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  • 5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

    5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

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    Welcome to our Think About It Thursday Meme. Every week we talk about something new, different, and mostly thought provoking. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, and sometimes it’s just rambling.
    For more Think About It Thursdays visit my cohorts co-hosts Mumfection and Tim and Angi’s Blog
     
    This weeks Topic
    What 5 Things are you most Thankful for?
     
    Halloween is now behind us. It is November, and for most that means lots of family, baking and traditions; at least in the US. I realize Canada already celebrated their Thanksgiving (thanks for going with this topic anyways Eschelle!).  My group of mommy bloggers and I decided we would take the whole month of November to talk about Gratitude, Giving Thanks, and Thanksgiving in general.
     
    For me, there is so much I am grateful for, but I’ll try to stick to my top 5 today.
     
    1. My family. Immediate, extended, in laws, and ancestors. They all mean so much in my life. My parents, I don’t think could have been any better. They care about all their kids, and no matter what are always there for us – through the ups and downs. My husband, I love with all my heart. He makes such a wondeful Daddy to our kids. He works hard because he knows it’s important that I raise our kids. My kids because well they are just little miracles. The joy they can bring to any room, and smiles they can put on anyones face, just warms my heart. My in-laws, because I don’t think I could have gotten any better. They are truly an amazing couple full of love! And of course all my cousins, aunts, uncles, sister inlaws, brother inlaws, you all are so unique. You each inspire me to be better in different ways. 
     
    2. My religion. I don’t mention it often here, but I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka Mormon.  Yes this is the religion of my parents. No, we don’t practice polygamy. Yes I don’t drink alcohol, tea or smoke. No I am not forced to be a stay at home and under my husbands tyrannical rule. Yes I chose to stay at home and be a mom to my kids because I believe it’s important (and I don’t have a tyrannical husband). No, actually I do believe in the Bible. Last and to me the most important thing because nothing else matters, is that YES I do believe in Christ. I believe He is the Son of God. I believe He came to earth to show us the path to return to Heaven. I believe in doing good to all men. I believe Christ gave His life for each one of us, because He loves us each individually and knows each of our own personal sufferings. My religion is who I am. It is what shapes what I do. And I am so grateful I have it in my life, because I have felt so much joy through the knowledge I have from it.
     
    3. My baby brother.  Right now he is serving a 2 year LDS mission in Boston. I miss him like crazy. When he was little, he was my tickle buddy. We always had a blast together. And now he is serving others for 2 years. Giving 2 years of his life for something more important. He has set an example for my family that I love. I will deal with missing him for 2 long years, because he is blessing the lives of others. Last week my dad found a voice recording of my brother and sister that they must have sent me when I was just in college. They missed me, wanted me to visit soon. And they loved me. Seriously, I just have some awesome siblings that I love.
     
    4. A roof over our heads. I may complain about the mice, or the sloping floors, or the carpet in the kitchen. But when it comes down to it, I’m just grateful we have a roof over our heads. That my family has shelter from the elements. That we have heat to take away the cold nights. Rooms to sleep in, and beds too. A kitchen to cook in. I have a house, and it sure beats being homeless!
     
    5. Modern technology. Ok I’m not that big into tv and the latest gadgets, but I do love modern technology and the access it gives us. I get to send my voice to thousands of you through this blog and it’s many social media platforms. I get to connect with people I haven’t seen in years. I have been able to make new friends, that I probably will never even meet, but that encourage me every time I struggle with something. I love that modern technology can bring families spread over the world all together. My brother just created us a family site on myfamily.com  It is awesome! My older brother who I don’t stay in contact with as much as I should, I now feel close to again. Modern technology is a wonderful tool, when used for good.
     
     
    Now it’s your turn! We’re not picky really, just try to stay with the theme of gratitude, grab our cool button (made by Mark), and link up below! We love reading your posts, and hope you enjoy ours.
    

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  • ‘Tis the Season #GivingTuesday

    ‘Tis the Season #GivingTuesday

    I know I know, today is Halloween. And trust me, we’re celebrating over here. I’ve got a Strawberry Shortcake, a friendly witch, and a ballerina running around my house, as well as a Dinosaur roaring for my constant attention today.

    But I’d like to talk to you about something else today.

    Giving

    My family has been blessed numerous times from others generosity.  From anonymous generosity to family and friends being there through tough times. I have truly been blessed to know such giving people.

