Happy New Year!

Another year has flown by. I can't say it's been a bad year or good year. It's just been a year of life filled with happy and sad moments. I'm happy with this last year, but excited to see what the new year brings. Whatever trials may come will be bearable and the joys will be all the more greater as long as I have my sweet heart at my side. May you have a safe and happy New Year!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jacob!

Jacob checking out his new car.

Squealing over his new stuffed "doggie"

Looking like he is discussing the merits of being two.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Jacob! He turned two the day after Christmas. I cannot believe my little guy is two. When did that happen? I am so glad Jacob is a part of our family. He has brought so much into our lives with his happiness. He reminds me so much of his father, always pleasant, singing, and social. He is so curious, sweet, and happy, happy, happy. I love being Jacob's mom. I feel so blessed!

#25

The whole reason for the Christmas season, the Savior of the World.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

#24

Cleaning supplies. (You thought it was going to be something serious. Ha! Sorry, I am saving that for tomorrow.)I thought of this as I was cleaning the down stairs powder room and singing praises for my cleaning gloves. You see, I have a four year old boy who uses that bathroom. You can figure out the rest. (It's amazing my germ-a-phobic self even lets him use our bathroom instead of an outhouse. Little boys make me shudder in that regard.) I am so grateful for cleaning gloves that allow me to handle cleaning anything and everything up. If my skin doesn't have to touch it, I am good. I am grateful for disposable cleaning wipes that can tackle any mess and then be tossed. Window cleaners for my mirrors, brooms to sweep up constant kid mess, toilet bowl cleanser to kill who knows what in my toilet, scrubbers to scour my bath tubs that see all sorts of grime, mops and mop solution that wash my often sticky floors, a vacuum that cleans my carpet, and a Little Green that sucks up the random kid mishaps on my carpet. Oh, I could go on and on. I am so grateful I have so many different cleaning products at my disposal that kill germs, clean, and make my life easier. I wouldn't survive motherhood otherwise. Hallelujah!

#23

(My all time favorite picture of Mary and baby Jesus, which I have hanging over Jacob's crib.)
Mary, the mother of Jesus. I cannot even begin to peel away at this one and all that Mary experienced and the woman she was. Wow, oh wow. To be chosen to carry the Savior in earthly form is unimaginable. Just thinking about her fills me with all sorts of emotions and awe. I can't put it into words. Suffice to say, I am grateful for her and am blessed by her incredible example.

#22

Joseph, the earthly "father" of Jesus. Joseph doesn't get the credit he deserves for all he did. I am so grateful for this humble man, his example of faith and trust in and obedience to the Lord. I cannot imagine being placed in the situation he was, finding his espoused wife pregnant by means that seem almost incomprehensible. And yet he trusted in what the Lord told him and was faithful to his promise to Mary. Not only that, but, as the scriptures state, he didn't have relations with his wife until after the Savior was born and Mary went through the cleansing process. What a patient man. I mention that not to be crass, but to show the character of this good man. His inquires for a room for his pregnant wife were so tender. He seemed to care for and love her as if she was carrying his own child. And he raised the Savior well, teaching and loving Him. What an amazing man who was chosen for an incredible calling. Heavenly Father knew what He was doing when He put the welfare of His Son in Joseph's hands.

#21

Nature. Yes, it's been raining for over a week now and we are on the verge of experiencing a flood. The water is rising under the bridges as the rivers, dam, and reservoir are overflowing. But I still love nature. I love the smell of fresh air flowing through my house in Spring and Fall. I love sunlight streaming through my windows. I go insane without those things. I love sitting outside with my children and playing. I love the changing of the leaves, jumping into piles of them after they fall from the trees. I love to play in the snow, the crisp fresh air, watching the flakes fall to the ground as a quiet hush falls over the area. I love paddling a canoe in fresh water, dipping my toes in a cold mountain stream. I love my early morning bike rides and runs when all is quiet, cool, and waking up around me. I could go on and on about nature. I love it!

I was reminded of my love of nature as I was walking through the cloudy downpour, depressed by the grey moody skies, to get the mail. And then I heard the sweet song of a bird. That music transported me to a sunny spring day, giving me hope and a reminder that there is life beyond this never ending rain. There is beauty all around when we take the time to enjoy it. I love nature and the joy it brings me every day.

#20

Darci. We've all had people come into our lives who have touched and uplifted us in times of need. Today is Darci's birthday and I cannot forget her. She has been a great blessing to me. The day Marshall was sustained as bishop, Darci came up to me and told me she would sit with me in sacrament every Sunday to help with the kids. Herding the children during sacrament meeting was my greatest fear and, through her, my prayers were answered. She has faithfully sat with our family for the past two and a half years and has become so much more to us. The above picture was taken at her house. One day every week she has Jacob come over to her house to play for 5-6 hours. It usually falls on the night that Marshall has bishop interviews. Having Jacob at Darci's is a huge blessing on those days because it helps me better handle the longer nights.

