The Atonement

This is the crowning day of my gratitude month. Just know that everyday I stop and think of my blessings. My very greatest blessing is hard to comprehend. I am coming to understand it better all the time. It is hard to put into words the deep feelings that I get as I realize that the Savior Jesus Christ, my savior, gave to me the world. He made it possible to progress. I can make mistakes and change. He soothes all the bumps I experience in life. He is there. He is so in my heart. I have always wanted to do what is right. I would love to be perfect. It is hard to realize that I am not. That I have a long way to go before I am perfect. It would be very disenheartening to try and make my way back to my Father in Heaven when I have no means to pay the price. Even though I don't fully understand the process or the pain He suffered, I understand what He did for me. As I think about all He did, I have no voice that could praise Him enough. My greatest wish is that my children will discover the truths that I have discovered. If you ever listen to anything I tell you, listen with all your heart now. He lives! He loves us. He is strong and powerful and takes care of us. Nothing could be better than that.

Putting In My Five Sense Worth

As I age and the senses dull a tad, I am grateful for the chance to enjoy them as much as I have.
Sight- I love to look at grand children faces, children faces, Steve face (just one). I look at the treasures that my parents have crafted. I adore looking at nature in all it's variety and splendor. I love to watch lightning streak across a darkened sky. I love to watch snow falling and painting the world white. I love to look at colors. I love to see the rose gold of the world at sunset. I love to read all kinds of books.I love to look at music notation. There is so much to see and I have been blessed to fill my mind with the sights my eyes have beheld.
Sound-I hear the notes of happiness. I hear bird's songs. I hear my children make music and sometimes a racket! I hear Steve as he loves me and blesses me. I hear my grandchildren's voices. I hear wind, thunder and rain. I hear the words of prophets. All for my growth.
Taste- I have tasted a sweet apple. I have tasted good meats. I have tasted candy and fresh bakes goods. I taste cheese and bread. I taste snowflakes on my tongue. It would be so boring if we had to eat without flavor. Think about it. We could survive without taste, but Heavenly Father gave us taste.
Smell- I have smelled each of my babies freshly washed with baby lotion on them. I have smelled my husband on Sundays with his manly smell. I smell roses, lilacs and all kinds of flowers. I smell pies baking or bread. I get to smell the ocean or a brand new rain storm. I can smell the wind in my sheets as I dry them on the line.
Touch- I am starting to get neuropathy. I can't always feel my feet. It is a weird undesireable feeling. I am so glad that I can touch. It keeps me safe. I love to feel hugs and kisses and my favorite- someone playing with my hair, putting make up on me or giving me a foot rub. I love the feel of the breeze coming in my window on a mild evening.

Vacations

I am grateful for vacations. Especially the one that is starting today. I get to take a chilly ride on my bike this afternoon. Then clean my house and prepare to bake pies all day tomorrow. The Christmas quilts are ready to go on the beds. It's going to be great. We have so many blessings that we can 'sift our fingers' or thoughts through. The Sleepy Teep Over is planned for Friday. It's going to be grand.

Superman

I feel like my name should be Lois. Superman swooped into my life. He carried me to the clouds. He gives the world to me. His arms are so powerful. Super powers! Whenever I am in his arms, I know that the world can't get me and everything will be alright. I am thankful that Heavenly Father put such a wonderful man in my pathway. I am glad that Steve listened to the spirit and asked me out on that first date. I have been in wonderland for almost 33 years now. I never want to leave. I kind of can't wait until we have celestial bodies, but all our wisdom. It's going to be fun. Steve is the reason I try and improve myself.....to be worthy of him. I know that Hayden wants to be Superman....he has a large cape to fill.
I love you!!

My Halls Are Alive with the sound of ...

Music! The magical healer. I am blessed to be able to surround myself with great music. I have steroes, MP3s, many instruments and my children's voices. I think singing with my family is my very favorite. Thank you to my family for every blessed minute they sang with me. Thank you especially to Hayden. Lately he is the one to join me in making music. If I play the piano and sing he will soon join me. I am learning to play the recorder and fife right now. As I play, Hayden will either hum along or join me in playing one of them.
Music brings peace to my soul. It teaches me great spiritual lessons. It helps me work better. IT strengthens my testimony. It changes my moods. Thank you Heavenly Father for all the music on the earth. Thank you for ears to hear, voice and fingers to create and a heart that is healed by music.

My Bed

I am grateful for my bed. I love to lay my weary body on it and rest. A bed is a blessing that a lot of people don't have. They can't feel the fresh clean sheets, the warm electric blanket. The firm but soft support for their bodies. I glad that we have a rest period each day to refresh our minds and bodies. I plan to use my bed a little longer in the coming week to show that I am grateful for it!

