I have complained so much in last 2 1/2 years, that I decided I need to sit down at the close of 2009 and decide what I am truly thankful for.

I have complained that my husband drives me nuts and I have even been angry at him. How thankful I have a husband who loves me and forgives me.

I have complained about my children. How thankful I am that I have healthy, happy children.

I have complained about having to do laundry. How thankful I am that I have clothes to wear and a washing machine and dryer to do my laundry in the comfort of my own house.

I have complained about not having enough room in my fridge and freezer. How thankful I am that I have enough food to eat and place to put it.

I have complained about my husband not ever being around. How thankful I am that he has not just one job, but 3! And jobs that he loves and that pay the bills.

I have complained about my having to work...boy, have I complained! How thankful I am that I have a job, and that I have such an accommodating boss.

I have complained about my house being messy. How thankful I am that I have a house, and that we have things to leave out.

I have complained about the dishes not being done. How thankful I am to have food to eat on those dishes, and a dishwasher (both the automatic one and the 4 human ones!) that can clean those dishes.

I have complained about my aches and pains. How thankful I am for medicine that I can take to make those aches and pains go away.

I have complained about my calling in church. How thankful I am for my musical talent, and that I get to share that with little children and teach them to love singing.

I have complained about my trials. How thankful I am to a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to give me trials to help me grow and strengthen my testimony.

I have even complained about how many blogs I have to read! How thankful I am that I have so many friends!

Yes, I have much to be thankful for. Thank you for reading my little blog. Now bring on 2010!
"...the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:18
You all remember President Obama and his recent reference to 'American arrogance'. Well, here is...    
Our European "arrogance" in alphabetical order below:
1. The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France. A total of 2289 of our military dead.
American Cemetry Aisne-Marne, France.jpg
2. The American Cemetery at Ardennes, Belgium. A total of 5329 of our dead.
American Cemetary at Ardennes, Belgium.jpg
3. The American Cemetery at Brittany, France. A total of 4410 of our military dead. 
American Cemetery at Brittany, France.jpg
4. Brookwood, England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.
American Cemetery Brookwood, England.jpg
5. Cambridge, England. 3812 of our military dead.
Cambridge, England.jpg
6. Epinal, France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead.
Epinal, France.jpg
7. Flanders Field, Belgium. A total of 368 of our military.
Flanders Field, Belgium.jpg
8. Florence, Italy. A total of 4402 of our military dead.
Florence, Italy.jpg
9. Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. A total of 7992 of our military dead.
Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.jpg
10. Lorraine, France. A total of 10,489 of our military dead.
Lorraine, Fraance.jpg
11. Luxembourg, Germany. A total of 5076 of our military dead.
Luxemborug.jpg
12. Meuse-Argonne, France. A total of 14246 of our military dead.
Meuse-Argonne.jpg
13. Netherlands.  A total of 8301 of our military dead.
Netherlands.jpg
14. Normandy, France. A total of 9387 of our military dead.
Normandy, France.jpgNormandy.jpg
15. Oise-Aisne, France. A total of 6012 of our military dead.
Oise-Aisne, France.jpg
16. Rhone, France. A total of 861 of our military dead.
Rhone, France.jpg
17. Sicily, Italy. A total of 7861 of our military dead.
Sicily, Italy.jpg
18. Somme, France. A total of 1844 of our military dead.
Somme, France.jpg
19. St. Mihiel, France. A total of 4153 of our military dead.
St. Mihiel, France.jpg
20. Suresnes, France. a total of 1541 of our military dead.
Suresnes, France.jpg
Apologize to no one. Remind those of our sacrifice and don't confuse arrogance with leadership.
If I added correctly the count is 104,366 dead and we have to watch any American elected leader who apologizes to Europe and the Middle East that our country is "arrogant"!
HOW MANY FRENCH, DUTCH, ITALIANS, BELGIANS AND BRITS ARE BURIED ON OUR SOIL, DEFENDING US AGAINST OUR ENEMIES?? WE DON'T ASK FOR PRAISE ... BUT WE HAVE ABSOULUTELY NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE!!
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond belief. We are not fearful of our darkness, but of our light."

Nelson Mandella
I can't justify spending so much time and money on neighbor gifts when I am already feeling guilty about how much I have spent, and how little time I have spent with my children. Plus the fact that does anyone really another sugary treat on their hips?

Next week, I still have to work. All my kids will be home, and I have to leave and go work. So when I am home, I don't want to be frantic. I want to play with them and read to them and have fun with them.

So to all my neighbors, please know how much I love you. I really do. Thank you for understanding.

Merry Christmas!
I heard a story of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming,taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
You HAVE to go this website and make a video for your kids! I made one for The Princess and she was in heaven. I wish I had video taped her reaction while she was watching. It was priceless.

Go!

Now!

Portable North Pole

Thanks Jessica for sharing!
This is what I am dealing with this morning.  Snow.  Lots of it!
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Snow so deep, that when I drove my car out of my driveway, it was brushing on the bottom of my minivan!
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And of course wind, which means drifting and hanging off my roof!
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Look at how deep the tire tracks are!
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I am supposed to drive into my office this morning, but I think I will wait a couple of hours and let the roads get cleared!  Meanwhile, I am going to go make myself a cup of hot chocolate.  Have a great day!
I know, I know. I posted this last year. But I just had to repost it. Gather your kids around and enjoy!