So Grateful
Grateful for dedicated nightly journal entries that focused on gratitude — especially during such a busy month. It helped to focus on all the good instead of the overwhelm. What a wonderful month!
Friday, November 1st
Grateful for:
My new free standing bathtub - heaven - and my whole bathroom. It turned out so well!
Katie, Taylor and Em home for the weekend … fun to show them the house and have their help.
The vacuum system in our home… it’s just amazing. I love it!
Saturday, November 2nd
Grateful for:
Chris is home after 2 weeks of being in Wyoming. He’s so happy to be in the new house for the first time since we moved in.
So much help moving, unpacking and setting things up. The kids were troopers helping us set up beds, move boxes, unpack things and set up the trampoline in the chilly afternoon weather.
Chili dinner with all the festive Halloween dishes and then movie night in the theater: Gladiator - so fun to watch it with Katie, Taylor and Em who had never seen it before. It really is so good.
Sunday, November 3rd
Grateful for:
Chris’ prayer and emotion while officially dedicating our new home - fun to have Katie, Taylor and Emily with us.
Meeting with Bishop Monson for tithing settlement and his prayer for our family - which was so touching. Glad to be here in this new ward.
Winning our family game of RISK
Monday, November 4th
Grateful for:
A new text thread of neighborhood friends and upcoming lunch
A fully unpacked kitchen! Yay
Getting to talk with Megan today. Love being her mom
Tuesday, November 5th
Grateful for:
The temple - I went with Kristi and some of the RS ladies from th ward and ended up having the most tender experience going through the veil. I just completely chocked up during the phrase ‘my postery’ and my cute helper lady thought that I just forgot the words and then realized I was emotional and just couldn’t speak. Anyway, great to be in the tempe and get to k now some ladies in my ward! I love it already.
A great talk with Luke about politics and potential election results. It’s election day.
Luke and Matt getting along well tonight. They’re out seeing a movie together at the theaters. Luke even bought popcorn for them to share.
Wednesday, November 6th
Grateful for:
Hearing all of the grateful texts from the kids on our Messenger thread which includes Sister Johnson. Love hearing all the details of everyone’s lives. November is the best!
The view driving North on the freeway during ‘golden hour’ …the St. George temple standing out against the red rocks that were all lit up. Such a beautiful scene! So blessed to be living here in St. George.
A good long talk with my mom. Love her!
Thursday, November 7th
Grateful for:
Neighborhood lunch with new friends. We met at Aubergine and had the best time talking and getting to know each other. One gal said… ‘I’m not too busy for any of you. Anything you need I’ll be there.” I’m going to love it here.
Luke’s willingness to help with whatever I need and see a project through to the end.
Being a part of the INKLINGS community. Today’s podcast was so good. ‘What would a holy woman do?’ —- ‘When you are in a Holy place be wholly there.’
Friday, November 8th
Grateful for:
Missy and Terri coming down for the weekend. Missed Geneva this time. Fun to show them the house and do some shopping in the late afternoon.
Dinner at Benja’s Thai. So good!! Coconut Soup, Panang Curry, and Mango Sticky rice. 😋
Chris home from Arizona.
Saturday, November 9th
Grateful for:
Being at MAGNIFY all day with Terri and Missy. The whole day was amazing. The speakers were so funny and gave such good insights, stories and testimony. The music was powerful (Emma Nissen - who was mission companions with Katie’s friend, Abbey.) She has such a beautiful soulful voice. It was such a treat to hear her songs in person. I was very touched and felt so moved by the whole event. Can’t wait for next year.
Dinner at Cliffside Restaurant. We sat outside, enjoyed pear cheese pasta and got to meet Emma Nissen when she came in with some of the speakers.
The BYU/Utah game. The girls and I watched it in the theater room and it was stressful, agonizing and then absolutely amazing. What an ending. I stayed up too late texting family and friends.
Sunday, November 10th
Grateful for:
Megan and Jon Jackson stopping by to bring a birthday present and come see the house. So fun to see them
Church - love my ward and meeting new people each week.
Chris and the boys presented me with the itinerary of my birthday celebration week - starting with a game of Castles of Burgundy … my favorite game!!
Monday, November 11th
Grateful for:
That our pool cover waterfall mishap was miraculously patched and fixed without cost. We are feeling so blessed!!
