My Man...

Today I am thankful for my darling husband, Jesse. We met our Freshman year at College, and I fell hard for him! I thought he was much older than he really was and was so disappointed to find out that he was waiting for his mission call. I knew a good thing when I saw it, so I waited two years while he served in Brazil. The day after he returned home, we were engaged.

Here are just a few of the things I am grateful for with Jesse in my life: a best friend, a kind and wonderful father, a worthy Priesthood holder to bless our home and family, someone to make me laugh everyday, and a hard worker so I can stay home with our kids. Jess, I love ya...

My In-Laws...

I know this is atypical, but I love my in-laws! They are like a second set of parents for me. Today I am thankful for them. I am grateful to have them in my life everyday, but especially today. They are serving a mission in Greece, and I got to talk to them this morning. So now, I have been reminiscing since the phone call. They are those friends and neighbors everyone wants because they are so kind to everyone. They would drop everything to come to someone's rescue. I am grateful to have witnessed many such occasion. They have always treated me like I was a daughter to them - even before we were married. One of my favorite memories of them is when Jesse was on his mission. They took me and Katie (my now sister-in-law) and three of my roommates to St. George for Spring Break. Who does that? They do...and poor Wayne...putting up with all those girls when he only raised boys! A saint, I tell ya! I especially miss them with the holidays quickly approaching. I am grateful for their example to me, Jesse, and our children for choosing to go on a mission. It is not the easiest for them, but we are all being blessed for their selfless service. Wayne and Susan, I love you and am so grateful to have you in my life...

Temples...

Today (and yesterday) I am thankful for the Temple. Jesse and I spent our date night on Friday night at the Temple. What a better date? I am so grateful that we have a multitude of Temples so close to us, and I am embarrassed to say that I don't take advantage of their close proximity. I won't elaborate, but I am overwhelmed by the Spirit each time I go and leave with a greater desire to be better and try harder in every aspect of my life...

Sense of Humor....

Oh, I am so grateful for a sense of humor with our busy Emma! I thought it was so cute when she wanted to sit like a big girl on the potty...I am so naive! She actually wanted to sit IN the potty, and then add toilet paper, and then splash around and laugh. Now it has become a daily ritual. So not funny...but we giggle anyways. Isn't she cute?

Christmas Lights....

Today I am thankful for my Christmas Lights. I know that sounds really shallow, but read on... I am actually more thankful for those I just paid to hang my Christmas Lights. Last year Jesse hung our Christmas Lights and I got two things out of it: An ulcer because I thought he was going to fall off our roof, and frostbite because I couldn't be inside if indeed he did fall off the roof. I can laugh about this now, but last year he resurrected his climbing gear and harnassed up. He put all of his weight plates in a wheel barrow and then basically repelled down our roof. He thinks he is a genius. And you are, honey. But thankfully today, I stayed in my toasty warm house and watched three men hang my Christmas lights without the fear of them falling off my roof. Okay, once I worried about them falling and wondered if they would sue me...but they are all fine. Here are the pictures of Jesse hanging our lights last year...

Health...

Today I am thankful to be healthy. I am grateful to have a body to take care of - I try to eat right and exercise so I can be strong to serve my family and others. I think I often take for granted my health, because at the moment I am healthy. It's not until I get sick and am in bed, that I long for the days to be strong and carry out the responsibilites that come with being a mother, wife, and woman. So today, here's to my health and the health of my family...

Thankful...

I am starting a list of things I am thankful for. One "thing/person/place/whatever" for the month of November. Two things are prompting me to do this. One, I teach a Spinning class every Monday morning at 5:30AM - that is not a typo. I must admit that I have become attached to the members who get up at that forsaken hour to come sweat with me. Mind you, I don't really know all of these members on a personal basis - some I do - but most no. One member has let me have a sneak peek into her life through blogging, and she has inspired me - Thank you Sheila. She has started a Thankful Blog for each day of the month of November. I am copying her - give all credit to Sheila. But she has invited all to copy her idea, so I am! Next, I get an e-mail every week from Jesse's parents who are serving a mission in Greece. Susan is always reminding us of how grateful we should be for the little blessings in our lives. I giggle and shed a tear in the same sentence as she describes their trials and experiences - Thank you Susan.

So my first Thankful Blog, I am thankful for my Mom. Today is her birthday. She probably won't even read this because she has a phobia of computers - she is afraid of breaking them. I have tried to explain to her that all she has to do is turn it off and back on....no luck. Anyways, Mom, I love you. Thank you for giving me life. I never realized what a sacrifice a mother makes just giving birth - and then for the rest of her life!! - until I had the blessing to become a mother myself. All the late nights talking, the sick days and nights, the crying, the boyfriends, never judging, letting me grow, encouraging me, and always loving me. I could go on and on.... If any of you have the opportunity to meet my mother, you will soon realize she is one of the most humble people around. I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday!

(this is the day we blessed our sweet Emma)