Thanksgiving with the Rich's

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This year we were on with the Rich's.  We were all there minus the cute Bob and Sara Rich's that now live in Cali.  We sure did miss them!

Here's our sweet Poppy and Honey

Going around the table saying what we were most thankful for

This year has been a hard one to say the least in light of Jim.  This man is a rock.  He has been dealing with this HORRENDOUS disease (ALS) since last August when his symptoms first started.  And through it all not a word of complaint ever comes out of his mouth.  He continues to draw closer and closer to the Lord without promise of any sort of healing from Him.  I look at him and can't seem to get a handle on my emotions because of the great man he IS and continues to be every.single.day.   Despite the amount of pain he suffers with on a daily basis, he remains positive and optimistic and truly an example of Christ.  I have grown to love this man and respect him more and more.  I love him so much.

It has been extremely difficult to watch his once strong body go down hill so fast.  I can't even let myself prepare for what could happen in the next year or so.  I want to prepare but I can't.  I want to help Corbin understand that Poppy isn't just sick and will get better.  I want to make all the grand kids, especially mine, sit with him and talk to him and make as many memories as possible.  We try to go over a few times a week and what a blessing it has been to spend extra time with him.  We are trying to live each moment to the fullest with him as often as we can.  We aren't looking at him as if he is going to die, but rather enjoying, really enjoying every minute we're lucky enough to be in his presence. I refuse to look at him like he's broken because even though his body isn't working the way it should, he's NOT broken.  I hated when people looked at Coby and I like that after Jack died.  Our hearts were broken and even though we really DID feel broken...it felt far worse when people treated as such.

This year I have MUCH to be thankful for.  I am so grateful for my little family.  I love my sweet husband more than I could ever say.  He is the BEST thing that ever happened to me and I thank my Heavenly Father every single day that He loved me enough to bless me with Coby.  He is my rock.  He is my everything.  He is by far the most amazing man I have ever known.  I am grateful for my boys: Corbin, Jackson, Jaden and for this new little one on the way.  I remember being pregnant with Jack and worrying that I wouldn't be able to love him as much as I loved Corbin.  It's amazing just how much the Lord blesses your heart to grow and love each of your children so much that it could explode.    These boys are the reason I am able to get out of bed every day.  I am grateful for the gospel.  I am grateful for the Atonement.  I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the knowledge that we are an eternal family and that Jack is and will forever be a part of us for eternity.  I am grateful for a healthy body.  I am grateful for a warm home and the means necessary to live there.  I am grateful to live in the time that we do with so many luxuries at our fingertips.  I have much to be grateful for and pray that my Heavenly Father knows that I give Him all credit for all of them.

Happy Thanksgiving!