I'm Thankful For...Part 9-27

9. Electricity...even though half the power goes out quite often, I'm still grateful for it, and grateful that at least 1/2 of it stays on (and that half happens to be the circuit our computers and TV are on..THE MOST important circuit!) haha...

10. Family...I love both sides of my family, and I'm so grateful for each and everyone of them. For loving me, for being forgiving, for being there for me, and for randomly texting me about things that happened during the day.

11. Military men and women...I have quite a few family members and friends who are/were in the military, and I am truly grateful to those who are willing to risk their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today... (and of course I'm grateful for their families too!)

12. Ice cream...Nothing can be more of a comfort food than ice cream. Mint chocolate chip is my fave, of course, but almost any kind will do!

13. Laughter...especially when I'm able to laugh with Greg about the dumbest things in the world. I also love the sound of children laughing...

14. Nice hot bubble baths...so relaxing....

15. My ability to play the piano...There are very few things I feel comfortable doing in front of people...playing sports is one...playing the piano is the other. Not that I don't get nervous, because I do...but I am always willing to play the piano, and I'm grateful for all of the piano teachers I had over the years, and for their patience with me. They were all great teachers! and also being able to play the organ. Thanks grandma for teaching me how to play it!

16. Photography...i love photography so much! And I'm grateful to be able to use it to capture moments and memories and feelings.

17. Digital Scrapbooking...Yes..I'm obsessed with it. I could do it all day, everyday if I could...(wait...I pretty much do!) It's been fun to learn a new craft and to get a new hobby. Plus I get to stretch my creativity to reach new levels.

18. The Gospel and my testimony...They have both grown so much over the past few years, and I'm grateful for the principles that the gospel teaches.

19. Jesus Christ...for the sacrifice he made so that we can repent and be forgiven and be able to return to live with him.

20. My calling...Yes, I am not always happy, and yes the girls sometimes drive me crazy, but I still love them all and wouldn't want any other calling...(well, except for ward organist...see #15...hehehe)

21. My computer...what would I do without it? I have everything on here. It's my baby, and I am grateful for all the programs I am able to use on it...(and thanks mom and dad for buying it for me all those years ago!)

22. Cuddling up in nice fuzzy socks and a nice fuzzy blanket on a cold day...

23. Texting...yes..I'm grateful for texting...it's the only way Greg and I can communicate while he's at work...or in the other room...(hahahaha!) Plus...texting is great when you want to talk to someone, but don't necessarily want to talk to them in person or on the phone...(lol..come on, you know I'm right!)

24. Positive people...what great examples they are. I strive to be positive everyday...and I'm grateful for those who are able to always be positive.

25. Ramen Noodles...The most healthy and nutritious lunch a girl could ask for! (okay...insert quick for healthy, and easy for nutritious! That sounds better!) But I love ramen noodles! So delicious! (i may go make me some now...)

26. Pizza...Papa Johns is the best EVER...but I could have a cheese Little Caesar's pizza (with their cheese sticks of course) anyday! (ummm...I'm kinda unhealthy!!! Just a little bit though...)

27. My wonderful husband who is so thoughtful and funny and kind....and makes a killer turkey!!! (Oh my gosh! We had the BEST Turkey yesterday...seriously so delicious!!!) and I love him! lol

Hope you all had a fantastical Thanksgiving, and for those who decided to take on the Black Friday crowds. I hope you made it out alive while I was safely in my warm bed dreaming about stealing people's wedding rings at the beach then giving them back to the people...

don't ask...I am weird sometimes...i know...

I'm Thankful For...Part 8

Friends: I have had a lot of good friends through the years. I was lucky enough to live in a small town where you pretty much have to be friends with everyone, but it was a good thing because I became super good friends with people I normally wouldn't.

I was very lucky to make friends with the younger girls, Jenna and Lindsay...lol...I have a lot of funny memories of these two...Dressing up for halloween, driving down Stoner Ave, letting Lindsay drive my car when she was only 14 (maybe 15! So scary!) haha...A day trip to Evanston with Jenna. Volleyball and basketball trips...Even now that it's been many years later, and I don't stay in touch with them as much as I could/should...I know that if I were to call either of them on the phone, we'd be able to chat it up like the old days.

