Thanksgiving

Hot Chocolate Face

So, I never finished my thankful list. It isn't because I am not thankful but I have been pretty sick lately. But I am on the mend! I wanted to write about Thanksgiving. For the break my dad asked a really good friend if he could borrow his cabin. So up we went! The cabin was up in Heber. We went up on Wednesday and I came home on Thursday night. My family came home Friday morning. It was a really relaxing time. The cabin was very cozy. And there was defiantly snow on the ground. Of course, Marley made the trip complete. I don't know what our family would do without that little squirt! The first night we made thank you lists. I had bought receipt tape and measured the length of each member of my family. We then wrote our blessings on the paper. It was a really great activity. Marley put happy stickers all over hers! Thanksgiving dinner wasn't too shabby either. All in all it was a great trip!

Marley getting Grandpa ready for bed!

Marley fell in love with my Tinker Bell blanket. She thought I had given it to her!

Sam learning how to knit

Mom making some delicious soup!

Marley and her new BFF! She loves her Uncle Nolet. She keeps asking where he went now that he is home. She made sure that we had a plate for him when serving cake last night!

Little Snow Angel

Marley is obsessed with all things Princess at this moment. She is always putting blankets on her head and saying she is Tangled.

Thankful Day 17,18,19

I wish I wouldn't have fallen behind but I have. I haven't felt like writing every day this week. I love this blog so much. It is a great outlet for me. I am also thankful for the opportunity to count my many blessings! So on to it!
Day 17- Thursday
Humor. I love to laugh. I find myself laughing more than I probably should. But they have always said that laughter is the best medicine. When in a hard situation, I find it best to just laugh!
Day 18- Friday
Hunter! On Friday night I got a message from Hunter. It went something like this "Um, Aunt Jody, I miss you. I really like you. You are my friend. I wish you would come visit me. It is nice here. I love you." I almost cried when I heard it. I love that little boy so much. No matter what is going on, he can brighten my day so easily. I wish I could hold him and squeeze him right now but he is in a nice place! I hope to be able to go and see them for my birthday this next year! Oh, how I love my KING!
Day 19- Saturday
My Car. I am so thankful for transportation. I am thankful that I can just walk outside, get in my car, and drive away when I need to! I love you car!

Thankful Day 16

Today I am thankful for people who are in the medical field. They can handle blood, vomit, and brains! I cannot but I am certainly glad they can! Thank you to those that can handle it and do! Our world be not be without you!

P.S. This post was inspired by Dr. Marie! If you are concerned about her purple hair, just refer back to our Halloween Pictures!

Thankful Day 15

Today I am thankful for my second graders! I told them the other day that this is my last week in their class. One boy approached me later and said "Are you sure you have to leave on Friday? Maybe you could ask our teacher if you can stay longer." He then proceeded to tell me that I need to come back and sub for their class. It made my day. They are an awesome class and I will miss them so much when I leave! I love them! Thanks for being amazing and touching my life for good!

Thankful Day 14

The Shower!

Thankful Day 13

Jody is thankful for blankets. She has like 7 on her bed at all times and is very thankful for their warmth and comfort. Whenever we venture downstairs she is sure to bring at least two. Because she is so very thankful for their warmth... So thank you to all the wonderful manufacturers of wonderful cozy warm blankets. She is especially thankful for the fuzzy purple one, I believe she was given as a gift last year for Christmas.

Love, Marie

Thankful Day 12

I know I mentioned this one already, but I am thankful for my friends! Old ones, new ones, and to all those in the future, thank you! Yesterday (when I was suppose to write this post) I went and saw an old friend. She was my roommate my first year out of my house. She was one of my very favorites. She has since gotten married and had the most beautiful little girl. She came into town yesterday and it was so much fun to sit and visit with her. It made my weekend! I am so thankful for her because she is an inspiration to me! Thanks Ashton; you truly are amazing. Thank you for letting me have a day off of the madness!

