Gratitude

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~

It's been a while since I have acknowledged and shown gratitude for the things that shape my life so without further adieu.....

I'm most grateful for the calm we have within the economic financial mess. Derik and I get to rest each and every day knowing were not in over our heads, that we live within our means.

I'm grateful for my mom. I had something happen this week that I felt I wasn't prepared to handle, I needed an experienced mom's advice. I'm glad shes just a phone call away and that she's willing to listen and help. I'm glad that she knows me and my children so well, that she really can give advise no one else could.

I'm grateful for the new and "domestic" side of me that's peeping through. I have had so much fun cooking and gardening and making things all by myself! I'm a little old fashioned I guess but I get this peculiar sense of pride when I make dinner from things in the garden, or I make my own pizza dough from scratch and create my own center pieces. Watch out Martha Stewart!

I'm grateful for my neighbor Caroline who gives me a break every other week and picks Dylan up from school.

I'm grateful to all the sweet and devoted teachers that take on 25 Kindergarteners at once.

I'm grateful for my Sunday School teachers, because quite frankly I love sitting there listening to you, it's my only break in the whole week where I'm not in charge and I love the fact that I don't have to plan or prepare the lesson. Thanks a million!

I'm grateful for the sweet spirits that are my Activity Day girls. They give me hope.

I'm grateful for this past LDS general conference, It stilled my anxious soul and gave me courage to face the future. I love the Brethren that the Lord has appointed as His Apostles. I especially love President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his last two talks have inspired me so much.
Conference Talk on MP3
Happiness Your Heritage

I'm grateful I lived through my 2.5 mile run today. It was really rather difficult for me.

I'm grateful for our home and for all the things it shelters us from. I'm grateful that even though I don't have the everyday "wants" most people have, I have always had the things I need.

I'm grateful for my struggles, because even though they overwhelm me, In the spectrum of life's griefs they really are not that bad. I'm not facing death, or sickness, or homelessness, or infertility, I'm not lonely, I'm not facing bills we can't afford to pay, I'm not without friends and family. I have food and water and shelter, and health. I can see and hear and touch and taste. I have good friends and neighbors, but more importantly I have family, who's always there to help and comfort and uplift.