Thankful Thursday (in the true spirit of the holiday. For real, this time)

I'm feeling the need to repent after my last post. Even though it's what I was really thinking and feeling, it was exceptionally whiny and a bit indulgent. (Thank you, Simon Cowell.) Since I am on life's billows, feeling tempest tossed, and discouraged, like all is lost, I've decided a little counting of my blessings is in order.

1. As cliche as it is, I'm thankful for my health. Especially right now. The more of life I experience, the more I realize that I'm truly blessed with my health as a woman. I've never had difficulty getting pregnant. I have very little morning sickness, minimal weight gain, and have never retained water. I've never had gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia, or have needed bedrest, and all of my children have been born without complication. That really doesn't happen for a lot of people. It's not something I take for granted anymore.

(This is not a current picture of me. This was the day before I had Spiderman. See the moms in the background? I'd post a pic of pregnant me, but I still am without a camera.)

2. Right along with that, I'm thankful for my kids. I'm thankful for my beautiful, healthy children. They are so sweet, and make me so unbelievably happy. (They also drive me batty at times, but I'm accentuating the positive right now.) Spiderman sings all the time, and as a singer, that brings me great joy. The Hulk loves to help everyone, and as a caretaker, that brings me great joy. They both love to feel the baby move and talk about their little sister all the time, and as a mother, that brings me great joy.



3. Of course, I wouldn't have my kids if I didn't have my husband. Not only is Superman a fantastic father, but he's my best friend. He's been my best friend for 10 years. He gets me. He knows my flaws and loves me anyway. The "even though" kind of love, as we say. He works hard to provide for our family and allow me to stay home with our children, which is harder and harder these days. (Not the staying home with the kids. The sole-provider thing.) And that man makes me laugh. Not just smile, or softly giggle, but laugh. And it takes a lot for me to laugh out loud. (Yes, I typed out the whole thing. I hate "LOL." Anyway.)



I love my Superman.

4. I'm grateful for my extended family, too. (I just realized that I'm grouping my own parents in that phrase. Weird. When did they go from being my "immediate" family to my "extended" family?) As indicated by my last post, I miss them all like crazy. We're going home for Christmas, and I CAN NOT WAIT. My mom and I have always had a great relationship -- she's one of my best friends. My dad and I have always had a great relationship, too -- one that has only improved since I became a parent. And as an added bonus, I absolutely adore my in-laws. My mom and my MIL are best friends, and she's been like a mother to me since before I was married. My FIL is great, too. And Superman's sisters are like the sisters I never had. We even get along smashingly.

(This is from last Thanksgiving. It's not at all an inclusive picture, but it's the most recent one I have. A technicality which will shortly be remedied, come Christmas.)

4. Of course, without the gospel in my life, all of these relationships would be pointless. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be with them eternally. I'm thankful for the sealing power that has been restored to the earth, and for my Savior, who sacrificed that I might be worthy to live my family forever someday. Without the Atonement, none of it would be possible.

(I believe this is called, I feel my Savior's love, by Greg Olsen.)

And so, my friends, I hope that this holiday finds you happy, no matter what you're doing. I hope amidst the stuffing yourself with food, watching football, and just enjoying time with family, you can find a moment to count your blessings, too.