Counting Blessings

Thanksgiving was wonderful as 70+ of us gathered together at my brothers' new building complex. Beautiful buildings and apartments and the clubhouse was the perfect size. We missed Steve, Kellie and their little family, Jeremy and his family, and Dany with hubby. It was so fun to have almost everyone - wow, what an accomplishment for a family this size and distance! Anthony took pic's - all but Jared's, I was told he would hurt Anthony so "I" took the picture =P, psh you'll learn. You get to see my ugly flat hair, it had an under curl when I first arrived but this was quick before people skedaddled. (=0 a Gpa Terry word!)

Pondering today in church, knew I needed to be there as I have been struggling to learn how to deal with other people's free agency and the affect it has on me. Obviously this is something I REALLY need to learn as it keeps cropping up - UGH. I learned today that I just need to keep reminding myself that no matter how it seems, I do not know their heart or circumstance and if it is to be, the Lord will bless it. Not easy at times watching a child but a needful lesson for me. I also learned to watch what I say on here - LOL. I mentioned a couple of posts earlier that I don't know how to deal with teenagers anymore - pfft. SO, I now no longer teach the Marriage and Family Relations Class in Sunday School - I teach the 12 & 13 yr olds. >.< They rattled off the class and I knew immediately why I was called - all my old trouble scouts - YAY Memories! (hehe love that commercial)

What is Thanksgiving to me really?

We all pass around the emails of friendship and love and of those we don't want to lose this year. Without the email have you really TOLD them that? Welcome to my Thanksgiving. It will never mean the same to me or my family.

Ten yrs ago, Thanksgiving meant an early morning phone call that I knew was coming but didn't want to face. A call from a heart-wrenched sister, having watched our mom collapse in a heap in the hospital hall as they heard the news that they were too late and Dad was gone. A call that shocked me because I hadn't wanted to believe that the impression I received the day before had come true. Thankful for that impression so that I could be there for my mom and continue in a dazed shock. Thankful that in-laws were actually at my house to be with my kids while I went to the hospital for the day to be with my family. Thankful for a father who lived a long and full life and who was now out of the immense pain he'd been suffering. Thankful I didn't have to go through it alone.

Thankful that there is a grave in Salt Lake that I faithfully took my mother to visit, but that I can't bear to visit anymore. Thankful that my parents know that and that I can feel them with me without the need for a physical monument. Thankful for wonderful neighbors, supportive friends - past, present, and waffling - and for family far and near. Grateful for a warm bed, modern convienences, money to buy them and jobs that bless me with that money. Thankful for home and family, fights and all. Grateful to Christ for his sacrifice for me and what his gospel means in my life and when I let it, the peace it brings. Grateful that I still live in a country that is FREE and that there are those who are still willing to fight for that freedom, bless you.

Weird as it may be.... Grateful I guess to be ME. With all my pity and woe is me's, I would rather be me than any other that I see. Life is hard enough with my own problems, I don't need anyone else's, but I'll glady and gratefully help carry their burden to lighten my own.

6 Quirks

Ok, sorry boo, didn't see this when I was supposed to >_<, better late than never. So, I'm supposed to say 6 things about me that are quirky that people may not know. Interesting....
1. I rock out to opera in my van. I seriously crank up Charlotte Church and sing along and won't get out til the song ends.
2. I'm still afraid at night, but when my kids get up I have to act brave to calm them down while I than sit and stew. ><
3. I am a HORRIBLE arachnaphobic! If spiders are anywhere within 2 ft of me I get the heebie geebies, itchies all over and can't calm down. If I'm eating, I can't finish my food.
4. On cold winter nights, I still sleep with my covers over my head. Sounds good for warmth but read #2. Lol.
5. I disect snickers bars. I nibble all the chocolate off the outside, than eat it layer by layer.
6. I LOVE peanut butter and fresh tomato sandwiches! (w/ salt & pepper) Nothing better except pb & banana =]