Coming to a close...

This being the last day of the month, means the last of my Thankful posts...for the year.

I think I will continue this next year.

Today, however, I would like to let you know that I'm thankful for Ty's Job.

I'm thankful for Ty's Job at PracticeOne because we now are able to provide for ourselves.

I'm thankful for this Job because if it weren't for them hiring Ty we would still be in Moses Lake or Othello.

I'm thankful that we were so blessed to have Ty find a job pretty quickly.
Ty was only unemployed for 5 1/2 months.
With the economy the way it is and so many people struggling to find work, I feel humbled that we we're looked out for.

I'm thankful for the months that there was no income to show us just how humble we needed to be.

I'm thankful Ty lost his previous job, so that he could find something better.

I'm thankful that my husband is able to work and that I can stay home and blog. :)

I'm thankful for so much in my life.

I'm thankful for these posts that have truly uplifted me during this last month.

What are most grateful for this Holiday Season?

I Accept!

I'm thankful for my Callings in the church.

For a good explanation of what a Calling is see this here.
And my friend Jenna has a good post about it today here.

I've had various Callings throughout my life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I started when I was in Young Women and kept growing from there.

Since being married I've had two Callings.
Relief Society Secretary.

And Primary Music Chorister.

I won't lie to you.
Sometimes I wasn't so excited about the Callings I received, but I always end up glad that I've had it. I'm happy for the experiences each Calling has given me to learn from.

I'm thankful for Callings because I know they come from my Heavenly Father.

I'm thankful I've never turned down a Calling...EVER.

I'm thankful for Callings because I learn something more from each one.

I'm thankful for Callings because they help me better understand the Gospel.

I'm thankful for Callings because that is how the church keeps going.



If you are a member what have been some of your favorite Callings?

If you aren't a member what is something about Callings you would like to know more about?

Oh the Vegitation!

I'm thankful for Plants.

I'm thankful for Plants because they make the air we breathe possible.

I'm thankful for Plants because they make the world beautiful.


What's your favorite kind of Plant?
I don't know that I could say I have a favorite, but I do love bright, colorful flowers.

“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.” Louis Parrish

I'm thankful for my Kitchen.

I had to down-size quite a bit from my last Kitchen, but that just meant that I get to have this...


I'm pretty excited about it.

Having a smaller Kitchen does motivate me to constantly keep it clean though.

Kitchens are wonderful places.

I feel like it's my sanctuary from the world.

Also, I can bake yummy deliciousness in it.
Like Robbins Cookies.
Apple Cinnamon Bars.
Cream Cheese Apple Tarts.
Meatloaf.
Lasagna.
Twice-baked Potatoes.

I'm hungwry.

When we first moved in, the Kitchen boxes were the very first things to be unloaded.
I'm glad I did too.
Would have made it awfully difficult to eat.

I'm thankful for my Kitchen because it allows me to satisfy my taste buds.

I'm thankful for my Kitchen because they can become and outward expression of my soul.

I'm thankful for my Kitchen because it's the place I usually start when I'm in "Upset-Cleaner" mode.

I'm thankful for my Kitchen because this way I don't have to use a hole in the ground.
Or a firepit. Which could be neat, but I'd probably hurt myself.
Let's be honest.

What is your favorite part of you Kitchen?
I really like the cupboards.
I don't know why.
Have a nice day. : )

Count Your Many Blessings...

Today is the day.

Thanksgiving has finally arrived and we can all go about eating turkey, yams, potatoes, pumpkin pie, and all manner of deliciousness.

Today, while we celebrate this holiday, I'm grateful for the things that got me where I am in life.

My Trials.

I'm thankful that I've gone through some hard times.
That I am going through some hard times.
That I will go through some hard times.

It's a never ending cycle of life.

Without these Trials that we experience, how would we appreciate the things we have or love?

I'm thankful to know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that plan includes being given tests which are able to make me a stronger and better person.

I'm thankful that our Heavenly Father trusted us enough to know that no matter what Trial we would experience we can handle it.

