26 & 27

Wow, I can't believe this month is coming to an end. I am kinda sad... I hope I am tagged a whole lot next month because I really enjoyed writing so much and reading my comments! Even though I am only getting them from Lynda, I get so excited to read them! Thank you for commenting, I love to hear the feed back!

26. Service, I love the act of service. I am thankful that I know of the many blessings that come from the act of service. What I like most about it is, when someone does something for someone and the person doing the service doesn't even know they are serving the other. I love that service doesn't always need to be a big task done for someone else, a lot of the time its those small things that make a difference! Like picking up a pencil that another person dropped or writing a simple comment on someones blog that lightens their day... I am going to make a point of thanking Heavenly Father for sending me those people who did a small or large act of service for me everyday, that they will get something a little extra from Him.

27. Clocks, I LOVE Clocks! Every kind of clocks, I love them... I think they are so beautiful. One day I hope to own a huge grandfather clock! For my first anniversary my wonderful husband bought me the most beautiful clock...IT HUGE! I think its like 3 feet in diameter...It's beautiful! I can't stop saying the same thing over and over because I just love it so much I cant think of a better way to describe it. Anyways, I love clocks! haha :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!
I just wanted to post some pictures of our family on thanksgiving....

This is my sister Erika and her Fiancee Nick...

This is their daughter Alivia Smiley... My niece!!

This is my wonderful husband Anthony giving me a FAKE smile...he was annoyed because he was still getting ready and I needed a photo op!

Well, I thought I took way more pictures but it turns our that there are a lot but they are all of the same kinda of things... Not good for blogging!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

22,23,24 & 25

Every time I write another message about something I am grateful for I learn something new about myself. It has been so much fun... I am sad that the month is almost over. Anyways, here are the last few days worth. Oh and sorry the picture is blurry but it just captures the kind of laughter I mention later!

22. Get togethers, I love hanging out with friends and family. I know I already put down friends and family but I wanted to also be thankful for the time I get to spend with them. The joy and spirit that comes from it. I love spending time with others, to some people may look like I am afraid of being alone (which is a little true) but I just like to laugh and talk... which might seem wierd if I did that alone... haha.

23.Laughing, if you know me well you know that I love to laugh..I am just shocked that it number 23 and not higher up on my list! I love making people laugh!! It is so much fun to laugh so hard you cry! Have you ever laughed so hard you couldn't stand any longer and you fall to the ground? That's my favorite!!

24. Snow, I am so excited to go to Utah and play in the snow! We ended up spending more then we would have liked on a snow suit for Makenzie, once I saw it I fell in love with with and had to have it! I think that playing in the snow is essential to a child's childhood. Playing in the snow makes me feel like I am playing up in the clouds with out a worry in the world! Until I fall of course... haha. I think that is why I enjoy being cold... I am a person who has the air conditioner on through out the winter... does any one else get nauseous when they are in the passenger seat unless the cold air is blowing by your face? Well, I do. I am grateful that Heavenly Father gave us snow to feel like children in now matter what age we are... Your never to old to build a snow man or throw a snow ball! :)

25. Angels, I recently have been thinking about a talk from General Conference given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland about angels. I am sure everyone remembers the story about the boy who went looking for the cow who wandered off even though his dad told him not to. There are times when I do things that Heavenly Father has told me not to, I know me? haha But I believe He sends me angels that set me back on the right path. For instance, my husband, without his guidance I would never have been baptized, or without Brett I would have never found my husband. These two people have been angels in my life and countless others. Without Lynda, I would not know anything about true friendship and forgiveness. With out my friends Lisa and Cheryl I would have gone crazy trying to raise my daughter without their special tips and endless phone calls. Oh, and my family I wouldn't know what endless unwavering love is. These are just some of my many many angels that impact me and my path. I believe in angels and that they are everywhere. In one day I believe anyone can see an angel. I encourage everyone to seek out those angels and let them know how they have put you on the right path or made you who you are. I believe that it will open your eyes on a cruddy day and let you see how incredibly blessed and loved you are. :)

Signing Time...

Signing Time is a PBS TV show that teaches children American Sign Language. It also is Makenzie's favorite thing ever! When Signing Time is on she can't do anything else... Its nice when I want to do some crafting or play on the computer. The trouble is getting her to do anything else. I have to cute her off. Haha but she can sign a good 25-30 words, all the seasons, rooms of the house and much more. She is so smart!

