Thanksgiving

I didn't participate in any of the Thanksgiving challenges this year. Not because I am ungrateful or un-thankful, but because I felt like it was something I needed to step away from. To really think about what I am thankful for and how I could have a heart of Thanksgiving rather than a month of Thanksgiving. There are so many things in this world to be grateful for. So many things that are taken for granted every single day. And in any instance a complaint can be turned into a prayer of gratitude. That is something I have realized. Those moments when my feet hurt from walking around at events all day. I am grateful I have a wonderful job that I love, even in the crazy times, and I am grateful to have feet so I can walk around all day. The days when I am so tired that I don't want to go to the gym. I am grateful that not only do I have a gym 1 minute from my home, but that I am able to have a body that I need to take care of. The times when I get super annoyed with my phone because I have poor reception. I am grateful that I have a cell phone that connects me through call and through text to family and friends within seconds.

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There are a lot of things I am incredibly grateful for. But I am not going to list them. Those are personal prayers from my heart. And I am every day grateful for something new in my life. I have taken it upon myself to turning my complaints into thanks giving. Every day. Not just in November. So my challenge to you this day? Say thank you to your loved ones, to your God, and to whoever else you need to. Remember the simple moments and give thanks for that. Make Thanksgiving a part of your every day. Turn your bad moments into the best moments. And be grateful every day for the things you do have, even if sometimes there seems to be fewer things to be thankful for, there will always be something.

Grateful

1: I am grateful for a loving and supportive husband.

2: I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who will always love me no matter.

3: I am grateful for eternal families.

4: I am grateful for new opportunities and chances to learn and grow.

5: I am grateful for best friends.

6: I am grateful for my pageant years and all of the relationships built.

7: I am grateful for sunshine.

8: I am grateful for laughter.

9: I am grateful for costumes and dress-ups.

10: I am grateful for game nights.

11: I am grateful for my freedom and protection and for those that served our country to give me those things.

12: I am grateful for a job that I love.

13: I am grateful for the temple.

14: I am grateful for the Relief Society.

15: I am grateful for hard working parents that raised me to do the same.

16: I am grateful for busy days.

17: I am grateful for first world problems.

18: I am grateful for microwaves and ovens.

19: I am grateful for fresh flowers.

20: I am grateful for date nights.

21: I am grateful for bright colors and bright days.

22: I am grateful for the rain.

23: I am grateful for social media.

24: I am grateful for coats, blankets, and jackets.

25: I am grateful for the snooze button.

26: I am grateful for quiet moments.

27: I am grateful for vacations.

28: I am grateful for family - both by marriage and by blood.

29: I am grateful for treats.

30: I am grateful for great memories.

Grateful Heart

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. We are down in California celebrating with Adam's family. My first time ever away from home for Thanksgiving, which means no rainbow jello, but I am starting my day with a grateful heart. I am grateful for new memories with my in-laws, I am grateful for telephones so I can call home, I am grateful for love, I am grateful for traditions, for laughter, for good times, for experiences, and I am grateful for friends. I am grateful for the relationships I have made through blogging and the support from my readers. Hope you are all enjoying a day full of food and football. 

Dear #30DaysOfThanksgiving,

Showing gratitude is important all year. But November is when we are brought to Thanksgiving. It is a month that reminds us to be thankful and to show gratitude. I feel so lucky for everything in my life. For my trials and my blessings. For my happiness and for my hard times. Life is an adventure. I learn from the good and the bad. And all my experiences make me who I am. So who am I to not be grateful for every moment? I participated in the #30DaysOfThanksgiving on Instagram. It was fun to think of something every day that I wanted to share with those around me. Here are my 30 days in photos and words.

Follow me @deejmbl

• So thankful for @skinnymill! I sure did luck out with this guy #30DaysOfThanksgiving#Day1 
• Pancake Saturday! We love Mickey! #30daysofthanksgiving #day2 
• So grateful for a mom that is a friend and a role model! @yellowjke#30daysofthanksgiving #day3
• I'm grateful for these delicious treats that led to my engagement! @skinnymill#rockymountain #30daysofthanksgiving #day4 
• Grateful for a Dad who works hard, has integrity, and taught his little girl to have tough skin | #30daysofthanksgiving #day5
• I'm proud to be an American! #election2012 #30daysofthanksgiving #day6
• Grateful for always any size $1 drink from @McDonalds #30daysofthanksgiving #day7
• Grateful for flowers #30daysofthanksgiving #day8 
• Grateful for Idaho and all her glory... And her potatoes! #30daysofthanksgiving #day9
• Thankful for funny faces and someone to make them with @skinnymill#30daysofthanksgiving #day10
• Grateful for Sunday Smoothies and a husband with smoothie making skills#30daysofthanksgiving #day11 
• Grateful for strangers that are willing to change a blown out tire on the freeway#30daysofthanksgiving #day12 
• Grateful for good friends #30daysofthanksgiving #day13
• Grateful for clean clothes and a washer and dryer in my home #30daysofthanksgiving#day14 
• Grateful for temple date nights... Followed by Cocoa Bean :) #30daysofthanksgiving#day15 
• So grateful for our first three months of marriage! #30daysofthanksgiving #day16  
• Grateful for a new sport to love and a handsome man to go watch #baseball#30daysofthanksgiving #day17 
• Grateful for supportive friends! #30daysofthanksgiving #day18
• Grateful for all my experiences in the Miss America Organization! #30daysofthanksgiving#day19
• Grateful to be home where this is my backyard #30daysofthanksgiving #day20
• Grateful to be home baking with my Mom @yellowjke #30daysofthanksgiving #day21 
• Grateful for friends that don't mind getting dirty! #30DaysOfThanksgiving #Day22 
• Grateful for handsome brothers that set up my high expectations for a husband. And that I found a husband to match them #30daysofthanksgiving #day23 
• Grateful for new days and fresh starts #30daysofthanksgiving #day24  
• Grateful for childhood besties #30daysofthanksgiving #day25 @sarahscissorcut 
• Grateful for packages #30daysofthanksgiving #day26 
• Grateful for a comfy cozy bed every night! #30daysofthanksgiving #day27
• Grateful for opportunities to dance and share my passion #30daysofthanksgiving #day28 
• Grateful for the one hand dip #30daysofthanksgiving #day29
• Grateful for the temple. I was sealed to the love of my life for time and eternity here. Grateful for eternal families. #30daysofthanksgiving #day30

I am happy to be who I am. I am happy to be where I am. I am grateful for Thanksgiving and the reminder it gives me to show gratitude.

Dear Thanksgiving Spread,

I know everyone has put their Thanksgiving decorations away and pulled out the Christmas tree... but I wanted to go back to last week's holiday because I loved it! Adam and I spent the holiday up in Idaho with my family. My Mom had me help a lot this year. I helped bake and cook as well as do all the table settings. And I must say, I was pretty proud of our work... so here you have it. The Edmunds' Thanksgiving celebration from table setting to serving table.

I love Thanksgiving. 

I love being with family. 

I love having an excuse to be in the same town as all my friends.

I love making pie. 

I love decorating.

And I love the reminder that I have so many good things in my life. 

What do you love about this time of year?