Gratitude

I recently took a trip back home to see family. It was a much needed trip filled with shopping and food! I went looking for a little relaxation and a way to refresh, not only did I get that, but a renewed sense of gratitude. 

I started my vacation in St. George, Utah, at my parents vacation home. It was so beautiful! On a few occasions, after a morning run, I would come back to the house to see my dad enjoying the morning sun on the front porch. Often our conversations would revolve around Justin and his work and the possibility of moving closer to family. Dad expressed his admiration and support for my wonderful husband, and reminded me of how blessed I am to have so much in my life. What I love most about my dad, is that he can wrap anything up into a simple sentence that makes more sense than a hour long conversation. He brought it to my attention, "that just like [he] wants [his] kids to have all [he] has and more, so does our Heavenly Father." I am so grateful for that reminder and for the wonderful, selfless parents I have been blessed with!

After St.George, Justin's sister, JoDell, picked me up and we headed for Las Vegas to visit his little sister, Stacey, and her sweet family. As Stacey and I were talking, she made the comment that I was an "in-law", yet I had traveled to see her family even without my husband, her brother. I guess I had never really thought of it. From the very beginning, my in-laws have taken me in as their own. I've never felt like an outsider, only a daughter and sister. I am so grateful to have such wonderful in-laws!

I've never really liked Texas. I've always just had a distaste for it. However, after being in Las Vegas for a few days, I've come to realize how lucky I am to be living here in Texas. Las Vegas had lost its sparkle and adventure I thought it once had, if only in my mind, and now looked congested, dry, and unappealing (no offense Scott and Stacey). I came back to Texas taking in the fact that I didn't feel claustrophobic and enjoying the green landscape. When I mentioned this to the bishop, his response was: "It's nice to know there is some place out there you hate worse the Texas!" But it's not so much a hatred for Vegas, just a new appreciation for my Texas home.

Technology is so great! I loved being able to Face time with the kids. Watching them hula-hoop and seeing their wiggly teeth! They truly are wonderful kids and my precious jewels. They make me laugh every day and I am so blessed to have them.

It didn't matter how many pillows I stuck to my side or how many conversations I had with my husband, nothing could take the place of having him next to me. This trip really opened my eyes to how dependent I am on Justin. I'm not talking physically dependent, although I hate to have to mow my own lawn and take out my own trash. I'm talking emotionally and spiritually dependent. I was always under the assumption that I'd always have my niche with my parents and siblings, that I'd always be understood. But, moving away causes you to grow up and maybe even grow apart sometimes. I realized my niche with family wasn't quite where I had remembered it being and although I love them dearly, my niche was really back in Texas with him that I left to hold down the fort while I escaped for a while. I am so grateful and indebted to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have Justin. He gives me everything and far more than I deserve.

So, did I come back from my trip renewed and refreshed? No doubt about it, but I came back with a stronger sense of gratitude for the countless blessings in my life!