1. I am thankful for the ever-changing seasons in our new location. The South had mostly summer with milder shoulder seasons and a few really cold weeks. Now, we get to experience all four seasons -- and sometimes almost all in one week. My little great-niece and great-nephew asked me to hang a "Snowflakes 4 Sale" sign up on my red berry wreath about a month ago. It is still there because the snow is still falling & I would like it to go away sometimes.
2. Ryan broke his foot on his birthday, a few months ago. I am thankful that we didn't get a phone call after his x-ray last week. No news is good news? His foot is healing slowly. I am thankful that the MP's wife posts pictures on Instagram and that Ryan is frequently in them.
3. I am thankful to make progress in the garage. It's still a big project, but many of the boxes in this shot are now sorted into categories (mainly food storage, books, and craft supplies).
4. I am thankful that the architect finally brought our completed plans. Our home has many doorways, an extra staircase, and light switches behind the doors on the left-hand side. He was able to take our explanations and craft a beautiful plan for some awkward spaces.
5. I am thankful for the wonders of the Instant Pot. I purchased a digital pressure cooker many years ago from QVC and loved it to death. The new version cleans easily and has plenty of adjustable settings to create yummy goodness. This week I used it to make beef stew, sweet potatoes, and chicken breasts.
6. I am thankful for at least one room in the house that feels like a little bit of us. We seek refuge in this room at the end of the day to feast on the scriptures and to pray together as a family. I spend extra time picking up daily so that it stays this way.
7. I am thankful for the wonders of Internet education. I have been studying genetic genealogy to help my dad discover his birth father. Although I wanted to attend the i4gg conference in San Diego in December, I realized that I could stay home and watch the videos later. This year's offerings seem especially appropriate as the presenters are talking about how to apply DNA results and how to use the tools available in this relatively new field.
Also, I am thankful that my 88-year-old Grandma Peggy agreed to DNA testing. She has many segments that my mom and I did not inherit. Last month, someone lopped off a branch of my tree at FamilySearch, and they were right! Now, I am trying to break through a brick wall to discover my grandma's great-grandparents' names. With DNA, I am making progress.
8. I am thankful for family. We were able to spend time with some great-nieces on Thursday night. They are so cute and I just love them! At the same time Scott refereed the region championship basketball game with his dad at the scorer's table. His dad presented him with his grandfather's Sweet Sixteen whistle from the olden days.
8. I am thankful for good neighborhood friends and for pickle ball. It makes me happy - so much fun to play and easy for anyone to learn. We had a great group on Friday. The church is right around the corner and I have paddles and keys to the closet where the pickle ball nets are stored.
9. I am thankful for the beautiful views out my kitchen window. The coloring of the landscape is ever-changing. I didn't know that the desert could be this beautiful.
10. I am thankful that my boys can have fun together. Papa Elf and the boys went skiing at Grand Targhee today. They had a grand adventure and I am thankful that I could stay home and let them play this time. (A broken toe is not on my gratitude list!)
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