Oh so Grateful!

Notebooks were passed around a few weeks ago in Relief Society and we were challenged to use them each and every day. An 'I'm Grateful' Journal was the challenge given and I silently promised to take this one on. The only requirement was to write down one thing that we are grateful for - sounds easy enough.
I've been fairly successful with the task and it's been kind of fun to go back and see what I was grateful for weeks ago. It's been very rewarding to sit down at the end of the day and think about all the positive things that happened throughout the day .. it makes life a lot more enjoyable when it's the good that I'm searching through. I'm loving life these days and couldn't be more grateful for all my blessings .. big and small I'm one lucky girl.

Go CoWbOyS!

I knew the Carters were Cowboy fans but I had no idea what I was in for.. Dallas played NC yesterday and I was at Colby's house for dinner when the game started. I couldn't help but laugh as his parents got into (and yelled) as the game went on. I've always loved football but I've never really had a team and I guess it's never too late to pick one...
It's going to take me a couple more games before I'm completely sucked in but I'm definitely slowly but surely becoming a Cowboys fan and enjoying every minute of it.

BW in Concert

My family and some good friends were able to attend the Brooke White concert last week, she's amazing. The concert was so much fun and I can't wait for her to come again. Benton Paul from Salt Lake City opened the show .. He was amazing and I can't get enough of his cd. Michael Johns also came, I love his energy. Brooke was last to preform, she was my favorite, she's hilarious and you can tell she loves every second of sharing her music. David Archuleta surprised everyone and came out for 2 songs .. The crowd went wild. It was a really fun night, my family is always a blast.

on a side note ...Colby and I parked on the street and I didn't want to carry my purse so I quickly grabbed the cash from my wallet, put it in my pocket, and locked it in the trunk. We were waiting for the show to start when they said my name over the PA and asked me to come to the entrance. It wouldn't have been weird except they called Elizabeth Arnold .. I went to the front and there was a young couple holding some money, they asked if I was Elizabeth and then they handed me the money. Confused I counted the money and noticed there was a tithing slip in the middle. Apparently when I grabbed the money from my wallet I snagged a tithing slip as well and then I dropped the money somewhere between the car and the concert. With all the horrible things going on in the world you kind of forget that there are still honest people out there... I didn't get their names but I know their honesty will bring them blessings. I can't help but laugh as I think about all the little things the Lord has done for me, especially in the last little bit- Just some reminders that I'm living my life in a way that the Lord is able to teach me, help me learn, and be there for me. I love it.

Logan, Cousin Gracie, Mom, Brooke, Abby, Aunt Jenny, baby Lucy (coming soon)

The whole crew

Surprise!

Me and Colby .. Thanks Colb for coming with me, I knew you'd enjoy it!

Logan and Colb

Jon and Abby ... These guys are always making me laugh. The Love they have and show for each other is so cute.

Jon, Abby, and Mom

Spreading the word .. please do the same!

My friend Alison is putting together a 5K benefit race for an adorable little girl, her name is Maryn Cella. I saw her story on KSL and I couldn't stop thinking about her .. Colby and I almost drove eight hours to a small town in Colorado to run a race for her back in August but life got the better of us and we were unable to make the trip. I was so excited when I saw this post on Alison's blog and I was even more excited when she asked for me help. I've been telling everyone about this race and I hope you can do the same. Mark your calendars, we would love to see you there and have your support.
Here is the post I copied from Alison's blog .. Let me know if you have any questions.

To all who read this... please help me spread the word about a 5K Run/Walk that I am organizing for a little girl named Maryn Cella (details below). Post this on your blog, or pass it along on Facebook. Any exposure we can get helps! I can also e-mail you flyers for your work, local businesses, etc.

Event: Hope for Maryn 5K Run/ 1 Mile Walk

Date: Saturday October 24, 2009

Location: Celebration Pointe Reception Center - located in the Business Depot - Ogden, UT.

