Didn't......

• The "Blizzard" didn't come.
• My Christmas tree didn't go up before Thanksgiving like I wanted it too.
• Brandon didn't pass his last kidney stone, so surgery here we come, sigh!
• My sis and John didn't make it out for Thanksgiving.. :(
• I didn't get to eat my artichoke jalapeno dip on Thanksgiving, cuz there was a worm in one of the artichokes and I almost lost my appetite for the entire day!  I said, ALMOST.
• Black friday didn't turn out the way I wanted it too!
• I didn't order my massage groupon in time!
• I didn't go to the DI for a week!  I know, huh?!
• I didn't log onto facebook in a whole 5 hours straight!  That's called self control!
• I didn't finish the 4 blankets I am crocheting for my kids and hubby.
• I didn't shower in 3 out of 7 days... ewwwwww....
• I didn't, well, I won't tell you that one.
• I didn't kiss my daughter today before she went to school.  It's been haunting me ever since!
• I didn't answer the door when a neighbor came over.  Sorry!
• My office STILL didn't get painted.
• I didn't buy my kids socks in the right sizes.
• That donut didn't taste as good as it looked!  Darn it calories!
• My car didn't slide into the other car on the snow packed road, thank heaven!
• I didn't eat Turkey on Thanksgiving.
• The oil in my car didn't get changed for over 9,000 miles.. oops!
• I didn't see Tangled on opening night like I ALWAYS see Disney movies, but it is darling!
• I didn't have a kid come in and wake me up in the middle of the night for 3 straight nights!  So, why didn't I sleep through the night?!
• My pantry didn't get cleaned out, AGAIN.
• I didn't make banana bread for my neighbor with the snow blower, because I was too lazy.
• I didn't clean the bathrooms today or yesterday, or the day before.
• I didn't go to the Utes game, cuz I was cold and my only parka is BLUE!
• BYU didn't WIN!  hee hee
• The laundry didn't get folded. again.
• I didn't go to the store on Thanksgiving once!  Nope, I went THREE times!
• I didn't keep going, because I don't want to bore you! You're welcome!  

I feel like my life is full of didn't's lately! I really could keep going!  So, tomorrow, I will focus on the Did's! How's that sound?!

His gift...

My poor cute hubby has been sick ever since we got back from San Francisco. Well, let me rephrase that, he's been sick on and off since he was a little kid. But, right now, he not only has a VERY intense case of the flu (yes, he had his flu shot! sadness) but he is STILL trying to pass a kidney stone that has been going on now for over a month! A MONTH! (That's like having intense labor pains everyday, all day!), he has ulcers in his stomach and we are still trying to (actually I am in denial about this one) figure out why he has seizures. I can't even write the word without feeling sick to my stomach, having the nervous sweats and wanting to run and hide. And then, well I won't go into all of the other health problems that he encounters each and everyday... there is no need. You get the picture.

I want to let you all know what an amazing man I am married to. Actually, I want to scream it to the world! I know, I know what you are thinking. It's like saying you have the most beautiful kids... well, guess what?! You do! And so do I!

This man is different from a lot. He is your basic everyday, kind, thoughtful, hard working, charitable, loving, honorable, best friend you could ever have kind of guy. And he is blessed with a gift. A gift many of us, including me! have, but haven't opened up.  As I roll around in self pity (wow, I do that a lot!, sorry! ) asking "why does This happen to us? (This meaning HIS health), he has NEVER asked "why me? why this?" NEVER! He NEVER complains! EVER! And he is the one that is sick! He probably figures he doesn't have to, I DO enough of that for both of us. Yet, he is the one that suffers. He is the one that can't go ride his bike like he used to or compete in triathalons anymore. Playing with the kids even for 20 minutes can be physically exhausting to him and at the end of a work day, sometimes its all he can do to sit upwright.

