Day 28

January 28, 2014

I'm grateful for this nation.  I hate politicians.  I even hate politics...even though I talk about it waaaaay too much.  I'm grateful for this nation, the Christian principles on which it was founded and the freedom that we have.  And I hope I never take it for granted and do whatever is necessary to leave the same legacy for my children.

Day 27

January 27, 2014

I'm sooooo grateful for happy doctor appointments.  We don't get nearly enough of those.  We knew it was going to be a risk when we switched infusion medications last summer because there are no studies on the efficacy of this particular drug with uveitis....but 7 months later....CLEAR EYES!  It is a never ending game of risk, but right now Baylee's eyes are clear and safe!  YAY!

Day 26

January 26, 2014

I'm grateful for the insights of others.  Sundays are just great.  They just are.  But as much I believe I am not qualified for my calling (God does not call the qualified, He qualifies those He calls....HEY, THAT'S ME!), I love the conversations and perspectives and teaching that goes on in Sunday School.  I love it.  I love hearing how other people process teaching and learning from others.  I love being able to look at doctrine through someone else's eyes and gaining a new respect, understanding or even a new grain of knowledge based on their experience.  LOVE IT!

Day 25

January 25, 2014

I'm grateful for each day.  How very cliche....but seriously, I've got a million of them.  The reason it's called the present is because it's a gift.  The world is a topsy, turny place....and chaos reigns.  But I'm grateful for each day that I wake up and I get to give it a go and make the best of things.  I tend to mess things up very easily (it's one of my talents)....and each day represents a blanks canvas with no mistakes....ya gotta love it!

Day 24

January 24, 2014

I'm grateful when my kids don't get what they want the second they want it.  It teaches them they they need to work for things they want.  It teaches them patience.  It teaches them they don't always NEED what they WANT.  It teaches them that instant gratification doesn't always satisfy long term goals.   Even though I want to give them everything, one of the best gifts I can give them is the gift of learning to satisfy their own needs and wants.

Day 23

January 23, 2014

I'm grateful for social media and the friendships it helps me maintain.  Because I really suck at keeping in touch otherwise.  I could do without the hackers....but aside from that, I really am grateful for all of the people in my life that social media keeps me in the loop with!

Day 22

January 22, 2014

I'm grateful for friends.  Like REAL friends.  It doesn't matter how long it has been since you have seen one another, talked or sat down, you can pick up where you left off and have a good laugh and/or cry.  Awesomesauce.

Day 21

January 21, 2014

I'm grateful for Advil.  There are just some days that Advil is what gets me through.  THIS was one of THOSE days.  And you know, how lucky am I to live in a time when Advil exists.  It would really suck to live in a time without it.  I'm just sayin'.

Day 20

January 20, 2014

I'm grateful that home improvement projects don't scare me.  Having said THAT, I'll finish wiring the new smoke detector tomorrow....during the day....when it's light.

Day 19

January 19, 2014

I'm grateful for the teachings of the Spirit.  None of us learn in exactly the same way, and how wonderfully awesome that Heavenly Father knows each of us so well that the Spirit can testify to us individually of the truths of the gospel principles.  What a fantastic gift!

Day 18

January 18, 2014

I'm grateful to be married to my best friend.  It isn't always easy (mostly because I make things difficult).  But I married the most awesome person in the whole, wide world.  He makes me laugh.  He lets me cry.  He forgives my mistakes.  And he mostly tells me he is happy to spend forever with me.  What more could a girl want?

Day 17

January 17, 2014

I'm grateful for creative parenting.  It's hard being a parent.  It's really freaking hard being a parent to smart kids, that can outwit you.  So I'm grateful that while it may take me a while to catch up sometimes, Heavenly Father has blessed me with creative thinking so I can come up with unconventional solutions to the randomness that is always happening here!

Day 16

January 16, 2016

I'm grateful when my kids get along!  (Like all four at the same time!!!!). It is a sight to behold!  It can flip in a dime and become something else...YAY for teen and pre-teen hormones....but when they all get along, I'm truly grateful that families can be together forever.  Those moments if peace, joy, humor and happiness are absolute heaven on earth!

Day 15

January 15, 2014

I'm grateful when busy days are over!  Although, having said that, I'm grateful for busy days!  I'm don't having many boring, empty days and quite honestly, I don't know what I would do with myself if I did!  But boy, I'm glad today is over....with much accomplished!

