gratitude (and gratuitous photos of myself)

november through december is my favorite time of the year. and while i love having the holidays as an excuse to eat more food than i even knew was possible, i'm more grateful for them as a reminder to me of how blessed i am. sometimes it's hard to look past the commercialization and superficiality that have become so mainstream in this season, but i love that the very nature of thanksgiving and christmas points us to the lord and helps us to recognize our many blessings, especially the gift of our savior.

i was blessed to spend last week in the most delightful and lazy way: sleeping in, spending time with my sister and cousins, hanging out with a couple of my roommates who were still in town, and watching these delightful movies. my sister and i went to her friend's house for thanksgiving and spending the day with her family was so nice. and delicious. (we had nine different types of pie.)

i was literally going to explode.

liz and i made two pecan pies... who knew that pecans cost $12 for a little bag?! highway robbery, macey's, but they were delicious and totally worth it.

i am grateful for my family, my friends, the opportunity to go to BYU, and the gospel of jesus christ. i am also grateful for the tender mercies of the lord—he is constantly blessing me more than i ever deserve. also thanks, liz, for the photos.

i am also grateful for free $10 gift cards to sammy's, and their burgers and shakes which are nothing less than heavenly! i went there today and i had an amazing burger and this red velvet cupcake shake. ohhhhhhh and it was free, too. best. day. ever.

i can't believe this semester has gone by so quickly! just a week and a half more of classes, five final exams, and i'll be on a plane to philadelphia. i can't wait to be home with my family! i miss them lots, especially this girl. and i'm excited, as always, for our little family tradition of a trip to new york city during christmas break. i've missed that place.

15 days.