52 Weeks of Blessings #14- My family!

This is my family.....or it was about 2 years ago. By now more members of the family have been added. NOT in this picture are: My youngest sister's husband (they were married 7 1/2 months ago), my son (now 18 months), my 1st younger brother's son (1 month), my 2nd younger brother's son (now 1 year), and my oldest sister's son (now 1 year) & the baby she is expecting in Sept. Not that you can keep family pictures updated when you are talking about that many people! But maybe when Bren & Calli come home for Christmas we will take another family picture that can be outdated almost before it's taken!

I am thankful for my family for sooo many reasons. But 2 especially come to mind right now.

1: I am thankful that I belong to a family that is so close. Not only do we all live close together, but we have a very close knit family as well. My family all live within 1 hour's drive of each other. And most live closer than that. I think we might be the farthest away. I have a brother & his family who live in Kansas at the moment while he goes to school. But when he is done they will move back. SO I forget to count that as living far away. Since it's only temporary. But the fact that we live close has been on my mind a lot lately...especially since, soon, I will be farther away from home (and family) than I have ever been in my life! That is a scary thought to me. But I guess this is one of those time when I need to rely on my own little family instead of my big family.

2: I am grateful that we were raised by wonderful parents who taught us truth. I am so grateful that we all have the same values and beliefs. I am glad that I can go over to any one of my siblings homes and not have to worry about what my children might see or hear. Because I know that it, most likely, won't be anything that they wouldn't see or hear at my house. I am grateful that I can have conversations about things that are important or troubling to me as a parent or spouse and know that I can get good feed back and advise from my family.

I am grateful for the love of family. To know that I can make a mistake and go to the person and apologise and know that I am forgiven and still loved....with out question!

This is my family: (as I see them)
DAD (Jerry): Never have to guess if he loves us because he tells us he does all the time. Makes the most beautiful things with his hands from wood. Respectful of my mom- a good example of what a husband and father SHOULD be.
MOM (Becky): The best mom in the whole wide world....also the meanest & that's where I learned it and I'm proud to admit it. Never appreciated enough by her family. Always goes the extra mile to care for all of us even though none of us live at home any more. Has a very great desire for her children to remain close- close to each other, close to her & dad, close to the Lord.

THEIR CHILDREN:
RANDI (1st child): Always the voice of reason. Not as silly as the rest of us- nor would we have it any other way. She is the constant in our family. She is a very service oriented person. A loving mother and wife. Very intelligent. You can always ask her anything English related and she knows!
STEVE (Randi's husband): A very hard worker. A great provider for his family. Has a fun sense of humor and can never pass up the opportunity to needle Marcy! He is successful at whatever he sets his mind to accomplish.
THEIR CHILDREN:
MICHAEL, HAILEY, AUDREY, DYLAN, BABY due in Sept

MARCY (2nd child): Athletic. Marcy loves volleyball. She is constantly seeking to improve herself- physically and mentally. She has a wonderful spirit. And through her personal trials she strengthens her relationship with the Lord instead of pushing Him away. She is a very spiritual person with a great understanding of the Gospel.
DIRK (Marcy's husband): Is a fun loving individual. He works hard but can often be seen sitting in the chair in front of the TV playing the PlayStation, with his boys gathered around cheering him on as he reaches levels that they haven't yet. (this can also be very vexing to Marcy)
THEIR CHILDREN:
JORDAN, RILEY, KALE, COURTLYNN

STEPHANIE (3rd child): Happy. Stephanie makes friends easily. She always has a kind word, and a smile, on her lips. She is a loving and attentive mother. She always takes the time to talk to her sisters about whatever they want...even if she is busy. She is a calming influence in my life.
CHRIS (Steph's husband): Chris is just fun. He has so many interests. He is so intelligent. He can usually figure out any problem...especially about computers. He is a most loving father and husband. He is constantly complimenting Steph.
THEIR CHILDREN:
QUINCY, ELLIE, REES

NATALIE (me- 4th child) you read stuff about us all the time since this is our blog...so we won't take any time on our family!
AMMON (Natalie's husband)
THEIR CHILDREN:
ADELAIDE (Addie), EPHRIAM

