{Today I Am Thankfull For....}

It's been way too long since I've blog and even worse since I've done a gratitude post. I have MUCH to be thankful for, and what better way to start November and jump back into blogging (I optimistically hope) than by sharing just a few things I'm truly thankful for!

Fall

I love fall... I'm a spring and fall type of gal. I love the crisp cool weather, the colors and smells. My dad tilled and planted the field next to our house this last week, it looked so pretty and ready for change. Not to mention fall makes me want to craft, and I did, and it made me happy. Happy that this........
became this, my first pieced and machine quilted table runner!

and I had time to whip up a new SPOOKY banner.
Also, my friend Ann gifted me with a cute pumpkin pillow kit, long ago. It took awhile to get around to it, but once I did, it quickly became the cute pillow on my desk seat in the first picture above.

Great Examples that Touch my Life

My first grade teacher past away, very unexpectedly this past week. He not only taught me, but both my boys. I had the opportunity to be an aide in his summer school class the year Derrick and I were engaged. During that time, he went from being my former teacher to someone I considered a friend. I will forever be grateful for the impact he had on not only my life, but the lives of my children as well.

Barq's Red Creme Soda

I love it, yes I do!

Primary

My time in the Primary has come to an end. Yes, I am sad. I am also eternally grateful for these past few years. Those sweet children taught me more than I'm sure I ever did them, and my family was overwhelmingly blessed during this time.

A Day Date with my Man

That he planned.

We did a session at the Temple, had lunch at Kneaders Bakery complete with a fruit tart, and then went to the snowmobile show to check out all the latest and greatest before the winter season (while I'm excited about fall, my man is just excited for snow). It was a fabulous day! As we sat in the temple, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. What a blessing to be there with my husband. As special as our family day at the temple was, I've enjoyed trips back with Derrick even more.

My Grandparents

As my my kids were trick or treating at my grandparents last night, I couldn't help but think how blessed we are to have them so close. I love that they are a part of my children's lives and are creating memories with them.

(Check out the decorations hanging from the stairs. My Grandma has had them since I was a little girl and I adore them..... so many memories!)

Sweet, Uplifting Blog Comments

Each of the comments left on my previous post truly touched me. What a blessing each of you are in my life.... a blessing I am grateful for.

and last but not at all least......

A Vacation to Look Forward to!

{Gratitude}

Today has been one of those days that make you take a step back and look at all the things you are truly blessed with. It's been way to long since I've sat down and done a gratitude post and that makes me sad. I picked just a few off my list of things I've been thinking of to share with you today!

Girls Night Out

I'm a big believer in girls nights out......weather it's a Bunko night or Eclipse and dinner with the girls, I need it and I look forward to it! We had a great time last week at the movie, Eclipse of course, dinner and then hanging out at Ann's afterwards.

My Hardworking Man

You would think that since my Husband is a teacher, I might just look forward to the summer break......not so much. Just because he gets a break from his "real" job doesn't mean I see him any more this time of year. He actually works two jobs through the summer, and longer hours. I'm not complaining, I'm thankful that Derrick is such a hard worker and I love him for that!

Family Time

One thing I love about this time of year is four wheeler rides almost every evening. We all hop on the bikes and take the dog for a run or just head up the canyon a little way. Of course the boys favorite little detour is through the water and they're getting pretty good at making a splash! Derrick brought home a new (to us) two-up a few weeks ago, and now Brock has decided that I need to ride with Dad and he's taking over my bike??? We'll see about that?

Good Friends

I had the chance to spend part of today at the funeral of my friend Amy that I blogged about here a few months back. As sad as the day was, it was an amazing tribute to an even more amazing lady. All of you should go to her blog and read the advice that she and her husband, Gary have shared, they are truly amazing people and when I grow up I want to be just like Amy! While there, I also got to see friends that I haven't seen for sometime. I am thankful to have so many great people that I consider friends, who lift me up and are examples to me. Some of them I see and talk to often, others it's been years, and some of my blog friends I've yet to meet, but each of you inspire me and make me want to be a better person!

Birthday Love

Isn't my cake ADORABLE.......yep, I have a talented sister! Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes, you made my day!

Freedom

I am truly grateful to live in a free country, and to those who have made that possible. I'll admit, every time I hear our National Anthem, I cry. We are blessed!

