Day 30 This Time of Year

I love this time of year because everyone begins to refocus on what life is really about. Everyone is a lot kinder and more generous with their time, talents, money, etc. and that makes for a great season. People get so excited for Christmas and seeing the lights that people put up. People also tend to spend more time together in various activities regardless of the cold weather outside. I'm grateful that this time of the year helps me and other keep in perspective what this life is really about and how we should care for each other always.



I made it the whole 30 days! I didn't think it was going to happen to be honest because of how busy I am, but I made it. Please keep in mind that when you begin noticing and voicing the things you are thankful for your eyes open up to all of the blessings you have around you. I would encourage you to find one thing a day to be grateful for and express your thanks for what you have. By doing this I promise you that you'll be more grateful for the little things you have in life and learn to recognize that it's the little things in life that matter most.

Day 29 Games

I love board games and I'm grateful any time I get to play them because they bring people together. You get to see a unique to others that you may not have seen before until you pulled out a game. My family always bonds during games no matter what the game is. Last night while we were waiting for everyone and for food to get done we did a scavenger hunt and everyone was excited to do it and joined in on the fun. We had great responses from those who participated this year and we'll probably do it again next year! So if you're struggling for a way to pull your family together, just encourage games and you'll see an awesome response.

Day 28 Turkey Day

 Today is turkey day and I'm so excited! I love food in general, but Thanksgiving is what this month is all about! I'm super grateful for relatives who know how to cook really yummy foods and are kind enough to teach me so that when we all get together we can all enjoy delicious food. This Thanksgiving I work in the morning, but tonight for dinner we are doing a scavenger hunt and I'm so excited that there are holidays that help families stay close together.

Day 27 Mindless Cartoons

Cartoons

are a great way to unload and not pay attention to anything when you are super stressed out. This past week has been extremely stressful and I'm ready to just be done. I am grateful that when my niece and nephew have cartoons on I can just sit here and not pay attention to what's being said because there is no point to them. They really are good for the soul when your brain is on overload.

Day 26 Technology

I'm grateful for technology in this very advanced technological world. I love having a laptop, a kindle, a smart phone etc. where I can look up and research any information that I need. My laptop and I have been connected at the hip this semester as I've kept on top of my assignments and taken the time to write these posts or even learned about new types of technology that can help improve my classroom. 

Day 25 Cookies

I know this seems silly to be grateful for, but there are days where these chocolate chip cookies just save my life ha ha. They are so yummy and addictive that I just can't help but eat way too many! I know that if I've had a bad day and eat a few hot, yummy, gooey chocolate chip cookies my life is complete.

Day 24 Iris

This little creeper has been fun to have around as well. She is definitely unique and isn’t afraid to show us just how unique she is. Iris always does things her own way and I have a feeling that she will always do things her own way. She always loves to give hugs and reminds me how good hugs can make you feel when you receive one. She is always a big helper with Kaden and Amilliya and loves to cook food if she can. She reminds me that it's okay to be a helper and love life.  

Day 23 Shyeane

This chica has been one little attitude filled lady wrapped into a 10 year old's body. She has had to go through a lot and is still continuing to go
through a lot, but she faces the world every day. She shows everyone around her the love she has for this world and the people in it. She always leaves notes telling us how much she loves us and makes sure that we know how wonderful we are according to her. She has been such a bundle of joy to have around and I'm so grateful that she is in my life and get's to spend the night at my house on the weekends.

Day 22 Aubrey

This lady never ceases to amaze me! We almost lost her a few years ago and I know how devastated I was when she was just in an accident, but if she would have been taken from us, I don't know how I would have continued on. She did continue on despite her circumstances and the fact that her arm is now damaged beyond repair, she continues to live her life the best way she can. She could be super angry at the world, but she chooses to move on and give every day a new shot. I couldn't imagine what she went through as the van was spinning and crashing around her. I'm grateful for her because she always makes me laugh and helps me to see that my life is good even with all the crap going on.

Day 21 Nichole

She doesn't know I'm posting about her, but I am truly grateful for her! Nichole is my student teaching field partner this semester and she is fantastic! She has been so prepared and planned ahead for everything. She is always ready to explore new lessons or concepts and tries to make sure that everything is set in place before we teach. When it started getting busy at work for me, she was prepared every step of the way. Our schedule was a little hit and miss sometimes, but overall I feel that we did a very good job. The students all loved her. I would have several students ask me every day when Mrs. Keele was going to get there. She was always helpful and willing to practice with students. She taught me a lot about teaching and how to interact better with students on their level. She will be a fantastic teacher and I can't wait to work with her again!

