I'm Thankful. . . .

That I have the opportunity to be a mom.

I get to clean up messes and potty train and manage clutter and do laundry and endure arguing kids and change diapers and wipe up fingerprints and listen to whining and take the brunt of hard-to-learn lessons and think of things to feed hungry people and listen to complaints when things don't go right and drive kids to and fro and never get enough sleep and to learn how to be nice even when I don't feel like it.

Because being a mom means I also get to witness cute little I'm-happy kicks from a baby, little girl giggles and squeals, big boy's hugs and late night chats and laughs. I get to see my kids succeed whether I'm there or not. I get to see them make good friends and show respect to teachers and leaders. I get to teach and mold and shape and do things that will hopefully make a difference in the life of people I'll never meet. I get endless opportunities to choose righteousness and happiness whatever the circumstances. And that is a lesson I need to learn often and deeply.

I'm thankful for Tom for letting me be a stay at home mom so I can send everyone off and welcome them when they come home to me. I'm finding it vitally important, especially with teenagers. I'm thankful that he supports me 100%. I'm thankful that he calls me everyday around 11:00 just to check on me. I'm thankful he is a listener. Boy is he a good listener! And he gives good advice when I want it. He tells me I'm cute and thanks me often for things I do. I'm thankful he is not a complainer. I'm thankful that he is consistent and stable.

I'm thankful for Cache. He is so smart. He keeps me on my toes and I have to watch my words so they don't come back and haunt me, but I've learned a lot from being his mom. I'm thankful that he is willing to participate in family things even when the draw to friends is so much stronger. I'm thankful that he is obedient. He is always very respectful even when he feels otherwise. So thankful for him.

I'm thankful for Caleb. Honestly I don't know what I would do without him. He is my life saver with Tessa. Not only is he willing to help out when I ask, but he notices when I'm at the end of my rope and comes to my rescue. A true angel he has been! I'm thankful he is motivated to earn money. That is it a good quality for a future provider, but because of it, I also get a lot of jobs done around the house! I'm thankful that he is conscientious about his school work and is very sensitive to friends and those who need a friend.

I'm thankful for Chandler. He is my sweet, tenderhearted one. He gives lots of hugs and tells me too nice of things. I am thankful he loves family histories. I'm thankful that he loves me to read them to him (because it has helped my heart turn to my fathers) and it gives us nice quiet times together at the end of the day. He is also my sensitive one who notices when I need a lift and he reaches out to me. I'm thankful that he is detail oriented. I notice a lot of things with him around that I would miss otherwise. I'm thankful he is such a smart boy too.

I'm thankful for Tessa. I'm thankful for her light and energy and spirit! Although she often wears me out, she is such a delight. I'm thankful for her outgoing nature because I've gotten to know people I would not have otherwise (somehow everyone in the ward knows Tessa--even teenage boys). And I'm thankful for her little daily reminders that I need to mother with intention. What I do matters and she has taught me this more than any of my other kids.

I'm thankful for Greta. I'm thankful she is so good natured. I really needed her to be that way. Her light and spirit have also brought an outpouring of personal revelation into my life that I would not have known otherwise. I'm thankful that she is a cuddler. I love that she can be kissed to sleep! (When I put her down for a nap, I take off her pollies and we have a bit of cuddle time with lots of kisses. She eats it up and when she is really tired, she starts dozing off with the kisses. It is the cutest thing ever!) And I'm thankful that she wears cute pink glasses. This little challenge has taught me in a small way about losses, mourning and compensation.

I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to write the Primary program this year and to memorize the Proclamation. Through those two things I have become more aware of my role as a mother and of my mission and of its importance in the big eternal plan. I'm thankful for that beautiful knowledge.

I'm so blessed.