Blessings

I think it's high time I counted my blessings on here. I am very blessed and I need to acknowledge it to remember it.

I have a great husband. I honestly felt like I fell in love with him so much more since we've had Jori, because he is also a great daddy. He works hard going to school, working at a job he doesn't like and then coming home and devoting himself to us. Sam's not perfect, but I often think he's a perfect match for me. I really lucked out.

My daughter is healthy. She's quite fussy still, but it is getting better. She has four fully functional limbs, she can hear and see great, she's gaining weight steadily, and as far as we know she has no mental disabilities. She's also always been a great eater (except for the rare times when she's so upset she'll arch even though she's hungry)-she's been able to take a bottle from a couple weeks old, and has been able to latch on well from Day 1. Or 2. Whenever we first tried.

I get enough sleep at night. Jori doesn't sleep through the night but at least usually, no matter how many times she wakes up she will at least go back to sleep. Oh, and Sam alternates with me too, which I very much appreciate.

I get money for going to school. Sheesh! What a blessing there!! With Pell Grants and 1/2 tuition, I actually get some money after the semester starts.

I live in the same city as my parents. I don't think we'll stay in Provo forever, but it sure has been nice having them around to help with Jori. I had no idea how much harder it would have been if they weren't around. But I can't imagine leaving Jori with many people-I worry too much they won't know how to calm her down (I mean I'm often guessing myself-how will they?). A teenage girl?? No way! But this way we have loving, experienced parents who don't complain about her crying at all-I couldn't ask for better.

I have a warm, comfortable, 2 bedroom apartment to live in with my husband and child. I have clothing, and we've even received tons of free clothing for Jori. I never have to worry about starvation. If I'm thirsty, I can just turn on a faucet and out water comes-I don't have to hike for miles to access it.

I live in a wonderful time for medicine-the best the world has seen up to this point. I have access to medicine that can help my child feel better, help her stomach problems not be as intense.

I live in America. I know there's plenty that's troubling about our country, but come on. This is a special place.

And how about the best one? I am a child of God. I have an older brother who was crucified because he loved me enough to suffer, bleed and die so that I could some day live with him and my Heavenly Father again. He's gone through everything I have, all the ups and downs not only of the past few months but all in my entire life. So if I am humble enough, even in my deepest despairs I can always remember "I am not alone. Christ DID experience this. And I can overcome it with His help." Not only that, but I am a member of His true church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Last time I did the statistic, I think it was like only one in 500 people on the earth are LDS. What a privilege to be one of them.

Sorry if this sounds braggy-that certainly wasn't what I was going for. I've just been pretty down in the dumps lately, and I thought I needed to step back and examine some things. And I have got it pretty good.