Day 7

This book makes my happy :) and I encourage anyone who hasn't read it to read it. This novel simply tells the story of Ammon, Luke, Sam and their younger sister Elizabeth and their fighting to save their brothers, who are undecided on the choices they make, as their choices will set their destiny. I am amazed at how spiritual this story is and how the author makes you really think about our pre-mortal days and how it can impact our mortal lives. It uses similarities of this life to help explain the spirit world before we came to this earth. So far I love it and it has really given me different perspective on the pre-mortal life.

Day 6

I am so grateful for creativity and crafts! I have always loved making things and being creative. After Stake Conference today I had the idea of making this quote to go above our sink in our kitchen. It was super easy and I thought it turned out pretty cute! All I did was print off the quote on some white sketch book paper, soak the paper in a mixture of warm water and vanilla then rub some cinnamon on it to give it some texture. I blow dried the paper until it was completely dry, glued it to some grass green construction paper and hot glued some goodies I had left over in my craft box from previous projects. The little bow is made out of hemp and the squares in the corners are 1" x 1" glass tiles with some great visual texture. After the hot glue set I simply put in a frame and this is how it turned out! The frame and color scheme is a great addition to our small kitchen. The metallic frame correlates with the stainless steel toaster and spice rack, and the fabulous green compliments our red pots and cutting board!

Day 5

I love my running shoes and not just because they have pink on them :) This morning I went on a fabulous run with a beautiful view of the Rexburg Temple. In the past few years I have gained an appreciation for running. I hated it at first, but once I pushed myself to just go out and do it, it became a stress reliever and a way to feel a sense of achievement. Running has been such a great way to clear my mind and a time to ponder. So if you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it.

Day 4

Today I am thankful for "dollar theaters", well I can't really say dollar anymore because they cost $3 now, at least the one in Rexburg. Chad and I went on a little date tonight and saw the movie Tron! Anyways, dollar theaters are the greatest because you can have that theater experience of watching a film on the BIG screen with the fragrance of freshly popped buttered movie theater popcorn without burning a hole in you wallet! I remember when Chad and I went to the movie theater in Texas and it cost us, I mean Chad ;), $9.50 for each of us and even more money for a 3-D movie! Isn't that insane? So yes, dollar theaters are definitely something I (and my wallet) am grateful for in my life as a poor married couple.

Day 3

Yes, that is a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Today I am thankful for soup. I came home today for lunch with a bowl of warm tomato soup and a gilled cheese sandwich waiting for me. My sweet husband prepared this delightful lunch special just for me, he is so great at stuff like that! Soup is the perfect cure for a cold, wet, windy day in Rexburg, it is warm and the aroma is to die for. MMM MMM Good, enough said.

Day 2

Today I am thankful for families. Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts, but no matter what I will always love them. I was inspired from this decorative "Family" plaque I was given as a late wedding gift from my good friend Caley Park! Family is such a comfort word and it is so exciting that I can have my own family now. I love this quote from President Thomas S. Monson, "When the seas of life are stormy, a wise mariner seeks a port of peace. The family, as we have traditionally known it, is such a refuge of safety. 'The home is the basis of a righteous life and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfil its essential functions'.

Day 1 of my "30-day thankful challenge"

Today I am thankful for temples! I am so thankful to have a temple so close to home, only a few blocks up the street. It has been a great physical reminder of what is really important in life and what matters most! Temples have always given me such a calm feeling and I know it's because the Spirit dwells their. As Chad and I were driving home from the Idaho Falls temple this evening we were talking about how lucky we are to have not just one temple, but two temples within thirty minutes from us. Not very many people can say that, well except for Utah ;) What a wonderful time in our lives to take advantage of this great blessing.