Abundantly Grateful

I went to work early in the morning with Dave last week.  Usually I do this when he is working a short day and I need groceries. I go for a walk around the lake, read, then grab my groceries and back to pick him up from work.  This day we had appts for vaccination and he was working a full day.  We also had a few errands to run after I picked him up and then grabbed a quick early dinner.  With all this we had a long day and when we got home still had things to do.  We got going on our chores and a few hours later as the sun was setting I sat down to read.  I have had some books I wanted to finish before Blake returned.  So for I have finished Jesus the Christ, Oliver Twist, and part of Saints 3.  I want to finish the Saints series before end of Sept.  Anyways...as I was sitting there reading I was filled with this amazing abundance of gratitude.  Here I was sitting on my comfortable couch in my beautiful home as a cake was baking, the dishwasher was running, the dryer was going, my husband was mowing the lawn, and all after a day of travelling to his job and getting groceries and vaccination so we can hopefully visit Blake's mission.  What a beautiful part of the world I get to live in.  Blake handwashes his clothes and dishes which takes a big part of his Pdays.  I don't have to do that. I didn't have to ground the flour to make the cake.  Dave wasn't out there with a scythe.  He had a great job to go to. I live in a free country, in a peaceful land. Also as I was sitting and reading I was texting my girls, getting pictures of the little girl and updates on Braydon's surgery from the day before.  A surgery that will hopefully help him not be in pain constantly . While I know that there are many talks and warnings out there about how we live in an instant world and we need to be careful.  In that moment with all the things I had at my fingertips, I couldn't help saying a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for all the little things that I don't think about most days.  The ease and convienance with which I live.  Modern medicine and doctor's knowledge.  Rain.  Green grass.  Jobs and transportation.  Loving husband.  Great kids.  I could go on and on. I am blessed.  I am grateful.

April

April was General Conference.  Always a great way to start a month.  I found a General Conference Fantasy game online and printed it for Dave and I to play.  I thought it was a lot of fun.  Fantastic messages, never disappoints.  

Leah and I went to Emily's bridal shower.  Dave came over with me and picked up a few groceries, ate at DQ, and then waiting with a book in the car for me.  I had just jokingly said he was welcome to come if he wanted, very sure he never would.  Then he surprised me and said that I have waited for him and the kids through things so many times that he would come and hang out with me as I travelled.  It was a fun shower and nice to see some people I haven't in a while. 

Leah texted and said they missed us and could they come watch conference with us.  Of course!  It was also Leah's birthday.  We had a little treat for her.  It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed checking cows with us. 

Calving started with a bang this year.  A bit earlier than usual and they have come pretty steady, which is awesome.  We only have 4 left to calf.

Dave and I got the fence set up for calving and the summer water ready.  We have been getting some things done in our yard as well.  We have a list of things we want to get done before Blake returns to make it all nice for him. 

One day I was out hanging laundry and saw something that looked out of place across the road.  I watched for a while trying to see if it was a goat or a ram.  When Dave got home I spotted it again and had him look.  By this time it had got in with the cows and they were not liking it.  Kept chasing it around and away from their calves.  By this time I was pretty sure it was a goat.  Working around the farm and setting up the fence and water the next day I didn't see it at all.  Assumed it had found it's way home.  Then in the afternoon as we came back I spied it in the barn.  Dave was behind me bringing the tractor back and I didn't have my phone.  So I stayed very still until he came then motioned for him to come take a picture.  It was pretty funny to see this animal running around. 

Blake got transferred to a new area.  He said it is not near as hilly as his last.  He is now in Allen Town area of Freetown.  If things stay as they have his whole mission this will be his last area.  He does get a new MP in July, we will see how he does things and if Blake gets moved.  Seems like it is a bit of a clean up area.  Some thing that needed to be changed in how they were being done.  He is still zone leader.  He enjoys his new companion and they are working hard to find as many people as they can and teach them the gospel of Christ.  He got to watch some of conference this time. 

Easter was fun to have everyone home. 

This little girl isn't walking on her own yet, but she sure love to hang on to one finger and go all over the place. 

 I had a few extra day of work this month.  Dave has had to go in most Fridays, but when he does he is usually done by 10-11.  To save a little gas and spend time together, some Fridays I will wake up super early with him and go to town.  I usually go for a walk around the lake. Go grocery shopping meet him back at work to pick him up. 

Last week Leah came out to do some printing.  She is throwing Emily a bachelorette party.  We then drove together to go vote, came back for a quick bit to eat and Dave looked to see what was making a strange noise in her car. 

 We have had hot days and cold snowy days this month.  I wrote Blake and told him that Mother Nature was having mood swings.  It was been another fantastic month.