    Growing up my mom taught me this

    When you are down, and having a bad day. Feeling selfish or depressed. Do something for someone else. Do it without looking for returns. Do it to help them. And when you do, you’ll start to feel better. You’ll soon forget what was troubling you.

    This piece of advice has stuck with me forever. This simple piece of advice, to GIVE, is my mom summed up. Always looking for service to give, whether to friends, neighbors or her own family.

    There was one winter we were sturggling. Getting by month to month on student loans and family help.  We came home early from our Christmas trip to see Mark’s parents to find many anonymous gifts.  Presents had been dropped on our doorstep for the girls. Warm coats that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to buy them and a few toys.  In the mail, with no return address, were gift cards to our local grocery store. I think I sat down and cried when I opened those up. Someone was looking out for us. Someone GAVE without need for recognition or return.

    Presents for Your Porch
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    Because of this experience, I  have tried to always remember my moms advice, but not just on my bad days. I try every day to see who might need my help. I want to GIVE because I now know the immense relief and joy it might bring to someone. Knowing that feeling, is enough for me.

    A couple years ago I joined Cafemom. Throughout the years one group has become very close to me and each other. These are women/moms all over the world I have connected with. Most of us have not and will probably never meet in person.

    So there I was one day, trying to find more ways to Give back. I had an idea and decided to run it past the owner of my cafemom group. She loved the idea, and helped me get it going. We now have a private group on cafemom dedicated to giving back. We call ourselves angels.  I can’t even begin to tell you all that this group has done. I may have started the group, but it’s the ladies who joined who are truly amazing. Every year about this time, we start looking for our fellow cafemom members in need. I do the leg work and contact the members for addresses, kids ages and clothing sizes. But then my angels do the important stuff. They dig into their pockets, their own kids clothes, and they Give Back! They bless these moms who are struggling. Moms who are crying because they don’t have a single present under the tree for their kids. We help. We give back. Because that is what it’s all about.

    That is why we celebrate Christmas.
    The joy of giving to others; seeing their faces light up because someone thought of them.
    The joy of knowing a child won’t be cold, because you could provide a coat.
    Or that a family won’t go hungry because gift cards were sent anonymously.
    I’d like to invite you all to a new day. Giving Tuesday!
    We have Black Friday
    We have Cyber Monday

    Help us continue our ThanksGIVING celebrations through Nov 27 with Giving Tuesday. A day to give back. Find someone to help. Give of your time. Give smiles. Give presents. and Give Thanks.

    Tomorrow I will be joining The Motherhood in a twitter party to get the ball rolling. We would love for you to join us!

    What: Join a Twitter party to spread the word about celebrating the first-ever #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season to celebrate and encourage charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. This year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on November 27, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Our Twitter party will address how you can spread the word, why this movement matters and ways to get involved!
    When: The party will be on Thursday, Nov. 1, at noon ET.
    Where: Use the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter to find us!
    Hosts: Follow @theMotherhood, @GivingTues, @CooperMunroe and @EmilyMcKhann
    Prizes: We’ll be giving away five $25 VISA gift cards, which you are welcome to use toward your charitable efforts this holiday giving season!
  • Happy Thanksgiving

    Happy Thanksgiving

    Now that I’m home, I can share some pictures from our Thanksgiving! Sadly my parents computer felt the need to crash anytime I tried to upload a photo, so I gave up and enjoyed the many days with family and friends this week.
    I hope you all had a wonderful week.
    I am so thankful for my beautiful and fun children! We spent Wednesday at Gardener Village looking for elves.
    I am thankful for a wonderful husband, who is a great dad! He held Princess R for quite some time to help her get a nap in Thanksgiving. Aww!
    I am thankful for my parents. Without them and the example they set, I wouldn’t know what I was doing.
    I am thankful for my extended family, and that many of us were able to get together during this holiday season.  Again, for my mom, as she helped the Princesses make these fun turkey table settings.
    I am thankful for good food, and great cousins. Yes my cousins aren’t much older than my girls, about twice the age of Princess C. Princess V and Princess C felt so special getting to sit at an all girls table with these fabulous girls.
    Most importantly though, as we go into this Holiday Season, I am thankful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For the restored gospel that has taught my family, and continues to teach me about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him I am thankful for everything in my life, for I know without Him, none of it would matter.
    Birth of Christ
    mormon jesus christ Second Coming