Sisters

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with siblings. I truly love them with all heart. I even have a little brother that takes care of me like a little sister...but more on him later.
I only have one sister. I am so blessed that it is Debi. If I only get one, she is the best.
We were crazy little girls. We were lucky to have the entire third floor of the house to ourselves. We had slopping ceilings and ballerina wallpaper. In the winter we slept in a big feather bed. Sometimes we had to share our bed with a very large boxer dog named Bruno. (Now there are some stories) I especially loved when we played make believe games. We would dress the cat in a white dress and 'bless' it. We played with Barbie. I had a Midge doll. (Remember what Bruno did to our dolls?) We had some old 78 records of Oklahoma. We would play them and sing for hours. I think I loved Old Judd is Daid the most.
My sister has always taken care of me. Through those fun little girl years and now that I am old. I love to share my children and grandchildren with her. I love her beautiful children. (Yes, Rob, I love you too)
she is thoughtful, creative, smart, talented and extremely entertaining. I loved having her hang out with me and my friends... I still love it!
Thank you my sweet sister. You have given me a model in my life!

Best Friends

Wow! I have been on an emotional roller coaster. The TEST. Worries over my children, Worries over money. Worries over winterizing our home. New job.Stake meetings this week. I have needed so much support. I have received all the help and love I have needed. I have had even more angels appear in my life. Tears of joy have pretty much ruined my make up today.
I still feel quite a bit of stress that will soon subside. I just read my comments on my other posts. I am grateful for all my friends that have posted comments and for those that didn't. But as I read some of the comments from my friend Lesley, I was reminded of what a wonderful friend I have. I was filled with a feeling that could be described as love and gratitude. She is so loving and supporting. She is truly a soul headed for the Celestial kingdom. she makes me think I might be worth the effort to improve myself.
I remember when I first met Lesley. It was the greatest feeling. Like an instant addiction. I didn't want to go home from her front porch. Her faith is so strong. She is so valiant that I was so drawn to her. She is fun, smart, caring and it just feels good when we get to 'hang out'. What a find for me. My children often tell me they are looking for their Lesley. I am praying that they find their Lesley also.
Lesley can make me so hard and cry so comforted. I can share the pains of my heart with her and celebrate my triumphs. She is a treasure. Now if I can just find a deal on white M&Ms.

Priesthood

I am so grateful that the priesthood is on the earth and that it is available to me. I am taking a very important test this afternoon. So important that if I can't pass with at least 70%...I will no longer be able to work at Meadowbrook Elementary. I only get two chances to take this test. (I really need to pass it the first time!) I am feeling very inadequate and extremely nervous. So nervous that I am exhibiting signs of stress. (I leave 'things' places....piles of papers, books in odd places....my purse!) I felt fine about it until Monday morning about 2:00. Now as I study the practice test, I can't figure out how I got the right answers. In the reading comp., I can't figure out how their answers are right when I think it is an opinion.....OH!!!! I am taking the test with two great co workers. I want us all to pass with flying colors, so I am worried about them also.
We are all in the same state. Michelle told me that her husband had given her a blessing on Sunday night. I was waiting until closer to the test. Our other friend joked about coming to our houses for a blessing. I hope she was joking and that a blessing is available to her. Both our husbands would be glad to help her out if it isn't.
As Steve blessed me last night, my fears were calmed. I know Heavenly Father is mindful of me, of all of us. I am still a little jittery today, but I figure that is Satan trying to make me doubt. I will be spending today relaxing and studying and hopefully by 4:00 this afternoon, relief will flood over me and I will be able to keep my job.
We hae been priviledged to have the missionaries teaching discussions in our home. This has given me an opportunity to reflect on the preisthood and it's authority. We are so blessed. I am so blessed.

Fruit of my Loins

I have been told that I brag about my children. I am sorry if that offends people. I am not trying to be prideful and uppity, but I have been blessed with fantastic children. Each one of them has different and unique personalities. With that many different personalities, odds are that at least one of them would be a stinker. I have been told through the scriptures that the worth of souls is great. So using the word 'great; in that context, my children are great. They show me their divine qualities daily.
If I may be grateful for their strengths this day:
Stephanie: Strong and smart. Knows how to solve a problem and many times has helped me out of sticky situations. She is loving, talented and beautiful. She remains calm when I am not so calm. (Hey this is going to be hard to condense all their talents into a short paragraph!)
Jeremiah: Helpful to anyone that need his help. Determined. A fantastic father. His great heart is a comfort to me. As an example, he was so good to help us in the yard this spring while Steve was recooperating.
Marinda: always thinking of ways to help people out. (my children are very service oriented, which I am not. I am pretty self centered. I have no idea why they are so serving....they came that way?) Creative and talented. What a mother. She is loving to all. She also has a talent for making me laugh. I really need that at times. Beautiful.
Morgan: Confident. Talented (just like the rest). When I need pampering, she is right there. Again she loves to serve others. ( I am thinking that I need to change my ways and follow the example of my children). Smart. Business kind of smart. A fantastic mother also. Strong in testimony. Beautiful.
Lacey June: Smart (again!), Talented. Thoughtful. A fantastic wife (I already know she will be a great mother, but she isn't there yet) Forgiving and patient. Great at helping me relax with her pampering also. (Too far away now) meek. I think Lacey is one of those that 'will inherit the earth'. Beautiful
Hayden: Talented. Strong. a leader. Great at finding lumpy tense muscles. Only person that will sing with me lately. He gives me the music is life which I need almost as much as oxygen.
Carter; Steady. Helpful, makes me laugh. He does his chores consistently so I feel like I am not in the housework alone. A leader. A great friend. Steadly improving himself and becoming a great man. He is strong and silent when it is needed, but jumps in to help when the time is right. He is a very forgiving person. He also brings adventure to me life.
I sometimes wonder if I have to struggle financially because I am so blessed with the amazing children I have. I love them!

