I am thankful

Growing up we had the tradition of every other year going out to California and spending it with my Grandma's brother and family.  

It was one of my favorite things and we always spent Thanksgiving with them regardless of if we were in California or they were in Utah. 

Families grow. 

Traveling is hard. 

Somewhere the tradition died down. 

But thankfully as we get older we have found the tradition again. 

Kathy, Allie and Rachie flew out here to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. 

We have the BEST family. 

Who else would take a 15 person selfie?

Lots of food was consumed. 

Games were played. 

and a good time was had. 

We even convinced my cute Mama to come out Black Friday shopping with us. 

Which really is such a bust. 

We never really get anything. 

But we still have fun. 

Later that weekend, Porter got a call from Sol asking if he could come to the Jazz game with him. 

Aunt Perks of having such an awesome nephew. 

He had a blast and Sol and Porter had the best time together. 

Thanks again, Talia!  (I know you are a loyal reader)

After a late night at the game, this little stinker slept in until 10:30am.

He was just snuggled out and out like a light. 

Love this little dude and our sleepovers together. 

Thankful for a weekend spent with family. 

I am blessed. 

Big day

May 27th, 2014 is a big day for our family, especially my mom.

She finished her last radiation treatment.

After 28 treatments and weeks of being exhausted.

She finally finished and now is on the road to a full recovery. 

She has been so brave and strong during this process.

I'm so thankful for all of the miracles we have seen during this whole process. 

2013: Recap

The reason I started this blog was to keep up with some dear friends that moved across the country.  

Now, it is for me.  

I like to be able to look back at things that I have done or places of my life. 

I have always done a recap of the year. (2010, 2011, 2012)

Last year, I did a video. 

It's even more fun to watch and remember certain moments of the year. 

Here is 2013's Recap, video style. 

2013 has been a year of growth for me.  

I'm proud to say I have learned a lot and ready to put the lessons into actions. 

Here is to 2014.

Just another day with us

Timing is everything. 

People come and go in your life and you realize the timing was the most important thing. 

Most times you are able to recognize how perfect the timing is after. 

Not the case with this one. 

Jason came into my life at the PERFECT time. 

I needed his honesty.

I needed his experiences. 

I needed his shoulder to lean on. 

I needed someone to push me.

and most of all I needed that person to laugh and be silly with.

I got all of that and more. 

I sure am one lucky person to have him as one of my best friends. 

The luckiest.

A gift from heaven.

When I look at my life, I amazed with the incredible people that have been sent to me.

I'm very blessed.

One day a little over a year ago and I was reading a blog. 

In her post she mentioned her friend that just lost her husband in a tragic accident. 

My heart dropped. 

She had a link to her blog and like any of you, I quickly switched over to learn more about this girl.

Within minutes, I was in tears. 

The feeling of helplessness consumed me. 

You could feel their love for each other in their pictures. 

It is like anything I have ever seen before. 

I went to write a comment... "you don't know me... but I'm so touched.... please don't think I'm crazy"

I stopped myself.  

That is crazy!  

Who writes on a blog they just stalked. 

I don't know this person. 

In fact, the mutual friend, I haven't spoke to in years. 

I quickly deleted my comment and went along my way. 

I would constantly think about this girl I had never met and her situation. 

November of 2012, I stopped back by her blog and finally wrote a comment. 

And seriously from that point we just understood each other.

The commonality we share is something I wish we didn't.

I wish we both  didn't understand the feeling of missing someone it literally hurts. 

Over the past months we would chat on facebook and "like" each others pictures on instagram. 

When we would chat we just knew. 

We understood. 

and we didn't need to pretend. 

Today, we became real friends. 

We had lunch together and it was like we had known each other for years. 

We laughed together. 

We cried together. 

and we drank coke together. 

Keri is one of the strongest people I have ever met. 

She is an example to all and has inspired more people than she will ever know.

I know her CJ and my Zach brought us together. 

We need each other.

She is a gift from Z.

I'm glad that all of my countless hours I spend reading about other people on their blogs has paid off.

This is a friendship that has bettered my life. 

