Thankful #30

This is it...the last day of November, which means the last thankful post.  It was fun to do, and think about all the different things I am thankful for.  There are many, many things to be thankful for...way more than 30 things!

Today I am thankful for warmth.  It was a cold day, but I have cozy sweaters and blankets, a working furnance, and seat warmers in my car that helped keep the chill away. (I personally think seat warmers are one of the greatest inventions ever!  Well, you know, besides all those other really important inventions that I think are great as well!)  It's wonderful to be able to not be cold!

Thankful #29

We are part of a produce co-op.  There are a bunch of us that pool our money together and buy produce.  For $16 a week we get a pretty good pile of food.  This week for instance we got bananas, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, pears, apples, kiwis, mushrooms, green onions, cucumbers, clementines, and green peppers.  Although many in the co-op get produce every week, our family chooses to get it once every two weeks, but that seems to be enough for us. 

Today I'm thankful for all that delicious food.  I'm thankful we are able to get a lot for a little price.  I'm thankful that we have had the chance to try new things.  I'm thankful that I end up having produce that I can then use for making things for dinner, such as tonight's spinach salad (with mushrooms) side dish.  YUM!

Thankful #28

Today during family scripture reading I was teasing one of my kids and it ended up that we both kind of got the giggles.  I liked that.  Sometimes your teenagers act like they are too big and mature for you and your silly mom games, but every so often that teenage aloofness melts away and you think "Hey, maybe this kid still kind of likes me!"  That's my favorite, so today I'm thankful for getting the giggles with my big kid and the happiness and feelings of closeness to him it brings to my mom heart.

Thankful #27

Today was our first day with new ward boundaries, which were changed last week.  Church was packed, and I loved it!  It was so nice to have old friends back, and some new people to make friends with there as well.  One lady kept saying it made her nervous to have all those people there, but I loved it, it felt like one big happy family.  So, I was thankful today for the new ward boundaries and the strength that will come to our ward through the families that were added.

Thankful #26

Tonight Craig and I cuddled up on the couch and watched a hokey Hallmark Channel Movie.  It's been a really, really long time since we've done that!  But it was great, and so today I'm thankful for cuddling up to my sweetie and watching a light-hearted Christmas movie together.

Thankful #25

Today our family went to the new Muppet Movie that recently came out.  According to what I've read, it's been a dozen or so years since the Muppets were last seen on screen.  My youngest was too young at that time to probably even remember them.  It was fun to watch the movie, and then later this evening Jake and I watched some old episodes of the Muppet Show online.

It's fun to look back on old things and remember fun things from the past.  There's something somewhat refreshing about going back to things that happened in a different time of you life, and I'm grateful for the chance to have done that today!

Thankful #24

Today I'm thankful for singing.  After a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner, a game or two, and a pie or two, all the ladies came and gathered round the piano and sang some hymns.

I love singing, and I'm thankful for the chance to sing hymns of praise to God, especially on this day when we ponder all the wonderful things He give us.  I stand all amazed for all my many blessings, to borrow a line from a hymn!

Thankful #23

Today I'm thankful for Curtis.

Curtis is Bradley's best friend.  He is a crazy kid.  Whenever he'd come over and see Bradley before Bradley left, he'd just walk into our house like he lived here too.  One day I even found on our job chart that Curtis had added "Curtis' House" to the list for which garbages to take out!

Well, tonight I was in the kitchen talking to Kristin (she and Steven had come over to return our car top carrier) when the garage door opened and Curtis walked in.  It was great to see him.  He ended up staying and talking to the whole family for I don't even know how long...an hour?...and we laughed the entire time as we talked about good the good old days when Bradley was here, as well as catching up with what's been going on lately with Curtis.

One thing I am thankful for is to see Curtis desiring to serve a mission.  He's one of the youngest people in his class, and since Bradley was one of the oldest in his class Bradley is nearly a year older than Curtis meaning Bradley will be about half way done with his mission before Curtis even gets to go.  But every time we talk to him he tells us how much he wants to go and wishes he could go now, and I love that!  Curtis has such an awesome, friendly, open personality that I am sure he will be a very successful missionary.

Good friends are a precious gift in life, and I'm thankful for the good friends my kids have, including Bradley's good buddy Curtis.

