I decided I better get my act together and set a good example for my kids and let them know how many things I am grateful for.
I am so incredibly thankful for my boys. I know I have said this a million times, but I could not get through each day without them. Each of them has had their turn at "carrying" me on hard days. Whether it be a hand written note laying on my bed, a hug, an "I love you mom", or all three of them coming to sleep with me during the night. They have all done small acts of kindness on a particularly hard day that has carried me through. I love each one of them so much. They are truly three of my greatest blessings.
I am blessed and thankful to have an amazing family. They also make it possible for me to get through my hard days. What a tender mercy it was that we moved back to West Bountiful only one mile from my parent's house. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful that I live so close to my family. I think they are pretty awesome. How lucky I am to have three sisters! I don't think any of us could make it through the week without each other. We count on each other way too much to be apart for very long. I really do have the best mom and dad in the world. I love them with all my heart. They are kind and unselfish and spend most of their time doing things for their kids and grandkids! I think they are pretty near perfect people.
I am blessed and thankful to have wonderful in-laws! I know there are so many people that struggle with the "dreaded in-laws" but, I couldn't be more thrilled to be part of the Webster family. When I married Jonas I gained another mom and dad, 2 sisters, and 2 brothers. Love that family! I am so thankful Joe has a brother that my kids can look up to. Their uncle Ty is the closest link they have to their daddy. I hope they will always stay close to him. Sadly, Ty has been left with the huge responsibility of being the "dad" figure to 5 nephews and 1 niece! Joe's sister's husband died in 2002 leaving her with three children. Kathy and Denny will have 9 grandchildren in March of 2013 and only three of them will have their daddy here on earth. So so sad. I adore my sister-in-laws, Melissa and Mandi. We have so much fun together. I wish it could be more often but, I cherish the times we get to be together. I know Jonas dearly loved his parents and held them on a high pedestal. He always spoke kindly about them and was always so grateful for them. I am blessed to call them my family. I miss Melissa's husband Jesse and am so thankful I knew him. You were a better person for knowing Jesse.
I am so thankful for my nieces and nephews! Just thinking about them makes me happy! I love each one of them so much. Joe's sister has Jordan, Davin, and Briauna. Joe's brother has Mayci, Jayden, and baby girl on the way. My sister Heidi has Chloe, Ella, and Cole. My sister Katie has Kaleb and Karson. My sister Sandy has Jayci and baby girl on the way. Each one of those kids has a special place in my heart. I am also so grateful for my brother-in-laws. The way they take time to include my boys in their outings with their kids, the way they play with them and teach them things. I hope they know how much I appreciate that and how much it means to me. You are good good men.
I live in a really good neighborhood. I know I was meant to live here in this particular area because of the good people I am surrounded by everyday. I love my friends and neighbors and am so grateful for all of them. I have friends that I grew up with that still check up on me and keep me happy. What would us girls do without our girls nights out?!?
I have a group of widow friends that mean the world to me. I think about the way we met at an LDS Widows Conference in March 2012 and I know it was meant to be. We need each other. We really couldn't do this without each other. Love, love, love my widow widows. :) There are 26 kids between us ranging in ages 19 to 4. Lots of little ones without their daddy's but, we all know how blessed we are to have these children in our lives.
I am of course, so thankful and grateful for my wonderful husband. He worked so hard for us. Everything he did was to make a better life for us. He had a tender heart that I got to see each time he was with his boys. He loves them so dearly. I know it's probably so hard for him to not be physically here with them but, what an amazing blessing they get to have their daddy with them everyday everywhere they go.
I am grateful for my religion and that I believe what I do. I am thankful it gives me hope everyday that I will see Jonas again. That we will be a family for eternity. Hope and faith are what give me my greatest strength.
DON'T YOU GIVE UP.
DON'T YOU QUIT.
You keep walking.
You keep trying.
There is help and happiness ahead...
It will be all right in the end.
Trust God
and believe in
good things to come.
-Jeffery R. Holland-
