A Late Post: Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was spent in Washington D.C. I feel SO very grateful to be a citizen of a free country. Being there made me so incredibly thankful for the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. So here is our Thanksgiving in pictures (I feel bad that we didn't get any pictures of the amazing people we spent it with; Ryan's aunt Tracy and uncle Barton and their cute son Caleb. We all got together with Ryan's cousin Laura and her husband Tim and their family. It was so fun and it was great to be with family).

Us and Abe.

Me and The Washington Monument.

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

View from Arlington Cemetary

The Library of Congress

The Constitution.

The Supreme Court.

Us and the Capitol Building.

To be Continued (since there are a LOT more pictures)...

Joy

I love, love, love Christmas.

I love the beautiful decorations.

I love the lights.

I even love the snow (but only during Christmas)

I love Christmas parties and being with those I love.

I love seeing the reactions of those who open the gifts I give them.

I love the cozy feeling of Christmas.

There is nothing quite like it.

This past Sunday in church, in Relief Society, a lesson was given on Joy.

The joy that our Savior Jesus Christ gives to us.

The second Chapter of Luke was read and something was pointed out that I've never really thought of before. When the angels appeared to the shepherds it was said:

"Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10)

I never really thought that this joy is unto all people because this was the moment when the Plan of Salvation was put into place.

Christ had come.

He came to teach, to heal and to redeem.

Suddenly that angel wasn't speaking only to the shepherds, he was also speaking to me.

I need not fear.

He was born on this earth.

He has fullfilled what He promised He would.

I know that He loves me. I know He lives.

It is He who understands me perfectly. He has walked the path of my life alone.

He did that so that I wouldn't have to be alone.

I know He can heal hearts and bring Joy to our lives if we have faith in Him.
I know He loves me individually.

I'm so thankful for that lesson in Relief Society.

We sang "Joy to the World" for the opening and closing song.

During the closing song, I could hardly sing; I was so overcome with gratitude to my Savior. I'm so thankful for the Joy I feel and am able to express because of Him.

I love this Holiday season.

But I'm grateful that I can feel and spread this joy at any season.

And I hope I can portray the love of Jesus Christ in all that I do.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'm Thankful For

Turkeys and mashed potatoes

My wonderful Parents

My Amazing Sisters and Brothers

Great In-Laws

Neices and Nephews

Ryan Jones

The Gospel

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Give Thanks

I'm Thankful for:

Those who inspire me to be better and live a more full life

Friends, really good friends!

Journals

Bookstores and Libraries

Popcorn

Good doctors

Our Ward

Good music

Growing up in Utah, surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Gratitude

I'm thankful for:

Funny people, those in my life, those who write books and those on my T.V.
A pay check every two weeks.
My health; I can run, jump, dance, see, hear, use my hands and feet.
The delightful invention of the web cam. I can talk to and see my family who are on the other side of the country.

Nine Years Ago Today

Nine years ago November 20, 2000 was a Monday. I remember that day as vividly as if it were yesterday. My sisters and I were sitting at the kitchen table. Shawna and I were both doing homework and Kelly was just sitting with us. My brother Scott was lying on the sofa in the living room. My mother was running around fervently and tenderly caring for Scott's every need. It was an uncommonly quiet night. There was a feeling of sadness. My sisters and I spoke every now and then in hushed voices, as if we all knew somehow that tonight would be the night. Shawna, like she always is, was a happy light in all of the gloom. I don't know how she does it. But I'm so grateful for it, just as I was then. Her and her husband Scott left for home. Kelly and I went into the living room to be with Scott. I could see that he was suffering. I couldn't bear it. I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to please help him, to end his suffering. My mother was fluffing pillows, putting a clean shirt on my brothers small frame and holding his hand. Oh my mother! How I love her. How I admire her strength. The next moments are too spiritual and dear to my heart to share, but I can tell you there was nothing gloomy and tragic about Scott's passing. The roots of my testimony grew deeper and stronger than they ever have in my life. I can not deny the existence of my Savior Jesus Christ. Our family has always been tight knit, but now it is solid as stone.

I am thankful for my brother Scott. His thirteen years on this earth were full. He is as funny and goofy as my dad. Whenever he was in my car with me and would pass by some missionaries he would almost fall out the car window waving to them. He was so excited to serve a mission. I know he is serving one now. He would spend a long time doing his hair and he always made sure his clothes matched. I guess that's what happens when you're the only boy and have three older sisters. But he also liked playing sports and doing anything outdoors. He would shoot the starlings in our yard with his bee-bee gun. And once he and I made the coolest snow fort.

