Grateful...

As it is Thanksgiving, I have been thinking a lot about the things I am grateful for and felt like I needed to write some of them down and also why I am grateful for them. I have so many blessings in my life and it really helps me to recognize them when I actually list them. So here they are...

1. The knowledge I have of my Heavenly Father, My Savior, Jesus Christ, and his gospel...Without them I am nothing, with them nothing is impossible.

2. The Temple...The greatest gifts I have ever been given are the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the ability He has given me to be with my family forever.

3. My Husband...He is my best friend, my safe place and someone I can always rely on. I love him with all my heart.

4. My Little Miss...I had no idea of the joy and fulfillment having a child would bring. She is my life and I love her so much!

5. My Parents and Jeff's Parents...Words cannot express the gratitude I have for these people! They have blessed our lives so much and the greatest gifts they gave us were raising us in the Gospel and teaching us of the love that our Savior has for us.

6. My 3 Brothers...I always thought I wanted a sister, but now that I am a little older I realize I have the best brothers anyone could ask for and they each bring so much to my life.

7. My In-Laws...Some of these people have become some of my greatest friends and I am so grateful to have each of them as a part of my family.

8. My Niece and Nephews...These kids are so adorable and I have so much fun with them. They are going to grow up to be pretty amazing people.

9. Carter...The experiences we have had throughout his little life have strengthened my testimony so much and have taught me that life is so precious and families are forever. You can learn so much from a little child and their ability to love life, no matter their circumstances.

10. True Friends...The ones you can laugh with, cry with, or just fold laundry with and still have a great time:) The ones who don't judge you and who love you inspite of your weaknesses.

11. A Modern Day Prophet...President Monson is called of God and I know if we will follow the things he teaches, we will make it home safely.

12. Our Health and Strength...We have been so blessed with amazing health, with strong bodies and healthy minds.

13. Our Freedom...Most of the things I am grateful for are possible because of the freedoms we enjoy.

14. Soldiers who defend our freedoms...

15. Comforts I Enjoy...We are never cold, our home is always heated; we are never hungry, our pantry is always full; we have clean water to drink and heated water to shower with.

16. My home...No matter where we live, it has felt like home because is keeps us safe and sheltered and we have each other, plus an apartment is plenty big enough when it's time to clean:)

17. My Car...It runs perfectly and has been so reliable.

18. Running...And all my other goals yet to be accomplished.

19. Tender Mercies...For all the little things that happen that remind you that God is there and he loves you, like when your little girl is running around the house crazy and stops just long enough to hug your leg and say, "hi mommy" or "hi daddo", or when she walks around the house singing, "I love to see the temple".

20. Service...Both the opportunities to serve and be served. It never fails to brighten your day when you serve someone else or receive service from others, because to serve is to be like Christ.

21. My Trials...They allow me to find strength I didn't know I had and give me the ability to maybe understand someone else and their struggles a little better.

22. Humor...Once in a while you just need a really good laugh!

23. Nature...There are some amazing sights in this world and Heavenly Father truly did create them for us to enjoy and to remind us that this world really is a pretty great place.

24. And for Pullman and WSU...We are so blessed that Jeff has the opportunity to be furthering his education and I know this is exactly where we are supposed to be at this time in our lives.

25. Relief Society...I have met so many great girls in this ward and these girls are the reason that activities like walking group and project night exist, which i am very grateful for:)

Special Visitors...

This past weekend Jeff's parents, Grandma and Pa, made the long trek up here from Utah just to see us...well, let's be honest, mostly to see Little Miss, but we like to think they wanted to see us too...and we are so glad they came! We had so much fun and Little Miss absolutely adores them! She wouldn't let me do anything for her while they were here, it had to be grandma...and she had to know where her Pa was at all times. And if he wasn't around, she had to look out the window and make sure she could see his big red truck...I think she may like that truck even more than Jeff does! :)

While they were here we went to see the bears(of course), watched the movie cars about 10 times(they were such good sports about it), shopping, to dinner and we took them to our ward on Sunday. Then on Sunday afternoon, we played a game called the Farming Game for just over 5 hours straight, and yes, I couldn't feel my legs when I stood up, but we had so much fun! Jeff also got the opportunity to take his dad to school with him on Monday and let him attend a few of his lectures, while Grandma and I made some awesome jalapeno jelly! It was such a great weekend and we are so grateful they came to spend some time with us.

I don't think it will ever be possible to pay them back for all they have done for us, and all they continue to do. They are constantly showing their love and support in SO many ways and even though they may not always know, they have been an answer to our prayers more times than I can count. It is such a blessing to have such amazing parents, to have people that love us so much, and the only way I can even think to repay them is to give that same unconditional love, support, and guidance to our own children as they try to make their way through this life. We love them so much and are so grateful to be a part of such amazing families!

Halloween 2010...

I just have to say that Halloween, with Little Miss around, is sooo much fun! I always call her my little bug, so her being a lady bug seemed appropriate (thanks to Mandy and Av for the costume idea:) Cutest little bug ever!! We had a party for our playgroup on Friday and the girls always do such a fabulous job with the kids, it was so much fun and the kids were absolutely adorable! There was lots of good food, games, crafts and of course...plenty of candy! Then our ward had a party on Saturday night...again, lots of good food, games, costumes and tons of candy from the trick or treating! Jeff decided to be a Kearns High student and represent...he would totally pass as a highschooler...right?!

So...I'm a runner

So, as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a runner. Yet, anytime I would ever even attempt running, I would be winded after about 30 feet and slow to a walk...and stay at a walk. I think this is why I wanted to be able to run so bad, because I knew it was hard, and if I was ever able to do it, it would be a HUGE accomplishment for me. Well, about 6 weeks ago I happened to be talking to one of my friends at our daily playgroup and started joking about how I would love to be able to run, but that I just wasn't a runner and probably never would be...that is when I met Becky, my trainer:) She just overheard me talking and said she would love to start running with me in the mornings. Now, Becky is a runner, and I was pretty sure that once she realized how "beginner" I really was, the running would die off, but I decided I would give it a try, just for fun. We went that next morning at 6am and I barely made it about a half a mile and had to walk the rest of the way. Honestly it was farther than I expected to make it and I was thrilled with myself, but better than that, Becky was so excited for me too! She continued (and still does with a couple of my other great friends) to get up with me 5 mornings a week to go running, rain or shine. She is so positive and encouraging and really makes me want to do my best, because she knows I can. She knew how important it was to me to be able to run and she totally stepped in and has supported me all the way! So, a group of us girls signed up for a 4.5 mile race and a couple for the 2 mile walk, and we all headed down to Lewiston, ID this past Saturday. And I did it! I ran the whole thing without walking...it was awesome! Jeff surprised me by showing up at the finish line with Little Miss (I didn't think he was coming) and it made my finish that much better! I love my little family so much!! The girls I have met here are all so great and I am so lucky to have them as my friends! We had a blast!

So, on to my next goal...

Enough said...

To Be Continued...