President Monson encourages us to be Grateful

During general conference President Monson, the Lord's prophet, advised us to be more grateful. I need to be more grateful. In the past, I learned the power of counting your blessing. We were living in Todd's grandparents motorhome. Unforantly we displaced a ton of mice. And they weren't sure they wanted to be displaced. Todd would clean out the traps before work and then come home and clean them all out again. He sometimes would clean them out a third time before bed. I would hear them in the thin walls, right next to me, and my skin would just crawl. At that time, we had a leak that we couldn't fix, so instead of cause damage to Grandpa's motorhome, we turned off the water. I would haul water from the outside spiket into the motorhome. I would then heat my water to wash dishes. It would take me two hours to do my dishes this way. One day, I found a dead mouse in my drying dishes. I screamed! That month we paid off $1,324 in debt. I counted each dollar every time I heard a mouse. And I survived.
I remember when we moved into this trailer we were so excited to simply have running water. I was able to shower everyday. My girls washed their hands so many times through out a day. I think they were even impressed with the running water.
When we first moved into our trailer it felt huge compared to the motorhome--even with the attached garage. But as Kaylyn has been born and my children get bigger, our house feels smaller and smaller. I was very frusterated that we couldn't find something bigger in our price range. And then I was reminded of how grateful I was just to have running water when we moved in. It hasn't felt quite as small since.
But I needed to be reminded of it again. I felt over worked, tired, and justifibly grouchy. I have worked to remember my many blessings, and I don't feel justified anymore. And half the time, I don't even feel overworked. I'm working to make my attitude better all of the time, but be patient with me.
I know a one time list is not a long term solution, but I think it is a good start. I also thought it would be fun to share with you.

1 Todd. I could probably make a thankful list just about him. I will mention a few: 2. he is tender and 3. gentle. 4. He is patient with me. 5. He has taught me so much about forgiving and forgetting. 6. He has also taught me a lot about repenting and 7. leaving my burdens at my Saviors feet. 8. His faith is rock solid and something he is more than something he does. He doesn't worry about death because heaven is real, right? 9. He stablizes me while letting me fly, and 10. when I faulter he reminds me why I want to keep flying. 11. And he loves me more unconditionally than I ever thought possible.
12. Karla
13. Kylee
14. Kaylyn
15. My mother
16. Garth Mann
17. Cyntha and her family
18. Dot and Jonathan
19-50. The whole Nef family!! I really could name them all. There isn't one I would leave off the list. When I married Todd, I felt that one of the gifts he gave me as a wedding gift was his family. It's a natural thing, and I don't think inheriting all in-laws are a gift. But the Nefs were to me. I love them all just as much as I do my own.
51. Our home. We have access to a huge yard. And we love to be outdoors. And 52. the price is just what we can pay. If we moved out we would double what our home costs us. We have been so blessed to have such amazing landlords. They haven't even raised the rent.
53. Our ward is amazing. We have many friends here.
54. Todd loves his boys and enjoys his calling. He says that because he lives in a house full of girls, he has to get his boys night out.
55. I love my call as a RS teacher. I even get to teach my favorite lesson. And I'm better for it too.
56. My camera. I love my camera. My mommy helped me get the right one for me. And I love that I can take as many pictures of my family as I want. And it doesn't cost me a thing.
57. Our budget. We have seen so many miracles in trying to pay our bills. The Lord is really watching out for us.
58. Todd's scholorships and grants so that he can go to school.
59. My job with Johnny. Where else could I get paid to play with such a special spirit?
60. Showers.
61. Candles
62. Good music
63. Books on tapes.
64. That I'm losing weight
65. My computer
66-67. Blogger and facebook--I love the journaling, and I love keeping in touch.
68. cell phones
69. text messages
70-71. Bobbiejo and our 4 am conversations
72. My many other friends who have made such a difference in my life. I could make a whole list here too!! Amber, Anna, Kirsten, Wendy, Cindy, Tiffany, Nick, Zina, Henry, Ila and on and on. Please don't feel left out--this is a very short list here.
73. icecream
74. chocolate
75. my health
76. modern medicine
77. Being able to dance
78-80. my cars
81. stars
82. Moutains
83. Trees
(81-83. all these things calm me and make me feel closer to God.)
84. sunsets and sunrises
85. Libraries
86. Books on CD
87. playing games with loved ones.
88. The freedoms we have in our country
89. Those who fight to keep it that way
90. And that it isn't my husband or me. I hope this doesn't make me caddy, but I really am grateful it isn't us out there.
91. butterflys
92. The Peacegiver Changed my life--if you haven't read it, do!!
93. that the scriptures are printed and I'm able to have several sets in my home.
94. The many men who have stepped in as Daddy for me and my siblings
95. The many programs and those behind them that help my brother
96. Beautiful art work
97. When my children achieve something new
98. Good movies
99. My testimony. I've worked hard for it. And it has gotten me through rough patches. I would not trade my hardships for the testimony I have gained especially
100. The relationship I have with my Savior and Father in Heaven. I am nothing without Them. I know that my Savior suffered in Gesthemane and died on the cross--so he could lift my burdens and make me whole. This I treasure above all else.

This is not a conclusive list, but a good start right. There is one simlar at graciousrain.com. You might have to do some digging to find it. What 3 would you add to this list? Or take the challange and write your own list of 100... You pick.

My Mommy is hurt

Two weeks ago, my mom passed out at work. This is how she got that shinner. I wish that was all that was to the story. She got back to her desk and waited for a coworker to come back from work. They called medical for her. And she passed out on them again. They rushed her to Kadlec in an ambulance. And while in the ambulance, my mom's heart stopped. They put her on a temporary pacer. When she got to the hospital, her sugars were in the 700's. We were unsure for a long time wheather or not she had a heart attack causing her sugars to spike or if her sugars adversly affected her heart. She had tubes and monitors all over. She looked worse than I do when I go to the hospital. I think we counted 9 tubes at one time.