Even younger than them, thanks to a special ward girl's camp we had, I made friends with some 8th graders my senior year. Camille and Talisha became fast best friends. Even though they are a lot younger than I am, I had a lot of fun talking to them and hanging out. Now that we are all graduated, and again, I don't see them as much as I'd like to or talk, when i do see them it's great to get a big hug and be able to re-connect our friendship (haha...is that even a real term?!)

Of course, there are the girls in my HS class. For the most part all 5 of us have been together forever...at least that's what it seems. Not that we never had fights, because we sure did...but at the end of the day we were still friends.

(Sorry Tiff isn't in this pic!)

I made some awesome friends through my photography class. Photography was awesome...having only 6 people in the class we were all able to become good friends. One in that class became my best friend during my senior year, and I'll always be grateful for that. Two were my cousins, and boy oh boy...was that fun to be able to hang out with them in class (especially when Forrest wasn't there! lol) and two were foreign exchange students. One from Sweden (Sofie), one from Germany (Jana). Jana was also on my basketball team (of 7 girls!), she had never played before, so it was fun to teach her and watch her learn, and get to know her better. Before she left to go back to Germany, she gave me a picture of me and her taken at regional basketball. On the back she wrote "Friends Forever." and I'll always treasure it!

After HS I met some great friends at college. It was pretty easy to meet friends because of volleyball, I instantly had 15 friends. (again with the fighting..haha! a whole other story!) I knew most of them from visiting Kandyce while she was at Western, but it was still fun to be able to hang out with them and talk to them...though I do wish I would have hung out with some of them more. But I was able to make some friends for life through that experience.

Of course I met my BESTESTESTEST friend at college. I never expected to meet a BFFFFFFFF there, but I did, and I'm grateful for it. (One of the best things I gained from going to school in the hole of Wyoming!) But I met my husband. The first night we met we talked all night long, and every night since then. I love him so much, and he truly is my best friend!

Since being in Logan, I have met a few more great friends. I met a lot of great people working. One of them being my friend Shay. She was the very first person I met there, she trained me, and we were instant friends. When I got moved to the service desk (taking her spot! lol...not really...the boss just didn't like her for some reason..) and she moved to the office...we would spend A LOT of time talking on the phone! It's surprising we got any work done. Everyday we were able to talk and complain and just laugh with one another. Sadly...once she left work to have her baby, we haven't been able to hang out as much...though we recently re-connected and have decided to become friends again...lol, even though we STILL haven't hung out. But she is a great friend, and she will always be my friend. (And Shay if you're reading this...we should do something sometime! haha!)

I have also made friends through my calling in the YW and volleyball...Both the girls and the leaders and coaches I work with. It's been fun to meet new girls, and see their different personalities...

Alright, this turned out to be REALLY long, and I didn't meant it to be. But I am grateful for the many friends I've had throughout the years. The ones I've listed here aren't even all of them, so if you're my friend, and I didn't list you..don't be offended...I still love you, and I'm grateful for all of those who have been examples and friends to me.

THE END! (For now...I still have like 17 more to get caught up on!)

I'm Thankful For...Part 7

(I'm really trying to get caught up! I'm just so slow! Too much to do, so little time!)

McDonald's fries...

I know...that's why I've gained 20 pounds since HS! I will admit it.. lol...but seriously friends. I would die without McDonald's fries. They are seriously the best ever. When Greg and I get fast food, we usually order our burgers or whatever from wherever we want, then get our fries from McDonalds. They are the best when they are fresh out of the fryer...mmmm...my mouth is watering just thinking about them...I could eat them everyday if I weren't concerned about my health...(lol, right!) I honestly crave them at weird times (mostly in the middle of the night...) But they make me happy, and even though I don't really like a lot of MD's other foods...I could always eat their fries...just thought you should know!

(this may also be why I will die at an early age!) but at least I'll die happy and full of MD fries! :)

I'm Thankful For...Part 6

***ATTENTION ALL...IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 23...KINDLY AVERT YOUR EYES (OR IF YOU'RE MY GRANDMA! hahahahaha just kidding grandma...you might enjoy this as well!)***

I'm thankful for...

