A Time of Thanksgiving

Posted by Tracy

It has been a long time since we last updated our blog, but with the Holidays fast approaching I felt it was important to put out an update on what has been going on. I also thought that it would be a nice time to share some of the things that I am thankful for. The idea came from a recent video that a co-worker shared with me called "In the Spirit of Thanksgiving" in which random people on the streets of New York City share a variety of grateful responses to one simple question: "What are you thankful for?"

So I thought I might try and put together a small list of things that I am thankful for:

• A loving, beautiful, and brilliant wife: Hanna never ceases to amaze me with her hard work and passion for life. Whether it is keeping to her gym schedule when I tempt her plenty to just stay home, or how she is such a talented mother -- I am so very grateful that she loves me. Hanna is the motivation for just about everything I do and she pushes me to be better. I am grateful for her love, her beautiful voice, her smiles when I am down, and her encouragement when I tire. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
• A beautiful, smart, funny, and healthy little daughter: Sophie is joy, curiosity, and imagination wrapped up in human form. I love her. I am more and more proud of her every day! She is my hope for the world. I couldn't leave the world with a greater gift than her joyful and loving spirit.
• Wonderful family: Hanna and I have been so very blessed to have great parents, siblings, grandparents, and on and on. We are surrounded by examples of hard work, integrity, faith, kindness, humor, and love.
• Parents of faith and understanding: I am grateful for parents that raised me to believe in something beyond myself. I am grateful that they have taught me to be understanding of others and yet find joy in my own beliefs. They are great examples in my life. My father taught me everything I know about hard work and duty to family. He is my hero. My mother is my rock of faith and a beacon of optimism in a very pessimistic world. She inspires me.
• Country of opportunity: I am so grateful to live in a land of freedom. I love the debate and passion that drives this country. While things aren't perfect, I am still proud to be an American. I am certainly grateful for the troops that defend the freedoms I enjoy!
• A full education: I love BYU. I am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me. The professors there are among the greatest people I know. My time at BYU has opened so many doors and opportunities for Hanna and me. The Accounting program especially has changed my life forever and taught me much more than debits and credits.
• Job security: I am grateful to have a job at Novell that I love and enjoy. I am grateful for the job opportunities which have opened up for Hanna and me. I am especially grateful to kind recruiters and selfless professionals from all the accounting firms which went beyond their normal duties to help me.
• Faith and hope: I am especially grateful for my faith and my beliefs. I love my faith in God. I know that not everyone believes in God, but I am grateful for the way that my beliefs encourage me - the way they make me a better husband, father, son, and brother.
• The small things: I am thankful for many of the little things which make this world a better place: Juice, Indiana Jones, Excel Spreadsheets, the Steelers, Shoes, Warm Showers, Cars, Gandalf and Hobbits, Smartphones that tie my shoes and everything in between, Planes, Craisins, Honey, Electricity, Plumbing, Pillow-top Mattresses, Email, and Fruit Snacks.... Just to name a few.

In other news... I thought it would be nice to update everyone on the recent happenings in our lives. Hanna has been busy at the gym and of course always busy with Sophie. Remarkably, Hanna has turned out to be quite the cook lately. She has really been trying to spice up our home meals and I am learning that she has been hiding or neglecting a valuable talent!

Sophie has been a busy girl as well. She learned how to jump into piles of leaves, count to 10, play in her kitchen (thanks yaya) and is now going to nursery at church. She loves playing with other kids and seems to be on top of the world. Hanna and Sophie will be heading back East for the Christmas Holiday while I stay in Provo to catch up on work. However, we are looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving Week and have plenty of time to plan some fun family events.

I am staying busy with Novell, working as a Teaching Assistant for an Accounting Research professor, and school. However, things have calmed down a bit recently. I participated in PwC's xTax competition again this year (my fourth and final time participating), and our team won first place at BYU! I was very excited and we should find out soon if we make it to Nationals. I also finally ended a very long saga of recruiting and signed an offer with PwC in New York City in their Financial Instruments and Credit Group. I was very impressed with the group there and am excited to begin my career with such talented professionals. So it will be off to New York City sometime next Summer! While everything isn't nailed down quite yet, and changes to our final plans are still possible, we are already getting excited about the move!

Well, I know it was only a small update, but I hope that everyone reading this is doing well. May your Holiday season be one of joy, safety, and great memories with family and friends. Hanna and I have been so very blessed over our years in Provo, Utah and I hope that everyone can take a moment to consider their blessings - What are you thankful for?