Not plain old children

I am very grateful for my children...they will be praised later. Today I celebrate and give gratitude for the 'grand' little people in my life.
My grand children are such treasures. Sometimes the world beats up on me. Sometimes my children and husband let me know that I am not perfect. A lot of times I beat up on myself. I notice all things that I do that are not cool or focus on the areas where I am deficient. But not when my grandchildren are around. They look at me with perfect eyes. They love me because I am me. They don't see my imperfect body or lack of wisdom in all matters. So here's to you my precious ones.
Cory- always has a hug for me. Keeps the music alive in me. Let me practice being a grandma for the very first time with him.
Alaina- Let me witness her birth. Bonded with me instantly. Didn't care if I was fat. Calls me to chat.
Isabelle- loves to be a girl with me. I love to hold her hand. Smile melts my heart.
Ethan- tells me I am one of his best friends. Says 'Grandma' so cute. Loves to be with me. Makes buying super hero costumes so fun!
Colton-one of my favorite sounds is 'Hello grandma'. Sings with such gusto that I know he is mine. Keeps me on 'track'. Makes me laugh.
Liam- toddles over to me and wants to be held. Feels so good in my arms. Love his walk. Love his laugh
Tucker- when he smiles for me, I feel the secret communication of 'you're the best'. Strong and smart. I can feel how great his hugs are going to be.
Emma- Even though miles seperate us I love her with all my heart. Love her smile, eyes, hair...just everything. I love her cuddles. I can see what a personality she has already.
I love them all with all my heart...what am I doing with all that heart missing? Feeling blessed!

Fruit

Thank goodness we have fruit. I love fruit. As I have learned to choose more wisely what I put into my body, I have a new craving. Fruit. I love it all. I enjoyed watermelon and grape season. It's apple time now. Soon my favorite apples will appear in the stores and I will savor their sweet juiciness. Every day I eat a piece of cheese (I have to eat protein) and then the best part is my fruit. Apples, bananas, grapes, melons you name it, it's all wonderful. I even love dried fruit. Craisins, raisins, mangos or apricots. It's all good! Is there a fruit that isn't good?

Who more than self...

I love the third verse to America the Beautiful
Oh Beautiful for heroes proved through liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life.
I can't sing that without emotion trickling from my eyes.
I am so grateful for heroes.
Today as I drove out of my driveway, I saw flags lining the streets of my neighborhood. I was thrilled. Thank you to the men who got up early to place those flags there.
At school, we had an assembly to honor the veterans of our country. A color guard from Hill Air Force Base presented the colors. My soul ached as I watched these heroes carry the standard of our nation in front of the hope of our nation. As we repeated the pledge of allegiance, I thrilled at the words that acknowledge my Father in Heaven and His hand in this great nation. I loved hearing the little voices that repeated that pledge with me and afterwards sang our anthem. Names of veterans were presented and the family members came up to be recognized. I had soggy eyes as I looked at the heroes that are family to our armed forces.
I love to read the Book of Mormon. Freedom was precious way back then. In Ether 2: 10, Moroni tells us that this is a land that is choice above all other lands. He also reminds us to serve our Heavenly Father to keep our freedoms. I am so grateful for that freedom. My heart is full as I think of the protectors. I pray that we will aways have a choice land where I can serve Heavenly Father without fear.

Water Baby

I am grateful for hot water...no not the kind that I get into all the time. I am grateful that on a day when I feel bruised and exhausted, that I can feel warm water on my skin and let my body and spirit relax. It doesn't cost very much. It isn't an appetite that I need to control. It is just peaceful. I especially love to treat myself with sweet smelling bubbles on a hard day. I am blessed to be able to turn a knob and get any temperature water I need to clean, cook or relax. My ancestors didn't have this luxury. How many times do I take this for granted? I know that I am sad when someone else has drained the tank and I have to wait or clean myself in tepid water. Wow! How neat to live today.

