Attitude of Gratitude

I'm not sure how I missed last week, but I apologize. Just know that I am extra grateful this week.

My dogs growing up. Our first dog passed away in 2004. It was a sad day. My second dog however has just this week reached the point that life is not good for her anymore. She will be laid to rest Friday in her favorite hunting grounds as a hunting dog. I will miss her and I am grateful for all that she was for me during my teenage and college years. Rest in Peace Sophie dog.
Sophie with my dogs Winston (Sophie) then Lacy.

My husband. He is very good and has supported me through so much.

My own house. A place where we are in charge and can change and fix things without consulting a land lord.

Teaching. I am grateful that I get to teach once a month in Relief Society. I love the lessons, the women, and the things I learn each time I teach.

Sleep. It has been a little scarce recently so I am very grateful when I get it.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

I was going to try to not have any repeats but this week there are going to be repeats.

This week:

Rain. It's so cleansing and smells so fresh. It refreshes me.

Solvency. I had to find out some bankruptcy information for an office client and it makes me sad that there are people who have nothing and don't know how to manage it when they do have something.

Cookies. I love a good chocolate chip cookie. Yum.

My relief society ladies. It was game night and we just chatted. They are good women.

My ability to sew. I love sewing and how well it serves it's purpose as a creative outlet.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

This week:

A job. I am grateful for employment. I have a job now! It's great. They know that we are hoping to adopt and are okay with that and understand that I want to be a stay at home mom. I get to work good hours for good people and it will give us an opportunity to save more before having a child.

Good neighbors. We have neighbors that have become friends. I am grateful for them.

My maternal grandparents. I was able to have lunch with my maternal grandparents today. They are such good people and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with them.

My paternal grandma. My grandpa died before I knew him. But my grandma and I have a very good relationship. She lives on the other side of the country and we chat regularly and I try (and generally do) visit about twice a year and we see historical places and we sew and we have a good time.

My piano. I am glad that I have a piano in my house to play when I want. It's definitely a blessing.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude

Today I am grateful for:

The ladies in my ward. There are so many wonderful women of every age in my ward. They encourage me and reassure me. I am truly grateful for them in my life.

DVR. I don't watch commercials anymore. Yay. I watch things on my time and I can wait for my husband to watch things with me.

Fall. The colors are wonderful and give me so much joy. They are so beautiful and remind me of the other beauties of this earth.

Massages. A good massage therapist working regularly can restore your body and make you feel you so much better. I have had this blessing in my life recently.

My in-laws. Daniel's family is wonderful and I am grateful for my good relationship with them.

Attitude of Gratitude

Today I am grateful for:

Sleep. I am a bit of an insomniac. I have a hard time sleeping sometimes. It's a family thing. I am grateful for a full night's sleep when I get it. I love feeling rested and ready.

My dogs. I love the frustrating little devils. They are givers of unconditional love. The love to snuggle and lay in the sun. I am so glad we have them. They keep me company.

A car. I am so glad that we are in a position that my husband and I each have a vehicle in which to accomplish our errand running.

DVDs. I love to watch movies while I am crafting. DVDs are such a space-taker that it's convenient to store them.

Calendars. I am someone who always needs to know my current circumstances. There are ways in which I can't - like how close I am to a job or a baby - but calenders and clocks help me keep a sense of where and what is the now. It helps me plan and be prepared.

Open Adoption

As we have talked to our many friends and family about adoption we find we have to explain open adoption, how much openness we would be willing to work with and how it works.

We know open adoption is very important. The babies placed in our home will have a knowledge of who his/her birthmother (and birhtfather where positive) is and how important she is to our eternal family. Our children will know who their birthmom is and why she chose to place. Our birthmoms will be known at our house. They will be invited to birthdays and important events through the child's life. They will recieve regular e-mails, pictures, letters and things from the child. I love how Mrs. R. sends care packages to her boys birthmoms. She is so grateful for those women and their gift to her.

An adopted child with an open relationship with their birthfamily will have more people loving and praying for him/her. Their birthfamily will simply be another family full of love for them.

Each situation is different. We know that the birthmothers who choose to place their babies in our home will be giving us the greatest gift we can be given next to the gospel. They will ge giving us a family - something we cannot do on our own. Through that gift there will be a special bond between the mother who creates the baby and the motehr who raises the baby. What better relationship can there be between women.

This is for my blog readers to know and for potention birth mothers to read.

Dear birthmom - you are special. You always will be. The love you show in placing a baby is beyond my comprehension. I pray for you and your baby while you make the difficult decisions ahead of you.

Attitude of Gratitude...

This week there are many things I am grateful for.

The internet. Look at all I can accomplish, learn, and share with the internet?

A couple little girls that I get to baby sit that help me remember regularly why I want my own family. Even if they are on either end of the "terrible twos." I'm glad their mother trusts me to babysit them when she needs help.

Rain. I love rain. The smell of clean and the freshness of the plants. Then the sun shines and everything gleams. I love it.

Talents. I have been blessed with being taught to play the piano and I'm grateful for the practicing I was pushed to do. I now very much enjoy the blessings of having that ability in my life.

Facebook. I know. Weird. But I get regular encouragement from friends through this median.

What are you grateful for?

Attitude of Gratitude...

As we patiently await the opportunity for our baby I am going to endeavor to share the things I am grateful for.

This week:

My health. Even though it is not perfect, I am a functional person who can participate in many things that give me joy.

Sunshine. I love the warmth that comes from the sun. It's a warmth like nothing else.

My husband. He has been very patient and kind. We had the opportunity to spend time with nieces and nephews and he was so good with them. I know he will make a good father.

A house of my own. My cousin's wife pointed out to me the other day that at least we own a house, although not big or grand, we own a house. We are very blessed.

Friends. I had the opportunity to spend time with friends this last week. I love my friends and all the good they do for me.

Till next week - when I can share more of my gratitude.