July Happy Thoughts

So my monthly happy thoughts are starting to get published later and later.  Oh well, at least I am still blogging!  Here is a bit of my happiness I would like to share with you from July.  Lets just say July was an amazing month!

1. The Fourth of July!

Family, Food, Fair, Fireworks... It doesn't get better than that.  I feel so blessed to live in this great country.

 2. Optimism:  In high school a friend once told me that my life was like a soap opera.  This statement has only seemed to become more true as I have grown up.  This is not self inflicted!  It may sound silly but I am grateful for the natural optimism instilled in me that has made it possible to always look on the bright side of things, no matter what life may bring. Optimism... awesome.  (I am sure that this is easier to say now that my life has been relatively calm and uneventful for about a year now)  :-)

3. Bear Lake: Kensie's first camping trip! This month I had the chance to take Kensie camping with just me and my Dad.  So much fun! We went up Saint Charles Canyon by Bear Lake and camped for two nights. Having this one on one time with my dad around the camp fire at night was wonderful.  Kensie had a blast roasting marshmallows, hiking, exploring Minnetonka Cave, and playing in the dirt collecting rocks, flowers, sticks and just about anything else she could find.  I had one very dirty child by the time we were done!

After camping my Dad's family joined us at a cabin by Bear Lake. It was fun seeing everyone!  We spent another fun filled day on the beach and boating.  By the time we were done I took home one very exhausted child, but it was well worth it!

4.  Happy Birthday to my Mom and sister Amy! I love you guys!

5.  Jackson Hole: This month I also had a chance to go to Jackson Hole for a few days without my adorable shadow.  I love this place!  Water rafting, a nine mile hike, Grand Teton National Forest... it doesn't get better than that! Thanks Ethan for making this trip possible!

More of my Rafting Experience :-)

6. Work:  Have I mentioned that I have a great job?  I am a registered nurse at Primary Children's Medical Center on the Children's Medical Unit.  Just recently I accepted a position for a Charge 14.  What this means is that I will be over a group of PCT's (CNA's), meeting with them for trimester evaluations, yearly evaluations, etc.  I am excited for this new position and to to get more involved on the unit.

7. Eating Healthy: Am I practicing this at the moment? Well, no.  But I got this website through a work email that has tons of great healthy recipes, it even lists the nutritional facts on each recipe.  I am now making a goal to eat better and try out some of these recipes.  Please share any good recipes you may have!

Deliciously Healthy Recipes

8.

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do is increased" 

President Heber J. Grant