1. Mother
2. Father
3. My brother
4. My Lord and Savior
5. Friends
6. School
7. Silver white winters
8. Beautiful autumn leaves
9. Crystal blue waters
10. The rose bush outside

This is a part of my list of A Thousand Thanks. My mother and I took a challenge this month to list a thousand items that we are thankful for. So far I have 61. The list is a real eye opener. Once I started to name the wonders God has blessed me with, the list kept going.

"I don't want that."

"You look great."

"I don't like this."

"I give up."

This was a conversation between me and my mother this morning. Guess which one I am.

I woke up this morning not wanting to see the golden sun streaming through my bedroom window. I stirred when my mother told me that she, my brother, and I were going to go spend the day with a friend. I rolled out of my cozy bed and dug out a few of my favorite items to wear, trying to be in the best mood possible. I came downstairs to find that my shirt was wrinkled, my hair was flat, and my face was awful. My mother noticed too. In desperation, I asked my mom for help. She chose an outfit that I wouldn't have put together without some thought. I know I should have been more acceptive to my mother's judgement, but I became ugly inwardly as well as outward.

Our discussion continued in the car ride to pick up our friend. Though the day was bright, warm, and cheery, with happy music playing softly on the radio, I felt very disgruntled on the inside. Why was I so upset? Why couldn't I be happy to go see a friend? I really did't know at first. When I saw how my actions were making my family feel like I did, I cried. Luckily, mom and my brother forgave me, and we went on with our day, but I saw that my heart was being selfish in my appearance. After asking forgiveness from my family and my Heavenly Father, I felt beautiful.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven." --Matthew 5:16

My title today is from The Princess Bride. I've seen that movie too many times. I got it for Christmas two years ago and I really like it! It's been a long time since I've actually blogged anything about my life, so I don't really know what to say. Umm... I guess I can say that I've been looking into photography lately. Not professionally or anything, but I would love to know how to snap a few good pictures. My mom has a camera, but it's filled mostly with her pictures. I'm trying to save for my own. Sometimes, I will be walking down a street or looking around at random things and think "Ooo! That would make such a good picture! If only I could blink and what I am looking at would appear as a poster!" I must sound very strange right now, but bear with me. Umm... I've also been taking a culinary arts class taught by a close friend of my mom. It is really fun! She tells us a lot of interesting facts and trivia. She is very patient and kind. If we don't know the answer, she says "Oh, that's ok! (Insert answer here)." Right now we are studying flour and its contents. We've made cookies, sponge cake and puff pastries and more. She said after we study flour for a while, we'll study eggs. I really enjoy her class! It's late and my dad needs the computer, so I'll write later. <><

Good news! My mom said that I can post a pic of me! Here I am in my visit to Paris!

Hi! I finally fixed my blog! No thing exciting (or really worth noting) has happened since my last entry. Soooo...... I guess I'll post some pics of me.

My blog is a work in progress.......It looks bad right now, but I'll write again when it's completed. God bless!