Well, it's that time of year again. It is a fun time to be an American. A bit economically challenging, but still fun. Last year's Thanksgiving was fun but a little unconventional. This year was different than I've ever experienced before but it was definately wonderful. I drove down to Boise--an eightish hour trip, if you were wondering, and spent time with my Uncle Scott and Aunt Debbie and their two kids Tucker (age 7) and Scottlyn (age 5). It was so very fun. There is something about being unconditionally adored that you can't get over the age of 10. Their kids are sharp too. Tucker can read anything and even Scottlyn can read pretty well. Both are musical and bright, friendly, and generally get along qutie well. I thouroughly enjoyed myself. I especially enjoyed getting to know Aunt Debbie a little better. They have always lived kind of far away from us in Iowa or Idaho and so besides brief trips I haven't really been able to get to know them. She is an amazing woman, though. Most of the women in my family got married pretty early, so it is nice to talk to someone who did the single scene for a while. She is fun, independent, and happy and she was still able to get quite a catch in my uncle, if I do say so myself. The dinner was very good and they even sent me home with leftovers of my favorite dish--a green bean casserole--that she was kind enough to make for me. All in all, it was a dazzling sucess.



Here is my list this year, again no particular order:

1- My testimony of the restored gospel and the peace and joy it brings to my life
2- the Book of Mormon and the peace I feel when I read it (at least the English copy--the Korean one brings a bit of frustration)
3- my amazing and absolutely wonderful parents--for the way they raised me and the sacrifices they made for me
4- raisenettes--my newly discovered favorite treat
5- getting into EWU's PT program, so far it has been a blast
6- the happiness and joy I feel almost all the time--gifts from God
7- my ward and the lessons I've learned here
8- friends. I've never really had a lot of friends or been able to make them easily but here it is a lot easier.
9- my siblings. Heather, Trevor, Sarah, Paige, and Toria. I can't imagine a much better group of kids to grow up with.
10- the gift I have been blessed with for studying--it actually is something I really enjoy doing especially here in PT school
11- The human body and how astounding it is. God really did an amazing job on that one.
12- Always having enough to get by and not starve and a little extra for fun
13- I went to Korea on my mission. How amazing is that?
14- God is in charge of my life. His plan for me is so much better than mine
15- The piano
16- The guitar
17- my bachelor's degree
18- my early education in high school--it was hard but so worth it
19- chocolate--if it's not in heaven I might not stay ; )
20- fun smelling bath soap
21- a knowledge of my self worth no matter what I look like or how many people like me or if I ever date anyone
22- my feelings of security and independence that allow me to be single without being unhappy
23- an army of people who helped me to be who I am--teachers, leaders, friends, etc.
24- coats. It's cold in Washington
25- Texas
26- my car. She is so conveinent!
27- my health
28- my cute little red and tan room
29- sports with my dad
30- exciting weekends
31- technology that allows me to keep in touch with my family who is thousands of miles away
32- my plane ticket home for Christmas!
33- hot chocolate
34- chocolate chocolate chip cookies--my favorite!
35- writing. It's a good way to let out nasty emotions.
36- institute. What a cool uplifting expeirence in the middle of the week
37- my class. I couldn't have picked a cooler group of people to do this whole grad school thing with
38- my computer
39- sunshine
40- the power of prayer
41- the power of optimism
42- the ability to be alone and not feel lonely
43- the ability to speak and understand some Korean. Not many Americans can say that.
44- my George Washington State University sweatshirt--so so so comforatable!
45- Trevor being on a mission
46- my acne clearing up
47- my highlihgts. I think they are so fun.
48- my electric blanket- what a perfect way to fall asleep.
49- a living prophet
50- the ability to recieve revelation of where I should be going in life and what I should be doing.

Well, there it is. I'm sure it's not a complete list or anything, but I guess it works for me. I really truly have so very much to be grateful for. I feel so happy all the time--it almost makes being grumpy and irratable enjoyable because I know soon I will be out of it and that it is so very bright on the other side. : ) Really, though, it is nice to know that no matter how complicated life gets (and trust me, being single at 24 can make life pretty dang complicated around finals week), I will always be able to choose happiness--aided by the fact that my life is so full of things to be thankful for.