thanksgiving feast

It was a happy thanksgiving that left our both our hearts and bellies full.

We were grateful for dear friends, new friends, and family to share the day with.

We were excited to get to host this year. We gathered up tables from around the house and found seating for everyone. We did not have enough matching spoons, even for the adult table (where did all my spoons disappear to??), but we did have enough seats and for that I was truly happy about.

Each of my children played a part in setting the tables in our "fancy" way. I love working side by side with my kids on stuff like this to figure out how to fold napkins, arrange flowers, iron placemats, etc. 

We didn't think to snap a picture until the children had their fill and disappeared from the tables. But the food was amazing!!! Everyone contributed and it turned out so yummy and my belly was FULL.

 

The boys consumed video games while the girls worked hard to create a play to perform for us.

THere was some very good acting in their performance of "the Lost Princess."

The audience was thoroughly entertained.

As we sat around the Thanksgiving table, Mandi asked each of us to say something we are grateful for but it had to be something superficial. It was hard to just pick one honestly. I said my comfortable bed, but I am also grateful for

hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, good smelling soap, Wet brushes, hot showers, laundry baskets, carpet, scissors, sharpie pens, journals, maps and globes, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, a rack to hand clothes, my steamer, a good vacuum, bracelets, rings, a curl straightener brush, makeup, good smelling laundry soap, good shoes, pretty sandals, yoga pants, running shorts, hiking fanny packs, paddleboards, pillows, children's art, snacks, movie theater popcorn...

I could go on for ages! Because the truth is even when I think some things in my life are crappy or not what I wanted or hoped they would be, even when those things are hard and frustrating, if I stop and slow down and notice all of the good in my life, man I have been blessed beyond measure. There are so many tangible things, so much beauty in nature, so many people, so many gifts, talents, skills, so many things to enjoy with my five senses---what a wonderful world!

I hope you can see that, too. It takes time and a little bit of effort, but notice all the good--the smallest things and the big things and everything in between and you will see that you have a beautiful life, too. Not a perfect life. Not an easy life. But a beautiful life. 

give thanks

 "Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription." -Russell M. Nelson

Gratitude: seeing the good, feeling appreciation and love, reframing the negative to notice the positives, swelling hearts, finding peace and joy that no one can take from you

I have so many blessings. So do you. I'm certain many of our blessings are the same. Yet many are quite different. We both know some of these joys. But some of them I have and you yearn for. Some other things you have and I yearn for. 

Filling our hearts with gratitude and counting our blessings--focusing in on the good that surrounds us--can replace the things that weigh us down with deep joy.

I used to feel so guilty to receive help from others. By the end of my cancer treatments, my list was LONG of all the people that had served us and all the ways we had been lifted. I felt guilty that someone would "have" to watch Brinna or "have" to make us a meal or "have" to give one of my kids a ride. You know what though, we needed that help. There was no way around that. So instead of guilt and feeling bad, I've been learning to replace those feelings with deep gratitude for all the people and all the ways. Instead of feeling "I'm sorry you had to help me," I realize what I really feel is "Thank you so much for helping me. I appreciate it with all my heart."

One of my favorite stories that completely shifted my way of thinking was by Corrie Ten Boom. As prisoners in a concentration camp during nazi ruled Germany, Corrie and her sister looked around in dismay and horror at their barracks. Conditions were unimaginable and Corrie wondered how they could live like this--especially with all the fleas. Corrie's sister adopted an attitude of humility and gratitude. She gave thanks for everything around her. She tried to seek the good that could come and offer thanksgiving to her heavenly father, even for those fleas. Oh, I'm sure this was not easy! There is nothing easy about offering thanks to God in your prayers for the fleas that cover your bed. But over time, they learned that because of those fleas they actually ended up getting even greater freedom to talk together and minister to each other and read the Bible because the guards and supervisor refused to come in due to those fleas!

