So much to be thankful for.

Can you tell how exciting my life is? I can ignore my blog for almost a whole month and not feel bad about it. If people would like to be updated on the daily things, sure I'll post more. But I doubt you're interested so I will save my fingers the work and just fill in the good stuff.

As we already know, November is a month of thanks giving. A month to remember what we are grateful for, no matter how big or small. So here is a little project I've been working on this month, its about what I'm thankful for daily, in no particular order.

November

1st-The beautiful fall leaves that line almost my entire drive home each day.

2nd- First cold day of fall and a bowl of homemade soup

3rd- The great group of friends that always make me laugh

4th- the gospel in my life, what a blessing in itself! Where would I be without it?!?

5th- Modern medicine, what a miracle it is to have access to so many helpful things to keep us heathy and happy longer.

6th- My mommy! Today is her birthday and I am so thankful for her because without her, there's no me!

7th- The unconditional love of animals, this became very apparent after watching my aunts 40 dogs for a week. No matter what, they always love you. Do you know how to tell if your wife or your dog loves you more? Throw them both in the trunk and drive around for an hour, when you open it up, see who's happy to see you. :)

8th-The beautiful gift of life. Jayden Marie Gonzales graced us with her presence from heaven today. She is perfect and I already love her to pieces.

9th- My amazing little missionary brother in law, I am so proud of the wonderful example he is and his willingness to serve and teach others about the church.Baptize the hell out of them little brother!!

10th- Zach's fun Sunday school class, they love him and he is a great teacher. I just bring treats!

11th- Wonderful family in California, I miss them daily but I'm so happy when I get to visit.

12th- Can I be thankful that Zach rewired and installed a new garbage disposal? Cuz seriously it was quite a task and I am thankful for no more stinky sinks.

13th- Found out a dear friend of mine is expecting!! What a blessing for their family. I won't spill the beans on who until we know more, but I'm still excited to meet the new little one!

14th- The love and support my "family in law" has been this past year. They are all so welcoming and I am so grateful to be a Lyman

15th- Living with a couple old people who demand that the house be at a cozy 80 degrees everyday. Nothing like a warm house to come home to.

16th- my amazing fire starting skills, they really help on those cold winter nights.

17th- todays technology for making it so easy to stay in touch with family and friends.

18th- that after a crazy month of traveling, I'm able to come home to my comfy bed.

19th- 14 months of marriage, can you believe it? Where does the time go? I am so happy to be married to my best friend for time and all eternity.

20th- being able to go to the temple with Maichael, she has been such a great friend for the past 9 years and being able to spend time together in the temple is just perfect. I love our weekly hang outs.

21st-The necessities, running water, indoor plumbing, washing machine.

22nd- my talents, even though lately I have wanted to do nothing but hide them, I'm still grateful that I was given them.

23rd- Our home, enough said.

24th- my beautiful nieces and nephew. They spent the night tonight and it was so fun getting to really spend time with them! I love them so much!

25th-thanksgiving and the one day a year I can eat 4 sweet potatoes and no one is allowed to call me a fatty for doing so.

26th- sleeping in on days off! I know this wont be able to happen when we have kids so I must take advantage while I can!

27th- My fun friend Marlo's birthday is today. She has an amazing family and I love watching T grow over the years.

28th - Zach for saving our lives tonight when a car spun out on the freeway and I cried like a baby.

29th- Snow, yup, that's right, I said it. But I can bet you will never hear that again.

30th- A well paying job in such a hard economical time.

Can you find 30 things that you are truly thankful for?

Burn baby Burn....

How many people can say that they have actually ran INTO a burning building willingly?
Me! Me! I have! ME!

Tonight I got to have one of the coolest experiences of my life!
Zach works at UFRA (Utah Fire and Rescue Academy) and was able to use his charm, and my good looks, to convince a few of the fire captains to let me go in a "burn".



