Gratitude

I know that November is usually the time that people post things that they're thankful for but we've just been so blessed lately that I felt like I should count my blessings. So here's a list of some of the things that I'm thankful for:

• On the 13th, Kris's family took us to IHOP. The dinner was fantastic.

• After this wonderful dinner, we were driving home on the freeway. It was raining just a little bit and the roads seemed a little slick so we were driving 50 (speed limit 65). Then, all of a sudden, we drove over black ice and lost control of the car. I was just sure we were going to hit the car next to us. The car started sliding diagonally and eventually slowed a little and was stopped by running into the concrete barrier that divided the freeway. I waited for the car behind us to slam into us, but it didn't. We were able to get the car out and drive it home the last couple of miles. When we arrived home and got out to check the damage to our vehicle, there was not even a scratch. We felt very blessed that we were protected on the freeway that night.
• Kris :) He's so helpful to me around the house and just with everything. In my Marriage class at school, we were talking about how some couples have unrealistic expectations. Some girls mentioned their husbands expecting them to always do the dishes at night after they make dinner. Kris always helps with dishes and he helps with dinner whenever he's home, too. He's able to make time to go to school, have a job, help with housework, and spend time with me. He makes me laugh. I'm grateful for him.

• My friends. I had some of my old roommates over for dinner tonight and it was a fantastic evening. We had taco soup and rolls and were able to catch up. It was so fun to have a relaxing girl's night and spend time with them. I appreciate them and am so glad they're in my life.

• Both of our families. I know that the stigma is that you will have awful in-laws but I was blessed with really wonderful in-laws. I love Kris's family. They're a huge help to us and we love spending time with them. My family is also very supportive, both the ones who live close and far away. It's great to be able to talk to them and get advice. 
• Our house. We are so blessed to have this place to stay. Kris's grandma was remarried recently and is living with her new husband. She has graciously allowed us to stay in her old home and just pay utilities. We love the house and it is such a blessing to be able to save up some money while we are just newly married. 
• Kris's job. He's working produce in Macey's and he likes it a lot more than his previous job at Target. He always gets off at 8, which is really nice because we get to have our evenings together. He's been able to get a good amount of hours and gets good pay, too. We're also thankful for Kris's mom for putting in a good word for him with the store manager. 

• College. We're so glad to be able to have the opportunity to attend classes in college. It seems like a small thing sometimes, but not many people have this chance. We are so glad we're able to learn new things and, later, be able to get better jobs. I am also grateful for my scholarship to BYU. It has been so wonderful to not have to worry about paying tuition. 
• Last, but definitely not least, our grant money. Since we got married, we knew I would become eligible for the PELL grant. This is a huge help; it would pay Kris's tuition and we'd be able to put some in savings. The grant just came in earlier this week, and I also got the SMART grant. I had to look up what it was. Here's a definition from this site: The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study (or fifth year of a five-year program) to at least half-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language; or non-major single liberal arts programs. The student must also maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in course work required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. We are so blessed to have this additional grant money. 

We are so lucky to have all these wonderful things in our life!