Morning Walks

My mom, Lisa and I have been meeting for a morning walk for the last month or so. I know I've said before how much I love mornings.......ummm, not at all! But, knowing that my mom is waiting out front (and watering my flowers if I'm too slow) gets me up and going. We meet Lisa at the corner and off we go. As much as I need the exercise, that's not really why I keep going..... it's the time I get to visit with my mom and my sister, time that I cherish! They are truly two of my best friends, and for that I'm grateful!

June 30th, 1950
Harold & NaDean Beckstrand~ 2010

My Grandparents

My sweet grandparents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past week! I am grateful for the example they have been to me, for the chance I had to grow up just four blocks from them, and that my children now get to grow up just four blocks from them. Aren't they adorable?

{I Love to See the Temple}

I just got home from spending a special evening at the Manti Temple. It's late and I'm tired. I sat down at the computer for just a second to check messages and such. But, my brain won't turn off and I want to share quickly how thankful I am for the Temple in my life. What a blessing it is, one I don't take advantage of as often as I should. Each time I'm there, I vow to do better. Then, life catches up with me and things get in the way, I make excuses and don't get there like I should. I'm thankful that Skyler gave me the opportunity to be there tonight, and for the sweet Spirit that was felt there!

{Today I Am Thankfull For....}

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~ Cicero

It's been too long since I've done a gratitude post, so without further ado, this week I'm thankful for.........

• My Friend~ Ann and her cute kids came down and spent the weekend with us while our men were on the mountain hunting. I can't even tell you how much I needed that girl time. We chatted, went to a yard sale and the craft fair, drove around and took pictures, had some late night talks, had a yummy lunch at Cluff's, made New Moon invitations....we just had girl time. I can't even begin to tell you what an impact Ann has had on my life. She's been an example to me, she's a great listener, she is one of the most generous people I know.....she's everything I could ever ask for in a friend and more, and for that I am truly thankful.

• Kaleb~ What a great kid he is! Sunday as Primary began, we realized that our prayer, scripture and both our talks were missing. Our Primary president asked for a volunteer for the prayer and scripture and after filling those spots, asked jokingly for a talk....Kaleb's hand shot right up. Without stopping to think about it, my little man stood up and bore the most sweet and sincere testimony full of hope and faith. Of course he made me cry (I do that a lot). I'm so thankful to be his mom, he has the most mischievous grin and sweet spirit, and well, he truly is a bright spot in my life!
  
• A Clean Room~ I hate to admit this, but I am probably as bad or worse than my kids at keeping my room clean. In fact while Ann was here she practically begged to clean and organize my room (she enjoys it). No way was that happening! But, she motivated me (she says guilted me) to clean, and clean I did! Not only did I clean, I made a new lamp shade for Derrick's lamp. I've hated the shade on it, for well, as long as I've had it, I'm thinking 12 years?!?! Why did I not do something about it sooner? I'm not sure, but it looks MUCH better. Now I'm thinking I should maybe paint the gold black, or another color. What do you think?
  
• Preschool~ Yep, I'm really enjoying it! I'm thankful for all of your encouragement.... I don't know if I would have done it otherwise. I may be biased, but I have the cutest class ever. They each have the funnest personalities. Last week we got to go on a field trip the Fire station, and had so much fun. I felt bad that our only little boy was sick and didn't get to come, because they were adorable!

• The Library~ I ♥ the Library and the Bookmobile too. I love to read, and I could never afford to buy enough books to keep up with my little habit. In addition, I've spent much more time there lately, picking up books to use for preschool. What a great blessing that building full of books is!

And last but certainly not least.

• My Dad~ It's his birthday today and I want him to know how much I love and respect him. He's not only a wonderful Dad, but a great Papa to my kids. He's kind and generous, a great example, and just an all around great guy!
  

{I'm Thankful For....}

It's been way to long since I did a gratitude post. It's not that I haven't had anything to be grateful for, I just haven't taken the time to sit down and make a little list. So here goes, in no particular order......

