Choices

Today, I'm thankful for promptings. That being said, I wish I followed them all the time. haha

I just need to learn that when I do, good things happen. Always.

Prompting #1: (the one I did follow!)

Wednesday night, Collette and her boyfriend, Kurtis, came down to St. George and Dan and I met them over at the temple to do some sealings for family names that my Grandpa found.
It was wonderful!

When we were leaving the temple, I had a prompting to put some names on the prayer role so they could be prayed for by many members of the church in the temple.
I had no idea why I needed to write their names down but did anyway.

The very next day, I was reminded why as it was the anniversary of the death of their young son. Obviously, they were being watched over and the Lord knew they needed that extra strength that day.

I'm SO glad I followed that prompting!

Prompting #2: (the one I didn't follow and now regret..)

Last night, Dan called me from work and said that his brothers had invited him to Cedar to do a "guy's night" for his birthday next week since they wouldn't see him. He asked if I'd like to come so I could visit his family and mine.

I had been feeling so exhausted all day and was still in my pajamas when he called (at 5pm...haha) and Aurora was being tired and grumpy and I just wasn't feeling up to it
SO
I told him he could just go up alone since it'd just be for a few hours that night and then he was coming back to St. George to work on a truck with our friend, Shaun, all day today.

He said that would be fine, so we hung up and I packed him a bag so he could come home, grab it, and be on his way.

While I was packing, I had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to just quit being lazy and go with him! I debated it and even got out a suitcase to pack Aurora and myself some things we'd need.
But then I talked myself out of it again and then Aurora started crying and that sealed the deal.
I wasn't going.

When Dan got home to get his stuff, I started crying and said that I just felt like I needed to go and didn't know why, but that I just really needed to stay home. He asked if he needed to stay with me and told me it was my decision.
I still decided to stay home but prayed that everything would be alright since I was feeling so weird.

Well, I soon found out why I should've gone.
My night was horrible. Horrible and boring.

Aurora was sleeping,
I was alone,
my house was messy and stinky,
my "relaxing" bath was cold,
I couldn't fall asleep until around 3am,
everything on tv was a re-run,
and I had no brain energy to read my book I'd planned on reading.

The only good thing was that I created a blog for my sister's mission! (check it out ----> HERE)

THEN this morning, I asked Dan when he was coming back and come to find out, Shaun is sick so Dan doesn't need to be back to work on the truck AND it's one of his rare days off...
SO if I'd have gone with him, we could've spent the day in Cedar visiting some family AND his parents would've taken us out to dinner for Dan's birthday.

CURSES!

And, just my luck... I'm feeling completely great today.

So, although it wasn't anything life changing that I was being prompted to do, not following it has caused me to really miss out.

I miss my hubby.

Guess I'll clean my stinky, messy house now.

There is always...

I think that from now until... well, however long I feel, really (haha) I am going to post something I'm grateful for everyday.

I have missed seeing those posts all over Facebook in November as not many people are doing the daily thankful thing there this year. I didn't think I'd miss it, but I do. 

Soooooo, I'm going to be bothering you with all of mine in the hopes that I can remember how blessed I am AND maybe remind you how blessed you are as well. 

Sure, life isn't always rainbows and sunshine, but it isn't always doom and gloom either! Why not be happy and thankful for it?

Day #1:

I'm thankful for technology!

Especially since we've moved away from family. It's been so wonderful to be able to share our lives through pictures and video chats on the web or our phones. 

Today, in fact, I talked to my dad on Google Hangouts on our phones, so I got to see him AND hear him! I'm loving that we both have new phones (Samsung Galaxy S4) so we can use them to connect even being 52ish miles away from each other. 

It was fun for us to see him, and especially for Aurora to be able to see Grandpa Barclay! Although, I think she's still a little confused about how exactly the communicating with Grandpa on our phones/video thing works haha

Thankful

Today I am thankful for the little things...

1. time I get to spend with Dan, no matter how little that might be with our busy schedules or what we're doing... even if it's cutting wood on his birthday (I split wood with an axe all by myself for the first time ever! haha)
2. the work Dan and I have been able to do over the last few weeks
3. hugs
4. my mom inviting me to go to a relief society women's conference with her and hearing exactly what my HF knew I needed to hear
5. my family
6. Dan's family
7. prayer
8. being able to hold Dan's hand and cry with him at Kelly's funeral
9. good weather and sunny skies
10. knowing families are forever and that this life isn't the end
11. jumping on the trampoline with Dan--laughing and having a good time after such a long, long day
12. all the family we've been able to see these last few days
13. the love Dan and I have for each other and the support we are to one another (I really am married to my very best friend ♥ )
14. mornings where we get to sleep in
15. school and the things I've been able to learn to better my life
16. our home
17. 5-day weekends

Sometimes the daily struggles of life can keep me from being thankful for the little things. It's easier to complain about everything than it is to just be thankful for what I do have. Writing down and remembering all the things I'm so blessed to have, really help. When you're focusing on all the good in your life, it's really hard to be negative and you're able to see things clearer; to be there for others and become less selfish. 