Someone once told me that it is harder to be the secondary sufferer than it is being the one who is sick. I don't know. I've never been the sick one. I DO know that if I could, I WOULD trade him spots any day of the week! It literaly kills me inside and out to know he battles everyday just to get up and lead a 'normal' life. He just takes what he is given and thanks the Lord everyday for what he has.

He has been given A Gift.

The gift of pure patience. The gift of being ok with the trials that you are given, because it could always be worse. The gift of gratitude. The gift of knowing that there is something better waiting for us on the other side, period! The gift of knowing that through this crazy life, the things that we have to learn are for our benefit. Why? Who knows? The gift of teaching. He has taught me everything really is going to be ok. He has taught me to look at life and smile because everyday that we are here on this earth is a gift in and of itself. He has taught me of the gift and power of true companionship and true love. And, everyday that we can learn something new, we are better for it. He has taught me to LIVE life and laugh always.

HE DOES... it's time I did too.

Thank you B... for everything!

Where was I and how did it happen soooo fast.....

Ok, so I know I has here, I am just not sure how it happened sooooo fast?! I didn't realize it until I started browsing through pictures!  I may just go and cry now....

THOUGHTLESS THURSDAY....

This trip was needed....

I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO.......

But, I brought my love back! (cheesey, I know!) But I LOVE San Francisco.

I missed my kiddos like crazy, but this trip was needed in so many ways.... We won't get into that.

(BTW, I borrowed my sisters camera and I can't get that crazy date off.... GRRRRR...)

This one is my FAVORITE!!!

SOOO, thanks Vicki for needing to turn 40 OUTSIDE of you Utah!  Love you dearly and I will never forget this trip!

I wasn't Looking to be inspired....

There are days when I marvel at the blessings that I have received and then there are days where I wonder 'why me?'  We all have them.  Ups and downs.  I don't care who you are, we ALL have trials or issues as I like to call them.  As I was teaching a lesson in Young Woman's the other day on Gratitude, I began to realize just what I was doing about these crazy days of life, or should I say, wasn't doing...

In Luke 17: 10-19 the Bible tells the story of the 10 lepers.  I have heard this story before, but NEVER really paid attention and applied it to my life.  We know that through faith these lepers were cleansed.  These people had enough faith in their hearts to believe that this could be done and so it was.  (My goodness, DO I have that much faith?) HOWEVER, only one, yes ONE returned to say thank you.  How often do 'I' do this small and realtively hurtful act?  Not only to my Heavenly Father, but to friends and family and common strangers?  How often do I take simple everday blessings for granted almost as if I am owed something?  How often do I really turn around to say thank you for both blessings and trials (more on that in a moment)?   Oh, I know the answer. And honestly, it's not near enough. 

The lesson went on to talk about giving thanks, to everyone we come in contact with.  In word and in deed.   I challenged these young woman and truly (myself) to really take a long hard look at their lives.  Say Thank You more often and maybe for no apparent reason.  Shock someone with happieness and thanks. Look people in the face when doing so.  This means family, friends and the checkout person at Walmart, etc.  Write an old fashion letter.  YES people!  Snail mail!  I received a letter from a dear friend who lived just 3 blocks from me.  It made my day, perhaps changed my life in a small and simple way to be told how much that person loves and appreciates me through words and the time it took to send it. I challenged them to say a prayer to their Heavenly Father to just say thank you!  THANK YOU!

As the days go by, we will have our ups and downs.  Sometimes the downs might out weigh the ups, but keep on keeping on!  Move forward, but don't forget to turn around and say thank you.   Trials make us stronger, more faithful, better, so that we can achieve our best.  Despite the problems that come into our lives, may we fill those days with the things that matter the most.  Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. 

SOOO.... I end with a HUGE THANK YOU!  To all of you!  For being you and standing up for what you believe in no matter what.  For listening to me, inspiring me and leading by an example even when you think no one is watching.  Thank you for blogging about what really makes you joyous, sad, inspired, and just plain happy, etc. You make me a better person.  THANK YOU for being my friend.