Thankful Thursday

1. Long days at work. I am actually grateful for them! Weird, I know. I've just felt behind the past few months...and this week I finally feel like I am getting to the point of seeing my desk free of piles 'o papers! Yeah!

2. Pictures from Aunt Loni of her grandson, Mason. Isn't he adorable?

3. Good books. I LOVE to read. Lately I've been picking up memoirs of individuals with psychological disorders or addiction issues. Sounds weird, but it is what I study...and if the books are well written they give a great perspective. I recently finished one about an adult with OCD and am starting a new book called Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Dr. Mary Pipher. Should be interesting!

If you have 3 minutes.....

This clip really is only three minutes.....

http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages

Recently there has been some misrepresentation in the media regarding LDS temples. I wanted to share this link that expresses many of my personal feelings about temples. Many of you know that Kaleb and I were married in the Idaho Falls Temple (picture below). The temple is a very special place to us and I wanted to take a moment to share a bit of information about about it. Hope you enjoy the video clip! If ever you have any questions about the temple or the LDS religion...feel free to ask us!

Thankful Thursday

1. Grandpa Whitey. I've been thinking about him a lot this week. I miss Gpa and look forward to seeing him when he and Gma get back from Arizona this year. My Gpa has lived a life that allows me to learn so much from him. He is wise, kind, gentle, and stalwart. Love you, Gpa.

2. Daylight Savings. I'm so glad to have the extra hours of light at night! It is still light out when I get home from work and I can enjoy a walk outside. Lovely.

3. Dr. Purath. I have never met a neurologist (and yes, I've met a few) who is so humble. I really appreciate her and her genuine care.

4. My cousin Brodee. She probably doesn't know it...but she inspired me to get out and go for a run tonight! Brodee, I think you are an amazing person...I respect and admire you. Love and Miss you, Brodee!
(Above: Brodee and her husband, Brandon)

5. New Pictures of Kendon! We miss Kendon!


I also want to send out a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ethan (my nephew), Grandpa Lees, and my bothers, Jake and Chris! What a month for Birthdays! I wish I could have seen each of you to celebrate your birthdays. Just know I love you and am thinking about you!
(Above: Grandpa Lees with his wife and three daughters. Back: Jack, Tammy, Lynn. Front: Debbie (kaleb's mom) and Lorene (grandma))

Left: Jake is on the right in the blue! HOT!! Ladies...don't you love a man in a sweatband and mustache!




Right: A "normal" pic of Jake...just so you know he is sane!

Sorry I don't have digital pictures of Chris or Ethan! I need to take the camera out more!

A to Z

Well, Breanne tagged me to do this on facebook so I thought I would post it here. Just wasting time....A to Z.

A
- Available: for what? Relationship...I'm married...I'm out!
- Age: Yikes..28
- Annoyance: people who drive on the freeway and don't use a blinker...really makes me mad
- Animal: not a huge animal lover...but since we got our puppy...I love him!
B
- Birthday: Jan. 20
- Best feeling in the world: Hmmm...so many answers...a runners high! I need to get one more often...hmmm.
- Blind or Deaf: Which would I rather be? I think Deaf. Don't know if it is really cool to pick a disability.
- Best weather: 60-70 degrees and sunny. Sweatshirt weather is perfect. LOVE IT!!
- Been on stage?: yeah...a few times. Piano recitals/competitions; choirs; and one not so pretty clogging routine to Footloose. Wow, what were we thinking!!!!
- Believe in Magic: Really don't like mystical/magical/imaginary