...

...

...

hahahah!! JK!! But yeah...that totally makes me excited to see Twilight!!!


but my REAL "I'm thankful for" might actually sound a little silly...(haha, Greg and I are watching some "dumbest blonde" moments on TV, and I think this might rank in there...I'm kinda tired..but I had these thoughts driving home tonight..)

I'm thankful for IMAGINATION! Seriously folks. Wouldn't life be so completely boring if no one had an imagination? Sometimes I have an overactive imagination. For instance...when I drive, doesn't matter if it's day or night I see things in the trees and bushes. Ever since I hit a deer a long time ago driving home in the dark, that has been my driving paranoia...I see probably 500 'deer' when I drive to Cokeville and back. I have often seen bears, and a pig, and just tonight I saw the monster thingy from "Where the Wild Things Are." Of course when I see them at first, I freak out...but once I pass them and realize that they aren't really anything...I have to laugh. Yes, this happened tonight which is why I am making this post! It just got me to thinking...how boring would my drives be if I didn't constantly imagine these things. I have to laugh at myself at how dumb my imagination is being...(can you blame that?!) But beyond myself and my imagination...think of your children (or in my case...nieces and nephews)...Think of all the silly things they say and do...What would you do if your child had no imagination? You wouldn't laugh and smile half as much as you do...am I right? I just think of Lilli...pretending she's a wizard and using anything she can as a wand (got this from a long ago post by my sister)...everytime I read about anything like that...I just laugh. And seeing some of the outfits she's created...what a nerd! It's amazing to me what some people can come up with...and all due to their imaginations!

Okay...seriously! I hope this made sense. My imagination has gone to bed, so it's a little jumbled together!!! That's all for now...I'll be back to get caught up one of these days!

I'm Thankful For...Part 5

Movies that are so dumb they're funny! There are a lot of good movies out there, and I do love them, but come on...the best ones are the ones that are so dumb they're funny! When you're having a downer day...there's nothing better than cuddling with the hubby on the couch and watching dumb movies and laughing!! Here's my list of favorite 'dumb' movies!

Yes....I'm not going to lie! I love the HSM series! #2 is my favorite. The last song totally rocks. I haven't seen all of 3 yet, but don't worry I will....

I LOVE Legally Blonde 1 AND 2...This is the Platinum Collection (thanks Shari and Ben!) It makes me laugh everytime I watch it. I used to watch it every night to fall asleep...Great movies!

Napoleon Dynamite...CLASSIC

Out Cold...SO funny. I saw this first at college...there are few movies I could watch more than once...this is one of them!

Employee of the Month....LOVE it. I think it's hellarious! Especially having worked retail...Could watch this all the time too!

Empire Records....MY NAME'S NOT WARREN!! HAHAHA...

Kicking and Screaming...this movie CRACKS ME UP! Will Ferrill is so funny

Accepted...another great one...

And the classic Christmas movies...

Elf...Love the part where he jumps on the couch to put the star on top. SO funny!

The Muppets Christmas Carol...okay, not a dumb movie, I just added in with my fave Christmas shows. This is probably my favorite version of a Christmas Carol (this and the OLD disney one where donald duck is scrooge...I don't know if anyone remembers it...but i loved that one too..)

And of course A Christmas Story...Brady and I would get up REALLY early Christmas morning and watch this over and over...haha..I don't think I need to explain it, but it's pretty funny!

There are so many movies so dumb they make me laugh, but this is all you get for now!

So yeah...I'm thankful for movies so dumb they're funny so I can spend my evenings relaxing with Greg on the couch...laughing at the dumbness!!!

I'm Thankful For...Part 4

Good books. At the beginning of summer the bookstore in the mall was having a closeout sale, so Greg and I went in and found a lot of books for 50% off. Since then I've found more and more books that I have loved and usually get a good deal on them. I have always loved reading. I even remember the first chapter book I read...Sweet Valley Kids: Runaway Hampster. Then onto Nancy Drew, Ariana series, and so on and so forth. I have a hard time finding books I like, because I really don't like the adult fiction books. So I decided to just check out the Young Adult section, and I've found a ton of books I like (and before you make fun of me for reading young adult books...Twilight is young adult...! ;) But anyway, so here are some good reads that I have found and loved!