SCOTT (5th child): Wild! Scott is a free spirit. He does first and thinks later....especially when playing with his nephews. Scott is also successful at whatever he puts his mind too. He loves his girls but is sooo excited to finally have a boy. He is a great brother and has always looked out for me. Since we are so close in age I have aways had a great relationship with both of my brothers (except for a while during our teenage years).
RUTH (Scott's wife): Ruth is a sweet and soft spoken person. She is gentle and quiet when dealing with her children. Even in tough situations. She is forgiving and generous. She keeps a very orderly home. These are ALL qualities I admire in her.
THEIR CHILDREN:
HEIDI, AMBER, BRETT

BRENDAN (6th child): Bren is soft hearted. He is loving and gentle and has a tender heart. He is a great daddy and is a very loving husband. He is a people pleaser. He cares what others think. He is a big teddy bear. He becomes a big kid again when he gets around his brother and nephews.
CALLI (Bren's wife): Calli is talented. She is very driven. She accomplishes things she sets her mind to. She is creative and makes life beautiful around her. She is a loving mother and is a wonderful wife.
THEIR CHILDREN:
TAYOLR, KEATON

GINNY (7th child): Ginny enjoys life. She gets the most out of everything she does. She makes friends easily. She has a fun personality. She doesn't like it when we treat her like the baby of the family (even though she is). She loves being the center of attention...but then again so do I. She can play multiple instruments and is very good at them all. She is enjoying being a wife and having her own house.
COLIN (Ginny's husband): Since Colin has only been in our family a short while I don't know him so well. I do know he doesn't complain. (he just had back surgery and I never heard a complaint from him, before that, about his back hurting) He is happy. He is always smiling. He's a good sport about things. He fits right in with our family. He lets my little sis be who she is...and that (at this point) is what I like about him the most!
THEIR CHILDREN:
are still in heaven

52 Weeks of Blessings # 13- ADDIE

CAUTION: This may be a rather lengthy post!!!

This is my sweet daughter. I have been struggling with her lately. So I decided that she NEEDS to be my blessing this week to give me time to reflect on her POSITIVE qualities.

First I want to tell you a little about Addie and then (since I/Addie was "tagged") I would like to tell you"The top 10 things you might not know about Addie".

Ammon and I were married for 4 3/4 years before Addie came into our life. And 5 1/2 years before she came to live with us. And 7 3/4 years before she legally ( & eternally) became a member of our family. What a story this little person's life has to tell already!

We found out about Addie through a friend of ours. It is a long and involved story, but she melted my heart the moment I saw a picture of her...I knew this was MY little girl. And I would do WHATEVER IT TOOK to get her home! And we did. It took a long time and a lot of effort, from a lot of people, to get her here. But there is no doubt in my mind that she is my daughter and a part of our family. And was always meant to be!

She may not have my skin color...or Ammon's... who is even whiter than me. hehe Or our eye color- we're both blue. She may have beautiful black hair with AWESOME natural brown highlights, and I have to put mine in. But, you see, that isn't what matters anyway. That is "earthly" thinking. This is sooo much deeper than that!

Some people wonder if you can love an "adopted" child the same as a "biological" child. Well, I'm not an expert on that, especially since I don't have any biological children. But if you love biological children MORE then I can't BEGIN to imagine what that would feel like, since I know how my heart feels like it will burst some times with the love I feel for my children.

Addie is such a joy. She tries sooo hard to please and to do what's right. She never passes up the opportunity to tell us how much she loves us or that we have the BEST family. She has a great enthusiasm for life. She has so much energy. Most the time I don't quite know what to do with it. I guess she doesn't either and that's why she ends up "accidentally" hurting herself or her brother. Or both. She is a snuggler. To this day she loves to climb up on my lap and be held. And she's almost 5. I guess it shouldn't surprise me- i will still sit on my dad's lap occasionally and I'm a grown person! I guess no matter how old you get sometimes it's just nice to feel like you did when you were little.....safe and secure. Addie loves to learn things. She loves to read books... especially ones that give information. Right now we are reading the Little House series. And she loves them! In a lot of ways Addie is just like me..... She talks ALL of the time. She asks TONS of questions. She LOVES to be around people. Especially her daddy. She always likes to help. She loves watching movies. (especially with mom) She LOVES all animals. She is tender and caring and happy. She cares what others think. She tries to be kind to everyone. She has a great imagination and is always playing with her hands like they are horses...or just her friends.

I am soooo blessed to have this sweet little girl as my daughter. I wouldn't have it any other way!

