And I am finished! Whew!

Even though they don't read my blog, maybe some day they will. They being Natalie and Brigham. Blessing 6 and 7. Let me back up a bit. When I was pregnant with Nathan and SO SO SO SICK I was at stake conference sitting out in the hall with my restless baby Hannah. Sharlene Wells Hawkes walked by me. Who is that you ask? She was Miss America in maybe 1984?, she married a guy from St. Anthony and they must have been visiting. She was and is just beautiful. Anyway, she walked by, I was sick, exhausted,discouraged. Did I mention sick? And I prayed a desperate prayer in my heart asking how much longer, how many times would I do this? And immediately came the answer in a simple, sacred manner and I knew I was supposed to have seven children. For whatever reason that comforted me. And now fast forward. I had a miscarriage between Porter and Hannah. When Emily was 18 mos I had a miscarriage. I went on to have 3 more before my doctor decided I was no longer producing progesterone. And finally I was able to have those last two babies. So, just the fact of their existence is miraculous and proof of divine promptings.
Natalie is my mini-me. Except much more beautiful. She loves to read. And she is yet another strong willed daughter of mine! I am grateful for Natalie's kindness and quiet concern. She is almost perfectly obedient, but I take advantage of that sometimes and need to remember not to depend so much on her. I am awed by her determination, she just doesn't give up. I am thankful that what she wants to be is a mom. Natalie has been a blessing since the moment we knew she was on the way.
Brigham has been through more in ten years than most people are in several decades of life. I am thankful for his toughness and acceptance of his perthes disease. He just dealt with the circumstances. I am grateful for the challenge he is to me. For some reason he was sent to our family last. When I am tired and worn out but need to be more on my mom game than ever. I am grateful he keeps me having to remember that life should be fun and simple. That there is fun to be had in little green army men. And Disney movies and Christmas movies. I love that he LOVES sports, especially football and can talk like an adult with Gary about it all.
This has been a good November. And I am glad I decided to blog my blessings. Life is good, and I forget that often. We had wonderful Sacrament meeting talks about gratitude.Something else I am grateful for! I am thankful for Gary's calling. He is an amazing bishop for those BYUI kids. I am so glad I get to prove that I will be strong and faithful. I am alone with my kids most of the time, but it's ok. And I am so thankful for Gary. That he loves Heavenly Father more than me. That he loves me. That he is the best speaker ever! That he has provided us a life. Overall there is so much to be grateful for

Two more blessings.

I am taking a break from decorating our trees. And that is definitely a topic for another post. Anyway, I am going to finish out my thankful/gratitude posts the next few days.
Nathan was an unexpected blessing. Hannah was 3 or so months old when I found out I was having another baby. WOW. His was a difficult pregnancy. I had the Beijing flu in my second trimester and the doctor told me that my unborn baby would always have problematic teeth. Poor kid, that turned out to be true. He had 4 root canals by the age of four and it continues today. But he is brave and just does what he has to. I admire Nathan because he marches to his own drummer. He could care LESS what others say about him. He knows what he wants to do and is going to do it. I am thankful for his thirst and zeal for knowledge and learning. I am so grateful that he sets and accomplishes goals, we rarely have to remind him. He is kind and considerate, especially to younger kids. I am so thankful he has a good work ethic. He had a paper route for 3 yeaRs and then has worked at Exxon since high school. He is an obedient soul and I think I overlook what a blessing that is for a mother. I am also glad that he and Hannah have always been best friends. Nathan was a surprise that turned out to be a huge, wonderful blessing. And I am thankful he is my son.
And then there was Emily. How thankful I am for Emily. She brings life and commotion to our home! I am grateful for her spunk. And her strong will. Hmmm, another strong daughter! When I watch her play soccer or basketball my heart fills with joy. She is fearless and confident. But has worked to get there. I am thankful for her loyalty. If you can get behind the walls she builds, well you are in for life. Most of the time I am grateful for her sheer grit. You can not distract her from what she wants to do. Or bribe her to do what she does not. When she was 3 we enrolled her in ballet, just as we had Hannah. Well, the first day came. For some reason I couldn't go so she went with her best friend Braydn and her mom Jodi. Emily did NOT want to dance. Nothing Jodi said would convince her. This tiny 3 year old child couldn't even be bribed with candy or ice cream. And that is the theme of her life! I am also thankful for how fiercely she loves the family she babysits for, it shows me that some day she will be a great mom. Hopefully to five daughters just like her! Haha. The day Emmy came to our home was a great day indeed!

I am skipping a day.

I want to write about my four other blessings. Otherwise known as my four other children. But I am tired and have 6 more chocolate pies to make. So I will extend my grateful posts to the end of November. I am grateful for my bed!

Ummmm.......

Today I am glad to be me. I am not pretty, or smart or special. And that is ok because I am who I am supposed to be. Aim grateful to know that.

Tired.

Today I am thankful to be home.

Prayer.

