Gratitude Weekly - Week 4

I have a new favorite thing. My baby has become a bed snuggler. We have had children who slept with us because of nightmares, fear, no bed of their own (only while Jay was gone) and various other things. I never minded so much if they need us for a while, but it wasn't my favorite thing because I prefer to be the only bed hog in the bed. This is different. My baby has been coming in the morning at just about the time I have to get up anyway and just snuggling with me. He is such a busy baby that he hardly ever stops moving so this is such a treat and I am very grateful for every minute of it.

Gratitude Weekly - Week 3

Missions. Our nephew James enters the MTC tomorrow. Our good friend Gregory also enters the MTC tomorrow. I am grateful that they have both chosen to perform this great service and make this sacrifice. Their work in preparing for their missions and the experiences that they will have over the next two years will bless their lives forever and also bless their families and their friends and like a ripple everyone they come in contact with. May God bless them and their families and their loved ones throughout this time.

What service is

A good friend brought us some treats tonight with a Get Well note since we have three men down tonight. I read her note to Sarah and asked her if it made her feel better. Sarah said, "It doesn't make my ear feel better, but it make my heart feel better." There is in a child's words the meaning of serving others.

A Boy and His Dog

Our dog Cheyanne has a life of hardship and blessing these days. She has a little boy who will not let her sleep or rest. She is constantly followed from room to room and sometimes has her tail pulled or a toy thrown at her. Sometimes she is body slammed or pulled around as she will allow. On the flip side of that Cheyanne has a little boy who comes to see her first thing in the morning. Lets her in and out as much as she wants all day. Plays with her, pets her, snuggles her and ususally has some kind of snack in his hand that he will share with her. No one has ever loved her more in her whole life and because of that she bears with the tail pulling and lack of sleep. Sometimes though I swear she is rolling her eyes at me.

Gratitude Weekly - Week 2

This past week we spent dealing with illness. Spencer has been having chronic migraines. When I say chronic I mean he had one everyday except one for 10 days. Then he spiked a high fever for three days and the headaches stopped. Sarah has also had an ear infection for over a week and now Nathan has a fever. Those are not the things that I am thankful. What I am thankful for are for doctors and nurses who study and train and research and learn to help us all be healthier. I would say that I am very unsatisfied with how hard it is for us to obtain care for our family due to the way our medical care is set up, but I am thankful to those who provide us care when we finally get seen. There is nothing like a smiling caring face who wants to help when you feel awful.

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam

Nathan started Sunbeams class at Church this week. Our family has been debating for the last month whether Jesus really wants Nathan to be a Sunbeam or not. When discussing Sunbeams Nathan was adament about "No Sunbeam". Nathan was Nursery challenged and didn't make it to Nursery for the first year he was able to go. He only just turned 3 three weeks ago and in general Nathan hates to sit or be quiet. He survived the first week and so did his teachers. He managed Sharing Time with the help of his daddy and went to class on his own, but didn't really paticipate. He didn't cry much so we count it as a victory. We hope things will continue to improve each week. We are still going to pray for Nathan and his teachers everyday and hopefully some day soon he and Jesus will want him to be a Sunbeam.

Gratitude Weekly - Week 1

Last year I began my weekly gratitude listing on my blog. This first week of January 2009 I would have to say that I am glad I did that. I enjoyed having my blog to look back over and let me know what happened in our family this year, but more than that I am grateful for having an optimistic attitude throughout the year and finding that there really is something to be thankful for every day. I had some weeks where there were too many things to list and some where it felt like all there was was gratitude that the week was over. So here we go again. This week I am grateful for my gratitude weeklies from last year and I am grateful to my dear, sweet, beautiful, stylish friend Emily who taught me to blog.

Movies at Little Creek

Last night Jay and I went on a great date. We went to The Cheesecake Factory and then went to Little Creek Amphibious Base to see Twilight. First, dinner was great, I had Chicken Piccata and Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, both were delicious. Now let me tell you about the movie experience. I had never been to a movie on base before. My first impressions was "Cool, it is a theater with a stage." Next thought was, "Wow, I haven't been in a bathroom like that since High School." If I was a sailor I would wait a date or two before taking a girl there. It was only $4 for both of us so that was great. The refreshments were at least half the price and before the movie started they played the National Anthem. We had a great time and it was a fabulous experience. Very enjoyable movie too.
It was so great that we went back today and took the children to see Bolt. We paid $12 to get in and $11.75 for snacks for everyone. The children loved the experience as much as the movie. I would recommend Little Creek to anyone, just avoid the bathroom.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Time for a new start. After looking back on the past year I am a little disappointed in my progress. I am not discouraged however; I am excited because I feel like there are so many little things that I can do that will make huge improvements in the coming year. I hope to at this time next year be able to say, I still have a long way to go, but I am making steps in the right direction.
I am grateful for a chance to look back at the past year and assess where I was a year ago and where I am now. I am able to make some directional changes that will help to straighten out my path and get me back on target. I love new beginnings and hope everyone takes the time to reevaluate and looks forward to their own changes.