Gratitude is...

happiness doubled by wonder. -G.K. Chesterton

Don't you love this quote?!! Life has been busy. My kids have been sick. I have had company. My house is a wreck and frankly, so am I! But I have wonderful friends who have helped me survive the last couple of weeks and I am indebted to them for their kindness! I was so happy to receive their help and gifts but the surprise and generosity of it all is truly a wonder to me and I am so grateful!

My bookclub friends got together for Amy's birthday and to see her new baby! But we all left with presents! Collette brought us bookmarks and CUTE cherry spoon rests from her trip to Washington D.C. and Jana brought us flavored syrup from Nauvoo. It is such a wonderful feeling to know someone thought of you while they were away! Thanks you two!

Michelle, having just sent me the fabulous red, white and blue package, sent me a copy of the Simple Scrapbooks special issue! It came on a really bad day and the package itself was a great pick me up but how delightful that it kept picking me up as a flipped through it during the rest of my day! Thanks Michelle!

Jill, who has 'friend in need' radar!, offered to give me the sharing time she had prepared since it was her turn for the class presentation this month. I didn't know how I was going to pull off sharing time with my crazy busy week but thanks to Jill, I didn't have to prepare one from scratch! She brought me not just the idea but all the visual aides too! I only spent an hour or two learning it and adapting it for my primary (I had to do both Jr. and Sr.). If that wasn't enough, she delivered it to my door AND had disinfecting wipes to help with my sick kids!! Thanks Jill!

But the most surprising and timely gift was delivered to my front door by Amie! I didn't even go to the door I was in such a funk and sitting, depressed, on the couch. My day had been terrible. What I needed to get done seemed overwhelming. There was a knock at the door and I was sure it was a salesman- just that time of day. So, imagine my surprise when my kids brought me a giant paper bag with ribbon and a card! They weren't sure who brought it since they have not really met Amie. I opened the card and the words on the front made me teary- just because. I ripped open the bag to find the cutest star plate! Amie had seen my room once and thought the plate would look good in my Americana room. That's all! That's what prompted this wonderfully generous gift that could not have come at a more perfect time! Amie is one of those sweet souls that I know through Jill. We really only see each other when we're with Jill, so that she would think of me independent of that AND bring me such a thoughtful gift is truly a wonder to me! Thank you, thank you Amie! It meant SO much!

Many others of you have left me sweet comments and messages that have also lifted my spirits! (Kristi- I would call you to my Jr. Primary in a heartbeat!!) I can't imagine my life without friends! I couldn't do what I do without each of you! I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the blessing you are in my life!