What we are REALLY grateful for

It is the season of gratitude, counting your blessings, and thanking those you love. In the spirit of thanks we compiled the following list of the less conspicuous things we are grateful for-- of course we are deeply grateful for our fantastic families, the church, school, our jobs, etc. We are truly blessed- in more ways that one would probably think.

• We are grateful that Daniel won that stinkin' iPad. At first it seemed just like a toy, but then Ashley's laptop wasted away to the equivalent of a typewriter, and now it is an essential when both need to be doing homework.
• The apartment BUILDING we are in, not just our apartment. Nearly all of our neighbors are hardly ever home--we practically own the place.
• Free Melaleuca cleaning products--every time we clean our apartment it smells like a forest of eucalyptus.
• The crock-pot- food goes in before we leave for work and then we come home to a finished meal. Without it, we eat at 10 o'clock or later.
• The return of Ashley's iPod--It was lost for over a week and a half. We almost lost hope-then it was found under Daniel's parent's bed.
• The fact that our parents live one mile from each other--we were all able to have a happy Thanksgiving together (Something impossible for a lot of other in-laws out there) :)
• Macy's- Our favorite bed sheets of all time randomly started falling apart. We took them back praying for some sort of compensation for our year-old sheets---they gave us brand new ones!! ($200 sheets!)
• Rexburg during the school breaks- This town is so much better when there aren't 15,000 crazy students running around. It turns into the small little community it was meant to be. And in light of recent blizzards, it is better they aren't all here driving like maniacs.
• Our TV (Sad, but true)- It is our favorite form of entertainment (What else are we supposed to do when it is minus 10 degrees outside?!)
• One of my favorites: the invention of contacts- we are both so incredibly blind that contacts are a daily miracle for us. Love those little guys.
• Deseret Book Platinum Program--Ashley has to try to sell as many as humanly possible, but they sure to pay you back. After purchasing everyone's Christmas presents we were able to get a $90 Jim Shore nativity for free--using the points we earned and incentives Ashley received for selling Platinums. :)
• Being tall- We look forward to our freakishly tall posterity.
• Snow? Wait, no, nevermind.
• Poptarts- Ashley's breakfast necessity.
• FSN- Daniel never has to miss a Jazz game.
• Christmas Tree scented candles- Believe it or not, we have a fake tree. (A Christmas sin in Daniel's book)
• Daniel's parent's old broken recliner they gave us. There is much less fighting over couch space now.
• That we don't live in China-- long story, but Ashley is in a Modern China class, and swears China is the most bizarre place on Earth.
• The Office- without it we would have nothing to watch, nothing to quote, and would miss out on our several laughing spells over Office humor. We have seen most episodes 2-5 times.
• Netflix- Most convenient thing ever.

Well, that's all we came up with tonight. Of course there is always more. We love and miss all our family, and wish all of you this best this holiday season. We are grateful for all our friends and family. And whether we care to admit it, we are grateful for school ( I think ) and all the opportunities we are granted. This is a great time in life. Happy Holidays everyone!!