November 22, 2011

Today I am grateful that I was able to have a birthday. I don't mind getting older. I am grateful I get to celebrate a new year.

Lots of love,
Niki

November 6, 2011

Today I am grateful for my testimony. I know my Savior lives and I know He loves me and that he died for me.


lots of love,
Niki

Oct. 26, 2011

Feeling very grateful for a hard working husband. He does so much and works so hard. I love my eternal companion with all my heart!

lots of love,
Niki

October 25, 2011

Today, I am grateful that God, through His amazing ways, brought this little sunshine into our lives!

Happy Birthday, Lia!

Love,
your mommy

October 23, 2011

Ok, I know it has been WAY too long since I last posted. I don't have a good reason, really...I think I could blame many things, namely, time, but I will just say that I want to start a fresh. Isn't that what life is about anyway? Shouldn't we make mistakes, learn from them, not make excuses, and move on?

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity I have to repent and change. I am grateful that I can have a bad day and the next day try a little harder. To that I owe my Father in Heaven and the mercy of my Savior so much! I am truly grateful for my Savior's love and mercy.

Much love,
Niki

June 22, 2011

Today, I am grateful for the amazing examples around me. I am very blessed with wonderful people in my life.

May 26, 2011

This last week was busy. We had Hannah's birthday party, Hannah graduation from pre-school and then her cute dance recital. It is amazing how busy our kids are these days. I am grateful that my two other daughters allowed us to celebrate Hannah without too much complaint. I am grateful that my girls all REALLY love each other. They, for the most part, cheer each other on with their different accomplishments. What a blessing they are in my life.

May 18, 2011

Today I am grateful for my daughter Hannah. She is kind, loving and is always there with a smile. I love you Hannah! Thank you for giving us 5 wonderful years together!

We are blessed to have you in our family.

April 29, 2011

Today I am grateful for these:

And every moment I have tickling them :)

LOL

Niki

April 24, 2011

He is Risen.

For this I am forever grateful.

lol

niki

April 21, 2011

I am forever grateful for my Savior and his willingness to take upon my sins and pains. I am grateful for his perfect love for me. I know my Savior lives. I know that he died and then on the third day, rose again. What a amazing gift, to know that one day, I too will have a perfect body.

Lol

niki

April 19, 2011

Today, I am grateful for wonderful friends and neighbors. These past few weeks have shown me that there are many wonderful and loving people in my life. I want to thank all those who have helped us adjust to having another little person in our family. What a blessing she has been, but I know it would have been a lot harder if we hadn't had help from the wonderful people in our ward and our good friends we have made over the years. I am truly grateful to be a part of the LDS Church, as I know this has brought so many of these people into my life. It is so wonderful to be a part of such a wonderful community.

We are blessed.

Lol

Niki

April, 16, 2011

Here I am again. I know, I know...I have been a slacker with the blog. I hope that I can get into a regular schedule again soon :) Having a little one who wakes me up every 3 hours has taken a tole on my ability to be constant with anything else ;) But she is definitely worth it ;)

I am so grateful today for the life of my loved ones. I just read a blog of one of my friend's friends. Her little boy has leukemia and has been really sick these past couple of years. And to top it off, her sweet husband (who I went to school with) died a few years ago. So it is her and her little boy. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for so many things in my life after reading their story. I know that I have had my own problems and pains...but I know I have never experienced the grief this poor little family has seen. It was amazing to see this little guy smile, even while in his hospital bed.

I am so grateful for my babies, for my husband and for our health.

Life can change so fast. Hopefully we can be grateful for those we have, and love them a little more.

LOL

Niki

I am back...April 10, 2011

I realize that I have taken too much time off with this blog. I have to admit, I forgot how hard it is to recover from having a baby. My last birthing experience was five years ago. But I want to say what I have been grateful for these past few days:

#1- A beautiful, healthy baby girl. She struggled with jaundice for a few days, but we were able to get it under control and now she is thriving and perfect.

