An Attitude of Gratitude

I am so grateful that I decided to do these posts this month. We were discussing at church today all the blessings and benefits that come from showing gratitude and saying thank you to someone. The two simple words "Thank You" can be two of the most powerful words in the English language. Showing gratitude each day keeps you humble. Seeing the Lord's hand in your life each and everyday keeps pride away. It keeps you on the right path. I have enjoyed trying to think of something to write each day. I have enjoyed seeing all the many things that the Lord has blessed me with. It has made me happier each day. It has made my burden's light.

This month's posts are probably boring to most - but thanks anyway for reading them.

Rediscovering Christmas

My children are still young enough that they don't remember a lot from year to year. This creates a new and exciting adventure every time they rediscover something about Christmas. Seeing Santa at the end of the Thanksgiving Parade. Seeing Christmas lights. Putting up the Christmas tree - looking at each ornament like it was the first time that they have seen it. Driving down the streets and seeing decorations everywhere. Watching Christmas shows on TV. Pulling out their stockings. The retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus. Singing Christmas carols.

The joy and excitement that is seen on their faces and the laughter and happiness in their voices are somethings that I wish I could capture. I know that these moments aren't going to last. As they get older and remember from year to year it will lose it magic. I am just trying to enjoy these moments while I can.

Black Friday

I am grateful for my in-laws who watched our children for us so that Aaron and I could brave the crowds and go shopping. I don't enjoy crowds so much, but it is all part of the adventure. I don't think we will make a tradition of this, but it was nice to do it once.

Thanksgiving

I am grateful for the sacrifices and hardships that the pilgrams went through to come to America. I am grateful for the Indians that helped them to settle here and teach them. They both suffered much for our nation and for our freedoms which we enjoy today.

Whitney is thankful for . . .

Cassidy is thankful for . . .

Lindsey is thankful for . . .

• Kaylin
• Ashlyn
• My sisters
• Daddy
• Granty
• That I love Kiki
• Grass
• Bathtub
• I like eating ice cream

He's official

If you can believe it my little man is officially old enough to start attending nursery. With him not talking it really doesn't feel like he is big enough to be on his own. His teachers have a kid about that same age and they have been using signing, so what few signs he does know, at least they will understand.

We stopped by his class last week for the last 20 minutes to let him get used to it a little. We dropped him off today and he did pretty good. He only got to stay for about 40 minutes because I had to take Whitney home. She was supposedly not feeling well. She had wanted to go after Sacrament Meeting but I refused to take her. I haven't been to a full block of church in over a month. I let her come to my Sunday School class with me. Half way through I started feeling bad so I took her and Grant home. I could have stayed - she is fine.

I am thankful for his Nursery Teachers. They are very enthusiastic and seem like they really want to be there. Having been in nursery not that long ago, I know that is a diffucult job. In our ward they divide the kids up by age. Grant's class is basically about 6 kids 18-20 months old. That can't be easy.

Christmas Lights

We took advantage of the nice weather today and hung our christmas lights a little early. Of course we won't turn them on until after Thanksgiving - except to take a picture. Aaron hates hanging lights on the house. Hanging off the edge of a roof or at the top of a ladder that is extended beyond its limits is not his idea of a good time. I stopped asking him to put lights on our house a couple of years ago because I know he doesn't like it. This year he volunteered to do it without me even asking. It's kind of like pregnancy you forget the pain and think - oh it isn't that bad. I am going to enjoy the lights this year because I don't think he will be volunteering again next year. Today I am grateful that my husband hung lights on my house and didn't complain even though he hates doing it.

A new teacher

Today we received an email notifying us that Whitney will be getting a new teacher starting Monday. I'm not sure what the circumstances are behind her teacher leaving. While I feel for her teacher as a person and whatever she is going through right now, I can't help but think it is in the best interest of the students that this change occur. Whitney, however, is very sad, she doesn't like change. Today I am grateful for new possiblities and hope for the rest of the school year.