Attitude of Gratitude Day 9

1. random acts of kindness- i went with some other gals in my ward to Costa Vida to celebrate a friend's birthday. At the register, the owner asked me why we were there. so i told him. He later visited our table to present a $10 gift card to the b-day girl- Can you believe that? I have been there for b-days before and that has NEVER happened. Thanks Costa Vida. I will eat with you more often.
2. chiropractors-a good friend and good practioner.- About 3:30 i could feel a migraine coming on- no time for that today! i phoned A+ chiropractic right up and Dr. Karl got me in. After my adjustment I got to lay on the massage table and my migraine was kept at bay.
3. Migraines- believe it or not feeling my pain helps me to be more empathetic with Reece when he gets his headaches and is screaming in pain.
4. movie passes at costco-you can save a bunch of money this way and still see the new releases.
5. a clean house-life is better for me when my house is clean.
6. mexican hot chocolate-it has that little extra kick.
7. alarm clocks-we would have slept right through Reece's football game this morning.
8. second chances.
9. propane heaters- especially on really cold days.
10. my cloth mop-it, with my help, mops up my tile floors squeeky clean.
11. fiber one bars-you can get 35% of your daily fiber in a yummy chocolatey bar.
12. babysitters that actually play with kids.
13. my chance to serve our neighbors (Bob and Corrine) who do so much for us.
14. saturday mail service.
15. free shipping.
16. the President-his desire to take away some of our freedoms has really helped me appreciate living in this choice land and all the freedoms i enjoy-i pray that America will continue to honor our Founding Fathers and the constitution AND that we won't see a "transformation" any time soon.
17. capitalism
18. the Free market
19. play-do. although i cringe at the thought of all the germs trapped inside that doughy substance it does keep my little ones occupied for some time.
20. miracles-they occur daily in my life and yours.

Attitude of Gratitude Day 8 with a twist

1. garbage disposals
2. electricity
3. opc cinemas
4. public educators-they are underpaid and underappreciated, understaffed and undermined often, BUT the good ones can make all the difference in a child's life. I had some good ones.
5. temples
6. living so close to a temple
7. google
8. my US bankers-even though i don't have any money they treat me like i'm their favorite.
9. inexpensive southwest flights to seattle
10. fresh water
11. fish
12. flax seed- did you know you can substitute flax for eggs and butter in recipes? this is a life saver for our little guy with all his food allergies.
13. flannel sheets
14. fresh flowers
15. the stars ,in the sky, NOT hollywood.
16. journals
17. disposable diapers-sorry planet
18. pioneers
19. motorcycle helmets- unfortunately i witnessed, from a distance, a motorcycle get hit by a car yesterday and was so thankful that the bike rider was wearing his helmet. the rider appeared to be ok just shaken up a bit.
20. 20 MPH speed zones- this is probably the only reason the motorcycle rider was not seriously injured.

So here's the twist. Giving for what you are grateful for. Let me explain.......Gratitude was the topic of parenting class last night. At the conclusion of each class the instructor always gives us a homework assignment. Here's the homework from now until Christmas (and hopefully at that point it will become a habit)..........List three things, just 3, you are grateful for and then give for what you are grateful for. ie. if you list your home for something you are grateful for then invite a family into your home for dinner or dessert or games and share your home with them. if your children are on the list then make it a point to spend one on one time with each child so they know you are grateful for them. if the temple is on your list then increase your attendance. Get the idea?????

Attitude of Gratitude Day 7

1. missionaries-they are amazing to me.
2. parents who support missionaries- finacially and emotionally and spiritually
3. my testimony- it is my most prized possession
4. my sister in law- torrie. i really love her.
5. my mom's example- i serve and magnify my callings because she taught me how
6. my grandma young-i am charitable with others because she taught me how
7. farmers
8. libraries-i'm really trying to utilize the library more than purchase the book at costco.
9. birthdays-its a great excuse to go to lunch with friends
10. differences-i'm not good at appreciating differences in others BUT i am learning
11. SCENTED bleach- the towels smell much better these days
12. pumice stones- hard water stains and cracked heels
13. my spinning shoes- i get a much better work out on the bike when i'm clipped in
14. charmin toilet paper- it IS softer
15. nieniedialogues-
16. microwave ovens-some may say it causes cancer- all i know is it heats up chicken nuggets in a jiffy.
17. when quinn takes care of the discipline-
18. baskets-
19. garbage pick up in our area-when we lived in portland we were allowed one can and had to pay for anything over- now we could stick the whole house out on the curb and they would pick it up for a flat fee of $10
20. ziploc bags

