July 20, 2018
It’s my birthday. I’m 43 years old today. I’ve had a rollercoaster of emotions today, punctuated with some serious exhaustion. The
fatigue is the result of too many late nights. The rest… well, I think it’s
just the analytical side of me, kicking in and really scrutinizing my life and where
I am and what I’m doing. The days are long and slow, but the years have been
sliding by with ever increasing speed! Here are 43 things I’m grateful for today…
1. Our beautiful home with plush, thick newish
carpet. I love coming home to our home. We drive up and I almost pinch myself,
to think how lucky/blessed I am to live here, with so much space and a big back
yard and bbq grill. Good things!
2. My amazing husband, who is ever so patient and
good to me. I love being able to trust him and rely on him. He is my rock, my best
friend. We’re so good for each other and I feel very blessed to have him in my
life.
3. Our beautiful, loving, bright children. All four
of them are precious miracles to me. I might have to list them individually, so
they know how important they are to me. J
But for now, I’m thinking this list will be quite full.
4. My parents, so thoughtful, generous and loving.
They have been so supportive of me and have encouraged me to do and be my best,
all throughout my life. I’m grateful for their examples, their personalities,
and their faith. I love our family memories they helped us create.
5. Four brothers. I’m missing Wade especially much
today. I’d love a call from heaven. But the others have called and I am blessed
to feel their love.
. Amazing parents-in-law. I love Brian’s parents so very much and am so grateful our kids get to have special, necessary, powerful relationships with their grandparents. I firmly believe these relationships will shape their life for the good, for years to come. I love that we live close enough to be in their everyday lives.
. Amazing parents-in-law. I love Brian’s parents so very much and am so grateful our kids get to have special, necessary, powerful relationships with their grandparents. I firmly believe these relationships will shape their life for the good, for years to come. I love that we live close enough to be in their everyday lives.
7. Good friends. So many good friends. I have
memories that will make me smile forever, with so many good people in my life,
through all my various stages and ages.
8. Good books. I like to read and imagine and lose
myself in someone else’s story. I especially love mindless, light, romantic
reads right now, -- things that take me away and lighten my heart. One day, I
hope to write some of my own good books!
9. My Grandma Eva. I’ve loved reminiscing her sweet
life this last month as I was able to be in her home and go through some of her
precious keepsakes. I have learned so much from her through the years, and I
love her dearly.
10.
Our car and truck. We are rich. We have vehicles,
and they work and get us where we need and want to go. We have money enough to
put gas in them, every single time they get low. That’s really a modern day
miracle, just to have cars that run and get us places. So wonderful!
11.
A good education. I loved going to school. I
loved my professors and the things I learned at BYU and Ricks College. I am
grateful for the experiences I had there that have broadened my mind and shaped
my character for the good.
12.
My new sewing machine. It’s so fast and easy and
I’ve got ideas and plans for things I want to make with it. I’m glad it was so
easy to set up and start using right away!
13.
Cupcakes. And Cori. She’s such a dear friend and
she brought the most amazing cupcakes for my birthday today. I’ve been munching
on them all day, with a smile.
14.
A washing machine and dryer. I talked to dear Randi
in Peru today, and remembered there are many things I very often take for granted
– and even complain about. The washer and dryer (and the many loads of clothes
I do each week) are sometimes on that list. But I am ever so grateful to have
them. And hot, running water to fill them and my shower each day.
15.
The gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m ever learning
and growing, sometimes stumbling and questioning. But I love the covenants I’ve
made that bind me to my Lord. I feel the power of them in my everyday life, and
love my faith in Christ.
16.
My body is a gift. I have eyes that see, hands
to serve, ears to hear, lips to kiss and speak, all the wonderful parts of me
that function on their own every day. Certainly I take this gift for granted and
abuse it with too much food and too little exercise. But I try to use wisdom and
balance. And I am truly grateful for all my physical capabilities!
17.
Online recipes. It’s kind of a hobby, I guess, for
me to read online recipes. I don’t cook too many of them, but I love reading
about the different possibilities of amazing foods! So fun and amazing to me,
almost like reading a good book!
18.
The telephone. I love to hear the voice a friend
on the phone. I have very few friends who actually call anymore. And recently I
was told it’s because I like to talk too long. It’s true! Ha! I love that way
of connecting with people I love. I sure love it when I get a call!
19.
Modern technology. It’s a good thing, and a hard
thing. There’s too much connection sometimes. It’s addictive. But there are
also AMAZING things that come from our modern world. Like amazon, blogs,
facebook, pandora, etc.
20.
