Happy Thanksgiving....

Some of you may know that Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday (second of course to St. Patrick's Day). I love the spirit of gratitude that everyone carries with them! I also love that we are able to spend time with family and have delicious food. This year we spent Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family. The food was amazing and it was so fun to get together with everyone. After dinner we played games and it was entertaining to say the least! It's so nice to laugh and joke with your family. I can't wait to get together and do it again.

I also wanted to post a list of things I was thankful for. This is something that is not very easy to do because there are so many things that I am thankful for!

1. My family...

Although I sometimes don't appreciate them as much as I should. I know they are the greatest blessing I have in my life right now. Every time we get together we are always laughing. We always have good times and are good at being silly. I love them so much. I wouldn't change them in any way! I am so grateful for Mom, Dad, Ben, Jake, Josh, and Eli. <3

2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

I have had the amazing opportunity to grow up in a family that was strong in the church. I have known ever since I was little that it is true. I have never been perfect but I have never lost my testimony. I am grateful for my trials and mistakes for they have made me stronger and really allowed me to prove to myself what I believe. I know that Christ is my personal Savior and Redeemer. I know that the gospel has molded and shaped me into who I am today. I will never be able to express how grateful I am for the church and all the blessings that come along with membership in it.

3. Brigham Young University...

I have wanted to go to BYU for as long as I can remember. Everything I did in high school was to help me get into BYU. This has truly been a blessing in my life. I have been able to learn not only secular knowledge but I have learned so much about the gospel and myself. I love going to class and feeling the spirit everyday. I love having religion classes and being able to learn more about the Savior. I am so grateful for the standards of BYU and for how it has strengthened me and my testimony.

4. My 6 Best Friends

I love these girls with all of my heart! We were there for each other through the good times and the bad times. I have such amazing memories with every single one of them.  I wouldn't have made it through high school without these girls, we all needed each other. Even though we are now in different locations I always know that they would be there for me when I need them. I love and am thankful for you chicas.

5. My Roommate/Best Friend.....

Mom--"do you and Allison do everything together?" Me--"yeah, pretty much". When I first moved into my very first college apartment I was terrified. I had been emailing my roommates over the summer but that is not even close to meeting them. Plus they were already friends and I felt like a third wheel. As ready and excited I was to live on my own that first week was so incredibly and surprisingly hard. Luckily, that week I met someone that would help make this new "growing up" journey a little easier. Some would say we bonded over hardships but that only made our bond stronger! We are as opposite as they come but yet we agree on most everything. We say all the time that we are only friends because we have no other friends but I am grateful that you are my roommate Allison :) I wouldn't be able to survive without you! 

6. Lacrosse...

I loved playing and now I love coaching!!! This sport is my stress reliever. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to coach my amazing Lady Cavemen! It is one of my most very favorite pass times.

7. Free Meals....

I have always loved free things but now that I am a poor college student I am all for free! My mother makes amazing food and it is one thing I miss while at college. I will never take my mom cooking dinner every night for granted again.

8. Books.....

I would list all my favorite books to read but that would take too long and probably wouldn't be very interesting. I love reading and I am grateful for books!

9. The Natural Beauty of the Earth...

I love sunsets, rain, snow for Christmas. I love spring flowers, and autumn leaves. I love the national parks and forests. There are so many beautiful places around us as I have said time and time again, it passes all my understanding.

10. Traveling.....

I am so grateful for all the places I've been to and all the things I've seen. I know I am spoiled to have parents that love to travel and take us with them and I appreciate it so much! I hope to be able to see the world in my lifetime. I have quite a long travel list :) I am thankful for different cultures and lands that I can visit and learn about!

Of course, these are not the only things I'm thankful for there are countless people that have blessed my life. If I could I would go on and on and on, however, this is long enough already. My Thanksgiving was wonderful and I hope yours was too! I am thankful for my crazy, stressful, random, funny, good life.