Great Ideas

(I never thought that I would start an entry with this line) Years ago when I was in college around Thanksgiving time I was talking to my sister and some how we got on the topic of things that we were grateful for. She told me that she had a dry erase board on her fridge and her and her husband would write down things that they were grateful for. When the board got full they would sit down and talk about them. I thought that was a great idea, especially during this time of year. I have been wanting to put a sheet of paper on the fridge and have the whole family have the opportunity to write or verbalize things that we are grateful for but here we are on the 15th of November and still no paper on the fridge. Then this morning I was “blog surfing” and came across a blog that each day she was posting something that she was grateful for. I thought, yet another very good idea. I thought that I would sit down right now and get to typing 15 things to catch up and then go place my paper on the fridge. I hate that better late that never has been my motto lately, but unfortunately it has.


1. I am grateful for Matthew! Yesterday I was talking on the phone to one of my friends and she was telling me that she has been sick and that her husband had stepped in and took over for her. Cooking meals, taking care of the kids and even blow dried her hair because she was having a hard time sitting up. It brought tears to my eyes and it still does. I got off the phone with her and it made me reflect on all the wonderful things I love about my husband and how blessed I am to be able to have him as my eternal companion.

2. I am grateful that Matthew has a job! It was a year ago a couple weeks ago that Matthew did not have a job and we were waiting on his bar results…I remember being at my parents. Matthew, my dad and myself all on different computers at about noon refreshing and refreshing the site that was suppose to post if he had passed the bar. I remember refreshing the page for about the tenth time and there his name was, he passed. I yelled to Matthew. He came running in shaking like a leaf and scrolled so fast he passed his name and didn’t see it, his face kind of dropped. He scrolled back up and saw his name. Still shaking he jumped up and said, “We did it!” I started to cry and my dad came in, tears in his eyes and gave Matthew a hug and told him he was so proud of him. (Matthew jokes that my dad was in tears because Matthew could now support us without the need of any help. ) It was an amazing day. He passed the bar and we now had a job!

3. I am grateful for the corky things that my kids say. They always seem to say the funniest things just about at the time I want to scream, “What are you thinking?!” I think Heavenly Father planned it that way. Just the other day when I was in the bathroom my girls come barging in. I was just about to yell at them to please get out and let me have my privacy when Kennedy looks at me with her classic confused face and says, “Why is your bum so big?” I asked her, “How is it so big?” She said, “Well, your bum is too big for the toilet seat.” (her hand motions gesturing just how big my bum was) … “because it just hangs over the seat…” Needless to say, I laughed and didn’t yell at her. I did ask her if I could have a minute and we could talk about it later…but I am grateful for those comments, well most of the time. They make me laugh and I need that!!!


4. I am grateful for chocolate in any shape or form! Lately really, any thing sweet!

5. I am grateful for my pillow. Anyone who knows me knows just how true that statement is. I bring it with me anywhere I will be sleeping. I do not like people sitting on it or really sharing it with anyone for that matter. I finally let Matthew lay on it and use it, under my supervision, of course. On our wedding night we were walking out to the car saying bye to everyone and I had Matthew’s hand and my pillow in the other. I never thought anything of it until I have went to other weddings and they are all dressed up nice and carrying nothing in their hands. Okay, I think I now realize I am a freak, but a grateful freak none the less!

6. Today I am grateful for our furnace. It is freezing today!

7. I am grateful all my family has verizon! I call them WAY too much! Sorry guys!

8. I am grateful for wonderful people and their examples that make me a better person.

9. I am grateful when my little kids play and laugh together. I do not think that there are too many greater sounds in the world. I love their laughs!

10. I am grateful for doctors! Anyone who knows our family knows that we see lots of doctors, way too often.

11. I am grateful for my Jumping Johnny! Eli has NEVER been a good sleeper. His naps are maybe 30-45 minutes and since I get easily distracted I never get much done it that time frame. I really shouldn't complain because for not sleeping he is the happiest kid on the planet. Anyway, Eli will jump in this contraption for hours. He loves it. It allows me to shower and get ready without any crying. It also bring many many beautiful sweet smiles on his face, which I love too!

12. I am grateful for my religion. It gives me a sense of self and family. It gives me the knowledge that we can be a together family even with those that have pasted on before us. It gives me hope, comfort and joy. It makes me a better person. Any good in my life is because of it. I am grateful to have it in my life.

13. I am grateful for wipes! I use them get get out stains in the carpet, wipe faces and hands, spots on clothes, you name it. They are great!

14. I am grateful for a good book. I didn't read too much until Matthew and I got married. His love for reading rubbed off. We started reading books together when we were dating and still do from time to time. It is one of my favorite things to do together!

15. I am grateful for my parents. They are amazing. They are not only amazing parents but amazing grandparents. They do not stress out from the noise and hundreds of little hands everywhere. They love to hold all 30 something grandchildren. They will drop everything to be their for any of there children or grandchildren. They love to have all of us kids together. Sometimes this is well over 50 people. They are wonderful examples in so many ways! I could go on and on about how amazing they are. I am so very grateful for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope and pray that I can be at least half the parent they have been to me, to my children.