{Top 7}

I was thinking last night about how blessed I have been in my life, and how quickly I forget. So my main goal for 2009 (and the rest of my life): Express More Gratitude. So here is today's "Top Seven" in no particular order:
1. My Husband: I love Dean. I think he is wonderful. (He must be a saint if he can stay married to me, right?!?) I have loved having him home during his break. I appreciate that he is a hard worker and his desire to provide the best for our family. I am grateful that we were sealed in the Temple for Eternity...Families Are Forever.
2. My Babies: Oh I love my babies! Even though they come with their challenges and drama, they make me happy. I was putting Kylee to sleep last night, holding her little hand, I thought how blessed we are for the opportunity to raise these little girls. The 9 months of discomfort and misery are definitely worth it...(its the next 20 years I am not so sure about :) !!!)
3. Modern Medicine: While teaching Lauren about the birth of Jesus this year, having just had Kylee, I was thinking about what it would have been like for Mary to give birth in a stable. I am grateful that I can drive to a hospital or call a doctor if needed. Recently my dad had a blood clot and was admitted to the hospital. They put a metal filter in his vein to catch the clots and keep his blood flowing. Shortly thereafter, that filter, which is not supposed to move, traveled through his veins and stopped short of his heart. It was killing him. He was flown to Phoenix where they were able to remove the filter and replace it with one that fit properly. I am grateful for those doctors that kept him alive and the education and training they received to do so. It is amazing what can be done to keep us alive and healthy.
4. Insurance: We are lucky enough to have excellent insurance through Dean's work. Yes it comes at a price, but it saves us a lot as well. I cannot explain the gratitude I felt when I opened the hospital bill from having Kylee and read "Amount Covered by Insurance:100%." What a blessing!
5. Technology: I love technology! 1-Because it puts food on our table. Without it, Dean would not have a job, and 2- It allows me to do two things I love: blogging and digital scrapbooking. Dean gave me Photoshop Elements for Christmas. I am slowly learning how to scrapbook digitally and I love it. I have gotten more scrapbooking done in the last week that I have in the last 6 months. I love it!
6. Sister: I have a sister. Her name is Ashley. I have heard her, on several occasions, referred to as "Mary Poppins"--practically perfect in every way. I know she hates it-- humility--which makes her even more perfect. She came home for Christmas and was able to stay for a while (I am glad that she was unemployed so she could stay longer than usual). I know in my younger years I said and did many hurtful and un-Christlike things to her. Since she is perfect, I know she has already forgiven me, but I am still sorry. I look at Lauren and hope that she is a better big sister than her mother was. I look at Kylee and hope she is as wonderful of a little sister as Ashley is.
7. Prayer: ""I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."~Abraham Lincoln. How blessed I am to know that at any time or in any place, I can pray to my Heavenly Father and He will hear and acknowledge my prayer. Although I may not get an answer right away or the one I want, He is still listening. I take comfort in knowing that He has a wonderful plan for me and that I can get guidance and comfort if I just ask.

So...here's to being a more grateful me!