10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME (Addie) ARE..........
1. I LOVE horses.. Ok you might know this. But I bet you don't know that I can make ANYTHING be a horse. One of my favorite things to pretend is a horse is my fingers. Horses are my FAVORITE animal. When I grow up I want to be a horse back rider. I have worn holes in the knees of ALL of my pants. Mom bought me some new jeans and now I am FORBIDDEN to crawl around the floor in those or suffer the consequences!
2. I want all kinds of animals..... birds, bunnies, a cow, a horse (pink of course), a kitty, a pony- TOTALLY different than a horse. And this is where they will live...the bunnies, cow & kitty will live in my closet. The horse & pony in the back yard. And the birds in a cage by my bed.
3. My favorite thing to do is clean up the house with mom & daddy. Even if they don't need my help. It's great to follow them around so close that they almost trip over me EVERY time they turn around.
4. I am not a girly girl. I like girly things but don't HAVE to have them ALL of the time. Pink is a good color to wear...but I don't care what color it is if it has a horse on it!
5. My favorite movie is Black Beauty. My mom thought she would be smart and buy the cheap one at WalMart that only cost a dollar. That's fine by me because the voices are so quiet, and the background music so loud, that I get to turn the TV up FULL BLAST!
6. My favorite friends are my cousins! I would play with them any day of the week. My favorite thing to do while we are driving to their houses is ask where we are (gilbert, mesa, chandler) as we go to a new road. Mom LOVES answering me every 2 minutes! But sometimes she gives the wrong answer (we're almost there) and I have to set her straight.
7. I love to have my friends come over to play and will sit by the door and wait until they get there. Even if it isn't going to be for hours. I think that's why mom quit telling me so far in advance when they were coming.
8. I am learning how to spell my name really well. I love learning. The alphabet is my favorite thing right now. And I can't wait until I can read a book without any help. Word World and Super Why are my favorite shows right now. Because they are all about the alphabet and learning to put letters together to make words.
9. I want to get rid of all of my dogs so that I can have a kitty. Dad is allergic to animals but I KNOW if I keep asking they will break down and get me one. I think I will give all of my dogs to Quincy & Ellie ( my cousins) so I can have my kitty!
10. I have been asking my mom to take me to swim lessons all winter. She keeps saying "Not until the summer comes." Whatever that means! I think ANY time is a good time to go swimming. And to think- 2 years ago I wouldn't go near the water!

52 Weeks of Blessings #11- Money

Without sounding too materialistic..... YES this week I am thankful for MONEY!!!

The past 2 weeks have been especially stressful for us. Ammon has not been paid. We have been waiting for his paycheck from March 1st to arrive. It SHOULD be here tomorrow. Along with the one from Friday. Not to share all of our financial woes or anything.... But doesn't it seem that with anything in life....when you don't have it is when you miss it the most?

Money has never been the most important thing to me. I don't care if I have the biggest or best of anything. I never have. But I do realize, the older I get, that there are certain things you ABSOLUTELY MUST have money for. Food is one thing....a house is another.....maybe electricity is a good thing to have....and the list of related type items goes on. All of which require the use of MONEY. So this past couple weeks has given money a very important position in our home. And I realize I am grateful for the times when it was there without me even having to think about it.

Now hopefully it will be here tomorrow and life can get back to some sort of normal. Then maybe I can switch my focus back to something MORE important! But today am sooo grateful for money!

52 Weeks of Blessings #10- New Life

This week my brother and his wife had their 3rd child. This sweet baby pictured above. We are sooo excited to welcome him into our family. What a blessing to experience the joy an new life brings to a family.

I am nosy. I have to know everything and be in on everything. If I don't know something it drives me crazy! Just ask anyone who knows me well. I didn't get to see this little guy until last night. It just about killed me!!! To not see him the day he was born! AAARRGGGGG! You mean I have to WAIT for something! (I truly don't know the meaning of "delayed gratification")

Anyway- There is just something about a new baby. The quote "It is no slight thing when those who are so fresh from God love us" comes to mind. I have often joked that the one redeeming quality of newborns is that they are so cute, otherwise no one would want one. But it's more than that they are cute. They are so pure. They are so in your care. They depend on you for everything. And while that can be exhausting, there is something about that fact that makes you cling to that little spirit even more.

So this week I am grateful for the blessing of a new little spirit that joined my family by way of my brother & sister-in-law. HOORAY for one more nephew to love!!!

52 Weeks of Blessings #9- Cara Steele

This may seem like a strange choice for my blessing this week. But let me explain WHY I chose Cara to be a part of this week's 52 Week Project.

