He lives.

Today is the last day of November. We are officially heading into the Christmas season (yes, I don't celebrate one holiday until the other is over.) As I am doing my best to be "merry and bright" this season, it seems only appropriate that I talk about my gratitude for my Savior. I do have a testimony that He lives. I know that He knows me, cares about me, and loves all of God's children. I know that He provided Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to take away my sins and help me reach my full potential. Words will never be able to communicate my deep abiding gratitude, but I just want to "put it out there" that I love my Savior. I am so very, very thankful for all He does. He is my comfort, support, guide, example, teacher, Savior, friend.

good morning

Today I am grateful for friendly people. I find it sad that in our world people who smile, say "hi" and are civil, kind, and friendly to strangers are the minority. Tom has always been great about stepping out of his comfort zone to be kind to people. I am trying to be better. It has shown me the difference a friendly smile can make in your day. I'm grateful for all those people who have helped me through their example.

hope

Today I am grateful for hope. Yes, hope is good.

Power

Today I am grateful for the power of the priesthood. I went to my adorable little nephew's baby blessing today. It just reminded me how grateful I am to have worthy priesthood holders in my life who have blessed me and my family in so many ways.

Music

Today I am grateful for good music. Nothing can energize, calm, reassure, or teach quite like music can. I love the way a little lullaby will help my child calm down. I love how a good song can motivate me to work hard. I love the promptings of the spirit when listening to uplifting songs.

Music is grand.

Check

Today I am grateful for a morning where I was able to accomplish all of the following before noon (and before Cami woke from her nap). It's the simple things these days:

• Reading scriptures
• Doing an hour of yoga
• Showering
• Putting on "real people" clothes
• Doing my hair

Yup, I got all of those things done by 11, actually. I felt kind of like a real person. It was lovely.

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! What a great day!

Today I am thankful for so many things:
- Better sleep than I've got in the past couple of weeks (much needed)
- Good food, family, and giving thanks!
- My freedom
- My health
- The opportunities and experiences that I've been blessed with to grow, learn, and move closer to my potential
- The ability to think
- Opportunities to be creative
- The comfort of the spirit
- Life!

Determined

Today I am grateful for my very determined little girl. I wouldn't categorize Cami in the "easy baby" category. While I know there are babies who are a lot worse (colicky, etc.), Cami is rarely satisfied with where she's at. When she accomplishes a new thing, she smiles for a brief moment as she basks in her triumph. But then about two seconds later she is upset that she can't do something else.

There are times when this can be especially exhausting... like when she only wants to walk. (Yeah, she can't walk yet, nor do I think she'll be really ready to walk on her own for a long while). These past couple weeks it seems that the only thing that makes this girl happy is when you give her your hands and take her on a stroll.

But the truth is, I love seeing this part of her personality. I love seeing her absolute determination. I wouldn't have it any other way (most of the time). Keep dreaming big girl. Go for the gold!

Helping hands

Today I am grateful for a lot of things, but the first thing that comes to mind is Tom. I know I already "was grateful" for him, but he's been so helpful these past few days that I just needed to "put it out there" again.

Tom, you are awesome. Thank you!

mmmmmm....

Today I am grateful for:

• Ice cream in my freezer (I know it's practically winter... I don't care. We're making milkshakes tonight!)
• A husband who is home instead of at work right now.
• A baby who is asleep (okay, she's not really... but she will be soon!)
• Warm socks
• Soft bed
• Watching funny videos online with my family

Good News!

Today I am grateful for the Gospel. It's hard to put in words my testimony of something so personal. There have been so many moments in my life where I have felt quite literally saved from despair because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to have a knowledge of the plan--an assurance of why I'm here, where I'm going, and what I can become.

Made From Moments

Today I am grateful for finished projects! I've been working on our family "year book." And just ordered it today. You can check out the preview of it:

Made From Moments by Year Three: 2010 - 2011 | Make Your Own Book

A break.

Today I am grateful for a break. Tom is taking next week off from work. Can I get a "YIPPEE"!?

YIPPEE!

Yes, I am so looking forward to having him home for the entire week. We both have things we are trying to do, on top of caring for the wee-little-one, but we also plan on having some good THANKSGIVING fun.

YIPPEE!

And here are a few pics off my phone. In no particular order:

Always has a limb out of the crib.

Beautiful girl.... holding her foot.

So happy to not be napping! 

"I have no pants on! Yay!"

"Mom, enough with the camera."

Sleeeeeeep.

Our little monkey!

Oh she'll hate me for this picture some day. At least I censored it, right? (Yeah, I think it makes it look worse, too.)
"Just grabbing my chunk, mom. No biggie."

Yum.

Today I am grateful for homemade, fresh from the oven, cookies. Some days they are just what you need to get by.

Good times

This may be a little strange, but today I am really grateful for technology--specifically technology that helps to capture memories.  I've been working on our yearly family book and it's been so fun going through our photos and getting a little bit of our history down. I also had a random flashback last night of a video my friends made about each other. I love remembering those fun, silly, precious, transitional, important life events... but more importantly, I love remembering the many people who marked those days.

ABC

Today I am grateful for my students... past, current, and future. If I had the time (and energy) I would write a novel about these wonderful people. I seriously can't express just how grateful I am for their curiosity, dedication, love, support, encouragement, laughter, etc.

Help

Today I am grateful for beautiful days. Have you looked outside? Wow. So gorgeous. I love this time of year where the air has a crisp, cool feel to it, when leaves are changing and falling, and the smell of  holidays is in the air.

Love days like this.

{sigh}

Today I am grateful for a beautiful baby who actually fell asleep in my arms at church. That never happens. Like, seriously never. It was awesome...and needed.

These are the moments...

Today I am grateful to spend some time with my family. Tom's been working hard on some things the past few weekends but today we've had a more "lazy" day. I love these kind of days and grateful for when we get to have them.

We went out to a fun little Mexican restaurant for lunch. C was super interested in everything around her, particular one guy at a table not far from ours. She kept looking at him. He waved, and then she waved*. She turned back, grabbed some grub and Tom was able to snap this photo.

Priceless.

*Yeah, figures she would wave at a complete stranger. I've been trying to get her to wave for a week... nothing. And now? Still nothing. (sigh)

Let it ring...

So this isn't original, but it doesn't change the fact that I (like everyone else today) am truly grateful for my freedom, for the men and women who sacrifice so much for that freedom, and for the men and women "left behind" while their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and friends go and fight for that freedom.

It is a tremendous blessing, and hopefully not one we think about only on Veteran's Day.

To all of you: Thank you!