Count down to Christmas

I can't believe that there are only 31 days until Christmas. I love Christmas and am sooo excited for it to be here. Even though I have a million things to do before I'll actually be ready, I still can't wait.

I am almost done getting the gifts for my husband and children, but I still need to make some of the gifts I am giving to other family members and friends.

I have only three weeks left of school, but that also means only three weeks to complete my twelve page monster paper, so I am stressed to the max over that. Having three kids is not conducive to effective paper writing. (My boys are fighting in the kitchen as I type!!)

I have also been applying like crazy for full time positions at my work because we have exactly two payments left before Damon is cut off, and he has 17 weeks left of school! The loss of money would be bad enough, but we can't lose the medical benefits because of the medication that Damon takes.

I hate the thought of putting Shiloh in day care, but it might be good for her as she is very opposed to sharing and has trouble getting along with her peers. She is basically an only child when it comes to those issues because her brothers are so much older than her that there is nothing for them to share. Oddly enough, that doesn't keep them from fighting!

Give Thanks

This is the time of year when I really think about what I am thankful for.

There is the standard...I'm thankful for a home to live in and food to eat, but I would be a real snot if I weren't thankful for those things; I'd like to dig a little deeper.

I am thankful that of all the people my husband could have chosen, that he loves me. That no matter what kind of rotten mood I get in or how many temper tantrums I have, he's still there. That he loves my children and strives everyday to be a better father. I can't wait to be sealed to him for time and eternity.

I am thankful that I have amazing, resilient children who define me as a person. I am so grateful for my sweet little princess. She is my dragonfly. I never knew how much I needed her until she came to me.

I am thankful that, even though I usually want to just quit, I have the opportunity to be a graduate student.

I am thankful for all that I have learned from everyone I've met.

I am thankful to live in a free country. There is a lot about America that could stand some improvement, but when compared to many other countries, I must admit that I am very blessed to live here.

I am thankful for the plan of salvation and that I will see my grandma again. I am thankful to be alive in these latter days, and for all the blessings that brings.

I am thankful that I can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel this wonderful world we live in. I'm thankful for all the beauty around me and that I'm not too cynical to enjoy it.