Love you, Keri! 

3 of my favorites

They say people come into you life for a reason. 

Those words couldn't be more true with these three people. 

They have brought a new light and love into my life. 

Words do not describe what they have done for me. 

I am more comfortable in my skin, than I have been in years. 

I am confident with where I stand and they like me for who I am.

and I remain full of gratitude for these incredible people who came into my life at the exact moment I needed them.  

So Thankful

  

(This was our last Thanksgiving we spent together.  Clearly some time has passed)

Growing up we would go to California, every other year to have Thanksgiving with my moms cousins.  

With expanding families and more kiddos it made it hard for both sides of the family to celebrate Thanksgiving together. 

This year, we were lucky enough to have 1/2 the California clan out here for Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving day we all went and ran a Turkey Dash. 

We had a great time together and it surprisingly wasn't too cold.

Our families have gotten really big, which makes getting together really fun and crazy.  

We had 40+ people at Thanksgiving this year. 

There were tables set up everywhere and the kiddos all got to eat downstairs and cause as much trouble as they wanted.

After we ate our hearts out, we played lots of games and then headed out shopping!  

We had nothing on our lists to get, but we had a great time!  

With having our California family, we realized we had never taken Allie and Rachie to temple square.  

We headed to City Creek and went and saw the lights!  

This year, I was beyond grateful for my wonderful family and the joy each of them bring to me. 

I was extremely grateful for my relationship and friendship with my sweet cousins.  

I love them more and more and so thankful that no matter the distance between us, we are still so close!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Refuge from the storm

This last weekend the Brigham City Temple was dedicated.  

What a neat experience to be apart of.  

This is the first temple dedication I can remember going to in a long time.  

The words that were spoken were so inspiring and felt like they were directed towards me. 

I was incredibly touched when they were speaking about the 

journey to the temple doesn't end after you have taken out your endowments.  

It is about continuing to keep those promises.

This world is not an easy place. 

The trials and struggles given to each of us is mind blowing at times. 

I am beyond grateful for my knowledge and 

the love our Heavenly Father extends when we need it the most.  

I have spent many hours at the temple and grounds recently. 

The peace and comfort received while in the temple and on the grounds is unreal and almost indescribable.

I thankful for my Heavenly Father who has made me realize this at a time when I needed it the most.

Autumn has arrived

I have decided anyone that doesn't claim fall as their favorite season, hasn't experienced a gorgeous Utah autumn.

So many things that I love about this season. 

The wardrobe choices are unlimited: jackets, boots, scarfs, hoodies, t-shirts.

The weather allows you to be outside during the day but when you take a deep breath at night it gives a burning sensation in your nose. (one of my favorite things ever)

The Carmel Apple Ciders.

Utah games.

Haunted houses.

The list could go on forever. 

There really isn't anything about fall that I dislike, except for the fact that it does not last nearly long enough. 

I was lucky enough to spend this last weekend up at Tyler's cabin in Timber Lakes.

Gorgeous. 

I was there about a month again and the mountains were just starting to change colors. 

When I saw the mountain below in the morning I was shocked. 

I couldn't believe how much it changed from just a few weeks ago. 

My only wish for the day was to go over and be in the "burning leaves".

Tyler did not disappoint me. 

After I finished up some work, we headed to town to grab some lunch 

from the one and only, Dairy Keen.  

(If you don't know what that is... you need to google and go!)

There we actually found out that it was the local high schools Homecoming Parade. 

We watched it for a bit and then grabbed some food. 

The best surprise of the day was running into my dear friend, Kristen. 

I miss her dearly and was so happy to run into here. 

After lunch we ran a couple of errands and headed back to the cabin. 

We were getting closer to the cabin and I was just staring at the mountain. 

Tyler turned off to see if we could find a road to go over there. 

We didn't have much luck. 

But he wasn't done trying yet. 

We went back and got the 4-wheeler and went and explored. 

We would get so close to finding a way over to the "burning mountain" (that's what I kept referring to it as) 

But we couldn't quite get all the way over there. 

We drove around for quite a while. 