People are always looking for an easy route out of their problems.
There is one.
It's not always fun and it might take awhile, but it definitely is the best.
Endurance.
Faith.
Hope.

Especially when I'm experiencing a Trial or just a plain difficult time, I like the hymn, "Count Your Blessings."
(When you get to the link, look under Hymns and select Words and Music to hear a choir singing along with music)

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

[Chorus]
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Take a moment today, in amongst all that delectable food, and think of all the things you have been blessed with and be thankful for the Trials that enabled you to have them.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Picture is worth a thousand words.

I'm thankful for Pictures.

Pictures can tell a story.
Take you to places you've never been.
Or remind you of places you once were.

For all of these things, I'm thankful for Pictures.

Maybe it's the Photographer blood in me (from my mommy), but I just love 'em.

One day I'll own a super-de-dooper camera and take the most crazy amazing pictures you've ever seen. But for now, these will do.
(Note: The above pictures were all taken by me, except for the first two. They are from my lovely sister-in-law and wedding photographer, Jenny of Bella's Image.)

What are your favorite pictures to look at?

Do lean towards the scenic view?
Or do you prefer the personal touch of people?
Do you like Black & White, Sepia, Saturated color, Unsaturated?

What are your favorite kind of pictures to take?

Pull out your No. 2 Pencils and College Ruled Paper

I'm thankful for Paper and Pencils...and Pens too.

In fact, we'll just go with anything can write with or on.

Those smelling markers you used in first grade are good.

But let's get serious.

Bahahaha. (Cough, cough)

Sorry.

These things make life as we know it possible.

Just think of all the things you do with paper and pencil.
Markers and a whiteboard.
Chisels and rock.
A charcoal tipped stick and a dragon's tummy.

Wait. Nevermind.

How many times do you make a shopping list?

Or write a message to your hubby to take out the trash or start making dinner?

We use this stuff EVERYDAY!!!!
Computers threaten their existence everyday.
In fact, I'm doing it right now!!!!!

Before you know it, we won't even need to write out signatures anymore.

You wouldn't need to learn handwriting.
For some this could be beneficial.
Like Doctors.

I think we're pretty brilliant to somehow come up with trees being used as a tool for communication and organization.

By we I mean who ever it was way back when figured it out.

I usually try to make sure I'm always carrying a Notebook and Pen or Pencil so when inspiration strikes, I can immediately write it down.
Try it, I bet you'll like it.

I'm thankful for Paper and Pencils because I use them to write my shopping lists. The many.

I'm thankful for Paper and Pencils because I can write messages and love notes to my hubby.

I'm thankful for Paper and Pencils because I'm usually better at expressing myself when I write rather than when I talk.


What do you usually write with and on?
I tend to use a notebook and pen or pencil.
Or the small whiteboard and black marker attached to my refrigerator.

"Life is like a box 'o Chocolates."

I'm am so very thankful for Chocolate!
Me and Chocolate go waaaaay back.
And have some good memories together as well.

Chocolate has been there for me during some pretty hard times.

I can always count on it to make me temporarily feel better.

My love for Chocolate is simple and uncomplicated.

I understand the negative aspects, but what can you do when a big yummy piece of delicious Chocolate Cake is put in front of you?
You don't say "No".
No, you dig right in and take part of the of bliss that is divinity, that's what you do.

I must admit to you that I prefer European Chocolate much, much, much, much MORE than American.
Somehow, Americans got this crazy idea to put wax in their mix to make it last longer.
Not that it keeps me from turning into a mad woman any time I get close to Peanut or Peanut Butter M&M's.

Just sayin'.

I'm thankful for Chocolate because it makes things taste so much better.

I'm thankful for Chocolate because even though it's temporary, it gives me comfort.

Like I said, simple and uncomplicated.

What's your favorite kind of Chocolate?

Please don't tell me that you don't like Chocolate.
I don't think I can stand the heartache.

" I like Big"......PURSES... "and I cannot lie."

