Happy Birthday, Vicky

Today is Vicky Elizondo's 16th birthday. Happy birthday, Vicky! I know that I haven't talked to you much lately, but I think you are a very cool person and I'm glad we hung out when we were little.

Also, I am so grateful for everything. My life has been so blessed by all of the people around me and the experiences I have been able to have. I am so grateful.

I love my parents so much. They are amazing. In everything they do, hard and easy, (mostly hard) they set an example of truth and strength and righteousness and love. They are brilliant people, wonderful parents, and true to their callings.

I was thinking about how I can be so oblivious to all of the blessings I have in my life, when suddenly there seems like nothing is going right. I keep forgetting how many people I have around me that love me and that want me to be my best. I love them so much.

My siblings are amazing. I think my life would be completely different in so many ways without them, without their guidance, support, helpful criticism, thought-provoking questions, and care. We're going cross-country in the car this year, with most of them, and I'm extremely excited.

I am grateful for the garden. I love it so much. I feel like a mother. The squash has little yellow flowers on it, the tomato plants are HUGE, the basil smells awesome, and the flowers are bright and cheery. From the roof, the garden looks amazing.

AND, on that thought, I'd like to end with this. I am very, very grateful to the roof, upon which I have learned to continue to try to do good works, endure for my parents, and hammer until my arm falls off.

I am grateful for the extra muscle in my right arm which, although slightly uneven with my left arm, will probably help me out in some time to come.

I'm grateful for early mornings on the roof with sunshine and my parents, and sometimes Bek. I am grateful for the naps I've had, while waiting for mom to finish some hammering so I can continue, on the top peak of our house, looking out over the neighborhood.

I am grateful for my mom and dad, who were out there even when we weren't, and who keep trying to finish something that can be, at times, incredibly frustrating. AND, I'm very, very grateful for the sunshine and the rainless-ness of the past couple of days, because we've been able to work more than usual.

We're not yet finished with the back part of the roof, and we still have 8/9 of it to go, but I'm hopeful.

Have a fantastic day. I'm going to bed.