I hope all of my readers spent a relaxing and enjoyable holiday with their family and friends. Easter is such an amazing holiday, with so many opportunities to count my blessings, and it felt really good for me to focus on all of the things that are amazing and right in my life, instead of the reasons I should be stressed and unhappy. This month especially, I have been completely overwhelmed by my course load, I am discouraged that I can’t find a way (yet!) to replace my income and work from home so I can spend more time with my family, and my company was purchased by a national conglomerate that decided that my position wasn’t important enough to keep (demoting me from a Business Improvement Manager to a cashier) — so I have been stressed, emotional, and probably a bit unpleasant to be around. However, after going to church today and talking to my class of 5 year olds about the blessings of Easter, I realized that I have been focusing on all of my challenges, and taking my blessings for granted. After all, is there anything that’s going on in my life right now that can even remotely compare to the pain Christ felt during the crucifixion and atonement? Not even close. Therefore, in honor of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, I am putting away all of my troubles and making an effort to be grateful for all the amazing things in my life right now. I am especially grateful for my family. My husband is such an amazing, Godly man, who is always working to provide for us and make things better in our lives…Big sister, who has taught me so much about love and patience, and who loves me back even though I am not her mother…Baby Boy, who can melt my heart with the tiniest smile…and our extended families. My family makes such an effort to be involved in our lives, even though they live across the country, and my in-laws are always willing to help us when we’re in a pinch. I am grateful that I still have a job, and that they haven’t cut my pay yet. I am grateful that my husband might be getting a promotion soon, which would completely offset any pay decrease I might have. I am grateful that we have a roof over our heads, good food to eat, and cars to get us to and from work. I am grateful for my ability to be in school right now, and my ability to get my degree in the next 18 months. I am grateful for the gospel, and for the spirit of Christ in my life — this has changed my life for the better in ways that nothing else could have. I am grateful that you are reading my blog, and that people actually want to read the things I write. I’m grateful that I can workout and get healthy, and that I have the drive and the willpower to be successful. Life is an amazing thing, we shouldn’t waste it thinking about all the things we wish were better, and the things we wish we had. I hope all of you are having an amazing day, and that you are blessed with plenty of things to be grateful for. Happy Easter!