Day 13

I'm grateful for relaxation.

It's so nice after a day of working, to be able to come home

and relax.

Get in my comfy clothes and lounge around after I work out or make dinner.

While I love to be busy and always have something to do,

it's so nice to curl up with a nice book and big blanket to curl up in.

That's what I doing tonight.

I finished my workout, and now I'm going to turn off my computer and read a good book.

See you tomorrow.

Day 12

Today I'm grateful for children.

At church, Josh and I are in charge of watching 10-15 children between the ages of 18 months - 3 years.

At first when we started, I was so overwhelmed by all the little children and chaos, I didn't know where to start.

Now that we have been doing it for around 6 months, I have fallen in love with all the cute little tykes!

I love their innocence. 

Children don't judge or withhold their love.

Today I was reading stories to a couple of girls, with them sitting in front of me. 

Most of them lost interest between the 3-4 story, but this one little girl, who has been SO shy, came up and climbed onto my lap. 

No coaxing or encouragement needed.

It made my heart melt.

And I read any story she wanted me to read.

Children love and trust without reservation or judgement.

It's moments like this that make me excited to be a mother.

I hope that my children will grab stories and climb onto my lap.

Day 11

SNOW!

I'm so grateful that it finally snowed!

During winter time, it seems like there is always a nice layer of smog that settles in the Salt Lake Valley.

So when it snows, it's nice to see the mountains again, in all their white glory.

This winter has been pretty dreadful, with no snow and brown, ugly mountains.

Christmas was a little depressing, I've gotten so used to having a White Christmas, I forgot what it was like not to have one.

And I love White Christmas's! 

Hopefully now that it has snowed, it will keep snowing until April or so...

Hey, and maybe I'll actually learn how to ski this year! 

I've already tried snowboarding, and I got sick of falling so much and always being sore. 

I figure that if my feet are on two sticks instead of one board, and I'll get to have poles in my hands to keep me steady, that it might be a better fit for me.

So bring on the winter activities, finally!

Day 10

I'm grateful for safe drivers.

I know that when I am driving with my husband, he is safe.

He doesn't drive like a lunatic weaving in and out of traffic.

I feel safe driving with him, 

enough that I can fall asleep and not worry that we'll make it home alive.

We both know how to drive defensively, 

so where we both know how to look out for and avoid those 'scary' drivers.

I'm glad hat I was taught how to drive in bad weather.

If you live in Utah, you know there are tons of people out there that DON'T know how to drive in snow.

And they are the ones that make it dangerous for the rest of us.

So, now that it has finally snowed, you won't see me racing down the freeway!

Day 9

I'm grateful for exercise.

I have a desk job. 

By the end of the day, I want to go crazy from sitting all day.

Coming home I usually feel tired, but I'm so glad that I can come home and exercise.

Most recently, my favorite workout has been Zumba.

Ever done it? 

It's one of the most fun exercises I have ever done! 

Every time I turn it on, I have flashbacks when I was in ballroom class and memorizing routines.

So far, my favorite routines have been the Hindu and Samba inspired.

If you haven't tried Zumba, I would highly recommend it.

The other exercise that I try to squeeze in is walking/running on my treadmill.

So, I'm grateful I have something to do after sitting all day that relieves my aching joints, 

and helps me to relax and release stress.
It might be weird, but I love my sore muscles!
It lets me know that I'm challenging my body and working to get it in the shape I want to be in.

And I'm already looking forward to summer.

I miss taking my walks outside and hanging out in the park!

Day 8

I'm grateful for books.

I love the feel and weight of books.

I considered wanting to buy something like the Nook or Kindle,

but that would only be useful to me on vacations.

I love to hold the book, smelling that musty old book smell or the smell of ink on new pages.

Call me old fashioned.

I love seeing my library of books and looking at them to decide what I want to read.

To me, I get more satisfaction from reading a book and turning the pages,

than holding a tablet and clicking a button.

While the tablets save space and aren't bulky,

I still like lugging a good book around.

I'm grateful for the authors, for the creativeness and hard work that goes into a book.

They get the satisfaction of entertaining their readers

and I have the satisfaction of being entertained.

I have thought multiple times about trying to write a book only to realize,

I'm not creative or eloquent enough.

So I tip my hat to those people out there that can not only write books,

but write books that can suck a reader in and keep them enthralled,

 turning pages furiously to the very end.

Day 7

Today I'm grateful for music.

It's funny how there's music for almost every type of mood.

On my ipod I have so many different genres to reflect...

ballads, rock, rap, classical, show tunes, pop, jazz, indie.

They can make me reflect on life, be happy, want to dance, make me cry, have the endurance for a really long run, or cheer me up.

Music can also make you think of memories. 

For example, when I hear any song from Moulin Rouge: 

I remember being on a school trip in California and belting those songs from my balcony with friends.

Ahhh, good times.

Or how when I think of Eminem's song 'Lose Yourself' from 8 Mile, 

I just want to run. 

Music is such an important part of my life.

It's also a great way for me to express my emotions. 

Wondering how?

There's a few of you out there that probably remember that I play the violin and piano?

While I wish I played them more (I wish I had a piano), every time I pick up my violin it's like there's another part of me that comes out.

 By playing I can let go of my fears, frustrations, and relax.

And for that I am very grateful.