Feel Good Friday

1. Disinfectant Wipes. I especially am grateful for the travel size packs that I can carry in my purse. I take them with me everywhere! They ease my mind a little bit when I go out!

2. Contact Lenses. I have had glasses since I was in the 1st grade and I got contacts when I was in 3rd. Glasses are great, but they are such a pain and they get dirty so quickly. I am so grateful for my contacts, I just wish I could sleep with them and see 24-7!

3. Color. This may sound silly, but I love COLOR! I think it makes everything so much more beautiful. I can't believe all the beautiful colors we can find in nature, the green grass and beautiful flowers. I look at my blog and it makes me happy with all the bright colors. Life would be so boring and bland if there wasn't any color!

Feel Good Friday

1. Nice Weather. I can't believe summer is just around the corner! My niece and nephew are already out of school! Today was such a warm beautiful day that Taelee and I played out in the yard with the sprinklers. It kept her busy and HAPPY, which is hard to come by lately!

2. My Wedding Ring. I love my ring and I am so grateful to have such a beautiful one!

3. Draper Temple Celebration. My mom was on the committee for the Temple Celebration and because of that she was able to score two extra tickets. The presentation wasn't recorded, so it was a once in a life time thing. My dad offered a ticket to me, it was AMAZING! I am so grateful to live in a place where Temples surround me. It is such a strength to me! I am so grateful that my family is sealed for time and all eternity, and that I can visit the temple often! I am so happy that I was able to see this beautiful presentation!

Feel Good Friday

This is going to be a tough one, I guess this is the reason why I started doing these post for times like this when I feel crummy and I feel like there isn't a whole lot to be thankful for. Here's to hoping this will change my attitude...

1. We're leaving for Texas tomorrow. Stephen gets his week vacation, and we are headed to Texas where all of his family will be. He has 7 siblings, and they haven't been all together for almost 5 years, so it will be nice (could be hectic) for his mom to have all the kids and grand kids under one roof for a little while.

2. Maverick's Non Fat Frozen Yogurt. I have been addicted to this stuff for years! I love that they get new flavors all the time, and I am looking forward to the next time they have cookies and cream. It is a nice treat, especially this last week when I couldn't eat anything, not very nutritional, but quite delicious, thanks to my terrific husband who just brought me one!

3. A very helpful husband. Stephen is really great at asking me what he can do to help me around the house, or other things. He'll often ask if he can rub my feet or back when he knows that I am stressing, which I appreciate more than anything! I am also very grateful for how patient he is with me, I can be a little high strung and uptight at times and he really good about keeping me level and making me happier. I think he was meant just for me!

We have success, I am feeling a little better, but now I have to go finish packing...

Feel Good Friday

1. Sedation. I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday, and I am so happy that the doctor I went to knocked me out. I am not a fan of the dentist, I think it is because of all the root canals I have had over the years. I was more nervous for this than I was for my c-section. So I am so grateful for the sedation they provided...I don't remember a thing!!! I am also thankful for the doctor we chose because he has called 3 times since I had them out...what a great doctor!

2. A new cell phone. Stephen gave me my mother's Day gift a little early. I have been circulating through old phones the last couple of months because all my phone kept dying. My eldest phone officially died, I was having to put everyone on speakerphone in order to hear them. I am so grateful to have a really nice NEW phone that actually works, it is amazing!!!

3. Living on the other side of the mountain. I grew up in Sandy and I loved it, and when we moved down to Springville and Provo it was a big adjustment. I have looked forward to this time when I wouldn't be living in the Provo area anymore. I must say that I don't miss the student life down in that area. Even though we are in a temporary state here at my parents I am grateful that it is somewhere I love.

Feel Good Friday

1. The Internet. I am still amazed at how much you can do! ! I love blogging, and I love the coupons I can print off using the Internet. I get on the computer at least once a day, I think I would be lost without it...google for instance!

2. Target. My ultimate favorite superstore! I love there clothes and merchandise! If you catch there good deals matched with there store coupons and other coupons, you can get things for really great prices. For instance, Stephen and I went there on his day off Wednesday; the total before coupons was $98.00 after I cashed in all my coupons we spent $25.00 that is a savings of $73.00!!! I know I am somewhat of a coupon nerd, but you should see our food storage! It is really exciting to have food in our house and still have money in the bank!