things. But, there are magical moments in life.
- Believe in Santa: No, but I don't mind the spirit of Santa.
C
- Candy: Black licorice, good chocolate, peanut butter M&M's
- Color: Never had a favorite color. I like them all for different things.
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Most often chocolate.
- Chinese/Mexican Food: Depends on the mood.
- Cake or pie: Neither, not a huge fan. A good pecan pie can get me once in a while.
- Continent to visit: All of them. I would love to travel the world.
- Cheese:Pretty much LOVE all cheese. Think I have to go with cream cheese.
D
- Day or Night: Night.
- Dancing in the rain: Enjoy it...especially after a really gross humid day.
E
- Eyes: Baby Blues
- Ever failed a class?:Nope.
F
- First thoughts waking up: Seriously...it is morning all ready OR ahhh it is only 3am...I want to sleep longer...I hate insomnia
- Favorite Food: Totally depends on the mood....
G
- Greatest Fear: Not in the mood to be too deep here...so I'll go with heights. I can't handle height...well, heights combined with motion...aka roller coasters or anything like it.
- Goals: Get my masters and license. Have a few kids. Get the most our of my life.
- Gum: Used to chew gum ALL the time. Haven't much in the past few years. Weird that it changed, but I do like Orbitz bubblemint
- Get along with your parents?: Absolutely. Having an adult relationship with them just keeps getting better and better. Love em!
H
- Hair Color: Blonde. Virgin Blonde....I have never dyed my hair...ever. Weird, I know. The older I get the more red tones it gets. My stylist wants me to color it this summer, what do you think?
- Height: 5'5" or 5'6"
- Happy: Generally.
- Holiday: I love Christmas. Also, 4th of July.
- How do you want to die: Peacefully with my dignity.
I
- Ice Cream: Not a huge fan. I tend to pick at ice cream that has "stuff" in it! Like in cookies and cream...I would be the one to fish out all of the cookies!
- Instrument: I've played the piano since I was 5 yrs old. Wish I played guitar and violin or cello.
J
- Jewelry: My engagement/wedding ring is my favorite. i love small earrings.
- Job: medical billing specialist and grad student
K
- Kids: Don't have any...hope to have some....and am crazy in love with my nieces and nephews
- Kickboxing or karate: haven't done much of either...but I would say kickboxing
- Keep a journal?: I used too. I need to again.
L
- Love: I receive a lot of it and I hope I express it well.
- Letter: ??? Don't have a favorite letter.
- Laughed so hard you cried: for sure...often brought about by my family!
- Milk flavor: has to be chocolate or I don't drink it. I really can't handle the flavor of plain milk.
- Movies: I love Movies...and enjoy watching them. One of my classic favorites is American President. And a great one in the more recent years is Dan in Real Life.
- Motion sickness?: Definitely! Soooo bad. Yuck.
- McD’s or BK: Not a huge fan. BK has good burgers...but I like McD's salads.
- Number: Even numbers.
M
-Marriage: I love marriage. I have a great partner in marriage. The general idea of marriage...I think it is great, but I wish people would prepare for marriage more than they prepare for the wedding. Can you tell I want to do research in pre-marital counseling for my masters?
-Make up: yeah, I wear it. Not a lot...but enough...I hope. :)
-Made out in a public place: I must say I have before. Will I again? I'm not sure....
N
-Noticed you walked out of the house without shoes: Not unless I did it on purpose. However, I did walk out of the house once without a skirt on...yeah, ask about that story some time. LOL
-Nailed someone in the face: Nope, not a real aggressive person.
O
- One wish: Only one? Hmmmmm...Real happiness for those I love the most.
P
- Pepsi/Coke: Don't drink much of either and don't have a preference.
- Perfect Pizza: So far, my favorite is a peperoni from a place in menominee falls, Wisconsin called Di Marinis. YUM.
- Piercings: One in each ear.
Q
- Quail: really? Quail? I remember seeing very cute baby quail on the golf course in AZ.
R
- Reason to cry: Lots of reasons...let it out...it's okay. For me...hormones, headaches, or burnt pea soup (that was an interesting one!).
- Reality T.V: Some I don't mind...like Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, or Project Runway.
- Radio Station: Don't listen to the radio unless I'm in the car with Kaleb.
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Ummm.....yep.
- Ring size: I have big fingers...8 1/2
S
- Song:Too many to choose from. My taste in music is totally varied. I love the church song..."His Hands"
- Shoe size:8 1/2 to 9 Depends on the shoe
- Salad Dressing:Not a huge fan of dressing. But I do love the dressing from Outback on their chopped blue cheese salad.
- Sushi: LOVE IT. Not so much sashimi...but the rest....probably one of my favorite foods to go to dinner for.
- Skinny dipped?: Yep...pretty sure I have. if you haven't...you should!
- Shower?: Have to everyday. If I have a day off....or am sick all day...I still have to shower before I go to bed that night. Weird, I know.
- Strawberries/Blueberries: probably blueberries.
T
- Tattoos?: nope....not a big fan. I can appreciate the art sometimes...but permanently on your body? I don't think I could handle having something like that FOREVER!
- Time for bed: Ummmm...now! Usually btw 11:00 and 1:00
- Thunderstorms: I LOVE them.
U
- Unpredictable:hmm...don't think I am...but life sure it.
V
- Vacation spot(s): I love Canada with the family. I want to explore more! I love to travel.
W
- Weakness: hmmmm I'm hard on myself.
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: hmmm...I think at this point in my life it would be Kaleb. When you are with each other 24/7 you kind of rub off on each other!
- Worst feeling: being helpless
- Wanted to be a model: lol nope. not photogenic at all!!!
- Worst Weather: Humidity!!! Yuck.
X
- X-Rays: yeah...dental ones and bone scans.
Y
-Year it is now: 2009.
-Yellow: ummm...i like it? not opposed to it!
Z-
- Zoo animal: I like watching the penguins!

Probably way to much information about nothing!!! Oh well, enjoy! Have a great weekend everyone!

Thankful Thursday

Well this will be short because it is too late for me to be up and working! And, it is after midnight...so...Thankful Friday:

1. 60 degree weather! That's right ladies and gents, it was 60 today in Wisconsin!

2. Dates with my hubby. You know, because we don't have children yet, we get to spend a lot of time together. We don't have to make a ton of arrangements in order to get a night out by ourselves. I think I take it for granted sometimes. It is nice for me to pause and appreciate Kaleb and the effort he makes to plan actual dates with me. Sure, we have every night together...but it is nice to take a moment and call a night a date night to make it special. I don't know if that makes a ton of sense...but it does to me! :)

3. Good medical insurance. I hate dealing with insurance companies...however, it really is necessary and I appreciate it.

4. A good night sleep!!!!