D-Xired Diamond: One Precious Stone!: November 2013

Hello my wonderful and amazing loves,

This is part 2 of my Thanksgiving Day posts. This post is about the people and things that I'm thankful for in my life.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom."

– Marcel Proust

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, ‘Thank you?’"

– William Ward

First, I'm thankful to God for giving me the life that I live today. And though it may not always be perfect, I still appreciate it and I cherish it. I'm incredibly thankful for the people that God has given me the opportunity to meet and become friends with. I know that everyone I've met in my life has changed me in some way, many of them for the better. So, I thank God for that and each and every blessing that God has created for me.

Second, I'm thankful for my mother. My mother is one of the strongest, kindest, and sweetest women that I've ever met. She has her moments just like anyone else but she will talk to anyone who's willing to talk to her. It's one of her best qualities. Thank you mom for raising me and my little sister, Nico, all on your own! We love you for that! I thank God for making you my mother! :)

Third, I'm thankful for my little sister Nico. 2 years younger than me, and I couldn't be prouder of you. We've been through a lot and yet, there's still love between us. Your best quality is your courage to be who you are and to say whatever you want to say. Although, you share in me and mom's stubbornness. Haha! I love you! I thank God for making you my little sister! :)

I'm thankful for my family. Although we are not the closest family, we are still very loving. I'm glad that God gave me my family. I love you all!

I'm thankful for my best friend and big sis, Ja. She's incredible! She's my twiny. I love her and the moments and memories that we've shared together. She knows me better than I know myself. She's the sweetest, most kindest soul I've ever met. Even during my lowest points in life, she has been there for me-- right by my side. I'm so glad that God brought you into my life. Although we met in high school, it seems like we've known each other forever. I love you! Thank you for your big heart and larger than life persona! It's nice to have someone in your life who's as crazy as you are! :)

I'm thankful for my Godmother (Angie) and my God family. You all have shown me what a family looks like. And you all welcomed me into your family and homes with open arms and open hearts. I cannot begin to describe how it feels to fit into a family as big, beautiful, and close knit as your family! It's so amazing and beautiful! I'm so glad that God brought you all into my life. I love you all!

I'm thankful for my big sis Te. I know that we're like miles apart and it's killing me but I know that our friendship is still intact. We met in the sixth grade and we've been sisters/friends ever since. It's crazy how life changes over the years and yet, we still talk and keep in touch. You are so kind and generous. I have memories with you that will last forever. Thank you for your big heart! I'm so glad that God brought you into my life. I love you!

I'm thankful for my longest friends/family, The Lamping's and The Pacheco's. I've known both families since I was a little kid, in like the 5th grade. Both families have watched me grown into the person that I'm today. I thank you all for your kindness, love, and support throughout the years. Rachael and Tabitha, thanks for your friendship over the years. And though our lives are different, it's nice to know that you both are still there whenever I need you! I'm so glad that God brought you all into my life! I love you all!

I'm thankful for my little sister Kali. I hate how life has separated us for a little while. It's crazy because we both miss each other like crazy! I've had some of my funnest memories with you! I love your adorable, cute, crazy self! So many good times, and just simple and cherished moments. You are just the sweetest thing ever! Hopefully one day we will be able to hang out and have fun again! And thanks to mama Krista! You open your heart and doors to me as well! I'm thankful that I got to know you! I'm so glad that God brought you both into my life! I love you both!

I'm thankful for my little sister Jenny. Although we've never met in person, you've inspired me to make a difference in the world. You've inspired me to be a better person. And I know it sounds crazy since we've never met in real life but I guess it's one of those things that you can't fully explain. It's because of you that I've helped others in a way that I would have never imagined. Thank you! Thank you for your kind heart, compliments, and friendship. I'm so glad that God brought you into my life. I love you!

I'm thankful for my sister Maggie H. We met in college at Rockhurst University and we still keep in touch. And though you're in Virginia and I miss you like crazy, we still find time to say hello and to stay updated in each other's lives. Thank you for all of your kindness and support. You have given me some of the sweetest compliments that I've ever received! I thank you for that! I miss your laughter and joy! It was always good times with you. I know that one day we will find a way to meet each other and hang out again! I'm so glad that God brought you into my life. I love you!

I'm thankful for my friends Meghan P. and Michelle C. In all honesty, you're two out of the three from my college life at Rockhurst University that has kept in touch with me and I'm thankful for that! It's nice to see friendships that last past college! And to you Meghan P., you even came back to hang out with me and spend time with me. You're the kindest and sweetest person ever! And you're so goofy and funny! Thank you both for your friendship! I'm so glad that God brought you both into my life! I love you both!

I'm very thankful to Susan P., Molly Ann R., and Cheryl M. for continuing to believe in me and support me over the years. I may have met all of you kind ladies at different times during my life but you three still continue to support me today. I'm so thankful for that! Your encouragement and support has pushed me to do things that I never thought I could do and has blessed me with tremendous opportunities! Thank you! And thank you to ALL of my teachers (especially Ms. Deatherage, Mrs. Shreve, Mrs. R. Dempsey, Mrs. Tucker, Ms. Smith, Mr. M. Good, Mr. D. Johnson, Mrs. P. Miller, Dr. M. Beverlin, etc.) that have supported and encouraged me along the way. I love you all! I'm so glad that God brought you both into my life!

I'm thankful for all of the friends that I've made in my life. I'm really thankful for the friends that are still in my life today, each and every one of you. There has been and still are so many friends that I've had/still have that I can't possibly name you all but I'm thankful for you. Thank you for all of your kindness, support, encouragement, and friendship over the years. I'm truly blessed to know each and every one of you! I love you all! I'm so glad that God brought you all into my life!

I'm thankful for my sorority sisters. Each and every one of you have changed my life for the better. And though I don't talk to you guys anymore, I still remember how wonderful and amazing you ladies are! I love you all! I'm so glad that God brought you both into my life! I'm a Delta Xi Phi (DXP) sister for life! :)

I'm thankful to my blogger friends and followers. I'm eternally grateful that you all continue to follow my blog! Thank you in particular to Sam and Francesca Romana Capizzi. You two ladies are the best! I admire both of your blogs and your friendship! You both are amazing and inspiring young ladies! And thank you so much to Sam! Sam, you are the best blogger friend and young lady EVER! You've commented on so many of my posts and the fact that you keep in touch with me and see how I'm doing is truly amazing! Your kindness and compliments are very much appreciated! Thank you so much! I hope one day we can meet! :) I love you both! I'm so glad that God brought you both into my life!

I'm thankful for Mahn, Grover, and sweet Suk. Thank you for supporting me over the years and being a big help to me and my family. I'm thankful for everyone I've ever met. Thank you for changing me in some way!

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse."

– Henry Van Dyke

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls."

– Aesop

"Make it a habit to tell people thank you.

To express your appreciation,

sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.

Truly appreciate those around you,

and you'll soon find many others around you.

Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it."

– Ralph Marston

“Being grateful is humbling. If we appreciate the simple things as well as our achievements and a simple hello from someone else and show courtesy to others, we will certainly express our gratitude to God.”

― Ellen J. Barrier

"Thanksgiving is a time when the world gets to see just how blessed and how workable the Christian system is. The emphasis is not on giving or buying, but on being thankful and expressing that appreciation to God and to one another."

– John Clayton

"There is no racial or ethnic involvement in Thanksgiving, and people who may be very distant from the Christian system can see the beauty and the positive spirit that comes from the holiday."

– John Clayton