A little light reading, for those of you avoiding laundry!

LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Profound Power of Gratitude

I will, of course, post more later.  Today is a busy day in our house, well, in most of our houses I suspect, what with Activity days, Scouts, Young Women/ Men, and such.  I am in the process of preparing my lesson for Activity days this afternoon, which is surprisingly about Gratitude, and I found my way to a few lessons that I love.  I find myself reading the General Conference talks and Ensign lessons much more these days.  A little thirsty I guess.  This one is very applicable to where I want to go in my home and I thought you might like it.  

Oh, and today, right this minute, I am grateful for sitting on the couch eating edamame with a freshly showered Kierstin!  I know, it's silly, but she just kept asking for more and asked me to make more when we had finished the first batch, and then she looked up at me and said, "Mom, these are licious!"  (translation: delicious)  It was FUN!

More gratitude

Hello all!  Well, I have been busy these last two days with kids and the house and Larry heading out of town for 2 weeks.  Today is, in fact, the 14th anniversary of the 1st time Larry and I got married.  Say that 10 times fast, and then tell the long sordid tale of how we divorced and then got back together...no, actually...let's not.  We went through a lot, certainly, but he has always been there...sometimes even when I didn't want him there.  Sometimes when I wanted to kill him, but nonetheless...he kept coming back.  Today I am grateful for him.  I am grateful for the trials that made us realize how much we had to fight for, and there were many trials.  We sure did make a mess of our lives, but somehow, we're here.  I am grateful for every day that we have and for all of the stuff that comes with it.  I am even thankful for the times that he is driving me crazy with the cleaning.  I am grateful for the cleaned out pantry, and the folded laundry, for the lists of things he gives me to do, for his willingness to live here in Texas and travel for work, for how much he loves each of our four children.  The way he looks at them, the way they adore him, it is tremendous.  I am grateful for his ability to "put up" with me.  (and he really does know how)  There used to be so many reasons for this love not to work, but there are more that allow us to be together, to raise this family in love and faith, and to work to build each day as a team.  I have loved him for most of my adult life, and I am proud to call him my husband and best friend.

As for the rest of you...you are not answering my direct question.  What are you grateful for?

Gratitude

Well, it's that time of year.  It seems that the entire month of November is filled with suggestions intended to remind us of all that we have to be grateful for. We sit and smile and think of a few things that we know that we are and ought to be grateful for.  We had a visit from our home teachers tonight and they asked our children what they are grateful for.  Here's how that went:  

Kaden said he would have to think about it.

Kimball said...oh wait...Kaden thought of something...

My family.

Kimball is quick to say that he is grateful for food.  (yep, he really did)

Kyra, with a coy little smile, says rather innocently that she is grateful for the Holy Ghost.  (she then tilts her head and bats her eyelashes at the unsuspecting visitors.)

Now.  In my thoughts on what I can do to improve and strengthen my family, I have thought many times that we need to work on this one aspect, gratitude.  But what's critical to that is recognition.  If we don't recognize something as a blessing, or a gift, then how can we truly be grateful.  Here's the goal:  To spend one week, or even one day, pointing out all of the things, big and small, that we are given on a daily basis that we could be, should be, grateful for.  

I will start a little list, and please...feel free to add to the list in your comments.  What are you grateful for today?

Day One:

Quiet at the end of a busy Sunday

Larry, sitting in church with us today.

Larry, leaving early enough to come home and make us lunch.

Kimball, for interviewing and accepting the call to receive the Priesthood.  Very sweet.

Kaden, for his warm and enveloping example.  I can't tell you the number of people who tell me how great they think he is.  It's in his spirit, and I am honored to be his mother.

Kyra, for being Kyra and for giving Kierstin a horsey ride tonight.  Big laughs.

Kierstin...for the unending joy that she is.  There was great heartache to get her here, but there is a truly divine reason for her addition to our family.  

Lucy, for telling me a sweet story that Kaden had shared with her about Kierstin and how much he loves her.

Mom, for agreeing to drop everything and go to help a family in need.  (while she is finishing up helping another family while they are traveling.)

Dad, for insisting on being there when Kimball is set apart.

The great joy that baseball season has ended.  (and that Kaden DID get a game ball!)

My sweet family for coming to Kaden's game last night.

Primary programs in Sacrament meeting.

I believe that I could just keep going on and on if I sat and thought about it more, but I am also grateful for sleep which is needed in order to continue appreciating tomorrow.

Ask your children what they are grateful for...and if it's video games and tv, it might be time to have a gratitude lesson.  :)  I know it is time in my house.

Good night!

It's been a week of firsts!

Well, obviously it has been a big week of firsts.  Monday, Kierstin went to the dentist for the first time.  We found out that she is cutting 4 molars!  Uh, huh.  You should feel bad for us.  Kaden and Kyra had NO CAVITIES!  How that happened, I have no idea.  

And then on Tuesday Kaden became a Bear in Scouts and received lots of awards which he is very proud of.  Kimball moved into 12 year old Scouts and, drum role please, the Young Men program at church.  Makes me feel old!

(Another little thing happened on Tuesday night about some black guy and the white house.)

And then today!  The wind and the leaves and all the kids.  Kierstin had her very first experience with playing in piles of leaves, or should I say one gigantic magical pile of leaves!  Kyra had a new friend with us for the afternoon, making everyone have an enjoyable day.  If one child is left out, then no one can really have a good time, unless you get really good at ignoring the whining.  

It was a beautiful Fall day with a nice breeze, strong enough to blow down a good 1/3 of our leaves...oh, there are so many more.  We made cookies and enjoyed this playful day without one word from me about how many bugs there must surely be in that pile of leaves.  I kept my mouth shut while they laughed!

And now, they are all sleeping!  

Oh, you missed some fun today!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

God Bless America

Well, well, well. No matter what side you vote for or how you might feel about either of these candidates and their lofty promises, we are witnessing history tonight. I could not be more proud of our great country and the incredible change that has happened.

President Barack Obama.

I just hope we got it right. :)

My turn to be a car. :)

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.