Thankful Turkey

We thought we'd do something fun this month to think of things we're thankful for...a thankful turkey!

Not just any turkey, a huge one right on our family room wall.



I had to take pictures of the things the kids wrote just for memories' sake. Half the time I think Cody just said whatever he was holding at the moment, but still-he's thankful for it.

I know there are so many things to be thankful for including our faith, family and friends. There are a few material things I really am thankful for, such as the heaters in our house, a roof over our heads and a car to get us from a to b. But for the most part they aren't things, which is lucky because we're students, and having nothing means nothing because no things are that important.

Now for journaling purposes...I'm putting the next part in. Seriously though, it's long and just for me so it's not necessary to read.

Ben: This may sound cliche but I truly do feel lucky to have married Ben. I didn't really realize how big of a decision marriage was when I went into it, but it worked out well! Some things I am grateful for about Ben: Ben is disciplined, loyal and determined. He works long days and gets up early and I have NEVER ONCE heard him complain about all the things he has to do. He just does what he has to do, even if it means getting up at 3 am like he did the other day. I love that Ben is opinionated (I do and I don't, but I mostly do!). I'm a 'white/blue' personality and I just appreciate his 'red-ness.' I really do appreciate his honesty, even if it's that he doesn't like what I made for dinner. Ben is always honest. I am thankful for his hard work and that he takes time for us too. Every night when he gets home, even if it's late or been a long day he'll wrestle or play ball with Cody and Macey. He doesn't feel obligated, even though he's doing me a favor by giving me a short break; he truly loves it. I am thankful that Ben loves being a dad.

Cody: I love his unconditional love. I love that he still loves to be hugged in the morning. I love that he knows that I'm honery in the morning and if he wakes up really early he just crawls into bed with me (squirming) and lets me slowly wake up. I am thankful that he is patient with me. I am thankful for his ability to truly laugh at things. He has such a fun, contagious laugh when he really laughs. I am thankful that he really loves other people and is very accepting. If you take time to get to know Cody, he is kind, accepting, sweet, and loves to have FUN. I love that he loves all things boy - bikes, cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, batman, wrestling, etc. If I ask him what he did somewhere he inevitably says, "nothing," but if he wants to tell me something he is so animated and expressive and uses his hands a LOT to describe things. Oh- lately he asks WHY to EVERYTHING. I knew that would happen. People aren't kidding, it is exhausting, but cute that they are so curious about EVERYTHING.

Macey: I am thankful for her brilliant intensity. I am thankful for her loudness, which brings so much humor into my life at this point in her uninhibited life. I am thankful for her ability to learn, she counts and knows a lot of her ABC's-mostly from Cody, who she loves. She constantly is serving him-bringing him drinks and his blanket and she even wants to be batman just like him. I love her singing, loud as it may be - it just makes me smile. I love her methodical approach to life - everything has to be 'right.' I love that she has to give Ben a big "squeeze hug" every time he comes or goes. Macey truly loves people, AFTER she has decided they can be friends. She WILL NOT like you when she meets you, until she thinks about it-so maybe it means more! Her prayer tonight, without any help from me, went like this: "Heavenly Father, thank you for Cody, and daddy. Thank you for me. Thank you for mommy. Thank you for our family. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for our family."

Yes, I'm thankful for our family, too.

The Gospel: I'm Carrie, I'm the wife of a vet student, mother of two, runner (okay, sometimes), craft-attempter, and I'm a mormon. (I just looked at mormon.org:)) But really, I love the message of the gospel. I am thankful that I know that I'm a literal Child of God. I love that I know where I've been and I know where I'm going. I am thankful to know that I will always be with my family. I love that we have living prophets on earth that share with us what the Lord wants us to know as a church, and I also love that we can pray to Heavenly Father and know that he will guide us as an individual. I love the Book of Mormon. I'm thankful, although I don't fully comprehend it, for Christ's sacrifice for me.