Remembering to be grateful, even though life is poop sometimes.

It's been almost a week since my last post, so I've got to catch up on the gratitude thing. This week hasn't been the best week ever; I mean, coming home to Cedar from a sad funeral is one thing, but there's been some family drama, finding out I'm possibly not graduating in May, no jobs for Trev to apply for, we're kind of poor, and school can suck a big ol' fat one. Oh, and it's starting to actually be winter with all that white shit everywhere.

However, (minus Monday because that day was just awful!) I couldn't help but notice how happy and grateful I've been all week even though it's been kind of shitty. I love my husband so, so much and love feeling those warm happy tinglies, I have amazing in-laws, Trev is doing awesome in school, my brother Trevor is coming to visit in two weeks, the weather was semi-decent for a couple of days, I set up the tree in the library for the holiday season, I contacted some old friends to get together for lunch, I started on my massive stack of homework and accomplished quite a bit, and we're going to San Diego in six days. Now, Trevor might have to drag me home from San Diego very unwillingly, but that's okay.

So, without further ado, here is my slacker-catch up on the gratitude challenge.

November 16: I'm grateful for funeral services, as morbid as that sounds. I was absolutely dreading going to Max's funeral, but once we were home and visited Lela, I knew that everything was going to be alright. Funeral services allow loved ones to come together and say goodbye one last time, and to celebrate the life that the person lived. Max's funeral was sad, and the weather throughout the whole service was gloomy, rainy, and depressing. But I was able to wear a boutineer in his honor as a "granddaughter" and got to share memories of him during the service. I actually got to read my blog post that I wrote the day that Max died. Side story: Max has all granddaughters except for three boys, so the girls ended up being his pallbearers. My brothers and I are like Max and Lela's grandkids, so we got to wear boutineers too and participate as much as the actual grandchildren. My poor brothers cried so much that it broke my heart; Max was their buddy. I was grateful for my husband's comforting presence not only for me, but for Tedo. Tedo loves Trevor so, so much. And even though our trip to Lehi was for a sad occasion, we had a good weekend. It was good to introduce Trevor to Max and Lela's kids and grandkids, all of whom I've known my whole life.

 

Holding baby Crew; look at that head of hair!
Gahhh it made me so baby hungry!

 

Nothing better like warming up your tootsies after
being out in the rain all day. 

November 17: I'm grateful that no matter what mood I'm in that Trevor can make me smile and laugh. I had forgotten all about this picture until I started flipping through my hundreds of photos on my computer. This picture captures perfectly our relationship. Sunday night/early early Monday morning was rough. My feelings were hurt about something, I couldn't sleep, and I cried a lot. Trev just held me and buried me into his hairy chest. ;) He stroked my hair and told me how much he loved and appreciated me, that I was the best wife in the world, and that me being me is what made him fall in love with me. I couldn't help but smile at how sincere and cute he was being. He was also making his silly noise that he makes that always gets me to smile. My husband is the only man with the talent to make me smile and laugh even when I'm hurting or when I'm very angry at him, or when I just plain don't feel like being happy. It's one of those little things I love about him. Because if he can make me smile no matter what mood I'm in, that simple smile means to me that everything is going to be alright in the end. It also a gentle poke to the heart, letting me know how much I truly need my husband, how much I love him, and how grateful I am to have his optimistic attitude in my life.

November 18: As I already mentioned, Monday was a rough day. But I'm so grateful for a mother-in-law who called me up and told me that everything was going to be okay, that I'm a great person, and that she loved me. Michelle is an amazing woman, and I love her so much. I'm blessed to at least have a decent relationship with her. Someone once told me that the hardest relationship isn't between husband and wife; it's the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. Gee whiz, if I would've married the guys I dated before Trev, their moms were nightmares. Some of my friends have nightmare mother-in-laws, and I feel bad for them. Somehow I lucked out in the mother-in-law department.

Takin' off her heels at our wedding.
In a lot of our reception pictures, her heels are in the background. ;)

November 19: I'm grateful for my Communication major friends that I've made within my program. I don't think being a Comm. major would be as fun without these girls. I've known Jess and Lexi for 2 1/2 years, and Becca almost a year. We were kind of the lone wolves left behind when all of our Comm. friends graduated this past May. Seriously though, everyone abandoned us and left us to be the senior smart people. ;) We've stuck together through some of our classes this semester, and there is light at the end of the tunnel as the semester draws to a close. Besides my husband, these are three people who have kept me sane this semester. We've been working on the President's Gala together, a big donor event on campus, and I know that without them and their hardwork and brainpower, the gala would probably suck. It's happening on December 3 and even though there is still a lot left to do, I know that we can do it. These girls are smart, know what they're doing, and don't hesitate to jump right into a project. These are the people I'm going to miss when I *possibly* graduate in May.

L-R: Lexi, me, Jessica, and Becca

November 20: I'm grateful for the nights I get to spend with my husband, even if it is spent doing homework on opposite couches. Some wives have husbands in the military. Some wives have husbands that work long hours or are at school till late at night. Some wives don't see their husbands that often because they work out of town. My husband is always right here with me. Sometimes he works late with catering and I feel kind of bitter, but I know how blessed that I am and that these are the days to soak up. When we both have "real world jobs" and obnoxious children running around, we're going to miss these nights.