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving this year was the best.
For realsies.
Smith, Henries, Barclays, and Johnsons for the win.
(The only thing that would've made it better would be if the Dennetts had come)

I made 2 pumpkin pies.
Just so that I my household could eat it. (mmmm!)

I also made a triple batch of green bean casserole (traditional kind with an original/secret twist by me) (also, mmm!).

For the family dinner at my Grandpa's house.

Dinner was at 3pm and oh, boy was it yummy!
So SO yummy!

My grandpa set the table just like my grandma always did and he made such amazing dinner.
It was so wonderful to be with family (the people I'm most thankful for).

After dinner, and before dessert, we headed out to the cemetery to see my grandma's headstone that just got put in.
It was so beautiful.

They chose to put a picture of the tree they had their names carved in up the mountain and it was so beautiful.
And the ride there was only a party. More like 2 parties. haha (riding in our van is the bomb. basically.)

Then we came back for some glorious, glorious pie.
SO good.
Melt in your mouth good, even.

The party was re-started at my parents' house were we played some fun games (Telestrations, Boxers or Briefs?, and Are You an Idiot?).

Life was great that day!

I'm so thankful for all I've been blessed with ♥

Musical Musings

Music can be quite inspiring, wouldn't you say?
And today, I came across a few gems while listening to pandora that just inspired me to think.

#1: NOW 38
Can you even believe they have that many out now?
I mean, I remember when the first one came out!
AND I even own NOW 5!
It made me think of childhood to see that... pretty positive Destiny's Child is a contributor on that album (Oh yes)

#2: Thank You by Alanis Morissette
Old song, great song.
Yes.
Inspiring why?
Because Thanksgiving is this week! Hello!
I'm excited!
I don't have school or work for the next 3 days
AND on Thursday, Dan and I will head to my Grandpa Smith's for family thanksgiving.
The WHOLE family will be there this year and I am SO. EXCITED.
I'm so thankful for my family ♥

#3: Family by Matt Wertz
Speaking of family...
Today was the first time I've heard this song but I basically love Matt Wertz. The man has a way with words.
As I listened, I looked at the lyrics (thank you, Pandora) and thought "How absolutely perfect."
This song says exactly how I feel about my family.
This last week we have had to deal with a few things that are tough, really tough.
I won't go into any details but I will always be there for them and I know they are always there for me.
Even when times are rough.
We're family, forever.
My sisters and parents are some of my best friends
You guys are the best!
Love you all ♥

Happ'nings

Happ'nings of late.

Found my new love ♥ Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes from Sweet Mercy

Watched my sister perform her little acting heart out in CHS's production of Bye, Bye Birdie! She was so cute

Went to the Temple in St. George to do some family names with Dan, Bryan, and Mickel. Such a great experience and a good day. I fall more in love with Dan every time we have the opportunity to go to the temple together 

Had early Thanksgiving dinner with Dan's family and a lot of our friends. So much fun, yummy food, and great people. Also, Dan's family decided this weekend that they are moving down here. Seriously! They looked at houses and stuffs. It'll be fun!

pumpkin overload

Yes, folks, if you came to my house at anytime this Thanksgiving holiday, you would have been hit with pumpkin overload.

I made pumpkin cheesecake (same one I made for Dan's birthday) and pumpkin crumble and my mom and Erin made our traditional, pumpkin pie.

It was all so SO good BUT I'm almost, ALMOST pumpkined out. ("pumpkined" is not a word. I know.)

Both of my awesome recipes come from OurBestBites (love LOVE that site) so if you'd like to check them out, then I've provided a link for the site right HERE. Yummy :)

Good things that happened this holiday:

-I had 2 Thanksgiving dinners right in a row

-Dan's brothers, Ryan and Cody, came down to have Thanksgiving with the Johnson's and they stayed with Dan so we got to hang out with them

-My family put up the Christmas tree and our house looks so ready for the Christmas season (I love it!)

-My grandparents came to our house for Thanksgiving dinner

-Steph went to Black Friday sales and got Dan and me a mini chopper, a mixer, and a small crock pot for $2 each

-I got a little bit of homework done

-I ate lots of food and got fatter :)

-We got our engagement photos done by Brooke Bryner Photography. She did a really good job making us feel comfortable and I feel like we got some great shots even though it was FREEEZING...and I fell in the snow haha I can't wait to see them this week!