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?