Day 70

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Is your life path like this fence? Winding and long? I know we're all aware we should walk the "Straight and narrow," but sometimes I wonder if our straight is more like this winding railing... Life has different options and trials. Some can be treacherous like the tops of the posts next to the railing while others can end up with a long fall down. Yes, the path is narrow and I believe it's getting ever more narrow, but if we continue onward and as straight as we can, we'll get where we want to be. I promise.

Day 69

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I love the look on Mary's face in this sculpture. There is such love and tenderness displayed. Such awe and amazement in Joseph's face. I love the overlapping of their hands as they hold the tiny baby Jesus. As I read a passage in Luke 2 yesterday while sitting in the temple, my heart was touched by these two amazing people. They are such a great example of unwavering faith, obedience, humility, love and respect. As I sat there reading Luke's version of the birth of Christ I found myself wishing I could read Mary and Joseph's version of that sacred night. What insights would they have shared? What tender feelings must they have felt? What special visitors and experiences were they blessed with? I am grateful for the example of Mary and Joseph. I find in them a couple worth emulating.

Day 68

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I spent part of my morning at the temple. It was such a spiritual experience for me. About four months ago, I received some family names from my mom. They have been sitting on a shelf in my room since then. Recently I have been feeling the tuggings of desire from those ancestors wanting their work done. I took those names and did their initiatory work today. There were the names of two sisters and a cousin in my pile. As I was finishing up the work of the last name, I felt such overwhelming joy on their behalf that their temple work had been started. I could almost see them rejoicing together on the other side. It was such a special experience for me. I'm anxious to continue and finish the work for them. I am so grateful I took the time to go to the temple today. I'm grateful for the sweet and spiritual experiences I am offered in the temple by a loving Heavenly Father when I'm there doing service for others.

Day 67

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I am so grateful that it is "officially time" to start celebrating the Christmas season. It is time to "deck the halls" and "haul out the holly." I love the feeling and Spirit that comes in the Holiday season. Everyone is a bit nicer, friendlier and more willing to help out a stranger. It's the influence of the Light of Christ in everyone being exhibited a bit stronger that helps makes this season so wonderful.

Day 66

© 2009 Carrie Morris

© 2009 Carrie Morris

On this day of Thanksgiving, I find my heart most grateful for these individuals in my life. I'm grateful for my family, immediate and extended. For all that they teach me, do for me, the way they love me, and the way they help me be a better person.

I have been truly blessed.

Day 65

© 2009 Carrie Morris

When I first took this picture a couple months ago, I was mostly trying to figure out different settings on my camera. I thought I was just taking a picture of a pretty flower with some beautiful lighting from the sun on it. I thought I was aware of and seeing all that was before me. Well, when I got home and uploaded the pictures to my computer and was able to blow the pictures up larger I was surprised the see the little guest I also got a picture of. See him? The little bug on the petal at the bottom of the picture? If you click on the picture you can see it bigger. It was a pleasant surprise to find him in the details of my picture.

Much like everyday life, I often go around thinking I am aware of and see all that is before me. Little do I realize how much I'm missing in the smallest details of my life. The details that Heavenly Father takes care of for me whether I acknowledge them or not. It is my goal and desire this Thanksgiving to start noticing more of the finer details in my life. To start noticing and to start THANKING Him for taking care of the finest details for me. For His tender mercies.

Day 64

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I am so grateful for Brad. He takes such excellent care of me. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was going to tear in two pieces. I wasn't much better when I woke up, but thought I could make it through the day taking care of our two girls. Needless to say, he was back home a couple hours later with a Sprite in hand and orders for me to go to bed. I love that he willingly took such good care of me and of our daughters. I felt much better when I woke up from my nap, and I'm still in one piece. I'm grateful for a good man in my life who loves me and who treats me so well. I love you Brad.

Day 63

© 2009 Carrie Morris

The changing of seasons is as inevitable as the changes that happen in life. Change is good for the soul... not always fun or easy, but good. Change can make us stronger, softer, nicer, meaner, better or bitter. It depends on how we choose to handle the change. I believe we have choices. I believe we can choose how we react to the changes in our lives. I like to believe that I always choose the better way to respond, but I know that's not true. I'm going to keep trying to improve my reactions and myself. And I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to keep trying.

Day 62

© 2009 Carrie Morris

This picture makes me laugh every time I see it. I love laughing.

Joy and Happiness is a gift from our Heavenly Father.

"Men are that they might have JOY."

May you have some joy in your life.

Day 61

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I love the smell of baking bread. Today I made Brad's mom's recipe. She was one of those wonderful moms who had fresh bread out of the oven when he got home from school. My mom was the same way. When I see home made bread, I think of moms. Those wonderful women who love us, who teach us, who feed us, who care for us and who make us the people we are. I'm grateful for my wonderful mom who is one of the best women I know. I've never met Brad's mom, but I'm grateful for her also. For the legacy that continues in her children.

