the temple

I try to go to the temple once a week, but because of illness or Thanksgiving or other things, I haven't been able to go for the last few weeks and I've missed it. I am thankful that this morning, I made it happen. When I go to the temple, I feel peace and an overwhelming love from my Heavenly Father. I think going to the temple makes me a better mother and wife and friend. And I always, always leave feeling lighter and more optimistic. I am thankful to live so close to a temple, and I am thankful that my schedule allows me to visit often. The time I spend there is the best of my week.

To learn more about mormon temples, go here.


And this concludes another month of Thanksgiving. Thank you for following along! I really believe in the power of gratitude. Recognizing my blessings and expressing gratitude for them makes me a happier and more content and more generous person, I hope. I look forward to this month all year long and I am thankful to have been able to post here each day. And now, welcome December!

Don't forget the Worldwide Day of Service to kick off the 25 Days of Service tomorrow!

shopping days

Mike finished up our Christmas shopping late last night. Even with his busy school schedule, he wanted to do the shopping this year, and I am so grateful. He is much more thoughtful about it than I would be, and I know that because of his efforts, our kids are going to have a really wonderful Christmas. I am thankful that we are able to provide a happy Christmas for our children. I am thankful that Mike is smart with our money and creative with our gifts. And I am really thankful that we don't have to step foot inside another store until next year. That really is the greatest gift of all!

fhe

Tonight's Family Home Evening was sort of a bust. That happens sometimes. We went all over town looking for ornaments for our tree. Every year, the kids pick out a new ornament, and then when they are grown and have a tree of their own, they will have a box full of memories to add to their decorations. It's one of my favorite traditions. We'll have to try again this weekend. When we got home, we watched the video I posted yesterday for the #LighttheWorld campaign. I think the 25 days of service are just what our family needs this Christmas season. I bore my testimony to my children about the importance of serving like Jesus Christ did. And then we had family prayer and sent the little kids to bed.

I am thankful for Family Home Evening, even when it's not as successful as I would like it to be. I love that one night a week is specifically set aside for our family to be together. It is the best place to teach the gospel to my children, and a good time to have fun as a family. I love this family of mine and putting away housework and homework and everything else for a little while to be with them fills my heart with gratitude.

my faith

I never intended to talk about my faith so often on the internet, but here I am, doing it again. My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has formed every bit of my life. I was raised by faithful parents who sought the truth on their own as teenagers. They found it in this church, which I believe most closely resembles the church Jesus Christ organized when He was on the earth, and I am forever grateful for their dedication to it.

This Christmas season, the church is spreading the message that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, and through acts of service, big or small, we can help spread that light. I love this short video that shows people like me serving like Him:

Each day for the month of December, we are encouraged to get out and serve. There are even ideas for each day provided here. Things like writing letters to parents or donating blood or praying for a friend who is going through something challenging. These are simple, easy things that can help us come closer to Jesus Christ and spread His light. I can't think of a more wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season. I know I'll be checking in each day at mormon.org to see what I can do. I hope you'll come along.

I am thankful for my membership in this church. I am thankful for the things it teaches, that it inspires me to be better, and for the way it makes me feel. I believe that it contains the truth, and through that truth, I can be with my family after this life is over and live with Heavenly Father again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I was going to put up our Christmas decorations today. But then I didn't feel like it. And then I decided to do it anyway, and I'm so glad I did. Stella and Elliot had the best time setting up all of the nativity sets on our bookcase while I arranged the little winter village houses in the kitchen. It seems like every year I put up fewer decorations, so I am just down to our absolute favorites. And because there aren't many things to arrange, it took almost no time at all. Even so, tonight the house feels sparkly and cozy and I am so thankful.

siblings

This morning, Stella and Elliot were complaining that they were bored so I sent them downstairs and told them them to play a game. Next thing I knew, extreme giggling was coming from the basement family room. I am so grateful that my children are friends with each other. I've never been good at setting up playdates for them, and I am thankful that they have learned to play so well with each other instead. I especially love it when Oliver joins in.

