You may call it science, I call it LOVE.

This morning, my feet shuffled as I worked my way down the hallway.
I met my sweetie halfway down and we shared a small kiss.
It was electric…24 years and there is still a spark between us.

What Chester Ate Today…

In an effort to clear out the leftover Halloween candy,
I bagged it up to take to Family Home Evening with the single adults last night.
Unfortunately, I forgot to set it out and brought every piece of it home.
I also forgot it when I pulled it out of the box and set it on a self in the spare room.

Anyone who knows Chester will most certainly know what happened next.

After the last person left the house, Chester went to work.
The first task was to retrieve the bag on the shelf.
It seems to have taken some effort, because a sack of office supplies that was next to the candy was shredded and the box of tissues behind the candy was dented.

After successful retrieval, the consumption began.
He enjoyed as much as he could, and then took his actions to a whole new level.
He proceeded to take the leftover candy bars, one by one,
and strategically stash them in various places in the two couches in the family room.

Evan noticed his efforts and proceeded to confiscate the buried treasure.
Thinking he found it all, Evan went back to work and Chester napped.
The story was shared with me when I got home from work
and I have since found, what we hope is the last piece.

If Chester disappears in the middle of the night,
it will be safe to assume he has one more hiding spot!

Giving Thanks (day 21)

Today I am thankful for the week of Thanksgiving…

This will be my last Giving Thanks post this year.
Thanksgiving is this week.
So is my anniversary,
So is my nephew’s birthday. (Happy birthday Jacob!)
So is  my niece's birthday. (Happy birthday Ashlynn!)
On Sunday, it is my Sis-in-law’s birthday, (Happy birthday Denise!)

It will be December before we know it!

Giving Thanks (day 20)

Today I am thankful for leftovers.

Normally, I am not a fan.
When I am lazy and do not want to cook, I dish them up for dinner.
When I have a lot of cooking in the near future (i.e.. Thanksgiving), I dish them up to save my energy.

This week, if I run out of leftovers, there will be cereal!
Then, on Thursday, I will stock back up.

Giving Thanks (day 19)

Today I am thankful for lists.

I just finished my Thanksgiving lists.
Number of guests.
What to serve.
Who will contribute.
What to buy.
When to start preparing on Wednesday.

Today, I shop.

Giving Thanks (day 18)

Today I am thankful for the Temple.

Because that is where I married my best friend… 24 years ago next week.
Because that is where my daughters want to marry.
Because that is where my daughter’s best friends marry… Congratulations Carson & Heather!!!
(November weddings RULE!!)

Giving Thanks (day 17)

Today I am thankful for cookies.

Mostly, for their symbolism (according to me).
They bring a sparkle to a child's eyes.
They bring warmth on a cold day.
They bring comfort to the sick or lonely.
They provide an opportunity to extend a simple act of kindness.

They are round... an eternal circle.
Like a celestial marriage, sealed in Holy Temples.

Thank you Heather, for the opportunity to help you celebrate your special day...
We could have made more!

Giving Thanks (day 16)

Today I am thankful for the extended weather forecast.

So far, clear and sunny for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Safe roads for Tay.
(She is coming home on Tuesday!)

Giving Thanks (day 15)

Today I am thankful for extended family.

As Thanksgiving gets closer, I am counting heads for the big feast.
The house will be full, and I am so excited.
There are some who will not be here, and they will be missed.

I love the challenge of cooking for a big crowd and finding room for multiple tables.
No doubt, furniture will be moved to another room as in years past.

Giving Thanks (day 14)

Today I am thankful for Young Single Adults (YSA).

Evan and I have been blessed to be able to serve these amazing group of people.
He was set apart yesterday, as the 1st Counselor the Bishopric for the YSA Ward in our region.
As part of his calling, I too, will be actively serving in that ward.
I will be visiting, teaching, friendshipping, gathering, socializing, encouraging.

As we were visiting with the YSA Stake President when the call was extended,
he likened this calling for us to a mission call. Evan’s eyes lit up. It was wonderful to see.
We will be busy fighting to retain the active youth and seeking out those who need an invitation to return.

We spent our first day of worship with the YSA and I can most certainly say
they were chosen for this time. They are strong. They are courageous.
They bring fear to the adversary… and this is why he seeks to lead them astray.
This new Bishopric is armed and ready for the battle.

Giving Thanks (day 13)

Today I am thankful for opportunities to grow.

Specifically, the spiritual opportunities.
Change seems to be the means for such growth.
Growth can only come if there is room for improvement.
In order to grow, you must be meek.

Growth comes with the opportunity to serve where and when you feel the most inadequate.
As I look back at each calling that I have received,
I clearly realize that each one has prepared me for the next opportunity.
I have been able to overcome fears and short comings.
I have been blessed just for simply doing my best.
I have been strengthened. My testimony has grown.

A new opportunity is forthcoming. Details will be released soon.
But, in the meantime, I thank the Lord for his confidence in me and my family.
I thank Him for the opportunity to grow.

