Thankful Thursday #2

1.  I'm so thankful for Family Night.  Wayne and I have always tried to do something for family night... a lesson, activity, treat, or an outing ...something that brings us all together.  I'm thankful that my kids have always bought into this.  Our family night's have not always been the best, some are definitely lacking, but just being together in a common cause, that of strengthening the family is such a good thing.  We have a song, and then discuss calendars and family business.  We take turns with a short lesson, the key word is short, and then we always have a treat.  The treat is really the only mandatory thing of the entire night.   I remember when our boys were little and how they would just run around and wrestle and not really pay attention, but we did it anyway.  As I look to our future, we will have just Laila around...so maybe we will need to be asking another family to join us.  Whatever comes, FHE is a good thing, and something I'm glad Wayne and I committed to 30+ years ago.

"Regular participation in family home evening will develop increased personal worth, family unity, love for our fellowmen, and trust in our Father in heaven.  It is our promise that great blessings will come to all who conscientiously plan and hold weekly family home evening." 

The First Presidency 1915 (Joseph F. Smith)

2.  I'm so thankful for Family Prayer.  I love kneeling down and praying as a family.  It's good to hear what needs and concerns we feel need to be expressed in prayer.  It's good to feel the love in the circle.  When we are finished we always put our hand in the middle of the circle and then do a "game cheer" or shout of "FOREVER."   It's a good reminder of what our goal is as a family.

3.  I'm so thankful for Laila hugs.  These are few and far between lately.  When Laila turned 12 and hormones kicked in, my loving child became a stereotypical teenager who rolls her eyes and mumbles at her mother.  It kills me.  I'm trying to be mostly patient and just love her through these years, but I do appreciate a good Laila squeeze now and then for my efforts.


4.  I'm so thankful for my Grandma Butters.  Always in November I think about her.  She was born and she died in this month.  She's been gone 5 years, but I still remember her vividly and the warmth she generated and the fun conversations we had.  She was always good for a laugh or a love. Sometimes I catch myself doing things that she would have done...a little "jig" for the kids, making an embarrassing moment less embarrassing by just embracing it and laughing,  singing the "garbage" notes in 5 part harmony, trying to keep it "light" at ward choir practice, paying for the "gourmet" shoes, getting the sweater or shirt with the design that goes all the way around not just on the front, being excited when a baby drinks out of a straw, sneaking diet coke to the baby.... all Grandma Butters stuff.  She was a spiffy lady, a classy lady, a loving lady.....oh to be more like her daily!

I still see her "holding court" in her chair in the corner or in her chair in the gazebo.  She was the Queen!  So happy I get to count her as mine.