TRIUMPH

So it is the end of 2011.  I would have to say that the year has gone by pretty dang fast.  There have been a lot that has happened in the last year.  My post today is to follow up on my year long goal and resolution.  If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can click HERE and read about what my New Years goal was.

So instead of making a New Years resolution (which lets be honest, nobody ever keeps) I made a goal to incorporate one word into my entire year to make myself better.  This year's word was TRIUMPH.

How did I triumph this year??  Let's explore this together... I think the biggest triumph I have made this year is my feelings towards somebody in my life.  I have had downright hateful feelings towards this person and it was really affecting my daily life.  Through prayer, service, venting, and some change of attitude... I have triumphed over those feelings.  This person isn't my best friend by any means, but I no longer think about pushing them into traffic every time I see them.  I do believe I even have some sort of love for this "enemy".  I really feel like this is a huge triumph for me.

I also triumphed in my workplace this year.  I was able to get a promotion and take on some new responsibilities (which isn't an easy feat in a small business working environment).  I am really happy about this triumph.  I was able to prove to my boss that I was capable and strong enough to take on the responsibilities.  GO ME!

This next triumph probably shouldn't count but I am going to talk about it anyway.  I triumphed over extra weight this last spring.  I was down to my goal weight and was eating healthy and was into some skinny jeans.  Sadly, I am back to the hefty jeans and the weight is back.  Something I need to constantly work on I suppose... but for a little while- the triumph had been made!

I triumphed in relationships this year.  Especially with my younger sisters.  We are all adults now and I feel like this last year has really been a turning point with each other.  Instead of seeing them as little annoying sisters, I see them as equals (well most of the time... I am still working on not being such a bossy older sister).  I see them as adults with value and worth.  They have made awesome decisions in their lives and some of those decisions are real examples to me! 

Those are the big triumphs that I can think of for the last year.  I have learned a lot and even better, learned from some mistakes.  I am thankful for all my blessings and all that I have in my life.

May 2012 bring just as much accomplishment and joy.  I am still thinking about my word for 2012.  I haven't nailed one down quite yet but I have a few days.  I will definitely be posting about my new word.  Take some time and reflect on your life and how your year has been.  I bet you will count more wins than losses, more love than hate.  May the next year be even better for you too!

Merry Christmas 2011

I hope your day has been filled with joy, love, good food, friends, family, and PRESENTS!  But seriously- don't forget what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

Thankful Thursday Part 2

I was so distraught last night that I thought it was Thursday... and it was only Wednesday.  Well today was a better day.  I will seriously post for real later.


OK- bye

Thankful Thrusday

I am thankful today is over and I can go to bed.  I will post for real another day.

Thankful Saturday

This happens time and time again... I get into these funks where I don't think that anything fun or exciting or noteworthy happens to us.  Lame- I know.  I should stop thinking like that!  Well, here are some things that I have been thankful for this week (in no particular order):


My boss and co workers
I really do have a great boss.  He is pretty awesome.  He is so generous and kind.  He really does care about his employees and he is a pretty funny guy actually.  We had our little company Christmas party this last week and it was super fun.  We went to a teppanyaki steak house for lunch.  It was the first time I had ever been to one.  It was seriously awesome to watch. (and that's my awesome boss and his awesome wife in the background)

We had a ton of fun.  I work with all women (except for our boss- the doctor) and sometimes it can be a real challenge... but it seems the last little while has been great!  We have all been getting along and been working as a great team!

Eryn, Gynene, and myself at lunch

My brother Westley
I don't know if I have ever written a Thankful Thursday post about my brother Westley.  He is almost 9 years old and he is the youngest of my biological siblings.  He is awesome.  He is seriously one of the funniest people I know.  He has awesome comedic timing and he is so full of energy.  My sister sent me the following picture of Wes.  He has been wearing this funny Santa hat and beard off and on the last couple of weeks and one night he fell asleep in it while trying to technically stay "in his room" at bed time and still listen to the conversations and the movie going on in my mom's living room.

We decided to call him Hobo Santa

The cats
Its kind of a creepy cat lady thing to do to brag about the felines in one's life... but I don't care.  I am going to do it anyway.  I love my cats.  Even though we had about a year when they were a pain in the butt and I was seriously contemplating sending them to another family to live.  Well they both grew out of their teenage years (well months in human time but years I guess in cat time) and they are once again awesome.  They love to be outside but they have been spoiled and they now sleep inside at night (especially since it has been near freezing temps here in Vegas over night).  I do love them... even if I do have to take a Benadryl before we go to bed since I am technically allergic to them and they make my throat itch- even when they sleep at the bottom of the bed.
One draw back to having inside/outside cats... They still wake me up at about 5:15am no matter what day it is to be let back out into the wild outdoors.  ARG

Christmas music
I love it.  But only AFTER Thanksgiving.  I have enjoyed listening to Christmas music in the car, at work, in stores, and everywhere else my life may take me.  It is pretty hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit most of the time... but Christmas carols definitely help.  Confession- Christmas is only 8 days away and I have not put a single Christmas decoration up.  Yeah- pretty sad!


