Day 18

I am so grateful for the Sabbath.  There is a special peace that comes with it, and I love having an entire day to forget about errands, laundry, groceries, chores, pre-school, work, etc. and really focus on the Savior.  An entire day to re-fill and re-charge.

Day 17

I am so grateful for Jared's parents.  They do so much for us, and help so much with the kids.  They had the kids at their house most of the day yesterday so I could rest.

Also grateful for Mandee and Connie, who stopped by with some yummy chicken noodle soup.  Just what I needed.

I am grateful for all the ways my in-laws go out of their way to help and serve our family.  I am so blessed to feel like they aren't "in-laws" at all. :)

Day 16

I am so grateful for the temple.  I'm grateful that we have a temple so close, and that Jared and I are able to attend together.  It was just what I needed last night.  Who doesn't love a date night with the husband?!

Day 15

Today I am grateful for cuddle time with my kids.  I haven't been feeling very well, and they have been so understanding.  They brought their own pillows and blankets to the couch to hang out and make me feel better.  Throughout the day, I was able to have individual cuddle time with each of them.  I hold on to those moments, I feel like if I blink they'll be old and never want to cuddle again!

Day 14

Today I'm grateful that Emma and Maddie have each other. They ate their breakfast and took off playing all different kinds of pretend games(school, ballerina, house). Emma spent some time "reading" to Maddie and Briggs. Absolutely love days like this. :)

Day 13

Today I'm grateful for the Scriptures.  I love that I can find an answer to any question within them.

Day 12

I am grateful for technology.  It is so nice to be able to keep in constant contact with friends and family through phone calls, texting, facebook and blogging.  I love that I can chat with my mom in moments when I have a quick question(or need a long talk!).  I love hearing from my little sister on her mission through e-mail each week.  I love that I can talk to my little brother through texting- he's not much of a talker- texting is necessary with him. :)  I call my sister-in-law to get a recipe or exchange parenting ideas, as well as so many other things.  I also love to chat with my older brothers often over the phone.

My brothers and sister and parents exchange weekly family e-mails on Sunday nights/Monday mornings, and it is a highlight of my week.  I read the one from my dad this morning, and I just love him lots.  Since I don't live next door to them, technology makes me feel like I do sometimes, and I am grateful for it!

Day 11

Today I am so grateful for our home.  It snowed a couple of inches, the wind blew a LOT, and the temperatures were very low.  I was grateful to have my family warm and safe inside.

Our home is a shelter from the storm, both literally and spiritually, and I'm grateful for my husband working so hard to provide it for us.  He also works so hard to maintain and update it.

And he also works incredibly hard to bring the Spirit to our home, to make it a place where our family has refuge and feels safe.  As I watched him bow his head in prayer in his car before he drove off for work this morning(as I have seen hundreds of times before), I know who and what he is praying for, and I appreciate his love of our family.  He's a good man.

Day 10

Today I am grateful for my body, and for my health.

It is truly incredible what I'm physically capable of doing.  Heavenly Father's creations are all so amazing, but I think the human body tops them.  The way everything functions so well together, to jump, run, create life, fights off sickness, repair, and so much more.

And with all the many functions and capabilities, there are also so many things that can become injured or weakened.

As I ran on a steep uphill stretch through a blizzard in a couple of inches of snow in a 5K today, my lungs were on fire, my muscles were burning, my toes were numb, and I was grateful.  What an incredible blessing to even be able to take a deep breath, to even walk... and I was accomplishing something so so beyond that.  I did not walk even one step.  The motto at our house is "We do hard things."  Yes we do.

What a blessing.

PS- Did I mention Jared did the 5K, too?  Oh, and he finished in ONLY 24 MINUTES?!  He's kind of a show off like that.

Day 9

I'm so grateful for laughter, and good friends who make me laugh so hard I cry.  Everyone needs that kind of therapy!  Love it!

Especially grateful for it on days like today... new challenges and new changes... for so many close to me.  It is good to put things in perspective and see the positive.  God is good, life is great, I am BLESSED!

Day 8- Children

I am so grateful for my children, and how much they teach me about life.  I'm also blessed to spend time with Emma and Maddie's little friends, nieces and nephews and primary children.  I can't even begin to tell you how many times they have said something that has touched me or taught me.

They teach me a lot about being grateful for the little things.  They tend to notice the most interesting rocks, cool gopher holes, unique leaves or textures.  Today I taught pre-school, and feathers, flour and fans(homemade paper ones) were such big hits.  They wanted to explore every aspect, and noticed things about each of them that I have missed seeing hundreds of times.