I have been thinking about this ALL week. Ever since I got my first comment on my blessing post from last week. Cara has helped to expand my circle of friends, and I LOVE it! It is so fun reading other people's blogs and getting a glimpse into their lives for a moment! I have made a few new friends in the process, and found some old ones. And all thanks to Cara! So this week I am thankful for Cara Steele!!

I met Cara about 8 years ago. The first time I ever met her she came up to me in the hall at church and asked me if I wanted to join the book club she and some others were putting together. At that time I didn't know who she was. Didn't know her name or anything. But for some reason that stuck with me. I never did go to that book club. But it made me feel good that someone thought of me. I never did feel like I fit in in that ward. And Cara helped me feel like I had at least one friend. Later on I had the opportunity to serve in a Relief Society presidency with her and 2 other amazing women. I was grateful for that . I looked up to them. They taught me so much. But that is where I got to really know Cara and what a truly wonderful person she is. I learned of her health issues and thought she was one of the most positive people I have ever known and how amazing that she never once complained. We were both adopting children at the same time. She- her 2nd and I- my 1st. With my adoption, I had many people express how worried they were for me if it didn't work out....but all I got from Cara was positive support. That meant SO much to me!

Our Ward was split, Cara moved, and slowly we lost contact. I moved later as well. Then surprisingly, one evening, we were out to dinner at Joe's BBQ with some friends when I hear my name being yelled. There, in a car, at a stop light, across the street, was Cara! How fun for me to be reunited with a good friend! I am so glad she decided to say something. And that brings us to today.

Thank you Cara for being such a great example to me!!! I Love you and it has been an honor (and a lot of fun) to be a part of your life & have you as part of mine!

BTW- Cara I hope you don't mind that I stole some pics from your blog to use. I figured since you had them on your blog they were safe to use! And I didn't have any other pics, so I had no choice!

52 Weeks of Blessings #8- Arizona

If you didn't know, we just spent the weekend in Idaho. By the end of the trip I was SO glad to come home to Arizona. What I realized is, after 20, or so, years of living in this desert, I am DEFINITELY NOT cut out for the cold country!!! It was so pretty to go visit, and be in that cold weather for a minute. But, after all is said and done, I MUCH prefer the summers here to the winters anywhere it gets THAT cold! (or colder!)

It took me a long time to think that Arizona was beautiful. I used to think it was the ugliest place I had EVER seen! Eventually I realized it is just a different kind of beauty. It isn't the green grass and flowers. It is the cacti and desert plants. (but I still don't like stucco!)

One of my favorite views is the "mountain" pass that connects highway 87 to I-10 down here by where I live. I LOVE the saguaro cactus. Ammon's favorite place is the Joshua Tree Forest in northern AZ. I still don't love that as much as he does. But at least I don't think it's ugly anymore.

And the best part about Arizona is........ALL of my family is here! OK- except for 1 brother & his family in Kansas (but they are just gone temporarily) and 1 sister in Ohio (and who knows, she's still young, she may come back yet). We live within an hour of all of our family. And you couldn't ask for better than that! So we probably won't be going any further away than Coolidge any time soon! (And I think that bit of info makes our parents happy)

52 Weeks of Blessings #7- BIRTH MOTHERS

Of course I don't have a picture for this one. I would love to. But I don't. So the book cover above will have to do. The picture is a link so if you want you could go buy this book. It is about one birth mother's experience.....written to the child. We got this book for Addie when we were waiting for her. I got it before we got her and cried the first time I read it. Probably needless to say, I still cry every time I read it!

Over the last 4 1/2 years I have grown so much love & respect for these amazing BIRTH MOTHERS. I have struggled to come to this place. My feelings have ranged between anger, disgust, sadness, etc... all the way to the love I feel now.

I guess if you knew and understood the backgrounds of the birth mothers of my children it would be easier to understand WHY I have had such a large range of feelings. But I guess the realization that the Lord has helped me see, and what it has come down to is that they loved the baby long enough to make one good decision for them.

In today's world it is too common for these girls to first think of what is best for them self- we all do. Its the natural man to be selfish. The sad thing is that the choice being made more often now is they either 1-decide to keep the baby or 2- the have an abortion.

