Gratitude

Today's lesson in Relief Society was based on Elder Holland's Conference talk on faith...which also has to do with gratitude. We were asked to come up and write on the board something we are grateful for. It was quite the list, from my Mom to tampons to my queen size bed and hot water. It was great. I decided to make a list. I've abbreviated it or otherwise this would be a very long post...so here are a few and in no particular order:

* My cat, Sneakers, who is now eating ravenously on her own after a long hospital stay.

* My family who is so very accepting and accomodating

* A very adorable boy

* Amazing friends

* The Gospel

* The great outdoors

* Music

* My camera

Here come the very simple ones and a little funny too...

* Gelato

* Authentic Italian Pizza

* Running water

* I have 10 toes

* Eyelashes

* The fact I started using anti-wrinkle cream when I was 20 ;)

* Sunsets

* Snow

* Gerber Daisies

* Humor

* Oh I could just go on and on...

Its interesting how we feel our Heavenly Father's love when we demonstrate gratitude for his blessings. We are SO blessed.

Double Trouble Baby Shower

Two..two...two due dates in one! Actually they are one day apart. My coworkers Matt and Sam's wives are due with little girls any day now, so we (I) decided to throw them a man-shower. I didn't post pics because of work rules, but I will tell you all about it.

The decorations: Blue, yellow and a pink mobile.

The plates etc: Spiderman plates, Batman napkins and bright green forks.

The game: Yes, we did have a game. I put 5 flavors of baby food in plastic cups, labeled with a number. Each person had to sample with Tostitos Scoops and record what they thought it was. The highest number of correct answers got a Lego playset: A smartcar with a little figurine. The reactions were hilarious! Some of the mechanics all out refused. Wusses! Sam won that one and I had an extra one for Matt. It was fun to watch them for the next 15 minutes playing with their Legos. Oh, and the flavors were: Green beans, Pears, Sweet potatoes, Peaches (actually yummy) and the nastiest of nasty, Mac n Cheese.

The treat: Chocolate cake from Costco. I called it "man cake."

The gift: Lots of binkies for some peace and quiet.

It was priceless.

2010 Amazingness

As promised, this is some of the best of 2010. Maybe not the most noteworthy, but it's just a little slice of everyday life. Holidays are amazing as always, but the everyday occurances and little things are what make life worth living. Especially if it gives me a laugh. So here they are in chronological order.


Thirty and Flirty and Thriving. Well, maybe not so much, but I did celebrate in style. I had cheesecake as the office treat and made them eat off New Moon amazingness. Ha ha. I'm the birthday girl. That's right. :)

This is a sad day, but front row prompted me to come out of my Ute dislike for a couple hours and for a friend's birthday.

I. Want. This. Jeep. Someday. :) This is the Utah Auto Expo, which is rapidly approaching again. Who says girls can't like cars?

Gross...and painful. I sprained my ankle on my way to my cousin's wedding. Crutches and a boot for a few weeks. Delightful. It makes me appreciate non-gimpiness...well, as non-gimpy as I get.

The classic St Patty's Day parade, now my personal favorite parade. This is my third year of attendance. Always something new.

The beautiful Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I've always wanted to go. This is not the best picture, I'm noticing more and more where my editing skills improved. This is pre-editing ephiphany.

I know this is random, but can you spot the problem with this Claw machine? It's surprisingly obscene, but had to be documented.

Sporting the Redneck Tank Top. My own personal creation. So proud to be a slob.

Bees game after Bees game. I can't get enough of it! Oh, and the hot dogs. I hate hot dogs, but not here. Mmmm.

Ah Moab. One of my favorite places.

Arches National Park, take two. This is just after sunrise. Delicate Arch hike at 4:00 am. Highly recommended.

Double Rainbow! All the way across the sky! It's so intense! We decided to break in the new firebowl and got rained out, but we had this little treat.

Paul McCartney. And a limo. A-MAZ-ING.





I got a new camera and took tons of photography classes. It's something I've always wanted to do. I also tried my hand at some engagements and portraits. I LOVE it. More to come, for sure. This one is Memory Grove in the Fall with a bit too much yellow, but I dig it.

Snapping a pic of my cousin's cake while the "real" photographer is out taking other shots.

This would be the Blizzard of 2010. Yes, it was a blizzard that left about 2 inches of snow, but I got to leave work early. That's good enough for me. :) Oh and this is my first try at dragging the shutter. Pretty sweet.

That's about it. 2010 was a great year for learning new things and accomplishing things I thought I never would and getting to know and enjoy time with people I never thought would happen. 2010 was a great year.

Twenty Eleven

I cant believe another YEAR has passed. Where did it go?

2010 was pretty amazing, can't lie about that. I will post some "best of" pics in the next post.

I bought a planner. I got my first planner when I was the Laurels president when I was 16 and always had a sick obsession with getting my new Trapper Keeper (holy crap, did I just mention that) and folders just so. I really am a slob, so you know. Anyway, last year was the first year in a while I haven't had a planner and even though it was great being freeeeeeee!!...I suuure didn't accomplish what I wanted to. So I went to Franklin Covey and bought quite the planner. I fully intend on using it.

My goals. Simple. Not my usual goals I flunk out on EVERY YEAR. I still have those 10 pounds. I made daily, weekly and monthly goals that will, bit by bit make me a better person. Scripture study is one, reading a Conference talk a day, blogging and journaling each week, and working on one Christlike attribute a month. Pretty simple, but the effects will be long lasting. There are many more goals on that list, but those are just a few of the most important ones. Oh yeah...and finding the very best, most delicious Funeral Potatoes recipe. I can have a couple frivolous goals, right?

There you have it. New Year, new me. :) Shooting for heaven in twenty eleven. Very cheesy...and it's late.

Say goodnight, Mo. Off to bed you go! Most of you won't get it, but the right one will. :)