Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for the smell of rain.

Dreamers?

So, I just read the book, "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall. First, I would definitely recommend reading it. But make sure you have some time to sit and think once you finish. :) If some of you aren't familiar with this book, or the movie that was based on this book, a man is trying to instill in a family member the ability to understand the greatest parts of life. And he does this through teaching different elements of the ultimate gift. While I have been contemplating numerous of these gifts, there's one that's sticking out in my mind, and that's the Gift of Dreams.

Here is how Red, the guy in the book, introduces this gift...
"I have been trying to decide, as I have been formulating this ultimate gift for you, which of the gifts is the greatest. If I had to pick one, I think I would pick the gift of dreams because dreams allow us to see life as it can be, not as it is. In that way, the gift of dreams allows us to go out and get any other gift we want out of this life."

He continues on later with this challenge. "...I want you to begin experiencing the gift of dreams. Assume everything is possible. Make a list of all the things you would like to do and be and have in your life. Then begin to prioritize that list as you discover the ones that generate the most passion in your soul."

And I'll clarify - the dreaming he is referring to is something that is driving us and moving us forward. And once we hit a milestone, another one even greater and grander appers, so that we don't just dream, but we become dreamers.

So it gives me cause to pause and to ask myself, what really are my dreams? And so, I'm asking you the same. And, please comment if you feel like you can. What do you want to have and do and be in your life?

Thankful Thursday

Okay, maybe today's is super lame-o, but I am so stinking grateful that I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. It's so long overdue and I'm so excited.

Thankful Thursday

So, my supervisor at work challenged me to do what she had challenged her kids to do - that is a "Thankful Thursday" post. I've missed a few weeks since the challenge, but I'm going to try to do it. I may not get every week. Even though I have more than enough to be thankful for. So, I may just list more than one thing to make up for the last couple of weeks.

1 - I'm thankful for my family. Some of you are probably thinking that this is totally cliche. However, it's not. This week has reinforced it even more. I work with a lot of really dysfunctional families, and I am reminded over and over again how blessed I am to have grown up in a family where I felt loved, where I was taught to work and have values and be a good person, and just so many other things. My heart breaks basically daily at some of the things that some kids have to deal with. So, cliche sounding or not, I am so very grateful for them!


2 - I'm also thankful this week for heavenly help in getting through a not so fun experience. I had to testify in court this week in a case for a couple of clients. SCARY!!!! And not fun. But it's over and done with and I'm still alive. Enough said.


3 - My not quite as serious thankfulness (which was supposed to be posted 2 weeks ago) - is for the blanket that I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law Jenny. Seriously, this is the softest blanket in the entire world. On both sides. It's so comforting. And when I've had a long day, it's so nice to cuddle up with it on my bed and just not move for a minute. :)

MLKJ Day

Well, Monday was a holiday (yay!) and so we tried to do something a little bit adventurous. My sis-in-law Emily was on a trip with her siblings and dad, so my mom came up to watch the kids so Brian could work. We all hung out for a bit, and then decided to go bowling. Janell and Steven were able to come too. Little kids just get so excited. So fun, isn't it? :)


We're so ready for this!!!!


Grandma bowling


Nate is such a good big brother


There it goes!


Even Steven totally loved it!

Trying out the new camera some more

Okay, okay. Maybe I'm lame. But I'm pretty excited about the very good pictures that my camera takes. Granted, they would probably be even better with a good photographer, but that's beside the point. Last week, I met up with a couple friends in Salt Lake to have some dinner before my friend Amelia left for Ghana for a few months. My friend Colby is working at the Capitol Building right now, so he decided to take us on a tour. Of course, it's a beautiful building. So I just snapped a couple of pictures to try out the "outdoor setting" on my camera. What do you think?


Sorry about the construction


Outside with the snow


And yes, it's the same picture. Just with a different setting.
I can't decide which I like better.

Christmas Time!

December Events

So who exactly was it that created the idea that December should be so darn busy. :) Okay, okay, I actually love December and most of the going-ons. Needless to say, I haven't done the best job of posting any of the exciting adventures. So, here are some of the fun things happening in and around P-town. (Provo, just in case you didn't know).

Dec 5 - Went to see the Temple Square lights with some of my friends. It was fun!

The temple. And yes, my friend Cheryl really took this picture. (I tried, but remember how bad my camera is....)

A small part of us - Sam, Colby, Alisha, me, Cheryl, and Rob

Some shepherds watching o'er their flocks by night.

The temple again. :)

Dec 6th - A few of the members of my familia came to Utah Valley and we feasted away at Tucano's. After that, we went over to my friend Nancy's house. Her husband works with dinosaurs and he was so kind to deal with all the crazy kids and teach us about dinosaurs and stuff! Thanks Brock and Nancy!!!!

This triceratops at Thanksgiving Point is one that Brock built. Here's Brock with some of the kids.

And what's a stop at Thanksgiving Point without seeing some of Santa's reindeer!

Dec 12th - I was able to get some tickets (once again, thanks Nancy) to the Mo Tab Christmas Concert. It was fantastic! I don't have any pictures, but I will say that it was cool enough that I will buy the dvd when it comes out. Then I can show all of you my favorite stuff from it. :)

Dec 13th - Christmas party at my house. Once again, no pictures. But, (I think) it was a grand time to be had by all. Thanks for all those that brought food and just came.

Dec 16th, and again on the 18th and 19th - Snow began to fall. Really fall. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Dec 19th - Last day of work before Christmas, and now I get a week off. Wahoo!!!!

I hope everyone else's December is going well. Merry Christmas!!!

The bell still rings for me.....

...as it does for all who truly believe.

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Do you?

The first gift of Christmas

Do you know what the first gift of Christmas was? Well, if any of you have ever read the book The Christmas Box, you might know what I'm talking about. I read that book this weekend, and that was one of the main points, I felt anyway, that the book was making. The first gift of Christmas was the gift of the Savior coming to the world. What a precious gift from a loving Father. And that's really what it comes down to - a gift of our Heavenly Father's love. The book goes on to make the point that a parent's love is one of the greatest gifts that can be given. And by love, it really means time.

This has caused me to think on this point a bit. Obviously, I'm not a parent. But I have many important people in my life. Do they understand how much I care? Do I make it clear that they are important to me? Do I make spending time with the people I care about a priority in my life? Or do I put it off, thinking that I'll do that tomorrow? Actions definitely speak louder than words. I know that I feel that in reverse. If people put forth an effort to spend time with me, even if it's just a few minutes here and there, I feel that they care.

So that's one thing I'm going to work on - making the relationships in my life a priority.