An Attitude of Gratitude

20: I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach, both in my profession and also in a church setting. I probably learn more than those I am instructing. I hope I am living up to the responsibility placed on my shoulders.

19: I'm grateful for uplifting and inspirational music. Music is able to convey feelings that might otherwise go unshared.

18: I am grateful for people who are willing to selflessly give of themselves and their time for the benefit of others. Hopefully I am able to serve others in some small way.

17: I am grateful for trials and challenges. It is at times when we are being tried that we tend to grow the most. Remember that we will be strengthened enough to meet our challenges and overcome trials and setbacks.

16: I am grateful for prayer. The opportunity I have to pray to my Heavenly Father and the strength and help I receive through the prayers of others.

15: I am grateful for supportive and inspiring friends. I truly have the most amazing, incredible, fantabulous friends. Love you guys!

14: Today I am grateful for modern emergency medicine. My grandfather had a heart attack yesterday and has to have open heart surgery tomorrow or Wednesday. Without modern medicine he probably wouldn't be with us any longer.

13: I'm grateful for over-the-counter cold/flu medications. Without them I think my head would explode.

12: I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to work with the Young Women in my Church. They are such incredible individuals. I learn so much from their examples.

11: "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" ~Thomas Jefferson

I am grateful for this great country I live in and the men and women who have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, to keep it the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

10: I'm grateful for my energetic, happy, fun "nephews" that enjoy playing cars and treating me like a human jungle-gym. I love those boys.

9: Grateful for a good job. Grateful for job security. Grateful for the entertainment my students regularly provide :)

8: I am grateful for a country in which I am allowed to have a voice in my government.

7: I am grateful for a warm, comfortable bed.

6: Today I am grateful for wholesome, quality entertainment. I'm watching one of my all-time favorite movies, "Anne of Green Gables."

5: I'm grateful for snow. Without snow we don't have water needed to shower, water our lawns, etc.

4: I am grateful for the peace and calm that comes during snowfall. There is just something tranquil in watching snow fall.

3: I am grateful for a gas fireplace and hot spiced cider. Add a good book to that and it makes for a pleasant fall/winter evening.

2: Today I am grateful for my health. I am having to watch too many people I know and love struggle with various ailments. I wish there was something I could do for them.

1: I am grateful for Chocolate!

Graduation Day 2011

April 22, 2011 was a wonderful day for me. I was able to realize the culmination of 2 1/2 years of hard work, tests, homework, late nights, and stress as my name was read and I walked across the stage at graduation.

Master's Hooding Ceremony

  A hood is a symbolic garment, which is worn draped around the neck and over the shoulders, displayed down the back with the lining exposed. The hood’s length signifies the degree; with the institution's colors in the lining and a velvet trim in a color that signifies the scholar’s field. The hood is a part of traditional academic dress whose origins date back many centuries. Today, the hood is considered by some to be the most expressive component of the academic costume. Today’s hoods have evolved from a practical garment to a symbolic one.

My Hood 

 I started graduate school in January 2009, and I had no earthly idea what I was getting myself into. I am far from being a business undergrad, so this whole MBA thing seemed a little far-fetched at times. A lot of my co-workers thought I was crazy and told me I should just go for a Master's of Education because that would be a lot easier.

.... If you know me you know that I considered it a challenge and pursuing an MBA was the final decision.

I had the full support of my parents, friends, extended family, employer, and even my students. Since I was a non-business undergraduate I had to take a few courses that would get me up to speed on the whole business school thing.

As I went through graduate school I tried to make some time for myself and those I love while I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Trying to find a balance when you find yourself in the middle of a semester of full-time school, coaching high school basketball, and teaching full-time, can be difficult. I am happy to say that all persons involved survived that semester and nobody was hurt in the process.

Mom, Dad, Me, Mamacita, Pops

 In the process of surviving graduate school I was blessed to meet some incredible individuals and form some strong friendships with both classmates and professors. These individuals have left an indelible mark on my life that has helped shaped me into the woman I am today.

This is my favorite professor (I know, we shouldn't have favorites...) He encouraged me and helped me feel like I belonged in the MBA program as much as anyone else.

