Thankful

Last night Rob and I created a list of things we are thankful for. It really brought to a remembrance all the things that we count as blessings in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for! We are truly blessed with great things, things that are helping us find joy in this journey. Although we came up with over a 150 things (and we keep adding to it)...I wanted to record my "top ten" for this year.

1. The Savior
I am so grateful for the new found love and appreciation I have for the Savior. I am thankful for the new perspective I have on the atonement, and his sacrifice in my behalf. I am grateful that these things combined with his Resurrection, will enable me to be reunited with my son and spend eternity with my family. I am so grateful for the gift he has given me of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful for his understanding, patience, and continued unconditional love. I am thankful for his perfect example of how to live in an imperfect world.

2. Rob
I am so thankful for the way in which Rob loves me completely. I am grateful for his desire to make my life full and happy. His selfless love for me is truly amazing! I couldn't live without his adorable little songs that he makes up and sings each morning, or our cuddle time each afternoon when he gets home from school. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have him here to make me laugh and enjoy the good moments, and provide a shoulder to cry on during the hard, lonely moments. I feel truly blessed to be able to come home to my best friend every day, and I'm most certainly grateful for eternity, an eternity with him...even that sometimes doesn't seem long enough to be with my sweetheart!

3. Branson
What an incredible blessing our little boy has been to us this year! I am so thankful for this pure, celestial son. I am truly amazed at how much he has taught us, and how many lives he's touched as he serves his mission on the other side at this time. I am so grateful for the expansion of my heart that enables me to feel more love for him than I even imagined possible. I am inspired by his obedient example, and grateful that he chose to follow God's plan for him. I dream often of the day that our reunion will take place...oh, I can't wait for that embrace!

4. Family
Rob and I have come to appreciate even more the love and support of our incredible families. We are so blessed to have families who do all they can to be there for us every step of the way. We are grateful they understand how important our little guy is to us, and for the added strength that their testimonies bring to us in moments of heartache and fear. We will be forever indebted to them for all acts of service they have rendered in our behalf. I love that God's plan is centered around families...for isn't that what it's truly all about?

5. Friends
We couldn't help but think and talk about all of our amazing friends. Like our families, they too have helped us through some of our darkest days. We are truly humbled by the love that has been shown to us, and the continued support we receive from all of them. Being so far from home has required us to rely on this great network of friends. We are thankful for each one of them for the prayers they offer in our behalf, and for the acts of kindness that they show forth!

6. Time
Although I struggle to accept the timing of things in God's plan, I am grateful for the time I've been given. Time, six years, to build an incredible foundation of love and friendship with my husband. Time, nine months, to carry Branson with me during his short time on this Earth. Time, twenty six years, to experience life...to learn and grow from all it offers. Time, every day, to look at my life and realize how blessed I am because of the things I have, and the things that will come. Time.

7. July
We've had some hard July's...2 miscarriages have occurred in July, and Branson slipped from our arms in July. However, the two greatest things in my life happened in July...I married my eternal companion on July 12th, and I met my son on July 1st. So I'm choosing today to love July instead looking back at July's with fear.

8. Emotions
I am so grateful for my ability to feel emotions. I have never felt such strong feelings of love, anger, despair, joy, loneliness, companionship, confusion, understanding, sadness, pain, heartache, peace...there is something to be said about opposition in all things! I am thankful that I'm learning that these emotions are meant to be felt, meant to be learned from, meant to be real, meant to be intense. These emotions help us become more like our Savior, for he truly felt all things. The key, is learning how to bridle these emotions and channel them in a positive direction...I'm still working on that.

9. Christmas
I am so grateful for my favorite time of year. A time to celebrate Christ, family, friends, and traditions. I am thankful for the gift of enjoying this season. I am thankful for the lights, the decorations, the yummy food, the smells, the music, the trees, the smiles, the warmth, the glow, the joy...the season! I love it because my older brother Dustin and I share this infatuation. I have spent a lot of time pondering why I love this holiday so much and I have come to the conclusion that it is because it is perhaps the easiest time of year to give and receive the pure love of Christ, and what a beautiful thing that love is!

10. Puciini's
Yes, my new favorite restaurant. I could literally eat there every night and be just fine with that...I might be a hundred pounds heavier by next Christmas, but every pound would be enjoyed! I love, love, love the twice baked pizza...yummy! Thank you Heather for introducing me to the "adventurous" new pizza place, and thank you Rob for taking me there for every date night the past two months! I am thankful for yummy food.

Happy Thanksgiving!