Friday, December 3, 2010

An Attitude of Gratitude

We drove to California this year for a brief Thanksgiving trip. I was so excited to have time with my parents, siblings, grandparents and of course my nieces! They are growing up so quickly and are beautiful girls. What I enjoy most about being with my family is spending time with them. It really doesn't matter what we do as long as we're together.

'Tis the season to think more of our blessings. Lately, I've been thinking more about how I can better enjoy my blessings. Just after he was called to be our new prophet, President Monson shared his thoughts on how we can find joy in our journey:

He said, "I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now...

"Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future...

"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important--and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, 'They do not love that do not show their love.' We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us...

"Said one well-known author: 'Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our concious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth...

"The ancient Roman philosopher Horace admonished, 'Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.'"

I have enjoyed this season by living better in the present and not worrying so much about the future. I would love and have tried to plan my entire future, haha. Life is so much better this way. I feel excited about each day and about my blessings. Each day is a gift.

I love how Mari's eyes are huge. She looks like she could be ours.



It tickled Mom and me to watch how giddy Dad was about having help with the lights.
He's not too fond of that ladder.

Spencer was ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood.
I love Jon's face in this picture, so cute.



Dad & Grandpa Hogge.

Mom is such a good Grandma.

Spence with the girls...lucky man.

My beautiful Grandma Hogge and sweet aunt Joyce.

Mom found the top of our wedding cake frozen and in perfect condition.
It tasted amazing after 1 1/2 years of marriage!!

Auntie Hilly with sweet Alice. I have never met a sweeter baby girl.
Posing with her new outfit from Aunt Mindy. Love her.