Perspective

Seriously.

How can you have a bad day or even a series of bad days when there is so much cuteness right before your eyes?
You can't.

It's impossible.

I have tried. Trust me on this.

I was reading through Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come what may and love it" and came across a quote:
"The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, and leave the rest up to Him."

Gave me some perspective. Also talking to a friend the other day left me with a broader perspective. I was asking her if we could swap our buckets of trials with another. She began to list several trials I am actually glad that I don't have just as many of you are glad you don't have mine. But the important thing to remember here is that our trials are ours. And no one else's. Each of our trials help us to become more like Christ. And that is the goal of our time on earth.

Turkey Day

I hope that you all had a GREAT Turkey Day.

Our day started off with our First Annual Turkey Trot. We were going to do the "real" turkey trot but were swayed after we found out the 2 mile family fun run was going to run us $60. Thanks but we have Christmas to pay for and I have already put that to good use :)

The Turkey Trot was attended by all members of the Family.

They were such good sports.... we started at 7:30am. And not one person complained. They all showed up with their happy smiling faces. It was awesome. My family is awesome. Even my aunt with 3 chillens 2 and under showed up. Bless her soul. She is a good person.

We dedicated this run to Savannah. It was for her so that she could enjoy some turkey dinner without me having to stress over it all. Not to say there was no stress, but well it is what it is.

My pretties before the race. Isabella is wearing one of my coats from when I was 4. I am not sure what is more awesome.... that my mom still has this coat OR that she can fit into it!

And the 3 twins with their surrogate (sp?? don't judge) mother.

Overall it was a very good walk. We took about 1.5 hours for 2.25 miles. Impressive. Shaved off about 45 minutes from our walk in the dead of summer. Pretty good if you ask me. I think that everyone had fun. I sure did. My family is the best.

Then off to go on a bike ride with my cousin who convinced me to get a road bike. He was nice to me and led the tail wind and I just cruised behind him when I could keep up. He is pretty fast. One day. I guess I will just have to practice more. Our average wasn't too much too bad from his normal. Especially since we had a lot more lights than he usually does (at least that is what I am going to tell myself).

On to the rush of getting the final preparations for dinner at Auntie's house. I had to work that night so I needed to run outta there and take a nap... something my pretties missed out on. But they sure went to bed early with not too much complaining.

Then Friday I woke up terrible sick. Has lasted a few days. Going to see the doctor tomorrow to see what is going on.

Hopefully you all had a fun filled action packed weekend and are ready for the holidays to begin. We are just awaiting Cyber Monday to finish our Christmas shopping. Should be a party!

Many Things

I am grateful for many things. I have not been too good about writing them every day here, but its true. I am grateful for a lot. I have been blessed so much in my life that I could never count all the blessings given to me. But I suppose I will try :)

I am grateful for my girls. I am grateful for the challenges and lessons that they give and teach me each day. I am grateful for them individually and collectively. They force me to get out of bed on the mornings I would just rather not, they put a smile on my face when I am too tired or grumpy, they forgive me almost immediately when I lose my temper with them, they love me despite my faults. All of them. My faults that is.

I am grateful for my son. Who daily inspires me to do better. He is a constant reminder of how I need to live my life. I will see him again one day. And I am grateful for that. Someday, Just not today.

I am grateful for my husband. He set up our Christmas tree this year (of course he does this every year) while I was at a meeting one night. Yes we have our tree up already. I will be working during our "usual" setting up time and I needed to get it done in order to fully enjoy our holiday. He also got all the other decor out and started putting up Daxton's tree. I didn't think I would even get the ornaments on the big tree but alas. I have Christmas decor sprinkled throughout the house. Thanks to him. He's the best. And not just because he sets up my tree. He just knows when I won't be able to do something and he just does it for me :).

I am grateful for my Father in Heaven. For the sacrifice of His Son so that we can repent of our imperfections. I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who knows. He knows what it feels like to lose a Son. He knows the grief that I know all to well. I am grateful for that Son, because He took upon Himself all of my imperfections, sorrows, griefs, pains, and so much more. He is the one person who knows when I need someone who knows. And all I have to do is ask.

I am grateful for this time to be grateful. It helps me to reflect on all that has been given to me. For it is much.

Happy Thanksgiving!