A Time for Thanks.

The theme in our home this month is "Things we are grateful for." We made a wall of leaves and on the leaves we wrote or drew things we were grateful for. I was really thinking of things I am thankful for and realized how full my heart is. I thought I would include a few on the blog.

1. My Testimony - I am so grateful to have the Gospel in my life and for the knowledge in a Father in Heaven that loves me and a Savior who died for me that I may live again. I am thankful for the prophet and all the worthy men who direct and guide the church. I am thankful for the Young Women's Program and that I get to be apart of it. I am thnakful for each young woman I get to serve, who teach me more that I teach them (I swear!) I am thankful for the power of the priesthood and that I am married to a man who holds it.

2. The Atonement/Sacrament - I am so thankful that each week I can partake of the sacrament and be made clean again. I am grateful for the desire I have to do what is right. I have made choices in my life I am not proud of, but I am grateful that through the power of repentance...my sins are remembered no more and I can be forgiven. I am grateful for the knowledge that I will never be forgotten. He knows me and my needs. He is watching me and cheering me on in my efforts to do what is right. He blesses me according to my faithfulness.

3. Family - I am so blessed to be married to a man that adores me and I Him. I am grateful to have parents that are more in love today than they were yesterday. I am thankful for my 2 sisters that help me be a better person and a better mother. I am thankful for the brother I have, that just appreciates me for me. I am so thankful that all us kids have a good relationship. I am so blessed to have such a good relationship with my parents. My father who can fix anything my kids break and the example he sets. I adore my mother...she is good and kind. She is generous and so good with my children...with all children. I don't even know how to express how grateful I am for my sweet children and the amazing gift it is to be their mother. I am so grateful for the temple that binds us together forever and to be married to a man that has taken me to the temple so I may have those blessings.

4. Me - I am thankful to be me. I am thankful I am a Bloomer by birth and a Freeman by choice. I am thankful for MY gifts. For my love of singing and music. For my ability to see the good in people. For my ability to forgive (Thanks Mom). I am grateful to be happy with who I am on the inside and the out. I am grateful for the confidence that comes with the knowledge that I am a daughter of God who loves me. For the desires I have to dress modestly and live the Gospel principles. For my ability to teach my children, care for the sick and my willingness to serve. (Thanks again MOM) I know I might not always be good at what I do, but it is the thought that counts...hopefully. I am also so grateful for my latest break through...one Julie will appreciate...I DON"T HAVE TO BE A SIZE 0 TO BE A HAPPY! Yes I know that might sound crazy, but trust me it is a break through. I am truely happy with me and so thankful for that.

5. Life - I am overwhelmed with the gratitude I feel to be able to create life. What a miracle. I am grateful for floors to mop, rugs to vacuum, furniture to polish, toilets to scrub, laundry to do, toys to disinfect, mirrors to shine, blinds to dust, a van to clean, children to bath, bread to bake, fruit to can, dinner to cook, soil to til, books to read, e-mails to check, accounts to budget!!! I am so thankful my full time job is my 3 kids. I am thankful my husband works so hard, so I don't have to. I am thankful for the trials life brings and the lessons those trials teach us. I am grateful to have a physical body and the opportunity to be on this earth. To feel the warmth of a hug, the pains of labor, the joys of triumphs. I am thankful for the beauty of the mountains, the smell of rain, the taste of a homemade cookie and the ability to remember it all.