It seems this year it is a little easier to say for what I am thankful.

This year it is definitely my family. We laugh together, play together, stick up for each other together and sometimes cry together. As I was on a jog with my dog and son, these four things came to mind why I am thankful to be raising my family in North St. Louis County.

• Freedom to choose our children's education: If you asked me five years ago about sending my son to kindergarten, I couldn't have given you an accurate description of what it takes to home-school or how to get involved in the Parent Teacher's Association at your child's school. Now, I have many friends who comprise a wide array of involvement in their children's education. I am thankful for the opportunity as a parent to choose the method that best suits our children's academic and social needs. There are great home school co-op groups that provide support for home schooling families, a strong parochial system of schools and dedicated teachers in our public schools.

• A strong parks and recreation system: Florissant and surrounding communities have great resources and a wide variety of youth programs for kids. After spending many hours at the pool this summer, we've been enjoying softball at St. Ferdinand Park, and my son is eagerly looking forward to our first trip to the Ice Rink at the James J. Eagan Center soon. There are so many great places to play, it's hard to stay at home.

• A community of faith: No matter what denomination you are or your level of involvement in a church, there are plenty of churches in the Florissant area where you can be involved. Not only do these places serve the need for spiritual growth, they offer facilities for community outreach and are an important source of benevolence for struggling families in the community. A large majority of the preschools in the area are also faith-based, and I can't say enough about our wonderful experience with our son's prekindergarten year at The Learning Center at Florissant Presbyterian Church.

• Affordability for families: One of the main reasons we chose a house in the City of Florissant was the price point. Houses are a good value for the money, and you can get to almost any major store quickly. There are plenty of affordable options for groceries, dining out and recreation on a modest budget.

Needless to say, I am thankful for my family. They make my life complete and fun. I am looking forward to a few days away from life's hustle and bustle and the opportunity to be around the people I love.