Thankful in my Heart

That's it.

I can't take it any longer.

I knew it was a bad idea for me to think that I could blog every day for a month.

Ridiculous.

I've been avoiding the computer. I have this constant looming pressure over me to think of something sweet and kind and all wordy, wordy junk.

I'll quit trying to be a good writer.

Cause I'm a bullet points type of girl. So here is my whole month of gratefuls in bullet points.

I feel better already.

• 
  
  my husband - i got a good one and you can all be jealous


• 
  
  charlie - funny, cute and not a big complainer (i really like that part)


• 
  
  jane - a giant ball of entertainment and mystery -cute- and funny when she doesn't mean to be


• 
  
  maggie - ahh so much to say. so sweet and loving yet mischievous and sneaky


• 
  
  sisters - i've got a lot and i love each one of them for different reasons


• 
  
  mom - she's been an excellent teacher and i think about what and how she taught me every day


• 
  
  in laws- mike's parents are the best inlaws - kind and loving


• 
  
  mike's siblings - yep love all of them too. not everyone can say that they love all of their extended family - but i can


• 
  
  good friends - i've really been blessed my whole life with good friends. in each stage of my life i've been close to different people. i've been very lucky.


• 
  
  our two dumb dogs. i love them.


• 
  
  our church - i belong to a great ward with great leadership


• 
  
  My Heavenly Father. I am grateful that we can pray to him and that he cares about my struggles, joys and fears. I make a lot of mistakes and I'm certain I'll make more. I am so grateful that he loves us and sent his son Jesus Christ to come down to earth and teach us all the way that we should live. I am grateful that Christ atoned for my sins. I am grateful that he died for me and was resurrected so that I can return to live with him again. I am so grateful for all that my Heavenly Father has given me.

Day 4

Today I am grateful for good health. I would say that we are a relatively healthy crew. I am certainly grateful that none of us have ever had to deal with any real serious health problems yet. I know that day will probably come but for now I will soak up all of this healthy goodness with a big "thank you" to my Heavenly Father.

Day 3

I have a lot to be grateful for. However this is a forced post because it's been a real bad two days and currently all children are crying in their beds. I'm on the computer avoiding them. So at this moment I am very grateful for......hmm this is going to be harder than I thought. Let me give it a few minutes.

Got it! I am grateful for good music.

This morning Jane told me that her school teacher asked her what church she belonged to. I asked her what her answer was and she said, "I just sang her the song, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".

I know that good music can make me feel happy, excited, free, peace and so many other emotions. So today I am grateful for music.

The children are now quiet.

I am also grateful for this little computer time.

And I'm grateful this day is almost over.

Thankful

Most of my family members have been posting five thankfuls a day on their blog this month. I did not join them. Not because I'm not grateful but mostly because I don't like to set myself up for what I know would have been a miserable failure. Instead I'd like to give you just a few of my thankfuls in no particular order.

1. My husband. Although we never get a quiet moment or the opportunity to have a single conversation, I certainly love and appreciate him.
   
2. Prayer. I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven gave me the opportunity to speak to him and pour out my soul. I need and utilize this tool every single day.
   
3. Mouse traps. I have caught THREE mice in my home within a weeks time. Gross.
   
4. Utilities. A warm home during these cold months. I also love my hotpad at bed time. Mmmm.
5. Good Parents. How or why they managed 12 kids I may never know. Amazing.
6. Jesus Christ. Such a sacrifice makes it possible for me to live with my family forever and gives me the opportunity to correct my mistakes.
   
7. Music. Great music can raise my spirits.
8. Charlie. Big ball of never ending energy. He can be the sweetest thing when I feel like I'm losing my mind.
9. Jane. She says the sweetest things and loves to love all of us.
10. Maggie. Dirty looks, loud yells and moans. A fist to the face. I love it all. She makes me laugh every day.
11. Chocolate. I shouldn't love it as much as I do. No dessert is worth my time without a little chocolate in it.
12. Sisters. I have wonderful, supportive sisters.
    
13. Water. I love to drink it, bathe in it & swim in it.
14. Toilets. I like to sit on them and then flush it away.
15. My minivan. It's comfortable, roomy and it is dependable. I feel safe while driving it.
    
16. Good friends. I have been blessed all throughout my life with good friends.
17. Clorox wipes. Enough said.
    
18. In Laws. I realize that not everyone loves their in laws but I do. All of them.
19. The Pledge of Allegiance and all it stands for.
20. Sight. Nothing is better than watching my kids while they are happy or excited. I'm glad that I am able to see their faces and watch them grow.
    

Thankful

Tis the season to count my blessings.

• Mike - I really am lucky to have such a great husband. I often need to work out things in my brain and he is the perfect companion for me.
• Charlie - makes me aware of my weaknesses, like patience. Yet one sweet act makes me feel like I am doing something right.
• Jane - her constant singing (though it only makes sense to me) is a delight in our home.
• Maggie - my little sweetie who even gives a smile in the middle of the night.
• Mom - I'm lucky to have a mom who has taught me so much and I'm grateful she is still here.
• In laws - Ivan and Helene are wonderful and I'm pretty lucky to be related.
• Extended Family - Siblings, In laws, Nieces, Nephews - Blessed with so many relatives, and really I mean sooo many. I love that type of support system for me and my children.
• Good Friends - friends can just be an extension of family. I have sweet friends.
• Simple Things - but the list is long, a warm house, a car that works, ability to pay the bills, a husband who is employed.
• My Country - I feel very fortunate to be an American and I hope that I can teach my children how lucky they are.
• Jesus Christ - his sacrifice is often incomprehensible to me. Amazing.
• Heavenly Father - without my knowledge of him my life wouldn't have meaning. I am so grateful that he loves me and is aware of me and my strengths and weaknesses.

(this post is in no particular order :) )