Blessing number 9

Lindsay, Ronnie, and Baby Boy Thinnes

I am super grateful for my older sister Lindsay. She has done so much for me over the years! One thing that sticks out in my mind about her is how talented she is. She taught herself to do some pretty crazy things with her hair, and all of it looked good! She has done my hair for countless picture days and dances and I'm grateful for that because...well...I NEVER do my hair.

She is uber gorgeous and I take it as a huge compliment when people say that I look like her. She is beautiful not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. She genuinely cares about everyone and she has an awesome sense of humor that keeps me laughing!

She is a really hard worker! She often overbooks herself from work to making cakes and other responsibilities. She is always looking for a new hobby and she excels at all of them. I love her :)

She married one of the most awesome people on the planet. Ronnie is like the fourth older brother that I never had ;) He is really protective of me and I love him for it. I remember lots of times when I was having a bad day I would randomly get a message in my inbox from him that totally brightened my day.

There was one day during Christmas break when I had just gotten home from a date and he caught me before I could see the rest of my family and asked me if I had been good. I told him of course I had and that he had nothing to worry about. I looked him in the eye and he said, "I just never had a little sister and you mean a lot to me. I couldn't have picked a better little sister if I tried." Then his voice started to crack and then we were both hugging and crying in the kitchen. I'm so grateful for him. He's one of the few boys that I talk about boys with. I love him :)

Recently, I got a call from Linz telling me that she was in Soda Springs because she had some news to share with mom and dad. I had an idea of what that news would be, but I let her keep talking. She told me that she was pregnant...and not just a little. FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS! I still can't believe that she kept such a big secret for such a long time! But I'm grateful that she is giving me my first little nephew right around my birthday. I'm sure I will love him just as much as I love his mom and dad.

Doesn't she look so cute?

I love you Linz, Ronnie, and Baby Boy Thinnes!

Blessing number 8

Logan, Rachelle, Gwen, Phoebe, and Mystery Baby :)

Logan is my oldest brother and I love him immensely! 

This doesn't sound like much, but he is always

willing to share his music with me :)

Every time he comes over he seems to have

new CD's and he almost seems excited

to let me load them onto the computer.

He has always been an awesome example in my life.

I remember being so proud of him when

he was going on his mission. 

I walked around forever asking anyone who would listen,

"How do you think you say K-A-O-H-S-I-U-N-G?" 

(at least I think that's how you spell it...am I right or wrong Logan?)

I thought I was hot stuff because my brother was going

to speak Mandarin CHINESE.

He and I are both very much into watching

the Suns play. I know the rest of my family

does too, but I really enjoy talking to him about

how they're doing and who traded who for who

and who we think is going to make it to the finals.

He's one of the smartest people I know.

He got a 34 on the ACT in ONE try.

He majored in math! 

He's also crazy into Family History. 

He can hear a random name that

I've never heard of before and he can tell

you how we're related. 

I have had the opportunity to do many

baptisms for those deceased family members

that he has discovered.

It has been an awesome experience every time

and I'm so grateful that he puts in the time

to do the work. 

There have been many times that I have 

felt the presence of the person that I've

been baptized or confirmed for in the room.

It's all because of my brother. 

Amazing.

He also managed to find the PERFECT girl for him.

Rachelle is a beautiful lady and I'm so grateful

for her. She has an awesome sense of humor

and I love being around her. 

We talk about what books we've read recently

and what books we thought STUNK.

She's always willing to lend a helping hand

and I love her for that.

They also gave me my first two nieces.

Gwen is a little fireball and she can be 

very hard to handle. 

However, when she says, "I love you more!"

it totally melts my heart.

She gives the best hugs and kisses ever!

Me and Gwennie!

Phoebe used to be so stinkin' shy!

She's getting over that now though.

I love the way she says, "Cheese!" when she

sees a camera pointed at her

and he cute little giggles.

Sweet little Phoebe

I love being an aunt, and I especially

love that this growing family is

going to be with me for eternity!

I love you Logan, Rachelle, Gwennie, and Phoebe!

Blessing number 7

Blessing number 7: My mother :)

I am seriously the luckiest person in the world to have my mother in my life. She is the most caring person I know and she's a hoot!

