It's November......time for gratitudes....

So I thought maybe I should post 100 things I'm grateful for - to make up for the 100 posts I've probably missed writing for the last 6 months of this craziness I call life.....

I'm grateful.....

1. for my parents, for all their patience in raising me, and for being such great examples.

2. for my grandparents - they were amazing people - so very very talented, each in their own way. I think of my gentle grandpa every time I'm around animals. I think of my fiery grandma when I look at her china in my cabinet (or on my table as my daughter has a cereal buffet at her fake preference ;) and think of her writing in the town paper and what a great writer and money manager she was with only an 8th grade education. I think of my super talented Nana, every year when I pull out my crocheted nativity that she made me when I was just a little girl, and I remember her living with us and being such an amazing person. I miss them all.

3. for my siblings :) I don't have very many, but I love them dearly, and they have provided me with many nieces and nephews who I also love dearly :)

4. for my hubby - he is amazing and wonderful. I'm grateful he convinced me he was the right guy for me. I love him more than I can ever express.

5. for Big K :) My firstborn, independent, amazing girl. Her motivation and hardwork at all she does inspires me :) Her sparkly blue eyes and contagious smile and laughter - I miss them :) Love you K!

6. for C :) My started-out-shy-but-is-really-super-outgoing-and-crazy girl :) Her sweetness and compassion are a great example to me. She is super. Love you C!

7. for J :) My super smart little tiny little guy :) I know you'll grow someday - but remember - good things come in small packages ;) I love your even temper and easy going-ness - your calming influence is so appreciated on those crazy days - which are often in our house :) Love you J!

8. for H :) Mr. Mischievous, from day one :) You make me laugh with your antics and smile with your enthusiasm for anything and everything. You want to do it all :) I am grateful for all your help with Brady at school :) I know he loves to see you when you come and get him :) Love you H!

9. for Little K :) My lone little girl buddy! Soon the big girls will both be gone and it will be you and I amongst all the boys :) I'm glad you will be around to keep me in nail polish, cute shoes, and shopping mode :) You are my great buddy - I love all your notes and pictures you make me and your sweet hugs and snuggles. You are indeed my baby girl!!! Love you Little K!!!

10. for Brady :) For all the things he teaches me every day, and the wonderful people he has brought into my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today, if not for his influence. I love his smiles and hugs and impromptu kisses (even if they still are a little slimey ;) There is nothin' better than a snuggle from my baby. Love you Brady!!!

11. for a wonderful home and neighborhood, with good people to surround my children with support. It really does take a village....

12. for my hubby's job and that he is willing to keep at it to support us and allow me to stay home with the kids.

13. for food storage :)

14. for Costco - it helps with the ol' budget and food storage ;)

15. for nice smelling laundry detergent - it makes the job much more fulfilling :)

16. for a dishwasher - now if only I could get it to load itself???

17. for paper plates - although we've cut down on our use of them (they went wayyy up in price -what is up with that? I think maybe Heavenly Father wanted my kids to know that most people actually eat on re-usable dishes?) they are so very handy for those nights when the momma has had it and can't do one more thing.....

18. for crock pots - they make cooking easy :)

19. for fireplaces on cold, snowy days.....

20. for i-tunes - love those playlists for everything from working out, to cleaning house, to Sunday music.....

21. for good soccer coaches. They make all the difference!!!!

22. for friends who let us swim in their pool and practice soccer in their garage :) And - who love and support Brady and provided him with one of his bestest friends :)

23. for v-tech - their entertaining electronic toys are good teachers :)

24. for Walmart - really - how would we do it without Wally World???

25. for computers and the internet. Hand-me down lap tops are the best (thanks Dad) and what would I do without this ol' desk top conveniently situated in the kitchen amongst all the action?

26. for fuzzy socks to keep my winter cold feet warm.

27. for sweet soft sheets from my mommy - they feel like heaven :)

28. for chocolate. It's straight from heaven :)

29. for Bath and Bodyworks antibacterial soaps - they smell so good and entice my children to wash their hands ;)

30. for the orthodontist and the magic he works on my kid's teeth and that they are so good (so far - to wear their retainers and keep those beautifully aligned smiles we spent years working on :)

31. for good schools, that offer good programs and teachers and support people who want my children to succeed as much as I do :)

32. for Brady's aides - he loves them and they are sweet and patient with him.

33. for the parents of the great kids in Brady's classes - especially from last year and this year. They are great kids - I know he is happier and better off from their influence, and I know they are better off from his :)

34. for Brady's awesome teacher - she is the best. I give thanks for her every single day! Love you Mrs. A!!!

35. for my kids good friends. I love that they have great standards and goals.

36. for the gospel in my life. I don't know what I would do without it.

