Thankful.

In no particular order. . . Husband. Cheese. Mexican food. California sunsets. Nail clippers. The Savior's perfect life. Temples. Warm coats. Colors. Dedicated professors. Examples. Wedding ring. Holding hands. Blender. Peanut butter. BYU. College Football. Skype. Airplanes. Cell phone. Music. Cowboy boots. Journals. Scrapbook paper. Sewing machines. Sales. Good books. Harry Potter. Poetry. Lipgloss. Socks. Yummy candles. Scriptures. Hot chocolate. TV. Mailmen. Hand-written letters. Email. Blackboard. Chalkboards. Doodles. Sharpies. Priesthood. Missionaries. Grandparents. Vacations. Hamburgers. Learning. Trials. Sacrament. Sunday school. Alphabet. Quilts. The Sandlot. Quick games of catch at the baseball fields. Board games. Cars. Lights. A full tank of gas. Peachie-Os. Babies. Brothers. Sisters. Finding a gift you know they'll love. Christmas time. Fireworks. Flowers. Mittens. Nail polish. Roommates. Trees. Magazines. Ensign. Grateful people. Helpful people. Selfless people. When the garbage gets taken out. Vacuum. Guidance from professors. Guidance from parents. Guidance from God. Prayer. Articles of Faith. Texas heat. The beach. Scriptures. Knowing I'll see people again after they die. Engagement pictures. Weddings, generally speaking. Post-its. Calendar. Alarm clock. Rugs. Turquoise mixing bowls. Utensils. Camera. Clouds. Stars. The sky. Recycling. New school supplies. Internship. Eating out. Eating in. Love. Mashed potatoes. Parables in the Bible. High school memories. A clean house. Organization. Roses. Falling asleep next to JD. Snuggling. Pedicures. Long baths. Surprises. Popcorn at the movies. Snow. Green lights. Religious art. The power of God. Cute, happy jewelry. Compliments. Courtesy. Faith. Integrity. Revelation. Plants. The zoo. History. Heroes. Everyday.

Black.

Black is better.
I love working on home projects with JD!
We did this about 4 weeks ago. . .

Reason 102 (and 103).

When JD turned 23, I made him a little book, titled "101 Reasons I'm in Love with You." We'd only been dating 4 months, and I still wasn't totally sure he was the one. It's hard to believe it's been over 2 years since I gave him that gift!

If I were to continue the list, I'd add:

102. He only complains a little bit when I want to go to a ballet performance.

(Pictures taken at the Ballet Showcase at BYU last weekend).

And as we speak...

103. He makes me dinner when I've had a rough day and all I wanna do is lay on the couch like a zombie lady.

Halloween.

JD worked in a haunted house in high school. Thus, he wanted to do this to us for Halloween:

He got Jordan in on the action.

And, somehow, convinced me too.

This is such an uncharacteristic costume for me.

But it was fun!

Thanks Jordan and Brittany for inviting us to the party.

We ate yummy beef stew out of pumpkin themed bread bowls, gave out candy to trick-or-treaters, played boys v. girls charades, battled it out at the pool table, competed in a flexibility game, and made delicious caramel apples, complete with crushed peanut butter cups, white chocolate, sprinkles, and brown sugar and cinnamon. Delish!

PS. Brittany's got a baby on the way! We are so happy for them :)

Purple nailpolish.

Cory always paints her nails pretty colors. I miss lots of things about living with her, but I particularly miss nail-painting parties. JD just doesn't get it. . . but he did let me buy some pretty purple-y, eh, more lavender-ish nail polish last week at Smith's. My collection now includes 4 shades of pink and. . .purple. Monochromatic, no? The point is my nails have been polished purple for a whole week now and they still make me smile. I'm not too hard to please.

I spent this last weekend training to be a ropes course facilitator and learning how to lead and process group treatments. I was up at CLAS Ropes all day Friday and Saturday, conquering fears, strategizing in group games, building my repertoire of initiative activities, tying knots, belaying classmates up rock walls, eating pizza, enjoying the weather, and loving my life. At a PALS retreat to a ropes course in high school, I remember thinking: "How does one go about doing this for a living? This has got to be the coolest job." Little did I know, a few years down the road, I'd stumble upon a major so perfectly matched for me I'd sometimes have to pinch myself.

Honestly? I have the best teachers- they are men of God who give selflessly to serve others and bring joy to the people they meet. They believe in the power of wholesome recreation and have taught me through their words and actions what it means to live fully and help others find meaning and satisfaction in their existence. The purpose of therapeutic recreation is to improve quality of life. Even if I never get to work as a certified TR specialist, I will be better for the time I've spent at BYU, learning at the feet of inspiring men.

During the closing session of Saturday training, the leader suggested a simple way to find happiness. He told us to note good things that have happened to us, for us, and because of us. Just wanted to jot a few of those things down.

To me: My work schedule got re-arranged and now I get to sleep in on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Yay!

For me: My cute friends from church came over to visit and brought me some yummy sugar cookies last night.

Because of me: I thought it might be helpful to some of my classmates to share our religion notes over a GoogleDoc. I typed up my notes and sent a link, inviting others to add and discuss as they pleased. A few days after I opened the Doc, I overheard a girl in the library chatting with her friend about how overwhelming things were for her and how grateful she was someone had opened a GoogleDoc in her religion class because it was a huge help. Later in the week, I recognized her in the back of the room. Made me feel good :)

Today was a stressful day, but then I looked down and my purple nails were a sweet reminder what a magnificent blessing it is just to be alive.

Words.

When I was in middle school, I wrote a lot of poems. I loved words. I compiled a book of my poems to give to my best friends as a Christmas gift (which looking back now, seems so dorky and weird. . .) I like writing. I love reading. I love quotes that move me, words that inspire me, phrases that touch me. The scriptures are particularly powerful, especially when I read with a real desire to learn.

Words are always floating around in my brain. Sentences, thoughts, memories, dreams, expectations, regrets, ideas, research, to-dos, worries, miss-yous, emotions, concern, love. Today I briefly visited a quote website I used to browse regularly. I read this:

"Stop worrying about the could haves. If it should have, it would have." - Anonymous

Wise words. Comforting words.

Now. . . be still, my sweet scatterbrain.

P is for party.

Last month we went to the Utah State Capitol for Platinum's end-of-year party. We had yummy food and listened to the same names being called over and over for awards. Sounds like a fun time, yeah?

I mean. . . whatever happened to the $1,000 cash prize for best office assistant? I kept waiting for it.