The one with the humble pie

I grumble. A lot. And I yell. Lately more often than I would like to admit to. This week I have been really focusing on not yelling, and being gentle and q-u-i-e-t when my kids are being naughty. Some-days have been better than others, and others I have to lock myself in my bedroom for a few minutes to calm myself down and say a quick prayer.
Today has been quite the humbling day for me. A family in our ward is going through a giant struggle at the moment, and I couldn't help but feel pain for them. Then I was chatting with a new investigator today at church and she was telling me some things that literally sent me to the bathroom so I could have a quiet cry.
I feel such an overwhelming love for my Savior and for the sacrifices He went through for each of us. The pain these people are feeling is only a portion of what he endured. But even knowing that, our struggles are still difficult to get through. However, not impossible.
So today I am grateful for my sweet, crazy, brilliant, energetic kids. To have 3 healthy children is a dream for many, and then to top it off, I have an adoring, loving, caring, selfless husband who takes such good care of us and works hard to make our lives possible. I know Valentines is sometimes considered a silly holiday, but I loved the past couple of weeks I had to reflect upon the love I have for my little family. I couldn't ask for a better husband and kids! Just yesterday we were at Costco and Erik yet again demonstrated one of the main reasons I love him. As I was checking out, he took the two oldest kids out to the car. When I came out, he was in the parking lot helping an elderly/handicapped couple load their groceries into their van. Just that simple act of service wasn't a big deal to Erik, but to that sweet couple, you could tell it meant the world. And Erik just does things like that all the time, without even blinking an eye. He is truly an example of selflessness.
So this week, I am challenging myself again to keep the volume control at a minimum, to laugh and play and love my kids more, and to show my husband how much I love him and how appreciated he is. And by doing these things, hopefully I can give a snippet of how grateful I am to my Savior and loving Heavenly Father for all my many blessings.
Today, I am very, very grateful.

And for fun...what a stud :)