A Little Gratitude and The Birth Story the World Will Never Forget

I feel like I am slacking a bit.
Ok actually a LOT.
I didn't even mention thanksgiving -
when I have so much to be thankful for,

And Christmas hasn't really been mentioned either...

...and it's in 15 days!

Amidst my life storms, decisions to be made, and happy moments,
I have attempted to write up at least seven posts,
and I've never completed them to a posting status.

But I want it to be known that I am incredibly grateful!
I am so grateful for days where church is just for me,
because I know that my Heavenly Father knows me
and my struggles.

I am grateful for  my amazing and wonderful family.
For their talents, gifts, time, smiles, hugs,
listening ears, examples, and so much more.
(extended family included)

I am grateful for my friends.
Their examples, letting me help them through rough patches,
and being their for mine.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and a knowledge of its truth.
I am grateful for my older brother,
His Atonement for the world and, and the hope it provides me.
I am grateful for living prophets and apostles and their words.

I am grateful for a home, for the future and opportunities,
for good music,
for great values learned from movie and books,
for nature's glorious beauty,
for technology so communication with others is so easy.
for memories of the past - the magical moment of life,
and for the memories to come,
childhood friends who helped sculpt me,
future friends who will continue to mold me,
And SO much more!

I am especially grateful for the Spirit of Christmas

(even though I've caught myself multiple times feeling like this)
For the giving and the living that happens this time of year.
For the beauty of lights, and nativity's, and stars.
For the music and the message of the season -
and the humble story of the birth that changed the world.

Over at my long, lost cousin Elise's blog today,

I read that dear story written beautifully by Elise, 

as though it is through the eyes of Mary.

It truly is a story that just feels you with love.

Here's the link:

A Birth Story

And Merry Christmas.

Playing Catch-Up

To lose few people who read my blog

Sorry for my absence.

I've been playing, 

but I have also been slacking.

But I shall catch you up quickly NOW:

I have probably been overdosing on these lovely things:

Thanks Aunt Robin and Uncle Blake for letting us raid your patch.

Here is a picture from the earlier "letterized" Beach Boys experience

Ashley, me, and Shayna excited to be there.

Firework boats were made and sent down a nice little. . ."stream"

The launch

I got to take off to Bear Lake with the Savage Tribe and I loved every minute of the lake, butterflies, cabins, food, fun, and mostly the people. I love my family so much!

Bocce Ball - I missed the game as I sat on the dock by a Jet Ski
we couldn't use in the stormy winds

Now that's what I call service

I love butterflies AND this beautiful girl! :)

Candy Bar Game. :)

Hooray for shakes and my mini-twin. :)

Grandpa and the girls in the Hot Tub... I love that Grandma made it into this photo too.

:) p.s. it was also my mom's birthday this month*

(p.s. other cameras were utilized so I didn't end up with very many photos

and I will be posting my butterfly holding photos)

Before that adventure Grandpa took us to dinner with the same tribe and two six-year-olds took some great photos.

Best of friends

After the big adventure I got to attend the zoo with one of my best friends 

for one of my favorite men's birthdays (despite all of our fights)

I love Australia.

Hooray birthday boy #1

I ate delicious Caspers with the sister group. :)

And I have been on many a walks.

To top off the last bit of this summer update of life Shayna, Michelle and I took off
to Bear Lake where we had a wondrous photo shot...

photos will appear someday.

(Caspers is out next stop on photo shoot locations)

* Happy birthday to this gorgeous lady below:

Thanks for EVERYTHING you do for me. For listening. For advice. For letting me listen. For knowledge. For you example. For your faith. For your strength. For your fun. For your relaxed attitude. For your love and the example of it. For your joy. For your peace. For being beautiful and so much more. I love you most!

In the Words of James Brown

"I'm back!"

(beware this is an extremely long post)

Wow. The past few weeks have been insane.

Finals was . . . insane in a bad way 

BUT I am glad to say that I have officially graduated from college. . . 

Now what?

I guess anything is possible.

Find a dream and follow it!?!

Literally Right after my last final I ran out and hopped in a truck 

which whisked me away from the troubles and worries that finals left me with.

I was tired and the week of craziness taught me a lot about myself.

I hopped on an airplane or two and jumped aboard a cruise ship which took me to foreign lands and I learned the following:

1. I love the sun more than I thought.

Except when this happens BUT this rag thing really worked so all was well. :)

2. This book is unbelievably amazing.

3. Inadvertently playing a continuous game of  MadGab makes for a lot of inside jokes and even more laughs.

4. So does the fishbowl effect on some cameras.

 

That's priceless stuff right there.

