giving THANKS!

ok so I will admit it ... I am not big on the holidays. it's hard for me to get excited about holidays because MY family isn't here. my husband's family is here and I love them very much ;), but traditions are way different and I just miss the warmth of home (Texas), the smell of the food and the love of the people I grew up with. BUT ... this year I promised Jose to view things differently and maybe writing this blog will help me. I've decided to think of 10 things I am thankful for right off the top of my head.

1. the Gospel. the Gospel helps me put things in perspective and not sweat the small stuff.
2. my life. I have and have had a pretty awesome life! best of all ... I have my health!
3. my parents. they have sacrificed so much to give us the best! most importantly, they taught me the gospel and they have always been there for me when the going gets rough!
4. my husband. I am married to my best friend! Jose is a WONDERFUL husband and and AWESOME father. he gives so much without ever asking for anything in return. he believes in me and is ALWAYS there to listen to me and to spoil me rotten!
5. my children. Amelyah, Samuel and Amandah are little balls of promise. I see so much potential in them. all 3 of them are so loving and so amazing! I am truly blessed to be a mother to 3 incredible children.
6. my home. although it is not "my" home it is what we call home. I have a roof over my head and a warm bed to lay in at night.
7. my friends. my friends are my guardian angels. all my friends have touched my life in different ways. I love that I can be myself around them and I love each and every one of them!
8. technology. I love being able to log into Facebook and see an old familiar face. I love that I can keep in touch through email or just dial a number and talk to friends and family all over the world.
9. my car. so I don't have a fancy car but it gets me from point A to point B and that's alright with me.
10. last but not least is my mother in law. I can't lie and say I have never complained about her but at the end of the day I am so grateful for her. because of her I have a good man by my side and the love she shows me and my children on a day to day basis is not taken for granted.

of course I am grateful for a lot of other stuff but those were the 10 things I could think of at the moment. life is good and I am trying to live each day with a smile. at the beginning of the year I promised myself to be a better person. I wanted to stay away from negativity and negative people. I wanted to stay away from drama and gossip and I think I did a pretty good job! I have felt a real change in me . I try to focus on the important things in life and not worry too much about nonsense (it's been hard at times, but not impossible). I am trying to make these holidays different and meaningful ... wish me luck!