The Family Pet

Day 25
Just because Thanksgiving day has come and gone is no reason to stop being thankful! I am going to keep posting my thanks for the remainder of the month, just to help me keep in the spirit of the season.
Today I am thankful for all of the pets in my life, and there are quite a few of them! When I was younger I felt like we were Noah's ark: 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats. It was pretty fun! Pets have always been a big part of our family, and most times they are treated like family! I have learned many valuable lessons from our pets about faith, trust, loyalty, and friendship. So this is a shout-out to all of the awesome pets in my life! Tinkerbelle-my sister dog, Stubby my nephew dog, Sanders my nephew cat, Gus my nephew dog, and Ruger my nephew dog. :)
*I don't have pics of everyone, so I'll have to work on that!

Nanny tales

Day 24
Today I am thankful for my nephews, Turkey and Marmitt. They are the two cutest little boys in the world, and I love being their Nanny!
Today is Turkey's second birthday! We celebrated with him on Sunday. I came quickly to the realization that I have a spending problem when it comes to my little guys, but that's ok! Seeing how much Turkey enjoyed his presents was so much fun. He's growing so fast and learning so much. A few weeks ago when Marmitt was blessed we were all at my sister's house for dinner afterwards. It was past Turkey's nap time, so I decided that the two of us would sneak into Jolene and Nic's room for a little nap. We were both on the bed, me with my eyes closed and pretending to be asleep when suddenly I felt a little hand on my face. "Nanny, you sleepin?" Try as I might I could not contain my laughter! It was so adorable to hear that little voice ask me if I was sleeping. I tried to pretend to be asleep again with similar results, only it moved from a hand on the face to a little boy climbing on my back. My little Turkey is the sweetest thing ever, and I am so lucky to be his Nanny! There is no sweeter sound in the world than to hear "Nanny! Nanny! Nanny!" when he sees me, and there's no greater feeling in the world than him hugging and kissing me. So thankful for that little boy!
Yesterday was Marmitt's 3-month birthday. He is the same age now that Turkey was when I met him. My little Marmitt is getting so big and so fun! He has started smiling now, and as I held him the other night he was so happy and smiling at me! He is even starting to love kisses from his Nanny. Just like his big brother, this little guy has his Nanny wrapped around his finger! My little Marmitt is so stinking cute-with hair that changes from platinum blonde to red depending on the day (and probably his mood!) and the sweetest little smile and cheeks...he's a keeper, that's fo sho! I'm so excited to watch this little Marmitt grow, and can't wait until he's yelling "Nanny!" too!
Today is Thanksgiving day, and so it deserves a special "thankful" moment. I am so thankful for my extended family. We had Thanksgiving dinner with my Dad's sister and her family for the first time in years (everyone usually splits up and goes different directions for Thanksgiving, but we do Christmas together) and it was so much fun! I love my Aunt Suzy and Uncle Allen so much! They are the best aunt and uncle that a kid could ask for! Being at their house and just laughing and talking was the best! Their son Danny and his wife Heather were also there with their tow kids, as well as Uncle Allen's mother, Nelly. Such a fun gathering! I am so thankful for family!

The power of the Sister Rings

Day 23
Today I am oh-so-thankful for my wonderful sister, Jolene. Not everyone knows this, but when she and I were younger we didn't really get a long. There is a 9 year age gap between us, so for a long time I was the "annoying little sister" that everyone talks about (really, I was!) and she was the "mean big sister" who never let me have any fun (at least that's how I remember it!). We did plenty to torture one another back in the day, and somehow we both survived.
Fast forward to Jolene going on her mission. I missed her while she was gone, and was excited when she came home, but there still wasn't that deep connection. Then she was home, and we started to do things together. In the 18 months that she had been gone we had both done a lot of growing, and it helped us to grow closer together. Plus, she gave me a pretty awesome "sister" ring, to which she has a twin. To this day we both wear our "sister" rings to prove that we're really sisters!
I am so thankful that we both finally grew up and really got to know one another. In my sister I have found my dearest friend, my kindred spirit. For better or for worse my sister knows me inside and out-and she loves me despite my faults and shortcomings. My sister is someone I know that I can turn to no matter what, and she'll always listen and offer support and counsel. Jolene is my cheerleader, my motivator, my mediator, my sounding board, my rock, and she's a really good shoulder to cry on! We have so much fun together, and it's usually quite the adventure when we're together! Nic calls Jolene and I "surround sound" because we tend to say the same thing, at the same time, over and over again. It's a pretty decent accomplishment, if you ask me! We laugh until we cry, share our most embarrassing moments (crazy enough-plenty of mine have happened in the presence of my sister! Jolene-remember my awesome face-plant in your car?!), and share our innermost secrets and desires. Now you're wishing that you have a sister as awesome as mine! I'm so glad that I get to call her my own. Jolene is one amazing and beautiful woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life!

"Ask me if I'm a truck."