Giving Thanks (day 12)

Today I am thankful for gratitude.

I am thankful for so many things, I can’t ever mention them all.
Sitting here, each day, trying to single out ONE has been very eye-opening.
There really is…SO much.

I find myself being thankful for even the little things.

• coming home from work to a clean kitchen
• someone helping me clean up after dinner
• talking to Taylor on the phone or texting/chatting…every day!
• the extra loud, house quaking sound effects of the movie by husband and daughter are watching together
• the unconditional love of a dog

• the peace and love I feel from a loving Heavenly Father, especially after He sends a challenge my way
• the reassurance from my Savior that he will carry me through

Giving Thanks (day 11)

Today I am thankful for compromise.

It is an important concept.
It is valuable for both personal and business relationships.

For example…many of our clients are open on some minor holidays AND
I have a boss that agrees that we should take more of these holiday’s off.

We decided that we can provide customer service and boost office morale by compromising.
We were opened for a half day today.
I propose we consider this option more often.

Giving Thanks (day 10)

Today I am thankful for friendships.

The friendships at work.
The friendships at church.
The friendships at home.

The funny thing about friendships... they change.  People come and go.

I am sad and will always miss the friends that move.
I am happy when I am reunited with those from the past.
I am thrilled with opportunities to meet someone new.

Giving Thanks (day 9)

Today I am thankful for Harmons, my local grocery store.

It seems silly, but I love it.
Not for the convenience and the products,
but for the people that work there.

Those that know me by name and use it when they tell me “hello”.
Those that do not know my name, but remember the details I share
as we chat while checking out.
Those that don’t laugh at me (only with me) as I return multiple times
on the same day to retrieve a forgotten item.

Everyone deserves a friendly market.

Giving Thanks (day 8)

Today I am thankful for the strength to apologize.

I posted this quote recently, but it is worthy of a repost…

Giving Thanks (day 7)

Today I am thankful for family scripture study.
However, it is not the same with Taylor.

For some reason, this go at, seems to be better than ever.
(Except that Taylor is missing)

My guess is, that now that we are a family of adults,
our approach to study is much different.
There are questions and discussions.
There are insights and opinions.

I look forward to the time we spend together.
(I look forward to the visits when Tay can join us!)

Giving Thanks (day 6)

Today I am thankful for small acts of kindness.

My 2010 New Years Resolution was centered around this ideal.
In fact, it may well be the ONLY resolution I have ever successfully carried out.
Every day, I was to extend a simple act of kindness, or a good deed.
It was so very easy to do. The opportunities were all around me.
When I was driving, when I was shopping,
at home, at work.

What I learned about myself:

• Watching others do good inspires me.
• I can extend a good deed. I have hard time receiving a good deed.

My conclusions… I need to let others feel good, by letting them do good.

What I learned about mankind:

• People are kind and generous like THIS!!
• Others are courageous like THIS!!

My conclusion… a good deed is a good deed… big or small, they all have value! I believe that without the small deeds, there are no big deeds. Inspirations need to come from somewhere.

Giving Thanks (day 5)

Today I am thankful for talents.
Specifically, the talents of others.

I am sitting here in freezing cold Rexburg, Idaho, anticipating a choir concert that I am certain will not disappoint.

I am thankful for beautiful voices.
I am thankful for brilliant composers.
I am thankful for encouraging teachers.

Talents also fall into more basic categories too...
The talent of being patient.
The talent of being forgiving.
The talent of sharing a testimony.
The talent of reaching out to others.

What talents do you appreciate?

Giving Thanks (day 4)

Today I am thankful for weekends.

I was planning on taking today off,
but scheduling conflicts prevailed.
I was hoping today would be better than the rest of the week…
it is Friday, after all.

No such luck!
My car decided to ignore the fact that my seatbelt was worn, and constantly chime its alert anyway.
I was on the phone THREE times today with the payroll company.
I had an after hours meeting to participate in.
My “homework” piled up higher than I had hoped.
My car continued to perform its seatbelt warning.

This weekend cannot start soon enough.
I hope to sleep in until 7AM.
I am heading North to Idaho for THIS.

Best part is… Evan is going with me &
Taylor is singing in the choir.

Giving Thanks (day 3)

Today I am thankful for my daughters.

They are my other best friends.
They are smart.
They are beautiful.
They teach me.
They make be better.
They are strong, and unafraid to speak up.
They love their Savior.
They make me proud!

Giving Thanks (day 2)

Today I am thankful for my husband.

He was foolish enough to marry me,
crazy enough to stay with me,
blind enough to put up with me.

We are a perfect fit.
I am better, stronger and wiser because of him.
I love sharing parenthood with him.

He is my best friend!

Giving Thanks (day 1)

Today I am thankful for my job

I love  and enjoy the people I work with.
I admire and respect the men I work for.
I have been very blessed to KNOW that I am appreciated.

I love that we are all part of a team and back each other up.
I love knowing that my office values family as much as I do.

I love going to work.
How lucky is that?