I also wanted to mention those that are my current friends! They have gotten me through a lot of things lately. Even for those that don't know what I am going through, your smiles carry me along way. To my bestie; I don't know what I would do without you. You have come into my life at a most critical time! Thank you all for being apart of my life!

Thankful Day 11

I am so sad that I didn't write on 11/11/11. But I can still pretend that it is! Today I am thankful for veterans and all those that are currently serving in the military! I have two brothers in the military. My dad is a veteran. My good friend Trey is in Pakistan right now. And there are so many others that I know who fight for the freedom of this country. As the saying goes "freedom isn't free." I am so grateful for these men and women that fight for our country! What a blessing it is to have the rights that we have!
Image from:
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110502161028/charmed/images/thumb/4/40/Proud-to-be-an-american-flag.jpg/628px-Proud-to-be-an-american-flag.jpg

Thankful Day 10

Today has been hard and I don't know quite why. I have struggled with what to write tonight. Of course there are things that I am thankful for but I am trying to find the things that aren't normally mentioned on my list of thanks! It just hit me that maybe I should just list the basics tonight because I am very thankful for them. I am glad to have the basic because not everyone does!
Here is my list:
My family- each and every member of it makes my life complete. Every problem teaches me something new. And ever struggle strengthens me. The good times way out number the bad, so I will just dwell on the good!
The Gospel- I know I already mentioned this, but it is so true! I am ever so appreciative that I know the truth!
A place to live- It is cold! I am thankful for the warmth!
School- Even when it makes me cry, I am thankful for my education!
The scriptures- They carry me through life! I find so much delight in them!
Food- I seem to always be starving or way to full! I am glad that I get at least two hot meals a day!
Friends- Even though sometimes I feel so disconnected from people, I know that I am loved.
Well, that is it for tonight! Maybe I can be thankful for sleep tonight!

Thankful Day 9

My Boss and I at a luncheon that was held right before I went on my mission.

After working in my second grade classroom today I got in my car and hurried off to work. It has been very busy and crazy at work because of being in the schools. I am down to working only a few hours a week! But these leads me to what I am so grateful for. My boss is so willing to work with me. He lets me work when I can and picks up when I can't. Today one of my coworkers made me smile so much. She was so sweet to listen to my complaints. She cracked jokes with me. She reassured me that it would be better. I also love the people that I deliver mail to. They are such good friends to me. They always say hi and they usually have treats for me! I love it! I couldn't ask for a better job!

Thankful Day 8

MARLEY!!! You make me smile just by saying my name. I couldn't ask for a sweeter blessing in my life! I love you! Here is a little tribute to you and I!

Marley and I just a few days after I got home from my mission

Marley April 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

April 2011

May 2011

July 2011

August 2011

Thankful Day 7

Todd with Marley 04/11

I started writing this post and realized that I had already said how thankful I am for my mentor teacher. So, I thought of something else quick! Today I am thankful for a whole lot of things. It was a really good day! But what made my day complete was my brother Todd. He called and texted me this afternoon to tell me he loves me. It was so sweet of him. Since the time I was a little girl Todd has called me Babe. Today when he left a message on my phone, he called me babe. It made me giggle and smile from ear to ear. I love you Todd! Thanks for the phone call!

Thankful Day 6

Giggles! That is what I am thankful for today. Yesterday I played with my cousins children while him and his wife were out for awhile! The oldest thought it would be boring with me. But when his parents got home, he told them it was awesome! Mission accomplished. We watched movies for the most part. But my favorite part of the whole afternoon was the giggly girls. The youngest poked me for hours on end. Every time she poked me she would look up at me, giggle, and run away! She has the cutest giggle in the world. Then we, the little girls and I, took funny pictures on my computer. The giggle couldn't have been louder. I promise you, it was a giggle not a laugh! Oh, the joy of children. Can I be thankful for two things in one post? It is my blog so why not. I am grateful for the children in my life and for the bright light they are! I am also thankful that Heavenly Father gave us laughter. What a joy life is!

