Random sleepless night thoughts...

Once again it's late and I can't sleep. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I'm going to the doctor next week to have some tests done. I'm having all kinds of residual problems from my pregnancy. Like the fact that I've been religiously dieting and exercising for the past 2 months and I haven't lost a single pound. I'm still waking up in the middle of the night with night sweats, that is when I can actually sleep. My belly is still numb and my left leg goes numb from time to time. I'm always tired, of course that could be from the lack of sleep. We'll see what the tests reveal.

So, the reason for this post; I've had a lot of random thoughts going through my mind today. Reese has been teething and has been extra whiny and clingy the last couple days. This afternoon she just wanted me to hold her and snuggle her. It was actually pretty cute and I never pass up a chance to snuggle with my little monkey. Anyway, it happened to be around 4 p.m. so I turned on the TV and Oprah was on. I don't usually watch Oprah, not that there's anything wrong with Oprah, it's just that my days are usually too busy. Anyway, the topic was on the economy and the rising number of homeless people in the United State. It really had an impact on me. They showed whole families who've lost their homes and are now living on the streets. Families with little kids and babies. Families that were middle to upper class last year at this time, now have absolutely nothing. My heart really goes out to them. The worst place hit seems to be California. Some older couples that are my parent’s age are homeless. When asked if they had family, they said they had older married children but they didn't want them to know they were homeless because they didn't want to burden them.

I could go on and on about the show, but that could take all night. The bottom line, these are my thoughts:

1. I am extremely grateful for the jobs that both Arnold and I have. I feel overly blessed through this difficult time in our country that not only do Arnold and I both have good jobs, we are both healthy and physically able to work.

2. I'm grateful for good parents who taught me from a very young age the importance of saving my money. At any time, for any reason Arnold and I could loose our jobs and I'm grateful we have no debt and a healthy savings to fall back on. There is so much peace of mind that come's with being secure in our finances. I can remember getting my first job when I was 14 and having my own money. But I also remember being so annoyed that my mom was constantly making me save all my money. I was only allowed to spend a portion on things I needed or occasionally buy something I wanted. It used to drive me nuts how much my mom would lecture me on saving my money...don't buy it if you don't need it. Well, as the old saying goes, "You eventually turn into your mother". That statement couldn't be truer with me. I'm now the world’s best saver...next to my little brother Brady who's just down right cheap! J/K Brady :)

3. I'm extremely grateful for a wonderful family that I can always turn to in time of need. I can't imagine being so desolate that I was living on the streets, and I couldn't tell my family because I didn't want to burden them. You better believe that if any member of my family were that bad off, we would all know about it and we would all do everything we could to help each other. I don't know how anyone could not know there parents were homeless. I guess my family may be a little too close, but we pretty much know everything about each other. More importantly, we want to know everything about each other. Weather it's exciting news, sad news, devastating news...you can't go 24 hours in my family before we all know and are there to congratulate, cry with, or help each other. That's what families are for.

4. This blessing is pretty much the foundation for all the above. I'm grateful for the Gospel that had taught me all the above principals and gives me the faith, knowledge and strength to endure all things big and small. As a member of the church there is great comfort in knowing that when all else fails, the church will always provide for its members. I love the church welfare program. It is divinely inspired. When I was a RS Pres. I saw the blessings of the welfare program in action and I can testify to you that it is the most perfect program in existence. I wish every nation would study it and create a program just like it in every country, including our own.

5. And last but not least. I'm grateful for sisters, biological and spiritual. I love the bond that women can create with each other. I love that women can come together and laugh, cry, vent, and learn from each other. We truly have a gift as women. Tonight was book club (thanks Iliana for hosting and letting me join the club). It was so much fun to get together with friends and fellow sisters to talk about life, kids, motherhood, history, view on the world etc...ect... I love hearing the perspective of other women and sharing my thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.

And if you haven't read the book "The Book Thief", I highly recommend it. It's a must read!

Well I'm actually getting tired, so I just may try to fall asleep. Sorry for the long rambling post. I just had a few things I needed to get off my chest.