living in the frozen North

Recently a good friend of mine has been asking me daily, what 3 things am I thankful for today. It has made me think about a lot of things and I have time to write a bit tonight and wanted to share.
The hardest thing for me up here however is not the cold. It is being so far from those I care about. To my nieces and nephews if you see this, I miss ya'all and love you. Wish I could give you all a big hug tonight!!! To my siblings, you are the best.

Ashley, it has been way too long! It's sad that now we are in the same state and it's even harder for us to see each other, I miss you. I pray for you often and hope you are doing well.
Amy, I am proud of you and hope you and Chris are doing well and that you enjoy your next adventure wherever it may take you.
Bri, you are the coolest big brother a guy could ask for. I am so proud of you. For who you are and the example you are to me and those around you. If I can be half the man you are I will be doing well. You and Jen are both awesome, no better way to say it :-)
Tami, I miss you and you family a ton. I am proud of you and Mark for continuing to seek God thru hard times. For being an amazing example of what a family should be. Thru thick and thin, good and bad. I know I don't see it all by any means, but I see enough to know I am thankful for each of you and what God has done in your lives.
Mom 2 Kris :-) You have been so great thru everything. Thank you for being there. It confuses my friends but you will always be mom to me. I love you.
Dad, I am thankful that you continue to learn. Thru the trials of life and from your own mistakes as well. I am thankful that you seek the Lord and what He has for you and pray He will bless you with the desires of your heart.
Mom, To my best friend and personal prayer warrior, not sure what else to say but thank you. Nothing I can say will ever cover it so I'll just say that again, thank you and I love you. You are the best! I am proud of you for continuing to seek the Lord. For looking for the best in every situation even when you feel like you are surrounded by the enemy and encouraging me to do the same.

To C.S. you have been an inspiration and a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a friend like you.

Dave, not that you'll see this but maybe someone will pass the word. Thank you will never cover what you have meant to me. Your simple willingness to be a friend and example and to be that in spite of the pain I know I was, well God used you to change my life and without you being willing, Lord only knows where I would be today. Thank you, oh and if you haven't already, GO SHOPPING!!!!!

Dhere are so many others I can't even begin to write about all those who have had an impact in my life.

I wrote this in the Life goes on but it has turned into a "pieces of me".... kind of thing. So I moved it here... haha