Things That Go Bump In The Night

Last night at about 11pm I woke up to a dog barking. After laying there for a little bit I realized it was our dog. I hate when people don't make there dogs shut up so I quickly did something about it! I nudged Brent and told him, that sounds like Bosco go tell him to be quite :) That's what husbands are for! Just after Brent got up to go down stairs Bosco started howling!! Now if you don't know Bosco you don't know that he only howls when he is very worked up about something. Also he is not a barker! I think we had him a good 4-5 months before I heard him bark for the first time. When he does bark it's usually one or two barks and that's it. So I was a little freaked out that Bosco is in the back yard barking over and over and then howling! It gave me the feeling something was wrong!!! Well Bosco stopped and then just a little bit later (less then 2 min, maybe less then 1 min) our neighbors dog starts barking!!! (ok this is where my over active imagination comes in and gets me into trouble) Brent was not coming back up stairs! I got so worried about him! I'm picturing some burglar standing just outside our door with a gun or something awful like that! I was so relived when Brent finally came back up stairs! (Really only a matter of a few min but it seemed like a long time) About the time Brent came back up stairs we heard a car leave, not sure where from but it was the middle of the night and we heard a car start and drive off! Now that is the story. I'm not quite sure what to think of it! Maybe there was some burglar lurking around in our neighborhood. Maybe it was just a really big cat that the dogs were barking at (although I'm inclined to not believe that because Bosco doesn't usually bark at cats). Maybe it was some teenager trying to pull a prank. What ever it was I'm a little weirded out!

Ever Had One Of Those Days???

I bet from the title you thought this was going to be a hater blog, well you thought wrong! Quite the opposite actually? Have you ever had one of those fabulous wonderful days where everything just seems to be going your way? Well I seem to be on a roll with those lately! Haven't won the lottery, or even a radio contest, I haven't found money lying on the street, or found the very front parking space at the grocery store. But I have had some wonderful days! I've woken up on the right side of the bed you could say! I've had a great morning, been very productive, went on a wonderful hike with my husband and dogs (the weather could not be more perfect for this) and then had a peaceful evening at home! It was just a wonderful day......week actually! I think I can contribute the great days, at least in part, to my new resolution (yes you can make those days other then Jan 1) to write one thing I'm grateful for every day in my journal! It's amazing how much of a difference this small little thing has made in my life. It's something I've learned, forgotten, learned, forgotten over and over again, but that attitude of gratitude makes a tremendous difference in life!

Little Joys

Since the weather has been so amazing here I've been opening up the windows in the mornings and evenings. Lets a little cool air in to cool the house down and also freshens up the air! I love the house being really chilly in the mornings! I'll bundle up in my super soft robe, a big cup of hot coco, and my dogs and it's a wonderful morning! The dogs have started doing the cutest thing, they will just go and sit and look out the window! It's too precious! Rusty will get very concerned when the neighbors dog comes out and doesn't sound happy (which is most of the time, I think they abuse the poor thing) And Bosco gets all big and tough! He'll start growling at anything he sees out side and even let out a bark or two, but he's polite enough to bark very quietly!! Which is interesting since he is the nicest dog ever! I don't think he's ever barked or growled at a person, except through the window! Too funny!!!

Also the other day at work I was changing Marley and by time I got done Gage was IN the dresser drawer! I had to grab my camera and by time I got back Marley had joined in the fun! They had a great time that is until I decided I'd taken enough pics and made them get out! Talk about the end of the world! They seem to like drawers lately, yesterday Gage pulled out the drawer under the stove and climbed in! It wasn't long before Marley once again decided to join in (have we noticed a pattern) They've discovered they love to climb! As is evidenced by tons of bruises all over there little bodies! Ha! Ha! Poor little things keep beating them selves up!

Ok so these pics are definitely not good pics of either of the kids (they are some of the cutest kids there are! Besides my niece and nephews of course!) but it was the best I got! I just wanted to share a couple of the joys in my life! And take a moment to remember the small things that make life so wonderful!

