Thankful November

Walmart

*giggle*

Yes, I am grateful that we have Walmart. I love going to ONE store and getting SO many things (even though most of the time I don't always *need* them.)

Really, it is one of my most favorite stores and I do love that I can find almost anything that I may want or need there.

I'm just glad that I don't live in the middle of nowhere and don't have access to Walmart.

Thankful November

Freedom and Those Who Sacrifice to Preserve That Freedom for Me

I didn't really PLAN on making today's post so appropriate to Veterans Day, but it just worked out that way.

I feel so incredibly grateful to those soldiers who fight to preserve our freedom, and I also feel deeply grateful to their families who sacrifice their time with their loved ones for MY rights.

Last night was a rough night for me. I was without my hubby and trying to deal with two little boys who do the things they normally do (whining, begging, screaming, disobeying....) and I lost it. I got frustrated and yelled and put them to bed quickly before I did something I regretted. I really missed having the support of Steve and wondered if he were to leave me to care for this family all by myself for a year, how would I survive. Then I thought of my friends who DO go without their husbands for long periods of time. The sacrifice is SO huge, and I feel like thanks is not adequate enough.

I've also been contemplating the shooting that happened last week and how these men and women sacrifice ALL the time, not just when they're at war.

We have so many servicemen and women that deserve our appreciation and respect, and I want to add my small thanks for their HUGE sacrifice for me to live the way I do.

Freedom is something that I also appreciate. Those men who fought for the declaration of independence and the constitution are men that I also feel indebted to. They worked to make this land a place where we have the right to do so MANY things. With all the recent changes that have been made, I feel like my freedom is getting smaller and smaller. I worry that we're giving up too much of our basic freedoms that the founding fathers fought SO hard for in order to have *peace.* (And with that *peace* I'm not entirely sure that's the word I'm looking for.)

I am grateful to live in a land that has so many freedoms, and I hold them SO SO SO sacred. We are so blessed.

Thankful November

Random Nice Strangers

Yesterday, while driving around town in the dark, I noticed that my front headlight was blown out. BOO!! On the way home, I made a quick stop at an auto parts store.

The employee who was up front greeted me (dragging my two boys with me) and asked what I needed. I told him, and he looked it all up for me, and found it before I could even catch my breath. After ringing it up, and trying to convince me to buy the brighter, fancier, more expensive head lights, I thanked him and was about to leave when he asked me if I was going to install it now, I said I might try, and he asked if he could help.

In about 3 minutes he completely installed the light FOR me. All I did was stand there.

I was SO grateful! I thanked him, calmed my whiny boys and went home on a brightly lit road.

I'm so grateful that there are helpful, happy, NICE random strangers willing to help a crazy lady and her two kids LATE at night!

Thankful November

Good Music

I DID have to specify that it's good music I'm thankful for and not just music. (My old neighbors have turned me off to *all* kinds of music.....)

Yesterday was our ward's Primary program, and I was asked to sing one of the songs with Steve. It turned out pretty nice (I think...) and the kids did a FABULOUS job. They knew those songs SO well, and they sounded like a little choir of angels.

I have such a love for the beautiful church music (especially the Primary songs). I know there are some who don't think we celebrate enough with our music, but to me, it's the most BEAUTIFUL kind of music, and it brings the Spirit.

I also love and am grateful to those who write music that uplifts and makes people happy. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a crabby mood, and hear a happy song and my mood will change.

I am so grateful for music, especially the kind that brings happiness and the Spirit.

Thankful November

Blankets

And not just ANY blankets, but my comfy, warm, homemade blankets. I have several blankets lying around my living room at all times. And not just because they look nice, but because sometimes it's nice to climb underneath a blanket and snuggle a grumpy child. Or if I'm just a little chilled, it's nice to snuggle beneath.

We have been given several VERY nice quilts over the years, and I am grateful that people love me enough to make me something nice. I'm so grateful for those nice feelings on cold days.

Thankful November

My Mommy

I have the BEST mommy around. For years and years I was a major brat and would tell her almost daily that I hated her. (Yes, I've apologized over and over....but it's NEVER enough!) When I became a teenager I realized that the one thing I really wanted out of my life was to be friends with my mom. It took many, MANY years before that happened.

BUT now we ARE friends. In fact, besides Steve, she is my best friend. We talk about anything and everything. We are SO alike, and I wonder if that's why I disliked her so much growing up. Anyway, we will quite often say the same thing to Cameron, in the SAME tone of voice. (We said it one time at the same time, it was like hearing it in stereo!)

She is an amazing example to me of selfless sacrifice. She's taken care of MANY family members, including both of my grandmothers when they were sick with cancer. She now cares for her handicapped brother, doing more for him than I'm SURE she'd like to do. She helps out MY little family. She's there to support me, and let me know that she cares.

Yesterday she gave me a quick call to ask if I needed her to pick something up for me at the store. She doesn't HAVE to do this, but she does it anyway, and I'm so grateful.

I have the bestest mommy, and I am SO grateful that she and I have the relationship that we do now. I am SO blessed!

Thankful November

Indoor Plumbing

Yeah, I went there. :P

All day yesterday I was feeling pretty miserable (the flu has hit...) and I was SO glad that I had my little potty rooms to go to instead of running outside somewhere.

I wish that I had felt well enough to take a shower. I can't imagine NOT having warm, running water IN my house. We are so blessed!!

Now to make them self-cleaning.....