Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

There are so many reasons to love Thanksgiving! Obviously there is the delicious food, and of course the Black Friday shopping, and the chance to reflect on the past year and everything that I have to be thankful for in my life.

Thanksgiving Day: Every year we have Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family. My grandma, Aunt and Uncle and their family all come over to our house from Tennessee. Grandma and Mom usually begin all of the prepping for dinner. The smells of turkey, ham, and potatoes begin around 10 am! We usually eat between 3 and 4, and man my family can seriously EAT. You should see the plates. Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes (with mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows), mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, rolls, fruit salad, corn, peas, and stuffing! DeLiCioUs!! Usually, Grandma and mom clean the kitchen, too, which is a major bonus!

Black Friday: Do not joke about Black Friday. In my house, it is serious business. Thanksgiving day, the first thing we do is run to WaWa and retrieve 5 newspapers with all of the local ads--for my 2 sisters, my mom, my aunt, and myself. This particular morning, mom woke up early and went to go get the papers. She brought them home, and we looked through them and started picking out all the ads. However, 4 out of the 5 were missing almost half of the ads, so my aunt and I ran back up to WaWa and exchanged them. We counted the number of ads in the store to make sure we had them all! We come home and look through them all, writing down what is most important to get and begin planning our early shopping trip on Friday. In the wee hours of the morning, we wake up and head out to all the stores! Now, we are not Crazy-we don't arrive at the first store until about 4:45 or 5. We usually go to Target, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Five Below, and anywhere else we need to. So much fun, and only girls. After the fun shopping, Grandma treats everyone to breakfast/lunch at Ryan's buffet.

Thankful: This year I am so thankful, and I have so many blessings. I have a loving family and loving parents. I am thankful for the high education I am able to receive, and how it will bless me in the future. For so many powerful leaders and adults that help guide us youth. For the gospel and the temples we have. For my health and my brains. For opportunities to earn money so I have what I need. For always having enough provided to me. For awesome parents who love me despite my mistakes. For others' examples. For service. For everything.

D&C 78:19-And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more

Psalms 100: 1-5- Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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