#9

Today I am thankful for friends.  I hung out with a good friend today and tonight I get to go to a baby shower and see lots of friends I haven't seen in a long time.  Friends are important and I'm thankful these women accept me for who I am right now.

#8

Once again I am reminded of our good health. Today I am thankful for my family's good health.  I feel like I've tried to do my best to never take this for granted.  We get sick bugs here and there but overall we are all healthy.  I'm thankful for the information I've been able to learn about preventative healthcare, nutritional eating and natural remedies. Most recently I'm thankful for top grade essential oils.  They have saved me lots of money, healed my boys from sickness naturally and been a blessing over the last few years that I've been using them.  I thank my Heavenly Father each day for the mental and physical health of my family and pray we will remain healthy as we get older inorder to serve Him.

#7

Today I am grateful for having a successful day.  The way I measure success has changed from when I was a full time employee.  Success used to mean a pay raise, accolades from the boss or colleagues, praise from clients but since those days are over I've learned how to measure success in my current career.

Today was successful because two children napped at the same time for multiple hours. I was able to really participate in homework with the older two. We all played legos together and no one fought. I fixed a dinner that was eaten by each member of the family and I can't think of one complaint I heard. Scriptures were read, prayers were said and Buster asked "Mom, is there anything I can help you with?"  Hearing those words and then giving him an assignment that was completed without hesitation made me grateful for my children and what they've been taught. To top it off everyone went to bed on time and happy and I kept my patience even though I was alone tonight.

That is how I feel successful.  I'm grateful that long ago I realized it's ok to have a different meaning of success depending on your season in life.

In other news, Romney lost the election last night.  I am dumbfounded.  I feel like apart of America was lost. I thought over the last few years Americans had been humbled and would seek to go back to the basics and want to defend the reasons we have this country in the first place. I thought we'd go back to our core values. What more will it take to bring the American citizens to their knees? May God bless America and may God bless my family.

#6

I'm grateful for the country in which I live and for the right to vote.  Today is election day...probably the most important election I have ever been apart of in my life.  Our country is not strong at the moment in so many ways and needs to have a leader who can help the American people become who they once were...leaders, innovators, examples, entrepreneurs. I'm excited and aprehensive all at the same time.  I'm also glad this day is here...it means spouse and I can have a conversation about something other than politics.

God Bless America!

#5

Today I am grateful to clean the house. It's messy...really messy. But that means there are little people around here, it means we have lots of things, it means we've been busy and been having fun, it means my body is healthy enough to be up, moving around and busy, it means I get to stay home and clean it not rush off to work. For all the reasons I'm grateful to have a house to pick up and clean.

#4

Today I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be baptized, have received the Holy Ghost as a constant guide in my life.  My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ has shaped who I am and the choices I have made.  Knowledge and a testimony of Jesus Christ offers me hope, and true happiness. Lots of people say they don't know where they'd be without the gospel in their lives.  I'm pretty sure I know where I'd be without it and I know I wouldn't be happy.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a lifelong commitment.  It can be time consuming and keep me and my family busy but all the sacrifice and service have brought forth blessings beyond what I feel worthy to receive.

I know I have a Father in Heaven who loves me. I know Jesus Christ was born to Mary, walked this earth, atoned for my sins, died and was resurrected and lives again. I know the Holy Ghost was given to me and is my constant companion. I know Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. I know they are real. I know Heavenly Father seeks for us to seek him and is mindful of our needs, wants and desires.  I know he blesses me and my family in ways seen and unseen.

I am grateful for this knowledge, it is who I am.

Gratitude #3

Today I am grateful for Cub Scouts and the ability it has to change a boy into a man.  With my calling I attended Pow Wow (Scout Training) last night for a couple of hours and again today from 7:30am-4:00pm.  It wouldn't have been my first choice of a way to spend a Saturday but I was glad to be able to go and learn, grateful for a husband who handled 4 boys, two soccer games, a Costco trip and even took the boys out for lunch and picked up the babysitter so he could come pick me up and we could head out to a work function of his. Best of all he didn't forget to bring me a change of clothes so I wasn't stuck wearing my scout shirt all evening. I enjoy the scout program and am grateful to help play a part in shaping the future men in America.

Tomorrow I'll be very grateful to see my kids...didn't get to do that today and I miss holding and hugging them.  It makes me even more grateful to be able to do this every single day.