We had a really relaxing day at home filled with leftovers and pajamas and naps. I hope you did, too!

stitches

Tonight I am grateful for the nice men and women who missed their own Thanksgiving dinners to show up for work at the Emergency Room, so that when Elliot gashed his leg open at Nana's house, they were able to clean him up and stitch him up. I am ashamed to admit that when I saw Elliot's wound, I freaked out a little bit. It was so big and gape-y and my brain didn't know how to handle what I was seeing. If you need help in an emergency, find Mike. He's your guy. He was calm and patient and helped Elliot (and me) process what was happening. I am so grateful that he was there with us.

After a few hours at the hospital, a couple of popsicles, and 18 stitches, we were back at Nana's for a second round of pie.

Elliot was a trooper through it all, from the moment he quietly walked in the house with his leg hanging open all the way through to the end of the stitches. What a day! I am feeling extra grateful for my little family and our safety tonight.

I hope your Thanksgiving was less eventful but equally pie-filled. :)

plenty

Yesterday I went to the grocery store to stock up my pantry and to get Thanksgiving supplies. This morning I put my turkey in the brine, and this afternoon I will bake a pie. This is the season of plenty, and I am thankful that my family and I have enough. Too many people in this world don't, and I feel very fortunate that I am able to feed and dress and house my children as comfortably as I can. Comfort is a luxury, and I am thankful for ours. I hope acknowledging this will help me be more generous, especially this holiday season. 

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

kittens

Mike caught me at a weak moment on Saturday when I was just coming down with strep throat. He brought home two kittens from the pet store. (Mike has a humongous soft spot in his heart for kittens and he just couldn't choose between the two.) That brings the total number of cats living in our house to three, which is just too many. We've officially crossed the line. We are now the people with all of the cats. But the thing is, I see how much joy these kittens bring to my family (real, pure joy!), and I don't even mind. They are sweet and sort of stinky, but they'll cuddle right up on your lap and start purring and I'd have to be a monster to not let that affect me. And so today, I am thankful for these little kittens (even though they make my eyes itch and my nose run). I am thankful for the joy they bring my family and for the tenderness they bring out in all of us.

a sick day

Stella and I took a sick day today. And so, in no particular order, I am thankful for: the walk-in clinic at Walgreens, the really kind, patient doctor in the walk-in clinic, modern medicine in the form of antibiotics, and sweet pharmacy employees, a nice sister-in-law who made us soup, and the sound of the rushing wind and unexpected rain outside my open bedroom window. Despite the positive strep test and terrible sore throat, this day has been really beautiful, and I am thankful for the kind people and wonderful weather that made it so exceptional.

words from a prophet

The Sunday school lesson curriculum always references recent General Conference talks. I think if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love General Conference. Today's lesson (which I didn't end up giving, as I was home sick with a monster sore throat) referred to Elder Vern P. Stanfill's talk, Choose the Light, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk, Choose to Believe, which I summarized here. Both talks were meant to help my students learn to overcome doubt with faith. I love hearing the words of our leaders. I am thankful for the guidance they give us, for the things they teach, and for the love I feel from them. I am thankful to belong to a church that believes in modern day prophets. I can't imagine trying to navigate this life without their direction. I believe it comes from a loving God who wants to help us, and I am thankful for the words they speak, and for the opportunity to read their words again and again.

mike

Mike and I spent the whole day together today, which hasn't happened in a long time. We went Christmas shopping and kitten shopping and finished the day with Taco Bell at our kitchen table. (Mike is really good at ordering Taco Bell.) I am grateful for Mike's influence in our home. He is strong where I am weak, and together we make a really great team.

