Gratitude

Today I am feeling ever so humble. I watched the Obama infomercial on tv and it seriously reminded me of all that I have. I am so grateful to be able to go to the store and buy milk and no worry about whether to get a half or full gallon. I am so grateful to have affordable health care. I am so grateful that Oscar and I have careers that allow me stay home with my children. I am so grateful that we live in a free country where we can vote for our president. When I cast my vote last week I left the little booth with such a lump in my throat. What a privilege it is to be able to do that! I think so many of us get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget about all the little blessings we have. I am grateful to live in this beautiful country and to be able to practice my faith without fear of persecution. We have so many blessings that our Grandparents, Great Grandparents... didn't have. So many of these blessings came from their hard work and sacrifice. 

My father grew up during the Great Depression on a farm with 6 brothers and sisters. They didn't have lots of material things, but they were lucky that they always had enough food, warm clothes, and a home of their own. He learned so many valuable lessons growing up. He was one of the hardest working people I knew, he also had such integrity. He worked and worked and worked and was able to provide my Mother and I with a beautiful home and I can't remember ever wanting for anything! I definitely was spoiled, but I always remember being grateful for what I had. 

I think that we get so caught up with "keeping up with the Jones' " and forget how much we have. I know that I do this all the time. I think... oh I wish I had this or that...  Sometimes we just need to sit back and count our blessings. I think of that hymn often..  Count your many blessings... name them one by one... count your many blessings... see what God has done. Today I am going to count my blessings. I have three healthy, wonderful children, a beautiful home, the gospel, food in the pantry.... I could go on and on if I tried!   Today is a glorious day. 

                                              My biggest blessing... my family :)