grateful for....

This weekend was a really great pre-Thanksgiving experience.  Nelson and I got to do some service Saturday and spend all day with each other.  It took a lot longer than expected, but it was so worth it.  With one of my favorite holidays coming up, it was really great to focus on our blessings. So many of our blessings.

Being a young married couple with neither of us currently working, we try to be frugal.  It helps me though to be thankful for the means we do have to provide for ourselves.  for the family that has helped us on our way.  for the friends who graciously helped us on our way when we were married by giving us so many gifts-- both tangible and intangible.  we have this wonderful, safe, warm and cozy apartment that shelters us night and day. this fun and crazy city that brings adventure and frustration at times too. :) 

A lot of our blessings also come from the Church.  These blessings are oftentimes ones I sometimes overlook.  When we went to dinner with the Elders Quorum Presidency a few weeks ago, someone had made the comment that moving to somewhere you don't know isn't a big deal when you're a member of our Church-- your ward is your support!  our ward definitely has been a great support for us.  There are so many young couples like us that's it's been easy to connect with others.  it also helps that there are a bunch of us who are due around the same time. :)  Camaraderie.  

We went to the temple on Friday.  Our beautiful Boston temple.  We were blessed with not-so-bad traffic there and back. I'm so grateful that we have a temple nearby and that we don't have to travel for hours to go.  I remember when Nelson and I were discussing possible places to move to, and he brought up how distance to the temple was an important factor.  I didn't even think about it!  So glad to have that guy around... 

One of Nelson's friends became engaged last week and we got to talk to him on Sunday.  It was sooo evident they were smitten with each other, and it brought back some memories of our courtship and that magical night we became engaged... when we realized that forever together was in  our future.  I'm grateful for marriage. for a temple marriage. to be sealed for time and all eternity. 

This weekend though, I'm especially grateful for... my best friend.  My sweet, smart, hilarious, and wickedly charming husband.  or my "Handsome" according to the Bubs-- and boy, he sure is handsome.  Sometimes I just stare at him for a moment and can't believe I'm actually married to such an amazing man.  Last week was so hectic because of Nelson's school schedule/homework/tests/calling/my schedule/etc. and we were getting really little sleep... but he was still so willing to spend time with me.  and I welcomed it of course. He never fails to remember little ol' me. He's always willing to help me and give me words of encouragement.  he's my partner in everything, always holding my hand in whatever we do.  Ask any of our family or friends, we'll be in our own world and whisper and giggle and forget we're with a bunch of people [oops! sorry!].  

And last, but definitely not least, I'm grateful for this baby that is getting ready to join us soon.  I'm grateful for his kicks and punches [even if they hurt... a lot... sometimes].  I'm grateful that I get to see him move every once in a while.  I'm grateful that Nelson gets to feel him move and see him oh so excited when he does.  I love hearing my husband talk about our baby... hear him talk to him.  I hope this little angel of a baby knows how much we love him.  How much he is already loved by us, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles.... it's amazing what this baby has done for us/to us.  I remember the day when I came home from work and I felt so strongly that we should start a family.  I'm so grateful that we were blessed this way.  beginning our journey of growing our family.  it's been one of the most amazing experiences for us as a married couple, as best friends, to share together.  This time in our lives where our family is just us two is growing closer to an end, but we're excited!! I know that Nelson won't forget time for us though.  He's convinced me already that he doesn't forget about me, about us.  

Life is so wonderful right now.  Hoping yours is too!!