30 Days of Thanksgiving

Throughout the month of November, many people did daily thankful posts throughout the different social media outlets. I decided to post mine in one big collage, since I didn't get a chance to do this daily. These are in no particular order, and these are just a few of the blessings I enjoy {or have enjoyed} in my life. Life is good, and I am SO truly blessed.

Going from left to right, here are one {or two or three}lines to go with each picture.

1. Our home: We bought our first home almost 2 years ago, and it is everything I could ask for. It's safe, it has room for my children to run around, and it's a happy place to come home to each and every day.

2. Knox: Our newest addition to our family. I tell people if every baby were a Knox baby, the birth rate in this world would be out of control, because people would want their Knox. He is perfect. Smiley, talkative, joyous.

3. Family Time: This Halloween picture illustrates we have fun as a family. Each week we try to hold Family Home Evening, which is something our church has asked us to do. We read scriptures, sing, play, learn, etc. Though that is formally once a week, we have family fun every day. I think we have a fun family.

4. Great doctors: After 3 wonderful {no joke} pregnancies, a recent scary trip to the hospital for Knox, and many well visits for my babies, I am so grateful for awesome, competent doctors that love what they do.

5. My dad: He rocks. He's tough. He's loving. He's athletic. He loves his roll as a father and grandfather. My kids love him. I love him.

6. Cliff: My EVERYTHING. I've loved him since I was 16. He's my best friend. He's hot. He's romantic. He's brilliant. He's an incredible father. He's a hard worker; a great provider. He's a worthy priesthood holder.

7. The Young Women's Program: This is a program for young women in our church ages 12 to 18. I loved it as a young girl, and now I'm a leader in the program. I love my girls in there; I love my calling.

8. Kendal Jessup Photography: My business! I'm so grateful for what started out as a hobby, has snowballed into a dream business. It's taken me to the Caribbean, Park City, Utah, all over the state of Texas, and into many families. It is incredibly rewarding to preserve memories for people, and it is my greatest creative outlet.

9. My in-laws, Kevin & Marcy: Two words. Best ever. I've known them TWO decades. They are the most generous, loving, easy-going, hard working couple ever. They treat me like their own daughter, and I love them to pieces. They are awesome grandparents, and my kids love them dearly, as well.

10. Me+Cliff: We love love love our kids, but on top of that, we love love love each other. We love our alone, quiet time together. We love cuddling up to watch shows late at night on Netflix. We love date nights. We love reminiscing. We love making future plans. We think a like. We make each other laugh. We are sealed together for eternity, and are beyond grateful for that.

11. Facebook: Pathetic? Maybe, but Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with those whom I may not have, and has enabled me to know what the person whom had a locker next to me in high school ate for lunch. What once was a newsfeed full of college party-ing pictures and whatnot, seems to now be a feed full of weddings, children, etc. I love it. I love to keep in touch with people that have been special to me at one point or another in my life.

12. Emerson: My girl. I love her. She sings. She cuddles (though not as much as she once did). She is sassy, and she sticks up for herself. She's beautiful inside and out, and she makes my heart so happy. She loves her new role as a big sister, and she melts our hearts every day. Like her brother, she tells me multiple times a day she loves me. Sometimes when she knows she's about to get in trouble, she'll throw it in there real quick.

13. Our backyard: My kids love playing in our backyard. They run laps around our house. It's great to have space to let them roam. Not so great to keep up with, but great to have!

14. Prayer: I've always had a testimony of prayer, but in the last few months, the power of prayer has been SO REAL to me and my little family. We felt the incredible power as our sweet baby stared death in the eye. I know our Heavenly Father listens to each and every prayer, and having that open line of communication at all times is so comforting. He is always there.

15. El Paso: El Paso is home to both Cliff and me. Upon graduating high school I was excited to move on. Now we can't get enough of it when we return. We love it. We love the city, the people, the culture, and well....the Mexican food. It will always be home.

16. Extended family: This particular picture is of my three cousins that are more like sisters. I love them. I love all my cousins, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. ...all my extended family. Many of my cousins are more like siblings.

17. BYU-Hawaii: The place of our engagement. Cliff and I attended BYU-Hawaii the couple months before our wedding. This was the first placed we were together on a daily basis once he returned from his mission. We explored the island of Oahu daily. We found our favorite beaches and favorite places. This place was magical. Not just because it's Hawaii, but because it's where we fell in love all over again after being a part from one another for two years.

18. Temples: Our church's temples are sacred, beautiful places. We were married in the Cuidad Juarez Mexico temple for time and eternity. So grateful for these special places.

19. My phone: How did we get by before cell phones? I go crazy if I forget mine at home. It's usually by my side. Communication is SO easy these days with all the convenience our smart phones provide. No excuse with talking, texting, and social media apps.

20. Easy Pregnancies: I have been blessed with three easy pregnancies. I have never thrown up in any. I've exercised pretty much until the last day, and this time around, I was teaching Zumba, Spin, "Just Weights", and Aqua classes up until I was 38+ weeks. I've enjoyed my pregnancies.

21. Preschool: Grateful for Stone's preschool. He loves learning, and comes home every day telling me something new he has learned. He looks forward to going, and truly loves it.

22. My mom: A best friend. We talk all the time, swap recipes, funny stories, etc. We've always been best friends, and have a special, awesome relationship. We just get each other. She also is an incredible grandmother, and my kids love her.

23.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: AKA "The Mormon Church". I love my religion. Yes, we are Christians! I believe it is the true church on this earth. Nothing will EVER change this for me. I have had too many experiences and confirmations to ever deny this.

24. TSG {The Summit Group}: An incredible advertising agency that I had the privilege to work for for many years. Upon moving from Salt Lake back to Texas for Cliff's law school, they allowed me to continue working, this time from home. I was able to support our little family while Cliff went to law school, all without leaving my home, and doing much of my work during nap times! The partners and my superiors were incredible.

25. My brothers, Tanner & Jordan: Love them. Tanner and I have a big enough age gap where we never really bickered (5 years). He's not contentious. He's an Army hero. He's a spiritual giant, and I've always looked up to him. As for Jordan, the smaller age gap {2 years} offered a little {or a lot} more bickering, but protective brother instincts, as well. He got mad at ex-boyfriends for me, made sure I was doing good things, and has always been there for me. Love them both!

26. Stone: My active, witty, negotiating 5-year-old. He says entertaining things that make people think twice. He's smart, and craves learning. He's athletic, and he tells me he loves me multiple times during the day (really....like almost on the hour. I love it).

27: Our vehicles: So grateful we have vehicles to transport us. They are reliable, and they get us where we need to go.

28. Texas Tech: Cliff graduated from law school (while also earning a Master's degree in Personal Finance). Thankful for his great education that led us to an incredible career.

29. Zumba: I love fitness. My day is not complete without a good sweat. One of my favorite exercising outlets is teaching Zumba. I love the Latin music, I love moving my hips. Zumba is sexy.

30. BYU: So grateful for my college degree from an incredible university. Not only did it help me get a great job that put my husband through law school, but it gave me the skills and mindset to run my own business. Go Cougars!

I have so much to be grateful for!