Thankful for Tender Mercies

Since my mom passed away last February, I have really been dreading this upcoming holiday season, and with the official kickoff of the holidays this week (the festivities start with Halloween around these parts), and my birthday yesterday, I have been feeling her absence something fierce these last few weeks. I knew that this holiday season was going to be a particularly difficult one for me - it being the first of many without her, but as my birthday approached, I started to feel myself dipping into a depressed emotional state - one that I know has been affecting my ability to be a good wife and mom. 

I am not going to lie . . . I’ve been having a little pity party lately, entertaining thoughts that since my mom is longer here, there is no one left that understands me like she does, no one who loves me like she does, or takes a genuine, sincere interest in my happiness like she does. I don't doubt that pregnancy hormones had a role to play in all of this emotional chaos, but I also know these negative thoughts have been contributing to my unhappiness lately. 

My sister-in-law, The Purple Lady, recently extended an invitation for me to join in on her traditional 30-days-of-gratitude challenge, and I knew it was a message from the Lord that I needed to focus on the things in my life that I am thankful for, and that doing so would bring me joy this holiday season. So, here it goes . . . 

Today is day one of the challenge - and today, I am thankful for tender mercies. Just tonight, I attended my daughter’s Young Women in Excellence program at church, and I was reminded by a special guest speaker that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who knows ME, who understands my struggles, and wants me to be happy. 

During the speaker’s talk, we read 1 Corintians 10:13, which says:

“There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

I think in this scripture, it’s safe to say that we can also replace the word, “temptation” with “trial” or “suffering,” and it still holds true, and reflecting on this scripture tonight reminded me that this IS true in my own life.

I know the Lord allows us to endure certain trials because they are meant to strengthen us. I can’t tell you how much my testimony of the Savior’s Atonement has grown since my mother passed away - because I have seen first hand how the Atonement applies in my life - and I know that I HAD to experience this trial for that growth to be achieved. Despite that knowledge, however, the trial has not always been easy to bear, and I am grateful for the simple reminder I received tonight that the Lord is on my side, and that with his comfort to fortify me, I can and will get through this too. 

When I got home from the program tonight, I hopped on Facebook and soon found myself reading an old post that I wrote a few months back, where I spoke about a tender mercy I had received regarding a playlist I had put together after my mom’s passing - how listening to it that day brought such a tremendous feeling of comfort and peace, and how I was also reminded then of God’s love for me. 

It was almost as if by reading this post, the Lord just wanted to remind me (once again) that He has always been right there beside me . . . to guide and comfort me in my sorrow, and to strengthen me when I think I can’t possibly bear the weight of it all on my own.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who does hear and answer my prayers. I am grateful for my knowledge that because of His perfect Plan of Happiness, I WILL be together with my mom again, and I am grateful for the tender mercies I receive daily to remind me of His love for ME. 

Photo Credit: The Purple Lady

Singing Praises of Thanksgiving (3)

Photo by The Purple Lady.

Yesterday, we had an early Thanksgiving dinner with my family since some of us will be out of town when the real feast day arrives, so I didn't get around to posting this list. However, I didn't want to miss this last opportunity to participate in the Thanksgiving challenge, so here is my weekly gratitude list.

This week, I am thankful for:

1. Forgiveness, and the ability we have as humans to overlook the faults and mistakes of those we love, allowing our experiences to strengthen our relationships with each other;
2. Patience - the one thing that keeps me from killing my kids (and even my husband. haha) some days (come on, I know you can relate. lol);
3. Relief Society meetings that uplift us when our spirits are in desperate need of uplifting;
4. Sippy cups - because let's face it, without them, I would hate carpet even more than I already do;
5. Prayer - because some days it's the only way I am able to survive this parenting thing. Just when I think I am getting the hang of it, life throws me a curveball and I find myself on my knees asking the Lord for guidance. It is only through prayer that I am able to find the strength and the answers to continue enduring;
6. Space heaters, warm socks, and cozy pajamas - we live in an old house that doesn't have central heating;
7. Hot chocolate - please refer to #6. ;)
8. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and dental insurance - after all, dental hygiene is important. :)
9. My awesome visiting teaching companion who makes visiting teaching an experience to look forward to. She is dedicated and reliable, and always makes sure we are diligent in visiting our sisters; and
10. Eternal Families - my family is my world and I am grateful that families can be together forever. :)

Seeing as how this is my last post for the 2013 gratitude challenge, I just want to thank The Purple Lady for inviting me to participate, again inspiring me to maintain an attitude of gratitude, rejuvenating my soul with appreciation for all that I have. The real challenge now is to strive toward keeping this attitude alive throughout the entire year - and not just at Thanksgiving time, when these expressions of gratitude are so prominent.

