It's Just Turkey

I've never really been one for Thanksgiving. The holiday, that is. As for the art of giving thanks itself, well I try to do that all year long. But the holiday?

I truly don't care that much for turkey and while I do eat it, leftover turkey just seems like a chore I can live without. I've heard people say how Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday ever. Really? I never understood that.

Maybe it's because growing up, my extended family didn't have big family gatherings at Thanksgiving. (There were just so many of us and we were all spread out.)  My dad traveled for work and was often gone over Thanksgiving. My mom slept all day because it was her shift at the hospital that night. Even on the off years she didn't have to work, we didn't make a big to-do out of Thanksgiving. One year we painted the basement and ate deli turkey sandwiches.

Another year my mom and dad decided to take us to Chicago, to visit the museums. We lived in northern Indiana, and Chicago really wasn't all that far away. Traffic on I80 was pretty decent on Thanksgiving day too. After the museums, we ate dinner in China town. My father ordered the duck. Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra. We had so much fun, it became something we did often on Thanksgiving.

Other than wearing stretchy pants so you can overload on carbs and binge-eat a plethora of desserts with family, I'm not sure what the hype is. I mean, don't we do the same thing at Easter? I know I do.

Perhaps it's the Football, or Macy's parade, or the annual turkey shoot that gets your adrenaline going. I think for me, honestly, the best part of Thanksgiving is having a FIVE day weekend!

So, here's another thing I don't get: people getting upset when others choose to set out Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. Whenever I hear, "Christmas decor already? It's not even Thanksgiving yet!" I think, "Really? People are upset we're not giving Tom Turkey his "fair share" of the spotlight? They do know Christmas is about Christ, right?"

Besides, if we are truly celebrating the holiday as it was meant to be, then we should have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts to those who came before us, trailblazing the way for our life of opportunities and freedoms, and grateful for our bounteous blessings, and all that other stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sort seems, well, Christian. Doesn't it?

And I get that it's the commercialism of Christmas people don't like to see started so early. But, if decorating one's house and playing festive music makes them feel the charitable spirit of Christmas, then I say, go for it! Decorate before Thanksgiving!

This year, we are traveling to my parents' house (now in NV) for Thanksgiving. I plan to pack my stretchy pants, and knowing them, it's likely we'll eat Chinese food at some point over the weekend too. But being gone means I won't have the long weekend to decorate my own house for Christmas.

So, if you should happen to see the Christmas lights on before Tom Turkey has made his debut, just know that I will still enjoy my 5 day Thanksgiving weekend, I will still try to have a spirit of gratitude, and I will still overload on carbs and binge-eat desserts.

Bottom line, I will still enjoy Thanksgiving, and maybe even more so, knowing I won't have to come home and put up Christmas decorations.

I Ride the Shuttle, and I Say Thanks

Fall semester at WSU started this past Monday.  The first few days were a bit rocky, but I survived my first week back!  Woo Hoot!

One of the things I quickly learned (thanks to a kind man at the Parking Office), is that if you don't get to campus before about 8:45am, there is barely ANY parking until about 2pm.  I was told - in near hushed tones - that instead of wasting my money ($71) on an annual pass I'll rarely be able to use, I should buy the pass to park at the event center (a mile away) because it's cheaper ($28) and there is a FREE shuttle service between that lot and the center of campus and it runs - get this - EVERY.FIVE.MINUTES.  

One thing I HATED about SLCC was parking.  I'd try to get to campus about an hour early, and even then a spot could be hard to come by; my quest often resembling a scene from a scary movie.  Me, on a stakeout, keeping my eyes peeled for that one student emerging from class.  I would follow him or her slowly in my car, hoping to get the spot they'd be vacating.  A few panicked looks over the shoulder and it never failed; they'd soon quicken their stride, eventually sprinting across the parking lot in an attempt to escape the "crazy lady in the Altima".  And, just like that, the trail would go cold.  

I cannot tell you the number of times I was tempted to roll my window down and offer someone a ride to their car, just so I could take their spot.  But, how exactly does one begin such a request.  "Excuse me, I know you don't know me, but are you going to your car right now?  Can I give you a ride?  ..... I've got candy."   "Hello?  Campus Security?"

Needless to say, a free shuttle sounded great!  All in all, from the time I park my car and take the shuttle to the drop point, it's about 10 minutes, which is way better than arriving an hour early and becoming the poster child for Campus Creepers.  