My church calling
I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to work with the Young Women (teenage girls ages 12-18) in my ward at church.  It has been such a blessing.  I have been pleasantly surprised that the girls don't think I am too old to be cool yet.  PHEW.  It was seriously a fear of mine.  Actually- I had one of the girls (almost 16 years old) tell me that she wishes that I could come and hang out with her at school.  I took it as a compliment.  But seriously- I am developing such a deep love for these girls.  They are teaching me so much (like how to "shuffle"... which is the Running Man dance from the 80's but just named something else now).  I know that it was no coincidence that I was called to serve these girls.  I prayed for experiences to strengthen my testimony in our Savior, Jesus Christ and also to gain a stronger testimony of the core principles of the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I was given this job not very long after my prayers had started.


Vegas weather
So sometimes the summers can have brutal days of 110 degrees... but I will take those days for the payoff in the "winter" time.  It has been near 60 degrees and it has been FABULOUS! Since I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, the warmer Vegas weather in the winter does wonders for my moods and my well being.  I love only having to invest in a light jacket and sweaters in the winter months.  I do NOT miss the snow of Colorado and Utah ONE SINGLE BIT!  I love that the palm trees and grass (for the most part) stay perky and green for Christmas time!  


I know there are many friends and family members that read this blog.  Leave me a comment with some of the things you are thankful for.  

Thankful Thursday

Wow- I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted!  My life seems to be getting busier and busier!  OK- let's recap the last little while with a Thankful Thursday!


Dates with my Husband
Yeah yeah- I know that I have posted about this and just worded the title different about a hundred times... but its true!  I am seriously thankful for the time I get to spend with my husband.  My work and his school schedule can get pretty crazy at times and some nights we get to see each other for about 45 minutes before we head off to bed.  So- the days and evenings when we can spend a CHUNK of time together are amazing to me!

Community Events
I have really been feeling a sense of community lately.  It might be because I was given some responsibilities at work which include getting our company "out" in the community more.  So community events have been a little more important to me.  But that aside- it is really awesome to see folks rally around each other for a common goal or cause. 
We recently went to the annual Santa Run 5K here in Las Vegas.  We went to watch this time, but I definitely think that we will actually participate next year.  There were over 4,000 Santas who ran for charity.  I think we broke a world record of most Santas in a single place too.  That's awesome.  It was fun to see all the human and K9 Santas that chilly morning (well chilly for Las Vegas.  It was a cool 40 degrees with a slight wind... bbrr).

Humor
I could be wrong, but I think I am kind of funny.  I mean- I know I am not the funniest person on the planet... but I think I am pretty dang close to it.  KIDDING... sort of.  But anyway- I can appreciate funny things.  I love to laugh.  There were a couple of funny things that happened to me the last little while.

First- a text.  I was texting back and forth with Harrison about some stuff and I was mentioning my sister, who's name is Charnae.  My phone auto corrected her name to GARBAGE!  I about died with laughter.  I had tears running down my face because I was laughing so hard.  I promise I don't think my sister is garbage... just my phone.

I have a co worker who wears wigs to work.  It is a good idea when you really think about it.  You just pop it on and you have a whole new look and if you don't like it... just take it off and you are back to normal.  Well I took a turn with the wig.  I thought it was hilarious!  I am not a "bangs" kind of girl.  When I get them... I end up regretting it about 4 hours later.  What do you think?  Hilarious or not?

Harrison thought I looked like Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction.  A couple of the girls at work also thought that.  I can see it.  But I don't know if I am ready to make the humorous move to bangs quite yet.

New Jewelry
Harrison asked me the other day if I ever wanted new jewelry.  We had just viewed about the million-th commercial for diamonds and jewelry on tv during the program we were watching.  I told him what I thought.  He took my advice and I got a beautiful new ring last night after our breakfast for dinner at IHop.  He is a good egg.

I know this is kind of an obscure Thankful Thursday.  It is more of an update rather than a thankful post... but- I have to multi-task on this one.

I hope you are all well. 

Craft Night and other thoughts

I decided I would get some housework done this evening.  It got as far as getting the living room cleaned up.  I have had some company though... 
Garth Brooks, John Michael Montgomery, Randy Travis, Sammy Kershaw, and Tim McGraw have kept me company on my Garth Brooks Pandora station this evening.  I really like the station!  I think I found the trick to Pandora.  As long as you don't hit "like" or "don't like" the station will play stuff that actually pertains to your station and actual likes.  If you start fine-tuning the station- it starts adding crap into it.
Also, the kitties have been keeping me company.  They are quite happy that we are home I think.  They are both laying next to me and purring away.  They didn't come home for a while last night and today and we thought that they might be in the pound or dead... but they showed their little faces finally.  