Thankful Day 5

I am thankful for my mission and for the opportunity I had to go back this summer with my mom! I am thankful that I will always be a missionary. Even without my physical tag, I can help others as well as myself to come to the gospel!

Casey and Ember 2011

Ronnie and Melissa 2011

Bella and Aloisa with our bags and tags 2009

Sister Brozak, Sister Larson and I 2009

Kids from the ward 2009

Brent's Baptism 2009

Trey and Casey 2009

Egg Head Missionaries 2009

Dave and his baptism cake

Sister Harash and I

Bryce's Baptism

Sister Stewart and I with leis from Hawaii

The Sisters and I at the MTC

The gorgeous Orlando Temple

Thankful

This is what I am listening to right now! I love it! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays!

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for

What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

Thankful Day 4

Today I am thankful for Sally the Service Snake. Who is Sally you ask? Sally is a snake that is left at the scene of good deeds. A couple weeks ago, Marie and I took my cousins little girls out for ice-cream and a Wal-Mart run. When we went to pick them up, Makadee was playing with Sally. She had gotten Sally from her primary teacher who had made it for her primary children to remember to serve others. Kirstee and Makadee decided to give Sally to Marie with a Halloween Bag of Candy. They were both so excited.
Well, Sally will eventually make it back to Makadee, but for now Sally is living with us. Last night was a pretty bad night. I was really sick and knew that I had a long day ahead of me. I was sound asleep when I was suddenly awoken. My roommates were being a little bit louder than they probably thought they were being. After being woken, I couldn't get back to sleep. I was sick and just couldn't close my eyes. And then my alarm went off. I knew I had to get up and so I did. When I got to my school, my teacher said I looked unwell and should probably go home. I stayed for half a day and then went to my parents to sleep. It was lovely to get some rest. I came home and my bed was made and my night stand was cleaned. I knew it had to be Marie that did it. I lay on my bed to do homework and found that something was in my pillow. Can you guess what it was? You're right! It was Sally the Service Snake. I was so touched and cried. It made me smile for the first time today. And it continues to make me smile. Thanks Sally! (And Makadee and Marie)

Thankful Day 3

Today I am thankful for the mentors that are helping me in my program. First of all I have support from BYU. She is an awesome lady and has helped me learn so much about being a great teacher. Not only has she said it in word but she has also taught me by example. She was my older brother's teacher when he was in 5th grade! Then their is my liaison between BYU and my school. She is always positive and upbeat. She is the one that observes me. At first I was so scared to be observed, but she has made me feel so comfortable. Then there is my facilitator at the school in which I am teaching. She is also coming up with great ideas to help me learn and grow. She has awesome suggestions! As if this wasn't enough support, I have a mentor teacher who is helping me as well. It is her classroom that I am in six hours a day. She is the perfect person for me to work with. I don't know who paired us up but it was a perfect match. She is great for me. She always lets me do whatever. She is great at giving me ideas. She is always thinking about me and how she can make my experience better! I love her.
All in all, it has been stressful but having all this support makes it great. I feel that I am learning a lot. I also feel that I will be a great teacher one day, even if I make mistakes.

Thankful Day 2

Today I am thankful for my roommate who is in the next room listening to Pandora. Every song that comes on she says "I LOVE this song." And the volume is getting louder. It is making me giggle. And she keeps singing a song, one line from a different song! I am also thankful for her because she saves my life on pretty much a daily basis. She lets me cry on her shoulder and makes me laugh so hard I have to pee my pants. She also makes me do things that are scary that make me want to pee my pants. Her head also hurts tonight. What isn't to love about her! I am so thankful for her! I love you Marie! You make me so happy with all your medical terms and fire code violations!

P.S The costumes in the above picture were all made by Marie's sister Emily. She is the one in the green. If you don't know who we are, we are Rainbow Brite and her color kids. From left to right: Patty O' Green, Indigo, Rainbow Brite, Shy Violet, and La La Orange. Thank you Emily for the costumes!

