Gratitude. It's been our theme for the month of November. Rich gave the lesson in elders quorum on the first Sunday and selected the topic of gratitude. We talked about it in FHE and made a point to talk about things we were grateful for all month long. We told the kids that so much of gratitude is your attitude. Its how you choose to react to whatever comes your way. Life is not easy and it is not always fair, but you can always choose to be happy and grateful no matter what your circumstances are. People that are happy and positive will always have friends because people are attracted to the light. There's nothing like being around a happy person because it will always rub off on you. People that are grateful will always be happy because they choose to see the good. Their cup is half full and something great will come along, even if it takes a while to find them.
I have so much to be grateful for. I am infinitely grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me the perspective I need to see the tender mercies of the Lord even when things get hard. I love the hope it gives. I love the direction it provides for me and my family. I am so grateful to my Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement and sacrifice that will allow me and my family to return to our Heavenly Father and be together forever. I am grateful for my sweet husband. He is the most kind, honest, hard working, fair, positive man and he's always there to give me support, love, help and is my very best friend. I love my children. They are what life is about. They bring me and Rich joy and love beyond measure. I love our parents. What a blessing it is to be close to them once again. Oh how I missed them while we were away. I love our siblings. We both have such nice families. I love spending time with them. I love my friends. I have been blessed to be surrounded by such incredible, amazing women who lift and love and make me laugh.
This Thanksgiving was the first time in ten years we sat with our families in Utah and enjoyed this holiday with them. Three years ago my parents and my brothers Kurt and Jeff and his wife Sarah came Lexington. The Hamiltons were there too. It was the only time since 2000 that we feasted with family. I have loved celebrating this holiday with friends over the years and last year we actually had it by ourselves and I loved that too. Thanksgiving is special because all you need are people you love and a grateful heart. Throw in a parade, some football and a yummy turkey and you are set. No gifts. No lists. Just a happy, warm feeling of love. It's nice.
This year we spent the holiday with the Nances and Jacksons. The boys enjoyed their annual Turkey Bowl early that morning. They played at Timpview High School with Rich's brothers. We at a meal at noon with my family in Salem. Greg, Kate and their boys were there. Brad, Jana and their two little ones were there. Kurt and Pearl were in Highland, Jeff, Sarah and Camden were in California and Rhett's working hard in Ecuador. My mom had a beautiful set table and a darling Christmas tree craft and chocolate countdown ribbon the kids made afterwards. The weather was gorgeous and Josh played catch with my Dad and Brad while Rich chased Zach around the yard while I baked my food for the Jackson feast. At 4 pm we went to Provo and had our second meal with Rich's mom and dad, Charlie, Julianne and kids and Danny, Brynn and their kids. Charlie spent the morning roasting turkeys. The kids made cute turkey cupcakes and Brynn made the most darling little turkeys out of gumdrops. We finally went home stuffed, but so grateful for all we have been given and for the wonderful people we get to call family.