I am grateful for the shuttle, truly, and each day as I make my way toward the front of the bus to get off, I ALWAYS say "thank you" to the driver.  Sometimes a few other students in front of me will say thanks, but not always. 

When I am near the last to exit, I notice a trend, which supports evidence that we (humans) have a Psychosocial need to fit in.  If someone near the front of the bus says, "Thanks/Thank you" to the driver, then most others follow suit.  However, if those in the front of the bus remain silent, it often proves to be a very quiet exodus.  Perhaps one or two say "thanks", but because it's not the "norm", others are less likely to join in.  

Another thing I noticed, from the looks of it, is that those who offer up their words of gratitude freely, are mostly over the age of 25.  I thought about this in relation to Erikson's theory of  Psychosocial Conflict (Identity vs. Confusion, Stage 5).  When we are in our adolescent years, we might begin to "feel confused or insecure about ourselves and how we fit into society."  I wondered three things.  One -  were these students not taught these skills (manners & the confidence to use them) during that critical period?  Two - if this is now the norm, what does our future society look like?  and Three - is this something they will become more comfortable with and more free to express as they grow and mature?

I am sure glad I spent a lot of time and energy teaching my kids manners! 

I don't say "thanks" just to be nice.  I AM grateful for the shuttle.  I am grateful for the time and money it saves me, I am grateful to not have to walk in bad weather, and I am grateful to the driver for getting me to my destination safely!

My name is Emma. I ride the shuttle, and I say Thanks.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Thirty

I am grateful for Tender Mercies.

Much of what I have already described in the past 30 days can easily fall into the category of "tender mercies" -- someone calling you right when you need a friend, enjoying the beauty of the earth, getting a feeling or prompting to do something, hearing your favorite song at just the right time, or someone saying something you just might need to hear at that very moment.

But in addition to all of that, I feel tender mercies include the things we don't know about.  How many times are we seconds away from a car accident, or an illness that we weren't even aware of?  Or maybe an expense was delayed until a more expedient time for you to deal with it...  Things in which the Lord steps in and handles for our benefit? I am certain that there are probably lots of those divine interventions on my behalf.  And for those -- I am grateful.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Nine

I am grateful for kindred spirits.

I know I have mentioned in the past that I am grateful for good friends and neighbors.  And I truly mean that; I have the best friends and neighbors in the world.  They watch out for me and care about me, and I have been the recipient of service and good works so many times I know that I can never repay them.

But I also have some people in my life that I consider "kindred spirits", and I am lucky to have more than one.  These are the especially close friends who "get" me.  Some might even think the way I do, or we share a certain look and instantly one of us will know what the other is thinking.  Some of my kindreds will hear a song and then send me the link because it reminds them of me, and sure enough, when I hear it I love it.  I even have long-distance friends I consider kindreds because it's like we are living parallel lives (like Inception, haha) - even if the circumstances aren't exactly the same.   My closest kindreds share my "off" sense of humor, get the way I talk, understand the way I feel, realize how my anxiety drives me to succeed on some level, and love me regardless how much time we get to spend together.

I love that these people just seem to know when I need them most.  Sometimes, it's a quick little post to my FB page.  Sometimes it's a phone call just to say, "whatcha doin?" or "how's it going?"  There are so many ways they seem "in tune" and "in sync" with me, it's mind blowing.

I've talked about the {{"love experiment"}} before...  when we look for love and learn to recognize it, we see it more often and our heart feels more full.  This is what I have come to learn and to feel about my kindreds.  I feel blessed to have people like this in my life and I know that God puts them in my path because I need them.

To my Kindred Spirits (and you know who you are) -- I love you and am grateful for you!

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Eight

Today I am grateful for the beauty of the Earth. Seriously.

I love that back home I can drive through the rolling hills of tree-lined streets and winding roads that hug enormous lakes glistening in the sun.  Out here in Utah I get to drive through and near the mountains.  I enjoy the scenery of the setting of the sun (and if I ever get up early enough perhaps the rising of it too).  I like the leaves which change color in the fall.  And while I am not a fan of snow, per se, I have to say that freshly fallen snow on an undisturbed field (some place where I don't have to drive) can be quite breathtaking.

Of course, in the spring, our earth is renewed with the flowers and vegetation that begin to sprout up.  I don't really have much of a green thumb, but each Spring, it's been fun to see what color my Irises would come in as.

When I sit and really think about the beauty of the earth, and realize that the alternative could be boring and bland, I truly feel grateful that God loves us so much He blesses us with variety in nature.  Pretty cool, huh?

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Seven

Today I am grateful for church.

