ShArK

Those of you who watch "MythBusters" know that the shark capital of the world is in the Bahamas. This is my favorite picture:

Too bad it's not really my picture then eh?

Yesterday in church a lady gave a talk about how her friend posts five things she is grateful for each day. I honestly agree with her that it really does make a difference. I am going to post three things or a scripture that I turn to. IT does two things ... A. gets me to open the scriptures more. and B. Good attitude. So here are my three things today:

1. I am grateful for children who want me to teach them how to play the piano. ( I keep telling them later, because it is kind of a pain. But I am grateful they have the desire to learn and I need to jump all over that.)

2. I am grateful for a soft pillow to lay my head on. I sat in between two people on all four flights in the middle of the night, I realized how easy it is to take the little things for granted.

3. I am grateful for a mischievous little girl. It would be weird to imagine that without her, both my kids would already be in school and I would be all alone. (Again, I have to remind myself this when she pulls my hair.)

Learn to flush ...

What do these three things have in common:




I just came out of the kitchen and heard Austin saying " Who keeps squirting me? I'm getting wet" I look behind him ( he is sitting on the couch watching a movie) and see Faith with a squirt gun. I thought Trent filled it up for her and told her to come squirt me, I was about to tell her to go get Trent, when I asked him when he filled it up for her. He said he didn't. So we both watched as Faith went into the bathroom and filled it up in the toilet. It did teach Austin a very powerful message- learn to flush.

Coco Loco- Day 1

Trent and I had the opportunity to go on a cruise last minute. Besides our honeymoon to bearlake 8 1/2 years ago, this was our first and much needed get away. We found a great deal, but that meant that we had redeye flights. We left Sunday at 8:30 and dropped the kids off. Then we sat in the airport until our flight left at midnight. We got there early because we thought TSA would have Trent fill out paperwork, because his name was TRENT on the ticket and they needed TRENTON. We got in without anything wrong. I had to laugh as we both went through the body scanner, and the security had to pat down Trent. As he was patting down Trent's arms, he flexed and said "Those are my guns." Next time I go through the body scanner I think I will strike a pose. jk. I must say that Trent wanted to bring our camera, and I didn't want it to get stolen so I said lets just do disposable camera. I SHOULD'VE LISTENED!!! The pictures didn't turn out good at all, and the ones I thought would turn out were black. So we don't have any pictures of our formal night, or our dinner with the friends we met. Oh well. I guess we have the memories. We had a layover in Atlanta and then flew into Orlando. Florida really is a swamp from the sky. We bored ed the ship and set sail for the Bahama's. The pictures I posted yesterday were from my phone, after those pictures it died. My first cruise with my sister had better activities. We felt like we were in a nursing home. Everyone migrated to Florida in the winter and went on cruises. I think we could count on one hand how many younger people there were. I was so hoping for drunks to get up and make a foll of themselves during Karaoke. Didn't happen. However, the beaches were so much better here. On the second day we went to "Coco Cay" we told the kids we were going to "Kokie Island" from Dora. This was Royal's private island and beautiful. It was a small island and decided to go Jet skiing. We got to go first in line in the jet skies and were able to go super fast. We had to have a guided tour because it is so shallow. The Bahamas mean "Shallow" and the guide said we could walk from one island to the next. The water was beautiful and crystal clear, then all of a sudden it was dark from all the coral. He told us about the pirates that would come to the island we went to. WE then got out in the ocean and the coolest thing happened. We saw a bunch of starfish and were able to dive in and pick them up. I was surprised how sandy it was clear out in the ocean. It felt great on my feet! While we were jet skiing a couple fell off into the water, I guess his head hit hers as they fell in and she had a huge goose egg. After our jet skiing we played in the ocean where all the tropical fish came in and swam between us. It was beautiful. We wish we had time to go snorkeling, because in coco cay they have a hidden ship wreck that you can go see. They also have a bouncy slide playground in the water. I think I could have stayed there forever! We were able to take a nap in the sun, and the weather was perfect. I would never go somewhere hot in the summer, I hate the heat, but going in Nov the weather was 80 degrees with a slight wind that made it perfect!!! The "Coco Loco" were the local "Drinks" we wanted to hold one and take a picture as if we were drunk and then put them on Christmas cards that say, "Eat Drink and be Merry" Merry Christmas. But we forgot. The second day was by far my favorite!

come back come back wherever you are sun...