Suicidal

Yes that is right Rusty seems to be suicidal! I Think we've taken care of the running away problem, at least the digging out of the back yard! We dug a hole under the fence, pounded in some rebar, poured some concrete, and then put dirt and brick on top of it. He has not dug out since. He will still dart our the front door given a chance but we know to grab him before opening the door now, so he hasn't run out the front door in while. But he still seems to be determined to get away from us by any means possible! (I promise we take good care of him, he is far from abused!) We took Bosco and Rusty on a drive with us yesterday while we ran some errands, they always enjoy getting out of the house. We had the windows down a little so they can be dogs and hang their slobbery heads out side. Well we stopped at the bank and were waiting at the drive through ATM. I looked in the side mirror and saw Rusty about to fall out! I turned around just in time to grab his back paw as he was on his way out the window and pull him back in the car! WHY!!!! We were in a DRIVE through with moving cars and the bank was in a busy shopping center he would have been hit by a car for sure! What is wrong with this dog child of ours???

Gratitude!

I apologize in advance for the length of this post!!

On Tues. this week for our YW activity we made gratitude journals. I think they turned out pretty nice. The girls were very creative. For the journals I printed up a bunch of quotes about gratitude for them to cut out and put through out there book for inspiration. I thought I'd post the quotes, there are a TON but they are all really good. I've been trying to focus on gratitude a lot lately. I've found life is much better when you focus on the good in your life and the things you do have rather then the difficult and things you are lacking. I'm going to start writing one thing I'm thankful for in my journal every day! Hurray for YW! I inspired myself! But I thought I'd start out by making a good long list of things I'm grateful for!

A Saviour who provided a way for me to return to his presence and a way to ease my burden.
The Gospel.
Family.
A husband that is unfathomably good to me!
Dogs that make me laugh everyday and teach me patience.
The "hard times" they are when I learn the most, grow closest to my saviour and become more humble.
A beautiful home.
Cars that run well and are reliable.
My past, I've had so many wonderful experiences, and some pretty awful ones that have made me the woman I am today.
Friends that are endlessly good and amazing.
Scriptures.
PRAYER, how grateful I am for personal communication with my Heavenly Father,
More then enough clothes (even though there are days I swear I have nothing to wear)
Changing seasons.
Cuddling.
Kisses.
Service, best way to get my mind of my troubles, help someone else.
A computer.
Internet.
Medical Technology.
The Office.
A good book.
Yoga.
Cell phone.
Food.
AC and Heating.
A job.
A great deal.
Camera/photos.
A super comfy bed.
Music.
Vacations.
Travel.
The future, it's going to be great!
Fresh cut grass.
Home made goodies.
A phone call.
I could go on but I need to leave my house in a bit, so I have to end my list. I just wanted to take a moment and be grateful for my many blessings!

I always love a good quote so I thought I'd share in case you love a good quote too!

He is my Savior and my Redeemer. Through giving His life in pain and unspeakable suffering, He has reached down to lift me and each of us and all the sons and daughters of God from the abyss of eternal darkness following death. He has provided something better—a sphere of light and understanding, growth and beauty where we may go forward on the road that leads to eternal life. My gratitude knows no bounds. My thanks to my Lord has no conclusion. Gordon B. Hinkley

It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum. I do not speak of rebellion against civil oppression. I refer to rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority.As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. James E. Foust

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude Karal Barth

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives to all those around you. Eileen Caddy

Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have, then what you done. Anonymous

The clearest sign of wisdom is continued cheerfulness. Michel Montaigne

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not given it. William Arthur Ward

God has two dwellings; one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Izaak Walton

Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality. Alfred Painter

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. Henry Ward Becker

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and crates a vision for tomorrow. Aldoy Beattie

Joy is an attitude; it is the presence of love-for self and others. It comes from a feeling of inner peace, the ability to give and receive, and appreciation of the self and others. It is a state of gratitude and compassion, a feeling of connection to yourself. Anonymous

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put into words is all that is necessary. Margret Cousins

Gratitude is the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. Gilbert K Chesterton

Everything we do should be a result of our gratitude what god has done for us. Lauryn Hill
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but live by them. John F. Kennedy

One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life Ann Morrow Lindberg
Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. Jacques Martin
Happiness in itself a kind of gratitude Joseph Wood Krutch
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated. William James
To see the world in a grain of sand & heaven in a wildflower, is to hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour. William Blake God has given us two hands one to receive with & the other to give with. Billy Graham

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. Thornton Wilder
There is a calmness to life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy. Ralph H Blum

At Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all life’s blessings. Oprah Winfrey

At times your own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer

What sunshine is to flower, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. Joseph Addison

I Each day comes bearing it’s own gifts. Untie the ribbons. Ruth Ann Schabacket

I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my works, and my God. Hellen Keller
Once we discover how to appreciate the timeless values in our daily experiences, we can enjoy the best things in life, Harry Kepner

In our daily lives, we must see that is it not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Albert Clarke

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. Denis Waitley

Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity; It must be produces and discharged and used up in order to exist at all. William Faulkner

There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elizabeth Kubnler-Ross

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then, your time on earth will be filled with glory. Betty Smith

Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, live today. Richard Bach

It is a glorious privilege to live, to know, to act, to listen, to behold, to love. To look up at the blue summer sky; to see the sun sink slowly beyond the line of the horizon; to watch the worlds come twinkling into view first one by one, and the myriads that no man can bound, and lo! The universe is white with them; and you and I are here. Ann.

Thankfulness is measured by the number of words; gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions. David McKey

Courtesies of a small and trivia character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. Henry Clay

Two kinds of gratitude; the sudden kind we feel for what we take, the larger kind we feel for what we give. Edward Arlington Robinson

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Marcus Fullins Cicero

What a joy it is to feel the soft, springy earth under my feet once more, to follow grassy roads that lead to ferny brooks where I can bathe m fingers in a cataract of rippling notes, or to clamber over a stone wall into green fields that tumble and roll and climb in riotous gladness! Helen Keller

Be glad of life because it gives you a chance to love and to work and play and look up at stars. Henry van Dyke

Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise- then you will discover the fullness of your life. Brother David Steindl-Rast

One who gives is one who lives a life of gratitude. Choose the attitude. Elevate your spiritual latitude. Leela Var

Praise, or gratitude is love or faith in action. Robert Scheid

If existence was over a miracle, then existence is always a miracle. Andrew Schwartz

There is only one thing that can for a bond between men, and that is gratitude…we cannot give someone else greater power over us then we have ourselves. Charles de Secondat

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Epictetus

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new. Ralph Waldo Emerson

The heart is always the place to go. Go home into your heart, where there is warmth, appreciation, gratitude, and contentment. Ayya Rhema

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. Eric Hoffer

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life. Christiane Northrup

If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude the sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it. Lyndon B. Johnson

Let’s be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom. Marcel Proust

It isn’t the big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones. Jean Webster

For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude. Clarence S Hodges

Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment. All you have is all you need. Sarah Ban Breathnach

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better then you current situation. Brian Tracy

Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Bonnie D Parkin

The more we expressed gratitude, the more there was to be grateful for. Bonnie D Parkin

It is gratitude! No matter how challenging our circumstances, honest appreciation fills our mind to overflowing with gratitude. Richard G. Scott

We have so much for which to give thanks. We give thanks for commandments. Dallin H. Oaks

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. D&C 78: 19

Cease not to give thanks Ephesians 1:16

I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—Mosiah 2:20

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3: 17

Free Photo Book

So on Oprah the other day she announced a free special offer. A free 8X11 hard bound photo book. Go to www.snapfish.com and register and you will get the free book. It does not show up free on the order until you pay! They credit you at the end. It's a great deal and a nice book. So I thought I'd let you all know. There is some restrictions as far as when it has to be done by. I think you have to register by tonight and order the book by Sunday. But just go to www.oprah.com for more details. I hope you all enjoy a free photo book!

RATTLESNAKE!!!

So it was a little after 6:00 on Wed evening. The sun had just gone down and the street lights had not turned on yet so it was still pretty dark. I (Brent) had just taken the trash out and was walking back to the front door and decided to stop by and wash out the trash can. As I bent down to turn on the water, I heard a rustling in the rocks. I thought it was a lizard because they are all over the place here, but it sounded bigger than that. I looked up and in the faint light and saw a snake moving away from me. By the time I saw it, it was about a foot away from me. It was just a baby, maybe about a foot long. I couldn't tell exactly what kind of snake it was at first because of the lighting issue, but thought it was a rattlesnake because of how fat it was. I ran in and told Terina that I almost stepped on a rattlesnake and grabbed a flashlight. Terina was cleaning the floors so she had knee pads and rubber gloves on but ran out to see the snake. As we were examining the snake, our neighbor came home and we met for the first time, with Terina in knee pads and rubber gloves. We ran back in to get the camera, but by the time we had gotten back out there, it had disappeared. It was definitely a rattlesnake. Terina is freaking out now. She called a snake removal place but they want $250 just to come out. If they find the snake and take it away, it will be another $98. Terina doesn't want to let the dogs out or go outside. Hopefully it will get colder soon and the snakes will disappear for the winter.

