A serving of thanks always main course at Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day 14 years ago, my wife gave birth to our twin sons, Ross and Ben, and forever expanded our list of things we have for which to be thankful. Will was born in 1999, adding a new chapter in our book of thanks.

As I have for every Thanksgiving since my wife and I became parents, I ask for your indulgence as my family dishes out another helping of thankful moments from the past year. We are thankful:

For teenagers who overcome their natural rebellious instincts, and "friend" their mom and dad on Facebook. Ben friended both instantly. Ross took weeks before finally friending his dad the same week Ben unfriended his dad. Fortunately Ben re-friended his dad on the day he unfriended his mom, just as Ross was unfriending his dad to re-friend his mom.

For the way things converged so that we are heading into Thanksgiving with everybody listed as online friends.

For the way Will's boundless effort in baseball and soccer, and natural awareness of what he can and can't control, remind everyone of his Grandpa Willy.

For the way Ben's "in a relationship with Sophie" status on Facebook doesn't mean the same thing it did when his parents were 14. At least, we think it doesn't.

For the creativity demanded by the movies and "Maxwell" episodes that Ross writes, directs, produces and stars in as part of his growing RC Films production company on Facebook.

For the way censorship debates with Ross regarding his movies' contents have given me newfound empathy for my own editors.

For Will's last year of grade school and his concession that he will abandon his long-standing, lackadaisical attitude about wearing underwear. "In middle school," Will explains, "there are a lot more ways to lose your pants."

For the new basement rec room the boys take full advantage of to bond with friends, cousins and each other.

For the wonderful vacation with cousins and their family to the Outer Banks, where boogie-boarding, hot-tubbing and crabbing became lifelong memories.

For the love and support from friends and neighbors that grow out of Uncle Bill's life-threatening illness.

For that midnight road trip in rural Indiana when Uncle Bill took the gang to Moody Road to see the ghostly lights of Old Man Moody's lantern.

For the way Ben cheerfully gives up his bedroom whenever we have overnight guests.

For the way Grandma Lois mailed the long-sought-after Kentucky quarter Will needed to complete the 50-state quarter display Grandma Jean and Grandpa Paul had given him.

For those moments when piano, oboe, violin and saxophone replace the din of gory video games.

For the end of middle school for Ross and Ben, and their excitement (and trepidation) about heading to high school.

For the teachers who made our family's elementary school years so rewarding.

For the way that years of prodding little kids to eat was replaced overnight by the spectacle of watching growing boys cook their own pizzas as post-meal snacks.

For the way my beautiful wife handles everything that comes our way with grace, kindness, intelligence, compassion and love.

For simple, everyday acknowledgments of hope.

As our family celebrates today's holiday, we wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving -- and a long list for which to give thanks.