I survived the Miserable Migraine of May and am thankful...

1) For a tasty teacher appreciation breakfast at work today. Strawberries? Mini muffins? Toast with Nutella? Great way to start any day!

2) For free Papa Murphy's pizza, again for teacher appreciation week. I joined a plethora of other teachers in line around 4pm and by 5:30, the kids and I had a delicious hot pizza. I also bought a tub of cookie dough, so after we ate, Erich helped me make some pretty yummy cookies!

3) That my students finished end of year high stakes standardized testing! 

4) There are now 3 selections of Dr. Pepper in the faculty lounge vending machine. Apparently, teachers at my school run on that stuff like cars run on fuel. 

5) For my new mantra,that I repeat multiple times a day....at home, at work, in traffic....Be Positive, Patient, & Kind...over and over and over again. 

Tonight I'm thinking backwards...

1) I'm thankful for my seemingly always messy house because it means I not only have a house, but I also have dishes, and clothes, and belongings, and toys (for the kids) and all of those things mean I am blessed. 

2) I'm thankful for bills in the mail because it means I am blessed with clean, running, warm water and lights by which to see, and a roof over my head, and a phone to communicate with, etc.

3) I'm grateful for my car that is slowly falling apart because it means I have a way to get from point A to point B. My kids and I can drive to grandmas, to the store, or to fun places like the park or the zoo. 

4) I'm grateful for a difficult, demanding, and challenging job because it means I have money to provide the basic necessities of life for my family. 

5) I'm thankful that my husband works long hours and usually doesn't get home before 9pm because it means he has a job that also helps provide for our family. We do not have every nice thing nor do we do very fancy things very often, but we are lucky to be employed. 

It's the weekend and I've been lazy, so I'll give you 10 tonight...

1. I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have had this weekend. I've enjoyed the sun and the warmth. The kids and I enjoyed dinner outside Friday and Saturday and it was lovely.
2. I'm thankful for my Fast Sunday experience. It's been a while and I actually took time to prepare and ponder. I didn't feel hungry like I often do and made it until dinner. I feel recharged and strengthened.
3. I'm grateful for my husband for taking the kids to his parents tonight while I stayed home...alone. I sat on the couch for about 3 hours, ate ice cream, and enjoyed some alone time. It was a much needed little break.
4. I'm grateful for the two littles' hugs and kisses. Lately, they've both been snotty kisses, but I still love them. They make me feel special and like I'm the best in the world, when most often I probably am not.
5. I'm thankful for a rare morning nap I took with Ben. We snuggled while Lana slept and Erich built a city out of blocks. The fan was on low and the sheets were cool and it was perfect...until a text message woke me up.
6. I am SO thankful for the words of President Monson. Today in YW we read and discussed a talk called "Believe, Obey, and Endure." The message was mostly for young girls, but so many of it can be applied to my life.
7. I'm grateful that tomorrow my students begin taking the last part of the end of year SAGE test. It means two things 1)The school year is wrapping up and 2)I can do something different and fun after and enjoy the last few weeks with students, most of whom I really have enjoyed this year.
8. I'm thankful for grocery shopping as a family. I hate grocery shopping. But when Ben goes with me, it's not so bad. And for some reason, the kids actually stay in the car cart for him.
9. I'm grateful for Dr. Pepper 10. I've got this really bad addiction to Dr. Pepper. I've tried keeping it to only one glass or can a day and sometime that is the only thing that gets me through.
10. I'm thankful for my YW presidency...their love, support, and service. I love each of them and am glad that I don't have to do it alone!

Happy new week!

Today I struggled to get dinner in the table, but I'm grateful....

1) That tomorrow is Friday. It's also our school Cinco de Mayo celebration, which means free authentic taco stand tacos for the teachers! 

2) For Lana Ruby, who twirled and twirled tonight when I put on her nightgown. It is ballet-attire inspired and has a bit of a tutu. She walked around the house saying "Cute!"

3) That Ben helped Erich clean his room this morning. It's not perfect but it's better than the tornado state it was left in last night. It also means I don't have to battle it out tonight. 

