It's Sophia's (the) First!

 We are so blessed to have this little ONE!

She has such a sweetness about her. 

And  a smile that melts my heart!

We will be forever grateful to all of the medical professionals' skill and expertise and to our Father in Heaven for helping our Sophia through her first month of life!

We are so blessed to have this ONE!

Thankful for our Magnificent Seven!

 Being a grandmother is so much better than I ever imagined!

I am thankful for every moment I can spend with these littles.

And look forward to being able to spend even more time with them all!

So Thankful for My Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ

 

This is what I see when I walk in the door because this is what I need to remember when things are oh so challenging in life!

It has been since my youth when things in life were 'easy'... so many hard things have happened, are happening now, and will happen in the future. 

Yet I know that if I turn to the Lord, listen to His prophet, and look to my blessings instead of my challenges, life will turn out. There is so much comfort in the word of the Lord and in following His commandments!

I am so VERY blessed!

Thankful to be a Mother!

 

Raising these 3 was not always easy, but it was so very worth it! I am so blessed to be a mother!

And now I am blessed to be a stepmother to these three wonderful children (although they are grown)!

I am so thankful to be a mother!

Thankful for my Parents & Bonus Parents!

 

I have been blessed with the very best parents! My mother, as I mentioned earlier this week, was one of a kind! My father has always been there for me. He taught me, through example, the value of hard work. He was a math teacher for many of my growing years. He helped me learn to love math and to love teaching! One of the proudest moments of my math life was when my dad told me he just couldn't help me with my homework any more because I had passed his knowledge. (Granted, it was vector calculus...)

After my divorce, my dad took on the role of father, in part, to my three young children. What a blessing for us all for which I will always be so very thankful! My dad will ALWAYS be there for me!

And my stepmother, Sue is every bit as supportive! Sue came into my life not long after my divorce. I am so thankful for Sue's love and support throughout all of these years! She has been there for me through my time as a single parent, through my dating years and marriage, and everything in between! She is the very best of grandmothers to my children and bonus parent to me!

And what can I say about these wonderful two bonus parents?! Words cannot express the love and gratitude I feel for Anson and Dee! They not only raised the most wonderful son, Luke, who is so perfect for me, but they both love me and support me so very much! They have welcomed me into their family with open arms. 

I am so thankful to have such wonderful parents and bonus parents!

So Thankful for This Incredible Man!

Luke is such a blessing in my life! The day we were married was such a terrific day! And although not always perfect, "we" keep getting better!

As Luke likes to remind everyone

!!!

I was a single mom for 17 years, and although I learned so much through all of that time (and am grateful for those lessons!), I can truly say that marriage to Luke is wonderful! 

 

Luke is (and will always try to be) a man who follows the Savior, loves his children and grandchildren, and loves & cares for me!

And as an added bonus- Luke knows just how to help me smile about the challenges in life!

I am so thankful for this incredible man!

Grateful for the Power of Gratitude!

 

On New Year's Day this year, I was feeling a bit down - again! I knew I had to start doing something differently if I wanted things to change. Well, as I pondered and prayed, I was prompted to start a Gratitude Journal. I had one years ago and had really enjoyed it, but I had not continued the practice.

I have written down just one thing I am grateful for in this journal each day this year - and what a year so far! It is such a comfort at the end of a challenging day to focus on the good of that day, resetting my attitude and feeling so much more peace! This journal has been a tremendous blessing to me.

I know that I was truly inspired by the Lord to start this practice in my life, especially this year. I am so thankful for the Lord's influence and guidance! And for the guidance of His prophet!

The power of gratitude is  gift!

So Very Thankful for My Mother!

I am so thankful for my mother! She was such a loving, kind and gentle person. My mom always made sure that I knew I was loved no matter what! She taught me right from wrong by her example in word and deed!

 

My mother taught me the value of hard work, reading good books, and enjoying your family. She taught me to enjoy sewing, cooking, baking, and, through her own example, how to love one's grandchildren. Most importantly, also through her example, my mother taught me to love the Lord!

As I became a mother myself, my mother became one of my best friends! I will always be so very thankful for the time I had with my mother!

Our Very Own Ash!

 

And just like that, she is six! I was so blessed to be able to visit our Ash for her birthday this year. She is an amazing and talented bundle of joy!

I am so blessed to have Ashtyn in my life!