One-a-day Gratitude

November 12, 2011 - Yesterday, 11/11/11, was Veteran's Day.  Although I chose another thing for which to be grateful yesterday, Veteran's Day did not go unnoticed.  We live in an amazing country.  A land, choice above all others.  Part of what makes this country so great is the willingness of its citizens, men and women, to fight for our freedom and the freedom of other countries.  It is our people which make this country strong.

Today, I am grateful for the men and women who sacrifice so much for me and my family.  May God bless you and your families always.



One-a-day Gratitude

November 11, 2011 - The girls were out of school today for end of the term.  They have been asking to go to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point (officially called the Museum of Ancient Life), so I took some time off work and took them.  It is an amazing museum. 



Daughter #2 really likes rocks (and I mean she REALLY likes rocks.  I have more rocks in my yard and house than I know what to do.), so anything that looks like a rock or has her looking for rocks, is a hit!  They also have a new exhibit highlighting the physics of motion with lots of interactive exhibits.  Their favorite was the one where they were able to pedal a generator to turn on a column of lights.  Fabulous!

Today, I am grateful that my children have a love for museums and zoos.  They are some of my favorite things too.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 10, 2011 -  I have an employee who is pregnant with her first child, a son.  Her due date is December 5th.  I wanted to have a shower for her, but since she lives in Los Angeles, it was complicated.  To overcome the distance (I have 17 employees from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean), I scheduled a conference call and made it a virtual shower.  Shh, it was also a surprise for the mom-to-be.

I have been planning this shower with another employee in the San Diego area to help get presents to the actual party for over a month.  That's a long time to keep a secret.  After some car troubles and delaying the party 1.5 hrs, we got started.  I didn't really have any business to discuss, but I was waiting for my delivery girl to arrive at the appointed site.  Finally she made it!  The mom-to-be was SO surprised.  And so grateful to be remembered.  I have an amazing group of women working for me.

Here is our virtual cake and punch.  The best part of this shower is no calories from the refreshments.  Go ahead, have a bite.  I promise - no calories.



And so today, I am grateful to have made someone's day brighter.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 9, 2011 - Today has been a jumbled mess.  I have no other way to describe it - a jumbled mess!  I won't bore you with the details, but I'm glad the day is over!

I did attend a fundraiser dinner and auction for the Hunter High Silhouettes.  Dinner was OK, dessert was delicious.  And I had the winning bid for a Swedish massage and homemade quilt!  I will be scheduling that massage very soon.  ;-)



Today, I'm thankful for a winning bid.  And for the brief respite from the craziness that is our everyday life.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 8, 2011 -  We dance for 7 hours a week over the course of 3 days.  Sometimes, I feel as though I spend all of my time driving to and from dance.  Often times, I wonder if it's worth it.

But ...
I have found a neighbor around the corner whose girls dance at the same studio the same days and time that my girls dance.  Can you say carpool?



I only made one trip to the dance studio tonight.  It was heaven!  I am thankful for my dance carpool today (and tomorrow, but I won't count that).

One-a-day Gratitude

November 7, 2011 -  Today was uneventful.  Note:  I didn't say quiet or not busy.  It was a very busy and long day, but I didn't have many interruptions at work today; the children were cooperative; I was able to focus and accomplish a lot.  That doesn't happen often.  But, oh, how I love the feeling!

And so, today I am thankful for stamina.  Sometimes the race is long and strenuous.  Sometimes, the race beats me ... but not today, I get to claim the victory today.

 



One-a-day Gratitude

November 6, 2011 -  Most Sundays we enjoy dinner at my in-laws.  I have always loved this for many reasons, one of which is the fact that I don't have to plan dinner.  I just have to bring something, usually a salad.  But I think the thing I love the most is being with extended family.  It has made us very close as a family.

This past year, those Sunday dinners have been jeopardized by the ill health of my in-laws.  And not just little illnesses, but major events - a heart attack last Thanksgiving and a stroke on September 11, 2011.  I am happy to report that both events have had favorable outcomes, although there are still limitations from the stroke.  But with time, we continue to be hopeful for a full recovery.

As so, today I am grateful for modern medicine that has prolonged the life of my in-laws.  They are wonderful, faithful people.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 5, 2011 - I had the opportunity to go the the temple today to witness the sealing of some friends to their two adopted children.  What a special experience!  It was short, but the spirit was strong. 



The circumstances surrounding this adoption were tragic.  These two children now have an eternal family. 



Today I am grateful for temples and the sealing powers of the priesthood. 

And for the promise of eternity.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 4, 2011 - Ah, Friday, my favorite day of the week.  It's truly our family night.  The rest of the week is so busy with homework, dance, music lessons and church callings, we rarely get to spend much time together.  But Friday is our day.  Dinner together and some other activity, usually a movie by the fire, which is perfect tonight since it's so cold today.

