Thankful

I can't believe it is November already! Where has the time gone? Before we know it there will be snow on the ground and it will be socially acceptable to listen to Christmas music (not that I haven't already started or anything..) I have decided to write a post about thankfulness seeing as though Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and isn't the theme of November thankfulness?

Mom, Brother Ben, Me, Sister Hannah, Dad

 There are so many things I am thankful for, starting first and foremost with my family! I have two amazing families, starting first with the family I have always known my parents, brother, sister, cousins, aunts and uncles. My parents have always supported me in everything I have chosen to do with my life and I am so grateful for their endless love and support of all my dreams! My brother and sister are equally as fantastic, just in their own ways! While my relationships are not as strong with them as I wish they were, I am thankful to have siblings and hope that one day our lives will align a little more and our relationships will grow

Ashlyn, Me and Jen

stronger. I am so lucky to have amazing cousins and aunts and uncles who never question my motives or my plans and provide me with endless advice and support. I better include some pretty special kiddos of my cousins that have brought so much joy and happiness into my life!!!

The Liljas~ Mike, Nanci, Josh, Me and Chad

My second family is equally as amazing, I just haven't known them as long (but can you believe it's been almost 9 years!?) My husband Chad is my rock. He has shown me endless support over the last 9 years, and there is NO WAY I would have made it this far without his support and encouragement. He welcomes my crazy nurse friends into our home, cooks for us and even cleans the house after we leave! What more could I ask for in a husband and best friend!? I am so thankful for my marriage and I pray that the Lord will continue to bless us and our home as we continue to strive to have a faith filled relationship centered around love, trust and the Lord.

Me and my Best Friend

And with my fantastic husband, comes his amazing family and extended family (there are lots of them!!!).  My second set of parents are absolutely fantastic, they have shown both Chad and I endless support, and given us much needed advice over the last 9 years.  I have never felt so welcomed as I do in their family, and I am so thankful my best friend came with amazing parents and a pretty cool brother! Chad's extended family is great, and so much like my extended family that I think I just fit right in! It has been a true blessing to enjoy the gift of Grandparents once again, as I have spent much of my adult life without living Grandparents.  I have learned to make homemade Lefse and shared in so many fun family traditions over the last 9 years. Chad's cousins, aunts and uncles have always shown me love and supported Chad and I in every turn we make.  There are some pretty special kiddos on this side of the family as well, they give pretty good hugs and love to play!

My "Niece" Jordyn and I

My favorite picture from our wedding day, our first look...

Hunter and I

I better not forget to tell you that I'm thankful for my sweet puppy Hunter, who just so happens to be our problem child but gives the best snuggles ever!!! We are so lucky to have such a good dog to share our family with.  He loves to hunt and chase tennis balls, and gives the best kisses!!!

So can you tell I am thankful for my family?!

How about my friends... yep I am REALLY thankful for them! For new friends, for old friends, for work friends, church friends and for school friends.  It never ceases to amaze me the impact friends can have on our true happiness in life.  I am so thankful for the easy conversations, the shoulders to cry on, the wine drinking partners I have come to call friends, and those ladies who let me steal their babies to fulfill my own baby fever ! They are truly a gift from God and I thank Him everyday for the amazing people he puts in my life. I swear each friend that I have grown to love has been put in my life for a certain reason. There are some that are put in my life to teach me what it means to be humble, to be kind and caring, putting others needs before themselves. There are friends in my life that teach me to be patient, and to not sweat the little things. I am so blessed to be continually learning from those around me! I am also so thankful to my IG (instagram) friends. Women whom I have not yet met in real life, but who continue to support me in my strife to be a better wife and Christian! There are so many things I still have to learn about being a friend, and I am so THANKFUL to have these people in my life.

I am so thankful for my health and for the health of those I love.  In my line of work sickness and death are normal occurrences so to be able to say that I am healthy is a true gift from God.  I am also thankful for those who are sick, those kids who teach me about myself and my faith just for fighting their own battle.  Their courage and happiness despite everything they have been forced to endure, is life changing and I am so thankful to have my life changed everyday I walk into the hospital.

There are so many other things I am thankful for but I will end with one more; I am thankful for my faith in God and my promise of eternity in heaven.  There are not enough words to describe my gratitude, nor do I think I can adequately articulate what my faith means me to me or how thankful I am to HAVE faith.  There are many people I encounter who do not yet know the Lord, nor have faith in anything other than themselves. I pray that people will come to know the Lord though my actions and the way that I live my life striving to be the best person I can be, living for Him everyday.

So what are you thankful for? I am thankful that you took the time to read my blog and hope that it has blessed you in some way today!