New Adventures

I am grateful for all of the new adventures we will have here in Texas.

We already had a few like spending Thanksgiving with some new wonderful friends.

We've spent an evening in San Antonio and plan to go back and see even more.

We're slowly eating our way through the restaurants in our neighborhood and can't wait to try the new Tex-Mex place down the street from us.

I love being here and am so glad that things have worked out the way they did. We hoped for something like this, but with all of the other plans we made failing it seems unreal that it didn't happen this time. We couldn't have done it without all of the support from our friends and family over the years. Just knowing that my siblings and parents were proud of us and the sacrifices we were making helped to reassure us that we were on the right path.

Source

It has been a hard road with many unexpected challenges along with the expected ones, but we made it. I know we are no where near done with challenges, but I'm grateful for the strength we gained over the years so we can face whatever comes our way.

Mega Desk

I am grateful that mega desk is back!

Naturally, Jonathan's side has two monitors and tons of cables while my side has more space for my projects. I really like having our desks together.

Tender Mercies

I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord that I have experienced. The phrase "tender mercies of the Lord" comes from the Book of Mormon. In the past few months I have recognized some big ones as well as a few little things most people would consider as a coincidence. I believe that God is in each of our individual lives in a very personal way and tender mercies are evidence of that.

Source

For me, the most obvious one was the smoothness of our move here to Austin. On Wednesday, we got the call that we needed to move and the next day we were on the road. The craziest thing that happened was a bird hit the truck somewhere in the middle of Arizona. We pulled into town without a place to live and within 18 hours we signed our contract. Throughout the experience it was unreal how smooth everything went. I know that it wasn't anything that Jonathan and I did besides being ready and willing to go.

Another one was seeing rainbows as we moved from Utah back to California as well as our move to Austin. When I saw them, they reassured me that we were making the right decision. It's sometimes hard to really know what's best and they confirmed that we were on the right path for us.

Lately, I've been missing our sweet angel babies a bit more than usual. I always miss them, but I'm feeling it more acutely. A few weeks ago, I cleaned my dirty glasses and one of the smudges was a perfectly shaped tiny footprint. It had all 5 toes and I immediately though of J and E. I felt peaceful. I know that they are where they need to be and that they can feel my love for them. I felt like that was their way of showing their love for me.

I know that there are times when it is hard to find tender mercies, but they are there if we look for them.

Team Marriage

I am grateful for our marriage. We have been tremendously blessed by having each other day in and day out. I feel like this quote sums up my feelings.

Primary

I am grateful that Jonathan and I have church callings in Primary. For the past three years we were in Nursery together and now we are in CTR 6. I love being with Jonathan and the kids we teach. The kids honestly become my friends and help me. They are wonderful examples to me.

Remembering J and E

I am grateful that 

When we were in the Rexburg Cemetery in Idaho, Garrett was really confused by one of the headstones there. It said, "Baby Budded on earth to bloom in heaven." 

I explained to him that the baby died and would grow up in heaven instead of on earth. I felt impressed to share with him that I have two babies in heaven. Garrett is a deep thinker and didn't say anything more about it until a few months ago. My parents had just spent the evening swimming with Garrett, Charlotte, and a few of Andy's kids. While driving Garrett and Charlotte back home, my mom was saying how nice it was to spend time with them even though it wasn't all 10 of the grandkids. Garrett pointed out to her that there are more than just the 10 grandkids and she agreed that my two kids are in heaven. This started a sweet conversation about them and who is taking care of them. I love that I'm not the only one wondering where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. I know that J and E are happy and are loved by their family both here on earth and in heaven.

Holy Ghost

I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and learning how to recognize his promptings. For me, most of them are little ideas, but sometimes are feelings. I can't imagine what life would be like without the additional and personalized guidance of the Holy Ghost.

Photos

I am grateful for photos and how they help bring back memories.

I forgot how often Mercedes would walk around in my shoes.

I love that these three are still great friends.

I miss it when these two were so small. Soon Ryan will be taller than me.

There's nothing like a delicious cupcake to get even the most energetic little Theodore to sit still for a few moments.

Soon after taking the picture, Spencer ate the highlighter. I wasn't attentive enough...

