Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

Our spring break week flew by wayyyyy too fast :( I'm not ready to go back to school :( But, such is life - only 6 weeks or so til summer - YAY!!!!! Lots of interesting developments this week - besides the crazy weather even!

This week I'm grateful.....

that we could celebrate H's 12th birthday! That he is a worthy young man to receive the priesthood and that he is such a good kid. He is a bit squirrely and a bit of an antagonist with my other kids with teasing and such, but he has such a big heart and really does want to do the right thing. He has such a sense of right and wrong, with little tolerance for shades of grey, which can be tricky sometimes, but I'm grateful that he stands up for what is right. He has such a strong personality and spirit, I know that he can do great things if he chooses the right and works hard. I'm grateful for him and his great smile and hugs and compassion!

that we got to play in the snow and build snowmen? That one is a little double-edged, as it was fun and I'm grateful we got to do it, but really - almost 9 inches of snow in the middle of April? I'm grateful it is all melted now and that we are supposed to have weather in the 70's all week!!!

that we picked up the girl's prom dresses and they are gorgeous!!! They will look sooo pretty! Hard to believe that Prom is this week! And, Big K got invited to prom at another school too, so she will get to wear her dress twice :) That always makes it worth the money :)

that the weather was beautiful for C's soccer game yesterday. Everyone came but Big K and played outside on the playground and cheered their sissy on. It was a dicey game and in the last 5 minutes or so there was a breakaway run on goal that C and another defender were chasing down. The film shows C in hot pursuit and that the girl faltered and mis-stepped on a small hill at the goal and then fell, C was right behind her and faltered a bit going up the hill too and lost her footing and lurched a bit but didn't go down or touch the other player, but because from the referee's view it looked like contact happened in the box and that the contact stopped the goal scoring opportunity, C got a red card. She was very annoyed and confused because she knew that she hadn't touched the girl and couldn't figure out why she was given the red card. She was very afraid of the ref and felt like he was mad at her (although he called me later and told me he is not mad at her, that these things happen sometimes and that the red card was not given because she is a dirty or malicious player) and so she just started apologizing (she is SUCH an apologizer, apologizing even when things aren't her fault, and for everything under the sun) so it seemed like she was guilty. She should have felt confident enough to just tell him exactly what happened and ask him to clarify his call :( But, she is not the type to get in trouble and she was afraid and unsure what to do in the situation, and felt that if she had stood up for what she knew actually happened, that that would be considered arguing with the ref (who had already had it out with the other team's coach and the parents making comments on our side) and then she would be suspended for even MORE than one game. She is very good at admitting responsibility for her own mistakes and things she knows she is responsible for and is so very honest, that I know she didn't trip or make contact with that girl if she says she didn't. I'm grateful that she has so much integrity and honesty and that she is such a great girl. I'm also grateful she wasn't hurt when she and her car had a little run in with the railroad tracks this week. Long story, $900 later, but she is fine and safe - the car - well, I'm not sure it's even worth $900 - but a necessity for a girl on Jr. Counsel and soon to be SBO - so - what can a parent do.... We are just grateful that it was just the car that was damaged and not our sweet C!!!

that the sun is out!!!!

that we got our taxes done - on Tuesday - with 24 hours to spare ;)

that H got into the charter school - of course this is a mixed blessing, because now we have to wait and see if the other two get in, and make the decision of which is the best thing for them. When I got the email this week that H was number 1 on the waiting list, I knew there was a good chance he would make it, and that places the others on the sibling waiting list and moves them up from their original lottery spots. Sooooo - not sure what is going to happen there, but we will be praying to know what is the right decision for them. Where we live school situations are unique, because our neighborhood is very closely knit with school and church, it's different here than it would be if we lived in other places where kids are going to all different kinds of school - although I would say that things are changing a bit and the neighborhood and it's school attendance is moving in more diverse directions. Soooo - we'll be making that decision here shortly, or maybe not, depending on if Brady and Little K even make it in. I won't send H there all alone, it's all or nothing ;)

that I have all my kids. Another of C's friends from Jr. High was killed in a car accident this last week on her way home from spring break. It just reinforces that each day is precious and should be cherished. I'm grateful for each of my children and I cherish every minute I get to spend with them - okay - well - mostly every minute. But every time something like this hits close to home, it really reinforces the fragility of life and that we NEED to take the time to enjoy it and treasure and make the most of it.

for everything. I am just so blessed. I'm grateful for everything that Heavenly Father has given me - He is sooo good and so generous, and I am so grateful for Him and His guidance and love.

What are YOU grateful for today?