With Grateful Heart

I realized today that I haven't written anything for awhile, neither on my blog nor in my Journal. Tsk Tsk. I thought it was because I have nothing new to report, nothing interesting to say. Well, I've decided that even if that is true, there is something I need to say. How grateful I am for all of my blessings. I am a member of an amazing family with loving parents, 6 siblings, 5 great "new siblings" 14 and a 1/2 nieces and nephews, and loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I have wonderful friends that love me even when I don't deserve it, and support me. I have a beautiful home to live in, with people who are kind and treat me like family, and a ward family that has welcomed me with open arms. I live in a beautiful area with nature surrounding me and everything I need within biking distance. I have opportunities to learn, grow, and improve myself every day, and a loving Father in Heaven who uplifts me in every worthy endeavor. I have faith in my purpose here on Earth and the things in store for my future and Eternity, which brings me so much peace, joy, happiness, direction, and guidance. I know of my worth in the eyes of my Maker and my potential to become like Him. I need to:

1. Spend more time thinking about what I have, not what I might be missing.
2. Work on becoming who I want to be, not having what I want to have.
3. Ask what I can give, not what I can get.
4. Just Live. Here. Now. Soak it in.
5. Stop waiting for something to make me happy and just be happy.
6. Start learning for the sake of learning, not earning.
7. Just do it!

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Summer has begun!

I feel like summer has officially begun, even though it seems Spring barely made a showing. But I guess that's what happens when you have a water-balloon fight and grill Brats out on the deck. :)

Abby liked the silly ones with "babies" on them.
This one had a particularly big baby.
So cuddly. :)

We each had one of each color. We decided to play catch instead of fighting. Violence is never the answer. I wasn't very good at catching, so I broke the most, and had the most break on me. Oh well, I probably needed the shower.
Here are some older pictures of Abby teaching her friends Mattie and Anna how to make earrings.

Spring! Glorious Spring!

This is my "Ode to Spring". I took all of the pictures before the one of Temple Square in Utah, but I included all the rest because I thought they were so pretty, and wanted it to be longer so I could listen to Vivaldi's "Spring" a little longer.

Science Fair!!!

Abby, with help setting up from her friend, Violet, entered the science fair. They decided to do an Earthquake simulator.

It consisted of a large cardboard box that used to house a wardrobe donated by the furniture store, a vibrating massage chair, and some energetic little "box wobblers" named Abby and Violet. They even randomly dropped empty grocery bags on the "victim" so simulate debris.
Here is a shot through the peephole before it was covered to keep all curious kids from spoiling the experience.

Dubbed "Earthquake Terror" with the disclaimer: 5 yrs and up, unless not easily scared.

Eager participants lined up to wait their turn and read facts about earthquakes to pass the time. Her exhibit was a total hit! Good job Abby!

this is abby i am having so much fun with jessica. And i hope she can stay longer then she is assigned to. She is such a delight. She is the best live in nanny i could ever have because she teaches you new things and she loves to do art and so do i. She is the best!!!!!!!:)

Lifetime Customer of Discount Tires

Today of all days, I got a flat tire. I drove over a nail quite a way away from home. And it is the day Janet is in Chicago, of all days. By the time I realized it, I just happened to be 1 block from Tires Plus. I called, but they wanted $20 to come check it out. So, figuring the tire was a goner anyhow since I had been driving on it, I drove the block to their store. They still wanted $20 just to help put on my spare. I wanted them to help put on the spare so I could go to Discount Tire Co. where I got the tire originally. They then tried convincing me and pressuring me that Discount wouldn't have my records and that I should give them $101 for a new tire, which they said was $3 off the price at Discount. Uh huh, right. So I made a phone call, and Discount said basically, "Duh. We have the internet. We have your record. Pay the lazy bums to put on your spare, come here, and we'll refund it." So that's what I did, since I already didn't trust these guys. Sure enough, with my road hazard certificate it only cost $9.50 and they gave me CASH BACK to refund the fee at Tires Plus!!! Plus it took them WAY less time!!! And they were much nicer. The guy at the desk at Tires Plus ignored me twice for a phone call and to give someone advice about their wireless plan. ?!?! I will be a lifetime customer of Discount Tire.