When Upon Life's Billows

It is easy to get discouraged when you turn on the news and all you hear is the failing economy and how awful our new president will apparently be.  I don't know.  I don't really follow politics and mostly don't care.  Apart from all the chaos that is ensuing in our nation, things are pretty good.  Sure the challenges that each latter-day saint faces is rough.  I could present you with a long list of stuff I am trying to wade through and get sorted out, but instead I choose to list a few of my blessings:
1.  My job:  it is rough being away from my home and my children, but I couldn't work for nicer men.  They let me leave on the spot if Jeremy or Bailee is sick or has a school function and they don't give me any grief when I am just fed up and I go home just because I am tired of being there.  Of course I do have to put up with a few idiosyncrasies:

2.  My kids:  they are mischievous and conniving little rug rats who chop off hair and play basketball in the house.  But they mind and honestly try to "CTR"

3.  My husband:  his greatest desire is to make me happy and be together forever as a family.  When I hurt, he hurts, and he does everything he can to make sure that everything will be alright.

4.  Having enough money for everything.  After all is said and done, the bills are paid and we have enough for a little fun.  And we love to have fun :)
5.  My parents:  it is awesome living right next door.  They are always there for me and usually have sage advice.  They take care of my rambunctious kids and never complain.  Love you guys.

6.  Caffeine free coke:  What? No that's not a weird blessing.  Without it I probably wouldn't have been able to make the transition to caffeine free, so thank caffeine free coke, thank you.

7.  Insurance: probably an overlooked blessing, but when your son cuts off the tip of his finger on Christmas morning it sure does come in handy:
 
8.  My explorer:  it is big enough to fit my little family and my parents, and that has meant many, many road trips.  Just last year we went to Disneyland, Promontory Point, Wyoming, General Conference (twice), and Las Vegas.  Not to mention, St. George, up the Canyon, Cedar City, Salt Lake, Zions, and Richfield.
9.  Imaginations:  in world where video games are king, we are the lone peasants.  No video games in our house means pretending they are riding splash mountain, building a robot with the neighbor girls, digging an underground city where Jeremy would be King, pulling out the train set and traveling to Narnia.  And, keeping the peace in an old western town with my trusty stick horse and my six shooter.  I am very grateful my children have active imaginations.
10. Extended family: I am grateful that my family is so close to me and cares about me.  Jenny will stop what she is doing to try and spread some Christmas cheer or tend my kids.  Cory and Sharon bring their herd and we have dinner and laugh over a funny episode of Psych.  I am grateful for the little things that cement us into a close and loving family.

There is so much more that I am thankful for, from the very important (Gospel) to the downright mundane (indoor plumbing).  I hope everyone takes some time out of this hectic world and writes down a few things that they are truly grateful for.