HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am thankful and grateful for so many things. In good times and in times of adversity, I know my life is blessed.

One of my favorite quotes -

"Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may merely consist of words. Gratitude is shown in acts."

- David O. McKay

My wish is that you have a wonderful day with your family and friends. Chew slowly, count your blessings and enjoy your day.

HAVE A PATRIOTIC WEEKEND

photo by Mark Mabry

"Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice." Author Unknown

I'm so thankful for my ancestors who fought for and defended this country. I pray daily for the safety and protection for those who are protecting us now.

I am thankful for the blessings that I have because I live in the United States of America. May we always have liberty, love, freedom and honor.

Have a wonderful weekend celebrating Independence Day, my friends.

Let freedom ring!

MAY DAY

"Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun."

- Kahlil Gibran

ELEANOR

"Women are like teabags; you never know how strong they are until they're put in hot water."

— Eleanor Roosevelt

DON'T CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

Quote of the day: "I never knew milk could be this fun!"

ALBERT

via brown button

REMEMBERING THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Silent Night

painting by liz lemon swindle

“This little child, born in a stable and cradled in a manger, was a gift from our loving Heavenly Father.” —President Henry B. Eyring

REMEMBERING THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Be it unto me

via liz lemon swindle

"The spirit of giving gifts has been present in the mind of each Christian as he or she commemorates the Christmas season. Our Heavenly Father gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ. That precious Son gave to us His life, the Atonement, and victory over the grave.

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."

~President Thomas S. Monson

NOVEMBER AND GRATITUDE

seem to go hand in hand but I want to have an attitude of gratitude year round and I am starting that resolution now and not in January.

One of my favorite quotes is: "To express gratitude is gracious and honorable; to enact gratitude is generous and noble; but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is a touch of heaven." -President Thomas S. Monson

And I loved this one I just read yesterday: "Be thankful for the setbacks because they come from the same place as the blessings." -Gabby Reece's high school Bible teacher Mr. Strickland

I have a lot to be grateful for, I know that. I try hard not to take them for granted, but I know with some of them I do - I'll be working on that.

Things I'm Grateful For
(in no particular order)

*Our humble lair
*My man clan
*My awesome family near & far
*My heritage
*Puppy love
*My eye sight
*Friends that accept me and "the season" I'm in
*A Heavenly Father that loves me
*Pure maple syrup
*My whirlwind days
*Laughter
*Belly roll laughing
*Modern medicine & medical professionals
*Double armed tight hugs
*Roaring fires
*Snow angels
*The seasons
*Positive & inspiring people
*Smiles

WE HAVE DISCOVERED SOMETHING

around here....

Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz

IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND NOW IT'S HERE

My baby sister is moving to Scotland!

photo via one of steph's self portraits

We're heading to Utah to finish Stephanie-Palooza and then we'll be saying "Cheerio!" at the SLC airport.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

-Mark Twain

I love you and I'm so proud of you Steph AND I can't wait for Larry and I to come visit you!

MARILYN

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

~Marilyn Monroe

COMMITMENT TIME

Larry and I went to a memorial service this morning for a dear, dear man who was a friend and example to all, a wonderful mentor to the youth and he will be greatly missed....

photo taken the summer of 2007 in Palmyra, New York

'Commitment Time'

I commit to having positive thoughts because thoughts decide my feelings.

I commit to having positive feelings because feelings decide my actions.

I commit to having positive actions because actions become habits.

I commit to having positive habits because habits become my values.

I commit to having positive values because values become my destiny.

-Ghandi

Thanks for the final thought Dale.
I hope to be half the person you were....

AUDREY

photo via here

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

- Audrey Hepburn

QUOTE

After reading Ardith's blog today, I haven't been able to get this quote off my mind:

"God determines who walks into your life. It's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go!"

I have awesome people in my life and for that I'm so thankful.

THANK YOU...

To our anonymous angel - THANK YOU!
"God does watch over us and does notice us, but it is usually through someone else that he meets our needs." - Spencer W. Kimball

I LOVE THIS....

via The Lettered Cottage

THIS REPRODUCTION

of a British morale-booster from World War II is going to keep my chin up as I start the day...

I LOVE THIS QUOTE...

"Mend a quarrel, seek out a forgotten friend, dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust, write a letter, give a soft answer, encourage youth, manifest your loyalty in word and deed, keep a promise, forgo a grudge, forgive an enemy, apologize, try to understand, examine your demands on others, think first of someone else, be kind, be gentle, laugh a little more, express your gratitude, welcome a stranger, gladden the heart of a child, take pleasure in beauty and wonder of the earth, speak your love and speak it again."

- Howard W. Hunter