So I've been reminded that I have not been faithfully posting new things on my lovely blog here and I have two things to say in my defense.

1: the blog was made for man. not man for the blog. You may not get that, but its ok.

2: I dont have any kids, or a job and I almost never take pictures. So unless you're looking for my latest Christmas shopping victory or my commentary on reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you may be disappointed in what I have to say.

However I'm sure I can think of something to say here. Just give me a minute...

Yeah I've really got nothing. But I do promise to look out for good, blog-worthy stories and fill you all in.

I've lost count

I realize I have skipped a few days on here. The whole purpose of this activity was to help me find a better attitude, to remind me of all my blessings and to give me something to focus on.

I really feel like it has worked. Every day now I think of at least one thing I'm genuinely thankful for and because of that I've been happier, worked harder and found myself busy. So that's the cause of all the skipping.

But I do want to still say a few more things I'm grateful for. This is one of the big ones.

I am really grateful for my Mom. She is a wonderful lady and is such a great example to me. She is excessively generous, and likes to just call to check up

on me. She lets me unload my problems and then encourages me to move forward with a positive attitude. She is a fantastic cook and has taught me almost everything I know. She cries with me, she cheers me on. She is probably my biggest fan. And I'm her biggest fan too.

Day 9: President Stewart's Funeral

I'm trying to multitask today while I write. I'm listening to the recording of my mission president's funeral. This is hard to do because I really want to just stop and listen, but if I do that I'll probably spend the rest of my time bawling and I don't really want that.

I really want to show you a picture I think captures him perfectly.

You can just see the love and fun in his eyes and His lovely wife Betty Lou. The Stewarts changed my life. They were incredible examples to me of, well everything good I can think of. He was only in his early seventies and it was a very unexpected loss. In fact I had almost called him the week before, but postponed it. In a funny way now that He's gone I feel his voice cheering me on like he did for most of my mission.

I know It was only a week ago that I spoke of my gratitude for the Temple as I attended my Sister in law's Sealing. President Stewart Passed away a few weeks ago, but listening this recording is bringing back such strong feelings of love for him that I want to say again how grateful I am for the blessings of eternal families. But that is not all.

Today I am so grateful for the plan that this man taught me how to teach. The plan that guarantees to me that I will see this man again.

One of the things I used to teach is that this Plan of Salvation is put into place because God has dreams for each of us, he has wonderful plans for us after this life. And just like the plans and the dreams that we each have here, in order to accomplish them, we must plan, prepare and work hard at it. And if we do we will come to find that not only God's, but all of our greatest dreams have come true.

This sounds a little corny maybe, highly optimistic at best. But I know that this is not just the stuff of church and fairytales, it's real. Its so real. I know it and I am grateful that I do.

Day 8: A Warm Bed is Always Cozy in the Winter

One of the most comforting things to me in life is consistency. Cinnamon toast is always good, My dog is always sweet. Brent always loves me (even when he may not like me), and a warm Bed is always cozy in the winter.

The reason I thought of this tonight is that as I was trying to think of a good topic for my Thanksgiving Gratitude Countdown (a new title as of now, I think its snazzy) I couldn't.

Now I've actually had a pretty great day. I Slept WAY in with Brent after staying up till 4am last night. I Had a great lunch with my awesome friends. I Made a Yummy gravy with the help and instruction of my brother in law "the Gravy King." And then I indulged in 2 hours of Hell's Kitchen.

But as great as all these things are I wanted something a bit deeper, more meaningful for today's post.

And the thought came to me that if I would read my scriptures, I would surely feel the spirit, be inspired, and feel a better sense of gratitude. I just knew it would work. It always does. So I flipped open my new copy of the November Ensign and tried to cheat. I looked up all the talk names for something I thought sounded like what I wanted to hear today. But nothing stood out to me so I decided, that like He always did, Heavenly Father knew what I needed most, so I would just leave it up to Him. I started at the very beginning and it worked just like I knew it would.

With greater reliability than cinnamon toast, the principles of the Gospel always hold true. No matter what I do or where I am, reading the words of God through His prophet always uplifts me. No matter what I'm feeling Heavenly Father always know what I need most. I know that the results will be consistent. Today I am grateful for that.

Days 6&7: Finding Joy in the Little Things

Well I've spent most of my day sitting at home enjoying the luxury of netflix and my laptop working again. About 12 hours ago I put a roast in my crock pot, so I've also been enjoying that yummy aroma. I had a a couple of family members who let me vent to them about life and just listened lovingly. While watching the biggest loser I saw something small that reminded me of story. The one with the guy who God told to push against a rock. Its not a true story but you may have heard it. Its kind of dumb but I felt like right then I was being reminded that no matter what I'm frustrated with or what trials i come up against. As long as I do my best, He will be the one to get the results, not I. And after about 13 hours of being gone, Brent came home and kissed me because he loves me.

None of these things are large to the outside eye. But right now my life is about finding joy in the little things. Today I am grateful for all these blessings. I think that list counts for 2 days.

Days 4 & 5: Catching Up

Well I was reminded yesterday by my sister that I've missed a few days. My excuse is that we were out of town, but I guess I'll catch up now.
Saturday Brent's younger sister Michelle got married in the Mesa Temple to one of my childhood friends, Michael Green. The wedding went smoothly, there was a yummy luncheon in my old ward building and the reception was beautiful! They had an outdoor reception with everything you can think of to make it great, including fireworks!
Of course being there it made both Brent and I flashback to our wedding just a little over a year ago. I feel like we've changed a lot since then and I'm sure we've made a few mistakes, but I don't think I would change a thing. Maybe I would take a few more pictures. I'm kind of the worst at that.
But before Saturday even started I knew what I would write about being thankful for on that day.

I love the temple. I love that what happens in there is eternal and peaceful and sometimes way over my head! I love doing baptisms! I so enjoy the thoughtful time I get when I go to an endowment session. Its great to feel like I am serving someone who needs me. I am blown away by the sealing ordinance! It is very short and very profound and in the few times I have gone to do these I have learned something new each time.
I wish we were better at attending the temple, because I really do feel more peaceful for having gone each time. The Lord's house is a great blessing to me and I am grateful for it.

Since I'm behind I also need to write about something for day four. This one will be a little more light hearted :) I am really thankful for my dog Molly. She is a well behaved, easy going dog who (not unlike me) is extremely needy sometimes. The best thing about Molly is that when I'm upset or sad, she senses it and comes right over to cheer me up. Especially in this down time before I find a job, she has kept me company and made me laugh, and given me someone else to worry about. I am thankful that after years of not being able to live with her we are back together again. And I am thankful for the people who took care of her while I couldn't.

Day 3:

Well its technically day three although i haven't slept from day two yet. But I was on the computer working on something else so i wanted to do this before i call it a night.
I think most people I know already know that we have been trying to get pregnant for the last five and a half months. Not forever, I know but it feels long to me. I've decided that I would rather have people know that we're trying so I don't have to explain why I'm not pregnant constantly. It has been surprising, somewhat scary and sometimes a relief that it has taken us so long.
But the thing I'm grateful for tonight is that Brent and I are still just Brent and I for now. I want to stop and smell the roses a little bit. Enjoy that we can sleep in and stay up late when we want. Sometimes we have things we need to work out and I"m glad we have time to do that too. I'm grateful that we can laugh and play on our own time and not some little tyke's. And lets be honest, its nice to be able to have sex whenever we want too ;)
I am grateful for now to just be a wife and I am trying really, really hard to be a good one.