Time: Registration starts at 8:00 am; Race starts at 9:00 am

Registration: Same day - sign up before the race at Celebration Pointe Reception Center

Cost: $20.00 (includes shirt for 1st 75 people)
$50.00 family pass (2 adults, up to 5 children under the age of 15. Includes 2 shirts)
Strollers/Wagons free (please for the safety of all participants no bikes or dogs)
Montetary contributions will also be accepted

Other Details:

The 5K route can walked or ran. There will also be a 1 mile route for walking.

We will time the run but since it is a charitable event we will not use a professional timing service. To make sure that you get an accurate time, we suggest you bring your own stopwatch.

There will be a raffle for prizes at the end of the race

Prizes will be given to the first runner, walker, and stroller/wagon at the finish

One last thing... we are also looking for sponsors for prizes, food, and $ for the T-shirts. If you know of any local businesses, your own business, or have a little bit of $ to help out we would REALLY appreciate it! All sponsors will have their names printed on the back of the T-shirts.


About Maryn:
On June 17, 2009 Maryn was diagnosed with Diffuse Pontine Glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was given 9-12 months to live. We are raising money to help with some treatments that could extend her lifespan. One of which is treatment at the Burzinski Clinic in Texas. People who have been treated there live 4-5 times longer. The cost is $100,000. We are also working with the Maryn's Hope Foundation that is helping to work towards a cure. More information can be found at https://marynshopefoundation.org/

After reading Maryn's story on my cousin's blog I really felt like I needed to do something. I couldn't get her out of my mind. The day she was diagnosed was my birthday. Maybe that is why I feel some connection. All I know is that we need to have hope, pray for a miracle, and give this little girl the best life she can have for the rest of her time here.

Please view these two videos created by Alexa Nofsinger. Alexa's mom, Erica Shields has created the Maryn's Hope foundation. Erica also organized a benefit 5K in Littleton, CO. It was a huge success. The video below showcases the run. Thank you Alexa and Erica for all your help!

In love ..

With my new Hobby .. I started taking random pictures of 'letters' in island park and I'm excited to find more back home. I'm hoping to have everyone's Christmas presents done by November .. Did I spoil the surprise? Eh .. Merry Christmas ahead of time.

LOVE.

Island Park .. 3 .. last day.

We floated the Snake River on the last day .. It's one of my favorite things so I was excited for Colby and Chelle to do it with us. It was incredibly windy but we managed to have a good time anyway. I can't wait to hit Island Park again, we had so much fun! Thanks for a great trip everyone .. lets do it again soon. Peterson's feel free to join us, we missed you.

On the bus ride up .. Not very many of my pictures from the ride turned out but I did manage to get a few.

These two crack me up. I'm glad neither one of them brought a friend, I think they had a good time with each other.

Jon's parents Bob and Marsha .. I'm so glad they cam with us, they were so much fun.

Colb on the River ...

Logan

Abby and Jon

Abby, Jon, Logan, and Chelle

Chelle .. earning her keep.

The other raft ... Bob, Marsha, Lesha, Lincoln, Mom, and Taft

The water was sooo cold.

Jon and Colby

Lesha and Lincoln

KEEP READING ....

Island Park .. 2

Inside one of the gift shops in West Yellowstone we found some glider planes and we decided to have a contest. We took em back to the cabin, colored em, and put them together. I'm not sure who won but we had so much .. great idea Abby.

I'm not sure where the random white splotches came from .. weird.

Me and Colby

Taft and Logan

KEEP READING ...

Island Park ... take 1

My Uncle Chris let us stay at his cabin in Island Park this last weekend and we had a BLAST. We did most of our favorite things and the weather was perfect.
I took a million pictures and even started a new hobby .. so much fun. Here are a bunch of the pictures .. more coming soon.

I gave Colb a piggy back and he broke my necklace .. luckily it was a quick fix.

All of us at big springs .. I love this picture.

This little guy is growing up way too fast, but right now he's at such a fun age. He's walking and he's all smiles.

Almost everybody. Big springs had a TON of fish to feed and we even saw a few muskrats.