Again, I will invite you all to participate in this challenge by writing your own list. Feel free to do so in the comments below, or leave a link to your own blog where we may go to view it. Thank you for taking the time to read this post today - and if you are a returning viewer, thank you for your loyalty. I appreciate you and am thankful to have an outlet to express my love of life and gratitude to the Lord for all I have.

Happy Thanksgiving, with love.

Photo source: Mormon.org

Singing Praises of Thanksgiving (1)

Photo by The Purple Lady.

It is that time of year again where we all try to turn our hearts to the things we are thankful for, and donning an attitude of gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches.

Last year at this time, I decided to join The Purple Lady in a 30 days of Gratitude Challenge, wherein we wrote a blog post about something for which we were grateful for every day in the month of November. That experience was awesome because it kept me in a constant state of gratitude, and I felt I was always looking around for new things to be thankful for - or rather, to recognize the blessings in my life and focus on being more grateful for all of it.

This year, we kind of started talking about doing something a little different as the month of November was approaching, but we hadn't come to any final decisions. So, for the last nine days, I have simply been posting something that I am grateful for every day on my personal Facebook page. Then, the Purple Lady approached me tonight with an awesome idea. Instead of doing a blog post every day about one thing we are thankful for (as we did last year), or just posting a simple message of gratitude every day on Facebook, we would take three Sundays and write ten things we are thankful for instead. This way, we still get to focus on 30 things we are thankful for, but it kind of adds a little twist to the challenge. What can I say? She is a purple genius. ;)

So, without further ado:

I am thankful for...

1. Missionaries of the world who sacrifice their time (whether it be for 18 months or 2 years) to preach the gospel and share the wonderful, joyous message of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness;
2. Men and women of the armed forces who give up so much - often their lives - to defend our country so that I can have the freedoms that I enjoy;
3. A living Prophet of the Lord to guide and direct us toward righteousness in a world that is clouded by disorder and sin;
4. Temples;
5. My talents - though I know I need to improve my level of obedience in increasing them, I am grateful for the passions in which I delight, and the things that have always come naturally to me: reading, writing, cooking, language, grammar, etc;
6. Children who challenge my abilities as a parent, but love me unconditionally. They are each such a blessing in my life, and each has special qualities that contribute to my eternal happiness. I am so grateful for the fact that Heavenly father found me worthy enough to entrust their little spirits to me, and I know that being their mother causes me to become a better person daily;
7. A home that provides shelter from the elements and many comforts for my family and me;
8. My calling - as a nursery teacher, I have gained such an enormous amount of patience, along with a new appreciation for how the gospel can influence our lives from such a young age. I have also come to love each of the children in our class individually. They each have such a sweet spirit, and it is so amazing to watch their little testimonies blossom and grow. I am truly going to be sad to lose the few that are moving up to Sunbeams in January;
9. Netflix and baby gates . I know it sounds silly, but without these two amazing inventions, there would be many days when I would not even get a shower. Haha; and
10. Delicious, nourishing food to eat - especially considering the fact that there are so many in this world (and in this very country) who go without food every day. I sincerely count my blessings in the fact that I have always been able to provide this necessity for my children as well. That they have never known what it is to go hungry is something for which I am eternally grateful.

I pray that each of us will take the time to have an attitude of gratitude, praising the Lord for the blessings we are so fortunate to receive - during this Thanksgiving season, and always. After all, as President Monson has said, "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude." ("An Attitude of Gratitude," First Presidency Message - February, 2000).

Surprise, SURPRISE - An exciting announcement, plus giveaways galore!

