I Am Grateful for This Holiday

I am so grateful for Thanksgiving for a rather selfish reason.

He's my big hunk!

I get to spend the ENTIRE day with my sweet husband. I love spending time with Jonathan, but stupid stuff like school and work get in the way of us spending all day everyday with each other. I just don't like it! I will enjoy spending this day with Jonathan as we spend time with our families.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with loved ones and good food.

I Am Grateful For So Many Things!

So, I know I've been slacking off with my daily gratitude post, but I blame school, family filled weekends, and more school! On the bright side I get to share quite a few things that I am grateful for! (That means this will be quite long.)

I am so grateful for my job. I just love my job! I work in the office of a landscaping company (the kind that rips everything out and makes it pretty, not the mowing kind). I work with such wonderful people and am so grateful that they hired me. It has been really interesting learning all that goes into running a business and learning how to use a Mac. I really am so grateful that I can be of help in an office setting.

I am grateful for extended family. I love my family. A couple of weeks ago, my great-uncle Gerald was in town. I just love him! As soon as he saw me, he asked me if I brought my saxophone so I could play him a song. He loves that I play the saxophone and was rather concerned when I switched to trombone. (He told me that a pretty girl shouldn't have move my arm back and forth to play music. He's so cute!) We also spent some time with my cousins and grandparents that weekend. It's such a blessing to be part of a loving family.

I am grateful for Primary Programs. Once every year, the children in my Church participate in our Sacrament Meetings. They sing songs, share scriptures, and bare their testimonies of Jesus. It truly is my favorite Sacrament Meeting of the year. The spirit in that meeting is so sweet and the children are unintentionally hilarious! One little boy got up to the pulpit to share his part and in the middle of his sentence, he hiccupped! He paused and then continued as though nothing happened and hiccupped again! It was adorable. He stayed calm and shared his entire part. I am so grateful for Primary and all of the wonderful things that are taught by the leaders and teachers.

I am grateful for the men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedoms. It is such a blessing to have so much freedom in our lives that we don't even realize how much choice we do have in this country. That has been preserved through the sacrifice of so many brave and courageous men and women. I am grateful to them and their families for their daily sacrifice to ensure that our freedoms are not taken away. 

I am grateful for 6 hour lunch dates. On the Monday after Veteran's Day, I went out to lunch with my mom, Amy, Garrett, and our good friend Lisa. Well, no surprise that there was so much talking and catching up, but we didn't expect to be there for 6 whole hours! It was dinner time by the time we left the restaurant. It so wonderful to have such good friends that you don't mind spending the entire day talking with them.

Clara and Lyla playing on the floor.

The little boys watching a cartoon.

I am grateful for all the time that I've been able to spend with my nieces and nephews. I just love my kids (yes, I call them my kids). They are all so different and funny. I am grateful that I get to be part of their lives. They are so wonderful and each has amazing parents. I love watching my siblings being parents.

I am grateful for shelter from the cold and the rain. I love our little apartment especially when it starts to be cold and rainy outside. I feel so blessed to have a warm and cozy place to call home.

I am grateful for girl's night. Last week, I had a girls night with Kenzie and Christina. It was so much fun! We talked and snacked and watched a movie together. It is totally becoming a new Nelson girl tradition and next month Hannah and Mom will be with us too!

I am grateful for fall leaves. I love that as the wind blows, the leaves fall from the trees. It almost looks magical. I think that is one reason why I love fall. The leaves just kind of dance on their way down to the ground. Don't believe me? Watch for it. It's wonderful.

I am grateful for funerals. I know this one sounds really, really odd, but let me explain. I went to a funeral for my sister in law's cousin. During the funeral, sweet stories were shared about her and the sweet person she was throughout her mortal life. Her life was much more difficult than for most of us, but she still shared her love. Sometimes we forget how vulnerable our mortal bodies are and how much we rely on each other. I am grateful that I know that there is a purpose to life and that we will be with our loved ones that have gone on before us. I look forward to the day that I get to be with my grandmother, Barbara Jean Patterson. I am so grateful for the reminder that funerals are to me.

I am grateful for Sunday School. I love that I get to share lessons that are really meant for me (at least it feels that way to me). I love it when my class engage in the lesson (sometimes they all decide to be silent... it's not good). I love my kids (yeah, I have more kids). They are quite the bunch and I love each of them. I can't believe that another year is almost over. It seems like I've only been with them for a couple of months!