Attitude of Gratitude Day 6

1. Men and Women who risk their lives to protect my freedom.
2. The constitution- I believe the men who drafted the constitution were divinely inspired.
3. my dad-thanks for calling me and always asking how the kids and I are doing.
4. hot apple cider
5. field trips-kindergartners are so stinking cute!
6. Miss Clements-she is Quincy's teacher and she is GREAT!
7. No Bunny's Perfect- Trey's favorite bed time story
8. ear muffs
9. scarves
10. mittens
11. wool socks
12. toothbrushes
13. WINCO's orange chicken-it's as good as Panda Express BUT much cheaper
14. diet coke- sad but true
15. hot baths
16. hand sanitizer
17. sports caps-i hate doing my hair.
18. sunglasses
19. Nephi- a prophet in the Book of Mormon
20. Cannery

Attitude of Gratitude Day 5

1. sore muscles
2. lawn mower to pick up leaves
3. 1/2 price happy hour at sonic
4. shoe inserts
5. running partners
6. apple shuffle
7. apple buds-the fit the ear better than anything else i have found
8. talk radio
9. turbo tax
10. a nose to smell
11. eyes to see
12. ears to hear
13. nap time
14. hot glue guns
15. printer
16. computer
17. family history-it's always good to know where one comes from-and what one might have to overcome.
18. visiting teaching
19. digital camera
20. a school bus that only transports kindergartners-the only time my kiddos will ever ride the bus.

Attitude of Gratitude Day 4

1. Quinn came home early today.
2. dryer sheets
3. word world-it makes me feel less guilty when my kids watch "educational" shows.
4. Ensign
5. Friend magazine
6. chocolate covered pretzels
7. finding something in common with strangers
8. kellie who has a stock pile of paper for my spur of the moment craft ideas-
9. sales
10. fast sunday-i don't have to stress about yw lesson this week. YEAH!
11. outrageous socks
12. old pictures
13. complimentary bang cuts-I may have already mentioned this one BUT i am really grateful
14. Amanda at the gym who paints my kid's faces every Tuesday
15. text messaging-so much easier than calling
16. the fact that Quinn has tomorrow and Wed off
17. winter-it helps me appreciate spring, summer and fall
18. sugar free hot cocoa
19. sugardoodle.net-awesome website
20. pinchingyourpennies-another great website.

Attitude of Gratitude Day 3

1. Sweat pants
2. blankets
3. piano music
4. ears to hear piano music
5. church hymns
6. young women
7. soft chairs
8. pumpkins
9. windows
10. smiles
11. breathe right nasal strips
12. good gospel doctrine teachers that make you think
13. counsel to get out of debt-i might really be in over my head if the counsel wasn't constantly repeated!
14. coupons
15. dads who will take time out of schedule to coach my son's football team
16. warm fall days
17. gas heat
18. central air conditioning
19. online bill pay- i haven't purchased a stamp in months, maybe years.
20. level pay power bills- it helps make budgeting much easier.

Attitude of Gratitude Day 2

1. Washing machine
2. dishwasher
3. dryer
4. vacuum
5. running water
6. a store within .5 miles of my house
7. crockpot
8. internet- to look up recipes for my crockpot
9. sundays-a day to rest and recharge spiritually
10. lysol disinfectant wipes
11. costco coupons
12. marykay eye make up remover-it's so gentle
13. working oven
14. cream that alieviates nasty eczema
15. markers that wash off walls with water
16. crayons-so we don't have to use markers
17. falling leaves
18. a broken tv-it's forcing us to think outside of the box.
19. saturday-a day to clean and get ready for sunday
20. my 5 year old who loves school-it's not a hassle to get her to go at all.

An Attitude of Gratitude

I have been in a witchy mood of late. Feeling sorry myself and murmuring about not having enough (see there is that Laman and Lemuel complex again). So today begins my journey of gratitude. I will follow the advice suggested in a favorite hymn......"So a-mid the conflict, whether great or small. Do not be discouraged God is over all.....count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done". Every day I will post 20 things I can be grateful for. Join me!