Thankful Day 1

I wanted to do the same thing I did last year and say something I was thankful for everyday of the month. This will be a definite challenge this year because I am swamped right now with being a full time student, a full time teacher, working part time, and living 30 minutes away from it all! But I want to count my blessings; I know it will help to relieve some stress!
The first thing I am thankful for is the gospel. The other night I was sick about having to start teaching full time in a second grade classroom. I hadn't been sleeping well because of the stress and thought of having to manage it all. I woke up in the middle of the night and starting reading an old journal of mine. I read about a time when I received a priesthood blessing. In the blessing it said that I should go forth with confidence knowing that I was in the hands of the Lord. What comfort this small sentence gave me! I have been doing well in my classroom. I had my first observation today and yes, there is a lot to improve on. But the people that observed me were so nice. They said such nice things. They aren't as scary as I thought. I am grateful for the Lord and for His words of comfort and peace!

Number 32

My last post was #32 which happens to be the number of posts I have had for the last three years! The first year I had this blog, half way through I left on my mission. The next year I was on my mission. And then the next I just wasn't motivated! But this year I feel that I have been very motivated. What has motivated me? I found out that I can make a book out of this blog! I really love the thought of making my blog into a book. There are so many times that I say that I need a picture of this for my blog! I love my blog, even though I am pretty much the only one that reads it! I love reading it and looking back on my memories! Here's to 32 more wonderful posts!

HERE and NOW

A couple weeks ago I went to my mission reunion. Marie was nice enough to come along. I really didn't want to go but then one of my companions talked me into it. I don't really know why I didn't want to go. Anyways, this year they started the reunion with a devotional given by the Mission President and his wife. I felt as though I was at zone conference again. President Colton asked us "Where are you and what time is it." On the mission he used to ask this question. I forgot about this and answer that I was in a church building and that it was 6:45. But others remembered and answered "Here and Now." Where are you- HERE! What time is it-NOW! What a powerful message in such simply questions!
Today it hit me, once again, to be grateful for the here and now! Never again will I get the opportunity to be here. There will never be another time like now. Even though there are so many things I want to do in the future and so places I want to go someday, for now I am content with the here and now! I wanted to write this post to remind my self of the great things that are happening in the here and now. So here I go, things I am thankful for in the HERE and NOW:

• Roommates that I really like
• Being single which means I can nab Kirstee and Makadee and do pretty much anything, watch Marley most of the time when I am needed, go to the Singles Ward, become more prepared for being a wife and mother, go to school, and so many other great things that might be different when I am married
• Going to school; it challenges my brain everyday
• Crying for joy- for awesome sunrises and beautiful skies when the sunsets
• Crying from pain- I am learning so much about myself, my family, and how to be a better contributor to society
• Time at work to type on my blog
• Time at work to struggle with my math homework
• Sugar cookies that an awesome family made for Marie last night
• The Fall season
• The beautiful color of the leaves
• The smell of mail in our little mail room
• The opportunity to be going into the elementary schools next week
• My awesome boss that is letting me work around my CRAZY schedule
• Great Pandora stations that play my favorite music
• Hunter wearing his "King of the Sandcastle" shirt on his first day of Kindergarten in AZ
• Texting my good friends to keep up to date on what is happening in their lives
• Making a cute costume for my mom for Halloween
• For those that can look behind my smile and see the sadness in my eyes and then wrapping their arms around me
• Being able to Skype Michele and Anna May (she is even cute when she cries!)
• For sleeping at night
• My mom that helps give me great ideas for my many lesson plans that are due
• The girls and boy in my program that encourage me to go on
• My teacher, that taught Todd in 5th grade, that always has a smile on her face
• Cell phones that go off (this means we get treats in our class)
• Marley singing the turtle song in Sacrament meeting last Sunday
• Rain boots, scarfs, mittens, and a new coat! Thanks Dad!
• Yogurtland on Mondays (Pumpkin Pie is the greatest)

