Z

I'm grateful for Zion.  Zion is the pure in heart, which is hopefully where we're all headed.  I'm at least grateful for something to aspire to, even if I have a long way to go.

Y

I am thankful for Years.  For the ones I have been given on earth, for the ones I have been given with my children, and for nearly 6 years with my man.  I am grateful for the passage of years, which bring growth, knowledge, and understanding.  It is funny to me when people say they are so sad that their kids are growing up because for me, each new phase brings new adventures and happiness.  I love watching them get bigger and learn and love.  I know maybe one day I'll look back and be sad that they're not little, but for now I'm happy to see the years pass and to enjoy the moments I have been given.

X

"It's not even November anymore!"   I know what you're thinking. :o) But, as Monica/Monana would say"at least I'm doin it!"

So X....... Dear sweet X. I sort of hate this letter now.  Here's what I came up with, lame as it is. X-men.  I'm grateful for the x men movies, particularly the 3rd one, The Last Stand.  It came out in 2006, the summer after mike and I were married.  I couldn't have cared less about it, but my cute hubbs really wanted to go.  I guess I've just loved it since then because it gave me my first glimpse of Mikes love for all things comic book/ nerdy/ sci-fi.  I'd never seen it before because he's also fun, socially adept, and somewhat athletic. But its true: He's a dork.  And I loved him more for it.  And I still do.

W

I am thankful for Water.  It seems like a stupid thing to list on a blog, but I am grateful for it for more than just it's life giving power.  First, I'm grateful because I think it's something we take for granted in our day.  Millions of people have died, or are still dying due to contaminated water, or lack of water.  I am so lucky to be able to turn on a faucet to drink and wash and live.  It's amazing.
Second, and less important, is that my son LOVES playing in water.  I can stand him up at the bathroom sink and he will play for hours.  It gives me a momentary pause in my day, and keeps him happy and occupied.  It honestly has been my saving grace on more than one day.   He also loves baths, and I am grateful that I can throw him in there and wash the gunk off him easily.
Third, (again, really not important) I L.O.V.E. baths.  With bubbles or without, I don't care.  I just love being warm and cozy and weightless.  I am oh, so grateful for this luxury. 

V

I know............ I'm late.  Oops!  I got so cautght up in having my amazing parents here for Turkey day that the grateful blog was neglected. 

V! I am so thankful for my Vincent family!  I have loved getting to know Mike's family over the past 6 years and I'm thankful for thier influence in my life.  They are tons of fun!  I love camping at the beach every summer.  I love the chocolate line at Christmas.  I love having grandparents again, since mine passed away when I was young.  Mostly, I just love knowing them and getting to be part of thier family.

U

I'm thankful for Understanding.  I'm grateful for empathy, sympathy, understanding, and compassion.  I'm grateful I have been able to have some understanding of what other people are dealing with, but mostly I'm grateful for other peoples understanding and forgiveness of my shortcomings.  God was so good to give us the advice to "mourn with those who mourn" because it is truly a necessity for me while going through a trial.  I need someone there to listen.  I'm grateful for those people in my family and my friends who have helped me (and forgiven me) when I needed it. 

T

I'm so grateful for Thanksgiving! I love the Thanksgiving holiday and I love how much it makes me think about my blessings.  One of the greatest things about thanksgiving is the excuse I have to party with my family.  My parents are coming to our house this year, so it will be a small celebration, but oh, so cozy and fun.  I am thankful for this holiday because it is a wonderful reason every year to stop, count my blessings, be with family, and eat fantastic food.  What more could you want?

S

I'm grateful for Skype! 

I LOVE having the technology to videochat with our families!  Especially Mike's parents/siblings who are so far away from us.  We love them so much (I'm missing them lately if you can't tell), and I'm glad that my kids can see them and talk to them.  I need to get my booty in gear and do it more often!

R

I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of a wonderful and glorious Resurrection through Jesus Christ my Savior.  There is no greater gift. 

Read more here. 

Q

Not gonna lie.

  Q has been givin' me fits. 

 It's taken me a while to come up with something, but I think I've come up with a good one.  I'm grateful for Questions.  Along with questions, I am grateful for my questioning nature.  I don't usually take things at face value, and I try not to be swayed by the trend of the moment. 

 Doesn't always work, but I try. 

 Questioning others, ourselves, and the world allows us to learn, and isn't that the point of our lives?  To learn.... to grow.... do gain knowledge.  Most of all, I'm honestly grateful that I've questioned my religion.  If I hadn't, I wouldn't know as strongly as I do that it is true. 

 I still question, and it's a good thing. 

P

The first thing that came to mind when I typed P was PERSONAL TIME!  Is that weird? Should I save it for T?  But time isn't the same thing as personal time.  Wendy time.  Non-mommy, non-wifey, non-service, non-church, non-anyoneelsebutme time. Oh, how I cherish time to myself.  I really am thankful for a husband who is willing to watch my kids and give me time in the evening to read, soak in a bath, watch mindless TV, and blog.  I love talking to people and seeing people, but everybody needs time to give themselves a pedicure, get our hair done, shop, and/or do those things that make us feel good about ourselves.  I'm GRATEFUL for personal time. 

O

O. I'm thankful for Opportunity.  Life is about taking the opportunities for good that are presented to us.  It's also about making our own opportunities, and creating a beautiful life for ourselves and our families.  When Mike and I pray at night he always says "We thank thee for the opportunity we have to be here in Colstrip."  He's done that with every place we've lived, and every career move he's made.  He always makes sure to thank God for the opportunity.  I need to take a lesson from Mike's book, because even though we have the agency to decide,  isn't God the creator of all opportunity, really? 

