Thanksgiving

Today I'm grateful.

For lots of things.
Sweet Potato Casserole.
Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie.
Homemade Rolls.
The Heater (it's 6 degrees outside right now!).
Good Health.
Money to pay the Bills.
Secret Friends.
All my other Friends.

But, on this most wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving,
I am MOST grateful for these treasures...


Adam & Lauren


Lauren & Audrey


Miss Sophie Bean


Mom & Jess


Mom & Sweet Evelyn


Russell & Dad


Auntie Belle with the Girls


The Whole Crump Clan
(except Bob...and I'm grateful for him too!)


The Cousins

Family is the greatest blessing of all.
And, we have the BEST family around!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Comments

I'm grateful for people that make comments on my blog.
It makes me want to write more...or less, depending on how you look at it.

Winne-the-Pooh

Tonight Audrey and I discovered the joy of reading "Winne-the-Pooh," by A. A. Milne, thanks to the free download on iBooks. We made it through chapter 1. After we finished, Audrey asked me how many chapters there are. When I told her there were 10, she was pretty darn excited. I'm grateful for free stuff, and books. I love books, and reading. I hope to pass that passion on to my girls while they are young, and impressionable.

Speaking of reading. I've lost a bit of my blog passion. Not just blogging on MY blog, but reading other blogs. It's funny how certain events in your life can make you step back and put some perspective on things. Losing my grandmother, and going through the motions or funeral, burial, and family togetherness this last week was one of those experiences. I didn't get on the computer much at all, and I realized that I didn't really miss it. Some of my favorite blogs, two in particular, have really lost me lately. I feel that they are only writing to make a few bucks, sell me something, or brag about all the amazing things they get to do...now that they are famous because of these blogs. I'm not sure why I suddenly feel this way, except that my personal experiences have made me change my perspective...or, they really could be seeking these things? Either way, I guess I'm taking them off my news feed.

I'm grateful for this new perspective. And, isn't it interesting that I'm giving the lesson next Sunday...on THIS talk? Hmmm. Coincidence? I think not.

Secret Friends

Dear Secret Friends,

Whoever you may be,
thank you for the kind gift on our porch last night.
At this time of the year I am continually amazed at
the generosity of others. And, it is this spirit of giving
that truly makes the season merry and bright.
Thank you for sharing that spirit with us.

Love,
The Crump Family

My Girls

Today I'm grateful for my girls.
They were especially sweet today.
That always equals a good day.
Gotta love 'um!

Graditude is...

getting through the day when your 5 year old has the flu.
Right before the 7th time that Audrey lost her cookies today,
(she was keeping track)
she started crying.
I asked what was wrong,
and she sobbed,
"Mom, I don't want to throw up anymore!"
Insert heart strings being pulled right here.
I'm proud to declare that we are now keeping fluids down...
here's hoping tomorrow morning finds us keeping foods down too.

And, all fingers and toes are crossed that Mom and Dad don't get it,
but...I'm really not that hopeful.
We should get it just in time for company next week.
Anyone want to place bets on that?

He's Got Skills

I'm grateful today for Adam's MAD construction skills.
He has been working hard the last two days,
without much help from me at all,
to get the two rooms and bathroom in our basement finished for company.
Because of these skills,
he's saving us loads of money...
and you can't be too grateful for that!

Heater Baby

I'm pretty grateful for my heater today because,
"It's frickin' freezing 'outside,' Mr. Bigglesworth!"

P.S. Bonus points if you know that movie.

So Many Gratefuls

Yesterday, I read a book.
It was a great book.
It is called, "Left to Tell."
It's about this woman.
It was truly inspirational.
And, as I was reading it,
a long list of gratefuls was forming in my head:

• I am grateful for my family.
• I am grateful to live in a country that is not at war with itself.
• I am grateful for running water.
• I am grateful for a bed to sleep in.
• I am grateful that I have food to eat.
  
• I am grateful for my education, and the opportunity to gain more education.
• I am grateful for my faith.
• I am grateful for parents who taught me what faith is.
• I am grateful for my health.
• I am grateful my children are safe each night.
  
• I am grateful for my life.

What a wonderful month to read this book.
With Thanksgiving around the corner,
it really brought my feelings of gratitude into perspective.
I am grateful Immaculee shared her story with the world.

To My Grandmother

We will dearly miss you.

You will always be one of my greatest heroes.
I know your legacy will continue,
and one day we will meet again.
I am so grateful for that knowledge.
We love you Grandma "Nell"!

I voted!

Today I am grateful that I live in a country where I can vote.
In secret, free from persecution for my vote.
We are all truly blessed to have this opportunity.
I hope you took advantage of it to!

The Subway

On October 16th we hiked The Subway in Zions National Park.
Adam and I took Rocky and Steph along with us.
It was a beautiful day.
And, it was an AWESOME experience!
If you have ever wanted to do this hike,
you should make plans to try it!
You have to enter a lottery to get a permit,
but it's easy and cheap!
More info on that here.

Before we had children,
Adam and I would spend most of our vacation time in Southern Utah.
We love Panguich, Bryce Canyon, Escalante, and Zions.
We enjoy hiking and exploring these beautiful places,
and it's cheap entertainment...for us!
This was BY FAR, our favorite hike we've ever done in Southern Utah.
It was challenging, and fun.
Wanna come next year?

A Little Wash and Dry?

Who's grateful for their washer and dryer today?

Oh, pick me!

10 loads later,
I'm grateful for those little gems...
they make life so much easier.