He battled Leukemia bravely for two years. He matured so much during that time. It was amazing to me. I love how he kept anything anyone gave him. Friends, family, ward members, his hospital room was always flooded with visitors and they would always bring him stuff. I am so thankful for those people. I asked him once why he didn't eat any of the candy he got and he told me that it meant too much to him to eat it. He kept everything!

I feel peaceful today because I know where he is and I know I will see him again. I am thankful for eternal families. So thankful!

(Shawna and my little bro, Scott. Isn't he cute? :))

Excited, Jealous, and Sad (I think that sums it up)

It has finally hit me...Japan is really far away.

Random thought you say? No, not really.

I've never really thought about Japan or the distance in miles it is from Ohio...

or anywhere else in the United States for that matter.

It's weighing heavy on my mind lately.

Around 8,000 miles heavy.

About a month and a half ago, Ryan's sister Jennifer called.

Her husband Jason had been offered a job in Japan.

They prayed long and hard. This is one of those decisions that requires guidance.

The answer they got was, yes, they should take the job.

It such a wonderful opportunity for Jason.

And I'm so proud of him.

We were SO very excited for them. We STILL are very excited for them.

I've been thinking about our own move away from Utah and our family.

It hasn't been easy at times, but I wouldn't trade it for a second!

I know it will be the same for them.

Japan! That is going to be a tremendous experience.

I've been thinking about my incredible sister-in-law.

She is wonderful.

I love her laugh.

I like making her laugh, just so I can hear it.

She is a good sister and friend.

I miss her. I will miss her so much more.

That is why I've realized that Japan is so far away.

I've been so excited for them. And jealous. I mean, they get to see places like this...

I'm sad because we won't be able to go and visit and see all of this beauty. And because we won't be able to go and visit. However, there is chance we will all meet in Hawaii sometime. If that's what must be done to see them, I'll make that sacrifice.

This couldn't have come at a more opportune time...selfish wise. We are here in Ohio for two and a half more years, they will be over in Japan for two years. So it all works out. My cute niece Cassie set up an email account so that we can keep in touch easier. I LOVE that! And I love her :). Jessie and Carston I love just as much. To be cheesy, My cup runneth over!

I am so excited for this new adventure in their lives.

...and very jealous!

I've just been thinking about our time here in Cleveland...I love it!
It's been hard, of course, but mostly it's been awesome.
One of the reasons is because we have amazing friends here.
They are the best!
Another one is because it's so beautiful here.
Especially this time of year.
Even though I'm homesick more than I thought I would be,
I'm SO glad we are here.

Driving past our house.


A bird's nest in our driveway.


One of my favorite houses in our neighborhood. I love the flower garden.


Driving with my baby, while he makes fish faces. I love him

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!!

Surprise

These are my wonderful parents! And yes that is Lake Erie in the background. Which means they came to visit us!! They surprised me for my birthday, which was awesome. They spent four whole days here. My mother was great. She made my birthday cake from scratch. I loved seeing her in my kitchen with an apron on. It reminded me of home. It was wonderful. We took them to see Kirtland and the Rock Hall of Fame. We played games and watched movies. I loved having my dad make me laugh like he always does. It was such a good birthday present. They were such good sports when our house was full of our friends for my birthday party. They were friendly, as always, and it was so fun having them there. I love my parents. I hate to break it to everybody, but there isn't a better mother or father than mine. I have the best!! For me at least :). I miss them so much. When they left, I cried for days. I kept finding little reminders of them all over our house. It was fun having them here. I love them, if I haven't said that enough.:)

My mother and I at Lake Erie.


Us at the Rock Hall by a weird Michael Jackson glove holding a guitar.

Mom and Dad and part of the Cleveland skyline.

Something to Listen to

I've been listening to a few different things while sitting at my desk at work. Music, books, etc. Well recently I've come across something that has made such big difference in my day. I was on LDS.org just browsing and I came across the Mormon Channel. There's a link there that says "Listen Now". So I clicked on it and I'm so glad that I did. It has old conference talks, devotionals, firesides, episodes of Music and the Spoken Word and other programs that are very fullfilling and informative. I recommend all of you to listen. Just go here (I've also included it on the right side of my blog). And enjoy!

A Special Friend Came to Visit

This is me (with a very special guy)

This is L'il Nie

This is me holding L'il Nie

Paying Homage at the Rock Hall of Fame.