In the end, we found out that her sugars had spiked. And because of her beta blockers (which prevent her heart from beating too many times) her heart quit beating. She is now on new meds and doing much better. Her sugars are great!! She has even lost a ton of weight. If I'm not careful I'll get her fat clothes. She also is breathing better because they have taken her off all of her beta blockers and given her different high blood pressure medication. We are still working on bringing her blood pressure down to where the doctors want it. But that isn't new. She is doing much better. She spent Tuesday until Sunday in the hospital. And we were blessed by all your prayers and support. And we had so many friends in the medical field come out of the wood work to help too. Thank you all of you!!

It was Garth who would tell the nurses "My momma is hurt." He would also tell them, as they were trying to draw blood or something "don't hurt my momma." "Be nice to my momma." He was very cute. And he handled the situation very well. I was proud of him. He was anxious to have his momma home.

I love my mommy very much. And I don't know what I would do without her. We haven't always seen eye to eye. And I value our relationship that much more because we both had to work so hard for it. She is a huge support to us now. My kids love seeing their grandma. They loved getting to visit everyday while we tried to keep her feeling loved in the hospital. Momma, we love you. And we still need you.

Kaylyn is almost 18 months

These are classic shots taken the other day when I realized, I didn't have any pictures for this post.

These were from August!! Can you believe how big she is? Where is that little baby doll we brought home with us?

At the hospital, watching cartoons with her sisters.

All decked out like my big sisters!! Aren't I pretty?

Kaylyn will be 18 months the weekend of Thanksgiving. She is getting so big. She is no longer in the 3% but in the 9%, and I don't think she is so small anymore. She is quite the big girl--until I see her in nursery with all those tall kids. She loves to talk to you. Although most of it is babble. But the doctor was quite impressed that at a year she would babble, wait for an answer, and babble some more. Her vocab is just starting to take off. The other day she asked me "What's that?" She says Mom, Dad, Karla, Kylee, Garth, Grandma, eye, dog, bird, and ball. It seems like I'm missing a word or two...
She kind of jumps without her feet leaving the ground when she wants up--which she wants a lot through out the day. She will sit while you read her a book and loves to bring me books. She also will climb up the ladder to go down the slide all by her self. She also loves to swing. I haven't had her want to get out of the swing yet. She hates to be left in the house while others are outside. Instead of throwing a ball the way she use to, she now kicks it like her big sisters. It's cute watching her kick a ball almost half as big as she is. She loves dogs as long as they aren't too close or too big. We have lots of friends with dogs now, and she is really good at saying dog. She still isn't sure she wants to actually touch the dog.
Kaylyn loves to chew on toothbrushes. And she is very good at telling her sisters don't. I have heard her say Don't once or twice now that I think of it. At church, she was twirling in the isle when she sat down and bumped her head on the arm rest of the bench. She thought it was Karla who was sitting on the end. She tried to hit Karla, and I wouldn't let her. She tried two more times. And then she twirled around sat down and hit the floor. It was funny to watch--although I'm trying not to encourage this behavior.
We starting taking Kaylyn to nursery because she is ready. We can't leave her there for another month, but she is ready to not be sitting through Relief Society. So we take her. She doesn't worry when we leave the room. She plays nicely--and not always with mom. If I go where she is playing, she will include me. But she doesn't usually seek me out. She plays nicely. Todd tells me she doesn't sit through the lessons yet though. He takes her during Sunday School, and I take her during Relief Society since he's with the young men (except when I teach in Relief Society).
Kaylyn has started to pick out her own clothes. And the other day, I syled the girls hair. I put moose and sparkles in their hair for school. Kaylyn sat on my feet until I did her hair too. So I spiked it with the moose. And then she wouldn't let me finish till she had sparkles too. She is starting to become quite concerned with her looks. And she doesn't want to be left out. I can't wait until she is 16!
Kaylyn is very concerned about being left. I think my working on the weekends is taking its toll. But she does not watn to be left. Todd will take her for a ride around the block as I pull out so she doesn't feel left. And I will put her in her car seat 10 minutes before we leave so she doesn't worry. She asks to be put in her seat that early. And often, as we are trying to get kids ready for school, she will sit on my feet or want to be held. Imagin Kaylyn between Karla and I as I'm trying to tie shoes. Yeah, it's too cold to take her out early. But she doesn't want to be left. And she can tell when we are trying to get ready to leave.
She really is becoming quite the big girl. She climbs. She plays well. She wants to be include. She twirls and dances. She loves to play with toys and even pulls a few out of her drawer now. We are so proud of her. And she bring so much joy into our household.
Pictures soon to follow--when I have the computer a little longer....I hope next semester is one when Todd doesn't need the computer again. But I'm glad it's here for him to use.

Kylee's first day of Preschool

After Kylee's first day of class, Ms. Lara told us that Kylee was so ready for pre-school. And I agree with her! Kylee asked me "Do I get to go to school without you? And without Dad? With no one but me?" Because I use to take her to speech--and I would just stay for the 30 minutes.
These first pictures are from her second day. I thought she looked so cute and this is my Kylee. She has a better sence of style and matching than Karla. Ms. Lara thought she'd be a tom boy--but no she is all girl!! But she likes to climb tress and play rough too.

She was so done having her picture taken, can you tell? Here she is starting class. And here is Karla--eating breakfast for her first time at school--on Kylee's first day of preschool.
And here is Kylee on her first day of preschool.

She finally said No more pictures!! But I didn't get one that I loved...so I kept taking pictures. Hense, I took some on her second day of school.