Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving was low-key this year, which was so nice.  It was just us and my sweet mom.  

I made the whole dinner from top to bottom.  I cooked pretty much all day, which was fine because I do enjoy cooking.  There was no pressure, we had no one showing up at a certain time.  It was perfect and we ate when everything was ready, there was no rushing to get everything done...except the kids got a bit anxious toward the end and we were all starving.   

The turkey turned out so tasty, I made sure I rubbed plenty of herbs on it.  

Scott is my master carver.  So thankful I have him to do that.  

He made his amazing gravy and the food turned out delicious. 

This year I am particularly grateful for family.  Scott and I feel so blessed to have ended up here in Utah, close to most of our family, we do miss our Kemchu.  I think, the Lord knew that we needed this at this time of our lives and especially our children's lives.  They are making memories and they will remember the influence of these amazing individuals, especially the influence of their grandparents.

I've always wanted to make a thankful tree, but never got around to it in prior years.  

This year I made it a priority and I love how it turned out.  

This year our family has so many blessing to be thankful for. 

A few days before Thanksgiving, however, I was not feeling grateful.  

I was dreaming of the things I wanted to have, like a new wardrobe, an ipad, a bigger car, brand new decorations for our house, I was wishing we had more.  Not because our family needs those things but because I WANT them.  It made me think of the verse of the hymn "Count Your Blessings", 'when you look at others with their lands and gold'. The internet can be a double edged sword for me and for many.  It's great and wonderful until I see all the things I can have, that others have and I don't.  All the things that might make me feel good at that moment but eternally they have no value. It is difficult to not want more and more.  But I ask myself, if I had everything I wanted, would I still want more and more and not ever be satisfied by the things of this world? 

The thing is that both Scott and I have such amazing examples in our lives of being thankful.  My mom always says, 'I won't take any of this, when I die." referring to material things.  My mom has always been such an example to me of what matters most.  She puts her time and energy into the things that matter most, always, she never fails at this.  I must confess, that I fail constantly at this...I feel deeply thankful for the gospel that brings perspective to my life.  I am thankful for that hymn, "Count Your Blessings", it makes me teary-eyed every time.  Especially this part "Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.  Count your many blessing, money cannot buy."

I am thankful for this holiday that makes me reflect on my blessings, the blessings that are the most important. 

These are some of the blessing that made it to our Thankful Tree this year:

Health

Scott's Job

The Gospel

Each other

Friends

Dental Insurance

Challenges

A comfy bed

Nature

Modern Medicine

Games

Good food

...and we did have plenty of good food on our table.  

I am so grateful that this geriatric rotation landed on Thanksgiving! Scott had the whole weekend off.  It was such a blessing.  Christmas will be another story but for now I am just grateful that we at least got this holiday with him.  The day after Thanksgiving we headed to Idaho. 

You would think that a 3 1/2 hour ride there wouldn't turn into whiner fest.  But it did.  Brielle and Braden kept asking, 'are we there yet? are we there yet?' every 10 minutes. They got so anxious. Brooke was good for the first half of the trip and the next half she cried and cried. 

But it is always worth making the effort to drive there to spend time with Scott's family.  

They are all so great and fun to be with.  Our kids love being at grandma and grandpa's house.  

Brookie is particularly fond of her grandpa Clay.  

We had Thanksgiving leftovers and they were so delicious!!! 

Can I ever get sick of eating Thanksgiving leftovers?

The kids had fun coloring and playing. 

Aunt Penny was there too and it is always fun to be with her. 

Brooke did not leave poor Emi, the dog alone all weekend.  She just pestered that poor dog.  But Emi was patient and I didn't hear her growl at Brooke one time.  

Scott was able to replace his parents' garbage disposal while we were there. 

I just think my husband is so sexy when he does these kinds of things.  

What a hottie.

Our poor Lanie was sick the whole time we were there.  I asked her what would make her feel better and she requested that I make this soup for her.  (I made it when they came to visit us last time, and she loved it!)  I am glad I was able to do something nice for her.  She is always so thoughtful with our family.  

Braden was so tired that night, he took a nap and was having a hard time waking up and was so grouchy.  Karen asked him if it would make him feel better if she held him, he said it would.  Three seconds later, he was asleep again!:) 

Sunday, before heading back home, we were able to see Scott's uncle Chuck and his wife Shirley.  It was nice to see them, we hadn't seen them in a long, long time.  We were able to visit with them for a couple of hours.  

...and before heading home we had to get a picture with Karen.  We don't have a picture of our whole family with her, so I am so glad we got this one.  

We are so thankful for the good example of courage and hard work that Karen is in our lives.  She is strong and we always have such a fun time when we are with her and Clay.  

We are indeed blessed beyond words.  

 Count your many blessings; name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done! 

It is definitely more than we deserve!