giving thanks

I have really been amping the amount of blogging I've been doing lately, I'm not sure why. I kind of go through different phases quickly..(last year I had one week where I decided I wanted to take violin lessons...Andrew talked me out of it and in 3 days I was onto the next thing.) Anyways, now I'm on a blogging streak. I really do like to write and with my dad's passing recently I feel it's therapeutic, healthy, and makes me reflect on my life more. So I'm going to blog as much as I feel like, I'm sure I'll go off the radar soon; sorry I'm not more consistent.

November snuck up on me. I was pretty much shut out from the world for about 2 weeks in October and so I feel like I completely missed fall. In spite of everything that has been happening recently, I am happy about Thanksgiving. This is the time of year to give thanks, reflect, and spend time with family. 

(I also think this was my dad's favorite holiday because of all the food...I guess I will eat twice as much this year in memory of him, he'd like that :) )

I wanted to reflect on a few things I am thankful for (in no particular order), so here they are:

• The Gospel - the knowledge of eternal families. Knowing my family can be together forever is a blessing and I'm not sure what I would do without that knowledge.
• Family - I have the greatest family. My husband rocks and I don't know how I got such a patient, kind, hot man. Before I met Andrew I didn't know people this good existed. He made my world when he married me and has made me happier than I could have ever imagined. Then there's my mom who is the rock of us all. I admire and look up to her. I have been amazed with her strength and courage throughout my life, over the past 6 months, and even more so in the past 3 weeks. My mom is a hard worker, strong spiritual woman, and a great friend. In addition, I will always be grateful for my dad, for the lessons he taught me, the values and traits he handed off to me, and for his happy disposition (read more about why my dad rocked here). My sister is the mature cool one in our family and is always taking care of me, no matter how old I get. I've always known she will have my back no matter what, and she is always there in the highest and lowest times. Oh, and her husband is alright too. (no but seriously I couldn't be happier with who she married) Also Andrew's family has been beyond great from the beginning. I have felt like part of the family from day 1 and can honestly say I love them all so much as well.
• Work - although my job can be crazy and stressful sometimes, I am so grateful to be able to have a job where people depend on me, I am contributing and part of a team, and am able to be pushed, to grow, and to learn. I am so blessed to be able to be making money in such difficult times, and do my best not to take the fact that I work for granted. Plus I think the title "suga mama" sounds pretty gangster and I like that.
• Friends - This is another one I try not to take for granted. I have been so lucky to have the greatest friends - growing up, in high school, in college, and now as a married lady. I absolutely love our times together, our fun and crazy memories. All my friends bring me so much joy. 
• Technology - [here comes my venting] one thing that has always bothered me is when people complain about technology. I agree that there are many awful things that come from technology and its advances, pornography being the biggest. However, it makes me sad that so many awesome blessings that have come to this world because of technological advances are constantly overlooked. Because of these advances I am able to maintain great relationships with many loved ones who I may have fallen out of contact with, the church is able to grow, world events are covered and shared, medical advances are able to progress, I could go on.
• Sun Dried Tomato Wheat Thins - have you had these? Seriously, they are the greatest thing ever. I eat them all day at work and know I will never again be able to go without them. If you haven't had them, you need to start now-they will change your life forever.

*Those are the biggies that deserve a paragraph. Here are a few other randoms:

*hot chocolate

*clean sheets

*weekends

*my cameras

*chocolate chip cookies

*getting my teeth cleaned

*open freeways

*laughing

*sleep

*cuddling with my man

*Nsync Christmas (guilty: I jammed all day at work)

*old pictures

*the mountains

*Papa John's pizza

*big hugs

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

steph

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