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.