I know there are many who don't believe in organized religion.  But for me -- I am grateful to have a place of worship to attend on Sundays.  I enjoy going and fellowshipping with like-minded friends and neighbors.

But more importantly, there are times when I feel a bit "empty" or "drained" from the week, or perhaps I am struggling with a certain trial.  Getting out of the house and entering a place of peace and a place of worship and basking in the glow of others around me seems to buoy me up. It's like their sunshine will flow over into me, embracing me and letting me know I am in a place wherein I am loved.

Often times, a message will be shared-- either from the pulpit, in Sunday School or in passing conversation and it is precisely the message I needed to hear at that very moment.  Today was no exception.

In this 30 days of Gratitude project, part of my quest, per se, was to determine the importance of gratitude to begin with.  Initially, I felt that developing an attitude of gratitude would help me be able to see the bright side of things, to look at the glass as half-empty and not half full.  Which it does.  But, somehow, it does something more -- affects me deeper somehow.  It's a bit enigmatic, and yet I can feel the change from within.

Today a speaker in church made the comment that having real gratitude in our hearts makes everything else "enough".  I thought about that and it really resonated with me.  This is the time of year I start to stress and feel anxious.  I feel this pressure (put on myself, by myself) to try to give my kids a good and memorable Christmas.  Sometimes the anxiety is so bad I want to stay in bed, with the covers up over my head and not come out until after New Year's.  But having gratitude and really striving to see the good in everything, really does make what little I give seem like "enough".

Today, I am grateful for church.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Six

Today I am grateful for the peaceful, quiet moments.

Although I enjoy being around my friends and family, I also enjoy the quiet moments wherein I can be alone with my thoughts.  The littlest things, from taking a car drive, running the vacuum and drowning out all other distractions, or soaking in the tub,  to spending the weekend up at my friend's cabin, taking a little vacation by myself...  all of it.  The business of the majority of my life really helps me to appreciate the quiet times of solitude.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Five

Today I am grateful for my immediate family -- for parents who taught me the most valuable lessons in life and to have never-ending faith and for siblings who crack me up, impress me with their achievements and who "get" me, or at least tolerate me.  Most of all, I am grateful for their love, support and their belief in me.

I am grateful for my family. 

I bet you will never guess which one is me - haha!

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Four

I am grateful to be a mom.

I spent the last three days expressing gratitude for each of my children, so while this may seem a bit redundant, I still feel the need to express that I am grateful to be a mom.

As far back as I can remember, I loved playing "house" when I was a little girl.  What little girl doesn't?  I think as most little girls play with their dolls (their "babies") they dream of being a mom one day.  Normally, the thought process is "One day, when I'm a mom..."  not "... if I'm a mom".

I don't think the "if" factor even crosses our minds until some of us get older and want a baby and then learn it's not going to happen.  I've seen that happen to several of my closest friends and even some of my family members; it's heartbreaking.

I don't pretend to know the mysteries of God, or why some of us women can bear children easily while others can't.  But I will say that standing by - helpless - watching some of the women closest to my heart go through this, has definitely made me more appreciative to be a mom.

I remember struggling some days, feeling like the worst mom in the world and wondering if I was screwing up my kids and hoping that they would still turn out okay in spite of me.  I still have days like that.  Kids do that.  They try us and our patience.  It's what we did to our parents, and it's what they do to us.  Sometimes I am told I am the meanest mom in the world, and at times I've even been "hated".  During those times, I try to take it with a grain of salt, and I usually reply, "Good.  That means I am doing my job."  I think part of being a parent is setting boundaries for our kids (which is sometimes hard for me), and even though they may say they hate us for it, or that we've ruined their lives, in the end and deep down what they really mean is "thanks, because now I know you love me."  The payoff is when they say things like, "Thanks for dinner mom - that was the best!"  or "I love you."

Luckily, those hard times are far and few between the good ones.  (Even if it feels overwhelming at the time.)  I look back at how exasperated I felt during a few of their terrible-two phases.  (One of my kids had the terrible twos until they were four!) I laugh, because I see how far they've come and realize the terrible two's weren't such a big deal after all -- and we got through it!  I survived the night terrors, the whining, the screaming, the all-night crying for seemingly no reason at all.  I survived the breaking things, the getting into things, the mess-making.  Thus far I've managed to get through the back-talk, the sibling tiffs, and the disappointment of coming home to find they haven't done their chores when asked.  Things that seem sooo exhausting and soooo monumental in the moment, but when compared to all of the joys, the laughter and the fun times I've experienced with them, seem so small - so insignificant.

