Giving Thanks

(Nikki and Liberty)

Last night I got to go to dinner with two of my nieces, Nikki and Shannon and then to "The Forgotten Carols" with Shannon.

Why am I telling you this? Well, just be patient for a moment...I am getting there.

For the last little while there has been this scrap of a thought/feeling rattling around in my subconscious. Last night it formed into a full fledged, heart touching, soul pricking, punch to the face.

(DeeAn laughing so hard I think she might fall over)

During the dinner the thought started forming and then during the performance it came to me. I have been given one of the greatest gifts.

A wonderful, fun, energetic, caring, opinionated, unique, LOVING family.

You know what else? I wouldn't trade them for any other family in the world.
My family is perfect for me.

(Lily)

And I get to have the best of both worlds. Awesome siblings AND fantastic Nieces and Nephews...who often feel more like siblings. I just love them.

This is going to sounds cheesy, but a firm sure knowledge that being a part of my family was not a coincidence but a divine gift really is the best Christmas gift I could receive.


Besides, what other family could love this face AND get my sense of humor!?

(P.S. I have a wonderfully talented niece Megan who is a photographer. She took all the pictures above and I stole them from her FB. Meg, don't be mad).

Ummm...Really? Is That Fashionable?

Disclaimer: I am not the trendiest person alive.

Okay, sitting in the cafeteria at school chatting it up with my fellow classmates, generally having a great time.

In walks a woman, a fellow classmate, at first I thought she was wearing knee high boots.

SHE WASN'T.

Picture this:

White long sleeve button up blouse. (Nice, very professional)
Fitted navy knee length skirt. (Again, nice.)
Maroon knee high socks. Socks not nylons or knee high nylons. (uhhhhhh....)
Black ankle boots or "booties". (eh?)

What in the HECK is going on??

Is this high fashion or just plain crazy? My vote is the later. Crazy woman. I wish I could have taken her picture.

Must Go: Loud Eating

I am sitting in my class before class starts catching up on reading.
It's a pretty good size classroom.
All of a sudden what do I hear? Crunch, chomp, CRUNCH, chOMP, CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP....
A person was eating chips...it was sooooo loud.
Instead of giving them the stink eye I chose to put in my ear phones (skull candy earphones...in case you are interested.). I CAN STILL HEAR THE CHOMP/CRUNCH.

Seriously???

I turn up the volume which helps somewhat...
But not completely.
I am not sure why but loud eating just grates on my last nerve. The. very. last. one.
I know this is petty and you are probably saying "C'mon lady chips are just a naturally loud food."

Guess what? I don't really care.
And neither does my last nerve...

For heavens sake let's just try to be quieter when we eat.
I this an unreasonable request?
When eating some food items...probably.
But still...please?

Today. Tomorrow.

Today.

Two years ago today I got a call from my brother telling me that I should probably go see Dad. He told me Dad wasn't doing well.

Two years ago today my heart started hurting.

Two years ago today I said goodbye and told you that I loved you. I knew when I saw you it wouldn't be long. I didn't want to believe it but I couldn't deny it.

Tomorrow.

Two years ago tomorrow I got a call from Mom that you had passed away. I had just gotten out of the 1st elevator I had to take to get to work. I knew when I saw the caller ID what she would be telling me.

Two years ago tomorrow I rushed home and peeked in on your body and knew you weren't there.

Two years ago tomorrow my heart hurt so bad as it was breaking because I knew I wouldn't hear your voice or see you again for the rest of my Earthly life.

Today.

Today I know more than ever that families are forever. I am so grateful the for knowledge of Eternal Families and that I am a part of one.

Today I know that you still watch over me and the rest of your family. I can feel your love.

Today the heartache is less and I choose to remember all the good things you taught me.

Today, and really everyday, I am thankful for the blessing of having you as my Earthly father. I am excited for the day when I get to see you again. I love you!

I Believe...

I get the feeling that I will be spending a lot of time in my life serving in the the Primary. I love the Primary. Although, sometimes I wonder why I have this calling and then we have the Primary Program at church and I remember.

Simple truths taught in the Primary speak to my heart.

At the end of the primary program I had tears in my eyes. Children singing and speaking of the Savior is a powerful thing. Very tender...

Over the last couple of weeks I have had these words stuck in my mind playing over and over and over...

I know He Lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior love me.
(I Know My Savior Loves Me by Tami Jeppson Creamer & Derena Bell)

It is a beautiful song especially when sung by children. But the reason I love it is because it is POWERFUL in it's simple truths. These words have become a part of my testimony of my Savior. What joy, comfort, and peace they bring to me.

The One Where I Experienced A New Culture

First let me just say this picture should be burned but instead I am sharing it on my blog.

Last year I went to a "white trash" party. Super fun. Jerome (the guy right behind me) had wanted to have a WT party for sooooo long and finally he set the date. We had hot dogs and ramen. Drinks in a kiddie pool and all sorts of fun games.

As you can see from the above picture I got really into it going so far to create a back story. My WT name was Branddean, I was named after my two dads, Brandon and Dean. My mom didn't know who the actual father was and Brandon and Dean refused to take a paternity test in case the gov'nment put their information in the system. I had an accent and everything. I had sooooo much fun...maybe too much fun.

Which is why I must tell you I have finally after a year decided that Branddean must go away FOREVER.

Sorry world.

The List 9.22.10

I have a friend who writes a list everyday and I am priveledged to get the list everyday since I am on the "A" list. A couple of things on today's list mirrored exactly how I have been feeling the last little while so I am stealing part of his list and sharing it...

1.) Looking in a mirror that is reflecting your life is hard. Its hard to see your life actually reflected back. You can cover your life for so long but ultimately you have to look at it.

4.) Sometimes, you hear things, and you really can't 'unring that bell'.

It's HERE

Football season is FINALLY here and well underway. I am very excited to have season tickets again this year (thanks to my brother-in-law Dennis). You may not have known this about me but I love sports but only when I get to go to the stadium, arena, ice rink, etc and watch it live. There is nothing I love more than going to games and Ute Football games is only second to Aggie Hockey games.

This season I am looking forward too:
* The excitement that builds as I am headed to the game.
* Wearing red (except the black out game)...I look HOT in red!
* Tailgating.
* Singing the Utah Man song after every touchdown or field goal.
* Learning about a new penalty at every game (it seems like the Utes get an awful lot of penalties...who knew there were so many different penalties)
* Sitting with Shanni at every game.
* Cheering, screaming and grrrrr-ing.
* Basically EVERYTHING!

Here is to a great season....GOOOOO UTES!

Should Not

I called David a couple days after he went home to see if he missed me.

His response?

"Como Nellie I miss your iPod."

That dang iPod I should not have ever downloaded the Thomas game and let him and Joseph play it. But oh how they loved playing it!

Amen

This quote was on my daily calendar today:

I like living. I have somtimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. - Agatha Christie

After reading this, I thought to myself "AMEN!".