I'm Still a rockin' and we are on land!

Today I am grateful for the simple little things we take for granted. In my history book there is a story of a teacher who sent a girl home because she was so weak from starvation in the summer of 1933. The little girl said " It won't do any good for me to go home, it's my sister's day to eat." Wow. I can't even wrap my brain around that. America is rich in food, housing, vehicles. Our poorest of the people all of us know, is nothing like some child in Ethiopia. Again, in my history book, I am grateful for equality for all. I am grateful that we aren't shoved into concentration camps like many before us have. Many before us have suffered the insufferable, and we have yet to hear their stories. I could go on and on how it wasn't too long ago all of this took place, and how the world has always been corrupt and not fair. I like to look at Job. He lost everything. But he still had God. I hope that no matter what comes my way, I can build to have that kind of faith. We may think we have it bad. I like the quote " had no shoes and I complained, Until I met a man who had no feet. " Then there are some who think they have it good. It's all about attitude and way of thinking. So that quote could go on to say " I, the man who had no feet felt lucky, when I saw the man who had no legs." The quote of the day for me is from FDR " The only thing to fear, is fear itself"

Thankful...

I remember back when I was an 8 year old girl, waiting for her dad to come home from Desert Storm to baptise her. Although my dad was gone only 6 months (I think) it had an impact on me. By seeing his example of serving his country, it gave me a love for history, patriotism, which in return gave me a love for my country. I received a scholarship based on my answers of my patriotism. I remember putting the yellow ribbons around the tree the day we were going to pick him up from the airport. I remember being in a crowded airport with my family and some extended family. The soldiers came off the plane and my sister Kelli went in the front to find him. I remember seeing her come back with my dad. I think that was the second time I saw him cry. (First time was him leaving.) I have seen him tear up times after, and love how I can feel his love when I see that. Anyways, I remember seeing my aunt hug him, and seeing my mom and dad embrace. My mom had a long time being a single mom, waiting for his calls during the middle of the night with five kids. His absence affected me, but I loved him more for it. Every night he would sing the song "Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon" to us. Fast Forward 19 years later.... Although my husband's life wasn't in any danger, and he could come home on the weekends, I see in my almost 8 year old daughter's eyes the light of relief as I told her today that Dad was coming home for good. For an instant I saw myself. I don't know how my mom did it. She made us feel safe and I knew I would see my dad again. He was able to baptise me when he got home and I am glad I waited for him. I am thankful for Father's and all they do to provide and protect the ones they love.

I have been getting weird emails, and weird blog links from friends and family. I now have the virus, it goes out to everyone in the contact list with a link and my name in it. Don't open the Link and you will be fine. Some of you have already sent me emails as well, so check your sent box to see if you have one too. it's been going around

Day 4

Today I am grateful for the new band I have fallen in love with. I have already posted some of their video's on here, but Tenth Avenue North is ... Awesome. Music is a huge part of my daily life. I love listening to the music in the car whenever I go somewhere. My kids will sing the songs, and it's nice that now I am not afraid of what they are singing along to ;) I also love Sanctus Real- his song plays over and over in my head -Lead Me. If you don't watch any of the video's I post, at least watch this one.. Amazing song. I am glad they are real.


I also found a song by Bruno Mars- the words and video are pretty cool.