I am grateful for two cars that mostly work. (Jonathan has been having some minor problems with his battery dying and my brakes are starting to wear out.) I am so grateful that we can get to where we need to be and that we can rely on our cars to get us there safely. I am grateful that Jonathan knows how to maintain them and fix some of the problems. (He's planning on fixing my brakes. Yeah, he knows how to do that!)

I am grateful for the jinxing game. You know what I'm talking about. When you say the same thing as someone else and you shout "Jinx, you owe me a soda!" Yesterday, Jonathan came and visited me while I was in the Physics lab waiting to use the lab equipment and we were talking. When he was getting ready to leave, we both said the same thing and then I jinxed  him. I did request cranberry juice instead of soda (that stuff is bad for you!) I forgot all about it until Jonathan walked into our apartment carrying a bottle of juice for me. I just love that man!

I am grateful for this time in my life. I love having a cute little apartment to share with my sweet husband. I love spending time with him and our silly nieces and nephews. I love that we are still getting to know each other and learning how to be even sweeter to each other. I love that our life is simple. I am grateful that I have Jonathan by my side in all that I do.

I Am Grateful for the Future

Last night, Jonathan and I stayed up fairly late (ok late for me) talking. These past couple of weeks, Jonathan and I have been making some new plans for our future. I'm not going into the details right now, but I think they are wonderful! I'm grateful that we've gotten this new plan little by little. It didn't all come together at once like the planner in me has longed for, but rather it slowly came to us. I really feel like our Heavenly Father has had a major role in getting us to this point.

I am grateful that we live in a time that we can make plans for our future and execute them. It is so wonderful to have that kind of freedom.

I Am Grateful for the Temple

I know that I share my feelings about the temple a lot, but this one is different trust me.

On Halloween night, Jonathan and I went to the temple. We tried getting there early enough to do a session, but that didn't happen. We were flexible and did some sealings. As we were approaching the sealing room, I recognized one of the voices. We entered the room and sure enough, it was my mom's cousin Wally! He was the man who seal Jonathan and I almost two years ago. (I can't believe it's been that long!)

We were the only couple in the room so we did quite a few sealings and every so often we would take small breaks. We were on our last one for the night (a French couple) and about halfway through I could tell I was going to faint. I decided to be stubborn and push through since we were almost done. (Not the best idea I've had in my life.) My head involuntarily jerked forward and I couldn't keep my eyes open, but I forced my head back up. Ha! I was going to make it! Not two seconds later I was out.

I completely blacked out. My mind was somewhere else and I started relaxing and then suddenly I opened my eyes and I completely forgot that I was still at the temple! I quickly jerked up and knelt on my knees (another not so good idea) and Jonathan started telling me that I passed out. Thankfully we did finish up that final sealing and as soon as I started falling over Jonathan caught me.

I am grateful that Jonathan was there and quickly figured out what was happening. This was his first time seeing me pass out (he's been waiting for this day to come) and he took such good care of me. After a while, Jonathan helped me over to the couch and the temple president came in to see how I was doing. It turns out that he used to be a cardiologist and so I was in very good hands. He asked me a few questions, checked my blood pressure, and then left us in the sealing room. Another sealer walked into the room and then showed me the proper way for a woman to kneel during sealings. Apparently women's legs are not as good at circulating the blood that travels down our legs back up, so we need to flex our calves every so often to keep the blood flowing.

I am grateful for this experience. I am grateful that after all this time, Jonathan has finally seen me pass out and was able to stay calm while he took care of me. I am grateful that I could trust strangers to take care of me and know that they were truly concerned for me. I am grateful that my body has limits and that I am able to learn when to push them and when to lay down and rest. Let's just hope I don't need to be reminded again any time soon!

I Am Grateful To Be Heard

I am grateful that today, I was able to let my opinion to be heard. I was able to share my opinion of my elected officials by voting. We live in an amazing country. No matter who wins today's election, there will be a peaceful transfer of power. We don't need to worry about a sudden coup taking over. That is a wonderful blessing and I am grateful that my opinion matters.

