Month of Thanks - post 9

Today I am thankful that:

• I was able to pretty much take it easy.  Sometimes I'm so tired that I really can't handle doing much more than feeding myself and the kids.
• almost first thing in the morning I was able to read an article online that helped me change my attitude for the better (I was not in a good mood when I woke up).
• this evening when I was feeling discouraged Lily asked me what was wrong and when I told her she said with a cheerful smile, "It's OK."  Then she gave me a nice big hug and a kiss and said "come on Mommy."  Her kindness and cheerfulness totally lifted my spirits and gave me the energy I needed to get through the rest of the day.
• Matt gave Aveline a bath.  I usually don't mind giving baths, but it kills my back, so it's nice not to have to do it.
• while I was nursing Aveline,  Matt took out all the trash and cleaned up in the kitchen.
• Aveline only woke up to nurse once in the night.
• I finished off two different leftovers.  It was yummy food and it's always nice for food to get eaten before it gets old and has to be thrown out.
• we have For the Strength of Youth.  Matt and I have been using the topics (we skipped "Dating" and "Sexual Purity" as they don't really apply to our 2-year-old) for our Monday night Family Home Evening lessons and today we did the last one.  I think if youth will live by the standards in For the Strength of Youth they will be so much better off than if they do not live those standards.  The topic we did today was about work and self-reliance.  I think it is so easy to feel like living a life of rest and relaxation would be ideal, but in reality having a strong work ethic is so much more satisfying and helps you feel so much better about yourself.
• I was able to clean up some in the dining room.  I think when you have little kids wherever they eat should be cleaned at least once a day.  Unfortunately it does not happen nearly that often in our house, so it is always wonderful when it does get done.