Day 11, Gratitude Journal

1. I'm grateful that Jared has a good job. I found myself complaining today about him just finding out that his night float starts tonight.  A night float is a night shift for a month, that each resident gets about twice a year, and Jared has it for the month of December.  He was planning on beginning it tomorrow night, but called me from work today to tell me that he found out that he'll be working tonight as well.   I felt bad for him, he'd gone to bed a little late last night, and has been working since 6 this morning.  He'll be back home tomorrow morning sometime to sleep, then get up to go to work at 7pm tomorrow.  But as I was talking about this to the cashier while I paid for Kyle and Jace's winter coats (I don't know how I got so chatty, but there wasn't anyone behind me, so I wasn't keeping anyone waiting!)  Wait, I know why, because he called to tell me while I was checking out.  I thought how ironic it was that I was buying these coats with the money that he earned at this job he has.  With so many hard times in the economy, I was embarrassed and quickly told the cashier that I am grateful that he has a job :)  By the way, he loves his job, and comes home tired, but really happy, especially on days that he gets to bring new babies into the world.  That's a blessing in itself!
2. I'm grateful for my warm shower. 'nuf said.
3. I'm so grateful that there is a sweet lady in my ward that let me come to her house, bring my kids to play with her kids, while she cut my long overgrown split-ended hair that was driving me nuts!  I feel so much better now :)
4. P.S. for Evan's birthday tonight, we lit 9 candles in each of our icecream bowls ( 2 per kids; 1 for mom) and sang to him.  Then the kids wrote something Christlike that they can do this month onto a chain link, and made a paper chain for Evan's Christmas tree. (It's the one with red bows on it, that a family left it at our doorstep while he was sick, with dollar bills tied to each bow).  They also get to put another link on each time they do a Christlike deed.  Jace picked our song, "A Child's Prayer", which is kind of our theme song for Evan - his grave stone has "of such is the kingdom of heaven" engraved on it.  And the kids got to open a present, things I've been meaning to give them anyway:  Winter stuff - coats for Jace, Kyle, and Cami, and boots for Kyle and Lance.  It was a nice evening, only we were missing two people:  Daddy and Evan.

Happy Birthday, Evan!

9 Years today. 

'Til we meet again 

We miss & love you, Evan!

Day 11, Gratitude Journal

1. I'm ditto-ing what Jace said at the Thanksgiving dinner table:  I'm grateful for my nice car/van.  It is so nice to travel in comfort and with happy kids.  Where were movies in the car when I was growing up?
2. I'm grateful for this beautiful weather we've been having.  While my family and friends were freezing in a blizzard last week, we've been having 63 degree weather here.  It did, however, snow for the first time here on Thanksgiving day.  It's melted.  I hear that we'll get our turn for cold weather, so I'll try to be careful not to brag too much.
3. I'm grateful for paper and scissors that give children hours of fun - as long as the scissors stay at the table!

Day 10, Gratitude Journal

1. I'm going to say "Ditto" to what Lance said at our Thanksgiving dinner table.  I'm grateful for my nice shoes on my feet.
2. I'm grateful for my nice warm bed.
3. I'm grateful for my house (I know!  Already used it!) and my nice toys that I have to play with (i.e. my computer and camera)