Ready to end our adventure;

Until we stumbled across this hidden little treasure.

And behind here was a grove of pink leaves.

I never in my life have seen anything like it. 

I immediately said, "I wanted to go lay down in there."

Luckily Tyler didn't look at me like I was crazy and laid right down with me.

 (Photo credits to Tyler John)

 So incredibly beautiful.

It is moments like this that you really have to stop and appreciate. 

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the things and people I have been blessed with in my life.

Especially people. 

Tyler being one of those people. 

I do not believe in accidents.

It was not by chance that we were brought into each other lives at this time. 

(If you are thinking... "Finally, Morgan has a boyfriend!" Don't get ahead of yourself.  I have the world's best friend)

Many times I feel like he is my right hand and always counting down until M&T time begins.

When Tyler is involved a good time is guaranteed.

I am thankful for the laughs, support, silence, honesty and love given to each other. 

Grateful for another wonderful person brought into my life 

and even more thankful that we can be 100% ourselves with each other. 

People like this come around far and few... and I have every intention is keeping him around for as long as I possibly can and thankfully he agrees. 

This afternoon is one that I will remember for a long, long time. 

Side note:

As I look back at old posts, the ones that mean the most are the ones that I actually document what I am thinking rather than just what I did... So excuse the sentimental thoughts at times. 

It is for me. 

I have stopped keeping a journal journal and basically use this.

Brigham City Temple Open House

“The House of the Lord, Holiness to the Lord.”

On our way back from Logan, after the Tyler's half, we stopped by the Brigham City temple open house.

It was absolutely beautiful.

It was a perfect escape from the world, if only it was for just a few minutes. 

I love the peace and comfort you get just from walking on the grounds. 

I'm so grateful for another temple here along the Wasatch Front, to help fulfill the Lords work.

And even more thankful for my family that I get to be with for eternity thanks to these beautiful temples.

Nothing like talking about Thanksgiving the week of Christmas

I know, I know, it is nearly Christmas.  I received I never posted about my wonderful Thanksgiving.  Although it was quiet with all my sisters being with their in-laws there is no place I would rather be than with my wonderful parents and Grandma-ma.  We went to my Aunt's house and spent the day with her and her family.

Thanksgiving is a time to slow down and think how incredibly grateful you are.  I can tell you that I am blessed beyond measures and so thankful for a day to spend with my family.  Can't wait until next year where I have all my sisters and kiddos there. 

i'm so thankful

As Thanksgiving day will be here in a few short hours, I am grateful to reflect on several things I very so blessed to have in my life. 

MY FAMILY. I'm thankful for mi familia'. I have the BEST family in the world.  They are my best friends and I don't know where I would be without my wonderful parents, sassy sisters, supportive brother-in-laws and my playful babies.  I would be lost without them.

MY HOUSE. I'm thankful for a place to come home to and call my own.  A place of peace and my very first place I call home.  Everyday it reflects more and more of me as a person.

MY BESTIES.  I'm thankful for the fantastic friends.  I have been very blessed in this area of my life.  I have some incredible people that I am lucky enough to call my friends. 

MY RELIGION.  I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father.  He has blessed my life beyond measure.  I'm thankful to be a part of a church that believes in families, honesty and serving others.

MY EDUCATION.  I'm thankful that the doors have been opened for me to receive an education.  I love to learn and thankful for the doors my education has opened for me personally and professionally. I'm thankful to be in the education field and be able to help open the doors for others and help teach my sweet students.

MY JOB.  I'm thankful more than ever to have a job.  Even though when my alarm goes off I want to shut off my alarm and not worry about my responsibilities there.  I have been able to grow professionally in the last five years more than I ever imagined.

MY FREEDOM.  I'm thankful for the country I live and the people who devote their time and life to protecting my freedom. 

I'm thankful that I have so many things to be thankful for. 

My life is blessed and I look forward to spending Thanksgiving day with the people I love the most.  

I also thankful for....

I'm thankful for the free country that we live in. I'm grateful for the sacrifices from those who have protected my freedom and our country.