Trek. This was a beautiful experience for me. I
learned some things spiritually that I did not know before. I was changed for
the better during my time there, and have a greater appreciation and reverence
for the sacrifices made by so many faithful saints who came to this land in
search of peace.
21.
My wedding ring. It’s so lovely to me, so beautiful
and sparkly. I just got it re-plated this summer and it is gorgeous!!
22.
23.
Our Shark vacuum. I love how it “pulls” along
and swivels so easily. I remember having NO vacuum in London, when we first got married, and how excited I was when I spent 15 pounds at a budget store and got a cheapo vacuum. It did the job!!
24.
The mountains. We took a wonderful drive on our
way home from camping last week. The views in all directions were absolutely
stunning! It made me feel so close to Heavenly Father.
25.
Swimming. While we were camping, we had some
great times swimming in the lake. I love to be in the water and am grateful I
can swim and mainly tread water easily, which is so relaxing.
26.
Summertime. So much good stuff happens in the
summer. I love lazy days, late night sunsets, water fun, road trips, family
reunions, and watermelon – all things summertime!
27.
My bed. When we got married, my dad said we
should invest in a King Size Bed. Yay! Best. Advice. Ever!
28.
Traveling. Oh we have done some amazing,
wonderful traveling in these last years as a family! It’s been so fantastic to
see so many gorgeous, interesting places, and to have the means to go, and to
bring our kids along. I love Brian’s sense of adventure, which often outweighs
my sensible homebody way and fills our life with sweet memories and new experiences.
29.
Sisters-in-law. I didn’t grow up with a sister.
I have friends that have felt like sisters at times when I’ve needed that kind
of companionship. I love all my sisters-in-law very much. Some of them, I feel
so very close to. Others, I long to be closer to.
30.
Balloons and streamers. Brian did a little bit
of birthday decorating for my day today. Made me smile, especially when I saw
how excited it made the kids get! Just a little bit of happiness, right there!
31.
The Book of Mormon. I’ve read it and I believe it
to be the word of God. I believe it is inspired for our day, and the teachings
in it help me to feel the Spirit and better understand my purpose here on
earth. There is real peace in that book. I love the New Testament as well, especially
the four gospels. Scriptures connect me to people who knew God in the same way
I want to.
32.
Our little neighborhood. I go for lots of morning
walks, and usually just trace the paths in our neighborhood. It’s quiet and
peaceful. There are lots of trees. I’d love to know my neighbors better. The ones I do know are lovely.
33.
Our old neighborhood, in Caldwell. I miss living
there, and the people around that area. I had some good friends and neighbors
that I really still miss and love a lot.
34.
Raspberries. It’s raspberry season, and oh how I
love those little berries. My favorite fruit, especially slightly frozen,
served with milk and sugar.
35.
Teachers through the years. I often think back
to the many wonderful women and men in my life who touched me, changed me, taught
me things that helped me progress – Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Gardner, Mrs.
Brown, Mrs. Moysh, Mrs. Manwaring, Mr. Chase, Mr. Merritt, even my little
kindergarten teacher Mrs. Torgersen. Good people, these teachers! They don’t
get a lot of thanks for all their hard work. But I sure have appreciated them
in my heart.
36.
Music. Oh what a gift music is in my life.
Mainly the music of my heart. I am so grateful to hear music, and be able to play
it out and express it. I love to play and hear and feel the music in me.
37.
Our beautiful piano, my instrument of choice. It’s
one of my treasures that makes me smile most any time.
38.
Spencer’s soft baby skin, even at age ten. I
love to kiss his cheeks or feel his soft hand in mine, my boy.
39.
Natalie’s little freckles across her nose. I
think they are most adorable. And her sweet, girlish voice is so tender and
endearing to me.
40.
Samantha’s perfectly golden hair. It’s a crazy
mess these days, as she learns to tame it and nurture its curls. But it’s perfect
to me, in many ways.
41. Snuggles with Camille in the morning. She’s our most affectionate kiddo, by far. And I relish those moments with her. She also has the cutest hug-and-kiss ritual every night, with big "blow kisses" on each of my cheeks, and a kiss on my forehead, nose, and chin. It's adorable
42.
The temple. I feel peace there. I feel goodness
and connection. I feel trust and renewal. I feel Heaven. I feel commitment and
covenants and determination. I feel unity and strength from others. Our new
Meridian Temple is a beautiful blessing in my life. I feel my Savior's love there, and it strengthens my faith.
43.
Birthdays. I've had soooo many wonderful ones! Each year is such a blessing and a
gift to me. I’m so glad to live to see another beautiful year to its close and
to begin anew.