19, 20 & 21

19. Giving Blood. I know most people do not enjoy giving blood and I would usually agree, but not any more. When I was in high school I signed up for giving blood. When it was my turn I walked into the gym where it all was taking place, I fell to the floor. Since then I have been working on my fear of blood draws. When I was pregnant I had a whole lot of experience in this department! So, I finally got up the nerve to give blood. So, last month I signed up. When I got there my nerves were definitely showing. When I lied down I tried to warn them that nurses usually had a hard time finding a vein but they didn't believe me. So they dug and dug and dug. They were about to give up when the head lab tech woman came over and was able to find a vein. Unfortunately, it had to held in a specific spot to get good blood flow. They couldn't just sit by my side and wait the 30mins that it took, so they taped the tubey thing all up and hoped for the best. Let me tell ya, it moved a LOT! So extremely painful. At that point I was ready to say I will never do this again. Then I was done! One of the lab tech people came to disconnect me from the unit and said, "You just saved 3 lives, and this blood will be used in about 4 days" Everything that I went through was worth it. In that moment I felt a tiny bit more Christ like.

20. Mary, Mother of Jesus. I am grateful that she was brave enough to give birth to the Son of God. She did all that was necessary to do the will of Heavenly Father which meant a lot of walking and a lot of trusting. I try everyday to be more like her. I know that Heavenly Father gives us all tasks that seem to hard to bare, but with a little walking and a little trusting I know that anyone can overcome all trials and tribulation. I am so excited to meet Mary when it is my turn to live in God presence again.

21. Symbolism. I truly believe that everything has a double meaning. It may look like one thing but it can be so much more. For instance, a picture frame looks like 4 pieces of wood surrounding a picture, but those 4 pieces of wood could look like to arms wrapped around a moment in time. I believe everything is a symbol for something more, something beyond us. I try to look for those symbols in my life to give me more meaning and depth. I know that Heavenly Father gives them to us to show us there is more in life then meets the eye. I love the gospel with all my heart, and can't wait to spend my life looking for little signs that God is all around us.

Second Opinion!!!!

This week I have found out some interesting news about my health, it's not for sure but the doctor is pretty sure that I have something called PCOS or Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. Basically it is a hormone imbalance that makes it hard to get pregnant and create multiple cysts on my ovaries. It also, if left untreated, can create some major problems like Diabetes and Heart Disease. So since we have caught it so early in life I will be just fine.

The reason I am writing this is because I want people to understand the importance of a second opinion. I have been trying to figure out why I am not getting pregnant for about a year and my normal OBGYN she told me I needed to diet and I would be ok, I knew that wasn't all that was wrong. I went to another doctor that really listened to what I was saying and she is found what might be the answer. PCOS can cause weight gain and make it extremely hard to lose it. So even if I was a perfect dieter, I would not lose it. I could not imagine if I would have listened to my other doctor and not my gut. I could have ended up really really sick.

So please, if you just don't feel right about a diagnoses from your doctor, get a second opinion, and if you don't trust theirs get a third, so on and so forth.

HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

Anthony and I really enjoyed Halloween this year! Oh, and Mak did too! haha

She did not like the hood so we had to hurry and take a picture!

Man, is it just me or is she just beautiful!!

There's daddy's girl!!!

14,15,16,17 & 18

Holy Moly!! It has been 5 days since my last entry! Life came at me fast! I am sure a lot of people can relate! Well, without further babbling I will just move on to the next couple things I am thankful for.

14. Friends, I am so grateful for friends! I love talking with my friends about anything and everything. Sometimes when I am feeling low I can talk to my friends and I feel much better. Most of the time I like to know that someone else in this world is going through something much like me! And I get a glimps at how they decided to handle that situation. I love those time when we are laughing so hard we are crying, but I also really enjoy those times when nothing is really happening and we can just chat about pointless topics.
15. Airplanes, I love that with a click of a button online we can buy plane tickets to go see our friends and family! Although, I don't enjoy the ride, the end result is all worth it!
16. Giving Gifts! I LOVE GIVING GIFTS! I wish I could be rich just so I could buy people presents! I know that they are material, but I love that moment when you get someone something for no reason and the pure surprise look on their face shows... Its such a good moment!
16. Banana Pudding, growing up my grandma always made banana pudding. It was always my favorite part of Thanksgiving. When I got married I got the recipe for it, and made it for my family. It was one of those proud moments of mine! I get to make it again this year...YAY!
17. Learning, I really enjoy learning! When I was younger...ok like 4 years ago when I was in high school, I took learning for granted! I wish I would have done better so I could have gone to a nice college to become something great! But I am kinda glad I didn't because I love my life. I just would love to go back to school! I don't know what for but that's besides the point!
18. Holidays, I love the holiday season! I love that for that part of the year it seems as if the country isn't such a bad place to raise my kids! I love not worrying about people stealing my parking places... I am sure many people are grateful for that! I also love that people are more willing to give to the less fortunate! Donate to TOYS FOR TOTS!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Numbers 11, 12, & 13!

Wow, this week has been crazy! I finally have time to write about the next couple "things" (for lack of a better word) that I am thankful for.