I love series. Because if I like the first one, there's a good chance I'll like the next ones...then I don't have to look for books I want to read..

I bought the first one used, and really liked it. The rest of the series is alright, but kind of drags out. I think I skimmed through most of the 4th book. AND there's one more! All I can say is she better marry Marcus or I'll be VERY upset! These are by Megan McCafferty.

This is another series that I liked, but REALLY drags on. There are also 5 in this series. I haven't read #5 yet (and just checked out #4 from the library). They're about some friends who had one friend die and no one knew why or how. Then the other friends start getting threatening texts from A who knows things that only the friend that died knew, and if they tell anyone about it, the stalker will tell people their secrets. She also kills one of the girls because she figured out who was sending the texts. But I'm kind of annoyed because they find out who the killer is in #4, so that killer goes to jail, then in 5 someone else is back stalking them. Really...just let it end! lol..but still good. They're by Sara Shepard

Sarah Dessen has become one of my favorite authors. Her books are probably the cleanest non-LDS books that I've read. These aren't a series, but they are SOOOO GOOD! Just Listen was the first one I bought, and I LOVEDDDDDDD it! It made me cry, and was so good. A definite must-read.

Of course...Twilight...#2 is by far my fave!!! and I still hate #4...but I can't wait for the movie to come out...Taylor Lautner...mmmmm....

These books take place in the early 1900s (I think..lol)...It's interesting to read books that take place so long ago, and to read how different times were. I really enjoyed this series. There are three out, and #4 comes out soon, and I can't wait to read it! These are by Anna Godbersen.

These are the books I was reading when I was having terrible nightmares about being a vampire/vampire killer. These are really clean as well...and easy reads, only downfall is they all are pretty much the same story...just with different characters. There is one more to this series as well. These are by L.J. Smith (author of the Vampire Diaries...the dudes on that show...mmmm!)

Alright...this is HANDS DOWN my favorites series! Yes...there are a lot of them...these are the ones we bought in the closeout sale. Well, the first 4. The rest I have bought since then. There is another one out now that I have yet to get...(I REALLY want it!) lol...and Another one coming out March 9! These are a good easy read. I have read the entire series at least 10 times...No lie! Love them, and can't wait to read the next two. (this one kinda drags on too, but I don't care...I totally love it!) They are by Kate Brian. There is a web series for this book and it totally sucks...Just thought I'd throw that out there! :)

Also by Kate Brian, this is a spin-off of the Private series. Love these ones too. There is a third one out that I have yet to read as well...Geeze, I gotta get on this!

this is just a portion of all our books. We have SO MANY! I love it!

What good reads have you found? Let me know...I'm in a lull right now! :)

PS...Don't you love the orange carpet! You are totally jealous! ADMIT IT!

I'm Thankful For...Part 3

I know, I got a bit behind on this, but I'm working on it! :) But I am thankful to have lived in places where we can celebrate all four seasons! Sure I love winter the most, but I could honestly say I think I'd go crazy if it was freezing ALL the time. The same goes for summer. Rain, however...is a different story...but for the sake of this post, we'll just skip past that! As I look out my window right now and watch it cloud over...I am REALLY hoping that it will snow. I just can't imagine what it would be like to grow up and never see snow! What fun memories would you have of having it snow so much that CHURCH GOT CANCELLED! or memories of sledding with the Teicherts? Or running Shari's fairly new car off the road because it was icy and never telling her (at least I think I was smart enough not to!) lol... Or spinning cookies, and nearly dying by the railroad tracks? And the list goes on...Now, I'm not gonna lie and say I never have complained about the weather, because I have...but one thing I've learned over the past few years is...I have NO control over the weather, so there's no point in complaining to the world about it! I will say, "Its SO COLD." But I'm not complaining. I would rather freeze to death than burn...lol...but really. Aren't you glad you get to experience all four seasons, even though I think Spring kinda gets rushed because we have long winters, but we do get to experience them all, and I'm thankful for that!

