Feeling Blessed!

I am feeling very grateful today and thought I'd count my blessings:

• HEMA - the best husband in the world - loves me so very much and treats me like a queen - works hard to support our family so I can be home full time - the most amazing father - a worthy priesthood holder who loves to serve and help others - a total hunk
• HEMALOTO, VELA & CORA - so blessed to be their mother - I get to be with them all day every day & I love it - they teach me so much and keep me trying to be my best - they are so cute and smart and fun and nothing beats their laughs, hugs and smiles
• HEALTH - nothing makes you more aware of what a blessing good health is than having kids - hope to be around for a long time to see these guys grow up and settle in their own families one day
• FAITH - I know God lives - I believe in Jesus Christ - I know where to turn for peace - where to find answers to the really important questions and what will happen someday when I do die
• AMAZING PARENTS - my parents are the best - they have always lifted me, made me want to be better - even when I was a real pain - they are the best examples 
• INCREDIBLE INLAWS - love them as my own parents - they have taught me so much about giving - they are examples of faith and fidelity - such great grandparents
• ADOPTION - pretty much my life would be very empty without adoption
• BIRTH PARENTS - not only am I grateful for our birth parent and love them, but I really like them all too - we are blessed that they allow us to be part of their lives - we have learned so much from them and they have added so much joy to our family
• GREAT FRIENDS - it's amazing how you can meet some people and there is just a connection there - or you can not see one another for years and then pick up right where you left off - I am grateful for all those around me who lift me and make me better
• MY MISSION - they things that I learned those 18 months have blessed me every single day since then - wouldn't trade those experiences for anything 
• EDUCATION - I feel blessed to have been able to study at BYU and graduate from there - I would love to continue my education, but this is not the season in my life for that - maybe one day
• MY HOME - I love it! - it is simple and comfortable and warm and safe and full of family
• MY CARS - they work most of the time - I may have had to jump start the van today - no big deal - still they safely take my family everywhere we need to go and fit all kinds of junk that we seem to need when we are out and about - and they are paid for which is always nice
• BLENDTEC - cheesy right? - but seriously I am obsessed with green smoothies - they give me so much energy and my kids will drink them too - well not vela, but Hema and Cora 
• GOOD MUSIC - I love hearing Little Hema practice the piano - I am taking lessons again - I love my cello - I wish I could play it like I used to - there is something about good music that makes me feel so uplifted
• SUNSHINE - I miss it during the winter - I am really looking forward to spring
• UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE CALLING - why do my sisters all live out of state anyway? - but at least I can talk to them every single day if I want to, and I pretty much do :)
• BIG FAMILIES -I am one of 8 kids - Hema is one of 9 - so many wonderful sisters and brothers and   36 cousins for our kids to run wild with (with 2 more on the way) - that was probably the hardest part of infertility - knowing that we wouldn't ever have that big family like we grew up in - luckily we have our kid's birth families and that makes our family big too! 
• OUR COUNTRY - what a blessing to live in this great land - so grateful for those who have served and continue to serve to allow us our freedoms 
• BOOK OF MORMON - always brings the Spirit into our home - love reading every day with my family - even if the kids are sometimes wrestling or laughing or talking to one another 
• OUR TONGAN WARD - always said I would NEVER go to a Tongan ward - you should never say never - I've learned so much - feels like a big family - I love every one of my sweet little Primary kids

I could go on all night, but I won't. I'm sure I'll think of lots of good ones I missed while I am laying in bed. Its good for the soul to count our blessings. I am very blessed indeed! 

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