So, a few posts back, I mentioned that there have been some exciting, yet unexpected things happening in our home life recently that have kept me pretty preoccupied (mentally, emotionally, and physically). I didn't want to share too much of the details on the blog at the time, because things were still pretty new and uncertain. I think at this point, though, it's safe to give you all a clue - and you know what they say: A picture is worth a thousand words. ;)

Well, I am sure you have guessed by now what our exciting news is - and if the ultrasound was not a dead giveaway, then let me just tell you all that yes - baby #4 is officially on his/her way, and is expected to arrive April 23, 2014. It is still a little crazy for me to try and wrap my mind around the reality of the situation - my husband and I will be the parents of FOUR children. Yowza! Hehe. We are all very excited about this unexpected new adventure in our lives, and we look forward to sharing the experience (and all the LOVELY details. hehe) with you in the months to come. 

Now, onto the giveaways: The Purple Lady's half birthday bash is still going on strong (she really knows how to party) and there is still plenty of time to get in on all of the fun stuff that she is giving away this week. The giveaways are as follows:

Day 5: Two dozen of the best pumpkin cookies ever from The Luckiest - This giveaway is only open to residents of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. 

Day 4: Custom order of one dozen gourmet cupcakes from Silver Spoon Catering - This giveaway is only open to residents of the Northern Utah area.

Day 3: Amethyst Healing Crystal

Day 2: Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor's Secret, by Chad Morris

Day 1: Blackmoore, by Julianne Donaldson

P.S. Yes, you read that correctly. The Luckiest (yours truly) is proudly sponsoring today's (Day 5) giveaway on All Things Purple, and the cookies I am offering are an absolute treat. They come from my mother-in-law's famous, sought-after recipe, and are a definite fall favorite of the whole family's.

Anyway, I hope that you all are taking advantage of the giveaways on The Purple Lady's blog this week. I know I have been having a blast and look forward to seeing the results in a few days. Don't miss out on the fun. :)

Reflections on Retirement, plus Book Giveaways

Gems of Reflection: #33

As of right now, I am a stay-at-home mom and a writer. I can't imagine that I will ever retire from either of those "jobs", but I do have dreams of grandeur that one day, I will be an accomplished writer of children's books and young adult fiction.

Let's say (for the sake of clinging onto the hope that my dreams will be accomplished in due course), that one day I become an established, successful writer. I can't imagine that I will ever stop writing - even when I am older and have grandchildren. But after a long and fruitful career as a writer (hey, I've got to dream big, right? hehe), I can imagine that I would reach a point where I'll be ready to slow down and simply enjoy the many pleasures of life: traveling the world, spending time with family, etc.

I am sure that my husband will be ready to retire too someday (maybe not from his music though. That is as ingrained in his blood as much as writing is ingrained in mine), and when he is, one thing I definitely want to do with him is serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Serving a mission with my husband in retirement has been a deep-seeded desire of mine since before I even met him. Now that I know him, and our relationship has grown in depth and commitment, I feel this desire even more so. We have accomplished a lot of things together, and serving the Lord as a couple would only be the icing on the cake.

I expect too, that my husband and I (and our family) will have done some significant traveling before we reach the age of retirement, but I hope to continue to travel in that stage of our lives as long as our health permits.

Anyway, speaking of being a fabulously talented writer, The Purple Lady is continuing with her Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash today, and has another book review and giveaway for Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor's Secret by Chad Morris. She describes this book as being highly innovative and entertaining for readers of all ages (10 and up), so head on over to All Things Purple and check it out.

Also, don't forget about the book giveaway for Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson, which started yesterday. There is still plenty of time to get in on that giveaway as well, and I can not even begin to express my excitement for this book sufficiently. You will not want to miss out on this one. ;)

Christmas in September!

Gems of Reflection

So, I know that I got behind on my Gems posts (again) by a several weeks, so I apologize for my silence here on the blog. Things have been crazy around here getting kids ready to go back to school, and there have been some other exciting/crazy/unexpected things happening that I am not quite ready to disclose on the blog just yet. No worries though, I am going to try to get caught up on the posts this week - and hopefully, there will be some good news to share in the near future.

Anyway, onto the Gems post: I don't really remember visiting the downtown area of Las Vegas much as a kid during the holiday season, but I know that if there's one thing that Vegas does big, it's the holidays. The shopping malls were always decked with the most extravagant of Christmas decorations; garland and ornaments on every rail and every banister, a large Christmas tree at the center of it all for everyone to enjoy, not to mention the beautiful display of Santa's workshop, where children would line up with anticipation to get their picture taken with him.