scripture

One of my favorite stories from the Book of Mormon tells how the brother of Jared and his people crossed an ocean in small barges. These barges were "tight like a dish" the scriptures say, with a hole at the top and bottom to let in air. But if the holes needed to be closed to keep out the water, the people in the boats would be left in darkness. Wondering how to solve this problem, the brother of Jared prayed to God, who didn't give him a solution. But using his intelligence, the brother of Jared gathered clear stones and then with quite a lot of faith, he asked the Lord touch them, causing them to shine. These stones lit the insides of the barges as the people spent nearly a year crossing the ocean. The barges were at the mercy of the ocean currents and the winds, but the currents and the winds were at the mercy of the Lord and so they made it to the promised land in safety. There is a lot that I can learn from this story, even though I am not required to spend a year crossing an ocean in a small barge. I feel that way about all of the scriptures. Through diligent study, I can liken the scriptures to my own life, and learn many important things. From the brother of Jared, I learn that if I do all that I can and have faith, I can see miracles (or in the very least, blessings). I learn that if I feel like I am struggling in the depths of the sea (or under the burdens of life), I can cry to God and He will bring me back up to the surface, and that He is guiding my winds. I learn that through my trials, I can give gratitude to Him for the things that He is teaching me.

I am thankful for the scriptures. The small amount of time I spend studying them each day is one of the best things I do for myself. It makes me a better mother, a better wife, and a better neighbor.


You can read the story of the brother of Jared here (the book of Ether, chapters 1-3, 6).

health

Ever since we reduced the amount of added sugar in our diet, our health has improved. Not that we were often sick before, but we are certainly sick less often now. I am thankful that our bodies have the strength to do the things required of them--that we can go to school and complete housework and run and play and serve.

I have been reminded of how fragile life and good health can be lately, and I am thankful for the blessing of health that my family enjoys.

happy birthday Stella!

Of course I am thankful for all of my children, but today we celebrate our Stella, who turns nine years old. If I could describe Stella in three words, they would be: quiet, thoughtful, and kind. I don't know how I got lucky enough to be her mother, but I sure am grateful for the opportunity!

not procrastinating

I love sending Christmas cards, but I usually don't think about it until December, and then it's a mad dash to get them out on time. But not this year! Hooray! I have already started assembling our cards and will have them ready to put in the mail long before December even starts. It feels really good to be so on top of it, and I am grateful that this year, for once, I didn't procrastinate.


cute personalized stamp from Relish Design Studio.

prayer

As I knelt by my bed this morning to say my prayers, gratitude for this simple act washed over me. What a privilege and blessing it is to pray to a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers. I haven't always been the best at it, but as I have made a greater effort to really pray, and not just say prayers, I have recognized a difference in my life. Taking a few minutes to center myself in the morning, speaking to my Heavenly Father, makes my day feel more peaceful. I am more aware of the needs of others, and I am more generous. I am thankful for the privilege of prayer.

If you have a few minutes, here is one of my favorite talks on the subject:

my calling

Every Sunday, I teach the 15 year old Sunday school class at church. Sometimes we have really great discussions. Sometimes we don't. But every week I am grateful for the opportunity to serve them as their Sunday school teacher. Our church runs on volunteers. These opportunities to serve are called "callings". These callings come from our leaders through the inspiration of the spirit, and I am so grateful for them. My callings have helped me to stretch and grow and learn new things. They have caused me grief and joy and everything in between. And through them, I feel like I come closer to my Heavenly Father. So even if my class of 15 year old boys slump against the back wall of the classroom, avoiding my eye contact, I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and testify to them each week.

winter grass

I spent all morning mowing, edging, raking, and fertilizing our winter lawn. It is a lot of work, but I think it's so pretty, so I don't mind. I am thankful that I have the strength and energy to take care of it, and I am thankful for the beauty it adds to our home. It is soft and bright green and feels so good under my bare feet.

Don't mind the kitty. The only thing on Stella's birthday list this year is another cat, so we are auditioning kittens this week. Shh, don't tell our other cat, Inez.

a break

It felt really good to turn off my early morning alarm and sleep in today. Oh man, I am thankful for a day off! And I am grateful for the men and women who made this day, and all of my days in this free land possible. Thank you, veterans! Veteran's Day always makes me feel extra patriotic, and that is a good way to feel this week, I think. So today I am grateful for a fun morning spent with my children at our favorite antique store, and for the freedom to live in this country that I love.

friends

Sometimes I can go days without seeing anyone except my little family, and that's ok. But sometimes it's nice to get out of my house, too. Today was one of those days. It started with a visit to a friend in my neighborhood, where I hopefully lightened her load a little by doing her dishes and straightening her kitchen. Then I ran into a friend at the grocery store, a friend I've been meaning to call for days but hadn't yet. We visited for a minute and I admired her new teeth. And then I spent some time with my good friend, Beth, and her perfect little twin babies. And when I got home, there was a sweet note in the mail from Ellen Patton, friend to the world.