Fun to get to know our Next Door Neighbors a little bit better and chat with them in the backyard for a while.
Chris took me shopping in Las Vegas for the day. So fun to eat lettuce wraps at PF Changs and Adam‘s peanut butter cheesecake at cheesecake factory!
Tuesday, November 12th
Grateful for:
Dad’s first day working in his office in the new house!
Going with Matt to his cross-country banquet at Dixie! Matt Lettered in cross country! So proud of him.
Watching THE CUT (BYU/Utah week) in the theater with Dad and the boys. So well edited. Go Cougs!
Wednesday, November 13th
Grateful for:
A new rug delivered for the living room! I love it! Itcame ripped on both ends and dirty with soot so I had to clean it but was able to get $200 off!
Relief Society ladies, Merrit and Anna, coming to the door to welcome me to the neighborhood with fresh strawberry jam.
Dad made us an appointment for the temple tonight. Before the session started, I prayed for each one of the kids and then during the prayer in the endowment session blessings were stated that covered everything I was praying for. It was so cool. I once again got emotional as I spoke words heading through the veil. I loved listening to Inklings this week that talked about coming to the temple to receive an endowment of power from the Lord. That’s why we go.
Thursday, November 14th
The fire pit being delivered
Running around and getting a ton of errands done… Jiffy Lube, dry, cleaning dropped off, returns and purchases at HomeGoods, returns at target, and a quick run through Downeast, which resulted in us picking out a new 40% off couch for upstairs
Chris took me out to eat at a new and now favorite restaurant, Wood Ash Rye. We had the most delicious biscuits with butter and jam and then shared potatoes, filet mignon and a bowl of fantastic brussels sprouts. Everything was so good!! Feeling so grateful for my husband, and his thoughtfulness in making me feel special every day this week!
Friday, November 15th
Grateful for:
Beach babe swig on the way up to Provo!
Shopping with dad at Sunriver as he tried to stall to give my family enough time to set a few things up. It was wonderful to take time to look at everything and have his undivided attention. I walked away with new Christmas puzzle!
An amazing balloon arch, a beautiful charcuterie table and thoughtful letters from each of my family and friends put together by Chris and the girls. What an amazing 50th birthday night! So fun chatting with everyone, eating pumpkin spice nothing Bundt cake and opening cute presents. When everyone left at midnight then I read all of my letters out loud to Chris and cried. So grateful for Chris, my family and what a perfect night this was!
Saturday, November 16th
Grateful for:
Brunch with the Jackson’s, Theuers and Cooks. So fun to gather at Megan and Jon‘s house for crêpes with these amazing families. They sang happy birthday to me and Liz commented that it felt just normal to be sharing these moments together. We are family.
Being able to help Brian move a few car loads of stuff over to his new house — and so fun to get the tour! Excited for him to move in and start working on the projects that he’s excited about. Then we stopped by Mike and Carly‘s house to check out their basement that they’re finishing! Love them.
So grateful for my mom‘s house - it’s just warm and cozy. It was wonderful to have Dan here for the weekend as well. He’s the best. Scott and Elisha came over after dinner to hang out before a big group of us headed to the BYU game.
Sunday, November 17th
Hearing Owen Theurer give his farewell address before heading to the MTC and then to Japan later this week. It was a great talk - so proud of him. Fun to say hi to the Theurers and give Owen a hug goodbye.
Monday, November 18th
Grateful for:
Getting to talk to my missionary girl as she walked around New York City Manhattan for the first time with her district. What a fun day for her! Can’t wait till we can do it all together!! (Then spent the next hour looking up and sending her missionary pants and boots!)
Finishing up Megan’s package, taking pictures and getting that shipped off in the mail!
FHE lesson, Pickleball, brownies and ice cream over at the Morehead‘s house. So thoughtful of them to invite us over to celebrate my birthday!!
Tuesday, November 19th
Grateful for:
A pottery barn table coming my way in January. Searching for all the right pieces for the house has been tricky and time-consuming. But I have a good feeling about this one!
Getting some of the books unpacked and and the pillows organized in the closet. Spent the whole day at home today.
Mom and Aunt Jennifer coming to spend the night. Fun to show them the house, eat tacos and talk together.