The Las Vegas Strip was always decorated as a wonderland of Christmas beauty as well. The trees, which line the streets of Las Vegas Boulevard, were lit up with lights and garland, and every hotel/casino showered the air with the magical sounds of Christmas music.

Now, I know that it is only September, and that Christmas is still a few months away, but it is like Christmas this week, for The Purple Lady is celebrating her third annual half-birthday over at All Things Purple, and she is hosting some awesome giveaways all week long. Today, she has a book review and giveaway for Blackmoore, the new regency romance novel by Julianne Donaldson. I am so excited about this book, and I know you will be too, so head on over and check it out.

Happy Friday. :)

Blog-iversary Fiesta, Day #6: One (1) copy of Stance for the Family; and one (1) Chocolate Zucchini Cake

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I can hardly believe it, but today is the sixth and final day of our week-long fiesta to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the blog, and boy - what a week it has been! Thanks to some amazing sponsors, we have conducted some pretty awesome giveaways so far this week, and today is no exception. First off, let me give a huge shout-out to The Purple Lady, who has so graciously offered to sponsor today's giveaway. If you have not already had the luxury of visiting her blog, take a minute to do so by clicking here - and then prepare to have your mind blown by experiencing her creative genius. But first, let me apprise you of today's giveaway.

So - today, we have a couple of special things in store for you. First, the winner of today's giveaway will have the option to choose one of two copies of Stance on The Family (a BYU journal). The first copy of the journal contains a poem about autism written by The Purple Lady, and the second contains an article on romance addiction, which she also wrote. When the winner is selected at the expiration of the giveaway, he/she will notify me as to which journal they would like to receive.

Now on to the second prize of today's giveaway: I mean, seriously - what would a fiesta be without cake? Right? And I just could not live with myself if I were to have hosted an incomplete blog-iversary fiesta. So, the second prize is a chocolate zucchini cake, made by yours truly. I know it doesn't sound very extravagant, but let me just tell you that upon discovering this cake recipe recently, my family and I have decided that we never have need for any other chocolate cake again. The cake itself is moist and decadent - chocolate cake with rich chocolate chips - and the frosting (which is actually a chocolate ganache) is to die for. Trust me when I say that you want to get your hands on this bad boy! ;)

Since I am posting this giveaway so late in the day, I am adding an extra day to its duration; and therefore, the giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, August 2, 2013.

Thank you again to The Purple Lady for making today's giveaway possible, and thank you to all of the sponsors of our other giveaways this week. I have had such an amazing time celebrating the one-year anniversary of the blog, and none of it would have been possible without you.

Related links:

Blog-versary Fiesta, Day 5: 5mL bottle of doTERRA DigestZen

Blog-iversary Fiesta, Day 4: My Little Legs Giveaway, #2!

Blog-iversary Fiesta, Day 3: 3-Month Dance Scholarship!

Blog-iversary Fiesta, Day 2: My Little Legs Giveaway!

Childhood TV Shows, Blog-iversary Fiesta Kick-Off, and Music Lesson Giveaway!

Praying for Purple!

It's been a little bit of a stressful time for The Purple Lady lately - with the divorce trial earlier this week, and the Judge's decree still in limbo. But since she is so purpliciously fabulous, and because we love and support her unconditionally, I thought it would be prudent to initiate a fast. This Sunday is fast Sunday too, so it's the perfect opportunity to devote our thoughts and prayers to her happiness, comfort, well being - and dare I say, her sanity. Hehe. So, please remember her in your prayers while fasting this weekend.  

Also, for those of you who will be visiting the temple this week, please keep her in mind when writing names for the prayer circle. I appreciate everyone's support in this, and I know that Heavenly Father will hear and answer our prayers. <3

((hugs)) <------------------ This is for you, Lar! ;)


Related link:

A Hope of Heaven's Light

All Things Purple: PTGS

I {heart} Christmas!