#2- Family and friends who are so willing to do so much for us. We are grateful for all the love and physical help we received from my mom and our neighbors and friends around us.

#3- Eternal families. I know that having a baby can create many emotions to come to the surface. I know crying has been a regular thing for me this past week...but a lot of it is in gratitude. I am so grateful that I am bound forever to my husband and my beautiful three girls because of the wonderful, saving ordinances provided by the temple. What a blessing it is to know that no matter what happens, we will always be a family.

And #4- I am grateful to be able to have babies in this day and age. First of all, if I didn't live now, we wouldn't be having biological children. So for the medical technology, I am grateful. But I am also grateful that I was able to have by baby in a beautiful room, in a hospital with a loving staff and competent doctor. The difference of comfort and medical technology has made having babies much better, as my mom stated. It was a wonderful delivery. And I will never forget my baby Eva as they put her on my chest and let me hold her first. What an amazing experience and for that I am and will be forever grateful.

March 30, 2011

Today I am grateful that I only have one more day until I meet my new baby girl. I will post, I am sure, how grateful I am for her when I get home this weekend (with pictures) I will also say, I am grateful for General Conference.

Both me and baby will return in just a few days...with pictures :)

lol

niki

March 29, 2011

Day two of a migraine. Today I am grateful my husband could stay home with me and help take care of the girls...I know so many mothers are not this lucky.

LOL

Niki

March 27, 2011

So, a few days have gone by once again. I don't want you to think that I am ungrateful when I don't post...but I will admit...I don't get to the computer as much since we put it down stairs :) I am nine months pregnant and going up and down stairs is not my favorite thing to do right now ;) Today is Sunday, and I had a great day. It was my last Sunday being pregnant and I have to say, I am grateful for that. I am so excited to meet our little Eva. I am grateful that I have been able to have at least one more pregnancy. I am grateful that I was able to feel her little body move around and around and around inside me. My husband knows that I have done a wee bit of complaining these past few weeks as she seems to love lodging herself right under my ribs...or pushing directly down on my bladder. However, I know how it feels to not be able to get pregnant. I know the pain it brings when all you want is a baby to love and care for and you can't have it. I know what it is like, not to have this blessing. So, I am truly and totally grateful for this amazing experience at least one more time.

lol

niki

March 24, 2011

So today I am grateful for water. I love water. I have craved cold, ice water my entire pregnancy. And now that I see my friends in Japan, and I know all over the world, who don't have enough water or any at all...I realize how blessed I am that I can go to my refrigerator, put my cup in the little water/ice dispenser and get as much clean, cold water I want whenever I want. How lucky are we?

lol

niki

March 22, 2011

Ok, so today I will be keeping it light. Now that I am 38 weeks pregnant...sleep has, well been a little difficult. I wake up to go to the bathroom, I wake up because I get so uncomfortable that I have to switch sides (which isn't easy as this point, it can take over a minute for me to turn my body over) or I just wake up because of no reason. I also have a little 2 year old, that for some reason goes through these spouts of waking up crying during the night and so once again I am awake. Anyway, to make a long, sad story longer...in about one week I will be getting even less sleep. So what I am grateful for or will be grateful for is being able to sleep again. One day...maybe in a few months or so, I will hopefully get one of those good night rests that we all dream about.

lol

niki

March 20, 2011

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to go to Stake Conference. I love Stake Conference. I am always able to get so much out of it...well, sometimes with the kids it is a little hard...but for the most part I am always able to enjoy it. I want to say thank to my husband for REALLY letting me enjoy yesterday's conference. I was in the choir, so I had to be there early and stay up in the stands. Flavio got the girls ready, and took them to a totally separate building, which allowed me to completely concentrate on the meeting. I was thrilled to be able to fully enjoy the meeting, especially when our main speaker was Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi. I served my mission in Japan, so my heart has been very tender towards the Japanese people for the last couple of weeks. He was so fun to listen to and I felt the Spirit so strongly as he bore his testimony. I really needed that time yesterday. I am grateful, not only for the ability to go and listen to men called of God, but also for my husband who let me for this week, really be able to listen. Usually I am with the girls while Flavio sits up on the stand with his bishopric calling. So yesterday was a GREAT break and I am truly grateful for it :)

lol

niki

March 19, 2011

Wow. I am so BAD! I really wanted to keep this an everyday thing! For those of you who do look at this blog, please forgive me :/ I am not sure what happened to those few days...truly, they are a blur.

