One-a-day Gratitude

Thursday, November 25, 2010 - Thanksgiving Day!!  A day to count our blessings.  I have so much for which to be grateful!

I walked a 5K this morning with my walking friend.  It was cold, but we decided to go anyway.  I would have opted out if it hadn't been for her.  I am grateful once again for her.  We were both thrilled we finished and feel we accomplished something good - we contributed to the Utah Food Bank; we were part of the community; we got some exercise.  I am grateful ...

When I got home from the 5K, the girls rushed me back to bed so they could make me breakfast in bed.  Once again, I am overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness.  And breakfast was delicious.  I am grateful ...

And now, as I relax a little before we head off to my parents for a Thanksgiving feast, I am grateful ...

 for family near and far,

for the warmth and safety of my home,

for the ability to do hard things,

for the security of our jobs,

for the comfort those jobs provide,

to be an American Citizen,

for the freedoms of the United States of America,

for loving parents,

for good friends,

for the gospel of Jesus Christ,

for temples,

for my beautiful children,

for my loving husband who is my everything.

I am grateful.

One-a-day Gratitude

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - We had a blizzard today.  Lots of wind, lots of snow, zero visibility.  There wasn't much accumulation, but it was a little scary to drive at that time.  I am grateful for my warm house where we stayed and watched a movie as a family.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - I came home today and found that my girls had made me a giant birthday cookie complete with a frosting message.  It was the cutest thing ever!!  I am so grateful that they thought of something they could do for me.  I am grateful for them.  I couldn't ask for better children.  They are the joy in my life!

One-a-day Gratitude

Friday, November 19, 2010 - Matt registered for Spring semester today.  He has a very full schedule again next sememster.  The good news - after spring semester, he will only have 2 classes to complete for graduation.  I can't believe it!!  It has been such a long journey.  We finally have the finish line in sight.  I am grateful for his perseverence, his dedication, and his stamina.  And I am grateful he is almost finished!

Saturday, November 20, 2010 - I got up early this morning with a long 'to do' list - grocery shop, get I's room put back together, rake leaves and pump the water off the pool cover.  I didn't get everything done, BUT I did get the leaves raked and the water pumped off the pool cover before we received a foot of snow!  I am grateful for the strength of my body which enabled me to get the yard work completed so we wouldn't have quite such a mess when the snow melts.

Sunday, November 21, 2010 - Our bishop has started tithing settlement.  I have never given much thought to the long hours this entails for the entire bishopric.  I have a completely different perspective now.  I am grateful for this new perspective and the opportunity I had to serve the bishopric by taking dinner to them to help sustain them through their long hours.

Monday, November 22, 2010 - Daughter #1 started playing the viola this fall when school began.  There are days when 20 minutes of practice seem like an eternity.  I will say that 20 minutes aren't quite as long as they were in the beginning of the school year.  She has improved tremendously.  I am grateful for her discipline and dedication to this instrument.  I am also grateful for the inexpensive insurance policy that I purchased when we rented the instrument.  It paid for itself this week when we had to get the sound post reset - whatever that means.

One-a-day Gratitude

Missed a day again.  Yesterday was CoMPLeTeLy crAzY!  I left the house at 7:40 AM and got home at 9:30 PM.  It was definitely a LONG day.  But ... 3 hours were spent having dinner with some good friends.  It was wonderful. 

Thursday, November 18, 2010 - I am grateful for girlfriends.  It is so comforting to gather with women who have similar challenges and victories.  We laughed, we cried, we shared parenting and homemaking tips and ideas (I mostly listened at this point since I don't have have many tips or ideas).  I am so graterful for these women.  They enrich my life tremendously.

One-a-day Gratitude

We went to Parent/Teacher conference last night.  This is what we got:

All of the girls' teachers said that they wished they had a classroom of I & G.  None could even think of anything upon which the girls need to improve.  Such wonderful things to hear about your children.

Today I am grateful for obedient, helpful, disciplined, thoughtful, respectful children.  My heart is full as I think of the beautiful young women they are becoming - inside and out.  I am grateful to be a mother.

One-a-day Gratitude

Darn.  I'm a day behind again.  This every day thing is killing me.

Monday, November 15, 2010 - Matt passed his math final today!  I am grateful that he will be home one more night each week.  It has been a very hard semester.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - I am grateful we get to eat dinner together as a family tonight.  We haven't done that a lot this semester.  See above.

One-a-day Gratitude

Oh dear, I am 3 days behind.  I know exactly how it happened.  I was busy making a home and serving the Lord.  Here are 3 more things for which I am grateful . . .