I'm thankful for My Big Purse.

It really makes me happy.

It's so pretty and has lots of room for my entire life to be held within its lovely fabric.

I have such a love for Purses.
And I keep getting bigger and bigger ones.

It started out small.

Before it progressed to this.
(I call this one my "Butt Bag".)
And this.

I went on a Staff Retreat with work to Leavenworth, WA and found this beauty.
I love it!
Best part, my boss gave each of us $100 to spend only on ourselves and no gifts for other people. Hehe. Okay!
It was $76, but none of it was my money.

Just so we're clear, I would never really spend that much money on a purse.
I have my limits.

I didn't think life could possibly get any better than this purse.

Little did I know when I went to Germany there would be a store in Tuttlingen (where my grandparents live) dedicated to the thing which calls to my soul.
I bought this gem and a lovely green scarf for about 40 Euros!


It's the simple things in life you treasure.

I love when people tell me that they have such a Big Purse and they know it's probably not good for their back and so on and so forth.
I whip this baby out and their eyes fall right out of their sockets.
After we get them cleaned up, we come to the conclusion that I win.
I love winning. : )

I'm thankful for My Big Purse because I can fit basically my entire life inside.
I usually have something in there that someone needs randomly.
Though it may take me a few hours to find.

I'm thankful for My Big Purse because I can sneak candies and such into the movie theater with no hassle. : )
Anyone who works at a movie theater didn't read that?
(Penguin-Jedi gesture) You didn't see anything.

I'm thankful for My Big Purse because it just makes me happy to look at it.

Do you have a passion for Big Purses?

What's your favorite brand of purse?
Mine's a NAFNAF. Let's just assume it's really good.
K? Thanks.

“The Internet is a giant international network of intelligent, informed computer enthusiasts, by which I mean, 'people without lives.'"

(Quote by: Dave Barry)

I'm thankful for the Internet!!!

It's such a wonderful place.

Check out this site (which I StumbleUpon..ed) to look at a visual of what the Internet can be used for.
They forgot social networks like Myspace and Facebook, but it works for chat rooms as well I suppose.

The Internet is such a fascinating place. Full of knowledge and facts just floating around in the universe.

There are few people who aren't linked up to cyberspace in one way or another.
Those people are probably out there right now doing something productive and active.
Sounds like a lot of work. ; )

I love jumping on every morning and seeing what my e-mail has brought me.
I get thrilled when I see someone has commented on my blog (No, that's not a plug. Why?), or on my Facebook. (There's a badge to the right. Just sayin'. : ) )
I even get a little excited when I get nice little coupons sent to me.

Ty loves video games.
He loves World of Warcraft.
That's right.
I'm a WoW widow. (sigh)
What do I do?
If you don' t know what WoW is, may you never fully understand.
But for the sake of being informed, it's a online game that sucks the living life right from your skull.

Point is, the Internet is chalk-full of amazing capabilities.

For instance, I've set up an e-mail notification on my blog so that my family can know when I have yet another post.
This has become really beneficial for my grandparents in Germany.
They get pictures and details about what's happening with us and I just have to press "Publish Post".
Ain't life grand!

I will say that the Internet has some down sides.
But doesn't everything.
The way I figure it, everything can be used for good and bad....EVERYTHING....except bugs. They are here simply for our torment.

As wonderful as this place is, some people can turn and twist it to resemble Sodom and Gomorrah.
But HOORAY for parental blocks!

Sure they are snags and such, but I think the benefits outweigh the negative.

I'm thankful for the Internet because it keeps this Extrovert connected with the world.

I'm thankful for the Internet because I learn all kinds of stuff. Like how to cast on or off with my knitting, because mercy knows I keep forgetting.

I'm thankful for the Internet because I can get on here and rant and rave and there ain't nothin' not nobody can do about it. : )
Have a nice day.

What are some of your favorite sites to check out?
I like Facebook and Twitter, but I kind of love GoogleMaps.
I'm weird that way.

"Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book." Stephan Mallarme

I'm thankful for Books.

