See....lookie here....I am getting caught up! I just need to get the pictures attached and I will be set!

This month I, once again, have been posting everyday the things I am grateful for and it has been awesome to contemplate all the countless blessing I enjoy in my life, none of which I am deserving of.

So....since it is the month of Thanksgiving and I am in the mode...I want to discuss these more at length.

1. I am so incredibly grateful to be alive. I am grateful to parents who made me what I am. I am grateful for ancestors and what they endured so that I could be born where and what I am. I am grateful for the amazing childhood I had and for the beauties of my life and experiences. I am grateful to be healthy, to be able to see, hear, feel and experience all of God's creations. I am grateful to be able to run, dance, skip and sing (well, sort of...haha)

2. I am grateful to know of the true and living Savior. I am grateful for His love and mercy and for His sacrifice for me. I am grateful to know of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessing that is in my life. I am grateful for the prophet, Joseph Smith and for his tremendous sacrifice in restoring the Gospel to the Earth and for his translation of the Book of Mormon, which has been a blessing in my life. I am grateful for all the prophets, leaders, and all who work in the church for their efforts in my life and the life of my children. I am grateful to have had so many examples of true Christian behavior in my life, both in and out of the church, and in and out of my family circle. I am grateful for the peace the Gospel brings into my life. I can't imagine my life without the knowledge and assurance I have.

3. I am grateful to be a mother. What was the Lord thinking to bless my life with four of the most amazing spirits I can imagine? I am so grateful for each one of them. They are all so unique. They are all so different. I love them so much as people. They are interesting and talented. I love them as my children. I am grateful for what they teach me. They inspire me. They have aspects of their character that I am so impressed by...I don't know how they all developed this deep sense of gratitude but I am so grateful for it. It is so heartwarming to have Joey come in spontaneous and thank me for all the things I do for him...out of the blue...on an ordinary day. Russ will always tell me I look pretty or that my hair is amazing. I love the way they are living their lives, even when I might not agree with their choices they are learning and growing and I love hanging out with them.

I love watching Christina and Cliff and their growing family. They have a lot of struggles but seem to do so well together. I am so grateful they have given me my start on the wonder and blessing of grand babies! Christina is always so willing to drop everything and help me out with Joey or whatever. She is one of the most giving people I know. She is so talented too!

Russ is such a sweetie. He will keep me up late talking and I like to harass him about it but I love that we can talk and I love his wise and loving nature. He is a peacemaker. I love hearing about what he is reading or worrying about. I love his take on who I am dating or what is going on in the rest of my world. He is a good sounding board.

Kyle amazes me with his drive to do and be the best at whatever he does. He has so many abilities and talents it hardly seems fair. He is my "get-it-done" kid. He is my one and only 'red' personality and we are grateful that someone has enough of that to get things done. He is an achiever. I love how he sets his goals and puts them everywhere to remind himself. He has an energy that I miss when he isn't around.

Joey is such a unique person. I think that growing up and hanging up with older siblings and people has given him a mature sense of humor, and a unique set of interests...but still he is not quite twelve and he has a innocence and naivete that I really, really love. He is my huggy and my snuggy, my bestest traveling companion and my reminder of all that is good and right with the world. I love just being in the same room with him.

All of the kids bring something unique and wonderful to my life. I love them to distraction and can't imagine anything I like better than being together with them. I am SO grateful for them, for their lives, for all they teach me, sacrifice for me and bring into my world.

3. I am grateful for my extended family....also very unique and different, but all so beautiful in their individual ways. They all have a generosity of spirit and are so accepting and gracious. I am a burden to endure and they manage it so well. My parents are two of the most amazing people I know and I can't express enough my gratitude for what they taught me in word and deed, or the bliss that I call my childhood. They loved me and loved each other and I think there is no greater gift. I am so grateful to them both for their wiliness to keep it together for family things so we can enjoy them both.

4. I am grateful for a profession that I find so rewarding. I am grateful for the people I meet, the miracles I witness and for all I learn. I would do it for free, but I am grateful to get paid. I am grateful that even with the numerous set-backs, that I can still, somewhat, support my family.

5. I am grateful for all my friends...they are found among those I work with, my family, my ward, and in various other places. They all have a beauty that comes from their spirit and heart. I am sure they are unaware of the times they have inspired or buoyed me up. I love them so much, and really appreciate what they bring to my life.

6. I am grateful for the earth, for it's peoples and for the countless fascinating things there are to discover. I am grateful to live in a place that constantly causes me to stare in amazement and to have a house that feels cozy and warm to me.

7. I am grateful for the gym, sleep, quilt shops, yoga classes, great food and down pillows. I am grateful for generous people, cool cars, awesome guns, the ocean, and old people (like me ;-)). I am grateful for spicy food, chocolate, sisters and seat warmers. I am grateful for facebook, camera phones, watching Joey at Karate, and soldiers. I am thankful for the History channel, hymns, music in general and really funny people. I am grateful for office supplies, Sunday dinners, yummy men, and the Constitution. I am thankful for affection, great books and You Tube. I love all the kids in the bed together, missionaries, and girl lunch. I appreciate old photos, cute couples, and baby feet.

How is that for a start? What are you grateful for?