part one.

in honor of the month of thanksgiving,
part one of the thirty things i am thankful for... 

one for each day in november.
...

i am thankful...

01 ::  for my better half. 
and for the knowledge that we will be 

laughing together through the eternities.
i'm pretty crazy about that guy.

02 ::  that i get to be a stay-at-home mom. 

i really do see this as one of my greatest blessings.

there's nothing i'd rather be doing.

03 ::  to live in st. george, utah. 

i pinch myself every day when i stop and look around 

at the natural beauty that surrounds me. 

04 ::  that i can smell a baby anytime i want. 

really, is there anything better than the smell of a freshly bathed baby?

05 ::  for food. i love to eat. 

i love growing it, picking it, cooking it and eating it.

i love it all.

06 ::  for the ability to push my body with exercise 

and have it surprise me with just how much it is capable of doing.

07 ::  for friends
who inspire me to be better

and to do more.

08 ::  a lovely, modest home that meets our needs.

sure, there are bigger, fancier homes.

but i like mine just the way it is.

09 ::  for my health.

it's such an easy thing to take for granted.

10 ::  for my faith.

it is everything to me.

i know, with every fiber of my being, that it is true.

and it guides and blesses my life every single day.

11 ::  for an incredible neighborhood.

there is nothing better than feeling safe, secure 

and happy with where you live.

12 ::  for bedtime rituals.

sure, it can be a production to get kids into bed. 

but once they are, there is nothing sweeter 

than listening to their simple, sincere little prayers.

melts my heart.

13 ::  for incredible parents and in-laws.

they lead by example and always have.

i look up to them and admire them in more ways 

than they could ever know.

14 ::  for outstanding teachers.

i have been so impressed with my childrens' teachers.

they love what they do and it shows.

15 ::  for my siblings.

you would never know by the way i treated her when we were young,

but my sister has become my closest friend

and someone who i genuinely admire.

and my baby brother has grown into an amazing man.

he's smart, savvy and a wonderful father to his little girls.

...

up next :: part two.

what are you thankful for today?
...