4) For the inspired words of Elder Bednar, whose conference talk I listened to this morning. It reminded me that I do not have to carry the burdens on up shoulders alone and that PB (President Bednar), as my roommates and I called him in college, is a stellar speaker....expressing things directly and firmly. 

5) For avocados. I had one for lunch and it was a.maze.ing. 

Today the sun shone and I'm thankful....

1) For my sweet Erich, who tries my patience hourly and causes me grief, but who I know loves me more than just about anything and makes me feel special beyond anything else in the history of ever. 

2) For a brood group of work colleagues who I can really call friends. We can be serious together and work together...or we can be silly and goofy and random. 

3) For my amazing mom, who helps in so many ways. Sometimes I think Lana loves her more than me ( which is ok...she's really that neat).

4) For texts like this from my friend, Tiffiney "I'll trade you the puppy backpack leash for half the bag of of chocolate chips." It's ok that that may not make sense to anyone else, but that girl is a blessing in more ways than one. 

5) For the sushi my Mr. brought home for me from Tempanyaki. Delicious. 

dusting off

As part of my morning routine, I have been listening to at least one LDS General Conference talk while getting ready. I have downloaded the entire April 2014 conference on my phone and can listen to the talks easily with a few swipes. I'm a little over halfway through the entire conference. One of the talks I listened to recently was this one given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. It was one of my favorite ones as I watched live and has proven again--at my second listen--to be a favorite. His whole message centers around having a grateful attitude in our current situations, whatever they may be. He explains that not only is important to have gratitude FOR our blessings, but equally important to be grateful IN our life, no matter if everything is going well or if we are facing crisis. I've been thinking a lot about the message and decided to make an effort to work on that attitude in my own life. So, I'm dusting off this old gratitude blog in hopes I can incorporate gratitude more fully in my life. 

Today I'm thankful:
1. For my family. Ben, Erich, Lana. They are my life, despite the chaos and stress. I love them.
2. For good food. Yesterday I ate nothing but crap all day. Today, I made better choices and felt amazing..fruits, veggies, grains. And, I didn't even cave for a Dr. Pepper today, either!
3. For tax returns. We had a good year as far as tax returns go. We'll be able to pay off a few bills (YAY!), possibly get a new door & make other small home improvements, and put some in savings.
4. For the Humor section on Pinterest. Today I had a minute to check out the humor section and am thankful I was able to smile and laugh out loud. Laughter is important.
5. For the Overdrive app on my phone that allows me to listen to books as I drive to and from work. I've enjoyed the new form of entertainment and ability to get through more books (since reading is sometimes the last thing I can do when I get home).

In honor of Thanksgiving 2013 #1

It's been hard to express gratitude lately, but alas, today I am grateful...

1. First and foremost, for my mom. She has provided so much support during the last 2 months. Physical, emotional, monetary. She has offered words of encouragement, helping me through the extended trial of Ben's unemployment. She has bought groceries, gas, and paid the daycare bill after my paycheck money has run out. Her help, sacrifice, and service has meant so much to me and I feel blessed because of her.

2. For my small family at home--Ben, Erich, and Lana. While the challenges that come with Ben out of work have been stressful, we've had some really good family time. Erich and Lana bring me happiness and joy through their giggles, hugs, and energy.

3. For burritos covered in cheese and avocado. Just delicious. In my month of no sugar, it's food like that that helps me. I popped the burritos in the microwave after church today and enjoyed every last bite.

4. For my calling the YW that has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone a little bit and get to know some great girls and other leaders. My first counselor has become a fast friend, someone who I can confide in and someone whom I feel I have found a forever friend. Through my calling, I've been able to immerse myself in some gospel topics at time when I need them most.

5. For warmth. The warmth provided by the heat in my house, by the heating blanket on my bed. Warmth provided by blankets, warn and soft pajamas and sweatshirts. Warmth provided in the arms of my companion on days when I feel inadequately prepared to deal with life's problems. Warmth I am able to provide for my babies during nighttime cuddles and other positive moments.