Day 60

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Brad was able to leave work early today because he had already reached his 40 hours for the work week. When he arrived home he sent me out the door. I was told to "go take some pictures. The lighting in great and you need to do it." I obliged. Having a moment or a few to myself to enjoy a new hobby is relaxing. I drove around and stopped wherever I found something interesting to look at. I really am grateful to Brad for recognizing the need I have to get some "me time." For sending me out the door to be alone and to be able to do something I love.

Day 59

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Whenever I see berries like these, I start thinking about the Holidays. They symbolize Thanksgiving and Christmas to me. I start to think about playing Christmas music, hauling out the decorations, putting up a Christmas tree and doing all the festive things for the holidays. I love celebrating the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays of the year. Lots of family, traditions and joy!

Day 58

© 2009 Carrie Morris

We've reached the "fun-and-not-so-fun-get-into-everything-possible" stage at our house. I walked into the bathroom to see this cute little bug unrolling my toilet paper roll. Right after I took this picture, she flashed me great big smile and continued to unravel more off the roll. I'm grateful for her fun personality, her curious mind, her continued growth and her healthy body. Mostly I'm grateful for her loving spirit and for the spirit she brings into our home.

She is a true blessing to me.

Day 57

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Once again, I need to express my gratitude for my family. These two girls are so amazing and I've been so blessed to have them in my life. They adore each other and love to play together. I captured this special moment while they were both longing to go outside to play. Priceless, isn't it?

Day 56

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Have you ever tried to walk in someone else's shoes? Literally or figuratively? It's not an easy task. As I watched Olivia try to walk in my shoes one Sunday morning, I realized that no one can really walk in another's shoes perfectly, except for the Savior. He has felt everything that I'm feeling. No one can really fill the shoes I'm expected to fill in this life except me. I've made covenants with my Father to do the best I can with whatever He gives me. I've tried to make that be a constant focus for me.

I need to remember that we are all trying to do our best. I need to remember that I haven't walked in other's shoes and I don't know everything they are going through. I don't know their trials, their joys and their heartaches. I can't make judgements on what I think I see. That judgement is reserved for the Lord. It is my job to comfort, help and love those around me. I haven't walked in their shoes because they aren't my shoes to fill. I place my trust in the Lord to help me fill my own shoes and to help others fill theirs.

Day 55

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I'm so grateful for good friends. Those who stay by your side even through the rough patches. Those who notice when you're not around, who call to check up on you, who forgive you for being dumb, who love you for being you. Those who will support you in achieving your dreams, try to talk you out of your delusions, and will hide a body for you. The friend who will drop everything to help you when you need it, who will sit on your couch and cry with you, and the friend who will tell you how great you look even when you're still in your pajamas at 3:00 in the afternoon and haven't showered for the day. The one who can make you laugh when you feel like crying. I've been blessed with choice friends in my life. They are a true blessing and I'm grateful for them. I just hope they know that they've "got a friend in me!"

Day 54

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I'm grateful for this spire because it inspires me to do better

than I'm doing, to be better than I am, and it always reminds

me to look upward to my loving Heavenly Father.

Day 53

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I love this girl. She is growing up so fast. I look at this picture from September and I can see so many changes in her face already. She's losing the baby fat and growing into a beautiful girl before I know it, she'll be in school, and spending most of her day with someone other than me. I'm sure she's anxious for that moment, and at times, so am I, but overall, I'd like to keep her young and carefree and home for as long as I'm able. I watch her through the day as she entertains herself and Tagen and as she learns new things. It's exciting to see her figure things out by herself. She's a great person and it's a privilege to be her mother.

Day 52

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Yesterday I learned how to bottle apple pie filling. I went to my little sister's house because she is a bottling queen and she helped me through the process. Okay, basically, she did almost all of it. I helped where I could but she has it down to such a science, she was done with a lot of it before I realized what was happening. She's done this many times before.

I was intrigued with the process. We take a perfectly good apple, skin it, cut it, core it and throw it in some brine water. Make some yummy sauce out of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and other stuff to add to the apples in the jars. Put them both together and then steam them to seal the lids. After a couple hours, voila! I get 24 jars of homemade yumminess to put in my food storage. We made those "perfectly good apples" even better!

The process reminded me of what I've learned about trials. I might think I'm "perfectly good" the way I am. When along comes a trial that feels like it's going to rip me apart emotionally. Sometimes the trial is a long trial and I might feel like I've been put aside and forgotten in the brine water. But that's not true. The rest of the process to make me a better person is happening, even though I might not be aware of it. Pretty soon, I'm introduced to the "other ingredients" and when put together, I turn out better than I was to begin with. I'm more versatile and mature. The trial might be hard and feel like I'm in the Refiner's fire, but I need to remember that being there is just making me more like Him and is sealing my testimony of Him.

