Thanksgiving Surprise!!!

Have you ever tried to hide an elephant in your backyard?  I think that might be easier than what we’ve been trying to hide.  We have this amazing Christmas gift that we’ve been excited to tell my kids about.  We have decided to tell them for thanksgiving instead.  Why you might ask?  Well it’s not because we can’t keep a secret, but because we have nowhere to hide it.    So here is my new list of things to be grateful for.

I have lost 51 pounds!! To which I’m very grateful.  I was on a roll and loved losing weight.  I had even started to exercise and was loving it -- although I wasn’t excited about dieting during the Holiday’s.  Then the only thing that would bring my diet to a crashing halt 23 pounds before my goal weight happened.  To which I’m also very grateful -- for more reasons than the fudge and hot chocolate I can now eat.  After having all my kids, my tummy resembled a deflated balloon.  Not anymore.  I have a new little poppy seed sized baby taking up lots of room.  It’s amazing how large my tummy can get in just a few weeks of pregnancy.

So I am grateful for this new amazing spirit that the Lord has entrusted me to raise.  We are announcing earlier than planned, but for anyone who sees me, you will know why this is one secret that was impossible to keep.   So we ask for lots of prayers in behalf of our cute little poppy seed.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to raise 7 children.

 I saw a pregnant women walking through the parking lot eating ice cream right out of the gallon.  I got jealous because I never thought of doing that when I was pregnant all the other times.  So I am grateful that I get the chance to eat ice cream right out of the gallon.   It won’t be peanut butter though; the baby doesn’t like peanut butter. 

I am grateful that my body is so used to getting pregnant that even before I know I’m pregnant my body starts to expand to make lots of room for my growing poppy seed.

I’m grateful I kept all my maternity clothes, because at this rate I’ll need them before Christmas.

I’m grateful my oldest will be driving soon, because we will need to drive two cars now whenever we go anywhere with the whole family.

I am grateful for my husband.  He is my best friend and the only man I want to spend the rest of my life and all of eternity with.   He can see something in me that can’t be seen by anyone else.  He calls me gorgeous even when  I’ve been through hours of labor,  haven’t showered,  I’ve gained weight and my body is stretched to the point of no return.  He tells me how grateful he is for me when the house is a mess and dinner is cold cereal, his kids have sat in front of the TV all day, we have no clean dishes, we have no food in the house, and I forgot to put in the laundry again.  He supports me when I tell him of some crazy idea or project I want to do.  I knew it was true love when he went to the store and bought me pads or a pregnancy test because I was too embarrassed to buy them myself.  

I am grateful for my children.  They have helped me learn patience, given me a sense of humor and more knowledge than I really wanted.  They have helped me learn the best way to get pen, crayon, gum and lip gloss out of the laundry.  I’ve learned what happens when you dump an entire bottle of baby shampoo on the carpet.  I’ve learned what happens when you take too many fluoride pills, drink nail polish remover, eat Comet bath scrubber or overdose on my travel sickness pills.  They have also taught me I don’t need to spend a lot of money on the present.  Just give them an empty box, and they’ll play for hours.  (Only works before they are 3 after that the price on the gift doubles every year.)  They’ve also taught me that they are stronger, kinder, smarter and more loving than I could ever be. 

My Mom.  Even though I am 38 I know I still have someone who worries if I get enough sleep, makes sure I’m eating right, calls me to make sure I make it home safe and will even call my doctor to make sure I made it to my appointment okay.  I sure do love her and am grateful the Lord sent me to be her daughter.  

I am grateful for a prophet of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.    When I follow the counsel of the living prophet I am blessed.  The gospel gives my life direction and purpose.

I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.  Without Him and His life, example and sacrifice, everything in this life would be pointless.  I am eternally grateful to him and all that He has given me. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!