Friday Flashback #27

A flashback of Olivia (this 'flashback' is really just about two months old, but I still want to use it): 

While driving down to Florida the four of us (mom, me, Olivia, and Jud) stopped at Craper Barrel, oh I am sorry Cracker Barrel.

Anyway, I was doing a crossword with the kids and I read the clue: I unfold before travelers to show them the way to go.

And I asked, so what do you need to show you the way?

Olivia responded: A GPS

..... The answer was A Map

Kids these days.

Thankful Thoughts Days: The last half of the month

I know I have failed in the last half of the month things got so busy, but that does not mean I was thinking of my list.

Day 16: 
I am thankful for airplanes. 

I am so grateful that this technology exists for us to use. This makes it a lot easier to go home! I can't imagine traveling thousands of miles on a boat!

Day 17: 
I am thankful all the blog writers out there. I like being able to read all the creative, insightful, and wonderful things all these writers put on the blogosphere. Thank you all for taking the time to share your lives with me.

Day 18: 
I am thankful for the gift of journaling. In this day and age, journaling can be so easy. It is no longer necessary to have a pen and paper to get your personal history out there. I have always being a big believer in writing down your history. When I was in the fifth grade, I read one of my mom's first journals and I was so happy to get to see a bit of her childhood through her 3rd grade self.

I personally think just by blogging I am able to record my history in way that can be easily preserved. If you have not recored your history, I encourage you to do so. Your children and grandchildren will be grateful- trust me!

*And a little plug to my new obsession gandake.com  
check it out- journaling has never been easier!

Day 19: 
I am thankful for my girlfriends. Having close girlfriends is the trick to keeping yourself sane. I am so happy and grateful that I have these wonderful girls in my life. Whenever I need to vent, or share, or even a daresay gossip, these girls are there for me.

Ladies you know who you are.

Day 20:
I am thankful for movie nights with my baby love. There is nothing I love more than snuggling down and watching a movie with Matt. Whether we are in the theaters or at home, I love the movies.

Day 21:
I am thankful for rainy days. For real though, rainy days in Hawaii actually make it feel like it is winter time.

Day 22: 
I am extremely grateful Matt and I were able to fly to California to see my dad for Thanksgiving. And I am thankful Matt took it upon himself to learn how to prep and cook the turkey! It was such a wonderful dinner and we had a great time seeing my dad.

Day 23: 
I am grateful we were able to go to Sprinkles cupcakes while we were on our trip. It was yummy yummy! And I am always a fan for a good cupcake.

Day 24: 
Beach days! Matt and I don't go often enough, but I am so thankful we live in a place where beach days are possible.

Day 25:
I am grateful for pedicures. This might seem a little shallow, but I am thankful that we can afford for me to get a pedicure now and then. I feel so much better about myself when I get one of these, and they are so relaxing.

If you have never tried it- do so!

Day 26:
Well duh... I am thankful for eternal marriages. Two years ago I married my best friend for time and all eternity. This would not be possible without the temple. Words can't express how thankful I am for this blessing.

*Also, I am so thankful for my marriage! Two years baby!

Day 27:
I am thankful for the holiday season. I love the attitudes of people during this time. I love the Christmas music. Our little Christmas tree and our decorations. I love drinking warm apple cider. I am so happy when this season arrives!

Day 28: 
I am grateful for my contacts. A small thing, but I am so glad I have these babies. Without them I would be completely dependent on glasses- which I hate!

Day 29: 
I am grateful for the simple moments in life. It is in these moments that one can really appreciate life. Life is not made up of a few big events, but of many small simple moments. In my life these moments are- my husband making my breakfast and lunch each morning.... a good phone conversation with my mom on the way to work.... a letter in the mail from my little brother Jud... a picture from a student. These are the small moments that make up our days and what we remember.

Day 30:
I am thankful for seeing the examples of others with posting what they are thankful for and leading me to take this step. I don't know if this counts as a last cop out, but I am glad I took the time to remember the things, both small and large- both silly and serious, that I am thankful for!

I hope you enjoyed reading and if you missed out this November, it's not too late!

Thankful Thoughts- Day 15

Day 15: 

I am thankful for Hulu plus. 

I know this is a little shallow, but I love being able to relax and watch my shows after a long day at work. I also love being able to watch said shows at my convenience. So thank you Hulu. 

Thankful Thoughts- Day 14

Day 14: 

I am thankful for chapstick. 

For real, I love this stuff. And I can honestly say I can't live without it. 

Thankful Thoughts- Day 13

Day 13: 

I am thankful for my mom passing down her love of reading. 

I think books are such an important part of life. Without books, so much is lost. Many of my students don't read at all and I think that is such a horrible thing. I firmly believe the more you read the more you learn. Reading is a skill that you can't get away from- even in this age of technology you have to read! I am so thankful that my mom read all the time when I was growing up, so it just was naturally that I started reading a lot. 

Thank you for reading my Thankful Thoughts. 

Thankful Thought- Day 12

Day 12: 

I am thankful for adoption. 

I am so glad that my parents decided to adopt two wonderful babies from China. Olivia was adopted in August of 2004 at the age of 15 months and Jud joined our family in November of 2006 at the age of 3. 

I seriously cannot imagine my life without these two kids. They have only added joy to our family. There is no doubt in my mind that they fully belong to in my family. I think adoption is one of the greatest things a person could do. There are so many kids out there that need a home. Matt and I plan to adopt in a few years. If you have never thought about adoption I would encourage you to look into it. My family went through Children's Hope. 

(This is right after my parents got Olivia.)  

(Jud and Mom in China.) 

Thankful Thoughts- Day 11

Day 11: 

I am thankful for our little studio in TVA. 

It is no secret that living in TVA has been a challenge for Matt and me... more so me than Matt :) (Which really, if you consider our two differing personalities, should be no surprise.) 

Anyway, we moved to Hawaii in January of 2011 and had to live in off campus married housing. We were really just lucky that we found a place that was relatively clean and really close to campus that we were okay that it was literally a bedroom with a sink and that this 'bedroom' cost $990 a month. I think we would have stayed there until we could get into TVA, but our landlord was a horrible person. 

We stayed in that room for four months and then moved to studio apartment that was bigger, closer to campus, cheaper ($900), and had great landlords. We stayed there for only two and half months because we got into TVA June of 2011. Matt and I were tempted to stay in our new studio because of how great the landlords were, but TVA is so so so much cheaper. (It's about 650 a month.) 

Anyway, we moved into to our studio apartment and have made it our true first home as a married couple. Because we knew the other places were temporary, and because they were fully furnished, we never decorated our first two places. I will admit that we have put a chunk of change on decorating the studio, but since it was a long term stay we wanted to decorate. I would not have been able to stand staring at white walls for two years! 

I am so happy that I found blogging and all the wonderful ideas that people put out there. I am so thankful Matt and I could practice our hand at decorating and find our style. Plus, when we leave the island we will sell most of the stuff we purchased so the money can go to our new home. 

I am thankful that Matt and I were able to get into TVA so quickly after we arrived to Hawaii. And even though a one bedroom would have been nice, I am glad we got the cheaper studio. 

I am thankful that Matt and I got to have our first true home as a couple and it has been great. I might get annoyed at hearing screaming kids all through the day, or neighbors being ridiculously loud throughout the evening (when I am trying to sleep), but I always try to remember how much a blessing this TVA studio is. I actually just bought this home journal from Gadanke (check this place out if you have not heard of it) and I am so excited to start journalling about our two years here. 

I am thankful for our first home. 

Here are some pics of our little place: 

(The white wall space above the table is currently getting a make over.) 

Thanks for reading my Thankful Thoughts.