Time-Out

I have had a crazy couple of weeks and I wanted to take a small time out and really appreciate some of the greatest blessings in my life.  If you have watched the news at all lately, it sounds like the world is going to "hell in a hand basket."  The tsunami in Japan, the bombing in Libya, the troops in several other countries, the murdering and child abuse on the 10pm news, etc..etc..etc.. I could go on and on.  I have several specific things that bless my life.  The first is CHAD-
He took me on a week long vacation to Hawaii for our 10 yr anniversary... It was a such a great trip.  (I will post about it later.. once I edit pictures!)
Tonight he and I had one of the best conversations we have had in a while.  We really communicated, I mean really communicated.  It is so refreshing to be able to have such a great companion and person to share my life, stress, happiness, and love with.
                                      The second thing I am thankful for is friends....
I have in  my midst, the most Christ like, loving, serving, generous, spunky, REAL, friends a person could ask for.  They balance me out, they support me, they laugh at me and with me, they cry with me and they just plain 'ole love me.  For that I am so so thankful.
                                      The third thing I am thankful for is my mom....
She made me who I am.  She is encouraging and strong.  She is selfless and always serving me and helping me.  She makes me laugh and she really "gets" me.  She is so talented and witty and strong.... Someday I hope to be just like her.
                                     The fourth thing I am thankful for is my life and freedom...
I live in America, that in and of itself is amazing.  I was born in Idaho to great parents and a great family!  I have the gospel in my life and a healthy body.  My biggest stresses are what kind of treats to buy at the store.  Seriously, I have food, shelter, love, health, water, healthy kids, vehicles, etc..etc..etc...
                                     The fifth thing I am thankful for is my little family...
I had no idea about service or loving someone until I had children.  I think that is the only way Heavenly Father could help us understand how much he loves us.  He had to give us a small dose of how it feels to love unconditionally.  It is amazing what these little people have done to my life on so many different levels.  I am so so thankful for them. 

So, there are  many other things I want to say, but I didn't want this to be too long.  I just wanted to take a minute, a small time out, to really appreciate my life and how much I have been blessed.