Grateful!

I went visiting teaching today and the lesson was appropriately on being grateful. Sad thing is, is that even though it is Thanksgiving in two days, I hadn't even given this a thought. But I am grateful that I had this lesson to remind me of all the things that I am thankful for.

First of all, I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful that he works as hard as he does for us, that he is willing to use his paycheck for nothing other than vacations, and that he is willing to serve our country. I am SO GRATEFUL that he is HOME (and home safe) from Afghanistan. It was hard to have him gone and Iam so happy now that we are back together and that now I can look forward to all the fun times in Italy ahead ofus. I love him so much!

I am grateful for my family. I am grateful that I get to talk to them once a week and that they are always there for me even though they live 9,000 miles away. I love them so much!!! I am very grateful for my Grandma, who came to live with me for three months just to keep me company. And we had the BEST time! I know that it cost her a lot of money to stay here, and I am grateful for her sacrifice.

I am grateful to live in Italy. I know that I have an amazing opportunity that I sometimes take for granted. Especially when I am homesick. But I absolutely love it here and don't want to leave anytime soon! We love the friends that we have made, Italian and American. (P.S. We are open to any and all visitors! We would love to show you around!)

I am thankful for my In-laws. It's so wonderful to have another family as great as your own. We were so lucky that they came to visit and we had so much fun. They are very supportive to us and we love them.

There is so much more that I am grateful for this Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for and we couldn't ask for a happier life.

Sono cosi grato per la mia famiglia, gli amici e le possibilita di vivere in Italia. Ti voglio bene tutti!!

Another vacation!

I have been a MAJOR slacker on my blog lately. I lot has been going on the last month. First Dustin finally got home from Afghanistan, October 4th. It is so great to have him home, though now I have more laundry :( His parents came out to visit and arrived on the 12th. We stayed super busy with them. We went fishing in Slovenia, to Florence, Siena, Venice, Garmisch, Munich, Salzburg, and Paris. We had such a fun time and it was sad to see them leave. It was sure great to finally see some family!

Getting ready to go fishing in Slovenia

Siena. Piazza Del Campo

On the Vecchio bridge in Florence

We stayed at a really cute house in Florence that we had all to ourselves! I LOVED it there!

I loved all the unique furniture

Looking out over Florence

The really cute hotel we stayed at in Garmisch. It was so much fun because they would have music and dancing every night on the main level.

Eating at the Hofbrauhaus

It was our first time to PARIS and I loved every minute of it

I loved watching the Eiffel Tower at night sparkle! It was so beautiful!