But more important than the help she gives is the relationship our family has gained with Darci. She has become a friend, mother, and grandmother to us all. As I've grown closer to the Lord, I've grown further away from my own mom. Our lifestyles are just that different that we have little left in common. That's always been hard. But through Darci I have found a mother. We talk almost every day. She is there when I am down, need help with the kids, or seeking advice. I am SO grateful for her. She has become a part of our family. She often tells me she doesn't know what she'd do without us and I feel the same way about her. We love her! We all have angels like Darci in our lives. I am so grateful for her!

#19

My husband's job. Not only has my husband stayed employed during this economic downfall, but also he has been able to switch jobs. I find that pretty miraculous. My husband has always had a job and I count that as a huge blessing. He has been able to provide a nice life for our family and allow it so that I can be at home with our children, doing the most important work there is. And he loves his job, which makes him happy and that gives me joy.

#18

Disposable diapers. Enough said.

#17

The gift of the Holy Ghost. My life would be entirely different and void of happiness if I did not know that God can speak to me personally and individually. Even if I believed in Him, how sad would it be to not think I could pour out my heart to Him and have Him respond to me. Wow. How amazing it is to know that God knows each of us personally, all of our trials, hopes, dreams, and heartaches. He can communicate to us guidance, peace, and love. Even concerning simple things like how to handle a frustrating child. He can speak to us throughout the day, weeks, months, and years, helping us to endure. And He can let us know when we need to eb better and repent. No guess where we stand with Him if we are willing to inquire. What a precious gift for which I am so grateful and doing my best to live worthy of because I NEED the Holy Ghost daily.

#16

Humor. Comics, farces, comedians, satire, laughter, and so on. I love it all. Bill Cosby, Danny Kay, toddler giggles, Fox Trot, Baby Blues, Calvin and Hobbes, tickle fights, Brian Reagan, you name it. I love to laugh. I love people who make me laugh through wit and clean humor. I love hearing the adorable laughs of my children. A good laugh can cure almost any bad mood. Yeah for creative people that bring those smiles and giggles to our faces!

#15

Disneyland, truly the happiest place on earth. I'm an adult and I still feel the magic as I walk down Main Street with the music playing in the background and Sleeping Beauty's castle coming into view. I love Disneyland. The magic, fun, characters, and memories. I love how Disney goes all out and makes it a full experience, everything detailed to be fun, clean, and Disney. That is why my family is addicted to Disneyland and ends up going almost every year. It is a great family vacation and fun for all. Thank you Walt Disney for being a pioneer and taking all the risks you did so that I can have Disneyland!

#14

If I didn't have to worry about the number of people I could fit in my vehicle, a 1967 Shelby Mustang would be my car. Regardless, I am grateful for the invention of cars because I love them. I love classic cars, the curves of the body and unique styles. The engines! I love the little Toyota that gets my husband to work every day. And I love my mini-van that fits my family and has ample storage. I am blessed to have two vehicles. I remember the days in law school when we only had one. Talk about a pain, but we were very happy for that one car. Yeah for the trucks that bring food, clothing, and other supplies to all the stores. Cars are a wonderful thing!

#13

I have yet to meet a mother of young children or pet owner who does not praise the wonderful invention that are Magic Erasers. Enough said!

#12

Technology. Here's a few way I used it today for which I am very grateful.
- Skype video chatting with my in-laws who are serving a senior mission in Portugal. The kids had so much fun seeing their grandparents and telling them about their latest adventures. How cool to be able to talk to and see them weekly even though they are thousands of miles away.
- Texting my husband that I am going insane with the children after his third long Sunday of tithing settlement and then getting a text of encouragement back from him, telling me I CAN do it and WILL make it through this.
- Listening to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional via the internet in the hopes of calming my tired overwhelmed spirit. And it did.
I could go on, but you get the idea. Technology is a HUGE blessing for which I am grateful.

#11

Even if we don't need to feed our bodies in the next life, I hope we can still eat cheesecake. I love cheesecake. Plain, raspberry with chocolate, strawberry, pumpkin, chocolate, you name it. I LOVE CHEESECAKE! Thank goodness for the person who came up with it! My tastebuds are eternally grateful!

#10

My life would be void of sunshine, laughter, hugs, and kisses without my kids. I would rather have my patience tested and my house full of toys, finger prints, loud voices, well-used furniture, and little stray socks than not. My children give me great joy. Each one is a blessing and so very unique. Anna with her quiet, tender, caring, responsible ways. Rachel with her shy, fiery temper, stubborn and yet sweet nature. Jimmy with his happy, humorous, sensitive, clever personality. And Jacob with his positive, loud, loving, and curious nature. I love them all and am so grateful for them. I feel privileged to be their mom and to have been able to be at home with them since I first became a mom. What an amazing, wonderful job I have and how much I learn from them every day!