I am grateful I have been blessed with the opportunity and the capability to be a mom. I love being a mom and I'd definitely do it all again if I could.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Three

I am grateful for my daughter.

Like the boys, labor and delivery with her was a bit scary and she also had cord issues.  So, no doubt I was relieved once it was all said and done and she was safe and sound in my arms.

Ever since she could scream and mumble, we pretty much always knew what this little girl was thinking and what she wanted.  She is one of those people that knows what she wants and then goes for it.  She was the cutest baby ever and everyone said so - so it isn't just me, haha.  She has always been a fast learner in school and in first grade her teacher would even give her "extra work" because she would get done with hers so fast. The teacher asked her what she would like to learn and she replied, "French."  Luckily, the teacher knew French and would make up little assignments for her.  

She used to have some social phobias as an infant and didn't like when anyone even so much as looked at her.  As a baby, anytime anyone would pay any attention to her, she'd cry and try to hide her face. Slowly, but surely, she was able to overcome that for the most part.  Her second and third grade teachers discovered she has a knack for creative writing and really encouraged her to read her work in front of the class on a regular basis.  Now, in 6th grade, she is much more at ease with her friends.  She is still a great writer and this year one of her poems won a school contest and she moved on to the district level.

She does her homework without being reminded, she cleans her room without being asked.  She offers to help cook or clean wherever else needed too.  She has always set high standards for herself and chooses to keep her language especially clean and is a big component of dressing modestly.    She loves music and over the years has learned to play the recorder, two types of ukuleles and the piano.  She is also taking voice lessons, and I am amazed by the vocal chords this little girl has.  She is super smart and just overall a good girl.  She is nice to everyone, even if she doesn't like them.  There has been some "girl drama" at school the past few years and her teacher told me this past parent-teacher conference that I was the only mom of the group of affected girls that didn't call her to get involved and that as she watched each of the girls of this group more closely she noticed that my daughter was the only one of the group that didn't take sides (publicly, anyway - haha).

I could go on and on and obviously I am proud of the young woman she is becoming.  I love her so much and I am grateful to have her as my daughter.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Two

I am grateful for my middle child -- "LittleDuckling".

When I was ready to have another baby, I was excited at how easily I became pregnant.  My second pregnancy wasn't nearly as bad as the first, although toward the end I was sick all the time and I had gall bladder disease that went undiagnosed until about 5 weeks after he was born.  Labor and delivery however, was just as hard as with the first.  I often remind LittleDuckling that he will never be able to repay me for the 28 hours of labor I endured, haha.  All kidding aside though, I remember when the monitor beeps indicated distress and that this baby's entry into the world was a struggle.  With the chord wrapped twice around his neck, every contraction I had was cutting off his oxygen supply.  I was truly grateful once he finally made his debut.

Although his older brother was a small baby at 6 lbs 15 oz, LittleDuckling was definitely the runt at 5 lbs 8 oz.  He was a tiny baby and opposite of his older brother was the quiet one.  He was content to cuddle with me for hours all day...  in fact, that's all he ever wanted to do.  He didn't like to be put down.  I used to strap him into my "snuggli", freeing my hands to do housework.  Like baby Roo, he spent the majority of his first six months attached to Mommy.

I remember being worried that he would never talk because as an infant he was so much quieter than his older brother and as he neared his first birthday he hadn't even tried to speak.  Finally, just weeks before turning one, he uttered his first word, "pease" (please).  He loved to eat, and learned the quickest way to get more was to hold out his hand, flash his dark brown eyes and wide grin while saying, "pease?"  It was seriously the cutest thing ever.  Incidentally, "more" was his second word.

Once he started walking and talking he was content to be alone and NOT in the spotlight like his brother.  He isn't as outspoken although I have learned over the years that doesn't mean he isn't opinionated.  When asked, I have learned that he has some pretty strong opinions about quite a few things.  He enjoy writing as well, and has a vocabulary that blows me away for a kid of thirteen.  Sometimes he will say the funniest things, and just cracks me up - mostly because I don't expect it from him, he's so quiet.  When he does break into giggles, it is contagious... he has the best laugh ever.  One thing I noticed about him as he is growing up is that he will often try to include everyone in the group.  Last year he volunteered for peer tutoring in the special needs class at school.  I was surprised as I didn't even know he would want to do something like that.

