grateful

today i feel grateful. i'm so blessed. i'm especially grateful for:

• dave. i'm convinced there has never been a better husband. he is so good to our boys. he does "crazy whoa" with them even though it makes him sick (it's a spinning thing). he rides the train to work now, even though it's much less convenient, to save money on gas. he plays with the boys. i am always doing laundry, cleaning, cooking and whatnot, but dave plays. no wonder the boys prefer him.
  
• elder ballard's talk. i listened to it today for the first time, and it was nice to be reminded that i can do a little better as a mother, and to appreciate the moments. like just now, when isaac came back from his walk with dave, he brought me a dandelion. dave said he carried it for a very long way because he wanted to give me a present. the moments are what matter for a mother.
• the church. i don't know what i would do without my faith. without the ability to fast and pray when i need help, or an answer to a question. without opportunities to serve and be served. without scriptures and conference and modern revelation.
  
• my boys. they constantly teach me patience and unselfishness. they are sweet and funny and they make me laugh. i love them more than anything. i'm so lucky that i get to stay home with them (which i owe to mark & stacy, and my great husband) and experience their growing up. i'm registering isaac for preschool this week and the thought of him being gone brings mixed feelings--excitement for a little extra free time, and sadness that i won't be his only influence anymore. another reason i've loved elder ballard's talk this morning.
  
• the story of the ten lepers. it reminds me to be grateful, to thank God for what i have, because i have been given much. it reminds me to stop, to look around, to appreciate what i have, especially my family, and express my gratitude. i am so blessed.
  

(art: ten lepers by james christensen)