three months, I know I could do without.  But I’d prefer to not do it again!

I am sure that I could go on and on.  But I am truly thankful for wonderful family and friends that I love and miss dearly.  I’m am so very thankful for our new adventure!  I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Stay safe and pig out for me!