Logan jumped off the bridge on to Colby's shoulders .. I had to take a picture.

We probably had a little too much fun in this store .. This is Chelle.

I can't take him anywhere ...

Abby .. I laughed for quite a while after I took this picture.

Taft and Lesha at the Pizza restaurant. Best pizza crust I've ever had.

Me and Colb

Taft made his face every time I told him to smile.

ha ha ha ha .. oh chelle!

Me and Logie

Mom, Colby, and Lesha .. West Yellowstone.

Taft, Logan, Abby, Jon, and Chelle

We parked the cars for a little bit and Lesha let Lincoln out of his car seat .. he loved the wind in his hair.

Bear Lake - pictures

Here are the few pictures I took from Labor Day weekend that promised .. enjoy.

A view of the lake from the road ... I love this picture.

Zach, Aubrey, and Logan .. These are the three rascals we had for the weekend. They were so much just ad kept us laughing.

LoVe ..

This picture makes me smile ... I wrote this in the sand in Hawaii. Logan made fun of my for not writing it the other way around, I wrote it this way because I made Colby say it 'I Love You' first.
Growing up I remember my Grandparents always reminding one another that they loved the other but I never EVER remember either one of them saying I love you too, it was always I Love YOU.. as if it were a competition in who said it first. This has always stuck with me, with my friends, with my family, and with Colby. Just another reason I love to hear (or say) I love you.
Colby does little things everyday that tell me just how much he loves me. Every single day I'm reminded just how lucky in love and life I am .. I've definitely had my fair share of trials and tough times but it was worth every single tear and 'why me?' moment to get where I am today.

Lately I've heard a lot of stories similar to mine where girls found themselves in a position just like mine where their marriage took a turn in the wrong direction for reasons unknown to them. They were left confused, heart broken, and crushed. I wish I could get together with these girls and help them through their tough times. I know all our situations are different and that we're different people but I would love to teach them what I've learned and share with them how I've become the person that I am today. Stronger!
I'm so grateful for my trials today, for the lessons and blessings that have come from each one.

a penny for your thoughts ...

I went to sunday school with Colb last week, always a good time. The lesson was on eternal marriage .. how to achieve it, how to find it, and how to enjoy it. Jordan Davis gave the lesson, I love when he teaches. He gets really nervous but once the comments from the class start coming in and he realizes we're participating, he gives a great lesson.
We were talking about how to find the person we want to spend eternity with and I raised my hand. Always very nervous about commenting EVER - not just in a visiting ward- I felt confident in saying it, I didn't come up with it which made it easier to say. Weird. I'm reading a few books about marriage, love, being engaged, and remembering who you are and I'm loving them. There is a ton of good points and stories and quotes coming from all different directions. I believe I found the quote I used in the book '101 questions to ask before you get engaged.'

"You have to divorce yourself before you can truly love someone else."

A few people shook there heads in agreement, the teacher commented on the depth of it and the girl behind me started murming under her breath. Then she started murming a little louder. The teacher asked her to share her opinion loud enough for everyone to hear. She said she disagreed completely and continued to tell the class that she didn't think we should have to change who we are for someone else to love us. We should be able to be true to ourselves and the person who deserves us will understand that we are who are and that shouldn't have to change.
HUH??? WHAT???
The teacher was excited that there was a chance for debate but he brought the floor back to me. He asked me if I would like to explain my comment and maybe clear a few things up.
I explained -in a not very nice voice.. but I had steam coming out of my ears, I was embarassed, and she tried to make me look like a fool- That that wasn't what the comment was referring to .. at all. I think the quote was suggesting that we put ourselves in a position where we should desire to put our happiness aside to see someone else smile. We should be selfless and jump at the chance to help those around us be happy. I said a few more things but I was so frustrated by the end of the class that I really can't remember. Colby threw in a good comment to back me up and then we gave it back to the teacher. He was glad I was able to explain myself and he again commented on how much he liked the thought.
I found this qoute on a blog that I follow a few months back and I love it. I wish I could have thought of it on sunday. Next time for sure!

