Truly Beautiful

Yesterday, Justin and I went to the temple with Kara and Isaac. It had been a while since we last went and it felt so good to be back in the house of the Lord. I love going to the temple, especially with my husband. I always leave loving him so much more than I already do. I love feeling the peace and joy inside. I love basking in the beautiful light and warmth of the Spirit. And I always truly feel beautiful. I feel like a lovely daughter of God who has so much worth and potential, so much light and truth, so much love and happiness. I love wearing temple clothing. It is the only outfit that brings out my true beauty inside and out.

Thanksgiving (Part 3)

Thanksgiving was great! It was so nice to be with family again--I especially missed my little sister and my nieces and nephews. I enjoyed cooking dinner and I stuffed myself silly. I'm grateful the roadtrips there and back went safely. And I'm glad to be back home with just my husband.

Thanksgiving (Part 2)

Blessings I am thankful for:

• my husband and his fun, thoughtful, sweet personality
• my family and their love for me
• our cute, little apartment
• my education
• the scriptures and all the truth, hope, and comfort they provide
• the beauty of autumn (and all of God's gorgeous creations)
• sales on needed clothing
• my safety and health
• proximity to the temple and other religious places
• my job
• lost items that are recovered
• my true friends
• people who have been answers to prayers
• warmth in cold weather
• good books, movies, and music

The list could go on forever because Heavenly Father will never stop blessing me! Remember to count your blessings daily and sincerely thank God for them.

Thanksgiving (Part 1)

I know it's not Thursday yet, but I'm not going to have any time to write then, so...

I am so excited it is finally my favorite holiday! Thanksgiving makes me happy. Everything about it is wonderful and uplifting:

• fall weather with cool days and red, orange, and yellow leaves (especially crunchy ones)
• loud, lively family all together
• yummy food that I enjoy cooking
• roadtrips home listening to music, talking, and laughing with my husband
• movies and board games
• the turkey wobble!
• Thanksgiving decorations of turkeys, Pilgrims, harvest foods, leaves, and cornucopias
• the history behind the holiday
• the countless ways God has blessed me

This last one I would like to focus on. Gratitude is necessary for lasting happiness. It dispels envy and covetousness, anger and malice, depression and insecurity. It brings peace and contentment, joy and optimism, love and admiration. And it invites even more blessings from the Lord! Let gratitude fill your heart while the turkey fills your tummy. :0) Happy Thanksgiving!

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." --D&C 78:19

Motherhood

Francine asked me today, in response to me asking her, how I feel about having children. I cannot wait!! I cannot wait to have a living human, something that Justin and I created, grow inside me. I cannot wait to feel our baby kick and to have Justin rub my tummy all the time. I cannot wait to play classical music all the time to help our baby develop. I cannot wait to hold our baby in my arms and kiss and kiss and kiss every part of our baby's little body. I cannot wait to teach and care for and love our baby. I cannot wait to laugh at and record every cute thing our baby does. I cannot wait to watch our baby grow and learn and become a wonderful person.

And I cannot wait to do it all over again...