But, I want to go ahead and write what I am thankful for today. I am thankful for good friends. I know that in our lives we will make very few "best" friends. I am lucky enough to say that I have found a few best friends in my life. One, who I have known since 7th grade, is still my best friend: Rachelle. She and I have been through everything: Junior High, High School, rooming in college, and now married and parent life. We know everything about each other. She is really my shoulder to cry when I need her. She is so strong, stronger than she knows. I am so grateful she is in my life and I hope we can be "best friends" the rest of our lives.

lol

Niki

March 15 and 16, 2011

Today (and yesterday) I wanted to express how grateful I am for this:

I have two, almost three, beautiful little girls and for that I will be forever grateful!

lol

niki

March 14, 2011

Today's post is one of mixed emotion. Today I am grateful that I am safe. With all the events happening around the world, I am grateful for my safety and the safety of my family. This weekend has been difficult in the fact that many of my friends who live in or are from Japan have been affected by what has happened. I can't imagine the fear and devastation these wonderful people are feeling. I served an LDS mission in Japan and so I can honestly say I love the Japanese people. It has been hard for me to see so many suffer. However, I do have the hope that through this horrible tragedy good will come from it. I pray that many will find God and that many hearts will be open to the truth of The Gospel.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share my love and testimony with the people of Japan and now my prayers are once again with them as they get through this horrific disaster.

lol

niki

March 13, 2011

Today I am grateful for music. I love music. I love all kinds of music. I am sure if anyone were to look at my playlist, they would just laugh because it has almost everything. Today, however, I am grateful for spiritual music. I am singing with a choir for our Stake Conference and we are singing, "This is the Christ" for one of the pieces. I love this song. It is so personal and meaningful. I feel a true connection with my Savior when I sing or hear it. Music is a big part of my life...mostly because of my dad (which I forgot to mention in his birthday post). My dad is an amazing musician. Music is a gift and I am truly grateful for it.

lol

niki

March 12, 2011

Today I am grateful for the Temple. Flavio and I were able to go last night. I really needed it, it filled me up with the love you can only feel at the Temple. I am grateful that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth. I know the Temple is a place of God and I know that when I go, I am able to receive the strength and hope I need in my life. I love the Temple and I will be forever grateful for the ability to go.

lol

Niki

March 11, 2011

Okay, I am cheating a little as I am doing this a day late, but I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for my dad. His birthday is March 11, and so I thought it would be appropriate to say a few words about him. I will admit that I am a Daddy's girl. I know he loves me and is very interested in my life. He is fun and outgoing and we always have fun together. He loves hiking and photography and he is wonderful at both. My dad has taught me how to work hard and to love nature. He has always been a wonderful father and I am truly grateful for him. I love you dad! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Niki

March 10, 2011

Today I am grateful for a warm bed. I know there are many, many people who don't have this seemingly simple comfort. What a blessing it is to be able to have as many blankets as I want, and to have a soft comfortable mattress underneath me, especially being 8 months pregnant. :)

lol

niki

March 9, 2011

Today has started out nice. I made my husband stay home from his exercise class so we could snuggle (hopefully that isn't TMI) My girls have been relatively happy this morning and I feel good. I am grateful for today. I am not sure how the rest of you feel, but I know that if I don't treasure a good day...it seems like forever before I get another one. Today is a good day and for that I am grateful.

lol

niki

March 8, 2011

I know I have skipped a couple of days...let's just say I have felt better physically. Anyway, I think, due to the fact that I have felt yucky, coming up with "grateful" items is truly harder. And then I started to think about my body and the pain I felt. I thought of my baby's body and prayed that she will come out with ten fingers and ten toes.

