Gratitude: Day 18

I know I am ridiculously behind and we will see if I end up ever catching up or finishing but I still want to try. My problem is that I think about things too much and I want to take time to carefully write things out, but I don't have time for that! This explains why I am not the best blogger. Hopefully I put some things that are worth remembering here. I'm a grateful for writing.
I have been a journal keeper since I was quite young but it only became consistent in high school. I had one year where I wrote almost every day. I don't tend to write what I did or what happened to me as much as how I felt about things. It important to me to be able to process and sort through my feelings and thoughts and writing them down seems to be the best way. I'm grateful for the few pen pals I have had throughout the years, either through notes or letters. I am not always the best at sitting down and writing but it is so therapeutic and wonderful that I wish I did it more. I'm also grateful for those who have been willing to read the letters I needed to write to get everything out. I have stacks of unsent letters or notes to people that were really more about expressing myself, so I understood my feelings. I don't know if I ever intended on actually sending many of them. I am grateful for the role my journal has played in my life. It has been important in helping me make innumerable decisions and getting through my hardest moments. My journal may never be something for posterity but it will always be something that helps to keep me grounded and remind me who I am. It helps me to not forget what is really important to me. When I am not being consistent writing in my journal I feel like something is missing.

Gratitude: Day 17

I am grateful for sunshine. I am an Arizona girl and I am so happy to have spent almost a week in the Arizona sun. I love finding the little spot where the sun is shinning in the window and bask in it. That is the hardest part of winter in Utah. There are weeks where we don't see the sun and days where it appears to be out but I cant feel it. That is never true in Arizona. If you can see the sun you can feel it!

This was the beginning of a sunset after a long hike. It didn't turn out anything close to what it actually looked liked but it's a bright looking sun and I like that.

Gratitude: Day 16

I am grateful I get to go home tomorrow and see this little face,

and that sunshiny back yard and everything else in Arizona that I love!

There really is no place like home.

Gratitude: Day 15

I'm grateful for the holiday season. I love how the focus of everyone seems to change during this time of year. Everyone seems a little happier and nicer. People are a little more focused on giving and serving. There is a warmth that comes as it gets colder. That sounds contradictory but the holidays really do bring a warmth all their own. It comes from parties with friends, visiting family, spending time walking through lights and nativity displays, sitting by a Christmas tree and fire with hot chocolate, and eating home cooked meals with people you love. It's a season of remembering Christ and trying to live a little bit better.

Golden and I went to the lighting of Riverwoods on Friday night and it was a lot of fun. The lights there are amazing and there was live music that concluded with Ryan Shupe and the rubber-band (whom I am really starting to like). It was cold and rained a little bit but was actually quite comfortable and enjoyable. There were a ton of people there. I have never seen the parking lot overflowing like it was. I enjoyed people watching and seeing all the couples and families and little groups of friends. Everyone was happy and enjoying the evening. I recommend going and seeing the lights if you are looking for a fun evening.

Gratitude: Day 14

I'm grateful for weekends. It's so nice to have days built in during the week for sleeping in and playing. Sometimes they even give me time to get caught up on the things I need to do like laundry, cleaning, and eating. With my job I also get an extra long weekend every other week. Those bonus 3 day weekends are fantastic. Then there is one day for play and one for relaxing. Today I slept in an extra hour and a half (7:30), ran a race (won second), went to The Leonardo and the Natural History Museum of Utah (both for free and both quite fun), watched a movie, and sorta watched the BYU game while I looked at pictures and blogged a little. It was a nice Saturday. Now tomorrow I don't have to get up for anything! Having church at 1:00pm has its benefits.

Gratitude: Day 13

I am grateful my parents decided to be in love, not once but twice.

Once...

Twice...

They each have their own talents and strengths and together they've made a pretty great family. We are pretty lucky kids.

