I am grateful for prayer and faith that my Father in Heaven hears my pleas.

I am grateful for the cool hint of autumn in the air.  Although I don't really like winter, I enjoy the transitional seasons that take us to winter and take us out of winter.  And of course, I love summer.

I have not posted about gratitude for the last month or so.  Honestly, I have not been feeling very grateful lately.  I've been throwing myself a little pity party.


But I'm happy to say that I've repented and my heart has softened.


About a week ago I was in a lot of physical pain.  It's been my experience that intense physical pain can cloud my heart and mind.  It was frustrating.  Then while I was reading in the Book of Mormon I came across these verses:
   
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.    -Mosiah 24:13-15

These verses hit my heart and opened my mind.  I immediately realized that I needed a complete attitude adjustment and that I have so many things to be grateful for.

At the top of my gratitude list are Sam, Ben, Tom, Eliza and the wonderful people in my ward who take time on a regular basis to come and help in my home.

This morning my children did all of their chores without complaining.  Then my friend Ana, who is one of the most charitable people I know, came over and cleaned the upstairs floor of my house.  She was amazing. 

I have blessing everywhere.  Some days I'm just better at seeing them.  Those days are always happier and more joyful.

I am grateful we are not starting school tomorrow.  There is so much pressure relieved from the kids and me.

I am grateful for sleeping in with my hubby.

I am grateful for my loving husband.  His support is constant and dependable.  I would not be able to make it through my trials without him.

I'm so grateful for my husband who vacuums and washes my van.  True love!

I am grateful for short lines at the DMV.

I'm grateful for a nice fenced in backyard.  It's so nice to be able to let the kids and dog play out there.

I am grateful for loving parents.

I'm grateful to wake up to the sound of rain.

I am grateful to be married to my favorite person for time and all eternity.  14 years has gone by really fast.

I am grateful for sweet children who are helpful.

I am so grateful for a hard working husband.  

I am grateful for my children being old enough to entertain themselves when they wake up.  It allows me a few extra minutes to be lazy in bed.

I am grateful for my strong pioneer heritage.

I am grateful for the temple and good people who are willing to watch our kids while we go.

I'm grateful for productive mornings.  Lately they come as often as a blue moon, but none the less I'm glad when they're here.

I am grateful for breezy days when it's so hot outside.

I'm grateful for a husband who isn't afraid to go grocery shopping by himself.

I'm grateful for evening visitors when Sam's gone doing bishopric stuff. It makes the evening pass better without him.

I'm grateful for my sisters in law and that they all take time from their busy lives to visit us.  You guys are the best!

I'm grateful for air conditioning.

I'm grateful for Relief Society.

I am grateful for little kids who come right up to my side of the bed and start talking really loud into my sleeping face.  Because even though it scares the heck out of me to be waken up like that, there are no better faces to wake to in the morning than my sweet kids and hubby.

I'm grateful for cleaning competitions because even when I lose I win!

I am grateful for such helpful children.  They are learning to take such good care of each other.

I am grateful for a wonderful husband who when I woke up this morning was already making breakfast for the kids and now he's reading them a book. He's amazingly good.

I am grateful for feeling my baby kick and move around. Nothing is more reassuring and magical.

I'm grateful for date nights with my man.  He's my favorite person to be with.

I'm grateful for family, fireworks, ice cream, and warm summer evenings. Especially when they happen together. What a great country we live in!!!

I am grateful for this great country we live in and for all the freedoms we enjoy daily. 

I am grateful for late night talks with my hubby. I love him completely.

I am grateful for good friends and their love and support.  Yesterday my friend gave me a great piece of advice that is making all the difference for today.

I am grateful for health insurance.  Can you imagine how expensive having a baby would be without it? Gives me chills just thinking about it.

I don't know how many times I can say it, but I am so grateful for my Sam.  He is so good to me.  

I'm grateful for wonderful in laws.  I'm so glad my MIL is doing well after surgery yesterday.  And I'd like to give a happy birthday shout out to my FIL.

I am grateful to know that we're having a girl.  I would have been happy for a boy, but I'm so glad Eliza gets to have a sister.

I'm grateful for modern technology.  Today I'm having my 20 week ultrasound. I can't wait to find out the gender of this baby.

I am grateful I was able to go to girls camp, but I'm even more grateful to be back at home with my kids.  I love being with these little people, they're my favorite.

I am grateful for Fridays. They make me giddy with the thought that I get to spend the next 2 days with my love.  Sometimes on Saturdays he wears his tool belt. I love him!

