Day 4, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for my garage, that in the winter time when it's snowing outside or frozen, my car is ready and waiting for me in the garage.  I gave a ride to a  friend today that is in an apartment and only has a carport for her car.  The ride I gave her was to the store to have an automatic starter and remote for her to use this winter.  She is a single mom with a daughter.  I'm grateful that my garage saved me from even having to consider such expenses.
2. Plus, I'm grateful to be a mom with a good husband.
3. Warm soft socks.

Day 3, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for the power of prayer that has blessed my life, even in the simplest ways.  Today I got a spoon stuck in the disposal.  I tried to free it.  I tried and tried to get it out.  I got it to move a little, but it was determined to stay put.  Jared wouldn't be home until the next day after working all night.  I was pretty sure he wouldn't be excited to already have an urgent, "To Do" list when he got home.   I just wanted to have my kitchen clean so I could move to the next item on my list!  It was quiet time, so the kids were all in their rooms.  I got on my knees and said a quick prayer.  I stood back up, reached my hand in, and pull it out.  Seriously, just like that.  What a blessing to have the gift of prayers in my life.
2. I'm grateful for my health, and my family's health.  I have not gotten sick at all since we've been here.  The kids have been doing great.  It seems like we got sick a lot when we were in that tiny apt. breathing the same air all the time.  I'm knocking on wood, but so far, so good...
3. Modern technologies, like Skype.  Jared's Dad sent us the equipment, and last night I was able to get hooked up and had my first "in person" conversation with my father in law since we've moved.  I'm excited for the kids to use it.  They have really been missing their families in UT, and it will be so much fun!

Day 2, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for my children. 
2. I'm grateful for Jace.  He is an incredible helper, especially on Sunday mornings with the kids in the morning rush before getting to church.  He reads long stories to them at night (during my one-on-one time with, you guessed it, the kitchen), and they love it. He even began putting Cami to bed after reading her bedtime story. He continues to excel in school, getting better on the violin, likes his teacher (even makes her laugh sometimes!), and is actively involved with his friends both in school and in our neighborhood.  Their favorites to do together are: soccer, capture the flag, wrestling, and baseball.
3. I'm grateful for my Evan Angel, and the opportunity that I had, and continue to have, to raise him in the next life.  His laugh and stomping feet as he runs throughout the house are the most missed. I look forward to the day that I can watch him laugh again with his brothers and sister, and run with those thumping feet.
4. I'm grateful for my Lance.  Lance has an amazing amount of energy that has been used, a lot of times, to help mom out around the house. If he had a slogan, it would say, "Get the Job Done". He does it! If there's something in the house I really want to have done, he's my man! I call him my "super duper cleaner". He is also beginning to write and read, and loves making things out of paper with drawings and scissors. Currently, he's been making tons of turkeys by tracing his hand and decorating it. I didn't know this until yesterday, when we were filling out his spotlight for Primary at church: When he grows up, he wants to be a clown because he wants to make people laugh and he wants to be in the circus.
5. I'm grateful for Kyle.  Kyle is my cuddler. He is full of love for anyone around him. A common thing that he and I say is, "I want you, " usually followed by a cuddly hug. It began a long time ago when he was supposed to be taking a nap, but was being unhappy. I asked him, "What do you want, Kyle?" And he replied, "Mom, I want you." In the mornings, he and Cami are the best of buddies. In the afternoons, during Cami's nap, he and Lance play like they haven't seen each other in days instead of a few short Kindergarten hours. Today Lance had a friend over, and Kyle didn't mind a bit that they road his Power Wheels monster truck that he got for his birthday, and didn't mind being on his own team for "Capture the Flag", or even being the scary monster - which I objected to until he assured me that he really wanted to be the monster. If Cami is throwing a fit about something, he'll just give her what she wants. Pretty much same goes for Lance, although he does hold his own if he needs to.
6. Cami is a joy. It is so different having a little giggly girl around. She usually has a doll in her arms. Totally and new thing to us. Unlike her mom, she loves to shop. In the stores, she seems to like all the attention she gets, like her mom :) When we're checking out, while I'm busy with the cashier, she's charming the person behind us. In the mornings, she actually lets me do her hair and likes to check it out in the mirror afterward.

 Okay, so maybe I went over the three for today, that was fun. I'll try to follow directions better tomorrow!

Gratitude Journal

Tonight we had a Relief Society Dinner at church.  We got to enjoy a delicious meal and then listen to a phenomenal speaker that shared a motivational lesson about how we can have an "Attitude of Gratitude" through recording the things we are thankful for each day.  "Gratitude Journals" were available for us to take home, inside which we were to record three things each day for one month ('til Dec. 16th) of those things we are thankful for (Rules: you can't use any of them twice! and it has to be positive).  I forgot to bring one of those cute journals home, and so my trusty blog gets to pick up for my slack :)

So here goes:

1. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice for us.
2. Today, and everyday, it easy for me to remember how grateful I am for this nice house Jared found for our family.  It's always there for me to look at!  The kitchen is my favorite room in the house (besides the front room and family room :)  Most nights, I am able to have one-on-one time to thank my kitchen as I load the dishes and wipe the counters.  It's my chance to give back a little for what it gave our famiy throughout the busy day.  Sometimes, when I'm too exhausted, I thank it in the morning.
3. I am grateful for my busy husband, who isn't always there for me to look at.  In fact, one morning as we were leaving for church, he got home after working all day and night before, and the kids were shocked to see him.  Lance asked him, "How did you get home so early?"

Which brings up my children, but that's for another day...