I love Thanksgiving! Check out this video: “In the Spirit of Thanksgiving”

“What are you thankful for?” Hmmm… I’m especially thankful for:

• Watching my wife love and care for our baby, Sawyer. It is a tired-to-the-bone-but-still-loving-him kinda thing. The love of a mother for a child is inspiring.
• Coming home from work and having Abbey (my five-year-old) grab me by the head, grit her teeth, then vigorously rub her nose against mine. It is a rough Eskimo kiss, but, man, I look forward to it.
• Playing boardgames with Nate (my eleven-year-old and oldest).
• Hearing Jasmine (my eight-year-old) talk about the latest pet she wants. One day we were at the pet store. I swear Jasmine has never seen or thought about crabs before in her life (maybe that is an exaggeration), but she leaves the store convinced that a crab (named George) is what she needs. Two hours later in the van—”Crabs, all I can think about is crabs, Dad.” It makes me smile. Love it!
• Seeing Sami (my nine-year-old daughter) care for and nurture her younger siblings. She is growing up so fast!
• Reading with Abbey and seeing her get this big smile and flush of excitement when she understands a word for the first time. I love that enthusiasm and discovery.
• Thinking of my son, Nate, this morning as I was lying in bed. The thought came to me to sit down with him and say, “You’re my son, and I must seem so much older than you. But when you get older, and that age difference doesn’t seem so great, I hope that we think of each other as friends. I would love that.”
• Having the Spirit remind me, inspire me, and comfort me.
• Baptizing Jasmine a few weeks ago. There was such a strong spirit.
• Seeing the love of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the actions of those around me.
• Having a job that gives me abundant chances to be inspired and challenged.
• Holding my baby boy, Sawyer. He is so CUTE. I can hardly stand it sometimes. I just love coming home to him. I love how he gets excited to see me—his smile and joy cannot be contained—his whole body literally jumps for joy.
• Knowing that this is Diana’s and my last baby and relishing every minute of it.
• Seeing my wife smile and hearing her laugh. Comfort, strength, joy, love—we’re going into our 15th year, and I can’t imagine life without her.
• Having family home evening this week, being able to teach my kids about patriarchal blessings, nearly crying as I read the portion in it about my wife and kids, and knowing that I have a Heavenly Father that is watching over me.

L-R: Abbey, Jasmine, Sami, Nate, Diana and Sawyer, and Dallas

Life is wonderful. It’s not always easy, but it is wonderful.