Grateful like Elder DeBaltzo says it...

Tonight I decided that I really needed to post. I am in a profoundly grateful mood as we hunker down in the wind and rain that seems to be the part of the storm that we will be getting. It is very wet, all the leaves are being knocked out of the trees and while I do not think that we will have any major issues here in the Cleveland area - it certainly is giving validity to the "be prepared" mentality and I am thinking about ways to improve my food storage, etc. As I have always believed - all this prep stuff isn't for the end of the world - but it sure is smart for things like these storms! On to grateful. I am grateful that I have terrific kids. While I am often sad that time flies - I have to say that this stage of life is a really great one. I am grateful that my big kids in Provo choose to get together frequently. I am grateful for Corey as my first daughter-in-law who willingly opens their apartment to be a home away from home for Jack and Luke and her sister Emma. I am grateful they have dinner together there most Sundays. I am grateful Den has a good job that provides us a home that I love and the freedom to do the things that I wish to do. I am grateful to be able to work on projects that mean so much to me like Wa-Wa's book. I am so excited to have that completed! The last revision is in the works right now. I am grateful to live in a country where we can vote and choose. I am grateful to live in Ohio where despite the CRAZY amount of political calls, mailings, media, etc - I know it is somewhere where my vote really matters and it makes me appreciate that privilege. I am grateful that when Den travels we have a chance to just kick back and although we miss him when he is gone - the kids and I have a different kind of good time. However, I am grateful that when he comes home - it is always a very happy reunion! I am so very glad that I met Dennis more than 29 years ago. Life has been very good together and I am looking forward to celebrating 25 years of marriage this next year. I am grateful for the example of solid marriages that we have in our families. That is a blessing. I am grateful to be able to worship in the way that I see fit for me and for my family. I believe that Heavenly Father watches over each of us. I know that this gives me tremendous peace - and that my children feel the same. I am grateful that my kids are making choices in their own lives that have purpose and positive direction. I am glad that Sophie and Luke are my tail-end kids and that I am able to go to all of their sport activities. I am thankful for thoughtful texts, phone calls and emails from all of my children and glad that we live in an information age where distance is not nearly what it was in years ago. I am grateful for all the techie gadgets that make life so easy. I'm grateful for good health - for happy siblings and parents. I am glad that we have each found our own lives - and that they are happy ones. This month I have reflected on all the fun October family times we have had in recent years - specifically at Sean, Brooke and Jake's weddings. Happy Anniversary to all! And so - I needed to post this tonight because although it seems easy to "wallow" when things are slightly off, it would really be ungrateful to not take the time to be joyful when life is good. Happy day - with love from Lexi