For Sierra & Lexie.

"Give them wings to fly. Roots to come home. And reasons to stay." I love that saying. It is something I hope for every time I talk to my older daughters whenever they plan on visiting, or coming home for breaks from school. Hoping that they love coming home no matter what. Having two adult daughters is bittersweet. Bitter because I wish they were closer to home, and sweet because they are away from familiar territory where they are growing, and learning new things all while being challenged with the ways of the world. 

For Not Procrastinating.

There are so many things we procrastinate on, and when it comes to the holidays I know that some us feel rushed, and are so overwhelmed that we wait to do things until the last second! I personally have never been one to seriously procrastinate, especially when it comes to the holidays. My gifts, and cards are pretty much mailed the last week of November, or the first two weeks of December. I have never mailed cards or gifts after the holiday, and that makes me feel good! I have my list of who to send cards to already prepared, and they are ready to be mailed. I live for Christmas cards! I love receiving them, and putting them up on our card holder. 

For Journal Writing.

I know I've written so much about journaling in the past, and how much I love it. I have various journals in which I share my day to day. Of course I have this blog in which I share the most, but the one where I brutally write my heart out is handwritten in pen on a daily basis, and sometimes I'll skip a couple of days only because I've blogged about it, but it's nice to write it out in even bigger detail. I love how my life all comes together whether good or bad. Some days are bright, some moments are not. What's written online or in a handwritten journal are the snippets of my life, and as mundane as they may seem I know that one day all my kids will look back on these days and laugh, cry, and probably be in shock at some of the entries, but it's okay! I want them, and my future posterity to know how my life as a young adult before, and during marriage was lived. I also wistfully still pull out my old journals, and regardless of what was written inside am grateful that I wrote it all down! 

Visiting Santa & A Day Out In Union Square.

I can't believe how quickly the years go by with our kids. As I look at this post from two years ago it amazes me how fast children grow. I would love for time to stop, but looking at these sweet, happy faces gets me excited in watching them grow. Especially when they see their favorite Santa, and still believing in him! 

For Music Lessons.

Every week for the past 20 years ALL my kids have taken up music lessons. Whether it's been the guitar, piano, oboe, or violin. Music lessons are a luxury. A luxury so great that makes me especially grateful we can afford. My two adult daughters continue to play the violin, and piano, and sing on their own time, and my two younger children who are still at home play the piano. 

For Jon.

I've know Jon for more than 25 years and I'm so grateful to have met him! I am thankful that he served in my hometown as a missionary while I was investigating the church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, and that we instantly became friends. So thankful that the church had our paths meet once again when he returned home from his mission, and after dating for a few months became his wife! He works so super hard to provide for our family, and to make sure we are taken care of. He has a great love for The Lord,  is compassionate, caring, a great cook, and an amazing father to our four children. He truly is my best friend! So thankful for you Jon!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade '18.

In all our years of going to the Macy's parade on thanksgiving day have the temps ever been in the teens, and this past Thursday was the coldest day ever of fall! Tradition is tradition, and even though we heard that it would be brutal we put the warmest clothes we had on, and stocked up on hand and feet warmers in hopes that they would last all throughout the parade, and it did! 

For Education.

I want to express my gratitude to live in a country where education is provided for all of its children. Noah has a classmate in his class who is disabled, and has become good friends with him. When I've volunteered in his class I see how happy that little boy is, and how sweet all the kids are with him. Noah has learned not to complain about something being too hard because he has seen Luis commit to the tasks that are harder for him to do while being in a wheelchair.  I love that Noah is learning from his example, and that at the same time is teaching him to do work that is 10 times harder! I admire the teachers that work so hard on his behalf because...third graders! Seriously though, I have loved participating in both Noah, and Chelsea's classes, and look forward to continuing to help out until they finish school. We certainly are fortunate to get the education we receive here not only for us, but for our kids as well! 

For Tradition & Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year is filled with traditions, and I love that we have created some of our own with our family. In our third year of living in Jersey we decided to "not cook" on Thanksgiving, and to go to the parade in NYC instead. I honestly don't know how long we will continue to go to the annual Macy's Thanksgiving day parade, but we've been going for the past five years or so, and it never gets old! 

For Volunteering.

These are the days I will miss once Noah graduates from elementary school! I have always volunteered at all my girls schools, but in all honesty I have spoiled myself with constant volunteering at Noah's school. This time I brought Chelsea with me to do a Thanksgiving craft with the kids, and she had such a great time experiencing working with 20 third graders for an hour. I have so much gratitude for being a room parent, and for the opportunity I have to volunteer at the school when it comes to holiday parties, craft days, picture day, book fair, back to school picnic, and various activities. It brings me such joy knowing that I am doing some good by relieving extra duties from the teachers. 

For Manhattan - FAO Schwarz.

There are many places, and cities in which I am grateful for, but there is a unique, palpable energy in Manhattan that no other city has. A million cultures rolled into one amazing city, and a ton of different things to do, and see. Maybe I'm being bias because I live an hour away from here, but the times we go we never want to leave. It's energetic, and I feel like the energizer bunny from all the walking we do when we come here. 

For Chelsea.

Chelsea...she's the only girl left in the house, and as much as we butt heads we have loads of laughs, and lots of fun. She is my new movie buddy, and is happy to now be the only child who comes home early from school so we can eat at Chick-Fil-A alone together. Our mother and daughter dates have increased, and I am truly grateful to have her in my life, and to have another female in the house for at least another five years to pick on, laugh with, eat out with, shop with, go to concerts with, go to the city with, and just have good ol' fun! So thankful for Chelsea! 

For Miracles.

