Livin' in the 90's

Today's Sunday message came from a talk given in Sacrament meeting by Gena Nielson on gratitude. She had recently been to a seminar where a guy talked about living in the 90's- and not the 1990s, but the 90% of life that is good. He said that most people have 90% positive and 10% negative in their life and that if we live in the 90% that's positive then the 10% negative will not seem so bad. I really liked this idea and needed to hear it today being as I've been throwing a small pity party all week for myself and feeling really picked on (see last Sunday's post for confirmation of this). So, after church I had to drive to Provo for some meetings this week and I had a good five hours to think about my 90%. In the process I was trying to think if I could even put into words what my 10% would even be and I was shocked, and a little embarrassed, when I had a hard time even deciding what it was about my life that could be considered hard. Everything that I had been complaining about, either out loud or in my head, seemed SO ridiculous so today I am living in the 90's but thankful for the 10% (which is probably more like 2-3%) that I've been given, and here's why-

I'm thankful for the hand prints on the walls, the toys on the floor, the pen on the couch, the piles of laundry and dishes. The only way this would end is if something happened to my family and I suddenly lived alone, or at some point in life- when my kids leave the house. I do not wish for either of these things to happen so I am truly thankful that I GET to clean up after them and hope in the process of it all they will eventually learn to appreciate it, and maybe even some day clean up after themselves (I know wishful thinking.)

I'm thankful for my husband's obsession with Xbox and here's why- Jeremy doesn't do anything half way, he's either in our he's out. I complain about this when he's playing the championship game with a team that he's worked with for years (which is only really weeks or months in real time) but I love this characteristic about him so many other aspects. Because of this dedication he is an awesome husband and father, an amazing employee and a strong priesthood holder. I will take watching hours of simulated drafts in Madden to have the husband that I have.

I am thankful for my serious, thoughtful girl. Even though this means that I go through all the effort of getting family pictures taken only to get them back without any that she's smiling in. Her seriousness and her concern for everyone else is amazing. She is always asking what she can do to help me, she is always asking how I am feeling. She has always been very mature for her age. I am so grateful for such a thoughtful kid.

I am thankful for my 6 year old who Loves every day of life. Even if this means that it takes him an hour to walk home from school because along the way he finds all kinds of adventures and excitement on the way home- even if I am worrying myself sick wondering what has happened to him. Even if this means that I rarely ask only once for him to do something because usually the first time he goes to do the task he gets distracted. Even with these things it is well worth it to see his face every time he walks in the door because he has "the coolest thing" to tell me.

I am thankful for my never quiet energizer bunny. I feel like I spend half of my life trying to get him to "be quiet"- whether it's in church or some other place that your supposed to be quiet, or at nap or bed time, or just because I'm trying to get some work done and I need him to be quiet. But I am so thankful for all the little treasures that come out of his mouth. Today as we went into church I said "now, the rule is you DON'T talk in church, OK. . . What's the rule?" to which he said "Don't talk, and don't ever give up". I am so grateful for the constant jabber that comes out of his mouth, most of which I can now understand.

I am thankful that I find myself overwhelmed by the amount of work I have. It was only five years ago that I was looking for some sort of job that I could do while also being a mother. I really just wanted something that would make a few hundred dollars every month, little did I know that it would turn into a career that I would love and be the perfect job to do while I raised my kids. So even though there are weeks when I wonder how I will do it all, I am so happy to have the job that I do.

I am thankful that every week I get to spend an hour with 11 crazy eight year old scouts. I'll have to admit this was a hard one to turn around, probably because it's a new calling and I'm still having a hard time mourning the loss of my beehives. But I am really grateful to have been taught, by great example, that you take any calling and do the best job you can at it. I know by doing this that the day will come that I even enjoy it- don't tell Brother Bethea I said that. This calling came because of my membership in the church and I wouldn't trade that for anything so I am thankful for it.

I'm trying not to be TAMNish but really I am seriously so blessed (if you don't know what I'm talking about you really need to click on the link and take the time to read the whole blog- you won't be sorry) and I am quite embarrassed that I ever felt sorry for myself. I am thankful to Gena for the great talk that she gave and for helping me to realize just how much I do have. Hopefully I'll remember for a while.