Be Grateful

A few weeks ago I started a gratitude journal. Since today is Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share a few things I've written down recently, along with some things I am grateful for today...

I am grateful to have a wonderful, loving husband who works hard to support our family so I can stay home with our children. He is my very best friend and I am so lucky to have him in my life.

I am grateful for my beautiful little girls. They bring so much joy into my life.

I am grateful that Quincy threw up all night, because it was all over her crib, and not my pants, my hair, or camera this time.

I am grateful for my home.

I am grateful for the toasty fire burning in my fireplace...my house is a sauna right now.

I am grateful that Reese started throwing up today, because today Aaron was home to help out.

I am grateful for people who can rock their short curly hair...it gives me hope.

I am grateful for my faith and my Savior.

I am grateful that Reese threw up on the TV remote and now it's broken (seriously, my kids' vomit destroy electronics) because that means I can turn the sound down on the television, and it will stay that way, because Aaron will be too sleepy to get up and change it back.

I am grateful that my parents taught me how to work and how to enjoy it.

I am grateful for my fuzzy pink slippers...all 3 pairs of them.

I am grateful for my in-laws. They are so good to their kids. My mother in law has taught me to be more sentimental, more thrifty, and more patient with Aaron's career. She taught me to just "let it go" when your kid refuses to take off a Snow White Dress for 6 days. My father in law is the most optimistic person I have ever met. I am very much a realist and he has taught me how to have a good attitude. He is so generous. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone is comfortable. I am so grateful to have married into a family that would have so much to teach me. My sister in law Jana, especially, has taught me how to be better listener, and I am grateful for her example.

I am grateful for my blow dryer and curling iron.

I am grateful to be the youngest of my siblings. I got to watch all of their successes and screw-ups as I grew up and I think it really helped me become the person I am. Plus, they still never let me pay my own way when we go out, and I appreciate that because I am cheap. I am so grateful for their sense of humor and that my stomach muscles ache for days, after spending time with them, just from laughing so hard. I am grateful for their love and support and example, but more than anything I am grateful for their friendship. They truly understand me, and I am grateful to them for always giving me a place in the world, even if I was "the runt".

I am grateful for Velveeta Shells and Cheese

I am grateful for forgiveness.

I am grateful for bottled water because the tap here tastes like moldy dirt.

I am grateful for my parents. They are THE BEST. Really. My parents are so awesome. I pray daily for a way to get them out here because I miss their company so much. I have so much more to learn from them, and it kills me that my children are growing up without any grandparents close by. I am so grateful that my girls have grandparents to shower them with non-stop kisses every time we see them.

I am grateful for big obnoxious head bows because my daughters are lacking in hair.

I am actually grateful for the funeral I'm going to next weekend because it will bring all of my siblings together for the first time in a few years.

I am grateful for cell phones...how did we ever live without them?

I am grateful for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

I am grateful for my church calling.

I am grateful for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

I am grateful that Quin woke up with Pink Eye, because Pink is a pretty color.

I am grateful that I can change.

I am grateful that I could keep adding to this list for hours...

What are you grateful for today?