Before Rexburg became a world of white, we had the best week of fabulous autumn weather. These kids are so much fun! I'm really just grateful that I have an excuse to throw leaves at people and skip down paths. If you haven't skipped in awhile, I highly suggest it!
I love November! I’m so excited. I love the crispy autumn air and the changing leaves – not to mention a certain anniversary (married 5 years!!) is coming up. I’m not counting down or anything :)
But, I have to say, I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. I don't care how many stores overlook this holiday in their rush to sell all things Christmas - I love Thanksgiving! Maybe it’s just growing up (and yes, this has taken awhile, since I’ve been a legal adult for a few years, now…just a few), but I’m really starting to appreciate the holiday that encourages me to reflect on those blessings that I have in life.
It has been so long since I’ve actually watched a sunrise. Most of this has to do with my inability to get up earlier than 6am (and hey, I’m proud of that…when it happens), but thanks to the shorter days and Rand’s need to study the LSAT at outrageously early hours, I’ve been able to witness some really beautiful mornings.
A lot of times during my day, I am too busy. Too busy trying to figure out how to raise my children properly and still enjoy the little moments with them, too busy trying to fit in time for myself and still get the laundry done, too busy doing a million other things that distract me from something so very important – something crucial to my feeling and being better. I’ve crowded out opportunities for Heavenly Father to tell me that I am His beloved daughter, that I have purpose and meaning to my existence.
Where do sunrises fit in? It is as I take time to watch the sun rise in the morning (or the sun set, because that’s a lot more doable), or just taking time to be still, that I realize how much Heavenly Father loves me. He has blessed me to live in this beautiful world. He has blessed me with two small, absolutely precious children who deserve everything wonderful and good in life. He has blessed me with a husband who treats me as an equal and is such an amazing husband and father for so many reasons. I’ll spare you the rest of this lengthy list of blessings, but the point is – there are so many blessings that I take for granted on a daily basis.
So, this Thanksgiving, if I can make a resolution beyond just New Year’s (and stick to it!), I want to take the time to enjoy a few more sunrises and appreciate those daily blessings that I often overlook.
I just read this blog about a woman who was unable to have children for a long time and through the magic of technology, had five children within four years!! She expressed the importance of not taking your children for granted and enjoying each precious moment (including and especially the not so precious one's - you know, one of them leaving poop on the couch and the other smearing it all over his crib). It's a blessing - it's a blessing to be a mother and enjoy these funny, ridiculous moments that add so much 'flavor' to life.
And though I'm a little late in posting, we had a great Halloween! The kids had no serious meltdowns, it wasn't at all like it was last year (cold), and Michael kept his costume on without screaming (unlike the first half hour of his having it on). Best of all, we got some cute pictures out of it :)
Really, with faces that cute, how could I not be grateful?