11. My Husband, I know I have already talked about my family, but I think my Husband has earned a special spot for just him. He is the most Amazing man that I have ever met. He has been there for me through thick and thin, and when time were thick he did not complain. He held my hand right through it. I am so thankful for him. Before we got married we were best of friends! Like BFF! And he wrote me a letter telling me how he felt about me, of course he didn't give it to me until we were dating but when I read it I fell so head over heels for him...it's crazy! Anyways, I could talk about how much I love him all day so I will stop when who ever is reading this is still awake... haha. Moving on...
12. Printing Press, I don't think I ever thought about how incredibly thankful I am for a printing press. I am so grateful because with out it, we would not have been able to spread the Book of Mormon around to brothers and sisters around the states in the amount of time that we did. We wouldn't have as many members today if it didn't start so early on. Without the Book of Mormon we wouldn't know for the many many many stories of Jesus Christ and how he visited the Americas. We would not know of Lehi's strength to move his family away from Jerusalem. Or of Nephi's courage to stand up for the Gospel against his brothers and so many more. I know I rely on these stories to get me through tough times. I love the Bible with all my heart but The Book of Mormon brings something so special to the Gospel. Without the Printing Press so many would've died without knowing the truth!
13. Eternity, I am so thankful for all Eternity! There is so much that has been promised in the Eternity. I have been sealed to my family and I am excited to spend all eternity with them. I am grateful that I will spend all eternity with my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to spend my eternity in the Celestial Kingdom. I am grateful I have eternity to get to know every righteous person who has lived before me. I am so grateful for Eternity... and I have eternity to think up all the more reasons to love my life and this Gospel...

Cousins

Good Friends :)

Thought bubbles & MySpace Layouts at pYzam.com

My Family

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Number Ten!

Wow, I am really struggling to find things to be grateful for that don't sound completely worldly. I am not sure how that sounds or what it says about me. I also think that this experience has really opened my eyes to more and more that can come between me and becoming more Christ like. So far I have wanted to be grateful for things like TV, Movies, etc. That is not what I want my children to remember about me when I am gone. I hope that from here on I can relay a person that is grateful for more then just material things. Which brings me to today's gratitude...

10.Prayer, I believe in all that comes from prayer. I am grateful for the faith, love and hope that comes from prayer. I believe that Heavenly Father hears every single word that is spoken with respect and purpose of heart. He answers my prayers everyday. I believe that when Jesus was here on the earth and said "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do." He was there listening and gave us His Son so that we could say the same years and years later for ourselves and others.

I hope from everything that I have said I was thankful for, my children understand the power that comes from my #10.

Over the weekend...

Over the weekend life takes on a whole different level of stress. I feel like it should be the most relaxing time of the week but it never seems to happen that way. Although I enjoy the time I get to spend with my husband it never seems to be enough. I need three day weekend!

Anyways, the reason I mention that is because I haven't had the time to write about my #8 and #9 things to be grateful for!

8. Technology, I am grateful for righteously used technology. I love being able to pick up the phone if I need to and call my husband, family or friends that quickly. I also love my car, not the payments but I do love the car. And for me it's not about the objects its about how I use them. If there is an emergency, I can grab my phone hop in the car and be there with no struggle. Or if I need to get away I can do the same. There are so many ways I use technology that make my life easier and less stressful.

9. Rain, though I don't wish for floods, I do enjoy the rain. I love the sound it makes, the way it makes me feel like the filth of that day can be washed away with every drop. I love that rain creates streams and rivers, that I can watch and admire the beauty that is there in.
I love the rain.

ONLY ONE....

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

#7...

There is so much to be thankful for, so I have a hard time narrowing them down. At least I have plenty of days this month to write about a good chunk of them.

Today, I am grateful for Music. I love that I can change my mood by switching on the radio, well, depending on the channel. I am grateful for classical, country, jazz, soft rock, some hip hop (not all) and christian music. I love singing with Makenzie, she loves to sing and dance. It is so cute watching her dance! I also really love Hymns, My favorite is "I Need Thee Every Hour" Oh and "I Know My Redeemer Lives" I love that one too :)

Life is great when those hymns are playing. Makenzie loves to conduct which is also really cute! Every Sunday during sacrament meeting when we start to sing she stops whatever she is doing and listens, sometimes conducts. She's amazing!!

One day closer...

I have to copy other people's blogs because I can't seem to create anything on my own... I don't know what to write about. But when I see Lynda's blog and see that she is showing gratitude I think it's such a great thing to do. Anyways, isn't imitation the greatest form of flattery? haha.

Today I would like to write about the sixth thing I am grateful for, Cameras. I am so grateful that someone created the camera. I love that we can capture a moment in time and remember that second for the rest of our lives. I love to scrapbook, I enjoy turning those seconds on film into stories and letting them come to life. I love showing my point of view. That's also why I decided to start a Blog. I like to share my thoughts with others even if they don't care to listen. With scrapbooks and blogs I feel like I am expressing myself but don't have to know someone's reaction if they don't agree.

