So much to be thankful for

This is the view from our back yard of a beautiful sunset this past week. I love where I live.

Life has been so crazy busy the last few weeks. We have had a lot going on with our jobs, church callings, family, Kate starting preschool, and other things. But I am trying to slow down today to reflect on those things that I am thankful for at this time of year.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my amazing and sweet family. We are going through tender times right now as my sweet brother in law Jaime is struggling through the final stages of his brain cancer. He is now home from the hospital and hospice care has been called in to help him and make him as comfortable as possible. This man is so amazing. His strong, wonderful personality still shines through. When we have been able to see him he is just his typical self. We are going to spend some time with him during the holiday weekend and can't wait to tell him how much we love him and just be with him. I hate to watch him suffer, but as a family we are strengthened by how much we all love each other. I am so thankful to my extended family as well as Ryan and my three beautiful children. Maren is growing every day and is such a source of light for us. Kate is doing wonderfully, she is loving school, and has been putting on much needed weight. She has been happy the majority of the time. Eli is just my little love-bug. He is happy, sweet, and the most perfect baby.

I'm thankful for the beautiful place we live and our friends and neigbors. This valley is home to me now. I don't really want to leave it. I love the friendly, small town mentality and I love the friends we have made here. I have had the opportunity to grow a lot by teaching Relief Society to the women in our ward. I learn so much from these women and hope I am able to help them learn more in return.

I'm thankful for my job and for the way that they have stuck with me through thick and thin. I am so thankful for the way they have let me work out of my home so I am able to spend the majority of my time with my children and especially tend to Kate's needs. I'm also thankful for Ryan's job and that he has been secure and well loved there.

I'm thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The more I learn as I prepare these lessons, the more I love it. The more I know it's true.

I hope all my loved ones out there have a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.