(Blogger still wont let me upload pictures because i've reached my limit, so we have been getting around it by using David's email to upload the pictures. Yeah. We are awesome.)
(This is the only picture from my side of the family. Oops.)
This time of year I'm always filled with extra gratitude. I wanted to make sure that I took the time to look for those extra things to be grateful for. I decided that each day I would look for something special to me that particular day and record my gratitude for it. Instead of doing 30 different posts for the month of November, i've decided to keep them all together and have just been adding to this post each day. Below is my list of the things that I have been grateful for each day this month:
I am grateful for:
Thursday, 11/1-
The chance to be in Morgan with my dad as he is recovering from his knee replacement surgery. David knows how important it is and is sacrificing by commuting to work from Morgan so that we can be here. I'm also grateful that my dad's knee surgery went well and there were no complications.
Friday, 11/2-
Our wonderful apartment. We love our apartment so much. It is small and clean and so perfect for us. I love how cozy it is and how happy I am when I walk through the door. We have it decorated in bright colors and lots and lots of pictures of our little family. I wouldn't change a thing. I am so grateful that we found this place of all the hundreds of places available in the "Lehi to Bountiful" range.
Saturday, 11/3-
A responsible budget and savings accounts. Today between both cars we had our brakes checked, tires rotated, and safety/emissions done using our "car fund". We bought a picture of the Logan Temple that we had been saving up for (for half the price we were planning to pay!). We bought a new bed that will be delivered when we move into our new house using the money we have saved and set aside for our new bedroom. We used money from our "restaurant budget" to pick up some dinner on the way home - Panda Express for me and Arby's for David. We even went mini-golfing for free because of the pass-of-all-passes I got David for his birthday. Not one time did we spend money that we didn't have, or shouldn't have spent. Each thing was planned for and accounted for. I've never felt more in control of my life and my finances and it's all because of our budget and dedication to saving money for the things that we need. (I guess to go along with this, I'm grateful for David who does so much to manage our finances and lead us along the path of fiscal responsibility.
Sunday, 11/4-
The comfort and guidance that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today I had one of the most wonderful lessons in Relief Society. It spoke of love and peace. We were given a copy of the song "How Firm a Foundation" and two colored pencils and were able to color code the song. One color for trials we may be asked to go through. One color for blessings promised. One verse really spoke to me:
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
Monday, 11/5-
Our recipe blog - The Peaden Kitchen. I love having all of my recipes in one place, and having it be online so I can access it anywhere. Tonight we had homemade Macaroni and Cheese, and I loved being able to scroll through the many many recipes I have recorded. It's better than a cookbook, because only recipes that we like make it onto the blog. It's like a whole website dedicated to food that we love to eat.
Tuesday, 11/6-
The United States of America and the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Both David and I voted today. We were able to vote for President of the United States, for state leaders, and for policy changes. I am so grateful to live somewhere where I can voice my opinions and unite them with the votes of others. Even though the outcomes weren't what I had hoped for - I'm grateful to be an American.
Wednesday, 11/7-
Lydia's sweet smiles and soft cuddles. We stayed home most of the day today, Lydia and I. We played with pots and pans, toys, books, and each other. We took a bath. All day my heart was so full as I held and played and loved her. I am grateful for this age, and grateful that she is so developmentally appropriate. She makes my whole world go around (with assistance from her dad of course.)
Thursday, 11/8-
My sweet husband whom I love, and who I know loves me. David always knows what to do to make me happy when i'm down, and to make me happier when i'm happy. We have such a great life together and I am so blessed to have such a handsome, sweet, caring, hard working, quirky man to call my own.
Friday, 11/9
Safe and reliable travel. Today David flew from Salt Lake to New York, then New York to London. Tomorrow he will fly from London to Kazakhstan. I'm grateful that he is safe. It's amazing to live in a time where you can literally travel halfway around the world within a matter of days. Hours really. (About 20 flight hours total.) I'm also grateful that even though it was snowing like crazy this morning, Lydia and I were able to drive to Morgan safely.
Saturday, 11/10
A family who lives close and who is an incredible support network. Both David and I were raised in wonderful families, and we are lucky enough to live close to both sides. We are able to come home for special occasions, and even just regular old occasions. Both families love and support us. I'm grateful for my parents letting me come and stay with them while David has to be gone.