Thankful #22

Today is ending in a grumpy manner for me.  Sometimes life is very tiring and hard.  But, they say that we must taste the bitter that we might know the sweet, so I guess I am thankful (somewhat, I grumpily clarify) for bitter times that help the sweet be that much better.

I'm also thankful that tomorrow is another day that will hopefully be better!

Thankful #21

A few things I'm thankful for today...

First of all, talking to Melanie and hearing the first happy tone to her voice in awhile!  She's had a few school related stresses and I've heard it in her voice when we've talked the past few times.  But today she sounded quite happy, and I was so thankful for that.

Secondly, today I went to work at Craig's business, which I do every so often when things get extra busy.  I'm thankful that Craig owns his own business, it's been a blessing in our lives.  It has been successful and growing, and I'm grateful for that.  It's given Craig the opportunity to have a flexible schedule, and I'm thankful that he's been able to have that at times when the kids had things they needed their dad to support them in (parent teacher conferences, track meets, etc.)  It was a blessing when he served as bishop, he was able to go visit people at times he might not have been able to if he worked a strict schedule.

Thirdly, I'm thankful for a nice after school talk with Trevor.  He was gone all weekend, and it was nice to catch up with him.

Fourth, I'm thankful for Family Home Evening and the chance for our family to be together.  Tonight we made cookies for our new bishopric, and wrote them notes letting them know we support them and then took the time to deliver those to these men who are called to serve.

It was a good day!

Thankful #20

Today my hubby was released from being bishop in our ward.  And, then they made changes in our ward boundaries and put a new bishop in!  It was a day to be thankful for many reasons.

First of all, I'm thankful Craig had a chance to serve as bishop.  It has strengthened him and our relationship.  It has gotten him involved in things which is sometimes out of his comfort zone.  It has been an honor to have a husband who is faithful to God and therefore was entrusted with the opportunity to serve as our bishop.

I'm thankful for the good people he has served with in our ward.  Not only his counselors and other ward leaders, but all ward members who faithfully serve in our ward in whatever capacity.

I'm thankful for a new bishop and counselors to sustain and support.  I think they will do a great job, and will make a difference to people.

I'm thankful for ward boundary changes that give us a chance to enlarge our circle of friends.  I'm thankful for some "old" members of our ward being back that we lost in the last boundary change, and I'm thankful for new members of our ward to get to know.

It was a good day, with much to be thankful for.

Thankful #19

Today is my parent's 45th Wedding Anniversary.  I read an article in the paper this week that said that only 45.8 percent of American children at age 17 live in intact married families.  Not that I'm living with my parents anymore, but I can only wonder how many "children" my age still have intact married parents. 

So, with those downer statistics on the state of marriage, today I am most definitely thankful that for 45 years my mom and dad have worked together and lived and loved and sacrificed...and all those things we must do in order to be one of those intact married families.  Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!  Thanks for loving each other for ever and ever and one day more!

Thankful #18

Whoops, another day of forgetting to write before bed!  I think I have a good excuse, though.  The kids were all gone and Craig and I had a "dinner and two movies" (one in the theater, one on dvd at home) date.

However, day #18 really wouldn't be complete without being thankful for my kids.  Especially since it was Trevor's birthday...Happy Birthday! 

I have the greatest kids!  They are smart, funny, and each of them have their own unique talents and abilities.

The older I get the more I realize how true Psalms 127 is---"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..."

Love you, kids!  I'm so thankful you are a part of our family!

Thankful #17

This morning I decided that enough was enough and the front window HAD to be cleaned.  Since I am not always very good at keeping up on certain home chores it had been about...oh, never since the window had been cleaned.  It was streaked and smeared and covered with dirt and grime to the point that instead of looking at things through rose colored glasses, I was looking at things through clay colored front windows.

So, I sprayed and wiped and sprayed and wiped and sprayed and wiped some more until finally it was crystal clear. 

How much did I love looking through that clean, clear window today?  It was so great!  Instead of thinking every time I saw it, "Wow, that's dsigustingly filthy, I really should clean it!" I thought "Look how totally awesome that window looks!"  It made me want to look out it more and enjoy the beauties outside.

Isn't a new view, a clean look at things a great thing?  It is, and that's what I'm thankful for today!

Thankful #16

Today I'm thankful for the chance to write this month about what I'm thankful for. 

There are soooooooo many things to be thankful for and when you take time to think about it you start to realize how nearly everything is something to be thankful for. 