What an amazing thing: the body. And what is more amazing? The promise of the Resurrection. I thought of this over the weekend and was filled with hope as I pondered about having a perfect body. A body that never feels pain again, a mind that will be clear and complete, to never feel tired or hungry. What a miracle that will be. I am grateful for my body, as I know there are many others who suffer way more than I ever have. But I am more grateful for the hope of that perfect body. What a blessing and what a gift. I am grateful that my Savior overcame death for me and for you. He did his job...and so we will be forever blessed.

lol

niki

March 6, 2011

Once again it is Sunday. I tend to be more emotional when it comes to Sunday. Even though getting ready for church is hectic and church itself can seem daunting with two younger children and a husband who serves in our bishopric. But as we came home today and were sitting together, I watched my husband and my two girls for a moment and realized how lucky I really am. I have a wonderful family. I am blessed with two beautiful, healthy children, who are amazing. I have a husband who, I know, loves me very much and tries really hard to make me happy. I am very grateful for my family. I know I am very blessed with love and I know I take it for granted too often.

I love you, Flavio, Hannah and Lia

and I love you baby Eva.

You are my world.

love,

Niki (mom)

March 4, 2011

Today I am grateful for my husband's job. We are very blessed and I am very spoiled. I take it for granted too often and forget how many people out there either don't have a job, or have a job that doesn't pay enough or a job that makes them unhappy. My husband's job is, for the most part, wonderful for him...he really loves his job, and we are very blessed with all that we need and most of what we want. I thank my Heavenly Father for this job and those who had a hand in helping us get it.

We are truly blessed.

lol

niki

March 3, 2011

Today I am mostly grateful that my very strong willed 2 year old, decided to start using the potty all by herself. She just decided 2 weeks ago (the day she was diagnosed with croup) that she was ready and has done very well with it. It has been a little difficult for me at this stage, as I am very pregnant and getting up every 5 minutes with her to use the bathroom can get old. However, as this IS a gratitude blog I will highlight that this means we will be buying less diapers when this baby comes and I will hopefully not be changing 2 cute little bums within a month :) Potty training is one of my least favorite parts of being a parent so I am grateful Lia has made it fairly easy for me.

March 2, 2011

So I missed my first day (yesterday) as I was very sick. I was so dizzy, I couldn't get up. I am guessing being pregnant and having a stuffy nose, just threw my equilibrium off a little. Anyway, I am feeling better today, so I wanted to catch up.

Yesterday, even though I felt horrible, I was able to find a few things to be grateful for. And the one I want to share is of my oldest daughter, Hannah. Hannah is a gem. She is loving, smart, and wants to help me at every turn. Yesterday, when I was having a hard time even moving, she took over and helped her younger sister with her potty training...made sure she had her drink and overall did a great job taking care of Lia. I was so proud. She is only 4. :)

I love all 3 of my children. But yesterday I was truly grateful for Hannah.

lol

niki

Feb. 28, 2011

Today I am grateful for the fact that I am already free. I am not the one who has had to put my life or my family's life on the line for political, religious and educational freedoms. It may be affecting me with higher prices at the store and gas pump, but I am cheering those nations on....Being free is a true blessing. And my ancestors already paid that steep price for MY freedom. And for that, I am forever grateful!

Feb. 27, 2011

It is Sunday. I know this may sound simple, but today I am grateful for Church. It filled me up with what I needed to help me get through this week. It made me think of things I could change about myself and how I should better treat others. I love church. I love the feelings I receive because of it.

lol

Niki

Feb. 26, 2011

Okay, today may sound a little cheesy...but I am okay with cheesy. Today I am grateful for Saturday mornings. Flavio will usually take care of the girls in the morning so I can stay in bed. He then comes in to snuggle...I love that time. It is something I look forward to every week.

lol

Niki

Feb. 25, 2011

Today I am grateful for forgiveness. I am always astounded at how forgiving my children can be, not only with each other, but with me as well. I am also grateful that my husband is not the type to hold a grudge...it is nice to know that as long as I eat a little humble pie when I am wrong, he is also quick to forgive. But the greatest gift is the gift of forgiveness from my Savior. It is amazing how much forgiveness I need daily. I love my Savior and I know he is always cheering me on, even when I mess up. Truly, forgiveness is a great gift. May we all be a little more forgiving of those we love the most.

Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. ~William Arthur Ward

lol

niki

Feb. 24, 2011

Today I am grateful for chocolate. I know that sounds crazy, but I believe chocolate helps me get through some days. Now, whether this is psychological or for real, I really don't care. I love putting a piece of milk chocolate on my tongue and letting it melt away my stress. I LOVE YOU CHOCOLATE!

lol

niki

Feb. 23,2011

I am grateful for the sun today. It is out and it makes everything look beautiful. I can't wait for it to be warm so I can go out and sit in the sun....

lol

niki

Feb. 22, 2011

Today I am grateful for hugs. I love hugs. And I need them often.

lol

niki

Feb. 21, 2011

Today I am grateful for education. I was blessed my whole life with the opportunity to get a great education. As I am now getting my oldest ready for kindergarten, I have thought a lot about what type of education my children will receive. I was able to run a literacy center before I had children and I saw so many children and adults who were not able to read. I was able to experience the joy they felt, when at last, they were able read! One that stands out in my mind is a man who was in his later 40's, missing a lot of his teeth, smelled like cigarette smoke most of the time and overall looked as if he had had a hard life. He couldn't read a word. I was able to work with him 2 or 3 times a week and within 2 months he was reading. He had quit smoking, started going back to church and had an overall look of being happy...finally. Education is power. I hope that none of us take it for granted. I am so grateful for mine and I am looking forward to the day I can get my Masters.

lol

Niki

P.S.

I would really like to hear what you are grateful for. I know that when I read or hear other's thoughts, I am able to remember more wonderful things in my own life.

Feb. 20, 2011

Is grateful that my husband was the one who got up with our 2 year old last night, about half a dozen times, as she has croup. I have not had a really good night's rest in 2 months...so it was nice to have a break. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining about not sleeping....I am truly grateful for such a wonderful husband. And I know some day, I will be able to sleep again ;)

lol

niki

Feb. 19, 2011

Today I am grateful to have the blessing of prayer. Last night my 2 year old ran a temperature of 102.5. After giving her some medicine and putting a cool cloth on her head, I prayed. I then woke my husband up to give her a blessing. Her temperature went down and we were both more calm. She was then able to go back to sleep and so were we. I am grateful for prayer, for the priesthood and for a husband who is able to give my children blessings whenever they are needed.

lol

niki

Feb. 18, 2011

Today I am grateful for modern medicine. I am grateful that I can go to a doctor or dentist of my choice and get the help I need for myself and for my family. To know that there are ways to make sure my unborn baby is healthy and growing is so comforting. I know God has blessed us with this great blessing of modern medicine and the knowledge to help us live longer, more comfortable lives.

I am also grateful that when me and my children went to the dentist yesterday, none of us had cavities! Hooray!

lots of love,

Niki

Feb. 17, 2011

Today was a little harder to think of something right away...as my 2 year old woke me up throughout the night. I find that when I am tired I am less inclined to try to be happy. I become a grumpy toddler myself :)

However, after some thought, I all of a sudden felt the little person moving inside of me. Our little angel is growing healthy and strong. I am eternally grateful that I am having at least one more chance to be apart of the miracle of being pregnant. I am grateful that our In-Vitro was successful and that in just 6 weeks we will get to meet our newest addition to our family. What a blessing in my life.

I hope you have thought of at least one thing you are grateful for today and if you want, please share it with us.

Lots of love,

Niki

Feb. 16, 2011

Today I am truly grateful for a home. When I woke up, the wind was loud and strong. I am grateful that I have a beautiful home that keeps me and my family safe from the harsh Utah winters.

What are you grateful for today?