happy holidays

hope your thanksgiving was happy. 

i have a lot to be grateful for, namely the special people who are nearest and surround me every day called my family. 

If I had nothing else in my life, I would still have everything if I had my family. 

My thoughts on Black Friday?

I'd like to take a gun to it. 

I know that sounds violent, but maybe thats because i've worked it the past three years. DUMB idea. 

i'm all for the 

"SAVE THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING"

campaign.

where everyone stays home, watches christmas movies, and eats left overs all day. 

OH, after a good nights rest that is. 

Online shopping would be acceptable.

doing a little anxious dance before the gun was handed over

 

Needless to say, I wouldn't trust myself with a gun if I were you. 

(i missed every single clay pigeon by a mile... aka the one that sat 20 feet in front of me on the ground the entire time) 

H A P P Y   H O L I D A Y S

pray

semester break is so close i can almost taste it.

then it's out with the old books in with new and diving right into level 2 of craziness.

including lots of drives up to weber ( every day :( )
and lots of hours in the classroom.

sometimes i wonder if I really know what i'm doing. (i don't)


BUT our christmas tree is up. two of them. :) yay!
And Thanksgiving is this week, I have oh so much to be grateful for.

today i'm grateful for prayer. because it works, and God is listening.
how comforting that we can send a message of gratitude, a plead for comfort, or ask for guidance.
he is watching over us, he loves us, and he will not lead us astray or abandon us. we are never alone and i am so extremely comforted by that knowledge.

1 Thessalonians

That blue flower could easily be mistaken for a loofa,
but painting is good for the soul,
and it makes me happy.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

>Remember your prayers for those in the Philippines. And be extra grateful for your warm house and bed to cuddle up in tonight. 

>I'm so grateful for the people in my life, couldn't be more blessed to have them all.

T H A N K F U L bunting

So, I bought a novel because the cover of the book was intriguing. It looked vintage, the edge of the pages didn't line up, it was rustic and to be honest, cute! However, the interior of the book was NOT a reflection of the outside. After I started reading it I soon discovered that I probably shouldn't continue haha. 

Lesson Learned: Do not venture out and buy books you've heard nothing about. Stick to classics and recommendations only. 

BUT luckily my purchase wasn't a total waist, because it inspired the making of another bunting, obviously ;) (I make way too many of these) 

T H A N K F U L 

Oh, by the way. This cutie works at Bennion Crafts. (still doesn't feel right calling it that) And she is a dang good crafter sale lady. I walked out of there with an entire different project then I was planning on making, which cost more money too. (man, she's good)

Today, I'm thankful for Julia's job. Because people.... 

FAMILY MEMBERS GET 20% OFF. 

haha best day ever.

But really, i'm thankful for creativity. 

It's my outlet, it's how I like to express myself, and it's my hobby. And the best part is you do whatever the heck you want with it! Literally whatever you are feeling like, you just throw it out there. It's great. And i'm grateful it exists. 

grateful for my body.

Today, I am grateful for my body.

I owe it a lot. Even though it isn't sculpted Alana Blanchard status, and it sure as heck couldn't jump up and run The Boston Marathon, or even around the block for that matter; I am so grateful to have it.

I have my senses, long hair, I can use my voice, I have arms and hands and fingers and legs that if I ever gave them the chance could probably run a few on the treadmill. I have feet and toes with nails that I can paint and they aren't even webbed! (haha I miss Jenni)

I breathe, and eat, and taste, and can move myself around however I please. I definitely take for granted way too often the measures my body is able to reach on a daily basis.

I'm so grateful that despite times where I didn't treat my body as well as I should have, and maybe even neglected it nourishment, it has forgiven me and is well and healthy today.

I have a heart that keeps my body alive, and a mind that loves SO strongly and is able to feel the happiest emotions and be passionate about what I chose to.

I'm grateful that my church has taught me about the word of wisdom. Our bodies are so amazing, and do so much for us (I mean, everything) that I believe in the importance of taking care of them.

Sometimes if we focus on how much our body really is able to do for us, it makes it a little easier to love. (Trust me, I know how hard it can be to love your body these days. Especially for a young girl, media and society has made it very difficult to be pleased with quite anything.)

I love my body!!!

>>> I know that it is cliche to "be thankful" in November. I promote gratitude year round, not just "the holidays!" But, I am also not against focussing on our blessings during the holiday season either :) I mean, nobody can deny that spirit! So here's to the first gratitude post of many this season!

and i know i know... you were all hoping for a picture of my body to conclude this post, but i'm sorry not today guys. ;)