I'm Grateful That I Can Catch Up

I was really busy this weekend, so instead of doing three separate posts at once I'll share three things I'm grateful for at once.

I am grateful for a healthy body. I do have a few minor problems every now and then like passing out and hurting my back (both of which I did in the past week), but overall I have a strong and healthy body. I have used my body to fulfill the purpose of having it. I have participated in all of the ordinances necessary to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. I have made all of the necessary covenants that can only be made in a mortal body.

I now have the opportunity to use that healthy body for others. I get to go to the temple and participate in the ordinances for those who were on the earth and didn't have the opportunity to do it for themselves. 

I also will one day have the opportunity to use my body to grow another body, so that another child of God can use their own body to participate in all of the same ordinances.

I realized a few months ago that I don't need my body anymore, but there are others that need me to use it for them. I am grateful that I can use my body to be of service to other people and that my health allows me to share myself.

I am grateful for quality time with Jonathan. Jonathan and I have very busy schedules between work, school, church, and family that sometimes it feels like I haven't seen him in weeks. Sure we live together, but sometimes we don't spend enough quality time together. Last night, we were planning on spending time with our extended family, but it didn't happen. We instead just had a quiet afternoon and evening and it was lovely. We watched old Disney movies and played some games and just enjoyed being with each other. I love being married to my best friend. Sometimes when life gets crazy, I forget how grateful I am for my sweet Jonathan.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to go to school. There are times when it doesn't feel like a blessing, like when everything is due all at the same time. I am grateful that I have this time in my life to expand my mind and learn. I really need to have a more grateful attitude about being in school.

I Am Grateful for Changing Seasons

I love how much the earth changes from month to month and season to season. Everything is bright green and blooming in the spring after a cold winter. We enjoy fruits and large shady trees in the summer. Now we can enjoy crunchy, colorful leaves and crisp, cool mornings.

 This year, I haven't been looking forward to the change to fall because I get cold so easily. (I even use blankets in the summer time.) This past week or so, I've been changing my tune. I've focused on how the scenery and sky has changed. We've had huge, puffy clouds fill the sky and trees that look like they are on fire.

 I sometimes find myself focused more on getting to various places rather than enjoying the scenery from my window. I focus on how pretty other places are compared to where I live right now. I'm working on being grateful for the beauty of where I live.

Is It Seriously November?!

Boy oh boy! Time really seems to be going faster! I still have a hard time believing that September is over... Well I just need to get with it!

Life has been fairly low-key as usual for us, though some changes are coming. 

I'll talk more about that later.

Jonathan's been working on a new app idea.

I'm learning about inductors. It's ok if you don't understand the math, neither does Jonathan.

Since it is November, I plan on doing the same thing that I did last November. I'll be sharing something I'm grateful for every day of the month. It helps me get more into the spirit of thanksgiving (especially since I'm not too keen on the traditional dinner part of the holiday, I would good with some fish and a green salad but whatever!) Anyway, I know that I don't express enough gratitude in my life and this is something that really helps me.

Today I feel particularly grateful for my Father in Heaven. I am so grateful to know that He loves each and every single one of His children. His purpose is for us to be happy and to grow into strong, dependable, faithful men and women. Sometimes that path involves pain and heartache, but He is there to lift us up and help us through those times when we feel weak. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows me personally and knows all of my weaknesses, and yet He still wants me to come home to Him. And He feels this way about each and every one of us.

Changing Seasons

I usually love the change from summer to fall. I love the colorful leaves, the cozy fires, the rain, the cuddling under blankets. I was enjoying it, until it started getting cold again and then it was rainy and windy. 

I know that we need the rain, but I get tired of being so cold all of the time.

I guess I just need to go shopping for sweaters.

Even though it was cold yesterday, I did love all of the huge clouds.

It was amazing to see a sky filled with massive, puffy clouds.

At least I can enjoy the beauty, 

even if I am shivering the whole time!

My Biggest Project Yet!

I finally finished my biggest project that I have tried so far. I updated a chest that was Jonathan's parents, but they didn't want any more. I called it the green thing because I wasn't really sure what it was other than green...

I have spent a lot of time on pinterest and I love seeing all of the painted furniture and reading the tutorials. I decided  to paint the green thing. I originally thought about painting it a nice creamy off-white color, but after awhile I realized it would just blend in with our white walls and light tan carpets. So, I had to think of a different color... I thought about different shades of grey... but it didn't stick either. Then I knew that it needed to be navy! I talked about doing it and finally started to actually work on it in July.

