This year's hundred

Every year, I sit down on the fourth Thursday in November to write a list of all the blessings in my life. I try to make it to one hundred. This year, I've realized that what I am most thankful for in my life are the people I love and the moments I share with them. Because, when it comes right down to it, that's what matters most anyway.

Here is this year's hundred:

1. making new friends

2. catching up with dear friends

3. family Home Evenings with my family

4. walks in Liberty Park

5. unexpected blessings

6. text messages that give me a mid-day lift

7. delicious food to eat

8. a great roommate

9. Jenny

10. Mellie

11. Carrie

12. Dad

13. Mom

14. knowing my parents love me all the time, no matter what

15. my testimony of the true gospel of Jesus Christ

16. temples

17. The Book of Mormon

18. chocolate chip cookies

19. good books

20. blankets

21. laughter

22. dancing

23. parking lot dance parties

24. a dependable car

25. air fresheners

26. photographs

27. hugs

28. kisses

29. inside jokes

30. Grandma

31. Oma

32. flowers wrapped in brown paper

33. irons so my clothes don't look all wrinkley

34. songs that bring back memories

35. EFY

36. Washington, DC

37. fresh produce, even in the winter months

38. a bachelor's degree

39. music

40. family reunions

41. my Savior

42. visiting teachers

43. medicine

44. miracles

43. piano

44. running

43. singing

44. space heaters

45. surprises

46. good movies

47. sunshine, especially through the clouds

48. rainbows

49. my students

50. Utah football

51. classes at the gym

52. vacations to new places

53. vacations to remembered places

54. my phone

55. trying new restaurants

56. a lamp on my bedside table

57. going to bed early

58. a couch in my living room

59. my apartment

60. trials that stretch me and help me find an eternal perspective

61. supportive friends at school

62. the chance to work on my master's degree

63. a church close to my home

64. Diet Coke ;)

65. the washer and dryer in my apartment

66. art museums

67. the Holy Ghost

68. my iHome

69. my hair

70. notes from my sisters

71. Sunday dinners with the family

72. family traditions

73. my Mom's cooking - and the leftovers she dishes up for me

74. Temple Square

75. mountains

76. post-it notes

77. my computer

78. consignment shops

79. trees

80. flower beds

81. the Bible and all the standard works

82. living prophets

83. the Ensign

84. letters in the mailbox

85. living close to work

86. warm wool coats

87. bicycles

88. naps

89. notes left on my car

90. pretty things

91. history

92. birthday parties

93. game nights

94. happy coincidences

95. achieving goals

96. teaching

97. talents

98. cupcakes

99. good neighbors

100. life

What are you grateful for?

Sunday Thought

"Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abunddance that's present-love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness] - the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Today I...

• almost rode my bike all the way to school. I got tired, so I can home. That's okay... practice makes perfect!
  


• planned a sleepover with my grandma


• went to a totally awesome class at the gym. Seriously. Best class I've ever been to there.


• spent an hour at work


• saw my sister's beeeautiful new car


• went for a ride in the sister's car to Jamba Juice and Ten Thousand Villages


• swooned over pretty much everything at Ten Thousand Villages


• ate PB and banana toast. Mmmmm....


• went to Institute

Wishes for the 26th

Hola! And welcome to November, everyone! November is my favorite month, followed closely by May.

And this November brings a once-in-a-lifetime event (at least for me)... my golden birthday. Yep, I turn 26 on November 26. Woot. Woot.

Here's my list for this year:

• a good pillow (like the one I absolutely fell in love with when I lived in DC. Gosh, I miss its feathery goodness)


• scentsy (I love it when my apartment smells good)


• a flower headband made by my artsy sisters


• porcelain flower earrings


• vintage necklace from Deseret Book


• pictures of Jesus Christ and/or the temple to hang on my wall


• iHome (pleeeeease?)


• cute workout tops


• good smelling candles (refer to item above)


• Inception (incredible movie!)


• anything from Hip and Humble


• external hard drive


• curling iron


• iTunes gift card


• queen sized blanket


• basket to hold jewelry


• Utes Ave sign from the Campus Store


• paper towel holder


• Mary Englebreit's Fairy Tales


• big garbage can


• visit to the Sweet Tooth Fairy


• 26 balloons


• shoe shopping


• virgin margaritas


• dance party


• a date ;)


• red lipstick


• pedicure


• see a movie at the theater


• chair for my front room


• a big party!


• this book (yeah, right. :) )

Yes, the list is long. Please don't think I'm greedy. These are just my wishes. Making wish lists is fun! Give it a try...

P.S. Don't you love the picture? I call it "Thanksgiving, before and after."

Snapshots of my life

Inspired by the Rockstar Diaries, I've decided to share what my iPhone would say has been happening in my life lately.

Thoughts about the pics:

1. I'm lovin' the Utes lately. I've gone to three games this season and loved every minute! Please notice the photo of me all in black ready for that awesome Oregon State blackout game.

2. Did you know there's a pig statue downtown? It makes me feel a little like I live in Seattle.

3. Awesome Cassie ran the TOU marathon, and I was there to cheer her on - complete with puffy paint shirt.

4. I love the picture of my cute little second cousin at our annual family reunion. The creek was also part of that occasion.

5. On Halloween, my mom especially got some Sour Patch Kids just for me! Thanks, Mom!

Today I...

... celebrated my Oma's 80th birthday at Chuck-a-Rama with the fam. So fun!
... hosted a game night at my casa. Pink Panthers and Pit - what a party!
... met the delightful Megs (of Sunday Sass fame) for lunch at the GEC.
... went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple with my mom - such a cherished experience.
... enjoyed a delectable scone. Seriously. Finger lickin' good.
... thought about how much I have to be grateful for.