Lazy Saturdays

Today I am grateful for lazy Saturday mornings. Christian slept in until 9:30, and then I got him breakfast and dressed and put him in his stroller. We walked down to the store and bought a doughnut to share. Then we walked down to the community park and just played. It is November 10th and the sun was out and warm without a cloud in the sky. It was beautiful and I was so grateful to share it with my beautiful son.

A cause worth fighting for

Today I am grateful that I was raised to fight and stand up for what I believe is right. I am grateful that I have parents who showed me that being seen as "cool" by the masses and blending in and not rocking the boat doesn't make you happy or make a difference in the world. One person can make a difference and I can be that one. It's not easy and it isn't always rewarding immediately, but there is joy and satisfaction that comes from a good and honest fight...by standing up and saying, "this is wrong and I refuse to go along with it!".

A Baby is Born

Today I am grateful for new life. Today one of my oldest and best friends gave birth to her son. What a marvelous gift we are given, to create life. It is still amazing to me that with help from my husband, we made A PERSON. How miraculous. We are blessed for this gift. I can't wait to go and snuggle my new little man :)

Not just a Number

Today I am grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven.  I know that He hears and answers my prayers. I was having a really hard night. Christian was screaming...non stop...for HOURS. I am talking newborn status here folks. Jared didn't get off work until 8 and had a hair appointment after that and I was STRUGGLING. I needed help, but I couldn't ask Jared to cancel his hair appointment. So I prayed. I prayed that if I mattered, that Jared would come home and help me because I was going crazy. I decided that I just needed to call my mom and ask her to come and help me. I called Jared mistakenly. He told me that his haircut had something come up and rescheduled for tomorrow and he was coming home! We matter. God knows us. He loves us, and I am so unbelievably grateful for this knowledge.

Freedom isn't Free

Today, I am grateful for the armed men and women who risk their lives and give up years of their life to protect me and this country that I love. I was able to vote for President today thanks to those who have given so much, to protect my personal rights and liberties. We live in a free nation, where I can worship how I want, vote for who I want and believe in what's important to me. I am grateful for that chance, and I know that many have lost their lives to grant and protect these rights for me. This freedom was hard won and has been defended not without sacrifice. Today I am grateful for those who have sacrificed all so that I can enjoy the opportunity to be free - because let no one kid you...freedom isn't free. As we come upon Veteran's Day remember those who have fought to protect you and your family. Thank a Veteran today.

I love you Daddy.

Worth the trouble

Today's gratitude has been a little harder to come by. Work was hard and tiring, my house was a mess, the laundry needed to be done, the kitchen was a disaster, I left a list of things to be done by Jared and he accomplished NONE of it, and I woke up with a cold.

Feel sorry for me yet?

I have been trying to think all day of what I can write about and I am still not sure; life seems hard today.

As I sit here I can hear Jared listening to The Phantom of the Opera. Beautiful music. That is what I am grateful for today. I am so grateful for the inspiring notes and words that can move me more than almost anything else in the world. It speaks to my soul. It helps me FEEL...feel the words, feel the spirit, feel the emotion behind the work. It helps me open my heart and inspires me to do more than just talk. I am grateful for another medium to express myself and another way to relate to others. Music. Beautiful music. Today I am thankful for you.

The Innocence of Youth

Today I am grateful for my calling in the Primary at church. The Primary is for ages 18 months to 11 years old. It was a hard transition for me, as I have spent most of my adult life serving young women, ages 12-18. At first I felt like a babysitter, or a daycare provider...now I see what an incredible opportunity I have to teach and learn from some of the sweetest, most pure children of our Father in Heaven. They are so good, so willing and anxious to learn, so open hearted and loving. It has helped me see the good around me more easily. I am grateful for their testimonies. Their surety of what they know to be true. Listening to them speak and learning songs that will stay with them for life is exciting and humbling and I am so happy to be a part of it!