Gratitude Day 19: Prayer

Jon: I am thankful for prayer. We can talk to our Father in Heaven and receive answers, comfort, and blessings from him. I can talk to Him anytime, I don't have to wait for office hours or for him to get done helping someone else. And I can come as often as I want/need, he never gets tired of listening to me. It's so wonderful!

Rachel: I am thankful for cars like Jon is. More so now that gas is down in price again. It is so nice to go for a drive and see family for Thanksgiving.

Gratitude Day 18: America & Beautiful Earth

Jon: I am grateful to live in America. I have lived over seas for 2 years, I enjoyed it but there were things that I missed about America. As flawed as it may be, our political process is unique in the world. We enjoy so much freedom to think differently and believe differently. We enjoy a high level of safety in almost all of America. Regardless of what you think about the current status of our country, the grass isn't any greener on the other side.

Rachel: I am grateful for the beauties of the earth. There are so many beautiful things all around to see through all seasons. The quiet winter scenes- snow capped mountains, evergreens, and frozen rivers. The beauty of spring and new growth- fruit blossoms, tulips, and leaves on trees again. The beauty of long summer days- mountains to hike, lakes to swim in, birds and animals to watch. The beauty of Fall- different colored leaves that crunch under feet, golden sunsets, and my favorite is to go into the canyons around here and see all the colors.

Gratitude Day 17: Faith

Rachel: I am grateful for my faith. No matter what questions may arise in the world, my anchor that Christ lives and Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son gives me such hope and joy. I am grateful to know there is life after death and I will see my loved ones again. I am grateful to know there is right and wrong in the world. I took a class in college where the teacher tried to prove that there was no truth- just a sea of Grey. I am grateful to know that the world isn't so Grey after all, but there is black and white and it is just us that are Grey. When we follow the Savior, we find the path we need to follow for happiness and joy. There are trials, but there is also hope and perspective.

Jon: I am also grateful for my faith. Rachel said it very well already, I also find immense comfort and joy in the gospel truths. They are so simple, clear, and constant; and that is very refreshing in a world of tides and currents that run this way and that all the time.

Gratitude Day 16: The Internet & Adventures

Jon: The internet is a wonderful way to gather information and keep in touch. On this blog I can post pictures and stories, I can email family and friends, I can do research for all my classes, and dozens of other things.

Rachel: I am grateful for those adventurous days when nothing turns out the way you thought it should. Jon worked extra hard this week so he could have today off to do things with the family. We were going to go to a nicer restaurant in town that we've been wanting to try- but they are closed for lunch on Saturdays. We were going to get the oil changed in the car, but the line was very long and we didn't have time. We watched the BYU vs U of U football game and BYU lost. Yet with all the things that went wrong there were plenty of things that went right and I count my blessings more on days like this. We got to be together as a family through it all and laugh together at our bad fortunes. We got to take a walk together and enjoy a very warm autumn day rather than waiting for the oil change. And we had plenty of good conversation after the game.

Gratitude Day 15: Health & Contacts

Jon:I am grateful that my family and I have good health. We can all go out and have fun together without worries.

Rachel: I am grateful for contacts. I love how I can wear them in the rain, have peripheral vision with them, and they don't fog up when I open my stove. Being able to see the world is so nice.

Gratitude Day 14: Computers and priesthood

Jon: I am grateful for modern technology. With computers we have the power to explore so many new areas of science that were unaccessible to those before us because it would simply take the age of the universe (or longer) to do some calculations by hand.

Rachel: I am grateful for priesthood. I have had some nice blessings lately that have helped so much.

Gratitude Day 13: Cars and bed sheets

Jon: I am grateful for cars. We have the ability to travel great distances with relative ease on a whim. I can go to visit my family more than once a year, I can go to distant conferences and be back in time for church, and I can go drive through the mountains to see their beauty and still be home in time for dinner.


Rachel: I am grateful for bed sheets. I was folding the laundry this afternoon and Lady Bug and Spidey pulled one of the bed sheets over themselves and pretended they were "silly ghosts". It was so funny and it kept them out of the way while I finished folding the rest of the clothes. Who needs toys?

gratitude Day 12: Fall weather & Lady Bug

Jon:I am thankful for fall weather. Not to hot, not too cold (for now).

Rachel: I am grateful for Lady Bug. She is the sweetest little dolly. When she wants attention she crawls into my lap and starts smiling and playing. She loves girl things. She is the only child to hold my hand on walks. She gives the best hugs. As her words come in she has the funniest phrases like the other day when I told her I was going to eat her and she said "No! Eat Spidey! Eat Spidey!

