Moonlight Madness and Ambien: I am happiest when I am full of gratitude

Being grateful is the only way to be happy. This year I have to say that besides my family, which I am always most grateful, I am grateful for Steve's job he started this past summer. What a blessing it has been in our lives. We are just now starting to recuperate from a couple of really bad years financially. To be working for a company that is well established and you aren't taking a risk on is such a great feeling. Steve works so hard. He is up driving to work at 6:30 and not home until around 6:30 at night. It has been hard having him in Salt Lake and not just a block away, but there are way too many reasons to be happy about it. We are looking forward to a few good years to replentish.

Another thing I am grateful for is health. Besides the 50 year old complaints and the sometimes "hard to get rid of" colds I am healthy. I am strong and able to take care of my family. I don't know what life holds in the future, but for right now, I am healthy and my family is healthy.

I am grateful for Krissa and Dave and McKailey and Owen. I am grateful for Stephen and Alesha and Tripp, Pax and especially for the miracle of a new little life in our family. Eli Louis Russo. Krissa and Alesha are terrific moms. I am so grateful that I don't have to worry about my grandchildren being well taken care of. They all have their financial ups and downs like the rest of us but they have good jobs that pay. At this time that is truly a blessing.

Taylor and Sarah are my young single adults with the same issues and problems that come with that. I am grateful for these two in my life. I am grateful that Taylor will talk "feelings" with me and I am grateful that he has a job and insurance. I will miss him when he isn't living in my basement apartment. Sarah is on campus and one of the things I am most grateful for are the friends she has in her life. Her roomates are such amazing girls and they care about one another. She has the Broyas (see Sarah's blog for an explaination about this) in her life that are truly a blessing. They honor their priesthood and I know she is among honorable guys. I am grateful that she is involved in college and serves others while educating herself.

I am grateful that I still have my parents. They have some major health issues, but I have had them in my life making a difference for 50 years. I am grateful they love me even though I don't call them and see them as much as a good daughter should. I am grateful for siblings that love me. We get along through thick and thin. I am grateful to work with my brother. That has been a huge blessing in my life. I am grateful for good friends. I am surrounded by people who strive to live the gospel and be the best they can be (no, they aren't in the army). The one thing that ties all of my blessings together and that I am very most grateful is the Gospel, My Father in Heaven, and my Savior Jesus Christ. My life would be less meaningful and hopeless without the knowledge of the atonement. I am grateful that Jesus makes up for all my mistakes as a wife, mother, sister, and friend. I am grateful that I can repent when I am selfish. I am grateful for the resources I have to make it possible to learn and grow in the gospel especially for the Prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. I am grateful for the scriptures as the best resource I have and for the Prophet Joseph Smith that made it possible for me to pick up and read.

I have much to be grateful for and I am happiest when I remember all those blessings.

There are only 4 pictures I took at Thanksgiving this year. I guess I was way too busy eating and being grateful. We took Jake with us to my Mom's for Thanksgiving. I was really quite grateful I wasn't in charge. Sometimes I get really tired of being in charge of these events. That is why I was so grateful when Krissa took the Halloween Dinner and went with it. What a relief!

The minute we got to Mom's she sat Steve and Taylor down and started serving food. Not only that, but she turned the footbal games on for their viewing pleasure. Does it get any better than that? How would it be to not have to worry about dinner, but only relax and eat and watch TV? Jake spent the day just as spoiled. I mean....really.....just look at him. This is what they mean by "It's a Dog's Life".

Happy Boy!

We have seen more of Sarah lately and I love it! I think she loves us as much as she loves all her wonderful friends, LOL. (I told myself I wouldn't use LOL but it works so well)