thankful

Since it is Thanksgiving time I couldnt help but think of the tradition that my family always did at the dinner table right before we started eating. We would go around the table and each of us would say what we were thankful for. As a young child and then into the teenage years I would throw out the pat answers and move on so we could EAT! Now that I am a little older and really understanding the true meaning of Thanksgiving I couldnt help but think this year of what I am thankful for.

As I live in the time of uncertainty I cant help but be first off thankful to have the knowledge of the gospel. What comfort it is to have such a peace to continue on when you are not sure what the future holds. I am thankful for a good job and a career that I love. I am thankful for my sweet spirits that touch my heart each week! They bring me such joy! I am thankful for Ryan's job and the hard work that he puts into it so that we can someday have me stay home. I am thankful for Ryan and all he does for me! We have grown a lot these past five years and feel blessed that the growth has brought us together and made our relationship stronger. I am so thankful to be married to my best friend! I am thankful for family. I have lived away from home now for over 10 years, which includes five and half years married and Ryan away from his family as well. I am a big girl and am very independent but feel so blessed to have family a phone call away, a prayer away or even an airplane away! When you are searching for support to get through rough times it is nice to have such an amazing family! I am thankful for good health. As I have had lots of tests done on me the past year I cant help but be thankful that they cant seem to figure me out cause things look wonderful! I have to count that as a blessing, right?! I am thankful for a roof over my head and the necestities that I enjoy like this computer and internet! I am thankful for great friendships and feel blessed to be able to keep them strong even if they may be across the USA. Friends keep you strong, build you up and keep you moving forward! I am thankful for the temple and the opprotunity to go there weekly and to serve and be spiritually uplifted in time of need. It has been a great rock for me the past year and I love being there. As hard as it is to say; I am thankful for my trials. It has brought me to a higher level of who I am and the love that the Savior has for me. I know without the specific trials I face I can not appreciate what he wants me to feel and know. I do pray for strength but it is so comforting to know that he knows what I am going through and is there. Which leads to my last point, I am thankful for my Savior and all that he did and does for me! Each year I appreciate more and more of his infinite love and atonement and come to a better understanding.

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Seal Beach California with Ryan's aunt and uncle. We love going there to visit. It is beautiful there and I love to walk along the beach and watch the sunset. I am not very good at taking pictures of the acutal Thanksgiving but did get a few shots of an amazing sunset and the water and the 1st annual lighting of the christmas (palm) tree in Seal Beach! So here are the pictures and to everyone
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!




ps: We wanted a shot of the ocean but had to take in direct sunlight so you get my silouette! :)