I couldn't believe how long these two sat at the table coloring. Girls are very different from the crazy boys!

Ruby snuggles were heavenly.

I miss Charlotte's extra chubby checks.

Missionaries

I am grateful for missionaries. We've been spending time with the sister missionaries in our ward and I am so impressed with them. We visited a man in the ward with them and the message they prepared was exactly what he needed. About a week later, we had dinner with them and they had the perfect message for us. They work and sacrifice so much to help and teach those around them. Even though they are missing out on normal life, they are strengthening their own testimonies by serving others. Their lives will never be the same in the best way. I am so grateful for their examples.

Hard Things

I am grateful for the knowledge that we can do hard things. My parents have made this our family motto and this summer we lived it.

During our fun day in Idaho, a big storm came through and we hid under the rafts to stay out of the pouring rain and hail. We weren't sure how we were going to get out of it, but we prayed together and trusted that we would be okay. The kids were scared, but eventually help came and we made it back to the cars. Looking back, I feel like it was a good experience where we proved that we can do hard things especially when we are together.

Click here to read the whole story.

Flexible Job

I am grateful for the flexibility of Jonathan's job. Last month, I was feeling really sick and desperate to have Jonathan at home to take care of me. I sent him a text and he was able to come home right away. Just having him at home with me helped me feel better. As I was resting, he was able to pull out his work laptop and do some more research concerning the project he was doing. I just hope that I don't need to do that again!

The Temple

I am so grateful for the temple. Since moving to Austin, we've made it down to San Antonio twice to go to the temple. This is the furthest we've lived from a temple and now we really have to plan our trips in advance.

I am grateful that when we lived close to the temple we were diligent with going frequently and now I'm grateful that we get to make time to go to the temple regularly.

Our Neighborhood

I am grateful for the neighborhood we live in. It's different living in the middle of a shopping center, but it's also really nice. We hardly ever use our car during the week since Jonathan walks to work.

Earlier this week they hung up more lights over the streets and started wrapping trees in lights.

This really feels like home!

Wedding Presents

I am grateful for all the generous wedding presents we received. As I was unpacking all of our things, I still can remember who gave us certain items even though it's been 6 years since they were given to us.

It's still humbling all these years later to know that so many were so generous to us as we were starting out. From bakeware to glasses to dishes, we wouldn't have been able to provide these things for ourselves and so many others were able to help make our home what it still is today.

My Body

I am grateful for a strong and healthy body. Our apartment has a fantastic gym and when I started using it I wasn't sure how my body would react because I haven't consistently worked out in years. I had no real expectations, but I knew that I wanted to take care of my body. I made a goal to work out at least three times a week and the reward would be a much needed pair of new Nikes.

After a few easy workouts on the elliptical, I finally started pushing myself harder and I didn't feel like death like when I was in high school. Because I progressed so quickly, I went ahead and purchased my well deserved shoes.

Just last night I ran three miles in less than 18 minutes. I can't believe that I can actually push myself like this when running an entire warm up lap in high school was too much for me to handle.

Personal History

I am grateful that I have been recording our personal history here. I know that I can certainly post more frequently, but I am grateful that it is all in one place and I can look back on where we were. This is my 500th post and when I see where I was when I started, I am not the same person. I am happy with where I was and where I am today. I would have forgotten so many things if I didn't take the time to record things here.

Books

I am grateful for all the books that Jonathan and I have collected over the years. Since I've never experienced a major natural disaster, I didn't realize that the libraries in the schools that were in the path of hurricane Harvey were destroyed. The Mid-single adults in our stake gathered books to help begin rebuilding the libraries for the children there. I am grateful that we collected books so we could share them with those that really need them.

Delicious Food

I am grateful for all of the delicious food Jonathan makes. He keeps finding new recipes to try out along with his tried and true ones. Tonight is homemade pizza night!

Now, it's time for me to get back into cooking!

General Conference

I am grateful for General Conference. It helps redirect my focus and encourages me to do better! It builds me up and helps me see what I need to improve in myself. One talk that I would like to share with you was given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. It was a talk that I needed to hear.

Click here if you would prefer reading it.

Veterans

I am grateful for the brave men and women that willingly serve our country.

Freedom is not free.