Day 20 Student Teaching

This semester I got to do my first official student teaching practice. I was assigned to Scera Park Elementary and it was for a 6th grade classroom. When I first learned that I was assigned to 6th grade, I was terrified. I remember

my 6th grade classmates being pills for substitutes that came in and I could only imagine how they would treat student teachers. Nichole and I met with the teacher a few weeks ago and we were pretty excited because she was awesome and had a lot of experience! She said just to let her know what we would need to teach and she would have us observe the first week of being there and then teach any lessons we needed to after that. When we first met the students they were excited to see us and kept asking questions about us. They seemed to be engaged with the lessons we've taught so far and we still have a couple more lessons left this week before it's time for Thanksgiving break. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from a great teacher and to be working at a great school. The principal is very involved with all of his students and knows their first and last name. I never see him without a smile on his face or greeting a student as he walks down the hall. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be at a great school while I do my student teaching field work.

Day 19 School

I have loved my classes this semester. They have taught me a lot of great tips on how to be a great teacher. I have learned a lot more about what goes into being a teacher and I couldn't be more excited to be in the program and to be one step closer to getting my degree. I've had a lot of fun activities in each of my classes and have learned things that I want to implement into my own future classroom. I have 19 credits this semester and I am dying! I'm not going to lie, but I know that as soon as this semester is over, I'll never have to take 19 credits again! Please take into consideration if you're going to take 19 credits you probably shouldn't have a full time job and you shouldn't have kids that you help take care of or you will literally not sleep at all. Although this is the case this semester, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Day 18 Co-workers

Although we don't always agree on the best way to run things for VIP, these two ladies have been my constant companions for the past few months and I've loved working with them. They bring such a great spirit to VIP and I'd be lost without them. Tamsen is great at keeping things organized and making sure all of the rules are followed. She has great guest service skills. I have multiple guests come in and ask if she is working that night because she knows them by name and continues to treat them like they're the reason she came to work today. 

Kayla has brought a new calm spirit to VIP. She is great with guests and the team members love working with her because she is

so amazing! She knows what VIP is about and continues to show that every shift she works. She was brave to come into VIP not knowing anything and she is proven that she is more than capable of taking on any crazy thing VIP can throw at her.

Day 17 Work

I honestly am grateful to have a job and all of my body works in such a way that I'm capable of working. There are many people out there who are unable to work for one reason or another and those out there who just don't want to work. I'm grateful that my parents taught me the value of work and the importance of keeping a job so that I can pay for all of my responsibilities that I have. Also when you work, you're able to pay for the things you want in life. I really am grateful that I currently have a job, even when I feel that the circumstances there aren't worth it most of the time.

Day 16 Music

Everyone would agree with me that music influences their life in one way or another. For me I'm so grateful that I can put on one of my favorite songs and it turns any crappy day I have into a marvelous one! I know these posts have been short, but I have a lot on my plate and I'm unable to write as much as I'd like to.

Day 15 My Grandpa

My grandpa is amazing! He puts up with a lot and is such a quiet man. He keeps to himself, but is always willing to help out with a car or a computer problem. He is so smart and caring that we’d be lost without him. 

Day 14 My Grandma

 My grandma! She is an awesome lady who is always helping out those in need. When I wasn’t super busy with tons of school and work we would have awesome chats all the time that would go for hours and hours, but would never feel like that. She taught me how to crochet and continues to share patterns with me or ideas on projects that I could do. She is always willing to lend a hand or an ear if I ever need anything. I’m grateful for her because all of she does!

Day 13 Laughter

I’m grateful for laughter. It’s so fun to laugh! You’re in a better mood when you’re laughing and there is a smile on your face! I know that sounds a little redundant, but at the same time I really believe that laughter is the best medicine you can have! If you think about some of your best memories over the past year as I have, you’ll realize that many of those you were having a great time and somewhere in there you were laughing. How many times have we had a crappy day and a friend helps us break out of it by sharing a joke or a “remember when we”…..moment and all you can do it laugh? I love laughter and want to do better to remember to laugh daily and help others laugh. Laughter helps us stay positive and see the good in people. So people, remember to laugh! 

Day 12 Quotes

I’m grateful for quotes. Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I love quotes! Growing up I always kept every single quote handed to me every Sunday and found place on my wall to put them. I now have a quote book that these quotes are in because after 10 years paper doesn’t have its same stamina that it once did. Whenever I’m feeling down or lonely I can open my quote book and leaf through it until I find one that fits the mood I’m in and helps turn my day around. I love that words are powerful and that they can help us through times that we are struggling and I’ll always be grateful for those who are profound and share their words with others. 

