It's that time of year.

I love this time of year. I love that all week everyone focuses on being grateful for many different things, and then after Thanksgiving, we prepare for Christmas. I love it. I love the fact that the rest of this month and next, life revolves around family, giving, gratitude, and the birth of Christ (not to mention the fact that everyone just seems happier). I love love it!

Now I want to take the time to say how appreciative I am for the things that I have been truly blessed with:

1. My family - My family has been an incredible blessing in my life. I have been blessed with a mom and dad who believe that families are eternal and show their love to each other as well as their children. I love my family.
I'm grateful for my dad - I'm grateful for his strength in the gospel and the way he honors his priesthood. I love the way he treats my mom. I know he loves her and I know he strives daily to make her happy. I'm grateful for the love he shows me and my siblings. I see that love in the way he takes care of us and does whatever he needs in order for us to be safe, comfortable, and happy. Thank you dad.
I'm grateful for my mom - I'm grateful for her strength in the gospel and the way she strives to be obedient in every way. I know she has a testimony and am grateful for her example and the way she touches the lives of those around her. I'm grateful for the service she gives to her husband and children on a daily basis. She loves her family and she loves my dad. I have never doubted her love for those around her. I'm grateful I can relate to her on so many levels...chocolate chip cookies, not wanting to socialize, and our trips to Target. Thank you mom.

I'm grateful for Kristin - I'm grateful for her thoughtfulness. She has always been there for me and is a constant listening ear. She loves her family and I know she is a wonderful mother to her little Avery and is an amazing wife to Mike. I'm grateful for her example to me. I know I can call her if I ever just need to talk. I love that she's so crafty...I have so much to learn from her!! P.S. Let's craft over Christmas! Thank you Kristin.
I'm grateful for Jeremy - I'm grateful for his positive attitude for life. I know he is an amazing father to his little girls. I have always looked up to Jeremy as a hardworker and someone who is patient. I'm grateful for the way I see him treat those around him, always kind. I'm grateful for the way he loves Hannah. I love how goofy he can be and how he makes me laugh. Thank you Jeremy.
I'm grateful for Josh - I'm grateful for his sincerity and his ability to light up a room by simply walking in. He is truly Christlike and I know that he strives on a daily basis to do what's right. He loves his girls and is an amazing father and wife to Melissa. I love his sense of humor. You just can't help but laugh when you're with him, and he leaves you a better/happier person. Thank you Josh.
I'm grateful for Dustin - I'm grateful for his testimony and the love he shows to those around him, especially Mariel. I know he is a person who strives to do what's right. He is a goof sometimes, and I love his humor and the way he teases me sometimes (I am afterall, and will always be, his little sister). Thank you Dustin.

I'm grateful for Mike, Hannah, Melissa, and Mariel. I have been blessed with the best brother/sister-in-laws. The thing I've always wanted for my siblings is to be loved by someone as much as I love them, and they do. I'm grateful for their examples to me and the love they show to me and my family. (Us Skinner's can be kind of weird sometimes :)

I love my family. I'm pretty sure I have the best one.

I'm also grateful for -
the gospel, my testimony, my roomates, BYU, warm showers, heated cars, computers, chocolate, exercise, temples, thoughtful notes, and music.

Happy Thanksgiving!