I am ever grateful

Today I am thinking about gratitude.  I get frustrated.  Being a Mom is hard work.  There are days when I think that I was not cut out to be a mom.  There are days when I love my kids, but I kind of don't like them.  There are days when I think that I am going to lose my voice because I have had to yell, a lot.  And then there are days that I am just plain...worn...out.  And then I think of the simple things that I am grateful for and am reminded how blessed I am.  I am grateful for a loving husband and father to my children.  I am grateful for children who kiss me goodnight.  I am grateful for simple little things that I take for granted each day.

Like this:

 

I am grateful to wake up to this little smiling face each morning.

And this:

Peaceful sleeping children who melt my heart.  I still check on each of my kids each night before I go to bed to make sure they are okay.

 

This:

 

Food to eat.  It saddens me to know that there are so many who go without a meal each day.  I know of one elementary school in our district that had a 25% increase in requests for free lunches.  I am not sure about the other schools, but it does make me wonder.  My heart aches when I think of children whose only meal will come from being at school that day.

 

And even this:

 

Kids who insist on putting back a box of food that is empty.  ("Mom, it isn't all gone!!")  Because I know one day, when the house is quiet, and my husband and I are sitting alone at the breakfast table that we will say "Remember the days when..."

 

 

I have a new challenge to myself.  How can I be more grateful?  How can I express more gratitude to my children?  How can I express gratitude to my husband?  How can I be more grateful to those around me?  It can be as simple as a kind gesture or kind word.  It can be more time on my knees when I pray to my Heavenly Father.  President James E. Faust said that "A grateful heart is the beginning of greatness".  I am not sure I can attain greatness on this earth, but I am at least going to put forth the effort. 

And yes, that is boxed cereal, and Cookie Crunch at that.  Some days it is okay to spoil the children!