Wisdom

 I need to let this quote sink into my mind and heart.

Earl

  Years ago we turned our garage into a large TV/family room. We still call it the New Room even though it is probably about twelve years old now. Then Gary divided our really small family room into a bedroom and a toy area. Since we only have two kids living here full time that little bedroom is now an office of sorts for Gary and I. Gary uses his half to work on family history. We call the room Earl after one of my ancestors, Earl Teagarden,who compiled several books of family research. I use my half to keep our family somewhat organized, I read and write in my journal there and have high hopes to finish the kids scrapbooks this year. I love the quiet in the Earl. On one wall we have hanging five generations of my family. Here is a small glimpse of what I see from my desk:

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! 

Only 5 days....

I am grateful there are only five days in a school week. I am humbled my the amount of energy it takes to teach every day. Thank goodness tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!

Blogstalking.

Yep, I admit it. I am a very devoted blogstalker. I think it ties in to my great love of reading and my fascination with people and their stories. It is almost like a book that just never ends! So I am grateful for all the amazing people whose blogs I read faithfully. There are so many brave, wonderful people in the world. And so willing to share their lives so that maybe somebody else can learn something.

Thank goodness kids grow up!

 Oh my goodness. Am I glad my kids are growing up. This whole week I get to sub in a sixth grade class. They are wonderful! But I am tired, and really didn't have to do much, but it can be a long day on your legs. Plus I am taking some medicine that can cause a bit of tiredness and achiness at first. Today I am grateful my kids are growing up....how in the world did I ever have the energy to have seven kids. Those first five came in 7 years. Wow!

Day 17

 I gotta say, some days are easier than others to be grateful. Not because I am ungrateful, more because I am tired. Today I am thankful for my calling teaching the Laurels. They are smart, beautiful, fearless girls. I love them!

Sew what!!

 When I was in 7th grade I took what must have been a home-ec class. I remember learning to cook and to sew. I don't think I sewed again til high school but I am grateful that I had the chance to learn to sew. One summer I made it a goal to only wear what I had sewn, I even made myself one of those shirts with ruffles down the front that were so popular in the 80's. It was red with a gold metallic thread in it. And a bright blue terry cloth shorts and jacket set. I only wish I had them, or at least pictures! I learned I could make a cute skirt out of a yard of fabric and made a ton of those for me, my sister and friends. When my first two boys were little I made them matching shorts several summers in a row. I even made pants out of old sheets! While sewing is quite painful on my back now I am so grateful for my long ago home-ec teacher and my mom who patiently taught me how to sew. 

Good stuff!

  Hannah told me about this awesome story about a little boy who had his a wish come true. He is five years old and has battled leukemia since he was 18 months old. I believe he has beat it. That wonderful "Make-a-wish-Foundation" granted him his wish to be Batkid. And San Fransico was turned into Gotham City. I tried to link an article here, but I don't have any idea how. PLEASE GO LOOK IT UP!! It will be worth it. I am grateful for people who care. 

There are those days.

    I am president of our high school Booster Club. Not because I am particularly qualified, but because I was available. And after three years, well this is the last one. Last night was the Fall Sports Award Night. We are in charge of that. Before the dinner I had a meeting trying to recruit more people and discuss business. It was a long evening and I came home EXHAUSTED. Just as I walked in the door my children........ages 12, 17 and 20......started some crazy LOUD argument about cleaning and computer using and a bunch of other nonsense. It was ridiculous and discouraging. I couldn't believe the dumbness of it all. And I felt like I must have failed in some major way, that they would be arguing like little toddlers. So, I was not feeling very grateful about anything at all.

    Today is a new day, although it is nearly over. Tonight was Parent/Teacher conferences, I figured out in my parenting career so far, I have had 155 conferences with teachers. Every year I am tempted to just skip them. Generally speaking I know what my kids are doing and what their grades are. But then I worry that the teachers will think I am a bad mom or my kids will think I don't care, so I end up going. And the whole point of this was to express my gratitude for our schools. The great majority of my children's teachers have been dedicated and amazing people. And I am so grateful. I am grateful we live in a small enough town that I know their teachers. I know they are people who live good lives. They work so hard to ensure that my kids learn and achieve all that they can. They give them knowledge and skills that as much I wish I could give them, I can't. And it is always a bonus for my kids to have a variety of really awesome adults in their lives. But I am also grateful that P/T conferences are over for the semester!!!!!

11-12-13!!!!

  I wish I was getting married or having a baby today! It is one of those really cool numerical dates. It was a very long day. Not bad, just long. So I am grateful that even though it is only 8:38 pm here, well, it's 10:38 pm somewhere and I am going to bed!

Veterans Day

  Our gratitude can never be enough, but will have to do. Thank you.

Relief

  There is a boy from my ward, Joseph, who is serving the Phillipines. In the city that was hardest hit by the typhoon on Thursday. I have known him since the day he was born, he is the same age as my son Nathan, who is serving in Paraguay. His family had no idea if he was safe. There are still about 80 of the 200 missionaries in that area unaccounted for. But last night his parents heard he was safe. I am so deeply grateful for that. And now I will continue to pray for the other missionaries and their families. It is an act of faith to send your child out on a mission. Sometimes we forget how much courage it takes to do that.