Day 11 My testimony

My testimony has been tested in the last few years. At the beginning of this year/end of last year I told many of you that I wasn’t sure what I believed anymore and that I was too afraid to admit it because I didn’t want to let anyone down. However you need to make sure that you are willing to follow and believe because you want to and not because you’re afraid of hurting someone else’s feelings. So this year has been a great testimony builder so far. I have found out for myself whether or not the church is true. I can say for certain that I know it to be true. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who looks out for me in times of need. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by Joseph Smith for me to learn and grow from. I’m not currently where I want to be with my reading habits, but I can say that I know and that helps empower me. My testimony has been strengthened as I’ve gone back to church and continued to do the things that I know the Lord is pleased with. The more I share it, the stronger it grows. So I just want all of you to know that I do know that this church is true. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had this past year to really understand it more and get to a place in my life where I am happier spiritually than I’ve been in a long time. To any of you who may be struggling, it’s okay. It’s good to question and understand, it’s actually very important! In order to understand something or learn something you must make the time and put in the effort and for all of us this is a never ending process with the gospel. Even if you don’t have the gospel in your life, there are still many things you want to learn so make sure to put in that effort and know that you’ll get out what you put in. 

Day 10 Kaleb Ashtyn

Kaleb is the newest addition to our family and he has been such a joy to have around! Peaytan wasn’t looking to be a mom and was quite set against it until she heard this little man’s heartbeat at her first checkup. She’s been in love ever since and so have the rest of us. He was born in July of this year and has been such a happy baby. He is always full of smiles for his auntie Kjirsten and that makes me happy because according to Peaytan, I’m the only one he doesn’t straight face. He’s gotten so big in the past four months that it’s hard not to be amazed at how fast kids really do grow. He loves to sit up and look at his surroundings. He has now taken an interest at trying to attack my computer whenever I have it pulled up or he likes to chew on my phone. His smiling face helps get me through the days sometimes and I’m so grateful that he came into our lives this year. 

Day 9 Amillya Peayje

  Amilliya is a mini Allyson! She is a diva at heart and has realized the fact that she has all of us wrapped around her little finger. She is growing up so fast! She is such a talker and amazes all of us every day with the things she says and especially the things she repeats. When they say that kids imitate you please realize that this is true if you’ve never spent time around kids just know you really have to watch what you say. My favorite memory so far has to be when Amilliya knocked over a sprite in the front room and I was like “ugh….Amilliya.” Out of nowhere you hear her say “dammit” and I was just so shocked that she repeated that but at the same time I couldn’t stop laughing because she said that. We’ve heard her repeat a lot of things and she has the cutest little personality that there is. She makes my heart happy and I’m so grateful that this crazy little diva came into our lives when she did. She has definitely captured our hearts and made us all better people because of her zest and excitement for the simple things in life.

Day 8 Kaden MacKay

This little boy came at a time where our family was emotionally down. We weren’t expecting anyone to get pregnant and my family was pretty proud of the fact that none of the siblings in my family were teen parents (not that those who have babies in their teens are bad, it’s just super difficult to be a mom and go to high school). I still remember when we first found out that Ally was pregnant, Peaytan and I would spend hours throughout the week talking to Allyson’s stomach telling this unborn baby that we were going to be his favorite aunt and that he’d love to hang out with us all the time. When the time came this little boy to come it was the end of September. We were all in the labor and delivery room with Allyson waiting to meet him, when the doctor realized that this baby could not come naturally. They had to do a c-section to get him out because every time my sister pushed, Kaden’s heart rate would drop. So at 4 am our little Kaden was born. He is now three years old and my how he has grown!

He wasn’t able to speak and say words, only sounds. The doctors said it was normal and not to worry about it. So we just kept talking to Kaden and trying to get him to say words instead of sounds. Finally at the beginning of this year my sister saw a specialist and found out that Kaden had appoxia (I think that’s what it is called)-which means that Kaden understands what we are asking him to do and the words that we are saying, but there is a connection missing when he goes to say the word back to us. So when we would ask him to say ball for example. In his mind he was saying ball back to us clearly, but since that connection wasn’t there we only heard “aahhh.” He has come far though in the last few months. He is now able to say my name and many other words. Every day is a new experience with this very smart 3 year old because he usually says a new word and it’s so fun to get excited with him about the fact that we can understand each other.

