30 Days of Thanks #24

Mrs. Couch, Mrs. Covert, Dr. Bond, Marta Johns.

I am thankful for great teachers.

These were not the easy teachers. Not even close. They were strict and demanded respect and hard work. Isn't it funny that those are the teachers we come to love and admire the most? Each of these teachers shared a common characteristic that set them apart from other "hard" teachers: They believed in me. Knowing this encouraged me to pour my heart into my work.

Their influence continues into my life today...

* Mrs. Couch (2nd grade) - I still think of her math sayings when I help my own children with math. ("5 x 0 = Zero, My Hero!") Mrs. Couch made me feel loved and smart.

* Mrs. Covert (12th grade English) - A single comment she made on one of my writing papers encouraged me to chose Journalism as my Major in college. I'm sure she'll never know the impact of that little note.

* Dr. Bond (College-Music History) - Dr. Bond's passion and intelligence was so inspiring. I loved every second of her class. I remember writing frantically in her class--trying to record everything she said. I just taught my own piano students about one of the symphonies I learned about in her class.

* Marta Johns (Voice teacher) - After having a few kids, I didn't sing very much, and I soon lost pretty much all confidence in that area. I assumed my singing days were over. In an effort to get out of the house once a week, I began studying voice with her. I learned more in one year from her than I did in four years of college as a Vocal Performance Minor. She became a dear friend... and got me singing again.

Marta & I

30 Days of Thanks #23

"For all His creations of which I'm apart,

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me!"

I am thankful for God's creations.

One of the greatest things about being a parent, is experiencing life through your child's eyes. Ashton is constantly pointing out everyday objects and exclaiming: "Ooooh!" "Aaaah!" Every bird, every snowflake, every bug... brings him so much joy and amazement! Children teach us so much about true gratitude. Though he's only 18 months old, I'm thankful for Ashton's great example. When I saw this short video, it made me think of Ashton who is seeing everything for the first time.

30 Days of Thanks #22

"And since we've no place to go,

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

La Nina is here with a vengeance! I laid awake for most of the night listening to the wind thrash and pound against the house. One thought occupied my sleepless brain all night...

I am so thankful for my warm and cozy home!

Here's proof that I ventured out in my pj's and boots at 7:30 am to get you a cool photo of the blizzard...

What I do for this blog!

30 Days of Thanks #21

Many people have incredible stories about the "moment" that the Spirit testified to them that the Church was true. My testimony story is not very exciting. In fact, there was no "moment" at all. The truth is, I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know the Church was true. It feels like my testimony has always... just been there. Today, I give thanks to the place where my testimony must have begun...

I am thankful for Primary.

As a child, I remember feeling the warmth of the Spirit as I sang "I Love to See the Temple" and "Families Can Be Together Forever." I still hum the Article of Faith songs whenever I'm asked to recite one. I remember my favorite teacher, Brother Boyce, teaching me principles of the Gospel. As an eight year old, I remember sitting in Primary the Sunday after President Kimball died and feeling so sad as we discussed that event.

How many people have served in my behalf? And yet, the chain of service continues, as my own children are loved and taught by faithful ward members each Sunday.

Today, I am especially grateful to the blessed Nursery leaders who welcomed little Ashton to class today! I've been counting down the weeks to this Sunday for a long time now. I was so looking forward to enjoying Relief Society today... but wouldn't you know it? Relief Society will have to wait. I was called to serve in...

PRIMARY!

And I couldn't be more thankful about it!

30 Days of Thanks #20

I am thankful for "Carson-isms!"

Carson-isms: noun. [kar-sun-isms] 1. Hilarious statements made by a talkative, wiggly, bright-eyed 4-year-old boy named Carson. 2. Bits of sunshine.

Here are a few of my favorites:

* "When I die, I’ll still remember how to play Super Mario Brothers. I’m seriously.”

* "I only like animals that can kill people.”

* While eating dinosaur chicken nuggets for lunch, Carson asks, “Mom, are dinosaurs weal?” I say, “Yes, but they are all dead now.” Carson says, “Did Jesus eat one, and not like it, and get mad?”

* While sitting in Sacrament meeting, Uncle James began showing Carson pictures from the Sunday school manual. James points to a picture of Jesus descending from the heavens, and asks Carson, “Who is that?” Carson says, “A fairy.” (Must have thought that his flowing robe looked like wings!) James says, “No that’s Jesus!” Carson says, “Oh... well that’s Jesus when he was a fairy.”

* Coming out of a restaurant tonight, we saw a woman smoking just outside the door. Carson stopped and stood right in front of her, just staring in amazement. As we pulled him away , he exclaimed, “She’s got one of those things (a cigarette), and she put fire on it, and then put it in her mouth… and she didn’t even die!”

When I get caught up in my loud, chaotic "mom life," it is the "Carson-isms" that stop me in my tracks and remind me to stop taking life so seriously. They say that laughter is the best medicine... and this boy gives me an overdose daily! For that, I am so grateful!

30 Days of Thanks #19

Do you know what the best day of your life was?

I do.

The day my name changed to "Mom."

On that Sunday morning over ten years ago, everything in my life changed. The way I viewed things, the things I appreciated, my love for my husband, my love for my parents, my interests, my fears, my dreams... all different because of a tiny, black-haired baby.

The day she was born, so was I.

I am thankful to be a Mother.

McKenna Lyn

Kyler Franklin

Carson Luke

Ashton Cole

These four little faces are my world.

My greatest accomplishment.

My favorite blessing.

My purpose.

30 Days of Thanks #18

I am thankful for good surprises!

Last night, I was looking for pictures of my siblings in a photo box for my previous post. I didn't find the photo I was looking for... but guess what I did find lying in that photo box... A box that I haven't opened in years... A box that I wouldn't have opened if I hadn't been writing these silly gratitude posts.

A crisp 50 dollar bill!

Can you believe it? I just stood there with my mouth gaping open for about two minutes--trying to process the randomness of it all! (Is randomness a word? Probably not. Anyway...) I was so giddy with excitement to find that unexpected surprise! Even though it was midnight and my husband was fast asleep, I had to wake him up to show him my discovery! Sometimes you just have to tell someone! The giddyness (not sure if that's a word either) lasted until I finally crawled into bed whereupon I fell asleep with a smile on my face!

I can now testify that it pays off to be grateful... literally!