Thankful.

I know a lot of people think the "30 days of Thankful" on facebook is totally overrated because we should be thankful everyday. Which is  completely true. But I think it's a lot easier to remember exactly how thankful we are for things when the entire month of November is based around being thankful. I didn't post anything on facebook about what I'm thankful for or why, so I thought I would post more than a few things that have been on my mind lately.

 

.i'm thankful for family.

for husband. for baby. for my role as wife & mom. for my own mom & dad. for sister. for brother. grandparents. in-laws. extended family.

I am so lucky to have a family that does so much for me.

 

.i'm thankful for means of travel.

for a car that runs so well and allows me to conveniently get to doctors appointments, work, grocery stores, to family, friends, & anywhere else i decide to drive to on a whim.

 

.i'm thankful for photography.

for being able to capture moments that mean so much to me. these pictures are so dear to me and allow me to remember times forever, see how things have changed, and give me something to show my kids one day.

 

.i'm thankful for a messy kitchen.

for reminding me i have food whenever i need/want it. i often take this for granted because it's so readily available. it breaks my heart to think there are people all over the world going hungry each day. i often forget how lucky i am to not only have an abundance of food in my fridge, but restaurants so close.

 

.i'm thankful for loads of laundry.

for reminding me that i have clothes that keep me covered and comfortable. for having a coat to keep me warm when it's cold outside. for shoes and socks that protect my feet. and for gloves that warm my hands.

 

.i'm thankful for my home.

for giving my family shelter. for allowing us to have a place to make memories together. to be comfortable. for giving me a safe place to sleep at night. for giving me a safe place to raise and teach my child.

 

.i'm thankful for my role as mother.

for my Heavenly Father to trust me with such a sacred, humbling job. for the chance i have to teach and learn. for the chance to be an example, and for the chance to love infinitely. i'm thankful for my role as mother, because it has allowed me a slight understanding of how much Christ loves me.

 

.i'm thankful for my daily failures.

for reminding me that tomorrow i can try again and do a little better.

 

.i'm thankful for my daily successes.

for accomplishments big or small.

 

.i'm thankful to my Heavenly Father.

for giving me all of these things. for memories, for blessings, for safety and comfort. for my family and all of the many things i love. for trusting me and allowing me to learn. 

 

Today i'm feeling so extremely blessed and loved.

Today i am especially thankful.

 

XOXO

 

Thursday Thankful

Today I am thankful for my horribly painful period.

Because it means I am not pregnant.

 

Today I am thankful for a painfully full belly.

Because it means i am fortunate to have food.

 

Today I am thankful for a day spent with family.

Because it is fatalie's last thanksgiving home.

 

Today I am thankful for a weekend off from work.

Because it means I have a job to go back to.

 

Today I am thankful for Spencer.

Because he loves me even when I'm moody.

 

Today I am thankful for Winston.

Because he gives me kisses and gets excited over little things.

 

Today I am thankful for my friends.

Because they've been there through thick and thin.

 

Today I am thankful for the money I owe for car repairs.

Because it means I have a car that runs.

 

Today I am thankful for sunshine.

Because it isn't snow.

 

Today I have so much to be thankful for. I am so blessed and have been so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people and lovely things.

 

Happy Thanksgiving & Good Luck to everyone who is Black Friday Shopping. Seriously.



Today is 9/11

As we all know,

today is the 11th anniversary of the tragic 9/11.

I sat on the school bus early that September morning listening to a friend tell me about a terrorist. I thought she meant tourist and quite honestly I had no idea what she was talking about. Panic struck as a small 7th grader not knowing what all of the confusion and devistation meant as I watched the TVs rolled out into every classroom. Something was wrong.

It amazes me how 11 years has flown by so quickly, and how regardless of how many years go by the stories and news casts still make me cry.

Driving to work this morning there was a moment of silence on the radio at the exact time the first plane hit the tower. A full minute of silence sitting at a stop light in Salt Lake City all misty eyed.

I am thankful for my Country.

Today is also the birthday of my Aunt Diane.

A wonderful woman I never met, but my mom swears Diane hand picked me in heaven to come to my mom. She says I'm stubborn just like her, and get the same forehead dimples when I'm mad. Grandma sometimes calls me Diane rather than Mikell, which always feels strange.

(For my cousins reading this know exactly what I'm talking about.... I'm also called Noelle, Jeni, Marilee & Melissa often too.. but those don't feel quite as strange- It's a grandma thing I guess!)

I've always been interested in stories of Diane, asking mom more than I ask Grandma. On my wedding day, I had three picture charms hooked to my bouquet for the family members I still wanted with me that day. One for Jeni, one for Diane, and one for my Grandpa B.

There were also 3 chairs reserved in our Sealing Room for the same reason.

I am thankful for Heaven.

A year ago today I received my Patriarchial Blessing.

Go back further another year, I would have NEVER thought 365 days down the road I'd be receiving such a dear gift.

Growing up people like myself make lots of mistakes & learn wonderful life lessons that wouldn't ever be traded. The last few years have been the most difficult & Challenging, yet they've been the most rewarding in so many ways.

I am thankful for change.

This past week I've had the feeling multiple times to text a dear family member who's been through more struggles than I can imagine between the loss of a spouse and other previous challenges. Feeling like a text would be more annoying than beneficial, I ignored those feelings to reach out over and over. I ran into a relative of his a few days later and again got the feeling to text him. I sent a text saying hello, and I'm thinking of you, and received a 10 page text about the struggles he was going through.
Last night I got a phone call that was more dear to my heart than ever. I learned I was the answer to a prayer, and a source of trust and strength to this person.

I learned a good lesson last night to never ignore personal promptings.

I am thankful for intiution.

Needless to say, today I am feeling very thankful for so many things. I'm thankful for a happy wonderful life with so many blessings. I'm thankful for family, church, friends and this wonderful Country we live in.

Take some time today to tell your loved ones they are indeed loved.

Take some time today to be thankful.

Take some time today soaking in this wonderful life.

We are blessed.