Happy 27th Birthday to ME!!

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, too!

This year was one of my best birthdays ever! Seriously, EVER! My birthday was on Thanksgiving and my family did such a great job of making me feel so special! Tuesday I got my hair done (hence the picture!) and can I tell you I feel so refreshed? I LOVE IT! But the spoiling didn't stop there. Thursday we went out to breakfast (to Burger King NOTHING was open but it was still nice not having to cook), I opened presents from the kids and Bry. Then we went into hurry mode and got everything done for Thanksgiving dinner.

About 2 Bry's Mom and Sis came over and I opened gifts from them and then my parents came over and I opened gifts from them (I liked the gift opening part of my day the best! lol) then we ate! Everything was soo yummy! The thing that was the worst is that you spend all that time making dinner and it's over in like 2 min! Urgh, but it's totally worth it. My favorite part of dinner is when we all go around and say what we're thankful for.

That night Bryant's sister took the kids back home with her and they spent the night at their Bambas house (that's what they call Bry's mom) while Bry and I went to see TWILIGHT!! I LOVED IT! Yes, it was slow, yes it wasn't as amazing as my imagination but it was still REALLY good and left me wanting more! :) After the movie we drove around to the stores to see if people really did camp out the night before Black Friday and I'm amazed to say that people really do! In front of Best Buy people had tents and everything, it was crazy! The next morning Bry and I enjoyed Christmas shopping without kids and I'm happy to report that as of today I'm DONE with Christmas shopping! YAAY!!

I'm so thankful for my family. I'm thankful especially for my amazing husband who tries so hard to make sure that I'm as happy as I can be. I'm thankful that he stands beside me even when I do things that I'm sure he wonders about, he may laugh but he still supports my whims! I'm also thankful for my awesome kids who try so hard to do what's right. They are the best kids EVER! I love that they come and give me "the hug" or "the kiss" just because! I am truly blessed!

I hope everyone had an awesome and safe Holiday!

I really am Grateful! :)

Honest, I am a grateful person, but I am also a VERY busy one, too! :) This last week was crazy busy. My sis-in-law got married, my cousin went through the Temple, and we had to plan our Sharing Time for this coming week!

The wedding was beautiful, sorry I don't have pictures, my camera broke, remember?! But it was good times. A long day, but good times! I will just say one thing- I LOVE that Bry and I didn't do the luncheon and then reception later that night thing, I wouldn't have lasted a minute longer than the few hours we did at our reception! :) I am so happy for Britni (my sis-in-law) she married a guy who is PERFECT for HER. I'm happy they are starting their lives together and wish them all the happiness in the world!

Saturday I was glad to share in Jen going through the Temple. What a packed session! No joke, we were there 45 min early and I didn't think we'd make the session, it was that busy! I am so proud of the accomplishments she's made in the last few months to get her to the place she is now. I loved being in the Temple with my cousins and my Aunt and Uncle. It was so neat. I also noticed that I'm learning more every time I go to the Temple. Could this be that my nerves are finally calming down enough that I can remember what happens next? I'm not sure, but it's a neat thing, too!

This week is equally busy, we're having Thanksgiving/my birthday at my house so I'm trying to get all that ready. Bry gave me an early birthday gift and I went and got my hair done today. I LOVE IT! When Jen gets home I'll take a pic and post it! :)

Today I am Grateful For Gas

Funny thing to be grateful for, huh? But I guess I'm not really grateful for gas as much as I'm grateful for gas prices being low! Yesterday it was $2.05 a gal and today at my lovely QT it was only $1.99!!! Actually, it was $1.99 last night there!! So thank you to whoever is causing it to only cost me $30 to fill up my van!! :)

I am Grateful for Nieces and Nephews

I am grateful for all 14 1/2 of my nieces and nephews, but today I am grateful for 2 in particular. Today is Michael's (my big brother, Jason's oldest son) 15th Birthday and he shares it with Emma (Summer's oldest daughter) who is turning 3!!