I already said it, but tonight I am thankful for prayer again. My dad isn't doing too good. I imagine it will be ok, but I am scared. So I am thankful for prayer, where I can find peace. And tomorrow I need to go home. Because while I am my parents' daughter, I am also my children's mama. They need me, or at least I like to pretend they do. So I will leave my mom and have to trust that Heavenly Father will buoy her up. And she has two WONDERFUL friends who will help her. I am grateful for prayer and that Heavenly Father will take care of things. And people.

Bah Humbug!

That is a Christmas saying, I know. Today I was in a few stores and saw the Christmas items and all of the STUFF. And I wished I was a billionaire so I could buy my kids everything. But I can't! I am SO THANKFUL that I live in a tiny little town and can only shop at WalMart. At home I don't go into Dillards or Buckle or anywhere, so I don't ever see the glories that are out there! Thank goodness for little towns.

The sun will come up tomorrow!

That song annoys me, but it is true. Today is yesterday's tomorrow. And figuratively the sun came up. My dad is doing pretty good. And I am THANKFUL. And I am grateful for the prayers offered in his and our family's behalf.We have felt them, even if I may be the only one who knew what it was! So today I give thanks for the sun! But really, it snowed/rained here so it really is figurative. And now you all can thank me for putting that annoying song in your head!

This is a stretch......

Well,my dad was supposed to have surgery at 3. They didn't take him back til about 8. He hasn't eaten or had water since last night.UGH. I am grateful for the nice, private waiting room at the hospital.

Prayer

I am thankful for prayer. I prayed I would travel to Boise safely. I did. There was one incident, a state trooper flashed his lights and turned into the emergency turn place. So I got into the right lane and slowed from 80 to 77/78. I wasn't worried because I was only going 80, and I don't think they get you for that on the interstate. He passed me after about ten miles. Then my 44 oz Diet Coke hit and I pulled into a rest stop. When I came out that state trooper was pulling in beside my car. WHAT!? He rolled down the window and asked " Shannon?" And I nervously but lawfully abidingly said "yes, that's me?" Meanwhile wondering WHAT THE HECK? He then told me my license was expired. After respectfully disagreeing because we only bought the car a month ago he clarified it was my DRIVER'S LICENSE.Oh yeah, that. He just told me to take care of it soon. Whew! But WAIT! Why did he run my info? I wasn't speeding, my appropriate lights were on, my license plate was current...is there some overweight middle-aged Caucasian housewife racial profile out there? In a Kia Optima no less? It baffled me. And freaked me out in a low- key manner. And I still got here in four and a half hours. When I travel I impose these ridiculous time goals on myself. Man, I am one weird woman aren't I?
Anyway, I digress. I am also grateful for prayer because my dad has colon cancer and tomorrow he has surgery. So I am grateful I can turn my concern for my earthly father to my Heavenly Father. Because I am scared. And I hope and pray all goes well tomorrow.

Day 15

I am thankful for DayQuil. And NyQuil.

I like pink!

Today I am grateful for pink! Because in my mind pink is Hannah. When we found we were having a GIRL!!!!! my mom started buying pink girl stuff, so even though Hannah may not love the color pink it makes me think of her. We named her Hannah because it means grace of the Lord and after Hannah in the Bible. She had curly hair and beautiful big brown eyes. I wanted to raise daughters that would be strong and self-assured and righteous. So I tried to make sure Hannah knew she was entitled to her own opinions, that she didn't have to think the same way or like the same things that I did. As long as she was true to her faith that is! I succeeded. I love that she can not be swayed, she will do what she believes is right, even if others judge and scorn her. And that happened A LOT last year. But she held her ground. I am thankful for her quick mind and the ability to have intelligent discussions with her. The guys in high school would tell me they were scared of her. That used to bug me. Now I think when she meets a man who loves her independence, her quick wit, her fierce defense of those she loves and ideas she loves, well he will not be "scared", but rather he will appreciate the greatness that is Hannah. So today, I give thanks for my beautiful brown eyed baby girl. She truly is a gift from the Lord.

Two on the thirteenth.

I was going to title this number two on the thirteenth, but that just didn't sound right!
Today I am grateful for Porter. I always say Bear made me a mom. But Porter made us a family. I was so excited to have another son, a friend for Bear. Porter was 9 lbs 14 oz and 24 inches long. Yep, that's two feet people! He had brown eyes from the beginning, never blue. He was calm and rarely fussed. He was also a champion eater. He would eat 8-12 ounce bottles at a time. Which meant we had to make two because eight ounces was the biggest we could find. By his two week check up he weighed 12lbs 3 oz. He was HEALTHY! He has always been a joy. Always very obedient. And I appreciate that. I am thankful that Porter has always seemed to have a strong sense of himself. He is not influenced by others and I wish I was that brave. There is NO greater BYU fan than him! I am thankful for his amazing sense of humor, he makes us all laugh, even when we might not want to. So on this 13th day of gratitude I am grateful for number two!

Sad day.

This morning I heard one of the teenagers from here was killed in a car accident early, early this morning. He was 17. He was amazingly bright, in fact he graduated a year early and was going to college. I have known him since he was in kindergarten and I was proud, everyone was proud that he was going to college and was going to do great things. I am so sad tonight. For his family, his friends, the girl who loved him. And for a promising life, cut way too short. I am grateful for the plan of salvation. I am thankful families can be together forever. Hopefully his family will find this truth someday. I am going to hug my kids longer and pray for their safety a bit more tonight.

