Count Your Blessings

The time of year has once again come where we take some time to contemplate the blessings we have in our lives. I was sitting here today feeling sorry for myself, doing the exact opposite of counting my blessings, thinking about all the things that aren't going right in my life. I decided that I needed to change my attitude so you all will be getting my gratitude list a few days early.

- I am thankful for wonderful friends. This year I have really felt the difference good friends can have in my life. It is great to know that there are people out there that love and care about me even though they don't have to.

- I am thankful for family. I think I have been really lucky to have the parents, siblings, in laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces that I have been given. My family is full of such smart, loving, caring, and selfless people and I am so grateful that they are a part of my life.

- I am thankful to have my basic needs met. I have seen a lot of families suffer during the last year due to tough economic times. I am so grateful to have a home, food, and income. I know I have complained a lot about being "poor" financially, but right now I can't feel anything but grateful that all of my families basic physical needs are being met.

- I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so happy that I can live at a time when the fullness of the Gospel is on the earth. I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for Eternal families.

-I am thankful for 9 year olds. I was given the calling to teach the 9 year olds in Primary a few months ago. At first I was really overwhelmed because my class can be a bit of a handful at times. But these kids have taught me so much. They have taught be about faith and believing in miracles, they have taught be about obedience and the joy that the gospel can bring to our lives, and they have taught me about service and love. I realised last Sunday as I was lying in bed thinking about all my Primary kids that I love these 9 year olds so much and I am going to be really sad when January rolls around and I am no longer their teacher.

-I am thankful for Ella. I love that she is so uniquely Ella. She is so full of joy. She can be sweet as can be but she is also very sassy. She is cute and fun and I love that she is my daughter.

- I am thankful for Tori. I took Tori to the dentist a few weeks ago and one of the dental assistance asked if she was always this calm. Calm is a good word to describe Tori (well most of the time). Tori is such a quite, cautious, calm girl. She is so sweet but also very guarded. She is girly and fun, and I love her so much!-I am thankful for Landon. Landon is such a sweet boy. He is my child that will come up to me and tell me he loves me for no reason. Out of the blue he will thank me for things that I did for him weeks ago. He loves people and is very kind. He is a great big brother (though bossy) and he is a great help to me and Jared. I love my boy!

-I am thankful for Jared. I married a good man. I am constantly impressed with his good attitude and his desire to serve. In a lot of ways I wish I were more like him. He keeps me sane, he makes me laugh, and he is my best friend. I have truly been blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

There is so much more in my life that I am thankful for, but I think that this list really covers the the blessings in my life that I have truly been grateful for lately. I hope that all of you have a great Thanksgiving!