Gratitude - Day 9

We have all heard mother in law horror stories. I don't have any of those. I have THE best in laws possible. The Hodgkinson's are the best. I love Wendy and Clark. Wendy is so sweet, kind, loving, smart and fun. She is the funnest grandma. For her birthday she wanted a pogo stick, which she got and loves. Clark is smart, funny and tells the best stories. Heather and Greg and their girls are such good friends to us. We have spent many late nights at their house talking and eating Heather's yummy cookies. Rick and Heather and their girls are so much fun. Annie says the cutest things. My favorite as of late is when she was helping me change Eliza's diaper. I called E a cute little munchkin. Annie said, Dorthy went on the yellow brick road to the emerald city and there were munchkins and Eliza is not a munchkin. Hilarious. Haylee and Darin are always up to something fun. And they are lucky to have the only boy in the family with another girl on the way. I LOVE the Hodgkinson's. From day one of meeting them (in my sweats by the way) I have felt loved and welcome. I am so thankful for all of them.

Gratitude - Day 8

I'm starting to see a trend in my posts. Family. I love my family. This post is for my sisters in law. Jennifer is a nurse, a great mother, and a friend. She takes her kids on their own field trips and makes things fun. Meridith and I worked together and became such good friends. She is also a great mother and friend. She's been my baby question answerer. I have called her for the silliest questions. Michelle is a great mother and friend as well. She is an amazing artist. I hope someday she has the time to paint more often. My brothers are all very lucky to have such amazing women as their wives. I am so thankful for them in my life.

Gratitude - Day 7

Jess is so amazing. She is the best sister anyone could ask for. She is talented in so many ways. I am always asking her to do things for me because of her craftiness. She graduates from LDS Business College in December in Interior Design. I know she'll do amazing things. She has been a great example to me in so many ways. Even though I am the big sister, she has been more of a support to me than you can imagine. She is going to make an amazing wife and mother someday. I love her so much and am so thankful for her in my life.

Gratitude - Day 6

Where would we be without grandparents. I LOVE my grandparents. My grandma and grandpa Bott were so fun. My grandma was hilarious. My grandpa was too. I don't have a picture of my grandma on my computer...I'll find one and post it later. They were both hard workers and great examples. My grandma and grandpa Tolman are the best too. This is a picture of us at Maddox for my grandpas 80th birthday. What an amazingly long life! I am so thankful for both of them. I am so glad they are still around. My grandma has been a link to my mom which has meant a lot. I am not sure what I'll do without her. And although my grandpa is getting "old", he has so many qualities that remind me of my mom. I love that link. I also LOVE Ben's grandpa Welling and grandma Hodgkinson. I didn't know their spouses but I have heard about them and know I would have loved them too. I am so thankful for all of the grandparents in my life, for their wisdom and love.

Gratitude - Day 5

Where and how can I possibly start on this post? It is this time of year that memories flood through my heart. My mom was the best mom hands down. She was the most giving, trusting, accepting, loving human being. She never complained (something I'm not nearly as good at). I have never met someone like her. She was so unselfish. Even in her days of not feeling well, she was always thinking of others, usually her family. I was lucky enough to work with her for a summer at the Boyer Company. I was an assistant to the accounting department and whoever needed me. It wasn't the funnest job in the world but it made for some great memories. We would eat lunch together everyday. We would either make lunch there or walk to Einstein's or somewhere close. If we left the office, we somehow always ended up at the mall. My love to shop came from her that's for sure. We would walk and talk and laugh. She had the best laugh. I remember always feeling loved and taken care of. I remember being read to. One of my fondest memories of my mom was her playing the piano. She wasn't the best piano player but she loved to do it. At night she would either be reading or playing the piano (or sneaking chocolate chips from the fridge). I remember not being able to sleep and hearing the soft piano from the basement. I would creep downstairs, sit by my mom, and listen. We usually wouldn't talk for a bit but just sit. I will never forget those nights. I remember coming home from school to warm wheat bread just out of the oven. I remember watching my mom cook and cook and cook. In high school my friends always wanted to go to my house because my mom was the best cook. She really was. I could go on and on and on. I am sure this just sounds like rambles and probably has terrible grammar (apparently you lose brain cells after having a baby!). Right now when I think of my mom I think of her as an example and someone to emulate. I am trying my hardest to be like her and to raise Eliza to someday say that I am the best mom. Not for the praise or glory, but for Eliza. Motherhood is amazing. I now know why my mom was so selfless and loving. You can't help but be when you have a little soul sent from heaven for you to take care of.

Gratitude - Day 4

I have the best dad. He is a wonderful support to me, my family, and our extended family. He is giving, loving and kind. He always has his piece of advice to give. When my mom got sick my relationship with my dad changed. When she passed away he became my best friend. Since the passing of my mom my dad has done everything in his power to keep our family close. I am so thankful for that.

Gratitude - Day 3

Blond hair. I'm thankful for my long awaited blond highlights that I got back yesterday.

Gratitude - Day 2

Today I am thankful for the grocery shopping app on my iPhone. Grocery shopping with a newborn can be tricky but with this app, and Ben's hard work to make it correlate with my grocery store of choice, grocery shopping has become a breeze.

Gratitude - Day 1

Each day in November until Thanksgiving I am going to post the many things I am thankful for. Some will be silly. Some very meaningful.


1o years ago I had the opportunity to study abroad in Jerusalem. Last night I showed Ben a slide show of the people I was there with. Some I didn't even recognize and some I vaguely remembered. Although I don't remember every face or name, I remember the feelings I had while I was there. I remember walking where Jesus walked. Today I looked through some of my pictures from Jerusalem. I am so thankful I had that opportunity. I hope someday to go back.

Pumpkin reasons to love fall...

My favorite pumpkin...