It's not that I'm ungrateful...

It's just that I don't have a very strong will power to blog, especially whilst on vacation. I was doing pretty good on my thankful list each day...until we went up to Utah for Thanksgiving. We had the best time, and didn't think about school or touch a computer once! (Well, Brad sent a few e-mails for school, but a few is a huge step for him.) But since we've been back it's been crazy preparing for Finals at school and crazy preparing for Christmas at work. So, here I am, nearly two weeks into December and I'm finally finishing my Thankfuls for November. This is gonna be a long post. So, where did I leave off?
19 - I'm thankful for my Dad. I gave a whole speech about him in my Public Speaking class. Well, it was about the influence Father's have in their children's lives, of course since my dad is amazing I used him for a lot of examples. My professor told me it was one of the best speeches he's heard in 10 years of teaching. I think that's significant considering all the speeches he's heard in his day. I've always looked up to my Dad so much, and have learned so much from him. He has always been there for us and that is becoming a rarity these days.

I'm also grateful for my father-in-law. I'm thankful for the example he was to Brad, for teaching him how to treat his wife, and how to work hard and serve those around him. From the moment I met Joe, I immediately loved him, I think everybody does.

20 - I'm thankful for my Mom. Of all the kids, I think maybe I'm the most like my mom. I look the most like her for sure, people used to stop me and say "Who is your mother?!" I would tell them and they would say "I knew it! I thought I was looking at your mother when she was your age, when I saw you!" True story. People still say how much I look like her, and you know what? I love it! My mom is one of the most beautiful women I know. My sisters always say I'm the most like my mom personality-wise too, I also take that as a compliment. My mom makes friends instantly. I'm not even kidding, at the grocery store, in line at Old Navy, at the doctor's office, everywhere! She just knows how to talk to people and make them feel loved. She knows how to have a good time too, she loooves games and makes me laugh so hard! I genuinely consider her one of my very best friends. She makes me think of the quote by Abraham Lincoln that says "All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my Angel mother."
Of course, I can't talk about my mom without mentioning my amazing mother-in-law. She has been doing Humanitarian Aid work for years and years, Brad thinks probably about 17 years. She sews blankets and teddy bears, makes hygiene and school kits, medical bandages and probably more that I don't know about, and sends them to people in need. I've heard stories of her sewing tons of costumes for the play someone was doing, or cooking hundreds of tacos for a party her husband had for his High School students. She really is an incredible woman, and I feel so blessed to have her in my life.

21- Oso. I miss my dog just as much as I miss my family members sometimes. He is the funniest little dog, but has such a personality! Whenever I go home it's like he just can't get close enough, he just can't wag his tail or lick your face enough. He's just so full of love!
22- Sunshine. Today it was probably 80 degrees, ok maybe only 75 I don't know, but it was warm! Some people might not like having such a warm Christmas, but I love it! I just about froze to death when we were in Lehi for Thanksgiving. Although, there is something to be said for the beauty of freshly fallen snow covering the ground. Which brings me to my next point...

23 - The beauty of nature. Maybe it's the hippy in me coming out, but I just love how beautiful our earth is. Especially here in SoCal, it's so lush and green. I love all the flowers that I'm finding that don't grow in southern Utah. I love the beach and the beauty of the ocean. When we go home we take Old Highway 91 through Littlefield and into Ivins and I could just cry my little eyes out when I see those gorgeous red mountains. Even while in northern Utah we couldn't get over the majesty of the Wasatch mountains. (I think that's what they're called...) Regardless of where you live there is so much beauty to behold.


24-Travel. I've been incredibly blessed to have done as much travelling as I've done in my life already. I'm thankful for all that I've been able to do and see. I've learned a lot about other cultures and people and it has really opened my eyes to how fortunate I am. I'm thankful for the many friends I've made in the process too.


25-Nice people. Since I pretty much talk to people all day at work I come across some very interesting folks. I love that my job allows me to just chat with people, find out about them personally and listen to their stories. I've met some really great people and heard some fascinating stories. But I've also met some really mean people! I try hard not to judge people, because you just never know what someone is dealing with, and we all have bad days. But we ALL have things to deal with, it doesn't give us an excuse to treat others poorly. I'm thankful for people who go out of their way to be kind, even if they have every reason to be angry or mean. They inspire me to do the same.

26- Apartment 429. We have a lovely little apartment, it's not very big or particularly fancy but it's perfect for us. I'm thankful that we have a safe, comfortable place to call home. And it's open to anyone who wants to visit and doesn't mind sleeping on a couch!

27- Good music. We almost always have music playing at our house, and I love it. It changes depending on who's in control of the music and what we're doing but we try to make sure it always uplifts us. Lately it's been Christmas music, does it get better than that? We love Pandora, check it out if you don't use it already.

28-Food. If I were actually posting in November I would have written this on Thanksgiving Day. We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with all the works and several kinds of pie to top it off. I'm grateful that we always have enough to eat all year round. We don't go to bed with empty stomachs or wonder where our next meal is going to come from.


29-Family traditions. I love traditions! This time of year is full of them. My family has some fun ones, and so does Brad's. I love the idea of continuing those traditions with our own family someday.

30- Healthy babies. No, I'm not making any announcements! But my sister, Akayleia is due in January with her first baby, my first nephew. I'm just thrilled about it! I'm thankful that she and the baby are both doing great so far and I'm praying for a healthy, and speedy (for her sake) delivery. I already can't get enough of my niece, I can't wait to give my nephew great big kisses too!

I think that about does it. I didn't do it every day like I had planned, but the best part about it is that it really did help me to recognize all the things I've been blessed with. I found myself thinking about things that I'm thankful for more often. Although, I confess, there may have been a few thoughts that went like this "I'll tell you what I'm NOT thankful for! The JERK that almost just ran me off the road!" I know, I hope road rage won't keep me out of heaven. But the point is, once you start listing the things you're thankful for your list will never end. You'll keep finding things you're thankful for!