I Am Thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. 

Turkey, football, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey, Family, Friends.

...oh, and did I mention Turkey?

 I love this time of year. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas when people reflect on everything they are grateful for. There is so much, much more than I could ever fit into a post, or even 100 posts, that I am thankful for. 

Today, I ran to the store for my Mom, when I came home, she was cradling my beautiful daughter who was sound asleep, so I volunteered to finish the dinner she had already started for the family. It gave me time to think about and pick out a handful of things that I am thankful for.

1.) Doctors

While at the grocery store, the Pleasant Grove Fire department were out front collecting donations for an Orem Firefighter who had a stroke earlier this month. Tears came to my eyes as I placed a few bucks into a boot and memories of my own Dad suffering a stroke when I was in Jr. High came back. I remember how hard it was for my family. How hard it was for him to swallow, to walk, to talk. Thanks to his amazing team of doctors, and lots and lots of prayer, my Dad survived. I got to keep my Dad. 

Doctors have saved my own life too. 5 years ago this Friday, I was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia. My entire right lung and 3/4 of my left were filled with fluid. I was drowning in my own body. But my pulmonologist fought hard to help me through it. It took almost a year to get back to "normal" (I still get slight pains in my right lung every once in a while) but I am so thankful for the doctors who saved me.

And last but not least in the doctors category, I am thankful for the team of nurses and doctors who delivered Savannah. My labor and delivery was quick, relatively painless, and I couldn't have asked for better delivery room cheerleaders than those nurses!

2.) My Husband

Words cannot describe how much love I have for my husband, and I don't say that in a cheesy way. I mean it. That man is everything I could ask for and more. I love our relationship because it's not perfect. We work every single day on improving it. There is a lot of humor in our marriage. We tease and play and annoy each other. There is also a lot of trust. I feel so blessed to be at his side throughout our life and beyond.

3.) Savannah

I never imagined how perfect my life would be until I had my daughter. I know it sounds cheesy, but I truly feel like I was missing a part of my heart until Savannah filled it. She is my reason for getting up in the morning. She motivates me every day to be a better Mom, and a better person overall. She reminds me to watch what I say, what I do, what I don't do, because she is my responsibility, and I want her to look up to me. I want her to grow up having good morals and good standards. I want her to be a good person, to be a good friend.

4.) A Roof Over My Head, Food in my Cupboard

So many people in this world don't have to opportunity to enjoy the things that we sometimes take for granted. I don't know how I would handle having a messy baby, and no washing machine to toss her dirty clothes in, or clean water readily available out of my tap for her bottles. Savannah is healthy because I have access to nutritious food for her. Literally just a 5 minute drive to the nearest grocery store. A comfortable bed, a toilet, heating and air conditioning, all things that I rarely think about, and yet, a vast number of people will never have them.

5) The Arts: Dance, Music, Painting, etc

 (some of my dad's artwork at his show last year)

I grew up in a home where my Dad's artwork hung on the walls and my Mom's crafts were displayed on the shelves. They have always been supportive in any creative outlet I wanted. Paint brushes, pastels, and canvases for Christmas and birthdays, attending all my dance competitions, allowing me to take band in school and piano lessons, introducing me to new (and sometimes old) music, encouraging me to write. I'm grateful for their support in everything I wanted to do or try.

(Some of my artwork, just sketches)

6.) School

As much as I have just about had it with school, and how much it drives me nuts, I am grateful for the opportunity to attend a university and gain an education.

There are a lot more things I could write about, but I've already made this post extremely long.

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving! Don't forget to be grateful for everything, from the bottom of your heart throughout the day, and throughout the next month. If you are reading this, we are most likely friends or family, and I hope you know how much I love you and am thankful to have you in my life!

Happy Turkey Day every one!