Grateful November

I loved making a list of things I am grateful for last year and I want to do it again this year. I know last year it really helped me out of the self pity mode and this year I think I just need a reminder of all of my blessings. :)

Day 1- Running. Running has been a life saver for me. Literally. When people ask "do/did you do therapy?" I tell them, I run. It is my sanity. It makes me feel strong and brave when I feel weak and scared. I know that may sound silly but it is something I can do, do well and I love.

Day 2- My house. I love my house. Like really I love it. There are only small things I would change but overall I really love it.

Day 3-Self control. This is something I am working on everyday. However I am glad I can. I am glad I am in charge of me. I am in charge of what I put in to my body (though all senses) and what I do with my body.

Day 4-Food. Whenever I fast I realize how grateful I am that we have food. We aren't starving, we can basically eat whatever we want, when we want.

Day 5-Zumba. I seriously love shakin it at Zumba! haha It is a good workout and fun to be able to dance again, even though it is different.

Day 6-Voting. This is the first year I have ever voted. Still I felt I didn't know enough about the candidates to make a total educated opinion. I am grateful that I can have my own opinion and have a say in things in our country.

Day 7-Activity Days. Have I mentioned I love my calling. It is seriously so fun! I love my partner more than I could say (she is one of my Best Friends) and the girls are so cute. We have a lot of fun.

Day 8-Costco. Isn't it great? Even though I always spend far too much. I just love it. It makes my life sweeter.

Day 9-Cars. Can you even imagine being a pioneer and dragging a wagon. Koen was asking about this the other day and dying thinking about it. As we drove to Vegas I was certainly glad we had a car.

Day 10-Amazing Bodies! Doing Ragnar I realize just how amazing my little old body is. To be able to push myself and run 26 miles with VERY little sleep is just amazing. I am so happy I have my body!

Day 11- AWESOME friends & family. When I went to decorate for Thanksgiving at the cemetery I was so happy to see Pierce had a lovely little pumpkin from his cousins. It brightened my day! While we were Vegas it snowed a ton here at home. I was thrilled to get a picture from two of my bestest friends of them with their kids building a snowman for Pierce. Laura knows how much I hate when his headstone is covered. Getting this picture brought tears to my eyes. :)

Day 12-These awesome kiddos. Seriously love them. We are making thankful turkeys for them to remember all their blessinsg. They are for sure one of my most treasured blessings.

Day 13-P man. I have learned more from him than I have really learned my whole life. Even though it totally sucks that he isn't here, I am grateful for all he taught/teaches me. I love you Mr P.

Day 14-The hubs. Did you know I don't classify myself as the easiest person to be married to? (shocking right?) However my amazing man works through  my ups and downs and makes my perfect match. I am so glad he sticks by my side through my crazies. I love him!

Day 15-GNO. Seriously not much soothes my weary soul better than a good ol girls night. It always help to get out, chat, think/talk with adults, cry/laugh about what our kids do etc. My most recent was a trip to see the last Twilight movie, which I loved by the way. It was a super fun GNO+Steve. haha

Day 16-My dearest Mother. Man she has been out of town for what seems like a year and I am dying to talk to her. I am so glad she is available when I need her, willing to help out and always keeping tabs on us. She is fabulous.

Day 17-Koen's self entertaining abilities & nap time. Really, today I planned on cleaning. However today all I can really do is sit here. My legs hurt so bad from working out yesterday and running this morning that the stairs make me want to die. Thank the Heavens Brigs has been having a nap and Koen playing with like 4 lego pieces for the last 1 1/2 hours....awe, much needed quite time.

Day 18-Church. I love going to church. Really I totally do. I love the social interaction, the spiritual boost and mostly the opportunity to take the sacrament. Even better when the kids are quite during it and I can think about my covenants.

Day 19-Beckham. Today is cute little Beckham's birthday. I am sure glad he is alive. He is Koen's best little friend. Sometimes he may as well be our kid cause they play so much and some times I just wish he was. :) (then I'd have my 3 boys and I could get on with life. ;), if only it were that simple....haha)

Day 20-Phil's days off. Phil has a very odd schedule. He works 12's and so he is either home all day or not at all. It is def something you get use to. I love when he has the day off and we can hang out or run errands together. ♥

Day 21-Sissy poo. haha I love my sister. Today she came to spend the weekend together. I wish she lived closer and I could see her more often but it sure makes the long weekends extra special. Growing up I might have thought I would be just fine with out a sister but now that we are older I couldn't be more happy to have her. :)

Day 22-Thanksgiving. Yep, I am thankful for Thanksgiving. I am glad to have this time of year to reflect on my blessings. I have a lot of them. Sometimes it is too easy to go on thinking of all the things you want and "need" and I am glad for this day I can be grateful right now for what I have.

Day 23-Family. I have the best family and the best in laws. I feel so blessed to be able to say we both have very normal functioning families  I know a lot of people have drama and issuse with theirs or their spouses and I am so glad that we can all get together and enjoy it with no drama.

Day 24-cousins. Could my kids love their cousins anymore? They had such a great time on Thanksgiving and with my sister spending the weekend here. Then we even got more cousin time on the other side this weekend. I am glad they like each other and have so much fun. I hope that we can continue making lasting relationships for them over the years. I only have that with a few of my cousins but I am glad I do.

Day 25-baby blessing. I literally never thought I would say that again, but thank the Heavens that they are enjoyable and not so gut wrenching anymore. I mostly just love them because I reflect on Pierce's. Now I can see it more as unique and special rather than wrong and painful.

Day 26-Early morning exercises. Eeer....even though I hate waking up not much beats the way I feel after and the start it gives to my day. Thanks to my hubby who gets things going while I am gone.

Day 27-online shopping. haha any of you with kids can surely know why. :)

Day 28-Friends you can just chat with. It doesn't matter about what but you can just chat. Trivial nonsense, serious stuff, and cry with (or just have a watery eye ;) I am glad I have a few friends that I can just lay it all out there with. They are a rare find.

Day 29-Supportive family. Koen had a little program at school today and it was so nice of my parents to come watch him (even though we couldn't even see him! haha) Phil's parents also try to make it to the kiddos sporting events and such. I know it means a lot to the kiddos and I am glad they are willing.

Day 30-My vision. Holy cow Phil is going through the ringer to get lasik done and here I am just seein like a champ all by myself. :) I am glad there are thing they can do to help but I am even more glad I don't have to do any of them.

And I have one extra just because. :) Grandparents and extended family. I am down to one grandparent and I sure love her even though I don't see her often. I am grateful lucky Phil has all his grandparents still and that I have been able to have them in my life. I look up to his Grandma and Grandpa Olsen so much. They teach us through their example how 2 people should treat each other. I haven't seen a better example of respect, love and charity than I do from them. We also love Phil's Nana and Grandpa. They are so generous and giving of time and means. I will always cherish the relationship Nana had with Pierce and will forever be grateful of her time and love she shared with him. I am grateful for the relationships I share with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins on both my side and Phil's.

I really love writing about all the things I am thankful for. I am so blessed. This list is only a beginning of all the things I am grateful for. What a good reminder.