Day 51

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I am grateful for the many men and women who have sacrificed so much of their time, efforts, energies and even their lives for our freedom and for our country. For the men and women who have fought in each and every war in the history of our great country. I'm grateful for their families who stay behind and worry about them daily, who pray for them constantly and who sacrifice so much to send them to support and fight for our country. To the veterans who have done so much, I say Thank You for all you've done, and for all you continue to do to protect and defend our United States.

Day 50

© 2009 Carrie Morris

This is my dad holding my daughter. I love to watch my parents interact with my children. It's fun to watch the bonds be formed and the love grow. I love to watch my dad make my kids laugh. To watch them realize that their papa is goofy and is basically like a big kid at heart. I love that my parents love my children and that my children love my parents. For these truly are "the ties that bind" us together.

Day 49

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Meet my nephew, Porter.

This kid is a total crack up. We had the chance to get together last night with my side of the family and have dinner. As I was taking pictures of the group, Porter started pulling all these different faces. The funniest part was that he didn't know anyone was even looking at him. He made about 10 different faces, and I captured them all with my camera. This was my favorite one. As soon as he was done with the last one, he went on about his business of eating birthday cake like nothing even happened. I was able to watch a little personal moment of Porter's life and I loved it. I have fantastic nieces and nephews on both sides of my family who are funny and amazing people. I'm grateful to know them and to associate with them.

Day 48

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Another opportunity to appreciate fall. The leaves have really started turning in the valley and are starting to fall to the ground. Every tree is a glorious mixture of red, yellow, orange and green. The ground is a blanket of colors begging to be played in. Enjoy it while it lasts, soon the snow will be replacing them all.

Day 47

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I love how inviting and warm this front porch is.

I want to go sit in that rocking chair and wave as people drive past. I want to enjoy the friendliness of the neighborhood and people around me. I want people to feel that way when they come to my home. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home that people loved to visit. Friends were always welcome and often dropped by unannounced. My parents are great at making people feel welcome and like you're part of the family right away. I'm grateful for the example my parents gave to their children of how to treat others and how to accept all who come into our lives. It's a gift and a trait that I hope I can teach my own children.

Day 46

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to do some good hard work. I think working hard builds character and an inner strength. It's a great way to burn off frustrations, anger and calories. There is a unique reward that comes with working hard. I get a reward personally in a strengthened body, in pleasure knowing the job is done, and enjoyment in being able to accomplish such a task.

Day 45

© 2009 Carrie Morris

Sisters.

I am grateful that each of my daughters has a sister she can be friends with, play with, laugh with, pretend with, cry with and share all of life's blessings with... together.

Day 44

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I love being able to pull over under a big shade tree, turn off the engine and just sit. I turn on the radio to some quiet country music, grab a book to read, or I just watch the world go by. It is a great time for personal reflection and regrouping. Fall and Spring are my favorite times of the year to take advantage of the opportunity. Seeing the world refreshed and coming to life in the spring is refreshing. Watching the world wind down and settle in for a long hibernation in the fall is relaxing. Each season has their individual beauty. I'm grateful we have the privilege to witness each.

I'm grateful for the Master's artful hand.

Day 43

© 2009 Carrie Morris

"An eternal marriage is eternal. Eternal implies continuing growth and improvement. It means that man and wife will honestly try to perfect themselves. It means that the marriage relationship is not to be frivolously discarded at the first sign of disagreement or when times get hard. It signifies that love will grow stronger with time and that it extends beyond the grave. It means that each partner will be blessed with the company of the other partner forever and that problems and differences might as well be resolved because they are not going to go away. Eternal signifies repentance, forgiveness, long-suffering, patience, hope, charity, love, and humility. All of these things are involved in anything that is eternal, and surely we must learn and practice them if we intend to claim an eternal marriage."

~F. Burton Howard

Day 42

© 2009 Carrie Morris

I have learned so much since having kids.

I'm not a big fan of winter... except for the holidays that come along with the season. But, since Olivia has first seen snow, she's helped me look forward to it a little more. She's taught me that I can find joy in everything. EVEN the things I think are uncomfortable and not at the top of my favorites list. When I watch how excited she gets when there is snow to be played in, "frosty snowmans" to be built, and fresh snow to munch on, I can't help but be grateful for the joy it puts into her heart.

It makes me look at the other "not so favorite things" in life and wonder how I can find joy in them also. Isn't that one of life's tests? To see if the way we pass through trials is acceptable, not just whether we make it past the trials? So, I am trying harder to be better during my trials... to remember to be grateful for them and for the things I learn from each.

To murmur less and to give thanks more.

Day 41

© 2009 Carrie Morris

A cute couple in my ward made these two giraffes together.

She creates and he welds. They do it as a team.

I'm so grateful for different talents from the people around me.

I love when someone will magnify their

talent and share it with the world.

It makes the world a more beautiful place and a happier place.