Dear Thursday,

Dear bubbie wra-writs,
Thank you for bringing so much joy to my sweet little girl. She loves you and your floppy ears and long whiskers. Thank you for bringing so much joy to me, because listening to Lydia say "Bunny Rabbits" makes my heart melt and brings a smile to my face. You are my favorite animal right now.

Dear Thanksgiving Point,
I don't know why it took us so long to get a membership, but I'm so glad that we did! It's only been a few days, but we've already visited several times and Lydia can't stop talking about all the "anmals (animals) at the farm". Already I feel like the individual membership is a steal and feel a little guilty for how much use I know we are going to get out of it!

Dear McArthur Homes,
I can't believe it's been a year since we moved into our house! You've been nothing but wonderful to us, and I'm especially appreciative that you've been so diligent about completing the list of "warranty items" that I sent to you the day before we hit our year mark. I probably could have re-caulked the upstairs sinks myself, but it makes me so happy that your technician came over and did it for us. (And guaranteed it took him a fraction of the time that it would have taken me.) You've taken great care of us and we love you for it!

Dear "Inspirational Facebook Friend",
I'm friends with you on Facebook because I think it's neat that you live in South America and have an uplifting and inspirational company filled with humanitarian work and motivational tools. I also appreciate the occasional "Do something extraordinary today" posts.  However your recent posts about "fitness" have both offended and upset me. Not everyone needs to run marathons to the top of unknown mountains in order to be extraordinary. Weight doesn't determine value. I, and those around me, are doing the extraordinary every day. We are raising, and being a part of, healthy and happy families. We are shaping the future. That is incredible - and a number on the scale doesn't change that one bit. Please continue to use your influence for good, instead of this recent "body-shaming" stuff.

Dear Eide Bailly,
Thank you for all of the opportunities that you give our family. We appreciate having a job, having decent health insurance, and all of the other benefits that you provide. However, I would like to take this opportunity to mention that "busy-season" with Eide Bailly is more busy than it was when you were HBM. Counting down the days until the craziness starts to ebb. (39 in case you were wondering.)

Dear Sam's Club,
Now that we have become a 2-gallon of milk kind of family, the fact that you have $2.00 milk endears me to you eternally. Also, the giant (and I mean giant) jar of pickle spears that you had for $5.00 is now sitting cozily in our fridge. Didn't you know that they sell regular jars of pickles for $3.50? Lydia and I have already enjoyed several pickles and look forward to chomping through the rest of them. You are officially our favorite store to visit. (This may also be due to the free grilled cheese sandwiches and applesauce samples.)

Dear Winter,
I know that it's still your season and that more snow is right around the corner, but thank you for letting us have this little glimpse of Spring! It's warmed my heart and lifted my spirit and I now feel that we will be able to make it until May.

Dear 2014 Sochi Olympic Athletes,
We admire your talent and work ethic, and have enjoyed cheering you along each night after David gets home from work. We've loved watching everything from Ice Dancing to Super-G skiing. Even your commercials have us (and by us, I mean me) in tears. (I'm looking at you P&G.) Congratulations on a job well done, all of you!