12, 13, 14, 15, 16

12- I'M THANKFUL FOR: DATHAN AND KELLIE:
I feel lucky to have a brother and sister-in-law whom I love very much and miss so much with them 3000 miles away in NH. I know it was best for them to expand in his field of study and they really love it out there. I am grateful we are able to talk on the phone and text to keep in touch. They were always fun to be around...Kel's laugh and smile are contagious. Dathan was always very competitive when we played games, but for some reason it didn't bother me. It was kinda fun seeing him so passionate even if just a game. I also miss those sweet kiddos, and especially Kami whom I only got to spend a couple weeks with. They are getting so big and I hope they know how much we love them. Dathan and Kel truly do live up to big brother and sister of the clan.



13- I'M THANKFUL FOR: AARON AND CRYSTAL:
These two have got it together. They are great examples of compassion and love. The way they are with eachother is so sweet to see. My brother truly has so much love for his wife, he's such a great example. He's always smiling at her, helping her, supporting his family, and giving her compliments. And she is very loving back. Even thru hardships, they know how to stick together and rely on the Lord's help. Their kiddos are super cute. The older boys are so fun and have so much energy. It took a few years, but they finally were able to have a little girl. She's so sweet, and hardly ever cries. I love this family and the example they set for others.



14- I'M THANKFUL FOR: DAWN AND JASON:
Oh these two...me and my sister have had alot of ups and downs. When we were growing up, we just hated eachother. It took marriage and not seeing eachother everyday to really realize the love we did have for eachother. Even when they have their hardships, you can still feel the love they have eachother. They are very selfless towards others and always wanting to help those less fortunate. He is very handy...and once he starts a project he's very adamant to keep going till its finished. He works 2 jobs and goes to school full time so she can stay home with her kids, which was her calling in life. The way they sacrifice for eachother is so amazing to see. I love each of their 5 kids and so happy we live close so we can spend time together.



15- I'M THANKFUL FOR: MANDEE AND CRAIG:
Yes, these two are definition of love at first sight. It took them alot of years cause he was older than her, but she has loved him since she was 14. It kills me they are so far away in ME but luckily his company is moving them closer to OR alot sooner than we hoped...next summer. I just love this family. We talk in some means every day, able to skype, talk football every sunday, and our fave is playing Mariokart against eachother via the Wii. They are always happy, in love, grateful, full of testimony, positive, sweet, easy going....it's easy to go on and on with their uplifting they bring to others. I totally miss Jaycee and hope she'll remember us when they move back. I am super sad we won't be around for their new baby, coming in the next couple weeks, but still feel lucky we'll see her in a few months. We just love their example they set for others of how love really does conquer all!



16- I'M THANKFUL FOR: AIMEE AND KYLE:
I love these 2! When we get together we have so much fun and we just love their kiddos. I love Wyatt has given me a nickname, NMERS, and calls me it everytime he talks to me. Little Oakers is my Audrey Hepburn look-alike. Aimee is the baby of the family and we used to follow her around when she was little to take care of her. She's willing to listen to advice and learn new things and hobbies which she does alot since she's a stay-at-home mom. She takes wonderful care of her kiddos and has such a heartwarming smile. Kyle is a very cool guy....laid back, never holds a grudge, hard worker, #1 fan of Coca-A-Cola, and loves Imperial Chinese as much as us. We are so lucky to be close to them and have them in our lives.



I just love my family and feel very lucky we have such a big one!