Family

The past few days I have been extremely grateful for Family.

So grateful, that I stay up late talking and playing with them instead of blogging. I would rather sacrifice my sleep for family then for the blog.

Aunt M. has been her and it's been great! The Friendly Hero loves bringing her books to read, and playing ball with her. He also gets really sad if she leaves the room, and he goes looking for her. I am grateful that he loves her so much. I am grateful for her love of books. We have spent a lot of time sharing book recommendations and talking about what we've read. I enjoy how she stretches my sphere of reading. I love that we both have a love affair with books and aren't afraid of sharing it. I am also grateful for her example to me. She is the person that got me started on this blog, and in my journal writing. Because of her, I write in my journal daily and now have started several other journals because I process and remember things better if I have written them. It was a great joy to write in my journal with her last night and share it with her. We started talking about goals and now I'm inspired to start thinking about good goals for my New Year's Resolutions and how to improve myself. I am grateful for her love and for her goodness.

I am grateful for Uncle R, now known as "Bob". The Friendly Hero got excited to see him and calls him "Bob." Bob brought Friendly Hero a bus, and earned a dear spot in Friendly Hero's heart. I am grateful for the second bus, because now if Friendly Hero loses one, he can still play with the other one. I am also grateful to watch him play with the Bug Hero. I love watching them interact and know that my husband is an important part of my family. (I am a people watcher.) I am also grateful for my relationship with him. We were the siblings that fought the most and competed the most growing up. (I learned to read by doing his kindergarten homework over his shoulder faster than he could...) I'm grateful that we both over came our similarities to become good friends.

My Aunt and Uncle also are here and it's great fun to have them. I am grateful for their example and their love of us. They love to hold the Peaceful Hero and play with the Friendly Hero. They read stories and I often hear them whispering to my children how lucky they are to be a part of such a great family. I am grateful for their confidence that I am a good mother.

I am extremely grateful for the Bug Hero. He's here all the time, but he is such a support to me. He loves his boys and is willing to help out with them. I love seeing him play or snuggle with them. I am grateful for his willingness to do the dishes, play games with me, scratch my back, let me sleep, and take care of me. I hope that I do as good of job taking care of him as he takes care of me. He makes me feel spoiled and like a queen. I also am grateful that he taught the Friendly Hero how to sign "love," because there is nothing sweeter than having the Friendly Hero tell you that he loves you.

I am grateful for the Friendly Hero. He has brought great joy with everyone here. He brings lots of entertainment and smiles. I am grateful that he says "Thank you". He signs it and doesn't usually need to be reminded to say it. Yesterday, as I was giving him mashed potatoes he said, "tang yoo" I was so excited to hear him use the words and the signs. I am grateful he is growing and developing. I am grateful he loves his brother. He is exuberant in showing his love, and I am grateful we are teaching him to be gentle instead of trying teach him not to hate his brother.

I am grateful for the Peaceful Hero. He's six weeks old on Monday and he's a wonderful baby. I am grateful he is sleeping so well, (as well as the Friendly Hero slept at 8 weeks) and that he is peaceful. I am sad that he no longer looks like a new born baby, but I am grateful that he likes to eat and that I can make enough milk for him. I am also grateful that he loves to be held, snuggled, and loves his brother. I am also grateful that I don't have to go back to work. (I haven't been employed for over a year.) As I get close to the six week mark with the Peaceful Hero, I can't help but be extremely grateful that I'm not responsible for going back to work now. My full time job is taking care of my boys and as much as I miss teaching, I am extremely grateful that I can focus on my children.

I am also grateful for my extended family. I am grateful for the blogs to interact and stay close to everyone even though I live far away from everyone. I can't begin to tell all of my cousins and aunts how much they mean to me, but I am grateful for the sealing power and know that we'll be family forever. I am taught and lifted by you guys all the time, and I don't always comment on your blogs, but you change my life. I have the world's best family, both sides of mine and my in-laws. I am grateful that you accept me and my oddities and love me all the same. Thank you!

I am grateful for the restored gospel. I love the Church and the difference it makes in my life. I am grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior and His love for everyone. I am grateful for His love and His ability and willingness to help me be better than I can be by myself.