They teach me to see the good in others.  Always.  Last night we read an article from the Friend about a girl whose friends were watching bad movies, saying bad words, and playing bad games.  We posed the question to Emma and Maddie, "What do you do if your friend is watching a bad movie?"  Her response, "I just ask them to watch a nice one."  I know her answer is logical, but when I have seen someone making a choice I don't agree with, I usually don't say anything or try to help like I should, I probably assume the worst.  Emma's answers were all along the lines of thinking that her friends don't want to watch those things, either.  She just assumes the good in them, in all people.

They teach me to see the beauty in everything.  I have kept old popsicle sticks and the girls use them in the bath tub because, when wet, they stick to the side of the tub.  Usually they try to make letters.  This morning Maddie was getting out of the bath and was putting away all the toys.  I went to take the sticks down and she said, "Mom!  Did you see my rainbow?!  It is so beautiful!"  It really was, and took some preciseness to get it just the way she wanted.

They teach me to follow my heart.  I can't tell you the number of times that one of my children or primary kids have absolutely stunned me with their insight.  Honestly, I have felt some of the things they share, but have more reservations than them, so I don't act on them like I should.

And really there are so many more things, but today I'm just grateful for the kindness, sensitivity, happiness, sense of humor and optimism that I learn from the children in my life.

Voting for Dinner

Yesterday I decided to make two dinners, and have our family vote, with majority rule determining what we eat.  So I made brown rice, chicken stroganoff and steamed veggies, as well as taco meat, whole wheat tortillas and salad.  We decided we would vote on each part of dinner(i.e. carbs, proteins, veggies) and then however the combo ended up we would eat it.  I figured whatever was left over we would eat the next night.

Well, about twenty minutes before the rice was finished, we got a call to go help rake some leaves, so Jared took the girls and went to do that.  And his Grandma fed them all pizza for helping.  They even brought pizza home for Briggs and I since we couldn't go while the rice was cooking.

Haha, one of those times where I had a good idea, it fell through, but guess who doesn't have to make dinner today or tomorrow?!  Still seems like I came out ahead!

Day 7

I am grateful for the Constitution and what it represents. I'm grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America. With great blessings come great responsibility, and I place my trust in God and what our country stands for. Yesterday when I finished voting, Emma and Maddie were given stickers "I Voted" stickers, too. As I was buckling them into the car, Emma said, "Mom, I need my sticker over my heart, it has the flag." As we drove down the road, the girls recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It begins with me- with US- in our homes and communities.

And the Church released this statement today, and I wanted to save it in my "journal" here.

"The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement today: 

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in 

our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

Love the church and the way they always handle things.  Makes me want to be better.

Day 6

Day 6: Today I am grateful for FREEDOM! Isn't is great that we get to do what we want to do, be what we want to be, worship how we choose, and have the right to vote for who we want?! We are very blessed- go vote because you can!!

I've been thinking a lot about my political views, and I've found that I don't fit into any category.  I'm not a Republican or Democrat.  I lean to being a conservative, but not completely.  I don't check boxes just because a candidate falls into a specific category.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs this morning and she feels the same way as I do.  The way I vote is based upon what I believe, and what my values are as a Christian. 

She said:  

"And having the Bible as my basis for truth means that:

• Life (beginning at conception) is sacred (Psalm 139: 13-16)
• Marriage is a holy, God-ordained joining together of one man and one woman (Mark 10:7-9)
• Debt weakens an individual’s (and by extension, a country’s) efficacy and strength (Proverbs 22:7)
• We are to be kind/generous to the poor, but idleness/entitled behavior is wrong (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-12)"

AMEN!  Love this.

NOW GO VOTE!!! :)

Day 5

Today I am so grateful for nature.  It was a GORGEOUS day, and we took full advantage of it.  A couple of walks, gathering leaves and rocks, riding bikes, and even a little picnic.  Love the sunshine, beautiful fall colors and all the beauty that fall brings.

I even love the smells and sounds that come this time of year when you're outside.  Crunching leaves, the sound of blowing leaves.  The crisp cool feeling.  I love it all.  A perfect day!

Day 4

Today I am grateful for Miss Madelyn.  She is our early riser, and this morning was no exception-it usually means extra cuddle time with her.  Her vocabulary has exploded this month, and our conversations are always entertaining.  She is so sassy, but also so sweet and loves to help with Briggs and play with Emma.

