1. I am very grateful for my wonderful family. To be blessed with a wonderful husband. He is my best friend. He is so great to me. I am grateful that he is mine forever. My children, I am blessed to have three. With so many friends of mine that struggle with infertility even after having even one or two children, how their hearts ache for more. I am thankful for our three, whether we keep it three, or also we have talked about adopting others in the future when Jake gets older. I love children. I love that ours are big sweethearts and that I want to be around them. But yes, I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to be able to carry three.
2. Which reminds me. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids and raise them, and be around them 24/7. I loved when I did work, and wouldn't mind it if I did again, but I am sure glad that I get to spend this precious time with the kids; they are growing so fast. Being home also allows me to care for the home and develop domestic skills like canning/sewing/menu planning/couponing, etc. I am a work in progress. But I can't wait to see how I end up! (and teaching these skills to my kids as well)
3. I am thankful for my faith in my Lord. Without my faith, I would be lost. Sometimes it is hard for me not to be driven about everytime the media says something. I think I want to go this direction or that direction. I wonder sometimes if I am doing the right things. But when I center myself and pray, I am reminded that my path is the path that gives me peace, that brings a quiet happiness, as opposed to the party lifestyle that the media portrays as being the way towards happiness. I know I have a Father in Heaven, a brother that died on the cross for me, so that I can repent and try again. I am grateful for repentance as it gives me a clean slate, which gives me joy, instead of misery, that I am a horrible person for the things I have done. I also love the eternal perspective that was reminded to me on Sunday in Relief Society, when we discussed how the Lord knows our Spirits, and knew us before we came here, and so we feel bad about ourselves, but our vision is so small about who we really are. It's a beautiful thought, and I love it. I am more than I am now. And God loves all of me. I try to think of that when I am hating on myself.
4. I am grateful that I live in the United States of America. What a blessing! I know it has it's imperfect moments, and right now there is drama, but the fact that I can walk down the street and do what I want, that I can go to what church I want, have what job I want, raise my kids the way I want, marry whom I want... FREEDOM, it's fantastic. I love the American Flag. I love our military fighting for my family's freedom. I am grateful for the protection I have here. I am grateful that our set-up isn't so corrupt, that we can't even trust the police (I'm sure there are bad experiences out there, but for the most part). Anyway, I am glad I get to vote, that there aren't shootings and trampelings and threats and all these problems for who we get to decide who goes into office. I am grateful for a President, not a King, or a Prime Minister. I am grateful we have a checks and balance system. I know the Founding Fathers were inspired, and although they were not perfect, they did their best. I am grateful for freedom of speech. That we don't live in a country that censors what we can see on the internet. I am grateful I can blog about whatever I want. :)
5. I am grateful to have a roof over my head, electricity and running water, clothing, bedding, that I and my family can read and write. I am grateful that we are not starving but can go to the grocery store and basically pick whatever it is we feel like eating.
6. I am MOST definitely grateful for me and my family being healthy. I know this is huge!! The fact that we can see, and walk and hear and are not in a hospital or doubled over in pain, or having to be on any medications. Whenever I do have a problem, I feel such empathy for those who struggle with health problems every single day.
7. So on that I am sorry if I haven't been a better person because of these blessings. I am sorry if I haven't been a better friend, mother, daughter, or person in the community. I am sorry if I hurriedly passed you by if you were in need of a helping hand. I hope to be better, every single day. Please forgive me and know that I am working on being better. Please ask me for help if you need it. I get so caught up in my brain that sometimes I don't really stop and look around. I hope I haven't offended anyone, I really try not to. :) I do put my foot in my mouth from being opinionated.
8. If I know you and you are reading this, I am lucky to know you. Thank you for all that you have done for me or my family. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and know that we are more blessed because of you!