Sunday, 11/11
Incredible technology. When I think about the advances in technology that have occurred in just my short 25 years, I am blown away. When I was a baby, my parents typed their term papers on a typewriter in their apartment. (And shared a microwave with their neighbors if we want to get into how crazy life was.) Now, I can type a letter to my husband on the other side of the world and he can receive it instantaneously. Even more than that because I can Skype on my computer - my husband and I can video chat from literally across the planet. It's amazing and i'm so grateful for it.
Monday, 11/12
Kind people, service from others, and blessings from Heaven. Today I locked my keys in my car. In Ogden. With an almost dead phone battery. With Lydia's blanket, socks, and diaper bag inside. At first I was upset but resigned to having to call a locksmith. Several phone calls later, no one could come for hours. My baby was cold and I was on verge of breakdown. My parents drove into Ogden from Morgan (even though they couldn't take us home because Lydia's carseat was in my car.) They also called a lady in their ward who worked for the police dispatch office in Morgan county because her husband is a police officer and they thought maybe she could have him come help out. She was so sweet and she called the Riverdale police dispatch and asked if anyone could come and help - even though the Police won't typically open car doors anymore. A wonderful officer said that he would, and he was so kind as he saved the day. He offered us a big coat from his backseat (we were inside a store for most of the time we were locked out, but once he got there, we went back outside) and was very nice. He had us in our car in minutes. It was such a blessing. Through the whole thing there were people who offered words of kindness, my parents who offered so much support, and the people who arranged to have the officer come to our rescue. We truly were blessed.
Tuesday, 11/13
Good books and a love of reading. I love to read. I enjoy reading most any genre of book out there. Science Fiction, LDS Romance, Historical Fiction, Biography, etc... I'm so grateful that my parents raised me to love reading because I really get so much joy out of it. I love to learn new things, explore new places, and meet new people through the books that I read.
Wednesday, 11/14
Netflix. There is something wonderful about being able to watch fun TV shows - seasons at a time (we go through them pretty quick). We don't have television, but Netflix allows us to watch shows like Psych, White Collar, Doctor Who, Merlin, Superman, and many many others for just a small price in comparison to buying cable. I love to cuddle up with David on the couch and relax while we watch a cute show before bed.
Thursday, 11/15
Cute boots. I now am the proud owner of a pair of black boots, and a pair of brown boots. I love how cute they are and how they make me feel more... sophisticated. This might be a dumb thing to be grateful for, but I don't buy many things for myself or my wardrobe. These boots are something that I really love.
Friday, 11/16
A happy healthy baby. We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby. She is growing so well, and she is such a content little girl. I love to listen to her laugh, and to sit with her and play with her toys. I'm grateful that she is so developmentally appropriate and that the addition to her into our family has been so easy and wonderful.
Saturday, 11/17
Kind people and money for car repairs. Today, my car battery died. It didn't just run out because I left my lights on - it died, died. Dead forever. I discovered this in the middle of a Walmart parking lot - in the dark - right before Lydia's bedtime. I'm so grateful for the young couple who helped jump start my car, I'm grateful that my car started even though it probably shouldn't have, and that we had money in the bank to pay for a new car battery.
Sunday, 11/18
The blessing of Forever Families. Nothing in this world could bring me as much joy as knowing that I will be able to be with my little family forever. I'm grateful for the emphasis the church puts on families and for the happiness that we have together.
Monday, 11/19
Skype. It's incredible that I can be sitting in a small town in Utah, and David can be sitting in a large city in Kazakhstan - and we can talk face to face (or rather - screen to screen). I love being able to talk to him, and to be able to see his face even though he is so far away. I already mentioned how grateful I am for technology, but today I am so grateful for Skype that it deserves it's own post.
Tuesday, 11/20
Blogs, Facebook, Pinterest. These things may be considered a time-waster much of the time, but I am grateful for the encouragement given, ideas found, and relationships built through them.
Wednesday, 11/21
DAVID. I couldn't ask for a better husband or father for my baby. He is truly a light in my life. He is kind, he is thoughtful, he is hardworking, he is handsome. He is everything to me. Today, he arrived home safely from his long trip. I'm so grateful he was kept safe and that he is now home with us again. I'm blessed to be married to someone who I love so much, miss when he is gone, and still get butterflies when I see him.
Thursday, 11/22
Thanksgiving. This month has been such a great opportunity to recognize the things that I am grateful for. Today we were able to spend time with my family in Wyoming. My grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins, my parents, my siblings. It was such a fun time with SO many people! The second half of the day we spent with David's family in West Jordan. We are so blessed to be able to be close to so many family members and to be surrounded by such great people.