For the majority of her life, she has been a daddy's girl, through and through.  She cries for him in the night, when she gets hurt she wants him, she wakes up early enough to see him before he goes to work.  But on her birthday, she woke up on my birthday crying for me, and we haven't turned back(haha, two days, but still!).  She and I are buddies.

(Wearing Dad's hat)

This morning we were chatting, this is how the conversation went:

Me:  Maddie, guess what today is?!
Maddie:  Sunday!
Me:  I like Sundays, too.  Why do you like Sundays?
Maddie:  I get to go to class!  I love my class... with my friends- what their names?  Oh!  Whitney!  And my teacher.  We call her sister.  She my sister?  And we sing!
Me:  I like going to class and I like singing, too.  I also like to take the Sacrament.
Maddie:  Me too!  Because that when Jesus comes.  And he make me feel so happy right here (hand on her heart).  Jesus love me, he want me be nice.
Me:  He does.  How can you be nice?
Maddie:  I help Briggs.  And share toys.  Dad nice!
Me:  He is nice.  What does he do that is nice.
Maddie:  He make me oatmeal.  And I eat it all.  And he make me pancakes.  And eggs.  Oh, and sausage.  He a good guy.

In other parts of our conversation she said:
"Uncle Ane your brother.  He loves me.  I love Uncle Ane so much."
"Emma is too tired.  She not like me today."
"Mom you can't have that gum.  You are too big for it."

"

Day 3

Today I am so VERY grateful for my husband.  I'm convinced he is the best there is.

He has spent every spare minute working on my birthday present, just trying to make sure I had something special and meaningful.  I talk... a lot.  But somehow he is able to pick up on the little things I say and lets me know he cares about all the little things.  If it is important to me, it is important to him.


He really completes me and makes me better.  I can't imagine life without him.

Day 2

Day 2: So grateful for the people in my life. I'm so blessed by so many good examples of love, service, kindness and friendship in my friends and family. I don't say it enough, but I hope you know how grateful I am for each of you!!  

I was thinking of a couple examples of this in the last month or so...

-The ELEVEN different visits from friends/family who stopped in the first 24 hours after Emma had her tonsils out.  It was so sweet, and made her feel so special.

-My mom and dad watching Maddie and Briggs for two days so we could focus on Emma and helping her feel better.  The countless visits and phone conversations that make me a better person.  They are the epitomy of hard work and I admire all that they are and do.  I'm very blessed to have them, can't imagine who I would be without them.

-The friends who invited us over for dinner "just because" and gave us a relaxing night as their children watched ours.

-My Valiant 9 primary class.  I know they aren't technically "mine" anymore, but they always will be.  Their sweet testimonies and the joy they find in helping others inspire me.

-The text from a friend that made my day.  You never know when the kind words you say will make a difference.

-The inspiring thought from my sister-in-law that may have changed my way of thinking forever.  

-Our neighbors.  It is a joke around here that you can't go for a walk around the neighborhood, because you'll always stop and talk and never make it around.  Last night was no exception. :)  And our neighbors are such good people, always looking for ways to help one another.  I know I could always call them in the middle of the night in an emergency.

-My workout buddies.  It goes beyond exercising.  We have had some of the most spiritual discussions and inspiring conversations I've ever had.  And they've literally seen me at my worst, and still want to see me again. :)

-My brother Zane.  He is always thinking of things he can do for me.  More than anything, he calls and lets me talk his ear off about my day.  And he comes to our house every Tuesday night to watch our kids while we go to mutual.  Pretty much EVERY Tuesday night for over a year.  He gets serious points for that!

-Jared's parents.  They are so generous and teach us so much about being selfless.  They watch our kids so often, while we go to Bishop's Youth Discussions, Bishop's Youth Council, Temple Baptism trips, date nights, and much more.  The make what could become a burden so easy and possible by just being them.  Oh, and I didn't even mention Sunday dinners every week!  We probably couldn't survive without them!

I'm probably leaving off lots more, but know that I am GRATEFUL for you and the things you do!!

Day 1

I love doing gratitude posts.  I should do them more often, more than just in November, but it does help me keep focused as we approach the holiday season.

Today I'm grateful for my mom.  No matter what, she is always there for me... whether it is helping with the kids, saving the day(as only moms and grandma's can), bringing birthday fun, a good talk on the phone, or the countless times I know she kneels and prays for me and our little family... she teaches me so much about what motherhood is... I want to grow up to be like her someday.  Love you, Mom!