Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving from Arizona!

This year, we decided to spend Turkey Day with Grandma and Grandpa Moldenhauer in sunny, 75 degree Mesa, Arizona. It’s been pretty relaxing, I must say. I’m quite enjoying the freedom of being away from Provo and being away from SCHOOL. So not to impose, mom, dad, Melina and I are staying at Uncle Dan and Aunt Debbie’s house (just a couple streets down from Grandma and Grandpa) while THEY are spending Thanksgiving in Soda Springs with their kids. I’m sure grateful for my family….all of them!

As always, we were blessed with a splendid meal, courtesy of my wonderful Mama (and homemade rolls from sissy). I must give a special shout out to my Grandpa because he ordered a honey baked ham too! I’m not a huge Turkey fan, but I LOVE ham so I was nothing less than thrilled. It was fun to sit around the table and eat and eat and eat: mashed potatoes, cauliflower, rolls, stuffing, pomegranate salad, green beans and bird (or in my case, pig). And of course, pie! Mmmm…I love food J During dinner mom had prepared various questions on slips of paper that we could pick out randomly. We enjoyed getting to know each other more, especially Grandma and Grandpa. After today, I’ve concluded that much of my spunkiness comes from Grandma. She was feisty [and REBELLIOUS] when she was a young person! Some of her stories had all of us bent over with laughter. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. When we got back to our temporary home, we put in Elf and Melina and I played Phase 10 while mom and dad relaxed in the lazy boys.

Mom and dad went to bed early and Melina and I put in Miracle on 34^th Street. Eventually, I was falling asleep so I tucked myself into bed around 10. About 11:30, Melina ran into my room claiming she heard someone close a door somewhere in the house. I jumped out of bed and together we opened my door slowly and she said “hello”. Most likely my imagination got the best of me because I thought I heard someone reply back with a “hello”. We screamed, jumped back on my bed and both whipped out our phones to call mom and dad who were simply down the hall. They came out of the room and searched the house and, of course, nothing was out of order and all was well. However, that did not keep me from getting a bad case of the “scardsies”. Melina and I started texting from our individual rooms and I was reminded that we are truly sisters because when I asked her what she was doing, she was looking for a Disney movie on Netflix. Many can tell you that if ever I'm nervous, that’s always my go-to. Anywho, we decided to find strength in numbers and she came and slept with me. It’s so silly because at night, when you’re scared and alone, you can’t close your eyes. However, when you know someone is right next to you, you can curl up and fall asleep with the sound of The Aristocats in the background with no problems at all. This morning, mom and dad said they forgot we were 28 and 21 and felt like they were dealing with 7 and 4 year olds. Whatever, it was scary at the time. All in all, it was a perfect Thanksgiving.

Melina and I turned into ninja’s when we opened our doors, coming face to face. Yeah, we could have totally taken someone on in a fight…

Like so many others have done, I would also like to share a few things I’m grateful for:

I’m grateful for my wonderful family and extended family.  I am very lucky to live so close to so many of my relatives. I’m grateful for my parents, who, from day 1, have worked hard to give me and my sisters a good life. I’m grateful for my sisters and the lives they’ve created for themselves and the examples each are to me. I’m grateful for my smarty-pants brother-in-law Mark and my nephew Jacob. Both make are family better. I’m thankful for my grandparents and what I can learn from all of them. I’m grateful for my aunt, uncles and cousins and for those who will one day come into our family.

I’m grateful for my terrific, supportive friends. I’m learning it’s more important to have a small number of good friends than a big number of mediocre acquaintances. I have found myself some great ones and I am richly blessed because of them. As of late, I am extremely humbled by some of their support, encouragement and tenderness towards me.

Very easily I can say the best decision I made this year and one of the top 5 things I am most grateful I have experienced in my life so far ever has to be going on my Art History Study Abroad. It changed my life, as simple as that. I’m grateful for the sites I took in, the art I stood before, the friendships I made and the lessons I learned. I cannot wait until I can return one day…

I’m grateful for my health and for excellent health insurance so I can meet with my doctors and order my medication each month with ease. I’m grateful to be receiving a higher education and that the finish line is in sight. I’m grateful for my wonderful job at the BYU Kindergarten and Preschool. I’m grateful to work with individuals that care about me. I’m grateful to interact with such sweet, gentle souls each day. I’m grateful to have a car that takes me from Point A to Point B to Point K to Point R. I’m grateful for the Christmas season which is now officially upon us. I’m grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m grateful for His love, His forgiveness and His plan.  

I’m grateful for my legs, so I can run and let myself be free for 40 minutes every day. I’m grateful for my large green eyes which allow me to see the world and have personal experiences that allow me to see the world in a certain way. I’m grateful for my ears, so I can hear music and laughter and others. I’m grateful for my nose which allows me to smell freshly baked chocolate chip cookies or pine needles on a Christmas tree. I’m grateful for my wide smile and big mouth that lets me speak what I think and maybe bring a little sunshine into the day of another. I’m grateful for my heart that beats unceasingly and fills with warmth and love for others. I’m grateful for my hands that can write and take pictures and work. I’m grateful to wake up each morning, to live my life – even on the bad days and I’m grateful I can go to bed each night with the thoughts of the day still fresh on the mind.

What a wonderful life we have! I’m grateful for Thanksgiving to think about the little things the Lord grants me each day.

Much love to you all! Happy Thanksgiving!! And welcome Christmas season!!  

Loves!