I feel very grateful today for everything that Corey and I have been blessed with. Too often I forget to count my blessings. Corey graduated with his Bachelors in Nursing on December 12th. What a l o n g journey schooling has been for both of us. We have been looking back at our student loans with some regrets, but we are thankful that we have recession proof jobs. We would also like to thank all of you who have supported us in Corey’s schooling endeavors. With giving us a place to stay, watching Adelynn, and giving encouragement. Thank you! Corey likes to stress me out, so he was playing with the idea of becoming a doctor. But, he is loving the freedom of not being in school. So, he has made a decision to stick with the original plan of nurse-anesthetist. He started studying for the GRE the day after he graduated, and he studies every day. I think he just likes to learn?
Anyway, I just wanted to write a few things that I am thankful for. I sang in the choir today at church, and I was able to sing with a few other ladies. We sang “Mary’s Lullaby”, and as I looked in the audience at my daughter I felt very blessed to be a mother and to be mothered by many women in my life. I have many friends and relatives who have taken me under their wing and helped me become the person I am today.
Also, as the bell rang on Friday I had mixed feelings about not seeing my students for sixteen days. Some of my students were going home to no Christmas tree, and are lucky if they can keep warm during this cold winter. I had a Christmas tree in the classroom this year with a present under it for each of them. We also had a Christmas party on Friday before they left and they got spoiled with candy and treats galore. It made me feel good knowing that maybe I can make a difference in their lives and spread some Christmas cheer. When I think about not teaching next year I think about how much I will miss the holidays and fun activities with the students.
Last, I would like to express my gratitude to my Savior for his example of love and selflessness. I am thankful for this time of year to reflect on his love and the opportunity we have to share his message.
Adelynn loves to sit in the drawers. 
Addie playing in the little snow that we do have.
Corey's excited, he graduated Summa Cum Laude!
Addie loves Burger King (yeah for Apple fries)!
I walked away for a minute, when I came back she had this stuck on her head!
At the Anderson Thanksgiving they rewarded Corey with a brand new muzzle loader as a graduation present (He's spoiled, but I'm glad I didn't have to buy it for him). 
This was Corey's initial reaction.
Lance sat all the kids down and gave them a speech about how "He's proud of Corey, and wants all his kids to get their degree". I am glad I already have mine, now he wont kick me out of the family. :)
Thanksgiving at the Stokers was a TON of fun! Corey won this for a white elephant.
Great-Grandkids playing the piano.
It was cell phone mania!
Our small family!
Adelynn and I with the jewish rabbi (too bad he isn't kosher!) 
Cousin Zack with Addie
Mom making the gravy, there are always too many cooks in the kitchen at Grandma's!