Thankful

**WARNING** LONG POST AHEAD!


November 16- I am grateful for Christmas. I have never been much into Halloween-compared to Christmas anyways, and so Jason always loves to give me a hard time and say "But Melissa, Halloween is the holiday that brings families together!!"...yeah, I disagree big time! Christmas is definitely the holiday that brings families together...at least it should. I know it brings my family together. The whole season just seems to bring with it a sense of happiness and hope- I love it!

November 17- I am grateful for the temple. I am grateful that I am able to be sealed not only to Jason and Adalyn for time and all eternity, but to our future children, and each of our families as well. What a peaceful feeling that is to know, that after we die-it isn't the end. We will see our loved ones again. I have thought so many times about seeing my Gramma Bantle again. My Dad always said that we were the president's of each other's fan clubs. I miss her and I wish that she could be here to be able to enjoy Adalyn but I know that we didn't say goodbye to Gramma, we just said See ya Later.

November 18- I am grateful for neices and nephews. I became an aunt when I was 9 years old. I remember when my nephew Joel was born-I was so excited, I was telling everyone I came in contact with that I was an Auntie!! It has been so much fun over the years to be able to be an Auntie. I just love it! Each of our neices and nephews have been such a blessing to us! So, Joel,Brandon, Bryce, Cami, Emilie, Kolbie, Taylor, Samantha, Alyssa, Porter, and Logan-WE LOVE YOU!!! Addy has got one sweet set of cousins!

November 19- I am grateful for my new job. It has been such a blessing! Everyone I work with is so NICE! It is such a pleasant atmosphere, I love it!

November 20- I am grateful for laughter. I have heard said many times "If I don't laugh, I cry"...it's so true! It is amazing how much laughter can help in difficult situation...and I LOVE to laugh!!

November 21- I am grateful for the knowledge that I am a Child of God. I remember when I was a little girl my Dad would sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and I Am A Child Of God to me before bed. Whenever I hear I Am A Child Of God, I think of those nights of my Dad singing to me.

November 22- I am grateful for wonderful neighbors. When we moved in here in August, everyone was so welcoming and friendly. It was amazing.

November 23- I am grateful for the country that I grew up in, and for the country I live in now and the freedom that I have had all my life

November 24- I am grateful for a great church ward. Everyone is so welcoming and nice. I do believe it is the friendliest ward I have ever lived in! Love it!

November 25-I am grateful for Thanksgiving! I think that so often we take our blessings forgranted and I think Thanksgiving is a perfect holiday to sit back and look at our many blessings.

November 26- I am grateful for my church calling as Relief Society chorister! Some may think that calling is a minor one-which in comparison to a lot, it is minor. But I LOVE it. I love music. My dream has always been to lead the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the halleluah chorus...until I achieve that dream-the relief society is my own personal MOTAB.

November 27- I am grateful for bibs. This may seem SO off the wall and weird. But seriously they are a lifesaver! We are still working on getting Addy to not get food from head to toe when eating-and thanks to bibs-we can sometimes save her outfits which of course = not QUITE as much laundry!

November 28- I am grateful for the luxuries we have...dishwasher, washer, dryer mainly. Before we lived in this apartment we didn't have any of those things. Now we do! But last week our dryer went out-so we have been hanging our clothes to dry...yeah that gets old quick! It makes you realize really quick how much luxury we really have!

November 29- I am grateful I took up this challenge, it made me really take a look at my life and think about the things that I am grateful for! I am so blessed!

November 30- I am grateful for President Thomas S. Monson. He is such a wonderful leader and example. His testimony can be felt so strongly every time he speaks. His stories are wonderful and he just always has such a great message. To end this blog challenge, here is a quote from him.

" To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is a touch of Heaven."