Being thankful...

In the rush and bustle of daily life I often forget to be thankful. Sure I usually give the prayer at dinner and am thankful then, but as my mother likes to say, dinner prayer is not the time to pontificate! Also I am thankful in my nightly prayers, but often I find myself lost when trying to say nightly prayers, and isn't it good to just be thankful always? So with a HUGE pile of laundry that I am not wanting to do, and a pouting 6-year-old upstairs feeling picked on that she has to clean her own room (gasp) and quiet in the house with sleeping babies I think it is time for me to go over what I am thankful for.

#1 - A fantastic husband who works so hard and goes to work everyday no matter how tired or sick he may be. A husband who works hard to give me and my children a wonderful home and the things we desire and good food for our table. I am thankful for a husband who understands me and is willing to listen when I need to vent, or cry and lifts me up when I feel blue. I am thankful for a husband who does not expect me to be perfect but loves me for who I am. I am thankful that I have a husband who thinks I am a wonderful wife and TELLS ME SO! I am thankful that I have a husband who thinks I am a good mother even when I don't and tells me so. I am thankful that my husband is caring and sweet, in his own way. I am thankful that my husband is a good father who tries his best with his kids and adores them. I am thankful that my husband wants to come home to his family every night and doesn't go out to the bar or out with friends every night. I am thankful that my husband finds me beautiful and sexy even though I don't feel that way.

#2 - I am thankful that I have a beautiful, interesting, headstrong little 6-year-old, yes I am thankful for this because it means that she will latch onto what she wants and go for it wholeheartedly. I am thankful that she loves me despite my difficulties in mothering her. I am thankful that she is so dynamic and loving. I am thankful that she is friendly and outgoing and isn't shy. I am thankful that she is not afraid to ask for what she wants and I am thankful that she is so helpful and willing. I am thankful that she is with me and that I do not have to share her. I am thankful that she has my mother to turn to when I don't understand her.

#3 - I am thankful that I have a fun loving and adventerous two-year-old who loves to climb and get into everything and is enthralled with life. I am thankful that despite my many fumblings with this child she still adores me and still loves to cuddle. I am thankful that she has her father's temperment and can easily let things roll off her back unlike Raven and I. I am thankful that she brings a smile to my face everyday and reminds me to not be so serious and helps me lighten up.

#4 - I am thankful that I have a HEALTHY, happy little baby boy who is growing so fast I can barely pack him around. I am thankful that he is not behind and that he loves to see my face so much that he stops crying when I am near.

#5 - I am thankful that I can stay home and do my schooling and that I have a job that I can do while my babies sleep so that I can be with them when they need me. I am thankful that I am intelligent enough to do my schoolwork and that I have the chance to become a nurse.

#6 - I am thankful for my health and my family's health. I am thankful for our home and I am thankful for our friends. I am thankful that I live in such a wonderful ward and I am thankful that I live in the land of the free. I am thankful that I have a relationship with God and Jesus and that I have the Holy Ghost to help me along each day. I am thankful that I can soon go to the Temple and I am thankful to know that I am not alone and that I have help.

#7 - I am thankful for my mother, that we have a close relationship and that we are able to forgive each other for past hurts. I am thankful that she understands me and is willing to offer advice and help even if I am not able to hear it or take it at the time. I am thankful that she loves me enough that she will rearrange her life to help me in my ultimate times of need and I am thankful that I have her in my children's lives.

#8 - I am thankful that my mother has found a man who loves her so much and does so much to make her happy and is willing to change his life around for me as well and be ok with my mom not seeing him so she can be with me. I am thankful that this amazing man is part of my life and is willing to teach me the things he knows and I am thankful that both of these wonderful people are in my life and that they are proud of me.

#9 - I am thankful that I have been able to let go of my hurt and forgive my father and I am thankful that he and I have a relationship, no matter how small. I am thankful that he wants to be in my childrens lives and is as much as he is able. I am thankful that he is happy where he is, even if it is not what I want for him. I am thankful that he has a grandson close as I know kids are his heart.

#10 - I am thankful that my husbands family has accepted me and loves me and my children.

#11 - I am thankful that I have friends who let me drop in on them and help me so much and forgive me that I am not a good friend.

#12 - I am thankful that I got to see my grandpa on his birthday before he died and I am thankful to know that he is with my grandmother and that they likely have gotten past the hurt by now.

#13 - I am thankful that I have my family together and that I get to see them everyday and that I can speak with my extended family whenever I want here or on the phone and I am thankful that my family is happy and that they are achieving their dreams.

#14 - I am thankful that my brother is in the military and is defending our country. I am thankful that he will get to be a pilot as he so wants to be.

#15 - I am thankful to the troops now and in the past who have defended our country and kept us free. I am thankful for their sacrifices and that of the missionaries.

Thank you all and thank you God.