Attitude of Gratitude

I was asked to give a talk on Sunday on gratitude for our Savior, the gospel, and prophets. As I have been studying this week my mind has been reflecting a lot on what it is in my life that I am grateful for. Each of us has been given so much and hope that we can all remember how blessed we are all year long and not just during the holidays.

David B. Haight in the October General Conference said," If we are ever going to show our gratitude properly to our Heavenly Father, we should do it with all of our heart, mind, and strength."

Time Flies by fast...

OOPS!! There is a lot that has happened in the last 6 months. I went with the DeVroom's to Florida for 10 day,4 in Orlando and 6 in Seaside. It was my last thing to do with them before I moved back to Idaho. That trip was amazing and I loved every bit of it so much that I took over 300 pictures and want to go back more than anything in the world.

Once I moved back to Twin, I was able to help with the Twin Falls Temple Open House which was amazing. I was able to usher 3 different days and spend a total of about 20 hours ushering in the temple, in the Bride's room and celestial room. Then I was able to help usher at the Cultural celebration and stand very close to President Monson. That is an experience that is in itself amazing and something that I will always cherish. Then the next day I was able to go to the Cornerstone Ceremony. All of this happening without me having a job, but have since found one at Lincoln Elementary as the Kindergarten aide getting paid nothing but having a ton of fun.

Let's see what else since I am trying to sum up everything. My parents, niece Mia and I went to the BYU homecoming and had a ton of fun. I love my niece she is amazing. The game was great, and getting away for the weekend was even better.

My birthday was great. Sometimes its hard to believe I am 27 now, but it was a great day and Katie and her boyfriend Joe decorated my car while I was at work which didn't surprise me at all, but was nice.

Mia (my niece) is now 5 and for her birthday last week I made cake for her. It was fun. I haven't done any cake decorating for awhile so it was nice to be able to do something I love. I think that is everything that has happened, and that I can remember to update this more often.

Great weekend and the downhill stretch

Last weekend I went home for Mother's Day and also for a surprise party that I was throwing for Katie. I got her! She had no clue and it was so much fun being able to surprise her like that. Especially with the help of Jennie. I almost thought she knew when she came over to the house just before she went to work, since I had just started to do the food. She didn't she bought my mom's reason for me cooking. Thank goodness for mother's! Katie thought we were going to be going out to dinner and then pampering ourselves. I left the things at my house that we had bought earlier in the day and we went back to the house to get them. I told her to go in with me to say hi to our parents and Jeremy and Cindy, when everyone shouted SURPRISE!!!!! I only wish that I was in front of her to see her face!

My mom didn't get a picture of her when she walked in the door this is our reenactment!

Mia's face at the end is priceless! She loves karaoke! I think she'll like it more when she can read!

Mother's day was great! I love my mom so much and I am so grateful for everything that she taught me. On my drive home I talked with Katie for a while and she really helped me a lot in coming to grip with a lot of the choices that I have coming up. Mostly with the choice of coming home which I am so excited for and can't wait for. I know it's what I am need to be doing right now. I am putting my life in Heavenly Father's hands and doing what I know I need to be doing.

Well I put my notice in on Tuesday night! It was hard but once it was over I felt as if I had a huge weight lifted off me and every day since has been so much easier. I have applied for some jobs in Twin and I am just taking things one day at a time. I don't know what I am going to do over the next seven weeks. Wow, that really isn't that long at all. Especially when 2 1/2 of them are on vacation.

I love my family

I went home this weekend to spend some time with my family because I haven't seen them in about a month and I needed a break from the craziness in Sandy. On the way to Twin I stopped in Burley and picked up Mia and Tyson ( Jeremy and Cindy were going to dinner there) and spent a couple of hours with them, and took them back to Twin with me. Then Mia spent the night with us. My bedroom is now the toy room and only has a twin size bed in it, so I put Mia in the bed and I was going to go and sleep on the couch. Mia has other ideas. She put the smallest blanket and pillow on the floor for me to sleep with her in the room. I thought it was nice of her but it wasn't going to happen. So I went and slept in on the couch and a couple of minutes later I had a little visitor, who slept on the chair next to me. I miss her so much. I can't wait to be closer to her in a few months.
I enjoyed being able to spend some one on one time with the majority of my family. I think I laughed more this weekend than I have in a long time. Between my mom, dad, and Katie holy cow, the kept me rolling and right now I don't even remember what most of it was about. I had a great weekend and I can't wait to go back again in a couple of weeks for Mother's Day. From there it is down hill to being able to be closer all of the time.

Crazy year!!!

Holy cow! I can't believe everything that has happened this past year! I thought to start out I would go through and review the year. Where do I start...
A year ago yesterday I accepted a job to come to nanny for an LDS family in Sandy, Utah. This meant closing down my day care that I had for 4 years and saying goodbye to 11 of the cutest children that I have ever met. 8 of which I have watched since they were born. It was very hard to do. I knew though deep down in my heart though that it was something that needed to be done.

So on Mother's Day after spending the day with my mom, as they left for church I left for my new adventure, and that is exactly what it has been. Since being down here I have been to the Manti Pageant with my sister (it wasn't my first time), gone to the Stadium of Fire, and also gone to more BYU football games in one season than I ever thought would be possible. I have also traveled to date over 6200 miles going back and forth to Twin Falls for visits, which also totals close to 91 hours in the car. WOW!!!! I just made myself really tired. It's been a lot of fun though and although the drive from Sandy to Twin and back isn't always the funniest it's been a time that I have looked forward to. I use it as my thinking time.

I have also really enjoyed my job. The children and family that I work for have taught me so much and really are quite cute. Blake, Colton, Ellie, and Gabe.