i.am.grateful

i love this time of year and the way it gets me thinking about all of my many blessings.  i truly am blessed and i am so grateful for all that i have:

• a kind, supportive, hard-working husband who shows me he loves me each and every day.  he is my best friend and i know he is perfect for me
• a sweet little puppy who gives so many kisses and is always excited to see me.  she has dug her way into my heart faster than i ever thought possible
• a fabulous family that has always encouraged me to be the best i can be and has been my biggest support system.  they pick me up when i am down and celebrate in my accomplishments
• a wonderful set of in-laws who let me into their family and have treated me as one of their own.  they would do just about anything to make sure that josh and i are happy
• the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints and all of the blessings and promises that come through living the gospel of jesus christ
• amazing friends.  josh and i have been so blessed to be surrounded by people who lift us up, make us laugh, and inspire us to be better people.  our murray friends, logan friends, ogden friends, and juneau friends have all played an important role in our lives and we love them all so much
• my education and my scholarships.  it is a blessing to have professors that believe in me and have invested so much of their time and energy to train me to become an amazing professional one day. they have provided me with the means to graduate debt free and i am so grateful that such a heavy financial burden can be lifted off our shoulders
• missionaries, especially our own nate-dogg.  he is doing a fabulous job serving the people in washington and oregon.  even though we miss him like crazy, he is setting such an amazing example of dedication and service to the Lord
• my job.  and although there are times that i loathe it, i am blessed to have a job that works around my crazy schedule and helps us have a little extra spending money
• a strong and healthy body
• the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who have given us hope in fighting josh's cancer battle
• grandmas, grandpas, and other relatives who love and support us and constantly tell us how proud they are
• my new car and the fact that it has 4 wheel drive
• a small home filled with love and warmth
• my bed and how big and comfy it is.  it allows me to get a good night's sleep so i can tackle new challenges each and every day
• temples and their beauty- both inside and out
• an amazing relief society presidency that goes above and beyond to touch the lives of each of the sisters in our ward
• other church leaders who are inspired men and women who speak the true words of God

these are just a few of the things that i am grateful for.  the list could go on forever.

i hope you all have a fabulous thanksgiving spent with family and friends!

love, liz and josh

i am grateful

one of my favorite scenes from mary poppins is where mary, bert, jane, and michael meet up with uncle albert and they start laughing and singing so hard that they float up to the ceiling.

gets me cracking up every time.

i am grateful for laughter

sometimes a good, belly-achin' laugh with my classmates is the only thing that gets me though a long day at school or work.

like the kind where tears roll down your face and your cheeks hurt

laughter reduces my stress level and helps me chill out.

i am fortunate enough to be surrounded by fun and optimistic friends, family, classmates, and coworkers that i consider to be down-right hilarious.

from my husband poking fun at the random things i say to dance parties in my kitchen to terrible audiology jokes to long car rides rocking out to 90s pop hits to fabulous game nights....

nothing makes me happier than laughing for hours on end with the people i love.

and so today, i am grateful for laughter

i don't know how to post a video, but here's a link to a youtube clip that makes me laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSYD0dQCAw

i am grateful

"the price of freedom is never free"

my sincere thanks to all those who have served and are currently serving to defend and protect my right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness here in America.  you are all heros in my eyes and i am forever grateful for your service.

Too cute