Thanksgiving

I was reading my friend's blog this afternoon. I know I haven't written nearly enough and I will definitely be writing a lot more once we move, but just because most of the things we do in our lives are with the people that read this blog, doesn't mean that I can't spend some time and write about things other than events.

This month I have had so much going on that I am actually so overwhelmed, it's almost unbearable. The beginning of the month actually started with finding out that I was pregnant. Kyle and I have been praying about it for a while and thought that it was time to have another baby. We were excited and couldn't keep it to ourselves, which meant more people knew than we probably should have told. I didn't start feeling sick though and thought I may get off lucky with this pregnancy. I was keeping myself healthy and workingout so I didn't gain more weight than was necessary. Unfortunately, things weren't right with the pregnancy and I ended up losing the baby. It was a hard lose for me for some reason. I wasn't very far along, but the hormones were enough to make me horribly sad. The same night that I lost the baby, I found out my grandpa had passed away. Needless to say, that was a hard night for me and there was a lot of crying involved.

This isn't a blog post all about sadness though. I'm posting it because these sad things made me realize just how much I do have to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for my FAMILY. Both my extended family and my immediate family. I have been blessed with wonderful parents who have always loved and supported me. I have a mother-in-law who loves me like I was her own child. What a blessing it is to know that I am loved and accepted by all those around me. My HUSBAND may be the best person in the whole world. He dealt with the hormones while I was pregnant and cried with me the day so much sadness took place. He is my best friend. He knows me better than I know myself and for that, I am especially grateful! I'm thankful for my children. They can be some of the sweetest kids ever when they want to be. Even though they aren't a joy at every moment of the day, they are beautiful, healthy, talented, and loving kids who I adore!

I'm thankful for PRAYER. About two months ago Kyle found out that there was a job opening in Kentucky that he really wanted to apply for. It is kind of a promotion and a pay raise as well. We prayed about it and felt that if Kyle got the job, we should do it. We aren't in Kentucky yet, but everything that we needed to have happen is working out so far. We knew we couldn't afford to move and needed the company to help and they did. They are willing to help so much that we can actually buy a home there and have a place of our own. We prayed again that things would work out with our house here and we would be able to sell it and not worry about it. Not long after, we had a family in our ward approach us about possibly buying it. It's not a done deal yet and anything can happen, but the fact that they want it is a huge first step for us. This job means that Kyle can come home at regular hours now. I don't have to wonder if he will be home for dinner or in time for me to make it to a meeting or a school function. He doesn't have to miss family outings and even bedtime. He will be able to commute by bike if he wants to and he'll be able to have more energy for things around the house when he gets home because it won't be a physically demanding job. I'm so thankful for this opportunity for our family. While he is doing this, he'll be able to finish school, which the company will pay for and then he can go into management if he chooses. He can't actually do that until he has his bachelors degree, so the fact that he will actually be able to study and take online classes while he is working is a HUGE deal to us.

I'm thankful for the GOSPEL. My grandpa died last week. He and my grandma just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. My family is sad, but those of us who know him and have the gospel in our lives, know that he is happy. He wasn't the same man he was when I was younger. He's been in a body that wasn't working anymore and was getting worse and worse all the time. We had a small memorial service for him and although I was sad that he wasn't on this earth any more in the sense I was used to, I knew that he was happy now. He is with my aunt who has passed on and my cousin as well. He is obviously with his brothers and sisters and parents. I hope he gets a chance to chat with my dad's mom as well just for us. I'm thankful to know that I am sealed to my sweet grandpa for eternity. I'm thankful to know that I am sealed to my husband and children along with the rest of my family if we live worthy lives. I will definitely be working harder at keeping myself worthy to live with all of those I love for eternity.

I'm thankful for my friends. My dear visiting teachers who I should just put in as friends, but they hold a special place in my heart. I'm thankful for my visiting teaching companion who keeps me going every month or follows along on the months I keep her going. I'm thankful for the understanding sisters who I visit teach and let me bring my kids! They are women of great understanding for sure and great friends! I'm thankful for my friend, Sandra, who thought that the sisters in our ward could use some more exercise and started a workout group to help us meet our goals and push ourselves harder than we would on our own. I'm thankful for my sister-in-laws who visit and talk, and help me whenever I need it. I don't consider them just sister-in-laws, but sisters. For three of them, if my brothers mess up, I'm keeping my sisters over them any day!

Even with sadness this month, I have so much to be thankful for. Many things I can't even name, but know that there is a long list that I haven't even gotten to.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!