Today I am grateful for...

Extended Family

Seriously, we are really blessed by each and every person in these photos. That is 28 outside of our nuclear family.  Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing when He created families and made them central to his plan for each of us.  Read more here.

235th Birthday Marine Ball

I am grateful for

and all of those who risk their lives for our own individuals freedoms.  

(Half of our Embassy Marine Guard Detachment)

(photo stolen from a friend)

Our table companions Raul and Grace

 Jim and Cherilyn

 Breanna and Cherilyn

Last night we attended the 235th Marine Birthday Ball.  It was a great night with our new friends here in Peru.  This is an annual festivity planned and organized by the Marines themselves.  The keynote speaker was Kevin Hermening, who was the youngest American held in captivity for 444 days in the U.S. Embassy Iran from 1979-1981.  In was an honor to hear his story.

I toted around the beastly camera, forgot to take photos of friends and then stuffed it under the table to spend the last couple of hours dancing.  Even Steve surprised himself and joined in the fun!

Today I am grateful to be a 

Stay-At-Home Mom.

I don't always feel this way and often wonder what it would be like to go to work and if I might be more fulfilled.  I always dreamed of law school and/or business school.  I never imagined that I would be home raising 3 young children.  But right now, there is no where else in the world I would rather be...  and I mean it.  

Now we are off to teach Abe's class how to make his favorite cookies - Snickerdoodles!

Today I am grateful for my 

Health

To Run.

To Walk.

To Bear Children.

To Play.

To Breath.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Rich.

Today 

I am grateful for

God's Beauty.

God's beauty 

in the flowers and the trees.

In the mountains and the rocks.  

In sand.  

In the Faces of His Children.

Rich and Poor.

Healthy and Weak.

Young and Old. 

He Lives.

Choosing Joy

So for the first time in months, I actually feel like blogging.  I thought that I was going to go private, and I still may, but for now I am here... until I figure out how I will proceed.

It is November.  In this house, it is a month of birthdays and gratitude.

So for the entire month, I am going to join many others in the blogging world and record some of the reasons I am THANKFUL.

Today

 I am grateful for 

FREE AGENCY 

and my ability to

 Choose Joy.