127. Today I am grateful for the past year

As we prepare to leave 2011 behind and welcome in 2012 I think it is a good time to reflect on the past year. I am truly grateful for the past year and feel that it has opened a new chapter in my life with beginning a career. This time last year I had completed all my course work and getting ready to begin my practicum. My practicum was with Crossroad Family Services, a foster care agency. I was able to learn a lot about the foster care system and the support that both foster children and foster families require. My practicum also helped prepare me for the job I have now as a family support worker for a Head Start Program. I am grateful for my education and the career path that I am on now. However, the career I desire the most is to be a mother, I am happy with the career path I am on now.

I also moved out of a place where I had lived for almost 4 years and it was a change that I really needed for several reasons. I was blessed with the opportunity to live in the compassion house as a live in volunteer which included free accommodation and the opportunity to associate with some amazing people. I then found a great place to live in September. Looking back, I can really see the hand of the Lord in leading me to where I need to be.

I am also grateful for the times I was able to spend with my family. It was great to have all of my family members come out to Edmonton to visit me on three separate occasions, including for my convocation. I am also grateful for the times I have been able to visit my family out in BC and Utah, as well as Scotland. It was wonderful to be able to see my Grandma again as well as cousins, aunts and uncles. I have also had some memorable moments with friends, including being part of a wedding. 2011 was a good year! I am excited to see what 2012 has in store.

126. Today I am grateful to be in Utah!

I am so grateful that I was able to get two weeks off work and to split that time between BC and Utah and see everyone in my family. I don’t get to see Melissa very often so I am always grateful for the time we get to spend together. Melissa has a baby due any day now and I really hope I get to see him while I am here. I am also excited to spend some time with my nieces, they are so much fun! At the airport my two older nieces, Sariah and Rebekah, were excited to see me and gave me a hug but the 18 month old, Miriam,  was a little unsure. I picked her up and right away she put her arms out to her mom. However in the car I sat beside her and gave her smarties and then at their home I gave the girls their Christmas gifts. Miriam loved her baby doll and now I’m her best friend. I work hard to be the favourite Auntie. J

125. Today I am grateful for getting together with old friends

Even though I live in Edmonton now and met so many wonderful people and have met great friends it is nice to get together with the friends I have here in Surrey. I had one friend over and we played phase 10 ... just like old times. Another friend and I went out to Tim Horton’s and it was nice to chat and catch up on our lives.

124.Today I am grateful for a date with my parents

Tonight I went to the nutcracker ballet with my parents at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It was so amazing! I was just mesmerized by the amazing talent on stage, the dancing was beautiful as well as the music from the Vancouver symphony. It was also great to spend the evening with my parents, I am grateful that they thought of me.

123. Today I am grateful for the family dogs

Couper

My family has always had dogs. Our first was an Old English Sheep dog named Bonnie, next was a Cocker Spaniel named Bailey, and then another Cocker Spaniel named Lucky. Then a little Yorkshire terrier named Minnie who we currently have, another Yorkie named Scamp (who ran away ... just like the Scamp he was named after from Lady and the Tramp) and then we got another Yorkie named Couper who will still have. My Sister, Alex also recently got her own dog named Molly who is a really cute dog. However don’t tell Minnie or Molly but Couper is everyone’s favourite.

There aren’t many movies I have actually cried while watching but “Marley and Me” was one of them. It brought to me the feelings of knowing how dogs become part of your family and the sorrow that comes from losing one of them.  

Today I woke up to Minnie and Couper sleeping on top of me and it was really sweet to cuddle with them for a bit before getting up. Also another reason I am grateful for the family dogs is that they are usually the most excited to see me when I come home.

122. Today I am grateful for my Aunt Ruth

Another thing I look forward to at Christmas time is visiting with my Aunt Ruth. She is severely disabled and lives in a group home in Vancouver. While she can’t walk or talk or move most of her body she can show emotion and she is always so happy to see us. When we walk into her room her face lights up and she has a huge smile. I can especially see the love she has for my dad (her brother). During our Christmas visit my family sings Christmas carols to her and the other residents and staff, which (I think) they all enjoy. We also make sure to bring an aero chocolate bar for Aunt Ruth because those are her favourite. I am grateful for the inspiration that my Aunt has on my life and the lives of her other family members. Although she does not experience the same quality of life as most people she has a huge impact and influence on the lives of others. I also know that one day she will have a perfect body.  

121. Today I am grateful for Christmas!

I love Christmas, it is my favourite holiday! Especially now that I live away from my family I value this time even more to be with my family. I love the lights and decorations and Christmas carols. I also love buying Christmas gifts, I don’t spend a lot of money on gifts but I enjoy picking gifts for the special people on my list. This year I also made two gifts which I think mean a lot to the people I made them for as well as for me.  For my parents I made a plaque with a picture of the Cardston temple with the saying “Where families become forever”, The Cardston temple is where my parents were sealed as well as having Melissa and I sealed to them so it has a special meaning for our family. For my sister and her husband I put together a scrapbook of their wedding photos. They were married at Christmas time 6 years ago so I imagine that adds even more meaning to their Christmas season. It’s also fun to discover what gifts people choose for me. I also love Christmas dinner! J

However, what I love most about Christmas is reflecting on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that Christ wasn’t born on December 25 but it’s when his birth is recognized and I think that should be embraced throughout the world. I am grateful for the Saviors example that we are shown in the scriptures and for his gospel. I know that it is through Jesus Christ that peace comes to me personally and can where peace can be established on the earth.