Attitude of Gratitude

I have always loved that phrase that Pres. Monson uses so frequently, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to think about blessings right?  Mostly I love that phrase because in conveys the fact that being grateful is a choice.  I was reminded of this yesterday as I was listening to people in my neighborhood share their feelings of gratitude for their blessings.  Two in particular struck me as these two are enduring severe health challenges.  As they expressed their gratitude for all those who have helped them, and for the power of the priesthood, and for miracles in their lives, I was reminded of how much I have to be grateful for.  Yesterday I felt most grateful for wonderful people who are such great examples to me. I truly believe that having an always grateful heart, makes for a happy person.

5 of the many reasons I am grateful!

Much is said about how we skip right over Thanksgiving to Christmas.  For me they go together.  As I focus on my blessings, the greatest one is the atonement of the Savior, it's what makes family and everything else work out.  So when I focus on that, it seems to lead naturally to Christmas and celebrating Christ. Pres. Hinckley said,

This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface. The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us.

The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).

There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.

So when I listen to Christmas music, when I think about presents for loved ones this all leads me to what I am most grateful for.  So I don't skip Thanksgiving, but Christmas is what makes my Thanksgiving.

Halloween

Halloween 2011-Breanna still wanted to dress up even though I was mean and didn't let her trick or treat.  Harry Potter needs to tuck in his shirt-obviously Dad took these pictures not Mom.

Yesterday was Halloween-We washed windows (great way to celebrate right?) and carved pumpkins.  The kids all wielded the knives themselves this year, and only Grant went trick or treating.  We didn't even have to take him out this year.  I am getting old.   Old is good though I've decided.  Just in case you were wondering, having your kids grow up does not mean that you will get a good night's sleep.  At least in my family, the best time to have heart to hearts with my kids is always when I should be sleeping.  I was up late talking to one of my kids last night.  Yes I am tired, but I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. Some of my kids are more talkative than others, but I love talking to all of them.  It is in those moments that I find out what they are thinking, what they are struggling with, or excited about, what they feel and what they believe.  It is when confessions have been made, and important things decided upon.  Who needs sleep anyway?

With only one child still young enough to go trick or treating, though I was feeling a little melancholy and doing a little reminiscing.  So I was looking at some old pictures to remember.  Here are some of my favorite Halloween shots.

So pretty in pink. 

No costume in this one, but I just love this picture of Grant.

Belle with our own little modest addition.

I even let Jared grow his hair out a little so he could slick it back like Dash's.

Love these kids!