Friday, 11/23
My mom. Today is my mom's birthday. My mom is someone I can always turn to for advice and support and I am so grateful for her. I know it's trite, but having a baby of my own makes me even more grateful for my mom. I've recently thought things like "How many times did my mom sit in the back seat of the car and use her hand to block the sun from my eyes because I didn't want to be under a blanket?" and "How many times did my mom get up in the middle of the night with me because she loved me and didn't want me to cry?" It's amazing to think about how much I love Lydia and how precious she is, and then to realize that I was that to my mom as well. I'm grateful for her love, and hope that I can be a wonderful mother, like she is.
Saturday, 11/24
Black Friday Shopping. We went Black Friday shopping yesterday morning and it was SO fun! Lydia woke up around six and so we figured, why not? We bundled up and headed to RC Willey where we were one of the first 200 people in line and we got a $25 off coupon. We ended up buying the sweetest chaise lounge (one of my dreams to own, even though it's a little more modern than a traditional chaise). It's going to go awesome in our family room. Then we headed over to Target and scored a great deal on an ottoman/bench thing. We are stoked and can't wait to get them into our house. I should probably mention that we are grateful to RC Willey for holding all of our stuff for us until we move into our house. They have been great.
Sunday, 11/25
The atonement, hope, happiness. Today I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the hope and happiness that it brings to my life. I often make mistakes, struggle with things, and get discouraged with myself. But through the atonement I know that I can be forgiven of the sins in my life as well as be buoyed up during times of frustration and discouragement. I'm grateful that the Savior loves each one of us enough to sacrifice so much, and I hope that I can teach Lydia to rely on him.
Monday, 11/26
Our warm apartment that I love. Being home again, after weeks of being away, is wonderful. The second we walked into our apartment I felt this overwhelming gratitude for the place that we live. It's not huge, it's not fancy, but it is nice, clean, and happy. I'm so grateful that we have a place to call our own. I'm grateful that we have a similar decorating style so that we both feel comfortable and happy here. I'm grateful that we haven't spent more than $15 on any one piece of furniture... and that we are still so so happy here (plus grateful for the generosity of so many people who gave us couches, beds, tables, etc...). Really, just so grateful to live here.
Tuesday, 11/27
Our new house. When we left for our trip at the beginning of November, our foundation had been poured, but not much else had been going on. However, now we have walls, a roof, stairs, rooms, and even shingles! Standing inside the house that we are going to live in is so surreal to me. I'm SO excited. I'm grateful that we are able to afford such a wonderful home. We wouldn't be able to do that without David's amazing budgeting skills, and the opportunity that I had to work for so long. (We hadn't planned on me working so much, but Lydia took longer in coming than expected. I'm full of gratitude now, because we have an awesome downpayment for our house and a beautiful baby girl.) I'm also grateful that interest rates are so low, and that is allowing us to get a killer deal on a beautiful home.
Wednesday, 11/28
Lydia. I can't express enough how grateful I am for Lydia. I love her so much, and feel incredibly blessed to be her mom. Last year at this time I was pregnant, and the year before I was praying that we would be able to have a baby. It seems incredible that she is here. She brings me so much happiness and fills my life with so much love. Ah, her gummy little smile can't help but get me smiling as well. She is just so sweet and full of life.
Thursday, 11/29
Visiting teaching. I am grateful for the women who have taken time out of their busy lives to come visit me and bless my life. I am also grateful for the chance that I have to do the same to others. I have a huge testimony of the blessings that come from visiting teaching and I am grateful for the inspired men and women who have helped to organize and promote it.
Friday, 11/30
David's job. We are so blessed to be able to work with Hansen Barnett and Maxwell. They have been wonderful employers for David, and I am so grateful for them. Today we went to their annual Christmas party at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and it was wonderful. Lots of great people, yummy food, and a company that believes in the values of honesty, integrity, and devotion to Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the support that they give David and our family - everything from half-day Fridays, good clients, and year-end bonuses to summer parties, Smiths giftcards, and good health insurance.
This Thanksgiving has been a wonderful one. Now that i'm done with my list of the month, I look back through and think "I'm grateful for so many more things than I could fit here." I'm grateful for good friends. I'm grateful for food, and fun, and family, and our cars, and my watch, and so many more things that I can't possibly list them all. We are very blessed and very grateful.