He has always been my more sensitive one.  Because of that, it makes him sensitive to others.  As a little boy there wasn't an hour in the day that went by without him telling me he loved me.  He would also apologize when he acted out and he was the first to say "thanks for dinner" when we were finished eating.  He does have quite an appetite (unlike his much pickier brother) and I enjoy cooking for him knowing he will like it.  Ironically, my "LittleDuckling" is now bigger than his big brother.  I am amazed at how fast he is growing...  I can't seem to keep his wardrobe up with his growth spurts and because his brother is smaller than him, the days of hand-me-downs are long gone.

I am pleased with the choices he has been making lately as he is entering his teenage years and hope that he will continue to progress.  When he wants something, he doesn't wait for it to happen -- he makes it happen.  I love him so much and glad I am the lucky one that gets to be his mom.

I am grateful for my middle child.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-One

I am grateful for my oldest son--  "FunnyMan".

I remember when he was born...  it was not an easy pregnancy and the labor was no different.  Being an inexperienced 19 year-old mom was probably a good thing; I had no other pregnancies to compare it to so I really didn't grasp the danger he was in.  I was hospitalized three different times in the first trimester and on partial bed-rest during the last.  He was in major distress during labor and delivery that they didn't take the time to suction his airway before literally ripping him from me and rushing him off.  I had no idea that wasn't normal.  And the teensy-weensy island hospital I was in didn't even HAVE epidurals, so I was completely exhausted after the ordeal.  It wasn't until later it all sort of impacted me and I realized that I was truly blessed to have a healthy baby.

For the nearly the first four years of his life he was an only child and I found pure joy in being his mommy.  The one thing I noticed right away, is that he liked to be where the action was.  There was no putting him down in a crib or a playpen.  He wanted to be able to see everyone and be a part of whatever was going on. He used to crane his neck from his baby swing just to see what the rest of us were doing.  From his early baby stages he was fascinated by the TV and more so by movies.  He didn't care for cartoons either -- he liked regular movies. By the time he was a toddler he had every word to nearly every movie we owned memorized verbatim.  If we rented a movie, I had to watch it before he did.  Otherwise, he'd sit an quote movie lines throughout the entire thing...  He was 2 1/2.

This kid has quite a bit of personality and always makes me laugh.  He was a ham as a little boy and can still pull in a crowd.  He was always good at making faces, doing voices and accents and getting the timing of a joke or story just right.  In kindergarten he was given an award for always being kind to others and "rooting for the underdog".  He is still like that and he still likes to be a part of the action.  He doesn't notice the color of a person's skin nor does he care about their social status, religion, or cultural background;  he genuinely likes people and loves to be around them.

As a teenager he does things without being asked, like his laundry.  He's been doing his own laundry since he was 14 and I love that.   He's had odd jobs here and there since he was little -- and mostly involving acting.  He's been an extra in several movies and commercials, and as of late he has acted in Haunted Houses and in his high school theater department.  He is a talented amateur filmmaker and writer as well.  He has ambition to succeed at the things he loves and I know that if and when the right opportunity comes along as an adult, he will go far.

I love this kid with all my heart and I am grateful for him.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty

I am grateful for prayer.

From as early as I can remember we had regular prayer in my home.  My parents taught us the importance of giving thanks for our blessings as well as asking for things that we were in need of and in some cases our deepest desires.  I am a believer that the Lord answers our prayers in one form or another, even if it is not the answer we are hoping for.  I also believe that when the answer is "no" it is because He knows us best and knows what is expedient for us. Knowing this basic gospel principle brought me great comfort as a child.

As an adult, I have not gone without trial, and there were times in which the Lord has brought me great peace and comfort through prayer.  Some of my most intimate moments of self-discovery and of learning just how much the Lord does love and care about me were in times of desperate, almost agonizing supplication.  In all times, prayer has brought a spirit of peace, even when I did not know what the outcome would be.  One thing that prayer has always made me feel is that everything will be all right-- and it usually is.

Today, I am grateful for prayer.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Eighteen

I am grateful that I get to wear jeans to work sometimes.

For the most part, I enjoy dressing for work.  I wear skirts more often than slacks and stockings/hose don't seem to bother me.  I also feel more feminine in a skirt than I do slacks, which I like.  But every once in a while, I miss being able to wear jeans on a daily basis too.  So, on occasion when it's a short work week or what have you, my boss allows us to wear jeans to work on Fridays-- like today!  It's good too, because sometimes I don't want to have to put extra thought into my outfit for the day.

Today, I am grateful I get to wear jeans to work.  I know -- it's the littlest things that can make me happy.  :)

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Seventeen

I am grateful for art.