I am thankful for friends, for their kindness and sincerity, and for the brightness they add to my life. I have always admired my older sister, Leslie, who calls everyone she meets a friend. I think the country could use a little bit of that right now, don't you think, friend?

the benefit of the doubt

I have been witness to a lot of love in my neighborhood lately--neighbors helping neighbors, friends helping friends, and family supporting family. I have been awed by the kindness and care that I have seen extended from one to another. And so this is what I know: people are good. In their core, people are good and kind and want what's best for each other, even if we don't agree on what that "best" is. So let's give each other the benefit of the doubt (especially today!). Let's assume the best and focus on the good we see around us.

I am thankful when others extend me that courtesy, and I am happy when I can do the same for them. Looking for the good in others might not come most naturally, but when I make the effort to overlook faults and seek understanding, I feel peace. I feel love. I feel generosity, and I am thankful for the way those things make me feel.

running

Sadly, I've lost my running partner to the rigors of ASU's full-time MBA program. And so most days, you can find me shuffling through our neighborhood alone. Without Mike to push me, I am sure my pace has slowed considerably, but I like these slow, quiet (I never listen to music), solitary outings. After working all morning to get breakfast on the table and lunches packed and kids out the door, it feels good to take a little time by myself to get my heart pumping. I come home, exhausted mostly, but also ready to start my day. I am thankful that five years ago I decided to try running. It provides me with an opportunity to clear my head, seek inspiration, and build my endurance all at the same time. I can't tell you how many times I have received answers to prayers while I've been running. I am thankful that my knees haven't given out on me yet and that the weather has improved so that each morning I can lace up my running shoes and do it again.

opportunities and answered prayers

When we were trying to decide if Mike would attend BYU or ASU for his MBA program, one of the biggest deterrents to moving was leaving the schooling opportunities for our children here in Arizona. I am sure there are great opportunities in Utah, too, but I loved the path my kids were on here and I was hesitant to change it. As I dropped Mabel off early this morning at her high school, I remembered how grateful I am that she gets to attend the school and program that she does. It was a difficult decision to send her there instead of our neighborhood high school, a decision that required lots of prayer (and some fasting). Ultimately, Mike, Mabel, and I all felt really good about it, and I am so grateful. Personal revelation is a gift from Heavenly Father, one that I rely on daily. Being able to pray to Him, and then receive answers to my prayers through the prompting of the spirit is miraculous and wonderful and something I hope I never take for granted.

fast

The first Sunday of every month is fast Sunday in the Mormon church. That means we skip two consecutive meals, donate the money we would have spent on those meals to help the poor, and focus on coming closer to Heavenly Father. Sometimes more than prayer is needed to find the answers we seek. Sometimes we need the combined faith of our family or congregation, unified toward a specific goal or cause. This is when fasting, along with prayer, is helpful. Fasting is something we do to show Heavenly Father that we are willing to sacrifice for needed blessings, to improve our communication with Him, and to improve ourselves.

Today is fast Sunday and I am thankful for the opportunity to unite my prayers and faith with the members in my congregation for a specific purpose. When I fast, I feel like I am more sensitive to the Spirit. I feel like my prayers become more heartfelt and more sincere. When I spend my day focused on finding answers, instead of feeding my body, the answers seem to come more easily. It is a blessing, and one that I am grateful for each month.

(Also, it keeps my kitchen really clean. I am thankful for that, too.)

