Thankful Box

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions growing up was our Thankful Box. Everyday at dinner before eating each member in our family would write on a piece of paper one or two things he or she was thankful for...then on Thanksgiving day we'd open the box up and read all the notes. Following tradition here are a few things that I'm thankful for this year...(not necessarily in any particular order).

1. Ryan. I'm pretty lucky that I tricked such a great guy into marrying me.
2. BYU. While sometimes BYU gets a little old, I'm really glad to be studying here and learning so much. I'm really enjoying what I'm learning and love how it's all influenced how I think about things. And I'm excited to be done.
3. Family. I have the best family ever. I'm so grateful for the wonderful examples they all are of terrific parents, awesome friends, hard workers, and just overall great people.
4. Primary. I love being in Primary. I love the kids we've gotten to teach over the past year. I love how good they all want to be for Jesus. I love how "being nice" or "Jesus" are the answers to pretty much any question. It's such a wonderful reminder of the basics of the gospel.
5. Friends. I'm so grateful for a few friends that make life easier.
6. DC. It was such a great experience. I got to learn more about possible careers, explore an amazing city, and spend tons of time with my favorite person. What a perfect summer.

Fashion Dilemmas...

Most of the time I hate choosing what to wear in the morning so the result typically ends up being a white T-shirt and jeans. The other day Ryan and I were asked to talk to some future Washington DC interns about our experiences, so I figured jeans and a T wouldn't cut it. I was thinking about what to wear while in the kitchen getting breakfast when I looked over and saw it ---the cutest apron ever that I absolutely love which Lori made me. I think the pattern of the fabric and the actual apron itself are fantastic. I've always tried to think of ways that I could disguise the apron as something else so I could reasonably wear it out of the house...and yesterday I came up with the perfect solution...

Gender Issues

Throughout college I've spent a lot of time studying gender and how it relates to development, democracy, and social welfare. Today I presented with a group on the topic and we showed this clip. I really really like it. I think you all should take a few minutes and watch the video, possibly explore the website, and examine your own views on gender.

If the video doesn't automatically play after clicking on "Agree" then click on the link in the lower right hand corner of the site which says "Play the girl effect video"

Hope you all loved it as much as I did. I'm so grateful to be a girl. And feel so lucky to be a girl where I am. The impact girls can make is incredible. I only hope I can live up to the potential I have from being a girl.

Ryan's Rocker Hairstyle

The other day I was messing with Ryan's hair and straightened it. It turns out that he kinda looks like a rock star...what do you think?
No worries...He has since be given a haircut.

(he's normally more happy looking, but I think he was studying for one of his killer tests so I guess it's ok)

Things that make me smile...

• hot chocolate with extra mix
• right out of the dryer blankets
• snuggles from Ryan
• warm down comforters in the morning
• new house decorations - like the elephant, Jesus wine bottle, fishes and loaves basket, and happy red flowers
• auto-tune the news (and Ryan's versions)
• moccasins
• reading other people's blogs
• white T-shirts
• late night talks till 1am on a school night
• nephew pictures and stories
• finishing papers
• random I Love You texts
• having a clean house after a busy week
• finding my wedding ring after it has been lost for a week :)

Bijou Market

Such an awesome event happening this weekend in Provo. AND...FREE giveaways!

Here and here.