(Gr)Attitude; Day Two

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to honor Ashley and for the wonderful opportunity it gave me to serve. I am so appreciative that she let me be the one to shower her and throw her a party. She is a sweetheart and I love having her as a friend.

I am extremely grateful for these sweet women who took the time to come and support Ashley. I am so grateful for their time and love. Having these ladies from our ward come to the baby shower was an amazing reminder for me. I've been struggling with our ward, admittedly. I don't feel like I belong (perhaps it's because over half of the ward are tenants that live in the complex I manage). Whether it's just me or it is actually the ward, I've struggled feeling included and feeling like I have friends. There have been Sundays where I have come home and cried because I didn't feel like I fit in.

Having all of these women from our ward come to the baby shower, even if it was just to support Ashley, gave me an appreciation for our Relief Society. I am so grateful for the friendships made and the support these women gave.

After the baby shower, Mitch and I had to scamper off to the military ball. As in, 5 minutes after everyone left my house I needed to be dressed, with my hair done, and in the car. Let's just say that wasn't anywhere close to happening and wouldn't have without my dear friend Crystal (pictured above in the green striped shirt). I had decided I would just leave everything out and take care of it when I got home.

Crystal knows where the spare key to my house is and while I was at the military ball, she snuck in and cleaned up the entire baby shower mess. She did the dishes, put away food, and was just overall amazing. It seriously made me cry when I got home and saw the note she left me.

I am so grateful for an amazing friend and confidant. She is the best and I hope she knows it!

I am also extremely grateful for the opportunity to go to the military ball! It was a great event and I was able to see again what an amazing organization the military is for its family (at least the National Guard).

I am also grateful for the opportunity I had to dress up like a "pretty pretty princess" and dance with my husband (I'm also extremely grateful that my prom dress from high school still fits - serious confidence booster).

- Alex