Developing an Attitude of Gratitude – Day 23 and 24

It’s been a couple long days and I have not been able to get to my computer to recognize my grateful things.

I decided that it would be a good thing to thank the people who have changed me for good in many positive ways.

First, I am thankful for my husband.  He was gone all week.  He stopped to see the end of Lilli’s recital and to say hi to me before heading home.  As soon as he came home, he jumped into helping around the house.  He could see that dishes needed to be done, so he did them.  He really has changed me for good, even through the hard times.  I am thankful he is patient with me as I work through stuff.

I am thankful for my kids, Kimber, McKay, Chad, Hannah and Lilli.  They have most definitely changed my life for good.  Here are some of the things they have taught me.

… unconditional love.  I am forever their mom.  I am forever responsible to loving them and teaching them and caring for them.  I’m just not very good at it and they seem to love me anyway.

… to be a better person.  Being a wife and a mom has definitely taught me that life is not all about me.  We are all not living in a vacuum.  We are are all in this together and we should try to make this world a better place.  With my kids I have learned to “leave no trace” (thanks to Chad’s scouting), to recycle (thanks to Hannah’s insistence), to give to others, to stick up for the underdog, to work hard and to always “put your best foot forward.”  As I have tried to teach my kids to be good citizens in the world, I have ended up teaching myself. 

… to pray everyday… sometimes, every minute.

… to set my mind to my goals and to work hard to achieve them… oh, and to never give up.

… to embrace my creativity.

… to slow down and listen… oh, and little things matter.

… to want to learn more about what they love… what they value.  Each of them is so unique and it has been a pleasure helping them to discover what makes them special and to discover their gifts.

… children are gift.

… to love… deeply.

… to shower them with praise ( I am still working on this one) for their work and their creativity.

… to read my scriptures regularly.

… to find ways to surprise them regularly…  sometimes it is good to stop for an ice cream surprise… to help them to remember they are loved. and to say “I love you”… even on the super hard days.

… that family is of the most importance.

… the being called “mommy” even by my adult children is heart warming.