Seeing More of the World

I am grateful that we were able to see more of the world during our drive to Texas. I got so excited seeing so many saguaro cacti as we drove through Arizona. We didn't see much of New Mexico because the sun already set before we got there, but we saw tons of stars as we drove through the night.

Next year, we are planning on taking some big trips to see even more of the world and I can't wait!

Frank

I am grateful for my old iPod that I named Frank. I finally recharged him for the first time in years and I love rediscovering music that I listened to throughout my high school years.

I love how music brings back so many memories.

Fall In Texas

I am grateful for the warm Texas fall weather. There have been a couple of days that were in the low 60s and I had to remind myself that it wasn't actually freezing cold.

I love living in a warmer climate!

Google Maps

I am grateful for Google Maps. It makes moving to a new place so much easier and less stressful. I don't worry about getting lost because even if I miss my turn, it will redirect me. It took us about a month, but we now know how to get to church without the directions!

Family History

I am grateful that we made a lot of family history visits this summer.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Nielsen and great grandpa and grandma Nelson
in Mink Creek, Idaho

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma McGavin Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Davis
in Rexburg, Idaho.

 Then we went to Rexburg to visit great-great grandpa and grandma McMillan and great-great grandpa and grandma Davis. On our way home, we took a detour to Star Valley, Wyoming to visit great-great-great grandpa Nebeker and great-great grandpa and grandma Call. We are so blessed to be part of their families

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma McMillan in Rexburg, Idaho.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Call in Star Valley, Wyoming.

Visiting great-great-great grandpa Nebeker in Star Valley, Wyoming.

I really enjoyed researching to know a bit more about them and see where they were living before they died. Everything was so green from the extra wet winter. We are so blessed to part of their family!

Fasting and Prayer

I am grateful for the power of fasting and prayer. One of the biggest unknowns about our move was where we were going to live. During that short day of packing, people were always surprised when we told them we didn't have a place to move to.  Our main focus was getting Jonathan to Texas to start work on Monday and I would focus on finding an apartment.  We are both planners and this very large unknown wasn't bothering us like it typically would.

Within 18 hours of getting to Austin, we had the keys to our apartment. Everything about getting to Austin and finding a home there was smooth and easy. I knew that it wasn't because of anything we did. Our first week in our new ward we found out that they were fasting and praying for over a month for new people to move into the ward. I am grateful for the faith of the members of our new ward and the blessings we received from them before we even got here.

Winn Elementary School

I am grateful that we were able to play a small role in a service project at Winn Elementary School here in Austin. Our stake has an annual service project for schools in the area. From what I heard, the school board was seriously considering closing down Winn Elementary because it was too expensive with all of the work that needed to be done. There were projects that needed to be done inside and outside the school. We were able to provide the labor needed to tackle the projects. Jonathan and I assisted with creating the gardens for the children to use.

There were people everywhere, planting trees and flowers to pulling weeds out of the overgrown track to painting murals. There were big jobs to be done and there were less people compared to the previous year, but it all got done. The projects will help keep the school open. I'm grateful that my small effort was able to help our new community.

A Washer and a Dryer

I am grateful to have our very own washer and dryer. After years of carrying our laundry up and down two flights of stairs in all types of weather we finally live in an apartment with hook ups! It felt so weird going appliance shopping. I guess we really are adults!

The guys who installed the machines were so nice and quick. We did five loads of laundry that same day. It was amazing!

California

I am grateful we were able to spend about two months in California before moving to Texas. It was wonderful to have that time to strengthen our relationships with our nieces and nephews.

It was hard having to leave without any notice, but I'm grateful that what time we had together.

A Month of Gratitude

I can't believe it's already November! As with previous years, I'm going to be posting everyday about something I'm grateful for to help get into the real spirit of Thanksgiving.

Today I am feeling particularly grateful for Jonathan. He has worked tirelessly over the years to complete his degree. His persistence opened opportunities that would have stayed dreams if he didn't push through the discouraging times. It still seems unreal how his career has started with his dream coming true of working for IBM's security team. I love that he is still working just as hard and learning just as much, but can focus on enjoying life with me when the work day is over.

I encourage you to participate in finding something you are grateful for each day and write (or type it).