How Am I Here Again?

So we are all aware of the current state of the economy, not so hot. Which has directly effected (is it effected or affected? I never know) me and my massage business, it's the first thing people started to cut when thing started getting tight. My income has been cut by more then half recently! As you know I've started a nanny job which I have been LOVING! It's so much fun. But it is only temporary. It was only going to be until Dec. but progress on there house is slow and thankfully (for me) it won't be done till May. But once they move I'm doing to have to get a job. I love doing massage but feel my days are numbered doing it. It seems to be the norm. rather then the exception that I will be physically hurting after doing massages. I feel like my body is slowly falling apart. So I'm thinking I don't want to do massage at a spa anymore. But beyond my schooling for massage, I have a high school diploma, and an English 101 class! That's it. Which makes me qualified for nothing at least nothing that would pay anything near what I make as a massage therapist. Which then makes me think maybe I just need to get over myself and keep doing massage. I spent a boat load of money on my education to be able to do massage. It feels so wasteful to have spent $11,000 on massage education to only do it for 4 years. (Which in case you didn't know is twice as long as the average massage career, 2 years, yeah they don't tell you that before you start school) I will never regret going to school for massage. It has provided me opportunities I could have only imagines (Puerto Rico, working for myself, etc)!! But all of this has got me thinking about school. Should I go back to school? If I do what for? I feel like I'm at that what do I want to do with the rest of my life stage again, totally thought I was over that, years ago!! I really enjoy school so it's not like I wouldn't want to do school. The thought of being in school for years and years is a little disheartening especially at the age of 26. I have thought I want my children (which we will someday have) to value education! I've also thought, would I be a bit of a hypocrite to expect them to get at least an associates degree if I haven't done that myself? Maybe. So then I think I need to have minimum an associates degree. I guess to sum up I feel very reminiscent of years gone by of wondering the best direction to take in my life is and what I want to do with the rest of my life, which by the way is a little complicated when really what I want to do with the rest of my life is be a Mommy! So it makes all of this seem a little irrelevant! I'm just wondering how this stage in life has snuck back up on me. How am I here again wondering the same questions I did years ago!?! I think the best thing to do is pray! My Heavenly Father knows my needs, my heart and what is best for me and my family.

Let's Never Become Them!!!!!

So the other day we stopped at Taco Bell to grab some food (feel free to judge!). We were in the car getting ready to go in and this old couple parked next to us. The wife got out, slammed the car door. Then the husband yells "don't slam the door." The Lady turned around and yelled right back "Oh shut up you jerk!" WOW I looked at Brent and said, "let's never become them!!!"

I want to become these couples!

Halloween

So I know it's a little late but I'm finally getting around to posting about our fun Halloween! (better late then never right!) We for the first time since being married got to dress up and went to a Halloween party. It was lots of fun. We went to our friends Spencer and Rachelle's house. They were having a little party that was wonderful! It was so nice of them to invite us over! There were quite a few great costumes!

Brent went as Mr. Money Bags, the Monopoly guy! Such a creative man I'm married to!

I went as Lucy from I Love Lucy. But getting my hair to do what it needed to was a lot more complicated then it should have been. I was really worried for a while it was going to be a disaster and not work at all. Especially since that's such a big part of the costume, her crazy hair! But it finally ended up working out.

Mr. Money Bags & Lucy Ricardo

Also when we got home Bosco was very intrigued about our funny looks. So we put Brent's mustache on him! So funny! (don't worry we are not the silly people that dress our dogs up for Halloween or anything, just a mustache).

Not quite Mr. Money Bags, but funny!

Keith, Crystal and Daniel had some great costumes too! Captain Hook, Tinker Bell and a Witch.

Stephen was a pirate, he and Daniell were so cute together!

Brent also carved a pumpkin which I thought turned out fantastic!!!