Can I just say that I LOVE Christmas time! Everything about the season makes me absolutely giddy; from decorating the Christmas tree to shopping for Christmas presents, listening to Christmas music, sending and receiving Christmas cards, driving around and scoping out all of the Christmas lights, decorating gingerbread houses, watching the classic Christmas movies (some of my favorites include Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, One Magic Christmas, Elf - there are really too many to name), drinking egg nog, singing Christmas songs, etc. I mean, it's barely the first week of December and I almost have all of my Christmas shopping done - and tonight, I actually got most of my Christmas presents wrapped AND started my Christmas baking. :)

Now, I don't know if you guys know this or not, but since my husband and I got married, he has gotten both {M} and me into collecting Christmas ornaments. He usually only collects the really nice ones (swarovski, waterford, etc.), but we've procured some fun, cheaper-end ones too. He has one with Goofy playing the tuba, one of Jack Skellington (The Nightmare before Christmas), and many many more. This year, {L} even has his own little collection going. He has his beautiful "Baby's First Christmas" ornament from two years ago - courtesy of The Purple Lady, and here is the newest addition:

Not bad for a two-year-old, eh? Hehe. Anyone who knows him knows how appropriate this really is. He has been obsessed - and I mean OBSESSED - with Spiderman pretty much since his second birthday. ;)

Anyway, hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. <3

Source: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com via The Purple on Pinterest

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 30: Family Time

Photo by The Purple Lady

Today is Day 30 of The Purple Lady's Thirty Days of Gratitude challenge, and I can honestly say that it has been a truly humbling, eye-opening experience. I honestly have so much to be thankful for, and reflecting on all of my many blessings over the course of this past month has really changed my thinking. I could probably participate in a 365 days of gratitude challenge, and I'd still be able to come up with new things every day for which I am grateful. Being that today is the 30th (and final) day of the challenge, I wanted to focus on something that is really significant to me; you know, saving the best for last: my family.

So, for those of you who don't know, my husband's schedule is absolutely ridiculous. He works full time, goes to school, plays tuba for The Las Vegas Philharmonic, and gives private instruction to middle school and high school low brass students. He is stretched extremely thin, so it's not often that we get to spend a lot of time together as a family. Friday is the ONE day of the week when he doesn't have work or school (although he usually has a lesson in the late afternoon), so Friday is usually family day. We often have day-dates while our daughter is at school (lunch and a movie, etc.), and then try to do something as a family in the evening.

Being that today is Friday, we took advantage of the time we were allotted to be together and spent a good part of the afternoon...wait for it...at the doctor's office. Haha. Yes, we've all been sick, so my husband and I went in to get checked out. Afterward, we did a little shopping (got a few more Christmas presents checked off the list. Woot), indulged in some yummy egg nog milk shakes from McDonalds, picked up some elderberries to make elderberry syrup, and then ended out the night with stromboli from The Tap House...YUM! When we got home, we FINALLY finished decorating the Christmas tree, which has been standing bare since Wednesday. It was awesome; too, because  my 2-year-old really showed interest in participating for the first time. :)

His first time hanging ornaments. He was so excited. :)

It may seem silly to get excited about the things we did today, but I am grateful for the time that I am blessed to spend with my family - in any capacity. My family is truly the center of my life - my reason for living - and I genuinely thank Heavenly Father for them every day, for I know that I am so abundantly blessed to have them in my life. <3




Related link:

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 29: My Babies

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 17: My Daughter

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 15: My Husband

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 11: Food That Heals

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 29: My Babies

Photo by The Purple Lady

Seeing as how the baby turns 7 month old today, I thought it would be appropriate to express my gratitude for my two babies. They are both such an enormous blessing in my life, and I thank Heavenly Father eternally for the opportunity to be their mother.

My two-year-old is such a little character. Our journey to bring him into our family was truly an amazing gift. It strengthened my testimony of prayer tremendously, and taught me that through faith in the Lord, anything is possible. It also strengthened my individual relationship with our Heavenly Father. There were so many times when I literally felt his comforting arms around me, letting me know that my prayers would soon be answered - that a beautiful, little bundle of joy would be headed our way soon. And boy...did we get what we asked for. Haha. Though he definitely has an independent spirit and a temper that would make The Birthday Girl (from Word Girl) blush, he has an equally big heart, and loves genuinely and unconditionally. Every day with him is an adventure, and he adds such incredible depth (and spice. hehe) to our lives.

