The Boy With Many Names

Today I am thankful for my "little" brother, JD, Jason, J, Ja-Son... He has grown into a man over the past couple of years, right under my eyes. He is such a good example to me of hard work. We might tease him about his crazy antics as a teenager, but now he works hard to provide for his family. I love that about him-that he's not afraid of hard work, whether it's to earn money, or in service to his church. I also love that he makes me laugh. He is someone who listens when I need to talk, and gives good advice. I recently realized that he is one of the "men" in my life, someone I call when I need manly advice: like where to buy a battery, and other car related things. One of my favorite things about my brother is the woman he brought into our family, Felicia, and the little lady who will soon be joining us in the spring. I am one lucky girl to have such a wonderful brother! He may be taller than me, but he'll always be my little brother!

A Brief History

This might sound a little redundant, but some of you might be new to my blog, so you get to hear it. I am thankful to be an aunt, or better yet, a Nanny.
 A brief history: When my sister and her husband had been married about a year they got a dog named Gimli. Gimli was a Bull Mastiff who stole our hearts from the beginning. For a long time Gimli was their boy, and as such needed to be watched from time to time when Jolene and Nic were out of town. This is how I became the dog-Nanny. Gimli knew that his Nanny Manda was always there to take care of him when mom and dad were away. I was jokingly referred to as the Nanny, and it stuck. Fast forward a few years to when Jolene and Nic had their first baby, Sam. I was on my mission when he was born, but that Christmas he sent me a tote bag that had a picture of him wearing a onesie with a tie on it, next to some scriptures. The caption read "I hope they call me on a mission...so I can be cool like Nanny Manda!" When I finally met Sam in person a few weeks later a bond was forged, and the dog-nanny became the Nanny. Since then I have been there to take care of my boys!
 When I fist came home from my mission I spent as much time at my sister's house as I did at my own. Whenever Jolene even thought she might need a babysitter, I was there! Including the time when she got the stomach flu and needed someone to take care of Sam. I packed up my bags and headed in, ready to take care of my little man while his parents were sick. We had a fun couple of days, and Jolene got better just in time for Nic's graduation. Perfect timing! We all got up and were getting ready for the day when it happened-I came down with the stomach flu. Haha it was a little crazy, but it was fun. As Sam got older I got to be a big part of his life, and I think that "Nan" may have made the first-ten word list!
 Over this past summer I had the chance to spend most of my week at my sister's house. I was worried that Mark didn't know me as well as Sam, so I set about to fix that! I loved getting to be with Sam and Mark all day! We became even better friends, and I feel like Mark knows me as well as Sam now.
 I love walking into my sister's house now: Sam comes running from wherever he is, yelling "Nanny!" and gives me a giant hug. Before Mark was mobile he would sit and clap his hands when he saw me, and want me to pick him up for a hug. Now that he's moving around he crawls as fast as he can to me to get that hug. Being a Nanny is the best! Cole is too little to get too excited when I get to his house, but he'll catch on soon! There's a little girl coming to our family in March, and I am super excited to introduce her to the world of the Nanny as well.
 I LOVE being a Nanny! There is nothing better in the world! Today that is what I am thankful for-being Nanny, aka the cool aunt!

Proud Sponsor

Today I am thankful for Disney. Disney movies really have a way of reaching into your heart and soul, and playing out what is there on the inside. These movies often inspire you to reach higher, dream bigger, and keep going. They also make for some good laughs and feel good moments. I love that I can get so wrapped up in a Disney movie and just be the little-kid version of myself. Tonight I found myself laughing out loud and just relaxing as we watched "Brave" for the first time. Afterwards we were joking around, and for the first time in a long time, I laughed until the tears were pouring down my cheeks. Life if made up of these moments, and I am glad that Disney is a proud sponsor of happiness to the young and old! This might be a bit cheesy, but it is what has touched my heart today.

The Miracle of the Healed Knee

I love my Mom. She cracks me up all the time, and over the most random things. Though it drives me bonkers at times, I love the way she has an alternate version to just about everything that takes place in our family. She makes me laugh all the time. Like tonight she went to do something and twisted her knee weird and was rolling around saying that she had popped it out of place. This was just after I had accused her of being an undercover underwear stealer. I reminded her that crime never pays and this was her punishment for being a thief. I said this as I was bending next to her to pick something up. Miraculously her knee was healed and used to kick me in the fanny! She's always doing something to make me laugh. I love the way she looks out for me and takes care of me. I am one spoiled girl to have her as a Mom! We hardly see each other any more, even though we live in the same house, but it's nice to know that when we do bump into each other it will be a fun interaction!