1. Bisquick mix-with a few substitutions Trey can eat pancakes with the rest of us.

2. eyes to see the vibrant colors of fall

3. Sister Tanner who shares her parenting wisdom with us each week, for 10 weeks.

4. a car that works

5. my scriptures

6. a healthy family

7. a healthy extended family

8. a sister who is my best buddy

9. people who recycle-they give my husband something to do.

10. quinn's patience

11. the Savior's atonement

12. Bob and Corinne- our neighbors-they are amazing!

13. the internet-

14. good doctors

15. freedom to practice religion of my choice

16. my husband's job

17. close proximity of a gym

18. prayer-knowing that mine are heard

19. good books

20. washing machine

Ode to Trey

Trey turned 3 on Saturday. I can't believe our baby is growing up. This little guy is quite the character. He is a joy to our family and his smile can light up a room. He just loves life! His favorite things include:
1. motorcycles
2. chicken nuggets
3. camping-or any activity to get dirty
4. swimming
5. his brother and sister
6. his dad

Nephi vs. Laman & Lemuel

Today-I rushed through my morning scripture reading, not giving the verses any real thought until this very minute, 10:11 p.m. I am in 1 Nephi 16. You know how you can read the same material over and over and over again yet each time, what you read, can take on a whole new meaning? I have read these verses hundreds of times (specifically because they are found in the front of the book. I guarantee I haven't read Moroni as many times as I have read 1 Nephi). BUT today I was taught something new and I pray that I will be able to fully absorb this tender mercy of the Lord. Here's what I learned for ME today.....
1. Nephi and his family STRUGGLED in the wilderness. Life was HARD. Trials were plentiful. EVEN Nephi, who obeyed the Lord faithfully, almost lost his life, went hungry, experienced death of a loved one and was required to tolerate his family member's continous short comings (all in Chapter 16).
2. Decisions made, by Nephi's family, were based on divine guidance and instruction. HOWEVER all of Nephi's family, at one time, question their choices and fall into the trap of murmuring.
Hum how does this apply to MY life?
Posterity-here is what I want you to know- I have made major personal decisions that have been divinely inspired. These decisions have been reaffirmed more than once and yet when things aren't happening the way I think they should OR when the struggling seems to much OR when my eyes are focused on the big and spacious building- I resort to murmuring exceedingly and questioning my choices. Now who does that sound like? ( L & L). I pray for the strength to be more like Nephi, to have increased faith and trust in the Lord, to be more willing to follow the commandments and to endure my trials with a happier heart. I love the Book of Mormon and the truths that are found in this book. Posterity- if you haven't read this book- READ IT! It will change your life.

p.s. I wonder if the children, who dwelt in the wilderness, went to bed when they were told? It is now 11:07 p.m. and Trey is still awake- not murmuring just observing.

Three sick kids + one sick husband=priceless quotes

All three kids are sick-coughing, fever, headaches and a small microscopic amount of throw-up (we have Quincy to thank for this-she coughed so hard she kinda, sorda threw up a teeny tiny bit in the toilet, but in her mind she "THREW-UP"). To top it all off Quinn came home sick as well. Phew- i have my hands full-no gym for me this week. In their delirous fevered state two of these sickos have mumbled some really funny one-liners.

Quincy:" Lucky Reece, Lucky Trey-they get to be sick and not throw up". -this is so comical because again I don't think you can really constitute what she did as throwing up- but nonetheless she is convinced she has it the worst!
Quinn: (while i'm on the phone with Amber) "tell amber to have Brent (her husband) come over and give me a massage". What???? How much cough syrup and nyquil did you swallow there buddy?

oh, now that's funny.

I overheard the funniest conversation between a mother and her daughter, while standing in line at McDonalds. Let me just preface with I have fed my kids mickey d's in the past and will feed them mickey d's in the future- but i'm no fool. I know the hamburgers contain no measurable amount of beef and I would never think for a second that the chicken nuggets actually contain chicken.
Mom to daughter: what would you like to eat?
Daughter: plain cheeseburger
Mom: honey you had that last night. instead of beef i would really like you to have chicken tonight. why don't you get the chicken nuggets?
Daughter: oh fine.
I don't know why but i just found this so humorous. Wouldn't it have been more accurate for the mom to say......"honey to you want crap wrapped in paper or packaged in a box tonight"?

p.s. I was standing in line for ice-water. i was at the boise airport and this was the most economical option. i just didn't feel like paying $2.00 for bottled water.