N

No, no, NOLAN! 

I seem to say this 100 times a day. :)  I sure am grateful that I get to, though!  Nolan is my joy.  Oh, if only you could all know the coolness of this little man.  He is SO funny.  He is also SO smart and talks up a storm on a daily basis.  He can be the biggest sweetie and he can also show you quite a fiery temper, but as you all know- I'm a fan of the feisty ones! My heart is bursting with gratitude to God for the amazing opportunity I've been given to be his mom here on earth.  He is one special kid and I know he will be an influence for good in this world. 

M

M. 

 My man. 

My Michael. 

My marvelous love muffin. 

 I think he is the best.  I am grateful he is mine and that I am his. 

L

Oh wow.
  L.
How can I not be thankful for my Lay family??
I love being a lay girl, and I always have.
I am 6th generation Montanan on my lay side, and dang proud of it! :-)
I have been thinking about my grandma Esther Lay lately and her influence on our whole family. She was an amazing woman and I'm excited to know her better one day in heaven.

K

I'm grateful for my kitchenaid! Seriously, how did people bake without it? Luckily, I will never have to live that fear.  Mine is awesome and I'm thankful for the yummy treats and bread I can make with it.

J

I'm thankful for my sister Janet.  I've been talking to her a lot lately on the phone and I just am so grateful that she is my sister.  I never expected us to be super close when we were younger, but we have gotten really close over the past few years since I've been married.  I can talk to her about stuff that I can't talk to anyone else about.  She is awesome and I look up to her.  I wouldn't want any other sis!

I

I am so incredibly thankful for Ice Cream!  Silly, I know.  I can't help it.  I love having a bowlful of sweet, icy, creamy goodness that fills my heart with love.  There really is something comforting about ice cream.  I don't use it for break-ups anymore (thankfully) but I stinkin' LOVE it on my bad days.... or good.... or great..... or sad.... or happy..... or pretty much any day. 

H

I am so very grateful for Home. Over the past year and a half the concept of "home" has become..... shall we say..... fluid? I am grateful for the knowledge that I've gained that home is always with me if I have my family. If they are safe and well, then I am home.  It's not four walls and windows or a fancy front door. It is a man who stands beside me and two babies who make me smile.

 With yet another move looming in the near future, I am grateful that I know where home is 

G

I am grateful for Girls.  I love being a girl and everything that goes with it.  I like smelling good, I like putting on makeup and gettin' fancy.  And I am ever so grateful that I am a mom.  I am also eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to be pregnant.   Being a girl is great! And I'm thankful that God made me a lady.

F

Thankful for Family.  I know, another no-brainer.  But I am truly grateful to God for them.  My family is without a doubt, my greatest and most cherished blessing.  My children make me happy and give my life meaning and purpose.  My husband is my companion, friend, and lover.  My parents and siblings give me strength, support, and were the most influential people in helping me become who I am.  Words can't explain the blessing that my family is.

E

Today was harder. 

(what the heck am I going to do with Q??)

I'm thankful for.........Everything? 

Eggs?

Elephants?

Eating?

I couldn't come up with anything I was truly grateful for that started with E.

But then it hit me, Emotions.

Wierd, but true. 

I am thankful today that I have vibrant, full, put-it-all-out-there emotions.

I don't hold back, and I'm thankful that God gave me an outlet for my feelings.

Grateful I can cry hard, and laugh loud, and love deep. 

'Cause that's just who I am.

And it's good.



D

Today I'm grateful for Dance.  I'm honestly not that good at it, but I love moving my body.  I'm grateful I have a little bit of rytham.  I love to watch a good dancer and I appreciate how difficult it is to be REALLY good.  I'm grateful that my body is functional enough to be able to get up and dance if I want to. 

C

C is for Cecily.  DUUUUUUUHHH!!!!

I'm ever so full of happiness and gratitude for my Cecily girl.  I could gush about her all day if you let me.  She's fun, funny, smart and darling.  She comes up with the funniest games and imaginary friends.  She gives kisses to Nolan, even after he pulls her hair.  She loves talking to people.  In the grocery store, in the park, at a restaurant or at church.  She'll telly you her life story, if you let her.  She forgives easily (which is good for mommy) and her hugs and kisses melt your heart.  I'm thankful she's mine.

B

I'm grateful for Billings.  It sounds trite, but I'm grateful for the experiences we had there, for the things I learned, and for what my time there taught me about myself.  Its not the prettiest city ever, and we'll most likely never move back, but I'm happy we were there for the little bit of time we were.

A Month of Gratitude

I've been remiss in my gratitude efforts here on this 'lil blog.  11 months and no posts.  Not that I haven't had things to be grateful for my life, I've just been writing it down in other places.  But!!! I've been seeing friends on facebook who are posting every day until thanksgiving and going from A to Z.

I'm a day behind..... Oops.

But here I start, and I hope I don't forget and get behind.  If I do I'll just catch up, I guess :)

So, November 1st: A

I'm thankful for my AUTOMOBILES.  Seriously, how cool is it that you can jump in an air tight, steel framed, gas propelled box on rubber wheels and blaze down the road at 80 miles an hour.  What took the pioneers MONThS to accomplish can now be done in a few, comfortable days of driving.  Its pretty incredible if you think about it.