I remember many times where we would chase each other up and down the halls screaming at each other because we were having a rousing game of tag. She usually ran into her room and tried to lock the door, but not before I could get a foot in :)

She is the best judge of character that I have ever known. I remember one day after a new friend had left the house she came to me and said that she wasn't sure about them. I told her that she was crazy and this person was the coolest. That person is no longer my friend for a variety of reasons. I can't even tell you how many times this has happened.

My mom has stuck by me in some very trying times. I was on the volleyball team this last year and I didn't get to play as much as I had liked. No matter how hard I tried it never seemed to be enough. I walked into my bedroom one day after a game where I hadn't even played and a letter was laying on my pillow (at least I think that was the time frame, it may have been the morning after or so). The words my mom wrote me were so amazing. She made me instantly feel better and I'm so grateful for the way she has of doing that. Here is a small excerpt from the letter, "I just want you to know that in all of the truly important things in life, you are number one...You are everything I could ask for in a daughter. you are such a special daughter of God and He, even more than me, is so proud of you."

My mom helps me to keep my head on straight. I am so blessed to have her in my life. I don't think I could have asked for a better mom. She has taught me the values of hard work, love, and family. Also, she just understands me. I always make fun of her because she can talk to Nana on the phone for hours, but I can definitely see that quality in me. She's the one person besides Maci that I can just talk to for hours and hours on end. I love her more and more every day.

I love you Mom!

Mommy and Linz with their bandaged thumbs

Blessing number 6

Okay, so I said my third blessing was my family, but now I would like to expound on that. My sixth blessing (I hope you all know that these are in no particular order) is my father.

My dad is definitely one of my very favorite people on the planet. He's kind, loving, caring, and always willing to listen to problems and help people understand...whatever it is they're trying to understand.

One day in particular stands out in my mind, mainly because it was so recent...or feels recent to me.
It was back in January and I had just had a very difficult conversation with someone over a very touchy subject. I ran to his office, in my free hour, sobbing. Bryan Jensen was in his office talking to him, but Bryan was immediately on his feet and asking if he should close the door. Within two seconds my dad was pulling me onto his knee like back I was three and asking me what was wrong. He held me in his arms until I stopped crying and assured me that everything would be alright. I am so grateful for that.

He was the world's best principal. I have never seen any other principal get so involved in his student's education that he does. He honestly cares about every one of them and wants them all to succeed. He spends so much extra time painting posters for every sports team, not wanting any of them to be left out. He even paints special individual ones for all the seniors on Senior Night. I don't think many people understand how much time is put into each of these posters. He has to design them, make an overhead, tape a huge piece of paper to the wall, outline everything, then paint the entire thing. He even personalizes them as much as possible, down to skin color and hair color. I'm so grateful for the time he puts in.

He's so stinkin' smart it almost makes me sick! He knows a little about everything and a lot about most things. He can finish a cross word puzzle in seriously 5 minutes flat and then help me with my homework (or at least when I was still at home he would). I'm so grateful that he instilled the importance of a good education in me! It's from him that I learned to push myself and to reach the goals I set for myself.

Bottom line is: I Love Him!

This is my daddy after my high school graduation. The seniors usually give him some random little thing to represent each of the students like a paper clip or a marble. This year we got creative. I stole all of his ties (or most of them) and each of the seniors handed him one as we passed by. This was the end result :)

Blessing number 5 :)

Blessing number 5

 Service and POPCORN!

 Every Friday at the institute they hold a "Food and Forum" which is a mini-fireside followed by lunch. Today was the first time that I went, and it was a very good experience, so I think I'll be making it a regular thing.

We talked about service because a couple had just gotten back from their mission in Nauvoo. They shared some really awesome stories about families that had been converted. They also told us that in all the years they've been doing the Nauvoo pageant they haven't been rained out even once! Craziness I tell you!

Anyway, after the speakers were done we moved into the gym for hamburgers. The refreshments were leftover from the Halloween dance, which was fine by me because it was absolutely delicious popcorn from the Popcorn Shop!

Have you ever heard of The Popcorn Shop? It's an awesome business here in Poky that makes every flavor of popcorn imaginable. My favorite is Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake :) The first time you go in you get a free cup of popcorn free, which rocks. 