Day 22
Today I am super-de-duper thankful for my little brother, Jason Dee! Ever since we were little he has always had a way of making me laugh like no one else does. My all-time favorite joke of his goes as follows:
"Ask me if I'm a truck."
"Are you a truck?"
"No."
I don't know why, but when he first told me this I would laugh my head off! Even now as I sit here and type I'm laughing! There was just something about the way he would say no, like it was the most obscure and ridiculous thing to ask him if he was a truck...I guess you had to be there! (Please note, we were like 11 and 8 respectively when he told me this joke.)
There are other things about my brother that I love and am thankful for besides his sense of humor. When I left for my mission I left behind a teenage boy, but when I came back I found that a man had replaced him. My little brother is so responsible and mature, and he knows how to take care of things. I am so impressed everyday with the man that he has become, and I am so proud to call him my little brother!
We had the opportunity to work together for nearly a year recently, and I loved it. We carpooled everyday and had so many good chances to talk about life and our plans. My brother is someone whom I trust and know that I can talk to, and I know that he will listen and give me sound advice. Now that we aren't working together and he's married and moved out of the house I miss those talks and really look forward to when he comes home and we talk. So here is to my handsome, funny, mature man of a little brother! I love you!

You name that movie!

Day 21
Today I am grateful for my sister in law, Felicia. She is one fun lady! Felicia and my brother started dating while I was on my mission, and I remember that I was a little nervous about it. I wrote Felicia a letter telling her how much I was loving my mission, how wonderful missions are, how much a mission teaches you, how a mission changes you, how awesome missions are...catching a theme here? I wanted to encourage Felicia to go on a mission, just to give me some time so that I could get to know her. Luckily, she didn't heed my advice!
When I got back from Bama she was there at the airport waiting for me with my family, and though she wasn't expecting it, she got a big hug! Since then she has been like a second sister to me. We have fun sister dates eating pizza and watching movies-we even love the same movies! Our first bonding moment was in St. George two years ago at a little store looking at jewelry. Felicia said something like "I'm just here for the food." I told her to name that movie, and she looked at me with a challenge in her eye and said "You name that movie!" That's when we knew that we were meant to be sisters!
Felicia is so much fun, and I am so grateful that she is now part of my eternal family!

She ain't crazy, she's my Mother!

Day 20
Today I am thankful for my Mother. Just in case you didn't know, she's amazing! My Mom is a woman so full of love for her family, and she works so hard to make us happy. Today I got to watch her as she and my Dad prepared a Thanksgiving feast for our family. My Mom likes to make things homey and fun, so we got holiday themed rugs in the kitchen. I love sweet potato soufle with pecans on top, so she made it. My nephew is allergic to milk, so she made him special mashed potatoes with soy milk. We celebrated my nephew's 2nd birthday tonight, so she made sure to have cupcakes and candles ready for him (on top of 3 pies that were brought) so we could celebrate. And her crowning moment for the night-surprise family pictures. My Mom is super amazing, and I am so thankful for all that she teaches me. She might be crazy, but she's my crazy! Here's to the b-e-s-t best of all the r-e-s-t rest moms!
Love,
Tinkerbelle
oops-I meant Manda...I get them confused! :)

The Young Shepherd and the Nativity

Day 19
Today I am thankful for the spirit of the temple. I love going to the temple and taking the "long way" to get there (meaning I walk all around inside Temple Square before actually entering the temple). As I walk I love to just enjoy the sweet spirit that resides on those sacred grounds. It's truly a special place. As I was walking today I found myself walking in-step with a young man. I was off in my dreamy temple-land, so I didn't really notice until he asked me where the entrance to the temple is. I politely pointed it out, and continued walking. I don't know who initiated the rest of the conversation, but for the next few minutes we talked. It was fun. It was his first time going to the SLC temple, and he was there for a friend's wedding. I told him that I really enjoy watching the happy couples come out, and how it makes me laugh a little to see these brides in short sleeves. In Utah. In November. As we reached the main entrance to the temple the young man thanked me again for helping me, and held out his hand. "I'm Lamoni, by the way." My heart smiled. Lamoni and his father are two of my favorite characters from the Book of Mormon! I gave Lamoni my name and we parted ways. Lamoni really helped to set the spirit of the temple for me-unity. As I worshiped today I felt a sense of unity not only with the women whom I was doing the work for, but of the temple workers as well. I saw so many familiar faces too, which added to my feelings of unity.
Upon exiting the temple I was feeling so blessed, peaceful, and full of joy, I didn't want it to end. I gave a little prayer asking to be guided to where I needed to be (hoping that perhaps I would run into Lamoni again...) and started to walk around. Temple Square has all of their lights up for Christmas, and I enjoyed walking around looking at the set-up. (I was there in the afternoon, so no lights for me.) I was drawn to a Nativity scene by the North (?) visitor's center. I saw a little girl in the scene area, dusting off the sheep. A little shepherd in the making! It was really sweet to see her dutifully sweep the snow off of each lamb. As I reflected on the efforts of this young shepherd I found myself gazing on the centerpiece of the Nativity-Mary and Joseph holding their baby, Christ the Lord. It was such a powerful and profound moment, from the feelings of the temple and temple grounds, to the little girl shepherding, to this depiction of our Savior. I don't even know how to put it into words! I was so full of emotion, and I could have stood there all day.
In a little manger our Savior started out His humble life-a life that was lived and spent for the sake of human kind. Because of His life I can have a day like today, full of the temple and the sweet spirit. Because of His life I know that we are all children of God, and that we will all be united with Him again one day. All things are possible through our Savior Jesus Christ, something that He proved to us with His own life. What a great day!