Giving Thanks!

Tomorrow is the day where we gather together with our families, fill our bellies full of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie, and reflect on the things we are thankful for. So in honor of Thanksgiving, I am dedicating this post to things I am forever thankful for.

1. My husband, Scott.

Granted life is never perfect. But it is often a little sweeter with Scott around. He is SO good to help out around the house (with little to no griping...most days), he is a fantastic cook, and most importantly: he makes me feel special and beautiful. Scott is a wonderful man that puts my feelings before his, and will go to the end of the world for me if he thought it would make me happy. I am so lucky to have found my soul mate.

2. My faith.

This past week I attended the funeral of my best friend's 42 day old baby. I have been to more funerals in my life than I would have liked, but this one touched my heart in a way I never thought possible. I have always had a strong belief in what happens when we die, but when you see a sweet little innocent baby pass away, it makes it really easy to question things. I have done a lot of thinking this past week, and I have come to the conclusion that everything I have believed about the afterlife, and God's plan, are all very true. I know that my dear friend will be with her sweet son again. I know that she'll have the chance to raise him and care for him. Granted it doesn't make the void and the heart wrenching pain go away. Not at all. But it certainly instills hope that make times like these a little more bearable. If you would like to read the story of this incredible baby's life, you can find it at my friend's blog here

3. My family.

Ever since I was little, I always considered my family members my best friends. Given the choice, I would often pick staying home with my family rather than go out with friends. We have always had so much fun together - whether it be on a road trip to Disneyland or celebrating Christmas by the traditions of a random country. I was so happy to move home to Heber, where I could be closer to my parents - for Sunday dinners and London Rummy, for birthday celebrations and singing together around the grand piano. I love my family so much. My parents are my heroes and my sisters are my best friends. It's fantastic.

4. Employment

Most of you know that exactly two years ago today I was laid off from the one job I ever felt I was really great at - working for DCFS as a social worker. I was absolutely devastated and I fell into a ridiculous depression. I was out of work for 8 months. A good friend of mine got me a job selling advertising over the phone for a local phone book company. I took it reluctantly, knowing that something better would come along shortly but I needed the money. Little did I know that this job would become the something better. A year and a half later, I have been promoted, I feel like I am very successful, and I really enjoy what I do. It's been a huge blessing in my life, and I am so glad I have been able to find fulfillment in something that I never would have looked at before. Sometimes our lives take very different turns than what we thought they would.

5. Education.

While I can't be as thankful for the amount of student loans I have accumulated over the past 2 1/2 years, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I have to live where I live, to have the abilities I have, and that I have been able to attend graduate school. I will be graduating in 5 months with my Masters degree in School Counseling, and regardless of whether or not there will be jobs available, I am so thankful that I have the education I have. Because when I die, it will be all I can take with me - memories and knowledge. If I find a job as a school counselor, that's great. If I don't, I am totally content to stay at my job and see where it takes me in life.

AND FINALLY....

6. Black Friday.

Because it's awesome.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY FRIENDS!!!

P.S. - I'm incredibly thankful for you.

A Little Support Goes a Long Way!!

After the last Biggest Loser audition, when Scott and I got close again but didn't quite make the show, we had decided we wouldn't audition again. It's really discouraging seeing other people (that end up kind of sucking on the show) getting picked over us, and we figured if we were meant to be on the show, we would have been picked already.

HOWEVER...

I learned not too long ago that most of the people who have ended up on the show have auditioned multiple times. And 9 times out of 10, they have shown the casting directors what amazing support they have from their friends and family members.

One of my best friends, Schuyler Whitaker, created a page on facebook for this very purpose. She has been our biggest fan since the first time we auditioned, and I have been so grateful that there have been people in our lives that want to see us make it on the show so we can FINALLY start living the lives we feel like we deserve. If you've ever been overweight, you know what a struggle it is. The ranch would be a huge jumpstart to our healthy lifestyle, and seriously, who wouldn't want to see Scott on national TV? He's SO hilarious!



PLEASE become a fan of the page. And please write something on the wall, just stating why you think we should be on the show. And if you are really feeling saucy, please make a short 1 minute video stating who you are, how you know us and why you think we would be good on the show. We really appreciate any and all support. We're going to give it one more shot. And if we don't make it, it still helps to know we have lots of support from loved ones that will help us make the necessary changes we need to make. So please, join the page. Invite your friends - even if they don't know us, we appreciate as much support as we can get!

Thank you so much!

Here is the link

Sick.

When I was 19 years old, I had my tonsils removed. It was for the best, since I had gotten strep throat so many times in my life that my tonsils were permanently swollen. I was excited to have them gone so I could live my life without ever having to deal with strep, sore throats or anything of that nature ever again.

The week I got them out was the most painful week of my entire life. I don't know if you have had your tonsils out, but if you haven't, let me just tell you what it's like. Well, on second thought, I won't. Because I don't want to scare anyone. But just know that it is incredibly painful. The pain doesn't go away for a good two weeks. Talking, eating, drinking, sleeping, breathing...it's all nigh unto impossible without searing pain. However, I survived, although I whined constantly.

Here I am, nearly 10 years later, experiencing the exact same pain. How, you ask? Simply put - the virus from hell. This is no ordinary cold virus. This is an evil, masterminding virus who clearly has one intention: my misery. It's a lovely marriage of bronchitis and laryngitis mixed with a little bit of sinus pain and deep coughing. Throw in some fatigue, a low fever, ear aches and a nose that won't stop running, and you've got the perfect recipe for one miserable human being.

I'm not happy at all.

You don't realize just how much you use your voice until it's gone. I depend on my voice to do my job. I also never realized just how often strangers talk to me on a daily basis. People are everywhere. I had people talk to me at the gas station, the store, the pharmacy, the parking lot, you name it, someone was talking to me. And all I could do is smile and nod like a perfect idiot.

How thankful I am to have a voice - to have the ability to speak. I can't imagine living like this forever. And when I'm healthy again, I will forever be thankful for the days that I live without sickness. I know it's all part of our mortal experience, and I can see why. You can't fully appreciate the good things without experiencing the bad.

The cherry on top is that Scottie is sick, too. Poor thing. But it is true that misery loves company - we've been able to spend a little more time together this week, which has been nice, even though we've both felt like death. How's that for a silver lining?