I give thanks for....

... my parents. I know that Thanksgiving is several months away yet, but I just had this awesome idea tonight. Since this is my first Thanksgiving as a married woman (and I'm not even sure yet of my plans for Thanksgiving), and I'm not always real good with birthdays and mom/dad days, I wanted to do something special for my parents. So, I decided to make a list of things I remember about my childhood that I want to thank my parents for doing for me/teaching me/ letting me do/ etc.

This post will be constantly edited as I think of more things to add.

To my mom:

Thank you for taking me antique shopping and trying to tell me about different things.
Thank you for taking me hiking, even if we did get lost.
Thank you for doing the "treasure hunt" game - I loved figuring out the clues.
Thank you for taking me arrowhead hunting and for teaching me what flint looks like.
Thank you for letting me ride horses, and for teaching me how to do so properly.
Thank you for letting me play and swim in the creek.
Thank you for letting me and my friends ransack your closet for our "fashion shows"
Thank you for taking me "sledding" down the creek bank.
Thank you for teaching me to be tough.
Thank you for teaching me to use power tools.
Thank you for letting me run around naked and barefoot.
Thank you for teaching me to think for myself and not depend on others opinions.
Thank you for taking me to ballet lessons for 10 years - I really did love it.

To my dad:

Thank you for taking me deer hunting, even though you never shot one with me around.
Thank you for taking us camping - and not getting lost!
Thank you for taking me to ballet.
Thank you for telling me about the history of our land and family, even though I may not remember it all.
Thank you for letting me get dirty, but still be your little princess.
Thank you for putting up with all my dogs and cats, especially Muffin.
Thank you for letting me help you with the cows, even when I wasn't much actual help.