I am grateful for those that give. That give love, give service, and the ultimate gift of giving life. I am grateful for those that give me all of these. I am grateful for those who share their hearts with me, whether happy and inspiring or even broken. I am grateful for the gift God sent me- his Son and the ultimate service of his sacrifice. Speaking of giving, Yesterday, as I said before we went to my friend's church. It was as if I was at a KLOVE Concert, it was awesome. They do a Christmas in a shoebox operation. I noticed on KLOVE they have it there too. You fill up the shoe box and your kids can help do this. THey send it overseas to those in need. Here is more info:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

Day 3

Today I am grateful for newborn babies. I love the first meeting of a newborn baby. One who looks so peaceful and straight from heaven. I love the smell of a newborn baby. Newborns are mine until they hit 2 1/2... then they are Trents. It works out great- Trent's favorite stage is toddler, mine is newborn. ;) My brother and sister in law just had their second child- a little girl named Alyna June. How I wish I could come snuggle her, but she lives clear in Indiana. One day Alyna. What's funny is one of Hannah's best friends is named Alina May. Now we have an Alyna June. :) I love watching Austin play with newborns. He LOVES babies and can get them to smile and laugh. SOmetimes he gets a little too much in their face, but he will one day make a very cute daddy.

day 2

I am grateful today for the love and innocents of children. There is one in particular that I have been able to reach out of the religion bubble and have been able to see life through the eyes of a child and her family. I think if we are able to step out of our "Own little world" we will find the love of Christ sweep through our hearts in ways we never know possible. We will find the love he has to offer to all. This child, named Zoe was one that I taught preschool to. Whenever I would ask the kids what they were thankful for she would say "Jesus" and then proceed to sing a cute little song about how Jesus loves us all. She has invited me to a teacher appreciation service at her church today and I am very excited to go. I wasn't able to make it last year, so when she brought me the invite she said "Teacher, you better come!" She is so cute. She would always brighten my day by saying how beautiful I am. From the mouths of babes. I am grateful my eyes and mind have been uplifted to see all. When I went to Indiana, it was cool to see churches on all the streets and "In God we trust" on the licence plates. My sister in law said at the gym they all say prayers before their work out and include all those that ask to be prayed for. THe state of Indiana has proclaimed National day of prayer.

1940's

( I was trying to re-create a picture of my grandma's from that time era. Didn't work so well. :))
Last night my friend Jenny had a surprise party. Her husband did really well at planning it! WE went to a 1940's mystery dinner at Spaghetti Mama's. We all dressed up as the 40's. SOme more glamorous than others. I wanted to dress as the famous done with the war picture where the guy is kissing the girl. Or my grandma had an old nursing outfit I wanted to do, or my sister had a Rosie the Riveter costume. WE ended up representing the middle class thanks to good ole DI!

Catch Up

We went to Black Island Farms with my family in Oct. to get some pumpkins.

Since my blog is named Gratitude, I wanted to do the NOV Gratitude everyone does this time of year. However, I enjoyed reading everyone else's gratitude that I forgot to do my own. I may be behind to get there by Thanksgiving, but again we can never have too much gratitude.

Day 1- I am grateful for the little things each day that brighten my mood. Thanks to my friend Jenny, I have become hooked on Christan pop music. I found KLOVE 107.5 and I think I have recruited all of Utah to listen to it. The songs you see that I post, are pretty much from them. I love watching and listening to the video's so you will have to bare with me, because I am going to post either pictures or music to each of my gratitude days. I changed my phone to Switchfoot, I love Tenth Avenue North, and Sanctis Real the most lately. I loved Jason Castro on American Idol, and he is now singing on KLOVE. I made Cd's and gave them to group of friends who then made one for their husband's. Maybe I should work for them. jk
http://www.klove.com/

Here is one by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to the Lyrics.

Hell-o-ween

(Picture from HERE)
You know how Halloween is my FAVORITE Holiday? Well, since the last three years it seems we get sick around or on Halloween. Austin got to go to school Friday before he got sick, but Hannah missed out on the school parties, parades, carving our pumpkins, and really trick or treating this year. All of us but Trent have two bugs going on right now. That is scary!!! Instead of costumes, we were all in our pj's. Instead of treats, we are trying to suck on Popsicles, instead of frightening screams, we were all screaming in pain :)