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!