The list could go on and on and on, but I think I will stop with this for today! My life is truly blessed! I love the HERE and NOW. I want to start living more for today. I want to remember to be happy where I stand. I want to stop worrying about the future and the past, and start living more in the present!
This is just a fun picture of Marley. I want to savor every moment I get with her because I know that one day I won't get to see her as often as I do now! She loves the Sunday comics. She will pull the paper open on the floor and "read" them. She will point to a comic and laugh. Her laughter is followed by "So funny, Jody." Or something like that. She knows she is suppose to laugh and so she does! How cute can she get?

Life is Beautiful!

For a long time I have wanted to see this movie. Marie came home the other night with a stack of movies and this was one of them. I am not going to lie, it was late and I was tired. When I saw that this movie was almost two hours long, I didn't necessarily watch it then. But Marie said I would love it. I grabbed a box of tissues and some blankets and we started the movie. It took us three nights to finish it all but it was a wonderful three days of bliss. I think this has become my favorite movie. What a wonderful message for when times are hard. What an amazing example of how to live when it is simply hard to breathe. If you haven't seen this movie, check it out today!
The main character in this movie was such an amazing person. Guido always looked on the bright side of things. He believed, even during the horror of his time, that the world could be good. And he did it all for his son. I am crying as I type this! It was a beautiful movie and it changed my life.
(Source: http://blog.badmotorfinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/life.jpg)

Marie

I moved!!! Yes, it has been really exciting. I am living in a house with four other girls from my singles ward. It has been quite the adventure. One of my roommates is truly one of the most Christ-like people I have ever met. The very fiber of her being is love and charity for others. I love being around her because she reminds me that I am loved. When I look at her I can see my Savior. She is a great example to me.
It isn't so much that she is splitting the Red Sea but it is in the small things that define her character. I see her character defined when she goes to her meetings faithfully, without one murmur, after 2 or 3 hours of sleep. Or her sitting on my bed as I cry another night. It is when she is called out on the ambulance in the middle of the night and goes without complaining. I see the love of my Savior when she keeps up with my homework so that she can help whenever. Her love shines as she helps everyone else with their homework as well. She literally would give her right kidney for you! It is her funny texts she sends to brighten my day. It is listening and not getting mad when it is my ears that need to be cleaned! Almost every thought she has is about someone else and what she can do to help them.
She truly has been an answer to my prays in this difficult time. I thank my Heavenly Father for her daily. Every person should have a friend like this in their lives.

Tears

It has been a difficult couple of weeks. A lot of change has occurred. All good changes but hard to make all the same. When I woke up this morning I was overfilled with gratitude. I just can't believe how much I have been blessed. I don't know how I deserved these blessings but I am thankful for them. Many tears have been shed lately but today the tears were because of gratitude.
I feel like a rope that has been braided in a certain way. Lately I feel that that braided rope has gotten tighter and tighter. The tighter it got the more organized I felt my life was. But now that rope is so tight, and I was somewhat comfortable with life, that it has quickly started to unravel. I felt the other night that my life was spinning out of control. After praying it hit me, Heavenly Father is braiding me in a different way now. My life isn't spinning out of control because He is in control. I am learning and growing so much. I am learning, slowly but surely, to submit to His will. The less I try and control things the easier it is for Him to mold me. I am becoming more like the Savior. Yes, there has been hard tears to cry (and really good ones too.) But if I look at the overarching picture I see that I haven't been unraveling but rather blossoming.
(P.S As I was writing this post, I went looking on the internet for pictures of ropes unraveling. I found this picture on a blog with a post entitled "Unraveling Rope or Blossoming Tree." I thought it was so appropriate! The link to the original blog with these pictures is
http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/mengshui/?p=140. One of the comments on this blog says "... or a rooting tree." How beautiful!)