Michael lives in Spokane, WA and sadly, I haven't seen him since he was probably 9. He is such a fun, loving kid, and a good big brother to his 2 brothers and his sister. He is over 6' tall, wears a size 15 shoe so I think it's obvious that he loves to play football (he's number 99 in the pic), is the President for his church class, and even COOKS for his parents who are super busy! Good kid, huh? He was my first nephew and has such a special place in my heart. I wish I were with him to spend his birthday with him! Hopefully one day we'll have a huge reunion!

Emma lives in Cedar Hills, UT and I haven't seen her in a year and a half (are we all thinking the same thing I am? I really need to travel more! lol). I was there on the night that Emma was born and I remember waiting, and waiting, and waiting for her. When she finally decided we'd waited long enough she came and was such a beautiful baby girl with a huge head of DARK hair. She has the cutest little laugh and is super smart and a good big sister to her baby brother!

Happy Birthday Michael and Emma! I love you! :-)

Yesterday I was gratetful

I was totally busy yesterday with all the excitement of this week (my sis-in-law is getting married on Friday so tonight is her batchelorette party, tomorrow is setting up and getting primped and Friday is the big day. Then Saturday my cous is going through the Temple so my other cousin and my aunt and uncle are coming to town! Busy week!) so I didn't blog! But, I want everyone to know that I am still grateful! :)

Yesterday I was (and still am today) grateful for my Mom. My Dad flew to Utah and back yesterday (long story) so I met my Mom at the airport at 6am and we hung out all day. It was so fun going out Christmas shopping and my Mom also taught me how to make quilts for my kids as part of their Christmas. I am grateful that my Mom (and Dad) live so close to me and that we have such a good relationship. Not to mention, I love that my Mom taught my kids the pose she did in the picture above! lol :)

An Attitude of Gratitude

Lately I haven't been as grateful as I should be. Maybe it's all the stress, or just the rush of getting everything done on time, I'm not sure. But I saw this cute idea on a friends blog and decided to steal it (hope that's ok Nichole!).

Today I am grateful for my hubby. He was gone last week for training in LA and then came home sick and tonight is still not home (it's 9pm) and he left for work at 6:45 this morning. I am grateful that he is not only a provider for our family, but an example to our family. He is my best friend, my love, and my everything. I know it's not even been 2 years, but I can't imagine my life any different than it is right now. I can't wait until we get sealed and can spend eternity together. I love you, Mr.EBG!

Sheknows.com

I am sooo excited to announce that Bryant has signed a job offer and will be starting his new job on Monday! YAAAY! Bryant will be an AdOps something for the website sheknows.com which is like an ivillage.com type of place (but much cooler, of course! lol) that is located in Scottsdale. There is a lot of room for growth and Bry seems excited! Yaay! I am so proud of Bry that he got a job so fast. There were so many companies that told him if we lived in New York/LA/San Fran/Chicago he'd be hired, and while we entertained the idea of moving we both felt the best place for us to be was right where we are and we knew the Lord would help us make it work!
I'm excited because this job won't be as much stress for Bry, there are no sales involved!! Super yaay!! :)

Top 5 Reasons I'm Happy For the new job
1. We'll have health insurance again!! (always helpful when you have a child on meds)
2. We'll have a pay check again! (always helpful when you have bills lol)
3. Bryant hasn't seemed so passionate about something in a long time (work wise that is lol)
4. Bryant will be gone during the day so I can get out of the house again (he doesn't like to go out and about like me lol)
5. Bry has to do training in LA and I'm trying to finagle my way to going with! lol


Top 5 Reasons I'm Sad
1. Though he doesn't like to gallivant all day, it's been nice having him home during the day
2. He doesn't get vacation time right away (like no anniversary trip this next year, sigh)
3. He has to commute to North Scottsdale (yuck!)
4. No Christmas party in San Fran this year
5. He works from 6-3:30 (good hours just REALLY early!!)

Bry, I hope you know how proud I am of you. I know these past 3 weeks have not been easy on you, but I also know that we've become closer because of this. I am proud that you worked your butt off to get a job so quick in an economy like it is right now. I know your main concern is providing for our family, and I am so thankful for that. This job may not be the pay we're used to, but I also know you are smart and things will work out with all those "side gigs" you have.
I love you, I'm proud of you, and proud to be your wifey. MUAH!