We started out in the program together. Over the 2 1/2 years I got to know his wife and four kids, too. He helped me through some of the most difficult classes. Thanks!

My younger brother also graduated the same day. He received his Bachelor's degree! It was fun to share the day with him and make it a big family event.

Me, Baby Brother :)

Sister-in-Law, Brother, Me, Mom, Dad

2 1/2 years later I have graduated and nobody can take it away from me. What will I do with my  MBA? That's a very good question that I have no answer to. We'll see where the future takes me!

In the words of Elle Woods, "We Did It!"

Where have I been???

Wow, it has been a while since I posted... Il'' be back soon :)

New Year's Resolutions

1. Graduate with my MBA (I'll walk on April 22nd and have my final class in the Summer. Can you say EXCITED?)

2. Get a life (I know that is broad, but get a boyfriend didn't encompass the sentiment. Between work, coaching, and grad school there is definitely a major lack of a life.)

3. Move out of my parent's home(I love it here, but once grad school is done, it is time...)

4. Trust more in the Lord and lean less on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)

5. Smile more

And I'm sure there are plenty more where this list came from... I'm sure you could all come up with a few for me :)

Why blog???

Why blog? I don't have the time... I don't have much going on in my life... What to do, What to do...

30 Days of Gratitude: Days 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15

Day 15: I am grateful for good friends that are willing to listen when I need to vent. They don't care how trivial things might be, they are just there to be a listening ear. I hope that I am able to be that kind of friend for all of my friends.

Day 14: Today I was able to attend the "farewell" of a good family friend. She is actually a girl that I used to babysit (which makes me feel old :)) This family is an amazing family and I know that C. is going to be an amazing missionary for the Church. Attending her "farewell" reminded me of how grateful I am for my mission I was able to serve in Japan. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to live among and serve those incredible people I got to know.

Day 13: I am grateful for trials and past experiences that have helped me to grow and become the person I am today. This evening I ran into the parents of a former boyfriend. It was good to see them and catch up on what is happening with their family. After running into them I reflected on what has happened in my life over the past 2 years and how far I have come since that time. I know that at the time trials are difficult, but they are the greatest growth experiences I've ever been through.

Day 12: I am grateful for FRIDAYS.

Day 11: I am grateful for Utah's Fall and Winter seasons. I love watching the colors change. I love the snow. I love the cool Autumn evenings when it is "not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."

30 Days of Gratitude: Days 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10

Day 10: I'm thankful for the amazing people I was blessed to get to know in Japan. Today is one of those dear friend's birthdays. The people I met in Japan have left a permanent imprint on my life and heart. They are some of the strongest, faithful, most dedicated individuals I have ever met and I have learned so much from them. Ai shite iru yo!

Day 9: Today I'm thankful for a warm home, safety and comfort.

Day 8: I'm grateful for Reese's Peanut Butter cups. Just sayin'

Day 7: I am grateful for my personal testimony of the truthfulness of the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the opportunity to KNOW for myself, not rely on others. I know that God is my loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. I know that Christ suffered for me so that I won't have to as long as I apply His Atonement in my life. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in that grove of trees. I know that through Joseph Smith the fullness of the Gospel was restored in these latter-days. I know that the Book of Mormon is Holy scripture, written for us in our day. It is the most correct of any book on the face of the Earth, and by studying its pages we can know our Heavenly Father's will. I know that families can be together forever if we uphold our end of the covenants we make in the Holy Temples. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the chosen prophet to lead the Church at this time. He is inspired and counseled as to what is best for the world we live in. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. Personal revelation is real. The Holy Ghost will abide with us when we are choosing the right. I know these things, I testify of these things.

Day 6: I am grateful for family. The people that know everything about me and love me anyway. It was wonderful to see my aunt and cousin this afternoon, we don't get together anywhere near often enough.

Day 5: I am blessed to have the most amazing friends that accept me for who I am and welcome me as family. With most of my family living a pretty good distance away I have had to find my own "family" here, and I am privileged to count some pretty incredible and amazing people as my "family."
-"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves."
-"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart."