Thanksgiving and Gratitude 2009....

If you talk to pretty much anyone in my family, they will say that I don't

share any of the bad stuff that is going on in my life...

that I always want to help them,

but that I don't let people in to help me.

And there is some truth to that.

But it's not because I'm hiding anything or trying to

disguise my struggles or whatever.

It has more to do with the fact that in my worst of times,

I still see all the incredible blessings that are mine

and I feel like a total hypocrite

when I complain about my circumstances.

Let's face it, I do now and I have always

lived a blessed life! I have 6 great kids who are healthy and

happy and have all married well. I have 12+ amazingly

gorgeous grandkids who bring me immeasurable joy.

I have a loving, loyal, hard-working husband

who has provided me with every possible

need and a whole boat load of extras.

I have seen the world. I have great health,

wonderful friends, caring family, the knowledge that I have a

Heavenly Father who knows me by name and a Savior that makes it

possible to have all of those I love most for eternity. Who on earth has

the right to complain when you have all that?? Don't get me wrong...

I have my share of trials, heart ache and struggles but when

compared to all that I have been blessed with...it's NOTHING!!

So yes, I have been know to mope around a bit, to complain to

my beloved, to shed a few tears of sadness and

discouragement, to get overwhelmed and to wonder

"How the heck am I going to do it?"

And yes, the second knee surgery hit me rather

unexpectedly and has me playing catch up as I attempt

to get back on my feet...literally. But if I don't ask for help,

it's not because I don't want to share but rather that I feel

ungrateful if I complain. And yes...as I am "growing up",

I am being humbled to the point where I am learning that

we are all put here to help one another and that includes ME!!

So...this Thanksgiving I am most grateful for all the above

mentioned things and most importantly for these little

ladies who pitched in and took over the majority of

preparations for me.

Also, I'm thankful for this young man...Tucker was SOOOO

helpful in all the preparations and such a great example to

all the other grandkids. Love this guy (and all the other

little people that were with us!)!!

Cute Brad and Vanessa were in charge of appetizers

and beverages and they out did themselves! Look at

those darling turkeys that they prepared and they

brought hot,cold and bubbly beverages!

We had 27 for dinner...all of our kids were with us

with the exception of Bryce and Lisa who had a seafood

Thanksgiving with friends in Santa Rosa and

Paige and Nate who were with the Clark family this year.

With Tucker's help we set a lovely table...

or series of tables.

Dustin and Brooke have taken on the responsibility of

deep frying a turkey and it is delish!!

This is a tradition that will definitely stick....

Grandpa's major role is to supervise and

cuddle whatever grandbaby he chooses. Here he

is loving on Miss Greta!

The house was rocking and rollling with ten little people

10 and under and somehow I FAILED to get a photo

of all the little cousins together. (Note to self: gather

all the grandkids for photo op next time!)

***In my defense, they were moving so fast it

was almost impossible to find them all at the

same place at the same time.***

But I did manage to get all the adults with the

exception of Alice and Steve Jackson (our

first time guests...hope they know they are

ALWAYS welcome...even if they weren't documented!).

These two little dolls are going to be best buddies

as the years go by. Greta and Poppy sat still long

enough to allow me a photo op.

Here's gorgeous Robyn and amazing Bob who

are the proud parents of my four wonderful

Lamoreaux grandkids.

Kennan and Trevan stopped long enough for me to

get a quick shot of their little family....cute, cute!

Here is the little lady who spear-headed the whole event.

Sweet Robyn caught me on a not so good day at a not so good

moment and decided that I needed help. She was right.

And I am so thankful for her intervention! (And yes...

that's our Dustina in the background!)

And this amazing lady is ALWAYS ready to step

in to help. Eileen's family is NOT our extended

family...they are our immediate family. I am

so grateful that Tim chose Eileen so that I could

call her family as well as friend!

You would think it is enough that they all pitched in to

make Thanksgiving possible but that was just the

start. Paige joined us on Friday and on Saturday

these darling girls drug out all the Christmas decorations

and had my house decked out by Saturday night.

(They even attended the BYU-Utah game in between times!)

So all the major stresses of my life have been

diffused by my children and I am so very

thankful for their wonderful service to me.

Who could be anything but thankful when you have

a sink-full of sweetness after a holiday weekend?

Thank you, dear family, for your sweet, loving service!!

I love you all beyond words. XOXOXO