Baby Cakes (our 7-month-old), on the other hand, was a complete surprise. I think Heavenly Father just knew that she was ready to come into our family, even though we were completely unaware of how much we really needed her. Her sweet disposition is the perfect complement to our family dynamic; though, and she has a smile that can melt any ounce of worry or heartache away. She hardly ever cries (only when she legitimately needs something; a diaper change, food, etc.), is pretty easy going (my mom and I are constantly being blown away by what an incredibly well-behaved baby she is. She literally always just chills and entertains herself), she has the most infectious laugh, and has the uncanny ability to make everyone fall in love with her. Our two-year-old is even wrapped around her finger. She has only been a part of our lives for a short while, but it is honestly hard to imagine a time when she wasn't a part of this family.

I could seriously go on for hours about what a blessing it is to be a mother and to have both of these sweet "babies" in our lives. I am just grateful that Heavenly Father found me worthy to be their mother, and I pray that he continues to bless me with the wisdom and patience to do "the job" justice. ;)

Love these two! <3

P.S. The Purple Lady's Thirty Days of Gratitude challenge has completely changed my thinking. I feel like I am constantly in a state of gratitude, trying to think each day of all the things I am grateful for. As a result, I am dedicating a #ThankfulThursdays section on my blog to continue the spirit of gratitude throughout the year. Please feel free to participate here on the blog - and on Twitter and Facebook too. :)



Related link:

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 17: My Daughter

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 28: My Vacuum

Photo by The Purple Lady

While re-arranging some things in the living room to put up Christmas decorations today, I had to use my awesome new-ish (we've had it for a few months now) vacuum cleaner to vacuum the carpet under the furniture I was moving. Suddenly, I was reminded of what a luxury it truly is to have a vacuum cleaner. This past summer, our vacuum cleaner broke and we went for a period of several months without one. The only method by which I had to clean the living room carpet was to sweep up any visible dirt/debris with the broom and dust pan - and let me just tell you, that is NOT fun in the heat of the summer in a house with no central air conditioning. It's amazing; too, how quickly you realize how often you used to vacuum once you no longer can, and you suddenly notice how quickly the carpet gets dirty again.

Well, when the baby was blessed back in July, we had some family coming into town and I wanted to shampoo the carpets before they got here. I didn't wanted to shampoo carpets that hadn't been vacuumed in several months; though, and we still weren't in a position to buy a vacuum, so I ended up borrowing one from a friend. What a silly thing to have to borrow, right? I sure felt silly calling her and asking to borrow it, that's for sure.

Anyway, being able to vacuum the living room today was such a blessing, and I am so grateful to have a vacuum again - especially with a toddler who is going through a food-spitting stage, and a 6-month-old baby that is now a pro crawler and has the eyes of a a hawk. She can spot the tiniest speck of food or dirt anywhere on the floor. And wouldn't you know - her fine-motor skills are getting quite proficient as well. She puts anything and EVERYTHING in her mouth these days. I vacuum the floor practically every day now, and I can't imagine how stressful life would be if I couldn't. :)

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 27: Grandparents

Photo by The Purple Lady

Okay, so yesterday was absolutely insane, and I had every intention of posting Day 27 last night after putting the babies to bed, but I was so exhausted. I straight up passed out in bed with them and didn't wake up until well after midnight to nurse the baby for the first time. So, I apologize for the late post, but today's #DailyGratitude is an important one, so I didn't want to just skip it. ;)

Today, I am grateful for grandparents. Ya see, when I was a kid, my Grandma Ruby was seriously the coolest. I used to have sleepovers at her house and she was always letting me help her cook (maybe she is part of the reason that I love to cook and bake so much today). Whenever we went to Grandma's house, she was always stocked up with our favorite cookies, and  any time that my "horrible, mean, parents - who just did not understand me, and were on a mission to ruin my life" (bahahaha...funny how kids think that. I guess if they don't, then we're not doing our job as parents. Hehe) would do something incomprehensible (you know, like send me to my room for talking back, etc...), I would call my Granny and she would be so understanding - so loving - and the tears would just melt away. Her home was always a place where you felt welcome, comfortable, and loved - a sort of home away from home. I loved spending time with her and I loved being at her house. 

