I'm grateful for...

My amazing children

Trials that make us stronger

Good people

Late night snacks

Water

Milk

Big day

I'm grateful for the priesthood. For the blessings it gives me in my life. For my husband and father holding it. For my son having a desire and living a life to be worthy of it. For a father, brother, husband and nephew that could stand in the circle to give it to my son. What an awesome day. 

Starting again

Warm blankets

Fires

Family

Leggings

Temples

Family history

March 30, 2014

1 - I made a good dinner for my family
2 - I chose to spend my time going to choir practices and performing in a Stake Easter Fireside
3 - I got to my meetings on time

1 - Missy did the dishes all on her own - not being asked.  It is amazing to me how such a little service fills my bucket with grattitude
2 - I am grateful I get to go to church.  It is totally a choice I can make and I get to make that choice every week.  I am not filed every week, probably because I am not prepared to hear, but this week I was filled.
3 - I have a truly wonderful husband.  Corry is not only good to me, but sometimes I get to be really good to him too.  I love that we are so different and that we can support each other in our different things, but I love that we are mostly just working together - even if it is at different things, we are still working for our ultimate common goal of celestial glory.

1 - Not just seek and hear promptings, but act on them.

February 25, 2014

1 - I exercised - and I loved it!  It was my second bike ride of this year and I grinned the whole time!  I love being out on my bike!
2 - Life's bumps came up and I had to rearrange things right around dinner time, but I still got it made and everyone was fed.
3 - I successfully brought home a 14 foot long board in my 11 foot long car.

1 - Good friends to go to lunch with
2 - Good leaders that care about my kids
3 - Missy saw a need in helping me out.  Everyone else was sitting around on their electronics while I frantically tried to put together dinner and have it eaten in 20 minutes.  She came right up, asked if she could help and jumped in cheerfully.

1 - Reach out to someone in need and teach my kids to work

February 17, 2014

1- I turned off the Olympics and spent time with Corry
2- I kept trying to find a match for the wood flooring in the basement until I was successful
3- I allowed my kids to make their own decisions today, even though I didn't agree with the decision.

1- good people around to help us with our flood
2- time spent 1 on 1 with fuzzy
3- good talks and a good relationship with Corry

1- make the most of the day - choose to not let bad this way me down

February 14, 2014

1- I went out of my way to serve a neighbor
2- I ran out of time to make dinner so I improvised
3- I taught dance

1- a loving husband that helped me fold and put away laundry
2- a 16 year old willing to rearrange her schedule to help me
3- a good friend to eat lunch with

1- help my family feel loved on valentines day.

February 6, 2014

1- Alli knew I loved her when she went to bed
2- everyone was where they needed to be on time
3- I woke up early for Corry

1- grateful for the chance to teach dance at home
2- grateful I came home and missy was doing the dishes
3- grateful for my weekly lunch with Wendi

1- get Christmas cards out!

February 5, 2014

1 - I got up and exercised
2 - I babysat a darling girl
3 - I fulfilled many of my assignments today

1 - good teachers that love my children
2 - a husband, who although isn't always here physically, really cares about his family
3 - understanding friends

1 - let Alli know she's loved

February 4, 2014

1 - I taught dance, I may not be the best teacher, but I am good at it
2 - I showed up for my assignment to sell suckers
3 - I spent time with my children

1 - Corry he's there for me
2 - my dance students - they just make me smile
3 - good music - it is good for my soul

1 - listening to the spirit better

February 4, 2013

1 - Had a good attitude with Missy's guidance counselor and got a lot more out of the meeting than I thought I would.
2 - Got dance costumes ordered
3 - Taught art in Scotty's class

1 - Be more patient with sassy children

January 30, 2014

1 - I got to my meetings on time

2 - I made the effort to spend time with good friends

3 - I accomplished most of my list

1 - Tender mercies from The Lord. I received help in an unexpected way

2 - Julane called - everything is more fun with Julane!

3 - Becky called and invited me to go with her to the stake meeting

More meaningful prayers.

January 29, 2014

1 - made an effort visiting teaching
2 - did most of my to do list
3 - strengthened relationships

1 - missy
2 - fuzzy
3 - Scotty
4 - Alli
They worked together to help each other

1 - more excerise - better workout

Jan 28, 2014

I'm changing up this blog a bit. I am working on my mental health to become less of an "I can't do anything right" person and more of an "I can do many things well" person.  So everyday I will list three things I have done well, three things I am grateful for, and one thing to work on for tomorrow.

