*happy thanksgiving!!

it's thanksgiving.
how can i not blog about things i'm thankful for on thanksgiving day? i can't!

tuesday at practice one of our coaches gave us "gratitude journals", she challenged us to take the time to write 5 things every night. it's sort of like the "happy book" i have, but it will be more day to day, instead of things that just make me happy in general. i'm actually really excited about it! i have 2 days done and can't wait to write in my 5 for tonight.

i love this time of the year! it's a time to take a step back and remember what you're grateful for and why your really here.

so here's a few things:

i'm grateful for my uvdt girls. they honestly mean so much to me and i am always so excited to see them and spend time with them. i've been taking a lot of games lately. one of the girls asked me why the other day, but i just blew it off like it was no big deal. the reality? i love to be able to help one of them out when they need it, plus it's one more day, one more hour, one more game, one more memory, that i get to have and cherish with them. some days at practice or at games can be miserable, but when i take a step back and look around, i remember how grateful i am to be there and to be there with those amazing girls.

i'm grateful for my mom. i don't know what i would do without her. but really. i couldn't do anything without her. i wouldn't be a functioning human being if it weren't for everything she has done, and continues to do for me. people wonder what i do in my spare time? i hang out with my mom! many times i feel like she's the only friend i have, and the only friend i know i'll always have.

i'm grateful for the ability i have to dance. i know i'm not the best dancer, i don't have the best technique, or the best tricks, or the best performance. but it's what i love to do. i love that i get to be inspired by it and that i also get to inspire and touch other peoples lives with what i do. it's the best part about it! and when i'm out on the floor performing i feel unstoppable. i wish that i had as much confidence in my every day life as i do when i'm out on the floor dancing.

i'm grateful for the studio i came from and all they taught me.
i'm grateful for cameras. life would be a disaster if i couldn't take pictures.
i'm grateful for the gospel. i may not know a lot, but i do know that it's true.
i'm grateful for art supplies.
i'm grateful for animals.
i'm grateful for all that i have, i've never had to worry about the next meal, clothes, a warm place to stay, water, if i would see the next day. i've always had plenty.
i'm grateful for fingernail polish.
i'm grateful for toothpaste and toothbrushes.
i'm grateful for heaters.
i'm grateful for people who can sing.
i'm grateful for quotes.

i'm grateful for my life. for the good and the bad. everything has been a blessing or a lesson. nothing goes to waste and i'm so grateful that i have made it through it all, stronger than before. during a trying phase of life, i might not be so willing to say i'm grateful, but looking back on everything i've endured i'm so happy to see the outcomes that have occurred because of it.

tell the people you love that you are thankful for them in your life! express your gratitude because you never know how long you will have what you have. life changes so quickly. so hold this moment fast, and live and love as hard as you know how, and make this moment last, because the best of times is now.

• happy thanksgiving lovelies! grateful for you!