Thanksgiving 2014

I didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving.  I didn't quite manage the famous Amy sweet potatoes, but I tried. And I swear next year I will use a wider, shallower pan so the topping isn't still gooey after an hour (and I might include less topping altogether). If I don't write these things down, I'll forget. Connie made a lovely meal for us all; as she always does. My parents came into town that day for Lexi kisses. She only speaks now, is all. Two months can change a toddler. She is saying phrases; she is relentless with "hey mama" "here go mama"(or daddy). She is adorable so she makes it an exciting adventure. Speaking of, she swallowed G-Grandma's blood pressure pill. So that was a terrible incident of trying to make her throw up which ended in a gag reflex and the poison control promising she will be ok since it was just one pill; watch for mild stomach discomfort that expanded into the nastiest smelling, green diaper of all times. I'm not sure how toddlers make it to adulthood. Obviously against all odds.

So because people say you should be happy even when you're sad and that you should make gratitude lists and pray more when you're emotionally spiraling which is when you want to least, here I go:

1. My daughter, Lexi. I want to squeeze her and kiss her until life itself ends. She is my best accomplishment & sense of purpose. Her existence is the sunshine on a cloudy day.

2. My long list of good friends and my short list of best friends who help me shoulder the pains of this world. They inspire me & push me along.

3. Yoga pants & Old Navy who makes them affordably in size long.

4. The mountains, they make me happy to be where I am.

5. Taylor Swift, Blank Space - just enough distraction when I need it

6. The scriptures. The temple. Latter-day prophets & apostles. Because I find comfort in knowing I can find truth, a sense of purpose, love & courage. I can depend on them when I feel at a loss with everything and everyone else.

7. Eric's family, for saving us during a hard time, for opening their doors & giving up their space. We went from never seeing each other to seeing each other every day.

8. My family, for always listening and being there just because they want to be.

9. Nursery leaders. Enough said.

10. Winco, allows me to mourn a little less over the loss of Aldi

11. That date night with Mr Smith

12. My ability to go running when I want. Even if it has only happened once this year.

13. Laughter. It is such a precious gift. Especially those souls who bring it out of people.

Things I've been grateful for since September 22, 2014:

so many things.

I hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous. I did a little bit of shopping to get a few things:

Socks of all kinds (you need them in UT)

same with tights, ugh

Slippers…easy to slip on shoes

Sweaters, Long sleeve shirts (longs)

First Aid kit

the Kitchen Plus 2000 (I hope it works)

finger-tip-less gloves

For most things, I just feel like waiting.