Gratitude Day 11: Good music & Spidey

Jon: I am grateful for good music. From pop and rock to classical (I really like Beethoven's symphonies), good music makes me feel good and stay focused. It makes me feel and think. It can bring solace when I'm feeling down, calm when I am agitated, a boost when I feel sluggish, and can be that extra boost when I feel great.

Rachel: I am grateful for Spidey. He is such a nut and so fun to be around. I love watching him dancing around the house while making random noises. I love it when he needs a hug every time he feels sad or hurts himself during the day to feel better. I love how happy he is just to sit next to me while reading a book or watching a show.

Gratitude Day 10: My Wife & Lightening

Jon: I am always grateful for my wife, today is just the day to talk about it. There really isn't room here to talk about all the reasons why I am grateful for Rachel, but I'll list a few reasons any way. She is always willing to listen to me and never makes light of my troubles and problems. She is a wonderful mother. She is an excellent cook, even if the kids don't appreciate it yet. And on and on...

Rachel: I am grateful for Lightening. He is the sweetest little boy. Twice in this last week he has gone and filled my water glass up with water without me asking him too just because he knows I love water and he's trying to help. He loves showing me the silly things he creates and does. He is also the biggest helper and getting very good at vacuuming and dusting. He is such a joy to have in our family.

gratitude Day 9: Sunshine and hubby

Jon: I am grateful for sunshine. Especially when it's cold outside, the sun feel that much warmer and nicer.

Rachel: I have to express my gratitude for my wonderful husband. He is everything to me. He's my shoulder to cry on, the father of our three kids, and my best friend. This week he took me on a surprise date- down to finding a babysitter- so we could have some time together doing what matters most. After 6 years I love him more than I could have imagined. Life is not perfect for us by any means- we both do things that get under each others fingernails sometimes- but at least we face it together. Thank you babe!

Gratitude Day 8: A nice house and vacuums

Jon: I am grateful to have a nice house to live in, that is always warm, never leaks, and is always full of good people.

Rachel: I am grateful for my vacuum. I never knew how much I liked a vacuumed house until I couldn't vacuum after my surgeries. Then this last week I couldn't vacuum because the belt broke and I had to order a new one online because none of the stores in town carried it. With the carpet we have right now in our apartment the floors are really soft and fluffy when vacuumed and kind of get hard if not vacuumed. So I know it is weird, but I like my vacuum!

Gratitude Day 7: Kids and Dreams

Jon: I am grateful for my kids today. I love walking in the door to a chorus of "Daddy!".

Rachel: I am grateful for dreams. Life would be so grey without a rainbow to find the end of or a star to reach out for. The hope a dream can bring can sustain us through the hard times and give us a direction so we don't get lost. What are some of my dreams? That Jon will graduate with his PhD, that my kids will grow up to be happy good people, that I'll get to see the world someday.

gratitude Day 6: Kindness and Rain

Jon: I am grateful for kindness. There have been many people in my life who have gone the extra mile for me, for no other reason than to help me. That kind of kindness makes the world so much brighter.

Rachel: Today I am grateful for rain storms. I love the sound and smell of rain. Rain is not something I would like to see all the time and everyday, but here it is always a wonder and so nice. I had to add this picture I took of the storm coming over the mountains. Rain can make the fall and outdoor colors so gorgeous.

Gratitude Day 5: school & work, music

Jon: I am thankful for the opportunity to go to school and work. I really enjoy what I'm doing; the Lord has blessed me with the chance to do it and learn more about it.

Rachel: I am grateful for good music. Taylor Swifts new album just came out today. Normally I'm not much for country but I do like her. I found her right after my surgery. She pre-released some songs from her album and one was a song called "Love Story". I probably listened to that 20 times while recovering and somehow it made me happy. Other songs that make me happy and calm by listening to them: "Bubbly" by Colbie Colet and "New Soul" by Yael Naim. I love how music can pump me up to clean the house or exercise, it can make me happy when I'm sad, some classical pieces can sing the emotions that can't be put into words.

Gratitude Day 4: Moments of Joy and Photography

Jon: I am grateful for life's little moments of joy. Whether it's seeing my wife smile up at me, or watching my son run around with underwear on his head, or just watching the rain through the window. There are so many things that happen every day that just make you smile, to me they are little reminders that God is looking down on us all the time and is concerned with our eternal happiness.

