Kitty Cats

This morning we woke up and Gidi was sprawled all over us, purring heavily. I am grateful for my kittens and the fun and snuggles they bring into our home.

Japanese Candy

After dinner at CURRY HOUSE, we stumbled across a Japanese food store in downtown San Diego. Jared and I were in heaven--DAR chocolate, Hello Kitty strawberry filled marshmallows, Melon flavored chews, etc...we thought we would never see some of that stuff in America again! Today I am grateful for Japanese candy and the memories it brought back of Okinawa.

San Diego Zoo and Hornblower Dinner Cruise

Jared and I visited the San Diego Zoo with some old friends from Okinawa in the morning, and afterwards we took a San Diego Harbor dinner cruise. It was a good site-seeing day and I am grateful for the money we had to pay for all our adventures today!

San Diego Temple

Jared and I were able to go to the LDS San Diego temple for the first time today, escorted by our friend Angie Briscoe. If you think it looks beautiful from the outside, you must see the inside! I am grateful for the sacredness and beauty of the temple and the refreshed feeling I have after renewing my covenants with my Heavenly Father.

Sick leave

Today I am grateful for my permanent federal job, its stability, and the sick leave that made it possible for me to take off of work today!

Gasoline

Today I am thankful for gasoline and the genius who invented unleaded powered vehicles. Although fuel emissions may not be leaving exceptional carbon foot prints, cars get us from A to B and back again. When I was growing up, I used to love listening to the theme music from Beverly Hillbillies. My dad would sing along to it and fake a nice Southern accent at the same time. Who would have thunk that unrefiined oil would be such a treasure trove?

Luggage

Today I am grateful for luggage and for the opportunity to travel. We can't wait to see our friends in San Diego for Thanksgiving!

YWs lesson

Today I taught all the YW a lesson on the purpose and value of an education. Through my lesson preparation, I was reminded of the importance of learning a variety of things, and that one can gain an education perpetually, and that it doesn't have to stop when you have kids at home. This story reminded me of my mother:

Jeffrey R. Holland, while president of Brigham Young University, told this story:

“I’d like to tell you a true story about a young boy who didn’t have the opportunity of going to school for very long. His father died, leaving little money for the boy’s family. One day the boy became very ill with smallpox and had to miss a lot of school.

“Slowly his health improved, and he was glad to be able to go to school again. But he was back in school for just one year, completing the seventh grade, when he had to stop going altogether. He and his brother then had to find jobs to help earn enough money to buy food and clothing the family needed.

“The boy worked very hard, grew up strong, and learned a lot through his experiences. He read books whenever he could, and was interested in learning the things he had missed by not going to school. Often he would say how sad he was not to have had a formal education. He was a wonderful man and worked hard to develop himself. And he kept hoping that someday he could get back to school again. But he never had that chance. This little boy who grew up wanting to continue his schooling was my father.

“Because of my father’s experience, he was very anxious for me to have a good education. When I’d say, ‘But I don’t want to go to school,’ he’d say, ‘Then I’ll go in your place. Do you think the teacher would mind? I wonder if I can fit into the seat at your desk?’

“That always made me laugh because I think it would have frightened my teacher to see a grown man coming to school, and I knew he couldn’t fit into the small seat at my desk. So I would go to school. …

“Later when I had graduated from high school, served a mission, and completed my courses in college, I went on to earn a Ph.D. from a school in New England. …

“When I received my diploma I wanted my father to have it. He had never received a graduation diploma from any school and I thought he deserved this one. I told him that although my name was on it, the diploma should really be awarded to him. I told him they probably just made a mistake in the printing. That made him laugh and then it made him cry. I wasn’t sure then why it made him cry—but I know now” (“Do You Think I Can Fit into Your Seat?” Friend, Sept. 1978, pp. 6–7).

I am thankful for the opportunity to teach the Young Women of my ward this lesson and to have had the opportunity to obtain the secular education that I have gained, thus far!

Hot Air Balloons

Tonight I was able to see some glowing hot air balloons when I walked out our front door and looked towards the mountains. Sierra Vista does a hot air balloon glow once a year. Last year we missed it, so it was nice to catch a glimpse this weekend.

Marine Corps Ball

Today I am grateful for the chance to dress up, do my hair, fix my makeup and enjoy a night out on the town with my handsome hubby. He was the Adjutant for this year's Marine Corps Ball on Ft. Huachuca and I am proud of him--he didn't mess up or anything! ;) The food was so-so (per usual) but I made a few friends and took a few good pictures, so it was worth all the effort!