As I was sitting in church yesterday, a beautiful young mother, whom I greatly admire, spoke about gratitude.
She spoke about the little things she does with her children, like gratitude journals, and thinking of at least three things to be sincerely grateful for in her prayers each day and teaching her children to do the same. I was touched. She mentioned that often as we petition our Father in Heaven, we get so focused on what we want that we allow our needs to outweigh our gratitude for what He has done. She left a gentle reminder to have an attitude of gratitude. She probably doesn't even realize what an incredible lady she is.
Quoting President Monson she said, "We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that 'gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.'”
With that, and hopefully not coming across as preachy--that was not my intent in the least-- I would like to express gratitude for happy moments in my life. Jordan surprised me for our anniversary, and took me to Cheesecake Factory (one of my favs!) and then to Park City to the Hyatt Escala Lodge (the same place we stayed on our wedding night!) It was so much fun to be with just him. I am grateful for moments when I can sit back and truly appreciate my blessings, especially my husband. At one point during our getaway, I was joking around with Jordan and he smiled and said, "I am so happy I am married to you." He is the cutest.
Before Dinner! Awkward car shot...
So pretty, definitely recommend this place to anyone!
Say hello to my Nike Free 7.0!
We even went and hit a bucket of balls the next night, to stretch out the fun a bit longer (correction, he hits the ball, I swing at them) and had a blast.
Notice, he looks like he will actually hit the ball...
Mentally preparing to hit the ball...didn't work.
And, for Jordan's birthday the week earlier, he got this little bad boy, the "2014 Specialized Rockhopper" and was speechless when he saw it.
It was pretty cool to see him be SO excited about a gift. He is so humble, he never expects anything. He had his bike stolen at BYU and he has been in mourning ever since! I decided I had to end that cycle--I just realized that was a super bad pun and it wasn't even intended! So I took his dad and mom and they helped me find a bike, since I probably would have come home with a pink beach cruiser :). I have awesome in-laws, another blessing I am constantly amazed by.
I love President Hinckley. I really do miss him dearly. He was so simple and so happy. He had an ideal marriage--what romance should look like. So, forgive me for all the quotes, you just can't go wrong with that man!
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
Today, I am grateful for the ride!
I am grateful to wake up and feel excitement for the future. I am grateful for the health of my family, for beautiful sunsets, for Savanah's (my little sister's) witty remarks. I am grateful that Jordan's med school applications are in (with Texas applications almost completed) and that we have been richly blessed with incredible families. I am grateful for my first year of marriage, and thankful that it has certainly been the best year of my life.
I want to be more grateful. My mom always told me when I was little that you can't help but be pretty when kind words and compliments come from your mouth. So, I want to count my many blessings and name them one by one! I really am so so grateful for every. single. one. :)
Happy 1 year and birthday to my perfect-for-me, husband!
