25. Thankful For...

Happy Thanksgiving y'all.

Yes, I'm doing the completely cliche blog post. I'm going to list what I'm thankful/grateful for.

I'm so very grateful for my parents. They are my examples. They have done so much for me to be happy and to give me everything that I've wanted and I know I'm complete debt with them for all that they've done. I don't know if I could give anything in return. But I love them so much. They are the greatest parents ever.

I'm very thankful for growing up with 5 sisters (4 of the 5 are pictured. Sorry Rachel! Still love you!). I know somedays were just gigantic cat fights over who was going to use the bathroom in the morning to get ready for school or so-and-so wore someone's shirt without asking to borrow it. But at the end of the day, we are sisters. And we have been each other's best friends since birth ;) And we're always going to be there for each other. I love them more than anything.

I'm grateful for the friends that I've had and met. They have all been such an inspiration in my life. Either if they're in my life now or not. They were a big part of who I was at one point. Thank you for being my friend. I'm grateful for my very best friends. Who have been there through thick and thin. You're my life and I would do anything for you. :)

I'm very thankful to have the opprotunity to know and be best friends with Jessica Harris. There isn't a day that goes by that something doesn't remind me of her. Last year, we both went to the Holy War (aka BYU vs Utah) game together. And I'm sad that this year, she's not here and we can't do that again. She is a beautiful girl. Inside and out. I was always jealous of her outgoing personality and her sense of humor/sarcasm. She and I were so much alike. We were mistaken as sisters, multiple times. I loved that we were always attached to the hip. That no matter what if you wanted to find Jessica, you could probably call me. If you wanted to find me, you would probably call her. We loved the haters :) (Our matching shirts "The haters heart me". Oh yeah. We totally went out in public like that. Theme song: Good Morning by Chamillionaire. She was there when I was pregnant and went to my support groups with me and she was there when little miss Olivia was born. She was there for me when I neeeded a best friend. She was there for four years and I'm so sad that the friendship had to end in this life but I know it won't end in the next.  I can't wait for the day that I can be reunited with her. I miss her more than anything in this world. I love you, bestie.

I'm grateful for Dustinn, Valery and Bradshaw. I couldn't ask for better parents and brother for my daughter. Dustinn and Valery are the model parents of what kind of parent that I want to be. They are so patient and so kind and respectful. To their children, to each other, to everyone. They are such genuine people and so caring, giving and loving. They have had their fair share of trials but at the end of the day, you can see the love in their eyes for each other and for their children. They are completely amazing. They were the answer to my prayers when I needed them. I love you guys so much. You're absolutely perfect!

I'm so very thankful that I was able to help complete a family. And that meant that I had to meet little miss Olivia. Even though Olivia couldn't talk back to me and all she could do was just comfort me with her little kicks in my tummy. She was my very best friend. She listened to me cry myself to sleep, multiple nights. She changed me. She helped me become a better person. She was my constant companion and I knew I couldn't have become who I am today without her. She's my world.

I'm grateful for meeting my best friend. My eternal companion. My wonderful husband, Tayler. He helped me at a time that I felt like I needed to be on my own. But he showed me that I didn't have to go through all of the pain alone.  He has always wanted to be there and help or take the pain away. Ever since day one, he's so persistent I couldn't say no (or because he was too dang cute to say no to anyway!). I know there are days that still hurt but those days, I'm so grateful for him. Because I always dreamed that someday I would find somebody that will hold me and love me even for what I had done in my past. Even if I wanted to cry over Olivia because I never had someone cry with me while I was pregnant with Olivia. And to have someone now to comfort me when it was probably the most critical time, is amazing. Everyday he takes my breath away. With everything that he does for me or he says to me. He treats me the right and the best way. He is such a blessing in my life and I'm excited that in ten months we will be sealed in the Temple for time and all eternity. I'm so grateful for Temples and the knowledge that we can be sealed together as husband and wife. And have our children be sealed to us even after this life. I couldn't ask for a better husband and future father to our babies. :)

Last but not least, I'm grateful for my Father in Heaven. He has always been there for me. Even the times that I have gone astray. I know those nights that I felt alone, I could just kneel down in prayer and ask him to forgive me- even just for that night. To feel His peace and comfort. That He won't hesitate. He's my foundation and my rock. I don't think I could've gone this far in my life without Him. I'm so grateful for the atonement and the very personal effect that it has made for me in my life. He has made me. I'm His daughter. And I'm so grateful to be His daughter. He has helped me through the dark and rough times and into His light. I love Him.

Remember to count your blessings and be thankful for them.

What are you grateful for?