L'il Nie visits Kirtland

This doll belongs to a special person named Stephanie Nielson. She was kind enough to send L'il Nie to enjoy my 30th birthday with me.
I loved having L'il Nie in my house. She was a delight and it felt like there was a little piece of Stephanie's spirit along with her. Stephanie is such a good friend.
I've never met her.
But she is such a good friend.
Please read her blog (click on the little blue typewriter on the right).
For your own good.

Proud Aunt some more!!

Cassie

Jessica



Carston

Who wouldn't be proud?

Proud Aunt!

(photos courtesy of Scott Harmon Photography)

I have a REALLY cute nephew!!

A little patience

I just want to be a mom. Is that too much to ask? I've begged and pleaded, that's not working. I've stomped my feet and demanded. That didn't work either. This patience thing is hard.

Life is Good

Right now I really feel like complaining. I'm sitting here at work looking at the mountains of filing I have to do and I have a strong urge to cry my head off and walk out of this office forever. I feel like I'm one of those sad soldiers sitting down peeling mounds of potatoes as a punishment. And then I wonder, "What am I being punished for?" Then I stop thinking that. I am not being punished. I have a job, a job that keeps us fed, clothed, warm and housed. I need to be more grateful for the things that I have been blessed with. This job is most definitely NOT what I want to be doing, I can think of thousands of other things I could do, job wise. I know I should have aquired an education before now, but I'm not going to go into that. I've torn myself apart enough about that. Moving on...
So I'm going to take a break from all the lovely filing and from all the destructive complaining and write about all the things that have made me happy today, so far; the day is still young :).

Every morning as I drive to work, I drive past a house and in the front yard there is a little boy playing catch with his mother. His mother always is dressed up for work, and runs around in heels, sometimes flats, playing catch with her son. The boy is always smiling and looks like he's having the time of his life. I love driving past that house every morning. I can't help but smile myself. I think that it's wonderful that that mother makes that time specail for her son.

I had time to make myself some toast as I was running around getting ready for work. I hardly eat breakfast, but this morning, I had toast with my mothers homemade apricot jam. Not only was it delish! but I thought about my amazing mother and that always makes me happy.

My husband hugged me extra tightly and gently kissed me before he left for school. He does that every morning and I love it. I love that we can't say goodbye, even if it's just me going to the store for a few minutes, without saying I love you.

I read my two favorite blogs, Nie Nie Dialogues and C Jane. I LOVE THEM!!! I love Nie, she is one amazing woman. I encourage everyone who doesn't read that blog to start right away!! I have a link over there on the right, hard to miss. It's in the shape of a typewriter. READ IT!! C Jane is her sister who also has a fabulous blog. I don't have a link for hers yet, but if you go to Nie's she has one. They are both full of inspiration, love, humor, and it's delicious to read. They are word smiths and the pictures are amazing! I always feel so grateful for the people in my life after reading them. Especially Nie's. I feel so conected with her and she has become a very good friend, even though we've never met!

I prayed that this dreary mountain of filing wouldn't look so daunting, and now it looks like just a small mole hill. Oh how I LOVE the power of prayer. How can one make it through life without praying? I know I must make Heavenly Father weary, because I pray about every five minutes. Ok, maybe not that much, but it's a lot! I can't help but pray. I thank God for such a gift!

I'm looking foward to spending this evening with my hubs and a cute girl named Lily, who is the daughter of some very good friends of ours.

Despite the dreariness, life is good.

My Friends' Soap Box

Please take the time and read this post (click on the link in orange). I couldn't have said it better myself!

One of my New Favorites!

As my Dad and I were sitting and talking last Saturday, he mentioned a band that he had come across one day. I looked them up on youtube and, seriously, fell immediately in love with them. It's a British band playing old American 40's style music. And I love it!! I had to share it. So if you like 4o's swing music, you'll love them.

Go here to check it out.

The Blessed Thirty

It's true, I'm turning 30 this Sunday. No matter how hard I try to deny it, it's happening. I know when I look back on this time, I'll laugh at myself and say "it wasn't that big of a deal" and "you had no idea!" But that's the future. This is now. HOLY CRAP, I'M TURNING 30!!!!!!!!! I always thought I would be ok, and take it with good grace; it is, after all, just a number(and those who know me well, know that I haven't grown up since about the age of 16). But the closer it becomes, the tighter my grip on my youthful 20's gets. I think it's funny the things we come up with to make ourselves feel better, like "Thirty is the new Twenty". Bull! I would much rather be turning 20. To be honest, I kind of wasted my twenties in terms of education and being motivated (I did neither!). However, they were a lot of fun! I look back on those ten years and think, what the heck happened? That went by WAY too fast! I know I am prone to overly dramatic rants. So I'm going to do something different. Like so many of my friends, blogging has become somewhat of a journal for me, so I'm going to write my thoughts. In the form of a list; not a list of things I wish I had done before this momentous occasion, but a list of things I've been lucky enough to do and become in the thirty years I've been on this earth. So without further ado, I give you...