Rachel: I am grateful for photography. I love that I can capture some of the things we do and see and then have them to look back on later. My favorite is looking at my family in the past and seeing how far we've come. How little my babies once were, how big they are getting. How I looked when I was pregnant or how much weight I've lost in the last year and a half. How handsome Jon has gotten since we were married. It's nice remembering and recording the past even as I look toward the future.

Gratitude Day 3: Priesthood and Children

Jon: This morning I went to a stake priesthood meeting at 7 am. I'm not thankful for early morning meetings, but I am thankful that I am part of such a wonderful body of priesthood holders. There is power and strength in being part of them. It is the Lord's army, we are in the midst of fulfilling prophecies made long ago. It is a blessing and a privilege to serve in the Lord's kingdom as a holder of the priesthood

Rachel: Today I am grateful for my kids. Life would not be nearly so entertaining without them among other things. They come up with the funniest things to say and do when they are as young as mine are. They are also so sweet and the first to give a hug when I really need one. Yes there are those extremely frustrating days, but there are also those days when they are a godsend and just what I needed. Their love means the world to me.

Gratitude Day 2: chocolate and peace and quiet

Jon: I am grateful for peace and quiet moments. The moments when you can think about life, the universe, and everything.

Rachel: Today I am grateful for chocolate. It is the best feel good food I know. It really came in handy after the surgery and was one of the few things I could get down so I didn't take some of the medications on an empty tummy. It also is a great stress relief for those "long" days that happen sometimes. Of course, it also makes a great dessert for celebration meals and when I am pregnant my number one craving is chocolate cake with gobs of chocolate buttercream frosting- particulary from costco. My favorite chocolate- Snickers, Reeses Peanutbutter cups, utah truffles, kara chocolate, chocolate mousse, and russell stover's mint chocolate.

The Scenic Route

Whenever I get lost I always say that I was just taking the scenic route. Yesterday I got really lost in Spanish Fork and when I looked to see what road I was on I saw that I had actually gotten lost on "scenic route drive". I had to take a picture of the next sign which didn't include the full name of the street, still though. I was laughing so hard and that released a lot of stress. So if you ever really want to get lost on the scenic route, take the Spanish Fork exit, turn left at 3oo E, and turn right on Scenic Route Dr. Though for all that, the only scenic part is that between some of the houses you can look down on the valley and that is pretty.

Gratitude- Marriage and Books

I saw on someone's blog where for November they posted something they were grateful for everyday leading up to Thanksgiving. We might be 7 days late in starting, but I thought we would give it a try.

Jon: I'm grateful for our marriage today. I've been thinking about what it means to be married and why that is so important. Being married means companionship and comfort, support and love. It means sacrifice and selflessness, striving for something bigger than 'us'. But if that was all it meant, there would be something missing. It also means bringing children to a loving family where they can grow up and learn to experience the same joys I have found. It also means striving for the divine, to become like our heavenly parents, in much the same way our children strive to become like us. Marriage is more than just an expression of love and commitment, it is an opportunity to grow and stretch and put on more of the divine and put off more of the mundane.

Rachel: Now I have to follow that with something much simpler. I am very grateful for marriage and I will build up to my reasons why closer to Thanksgiving. Lately, I've learned to appreciate the simple, especially after a family night on gratitude and the simple things our kids have said they are grateful for. So today I am going with books. I am grateful that I can read them, for libraries that lend them, and for the few I have. At the end of a tiring day, my brain is usually fried and not good for activities that require too much thought. I don't like tv much so I read to unwind. I read a little of everything- english classics, anne of green gables, vampires, mountain girls, sci fi, etc. Right now I am reading Lord of the Rings for the first time through and am on the third novel. I can go anywhere I want to in a book. I believe that art does awaken and refine us and can show us who we are. Good books change as we do and I can read some books a dozen times and still get something out of it.

Mario Kart Babes

A little background: For Father's Day this year I decided my Jon needed something fun after the homework was done so I got him a nintendo wii and mario kart (which as of today is still the only game we have for it). Lightening loves mario kart and the other two love watching. Lightening is actually pretty good at it for his age and usually places and at times wins. The other day we were just hanging out in the evening after getting the kids in their pj's when they started playing "mario kart" with each other. I will let the video explain the rest, but now you can imagine that each child is a kart at the races and the shells and other things they mention are from the game.

Potty Training

Here is my little girl on the potty! She is so happy to learn and be like her big brothers. We started last week when she finally gave permission again for big girl underwear and had a couple breaks for halloween and church. She's only messed up once today, so not too bad for a beginner. I'm proud of my big girl who is growing up way too fast.