No video, no pictures, just thoughts

I have been looking at others' blogs and just felt the need to express some of my feelings. First of all, our family had another wonderful and humbling Christmas. The Lord has blessed us as we have paid a full tithe this year in so many more ways than financially. He really does pour out blessings, so many that we cannot receive them all. We were also blessed again by a "Secret Santa". I was nursing Dani Kaye and the girls were downstairs putting Michael and Lexi to bed when the phone rang so it did not get answered. Then I thought I heard a car out in the snow. When the girls came back upstairs I had them check the caller ID and it was a cell phone from Vegas. I told them they had better check the front porch just in case and sure enough we found a cute little penguin ornament that opened up and inside was lots of "green". We have been visited by one or more "Secret Santas" every year that we have lived in Provo and it never stops being a humbling experience nor does it ever get easier to express my gratitude in words. Most people would probably look at our situation and almost pity us - old furniture, old cars, old clothes, etc. We, however, could not feel more blessed. We own our own home! We own a working vehicle! We have food to eat! And most of all, we live in a wonderful ward with wonderful friends and neighbors. We are truly blessed.

On thanksgiving, we went around the table several times and mentioned some of the things we are greatful for. I had a lofty goal of posting them all here but, for now, I will just mention one that I said. I am thankful for brothers who take care of my mom. I feel so far away from her here in Provo and wish so much that I were in a position to do more for her. I do, however, have wonderful brothers who help provide for her. She just recently moved in with my brother, Rick, and his wife, Nancy. I am so greatful to them for opening their home to her so that she does not have to live alone any more.

As my mom would say, "One down, seven to go." Rick finished his first semester of college with all A's and B's. He is an amazing man! I am so blessed to be his wife. There are so many times that he would have been justified in walking away from our marriage - nobody would have blamed him. I am so greatful that he stayed. During the early years (like the first 15) of our marriage, if someone had told me that we would eventually be this happy I would have never believed them.

Life is good. I am happy. That's saying a lot.