1. Paul working from home

This week I was able to chaperone Brian’s field trip, all because Paul was able to work from home in the morning.  Paul typically works from home one day a week and it is so nice.  Nice to get to have lunch with him.  Nice to be able to quickly run to the store while the littles are napping.  Nice to just have him around.  I like him! 

2. Doctors

Today Christian had his 3yo check-up.  He does have an ear infection and is now on antibiotics, plus we’ve been giving him breathing treatments for a week or so when he’s been coughing and wheezing (he probably has asthma like Brian and I).  We love our pediatrician (and her nurse that goes to our church!) and today I’m grateful for access to such great medical technology. 

3.  Social Media (Facebook, Pinterest, etc.)

I know this is a silly thing to be grateful for, and I know I spend way too much time on my computer, but it very helpful to me in many ways.  Whether it is getting support from fellow moms on facebook, keeping in touch with friends from high school or college, or finding new recipes online, I utilize social media a lot.  I’m grateful for the technology and all that it enables me to do in my life.

4.  My SmartPhone

I only got my smartphone in February, and I love it!  I love being able to keep in contact with my e-mail or facebook wherever I am.  I love being able to read my scriptures or my Sunday School lesson while waiting for the bus stop.  I love being able to unwind with a good book in 30 seconds whenever I need it.  And I talk on the phone a lot too!  I’m grateful for this technology as well.

5. My Family

I have the best family.  I know, I know, you think yours is pretty good too, but mine is the best!  I have the cutest and smartest kids.  The nicest and most handsome husband.  The best brother and sister and in-laws around.  And my mother and father (although I miss him a lot) are the most awesome.  I am so grateful for my family and especially the fact that I am sealed to them for eternity!  I’m glad you’re mine!

Um, Actually, it’s Saturday.  Man, I am just not in the habit of blogging again!  I do have lots of posts that are needed, Paul’s birthday, Christian’s birthday, other fun things we’ve done lately.  But before I get overwhelmed with that, here are 5 more things I’m grateful for this week. 

1. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

This week I have single handedly eaten 2 large pumpkins worth of roasted pumpkin seeds.  I can’t even imagine how much Halloween candy I might have eaten had I not grabbed a handful of these instead.  I roasted them in the oven with garlic salt on them and they were heavenly.  I still have one more pumpkin to cook and I look forward to more seeds (since I finished the last of my stash yesterday!)

2. Bountiful Baskets

Every other week I order my Bountiful Basket which is filled with fruit and vegetables.  Sometimes I get some fruits or vegetables that I don’t know what I’m going to do with, but then I experiment with new recipes and often find new favorites.  I often plan my meals around what produce I got and I think it has helped my kids be healthier too.  It costs $15 to order my baskets and it has about $25 full of great produce.  I am a backup volunteer site coordinator, meaning I can help run our local site and volunteering is fun.  Anyone who has more questions about it is welcome to ask.

3. Stephens Elementary

We have a great local elementary school.  Brian is attending 1st grade there right now and loves it.  We have had wonderful experiences with all the teachers we’ve come in contact with.  I’ve been homeroom mom, taught Junior Achievement, chaperoned field trips, and volunteered in other ways too.  Paul has been a watch dog on campus and helped in the classroom too.  Even my mom has been able to go in and read to the kids.  We are so lucky to have such great educators around who care for our kids and do their best to teach them.  I’m grateful that public school is a viable option in my area. 

4. Freedom

I am very grateful to live in a country with so much freedom.  I’m grateful for democracy and that we get to choose our leaders.  While not all the candidates I voted for won their races, at least I got the opportunity to vote.  I know many people in this world do not have that freedom, women especially.  I know that I live in a promised land and that I am very blessed to have the rights and opportunities and freedoms that come with living here. 

5. Friends

I don’t have a picture to post here, but I am grateful for the friends I have in my life.  Friends from my childhood who I have re-connected with on Facebook.  Friends in college who have kept in touch despite how different our lives have turned out.  Friends I have made in my neighborhood.  And especially friends from church.  Whether hanging out at playgroup, commenting on each others Facebook posts or talking on the phone, I know I have a lot of support.  Even my siblings and my siblings-in-law have turned out to be great friends for me and I am very grateful for all those who help me and love me in my life.  I truly hope I am as good of a friend to all of them as they are to me. 

Just writing these things down helps me have a good start to my day!  I read a great article this morning on Counting Your Blessings.  We should all do it more often!

I can’t believe it’s already November!  Like last year, I want to post 5 things I’m grateful for each Thursday in November.  Here goes:

1.  Health – Someone might notice that I posted this on Friday and not Thursday.  That’s because I wasn’t feeling well on Thursday.  Luckily I think it was just a 24-hour bug or something, because I’m feeling better now.  I am very grateful for my health and the health of the rest of my family.  We may get sick from time to time, and I have to give occasional breathing treatments to my kids for asthma, but we are generally healthy and I know how lucky we are for that and I hope not to take it too much for granted.

2.  Avocados

Yesterday I threw a HouseParty sponsored by Avocados from Mexico.  I didn’t grow up eating avocados as neither of my parents liked them and wasn’t really introduced to them until after I got married.  I now love them!  They are a super food and are so yummy.  I’m very grateful we get avocados in season year round!

3.  My jogging stroller

Even before David was born I started looking for a double jogging stroller.  I finally found what I wanted when he was about 6 months old.  Then my mom bought it for me for a birthday present.  And I love it!  I use it almost every day as I take Brian to and from the bus stop.  I haven’t gotten into jogging much because it was too hot this summer, but now that the weather is finally turning nice I’m ready to start jogging more. 

4.  Homeschooling Aaron

I am very grateful that I have the opportunity this year to spend extra time with my oldest son.  He is awesome.  He loves to learn and I love to teach him.  I am grateful for my education, the educational resources that abound, and the opportunity to stay home with my kids so that I can teach him. 

5.  Visiting Teaching

In our church we have the opportunity to learn how to love each other like the Savior does, by being assigned as visiting teachers.  I have 2 great visiting teachers who visit with me every month to check on me and find out if there is anything I need.  Likewise I have 3 sisters I’m assigned to check on.  As I reach out to these women each month I feel the love of the Lord for each one of them and my understanding of Heavenly Father’s love and plan grow.  I am very grateful for this inspired program in our church.

I’m already starting to make my list for next week!  I love this exercise!