Giving Thanks.

We are going HOME for Thanksgiving! Yay! I knew this time of year would really be the biggest challenge for me not being close to home. I am homesick and I'm such a family person. I am posting this "Thanksgiving post" early, because while I'm home (for a very short 2 days), I am spending every waking second with my family. 

I have SO much to be thankful for this year, and every year. In the last 2 years I've learned a lot about myself and have really come to know what is important to me. So, this may sound a little sappy but here it goes anyway :)

I am grateful for...

• Austin- The most patient, understanding, loving, hard-working, trustworthy and HANDSOME man I know! I always find myself just staring at him and wondering how I got so lucky. We balance each other out perfectly. It's so natural for us to be together... I can't wait to see what our future holds, I know it's bright! With this man by my side as my partner and best friend, I know we will succeed. I am grateful for you, my babe, for everything you are and what you bring to our relationship. I love you!!

• Zeppelin- I got my little Yorkie on Christmas 2007. Since that day he has been my little buddy. He is so in-tuned with my emotions...when I'm happy, he's happy and when I'm sad, he's sad and nobody could comfort me the way he does. I couldn't imagine how my life over the last 5 years would be without him. He's currently living at my mom's since we're not allowed a pet in the apartment, and I miss him every single day. I'm thankful for my little baby Zep.

• My parents- I would dare to argue that I have the best parents in the world. I have such a special relationship with my mom and my dad that I am more than grateful for each day. They have always supported me in everything I have ever done, and I don't know where I would be without them. I am grateful for the times when I have needed them and they have needed me, and we're somehow in the right spot at the perfect time. I'm so grateful for the memories they have given me, and the unconditional love. When I'm a mommy one day, I hope I am at least half of what they have been for me.

 

• My in-laws- Rick and Lisa have supported me and Austin since day one. I was soooo nervous to meet them for the first time and I put if off for as long as possible. The first time I ever spent time with them was on Thanksgiving 2010 and I knew I just fit in with their family. They set the perfect example for us, I admire their marriage and the way they have raised their kids. I know I speak for Austin too when I say we are truly grateful for both of our parents and what they do for us.

 

• My siblings- These 4 people have helped me experience every emotion possible from love to heart break. I am nicknamed "the mom of the family" because that's who I am... I am in this family to keep us all together and to be a second mother to everyone. I love you Chase, Chance, Cherie and Dallas to the moon and back. We are so incredibly blessed to have each other and I thank God for the connection we all have! I am grateful that we'd all rather hang out with each other than anyone else. And even though there have been a few maybe a few too many times I've wanted to kick all of your asses (pardon my french), I am also grateful for those moments because that has made us who we are. We are stronger and closer because of what we have overcome together.

 

• My nieces and nephews- I never knew I could love so deeply until my nieces and nephews were born...I can't wait to say that about my own babes one day! To say my crazy little family has been through a lot over the years is a complete understatement. My little babies are what  keeps us going. They are the sunshine in my world. There is not a better feeling in the world than having them all running at me for hugs and screaming "Hannah!!" Life would be so dull without them. I am thankful for all my 5 babies!!

• My friends- New and old. I am grateful I have people in my life who have been there for my through thick and thin. I always get teased about being the one with the camera and taking pictures of everything, but the reason is... I love looking back and remembering all the fun times I've had with my friends. There have been a few of my closest friends who have helped shape me into the person I am today, and I am thankful for their positive influence. I am also grateful for new friends here in St. George, for welcoming me and helping me feel a little more at home.
• My job- I love Costco! Who doesn't though, right?? I am blessed to work for a company who truly takes care of their employees. 

 

• Forgiveness- This has to be one of my favorite qualities. I am the most stubborn person in the whole world, I am willing to admit that. But I only am, because I love so much too much at times. Forgiveness plays a huge part in my life. I've had to learn to forgive some of the people who are closest to my heart and also accept being forgiven. If Austin had been as stubborn as me and not forgiven me for putting him through hell, we wouldn't be together today. So forgive and move forward. It's a beautiful thing.
• Sobriety- It's no big secret that addiction runs in my family. Over the last 10+ years 4 people in my family have fought a hard, ugly battle against drugs. It's put us all through hell, but I am grateful for it. We've grown so much as a family, although I wish we didn't have to suffer the heartache. I am so proud of these 4 people because as of this moment in time they are all clean and sober! Each day is battle and sobriety is fragile, so every day as much as today I am grateful for sobriety!

I think I could go on for days with a list of everything I am thankful for, but these are the most important to me. My family and my friends are my everything and relationships outweigh any sort of material item, so I make them count.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, I hope everyone enjoys the holiday with their loved ones as much as we are going to!