Good friends

Last night we attended a surprise 60th birthday party for a good friend of ours in our ward. There were a lot of friends there that are our age. It was great catching up with the current events in their lives, and just seeing each other. In fact I wish we'd have more time to talk. :)

Today I'm grateful for good friends and the joy they bring to our lives.

Central Valley winters

All of our children are experiencing snow at this time. While I love looking at it, watching it softly fall to earth, and experiencing the quiet wonder that comes with snow, I certainly am grateful that we are not living in an area where it snows! I'm pretty certain that someday we will...but for now I'll appreciate our current balmy 49 degrees! Now that is a Central Valley winter! :)

Kindness

One of the reasons I don't enjoy shopping during the holidays is that some people are pretty rude. Once in a while you find a gem amongst them. Those people are considerate, thoughtful and kind. I've run across a few of those the past few days, and I make sure I thank them specifically for the kindness shown, that always brings a smile to their face...and to mine. I am sincerely grateful for those who display a Christlike attitude even during the busy-ness of this wonderful season. They truly bring the Christmas spirit to light.

USPS

Today was that day... the day most all of the Christmas packages are sent to places like Idaho, Utah, and Maryland! Most of the gifts we sent are ordered online, usually through Amazon (they must love me there! and many of you as well, I'm sure! I seriously cannot look at their cyber sales anymore!) (should I be hash-tagging all of my side comments? Hmmm?)

Okay, back to the post office. Once upon a time, a long time ago, we used to send things through UPS. At the time they were less expensive, or at least comparably expensive. Now that is no longer the case. For example; when I have sent things to Rexburg they always charged us $4/extra for delivery, because they are 'out in the boonies'. Right.

After doing that several times I became wise to their tricks. Now the post office gets our business, solely. I am grateful that they, 1) don't charge an arm and a leg for the exact same service, and 2) get things there in a timely manner!

I'm also grateful that I should have only one more trip to the post office prior to Christmas. (Yay!) Oh, and I should say, I am grateful to be able to go to Lathrop's post office where they don't have nearly as many people to cater to - it makes my life happier. And I love being 'happy, happy, happy!'

Self date

Last week the film, "The Book Thief", was released in theatres. Amy had told me a week or so before that they had made the book into a movie. I love the book so I knew I had to see it. Pat hasn't read the book (yet) so he didn't really care about seeing it. Since I have cabin fever from being sick the past few weeks I took advantage of seeing "The Book Thief" today. I'm so grateful I did. Like the book, I loved it.

Cyber Monday!

For some unknown reason I woke up very early this morning... 5 AM to be exact. I realized that Pat was sleeping in the other room so I had our room to myself. After a while I realized I was not going to have the luxury of getting more sleep.

Recently we purchased a new computer for my mom. We have been considering getting a laptop for us. Pat has one for work, but we do not. You probably think (because I would) that by mentioning laptops that I purchased one today, cyber Monday. I did not. Actually, what I was eluding to is that since my mom has a new laptop I have taken over her old one. I don't use it often, but this morning it sure did come in handy! Especially since Pat was sleeping in the study where our computer lives.

So, I got to work, letting my fingers do the shopping. I was able to get most of our Christmas shopping accomplished! Yay! Good deals were had, and I am a happy camper. Several people that I love will be happy too. Double yay!

I am grateful that I was able to accomplish so much, and do nice things for others that I love at the same time. :)

Time and all Eternity

Thirty-six years ago my favorite person in the world asked me to marry him, for time and all eternity. It is simply impossible to express how grateful I feel that this happened in my life. Because of us we have Sam, Craig, Amy & Rachel. To add to that equation we have Linzi, Brad, and Angie (in order of them joining our family). Then, to top that off (so far) we have --- Rylee, Sadie, James, Lucas, Gavin, Chloe, Darci, Jack-Jack and Maci! We are truly blessed.

To celebrate our anniversary engagement Pat brought me two dozen red roses. What a sweetheart he is. Then, to top things off for me personally, I started the process to renew my temple recommend that expires this month. When we were finished with the interview Brother Dorrett said, "Isn't it wonderful?" I told him that it makes me happy. Then he said, "I could tell! Throughout the whole time you seemed very happy!"

That is because I am. Today is a happy day. It always will be for me. :)