Gratitude: Day 12

I am grateful for my book club. About a year and a half ago I called up one of my old roommates and we decided to start a book club. We had always shared and talked about books but now that she was married and we were living in different cities I missed that, and her. We picked a book and started searching for people to join our group.
There are four of us who always come and I have loved our little group. I thought four was going to be too small but it makes for really great discussion where everyone is involved. I look forward to our get together every month. I get so excited to see my book club girls and to be able catch up and talk about our book. It's a much needed social interaction with girls I love.
We have done all kinds of books and it has been good for me to expand my horizons a bit. It is also nice to know I will read at least one book a month. We did take one hiatus when there was a baby born but I'm glad we have been able to get right back on track!

Books we've read:
The Princes Bride (A very interesting and fun read)
And Then There Were None (Fun mystery, I haven't read many book like this)
The Great Gatsby (Classic)
Glass Castle (Fascinating, the train wreck you cant stop watching)
Little Prince (One of my favorites)
Gift from the Sea (Interesting discussion, an analysis/reflection of women's' roles)
Shades of Grey (Not 50 shades of grey, one of my favorites that we have read)
Ella Minnow Pea (Cute, short, fun language)
Mormon Scientist (Biography of a very interesting man, but not incredibly well written)
Wednesday Wars (Fun cute, young adult)
Princess of the Midnight Ball (Young adult, not as good as others I've read by the same author)
Heaven is Here (Autobiography, interesting but I think it's really hard to get biographical information that is universally interesting, parts were really good)
The Giver (Classic, Favorite!, we went to hear Lois Lowry speak and she was really good, it was a fun book club)
Hitler Youth (good discussion, I learned a few things)

I'm sure there are a few more so if you (Jessica, Steph or Paige) know what I missed let me know. I'm looking forward to many more books and fun evenings!

Gratitude: Day 11

I am grateful for my mom.

When I was young I didn't ever clash with my mom but we never were very close either. I always was more of a daddy's girl. Once I got towards the end of high school and into college we finally started to talk more. I slowly started to learn that my mom and I had more in common than I thought and enjoyed talking to her more and more. She is one of my favorite people to talk to and all through my college days I would call her almost daily as I would walk home from school. She has been a good sounding board for me and helped me to think through things and make decisions. I am grateful for the relationship we have and all that she continues to do for me as my mom. She takes care of me by filling up my car or buying food whenever she is around. As I do more things for myself I have found how much my mom has done for me over the years. All the cleaning, cooking, shopping, laundry, and random errands. All the late nights with sick kids and I am sure many more things that I wont even know or be able to appreciate until I am a mother myself. I am grateful for the way my mom has always done something to keep her healthy, from yoga, ballet, tae kwon do to walking. She inspired me to do a marathon when I never thought I would. If she could do it, so could I! Then after we have done our tour of half marathons which were so much fun. We went to Vegas, Boise, Florida, and a few different places around Utah. It was fun to go to new places together and have fun pushing ourselves with new races. I am so grateful for  a mom who I know loves me and will always be there for me! Thank you for being my mom and taking care of me. I love you!

Volunteering at the St George Marathon together.

Gratitude: Day 10

I am grateful for laughter. Laughter makes the world so much better. I have so many great memories of laughing with friends so uncontrollably that I had tears running down my face, my cheeks hurt, my stomach muscles hurt and I couldn't talk let alone breath. It's kind of what solidifies a friendship for me; sharing a moment together of intense laughter. Laughter can make the darkest days bright. I can remember times when I have been heart broken for one reason or another and even though some small funny moment doesn't make it go away, it makes it easier to bare. Laughing is that ray of sunshine that reminds you that the storm will pass. You will be happy again.

Here is a little video that made me laugh (I may have had tears running down my cheeks), but Summer didn't even crack a smile so I wont be offended if you don't think its funny.

Gratitude: Day 9

I am grateful for casual Friday. I only work every other Friday so you would think those other Fridays would be disappointing but somehow the fact that it is a half day and I get to wear jeans makes me excited to go to to work.