This last year or so, I have been weighed down by so many things. I have felt intense pain. I have felt discouraged and depressed. But what has helped me to keep going was to stop and notice all the good around me, to recognize the good that is coming from all those things that bring me pain, and then to let myself feel gratitude for these experiences and for all the little and big blessings in my life.

Our prophet encouraged us to use social media as a gratitude journal for one week. I have recently given myself more social media boundaries that I feel strongly that I need to stick to. It just wasn't the time for me to be posting daily. However, I have been following his counsel in other ways. I have been trying to be more deliberate about filling my thoughts and heart with thanksgiving. I am taking time in my thoughts to notice blessings all around me. I have been trying to be more specific about those things I am grateful for in my prayers. I am just increasing my gratitude little by little. And you know what, seeing all the things in my life that I can give thanks for does help me feel lighter and more at peace.

I learned a lot by reading other people's instagram posts of thanksgiving. There were many heartfelt posts that opened my eyes and richly blessed me. But it was also really triggering for me to see so many posts of things that I righteously yearn, wish, desire, or just plain feel jealous of. I have to keep myself in check and remind myself that I have blessings, too. They might be different than someone else's but that is ok. We are different. We have different struggles and different blessings. Good in one person's life does not mean my life is bad. There is enough good for all of us to enjoy. We can celebrate how blessings are different and varied! Our Heavenly Father knows us individually and gives us individual experiences. And he loves variety! So it makes sense that we do not all have the same. We all have struggles of some sort. But let's be glad of each other's blessings!!

Things that I give thanks for:

-my pain and my trials because they have helped me develop greater compassion and growth and deeper connection 

-the safety and comfort of our beautiful home and neighborhood

-the sky! the hope of the rising sun, the clouds, the colors of the sunset, the stars, the moon. I feel closest to God when gazing up at the sky

-mountains, rivers, oceans, and lakes because of their beauty and their fun and the ways that I can move and adventure in them

-my Eric who has helped me to heal mentally, emotionally, and physically. His care, compassion, and patience (great patience!). 

-the safety and connection from a marriage you have worked for

-Kyler, Kacin, Perry, Layla, and Brinna! They are my light, my peace, my teachers, my hope, my joy, and my heart 

-texting, marco polo, facetime, instagram, blogging, an awesome camera on my phone because of the ways these things allow me to connect and learn from others

-angels on earth and angels in heaven

-the small, personal ways that God reminds me He is there and He knows me and will always help me

-words! to read and write and express myself and learn from

-movement! moving my body through dance, hiking, walking, swimming, etc helps me express my emotions and work through my worries and anxiety

-a body that teaches me that I have limits AND I am strong. 

-my sense of sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch because of the ways each sense uniquely allows me to richly experience the world. 

-music that fills my soul and body and expresses all of the fun, love, pain, joy, beauty, etc of life

-modern medicine and good doctors to keep me ALIVE and healthy

-deep breaths in and out

-my gift of discernment that I am learning to recognize and trust

-clothes that are comfortable, clean, and help me express myself or ready myself for the things I do and experience

-professional counseling and emdr to help me process trauma

-vulnerability and honesty. some of the greatest ways I have connected, learned, and grown is because either I or others around me have allowed themselves to be open and true.

-the holy ghost! I need the inspiration, comfort, and truth the spirit brings into my life each day

-my Savior who knows me and has suffered for me and brings me peace

I feel like this list is really just the tip of the iceberg! I have SO much to be thankful for when I stop and think about it. 

I give thanks to God for allowing me to live this rich, purposeful life! There is bad on this earth and in our lives, but there is so much more good!!

thanksgiving day

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Prescott with some of the Allen family this year.

First of all, it was the first time in a very long time that all of my sisters with all of their families were together. (Just wish my parents had been there!)

We ate our thanksgiving meal at my aunt and uncle’s country club. They served a beautiful meal to all the children first.

While the kids ate their meal, Terry led the adults in a game of Bingo. for prizes.

When the kids finished eating, we brought them back to the house to play and watch movies while the adults played a few games and then ate our delicious thanksgiving meal.

We ended the day with an entertaining game of mafia.