• My Mom~ Yesterday was my mom's birthday, I won't say which one. I have been truly blessed, my mom is one of my very best friends. She is a great listener and gives good advice, but only if I ask for it. She's an example of the kind of wife and mother I want to be. She is an excellent teacher who puts her heart and soul into teaching. She is patient and kind... I could go on and on, but I want her to know how grateful I am for her!
• Eternal Families~ I am so thankful to know that we can be with our families forever. I've had the chance over the last month to attend two funerals. One for Derrick's cousin Trent, who was disabled and passed away at 26, and one for a family friend and life-long neighbor of ours. At both funerals, of course there were tears, but there was such a strong spirit of hope, and also faith in the plan of salvation and the promise that we can be together again!
• My little town~ I'm thankful for my little home town and the opportunity we had to come home! We've lived many places in the 14 years Derrick and I have been married, and 3 years ago we were able to move back to the little town I grew up in. When I say little, I mean little, according to the 2000 census, our population totaled 254! I was never un-happy anywhere else and we were content, but nothing compares to "home" in my book. There is such a comfort to me in raising my children here, knowing my neighbors, seeing my kids grow to love the people who have had such an impact on my life. There is truly for me, "No place like HOME".

May 24, 2003~ Manti LDS Temple

Renae Ainge, Jeremy Teeples, Lisa Teeples, Monica Dearden, Carlene Beckstrand, Robert Beckstrand, Shad Beckstrand & Julia Sigler

• My Temple Recommend~ A few weeks ago I renewed my Temple Recommend and was reminded how thankful I am for that particular slip of paper. I am truly thankful for the blessings of the Temple in my life. I pray that I will always remember to be thankful for, and worthy of this blessing.
• A lunch date with Kaleb~ On Friday Derrick spent the day at the fair in Delta at a booth for Dearden Equipment, and took Brock with him. Carlie went to play with her cousin Addie for the afternoon, which that left just Kaleb and I. When I asked him if he wanted to go on a date, he gave me a funny look and said ummm, NO! But he did agree to lunch at Subway. After lunch, we went to the library and picked out some books for him before we headed home. What fun I had visiting with my little man, he's growing up to fast and I really feel like I need to make it a priority to spend one on one time with each of my kids, before they'd rather not hang out with their mom.
• Good Friends~ I am thankful for all my good friends....my church friends, old friends, bloggy friends, best friends....all of you! I'm thankful for your advice, support, wisdom, laughter, tears. You build me up and encourage me, you make me want to be a better person. I can't imagine where I would be without each of you!
  

{I'm Thankful For....}

It's been too long since I've done a GRATITUDE post. I've been in a bit of a funk this week, I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm hoping that focusing on some of the things I've been blessed with will help me snap out of it! So in no particular order, I'm thankful for.......

• Our Extended Families~ This is the theme for the sharing time I've been working on for Primary tomorrow. We're going to sing a little song that goes like this;

I have a family tree with branches by the dozens. I have Grandpas. I have Grandmas. I have Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. When it's reunion time, No matter what the weather, It is such a happy day, When the fam'ly gets together.

I'm thankful for all our great family members, for their love and support. None of us get together often enough, but is a happy day when we do. Since we don't seem to get together very often, I'm also thankful for family blogs. I have loved getting to know more about some of our cousins through blogging. I know I've learned many knew things and love reading about their lives and hope they have learned new things about me!

• The Great Weather we've had~ I love the changing seasons, especially SPRING, it's my favorite! It's been so nice to sit and read a book and watch the kids play outside or break out the four-wheelers and go on a ride as a family! Yea for spring!
• Jordan Almonds & Dr. Pepper~ Yep, these yummys have made me happy this week!
• I am thankful to live where I do~ Not only do I live in a great little town where I'm surrounded by family & friends, but I feel like I live in a great country. Nothing makes you appreciate home, wherever it may be, as much as being away for a bit.
• Modern Technology~ What would I do without, phone, email, blogs, XM radio, the list could go on and on? All of these wonderful little gems can cheer me up when I'm having a yucky day!
• Primary Teachers~ Our ward made some changes recently that have thrown our little Primary way off balance (mostly a new Relief Society presidency that came entirely from our Primary)! I've spent countless hours thinking and praying about who we should ask to teach these classes and it's made me appreciate so much those who are not only willing to serve, but want to serve and teach the children in our ward!
• The Chevron~ Yep, I'm truly thankful for our towns one and only little store, mostly the fountain drinks, but also all the other little things that I tend to forget, that they usually have!
• Lastly today I'm thankful that Lisa brought me........this little gem from her quick shopping run to Provo today! I'm a lucky girl, and I have a great sister!