Day 15

I am so full of gratitude for all the men and women who serve our country! I know they all have their own lives, families, dreams, and passions and yet they are willing to leave those precious things, go through some unheard of rigorous training, and then go to unsafe places to defend our country and what it stands for. What dedication, service and sacrifice!! For that I will always be so very thankful.

Day 14

I'm grateful for being able to watch a friend's kids today.  I'm grateful for children playing together.  I'm grateful for easy dinners aka it's 4pm and I don't have anything prepared or any ideas of dinner.  So I looked in the freezer and saw a bag of taco meat and decided to whip of some tacos for dinner! Yay!

Day 13

I'm grateful for wonderful friends. I am grateful for the support group and the ability to use my skills to comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  I'm grateful for delicious easy dinners like the Crispy Cheddar Ranch Chicken. I'm grateful for warm house.  I'm grateful for a running car.  I"m grateful for emails.  I'm grateful for clean laundry.

Day 12

Grateful for the ability to get out of the house and run errands.  It helps for everyone's sanity!  I'm grateful for free Youtube yoga videos.  Grateful for the Frozen soundtrack.  I'm grateful for bath time.  I'm grateful for a fresh new start tomorrow. I'm grateful for bedtime--although I wish it would come sooner.  I'm grateful for delicious dinner.  I'm grateful for family.  I'm grateful for blankets and a comfy pillow.

Day 11

I'm grateful for family. I'm grateful Alex was off today. I'm grateful for snuggle time.  I"m grateful for a working vacuum.  I"m grateful for the gospel in my life.  I am grateful for the Savior's perfect example to us of how we should treat those around us!

Day 10

I'm grateful for running water, even though when it came back on--the pipes burst and our basement flooded.  I am grateful for parents willing to work together to turn off the pipes, sweep/shovel out the water and dry up what we could.  I'm grateful for hot chocolate. I'm grateful for family.  I'm grateful for naptime.  I'm grateful for books. I'm grateful for the desire to want to grow and develop more.

Day 9

I'm grateful for clear roads, a vehicle, running water, and heat. I'm grateful for internet and a laptop.  I'm grateful for the gospel in my life. I'm grateful for my savior and his perfect example. I am grateful for being able to meet up with a great friend and her kids. I am grateful for the Atonement. 

Day 8

I'm grateful for school closings, hot chocolate, oven and using it as it heats up the house. I'm grateful for shows like Law and Order SVU and Psych! I'm grateful for warm blankets.  I'm grateful for a vehicle that helps me get from one place to another. I'm grateful for my 2 children: B and G! I'm grateful for running water. I'm grateful for heat.

Day 7

I'm grateful for a beautiful snow fall! It looks so pretty especially when I am inside warm and dry!  I am grateful for friends and family! I'm grateful for time to spend with family!

Day 6

I'm grateful for Subway $5 footlongs, not having to cook, clean or do dishes.  I'm grateful for being able to take the kids out and go grocery shopping. I'm grateful for warm blankets, news channels, and a son who goes to bed at night easily! I'm grateful for lavender scents in baby shampoo, lotion, and baby powder. I'm grateful for sweet cats. I'm grateful for trash disposal services!

Day 5

I'm grateful for church! I am grateful for the comfort and peace I feel when I study the gospel and remember and renew my covenants.  I am grateful that Gavin took a nap on the way to church and stayed asleep when he was put in the stroller! I am grateful I was able to step in and lead the music in sacrament! I am grateful for well behaved children--for the most part! I am grateful for being able to make dinner before I left for church! I'm grateful for bagels! I'm grateful for wonderful teachers who have prepared lessons and studied the materials and willing to teach others! Grateful for other perspectives and others' insights!

Day 4

I'm grateful that my kids slept through the night, although they got up super early.  I am grateful for family time and the ability to go out and do activities together. I'm grateful for free public libraries and for Storyville!  I'm grateful for books and the love children have for reading and learning.  I'm grateful for Alex for watching Bri while I took a nap! I'm grateful for left overs! I am grateful for warm clothes and a car! I'm grateful for the opportunity to get ready for church (aka pack the kids bags and snacks and books).  I'm excited and grateful for friends that I grew up with, remembering me and inviting me to a party tonight!  I'm grateful for cute little smiles and watching my little B and G dancing :) 

Day 3

I'm grateful for the blessing of eternal families.  My granny passed away a few years ago today and it's really hard.  I really miss her but I know that I will see her again! I am very grateful for her example to me and for her love!  I know she is in heaven watching over us!  I am grateful for visiting teaching and for a great companion!  I am grateful for Jesus Christ's example to me! I am grateful for jelly beans and for sweet snuggles from both kiddos--Bri and Gavin! Grateful for wonderful friends in the ward and for a fun Hot Chocolate Party hosted by the great McDavitts!

Day 2

I'm grateful for the ability to make fun and delicious recipes like Cafe Rio Salad dinners.  I am grateful for visiting teachers and the visiting teaching program.  I know it is inspired by God and that it is truly the work of angels as we minister and teach each other.  I am grateful for my mom who is willing to help out with the kids every day.  I am very grateful for naptime for the kids, and whenever I can sneak a nap in.  I am grateful for running water and the ability to cook safely and sanitary.  I am grateful for SERVICE the opportunity to serve and to be served!

Day 1

I am so grateful for my family. I am grateful for having a warm house, a functional and reliable car, a full pantry of food, a good night's rest, and plenty of clothes to wear.  I am grateful for friends who are supportive and caring and willing to listen and talk.  I am grateful for television.

The Beginning

After yesterday’s group, I was inspired to start a new blog Holly’s Gratitude Project.  I had a blog in which each day, I wrote down some of my blessings that day.  Couldn’t find that one so I created a new one with the following address: hollysgratitudeproject.com

Why start this? What’s the point? Why now?

We talked a lot about trials and remaining steadfast by making the gospel of Christ the center of our lives and have it be our deepest root.  President Monson said a story about a wonderful faithful man Brother Brems who lost his wife and 2 of his children.  He was 105 years old when President Monson got a call from one of his granddaughters.  Brother Brems “could no longer see.  He could no longer hear.  He was confined night and day to a small room in a care center.  And yet the smile on his face and the words he spoke touched by heart.  ‘Thank you,’ he said.  ‘My Heavenly Father has been so good to me.’”

Brother Brems didn’t dwell on what he didn’t have or was lacking like missing his wife, or not being able to hear or see.  He focused on his many blessings and expressed gratitude often for those blessings.

President Spencer W. Kimball described that process of inspired writing: “Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 349.)

My hope is that not only do I increase my awareness of the many blessings that I experience each day but help to improve my remembrance of my Savior and my Heavenly Father.  I know they have their hands in my life and I want to be more observant of those things.  I know that with gratitude, I focus on what I have been given.  There’s plenty of research out there proving that people are happier, more productive, healthier, and more resilient as they give thanks.