Attitude of Gratitude...

During general conference President Monson gave a talk about gratitude.  This talk stuck with me and I think about it daily.  I refer to it when I am feeling picked on, or just having a no good, horrible day.  I try to remember that no matter what I am going through at that moment, it could always be worse, and that I am so extremely blessed.  I find myself feeling guilty for allowing myself to think that I am anything less than blessed.  I truly have so much to be thankful for.  I need to be better about remembering that, and thanking my Heavenly Father sincerely each day for  all that I have been and will be blessed with.  It's hard to be selfish if you are always grateful.  It's is easier for me to serve the Lord, serve my family, and serve my friends when I have "an attitude of grattitude".  I feel like smiling more, and I feel more in tune with the Spirit.
In Presdident Monson's talk He said, "My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love. My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”
As we draw near to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is my prayer that we all will take the time to sincerely thank Heavenly Father for all the blessings we each recieve daily, even if life isn't going just as planned (it never does) try to remember what you have at that moment, and what you have been blessed with in the past.  Life can and is rough, I know I have had my fair share of trials, and will continue to have them, but I am going to try more diligently to be thankful.  There is always something to be thankful for even if it is the dirty dishes in your sink, the dirty clothes in your laundry room, or the messy house.  Because if you have dirty dishes, you have full bellies, if you have mounds of laundry you have clothes bodies, and if your house is a mess (like mine always is), then you have a roof over your head and place you can call home.

16 years and going strong...

Happy anniversary Mr. Schiess! 

I love you and am so blessed to have you for a husband and best friend! 

I can't imagine my life without you and your smile!

LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL KNOW!!!

Ok, Ok so our anniversary was a week ago! October 29 to be exact. But, as I always say, better late than never!

Vernal Sunset...

Have you ever  stopped to look at the sunset?  If you haven't, you should try it!
I love looking at sunsets.  I try to count all the different colors and  the beautiful shapes the clouds make.  When I look at the sunset I am reminded of how beautiful this world really is.  We just need to stop for a moment, walk outside, and allow ourselves to see the beauty the world has to offer.  Each time I look at a sunset, the day seems to melt away, and I know that I can handle another day, good or bad!  It's art at my fingertips. I don't have to visit the Louve (although I would love to), or an art musuem to witness the array of colors blended together to form a masterpiece!   I don't have to leave my home or spend untold amounts of money to see one of life most spectacular masterpieces form before my eyes.  Life is great!
This year we have had some pretty awesom sunsets.  I have been able to capture a few of them.  Although the camera just doesn't do it justice.  Nonetheless, they are still beautiful!

A day at the Gorge...

We decided to have one last adventure before winter made it's way to Vernal.  So we packed a cooler, loaded the fishing poles, and drove to Flaming Gorge.  It was beautiful!  I couldn't believe how clear the water was and that it was still warm enough to go swimming.  Of course we didn't think about bringing swim suits so, Alek went in is undies!  What can I say?  He really wanted to swim.  Don't worry, we were in a little cove and nobody was around.  It was safe.  The boys tried to convince me to swim in my underwear, but, we all know how that would have turned out, so I politely turned them down. 
Jayce and Grant fished a little ways down from where Alek was swimming.  Jayce caught his first BIG fish.  It was probably around 3 pounds and put up a pretty good fight.  Jayce was all sorts of excited, that is until Grant handed him the knife and told to clean it.  Then he wanted to throw it back.  Unfortunatley the fish was already dead so we had to keep it.  Jayce did a great job gutting and cleaning it, even if his cute little hands were shaking the whole time.  He was proud of himself after is was done, and Alek just kept saying "man I am glad I didn't fish, Jayce you should have swam with me!"  Funny boys!

Eggs coming out my...EARS

When we fisrt decided to get chickens we started with three pullets. In my head three eggs a day sounded like a good deal. Then we found out one of our hens was a rooster. And all of the sudden two eggs a day seemed like a small number!  I WANT MORE!!! SoOoOo...I got two more hens. NOW, we get 4 eggs a day, 28 eggs a week, and roughly 120 eggs a month. What was I thinking ??? I should have stuck with the two. But, I have been able to give eggs to people in my neighborhood and ward, and that makes me feel good. I am also learning all sorts of ways to make eggs and preserve them.  It has been a fun adventure and I actaully love the chickens. 

Except Cleo!  He's naughty! 



Charlie
Beautful, but shy!




Pearl
Super hyper and runs all over the coop sqwaking!





Rex
She is supposed to be sweet and calm,
but she doens't really like us to touch her,
look at her, or talk to her.  Especially when
she is laying an egg!  Watch out... 

 

Six
 the sweetest chicken in the world!
She runs to us everytime we come out
and always thinks she deserves a treat!
And, she usually gets one!
Six is our favorite chicken! 

Cleo
The horrible, mean, no good rooster!
Actually, I think he is beautiful and I love hearing his crow.
He's just mean, charges at me and tries to peck me to death! 
So for that, he will soon be dinner on my table!
That will teach him to charge me and peck at me! 
Take that rooster!