Now that I am a mother, and I happen to have children who think that I am the meanest mom in the whole world (hehe), I appreciate the value of grandparents even more. I see my mom stepping into the role of "the loving savior of the grandchildren" and it warms my heart. ;) My mom always says that being a grandparent is the best because you can spoil the child and love on him/her profusely, without having to ever be the bad guy. And, you get to give the child back to Mom when he/she needs a diaper change. Hehe. My mom's favorite line (in referencing one of my children) is, "You know that he (or she) can do no wrong in my eyes." ;)

I am seriously so grateful for my grandparents and for the grandparents that my children have. I am grateful for all that my parents do for my children, and for the relationship that they have with them. Grandparents truly are the best! I only wish that my husband's parents were still alive so that my children could reap the rewards of a relationship with them as well. I guess that is just one more reason to look forward to eternity. ;)

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 26: Patience

I don't necessarily pride myself on being someone who comes by patience easily. It's something I pray for on a daily basis. But man...am I grateful for the patience that I was able to muster tonight after finding my 2-year-old on the living room floor with a black, permanent Sharpie marker. Not only did he take it upon himself to cover his lips, hands, legs, and arms, but there are now giant squiggle marks all over a huge section of the carpet in our living room and on the area rug. It was all over his building blocks, on one of The Drama Queen (my 12-year-old)'s sweaters, and as I walked into the kitchen with my jaw on the floor, I discovered that it was all over the tile AND on the kitchen wall as well. The most annoying part is that I was in the room with him while he created his masterpiece. I had just been preoccupied with Christmas shopping on my lap top. Doh!

Let's just say that the boy is lucky to be alive. He IS alive though - and it is only due to the patience, which I had to harness with every ounce of energy I could muster. He is lucky that I love him so much. For real. Oh, the joys of motherhood!

Photo by The Purple Lady

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 25: Forgiveness

Photo by The Purple Lady

One of my most favorite quotes of all time is when Mark Twain said, "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it." How beautiful, right? To think that we, as human beings, are capable of such wonderful, Christ-like love for others, that we could be able to forgive them for their trespasses against us.

Christ himself stood on the cross as he was being crucified and prayed to the Lord asking him to forgive the men who were actively in the process of persecuting him, saying, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I can't think of a better example of someone who loves more freely and forgives more effortlessly than the Savior.

I know that none of us is the Savior, but I do believe that we should try to emulate His example - and one of the most amazing gifts in the world is the human heart's ability to forgive. It gives us the power to heal broken hearts, mend relationships, put an end to feuds, and vanquish grudges.

The scriptures tell us of the Lord's commandment to forgive all men, and I know that there are some circumstances in this life when others transgress against us and their actions seem unforgivable, but I think that the Lord requires us to forgive not only because we are in no position to judge others, but also because the Lord wants us to be free of the burden and bitterness of holding a grudge. I can't tell you how many times I have literally felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders when I made the decision to forgive another for some offense they committed against me. To truly forgive another is to find peace; Not only with others, but with yourself.

Now, I know that I am not perfect. And though I never aim to injure others intentionally, there may have been times that I've offended others in ignorance. If you find yourself in this category of people, I ask in all sincerity for your forgiveness, and pray that these experiences will allow us to grow in our friendship, creating stronger bonds and a deeper appreciation for each other. <3

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 24: The 2nd Amendment

My husband took me on a date to a gun range tonight, and it was seriously the best fun I've had in a long time. It was the first time I've ever shot a firearm, so I was really nervous at first, but in a giddy, school girl kind of way. The experience was so amazing though. By the time we left, I felt so empowered, so strong. I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to holding my own on that front, but today, I am grateful for the 2nd Amendment, - the right to bear arms. I am a firm believer that we should be able to maintain this right - to have the ability to protect ourselves and our families from those who would mean to cause us harm, and I am grateful that my husband loves me enough and cares about his family enough to arm me with this form of confidence and protection, should the need to apply it ever arise in his absence.