I thankful for my house. Somedays when I write the check for my house payment or when something goes wrong I think to myself... WHY? But I love my house and I'm thankful that I have a warm place to lay my head every night.

I'm also thankful for my sweet, Gracie. She is the best dog anyone could ever ask for. I'm always greeted with a warm welcome when I come home. There is something about having a dog. Someone who loves you unconditionally ALL the time!

Attitude of Gratitude!

People in my life that I am grateful for...

There are so many things and people I am thankful for. I love this time of year when you are able to reflect more than usual on the things that you are thankful for. Today I am thankful for the special people in my life. I am incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. They are such incredible examples to me and this I am thankful for.

My Family

I have the World's Best Family! I'm so thankful for our wonderful Sunday dinners we spend together. The times around the piano singing. The times laughing so hard together until our stomaches hurt or we are crying. The times where we pitch in and help each other. The amount of love we have for each other in one in a million and I'm so glad I get to be apart of this family.

My Sisters

Three best friends. No matter how mad they make me, I will still love them at the end of the day. I'm so thankful for my wonderful sisters. They are three incredible women and I love them so much. They have let me tag along with them for years and done it with a smile and taught me so much about life! Thanks for letting me steal your clothes, make-up, furniture and anything else you can think of. I'm so glad I have such amazing sisters to look up to.

My Mama

Anyone that has met this woman knows that she is one special lady and I'm thankful I get to call her my mom! She is one person that everything she touches turns to gold. I'm so thankful she has been the person to mold me into the woman I am today. She is so full of love and I don't know what I would do without her! My Papa

Who doesn't love Big Earl? He is one funny guy and I'm so thankful for him. He has taught me the importance of working hard and if you are going to do something give it your all! I cherish my time at Lagoon with him and seeing him everyday I went to work. I also love his phone calls

The Kiddos

I'm so grateful to be "Aunt Mo". These kiddos make my life so much better. I love their little kisses and loves. I love that they call me everyday to say hi and tell me to come play with them. I love when they will hold my hand even when they get big. I love they want to have sleepovers or ride with me in the car. I love their unconditional love and the laughter they bring. I'm so thankful for these 7 kiddos and can't wait for the 8th to be here!
Lindsey & Stacy The best thing that happened to me from working at the zoo, was meeting these two ladies. I'm so thankful for their friendship and the fun times we have together. I know without a doubt I can always count on them for anything. The time spent living with these ladies is probably top on my fun list. I'm so thankful for their friendship!
My Langles

I'm thankful for my friend, Amy! She is such an incredible person and I miss her like crazy. I'm so glad that I was able to go and spend 5 days with her last month. Best time ever! (Thanks again) I'm so grateful for her wonderful example to me. Also, I'm thankful for her encouragement and help to get our Master's Degree so quickly! I miss this lady a lot and work is not the same without her. But thankful for technology that keeps us in touch with each other!

My pal, Talia Jo

Pals like Talia do not come around very often, so when you find them you keep them. I have so many memories with this girl all going back to the 8th grade. We have been in student government together, spent countless holidays together, worked many summers at Lagoon, been on many trips, graduated high school and now college, been through numerous break ups and still feels like we are at the beginning of our friendship. I'm thankful for people like Talia in my life and know that I am better for knowing her.

Cassia

My longest friend, Cassia. We go all the way back to 7th grade. We have been best friends ever since. No matter the distance, no matter the time, she is always my best friend. So many memories with this girl. So thankful to have someone that knows me so well and is there to support me day or night.

Todd

I have known Todd since 2000 and have lost touch with him for a few years and now he is back better than ever. I'm thankful for the random night running into him when he moved back to SLC. He has been the friend that I needed through everything this past year. He has kept me smiling and laughing and reminds me when I need to let things go. Todd is a hard worker and is so dedicated and has taught me so much. I'm thankful for old friends like Todd that make my life better.

There are so many people that I am thankful for and my life has been so blessed because of them. I am one lucky person and know without these incredible people I would not be the person I am today. Without these people my life would be very different and probably very dull.

I'm so thankful for the wonderful people in my life.