Talents

I am so grateful for the skills that have been given to me. I am especially grateful I can read. With that skill, I have been able to learn many other things. I am grateful for the ability to make new things. I am working on Christmas gifts for my parents right now. Iam grateful that I can do this. I hope the projects will turn out nice enough to give away.
I am grateful for musical talents. I love singing and playing piano. I am really loving learning to play the recorder and fife. I enoy my ability to enjoy other people's talents at making music also.
I am grateful that I can make food for my family. I am grateful I cn ride a bike. I am grateful I can drive a car and am independant.
I know where my gifts came from. The skills and talents that we all enjoy are gifts from Heavenly Father. I love to enjoy my gifts and yours!

Scriptures

I was going to write something else, but scriptures popped into my mind. And I am very grateful for scriptures. I read Elder Scott's conference talk this morning before reading the Book of Mormon. We are going to study this talk for FHE tonight. But back to gratitude. I have had so many revelations in my life while reading the scriptures. When I have a problem and have prayed and tried to feel an answer, many times while I read the answer is just there in my mind. I can truly say that anything good about me has been fashioned by scripture study. From the first time that I completed the Book of Mormon, I have never stopped reading it. I don't say that to brag. I say that because I need that much help. I have learned to love others, forgive big offenses, parent with love, give service and many more things from my study. I hope I am starting to emulate these things and become a more Celestial person. That is my goal. Elder Scoot suggested that we memorize scriptures. I am committing to engrave more verses on my heart. I am thankful that the scriptures are so available to me. On paper pages or electronic screen, they are full of wisdom and inspiration. How blessed is that?

Parents

I am so grateful for my parents. I have the greatest Mom and Dad. I was horrified to discover that I still need to run crying to the arms of my parents at the age of 53. But they are amazing and welcome me with their shoulders and faith. They did a fantastic job of raising me. I don't always choose the actions that will make them proud of me, but they hang in there loving me. I never tell them that I am grateful for them. Nor do I tell them that I love them enough. I think Heavenly Father is pretty smart giving us parents.
I am doubly blessed because my sweetheart's parents are pretty terrific also. Do you think I will grow up someday and be self reliant enough to not need my parents?

Angels

I used to think that angels were seldom in service. Especially in my life. I thought they had a golden white glow about them and at the very least beautiful flowing robes of some ethereal fabric. I thought they appeared with heavenly music and a flash of light or something like that. My eyes have been open. I have seen, visited with and even hugged many angels in my life. They are in tune with the Holy Ghost and enter my life with love and listening and wisdom. I have written a post on angels before. I am so grateful for them still. I have angels surrounding me in my job. They are (I hope) eternal friends. I am surrounded by angels in my church service. I am surrounded by angels that were sent into my life at hard times. They taught me and loved me to right choices. I was born to a couple of cute angels. I have siblings who are angels. I have been blessed with long time angels that I hope to be able to purchase white M&Ms with and maybe a celestial card game? I bore 7 angels. And best of all I married an angel. I guess with all those angels in my entourage, it's okay to have a few trials to help me grow. Thank you angels, please stay by me!

Things That Work

I am grateful for all the appliances at my home that work. We are warm, eat good food, store our food, clean our home, clean our dishes, clean our clothes, listen to good things, relax with a movie, groom ourselves and travel wherever we want to all because of machines that are working. I am also grateful that Steve has the talent to fix most things that have sick days. We have such ease in our lives because men were inspired to invent machines to help us. I am grateful for the time that is now available to me to use, extra time to help others or improve myself. How many days do I get in my car and drive wherever I want without thinking about the blessing of having a working car? How many loads of laundry do I wash and dry without feeling grateful that I can accomplish it so quickly? A vacuum works and curling iron heats up or the oven bakes yummy food. Aren't we lucky? No not lucky. Blessed!

Thankful Thinks

Yes, I typed that right. I am going to commit to write as often as I can about the thinking I do about my blessings. Life has seemed very overwhelming lately, but as I pour my heart out to my Father in Heaven, I always try to thank Him for my blessings. As I start, they outweigh the problems that are looming before me. The problems are so bulky that sometimes I don't see all the blessings that flit around me all day long.
Today I would like to dedicate my thoughts to color and light.
I love light. I think that is why I struggle with winter. I love the way that it intensifies color. Aren't we blessed? I am grateful that my eyes can see. I am grateful for the beauty and magic that each new sun rise presents daily. I understand why Christ asks us to be light to the rest of the world. He wants us to intensify His gospel. He wants us to help those around us to see and feel His love. I am grateful for all that I am looking at today. I can read, play music, garden, ride my bike and numerous other things because of light. If I can be a light to others, maybe they can do marvelous things also.