"Love is when someone elses happiness is more important then your own" .. Thanks Keri for posting this .. It's so cute and so true!

I talked about it for hours and Colby kept reminding me that I was right and the debate was over HA HA HA! ... I'm just about over it but I'll be keeping my penny bitter girl, and you can keep your thoughts.

A lot to blog about ...

Okay not really.
I've been working A TON - 5 days a week. Sounds normal right? ya not so much. I work 35 hours in 3 days at Smith's so the other two are a few extra hours I get to work at ShopKo. Yes get to, I really love that pharmacy sometimes.
Colby is back to school and so far enjoying it. He was really excited to go back and it made me pretty jealous. If I knew I was going to enjoy it that much, I'd go back for something.
Mom has been living the dream and traveling to California to visit the kids whenever she can and we miss her dearly when she's gone ... We've eaten enough cereal to feed an army. Luckily the Carter's have graciously invited us over for dinner more than once and Taco Time and Burger King aren't too far away.
Colby and I took Logan and a friend to Bear Lake on Saturday. Our family has a cabin up there so we decided we might as well take one more vacation before summer ends and go up for the day. We got up there and no one else was up there so we took full advantage and stayed the night. Logan and Zach's friend Aubrey is going to school at Utah State so she was able to join us at the last minute and I'm so glad she did. She's adorable and so much fun. (plus she was able to bring a few more blankets)
We felt very unprepared ... not my favorite, luckily I have two 'soccer game' blankets in the back of the car, we bought toothbrushes at the gas station, and ate dinner at one of our favorite hamburger joints. So tasty!
We didn't stay as long as we had liked but we did run into one of my really good friends and it made my whole day. We knocked on the cabin above ours to open the gate for us (way to late at night, sorry) and Scott walked out. I met him and his adorable wife Shay through Josh and we've kept in touch through all of this yucky divorce stuff. They are such a cute couple and I'm so lucky to have been able to stay friends with them. I was hoping to see Shay before we left but we left too early on Sunday. We need to get together soon though. I was excited for Scott to meet Colby and Scott was equally excited for me.
I went to Sunday school with Colby on Sunday, the lesson was on eternal marriage and it was awesome. Something I said sparked an unnecessary debate. Read the next post to catch the juice.
Sunday night I went with the Carter's to family home evening with Holly's family in South Jordan. It was SO much fun. The food was delicious and as usual, the company was a blast.
Labor day turned out to be a pretty lazy day but I loved it, a lazy day was exactly what I needed.
Colby and I are running a 5K on Saturday so we went for a run yesterday to get ourselves ready. Colby did surprisingly well (he claims he's not a runner) and I didn't do as well as I had hoped but it was fun. I've always had this mental picture of running a race with my husband and my little family someday (is that weird?) I read a post on Holly Williams blog a while back about a race their family ran and it made me cry. So cute! It feels so good to have Colby's support and know that he's enjoying it as well. I'm really excited to run with him this weekend, hopefully we do well .. We might have a chance if he can keep his silly comments and jokes to himself. Laughing slows me down and takes all my energy.
I spent the majority of my day off being a lazy bum and refused to do much of anything. I took Logan and his friend Josh to the mall for lunch - only because Chick-fil-A was giving away FREE chicken sandwiches if you were rocking any attire from your favorite athletic team - I just bought their drinks!
I purchased a few had to have items and we ran into one my favorite families of all time, the Varney's and I go way back. I dated their son Cody several years ago but I've always stayed really close with Sunny and Scott. They were really excited to see me and it was good to catch up.
Colby and I went for chinese, roamed target (my favorite), purchased Jamba's for dessert, and watched Fever Pitch .. I love that movie!
I'm a little sad the vacation weekend is over for a few reasons .. 1. Summer is just about over 2. I have to go back to work. 3. Colby has to go back to school.
On a much more exciting note though, We're headed to Island Park a week from Friday and I can't wait. It will be nice to really get away and be able to stay for more than a day.
There are only a few much I'll post pictures from Bear Lake soon.