Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.

(D&C 59:7)

In light of this holiday that is coming in one week, I wanted to express my thankfulness for many things. (Its a lengthy one.. Sorry..)

The first thing and most important thing that I am very grateful for is family. I don't know where I'd be without my family, without the way I was raised in the Church. I am very grateful for the examples my parents have shown me about being active and faithful. I don't think they'll ever know how much it meant to me when growing up I saw them write checks for tithing, I saw them teach in Primary or YW/YM, I saw them pray and read their scriptures. I am grateful for my sisters. They are also wonderful examples to me.

Sarah- You are such a wonderful, creative mom. I look up to you in many ways. Thank you for being there for me.

Laura- You inspire me. You have such strong faith and it is so cute to know and see how you are pregnant. You are so excited to have this baby and you're going to be an excellent mother.
Thank you for being a great example of being a strong woman.

Emily- You are truly amazing. I was never as good of a teenager as you are. You have such a strong testimony and a willingness to do right. I am so proud of you for your decisions and what you choose to do and not do. Thank you for being so willing to be a better person each day.

Hannah- You have such a bright spirit. You are giong to be such a good addition to your ward's YW. You are so awesome. A very talented artist. You're going to do great in basketball and anything you put your mind to. Thank you for being so sweet to me and Cayden.

John- Even though you are only 5, I can see what an amazing man you're going to be. You have wonderful sisters and parents to guide you to be the best person you can be. But I already know you're going to be that way. Just listen to mom and dad. Thank you for being an awesome brother and uncle!

Mom- I love having our talks when I'm down there. To hear you talk about your views and what you think about certain things, just makes me proud to be your daughter. I love your faith and strength in the gospel. I love how devoted you are to the kids you work with both in work and church. You truly are a spectacular woman and I want to thank you for being an awesome example of an awesome mom! :) Thank you for all you've done, do and will do. And thank you for being such a great grandma!!

Dad- I always wanted to marry a man like you. Strong in the Church, Patient and loving towards your kids, always willing to help, always willing to listen. And I did. Thank you for being such a good example to me. Thank you for being strong in the church no matter what. It's amazing to see your faith and how well you get along with your nursery kids. They love you too! :) Its because you're such an awesome man! I am very lucky to be your daughter.

Now my own little family, which I am very grateful for and to be apart of, is just so special to me. I am so thankful to have a husband that loves me no matter my mood, weight or state of dress (I don't dress up too much, its usually a tye-dye shirt and jeans...). I am thankful that he is so hardworking and willing to be the main provider. He cares so much for me and cayden and I love seeing him with Cayden. Adam is so willing to do what it takes so that we are provided for. I love his sense of humor and grateful for it when those times of hardship come and the fights we have never last because of it. He has such a strong testimony and I am grateful he tries to get sundays off as much as possible. He really hates working sundays and not being able to participate. He's a great daddy and loves his son more than himself. And I find that a very good quality. He is patient with me when I have my moods and tantrums. And I'm glad he sticks around :)

Cayden is my pride and joy. He is truly a momma's boy and I love it (most times..). He always loves to snuggle and give me eskimo kisses. I'm glad to say his first word that actually associates to something is Ma Ma... and He says it when I leave for work (which makes it harder..) and when he wakes up from naps... I love hearing him say it. I am grateful to have the Gospel to help me raise him as best as I can. I know he's going to be a great young man and man. And I'm excited to see him grow up!

Another thing that I'm truly grateful for is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has always been a big part of my life and I think I've just barely realized how precious and sacred it is to me personally. I'm grateful for my knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He lives. I love the fact that I know He is always there for me and is listening even when its not an official kneeling prayer. I always am praying for strength and knowledge that I am doing my best as Cayden's mom. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for being so selfless that He sent His only Begotten Son to be born on this earth and die for our sins. What an amazing Father is that? A Father who loves all His children so much! And I'm grateful to be one of those children. I am also thankful that He trusts me with one of His own, trusts me to raise him right and love Cayden the way He would. There's so much more to say but I think that I need to express it in a different way. But I do have a testimony of the Church, the truth of the Gospel and Christ and Heavenly Father's love for me and everyone on earth.

There is so much to be thankful for in this life and not a lot of time or space to express them. I am just trying this week and longer than that of course to be more thankful and to recognize all the blessings in my life. I hope everyone can take that into account this Thanksgiving season. Look at things with a grateful heart and realize we are truly blessed.