Day 4: And of course, Halie

This is my other niece Halie. I am grateful for Halie because she is my partner in crime. She's always the one dancing in the car with me or asking for me to do her makeup. She always laughs at my jokes too, how could I not love that?!

Halie is very smart, perceptive, and inquisitive. I really admire those qualities about her, especially for someone her age. She's always been considerate of those around her and sensitive of other people's feelings. She is brave enough to tell someone that they look cute or she likes their outfit, even if it isn't someone she knows. I love that.

Halie has provided me with lots of laughs, unconditional love, support, sass, and fun throughout her life. I'm grateful to have a friend like her forever.

Day 3: My little Lucy

I'm grateful for my nieces, they are two of the most adorable girls, but today, I'd like to talk about Lucy. This girl is an absolute crack up. She always has some joke, story, comment, or dance to share that will make you laugh. Her and her sister always make me laugh and can always put me in a good mood.

Lucy is independent and doesn't really care what other people think, which is amazing for someone her age. She inherited my eyebrows and so I feel a special kinship with her. You see, all growing up I had kind of crazy eyebrows that grew every direction. My sister called them bulldog eyebrows! Now a days I put great efforts into controlling them, but whenever I see Lucy, she brings me back to the good ol' days.

I am grateful for the joy and love that Lucy has brought to me...... and to her mother. Some people are special gifts from God and she is definitely one of them.

Briar Woods Wins

Last night we went to Kim's volleyball game, the first of the district tournament. We haven't gone to many games this year due to our busy schedule so it was fun to get the chance. They played the best I've seen them play and it was enjoyable to see Kim do so well and goof off with the family a little bit.

Day 2: Shauna

This is my good friend Shauna. We met several years ago in Provo, UT and quickly became friends. I am grateful for Shauna for many reasons. She's hilarious, always up for anything fun, and super creative. I can always count on her being honest about how my outfit looks or what I should do with my hair.

Although it's been a really long time since I have seen Shauna, I am so grateful for her friendship. I think she is brave and spunky. She's smart too. It seems that anything she sees she can create and do well. She's a loyal friend to many, which is a great example to me.

Shauna is the type of friend that says one day, "I have a darling friend I want you to meet. I think the two of you would be so cute together." She showed me a picture of him, I thought he was cute, and a few days later she introduced me to Peter. So yes, I am most grateful for Shauna's great wisdom in setting Peter and I up. She was right....... we would be cute together.

Thanks Shauna for all of your advice and for all of the fun you've provided over the years.

Giving Thanks this Month

Since November is the month focused on gratitude and giving thanks, I thought I would give a little thanks on my blog. I saw on someones blog that they were going to say one thing they were thankful for each day this month. I thought it was a good idea, so I'm going to be a copy cat, except I'm going to blog about one person I am grateful for each day this month. There are so many people I am grateful for and that have made huge impacts on my life that I need to thank. I also think this will be a cool record for me to look back on someday.

Day 1:

I'm going to start with a very important Susan. Susan was my young woman's leader in high school and has made more of an impact on my life than I can even describe on my little blog.

Susan is one of those woman that gives everything she has to everything she does. Every week she prepared the most amazing lessons with examples and handouts and everything you could possible think of to teach us a certain gospel principle or virtue. She is a great mother, friend to many, hard worker, community volunteer, and example of a virtuous woman. She taught me so much each Sunday from her lessons and even more from the example she set in her daily life. She didn't treat me as one of the girls she taught at church each week, but as her friend. We talked about our lives, our accomplishments, and our worries together.

Not matter what was going on in Susan's life she was there to make a big deal about every single birthday of mine, there to cheer me up when I was sick, there to help me set up for student body elections, there to see me off to Prom, or cheer me on at my games. I could go on! Somehow Susan was my leader from the time I was 14-18 and was there for pretty much every big event in my life during those years.

I am grateful to Susan for teaching me to serve others, always, and with all you have. She taught me the importance of making sacrifices for those you love. I learned that faith in God can help you to overcome anything and lead you to becoming the person you hope to be. She reminded me of the value of having someone believe in you and the power that supplies.

Susan has not only helped shape the woman I have become, but she has helped shape the goal of the woman I want to become. Thank you, Susan.

Happy Birthdy to Me

This last week I turned 29. Wow! Doesn't really feel like it, but when I think about it, I can't believe I will be 30 so soon. It was really a week long celebration this year. My Mom came into town the weekend before to play and get some things done around the house. She is seriously a miracle worker, we got so much done! It was so fun to have her here and so great to have so many things on my "To Do" list around the house complete. I'll have to post pictures of our projects soon.

On Wednesday, Peter and I went to Chevy's for dinner. I just love that place and was having major chips and salsa cravings. Later that night Peter made a funfetti cake and invited his family over for the cake and ice cream part of the celebration.

Yes, I colored my hair. And no, it wasn't for Halloween!

Then this last weekend Peter and I, with some friends, Chris and Leigh, headed down to Williamsburg to go to Busch Gardens. We had free tickets and it was a perfect time of year to go. The leaves are gorgeous down there and they have haunted houses and Halloween type things all around. It always amazes me how fun it is to go on roller coaster rides. We were like little children and would keep running to the front of the line again to ride the rides over and over again because the lines were so good. Minus the 5 bee stings I got when a wasp flew down my shirt on a ride, it was a fabulous day! I seriously wish we went to amusement parks more often, all the day to day responsibilities and worries just fly out the window. (I'll have to post pictures later.)

Carolyn is finally here!

Our good friends just had their first child, Caroline a few days ago. We are so excited for them and could not wait even a day to go and meet the new baby. She has dark black hair and makes the cutest little poses with her hand by her face as if she was picture ready at all times.