Joyeux Thanksgiving!

So, it's 3:30 in the morning here in Paris, but I have to write this post while it's still Thanksgiving, at least at home. I just finished skyping my family, and I may or may not have started crying when I heard how my little brother's voice has changed. (Hint: I did cry.) I was super lucky and got to have an actual Thanksgiving meal today with our whole study abroad group. We didn't get to have dinner because we had an art history class tonight, but we had a huge meal before, hung out and played games, slept, and after class got to hang out some more and eat leftovers. I ate so much food and I have zero regrets. The past two years I have had to be away from my family for Thanksgiving, but I have been so lucky to have such fun experiences with my study abroad family, and Kelsie's family last year. It just proves that you can be thankful and feel the love no matter where you are or who you are with!

My life right now is pretty much amazing, and the best part is that I have finally realized how amazing it has always been. I don't mean to brag at all, I just mean that I have learned how to count all the little blessings in my life, and I truly appreciate all the things I am given; good and bad. I want to make a list of some of the things I am grateful for, just to share a little piece of my happiness with everyone. I obviously can't list everything, but here are some things that come to mind:

-my family
-my friends from home
-my friends from BYU
-my study abroad friends
-America
-sweatpants
-One Direction
-hugs
-Disneyland
-food
-smiles
-technology (so I can "be with" my family all the way across the world!)
-the gospel and the church
-the priesthood
-experiences that help me to grow
-music
-Ellen Degeneres, her show, and her many youtube videos that keep me up too late
-Kelsie and Corbin, individually and together
-Cori
-my host family
-my body
-being healthy
-dancing
-pictures
-birthdays
-princesses
-cough drops
-fuzzy socks
-the beach
-California in general
-temples
-the atonement
-my Heavenly Father
-and last, and most importantly, my savior Jesus Christ

That list could literally go on forever, but I think you get the idea. I don't mean to get really serious or preachy and I kind of hate when people do this, but I have to say it. Honestly, my life wouldn't be so amazing and I wouldn't be able to have any of these things (however small) without my Heavenly Father and Jesus. I know that everything I'm going through is a challenge or a blessing that will help me grow in some way, to help me become the best me that I can be, and that is what I am grateful for most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! :)