Saturday

  I am so GRATEFUL today is Saturday. I need a day to catch up on some deep cleaning. And menu planning and grocery shopping. And Hallmark channel watching. I love Saturdays more as a busy mom than I ever did as a teenager!

This sums it up.

   I am finding as I get older I worry more. And am more pessimistic. I know that isn't emotionally or spiritually healthy. Although to be fair, most of what I worry about never happens!! So it must work!! Just kidding.....kind of. Anyway, today I am grateful for this quote I found on a blog I read daily. I think I need to give credit to her for the artwork. Her name is Alexa Zurcher, her blog is awesome! And here it is:

Sorry.

 I am grateful for my faith. And that I have been taught and believe in the power of the Savior's atonement. Because I am a pretty awful person. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by my smallness of soul. I don't want to be like that, and so I turn to the Lord. He can help me become better. And I am more grateful than mere words can begin to express.

My Job.

   I am a substitute teacher. In our little district, well little in population, not geographical size, you don't need a teaching certificate to sub. When Brigham, my youngest, started first grade I got myself fingerprinted, found out I did indeed have a clear record and began my substitute teaching career. And I LOVE it. Junior high and high school are definitely my strong points. I just love to be around teenagers. The "good" ones and the more naughty ones. I have subbed in band, PE, weight training, life skills, the shop, I think I have subbed in every class there is. It is so fun to be able to be with the kids and enjoy their energy and personalities. Today I subbed in the junior high girls PE classes. It was exhausting, and as usual just a ton of fun! 

  I am grateful for the opportunity to earn a bit of money while spending time with amazing youth.

America!!

  I wish I had the energy to wax poetic on the greatness and wonder that is our country. I love America. I love the freedoms we enjoy, and I think take for granted. Today we got to vote. I am an election worker. It is tiring in a sitting for 13 hours in one room kind of way. But I am honored to get to take part in some small way in the democracy. 

  I am grateful to be an American.

Missionary Mondays

  I am grateful for missionaries! And extremely grateful for emails from my missionary in Paraguay, Elder Chelson. His letters make me happy and I am so excited he has only six months left!

Callings

   Today I was released as first counselor in our YW presidency, along with the rest of the presidency. It has been a struggle. I have loved, loved, LOVED this calling. I love the girls, the women I have been honored to work with, the awesome curriculum, all of it. But as I was having a pity party I realized that only the prophet, his counselors and the quorum of the twelve have lifetime church callings. Even stake patriarchs can be put on emeritus type status. So who am I to complain!?! Our church is staffed by volunteers who learn to serve where and when needed. While I will so miss this calling I have faith that I will be given the opportunity to serve where I am needed. EVEN if it is primary. Kidding....not kidding. 

   So today I am grateful for the chance to hold callings and hopefully teach people about the Savior, His Atonement and our Heavenly Father.

It's Been Too Long!!

  I was on quite the roll last November, but lost my mojo somewhere along the line. But I did have the goal EVERY SINGLE MONTH to start blogging again. So the whole thankful posts are a great motivator. 

  Today I am grateful for the chance to be a mother. Our first five children were born in seven years, with number six and seven following three and half years later. Those were some exhausting, chaotic, wonderful years. Now we are down to just two kids living at home, with random stays from our college kids now and then. Our once loud and crowded meals have become quiet and we all have our very own side of the table!