Oops!

I am thankful for repentance. I messed up yesterday and than again today. Yesterday Holly called and asked if I would do a favor for her. I told her I would do it and then didn't get a chance to. Richard's brother died the other day and she wanted me to take something to Richard since she is out of town. I am sorry I didn't do it yesterday. I am swamped again today with kids, but this afternoon when I get a break I will go do it. Richard I am sorry for your grief. I am sorry that I didn't do what I said I would do.
At Bountiful Baskets a woman was frustrated and yelled at me. She had also booked the gym for a party and we were in her way. I was discombobulated by the yelling, and wasn't the nicest I could have been. I am sorry I didn't stop what I was doing and try to help her with her needs. She apoligized to me later, and I to her, but it still doesn't take it away
I am thankful that Heavenly Father put a plan in so we can repent and become better. I listened to my Alex Boye CD on the way home and it is really all about us helping each other out. I am recommitted to do a better job at it

Grandkids

I am thankful for my grandkids. I love each one. They are all different, and that just makes it better. Heavenly Father sent me the first 3, Bryton, Desi and Tommy at a time in my life when I needed a lift. They filled my soul with the joy that had been missing for a while. Let's talk about the kids.

Bryton is 9. He likes Karate, Cub Scouts, and playing games. He's a smart boy and recently got a great report card. He's been living with me for his whole life. I'm not his mom and I know that but sometimes it still seems so. He'll be moving away soon. I know it is the right thing for him and his mom, but for me it is already ripping my guts out. Now I'm crying so I'm just going to move on to the rest.

Desi is 9. She loves to dance. In March her mom and I are taking her to Florida to compete with her team for the national dance championship. They have a good chance of winning. Her last report card was all A's. She wants to be a teacher some day. Desi is the one that teases me and I love it. She often sticks out her tongue and says Ha ha when I mess up. We both think it's funny

Tommy is 8. He lives in Canada so I don't see him so much. He is a tender child. He cares about other people and how they feel. He is a peacemaker. He loves sports of all kind. I recently had the joy of attending his baptism. He is a good helper for his mom. His family spent a few weeks with us in October and I loved getting to know him better.

Ariana is 5. She started kindergarten and she loves it. She is learning so fast. She loves to dance too, and is in her first year of competing. A year ago she played a little sister in the nutcracker. It is in the first act, and then she was finished. Her mom went back stage to get her and found her dressed to be a candy cane. She wanted so desperately to go out on stage again, and she almost made it. Ariana makes me laugh.

Devin is 4. He is all boy. He learned how to ride a 2 wheeler last year, and now he can go anywhere. He likes to fix things. He is happiest with something to take apart. He carries a tape measure most of the time. I've given him a few things here to fix and he did it. He loves hanging out with his dad. I love to listen to him talk. Some of his words come out messed up and sound so cute.

Sophia is 4. She is all princess. She is all about dress up and makeup and girl play. Sophia reminds me of the princess and the pea. She has a wonderful imagination. I watched her perform in the nutcracker this year and she did a great job at it. Tonight she and Lucy are coming over while the parents go out for the night. I can hardly wait as I don't get to see them much.

Kyla is 2. She is my adventure girl. She recently climbed up in the closet to get the candy down. It gave her mom quite a scare. She does these kinds of things a lot and keeps life refreshing. Her mom is currently working on potty training with some sucess.

Lucy is almost 2. Now Lucy is my baby. She is the last one I have had here in my home for many hours. I used to sit and hold her for hours. She is so sweet and soft. I don't see her much any more, and I don't even know if she remembers me. The last time I saw her on Thanksgiving she just looked at me like she had never seen me before.

Macy is 10 months. Macy has Down Syndrome. Right now, she is a baby like any other. She is fun to hold and cuddle, and a joy to watch her learn. I attended her baby blessing and it was a time I will remember forever. She had been very ill up until the blessing and has been fine since. The words of the blessing were inspiring to me and I felt that angels were in the room with us. I know Heavenly Father is mindful of her. I pray that as she grows she will be accepted by her peers, and that she will have the ability to love life.

I love these children. Thank you Heavenly Father for letting me have each of them in my life.

Water

I an thankful for water. I love it in all its forms. Let's start with natural bodies of water. Oceans, lakes, streams, waterfalls, rain (especially in the summer with thunderstorms). There is nothing I like better than swimming in the waves at the beach. I like to go way out and bob in the waves and when a huge one comes dive into it and come out of the other side. It is also fun on a boogie board. Swimming at Bear Lake is pretty cool too.In the pictures above we are at Zion's. Stella had a suit on under her clothes, but I didn't. I couldn't resist the water so I just took off my shoes and went in with all my clothes on. I had to go back to the condo soaking wet, but it was so worth it. We plan to go there again next summer. Tubing at Lava in Idaho is a blast. I also love cruising on the ocean. I can just sit and watch the water and be content. Next how about swimming pools and hut tubs. Talk about a good way to relax. Then there is the lazy river and wave pool at Seven Peaks. I haven't been there in a few years but I just bought a season pass. I can't wait to get to use it. Next how about a hot shower or bath. I like to linger when I can , but even a quick one makes be feel so much better. I also love the feel of just washing hands. It makes me feel so good. Then if that wasn't enough, how about a drink of water. Nothing quenches my thirst like water. I drink it straight from the tap.I love love love water any day in any way. Thank you Heavenly Father for this.

