A Season of Gratitude

Well- again I have fallen off of the blogging train, but once more I will jump back on and vow to do better. I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I know I sure did. We spent the day with Brett's family this year. The food was amazing and I have to admit, I didn't even have room for desert. It's OK, don't worry about me. I took some of my Pumpkin Cheesecake home so I ate it the next day:) My sis came over and stayed with us that night. Her and I and Brett started our Black Friday shopping at Walmart at midnight and got home about 9:00 AM. We hit lots of stores and got lots of great deals! I am happy to say I am pretty much done Christmas shopping! I am so excited because now I can focus on a more Christ centered holiday.

The last few weeks I have focused alot on Gratitude. I think it all started with our Stake Conference. It really is amazing what an attitude of gratitude can do for you. So, since this is basically my journal-I thought I would share a few of the things I am grateful for. Mind you-- this is only a few. I could go on and on.

I am so thankful for my amazing husband. I know I've said it before but I will say it again. We have so much in common. I love that he loves to go shopping with me. I love that he is a clean freak!!(this is totally to my advantage). I love that we think the same things at the same time all the time. I am so glad that he has the patience to put up with me all the time. I am so grateful that he is mine forever and we will always be together :)



I am grateful for my family. Yeah- we may be a little quirky-- but I love them! I am grateful to my parents for always putting up with me and for making me who I am. I am thankful for Heath--for teaching my how to stick up for myself(isn't that what big brothers are for. I am thanful for Dustin for always making me laugh. I am thanful for Brock for his example of service. He is on a mission in Canada and I am so proud of him. And I am so thankful Heavenly Father finally sent me a sister. I love hanging out with Amber and even though we are 12 years apart we couldn't be closer.

I am grateful for chocolate! I know it cheesy but its the truth. Lovin these babies!


and don't forget these-




I am grateful for my toothbrush! What other tool do you use 3-4 times a day?


I am grateful for books!! I love to read. I really love to read in the tub- or by a fireplace on a cold day.

I am grateful for pictures. It is another weird thing- but to me pictures are memories! I remember going to my grandma's when I was little and I always wanted her to get out her boxes of pictures so I could look at them. I would spend hours looking at them.

I am grateful for my job- I am one of the lucky few that can actually say I love what I do.

I am thankful for our cat Izzy. She loves us so much. We always say she is our baby until we get a baby. I love how patient and forgiving animals can be.


I am so grateful for adoption. Even though we haven't adopted yet, I can't believe how much adoption has alreadly changed my life. It has given me such a different perspective on so many different things. It has even given my oppurtunites I wouldn't have been able to have. Tonight for example- we were able to attend a fireside by Micheal McLean. He did it specifically on adoption. The songs and words shared were amazing and just what I needed to hear. At the end we were able to talk personally to him and he gave us some personal advice. Then he gave me a hug. I was so thankful to be there and the spirit I felt. Adoption has given me such a different perspective on birth parents. They are so strong and I love them for that. I am also greateful for the people I have been able to meet thru adoption. Friendships have been formed that I would never have had without this process. So basically I guess you can say I am grateful for my trials. As hard as they are, they also help me to see how much Heavenly Father loves me. They help me become who he wants me to be and who he knows I can be.

There is so much more to be grateful for, but I will stop there for now. I hope you take some time to think of the things you are grateful for this time of year. I know if you do-- you will see all the blessings we have been blessed with!

O Canada

This week I got to go with my parents to take my little brother to the MTC. He will be serving his mission in Toronto, Canada. We are so excited for him and proud of the choices he has made. He has been a great example to all of us and we are all going to miss him so much. Brock is the most even tempered, hardworking person I know. He will be a wonderful missionary. I found a saying the other day that really helped put everything in perspective. It said "A missionary leaves his family for two years so that those he teaches can be with theirs for eternity." Good Luck little bro with love you tons and know you will do a great job!

Yellowstone

** Warning** Picture Overload! Brett and I were able to go thru Yellowstone this month. Luckily it was a beautiful day. We were able to see parts of the park that I have never seen before. The beauty of Gods creations are amazing. It was great to spend the day seeing the Park and spending time with Brett. Sorry for the excess of pictures!

Old Faithful

Mesa Falls

I' m going to attempt to catch up on whats been happening. We have been busy enjoying what's left of summer and it seems like I haven't had a spare second to update the old blog- so here goes. A couple of weeks ago I took a couple days off to go camping with my family. Not far from where we were camping is a place called Mesa Falls. I was there a couple times as a child- but it has been years so I was excited to see it again. It is beautiful. I loved seeing the falls. We had a great time and I got to goof off with my little brother and sister.

Here is a picture of the falls- Beautiful

Me and my little brother- Brock

Being attacked by a bear-- I guess?




Have you ever kissed a Moose before?




I was shocked at how big the hand print of a bear is.

I thought this picture of my grandma was just too cute!

From the top looking down! Eek!

My mom was dying because this little dude kept standing

on the edge. I wasn't quite that brave.

Group hug. I love these two. I can't believe

Brock is leaving on his mission and Amber
is going to college. Everyone is growing up!

Family Fun!

Last weekend we packed up and headed to a local lake to have a little vacay with my family. We had a great time together soaking up the sun and the water. It was a beautiful weekend and the weather was perfect. The only thing that would have made it better was if it could have lasted just a little longer. We can't wait for next year!

Goofing around at the cabin

The boys love to be wild with Uncle Brett!

Micklee's new Shaka Laka face!

Heath teaching Darrick how to boogie board

Diggin in the sand

Lovin those mud pots!

Lots of toys to blow up

Brock standing on top of what the kids named Splash Mountain

Can I please have my towel Mom! (Inside joke)

Working on Splash Mountain. We acquired Splash Mountain from some little girls who had been working on it for quite awhile. It was actually pretty neat. They had water running thru it and everything. The little girls said it would take 2-6 years to complete Splash Mountain--too funny!

The girls got a leisurely ride in the boat while Jacom did all the work!

The beach-the sun-and Diet Coke---Perfection!

Hey I have a great idea--lets bury Jacom in the sand.

We can even put sand in his hair and he won't be able to do anything about it!

Jacom trying out what a size DD might look on him. Whose idea was this anyway?

Trying out our new float chair. Very relaxing!

Micklee and Grandma had their afternoon snooze!

Love that face Kolton!

Getting ready for my turn on the Jet Ski!

If you can't tell-- Brett loves the Jet Ski's!

Heath and Mandi

Brock and Amber

We even got Grandma on one

Ridin off into the sunset!!