So Much To Be Thankful For

Yesterday we stayed home and spent the entire day in the kitchen.  No place to go...no company coming...it was so nice.  Brian and I cooked together and created a marvelous gluten-free Thanksgiving feast.  We set a beautiful table and then sat around it with our five children.  We each took turns telling what we were thankful for.  It was so fun to hear what our kids said.  Amanda was thankful for her brothers and sisters.  Josh was thankful for so much food. It made us remember what might have been had our adoptions not been successful.  Would Amanda be who she is now, full of life and love because of the love her siblings have shown her?  Would Josh have ever known what it feels like to have enough to eat?

Katelyn was grateful for the simple things we take for granted--electricity, water, shelter.  Maybe this is because she has been reading about what life was like during the Revolutionary War.  She is so thankful for all of the sacrifices of our forefathers and mothers.  Brandon was thankful for the plan of salvation and temples.  Could this be because of his interest in family history?  He is determined to find out about his heritage and as he does this he is discovering his own identity.  I am so proud of both of them.  Don't they look nice in their piano recital attire?

Brian is thankful for his job and the security it provides in these financially hard times.  He is also thankful for all of us and his testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Zach is thankful for Jesus. No one doubts that this little one knows Jesus and loves him.  He already knows.  Such faith can only be found in little children.  I looked at everyone and with tears in my eyes told them that I am most thankful to be married to my best friend for eternity and to have all of my children around me and sealed to me for eternity.  I realized that I am living my happily ever after.  Sometimes it's hard to recgonize it with all of the work and busyness of regular life.  It is just at times like these when we slow down and share special moments that we remember.

Today I woke up with my little Zachie snuggled up in my arms.  I decided that shopping can wait.  I want this weekend to be about slowing down and enjoying my life.  I read a book, put up the Christmas tree with my anxious little ones, picked on left-overs, listened to great music, watched the little ones play with each other in the backyard, and relished in my happiness.  My soul is well-fed today.  I could not ask for more.