I stayed home sick today... so I blogged. Probably not a grand thing to do on sick days when you're supposedly in bed dying but I couldn't resist! ;)

Remember that “I’m grateful for family” tangent I went on? Well, thankfully it hasn’t diminished… actually I’m still kind of stuck on it. Sadly we’re all sickly in my family right now, so for family home evening last night, my dad and I went to get some curly fries from Arby’s and then we just watched McLintock (greatest John Wayne movie of my child hood. That and True Grit :p) But my dad and I had a lovely little visit and then I stayed home today from school and so my mom and I visited all morning about marriage and her and dad’s story and family and all sorts of happy fun stuff. And ya know what? Marriage still sounds stressful to plan and ridiculously scary to ever make that decision since it’s sort of life changing-ly important, but I’m so so SOOOO lucky to have both sides of the family as beautiful examples to follow. They’re models of what I want my life to be, and how I want my marriage and future family to be. When I was little I used to think my mom was just “mom” she didn’t have any other name or any other interests besides cooking and cleaning and laundry and me :p. Same goes for my dad. (Well, except the interests differ slightly) And I thought that marriage was just… idk, I never really thought about it besides the before you have kids portion as being fairy tale and disney like. It’s been so much fun to see stories unfold and understand the feelings and depth to family and my parent’s marriage. I’m so glad I know how much they love each other- that’s a real blessing in today’s world. I think it’s completely adorable to watch them both tell about how they met and how my dad chuckles and says, “She said ‘oh, I’m so glad I asked you to this’ fifteen times!” (Referring to a sweethearts dance in college) And my mom grins and says, “I was though!” Life and love is beautiful. And both sets of grandparents have been married for 50+ years, which is also a huge blessing (and some say a miracle) in today’s world. Which by they way, I think is sad that marriages lasting is now considered a miracle. It’s sad that it’s become rare enough to be called that. Which I suppose adds to the magic and beauty of my family, and all our experiences. I’m lucky to have the memories of trips like Canada and Nauvoo and maybe even Disney Land. :p It’s magical right? And Cherene my aunt I hope you’re reading this, because I feel so blessed and lucky to have you : ) I’ll always have deliciously fond memories of cousin parties and the CSI one (Haha, Frank, “What does it stand for?” “Maybe it means, ’Come Serve I!’” Haha) And going to The Lion King and Big River, and Les Mis, Wicked and so many other plays and fun things! The ‘Amazing Cousin Race’? Yup, we’re very lucky to have you in our lives Aunt Cherene… we love you!!
So today I got on and found pictures of my family on both sides and all of our good times. :p Some of them I had to giggle at because we all look so little! And just as a disclaimer, if any of you are perturbed that I have your picture on here or you feel like I didn’t find the most glamorous ones… I say tough. It’s a family legacy in pictures so hush up and enjoy it. :p Be thankful and stuff. ;) I mean, I look like a total hooligan in most of these ;) For real. I love it! Anywho… here’s my tribute to my amazing family all around me! (P.S the leaf thing is because My Grandma Barton wanted me to take a picture of it. So it sorta counts as a tribute and I like leaves. :p)


































































Aren't they precious?? I love the one of my mom and dad on the beach running toward the water... don't believe a word people say about having to grow up- I plan on staying a kid at heart forever. And I love the one of Brianne sitting by my dad with his gloves on. Haha, so sooo cute! But then again I love all of them. Now. I found this picture- which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being grateful for families but it's sort of how I'm feeling in some of my classes occasionally. Like the poetry analysis madness in AP English. Plus, who doesn't love Calvin and Hobbes. Sorry it's not a very good picture, I took it off of a bulletin board.