Grateful!

Sorry about the funky spacing in this post ... I tried to get it all fixed, but it just didn't want to cooperate.

I am so richly blessed, despite our challenges. I have so much to be grateful for and I want to share a few of those things with you.

My Family - Steve, Alyssa, Taylor, Jessica, my parents, my siblings, all of my extended family (including in-laws), because they are my joy, because they make me smile, because they make me laugh, because they make me cry sometimes, because they challenge me, because they believe in me, because they love me regardless of my mistakes.



My Savior Jesus Christ and My Heavenly Father - because of the peace and hope I feel because I know of them, because of the perfect love I feel, because of their forgiveness and because I know that doing my best is enough for to return to their presence




My friends - I didn't have a picture of ALL of you and I won't even begin to list names because there are so many of you - Lompoc friends, NC friends, BYU friends, neighborhood friends, work friends, clients, church friends, friends of friends, and so many others I've met along the way - because you watch over me, you listen to me, (you read my blog), you pray for me, we work together, we play together, we laugh together, we cry together, you love me, you inspire me, you understand me.

Prayers - my prayers, your prayers, prayers answered, prayers unanswered and all that I learn from prayer







Time - with my family, with my friends, by myself. Time to work, to play, to love, to learn and grow, time to experience ... to live.






My Home - I am so grateful for the 9 years we have lived in our home. I am grateful for its comfort and safety and mostly for the memories we have in this home. And I am grateful for all the things inside, the things I have been so blessed with. I am grateful for the neighborhood and people who surround us on a daily basis. I am grateful I can call you all by name and know that you are watching out for me and my children. I am grateful for the fun things we do together and for being able to call on you for help.

Freedom - I am grateful for my freedom, for living in this nation. I am grateful for the men and women who have built this country, who have worked hard, sacrificed and fought for us. I am especially grateful for the men and women who fight for our safety and freedoms and sacrifice for us in a world so filled with misunderstanding, judgement and hate. I pray for their safety and for there to be more love, tolerance and peace in our world.

My church - for not only teaching me and my family the gospel of Jesus Christ but for teaching us to be self-sufficient and have food storage, for teaching us to serve and love others, and for having programs to take care of people in their times of need

My business - for the mental challenge it is for me, for my clients and the friends I've met, for the things I've learned, for Karianna who is not only a part of my business but like a part of my family too, for the financial contribution that I can make to our family especially while Steve is unemployed - it by no means covers all the bills, but it helps.

• Walt Disney - for creating a legacy of joy for children and even grown-ups. I'm so grateful for our upcoming trip, despite our financial struggles right now, this trip (which was mostly paid for before our struggles started) has given our girls so much joy this last two weeks and it has given Steve and I something happy to look forward to. It was a tough decision to make, but considering the all the details of the situation, we feel like it was the best thing for us and our family and we are so excited ... 5 days until we are in Orlando with my brother and his family. We'll be having Christmas early basically, since this is our Christmas.




• Digital scrapbooking - the chance to be creative and preserve our family's memories, and for keeping me sane during the tough times, because now I can do a fun book for my kids after we get home from our trip so they have that on Christmas to remind them ... I'm also going to try my skills at a DVD of our trip ... home videos, pictures, music etc. It will be under the tree on Christmas morning and we'll watch that instead of opening presents. :)





• Technology - for the opportunities it gives us. First - because that is Steve's industry, but also for the ease it brings to our daily lives and for the people we can re-connect with - to name a few, basics like plumbing, water heaters, heaters & AC, dishwashers, washers & dryers, cars to take us places (can't imagine taking my kids to school on horseback in this weather), phones, snow blowers, and more modern internet-based technologies like blogging, facebook, email, online banking, ... technology just makes life easier and more fun. And during this trial - I'm especially grateful for online job posting and applying for jobs online or by email!
  

I could go on and on and on, and I'm sure most of you are grateful for many of the same things, but I wanted to share them mostly to remind myself of all the good in my life.

I love you all!