Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Bonus: Family Pictures

Here is a link for our family pictures we recently had taken. Hope you enjoy. There are a lot of them.

http://www.gogetphotos.com/Client-Galleries/Family-Portraits/McLain-Family-2011/19806355_SSbGfd#1556718460_QTLDcK6

Days 7 & 8 Laughter

I am grateful for laughter. Especially laughter from or caused by my children. They say the most silliest things, and sometime I have to hold in the laughter so as not to embarrass them. This morning Emily informed me that she no longer wanted to be a girl, and that it isn't fair that Thomas gets to be the only boy. I chuckled because it was so random.

Abby has been very frustrated about the weather lately. She wants Christmas to come next and not Thanksgiving. After trying to explain it to her, and getting nowhere, I told her to take it up with Heavenly Father about her feelings. She left the room, and came back a few minutes later to tell me that she did. We'll see if it changes on upcoming calendars:)

Thomas this morning was telling knock knock jokes, and just making them up and laughing hard, so of course Nathan jumped in with sharing them too. It was a happy morning.

And then there is Sarah. When I look at her she starts to smile and it just melts me. She is starting to laugh, and it makes me smile.

Laughter. It is a wonderful thing.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Day 6: Contentment

Today in church we were talking about the teachings of Paul, and I read this scripture:

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11.

Being content in the state that I am in. This is hard. I seem to always want things to speed up just to get through a difficult time in my life, that I miss the lessons that Heavenly Father wants me to learn along the way. I find myself hoping that my kids will grow up faster so maybe then they will listen better and be more reasonable, (ha, ha) and yet I will never get this time back.

Our Sunday school teacher gave us the challenge to pick something and to work on this week. I am going to focus on being content. I want to enjoy the journey. All of the challenges that I will face this week as well as all the happy things. I want to be content with what I have. I am truly blessed.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Here We Go Again?

Ok, so I admit I have never gotten into this blogging thing. I enjoy reading other peoples posts, but I'm not very good at writing them myself. We'll try this again, even though I don't think anyone reads this. Maybe it will be good, cheap therapy for me. :)

Since it is the month of November, I'm going to join the bandwagon and say what I am thankful for. Abby is already starting her Christmas list, and she doesn't understand why Christmas can't come before Thanksgiving. I told her it is because we have to express our thanks first, before we go asking for everything under the sun.

So to catch up with the date of November 5, here are the 5 things I am currently thankful for:
1. My husband. Nathan is a wonderful provider for our family. His love and sacrifice for me allows, no gives me the blessing of staying home with my children. He works very hard for us, and I don't thank him enough.

2. My children. If I step back and allow myself to see them as Heavenly Father sees them, then I am truly blessed to have them. Yes, they are loud at times, and demanding with their requests, but I love them, and I'm grateful to each of them for making me a mother.

3. My parents. I am thankful for the lessons my parents taught me. They loved each other and loved us. They spent time with me and listened to my feelings and disappointments in my life. They never judged me. I know I could always come to them, and they would love me unconditionally.

4. The Gospel. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and the atonement of Jesus Christ. It has blessed me throughout my life as I fall down and pick myself back up and to keep trying even when it seems impossible. I'm grateful that I have a simple faith that makes sense to me and that I don't question. It keeps me going.

5. Heat. Today is our first official snow of the season. Even though there isn't a lot of snow, it is cold outside. I am grateful for my heater that keeps me and my children warm. Sometimes it truly is the little things that make all the difference.