So today, I am grateful for our Friday ritual. 

One-a-day Gratitude

November 3, 2011 -  I've had a cold.  As a result, I haven't slept well for about 10 days.



Until last night. 

It was sweet, sweet sleep.  I didn't wake once.  In fact, I slept 6 minutes past my alarm.  I didn't even hear it.

And so, today, I am grateful for a full nights sleep.  I feel refreshed and energetic today.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 2, 2011 - Daughter #1 had a very bad morning.  She didn't like the shirt she was wearing.  She didn't like her poster for her book report presentation that was due today.  She didn't want to wear her coat.  She was late to school.  And most of all, mom was mean and insensitive. 

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Until ...

she went to the library and got this. 



Today I am grateful for the escape from reality that comes from reading.  Sometimes we all need a little fantasy in our lives.  It made all the difference today.

One-a-day Gratitude

November 1, 2011 - As I lie awake in the wee hours of the morning, worrying about our mailbox (was it knocked over again this year?) and thinking "Did I remember to lock the car? I hope no one has broken into it.", I also remembered that it's November. I can't believe it's November. Time for One-a-day Gratitude.

And then I checked this blog. I haven't been here since March. Where has the time gone?

But back to the here and now. Today, I am grateful for the beautiful weather we enjoyed for trick-or-treating last night. It was beautiful! And we are overloaded with candy. Can't think of a better way to spend the evening than a 2.5 hr walk around the neighborhood with my girls. Heaven!

I am also grateful that the mailbox

didn't get demolished

and that I remembered to lock

the car.

I'm still addicted ...

and the list of blogs I follow increases almost daily (I'm really out of control.  I feel kind of like a stalker since most of the people I follow don't have a clue who I am or that I even follow them.) ...

... but I think people are so interesting.

 ... and I am learning  so many new things.

 ... and I am finding many things I admire

like
how crafty and creative some people are (I really wish I had this talent).
how strong and courageous people can be when faced with adversity/tragedy.
how loving and patient parents of special needs children are.  I think they are angels from heaven.
how wise some people are.
what great faith people have.
how inspiring and inspired people are.

If you are reading this blog, you most likely fall into at least one (but probably more) of the above categories.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas.  They truly help me grow as a person.

Now, if only I could discipline myself enough

to exercise for even 1/2 the time I spend reading blogs,

but that's a different topic for another day.

Agency

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and act for ourselves and not be acted upon.  What that really means is that we MUST act with accountability and responsibility for our actions which, in turn, means consequences follow actions.  The consequences are set - for good choices come nice consequences, for bad choices come not-so-nice consequences.

We view this as a good thing, a part of the Great Plan of Happiness, as something that will bring us happiness.

But not always ...

I am watching a loved one make some not-so-great choices.  It is not making me happy.  In fact, it is quite painful.  But today, in my morning prayer, while praying specifically for this person, I received an answer - I cannot force this person to make different decisions because of a little thing called agency. 

Darn.  I think I might be part Satan wanting to force this person to stay on the path.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "Agency - our power to choose - is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth.  God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons' choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons - even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another - for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress.  He will bless us to endure the consequences of others' choices, but He will not prevent those choices."

Darn, darn, darn.

And a familiar hymn tells us:

     Know this that ev'ry soul is free

     To choose his life and what he'll be;

     For this eternal truth is giv'n:

     That God will force no man to heav'n.

Ok, I get it.  I can't make this person make good choices.  But I can  - and will - continue to pray for the return to sanity and the path which leads to happiness.

Why does life have to be so hard?

Addiction

Everyday there's one more on the list ...

Like a magnet, they continue to draw me in ...

Hours and hours ...

Just one more click ...

Oh, that looks interesting ...

And on and on it goes.  I am totally addicted to blogs. Crafts, and ideas for church, and interesting stories about people's families and trips ... and on and on and on ...

Some people I know personally.  I'm even related to most of those that I know personally.  I love reading their thoughts and updates on their lives.  BUT ...

They have links on their page that direct me to other blogs who have more links to other blogs.  The list is really long.  And I'm totally addicted.  I must have my blog fix daily.  Unfortunately, it really takes up a lot of my time ...

Besides consuming my precious time (you all know what I mean - there's just so little of if), often it leaves me feeling inadequate.  These women are so talented!  They are so organized!  Their children are so creative and well groomed!  Their homes are beautifully decorated! 

At least that's what I see ...

As benign as this addiction is (and I really have no intention of trying to break it - yet), I have come to realize that there are dangers in all addictions.  And so, I struggle with my self-worth because of the things I perceive.

All because of addiction.