Grateful

I've been thinking about this post for some time now. I'm feeling so blessed and so full of gratitude for the many wonderful things in my life. A few things have happened lately that have really made me step back and look at our little family and it is overwhelming to see all the Lord has given us. I figure with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I would take the time to record some of the thoughts and feelings I've had lately.

One of the biggest things that I am so grateful for lately is our health. It breaks my heart to watch 2 different families that I love so much, having to fight the battle with Cancer. Leo and Amy were one of the first couples that Dave and I met when we moved into a new ward right after we got married. I was privileged to work with Amy in the Young Women's program and she became a dear and wonderful friend. They have 3 adorable children and they have been such a amazing examples to Dave and I. Leo was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in August. The average life expectancy with this type of cancer is 9 months. My heart just aches for them. So far the Chemo seems to be working and the tumors are shrinking, but with the Chemo comes a lot of sickness which puts him out of commission for about a week after each treatment.

One of my best friends from home, Christy, and her family is also having to deal with this horrible disease. Christy's second daughter Brynn is just 10 years old. In July, Brynn was complaining about a lump in her foot. They took her to the Doctor and just 4 days later they received a call from the Calgary doctor and learned that the tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, would need immediate treatment. Christy and Kevin have 3 other children and are living their lives split between the hospital in Calgary and home with the other children 2 1/2 hours away. Brynn is a fighter and an amazing little girl but she has been very sick recently with the Chemo treatment, she hasn't been able to eat or talk since the sores in her mouth have been so painful.

Watching these 2 families go through these challenges has changed my life forever. Too many times in my life I have taken things for granted and you just never know when your entire world could be turned upside-down. I don't ever want to focus on the negative. I don't ever want to look past all the great things I'm blessed with and focus on the challenges of life. I've thought a lot about the challenges and the trials that the Lord gives us and I've come to realize that some of the greatest blessings sometimes surround the greatest challenges. I've realized that having faith in the Lord's plan means knowing that even though there is unbelievable heartache at times, we would still choose to come to this earth and that the blessings and the joy that we can find is worth the pain we sometimes feel.

I'm grateful for the joy that comes from service. We are told to 'Bare one another's burdens' and I am so thankful that Leo and Amy have allowed me to serve them in small ways. It has made our home a better place as I am able to spend a little time serving outside of our home. I have felt a greater love and bond to Amy and Leo as they have let me in and have been willing to accept my small acts of service. I wish I lived closer to Christy and Kevin, so I could do more for their family, it makes me sad that I am too far away to even just take an occasional meal to them.

I am so grateful for my 2 beautiful daughters. They have helped me learn and grow and I love them so, so much. It's amazing to have 2 pieces of my heart just walking around outside of my body. I love having a small taste of the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. When I look at them, I can't even believe that they are mine. They honestly amaze me.

I am beyond blessed to have such a wonderful husband. I am grateful for his unconditional love, despite all my weaknesses. I am grateful that he makes me feel beautiful no matter what the scale might say, and that he doesn't even bat an eye when we have cereal for dinner twice in one week, and that he gets as excited as I do if I get to have a 'girl's night out' and he will do all he can to get me out of the house, and that he works so hard to provide for our family and even though he has a Master's degree, he is not too proud to work at a call center doing customer service to make us a little money. I'm extremely grateful for what an amazing Father he is to our girls. I seriously could not ask for more. I am one incredibly lucky girl.

I am so grateful for our extended family. Dave and I have great parents, both sets of parents have helped and supported us greatly, and we are so thankful for all that they do for us. We love and appreciate them with all our hearts. We are also blessed with great siblings and in-laws, who are our 'family', but also our 'friends'.

I am grateful for my friends. I am so blessed to be close to friends from all stages of my life. Many I have known since Kindergarten, roommates from college and my single life, mission companions, and those from the ward that Dave and I were in after we were married. All of these women are beautiful, talented, fun, amazing people, and they inspire me and make me want to be better. I am so grateful for the wonderful examples I have around me.

I am truly blessed and even though we don't have our dream job or dream house as I take inventory of all the things I 'do' have, I realize that all my dreams are coming true. Of course I have days when the challenges of life get overwhelming, but I am happy. Dave is my best friend and I am so excited for him to get home every day. My girls are hilarious and make me laugh every day. I am supported by my family and friends in everything I do. I am very blessed and very grateful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!