There was TONS of gear to put on.
Boots, pants, suspenders, jacket, hood, helmet, gloves, mask, and the air tank.
That right there was my definite sign that I could NEVER be a fire fighter, I could NEVER get all of that equipment on in less than a minute.
My boots were 3 sizes to big and it was so hard to try and walk in them.



Let me explain a little more about why we were lighting a building on fire. At UFRA they teach firefighters and train them. And how else do you train someone to fight fires... but to actually light things on fire! So a few times a week they "burn" to teach them different situations.
They usually light the "Tuna Can" a lot to teach about house and building fires. The tuna can is a two story building made completely out of metal so they can reuse it. They also have fake cars, dumpsters, trains and all sorts of fun stuff. The yard reminds me of several "end of the world" movies I have seen.

Tonight we surprised the students with a burn, to throw them off guard and see how they respond.

I went inside with one of the instructors named, Matt. We took piles of excelsior inside the building and Matt showed me around in the dark with only the small light of a flair. We lit the building and waiting inside while the instructors outside paged all units to the house fire. Zach waited outside, counting the minutes until I was "saved"

I think the look on my face says it all. Scared but really excited.

After the fire we were cooling off. It got to over 600 degrees in there! Wow!

Kyra Girl

You are the sunshine of my life! Every time I spend the day with you, it just makes me want to have a kid sooner and sooner.

This morning I told you that you looked like a Rag-a-muffin and asked if I could fix your hair. You said "ok Sara, I don't want to look like a raggle-muffin.

When I came home from work, you greeted me with open arms and a big hug. Man, you know how to brighten up my day.

Tonight I heard you all the way upstairs singing at the top of your lungs, some silly made up song. You danced and twirled in your diaper as your blankie acted as a beautiful ball gown fit for a princess.

When it was time for bed, you gently kissed each princess doll good night (all 15 of them) and wished them sweet dreams.

Then you told me I was not invited to help you with your own prayer, but I listened quitely outside the door. You are a darling little daughter of Heavenly Father, never forget that.


You look just like my mom did when she was your age, and my what a beautiful woman Aunt KK has become. I know you will turn out the same way.


Even though your mom has been in the hospital which made this week together a little bittersweet, I have still enjoyed every minute of it.

I love you Kyra girl and just can't seem to get enough of you lately.

Last call.

We're making the final call and going private.

Leave me your email and we can add you to the list.

Thanks.

L is for the way you look at me...

Can you believe that one year ago today, I married my best friend for time and all eternity?

Where does the time go? I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life and I am continually grateful for the love and support he gives me.

We had a wonderful anniversary weekend. Saturday we went and watched our nephew Max in his soccer game and had a blast. We even got the meet their new puppy. Then Zach got called into work and I decided to tag along. The firemen don't mind. We met up with a couple friends for dinner that night then we went home and opened presents. Even though we PROMISED not to get each other anything ... we still did. We're horrible like that. I got Zach a new electric razor, which I know sounds lame but I promise it was funny at the time. He started this month with the intent to not shave until our anniversary, but my semi-scruffy husband had to shave his face a couple days before our big day for an interview. I also made him a wedding album but I got so excited when it got delivered that I gave it to him a couple days year. Zach bought me two Halloween movies I really wanted, my favorite chocolates and roses. Yes, I'm spoiled.

We woke up and taught our Sunday school class. After church we came home and watched a movie and fell asleep. We woke up and took a nice drive/hike around the canyon and came home and started making dinner.

For dinner that night I made oreo cheesecake, king crab legs, four cheese mashed potatoes, corn and sour dough bread. We ate like kings! We wash it all down with Zach's favorite lemonade.

A nice warm bath and reading our "love letters" to each other that night.

This past year has been amazing! Everyday has been a new adventure and I look forward to so many more to come!

We started our life together on 9.19.09...

And the party hasn't stopped since....

Many years down the road...

I get to look forward to this....

My husband fast asleep watching Little Mermaid with two sleepy little girls.

This picture melts my heart.

Shes home!!!!

Maichael is back home from her mission and in UTAH! I could not be happier!!

Our first hug in 18 months!

Best friends for 9 years!