Thanksgiving in Bend

Nate and I were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving this year in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Thanksgiving in Bendy will always be special to me. Back in 2013 Nate took me for our first Thanksgiving together. While there I fell in love with the rest of his family, saw a business card for a jewelry company fall out of his wallet, and realized that I wanted to brush my teeth with him every night. For different reasons, each of those things makes me incredibly happy to remember. 

This year was no exception. Despite being 29 weeks pregnant, and in the middle of packing/moving back in Utah (more on that later) we decided to go for awhile and spent 9 days there. It was wonderful! We went to movies, relaxed, played games, watched the snow fall, cuddled nieces and nephews, ate delicious food, and enjoyed our time surrounded by family. I am always thankful that I married into such a wonderful family-but this Thanksgiving I felt extra thankful to get to call them mine. Those Raus are something special, and I feel pretty honored to share their name. 

Oh yea, Nate snagged the best Black Friday deal of the year-$100 off a purchase at Columbia. After a markdown, and this coupon Nate got a $300 coat for $40 bucks! I couldn't be more proud1

So Much to be Thankful For

The gospel and the peace living it brings.

Nathan.

Baby Boy.

Answered prayers.

Family, near and far.

Modern medicine.

Primary songs.

A washer and dryer.

Delicious candles.

Big baby kicks that shake my whole belly.

Our jobs.

Pebbled ice.

Facetime.

A place to call home.

My bed.

Autumn leaves.

Peppermint milkshakes.

And so much more. I could go on, and on listing the things I am thankful for right now. As I get older I realize more and more how little I need to be happy, and how thankful I am for the blessings that are mine. Theres so much to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving

Nate and I have spent Thanksgiving together before. It was last year, in Bend. 

We had a lovely time. His family was so gracious, and kind.

However-this boy wouldn't talk marriage with me. Here he was inviting me home for a big holiday and he would give me no mention of the future.

One accidently dropped Sierra West Jewelry business card, a happy teeth brushing experience though and I knew, even though wouldn't admit it, that he wanted to marry me.

Less than three weeks later we were engaged-ring and all. 

For all those reasons I love that Thanksgiving.

Luckily-this year, our first married Thanksgiving together, was very different but just as wonderful. We spent the weekend up at my parents house, enjoyed dinner at my darling Aunt's home, watched movies, shopped on Black Friday, decorated for Christmas, and checked out the lights. It was a very peaceful, happy Thanksgiving.

And luckily, just like last year, this guy is the thing I'm most thankful for.

My first time making sweet potatoes was a success!

 The same spot where we got engaged, just shy of a year ago.

Thanksgiving in Oregon

This year I got to celebrate Thanksgiving in Oregon. Although I missed my family, and all of our traditions, I had a great time with Nate and his sweet family. I loved getting to meet more of them, and I loved spending time with him.

We were busy all week- cooking, shopping, watching movies, playing games, and wrestling and reading to his cute nieces and nephews-and I loved every second of it. 

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to spend this holiday with them. It was absolutely perfect. I'm so thankful for each of them-for their kindness, and for making me feel so welcome.

And for Nate. He's pretty great too.

Thanksgiving

There is something special about Thanksgiving. Something completely nostalgic and romantic about spending an entire day cooking one meal-to share with those you hold most dear, and then pausing, collectively as a nation, to remember the many blessings we each have.

I’m not much of a blogger these days, but I can’t let something as wonderful as Thanksgiving pass by without a little post on the beauty of this tradition. This year, for the second time in my life, I am not spending Thanksgiving with my family. Because of that I'd like to use this post to let my family know how very thankful I am for each of them. 

I’m thankful for my mother-for her brave attitude, her unconditional love felt by so many but especially by those fortunate enough to call her “mom”, and for not only being a wonderful mother but for also being an incredible friend to me as I’ve grown.

I’m thankful for my father-for his sweetness, kindness and love for me and the other girls in his life, for how hard he has worked for so many years to provide for his family, for his patience with us, and for the stunning example he is to me of being a true believer and follower of Christ.

I’m thankful for my sister-the one at home-for being an excellent example to me of what sisterhood means, for always watching out for the underdog, and for loving everyone she comes in contact with. Her kindness is unparalleled, and I marvel at it daily.

I’m thankful for my other sister-the one in Indiana-for the ability she has to always make me feel better when things are rough, for the light she gets in her eyes right before she gets to the punch line of an excellent joke, and mostly for her beautiful desire to always do what is right. She also is an incredible example.

Mostly though, I'm thankful for the knowledge I have that no matter where we spend Thanksgiving, where we live, or where this life takes us each-we can be an eternal family. One that can be together, forever. I feel so very thankful for this knowledge, and for the many blessings that are mine. Happy Thanksgiving!