If I had the money and the space, no doubt I'd buy a few really nice pieces of artwork.  Sometimes, just looking at a piece of beautiful artwork, whether it be a painting, a sketch, a sculpture or a photograph, can bring a feeling of peace or inspiration.

Here is just one of my favorite paintings (which I don't have yet - but one day).

Van Gogh's "Flower Beds in Holland"

My friend Nnamdi Okonkwo has won several awards for his sculptures (which have been purchased by many cities throughout the U.S.).  As long as I've known him (which is approximately 18 years now) he has done the most beautiful scluptures of women...  and these are not of stereotypical "models" either.  There are so many good ones to choose from and this is one of my faves...

Nnamdi Okonkwo - "Sisters"

{{Click HERE for more of Nnamdi's work}}

I am grateful for art.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Sixteen

Today I am grateful for talents.

Each of us were born with certain gifts and talents.  Typically we discover our talents as we experiment and try new things.  The things we seems to have a natural appreciation for or a natural "knack" for -- those are the gifts we must work and grow into talents.  I am grateful that many of my family and friends and YOU have shared your talents with me throughout the years.  There are many things I am not good at and yet I can enjoy them through other people.

One of my talents I've been working on is writing.  It's been a goal of mine to get published.  I am currently taking a novel writing class (among others) and it's really been beneficial in expanding the way I write.  Our school does a literary publication twice a year, in which they publish winning entries from each semester.  I submitted a completed chapter from my manuscript and was recently notified that it was accepted and it's due to be published in Folio in just a few weeks.  They also invited me to do a 5-minute reading at the launch party.

I know it's just a simple community college competition, and it's a small publication by comparison.  But to me, it's exciting.  It's something I can now add to my resume and it's something that is going to be out there - with MY name on it.  I feel blessed that God has blessed me with the ability and the drive to develop this talent.

I am so grateful for talents.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Fifteen

I am grateful for vacations...

...and even sometimes STAYcations.   I love taking road trips to visit family, heading to the beach, or camping, or flying to a new destination, or even driving up to the cabin for a long weekend.  While seeing new things and visiting new places can be exciting, I also enjoy little mini-vacations/staycations of "nothing"... just me chilling out and sleeping in as late as I want, and staying in my pj's all day, should I so desire.

This year we are not going out of town for Thanksgiving.  I already have the day planned out (a 90 minute intense boot-camp workout that morning, then heading to friends), but the rest of the weekend is open, so to speak.  Initially, I thought it would be a great weekend for some deep cleaning.  But truth be told, I have felt so exhausted lately, that I am now starting to think I need to just relax and do NOTHING; my body is telling me I need some major rest.  So, that is my new plan.

I am sooo looking forward to next weekend.  I am grateful for vacations!

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Fourteen

I am grateful when my children get along with each other.  'Nuff said.  :)

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Thirteen

I am grateful for Repentance.

True, I was a pretty straight-laced kid-- no drinking, no smoking, no sex, etc.  I tried to be a good daughter-- no arguing, no talking back, cleaning my room, helping around the house, etc.  I had this strong desire as a kid and as a teenager to "be good". And for the most part, I think I fared out pretty well, though I certainly had my flaws.  As an adult I've still tried and am still trying to be good and to do good, although there are times I still fall short. I think it's say to assume we all have at one time or another; and sometimes the fall isn't so short.  Sometimes when we fall it may be a long, dark path.

Heaven knows I've made mistakes.  Some mistakes I will unfortunately remember the rest of my life.  Although, I believe with acknowledgment, remorse, restitution, behavior change, and repentance, God will take the things we lost from the things we learned and replace them with something better.  I am grateful that no matter how many mistakes I've made, and no matter how serious they may have been, there is repentance.

I believe in the atonement of of my Savior and I believe that repentance is available to all persons.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has sent His son for us so that I have the opportunity to repent and to do better and hopefully become the person He already knows me to be.

I am grateful for repentance.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twelve

Today I am grateful for cleanliness.

Truth be told, I hate cleaning.  I have so little energy by the time I get home from work, school and the gym, that cleaning is the last thing I want to do.  Funny thing is, it doesn't go away.  The mess just waits for me.

The kids have their chores and the things they know they are to do, but lets' be honest...  I didn't always do my chores voluntarily when my mom wasn't home....  did you?  So, it usually all waits until Saturday.  But then once it's done, it feels great and I feel so accomplished.  I believe in the proverb that Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

I am grateful for a clean house.