How thankful I am that these two women chose not to do either of those things! I have very personal and very deep feelings for both of them. How grateful I will forever be that they made at least one good choice in all of the experience that they went through. I know that our relationship existed before this life and will continue on after as well. I never met Addie's birth mother. And only met Ephriam's very briefly. But, thanks to a loving Heavenly Father, I know the relationship was in place. And that knowledge has helped me come to the point I am at today where I can say, without any hesitation, that I LOVE these two women with all my heart and I am grateful for the HUGE sacrifice they made on behalf of the children passed from the Lord's arms, to their arms, to mine.....

52 Weeks of Blessings #6- Adoption

This is a two part blessing.
But this week I am thankful for.........
Adelaide Brynne
&
Ephriam Daniel
My 2 sweet angels- miracle babies!

I didn't go through hours of excruciating labor in a hospital bed. I didn't have a near death experience giving birth. I didn't even have to go through a VERY difficult pregnancy.

But I did have my own kind of labor to go through. Both of my children are adopted. Both of my children came to me on a very thin thread. Both of my children have their own unique story to tell. Both of my children are blessings to me & my husband. And both of my children are proof that I have a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and is aware of my struggles, desires, & heart aches.

My children are miracles because of how they found their way to our home. Their stories are long and involved. I would break down and cry if I tried to tell them. I do it every time. Their stories are sooo close to my heart. My experiences as I waited for them are close to my heart.

Little Miss Addie came to our family through a friend of ours. Through her sister-in-law's sister. How's that for confusing!!?! She was in a different state. We had to go through many months of stuff to get her. With other people expressing their "concern" for our well-being if it didn't work out. Long story short- our sweet baby girl finally came home. Then it took a further 2 years to finalize her adoption. What a sweet day for us when we were finally sealed together as a family!

Imagine our surprise as we found out, 2 days after the sealing, of a baby boy that was to be part of our family as well! He also came to us through a friend of a friend........ our friend's, friend's daughter. We were not expecting this one.....Well maybe Ammon had in inkling. But it was a surprise to me! But I didn't turn it down! We brought him home 3 days later. He was local...it went quicker.

And now we have 2 sweet children. Do you think they look like us? :) Yes or No, it doesn't matter. Because they are ours for time & all eternity. And they were meant to be ours even before this life began.

Ammon & I have now been married for 9 years. We know we aren't done having children. We know there are more to come. How or when we don't know. But we are grateful for the blessing of adoption that brought us our first two!

(now you have to wait a whole nother week to find out what the other part of this blessing is!)

52 Weeks of Blessings #5- Priesthood Blessings

The first half of my week was spent feeling down-in-the-dumps. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY!!!!!! On Tuesday night I went over to Jennifer's house, just to get out of mine. I felt great while I was there. But as soon as I walked back in my door, I wanted to start crying again. (Thanks Jennifer for being a great friend!!!!!) On Wednesday morning I realized that leaving my house was only like trying to hide from the problem. Like putting a band-aide on a cut. It only hides it, but the cut is still there....and usually still hurts. But you are able to forget about it for a sec because you aren't looking at it anymore.

I asked Ammon to give me a blessing. I came away from that feeling just as bad. I was being very ungrateful because Heavenly Father didn't tell me what I was telling him to tell me. Nice HUH!!?! I think He probably looks down at me and thinks, "You are the MOST ungrateful child I have EVER had! (little brat!)" I feel better now though.

After I took a shower, I was able to sit and think about what I was told. I was told some really great stuff! Even though I was frustrated because I wasn't told EXACT details about things, Heavenly Father's blessings are always what I need to hear at that time. Sometimes I have to sit and figure out WHAT I am being told. But it ALWAYS works out to my advantage.

So even though I got there in a round about way............I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sends me blessing even when I am ungrateful for them. And probably, usually, undeserving of them. And I am grateful for a righteous husband who is worthy to give me a priesthood blessing whenever I need, or ask for, one.

Malachi 3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

52 Weeks of Blessings #4- Rain!!!

I ABSOLUTELY love the rain!

Some days I wish it would never STOP! I love cloudy days! I love standing outside and feeling the drops land on me. I have no idea where my love of rain came from. I remember being a little girl in Colorado (& Texas). The rain there was like ice hitting you. I remember being a little girl in Arizona too. The rain there is warm! That was such a surprise to me the first time I felt the rain there.