Wednesday, November 20th
Grateful for:
My Dad - It’s been two years today since he passed away. I think about him a lot and I’m so grateful that through Jim we’ve had a little sneak peak into his activity and involvement in our lives. He’s the best!! I’ve been lucky to have such an amazing dad — and instead of feeling overwhelming sadness at his loss I feel immense gratitude and joy thinking of where he is now.
A plan to travel with my siblings. Looks like we’re settling on the Amalfi Coast and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s been quite a challenge to meet everyone’s needs for location ideas, timing, and babysitting. But everyone values being together and is willing to sacrifice to make it work. Love them all. It’s going to be a great week. Still so much more to plan.
My heated bathroom floors and my beautiful bathtub.
Thursday, November 21st
Grateful for:
My friend, Cassie, taking me out for a birthday breakfast at Bear Paw, great uplifting conversation, a fun walk around historic St. George and a cute gift of warm socks and soap.
A Pottery Barn furniture delivered for my living room and bedroom. So excited to have things coming together!
Luke - the birthday boy. How on earth is he 17! What a great kid. Helpful, excited, funny, strong, smart, willing to do the job right and stay till it’s finished, invested, good, hard working, rizzy, eager to communicate, tall, confident, fun and just sigma. (The kids roll their eyes and think it’s so funny when I use teen lingo)
Friday, November 22nd
Grateful for:
Getting my birthday letter from Sister Megan Johnson. She’s such a great thoughtful letter writer and it made me cry! She’s just the best — also loved her letter to Luke yesterday for his birthday. Just exactly the perfect letter for him. So grateful for her testimony, love and words of wisdom!
That I made my flight even though the Las Vegas traffic was insane.
Dinner at a really fun fancy Mexican restaurant in Mesa with Chris, Adam, Marilee, John and Caroline. Delicious Mexican corm and quesadillas. Lots of good visiting! Then Handels ice cream and comedy routines back at home.
Saturday, November 23rd
Grateful for:
Being able to go on a 3 mile walk this morning and my back doing well.
Spending the day with great friends! Adam, Marilee, John and Caroline. And then seeing Joe and Tiffany Hale and Jim and Marisa Crawford at the game. And meeting up with Ashley Nielsen too!
Good food: best of the day was avocado toast for breakfast! Delicious! and then pretzels and provolone cheese sauce as an appetizer for dinner!
Sunday, November 24th
Grateful for:
That the boys and Em had a good weekend — an all nighter with video games, Monopoly, movies, cooking and El Dorodo together.
Driving home with Chris and getting some good things talked about and started for our Christmas spreadsheet.
A good Sunday night together with Em and the boys.
Monday, November 25th
Grateful for:
Talking with Megan
Shopping and picking up Luke’s presents — mostly from Al’s Sporting Goods. So helpful to have Chris and Emily there with me.
Homemade Cafe Rio dinner, watching Guardians of the Galaxy in the theater room (Luke’s pick) and Peanut Butter pie to celebrate Luke’s 17th birthday.
Tuesday, November 26th
Grateful for:
A workout at VASA this morning. My back is starting to feel so much better!
Seeing Gladiator II in the theater today. Had to look away during the fight scenes but we enjoyed the movie. It was great.
Picking out a new pool table!
Wednesday, November 27th
Grateful for:
Dad putting up the new picture frame/TV which was so tricky. We are going to love it though!!
Getting so many good things done in the house! Honestly I am so tired but so grateful!
Benja Thai Take-out at Nikole’s House
Thursday, November 28th - THANKSGIVING
Grateful for:
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner in our new house - games of architects, great food and pie, a walk around the neighborhood, Jumanji in the theater room, and swimming in the pool and hot tub.
Talking to Megan and watching as she opened up her first Christmas package. She lovedit and appreciates the whole experience and every little detail. Such a fun thing to watch! She’s so excited about the Christmas Centered Christmas packets.
Ending the day with a game of Quacks.
Friday, November 29th
Grateful for:
Seeing WICKED in the theater. So so good! Loved every minute and every character!
Thanksgiving leftovers without all the work.
Fun cousin bonding time at TJMaxx making silly videos of wanting and then finding the perfect silly things.
Saturday, November 30th
Grateful for:
Breakfast at Tifany’s with the Johnosns.
Deciding to stay home this weekend instead of heading up tot he last BYU home game with Chris — in below freezing temperatures! — but also grateful for the win and a really fun Cougar season!
A full day of getting Christmas decor set up in the new house. What a wonderful time of year!