3. The opportunity and responsibility I have to teach Taelee the gospel. I think it is such an honor to be a mother. Don't get me wrong, it is a tough job, but it is so rewarding! I am especially grateful that we have the freedom to teach our children about the gospel, I am so grateful for the things my parents taught me, and now I have the opportunity to do the same for my children. We have a picture of Jesus in Taelee's room and every night we say good night to Jesus and then say a prayer. Well in the move that picture broke, so I replaced it with another smaller picture of Jesus. Last night I was putting Taelee to bed and when it came time to pray I showed her the new picture of Jesus, she looked at the picture and then looked around the room trying to find her picture. After a moment of searching she looked at the new picture and said Jesus and blew him a kiss. It is moments like this when I know I am doing something right. We have a large picture of the First Presidency in our home, and we often point to them and show her who they are. Today I was showing her the videos on our blog and I scrolled down to the picture of the First Presidency, she looked at the picture and said "Mons" President Monson. I was so proud of her knowing who it was! It just goes to show you that children retain EVERYTHING at this age and it is the time to teach them! I am so grateful that I can be home with Taelee every day, it takes a lot of sacrifice (especially for Stephen having to work so hard), but we wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Feel Good Friday

1. We are moved. We completely finished moving, we handed our keys over today. I am so grateful to be done packing and cleaning! We still have to unpack, but everything is in our storage shed and we are in Limbo at my parents. We are so grateful that they are letting us stay with them for a little while until we know what we are doing. Thanks to everyone who helped!

2. Stephen gets off at FIVE now. Stephen has been working the night shift since he has been student teaching and now that he is done they have moved him back to regular hours! We were able to go on a date while Taelee was sleeping (Thanks Mom & Dad), and he has Wednesday off next week!!! He hasn't had a scheduled day off for MONTHS! Yay Taelee gets to see her Dad!

3. A very patient toddler. Moving is always easy on kids especially toddlers who need undivided attention, but Taelee has been so good this whole time we have been moving. She has helped us put things in boxes and has been a real trooper! She has been pretty passive and is adjusting well which makes life a lot easier when we have a lot of things going on. She is loving being at her Nana and Gonka's house!

Feel Good Friday

1. Milk of Magnesia. For those of you who don't know milk of magnesia is supposed to be used as a laxative. But don't you worry, I have found a better use for it...face wash! I have been "blessed" with acne since puberty. I thought it would have gotten better by now, but I am sad to say it hasn't. My wonderful sister in-law told me that her brother's doctor told him to use milk of magnesia on his face! I just started using it last night but I can already see and feel a difference! Thanks Ash for the great tip!

2. Warmer Weather on the Horizon. These last couple of days have been depressing...snow in mid April is just plain WRONG! Taelee will be sad when the "moman" (aka snowman) across the street melt away, but I am grateful for the foreseen warmer weather this weekend!!!

3. Ikea's EXTREMELY durable products. This video should explain it all
(make sure to have your sound on!)

She started shaking her head to try and get her hair bow out, but combined with the spinning it must of made her too dizzy!
I quickly turned the camera off because I wasn't sure how she was going to react to such a hard blow; I wish I would have kept the camera rolling because she is one tough girl; she stood right up and said, "more". It's like it didn't even phase her! What a sweetheart! I promise she is just fine! Stephen has been the little devil on my shoulder begging me to put it up. He hasn't stopped laughing since I showed it to him! We are very grateful that she wasn't hurt! We are also glad that Ikea's products are so durable!

Feel Good Friday

1. Stephen is completely done with school!!! He doesn't have to take any finals or anything, he is done! This has been a long road, especially this last year. He has been working so hard. I am so excited to have him home more often, and I am very happy that he will only be working one job. He has been killing himself for our family and I have been so grateful for all of his hard work and dedication. Taelee will finally get to spend more time with him! He is excited too, but I think he will be even more excited when he gets a job teaching. He has chosen not to walk at graduation, but I am going to find his High School cap and take a picture on graduation day!

2. Free balloons. I love Maceys and Sunflower because they have free balloons at the register for the kids. Taelee loves balloons! She wasn't having the happiest of days today, but when she got that balloon it made everything better. She walked around the house holding that balloon forever!

2. Taelee's beautiful hair. I love Taelee's hair! She has had such beautiful dark hair since she was born. I had to have an amnio when I was pregnant and my friend who I worked with said that there was a hair in the fluid so she knew that she was going to have a lot of hair. She didn't tell me this until I had her so I was totally surprised when she came out with a full head of hair. It has gotten so long and has the most beautiful color. I love that it is curly and really easy to do. Her bangs were getting really long so I had to trim them for the 2nd time. Stephen was there and he almost cried! We love her hair, it's one of our favorite traits about her!

Feel Good Friday

1. Stephen taught his last class today! He still has to go for another week, but he doesn't have to teach, he will just be observing the teacher. No more late night/early morning lesson preparations for a while, at least until he gets a job! We have made it this far, and only one more week left! We are on our way to a "normal" work schedule! Next week I'm going to have to throw him a party for all of his hard work!

2. I finally got my hair done! I haven't had my hair cut or colored since my birthday in September! I thought it was ok until I looked at recent pictures. Someone should have told me that I looked so muffy! Anyway I am glad I finally was able to get in to have it done! I am very happy with the way it turned out, and will hopefully keep it up!

3. Conference weekend! I am so excited to hear what our Prophet and Apostles have to say at this General Conference! I have been praying for inspiring words, and I know they will come! It's such a scary world, but I love conference weekend because I always go away feeling peace and comfort! I hope everyone gets a chance to watch it.

click image to view conference online

Feel Good Friday

1. Taelee's little voice. Today she was not very happy, she cried for everything most of the day. But tonight we went to dinner at Red Robin and the bird character came around bringing balloons. She cried when he touched her, but after we ate he was outside and all she could say the rest of the way home was by bird, by bird. I kept saying the bird was at his house so I asked her where the bird was and she said "house". Her little vocabulary is growing like crazy! I love hearing the new words she says, especially when she uses them instead of whining!!!