37. for my savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice for me and the knowledge I have that if I live my life righteously I will see Him again someday.

38. for having a temple close. I don't go nearly enough, but I will - it's a New Years Resolution :)

39. for my camera - I need to capture those memories for those alzheimers days that I am sure will come.

40. that I got to go to France this last summer with Big K and see so many amazing things.

41. for my little laminator. It gets a workout every week with supplemental things I make for Brady, but it keeps on giving :) I'm glad that Walmart sells them for less than 30 bucks - so when it finally does give up the ghost, I will be able to afford a new one ;)

42. for Christmas music - love it!!!

43. for trampolines and the smile they bring to my kids faces - who even though they are big - still love to play "uncle scar" with their dad.

44. for my sandbox. I love sand!!!

45. for soft carpet :)

46. for Spongebob - cause it entertains my whole family...... scary isn't it???

47. for Disneyland - cause - well - I just LOVE it there :) It's magical.......

48. for the sun - I love warm sunny days - they make me happy :)

49. for rain - jumping in puddles is - well - awesome!!!!

50. for snow - the cold fluffy big white flake kind - and the wet kind that's good for snowmen and snowballs.

51. for fallen leaves to jump in and crunch!!!!

52. for the lake and the cabin - so many good memories and so much fun!

53. for playing cards with family and friends.

54. for fun puzzles to figure out with the kids :)

55. that I get to listen to my kids play the piano - well - mostly :)

56. that several of my kids have beautiful voices - I love to hear them sing (a couple are like me - tone deaf though - I still like to hear them sing though :)

57. for Christmas cards - I love to see pictures of old friends and catch up with their families :)

58. for my health.

59. for health insurance. We are changing companies this year to save money - hopefully the new coverage will be as good as the old.....

60. for my internet friends - some of you are like family - I'm glad I know you!

61. for warm bubble baths and romance novels :)

62. for silly tv shows that make me laugh/cry/give me an escape :)

63. for christmas pedicure gift certificates :)

64. for hair dye - it's true - blondes have more fun ;)

65. for cute sweaters - you can never have too many....

66. for treadmills - they make handy clothes holders and always serve as a reminder that I should be doing more in the exercise department.

67. for Dove promise chocolates - I love the little sayings :)

68. for silly computer games like Webkinz - they give me a way to connect with my little kids and great nieces and nephew :)

69. for FB - even though it's a time waster, it helps to keep track of my teenagers and their adventures ;)

70. for Stephens Hot Cocoa - milk, cocoa on a cold morning - what could be better?

71. for the color yellow - it makes me so happy :)

72. for bright blue water and white sandy beaches. Just thinking about them, even if I never get there - is relaxing :)

73. for airplanes - what a great invention :)

74. that my parents took us on a cruise for their 50th anniversary - we saw such cool things and made such fun memories. Family vacations are the best!!!

75. for restaurants. I love that I can go out on special occasions and someone makes the food, brings it to me, and cleans it all up :)

76. for Mr. Clean. It just smells good :)

77. for Christmas ornaments. I love to decorate our tree and get out all the ornaments - my parents give my kids ornaments each year and they are always excited to get them out and put them on the tree and reminisce about different christmases and we always try and get an ornament from each trip we take, so we talk about those too. I have put together a "memory" tree that has ornaments of each of my kids from each year of their life til the present - I love to look at their sweet faces and see how they've grown.

78. for post-its :) They help with my forgetfulness :)

79. for my big washer and dryer that help me get my laundry done ;) Now if only there was something that folded it and put it away. We have tried that invention called "children" and it doesn't work that well ;)

80. for SigningTime :) and Rachel Coleman and all she has taught Brady and the help she has given us to help him communicate better :)

81. for Google images - how would I do all the visuals and supplements I do for Brady without Google :)

82. for online shopping - I don't even have to get out of my pj's :)

83. for good deals - I love a bargain :)

84. for Target - their pharmacy is so much easier to work with than Walmarts :)

85. for simple and cheap Christmas requests :) I love those $10 gifts :)

86. for rubbermaid totes :)

87. for orange kittens who snuggle.

88. for remote controls - especially volume controls.....

89. for yummy ward recipe books :)

90. for phone calls from friends - just because, and just to chat.....

92. for mail :)

93. for good YW/YM's leaders - like soccer coaches and teachers - but on an even more important level - they make all the difference......

94. for running water and indoor plumbing.

95. for enough food to eat.

96. for clean water to drink, and enough of it for all our needs.

97. for access to books and magazines and educational materials - our city finally got a library :)

98. for children who want to go to college, go on missions, get married in the temple, and make something of themselves.

99. for the many necessities and luxuries I enjoy.

100. for my life.........