I am Thankful for...

The past week I have been thinking about all the things that I am thankful for or all the blessings that I have in my life. I am so thankful for my good health and strength and that my family also has been blessed with health. I am so thankful that I can walk and run and see and hear and that I can get out of bed every morning with a smile on my face.

I am so thankful for my testimony of the gospel, for the knowledge that I gain each day. I am thankful that I can communicate with my Father in Heaven and receive answers to my questions.

I am thankful for a wonderful husband who loves me and takes care of me. I am thankful that he has a job and that he has the drive to work hard for our family. I am thankful for my two little angels, because without them, life would not be life. They bring me so much joy and happiness.

I am thankful for loving parents and grandparents who have been such amazing examples to me. I am thankful that my parents taught me the gospel and also taught me how to love and be kind to others. I am thankful that I can call my mom and talk to her almost everyday about nothing. I am thankful for mom and dad Douglas who have raised my husband in the gospel and who taught him the importance of work and play. I am thankful for the way they treat me and my children. I am thankful for the love and support they show towards me.

I am thankful for my sisters who I love dearly. I am so thankful that I have a special and unique bond with each one of them. I am thankful for my loving brothers. I grew up closer to them and I have learned so much from each of them. I am thankful that I have siblings who love each other, sincerely care for each other and would do anything for each other.

I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in my Douglas family. They are wonderful and I am thankful for the good relationships that I have with each one of them.

I am thankful for the relationships I have with Coopers birth families. They make me feel like I am part of their family and they are so loving and supportive of not only Cooper, but of Bryce, Clayton and myself. I have such a special bond with them and I am so grateful to have them in my life.

I am so thankful for my amazing friends. From highschool, to Utah Valley teammates, from city bball leagues, to volleyball leagues, from church to neighborhoods, from wards to communities, I have been blessed with the best friends a person could have. (Each one of you who are reading this) They stand by me and care for me. And I can feel the love that they have for me. And I am a better person for having them in my life.

I am thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy everyday. I am thankful that I can go to the store when I want to, that I can teach my children to pray, that I can worship how and where I want to. I am thankful for my home, cars, beds, clothes. I am thankful for the beautiful world we live in and that we have air to breathe and clean water to drink. I am so so thankful for food, because it is definately one of my most favorite things (along with Dr. Pepper).

I am most thankful for Jesus Christ. For the knowledge that I have of His life. I would have none of these things above if I didn't have a loving Savior who willingly came to this Earth to suffer and die for me. I am so grateful to Him who has given me the opportunity to repent and to be clean. And I am thankful to know that He knows how I feel whether I am happy or sad, joyful or depressed, up or down. He knows why I feel the way I do. He knows me. He knows my name and what makes me happy. I am thankful for my Redeemer.

I am thankful for this holiday season, for the opportunity it gives me to reflect on those things that I am so blessed to have. It also gives me an opportunity to be with family and to love and serve those who are less fortunate.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I Love You Through and Through

My mom and dad got Clayton this book last year for Christmas, and I have read it to him many times over the past year. It is one of his favorite books. He loves to help me turn the pages and he is starting to point at the pictures. I have always wanted to make my own book of Clayton out of these words, so here goes:

I love you through and through.

I love your top side
and bottom side.

I love your inside

and outside.

I love your silly side
and your mad side.
I love your hair

and eyes.
I love your giggles
and cries.

I love your ears

and toes

your fingersand nose.
I love you running
and walking.

Silent and
Talking.

I love you through and through, yesterday, today, and tomorrow too!

Spending Time with Papa

Papa Douglas loves to spend time with his grand children and I love to watch him interact with my boys. A few weeks ago, when we were up visiting, Papa took Clayton over to the neighbors yard to swing. He's not quite big enough to hold on by himself, but he had a great time.

When Clayton gets tired, he wants to just lay on his blanket on the ground. This night, Papa layed down next to him and Clayton loved the attention.

Mantua in November

Yesterday, we went 4-wheeling with Marilyn, Roger, Sheridan, and Luann. We decided to meet them over in Mantua. The weather couldn't have been better and it was so nice to be able to get out and enjoy the crisp mountain air and beautiful scenery. Although most of the trees were leave less, it was still very pretty.

We spent the first part of the day going up to Inspiration Point. The temperature in the valley was close to 70 but up where we were, it was cold. I was warm in my jacket and gloves though. We were going along nice and smooth until we hit some snow. The back end of my 4 wheeler kept sliding and it was making me nervous....that's when Marilyn kindly reminded me that I should put it in 4WD!!
After that, I actually enjoyed riding in the snow. It wasn't too deep and it was fun to slide around the corners, knowing that I was in control. There were alot of people out riding and some even trying to get to the top in their jeeps.
After we reached the top, we headed back down to Camp Mantua to stop and eat lunch. It was alot warmer down there. We hit alot of spots where there was big water holes. I went through some of the smaller ones, but the men had to prove that they were men and they went through the big water holes.
This was probably one of the last times we will be able to ride this year, without freezing to death. We had such a great time and it was nice to spend some time with Marilyn and Roger, doing something we all love!