I am grateful for... Pumpkin Pie

Breakfast: Pumpkin Pie and Orange Juice

Snack: Pumpkin Pie

Lunch: Pumpkin Pie and Water

Snack: Chocolate Cream Pie

Dinner: Chicken Fried Rice

Dessert: Pumpkin Pie

Midnight Snack: Pumpkin Pie and Orange Juice

Oh how I love Thanksgiving! Especially when my mom "over-does" the pumpkin pies. :) I also love this special month of Thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for. I will give you my "top ten," even though I really could go on forever. These "ten" are in no particular order.

1. My Dad. I am so grateful for him and for the time we spend together. This year we have had the opportunity to spend a lot of one on one time going fishing, working on trucks, Christmas shopping, buying trucks, fishing shopping. I love him. I love talking to him. I love laughing with him. I love teasing him. He is truly one of my best friends and I am so grateful for him. His advice (he is the voice of reason), his listening ear, even his stories about what he's doing at work. I relish all of it. Thanks for everything, Dad. You are my hero.

2. My Mom. Where would I be without her? She is the one who is by my side through thick and thin (and rain and snow and ice--name that song). We have a special bond that only we share. I can read her like a book and I would do anything for her. And likewise, she is the only one who truly knows and understands me. Maybe it's because she's had my entire life to mother me. I am so lucky that God gave me to her. We are the perfect Mother-Daughter-Best Friend fit. I owe you everything, Mom. Without you, I wouldn't be here!

3. My Favorite. You know who you are. Where would I be without you in my life. You are the sunshine that brightens up my world. Even in my darkest moments, you can bring a smile to my face. I have never had something as wonderful and as mine as you are. You amaze me. You are so kind and compassionate, but you would kick every "muffin's" butt just to protect me. Don't worry, Lovie. I would kick their butt's too, to protect you. I am so grateful for My Favorite. I don't know how I became so lucky to have her sent to me. She is more than a best friend. She is my favorite.

4. Shantae. Words cannot express my gratitude for everything she has done for me/does for me. She is an amazing person who was willing to sacrifice her life so she could serve a mission. While it has been hard to be away from her, I have become so much closer to her in the process. Each letter we send to each other, each email, each update... I adore her. I love the fact that we are still close. I love the fact that we have been close my whole life. I was the lucky kid who grew up with a playmate and adoring sister in the same room. She was my confidante, and I hers. There were so many nights we forwent sleep so we could chatter well past midnight. I can't wait until she comes back so we can spend another night talking. I love you, Shantae. Thanks for always being there for me.

5. Shmooish. I love that we can still play super mario together and have a fun time. He is such an example to me of perseverance. He is so strong, but so sweet. I love my "little" brother and I am so grateful for the time I get to spend with him. He is crazy, hilarious, and so much fun to be around. But he has always been understanding. I know I am just your "big" sister, Shmoo, and I am not nearly as much fun as your friends, but I love you! I remember when you were born! You're the baby brother I never knew I always wanted. Thank you. Where would I be without you? Life would definitely be a lot less interesting!

6. My Squishy. How I love this cat. How I love her soft black fur and her scratchy tongue that does such a good job of waking me up in the morning. I love that she is so "willing" to drive with me to pick up Jenni. I love that she sleeps with me. I love that when I am sick she never leaves my side. She was the greatest birthday present I ever received and I count her among my greatest blessings.

7. My Education. I never thought I would actually make it to graduation. I always planned on it, but there were a few times where graduating just seemed to impossible a goal. I can't count the number of all-nighters I pulled, the number of tests I crammed for, or the number of papers I wrote (at least one a week for the last year and half I went to school). There were times I detested school. There were professors I loathed and there were classes I would much rather have skipped (some I did) but they were all worth the degree I now have. It seems weird to be grateful for my own accomplishment, but I can't help it. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to get an education, but even more grateful that I had the foresight to act upon those opportunities and get an education.

8. My Home. I am so grateful that I have a place I can escape to when the rest of the world gets bad. I love my room and my bed. I am grateful for the spirit that is in my home and the peace it brings to me. I am grateful it's warm in the winter and cool in the summer and that it houses the people I love. I am grateful for the things inside of it that I often take for granted.

9. My Health. I can't lie and say I have the prefect health. But I am so grateful for what I do have. I have a body that can fight disease and infection. I have a mind that is open and ready to continue learning throughout my life. The small ailments I do have are minimal. I am grateful for these small trials. They are nothing in comparison to other health issues I could have.

10. The Gospel. I am grateful for the peace it brings me when life gets hard. I love reading the Book of Mormon and praying. These simple things bring me the greatest peace and happiness and for that I am eternally grateful.

Life is hard. But there are so many things in life that make it worth living. I hope you can find things in your life to be grateful for, too.