I think I share my dad's sentiments that Thanksgiving is the best holiday, right there next to the 4th of July. What a fabulous week this has been at home, being able to relax, see family and friends, visit the Nauvoo Temple, run (hurray!), get some of my Christmas plans more in line, and think about what I want to be doing next year. I don't often get time to do these things (especially running...) and it's been a very nice time to count blessings. I'm grateful for the White Wonder. I'm grateful for leftovers. I'm grateful for my mom being willing to sew the buttons on my coat I've procrastinated doing for months. I'm grateful for 4 hour drives and 2 hour sessions. I'm grateful for my old piano at home that still sounds the same. I'm grateful for wonderful parents who really do anything for me. I'm grateful to be able to talk to my nephew on the phone. I'm grateful for a little brother on a mission. I'm grateful for another little brother with a great heart and a greater sense of humor. I'm grateful for a sister who appreciates rousing renditions of "happy birthday" over speaker phone. I'm grateful for dozens of "happy thanksgiving" text messages, so many that i can't keep up. I'm grateful for old friends mixed with Japanese curry. I'm grateful for winter clothing i can finally take back to DC, for 1 & 1/2 hour flights, for prayer, for the Book of Mormon, for advice about graduate programs, for a job, for a brain, for extended family, and for the capability to take pictures.

Life is good.