Day 7 Quintin

This true blue man on the right is my youngest brother. He is so stinking smart and has been from his birth. I remember taking care of him growing up and just remembering he was going to go far in life because things just came so naturally for him. He is a gifted musician because he can hear a song on the radio and play it on the piano and he's never even had a single lesson in his life! He is so smart at school, he remembers everything and does well despite his laziness with not wanting to try. He is awesome at basketball and works hard at perfecting his skills. He is a true blue fan and will not hesitate to show anyone how much he knows about the BYU football team and their players. He is also an avid Jazz fan and loves watching them play. He is so smart that I know he'll go far in life and I'm grateful that he's my little brother!

Day 6 Peaytan

This beautiful diva is my youngest sister. She is amazing. She knows what she wants out of life and is not willing to let anyone take it away. She will tell you how it is to your face every single time, especially if you don't want to hear it. Most times that's nice because there aren't a lot of people who will do that for you because they are afraid of hurting your feelings. She is a beacon of truth and honesty and she doesn't take crap from anyone. We have a lot of great times together where we laugh like no body's business. She recently became a mom and loves that little boy more than anything else. She knows the value of life and living it to the fullest. She never hesitates to do what she wants in order to make herself happy. She loves the world around her and draws people in because she is a fun girl! I'm so grateful for this beautiful, wonderful sister of mine. 

Day 5 Allyson

Allyson has experienced a lot of hardships of life in her 23 years. She currently has two kids and is a single parent. She reminds me of being superwoman because she is trying to raise her kids, work full time, and go to school full time. She is an amazing person who is always a great listener. She will listen to you rant and then tell you how it really is. She is blunt to a point and knows what she wants out of life. From all of the hardships she has faced, she is still standing and that’s more than I can say for me if I was in her position. She rose from being in the depths of hell with her ex and came out on top. She is still rising to stay on top and puts her kids first. I am so grateful for her example and would be lost without her. 

Day 4 Jerron

This crazy man here is my younger, big brother! We joke about our height difference all the time since he is bigger than me, but younger. He has such a zest for life and is always positive. We need more people like him in the world because he doesn't let anything get him down. He is such a great example to me in not giving people power over you to influence how you feel. He has a secret handshake with all of the different siblings and we make it a point to use them when we are ganging up on one another. He will go far in life because he believes in himself and is determined to be happy.

Day 3 My dad

My dad is awesome! Probably the best in the world ha ha! Well I’ve loved having him in my life because he has taught me that you don’t have to “grow up” and take life so serious! He is a big kid at heart and we always have a good time when we’re together. We have lots of fun educational talks about anything and everything, that’s my favorite time spent with him. He never went to college and he is such a hard worker. He loves to watch the history channel, the discovery channel any kind of show that will teach him something about history-he is all over that like white on rice. He is such a good, quiet guy and he is always willing to show us what the true meaning of life is by caring about what’s most important: family. I love seeing him play with my niece and nephews. Although he didn’t want to be a grandpa as early as he was, he still loves every minute of it. I love my dad!

Day 2-My Mom

I'm grateful for my mom! She is my biggest cheerleader. She is always helping me realize that I can accomplish anything and helping me see when I'm being to stubborn to really see the bigger picture. She is always there and always willing to jump in and help if she can. Without her my life would be so incomplete, and I know that sounds silly, but my mom is a big part of who I am. She has taught me how to be kind to those around me, how to look at the bigger picture and how to keep my head up even when I don't want to. She listens to my rants and is the first one I call when I need to cry or vent. She is my everything and I'm so glad that I have her in my life!

November-The Month of Giving Thanks/Day 1

Why do you think that people only do the I'm grateful posts when it's in November? Shouldn't they be grateful all year long? ha ha Well I'm going to jump on that boat and list things that I'm grateful for and hopefully turn this into more of a constant thing and not just a one month thing.

Day 1-I'm grateful for my family.

My family has stuck with me through thick and thin, through all of my happy and grumpy times, and will for the rest of my life. They are my support system, my pick me up when I'm feeling blue and my fan section to encourage me to pursue my dreams. I don't know where I'd be without them and I know everyone says that, but it's so true. Anyone reading this, take a minute to think about those around you that really mean a lot to you, where would you be if they weren't always with you or always available to talk to you? Where would you be if they never existed? God puts people in our lives for a reason and He is always aware of what these interactions can teach us and how they can strengthen us. Over the next few days my posts will be about each individual member of my family and why I'm grateful for them. So if you don't want to read about them don't ha ha.