Maybe the reason I love rain so much is because it is a break from the sun. Maybe it's because I live in a desert and I know how much the earth needs the moisture, and that we don't get enough of it here. Maybe it's because it reminds me of Ammon's favorite primary song. It could be that rainy days induce laziness, and make me feel like I have a real legitimate reason to be frump-girl. Maybe it's because I like looking for rainbows after the rain has ended....even more now that I have a daughter. And to see the joy in her face when she sees one is something I can't describe. Whenever it rains it reminds me of weeks in the summer, spent in Durango, at grandma's cabin. Every afternoon there would be a little shower and one of my favorite sounds (to this day) is hearing rain hit the roof....any roof. At the cabin it was a tin roof. And I would sit out on the gross (I didn't think it was so gross then) couch on the balcony and listen to the rain and felt at peace. We don't have seasons in good ol' AZ. So I am thankful for a variation when it rains. That is one of my favorite blessings that Heavenly Father sends..... especially after your whole stake has a special fast because it has been an EXTREMELY dry summer and the crops need it. To see that much faith exhibited by that many people at the same time....and to see it start to rain and know that our loving Father in Heaven is mindful of us. That is a humbling thing!!!

Whatever the reason-- I love the rain!

52 Weeks of Blessings #3- Uplifting Music

I just love uplifting music!!!!!

I love that I can go to church and hear music that fills my soul with joy and peace. I love that we sing hymns all day at church. I love that I started my day with a hymn today at my too early meeting(Today While the Sun Shines). I love that I get to go to Primary and hear those sweet little voices sing, and learn new songs! I love that even as I was leaving the building I could, faintly, hear the choir singing from the RS room. I love to know that not all music is just NOISE. (Most other music is just noise to me.) I love that I have the ability to put a CD in and listen to uplifting music anytime I want. I love that I can listen to this kind of music on my computer as well, while I blog & stuff, if I go to BYU Radio. And that I can download it too.

52 Weeks of blessings- #2

Technology

I am thankful for my computer, email, cell phones, microwave ovens (is that really considered technology?) All of those everyday things that make life so much easier. The things that you don't give a second thought to......UNTIL... buh buh buh they are broken, or gone, or whatever, but you are no longer able to use them!

I love my computer! OK, not actually MY computer, but computers in gereral. Mine I would LOVE to replace! I love that Ammon knows so much about them and that all I have to do is ask and he can tell me pretty much whatever I need to know. And I can understand the explanation (mostly). I also love that I know a lot about them. Especially for a girl. Sounds sexist, I know, but in my family it's an accomplishment. (sorry all my sisters!) I love that I know stuff and that my OLDER sisters call me to ask for help. It's not often that I get to tell THEM something THEY don't know! It makes me feel good to contribute. :) It makes me feel needed and helpful and I like that feeling.

I like cell phones. I like that I can just reach into my bag and call my husband whenever I want to talk to him. No matter where either of us are! I like that if I need help when I'm out somewhere I don't feel stranded and out of luck.

I guess the list could go on for days. Heck, I could have made each of these things individual blessings and then I would be done for the whole year. But I guess that would be cheating!

I guess mostly the thing I like most about technology is CONVENIENCE. Let's face it I'M LAZY and technology makes things sooooooooo much nicer!

Kip’s Wedding Song
Why do you love me? Why do you need me? Always and forever. We met in a chatroom, now our love can fully bloom. Sure the world wide web is great but you, you make my salivate. Yes, I love technology but not as much as you, you see. But I STILL love technology. Always and forever.

How Blessed Are You????!

I found this idea on my friend's blog and thought I would like to do it this year.... Since she put it on her blog as a bit of a challenge to all of those who read. And who am I to pass up a good challenge!

Here's a little more about it......

The 52 Blessings Project

About 52 Blessings
Once a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now days instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people. It will be like a photo gratitude journal.

Could you come up with 52 things that you are grateful for?

52 weeks of blessings- #1 Ammon

I am blessed to have an AMAZING husband who is:
*a GREAT daddy to our children
*Willing to help me ALL the time
*My best friend
*Learning how to have fun
*Trustworthy
*As understanding as he knows how
*FULL of faith
*A righteous priesthood holder & leader
*Always thinking of others first
*A great example
*The best slow dancer I have ever met
*Not afraid to try new things
*Willing to eat vegetables he doesn't like so our children will too
*A hard worker
*Gentle
*Patient
*Considerate
*Full of Integrity
*Always willing to do what the Lord wants without question
*Slow to anger
*All of this and more!!!!!