You can be thankful for your home, your car (and the heated seats in it), the beautiful weather, a good home cooked meals, brownies for dessert, a wonderful husband and children, challenges that help us grow, and on and on and on...!

I'm thankful to be able to take time this month to try and recognize all the things that make my life wonderful!

Thankful #15

Today started out with some service, as I spent four hours working at the cannery putting raw ingredients in cans to be made into beef stew.  The cannery I volunteered at is one belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where food is processed for welfare and humanitarian needs throughout the world. 

Today I'm thankful for the chance to be able to serve those who are in need.  I am also thankful for the many blessings I have, and hope that serving helps show my gratitude to Heavenly Father for the things He's given me.

Thankful #14

Today I am thankful for a sunny day with a beautiful blue sky! 

My walking partner and I didn't go this morning walking, but instead went for a walk in the early afternoon.  It was a little cool, yet the sun warmed things up nicely, and the sky was such a beautiful blue color.  It was a far cry from our usual dark morning walks, and it really perked me up. 

In fact, I so enjoyed the walk we took that after I got home from the walk I went outside and sat in the sunshine for another hour and read a book .  I LOVE the sunshine.  It is so much nicer than dark and dreary!

Thankful #13

(It's said that 13 is an unlucky number, and I guess it was unlucky in that I didn't even think about writing my thankful thoughts yesterday.  Whoops.  So...again....I'll write a day later.)

Tonight our Stake had it's Standards Night.  This is a night where we get parents and teenagers together and go over standards that we hope we are all keeping.  This is one of my favorite nights of the year, because I love the feeling I get from this night.  Feelings of "YES!  I will do it!  I will be who I'm supposed to be!"  Feelings that the kids that who have been sent to earth at this time are valiant warriors who can stand tall for Jesus Christ.  Feelings that our church leaders are faithful, inspired people.  It's a great evening.

Tonight we learned from our Stake President about 5 things we could do to keep us close to the Savior.  They were:

1) Scriptures (read them!)

2) Say Prayers

3) Standards (keep them!)

4) Smile

5) Service

He pointed out to us that each of those things started with an "S".  That of course made me think of SUPERMAN, and I realized that as we do each of those 5 things, we will be come a super man or woman.

So, today, I'm thankful for Stake Standards Night.  I'm thankful for the inspiration and the vision of who I am and who I need to be.  I'm SUPER...a child of God, with a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how living it will bring me back to the presence of Heavenly Father!

Thankful #12

After what felt like FOR-EH-VER Melanie came home today for a visit.  And that would have to be what I'm thankful for today!

Thankful #11

Today is Veteran's Day, which means that the day wouldn't be complete without being thankful for those who faithfully and valiantly serve in our Armed Forces. 

 

Thank you for your sacrifice.  You often leave your families for many months at a time to serve in dangerous areas throughout the world, helping keep our country free and safe.

At times, you may end up giving your life for our freedoms.  Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).  Thank you for your great love of our country and all it stands for.

I salute you for all you do for America!

Thankful #10

Today I am thankful for afternoon naps.  I love the chance to squeeze in an afternoon nap on those days when I feel incredibly drained and exhausted.  I love wrapping up in a blanket, pulling it up around my ear, closing my eyes and feeling myself slowly drift off to sleep, breathing deeply while feeling the tenseness of the day drain away.

Zzzzzz.....

Thankful #9

Today I am thankful that time seemed to go slowly. That made for a wonderful day, because I felt like I got a lot done!  Usually time seems to fly by during the day and by the end of the day I'm scratching my head wondering where all the time went, but today I'd look at the clock and think, "What? It's ONLY (fill in the blank with current time).  Awesome, I have time to (fill in the blank with next activity.)"  It made for a great day!

Thankful #8

Ok, technically this is written on day number 9, but let's just pretend I wrote it last night on day number eight instead of going to choir practice, afterwards going to a meeting, and after that having a big discussion with my hubby before heading off to bed, ok?

Today (remember we're pretending it's day #8) I got started on Christmas shopping.  What I am thankful for today is that I have a PLAN for Christmas shopping this year.  Although I'm still working out the fine details, I know how I'm gonna tackle gift buying this year and that is WONDERFUL.  For the past few years I have pretty much been a Christmas hater because of present buying.  Buying presents has been a horrible, awful, stressful thing.  And that made me super cranky because there is no way that Christmas should be ruined because of present buying!  For goodness sake, it's not even about the presents, right? 