It all started with this Book. Well actually it started with the movie and then the Book.
After seeing and reading about Anne's incredible imagination, I was overcome with desire to be an authoress myself.

That dream sort of faded, but was always in the back of my mind.
Lately, however, I've been considering the possibility to making the dream a true reality.

Anyway, tangent.
Sorry.

I love Books.

I love when they let my imagination go crazy. Letting me escape to another world, time, and/or country all together.

I'm definitely a fan of the scriptures.

It's crazy to think that these things actually HAPPENED.
In turn, you can get immersed in the world that the prophets create with their words.
They, of course, are also for learning and I appreciate the sacrifice these men made to give us the word of our Heavenly Father.
Not that I understand it all the time.
I have a ways to go before I earn the title of Scriptorian.

Right now I'm reading this.

Ty convinced me to read it and I'm glad I took the recommendation.
I've been completely taken by this story.

Do you ever read a book and imagine yourself as one of the characters?
Or pretend you're an extra character and every once in awhile add your own dialog?

I'm thankful for Books because they teach me things I need to know about life, or cooking.

I'm thankful for Books because I like to have an imaginary getaway to a fictional world.

I'm thankful for Books because they remind me to be a kid.

What's your favorite Book?

"I Have Two Little Hands"

I’m thankful for my Hands.

Have you ever thought about just how big of a deal your Hands are?

They’re pretty cool.

When I was in Massage School, our teachers always told us to take care of our Hands because they are our livelihood.

However, upon further research (as in me just thinkin’ about it), I’ve realized just about everyone uses their hands for their work.

Not everyone, but I can’t think of who they are. : )

There’s A LOT of things you can do with your Hands.

Type on the keyboard, which allows for trans-continental communicating.

Cooking yummy foods.

Eating yummy foods.

Take pictures, good or bad.

Drive a car.

Make shadow figures on the wall.

Tickling unsuspecting victims.

Washing dishes.

Building and fixing things.

Playing instruments.

Holding two of them together. I like it. :)

Putting up decorations.

Holding BABIES!!! Get’s me everytime.

Playing games.

Writing.

Carving pumpkins.

Planting a garden…of any kind.

Cutting someone’s hair….or dyeing for that matter.

Not all of these things necessarily require that we need Hands. Some people go through life just fine without Hands.

However, I’m thankful for my Hands because they make doing all these things and more so much easier to do.

So yeah, I’m thankful for my Hands because they allow me to do things that would otherwise be difficult.

What is your favorite thing(s) to do with your Hands?

I'm a fan of Cooking with them....cuz then I can eat with them. : )

Can't live with 'em. Can't do a major move without 'em.

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo (is that enough) thankful for my Family.

I won't lie to you.
They're pretty awesome.

Whenever Ty or myself are in need of something you can be sure they will be here to back us up or take care of us.

Like how we moved this weekend.
Not a very small task, I'll have you know.

And when I say Family, I don't just mean my parents and brothers (only girl child here).
I'm talkin' about EVERYONE!!!!
My parents and siblings.
My husband's parents and siblings (all boys).
Our brothers' wives and all the chillins.
Both of our grandparents. Aunts, uncles, cousins.
All manner of kinsmen.
They all count.

Each of them helped us in some way. Whether they helped us move, let us live with them, helped us out with something we couldn't do for ourselves, encouraged us, or simply said something nice.

Maybe it's just because I'm oh-so-very-happy about having my internet back, but these people are just so dang neat.

I love 'em. What can I do?

It's funny that this post should come after the Temple. Remember these were chosen through Random.org. By being sealed in the temple (something that only happens there) and staying worthy, we can be with them forever.
Um, cool!

I'm thankful for Family because without 'em we'd be living on the street.
Okay, well maybe not the street, but somewhere pretty gross anyway.

I'm thankful for Family because they make me who I am.
Which means it's their fault I'm crazy. :)

I'm thankful for Family because they love me no matter what.
Thanks guys!

What makes your family special to you?