Peace and quiet

Today I am tired. I was up in the wee hours of the night with a child who was ill. The lack of sleep is wearing me down. I am grateful that today was an easy day. There are just a few children left and it is very calm. I am going to read scriptures and take it easy. All the work that needs to be done will have to wait until tomorrow.

Christmas

Tuesday Dec 7
I am thankful for Christmas. It is my favorite holiday. I LOVE everything about Christmas with one exception. I love the music, lights, decorations, smells, treats, parties and on and on. I love Santa. He embodies for me the service we do for one another. Heavenly Father expects us to do for others and Santa is the best example I know. I have a santa collection, and my favorite is santa kneeling at the manger. I know Santa would be the first to follow Christ. All this being said I HATE Christmas Day. It entails a lot of work, stress, frustration, and way too much money. On my recent vacation we took the boys to lego land and said they could pick out one item to keep. They searched carefully and each came up with their item. Both boys were happy for days with the $10.00 toy they had chosen. I hate that on Christmas this can't be so. Everybody gets so many things that most are disregarded. Much ends up in the trash a few days later. If I could find a way to simplify and make it more of a celebration of Christ I would. In the Christmas Devotional, Elder U (sp) talked about The Grinch, and said we all probably feel a little like this and talked of ways to make it better. I Love the Savior and want to follow him. I know he was born in manger, and is the Son of GOD. I know he walked the areas of Judea and performed miracles, and taught the people of Heavenly Father . I know he suffered in Gethsemane(sp) for my sins, as well as everyone else's. I know he hung on the cross so that we could all live again after we die. I believe this with all my heart. I know he later came to the Americas and taught the people here. I have all my life wondered what it would have been like to have been there when he blessed the children. Now knowing all this, I must begin today to make it the holiday I want it to be and not necessarily the one the world might expect. I will begin first off today to read Luke Chapter 2. Then I will follow up with 3rd Nephi. I'm open for any help I can get as I try to find Christmas this year.

Fran's Kids

Monday Dec 6
I am thankful for my job. I truly love working with the children. I love each and every one of them. I am thankful that I make enough money that I can live the life I do and get some fun extras too. Of course it would be nice if my boss would give me a Christmas Bonus, or some extra days off, but she said no. Who do you know that gets to go for walks and bike rides in the summer; do all sorts of crafts and read stories, watch The Grinch over and over, and play games and get paid for it. When I see a child smile it makes me feel so good. As I drop the kids off for school, it is so wonderful to have tender greetings as they leave. I hope I have another 10 years to give to this.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Sunday Dec 5
I am thankful to be a member of this church. I know that it is true. I know President Monson is a prophet of the Lord. I know God lives. I know he is mindful of all of us, and will help us with our problems if we but ask. He won't take the problems away, as we need them to become better, but he will help us to manage them. I know Jesus is our Saviour. I wish that I could behave in a way that everyone would truly know that I am a follower of Christ. Sadly I fall way short of this, but I am trying. I am thankful also for the peple locally who labor in my behalf. The Bishop, Stake President, Relief Society President and all the other people who have callings. The cub leaders must be added here, as they have been wonderful for Bryton. Thank you.

Bountiful Baskets

Saturday Dec 4. I am thankful to have found Bountiful Baskets. It is the best way I know to eat healthy and not break the bank. BB is one of my passions. I love operating a site with my co -helpers, Kendra, Ashley, and Cynthia. Each week when I see the produce we are getting I am so excited to go home and start making meals around it. We have a large base of volunteers that come out to help us and I am also thankful for them.

Thankful for Music

I love music. I'm rather eclectric about it. I like easy listening, classical, dance stuff, a little hip hop, some rock. old country, gospel, but not new Christian, Christmas etc. Lately I really like Alex Boye. I bought his CD just before the trip and listened to it several times. On the cruise I kept his music playing on the CD in my brain. I am sure it was one of the things that kept me calm and wanting to help the others. Music goes right to my soul and bouys me up. When all else fails we still have music.

Thankfulness part 2

Thursday Dec 2. Today I have two things. First of all this is a little vain but I am thankful for my credit score. I don't have as much money as many people, but I have enough. I am careful about my bills and Heavenly Father has blessed me with the ability to work things out. In September my credit score was 802. I wanted to frame a copy of it but didn't ever see a paper copy. That lets me buy the things I need . I used this score to get an awesome deal on my dream car. I don't have to worry about breaking down. It has all the bells and whistles, which are really nice. It is bright red, and I named the car Zip Zap Imagine That.
The second is Shirley Price. I've been trying to come up with a craft items for my Church Nursery job for Christmas. She just dropped by and brought a box of craft things that she didn't want any more. It will work perfectly. The kids will like doing it and the parents are going to love it. Thanks Shirley.