So I didn't post about this... but I am now.  On Saturday night we had CRAFT NIGHT!  Girls Only!  It was super fun.  My sisters, mother, and I pulled out the glitter, scissors, paper, and glue and got our creative juices flowing.

It was seriously so much fun.  I think my mom will be vacuuming up glitter for the next month!  It was EVERYWHERE!!!  I am so thankful for family who likes to craft (or doesn't like to craft but does it anyway).


OH- this is a funny video!  My baby sister, Audrey finally recognizes Harrison and I.  She has been pretty afraid of us up until this last trip.  I think it finally clicked in her 2 1/2 year old brain that we were family and not just a couple of weirdos who came to mom's house every now and then.  ANYWAY- one of the nights we were there she was playing and laughing with Harrison.  She decided that Harrison was HER Harrison!

She is a silly girl!  She is growing up with a funny personality.

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

On the day set aside to reflect on thankfulness- I am indeed thankful for many things.  Harrison and I made the 8 hour trek to Grand Junction to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  We were fortunate enough to have 9 out of 10 kids at home.  It has been a wonderful weekend.  Here are some highlights of my family fun that I am very thankful for!

We had some time to snap a few family photos

We are kind of crazy.  Well- a lot crazy

9 out of 10 kids oldest to youngest (we are missing #2)

Tallest to shortest (I am now 4th in line)

We had lots of food, family, and fun.  We seriously had so much food.  And the PIES.  THE PIES!  We made 8 pies (5 of which were apple) and I have eaten at least an entire apple pie just by myself... and I really don't think that is an exaggeration.

Mom making pie!

Holly and Audrey helping with pie

Pies and pies and pies!

My mom's apple pie is seriously the best in the world.  NO JOKE!

While we baked pies, dad worked on the computer

 Noellee was putting around trying to "help" where she could

Auntie Laura helped Noellee with her hair for pictures

Audrey and Harve loved eating the apple peels with their lunch

Brok couldn't wait to get outside to play some football with the boys

The big (and a couple of little) boys played football outside in the crisp air

My 3 sisters! Laura, Charnae, and Audrey.  I really do love them!

Westley, Jaala, Christian, and Laura

Christian and Jaala making faces

I am so thankful for my family.  We really do love each other.  We all seem to get along (and that is an awesome feat... since there are 10 of us... and a few in-laws too).  


I am thankful for the time I have had with my family this weekend.  The food has been stupendous, the visiting has been stimulating, and the laughing together has been wonderful.  


I am thankful for all that I have.  I am thankful for a vehicle that is reliable enough to get us from Las Vegas to Grand Junction safely and with a heater/air conditioner that works.


I am thankful for my siblings.  I have a special bond with each of them.  I have been able to laugh HARD with my sisters, and cuddle with my younger brothers.  


I am thankful for my parents.  They are the best parents I have ever had!  But really- they are wonderful.  They are wise and they are grounded in their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for that.  I am thankful for the values and standards they taught me while I was in their house.


I am thankful for good food and the ability myself and my families have to buy food and eat food.


I am thankful for many many things.  I hope you and your family have also had a wonderful and blessed holiday.  Be thankful for the things you have and the relationships you have with others.  


LOVE YALL!

Thankful Thursday!!!

Happy Thursday to you!  How has your week been?  I hope you have lots to be thankful for!  I know I do... when I think about it.  Let's recap the week:


Date Nights
We went out with friends on 11-11-11.  It was super fun.  We went and supported the UNLV Runnin' Rebels in their season opener.  It was fun... especially because our Rebels won!  Whoot!  So fun!

We had better seats this time... but we were still pretty high up.  BUT- no young boys around with beer to spill on me!  That was definitely a plus!

The three husbands enjoying the game

Happy 11:11 on 11-11-11!

Marriage
Yes- I am so thankful to be married!  Harrison and I attended a marriage seminar last weekend.  We learned how to make our marriage Good, Better, and Best.  It was REALLY good.  The speaker was great and I took a boat-load of notes.  I really am thankful for Harrison and the marriage that we have.  We have been married 6 1/2 years and I am really proud of that.  Sure we have fights and disagreements, but you know- we have it pretty dang good!  
Harrison tried to teach me to drive his manual car last weekend.  I sucked.  It was funny.  He is a great teacher.  He was so patient and he was more than willing to laugh with me (and at me) and guide me through the process.  He gave me positive comments even though the car stalled at least 30 times that afternoon.  Well- the next day I found this on my steering wheel when I got in my truck to go to work...

So awesome!  It was great.  I love my husband (like when I try to explain how much I love him- it will make you want to puke because it's so mushy- LOVE).  


Love
I know this blessing sounds generic... and I can see how it could be generic.  There has been many ways this last week that I have been shown love.  In word, in phone calls, in deed, in texts, in hugs, in laughter, in notes... the list goes on.  I am thankful that I am loved.


I hope you have many things that you are thankful for.  If you can't think of any... just know that I am thankful you read this post and I am sending you love!  It sounds sappy- but I am in a kind of sappy mood right now :)