There are so many things that I am grateful for it is going to be difficult to come up with a comprehensive list. Having said that, I will try my best and if I remember something that I forgot to put down today I can always add it later. Here goes! I've listed several things that I am always grateful for and also specific things that I am grateful for this year.
I am grateful for my health. I have been very concerned about my health every since I can remember. I have been blessed with a love for exercise that has with my love for nutrition enabled me(up until this point, fingers crossed)) to retain my health. I remember waking up in the middle of the night as a little girl just to do jumping jacks and sit-ups, or begging anyone and everyone to race me just so I could feel my heart racing and the exhilarating thrill that came from pushing my little body to it's limit. I can still remember reading nutrition books in junior high so that I could fuel my body to be the best athlete I could be. Health is a blessing I don't want to take for granted but due to the lack of time I am afraid I inadvertantly do.
I am grateful for my long-term memory. It comes in handy when I can't flip through the book I need, I can flip through my mind to recall principles of the gospel, a quote, a recipe, a fat gram/calorie ratio or a parenting tip.(My short-term memory is not so good)
I am grateful for modern medicine, technology and a newborn screening test that saved Spencer's life by detecting an inborn error of metabolism.(He was diagnosed with a rare-metabolic disorder that is treatable if diagnosed...undiagnosed it frequently takes the lives of children at thier first illness)This picture is of Spencer in the hospital at 4-weeks with a stomach bug. We stayed for 10 days, hooked up to an IV that prevented Spencer from going into a metabolic crisis. We feel so fortunate to live in a country with hospitals equipped with all that Spencer needs to stay well during times of illness.
I am grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.; without it I would be so lost. Caring for my kid's Complex Nutritional and Medical needs is so bewildering I really wouldn't make it each day if it weren't for the occaisonal priesthood blessing, the always reliable power of prayer, the daily insight that comes from the scriptures and the quiet wonderful voice of the Spirit heard minute by minute teaching and comforting me in a way that no one else can.
I am grateful for my husband .Our situation like everyone's has required that we learn to work well together since there is never a shortage of work to be done, and there is certainly more than one person can handle alone. At any given time(except of course during working-hours)you can find Matt, cleaning, doing laundry, bathing kids, or staying up late to finish a work assignment because bath time took longer than usual or Grant wanted a little more play time. I am grateful for his willingness to share in the process of raising and caring for our kids. He helps me in so many ways that I can't even begin to list them all. I am grateful that he is my ETERNAL companion. And that he loves me.
I am grateful for Grant. He is such a dear, complex, imaginative, passionate, and fiercely intelligent boy. His strong personality is helping me learn to channel my own strong personality. He takes me into his world of fun and excitement with his rich vocabulary and exciting ideas and then expects me to return the favor, so it is my wonderful privilege to re-learn how to use my imagination(I am the girl who invited imaginary friends over for dinner as a child). I am reminded by his immediate reactions, how sweet and important it is to regualrly see the face of a loved, and happy child and how devastating it is to see hurt and disappointment. I am grateful for the great priviledge and responsiblity I have in not only helping him learn how to live in a joyful happy way(the fun part), but also how to deal with disappointments that are an inevitable part of life(hard, but sweet as I try and follow the promptings that always come). I love his spontaneity. I am grateful that Grant Loves, Loves, Loves to meet new people and socialize with them as long as they will allow it. He has so much character and enthusiasm for life if I could bottle it up I am sure we would all be millionaires. I enjoy having an intelligent conversation with him, especially conversations about his growing testimony. He is teaching me to be a better, more organized, more patient, more Christ-like mother and I am so grateful to him for that.
I am grateful for Spencer. I am grateful for his soft baby body and sweet dimply hands. I am grateful that Spencer can tolerate Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion and that the scent permeates the air at bathtime reminding us all that our Baby is here! He has brought with him a considerable amount of care demands that in-turn have enabled us to form such a wonderful bond with him. His big brown eyes are so soft and sweet my heart melts when I look into them. He loves and adores his brother. Each night he squeals with delight as they wrestle together and chase each other around the couches. He is learning to walk right now and has taken 4 steps on his own. Once he sits down after walking he quietly and hopefully looks around to see if anyone noticed and when he sees we are clapping he joins in and cheers right along with us thrilled that he pleased us.
I am grateful for a mind capable of learning,and a body that is strong enough to meet the demands of motherhood. I have not had the opportunity to complete more than 1-year of college and I am grateful for the desire to go back. I am grateful that I want to learn, that I love to learn, and that I live in a time that really allows me to master any skill or profession I want.
I am grateful for the great outdoors, and the variety we find in scenery thru-out the United States and thru-out the world. I have had the opportunity to live in Canterbury England for one year and think back on my time there and pretend that I am back walking along the White Cliffs of Dover, or pushing our stroller with Matt hand in hand along the Sea in Herne Bay. I love what being out in the open clean air does for me. It clears my mind and helps me feel renewed. Something I need very much at this time in my life
I am grateful for my childhood memories. It is true that every year my parents get smarter and smarter. Every mistake I make I appreciate my parent's example more. My parent's introduced me to the gospel, made sure I was baptized and taught me a lot of important principles that prepared me for life. One of the most valuable lesson's they taught me was to enjoy the beauty of Nature. It seems like the children's song "I feel my Savior's love." was written for me. I spent most of my early childhood in a small town in South Dakota where I was allowed to play for hours at a time at the park, in the woods, along the ditches, in the hollow spots of our lilac tree. I remember how happy I was everyday, walking--along a path I frequently took with my sister Mary--outside in the warm sun, over the dirt road with the beautiful elm trees towering overhead to the field of dandelions that signaled the park was near. I really did feel "...my Saviors love in all the world around me". Those memories are a treasure trove that I can think back on and make withdrawals from when I need to remember what peace feels like.
I am grateful that my Children have two adoring sets of Grandparents. And that Grant has memories with his Two Great Grandmothers Andrea Aagard, and Vivian Hansen who have recently passed away. I love to hear him talk with fondness and love about the time "Aagard took him for a ride on her walker and how fast she went for a little old lady" or how much he loves Grandma Hanson and wants to see her again.
I am grateful for my comfortable life. I have everything that I truly need.
And Finally...
I am grateful for our happy family. A happy home truly is an earlier Heaven.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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