Grateful

I was tagged by Tiffani. I'm supposed to pick 6 words that describe my life, but after reading everyone else's lists, I had a really hard time coming up with words that would sound as positive and uplifting as everyone else's. Due to the current situation with my husband's hours, the only words I could come up with were ones like challenging, routine, and tiring. So I got to thinking about the things that were positive in my life right now, especially in relation to my husband's hours.

I knew this would be hard, basically being a single parent, but like I have said, I've found great pride in the fact that I am doing it, and am still managing to smile! But it is hard having no breaks during the day, working my own job from 8 am to 10 pm. Where I go, my kids go. Period. I've never had to get so many babysitters in my life, for things I am less than thrilled about getting babysitters for. I promise I'm not trying to whine, just setting up the scene for my list of gratitude. So with that in mind, this is what I'm grateful for:

~ The most wonderful, selfless, thoughtful sister-in-law and brother, whom I love and adore with all my heart. Seriously, never before have I seen people so willing to offer service with no expectations of anything in return. Several times my sweet sister-in-law has called up and offered to take my kids, for several hours at a time, sometimes over night, so that Bill and I can go out on our rare night together, or just so I can have a break. Any time she overhears me say "I've got this tonight but don't know what to do with my kids," even if I'm not talking to her, she immediately jumps in and says, "Bring them to my house." It makes me want to cry, every time. I am so grateful. They have fed my kids countless times, taken them to the movies, and who knows what else. I know they're not looking for any kind of credit, but they have been such an example to me of service. I love you guys!

~ A loving mom who offered to take my kids every Wednesday afternoon so that I could "have the afternoon off" to take a nap, run errands kids-free, whatever I wanted. Today was the first and it was mah-valous. As if that wasn't enough, she taught Payson to swim! I couldn't believe it! I went to pick them up and there he was, no swimmies, (that was a little scary to see) diving down like a little dolphin and swimming under the water. He was soooo proud of himself.

~ All the people who have made accommodations to help me, no matter how little they may seem, like our Primary Presidency who decided to start meeting at my house for our evening meetings so that I didn't have to figure out what to do with my kids each week. It makes things so much easier for me and I appreciate it so much. And great friends who host our Ward Card Night at their house and tell me to bring my kids in so I can stay and hang out instead of just dropping off my cards. Probably not a big deal to her, but a big deal to me. Thank you!!

So that is my list. It feels great to focus on the positive and express my gratitude to those who are helping me through a little bit harder time. I know it wasn't six words, but I hope it will do! Thanks for the opportunity, Tiffani!