Day 14

January 14, 2014

I am grateful for warranties.  My poor baby car is in the shop.  And thank goodness for warranties....otherwise it wouldn't be cheap.

Day 13

January 13, 2014

I am grateful for the example of others.  Although some of us have to touch fire ourselves to see if it's hot.....the rest of us can learn from others.  My life is full of my own adventures and I prefer not to go through any unnecessary adventures (know what I'm saying?)....so having said that I'm super grateful for those who go through amazing trials, adventures and miracles and are willing to share them with the rest of us so we may learn!

Day 12

January 12, 2014

I'm grateful for simple messages.  I love that recharge that comes on Sundays (already covered)....but I absolutely love and am so grateful for the gentle reminders and simple messages that come through the Spirit.  We don't always need to be hit over the head (although I tend to need that more than most)....sometimes it is the quiet, gentle whisperings of a simple truth that resonate the loudest and help us the most.

Day 11

January 11, 2011

I'm grateful for sleep.  As an avid practicer of insomnia, sleep is something that is hard to come by.  And when I only have one day a week to sleep in....well, I'm super exciter and grateful when that one day rolls around.  I'm grateful I can survive on little sleep, I'm even more grateful when I sleep.  I'm even more grateful when the whole family sleeps.

Day 10

January 10, 2014

Today, I'm grateful for my imagination.  MRI's are loud and scary (especially when you are claustrophobic).  So, during my hour long panic attack, I fought off bad guys in the harsh jungles with my fully automatic weapon.  Raced away from the evil knight, who was chasing me on his giant steed (that had a slight limp).  Choreographed a cheerleading routine in perfect counts of 8.  Overthrew an evil plot to take over the government.  And cleaned the house.  It was a busy hour!  Then I realized......it was alllllllll in my mind, but I was coming out if the tube of death!  Thank goodness for imagination!

Day 9

January 9, 2014

Today I'm grateful for brakes (and 4 wheel drive).  Especially on slick, snowy roads.  There were way too many close calls today.  But I'm grateful they were close calls and not actual accidents!  Phew!

Day 8

January 8, 2014

I am so grateful for prayer.  And not just any prayer....but my particular version prayer.  You know, the one conversation with Heavenly Father that lasts all day.  Where I just ask questions as things happen, and share my musings.  It's my version of writing a book, without all of that laborious thinking.  Where I am able to let someone in and share my deepest, darkest secrets, fears and the earliest hints of hopes and dreams.  It's my safest placest where I can go to explain to someone everything, unload all of the emotional vomit that I keep bottled up and hidden and I don't have to worry about explaining that I am not looking for pity because of my trials, but understanding during the journey.  I love prayer....

Day 7

January 7, 2014

I'm grateful for open family discussions.  Not the best day ever.  Seriously.  But we've had a lot of heart to hearts today and you know what, we're okay....because we have have each other's backs.  That's plenty to be grateful for.

Day 6

January 6, 2014

I woke up with gratitude this morning.  That was pretty cool....especially since it was o' dark thirty and nothing had happened yet.

But today I am grateful for teachers.  After two weeks with my kids (that I actually enjoyed)....I was so happy to see my kids up, either early or on time, because they were so excited to go back to school.  How Freaking AMAZE BALLS is that?

Day 5

January 5, 2014

I'm so grateful for Sundays.  A chance to recharge, gear up for whatever storms may lay ahead.  A chance to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior and renew my convenants to be more like Him every day.  What a wonderful way to start each week.

Day 4

January 4, 2014

So grateful for hospitals.  Even though we spend eaaaaaay too much time in them (embrace the suck), I am so grateful for the blessings that come from our time in them....like walking and seeing.  The alternatives we face without the hallowed halls if miracles are devastating....so today was an easy no brainer gratitude kind of day!

Day 3

January 3, 2014

I'm grateful for toilet paper.  Because when you are out, you realize what a blessing it is.  I AM GRATEFUL FOR TOILET PAPER!

Day 2

January 2, 2014

I'm grateful my children are funny.  If they were boring, I would probably have to eat them or something.

Day 1

January 1, 2014

I've been alone on this island for 1 day....oh wait....wrong blog.

I'm grateful for a whole new year that I haven't messed up yet!  YAY!