Friday, November 12, 2010 -

I have a love/hate relationship with fall.  I love the beautiful colors of the leaves on the trees, but I hate spending 6 hours disposing of them.  Today I am grateful the neighbors' trees don't have any more leaves.  I am exhausted.


Saturday, November 13, 2010 - I am grateful for ibuprofen today.  After physically working for about 10 hours yesterday painting and raking leaves, my body is crying in pain from years of inactivity.  Note to self:  make regular exercise a priority.

Sunday, November 14, 2010 -

Church was wonderful today.  The speakers and teachers had prepared thought provoking and inspiring messages.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be there and be edified.

One-a-day Gratitude

No surprises today.  I am grateful for the brave men and women who fight for our freedom and the freedom of others throughout the world.  My life has been greatly enriched because of your sacrifice.

Today is your day. 

Thank you.

One-a-day Gratitude

I'm grateful that a long postponed project is nearing completion.

Expected completion date is Friday, Nov. 12th.  I'll post pictures then.

One-a-day Gratitude

I balanced the checkbook and paid our monthly bills today.  When I was finished, there was some money left over - more than I expected. 

Today I am grateful for my old car with no monthly payment, my modest house with a low mortgage payment, a job that provides in bounty for our needs, and the scholarships which Matt received eliminating the need to pay tuition.

Now I pray for discipline to not splurge and spend the extra we have.

I will be transferring some money into savings tomorrow.

One-a-day Gratitude

I have so many things for which to  be grateful today; it's hard to pick just one.  So since it's been a cold, rainy day, today I am thankful for ...

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Basil Soup.  Delicious!

There is nothing better for dinner than warm soup on a cold fall/winter day.

One-a-day Gratitude

Today, I am grateful for my parents-in-law.  They are kind, loving, generous people. 

Each Sunday, we gather at their home for family dinner.  It is a treasured tradition.  And, I must admit, I love not having to prepare dinner on Sunday.  But beyond that, I truly enjoy the time we get to spend with extended family.  It creates a bond of love.  They are an example of love and devotion to each other and to family.

I am truly grateful for them.

Two-a-day Gratitude

Since I missed yesterday, there will be 2 today.

1.  Our dad is gone Monday through Thursday, so Friday has become our Family Night.  It is my favorite night of the week.  We get to eat dinner together, then we play games or watch a movie.  Last night was Toy Story 3, an instant classic.  This is our time together and it is priceless.  I'm grateful for Family Night.

2.  I've been looking forward to today all week.  It is rare that we have a Saturday that is unscheduled.  But today is that day!  There are no obligations.  We get to do whatever we want.  Much to the children's disappointment, we will be cleaning and doing yard work, but since most days and nights are full of extra-curricular activities, the house and yard are badly neglected.  I love days when we can work together.  And at the end of the day, stand back and see the results of that work.

Or maybe we'll just go to the zoo.  I guess it doesn't matter.  We'll see what happens.  Maybe we can do both.  I'm grateful for no obligations today and the fact that I don't have to drive children all over the valley.

Saturday Update:  

We did not go to the zoo.  We stayed home and worked inside and out. 

It was a very productive day and at the end of it all, we were filled with love towards one another.

And, the house and yard look much better.

One-a-Day Gratitude, 2010 edition

As I was getting ready to leave our Youth activity last night, the Young Women's President casually asked me if I needed anything for the lesson on Sunday.  In passing, she said she usually doesn't even worry about it because I am "always on top of it".  Kind words and I appreciate the compliment, but I had completely forgotten that it was my turn to teach. 

And so ... today I am grateful for a president who responded to the promptings of the spirit to ask about the lesson on Sunday and for her gentle reminder.

I am also grateful for the wealth of information available on the internet.  Technology is a wonderful thing!  With a little fine tuning, my lesson will be ready in time for Sunday.

One-a-Day Gratitude, 2010 edition

'Tis the season of Thanksgiving.  I love this time of year - the leaves are changing, the weather is turning cooler, special holiday events are being planned.  I spend some time reflecting on the events of the year.  As I reflect, I realize what a blessed life I have.  So ...  one-a-day gratitude is returning for the month of November.

Today, I am grateful for weekly walks with a dear friend.  We take our children so they can play and we get some much needed exercise and to enjoy each other's company.  This walk usually lasts about an hour and at the end of that hour, we are both revitalized.  It is a much needed diversion from the everyday tasks of mothering.

Thank you, my dear friend.  You are a life line to me.