Here are some pictures of my scrapbook pages that are my favorites!

It's time to be grateful...

As thanksgiving creeps up faster and faster each day, I have read some fantastic blogs, showing their gratitude for the wonderful things in their lives and was thinking, Hey why don't I show a little gratitude? So, I am. I will start by catching up to them buy naming the first four things I am grateful for for the past days of the month.

1. Family, I love my family. All of my family. They teach me great things every time I see them or talk to them.
2. The Gospel, in one month I will be celebrating the day I was baptized 4 years ago when I was 18 years old. And since then I have become more and more the person I was designed to be. I am praying on a regular basis, I read scriptures every night, I rely on the Spirit, I believe in everything I am taught, I trust in Heavenly Fathers plan, I cherish Jesus Christ and the Atonement, I experience the power of faith/hope, I LOVE the Prophet, and I ask for help. I would not have ever experienced this if it weren't for my best friend Anthony and Brett Cherry, so for that I am eternally grateful!
3. Fall Leaves, they are beautiful. It's one of those moment when you really really realize Heavenly Father touches all things. I mean I know it but, to see it everywhere is precious.
4. Makenzie Rose, She is the moss that grows on my rock... That is not supposed to sound gross but if Jesus is my rock then the next best thing is what is built upon it and she covers it with smiles, giggles, baby language, blue eyes, little hands, and much much more.

And now my grateful "thing" of the day is, Temples. I am so excited to attend the Salt Lake Temple. I have heard of it's amazing power and can only hope that once I am inside I can feel of it's grace, love and beauty from Jesus Christ. I have only dreamed of the day when I could walk through those doors and stand in awe of it's meaning and attention to detail. That every little step you take is one closer to Jesus. I am tearing up just thinking about it. This is amazing. We have Temples here on earth, that is amazing. I love this truth.

The Great Eight

I have been tagged again! It's a good thing I like this sort of thing!! :)

The 8 TV Shows I watch
I wish I could say I don't watch a lot of TV but...

1.Gilmore Girls
2. Oprah (Which I Quote A LOT!!)
3. House
4.Bones
5. So you think you can dance
6. 7th Heaven
7. Raising the Bar
8. Numbers

My 8 Favorite Restaurants
Now, I said they were my favorites but that does not mean I go allll the time...ok so I have to most of these places once... Oh, and I am not perfect with the spelling...

1. McCormick and Schmidt (Sword Fish..Amazing!)
2. FX McCrory's (Prime Rib...Love it!)
3. Melting Pot (The duck! Good stuff)
4. Olive Garden (Duh...Alfredo)
5. Red Robin (Chicken Caesar Wrap...GREAT!)
6. Applebee's (The Fiesta Chicken GOOD!!)
7. Shilo Inn (in Ocean Shores..the Crab is grrreat!)
8. Red Robin (Again...I just really love the ranch dressing so I needed it to have it's own slot on my list! I compare all ranch to theirs!)

8 Things I did yesterday...

1. Prayed...A LOT! I find I am needing more and more comfort then I thought I would as I get older and more independent.
2. Read Scriptures again with the help I need from Heavenly Father.
3. Comforted my crying Makenzie from hitting her forehead on the corner of a wall.
4. Stressed about finances.
5. Searched for CHEAP plane tickets.
6. Kissed my husband.
7. Went to dinner with my parents for my dad's birthday.
8. Felt the Spirit.... That's always amazing...

8 things I look forward to...

1. The Lord's triumphant return!!
2. Becoming a grandparent...NOT TO SOON!!
3. Another child
4. Self Confidence
5. More time with my Hubby...Retirement
6. The perfect job for Anthony
7. Living Comfortably, Financially
8. After #3 Another Child..and so on and so forth

8 things on my wish list...

1. A LONG trip to Ireland, like we wanted for our honey moon that we had to put off.
2. A house... With a YARD.
3. Horses... Lots of them. Anthony would love that.
4. A job where Anthony could work from home
5. A Best Friend... I have wonderful friends but I would love one that called me their Best Friend.
6. An income for stay at home moms.
7. a craft room
8. I beautiful singing voice like Lisa Lewis'

8 Phrases I use all the time...

1. "I love you."
2. "On Oprah...."
3. "1....2...." I guess that's not a phrase but with Mak I have to count a lot.
4. "I want to be pregnant"
5. "I am having Deja Vu..." SP??
6. "No. keep it in your hair"
7. "Can I have the remote back!?"
8. "I love this song"

8 People I tag..
I still don't know many bloggers but I will do my best!

1. Amy
2. Erika
3.