ABC Thanksgiving

ABC Thankful for this Thanksgiving!

(i saw this on the PioneerWoman blog and wanted to give it a try)

AALANNING! ok, i know his name doesn't really start with "a" but in my phone contacts i have him listed as "aalanning" so he will be at the top of my contact list! I'm so glad he is the one i get to talk to the most, see every day and share a home and family with! What a huge blessing he is in my life!

BROTHERS!wow i'm lucky to have so many of them! I'm grateful for their friendship, examples, encouragement and instagram photos of all the cool things they climb! 

CHURCH CALLINGS!even though i "kick against the pricks" sometimes when i get called to do something out of my comfort zone, i'm grateful for the change it brings to my heart as i try to magnify the call to serve. and i'm grateful it helps me feel nearer to my Father in Heaven.

DAD! His wisdom and love and encouragement have been a constant in my life, for that i am so grateful. He provided a home and a childhood that taught me the joy that comes from living the gospel!  

ELIZABETH! aka "lizzy" and "sweet precious" What would a morning be without her hugs after she sweetly shuffles into the kitchen?! She is so talented, smart, loyal and is a joy to watch as her personality unfolds! We are so grateful for the light she brings into our home!

FRIENDS! i've been so blessed throughout my life with good friends. the ones that i've known since childhood, the ones i've made along the way that are truly kindred spirits, the ones that i've crossed paths with, the ones i've met here in idaho, the friends my kids have that make their childhood so good, church friends, neighbor friends and family friends. friends are a blessing! 

GRANDPARENTS! even though all of them are on the other side of the veil now, i'm so grateful for their influence in my life. grandma larsen for creating some of my happiest childhood memories. grandpa larsen for teaching me right from left, how to tie my shoes, draw birds and hats and pump my legs on a swing. I'm grateful for my grandma and grandpa froerer for raising such a great, solid family that has multiplied so much! 

HENRY! i still remember the rush of joy i felt when he was born, or even before he was born. i look at him and am in awe i get to be his mom. He is an old soul, and so completely "henry" i can't imagine not knowing him! So glad he is our firstborn and the big brother to his siblings!

IDAHO! the first time i remember visiting idaho i was amazed by the sky and how expansive it was. Now i live here and i'm thankful for the calm beauty, the fresh air, the good people, the farmland, the lack of commercialism and traffic, the not so hot summers and the rexburg idaho temple and the glowing view of it we see from our kitchen window.

JESUS! he makes gratitude possible. the hope, the peace, the joy that comes from His love.

KAY! before i met lanning's mom he told me she wasn't the typical dreaded mother-in-law:) he was so right, she is the opposite! she is so welcoming and kind, and i'm so grateful to call her a friend.  We are grateful for her genuine love to all of us.

LOUISE! lanning and i can't help but smile across the room at each other as we watch this little one burst with personality. She likes to "stir the pot" at our house, hop around like a bunny rabbit, climb and run and jump and dance and throw and roll and tease, and help find things...she doesn't stop! I'm so glad she is part of our family. We love Weezy! 

MOM! she is the one that exemplifies being grateful! Her love of life, good, beauty and family has been magnified in her life because of her gratitude for each of them.  I'm so grateful for the love and goodness she shares each day!

NAPS! well i can't remember the last time i took a nap, but i'm grateful when the kids do, that's for sure!

OLIVER! He has been such a blessing in our home and family! His toothy smile and happy eyes brighten our days! He is squishy and sweet, inquisitive and smart and everything a baby boy should be. I am so glad he joined our family! 

PRESCHOOL! lizzy has absolutely loved her preschool class this fall. She has made the messiest crafts had field trips and done lots of experiments and hands on learning...she even brought home "Goldy" the goldfish that lived a short and happy life on our countertop.

Q-TIPS! for some reason i've always like q-tips, they are good for cleaning out small openings and for using for craft projects;) 

READING! i'm so grateful i can read. and i'm so grateful henry is learning to read, it opens up a whole new world!

SISTERS! i'm so grateful for mine! Sarajanes conversations keep me going and i'm grateful we get to raise our kids simultaneously, it keeps us close. She is a best friend. Amy got me through my single days, she was my BC(beauty consultant), gave dating advice and lots of encouragement, and let me love her little kiddos when i didn't have any of my own. My sisters are a blessing both past, present and future!  i'm also so grateful for lanning's sisters, they are the best of the best kind of people.

THANKSGIVING! it is a heartwarming holiday that brings family together and abundant blessings into view.

UTAH! there is something about utah that will always kindle a feeling of home...the wasatch mountains, the smell of the changing of the seasons, temple square, the many family and friends that live there!

VALLEY! as in the one where i grew up! It is a slice of heaven, especially the home at the end of the middle fork subdivision. The memories made and the reunions that still happen there!

WAYNE! i am grateful for lanning's dad. The way he shares what he's learned in life, his testimony and wisdom enriches our lives so much. We are grateful for the example of faith and family he sets. We are grateful for his name too, Oliver's middle name is Wayne! 

X marks the spot:) playing pirates has been really fun for henry and lizzy and our neighbor max.  i'm so glad they can use their imagination and play for hours in their own imaginary world.

Y as in bYu! i'm grateful for the education i received there, not just from books and lectures but from life lessons too. I'm also grateful to be close to the BYU-Idaho campus now, it brings so many people together from around the world.

ZUMBA! ok so i've only done zumba once, but every time a new semester rolls around at the college i keep thinking i will go to their zumba class, but i haven't yet...but just the idea that i could go someday makes me happy:)

There is so much more to be thankful for! sure wish i could sit here and write it all:) Lizzy has been brushing my hair almost the entire time i'm writing this! I've always loved having my hair played with! Oliver is still napping, wow! Henry has been keeping busy with his toys and louise comes and goes from her room and is taking care of her babies.  There have been a lot of arguments and tears and whining going on too but all in all it's been a great chance to reflect on the many blessings in my life!