parks.

yep, this is one of those cheesy posts. I am thankful for parks. Most days this is because I have so much fun playing with and watching my children play. I love watching them interact with other children, seeing their personalities take over their play and of course watching their imaginations make a playset a pirate ship, a big superhero building, even a fast food drive thru. And then there are days like today where the park is my hero. It saves me from yelling and screaming, from pulling my hair out and gets me back to being a sane, happy woman and mother. I cannot tell you HOW thankful I am today for parks!:)

reminders.

Last night as I sat at our ward's Young Women's in Excellence meeting, I was reminded over and over again by the spirit how important the temple is. For the Young Women, how important it is to stay worthy and prepare, and for me to stay worthy and GO! As these amazing Young Women I work with got up and explained what each of them had done this last year to prepare them for the temple, I could not have been more grateful for such a gospel as this, which has programs with standards and activities for the youth to help guide them through this craziest time of the world we live in. In my mind, I only saw 11 years down the road when Maizie will be doing the same things, and even further down the road that this program will produce the wives and mothers that my sons will marry. I know that is so far down the road, but for a moment last night I had a big picture moment, where you see things from really far back, instead of right in the moment. I think it really was because the whole focus last night was the temple, and that is exactly what focus the temple gives me...that BIG picture. The ETERNAL perspective of my life, the PEACEFUL, INSPIRING moments of my life where I can see and feel the Lord's hand in my life, and in my crazy life right now, I could not be more thankful for the blessings of the temple and the promises that I have made to keep my family an eternal one. What a great life I have. I am so blessed!

I love THIS message about WHY we build temples and THIS one about the blessings that come from the temple.

him.

The very first time I told Ben I liked him, it was on the phone. Chicken, I know. But in that conversation I couldn't help but think that the next morning I was going to feel like I had said something that I would for sure regret. I mean, really, when you tell someone you like them, you can never go back to being the same friends you were before, right! I woke up to go to work the next morning really early and quickly checked my email before I left and found this:

Dear Kiki,

Regrets? I hope not.

BJ

That email calmed all my fears that I had had the night before and made me like him even more!:) And of course things have worked out great. He has been everything and more than I ever imagined. Superdad, Superhusband, Superstudent, Superworker, Superson, etc..you get the picture...BUT through this he has also been Superfun, Supercrazy, Superloving, Supersupportive, Superpositive..well, you get the idea. I feel like everything I am most grateful for has come or been enhanced because of our marraige, our love, and our friendship. And for him I am so thankful..with no regrets.:)

cool air.

Maybe it would only be me who would be soo thankful for this. I love cool air. Not freezing, but cool. After our first summer here in Las Vegas (we survived!):), I am loving this mild, beautiful fall weather. Both Ben and I decided that fall, winter and spring MUST be beautiful after the summer they have here. There are just too many people here not to believe that! The changing of the seasons for me is always a time of renewal and excitement. One of looking forward and enjoying the activities of the current season. And that certainly is the case here. Thank you for coming, fall!

my computer.

When I think back to relatively not that long ago, I remember a life with no computer. I would have a really hard time with that now. haha. That is the understatement of the year. And my husband would agree whole heartedly!:) I am so thankful for not having to have papers stacked and stacked from bills and lined paper that don't have to be used now because of this wonderful machine. I am thankful that I can keep in touch with friends and family much faster and easier with the touch of a button. I am thankful that grandparents and family can SEE the kids grow up and change and not just have to listen to their voice on the phone, because of the computer. And more than anytime in my life, I am so thankful I can write a little bit about my life and preserve it for my kids and family to come because of the computer. I am trying to learn balance with my life and the computer :) but truly am grateful for the sweet blessings it has brought into my life.

our buckeyes.

Last night as we were watching the game, we couldn't be more proud. This is the place who really taught us how to LOVE a team, how to really SUPPORT a team, and of course, it was also the place where we learned how to be and find really great friends.(more on that soon):) AND this one place brought us so many great opportunities and will for the rest of our lives. We hear the fight song and join in. We see a fellow buckeye and hear "O-H" and respond with an "I-O", and each time we wear our buckeye apparel, we get countless comments. This place has a special place in our hearts and always will. Today, I am so thankful we became a Buckeye, four years ago, for life.

my tunes

Today I am grateful for music. Good music. Feet thumpin, head boppin, hip shakin, heart pounding, tear streaming, kids dancin, loud singing, faith building, good music. I love it. so. much.