28 Days of Gratitude Day 28

Day 28

I am grateful for Kendrick's Aunt Linda. I love her like she is my own Aunt. I love that she is so thoughtful and caring. I am grateful that she loves our kids and wants to be involved in our lives. Not a lot of great aunts would be that way. Our kids love Linda. I think they recognize how sweet she is and can sense how much their mama loves her. They are still talking about the evening we spent with her and Jess back in February. Jess and Linda are just the kind of couple that makes you feel happy. They are so generous and have done so much to help us over the years. I always start to miss Linda more this time of year because my favorite Thanksgiving ever was spent at her and Jess' house, when we lived in Florida. I love you Linda. I am grateful that I know you.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 27

Day 27

I am grateful for Kendrick's sister, Bec. Bec is hilarious. It's almost like it's her goal in life to keep things light and to make people forget about their problems. Bec is probably Kendrick's most down to earth, easy to get to know sibling. She is very accepting of everyone. She is herself all the time. I've never seen Bec be anything but true to herself and what she believes. She reminds Kendrick and I of our friend, Elissa in that way. Bec and I were pregnant at the same time and I really enjoyed having that bond with her. I am glad that our daughters, Taylor and Nat are so close in age. I love you Bec!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 26

Day 26

I am grateful for Kendrick's youngest sister, Amanda. I admire her fun, quirky, carefree attitude. Amanda only does what she wants to do. She makes me and the kids laugh. I wish I was more like her in a lot of ways. She is a year older than me and you wouldn't know it because she just has a youthfulness about her. She doesn't take herself too seriously and I love it. Thank you for being such a wonderful aunt and sister Amanda. I love you.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 25

Day 25

I am grateful for my brother in law, Clint. Of all Kendrick's siblings, Clint was the easiest one for me get to know. I immediately felt accepted by him. It was easy to be myself around him. I am grateful that he made me feel like a part of the family. I am grateful that he is always there for Kendrick. I am grateful that he brought Jude, Addie and Ava into our family. Clint is one of the kindest people I've ever met. I am grateful for you Clint and I love you.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 24

Day 24

I am grateful for our little friend, Dexter Joe. I loved having him in our home last year. I love that he became like my 5th baby. He is such a sweet boy and my kids love him so much. I am grateful that I had him to take care of and focus on while we went through some tough stuff last year. I totally let people who didn't know us believe that he was mine. It was such a treat for Easton and I to spend our days with him. He brought such a sweet spirit into our home. I sure miss him now that I don't watch him anymore. I love you Dexican.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 23

Day 23

I am grateful for Miss Makelle. I am grateful for how much I have grown since I first met her. For some reason I will never understand, Makelle thinks our family is just the greatest thing since sliced bread. I wish I saw myself the way Makelle sees me. She has taught me patience and kindness. I am grateful that I've had the chance to be her neighbor. I'm grateful that she loves Taylor unconditionally. Tay needs that at this age, when all her other friends get caught up in school drama and being silly, it is nice to know that she will always have Makelle on her side. We love you Makelle. We are so glad we get to call you our friend!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 22

Day 22-

I am grateful for my Grandma Harris. I want to be like her someday. I think my Grandma is one of the most beautiful and graceful women I've ever met. I admire my Grandma so much. I feel so lucky that I get to be her granddaughter. I have so many fond memories with her and I feel blessed beyond words than she is a part of my kids' lives. Every time I walk away from a conversation with my Grandma, I resolve to be a better person. I love you Grandma! Thank you for always remembering our Birthdays and Anniversary and for taking the time to be a part of my kids' lives.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 21

Day 21-

I am grateful for Debbie. She is such a good neighbor and friend. I am grateful for the long talks we have had. I am grateful that our kids get along so well. I am grateful that we hit it off so well. Debbie has been through a lot in the past year and she amazes me at how resilient and strong she is. She has come a long way since I first met her and she now makes me smile every time I see her. She makes me laugh with the quirky things she says and does and she makes me want to be a better mom. She is one of the most devoted and loving mothers I know. I love you Debbie!

