11.27.2010

our thanksgiving

[just love this picture of fall leaves. it's like the essence of fall]
we had a great thanksgiving x2. last week my mom was in town from california on business so we had a big feast the thursday before thanksgiving. then, on thanksgiving, we had steve's mom up and had...ham? yes. it was so yummy! steve and his mom made it with pineapple and brown sugar. sure was yummy in the tummy. i think we will have a repeat at christmas.
the rest of the day was mellow, filled with football, naps, shopping, more football, naps, and lots of food. just the way a turkey day should be.
as great as it was to have 2 thanksgivings, now we have to work it off twice as hard!

11.26.2010

I'm grateful

hope you enjoyed turning this..into this... Before it's too late, I just wanted to get in on the gratitude posts. not that's it's ever too late, but you know what i mean. I really love this time of year and how everyone focuses so much on their blessings. it's something i try to do all year round, but i love how it's the focus of the season. there really is so much i am grateful for, i'm not sure if i could list them all. so what i will do is list 25 of them for the days leading up to thanksgiving.

1. my family. i think i was blessed with such a great, supportive family.
2. my husband and "our" family. he is my best friend and my life is so much better with him in it. 3. our home.
4.my job. not only am i grateful to have a job in this economy, but it pays well and i love my job.
5. education. so grateful i was able to get a good education and for the opportunities it has afforded me.
6. where i live. utah in particular is such a beautiful place. i often catch myself just staring at the beauty around me.
7. my dogs. oh they make me such a happy mama.
8. my able body. i abuse my body so dang much but it's held up pretty well over the years.
9. my imagination. i love to daydream and i'm so grateful for my mind.
10. the gospel. it's amazing how much it improves my life and that i can continually learn more about it.
11.the 4 seasons. i love the changing seasons. i'm not sure i can ever live somewhere that doesn't have 4 seasons now.

12.books. i love how books can transform where you are and take you away to another place and time. i love living vicariously through books.

13. travel. i love seeing this gorgeous world that we live in. i only hope i can do more of it someday.

14.journals. i love being able to write down my thoughts and process things. and it will hopefully be something future generations can enjoy as well.

15.music. music is such an amazing thing. i by no means have a good voice, but i still love to sing my heart out in the car.
16.candles, fireplaces. they are so cozy and give such a homey feel.
17. the place where i grew up. i feel so blessed to have grown up in a beautiful place like newport beach. i love to be able to go back and visit and just sit by the ocean. it, in itself is such a powerful thing.
18. government. it may be far from perfect, but i think the world is a better place with some organization.
19. being able to provide for my family. so grateful for the necessities of food, water, clothing, shoes, and shelter. and so grateful that we even have some we can share with others.
20. my skills as a nurse. i have learned so much in my job and i feel so lucky to be such a skilled professional that i could help out in a time of need.
21.sports. it's a favorite activity of mine and i love watching me some sports.
22.technology. life is so much easier with computers and such.
23.pictures. oh how i love pictures and being able to preserve memories.
24.art. i love to look at art, make art. it warms my soul.
25.holiday gatherings. holidays seem to bring people together and i love spending time with family and friends.
there are so many other things i am grateful for. things that make my life what it is. i know my life isn't perfect but i love it just the way it is.
i hope everyone can take a minute to reflect on what they are grateful for, not just now, but throughout the year.

NOW, BRING ON CHRISTMAS!!!!

11.19.2010

my drive home

i have said it before and i will say it again, i really love my drive home from work. it's a good 30 minutes and gives me quiet time to enjoy the world around me and decompress from the chaos of the er.
today was a not so great day in the er. by far not the worst, but not great either. i didn't get out of there until almost 30 minutes late and i was pretty non stop most of the day. i left work feeling uptight and blah, but by the time i got home, i felt relaxed and worry free.
perhaps this is why...
i get to/have to drive through downtown to get home. sometimes it's a pain because of how much traffic there is, but i can't help but slow down a little and enjoy this image. i am by no means an exemplary temple attender, but when i do go, it's some of my favorite times. and driving by it seems like a close second. just seeing the temple as i drive by makes time slow down and turns my attention to the gospel. just standing there, a pillar of such significance in my life. and just then, all the stress and chaos from my day, melts away.
life is good again.

11.10.2010

the hubs turns 30! (+4)

last week was the mr.'s 34th birthday. or as he says it, the mark of him entering mid life crisis age. i say that's lame because i intend to grow older than 68 with him.
anywho, we had a great day. shopped a bit, saw a movie, had a great dinner at rodizio grill (his choice), and then home for presents and cake. i must say, the kid made out like a bandit this year. i now understand when my mom said she wanted to buy us everything we ever said we wanted when we were kids (and still does, actually). i wanted to get everything the birthday boy wanted for his big day. it was worth it to see his smile, however i will be paying this day off for the next month. just in time to buy all the christmas presents.
like a lame blogger, i took no pictures of anything that day, but i will just tell you it was a golf themed birthday and i got him the cutest stinking golf cake EVER. guess you will just have to take my word for it.
i love any opportunity to celebrate that man. he has made my life better than i could ever ask for.
so, a few days late, but...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SRR!
i'm SO glad you were born :)

11.03.2010

jack turns 1

our little pupster jack turns 1 today. i was a little hesitant to get a 2nd dog because i thought marley would feel slighted by a newcomer. and i think at times, the old guy resents us for getting this young pup, but overall, they really enjoy each other and if you aren't looking, you catch them cuddling with each other. it's so much fun to watch them interact with each other. 2 dogs is definitely the way to go. so happy birthday to our little jackster! thanks for joining the family!
[the day we brought him home]

[so small compared to marley, then. not anymore!]

[look at those little legs]
[always beats up on marley, since day 1. at least he doesn't have those razor sharp puppy teeth anymore]
[our little snow dog]
[loves his big brother]
[first time swimming]
[look at those legs getting longer!]
[cuddlebugs]
[our water dog. the opposite of marley.]
[the big birthday boy. 1 year old. my how you have grown!]