2. My Mom. My mom is an amazing person, she is the most selfless person I know. She is always doing something for us, and I love her! I am so grateful that I have her to look up as an example of motherhood. She has taught me so much and I am so thankful to have her as my mom. Thank you Mom!

3. Pictures. I am so grateful for all the pictures I have of our family. I love looking back at them and remembering what our lives were like then. Sometimes I am a bit photo happy, but when I look back at them I am so grateful that I took so many!

Feel Good Friday

I am doing this a little earlier today because I'm going to a coupon clipping party tonight! I will pass the tricks I learn on to you once I become a money saving gooroo!

1. Naps. I think all moms look forward to nap time. It's nice to get some things done when I don't have Taelee behind me pulling it right back out again! Taelee has been down to one nap for awhile now. Some days I wish it was two, but one nap=early bed time which is great!

2. Reading with Taelee. Taelee loves books, I am pretty sure she would love to be read to all day. To be honest we come pretty close! She brings me her books and says "book". Lately she has plopped herself right in my lap, as if she knows exactly what to do! I am so glad that she enjoys books, and they are making her smarter by the minute! She points at all the pages and says the things she knows, which is pretty much everything because we read them over and over. They are really stretching her vocabulary. My favorite word she says is "flower" it's cute!!! The other day she was looking at a book where there was a boy wearing a shirt with the letter "s" on it. She pointed to the letter and said "S", I think she is getting too smart for her own good or maybe mine! The main reason I am grateful for reading with Taelee is that while she sits in my lap I get to kiss her sweet face and squeeze on her!

3. My garage. I know it's pretty silly, but I am so glad that our apartment has a garage! Those of you who were at Thorneberry can attest hauling children up the stairs in the cold and heat was a chore. We lived on the third floor at our last apartment and taking groceries up with a baby was a workout! I am so grateful that I can park our car in the garage and bring the groceries right in! Thank you Canyon Meadows!

Feel Good Friday

1. Stephen getting home early from work. He got off at 5 o'clock today instead of
9 o'clock. I am glad that I will get to spend my Friday night with him...it's been awhile! We're planning on folding laundry, what a fun filled Friday night!

2. Comments on my Blog. I love comments on blogs, they make me happy. This is pretty much my only outlet to other people and the "outside world" so I really appreciate your comments! (sad but very true!) If you don't comment, please do! I love hearing from you, and it lets me know that you are actually looking at my blog.

3. Coupons. I went shopping today and saved $23.00 by using coupons! I love looking at my receipts to find out how much I saved! Who doesn't want to save a few bucks now days?!

Feel Good Friday

I was wondering how I was going to do this today. With the way today started out I thought I was going to have to think really hard on something I was thankful for. My family has been experiencing a lot of tears and fear of the unknown today, but the Lord has heard our prayers and we have been greatly blessed! I am so grateful for my family and the connection I have with my parents and siblings!

1. Hymns/church music. While I was driving up to my parent's house today I was very anxious. I decided to put in one of my favorite church CDs, and my heart was instantly filled with peace and my mind was clear. I love the way hymns make me feel.

2. Cell Phones. They have kept me in the "know" today. I don't know how we ever got by without them! I love being able to get in touch with anyone in my family!

3. Taelee's silly faces. If only we all had the minds of little children! Even in hard times they always smile and make us happy! Taelee makes some of the funniest faces. She always makes me laugh and keeps me on my toes!

Feel Good Friday

I've decided to start something new on my blog. A few friends from my old ward do something called "Thankful Thursday" where they list some things they are thankful for every Thursday. I have been thinking about joining in for a while now, and today I decided would be the day. Seeing that today is Friday I thought I would call these posts "Feel Good Fridays". I have been going through some pretty pitiful days where I am very pessimistic and down. I keep thinking the worst of things, and I get really frustrated and annoyed with life. I don't like feeling this way, and I really want to start being more optimistic. So I am hoping that by focusing on good things in my life I will start to forget about the rest of the garbage that isn't important that just brings me down and makes me feel blue. These posts will mostly benefit me, but when I read my friends I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for, so maybe when you read mine you can find more happiness in your lives too!

1. Mountain View High school girls basketball team. This may sound silly, but today I was having a crummy day, and found out that Stephen's school was done early because the girls basketball team was in the championship playoffs. I was able to go down and see him before he went to work...which leads me to my second

2. A generous husband. When I got to the school Stephen said lets go to Target. He knows what makes me happy when I'm down...shopping. He said that I could pick out a new outfit. He was going around the store asking me what I thought about different things and kept saying do you need this...It made the rest of the day go by a lot faster, and I was a lot happier.

3. 6:30 bedtime. need I say more?!