28 days of Gratitude Day 20

Day 20

I am grateful for Tristian. It's funny to me the way I met Tristian. There is no not weird way to explain how we met: she married an ex-boyfriend of mine... or you could say that I dated her husband. Nope that sounds worse. See, it's weird however you slice it. I have to smile anytime anyone asks how we met because then I am reminded that I haven't known her forever, it only feels like I have. Tristian is the kind of person that everyone wants to be friends with. She is honest, thoughtful, funny and kind. I am so glad we hit it off. I am so grateful that she trusted me enough to let me watch Dex for nearly a year. I am grateful to call her my friend. I hope we remain friends forever. I think she is a phenomenal mom, wife and member of the church and I am grateful for the example she has been to me since I first met her almost 2 years ago. I miss seeing her every week. She was always so cheerful and funny whether it was 6 in the morning or 6 in the evening-she just had a good attitude. I admired that a lot. I love you Tristian! I am grateful to know you.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 19

Day 19

I am grateful for Easton. Oh man, this kid is one of a kind. I am amazed at his personality. He is hilarious and kind and animated and smart. He makes me want to keep having babies. I love my days at home with Easton. Life got kind of crazy after he joined our family and he was my little angel that kept me grounded and sane. I am so grateful that I get to be Easton's mom. He makes me feel like I must be doing something right. I love you bunka!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 18

Day 18

I am grateful for Brooke. I am so glad that I've remained friends with her, even after I moved. I love that I've known her son, Hayden since he was tiny. I love that my boys have that connection with him: they've been friends since they were babies. I love that Brooke says exactly what she is thinking, when she is thinking it. She doesn't mince words. The funny thing about Brooke is that she is so gorgeous and put together and quite frankly, very intimidating; but then you get to know her and you see how quirky and sassy she is. She doesn't give herself enough credit. I would love to have half the energy she does. She does so much to keep her family going and I admire her for being as strong as she is. I am grateful that nearly 7 years ago her husband had the guts to walk up to Kendrick and say, "You're wife is my wife's visiting teaching partner. But she has never been a visiting teacher before. Would your wife be willing to help her?" That is how we became friends. I think it is so cool that we owe our friendship to visiting teaching. Brooke, I love you and I am so grateful for you!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 17

Day 17-

I am grateful for my Grandpa Harris. He is one of the most amazing men I know. I still, at 31 years old, just want to make him proud of me. My Grandpa has never made me feel anything less than loved and adored. When I am around him I feel special. He has the ability to make anyone feel special. My Grandpa is about to turn 80 years old. It makes me sad to think that he won't always be on earth with us. He has led our family in love and righteousness for a long time. There isn't a single person in our family who doesn't love and respect him. I am beyond lucky to call Donald Harris my grandfather. I love you Grandpa!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 16

Day 16

I am grateful for Myles. As I sit here and type this, he is playing next to me. He is so fun to play with. He is just a fun kid. I admire him so much. Myles and I are close. He probably gets me and is more in tune with what I need than any of my other children. Myles is handsome and kind and smart. I love that he loves to help. I love that he loves to entertain. I love that at 7 years old he oozes confidence. I am grateful for you Mr. Myles!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 15

Day 15

I am grateful for Elissa. I am sad that I lived on Daggerwing Way for so long before becoming friends with her. We were definitely meant to be friends. Elissa has taught me a lot. She is one of the most down to earth and real people I know. She doesn't put on airs. She doesn't pretend to be something she's not. She is who she is and she doesn't make apologies or excuses for it. I admire her faith. Even though we don't share the same faith, we have had many discussions on faith. She is very devout to her religion and she has a strong sense of what is right and wrong. She has helped me and cried with me and been brutally honest with me and I love her so much for it. I always look forward to seeing her. I am grateful we became friends when and how we did. I love you Elissa!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 14

