The Six of Us

Feeling very thankful today.  I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my mom, aunt and my nephews and niece, sister and brother in law. My sister left Thanksgiving Dinner and had a baby a few hours later.  Likely the last on my side.  Tensions have been high this year but, last night it all seemed to melt away.  I don't for one moment think this will be the end of the all the tension and heartache but I will for the present soak it all in.  I heard a podcast that said we should list all the things we are thankful that we don't have.  So here is my list. I am thankful we don't have: 1) Major illness 2) have to depend on others to feed, house or clothe the kids 3) a car that is falling apart 4) selfish parents 5) To question where money for Christmas is coming from 6) Toxic Friendships There are many more but it is hard to verbalize when I do it that way.  We know we have so many blessings.  We know that we have so much more then others. 

What happens when you give something up? Lee has been listening to YouTube videos about how to be more productive several of the videos he sent had to do with how Facebook Instagram and the like mess with your mind.   Add to the challenge  given in conference to give up social media for 10 days I decided to give it up for the month of November.  I have also decided to give up the "family chat".  Anybody who needs to talk to me can always text or email me. Ten days in  and I am already accomplishing so much and doing more. I am reading more and I have finished several charity projects that I have put off for months as well as some new projects.  I am thinking clearer and have more energy.  I do know that there are some things I am missing out on.  I got on Facebook today and I missed a request for help at the church.  Lee had some suggestions on how to stay on Facebook but limiting what I see.   I lasted about five minutes on Facebook before signing off. So maybe it

Sometimes I think my kids don't realize how privileged they really are.  Some may say spoiled. Some of that is due to others and some I am sure has to do with us.  But when an opportunity came up for us to take the older kids to Lion King we jumped at the chance.  Second Row seats and an amazing show.  As we continue to pay off debt we continue to have the resources to take the kids places and allow them to experience things that wouldn't otherwise happen.  I do know that in a moment it could all change.  I think the kids know that as well. So for now we will embrace it and enjoy it.