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I'm thankful for Visiting Teachers and vanilla.

I'm a horrible Visiting Teacher, I'll admit it. I don't know if it stems from me being somewhat anti-social or what, but I'm a bad example. My Visiting Teacher, on the other hand, is amazing. Every month, she visits me, asks how I'm doing, gives me a great thought, we share our testimonies and have built a friendship. She's great!

She's also great because she introduced me to the most amazing vanilla EVER! It's clear, from Mexico and heavenly. If I could get away with drinking it straight from the bottle, I would. Either that, or dab it behind my ears and on my pressure points so I can smell it all day. I'm down to just a few teaspoons and am using it sparingly.

I thought my magic milk was liquid gold. Oh no, this vanilla is liquid gold.

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(Clearly this is not a photo of me, but the scrubs are cute! I am due for some new ones.)

I'm thankful for uniforms.

We don't have to match at work but we do wear scrubs. Getting ready in the morning is a cinch, especially when you only have 5 outfits to choose from.

And I only have 1 pair that I have to iron. Have I mentioned how much I hate ironing?

Anything to make my life easier, I'm thankful for it!

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I'm thankful for toilet paper.

Is anyone else thinking of that Seinfeld episode?

I don't know if I've ever had to ask someone to spare a square but I have been stuck without any. You're sitting there, stuck, looking around for ANYTHING that you could use.

That reminds me of an ex-boyfriend of my sister's. He went on his mission to the Philippines and wrote home once about their toilet situation. Rather than a lovely piece of white cotton, they had a bucket filled with soapy water. Use your imagination. And I'm guessing the bucket water wasn't replaced after each use.

My dad always asked that we use just a few squares, to make the roll last longer. I never listened. I'd use as many as I needed to ensure my hand stayed dry.

My Grandma has joked (I think she's joking when she says it) that if you find yourself out in the wild and don't happen to have any toilet paper handy, find the flattest rock or a soft leaf.

Thank goodness I don't find myself in the wild EVER and won't ever have to worry about that. I'll just enjoy my Charmin.

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(My mom gave each of us this picture for Christmas one year)

I'm so grateful for my sisters.

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have Amy at each school for 2 years. There was a comfort knowing that I wasn't alone. Even though we never had lunch or recess together and only saw each other before and after school, I at least knew she was there. One time in particular while in high school, we were walking to the parking lot and I got myself in a "situation". There was a group of girls walking behind us, one of which was talking about her bra. I thought I said "nobody cares about your bra" softly but apparently I didn't. The girl INSTANTLY got an attitude and wanted to know what I said, why I said it, etc etc etc. I tried to ignore her but she kept on going. Amy finally turned around and yelled, "She didn't say anything!" Whew! Nothing like a bigger older sister, taking charge and covering your behind. The girl shut up after that.
One time, while my parents were away, my oldest sister, Kari, was in charge. I don't remember who I was fighting with (probably Amy) but my punishment was to go with Kari to the mall. She was in search of a headband and we drove out to Stoneridge to see if their Macy's had anything different from ours. I remember driving in our big van, coming down the hill, just the two of us. I had never been to Stoneridge before and thought it was the best punishment ever.We've had many differences over the years but having babies within a year of each other has made us closer. A few weeks after Amy had given birth, we were all at Kari's, talking about the trying times of being a mother. We all began to cry, as each of us knew how the other one was feeling. We were now connected physically, emotionally and mentally, more than we've ever been before.

My sisters are my best friends. What greater blessing than to be with your best friends forever.

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I'm thankful for rain gear.

We knew it was going to rain while we were at Disneyland but I don't think we knew how hard it was going to rain.

We were prepared with umbrellas but they were useless.

While getting soaked from the torrential downpour of water, we decided to buy some ponchos. LaVor put his on and we covered Dieter's stroller with his. He kept trying to peek out from underneath it.

Here's my dad, sporting his lovely plastic cover. Before I was able to snap the picture, he had the hood over his head, under his hat. It was a sight, let me tell you.

Thankfully we didn't need our rain gear all day but they were our lifesavers for several hours.

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I'm thankful for Queens.

Each night, before walking the 1/2 mile back to our hotel, I would stop at the Queen of Hearts restroom. It was always nice and warm, very clean and usually empty. There's nothing worse than having to really go and wait in line.

Not to mention, the inside is decorated with adorable red heart tiles.

On another trip to Disneyland with my Mom and Sister, I took advantage of the Queens restroom. I don't know if I ate something bad or what but I wasn't feeling good. Just like this trip, the restroom was empty and I was relieved since there's nothing worse than being sick in front of an audience. After many minutes and a text message to my Mom letting her know I was still alive, I finished my business and was walking out of my stall. I had picked the one at the very end, for some privacy. Just as I was walking out, a woman was walking in and picked MY stall to go into! Really!?! Out of all of these, you pick the one that I just got sick in?!?! Not to my surprise, she made a "disgusting" sound and went into another stall.

Served her right.

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I'm thankful for potatoes.

I've always said that water and potatoes were the best things Heavenly Father created.

Mashed potatoes, scalloped, roasted, french fries, tater tots, the list can go on and on...

If you're ever in San Francisco, you must try Frjtz. Delicious fries and yummy dipping sauces.
And if you're ever in Alameda, you must try Speisekammer. Delicious roasted and mashed potatoes!

I suppose I'm thankful for Idaho too?