It was so wonderful to spend time with family that we don’t see very often. A very happy thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2018

The day before Thanksgiving I got to participate in two Thanksgiving feasts at the elementary school. I love seeing their big smiles. 

Perry’s list of things he is grateful for included rescue bots, his pool, his 2 brothers, mom, dad, and sisters. It is always sweet hearing him say so in front of the class.


Thanksgiving day we were off to Prescott to spend the day with family. Unfortunately, my parents weren’t up for the drive after all so they didn’t make it (and we sure missed them!). But it was nice to see family that we don’t get to see very often.

While we were at Terry and Randi’s house, the kids got to do a lot of art projects. Layla was in heaven. Aunt Randi even gave a watercolor art lesson.

We made sure to see Azey and Greg and their dog. Brinna was loving that puppy.

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal at my uncle’s country club. I should’ve taken better pictures at the tables, but we spread across three tables. The older boys loved sitting at the table with my uncles and hearing all of their stories and adventures growing up.

We went back to Terry and Randi’s and played a game while the kids got all cozy and watched a movie.

We really enjoyed getting away for the day and spending time with family. 

We have so much to be thankful for each and every day. Happy Thanksgiving 2018!

day of gratitude

Six days until Thanksgiving!

Sometimes I wish I had it together enough to write about something I’m thankful for each day in November. My gratitude list is long. I have so much to be thankful for. Instead, I’m going to give you a list of just ten things I am grateful for today.

1. Eric! He came home from China last night. He was gone for just over a week and to say we missed him would be an understatement. He is my best friend and my everything.

2. Prayer. The last few months, especially, my heart has been so grateful for the power of prayer. I have experienced miracle after miracle because of it. I receive peace and comfort. I get answers. It strengthens my family and my marriage. I know there is a loving Heavenly Father who hears all of our prayers.

3. Podcasts and books. I’m trying to replace some time-wasting habits I fell into with more learning. I love listening to podcasts (my favorites are still Power of Moms and Happier with Gretchen Rubin) and reading. I have already read three books in the last month. I feel so much better all around when I use my time better in these ways.

4. Good people around us. The parents on Perry’s baseball team, sweet neighbors, dedicated teachers at school, some wonderful people we have met at church, and others! We are surrounded by kind, supportive, caring, and inspiring individuals. I am so grateful for that! (Especially this week because we had two different people surprise us with meals this week when they knew Eric was out of town.)

5. Good health and good doctors. Everyone on our family has been blessed with strong healthy bodies. What an amazing blessing that is! Sure, we have our fair share of sore throats, allergies, and sore muscles. But, really, we are healthy enough to do all of the things we would ever need to do or want to do in this world. And when things do come up (like Kacin’s ears) I am grateful for good doctors and for medicine to help us.

This picture grosses me out, but it shows Kacin’s ear in the process of healing from his surgery. Our bodies are amazing!

6. Children, especially my own. Children are light. They are easy to forgive others, quick to enjoy and to love, willing to help, ready to learn. They say the funniest, truest things. And have always been my greatest teachers. I love my calling in church, volunteering in the school, and mostly being a mom. Motherhood brings me the greatest joy. I am grateful for these children of mine.

7. This beautiful world. Fresh air, sunsets, looming mountains, green grass, red rocks, yellow flowers...man, there are some lovely things in this world! I am grateful for the variety of things to look at, touch, and smell. Beauty can be found everywhere we look.

8. Things with wheels. We are blessed with a quality stroller, a nice roomy car, and bikes for everyone. And I will throw in how grateful I am for grocery carts when I shop, too!

9. Sacred things. Taking the sacrament each week, temples, wearing garments. I am grateful for the peace, blessings, and protection of sacred things and the closeness I feel to my Father in Heaven because of them.

10. America. I’m grateful for our freedoms, education, opportunities, and safety. I love being an American. I am grateful for all of those who serve to protect and lead our country. Even though I don’t really like everyone who gets elected to positions in the government, I have a deep respect for our system of government