You can learn more about fasting here.

the plan

Mike and I spent the morning at the funeral for our neighbor, a young 33 year old father of three whose life ended after a brave two year battle with cancer. I have been in a position to help his wife for the past few months and I have marveled at her strength and courage. But today was a hard day. In the midst of sorrow, however, there is hope--hope for an eternity together for this family who was separated prematurely. Hope for brighter, happier days ahead, all made possible through the sacrifice of our Savior. I am thankful for the Plan of Happiness. Death is part of this plan, but I believe that because of Jesus Christ, death is just a doorway back to our Heavenly Father's presence. This belief brings me peace and comfort during difficult times, and I am thankful for it.

To learn more about what Mormons believe about life after death, look here.

Photo of the pretty skies above the Mogollon Rim.

mco and a happy weekend

I know I've talked about this before, but Mabel sings with the Millennial Choir and Orchestra. This dominates our Thursday nights, as we spend our evening far from home, waiting for her to rehearse. The director of the choir requires perfection from the participants, and they rise to it, every time. I am thankful that we are able to provide this experience for Mabel. I have seen her singing ability and her faith in Jesus Christ grow as she sings the songs of His birth, and I gratefully sacrifice our Thursday evenings for it.

If you live in Dallas, Utah, Idaho, Orange County, California, or here in Arizona, you can find information about their Christmas concerts here. This concert is always a highlight of the Christmas season for me, and I highly recommend attending a performance if possible.

I started listening to Christmas music yesterday while I was doing some alterations, and I don't regret it one bit. I love Thanksgiving, and I am in no hurry to get to December, but filling my home with Christmas music just feels right. It definitely put me in a merry mood.

We are looking forward to perfect weather this weekend, time off of school, and hopefully a date night. How about you?

Have a happy weekend!

rain

We woke up to a cool breeze and a ground wet from an early morning rain. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to have nice weather after so many months of heat. My windows are open and the breeze is blowing through the house, making everything feel fresh and new. I am thankful to live in this desert, despite its difficult summers, for there is no where else I'd rather be. But I am most grateful for the change in season. We are entering into our other season here, the nice one, and it makes me so happy!

all by myself

When Mike decided to go back to school, I was excited for him. I knew he would learn all sorts of important things and have many new experiences. I knew he would stretch and grow. What I didn't realize is that I would, too. I've always been an independent, do-it-yourself kind of person, but I feel like I have to take it to the next level now that Mike is rarely home. Everything that has to do with running our home and family sits squarely on my shoulders. (Minus the finances. Thankfully, Mike still handles those.) The other day, I changed the tube on Stella's bike all by myself. Yesterday, I even braved Costco alone. Ha! I know this is crazy, but I had never been there without Mike before. Costco trips were always a family affair. But our Costco list was getting longer by the day and Mike's load this quarter isn't letting up, so I bit the bullet and wandered the aisles alone.

Sometimes this feels really hard, but I find that if I decide to be thankful for the opportunity to stretch and grow, it doesn't feel so quite so burdensome. I know life isn't meant to be easy all of the time, and I am grateful for this season in my life where I get to learn how to do some hard things all by myself.


I realize there are many women who are truly mothering alone, whether because of divorce or death or military service, or other reasons. These women are my heroes and they have my deepest respect. I am grateful that Mike comes home from school each day (even if it's after the kids are in bed).

a month of thanksgiving

Happy November! It's my most favorite month of the whole year! Not only does our weather improve drastically in November, but today marks the beginning of my month of Thanksgiving. Every year, during the month of November, I focus on gratitude, and then I post here on my blog something I am thankful for, every day for the whole month. I've been doing it for years and it's the best thing I do for myself. It puts my challenges into perspective, makes me more content, and definitely brings me a lot of joy. Plus, feeling extreme gratitude and contentment is a really great way to enter the holiday season. Have you ever tried it? Why don't you do it along with me? I promise you will see a happy difference in your life.

And so, I am thankful for November, for the opportunity it gives me to take stock of my life and focus on all of the really fortunate blessings I've been given.

Here's a quick look at our Halloween:

We had Kip from Napoleon Dynamite and a banana.

And a really sweet Dorothy and an Obi Wan Kanobi.

The kids had a lot of fun, but I am always so glad when Halloween is over. :)