Getting ready to move it to my parent's house.

All of the random stuff that was in it.

Yes, we have a huge tv and can't afford a tv stand.

After we got the green thing moved out, I started getting just some of the many supplies that I would use for this project. Before anything else could happen, I reattached part of the interior that broke off.

Wood glue is a wonderful thing!

 I left the chest out in the hot sun and the old green paint got all bubbly and weird. The lesson learned is if you really like a piece of furniture, don't let it cook outside in the sun. Lucky for me, I was going to strip the old paint anyways!

Before:

Farewell green paint!

Ready for some love!

 The paint came off really easily on the lid and three of the sides. Jonathan saw it at this stage and was confused by the stripes.

The front was the hardest part to strip off the old paint.

I spent a few hours on stripping just the front.

I used some pretty harsh chemicals to get rid of the old paint.

 Once I was done with all of the stripping and cleaning, I could finally get some paint back onto the chest (at this point it was no longer the green thing). I was really nervous/paranoid about painting. I kept worrying that it would be terrible. (I had these feelings later in the project...)

All prepped and ready to paint!

The primer went on beautifully! I got great coverage with the spray paint and nothing horrible happened!

Next up was the blue. I was again paranoid, so I made my mom supervise me at first and then got comfortable enough to do it all by myself. I was rather concerned when the color was a bright blue rather than navy, but I just kept thinking that it will be better with more coats and I was right.

A few coats later, the chest was navy and gorgeous!

The most anticipating part of this project for me was to find the perfect knobs. From the very beginning of this project, I knew that I wanted the knobs to each be different. Lucky for me, Anthropologie has the perfect knobs for me. They have my favorite colors and some great patterns. This was one part that I knew I needed my mom's help again because she knows my style and she can visualize how the finished product will look.

These were the possible knobs.

These ones made the final cut!

One of the final steps was to seal the chest. I did a lot of research and because this was going to be our tv stand again, I decided that sealing it would be good to protect the paint on it. I saw one tutorial that used a sponge roller, so I went ahead and used one. I was paranoid about my coats being too thick, so I made sure I only had a small amount of sealer on the roller. It was horrible! There were so many air bubbles on it that it totally changed how the chest looked. It was an ugly blue thing! I didn't take any pictures of the horrible bubbly chest because I was so distraught! My mom came out and helped me sand down the bubbles and then put a fresh coat of paint.

Re-sanding the chest.

 The second time we applied the sealer, we used a nice brush. It looked so much better!

The next thing to do was paint the interior of the chest and lid. The chest was lined with old ivy paper and I just wasn't feeling it.

No more ivy!

Before I could attach the new feet, I had to take off the last one. Three of them came off easily, but the fourth one would not budge! I got really creative in trying to get it loose. I used the dremel to get some separation between the chest and the foot. It kind of helped, especially when I started to chisel away at the foot. Eventually, I got enough leverage and unscrewed the foot. Next up, was adding the pretty new feet!

We did have a small problem with the new feet. The bolts that they came with were too big and really short. At this point, I was ready to just glue them on and call it good. (I was really ready to be done with this project). I told Jonathan about my plan, and he told me that we should get the proper sized bolts because we needed to it the right way. I'm glad that we did it the right way. It was worth it.

Using the drill press to make deeper holes.

My favorite part of working on the chest was figuring out where the knobs would go. It took about two dozen different combinations and then we found the perfect fit!

The first try!

They are so very pretty!!!

One of the finishing touches on the chest was trimming the bolts on the knobs. It took so long, but it made it so much easier to fill the chest with all of our games.

 When I started, the head of the dremel looked like the one on the left. I used one and a half heads to cut through all the bolts.

The extra pieces of bolts.

 The chest was finally done!!! All we needed to do was move it back home.

My baby finally came home!!!

 Our chest is now the home of all of the games we rarely play. I have storage in the closet again!

Our tv looks so much better now that it's off of the floor.

I am so glad that this long project is finally done and it looks so good. It was quite an adventure with all of the steps and now I feel like I can tackle another furniture project. Watchout coat rack, you're next!