11/11/11

My great uncle, Dr. Jack Comstock served as a doctor in World War II. He marched in the Bataan Death March. He lost most of his eyesight and his ability to practice medicine. He was a hero. My grandpa, Al Comstock believed in peace, but joined the Air Force to support and honor his MIA brother. Gary's uncles served in World War II also. Today I am thankful for my heritage of honorable service. And I am deeply grateful for the service of the men and women who serve our country. And I honor their families, they keep it going at home. They carry burdens I can hardly imagine. They are the unsung heroes. I am also thankful that the only time I fought in a war I chose the winning side. Because you see, we are all veterans of that War in Heaven and we all chose the winning side. Thankfully I can't remember that war. Porter was given the Dustin Birch scholarship and we all consider that a huge honor. So thank you veterans and families! God Bless the USA!

Ten, TEN, ten, 10.

I am grateful for humor. Especially smart humor, I like to laugh at something that is subtle. But I also like to laugh at my kids jokes. Or my seminary teaching husband's lame jokes. I think they have secret meetings to teach those jokes. Isn't fun to think back to something funny from the past and just have a good laugh? Even if those around you look at you strangely, and perhaps a bit fearfully? I am thankful that in my home we laugh at each other, but only with love! And we laugh with each other. We have a lot of fun here, and I appreciate that!

9

I went to Parent/Teacher conferences. I am grateful I only have to do four kids now, not seven. On a related note, I have a migraine. So I am thankful for my bed. And that's a wrap.

8 Days and counting.....

Hmmmmm. I am grateful for repentance. Does it ever feel like no one needs repentance more than yourself? And yes, I recognize the utter self- centeredness of that statement. Last night we had a FHE lesson from a talk by Jeffrey Holland. It is in a Mormon Message and in it he says "Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying." When I read those words, I hear his voice and see his face. So I will keep trying. And maybe tomorrow I will be better and not make so many mistakes. Like I said, I am grateful for repentance.

Day Seven

Today I watched the end of a movie about the holocaust in one of the classes I subbed in. And I am deeply, profoundly, seriously grateful I am not a Jew in Hitler's Germany or Poland. It was such a sobering story. I am just as grateful that I live in America, where I can belong to any religion I choose. And so can my neighbors. That we can criticize our leaders without fear of jail or death. We can run for public office just because we want to! In theory we don't have to be wealthy or highly educated to hold office. We just need to run, oh and get more votes than our opponent. Tomorrow I am going to express my gratitude and VOTE! God bless America.

An attitude of gratitude day 6

Today is Bear's birthday. So, today I am thankful for him. From the time I can remember (and I have a freakishly long, good memory) all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I played with baby dolls, my Barbies were arranged into families, I loved babies, I wanted 8 kids! So when Gary and I got married we decided to have a family RIGHT away. Well, it actually took about a year, but finally we found out we were going to have a baby. It wasn't easy. I was SO SICK. It was challenging, I knew where every bathroom in every building on BYU campus was. Which ones were more private than others. That was a time when ultrasounds were not common, so I didn't know what we were having, but I REALLY wanted a boy. I loved being pregnant, except for the constant throwing up. It was amazing to feel that baby move and kick. And finally the day came and that baby was born! My dreams were coming true. I always tell Bear he was the one who made me a mom.
He has been a joy. Ok, the teenage years were not always joyful. But he is so much fun. Bear has the ability to fit in anywhere, I am grateful for that. I am so tha kful for his sense of humor, his weird voices and random stories. His big sensitive heart. He has a fabulous voice and I love to hear him sing. I am anxiously watching him navigate this grown up life. It is not always easy to be the oldest, to be the one that blazes the trail. We all love him, I love him the MOST of course. But look forward to the day some awesome woman takes that place. So today I am thankful for Gary James Chelson III, aka Bear. He made me a mom, my dream job!

The ransom was paid.....I have been released!

So would you believe scary anti-blog ninjas kidnapped me until a ransom of all of Brigham's Halloween candy was paid? Hmmmm, no? I won't even attempt to catch up the month of October. Lots of trips to Utah, potatoes, games, Booster club stuff. Just the regular mom happenings. I am going to jump on the bandwagon, or would that be the Mayflower? Anyway, it seems there is a gratitude trend going on. People posting each day something they are grateful for. I am going to try that and since I am behind I will catch up! So here goes:
1.I am grateful Gary made me an appointment in May 2010 with Dr. Evans, they were able to find the ovarian and uterine cancer in time.
2.My warm house.
3. My Suburban, sounds materialistic, but I love it because it is big enough for all my family. And it is safe. And it tells me the temp outside, I LOVE it!
4. Good friends who listen to my crazy rambling thoughts. And just love me anyway.
5.THE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

And now I am caught up, so the next several days will be easy! And I will elaborate more. I know what you are thinking....oh goody, just what we all need Shannon elaborating! Nevertheless, elaborate I will.