So grateful for...

A trip to a town on the coast where our ancestors lived.
It was so fabulous to be there with my parents and it is
honestly the most beautiful town I think I have ever seen.

I love the history and beauty of this state.

So grateful for...

This time of year.

So grateful for...

The privilege of being the Relief Society president in our ward
for the past two years. I was released this morning and what a
bittersweet moment. I am so grateful to the Lord for asking us
to do things we would not choose to do on our own...
and changing who we are in the process.

So grateful for...

My parents who came to spend a few days with us. They have only been
home from their mission since May, but have come to visit us twice already.
They are so incredibly good to us and we are truly grateful for them.

If only the three and a half days didn't fly by so fast.

So grateful for...

This gift from my parents for Christmas.

Honestly, no words for how much we love it.

So grateful for...

The fact that we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving
with our wonderful friends. I love this holiday.

And that this boy loves eating. And chocolate.
And eating chocolate.

So grateful for...

My Savior.

So grateful for...

Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

To guide us in these latter days.

So grateful for...

A certain sectional couch that no longer resides in our home. If it tells you the
uncomfortable factor, even the kids were beyond excited to see it leave. Can you tell?

So grateful for...

The prophet, Joseph Smith.

This past Friday, during our trip away, Jacob and I were able to visit the birthplace of Joseph Smith.
I actually don't want to take away from the wonderful experience by trying to put it into words,
I will just say it will remain a favorite memory for both of us for a very long time to come.
We were the only visitors there on that particular morning and the Spirit was incredible.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

So grateful for...

A trip away to celebrate our anniversary.

When you are married three days before Christmas, you learn it is a good idea to use the
month before or after to do anything more than a small celebration. And as it was my turn
to plan this year, I decided it was high time for our first anniversary trip away. And Vermont
seemed just the place. It was absolutely incredible! We are so grateful for our friend Lorri
who tended the kids!they had the most fabulous time. Which was a good thing
considering how much Jacob and I enjoyed the two days away.

Here are a few pictures:

The road to the bed and breakfast.

The beautiful place where we stayed.

A gorgeous lake close by.

And a picture that has nothing to do with anything, except that I saw it and had to capture it.

Did I mention we had the most amazing time?
Photos of our favorite part of the trip coming tomorrow...

So grateful for...

This country. And for those that have given so much, and are currently giving so much.

These five minutes were the best I've spent today.

I love this country.

So grateful for...

This man.

So grateful for...

These four.

So grateful for...

Little boys who stand in front of their door mounted basketball hoop and say,

"If dis ball dos in, I'n am going to be suber, suber happy!"

So grateful for...

Our friend, Lorri, who lives with us.

She is so good to us, it is amazing. She acts like it is her pleasure whenever she tends the kids.
She cooks amazing food every Sunday. She makes us laugh. And she isn't afraid to tell me I am nuts.

(In a kind way of course. And unfortunately, she is right every time.)

So grateful for...

This painting, what it means to me and how it made me cry the first time I saw it and realized
what the artist had named it. God answers prayers. I have no doubt. I am so grateful.

Photo taken from here.

So grateful for...

A fun soccer season.

That is over. We loved it, but three games a week, plus three
to five practices a week. It was a lot. The calm feels good.

So grateful for...

A warm home.