One of my new year's resolutions is to really focus on implementing President Hinckley's "Be's" into my life. Both my sister and my mom gave me something for Christmas to put up in our house that has them on it, so I decided that there was a good reason. Anyway, I'm studying and reading about one each month. This first month I have been thinking about being grateful. It truly is amazing how much happier you can be if you always focus on the things you are grateful for.
For example, this week I made a yummy bbq chicken salad for dinner. It was in one big bowl and we sat down to eat. Right then Maddie grabbed onto the bowl and pulled it over into Scott's lap and the floor. My first thought was, "Oh great, all that work for nothing," but then I looked at my sweet daughter who didn't know any better and realized there is no way I could be mad at her. There was still some salad in the bowl to eat, so I thought, "Just be grateful that the entire thing isn't gone!" This probably seems really silly, but I have to say that after tiring days and nights sometimes making dinner is a big accomplishment. Anyway, there is no reason to worry about such trivial little things.
Thinking about being grateful has helped me this month. We came back from a wonderful visit with family and friends and I was worried because it is hard to adjust back to being alone taking care of the girls after we've had so much help and company. Their sleeping was way off, and of course we all had the stomach flu. Anyway, everyday I've thought of things to be thankful for and the adjustment has been sooo much easier than I expected. Here are a few things that I've been so grateful for this month:
1. The girls are starting to sleep much better in the day! I can just lay them both down and they will fall asleep by themselves! It got so exhausting to rock them to sleep every day, but it is getting so much easier. We are now working on the nights... still a little rough sometimes, but not bad!
2. Online shopping! I have had so much fun waiting for my packages to arrive in the mail each day. I got some high chairs for the girls, a new book, and some other things. I'm so grateful for the internet because there are limited shopping options in this town.
3. I am so happy that we have met so many great LDS families around here to hang out with! I love all the other wives and it is so fun to spend time together. It makes the days go by faster and we do a lot of fun things. Every tuesday night is project night and we get together and work on something and chat. Wednesay nights I go to activity days for my church calling and it is really fun. It is a perfect calling for me right now! Thursday night is movie night which always ends up being just the girls talking and eating treats, but that is what we like! Last month we all got together and brought our wedding pictures and videos and watched everyone's. It was so funny! There are always activities going on through the school's spouse association (playgroup, cooking club, book club, socials) and enrichment activities too. We could be doing something every single day if we wanted! It sure is nice to have wonderful people around us when we are far away from our family!
Anyway, we have so much to be grateful for. It is truly amazing! In President Hinckley's book
Way to Be he tells one of my favorite stories about gratitude. I'll just paraphrase it. There were two little boys walking by a field and they saw a man working a ways off, but his shoes were laying in the road. ONe little boy suggested they hide the shoes, and see what the man did when he couldn't find them. The other little boy thought it would be better to put a silver dollar in each shoe and see what he did when he found them. The man came and slipped his first foot into the shoe and found a silver dollar. He looked around perplexed but didn't see anyone. Then he slipped his other foot into the other shoe and found the second silver dollar. Right then he was overcome with thankfulness and he fell on his knees and cried and thanked Heavenly Father for whoever had done that. He spoke about his family who was sick and starving and prayed that the Lord would bless the anonymous giver.
I love that so much. We always have to remember where all blessings come from and show Him we are thankful!