The Blessed Thirty!!

(In no particular order, except number 1 and 2, which are the BEST ones :))

30. Surfing in Southern Cali and the wonderful Oregon coast (everyone should try surfing, it's a blast!)

29. I've had a lot of wonderful roommates (some not so wonderful!)

28. I've been on a fishing trip to Alaska, thanks to the wonderful organization, Make a Wish Foundation!

27. Traveled to the Caribbean twice.

26. Had the best job working at LDS hospital in the maternity ward as a CNA. I was able to assist with deliveries, take care of the new little ones and also take care of the mothers. The people I worked with, however, made it the best job I've ever had!

25. Had an amazing high school experience. I think I'm blessed in saying that all three years of high school were great! I made friends that have lasted for about 12 years, learned things about myself that have stuck with me to this day and had SO much fun.

24. Danced for most of my life.

23. Took Violin lessons ( that's a lot harder than it looks!)

22. Had many wonderful church callings, including nursery leader, which I LOVED. I'm very sad they released us. I cried a lot that day.

21. Found that I had a writing talent and I'm still working on developing it.

20. Traveled all over the United States with my family. I'm so blessed to live in such a beautiful country.

19. I found out that I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be when I moved across the country to Ohio.

18. Have been blessed enough to live in Ohio, not only because it's beautiful and there are so many things to do, but because, and most importantly, I've met so many wonderful people. They have helped me become a better person. I'm so thankful for the many friendships I've developed. It's going to be hard to leave. Luckily, we're still here for three more years. :)

17. Went to a total of two years of college and found out that I don't really want to be a nurse.

16. Prayed about my education and found out that Heavenly Father really wants me to be a nurse, so back to school I will go.

15. Started taking voice lessons and I love it! Talk about breaking out of your shell. I've been so self concious about my voice. Not any more!

14. Have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Kjirsti Foutz. Not only does she have a gorgeous singing voice (she's the one I'm taking voice lessons from) but she is one of the most impressive women I've ever had the blessing to meet, and she's only 23. She is an amazing example of living a strong gospel based life. and I just love her.

13. Served in the institute council in college and because of that, met my best friend Julie Carlile. How blessed I am to have her in my life! She's been there for everything! The big, the small, the fun, the mundane, the silly. It's been such a fun, pee-your-pants-fall-off-the-swing-steal-your-boyfriend-laugh-till-you-pee-your-pants-again-stay-up-all-night ten years!! We've been there for each other through it all. She's coming to visit me in November and I couldn't be more excited. I love you Jules!!!

12. Learned how to water color paint, and still learning.

11. Found out I actually do like to cook and I'm good at it.

10. I've skiied in the beautiful Utah mountains.

9. My dad owned horses up until I was about 16. I never asked for a pony when I was little; I already had a horse. How lucky was I?

8. I have been blessed to have amazing in laws!

7. I have the sweetest nieces and nephews.

6. I grew up with the best sisters. They are my best friends and I'm very blessed to have them as sisters for eternity. They are wonderful examples. We've been through everything together. What wonderful things, sisters are!!

5. My sisters married wonderful men. They are good brothers -in - law. Also, I've been blessed with a wonderful sister-in-law, Jennifer. I'm so blessed to have her :)

4. I've been blessed to have my brother Scott in my life. He's a good brother. I'm so glad families are forever. Saying "I'll see you later" to him was one of the hardest things I've ever had to endure.

3. Being born to Michael and Deborah Sanderson all those years ago has been one of the biggest blessing that has ever happened to me. First of all, if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here, and secondly, my life is what it is because of them. They have taught me the gospel. They have ALWAYS been there. They have supported me in everything. They have loved me no matter what!

2. I've not only met, but married the love of my life!!!

1. In my thirty years here on earth, I've gained a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the best and most important thing I've done. It has shaped my life and I'm so grateful for it.

I've had a full life. Of course there are many more things I've done that I could have listed, but for times sake and for the sake of only turning 30, I've narrowed it down :).

Sunday there will be tears, I'm sure of it. I'm not ashamed to say that I will be mourning the passing of my 20's. But the tears will quickly be replaced by laughing, because that's what I do best :).