My Children

Children bring one joy and happiness. More specifically, my children bring me joy and happiness. Today I thanked my Heavenly Father for something small as a fantastically wonderful meal and after I put all four of my children to bed, I wondered how often I had thanked my Heavenly Father for them. I am so thankful for them. They make my life what it is today- a joy and a blessing. Yes, they are challenging. Yes, they are noises and loud and take a lot of care but that's okay. I rejoice in my children.

Books

I'm thankful for books. Tiny ones, small ones, big ones, fat ones, pop-up ones, 3-D ones, chewable ones, waterproof ones, black and white ones, long ones, short ones, true ones, false ones, picture ones, only word ones and happy and sad ones.

Today I took all four kids to the story time at Borders. The average age of the kids there was 3. The average of my kids is 6. Needless to say, Ethan and Jonah took off to the shelves to find books that had blood, guts or gore in it. They would have nothing to do with "Happy Birthday Moon" or "I'm Ladybug Girl!" Can't say that I blame them. Asher followed suit.

Elizabeth stayed with me and listened to the first two books and then moved on as the storyteller began " Blueberries for Sal"- a classic and one that I love but have yet to own. While it is a classic, it is in black and white and she had to pause to put some of the vocabulary into context like "can the blueberries".

I looked for a book on New York, as we neglected to buy one during our recent stint to see the Big Apple. Despite what Josh had told me, our local Borders does NOT carry New York non fiction. It does carry a lot of D.C. items and I decided to take the kids to see the Lincoln Memorial. At night. Tonight. Since Josh will be gone. Which may be my next subject of Thankfulness.

Megan

The Moon

I was out running errands last night- grocery shopping after doing Activity Days at the Church- and I saw the most beautiful moon. It was clear, sparkly, beautiful even. Thank you God, for allowing me to see the moon and bask in it's beauty.

Patriarchal Blessings

I am grateful for patriarchal blessings. Each time I read mine, I learn something new. Today I learned that I am a choice and beloved daughter of God. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for patriarchal blessings.

Schooling

Josh, April 2006, BYU Law School Graduate

Today I'm thankful for advanced degrees, which makes it possible for me to live in this lovely house, to eat and live and to drive a nice car. Thank you, Josh, for working so hard during your schooling years and making our lovely life possible. I love you!!!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for helping us through all those crazy, poor and adventurous student years! It's nice to be done with official schooling!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Today

Beta, our new Beta fish

Today what makes me happy is today. A new day. A day to start over fresh. A day to spend time with my family. A day to visit with my Mother who is visiting. A day to read. A day to ponder. A day to cook. A day to clean. A day to laugh. A day to dream. A day to go to Church. A day. Today.

Thank you, God, for today.

Jonah

Jonah loves to look at my camera. He took this self portrait yesterday.

I love to see the words "Joy and Happiness" above my blog. In my patriarchal blessing, I am told that I "will be surrounded by Joy and Happiness all the days of my life." The purpose of this blog is to keep track of all the little- or big-things that Heavenly Father places in my life that bring me joy and happiness.

Today is Saturday, March 21, 2009. What brings me joy and happiness today is...

Jonah. For the past week or so, Jonah's vocal skills have improved immensely. He has started to talk and has not stopped. He follows me around talking, no matter where I go- the computer, my room, downstairs. At first I thought that he was just excited about something. After seven consecutive days of this behavior and him displaying it again at the dinner table today, I've decided that he must have hit some mental stepping stone at the age of 4 years and 10 months old. It's amazing! I have no idea where he gets this talking streak from. No idea whatsoever.

Thank you, God, for Jonah.