The Perfect Time of Day

I finish at work at the perfect time. It's 5 pm like most people, which that explains the traffic on my way home, but that's not why it's perfect. At 5 o'clock, the sky is just completely gorgeous with color. The sunsets are the highlight of my drive home. I've been taking pictures of them for the past few weeks and want to share. (My car is stopped when I take these pictures.)

Nov. 13

I got so excited that the sky was pink that I sent to someone who absolutely loves pink, Mercedes.

Dec. 4

Dec. 16

Dec. 18

With the knowledge that we are moving in about a week (YIKES!), I've been relishing my time driving around the town I grew up in. I love that I spent my entire life here and that we started our married life here. Next stop, Utah!

A Little More Faith

Christmas came early this year for us. In November, Jonathan applied to various universities and got in to all of them. It was such a blessing to finally feel like we had options to pick from. Well, we weren't sure about which school to pick, so naturally we went to the temple. It was obvious where we needed to be. So, we are going to be moving to attend....

Source

Utah Valley University!

Jonathan is beyond excited to be back in school and getting closer to finishing his degree and starting a career in something he loves. I'm so happy that we will be so much closer to Taylor, Kenzie, & sweet {not so little anymore} Mercedes. We'll also be closer to Chris, Annie, Seth, & Clara and Hannah in Vegas. We will still have lots of family to be with.

As we've been working on moving, there have been some road blocks along the way. Jonathan's still waiting to hear back about what credits transfer and last night the apartment we were trying to get was leased. Needless to say, I was very discouraged.

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was searching for something. I looked in the places I had remembered seeing it, but it wasn't there. As I started looking in more and more unlikely hiding spots, I said a quick prayer asking for help to find it. I felt like I should go back into my bedroom and look in the most unlikely place. I did and sure enough there it was the whole time. After finding it, I got the impression that I just need a little more faith with the move like I had just experienced. Everything will work out, but I need to trust that it will as we continue to get ready for the move.

Thanksgiving Break

This Thanksgiving break was really relaxing and filled with family. Jonathan's family went to Utah to be with his brother's family, so we had a one family Thanksgiving. My brother's family drove in to town on Wednesday and that started all of the playing for the rest of the week.

After a morning of shooting, we had an afternoon of cooking. Thanks to my KitchenAid, we had whipped potatoes instead of mashed potatoes.

After dinner, there was a cousin sleepover.

We spent Friday morning playing outside in the warm, sunny weather.

Our neighbors joined us for some t-ball.

Ryan is such a good oldest cousin.

That night we had pizza at Andy and Amy's.

The oldest and second youngest grandkids.

While the boys played upstairs, Lyla and Clara quietly colored. I was in shock that these 2 would just sit there for so long. Girls are definitely different from boys.

On Saturday, I was boring and didn't take any pictures. In the morning, I went to the temple with all of my siblings {poor Jonathan had to work}, while my parents had all 8 of the grandkids. That night, all of us adult children went to sushi. It was the first time Jonathan and I had it and I really enjoyed and Jonathan didn't hate it!

On Sunday, we visited Grandma Machen {my mom's mom} after Church. She loved watching Clara.

I told you she loved watching Clara.

Seth preferred running around rather than talking to his great-grandma.

Grandma was glowing after Clara gave her a kiss.

We had some lunch and then went back to Andy and Amy's for our last evening together.

Seth looks like a little man.

I love Clara's eyes.

Cha-Cha will put just about anything in her mouth these days.

Seth and Jonathan had to get in one last sword fight before they left.

It was so wonderful to have so much family time with all 18 Pattersons. It's crazy how quickly these kids are growing up and developing their own, unique personalities. I'm grateful we were able to all be together.

The Wrong Road

This short video is such a good reminder for me that I thought I would share it.

Sometimes in life, we are certain that we are on the right road. When in reality, we are being taught that  it isn't the right one just so that we can be certain that it isn't right. It's a tough way to learn, but the key is to know that all will be well and that there are better things in store as you keep to the new road you are on. I regularly need that reminder with all that has happened this past fall. All will be well.

Thanksgiving Tradition

My favorite part of Thanksgiving day is going shooting. I'm usually the only girl, so I get to spend some quality time with my dad and brothers. This year my oldest nephew got to come along with us. We had 4 generations of Pattersons.

Our usual place was packed with people, so we found another area which was better because it was Ry's first time.

Ry got to shoot the .22

All of the adults got to shoot my grandpa's new 1911. Back when he was in the Air Force, he traded a trailer for a 1911 that had a .22 barrel along with a .45 barrel. He wasn't too sure about the origins of the gun and so he sold it, but kept the .22 barrel for it. Last year, he got another 1911 and this was our first time shooting it.

It took Chris and Grandpa some time to figure out how to switch barrels.

My favorite gun of the day was our old bolt action .22. My great-great grandpa bought this gun from a catalog and he killed a hawk with his first shot. It is still a good shot.

Auntie

I am grateful that I have been an aunt for over 10 years now. It seems absolutely crazy that these kids are getting so big.

Ry is awesome with the little boys.

Ty is a fish.

Kyle is part super hero.

Mercedes is a princess!

Garrett is a ham!

Charlotte won't stop growing.

Lyla is a busy little girl.

Seth is a goof!

Clara is so sweet.

The Best Book

I am grateful for the scriptures. It's such a blessing to have them. There are so many stories of faithful men and women facing challenges and through the Lord make it. There is a power that is in this book that can help us grow and better understand God and ourselves. One of my all time favorite scriptures is Leviticus 3:12-13. After listing all of the temporal blessings for keeping the commandments it says

"And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yolk, and made you go upright."

I know that this is true. If we keep the commandments, we can have a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father. He can lighten the yolks we carry with us. Whether it's from braking the commandments or emotional or physical pain. He will always be there with us through these experiences. The scriptures help remind us of His perfect love for us. I am so grateful for this wonderful book and those that wrote it, protected it, and translated it.

This Day

I am grateful to spend today with my sweet husband and family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

via

Words

I am grateful for encouraging quotes and words. With all the craziness that has been going on this fall, I have been looking for help to cope with our plans falling apart. I want to share some of the quotes that have helped me to keep things in perspective and be strong enough to carry on.

via

via

via

via

via

Words are very powerful and I think that we sometimes forget that. I am grateful for these uplifting words. They truly do help.