#9

Modern medicine. I was thinking the other day a rather morbid thought about how I wouldn't have either of my beautiful boys without modern medicine. When Jimmy was two weeks old he had to be hospitalized due to an unknown virus. I remember being scared to death, but whatever it was the doctor was able to fight off with antibiotics. Then when Jacob was born he was in shock from the fast delivery and not breathing. Once again doctors stepped in and got him breathing. All praise to doctors!

I also can thank modern medicine for things like glasses and contacts, which means I can see! Medication that makes my life livable, fighting against my allergies and depression. Without it I would have constant sinus headaches and live in constant gloom. Thanks to it I know simple things, like washing my hands and food to avoid germs. I don't have to die from an infection due to a simple paper cut. Unlike how people used to think, thanks to modern medicine we know physical ailments are not a sign of personal worth. Bodily mishaps just happen! Praise modern medicine because I have a slew of drugs at my fingertips to help me and my children. I can take a Tylenol when I have a headache. And if something is going wrong with my body, I don't have to be poked, prodded, bled, or cut up. My doctor can do a lab test or scan. Wow! The list could go on and on.

I love modern medicine and all that it has done for my family. I know I take it for granted, but I am truly grateful for all the men and women who have worked so hard to make it as amazing as it is today.

#8

Monday we took the kids to see the Nativity at the St. George temple. Anna noticed Baby Jesus resting on hay, real hay, and asked if people used to sleep on hay. I informed her that they did and that I was so happy we didn't have to sleep on hay. Straw tics with bugs running around them. Ick! Or a nice pile of hay. Perhaps just on the dirt floor of a cottage. None of these places of sleep can compare to sleeping on a nice mattress. I love my bed, my soft flannel sheets in the winter, and my warm down comforter. I love to snuggle down in the covers and just fall into a blissful sleep. Thank goodness for beds. There are many people in this day and age who don't have beds due to poverty. I am grateful I have a nice warm bed to sleep in each night.

#7

Last night I went to bed feeling sick and woke up just the same. My husband took care of getting the kids off to school and let me sleep in until 10am before he had to head to the office. To say I am grateful for him would be an understatement. C'mon, you all knew he'd be on this list somewhere, right?

I am grateful for my husband and he is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I feel like my life is a fairy tale and now I am living the "happily ever after" part. No, my life isn't absent of trials, clogging toilets, or puking kids, but it has everything in it to make it happy. I think of my life before my marriage as the "Cinderella dirty chores life" phase. I had committed myself to the gospel and found happiness, but was still very much alone in my beliefs. I had to stand up for my choices against the ridicule and confusion of family and friends. It was lonely and hard and often heartbreaking.

Then I met and married my husband. Life after that is called the "Cinderella castle life" phase. I still have chores and work to do, but I no longer have to be alone. I have an adorable, tender, caring, gentlemanly husband who has covenanted to always be by my side and help carry my burdens. An amazing man who is my strength, support, friend, champion, and protector. I have someone who is upholding and living my Gospel beliefs, a dedicated father and husband. I have the priesthood in my home. I have someone who goes to church every Sunday. Someone who can always take me to the temple, who actively takes part in Family Home Evening, scripture study, and prayer. I have someone who is humble, always seeking to do the Lord's will, striving to do what is right. I am no longer alone in this journey of life back towards the Lord. Is there anything more romantic than that?!

That is why I say I am living my "happily ever after" because I am. You may think I am insane since challenges and hard times still come. But who cares? As long as I have my ever faithful companion at my side, who holds true to the covenants we made in the temple, let life bring what it will! I am blessed!

#6

My body. I know we all have complaints about our bodies, but when it comes down to it I am grateful for my body all its flaws. I think I would go insane if I couldn't be active on a daily basis. I am grateful to have a healthy, working body because I love to exercise! And to not be able to see, taste, touch, smell, or hear would be awful. I love my body and all it enables me to experience and do.

Blessing #5

After a bad night of sleep and a sore back, I am reminded how grateful I am for hot showers. I can just turn the water on and am set. How heavenly!

December Blessing Countdown

I've decided this is a wonderful time of year to count my blessings so every day I am going to write one thing I am grateful for on my blog. I am going to do this in no particular order. Since I am four days behind, today I will do four. Here goes:

I love, love, love Christmas lights! They turn normal everyday homes and trees into something magical. I love the colorful sparkle at night!

Living near the temple. I love being able to drive by the temple with my kids and take them there on a regular basis. I am grateful that temples dot the earth so that we can do work for ourselves and those that have gone on before us. What a beautiful holy place of peace and joy.

As I vacuumed my carpets today I thought how blessed I am to have a vacuum. I just push and pull it along and it sucks up all the dirt and junk in my house. I love it!!!! No having to beat out carpets or floors of dirt. My life is so much easier thanks to my trusty vacuum, a mother's best friend.

He lives. He came to earth, atoned for our sins and was resurrected. Knowing this gives me joy, peace, and hope. He is the center of my life. Because of Him my life has been forever changed, I have found true joy. Nothing can compare to the great knowledge that He is.