Thankful...

This Thanksgiving I find myself speechless. Why did I get so lucky? Why am I so blessed? Why are there so many struggling families in our world? I don’t think I will ever understand. All I know is that we MUST be thankful… I went and watched my brothers play in the traditional ‘turkey bowl’ this morning, and when I walked in the door my favorite song was playing. Thankful by Josh Groban This is a song that should be played everyday. It is a great reminder on what to be thankful for.

Thankful by Josh Groban

Some days we forget to look around us

Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us

So caught up inside ourselves We take when we should give
So for tonight we pray for What we know can be

And on this day we hope for What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change

And even though we all can still do more

There's so much to be thankful for
Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow

It's way too late to say, “I'll cry tomorrow”

Each of us must find our truth We're so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for What we know can be

And every day we hope for What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change

And even though we all can still do more

There's so much to be thankful for
Even with our differences There is a place we're all connected

Each of us can find each others love
So for tonight we pray for What we know can be

And on this day we hope for What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change

And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

This list is endless… I am grateful for….

My dad. He is my hero. I look up to him in every single aspect of life. He is truly a blessing. He has taught me countless lessons that have made me become the person I am today. Our family is the most important thing in his life, and I will always make sure it is the most important thing in mine.

My mom. Many of you that know my mom are probably thinking what I am. She is a genuine, caring, loving, compassionate, hard working, spiritual, forgiving, AMAZING mother. Spending time with her is something I cherish. I am far from what she is, but my hope is that I will get there someday. I am grateful God felt I was worthy to be her daughter. J

 My siblings… This could be long… I absolutely love each one of them. They are my everything. Being raised with 7 other siblings was the best thing that has happened to me. This thanksgiving all of us were able to be together, and it was nothing less than perfect. Seth, Veronica, and Jessy, I am so happy you guys live in the same town as us. You three are a cute family. I love watching Jessy grow, and I love coming over to your house and just relaxing. I know that you guys will always be there for me. Seth, you are an amazing father, husband and brother.  Thank you for that. Veronica. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister in law. You are so sweet. Thank you for being such a genuine friend. Than there’s Matt… I am SO happy you got to come home for Thanksgiving. It was such a blessing to have you here. I miss you so much. I’m sorry I ditched you at school and decided to move 10 hours away, but never forget that I still love you. J I wish you were coming home for your ‘summer’ break but I know you will kill it selling. Meagan and Joe. The last month has been so great. I have gotten to know you both better than I ever have. I have such a great appreciation for you two. I love you both to pieces and I know that we will only go up from here. Joe… Thanks for being such a great brother in law. Our family adores you. And Meagan spending time with you lately has been a blast! I love it! We better continue to do it! Candice… you will forever be my best friend. We were meant to be twins in another life, I know it. I am grateful for the trials we have gone through to get us where we are. We are partners in crime. We are each others other half… (hopefully guys will take that place soon enough..hahah) anyways, I couldn’t have chosen a better role model for me. Casey Casey Casey. You are hands down the funniest kid I have ever met. When did you get so funny? And when the heck did you grow up?!?! I love being around you. You will always be my little Casey though. All though you wouldn’t dance for me tonight I still love you. J Katie! Beautiful Katie. You are now one of us. You are old enough to hang with the ‘big kids’. You are a mini me… I see so much of myself in you, and I love it. You are such a sweetheart, I will be sad to move away from you. You will just have to come visit OFTEN! Camille! You are the youngest and the most spoiled ;) but you are the furthest from the ‘spoiled brat’ you have a heart bigger than anyone I know and your only 11… Is that even possible?! I love you so much, and cant wait to see you grow up and mature. Oh and you are the bomb at sports!

Then there is extended family . I am grateful for each and every one of you. You have each impacted my life.

Friends: Where would I be without all of you? You each have taught me so much, and made me become a better person. I would love to take the time to talk about each of you but that’s not realistic. I write too much as it is… Just know that I am grateful for you.

To wrap it up this thanksgiving was the best. (except the fact that I dropped my phone in milk.. :(  that kind of stunk. ) but besides that it was memorable. I am grateful for the closeness of my family, and the love we all have for each other. Something that I want to mention is the gratitude I have for the church. Without the gospel in our lives we would not be the same family. I have grown to love the church and all of its teachings. I know I take life for granted sometimes but it is a trial that we all face. This next year I hope to be thankful each day, and realize what I have been given, and also share it with others.

I love you all, and hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh and the fact that the redskins beat the cowboys made it that much better!!!

XOXO

My Best Friend is Married…

This family right here is one of the best families I know. I love each of them and am grateful they are in my life

November 2^nd 2012 is a special day. It is the day my best friend got married!! YAY! How exciting. I couldn’t be happier. Two weeks ago I experienced every girls dream. I spent my Thursday night having the LAST sleepover I will ever have with single Tara. This brought back so many memories.. Candice and Tara… I don’t even know where to start… Two of my very very best friends. We were inseparable from the day we were born. I am so grateful for you two, and all the fun and memorable times we had as kids, and even now. Tara! YOUR MARRIED!! I still cant believe it. Just yesterday we were playing with bratz and witch in the seller. We were building forts, playing outside, bugging every single neighbor we had. We were convincing Dustin draper to play with us, or even trying to get Paul to play polly pockets. One of the best memories I have with you is sitting out side your house trying to discover the mystery of the school bus. I just laugh out loud when I think about what we did as kids. I wouldn’t take any of it back. I always tell people. My childhood was PERFECT. I had the best of friends in Utah, and I will forever be grateful for those friendships. I could go on and on about us as kids but I would be writing for hours… Anyways, your wedding was absolutely beautiful.  You looked GORGEOUS. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it. I’m so happy I was able to go and spend that much time with you. Okay so now the real question is… Jason… will he be able to fit in with us… I guess its not much of a question.. He is awesome tara. Just right for you. Remember Jason… were all best friends now. ;) Ahhh well I miss you so much. Love you forever and always <3