Thursday Thanks

My dear SIL, Tamara, author of the 31 Dates in 31 Days blog (and soon-to-be-book), suggested last Thursday that we take time each Thursday this month to count our blessings and to feel grateful. This completely tied in with some counsel we recently received from Thomas S. Monson, counsel which hit home when he said it. Here is a little of what he said,

"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

I also came across a little saying this summer that gave me pause, as being content instead of wanting stuff is a struggle of mine: "The secret to having it all is believing that you do!"


Anyway, I decided to take it a step beyond commenting on Tam's blog. I need to cultivate within my heart (and the hearts of my children) and attitude of gratitude. Additionally, I need to get back on the wagon with blogging. I miss it. I miss hearing your comments. I miss feeling like we are in this whole crazy thing together. So I am going to try to post every Thursday indefinitely about something for which I am grateful. Sometime it may just be a quick list, sometimes something more thoughtful. But I'm hoping it will help me to see how truly blessed I am and prompt others to count their blessings as well.


So, this Thursday Thanks post is going to be about how grateful I am that I feel supported and helped so much in raising my family. My mom, Jared's parents, and many friends help us all the time in making this work. I honestly don't know if I could have had five children without so much support from these people. I am thankful for the people who are a good example in my kids' lives; for Cub Scout leaders, teachers at church, piano teachers, coaches, neighbors, and friends who go out of their way to know my children and to help mold them into people of virtue, of integrity, of kindness.


Today during Kimball and Henry's rock climbing class, I took my younger kids to a nearby sanctuary zoo and invited a friend to come along and bring her granddaughter. We had a great time, but over the course of the outing a couple of my children had some not-so-nice moments that included whining, pouting, fighting with each other, and even hitting. The drive home was excruciating because they were over-stimulated, over-tired, and touching each other (heaven forbid). I was so thankful to have Nancy there with me-- not judging at all, but rather commiserating and giggling a little with me over their ridiculous behavior. As frustrated as I was with the kids, because of the way that she acted I wasn't mortified, nor was I afraid that she thought they were monsters. It's the little things that count in friendship and that help us moms feel supported instead of torn down. Thanks, Nancy!

To my mom and in-laws who are always so willing to help watch kids or take them on a fun outing, I am so grateful. I really believe that home schooling is the best choice for us and a blessing, but sometimes we need a little space from one another for an hour or two and our parents help facilitate that for the good of both the kids and me.


I'm thankful for Kimball's Primary (Sunday School) teacher, who never acts like she is irritated with him, nor grumpy that he is her responsibility, even when he is sliding out of this chair or making silly noises during a quiet moment. She does her best to understand his challenges, handles them matter-of-factly, and loves him for his strengths. She is as gem.

There are so many others who help and support me as a mom in raising these five wonderful, spirited, unique little people, and I am grateful for each and every one.

What are you grateful for today?