Thankful Thursday - Comforts of Life!

Having just survived Hurricane Ike with little to minimal damage; well, practically none, I have so much to be thankful for. Here is a link to some amazing Hurricane Ike Pictures. And here are just a few of things I am so thankful for.

1. Lights
2. Dishwasher
3. Washing Machine & Dryer
4. Refrigerator & Freezer
5. Ice
6. Roof Still over my Head
7. Batteries & Flashlights
8. 24 hour Media Coverage (sometimes)
9. Clean Water
10. Preparedness
11. Phones
12. Internet
13. Neighbors
14. Concerned Loved Ones
15. Rope, Stakes, Duck Tape & Tarps
16. Gas Stations with Gas
17. Grocery Stores with food
18. Cameras
19. A/C
20. Prayer

Thankful Thursday - Time

This clock actually reminds me of Grandma Cannon. She has a few in her house. But I am grateful for the little bit of extra TIME that I have had lately to try and get my house back in order. It will probably totally never happen, but I have been able to try before the routine of the new school year really hits.

Thankful Thursday - All About Ethan

We are so THANKFUL for Ethan because:

1. He is a Great Big Brother, you gotta love being the oldest child. 2. He is good at anything he wants to be good at. 3. He loves to tell jokes and making us laugh. 4. He knows how to CTR and we love his desire to do what's right. 5. He is a great debater, we love the discussions we have together with him. 6. He loves sports, and we love being his biggest fans.
7. He is good at saving money, probably because he can't decide what to spend it on.
8. He loves music and dancing, which happens alot around here and he has got some rythmn.
9. He loves spending time with his Dad Mountain Biking, even if we do live in Texas.
10. He has become quite the good cook, his favorites are Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Breakfast Burritos, and we love how he takes on his responsibilities.
11. He loves just about everything Cub Scout related, we like that he enjoys the outdoors so much. 12. We love that he is a part of our family.

Thankful Thursday - My Cakes in July

As much as I sometimes just really don't want to decorate another cake again, I am so thankful that I have a way to bring in some extra income. AND now I get to show them off on my blog. You can see more at Cakes by Melissa

Thankful Thursday-PIONEERS

Having just recently been a part of our youth Pioneer Trek, my gratitude for the pioneers is still fresh and deep in my heart. This "Thankful Thursday" lands on a perfect day as it is Pioneer Day, July 24. And I want to say thanks to the first pioneers of my family. I have had to do a little bit of research to find out exactly who all the first are.

George Q. Cannon
My Dad's Great Great Grandfather, George Q. Cannon, at the age of 13 and his family joined the church in 1840 in Liverpool. Soon thereafter took the journey overseas to join the saints in Nauvoo.

John Beutler and Anna Vollenweider both were baptized in Switzerland in the early 1900's and took the trek overseas to be with the saints in Nauvoo, Anna having been disowned by her family. They are my Great Grandparents.

George Isaac White Miles & Martha Elizabeth Obray Miles
My Grandma's family,(my mom's mom, Ruth Miles Morris) Miles and Obray, all immigrated from Wales in 1854. I am not sure exactly when they joined the church, but my guess is before 1854. They spent alot of time in Canada.

My Mom's Great Great Grandparents on the Morris side came from England, Salt Lake City, Switzerland & Australia; but, mostly settled in Newhouse, Beaver & Milford Utah where they were baptized in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Isaac Morley
Steve's Great Great Great Grandfather, Isaac Morley, was converted to the church by Oliver Cowdery and his missionary companions in Ohio in 1830.

Hurricane Pioneers
I think it goes as far back as Steve's Father's Grandparents,George & Lilly (Petty) Spendlove; Great Grandparents, Lorenzo & Ellen (Isom) Spendlove and Frank & Sarah (Brown) Petty; and his Great Great Grandparents, John & Mary (Davies) Spendlove who were some of the first pioneers of Hurricane, Utah. The Spendloves all came from England.

So what I am trying to say is that I have alot to be thankful for on this Pioneer Day. For as George Q. Cannon said, "All that I am Mormonism has made me!"
Our great heritage is full of strength, conviction and a love of our Savior that has blessed my life and the lives of my children and for that I am so grateful.
HAPPY PIONEER DAY!