Today I Am Grateful For......

Today I am grateful for my mother and father. To me, they are truest examples of Christ. They are giving, thoughtful, caring, serving, etc, etc.

Growing up, I always found my mom working on a project that was always for a friend, neighbor, or family member. At Christmas, she baked and baked and would make plates of treats for neighbors and friends. She would make all of our Halloween costumes and my sister and I matching dresses for different occasions. She was thinking of others and how she could serve others. I knew I could always count on her to be there for me as well as anyone else. She taught me that whenever I am struggling with something that is hard in my life, to remember that there is someone who is struggling harder. She also taught me to throw myself into serving others to forget about my own worries.

My father is also a perfect example of service. Growing up, he was gone alot because of traveling for work. But he was always gone alot because he was constantly helping someone with one thing or another. He has always put others first. Whether it be my mother, his children, neighbor, or friend. If somebody needed a Priesthood blessing, it didn't matter what time of night it was, he would go. If we needed to be taken someplace or picked up from somewhere, it didn't matter how tired he was, he would do it. He has this calm way of talking to you that is quite intimidating and if you disappointed him, you knew it. He is one of the hardest working people that I know and drop anything for someone that needs his help.

I am truly blessed to have these two wonderful, amazing people in my life. The have made me into the person that I am today. They have been the most incredible example of not being judgemental. They taught us that no matter how different another individual is from us, we were to love them and befriend them and treat them how we would like to be treated. I know I probably didn't live that standard all the time growing up, but I know now how important that is.

I could not have asked for two better people to raise me and love me. Thanks Mom and Dad!! I love you!!!

Today I Am Grateful For.......

I am grateful for my AMAZING husband, Jonathan. He is an incredibe person. He is a hard worker at his job. He also works hard at school so he can do well and get into a job he will enjoy doing.

I have been married to this man for 12 years and, although is hasn't been perfect, I would never trade in that time. We have been through so much together. He had back surgery 6 months after we were married. We have moved several times until we found our perfect starter home. We have bought a cute little dog together that we both love and adore. And we have also struggled with our infertility problems together.

But through it all, we have grown closer and stronger. Our love for each other has grown to a point where it knows no bounds. I am grateful to know that I will be sealed to this wonderful person and my best friend for the rest of my life and beyond. I couldn't have chosen a better mate. I love you, Johnny Boy!!!

Today I Am Grateful For......

Today I am GRATEFUL for AMAZING FRIENDS. This last year has been very up and down for us.

March I had sinus surgery. I had wonderful friends who brough me dinner, lunch, treats, came to vist, etc., etc.

April we started down the road of IVF. We had amazing friends who prayed and fasted for us. Let us know how much they love us and were thinking of us.

In May, Jon graduated Cum Laude from SLCC and we had several friends congratulate him. We even had some friends who decided we needed to go to dinner to celebrate.

In July, we started the IVF process. We had several friends wanting to know updates and status reports. Friends who prayed and fasted for us. During the 2 week wait after our embryo transfer, we had dinners, movies, snacks, visitor's, etc., etc. When the IVF failed, we had friends who hugged us and told us they loved us. Listened to us vent and cry and be bitter that things weren't fair.

I am grateful because through out all of these experiences and more, we/I have expanded my circle of friends. I have grown closer to people that I never thought, in a million years, that I would ever be close to. These wonderful people make sure I feel loved, cared for, and that I'm happy. They love me unconditionally and don't judge me when I make silly mistakes or say stupid things. They are in-tune with the Spirit and happen to know when I need some cheering up. I am so gratedul for these wonderful women and men. I am truly blessed and I could not have asked for better people to be put into my life at this moment.