Spring...notice the snow still on the ground! :) It's the only picture I have that was taken around "Spring time." (greg at the HOgle zoo when we went for Spring Break)
Summer...I had a better picture, but I couldn't find it. Plus I thought the sun flair was cool in this..
Fall...I think this one goes way too fast too...But I do love when the leaves change and fall to the ground.
And...of course...WINTER!!! Gotta love it!

OH...and PS...this isn't to say I wouldn't LOVE to live in, say, California, or Florida, or Hawaii...because I SOOOO would...but I will always be grateful that I have lived in all 4 seasons!

P.S.

Our Christmas tree is up....is yours?!

I'm Thankful For...Part 2

3 Adorable Nieces and 6 Adorable Nephews!

Wow! That's a lot! I remember when I didn't have any, and now I have NINE! And I love each and every one of them!

Jeshua - Holy moly this kid has SO much energy! He is always on the go. (and I keep hearing that that's how Greg would act when he was younger! lol) He is so smart and says the funniest things!

Kyla

This cute little girl always seems to be looking for trouble, always teasing her little brother, or teasing her aunts and uncles...but she is still a cutie! She used to not even come near me, but I guess actually getting to spend time with her, she has grown to like me a little bit! :)

Lillian

Oh goodness! This child! She is so funny and such a stinker! She is constantly cracking me up, and I love hearing all the cute things that she randomly says.

Noriko - What a doll. She is the quiet one, who doesn't say much, but has such big brown eyes, they just melt your heart!

Jacob

This kid gets more bumps and bruises than anyone I know (could be just when Uncle Greg is around, but still!) Last I was around him, he wasn't talking, but he makes noises so you can be sure you know what he's thinking. It's rather funny. He also loves reading books, and goes through probably 50 (if not more) a day!

Alexander

I love his smile! He is so funny and such a cheeser. I really wish I got to see him more! :(

Aidan

Love that the boys look nothing alike. They are both so cute in their own unique ways! I love Aidans big eyes...so sweet, and I love his little smile too. Can't believe they're almost a year old!!

Seiji - I have only seen this little guy like twice, and both times he just curled right up against my chest. Love cuddly babies! He is adorable, and looks a lot like his older brother.

Austin

What a little chunk! But I just love him. I am his favorite aunt too...He is such a good baby, and so adorable. Don't ya just want to squeeze those cheeks?

Aren't they all just adorable?!? Yes, I think so too. I wish I got to see them a whole lot more though! They grow up way too fast, and I don't see them near enough, but when I do...it makes it all the more worth it! Can't wait for more and more of them!

I'm Thankful For...Part 1

HEALTH!!!!

Last Saturday my throat started hurting, and I was REALLY hoping that I wasn't getting sick. A bunch of the girls on my volleyball team have been really sick, and being around that all week, it wouldn't have surprised me if I did get sick, but I hoped I wasn't going to. Well, Sunday we had stake conference, but I gotta admit, I just slept in...and I woke up starting to feel a little achey. Not horrible, but not fun. That night was HORRIBLE for sleeping though. I had a terrible headache, and to make things worse, I COULD NOT SLEEP! Well, I could, but every time I seemed to close my eyes, I started having MESSED up dreams! Seriously so weird! I've been reading vampire books lately, and in my dreams I was one of the girls trying to kill bad vampires. I thought I was going crazy! It was so bad. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep! Well, my sickness continued throughout the week. It was bad. I have never been sick for so long, so it was NOT fun! The worst part is I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING! It was the last week of volleyball too, but I didn't go to any practices, and I missed one game. I was going to go to the game, but one of the coaches had a baby not to long ago, premature, so I didn't want to risk getting her sick, in addition to the girls on my team. So I just stayed home. I did go to our last home game, but I was miserable the whole time. Needless to say, I'm glad it's over! I am feeling a little better today, but still have a nasty cough! As long as I can sleep at night, though, I'm not too concerned. I'll survive, but it still really makes me grateful for my health! I don't know how I would handle it if I were constantly sick with any other type of disease...Sometimes I think I have colitis, but sometimes I don't...(haha...that's probably only funny to the people who know what I'm talking about!) But still. I'm grateful to have my health, and even though it SUCKS to have a cold, I know that it will go away soon enough, and I will be healthy again! :)

Happy November 1 everyone!