Thank Heaven For.......

We got to spend Thanksgiving with Tanner's Bell side of the family this year.....we all met up at a church for an incredible traditional Thanksgiving feast! It was delicious! I stayed up until 3 am the night before preparing 12 lbs of yams for the occasion. I went with 4 pans of sweet potatoes and came home with 2 1/2 pans.....I'm not complaining though, I love my sweet potatoes!! Lesson learned though....not many others do ;) Anyway, we spent the day visiting, laughing, debating, playing and eating. It was nice to relax and be with Tanner. Maci adores Tanner's cousins and spent the day running around being spoiled with attention from them. Leila was also spoiled by being held all day long by her Aunties. I have had a lot of time lately to think.....It is really hard for me to be stuck at home and I have found myself feeling negative and complaining quite a bit (mostly to Tanner, but I'm sure many of you have gotten an earful as well). Seriously, the fastest way to get me down is to tell me I can't exercise, can't get outside, can't visit friends and oh yeah, no more sleep! I have a hard time appreciating "down" time, it just isn't comfortable for me. I am a routine kind of girl! Well, I got sick of it (the whiny me). Sick of feeling that way.....I am so blessed in so many ways! I want to share some of the things that I am so thankful for right now.


--My Husband. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He is my Lobster. He is the perfect partner for me. He is truly an amazing man. I am in awe of him and his strength of character. He is the most honest person I know...frustratingly honest at times. He is a kid trapped in a Man's body....as evidenced by his chosen career path (anyone who has been to a Ragnar Relay or visited the Ragnar Headquarters...you know what I mean). He is not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone. He is an incredible "Dabby" and adored by his Schwimp. I respect him, I love him and am truly grateful for the blessing he is in my life.--My Daughters. Motherhood is the scariest, most tiring, challenging, uncomfortable yet wonderful, rewarding, beautiful thing I have ever experienced. Enough said. (Plus, look at these pictures! They are the cutest rugrats ever!!)

--A Healthy Body. I have grown to appreciate my body in a whole new way. I may not get to go to the gym for 2 hours a day anymore or take a nap whenever I want or wear all my old clothes yet....but I am healthy. I have two beautiful girls that I was told I would never be able to have. I am truly grateful for my body, for the good health I am blessed with.

--Prayer. I am so grateful for prayer. It gives me the opportunity to communicate with my Father in Heaven. He hears them and he answers them. I bear testimony to their power.

--Sense of humor. Not that I think I am funny. I am thankful for the ability to find humor in life. I am thankful for those who make me laugh. It is comforting to me and helps me keep things in perspective. It is a blessing to be able to laugh hard and often.

--Family and good friends. I have been immensely blessed to be surrounded by the strongest, kindest, most loving and faithful people I have ever met.... My amazing Mother and best friend, if you know her you love her. My sister Cara and her Adam who would give you anything and everything they had if they saw you needed it, she is amazingly patient and loving and I learn from her example constantly. My brother Chris who lives to make others happy... he loves bringing a smile to someones face, he plays hard but works even harder and Karly who is an example of patience and love. My Hanbug who radiates with the light of Christ and is so painfully honest that it's scary at times ;)

My in-laws, who are so kind, supportive and extremely generous with their time and love for us, I am truly the luckiest to be apart of their family...I love each of them so much. For the friends that have stuck by me so far and are stuck with me forever.... I adore each of them for all that they contribute to my life; they are amazing examples to me and have loved me no matter what.

I am extremely Thankful today.