Birthday Girl

Today I'm grateful for my sister Lizzie, who is 7 years old today. She certainly is a ball of energy. She is always moving, singing, dancing, talking, you name it. Despite all this, I love her so much and I am so glad that she is my sister!

Props to my dad for the awesome video :) It's a little old, but its the best one I have at the moment.

I am also grateful for the beautiful weather today! The sun is out, the wind is blowing a nice warm breeze, the trees and grass are swaying, and everything is soft and warm! I love Michigan :) And my puppy Franky is being so cute and nice to me today. I am also grateful for that.

Memorial Day Weekend: I'm walkin' on sunshine!

This weekend was wonderful :) I'm starting to feel more acclimated to the singles ward and even made a few friends! I am grateful for friends: both old and new. Today I got up at seven thirty to help an older woman in my ward with her garden. I admit I was not incredibly enthusiastic until I got there at 8 and forced myself to smile and be pleasant. Immediately after that I felt so great! Not only was I helping her plant beautiful flowers, but I got to teach my little sister how to help too. By the time we left it was really hot and humid (90º and at least 80% humidity) but I still felt great. Then about 2 hours later we went swimming as a family and it was fabulous! I got a little bit sunburned on my cheeks, but other than that I was just so happy to be in the sun! Then tonight we had a BBQ with our good friends and neighbors and everything was so delicious. I had a great day.

Just a disclaimer: my life is far from perfect. There were definitely some parts of the day where I wanted to yell at someone, or push, or scream, or be really unhelpful, but I am trying right now to be a "Wise Optimist" (Henry B. Eyring) and acknowledge and address the bad things, but not to focus on them. This blog has now become the place for me to focus on gratitude so that I can be more happy and service oriented. So far it's turning out great! I've been a lot more patient and forgiving than usual, and I genuinely smile a lot more. I'd invite anyone who is looking to be a little more happy to try it.

Fair are the meadows, fairer the woodlands

Today I am grateful for trees and grass and anything green and growing :) even though BYU had a lot of trees and grass for Utah, it's got nothing on Michigan. For example: this is the Huron River for which my high school was named, and is about ten minutes from my house.Beautiful, right? Although this picture was taken a few miles up the river you still get the idea. If I ever move somewhere with less trees you can expect that I will paint them on my walls, and incorporate them into my decorations in any way possible because I love them that much. Nature in general, especially living things, astounds me and brings me so much joy, and I am so grateful to surrounded by so much beauty.

P.S. the title is from one of my favorite songs, "Beautiful Savior"

Gratitude

In women's conference last weekend I went to a class about gratitude taught by Bob Quinn, who I am so privileged to know. In his class we talked about gratitude and how important it is, and how we can incorporate it into our lives. He encouraged us to write in our journals every morning, beginning with "I am grateful for..." or keep a special journal just about gratitude. He also suggested we share it with those we love in the hopes that it will help those who read them find greater joy and appreciation for life. So, as of now, I am going to try to keep my gratitude journal on my blog, and actually post them. :)

Today I am grateful for the safety of my family and friends. Many people I know, including my dad, have been traveling in the southern mid-west in the past week, and although they have been close to the destruction caused by the tornadoes in that area, they have been kept safe. The weather here in my hometown has also been less than ideal, but we have been spared any real danger, and I am grateful for that as well.

I am also grateful for my family. No matter how I feel or act, my family is always there for me to help me and lift me up. I am so blessed to have such a supportive family who loves me and each other despite our differences of personality and temperament. I am so thankful for the love that I share with my family and that it can last through eternity through the saving grace of our Lord.