A MONTH OF GRATITUDE

I've been seeing people posting things that they're thankful for on Facebook, so I decided to follow suit on my blog.  Since this is already the 5th day of the month, I'll have to do catch-up.  Hopefully I'll find the time to post every day, but if not, I'll catch up the next day. 

So for the first 5 days of November, here are 5 things that I'm thankful for:

1) My Husband.  Lately I've felt so thankful for the opportunity we have to be retired and to be together everyday.  You'd think after 41 years of marriage we'd be tired of each other, but I love to be with him.  I love to just watch him work around the house, working in the yard, and in his wood shop.  We have a lot of fun and he is truly my soul mate. 
2)  My Children.  I have 5 children - 3 girls and 2 boys, born in that order.  I am so lucky to be able to live by 3 of them: Gilbert Girl, Rintor, and Babs.  My oldest daughter lives one state away - roughly 12 hours driving time, and my other daughter lives 2 states away.  I remember when my kids were little, women would call me to see if we could "share" babysitting.  I told them I didn't need a babysitter.  They asked me what I did when I wanted to go to the store?  I told them I took my kids with me.  I loved to take my kids to the store.  I expected them to behave, and for the most part they did.  Oh sure, I remember having times when someone didn't behave - then we promptly left the store.  We didn't have a lot of money to go do things when they were little, but I want them to know that I enjoyed their company and loved just being around them no matter what we did, and that goes the same for now.  I would rather be around my children than anyone else (other than my husband).  I love them and love to be with them.  I enjoy talking with them and am interested in their life and the things they do.  They are all great people and I am very proud of them.
3) My Faith.  I am thankful for my faith in God and Jesus Christ.  I am proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to have been raised as a Mormon.  I honestly don't know how people get through life without a faith in God.  My faith has sustained me through the many trials I have in my life, it gives me hope to get through these trials, hope for a life after this one.  I know the Lord has helped me many, many times in my life and I feel his Spirit daily. 
4) My Parents.  I'm so thankful for my parents.  They are good people who were great examples to me.  I'm thankful for the life I had growing up.  Thankful for my parent's testimonies that influenced me to be a better person.  I'm thankful for the things they taught me in my life and for the wonderful childhood I had.
5) Me.  I'm thankful for who I am.  I know I have a long way to go, but lately I've just been glad to be me.  I'm thankful for the life I have and even for the trials that have made me who I am.  More than once this week, I've thought that I have a great life and I'm thankful for it.