I LOVE the month of November!

I love the month of November for so many reasons.  I love Thanksgiving, gathering together with family and friends and spending time playing games, talking and just being!  I love the changing of the seasons.  Growing up, my mom would say that the mountains looked like a "bowl full of Trix cereal" because of the changing leaves.   Although I HATE being cold, I love wondering if I will wake up to snow, and hoping for a chance to wear my cozy, fluffy sweaters!  I love the taste warm apple cider and herbal tea on those crisp cold mornings.  Most of all, I LOVE, LOVE,  LOVE counting my blessings daily.

"A grateful heart will give you a touch of refinement that 

can come in no other way."  

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I try to be grateful everyday during the year, but Joe and I have a tradition specific to November.  I tape up a "cutsy-pootsy" paper on our door and we list our blessings each day.  If anyone comes, to visit, they are invited to add to our list.

So for this post, I thought I'd post what we are grateful for!

November 1:  
Joe: "The sweetest, awesomest wife EVER!"
Shan:  A day off of work

November 2:
Joe:  Temple covenants
Shan:  Home!  K. & E. 's backflips, M.'s "Aunt Shannie!", and the twins' cuddles

November 3:
Joe:  I don't have to push handcarts with little-to-no food in the snow
Shan:  The chance to fast and commune with Heavenly Father

November 4:
Joe:  To be sustained by the Spirit when absolutely needed
Shan:  Bestest bud, Issy

November 5:  
Joe: Time to work on a car
Shan:  Warm, cozy, comfy bed

November 6:  
Joe: Great colleagues
Shan:  AMAZING Young Women

November 7:  
Joe: Inspiration from the Spirit of God
Shan:  Supportive, gentle, loving, patient "Mr. Amazing"

November 8:  
Joe: Good friends
Shan:  Good friends--Old and New

November 9:  
Joe: Service
Shan:  Living so close to so many temples and the chance to attend

November 10:  
Joe: Peace & Home Teachers
Shan:  The Spirit of God

November 11:  
Joe: A day off
Shan:  Veterans--I am grateful for those who have sacrificed and given so much for me to be free!  Thanks Mike!

November 12:  
Joe: Coolest, bestest wife ever!
Shan:  Salvation and Exaltation that comes because of Christ's birth

November 13:  
Joe: To witness testimonies
Shan:  Creativity and talents of others--especially the Young Women Board

November 14:  
Joe: Leaves are raked!
Shan:  Miracles

November 15:  
Joe: Good friends
Shan:  Technology

November 16:  

Joe: Warmth

Shan:  Joe's willingness to help me correct papers!!!

November 17:  

Joe: Sleep?

Shan:  Hugs and kisses from niece & nephew 

November 18:  

Joe:  Not being on call

Shan:  Grades are DONE!!! 

November 19:  

Joe:  To be able to turn off my mind

Shan:  Tender mercies

November 20:  
Joe: Grateful that stress of Shan's activities--finished
Shan:  Memories of love, happiness, and contentment

November 21:  

Joe: One more day of being on-call!  

Shan:  Fun day with students

November 22:  

Joe: Sleep

Shan:  Able to serve others 

November 23:  

Joe:  Able to go to the temple

Shan:  Temple covenants and peace 

November 24:  

Joe:  A low-key day

Shan:  Kind words and actions of others

November 25:  

Joe:  Getting things done

Shan:  Joe's service to me--He cleaned the house on his day off!  WOW!!!  I LOVE Mr. AmAzInG!!

November 26:  

Joe:  Clean home

Shan:  Able to serve others 

November 27:  

Joe:  Friends

Shan:  A home where others feel comfortable to visit and play 

November 28:  

Joe:  Family

Shan:  Tender moments with T cuddling and hearing her "adventures"--I love being an aunt!

November 29:  

Joe:  Only two more work days and then the most critical time of the year is done...at least for another 365 days.

Shan:  New opportunities and a chance to reflect on blessings

November 30:  

Joe:  Time

Shan:  Beautiful mornings

WE ARE BLESSED!!!!