Gratitude: Day 8

I am grateful for nature.

I am sitting in my room listening to the wind and it just makes me smile. Even though I am not super excited about the snow storm this weekend (cold, ugh). I love a good storm. Especially if I am cozy in my house where I can safely and comfortably observe the power of nature. Snow has a magical quality; the way it can make the busy city fall silent and the brightness it brings to the middle of the night. Though the best storms really are Arizona summer rain storms. Warm rain and tons of thunder and lightning. So awesome!

I love to just be in nature. I could just sit and watch the ocean waves, the clouds go by, desert or just look at a mountain view. I have been lucky enough to go to many beautiful places in the world and I am always amazed as I travel to new places what the world has to offer. There are so many different and new things to see. Unfortunately these things can never be truly captured in a photograph. Part of the majesty has to be experienced.

Sitting on top of a mountain I often think of how small and insignificant I am, but feeling connected with nature makes me somehow feel eternal. Being out among trees, rocks, wind and the sky brings peace to the soul. Often when I am outside I am running or hiking and I have to remind myself to take a moment and be still; to just sit and listen and feel.

Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"

Gratitude: Day 7

I am grateful for my dad.

It's hard to even know where to begin. My dad have done so much for me over my whole life so it's hard to be able to express all the reasons I am thankful for him. I am grateful that he worked hard to make sure we had a nice home and everything we could ever need and want. I have only really started to appreciate that as I am not working and trying to support myself. He has always been there to protect me, keep me safe, and take care of me. Any time I have something go wrong in any way I know I can call him and he will do his best to help and fix it. My dad has taught me a lot about life and formed my world view in a lot of ways. He taught me to analyze everything. He always asks, "what is the moral?" After every movie we would discuss and think about what it meant. My dad taught me what it was to have a testimony. From a young age I remember him sitting me down and telling me the things he believed in and knew to be true. He is a passionate person and a great teacher. I have tried to teach like he does and hope that I can have learn that skill from him. My dad has always been supportive of all my endeavors. He came and watched me play tennis, run in track (even when I came in last), and play in the orchestra. He even became a BYU fan because I decided to go there for college. I loved that he got tickets to the games so I got to see him every couple weeks in the fall. It was fun to get to spend those weekends together. My dad has always spoiled me. He knows that I don't like to spend money on things I don't absolutely need so he will buy me things that I kind of need or just want. My dad makes me laugh and know how to have a good time. He is a great thinker and loved to sit and talk about ideas. I have many great memories of car rides where we would discuss anything and everything for hours on end. My dad has helped me to be confident in who I am and to believe in myself. Thanks dad for always building me up and helping me see the reality... that there is no spoon. I love you Dad! Thank you for being a great dad.

Gratitude: Day 6

I am grateful for technology.

I recently watched the new TV show Revolution which is about what would happen to the world if all forms of power suddenly were shut off. It really got me thinking about how much I am dependent on technology. I use my phone daily and would be lost without it. I was sitting in Mississippi a few weeks ago and wondering how I would get home if suddenly airplanes didnt work or cars. What if I couldn't call my family to tell them where I was? I have been able to travel to many different places around the world with minimal effort and at amazing speed due to flight technology. I have been able to get notes for classes online and submit assignments over the internet. Typing and editing papers was made so much easier by having a computer. I love being able to keep food cold in my fridge and freezer. Cooking is so easy and simple with microwaves, ovens, blenders, and mixers. I love having music anywhere with my baby ipod. I can get news, weather, see pictures of friends and family and be updated on their lives from around the world almost instantly through the internet. I can look up almost any random question I have and find the answer. I am able to watch conference every six months and anytime I want to. The list goes on.

I'm sure I would survive without it but I really do appreciate technology.

Gratitude: Day 5

I'm grateful for my brother.

