Thankful - day eleven

I love my nieces and nephews...A LOT. They have always filled a huge void in my life. They were the little brothers and sisters that I never had and I've always loved my relationship with each of them. They continue to fill a void in my life, even as they grow up, go on missions and to college and get married and start families of their own. Many of them are my dearest friends. I am very thankful to each of them for the role that they continue to play in my life.

Today I am especially thankful for my niece Tasha... you see, today is her 18th birthday. (oh my, how did that happen??)

This amazing, talented, funny and beautiful GURL means the world to me. I had the opportunity to live with my sister and her family for several months about 5 years ago. I could never have imagined how much I needed this sweet, adolescent girl during that difficult time in my life. We had more fun and laughed more than at any other time in my life. She healed my heart and brightened my life.

As you can see...we've managed to have lots of fun over the years...

Now, she's all grown up and she's an aunt of her own. I hope she and Mae are lucky enough to always have the kind of relationship and as much fun together as she and I always have.

I love you guurrrl! Thanks for brightening my world!

Happy Birthday!

Thankful - day ten

Our youth speaker on Sunday gave an amazing talk about showing gratitude this Thanksgiving season. She shared some staggering facts about hunger in America and throughout the world and reminded me just how very blessed and fortunate I am. Her sincere message of gratitude touched me very much.

Today I am very thankful to have food in my fridge...

Some U.S. Hunger Facts:

•35.5 million people—including 12.6 million children—live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (10.9 percent).


•4.0 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day. 11.1 million people, including 430 thousand children, live in these homes.


•6.9 percent of U.S. households are at risk of hunger. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. 24.4 million people, including 12.2 million children, live in these homes.


•Research shows that preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger.

There are many, many worthy causes in need of our help this holiday season. I hope you will join me in including your local food bank among them.

Thankful - day nine

I am thankful when Mondays are over....

especially when they end like this...

Thankful - day eight

Today I am thankful for Sundays and the opportunity to

fill my cup.

I am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve.

I am thankful that our YW in Excellence turned out beautiful and perfect.

(and I'm very thankful that it's over)

I'm thankful for lots of things today.

My cup runneth over.

Thankful - day seven

Today I am thankful that all my laundry is clean, folded and put away...

I am especially thankful for clean sheets tonight...

...Sweet Dreams...

Thankful - day six

Today, I am thankful for Fridays!!!!!

Thankful - day five

Today I am incredibly thankful for...

I can't imagine a life without him.

Although I know that we are very blessed, our lives are far from perfect and we've had a really difficult year. I'm thankful that he's always there to love me, hold me and wipe away my tears.

I love him. I need him. And I'm thankful for him.

Thankful - day four

Today I am thankful for cupcakes, cake pops, amazing women and fabulous parties...

{all of which seem to brighten my mood when I'm feeling down}

"Cirque du Bebe"

DeeDee, our fabulous 1st counselor in YW is having a baby girl in just a few short weeks. An amazing baby girl is a pretty good reason to celebrate... so with the help of our girls, we threw her one heck of a baby shower, invited the whole ward and had a blast!

A few of the hostesses with our guest of honor...

****

These are the pretty ladies that I am lucky enough to get to serve with...

I'm pretty sure that I got this calling because I needed them in my life.

Maggie, Danni, DeeDee, Kim, Gina

Yes... I am very thankful, indeed.

Thankful - day three

Today I am thankful for democracy...

AND...

this awesome "I VOTED" sticker.

I plan to wear it all day!

Thankful - day two

Today I am thankful for a November 7-day forecast that looks like this:

67*... seriously?

I can handle that.