Day 14

I am grateful for Kendrick. I struggled with where to put him in this Gratitude post mix. He should have been number one, but I didn't want to do these posts in order of how much I love people, for fear that people would play the "compare"  game and get their feelings hurt. So I tried to mix these up the best I could. Then I thought about doing his post on his Birthday, which is on the 27th. But I don't think I can wait that long! I love Kendrick more than anyone. He is the best part of each of my days. I feel lucky and honored to be his wife. I am astounded that he has stuck by me all these years. I love that after 11 years together, I still crumble when he goes out of town. And I love that after 11 years together, he still gives me butterflies. I appreciate how hard he has always worked. Whether it has been in a job he has hated or loved, he has always gotten the job done. In this crappy economy and with things the way they are these days, I see a lot of husbands slack off. Kendrick never has. I am so proud of him for that. Also, Kendrick has the ability to make me feel like the most amazing and beautiful person in his world. I love the confidence that being his wife gives me. And I love that we are still in love. He really makes being married so much fun. He sure has this 'being a good husband and good father' business down! I love you Kendrick.

28 Days of Gratitude Day 13

Day 13

I am grateful for my sister in law, Sarah. Sarah and I are like twins separated at birth. She just gets me. Sarah and I have never had a bad conversation. In fact, I remember the first time I sat and talked with her, like really talked with her, and I remember being so excited to have her in our family. She has always been so accepting of me. She is smart and kind and honest. I admire Sarah a lot. I am forever grateful that she brought Jude, Addie and Ava into our family. She is a wonderful mother to them and a great example of what a dedicated mother should be. No matter what, I will always be close to her and I refuse to ever stop calling her my sister. I love you Sarah!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 12

Day 12

I am grateful for Taylor. I am astounded by her on a daily basis. She is beautiful and talented and strong. She challenges me because I have never met anyone like her. I am honored that Heavenly Father sent her to me, of all people. I have so many hopes and dreams for Taylor. She really can do anything. Taylor is smart and determined and doesn't care what people think. She is sensitive and caring. She is such a fun big sister and I love the relationship she has with each of her brothers. She is amazing. I look forward to the day when we will be best friends. I love you so much Miss Tay. Thank you for being my gorgeous girl!

28 days of Gratitude Day 11

Day 11-

I am grateful for Kendrick's sister, Natalie. I am grateful for the example she is to everyone around her. I can honestly say, I have no memory of her ever talking bad about anyone. I think that is amazing. I love Natalie because I love the way Kendrick is around her. She brings out the very best in him. Even when he talks about her, he just has a different way about him. She gave us all a scare earlier this year, when she got sick and spent a view days in the ICU. It got me to thinking about how she too has had to "talk me down" when I've gotten worked up about things. Natalie is very level headed and could probably talk a cat out of a tree. I am amazed at how accepting she is. I have never felt judged by Natalie and I appreciate that. I admire how she has lived her life and overcome some pretty crappy experiences. I love you Nat!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 10

Day 10-

I am grateful for Jack. My Jack. Jackson Dean Machine. I am grateful for our friendship. I am grateful that he is so thoughtful and caring. Sometimes he worries more about others than himself and that worries me, but it's just because he is such a thoughtful and sensitive kid. Jack is a people pleaser. But not in the bad way. He just genuinely likes to make people happy. I love that about him. He is one of my best helpers and I know I can always count on Jack to do what he is supposed to be doing. Everyone loves Jack. He is just a sweet kid. I am so grateful that I get to be Jack's mom. I hit the twin jackpot when I had him and his brother. I love you so much buddy!

28 Days of Gratitude Day 9

Day 9-

I am grateful for Kendrick's oldest sister, Angela. Angela is the one who introduced Kendrick and I. So basically I owe my marriage to her. Angela can be intimidating. She has her stuff together. She has a darling family and the cute home and a ton of friends and she is strong and faithful and sometimes comes across as perfect. For years I was scared to death of Angela. I think I was scared that she would regret introducing me to Kendrick. That she would see the "real" me and go, "Oh! Actually, I don't want you to be with my brother..." Luckily she hasn't done that. If anything, she has always been super supportive of Kendrick and I. I admire Angela because she has one of the strongest senses of right and wrong of anyone I know. She knows what's right and she does it. She is full of faith and hope and she isn't afraid to live the gospel. Angela has offered me some of the best tidbits of advice about marriage. She, like her mom, has had to "talk me down" when I get too worked up. I appreciate her so much for that. I hope that someday I can be the caliber of wife and mom that Angela is. I love you Ang!