 5. And pouring vinegar from the buffet line on your sunburns to take the heat out.

6. The water is beautiful in Cozumel, Mexico.

 7. Celebrity look-a-likes hang in the same places I went.

We found Waldo!

A little Dr. Phil?

Johnny Depp anyone?

8. Ziplining is fun (especially through the rain forest).

9. Coasta Rica bus drivers are fearless but sometimes their roads help them get stuck after rain.

Went right off the road and couldn't get out. Oops.

10. Ports can be somewhat boring places when you have a lot of time to kill - so you just take pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 11. People might just pretend their cars are taxis to make money and the nearest beach may be 10 minutes away by car but you can sit by the ocean by walking three.

12. Bus drivers in Panama are insane (as the traffic is too). You know you're lucky when they say, "Don't worry. We have the best driver in the tour, his average is one accident a month and his last one was three weeks ago so we are safe."

13. That same bus driver sees a sloth HIGH in the trees and backs the bus up while on the road so those on the bus (who are late back to the port) can see it.

14. Cashew nuts come from a fruit. 

15. The Panama Canal is C-O-O-L. Cool. Period. The end.

They let us touch the walls.

The gates closing behind us. :)

16. Seeing dolphins out your dining room window is a great gift to someone for Mother's Day.

17. Friends can be made in days and just through interacting around food. Also when you say thank you, hearing my pleasure in return is happy.

Our waiters and waitress.

Love them!

18. Grandpa's can be hilarious, birthday songs can be more fun than you think they can, and watching Grandma and Grandpa together is sweet.

19. I can say I have experienced a canceled, missed, and delayed flight within 24 hours. Airports aren't that fun of places after so long.

20. There's no place like home . . . too bad I didn't have one set up when I left.

*sigh*

Adventure. Is a wonderful thing!

I loved spending time with Shayna, BreAnna, Grandma, and Grandpa. 

That's where the treasure truly lies; the inside jokes we have, the memories we have together, and the songs we can't get out of our heads.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa ever so much!

p.s. as I found these pictures there are MORE so you will be hearing about this for a while or so. :) Happy Summer.

Life.

I like it.
This past weekend was phenomenal.
In fact I'm beginning to truly love weekends so much.

Friday:
I went to the Institute and caught up with a few friends,
Read me some Rumplestilskin (so much fun to read) with Shayna and Michelle,
and immersed myself in "A Beautiful Mind."

Saturday:

Cody, Robin, Blake, and I enjoyed some horse racing greatness, 

I accomplished some homework,

went to the store for ice cream and libations,

and hosted some of my favorite people in the world for some rambunctious fun and stories, including that of cereal being lost in outer space and about to be cooked by the sun,  

and some mental disorders.

Sunday:

I loved church,

enjoyed a delicious burger just up the hill, 

built a train, 

watched winnie the pooh (I am so excited for more this summer),

talked about life while eating microwave cake 

was informed "Everything has water in it. Even you."

had a friend drop by, 

watched the end of winnie the pooh after eating a delicious dinner, 

basked in my friendships, 

dropped by game night below to say hello.

So far the rest of this week hasn't been too bad . . .
plus it felt like Spring yesterday - glorious!
Now if I could just get all that reading done.


p.s. Raquel best be happy it snowed for her birthday - it's why I allowed it to. :)

Delicious Moments (1)

I really have written and re-written this blog out.

And meant to post it multiple times too.

Oh life and break. . .

Here are some things that can give you a few ideas about 

the delicious moments in my life right now.

(I've decided to call them delicious things in life

because I love that moment when I taste something 

and it's so good I never forget it, 

so this year that's what you get - delicious moments.)

My family. I love each and every one of them and LOVED the time home.

Shayna made apple pie in jars. It tasted yummy. I like simple beauties.

Shayna also made me chicken noodle soup. Yum.

I got to spend an evening with Katie. We have resolved to do this much more as it's wonderful.

Ashley took me home. :) I loved staying up late and reading kids books - this book is hilarious.

After never trying to read these I really wanted to and am almost done with the series! I am loving them and hope to always be like Lucy and call out for help from the right source when a  moment for faith comes.

Natalie and I had Tandoori Oven after a walk and before a movie.

Cody was a great big brother and shared pizza with me after running errands. :) Papa Johns larges are only $10 up until the Superbowl. YUM!

My mom spent a lot of time with me to make an apron of my own (I will post a picture of mine later as I am too lazy to take one now) and I love it.

I've NEVER been one to stay in pajamas all day unless I was sick. Over break I did it and I loved it. Wow. Who knew how good it felt to really let go and relax?

There are so many more delicious things in my life but there are few.