Well, this year I can look forward to less stress, I've got a present plan!  And I cannot even tell you how thankful I am for that, and look forward to a wonderful Christmas this year! 

Thankful #7

Today I'm thankful for daylight!  Because this past weekend was the one when we "fall back", it was NOT pitch black when I was finished with my morning walk...woohoo!  I love the light!  My favorite part of the year is when the sun is completely up and shining when I wake up.  It makes getting up ever so much easier.  Now...unfortunately it wasn't THAT light this morning.  But lighter it was, and happier I am.

Thankful #6

Today I'm thankful that my Sunday School lesson went well. 

I have been teaching Sunday School for about a year and a half, and while I enjoy it, I must admit that I am not doing as well preparing for my lessons as I used to.  Part of it is that in order to prepare so I feel as comfortable with the lesson as I want to be, it often takes a whole bunch of hours of not only reading chapters in the scriptures, but also looking up numerous references.  And sometimes (often?) life has a way of crowding out extra hours during the week that I could have/should have used for preparing, and before I know it, it's Saturday and I'm facing a whole day of studying in order to feel ready for Sunday's lesson.

So, feeling a bit overwhelmed yesterday with the thought of spending hours and hours on my lesson, I prayed that I would be able to quickly get a feel for the lesson and know how to teach it.

And, it happened.  The lesson came together easily, and all seemed to go well today in presenting it.  So thank you, Heavenly Father, for that blessing which gave peace to my slightly overwhelmed soul.

Thankful #5

Today my hubby performed a marriage with his duties as bishop of our ward.  I went with him as a support, and enjoyed listening to his counsel for this couple.  Within the past few days Craig and I also talked about marriage with a friend whose son is probably getting a divorce.  With these marriage experiences on my brain, today's thankful thought is that I am thankful for my marriage.  I am thankful that even though at times it has not been as easy or romantic as my "and they lived happily ever after" thinking would have it be, that it has been a good marriage and that we have accomplished much and grown much together.  Craig has many qualities and strengths I don't have and together we make a good whole.  He is good to me and to our kids, and provides well for us.  I love to talk to him and be with him, and I am thankful and happy that we are eternal sweethearts.

Thankful #4

Tomorrow there is nothing pressing in the morning.  No 5:30 A.M. walk.  No specific activity I have to attend.  So tonight I have turned my alarm clock off.  My plan is to wake when I wake, not when the CD-playing alarm clock noisily settles on the proper track and starts playing the opening strains of "The Logical Song".

So today, I'm thankful for crawling into bed and cuddling up to the deliciously wonderful thought that I get to sleep in.

Thankful #3

It's late.  I should be going to bed.  But I am gonna say what I'm thankful for.

Today I am thankful for friends that strengthen and uplift me.  Friends I can go to the temple with (thanks Stefanie and Julie...I got to go twice this week!)  Friends I can have deep gospel discussions with at 5:30 in the morning (thanks Jessica!). 

Did you get that last one?  Discussions at 5:30 in the morning?  Yeah, that's what time I get up to walk.  Even more reason to go to bed...so....Goodnight!

Thankful 1 and 2

 Over on Facebook people are posting what they are thankful for every day of November for their statuses.  I decided to blog it instead...I needed to up my number of posts for the year, I guess!

Since today is November 2, that means you'll get two for the price of one, today only!  (Or at least I hope.  Conceiveably I could miss a day sometime during the month and need to catch up again, but my plan is to blog about what I'm thankful for every day this month!)

So...here goes:



Wearing my new sweater

#1--I am thankful for new sweaters!  I bought two yesterday.  One is a dark charcoal gray, the other is a fushia-y-purple color.  They were on sale, which is another thing to be thankful for as well!  And, since I got cash back from a previous purchase it almost felt as if they were free since I just gave the store back the same money they had just barely given me.  And today is kind of cold, so a new sweater feels feels great!


#2--I am thankful to hear from Bradley's mission president's wife, Sister Cotterell, and hear that Elder Fry made it to North Carolina ok!  And, extra thankfulness...she sent pictures too!  One of Elder Fry and his trainer, Elder Reimann; and one of Elder Fry with her and her husband.  I am, of course, thankful for Bradley's desire and ability to serve a mission...I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth! (3 John 1:4)

And that's what I'm thankful for the first two days of November!