Vivi-n-I

Back in January of 2011 I began my trek along the path towards a degree in Special Education. That semester I met one of the members of my cohort group, Vivian. We had one class together, and it was just the two of us at our site. We talked here and there, but didn't really get very close. Over the next few semesters we got to know each other better and better, and we've become really good friends. Vivian is the one who (tries) to keep me on top of things. She is the type of person to get assignments done way before the due date. I'm the type to slip them in 5 minutes before they are due. Our approach to learning and studying are different, but in our differences we've found strengths. On Monday we got an "in-class" assignment to rewrite a science chapter. It looked like this really big process, but at least it was a group project. After class Vivian suggested that we work on it sometime this week. The only night we were both available was tonight. So right after school we headed over to the extension and began working. Originally I told Vivian that we could work on the assignment until 9:00, then I was going to be done. Vivian told me that we would work on it until it was done. I'll admit that a few angry stares went her way today, but I did my best to do my part. After we ate dinner the mood changed a little, and Vivian said something along the lines that she was glad I ate because now I was more pleasant to be around. My response: "I love that we are close enough that you can say that to me, and I totally agree!" In the end, I didn't go home at 9, I stayed for the duration, which was almost 10:30! But, we got the assignment done! It is no longer looming over our heads! Hooray! I am thankful for Vivian and her willingness to push me. She has helped me to reach new heights, and though I'm still a procrastinator when it comes to homework, I try harder not to be. I am thankful for the way Vivian listens, the way she loves, the way she works so hard, the great example she is to me, and I am thankful for the wonderful teacher that she is. I have learned so much from her over the past two years! We really are like sisters. In January our paths will go separate ways as I begin student teaching and she finishes up her last semester for her El. Ed degree (she's doing a dual major). I don't know if I've told her this, but I am scared to death of doing this without her! She is my rock and my sounding board. She keeps me sane when the professors do their best to make me crazy. She is such a great sounding board. I will be lost without her.
Vivian, I love you! I am so glad that the Lord had our paths cross! My life wouldn't be the same without you in it!

*Quick note about the title: I'm a lazy Utahn who doesn't properly pronounce words. When I am talking about Vivian and I doing things together, it generally comes out "Vivi-n-I." Kinda like Brangelena. We just go together so well! :)

Lost and Found

This semester and new school year have been particularly draining for me. I'm feeling burned out from everything, and it has made an impact on the deep-inside me. I L-O-V-E LOVE Christmas music! Normally I am among the first to pull it out and start listening to it insanely early, but not this year. When I hear the first station begin playing Christmas music on Nov.1 I was really annoyed and considered deleting it from my preset. Then another station started playing it a few days later. People on facebook were talking about listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas music. It snowed and I was annoyed that winter was here. I had tons of Christmas music waiting for me to add to my iphone, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. During all of this time I spent annoyed I realized that I am the problem. I decided that in an effort to bring some Christmas cheer into my life I would go ahead and put the music on my phone. The next morning as I was driving to work I began listening to my first Christmas tunes of the season. One was a song from "The Forgotten Carols" soundtrack called "Three Kings Found the Lord." Here is what I heard:
"Somewhere beneath the glitter
That comes this time of winter
In many souls there is a cry
They may not clearly say it
But in their hearts they pray it
And you can see it in their eyes

'I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
I cannot find my way at all.'"

As I listened to these words I realized that I am one of those souls, inwardly crying out and trying to find my way. I really haven't been myself, and I miss me. I know that sounds strange, but that's where I am. Needless to say, as I listened to this song I found myself shedding tears. In the midst of this I found a piece of myself, the piece that loves Christmas music, and I finally remembered why. Christmas is a holiday that brings hope. The hymns and carols that we sing during this season remind us of that hope. Christ came to the earth to help us find our way, and because of that we have reason to rejoice and hope. I love Christmas music because it speaks to my soul. Even the some of the fun Santa-themed songs have references to the Christ child (at least the old ones, which if we admit, are the best!) which is our focus. I find it so poignant that we celebrate Christmas in the winter. Fall and Winter have a way of weighing people down, but in the midst of it all we have a holiday of hope. We have a big reminder of what life really is all about. This is why I LOVE Christmas music! Today I am so thankful for Christmas music and the reminder that it gives me of my Savior, and for the way that it found me this week.
The rest of the lyrics go with my journey perfectly, so I will share them with you.

"There were three kings
Who followed the star
Of Bethlehem
They came from afar
To praise and honor Him
His light
which beckoned them to see
The Lord of Man
It calls to you,
It calls to me

'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
We cannot find our way at all.'

We're not alone,
We have a star
And it shines today
The love that He gave
Teaches how
And shows the way
That light,
it's clear to see
If we have faith and believe
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we.

'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
We cannot find our way at all.'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we

And if you've lost your way,
That light burns bright today
And it will shine eternally
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we

'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
There are so many choices
So many different voices,
We cannot find our way at all.'
Three kings found the Lord

'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home
Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
And so must we!"

I am so thankful for Christmas music and that it found me.

Baby Punkin-Boo

I am a horrible Nanny! Yesterday was Cole's one-month birthday, and I didn't even mention it. Anywhere. So today my post is dedicated to you, Baby Punkin-Boo! I really am thankful for my newest nephew, Cole. As I mentioned, he's only been here for a month, but in that month he's made a big impression! It's so fun to see the way his brothers interact with him. Sam loves him to pieces and is always looking out for him. Mark, on the other hand, isn't quite sure about this little guy. This past weekend I got some good snuggle time in with Cole, which I loved. I just held him while he slept, rocked him when he woke up, made sure he was wrapped up nice and snug, and when he was really awake we got to just stare at each other. He is so sweet. It's going to be so fun to see his little personality take shape! I am thankful for the ways that he already has made me laugh, traumatic as they might be. (I've heard people talk about changing diapers at the speed of light to avoid getting peed on, but no one ever told me about the other possibility...) This might be a short post, but I'll make up for it with pics!