Aunt Patti

I decided I need to spotlight someone... My Aunt Patti. So in list form... I will attempt to do the great person she is justice. Here are some things I love about her.

1- She is not afraid to be herself. Even if it is different than the rest of the family. She is a Ute among Cougars. Grandpa would roll over in his grave if he knew we had a Ute fan in the family. She still is one though!

2- She is an amazing teacher. How do I know this? My grandma said she observed her in a training for Math Teachers. She said she was great at teaching. She has a natural gift. Think of all the lives she is affecting and has affected.

3- She has a very tender heart. She is sad when others are sad. She expresses very tender feelings towards her nieces and nephews and parents on her blog. When I need someone to talk to, she sympathizes with me. She makes me feel important.

4- She is ALWAYS willing to drop everything to save you. I needed saved this summer. I had left my wallet in her car, gotten really sick, locked myself out of my house, needed groceries (you get the picture). She dropped everything she was doing at her house in Grantsville, drove up to Logan, gave me my wallet, took me grocery shopping, bought my groceries, then took me to dinner. She is the best!

5- She is adventurous. When every grandchild graduates high school my Aunt Patti takes them on a trip. If you knew my cousins and I this would be an adventure in and of itself. She has been on MANY trips but now she has added: California, New York and Washington D.C. with my cousins and my Senior Trips. She has MANY MANY more to go.

6- She is friendly and kind. She makes perfect strangers feel comfortable around her. I have noted this when she has gone to my brothers sporting events and made friends with everyone around her. She gets this from my Gran.

7- She has  a strong testimony. This is most important. I know my Aunt Patti has a testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel by her actions. Everyday she strives to be better and everyday she is. She fulfills her callings and is good at them. She has a very sweet testimony and belief. I look to her for example daily.

I love you Aunt Patti.

List of Happy...

This post will be in list form again. Geez, I love lists. Today I was feeling a little blue and I remembered an impression I got from listening to President Monson's talk on Sunday, "Write your blessings down." I have many things that make me happy but I'll list a few that have made me the happiest lately.

1. On my birthday, Clark bought me a ukulele. I named it Izzy after Iz (the BIG Hawaiian that sings Over the Rainbow so beautifully). I don't remember ever feeling so happy over a gift in my life. Before receiving my ukulele, Clark gave me a guitar/ukulele book of Iz' songs. I immediately started crying, because I knew what I was going to get next. I don't think anyone watching me understood how badly I wanted a uke. I wasn't crying about the uke though. I was crying about how Clark had planned this months before and he knew my exact thought of what I wanted. He is perfect. Not just for giving me the perfect gift but for knowing me and knowing what makes me happy. He makes me happy. I'm so glad I have him.

2. This past Sunday I got to go home and watch General Conference with my family. General Conference is a biannual meeting that the LDS church has every year, where we receive counsel from leaders of our church. I love the spirit of the meeting while I listen to the speakers. But there was something I love more than that. I love being at my parents in the fall. My dad and mom's house is so inviting and warm. I cuddled with my little brother while we watched and I took a nap by him between sessions. There are 3 things I love about this scenario I just decribed: I love naps, I love my brother and I love my house. I was in absolute heaven. I imagine that is what heaven is going to be like. Me with my family and my husband, taking naps, watching conference, joking, loving, laughing and eating cheese and crackers.

3. My sister Addie's drawings. WOW is she amazing. She is one of the most talented people I know. I wish I could figure out how to post pictures on this dang blog (I know I'm could, I'm just too impatient to do it) so I could show you just how amazing she is. I also love watching her play volleyball and I was able to do this on Saturday. It was so much fun!

4. My brother's desire to serve a mission. This makes me happy. He is so smart, funny and kind but more importantly he has strong convictions, at such a young age, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that my kids look at his example, among many other examples in my family, of devotion to their Savior.

5. Talks with my mom and dad. This weekend I was able to go to my cousin's State Distinguished Young Woman Competition. She did awesome by the way (won a talent, self expression and got in the Top 10). I was also able to drive up with my dad and have a nice chat with him and gab with my mama while I was up there too. I love their advice and how they make me feel safe and happy. They will always be people I look up to and want to chat with no matter how old and wise I think I am.

6. Cupcakes from Temptation Cupcakes. I had a vanilla one the other day. DIVINE!

7. Family Home Evening. Last night it consisted of: reading scriptures, watching Remember the Titans and falling asleep to it. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.

8. Fall in Logan. It is beautiful here. I love where I live.

9. Anticipation of Fall Break. USU has a day off next week. Yep... one day, and you better believe I'm going to live it up. Provo and NSL here I come!

10. This Quote: "It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy." On that note, I'm very thankful for this life I'm living (most days). I hope I never take it for granted.

"May the odds be ever in your favor." Night.