I am grateful for scripture study this morning. We're finally in 3 Nephi.

I am grateful to wake up in the morning to blue skys and a cool breeze blowing in my window.  What good circumstances I live in!

I am grateful for such wonderful people to help me with girls camp.

I am grateful that my mom is an early riser.  She always answers my calls at 7:30 am CA time and listens to my craziness.  Sometimes you just need to tell another adult when there is a crazy bird flying around inside your kitchen light.

I am grateful for peaceful Sunday mornings.

I am grateful for the weekend!!!  Even stay at home moms are working for the weekend.

I am grateful for my funny husband.  Sometimes he calls our dog "dog face" or "poochman".  It makes me laugh.

I'm grateful for a good husband who is willing to take both boys on his business trip with him.

I am grateful that today is the last day of school!  Nuff said.

I am very grateful that I'm done with the stomach flu.  Although, I fear we haven't seen the last of the stomach flu yet.

I am grateful for prayer.  I have the stomach right now and must've said at least 20 prayers in the last 12 hours.

I am grateful that this is the last Friday of school.  I am ready for summer.

I am grateful for Unisom.  Without it I would be one tired and cranky girl.

I am grateful for the new shock collar that we got for Lucky.  It's amazing the difference it has made in just one day.  

I am grateful for the freedoms I enjoy and all those who have sacrificed to make them possible.  I am especially grateful for my two favorite veterans Chester Lawrence Thorne and Howard Sims Knecht.  I miss them all the time.

I'm grateful Ben is taking piano lessons.  He's doing so well and seems to be gaining confidence from his successes.

I am grateful that I love my husband.  Otherwise I would be really mad at him every time he hits me in his sleep.  

I'm grateful for flowers.  Our world is so pretty because of them.

I am grateful that we only have 11 days of school left.  Woohoo!

I am grateful that I made it through the weekend.

I am grateful for warmer nights and sleeping with the window open.

I am grateful for change.  Change is happening in our lives and I can either fight against it or let it shape me into something better.  Hopefully I can have enough faith to do the latter.

I am grateful for Tom.  I love how excited he gets over seemingly small things.  Today his kindergarten class is practicing eating lunch in the cafeteria.  He is over the moon excited.

I am grateful for inspiration. It would be a sad world if the Spirit was not here to whisper in my ear when I need it most.

I am grateful for my children.  They make me smile.

I am grateful for my mom.  She is the most selfless person I know.  I love her.

I am grateful for all of the awesome women in my life who have mothered me or helped to mother my children.

I am grateful for a husband who gets my weirdness and loves me even still.

I am grateful for good nights of sleep.  I think I slept 9 hours without waking.  Miraculous!!!

I am grateful for rainy days, pajamas, and cozy blankets.  Especially when they all happen at the same time.

I am grateful for good teachers.  My children have really great teachers at school, church, and for piano.

I am grateful for modern plumbing.  We've had several people in our family come down with the stomach flu in the past week.  Modern plumbing eases the pain a little bit, right?

I am grateful for all the people around me.  I have amazing people in my life.

I am grateful that Ben is in first grade.  Having him gone until 3:30pm is good for our relationship.

I am so grateful for inspiring words and people.  You know those kind of people who always lift you up and help you feel better about life.

I am grateful I bought that carpet cleaner with upholstery attachment.  It made cleaning Eliza's pee off the couch much easier.

I am grateful for comfort food.  Because sometimes you have a rough morning with your 7 year old and need a whole plate of funeral potatoes to make everything feel better.

I am grateful for a good night sleep, especially when it's been a few nights in between.

I am grateful to be pregnant.  It's a very humbling experience.

I am grateful Eliza still takes a nap.  It allows me to take a nap too.

I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I know He lives.

I am grateful for the hope of new beginnings that Easter brings each year.

I am grateful for Nutella.  Sometimes it's the only thing I can stomach when I'm having morning sickness.

I am grateful to live in such a fantastic neighborhood.  We had a wonderful time at the neighborhood Easter egg hunt today.

I am grateful for house guests.  They are so fun.

I am grateful for spring break this week.  Holy moly, I needed a break from getting kids ready for school.

I'm grateful for lazy mornings.  I love being able to sleep in a bit.

I'm grateful for spring time.  Warm sunshine renews my soul.

I am grateful to wake up to the sound of birds chirping.  I love being able to sleep with the window open.

I am grateful for tender mercies, Lowe's being open at 6 am, my children being left home alone for 20 mins and surviving, and hugs from a loving MIL that make everything ok.