I truly hope that the occasion to actually have to utilize this skill (one that I know will only increase with continued practice) will never be necessary, but I am looking forward to the fun that we'll have in the learning process. Personally, I am already ready for round two (pun intended. hehe). ;)

Photo by The Purple Lady

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Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 23: Sleep

Photo by The Purple Lady

Being that I am the mom of three children (two of which are under three), opportunities to get a good night's sleep are few and far between. I try to take naps with the babies during the day when I can, but that doesn't always work out, as random, unexpected factors usually prevent me from doing so.

Today was a rare occurrence, though. After taking part in some casual black Friday shopping, lunch with my family, and an outing to the movies, we all came home and crashed. I personally was so exhausted after hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 20+ people at my house yesterday. I think all of the physical and mental effort that was exerted over the last few days in preparation for the festivities, plus the fact that I've been so sick, finally took it's toll. I was so tired on the car-ride home from the movies that I literally could not keep my eyes open. It's a good thing my husband was driving. ;)

I cannot tell you how great I felt when I woke up. I was so rested and refreshed - I actually went out and did some more Christmas shopping. :-D

For real though, I am grateful for days like today when the stars align and I am able to get caught up on some precious, much-needed sleep. With the unpredictability of life, you have to seize every opportunity like this that is afforded to you. Heaven knows that the next one probably won't be for a while. :-/

Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays!



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Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 22: Life

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, I have so much to be thankful for. In addition to the list of things that I have already mentioned over the past several weeks, I am grateful for my life and the opportunity that I had to come to this earth, to gain a body, to be a wife and mother, to experience pain, failure and heartache - but then to find the strength through the Savior to get back up again and continue "swimming." I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from my mistakes, for the chance to strengthen my testimony through the things I experience in this life, and for the peace and comfort that are exemplified by the Savior through His grace. Most of all, I am grateful that I had the agency to choose the Savior's Plan and that I did choose to be apart of His great work.

Photo by The Queen of Purple

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All Things Purple: Thirty Days of Gratitude

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 21: Callings

Photo by The Purple Lady

Callings are a constant reminder that the Lord is omniscient. He sees the big, eternal picture in all things and knows the challenges and blessings that each of us needs to experience at any given point in our lives - those that will test our faith and inevitably make us stronger - and accepting a calling is such an incredible example of faith in the Lord's Plan for us.

Oftentimes, we don't understand the magnitude of the blessing in a particular calling until after we have served in it for a time. And I don't know about you guys, but in my experience as a member of the Church, the person who has benefited most from any calling I have held has been myself.

My husband and I served as Sunday school teachers for the 16-17-year-olds in our ward for four years, and I absolutely loved that calling. When we were first called to serve in that facet; however, I couldn't have felt more unqualified. But through study and prayer, and attempting to magnify my calling in faith, I grew not only to love the youth in our ward, but also to love the scriptures and the prophets of old whose lives we studied. My testimony was constantly being strengthened, as was my faith in the youth of the Church. Their testimonies are so incredibly pure and powerful, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that they were preserved for these last days because of their strength.

Upon being released from that calling, I felt really sad because of how much I would miss that one-on-one time with the youth in our ward. I was soon called to be a nursery worker; though, and I am excited about this new chapter in my life as well as the many life-lessons that I know I will learn from this experience.

I am so grateful for callings and for the faith that our Heavenly Father has in us when he calls us to serve. :)

Source: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com via The Purple on Pinterest

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All Things Purple: Thirty Days of Gratitude

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 20: Temples

Photo by The Purple Lady

Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for the temples on this earth, especially for the beautiful temple that we are so fortunate to have in our midst. I think of all the people in the world that have to invest their life savings to make one trip to the temple - just to have their own work done, and here I am - five minutes away from the Las Vegas temple, and I recognize what an amazing gift that truly is.

I am grateful for temple ordinances, and I know that the work performed there is ordained of God. I am grateful for the ability that I have to be sealed to my family for time and all eternity, a blessing which we would not be able to partake of without the presence of a temple. I am also grateful for the opportunity that we have as members of the Church to return to the temple often. When I am in the temple, I feel the presence of the Lord so profoundly, and it is impossible not to feel His love for us as we receive blessings through performing temple ordinances.

The temple is such an amazing place to be - a place where you can find true comfort and peace in a world that is otherwise filled with chaos and confusion, and I am grateful for that little piece of Heaven on earth. :)

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All Things Purple: Thirty Days of Gratitude