Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for. I am grateful for an amazing husband, and a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I am grateful for an eternal marriage. I am grateful for my family (mine and Dan's alike). We both feel so blessed to have wonderful parents who love and support us unconditionally. I know it's rare to have such close relationships with all your siblings and Dan and I both feel very lucky that we have the kind of relationships we do with our family members. I am grateful to live in a country where we have political and religious freedom. I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that families can be together forever. I am grateful my Savior Jesus Christ, for scriptures, for a living prophet, for the joy that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the holiday season, which makes me take an inventory of my life and helps me to realize how abundantly blessed I am. Last Sunday a friend of mine gave a talk in our ward. She shared stories of what life was like growing up in the Dominican Republic. She spoke of the poverty and the hardships her family experienced. She also shared memories of Christmas, and how she was always so excited for Christmas and could not wait for the few pieces of fruits and nuts that they would receive. She said that she and her siblings were just as excited for Christmas as her children are today, only her children would be greatly disappointed if all they got was a few grapes. Her talk focused on being grateful and content with what we have, and for not always wanting more. She also spoke of the importance of teaching our children to be grateful. I am grateful for her talk and am recommitted to doing better this Christmas season, and always. I want to give more, to want less, and to appreciate more fully the blessings that I have in my life.