1 - I had dinner done with enough time for everyone to eat it and get to the church
2 - I made my bed
3 - I followed through with a prompting to take missy to the doctor

1 - technology - Because of skype I could talk to my husband
2 - amazing doctors in my life that not only are good doctors, but are cousins that love us
3 - birthdays - kohls gave me $10 for my birthday.  I got valentine's day dish towels and a bar of chocolate

1 - excercise - I didn't get there today

Yesterday the Boston marathon was bombed.  Today Corry was in Boston.  Ironic that my gratitude that Corry wasn't someplace is a whole lot of other people's sorrow.

Lorenzo Snow

We are studying the life of Lorenzo Snow in Relief Society this year.  Yesterday's lesson really touched me, particularly this quote, "Many of you may have severe trials, that your faith may become more perfect, your confidence be increased, your knowledge of the powers of heaven be augmented; and this before your redemption takes place. If a stormy cloud sweep over the horizon … ; if the cup of bitter suffering be offered, and you compelled to partake; Satan let loose to go among you, with all his seductive powers of deceivings and cunning craftiness; the strong relentless arm of persecution lifted against you;—then, in that hour, lift up your heads and rejoice that you are accounted worthy to suffer thus with Jesus, the Saints, and holy prophets; and know that the period of your redemption has approached." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial: “From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine”)

I loved this!  Rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer with the Savior!  What amazing words!

Having a nostalgic moment

I am having a hard time writing my other blog right now as the tears fall down my cheeks.  I am truly happy, but sometimes I miss the more simple days that have passed.  The tiring days of my children all home all the time.  Holding babies, changing diapers and just feeling my children all close beside me.

As they have gotten older I love them, maybe more than I did then.  I see what they have become and what they are becoming.  I love who they are.  I sometimes mourn the days that are gone, yet at the same time I am so excited for the days ahead.  This motherhood journey is conflicting!

OK, I think I have it together enough to go on...

Anyone out there thinking of becoming a mother, just do it.  It is the most rewarding thing there is!

Thought this day would never happen

So I was really thinking this day would never happen.  I mean,  I used to always KNOW this day would happen, then it didn't so I began thinking this day would really never happen.  You know that day when your kids don't want you around anymore.

 I was good when my oldest started school, then when she got older I expected that day to come.  And it didn't!  3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th and 6th grade all passed with her running up to give me a big hug when I came in the room.  Then she stated junior high and I thought it would come.  Still didn't.  Then she started high school and I thought it would never happen, but mostly to the end of the year, it finally happened.

It really started when we went on our Disneyland trip and has just gotten worse.  Now she doesn't even want to spend her 16th birthday with her family.  I am torn between saying, no, you will spend your birthday with the one that gave birth to you; and realizing that she won't have a good time, will be more moody and no fun to be with anyway, so what to do?

Ahhh.  Sometimes being a mom is hard.  I love it.  Best job ever.  But somedays my heart strings are really torn.  This is one of those days...

On the happier side, houses are being built like crazy around us and I hope someday really soon it won't feel nearly so lonely here!

Mix of emotions

Today was a total mix of emotions!  It is the first day of spring break and I love having the kids home, but with having them home comes more fighting.  Not fighting exactly but sassy rudeness.  Man I wish they would treat others with more kindness!  Bu then there were moments of laughter, kindness and love.  I want to choose to remember those moments!

Starting all over, again

So since I really didn't keep up on the 365 days of gratitude very well, I have decided to use this blog a little differently.  I am solely going to use it as a journal, trying to find the positive in everyday, but some days it might take a lot of digging.  I was talking to a friend recently that reminded me of the importance of journal keeping.  I keep up on my family blog, sort of ish, but I don't always write down the things of my days that I would like to remember  because I forget by the time I am caught up.  So my other blog will be my family history, and this one will be my journal. I may turn it private, because sometime I may not want to have the world know my feelings yet, but we will see...

So lately I have been struggling a bit with finding joy.  There have been some family issues that have caused me heartache.  In my extended family there is so much tension sometimes.  Elder Huntsman spoke to our stake last weekend and admonished us to let things go.  We need to forgive and not hold onto things that happened 1, 5, 10 or more years ago.  He told us we can move forward and that that is why we have the Atonement.  I am often reminded of the scripture that tells us that if we forgive, God will forgive us, but if we don't forgive, He won't forgive us.   I need that forgiveness!

Also sometimes I get bogged down with poor decisions my children a making.  One of them is making particularly poor choices lately.  Sister Dalton taught that every choice matters to the Young Women at Conference.  That is also why I get weighed down.  I feel the importance and see the path that they might go down.  Yet at the same time President Uchtdorf taught of the importance on our journey in this life, to be of good cheer.

So I guess my goal this year is to be of good cheer.  Even when all those other things happen.  Be of good cheer.  Lets see how I do!