I'm grateful for the fun Mason brings into my life. I love all the faces he makes and his crooked smile. He understands my silly humor and loves so many of the same movies.  I'm glad I was able to encourage him to do cross country and that he still will run with me when I come home for a few days. He has also been willing to run with me in races which I very much appreciated. It's fun to chat with him and to push each other. He is a fun tennis buddy and I wish we could play more.
I have so many memories over the years of cuddling in the back seat of the car (so many car trips), playing nintendo (he always won, except in mario cart), playing with ninja turtles, hotwheels, and stuffed animals, dancing to music turned up too loud, pillow fights in the dark, making forts, swimming, bike rides, family trips. He was always willing to put up with my bossiness and need to organize everything.
One of my favorite memories is of Mason calling home while he was on his mission. I remember feeling like we could talk forever and we had never talked much on the phone before. I was the last one to talk to him that day and he didn't want to get off the phone. I wished we could just keep talking and in the end saying goodbye was so hard.
When he came home from his mission I have never been more excited for anything. I would randomly tell people how he would be home soon and would get giddy about it.When he got home I remember everyone just standing there waiting for something to happen. I couldn't stand it so I ran up and hugged him first. :)
Mason, I'm glad to have you for a little brother. Sometimes you make me crazy and we haven't always gotten along perfectly, but I love you. Thanks for always being there for me and for always caring about me.

Gratitude: Day 4

I am grateful for my car.

I was realizing how fantastic my car has been to me since I have had it. We have had our little bumps but none have really been my or the cars fault. I have done WAY more commuting these last two years than I ever would have imagined and my car made it enjoyable. It is fun to drive. I've driven back and forth to St George, to Ephraim, all over the Salt Lake Valley and between Orem and Salt Lake soo many times. I pretty much worked and lived out of my car and it has managed to stay looking pretty new. I'm just glad that it's mine.

Gratitude: Day 3

I am grateful for music.

I really think music has power and it has helped me so much as I have gone through these last two years. I have always listened to lyrics and sometimes I would find songs I really connected with and other times I found I didnt like the lyrics but I would over look that because it had a fun beat. As it began to appear that everything in my life had a black rain cloud hanging over it I found there was less and less of a place in my life for things that were negative. Not that every song I now listen to is rainbows and shine, sometimes they bring real emotion but it needs to not bring feelings of hate, anger, revenge, violence, indifference, fear, etc. It's not an exact science, more just seeing how the song makes me feel.

A few years back my mom introduced me to KLOVE and since then my mom and Emma would find songs on there to send me and I really loved some of that music. Then I starting spending time with Golden and he always had it on in his car or Air1. It has been a positive influence in my life and something that has helped remind me of what is important in life.

Here are some songs that I have loved in this last year, some of them have Christian undertones or are flat out religious. Some are not. They vary.

Mindy Gledhill- Anchor Album (All About You Heart is a Favorite) and also Small Enough

Rob Thomas- Little Wonders

Taylor Swift- The Best Day (and others)

Katy Perry- Firework

Brandon Heath- I'm not Who I Was, Your Love, Give Me Your Eyes

Mat Kearney- Young Love Album and Runaway

Britt Nicole- All This Time

Francesca Battistelli- This is the Stuff

Shawn McDonald- Take My Hand

He is We- All About Us

Colbie Caillat- Fallin' for you, I do, One Fine Wire and a lot actually

Mandisa- Goodmorning (I love hearing this on the way to work)

tobyMac- Me Without You

Jason Mraz- I Won't Give Up

Okay, there are a lot more but if you are looking for some good ones there you go. I have more where that came from.

Gratitude: Day 2

I am grateful for the country I live in. I'm glad that I can feel safe as I go out into the community and that I have a chance to be a part of the decisions that are made. Thank you to all those who make that a possibility.

30 days of Gratitude: Day 1

I've always wanted to do this but every year I dont think about it until half way through November. I am only a day late to start this year so I think I can still jump on the bandwagon.

I am grateful for my health. My body is sure not perfect (being up at 4 am this morning, ugh) but it allows me to do so many amazing things.