Thankful.

I have a prideful confession: If everyone else is doing it, I don't really want to. Or if I do it too, I certainly don't like to TELL people I do it. Is that ridiculous, or what? I don't know where this came from. I know I've never been much of a crowd follower, but it's silly to feel that way.  We should all just do what we want to and what we think is best, and if it's what everyone is doing too (like say, eating, showering, exercising), then GREAT!  So when I saw people doing something they're thankful for each day of November, I thought it was a fun idea, especially for the month of Thanksgiving. But so many people were doing it, and I didn't want to look like I was just jumping on the bandwagon (that's where the pride comes in, I guess. Caring what anyone else thinks...). What better way to follow the crowd than to express thanks for all the blessings in your life, even if EVERYONE is more thankful in November (at least outwardly). I AM thankful. My life is so blessed, in so many ways. Since I've already lost 10 days of not expressing my gratitude, here are 10 things I'm thankful for:

1. The Gospel. Seriously, it's the only thing in my life that is completely safe and I have complete faith in. Knowing that our Heavenly Father is there, loves me, keeps His promises, and will never let me down gives me the courage (and the reason) to do everything else I do in life.

2. Jeremy. He is so wonderful. He tries so hard to make my life as good as he possibly can. He hasn't really settled for the easy or popular path in any part of his life. I know we're (a wife and decent-sized family at such a "young" age, especially while going through grad school, etc.) quite a responsibility, but he works hard to provide for us and make sure our family and home stay in one piece. He loves being a Daddy, and is good about making time for each of our kids. I am so blessed to be married to him.

3. My children. They drive me crazy much of the time, but they are pretty amazing, and I'm grateful that we've been blessed with them. Motherhood is not often easy for me, but I know that it's worth it, and I know it's an important part of our life here on earth. I'm grateful to have the chance to grow and learn alongside them, as they try to turn me into a better person.


4. My family. I have the greatest parents, and brothers and sisters. None of us are anywhere near perfect, but I have always known I was loved, and even knowing me at my worst, they've forgiven me(or forgotten) and still like me. I miss them all a lot when we have to be so far away all the time. I'm also grateful that my siblings have each (so far... Spencer's still pretty far down the line) found wonderful spouses that take good care of them and that I have enjoyed getting to know.  My parents have helped us out in so many ways, not the least of which is hosting our crazy little family of 5 for 6 months (split up; we lived in Provo for 2 1/2 months) last year. That can't have been easy!

5. Jeremy's family. I hear stories all the time about how crazy some people's in-laws are. It's so nice never have had to worry about that! They are some of the most giving people I know, and they are amazing grandparents. Of course they also raised Jeremy, so I can't help but be grateful for them!

6. A Home.  It's not THE home, but after a year of not knowing where we were going or what we were going to be doing, it's so nice to have our own place to live, and to feel comfortable and safe here. Sometimes we wish for a little more room, but we're doing just fine for now, and I can't help but think about the pioneers (and people in other parts of the world, even now!) all living in one- or two-room tents or houses for months and years at a time. I don't know how they did it. We are so blessed.

7. Friends. We lived far away from them all right now, but I have been so blessed in my life with so many friends. Different ones for different seasons, but I'm still grateful for all of them, and still love them and love to talk to them. My first friends: Cindy, Loni, Jennifer (C&J also being my cousins, which made it that much greater), the friends that made high school MUCH more bearable than it might have been: Heather and Athena. My friends from EAC: Chris & Isabelle, (and of course Jeremy). Most of my BYU roommates, but especially Karen and Naomi. And friends from our Palmer years: there were also a lot of them, but the Noordas and the Frandsens made Iowa a little more like a home. I look forward to staying in touch with all of these friends through the years, and to making some new ones along the way!

8. Christmas. That may seem a little silly, but I get such joy from this season (November and December) and it gives me something (lots of things) to look forward to every year as the weather grows (thankfully) cooler! I love the music, the lights, the shopping, (being honest, here) attempting to surprise my husband, (he is HARD!) the warm-fuzzy-feeling movies, Christmas trees, (ours is already up, actually. I was needing a little bit of a pick-me-up after my parents left, and I just wanted "the holidays" to be here, so Jeremy indulged me...) and of course the Reason we celebrate Christmas. (I don't know why it won't stand upright. It's actually vertical in our house... ;-)

9. My computer. It really does help keep me sane. Some people work outside the home, (for sanity reasons; I know lots of people just HAVE to work) some have their own little businesses, or craft, or restore things, or do photography, or what-have-you. Sometimes you need a little something to nurture your own innate need to create. To accomplish something that STAYS accomplished (the dishes and laundry are necessary, and a great service to your family, but they're a little disheartening to do over and over and over). My computer allows me to video edit, digital scrapbook, and stay in touch with all the people I care about. I am so grateful for technology!

10. The Church. I'm not talking so much about the Gospel here, but the people of the church. The organization of wards that are the same everywhere. The people that care about you before they even know you. A place to ask questions, find help, or find friends. It would be much scarier to move (especially 4 times in a year) without the church and the built-in support system that comes with it. Our ward here is very welcoming, and there are a lot of really nice people. I'm pretty sure that's the story most places though, and I'm grateful for that!