Attitude of Gratitude

During the month of November I think that we all take a little extra time to think about our blessing and pause to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for those gifts. As I have done in the past I would like to share with you some of the blessings that I have recognized in my life. I know a lot of you are posting on facebook, but I am a bit long winded at times and like a little more room to express my self! LOL!

Nov 1: November 1st is my Grandmother's birthday and every year that I have to spend with her I find myself more and more grateful for having grown up with so much of my family so close. Both my husband and I were, and are fortunate enough to have solid, loving, close relationships with much of our extended family such as Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc. It is such a blessing to know that I have so many people in my life that I can turn to for love and support during my highs and lows in this life and the next. I was blessed to know all of my grandparents, but I will forever have a special bond with Grandma Gesek. She was there from the day I was born. Thirty years later, a day rarely goes by without a phone call from her letting me know that she loves me and the kids. What an example! Sometimes we bicker and yell, and there are times I think we are both fed up with each other but the truth is that when she is gone there will be a void in my life that will not easily be filled. I prayer that when my children have children that I can have this kind of close knit relationship with my Grandkids, that they will know that they are loved beyond measure.

Nov 2: I didn't always have intentions of being a Mother. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, I don't try to hide it. I never had that natural maternal response to kids. I was the youngest and had zero experience with children and honestly was totally fine thinking of my life as kid free so that I could work, travel, enjoy delicious meals, and be total spontaneous with my time. It's funny how things change. Today I am grateful for the refiners fire. I have seen His power first hand to change us, mold us, better us, teach us, and strengthen us even when we weren't ready. Meeting Preston was only the first step. Realizing what real love was, both how to give and receive it, allowed me to open myself to the possibility of children. When we decided to have kids I knew that it was going to be a game changer, but this is the BEST game I've ever played!!!! I am so blessed to have two wonderful children who fill holes in my life I didn't know existed. They teach me every day, they make me laugh, they infuriate me...but they are mine. I made them and I am blessed to mold them!

Nov 3: This day is always one that causes me to pause and remember the gift of the plan of salvation! I am so thankful that I can be reunited with family again. What a gift of peace!

Nov 4: Today I am grateful for my talents. Some people have skills for singing, playing the piano, dancing, but not me. My talents are more subtle, more personal, but for me they are perfect. I am blessed with the talent of organization, of financial awareness, and of communication. It is amazing how much this year has called on those things specifically to get us through this rough patch. I am so grateful to see that Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need it and that he always gives us the tools to get through it!