I know I'm continuing to go backwards here with my blogging, and I certainly hope y'all don't grow weary of my temple posts, but this one is super special because in all honesty, on our way home from Utah, we were not supposed to have driven down the road that led to the temple in Star Valley, Wyoming. Miracles happen, and were waiting for us, and I can't express how grateful I am when they happen! 

For Our Home.

No matter where we have lived we have always managed to make our home a loving, cozy, and safe environment for our kids. We've lived in four different states, and lived in about 14 different apartments  and houses in almost 24 years! Don't ask how or why we do it, but jobs change, and transfers come, landlords sell, and some apartments just got too small for our family. 

For Play - Snowvember.

There are many things in life we take for granted especially when it comes to our kids, but playtime with them is not one. Even at my age I find the will, and strength to go outside with them to play on a hot summer day, or in this case...a snow day.

For Road Trips- Woodstock, Vermont.

Celebrating Noah's birthday all over New England was the icing on the cake, and in all honesty wish we could have spent another week there. America is a road trip, and the east coast has so much for us to do and explore. Noah has developed a penchant for history, and wanted to explore all over New England...again!

For The Scouting Program.

We are now in our second year of scouting and Noah is now a "bear." I will always remember the first time he started as a wolf, and in the past year have seen so much growth and change in him. His relationships with people are so unique. He is the sweetest, most helpful little boy you will ever meet. He loves going to scouts to learn new things as well as meeting up with his friends in working together as a den and pack. I am so thankful for the scouting program, and for what it teaches our kids. It truly shapes our children for them to become better people, and truly brings a special bond in our family as well as in our community. You can see a snippet of his recent activity with scouts learning all about forensics on my Insta stories here. 

For Veterans.

After a long weekend in New England I failed to blog and give thanks on this little corner of the net, but today I want to express my gratitude for all the veterans who have served, and are currently serving. Who put their lives in harms way in order for us to have the freedoms we desire. Who sacrifice all that they have by leaving their families and comforts of home behind. Who go out in unfamiliar territory not knowing what to expect, and how their day is going to end. To each and every one of you, I say thank you! I am so grateful for my citizenship in this land, and for your sacrifice. We pray for you daily, and your service is appreciated!

For Noah.

This past weekend flew by like a leer jet, and I can't believe that my baby boy is NINE! I never thought that I'd have four kids let alone a boy! Three girls was a charm, but this boy is a dream! When this boy came into my world he gave me more than I expected.....

For Cousins.

I didn't take too many photos of the family while I was in Utah which I'm pretty bummed about, but that's okay. The kids were too busy playing and getting to know one another as it should be without a camera shoved in their face! I did manage to capture this photo of one of the cousins with Noah. She kept Noah entertained when she would come over, and I'm so glad they met. Yes, this is the first time that Chelsea and Noah have met their cousins, and uncles, and aunts in real life! Crazy sad, but grateful at the same time!

For Prayer.

What a blessing it is to be able to pray to a loving Heavenly Father who hears and has never failed to answer my prayers. I haven't been the best at saying my individual prayers lately, but when I do I feel and see a huge difference in my days. Taking a few minutes to kneel down against my bed to pray to God is profound. At times I'll even shed a tear or two because I haven't been so diligent at praying in the morning, and when I did today really softened my heart. And I felt peaceful. Renewed. Ready to start my day with an even bigger smile. When I pray I notice that I am not as impatient with my kids, or get quick to anger with drivers on the road, or with people while waiting in long lines at the store. Prayer really makes a difference in our lives, and as I get older realize that it is indeed needed in my day to day. I don't want to take that simple act for granted. I am extremely thankful for the privilege of prayer. 

For Election Day.

I am so thankful for Election Day and for the opportunity I have to vote. I literally couldn't sleep last night because of this day. I woke up and saw the kids off to school, and quickly got ready to hit the polls. Before heading off Noah  asked who I was going to vote for and I told him that I was going to vote for people who have kindness, and compassion. Who care about health care. My heart grew big when he asked that question.

For Memories.

I will always remember the years we lived at 1720. Our little basement apartment in Utah was perfect for our three girls. Lexie, Sierra (not pictured) and Chelsea were such a joy to have while living there. Chelsea was 18 months old when we moved to the east coast so she doesn't remember anything about the fact that she once lived in Utah! I'm so grateful for the memories we made there, and that we were able to walk down memory lane to show Chelsea where she was born, and lived.

For The Temple.

Today after church I was inspired to go to the temple to take in the beauty of this wonderful building. The weather was colorful, and with autumn in the air made it a perfect afternoon to spend the day. Although the temples are closed on Sundays it's so nice to go, and walk on the grounds with my family, and express to one another how grateful we are to have one so close to us. I am thankful for the temples because through the covenants I've made inside with Heavenly Father I can be with my family forever. 

For The Weekend.

After a long week of work, and school for the kids weekends are our favorite, and I'm so thankful for the weekend when it comes. Those two days are pretty major for us as a whole because it is when we spend time as a family. Unless there is a church activity or scout outing that requires being outdoors then we make that a priority, and if we attend the temple we make sure we go in the morning that way we have the entire day to ourselves to go out and "play."

For Friends.

I want to start out this post by introducing you to some great people, and to express how thankful I am to have them in my life! In some shape or form they have uplifted me, fed me, taught me, and loved me in the most unconditional way. These are the friends I have in Utah, and even though I'm writing about my west coast peeps want all of y'all to know that I appreciate all the friends I have from all over the world!

For The Change Of Season.

There is nothing better to brighten the spirit and bring joy than focusing on gratitude, November is the perfect month for that. I love this time of year where I get to remember all the great things, and people that I'm thankful for, and because it's November 1st want to start out by expressing my gratitude for the change of season! I love that I live in the east where the foliage is vibrant in the fall, and where we have the change of every!