The flavors were Tutti-Frutti and Pumpkin Pie :) I actually don't know if Tutti-Frutti was a flavor, but that's what it tastes like. That one's pretty cool because it's orange and purple for Halloween :)

After the lunch was over a bunch of people started grabbing the leftover bags from the buns and stuffing them with the popcorn. Kenna, Mystie, and I decided that it was a fabulous idea because this popcorn is usually pretty expensive. Here's what we came away with:

Just so you know, bags this big at The Popcorn Shop cost upwards of $10, so this is a huge treat! YUMM!

Blessing number 4

I would definitely have to say that one of my biggest blessings in life is music! I posted another blog about my dear friend Bob a couple of weeks ago, so a lot of this might repeat. Read on anyway!

Bob and Me :)

It's funny, I was really bored on Tuesday while Kenna and Mystie were at class, so I pulled out my violin and started playing. From MEMORY! I didn't have a hymn book in front of me or anything and I must've played 30 songs. I don't know what got into me honestly! I used to never do that, but I all of a sudden have this HUGE desire to play almost constantly :) I love that feeling. One of my good friends, Derek, came over and was kind enough to just sit there and let me play. I asked him his favorite hymn and then played it. Bob and I played for a couple of hours I think.

I used to never play in front of people (especially solos!) unless it was family, but I played for these people that I've only known for a few months...and I loved the feeling.

Now, one of my favorite church songs is called Believe by Cherie Call. Here are the lyrics if you're interested...

I've Been There And I've Seen With Those Eyes
Green With Envy, Dark With Anger
Or Just Plain Blue
And I Know The Last Thing You Really Want To Hear
Is Just What I'm About To Tell You
But You Have To Hear The Truth
I Know It's Stylish To Be Cynical These Days
So There's Only One Thing Left To Do

Believe
Sometimes Traffic Lights Are Green,
Sometimes People Keep Their Word
In Spite Of Everything You've Heard, It's True That
Sometimes Nice Guys Finish First,
Sometimes True Love Really Lasts
Sometimes All The World Can Change
If Only You Believe

Still You Say The Phone Rings Every Time You Want To Take A Bath
Or Take A Nap, Or You Just Need Peace
But Tell Me This, Did You Really Want To Be
So All Alone As You Are Now?
Don't You Need A Friend Who Knows
It's In The Way You See The Glass
Once You Know That It's Half Full, It Overflows
Every Time That You

Believe
Sometimes Christmases Are White,
Sometimes Wedding Days Are Clear
Sometimes Rain Falls Right On Time
To Wash Away Your Tears
Sometimes Cornfields Touch The Sky,
Sometimes Sunsets Make You Cry
Sometimes You See What Jesus Sees
When You Look In The Mirror

And Love Isn't Something That Is Just For Everyone Else
It's For You
Believe What I Say Is True
In Spite Of All The Ways You Feel Right Now
You've Got To Find Out Some Way Somehow To

Believe
Sometimes The Good Live Long,
Sometimes Kindness Reaches Far
Sometimes You Hear Your Favorite Song
Right When You Get In The Car
You Don't Have To Move The Sky
But You Can Chase The Clouds Away
You Don't Have To Change The World,
But You Might Do It Anyway

Believe
Believe Sometimes Nice Guys Finish First
You Don't Have To Change The World,
But You Might Do It Anyway


I bolded my favorite line in case you couldn't tell :)

I'm getting behind!

I'm starting to get behind on my blogging...I forgot about my goal to blog every day in November to say what I'm grateful for...so I guess I'm starting now! Hold on, it could very well be a wild ride :)

Blessing #1

My roommates! 

This one is Kenna and we went to the Halloween 

Party as an evil greek goddess and a good greek goddess.

We have our differences, but we always end up

getting over it the next day at the very latest.

I have been very VERY blessed to have Mystie and Kenna as roommates.

Blessing #2

Our ongoing war with Apartment #10

For awhile Apartment #10 and I didn't

really get along (boy problems...)

but now we're on good terms and the war is back on!

The writing on the window came from

the girls living in the Collegiate House

but my roommate is the one who put the 

Facebook Like icon under it.

Did I mention I love my roommates?

Blessing #3

My family.

They love me even though I have

moments like this...

Yes, I am standing on a scale...

in my workout clothes...

eating chips...

Gosh, even I wouldn't love me most of the time!

Seriously, I have the greatest family in the 

whole entire history of families!