Day 26: Gifts Smelled

Smells that I love:

• Food (especially desserts)
• Colton!
• Rain
• Coffee
• Clean laundry and laundry detergent
• Bath and Body Works
• Fresh flowers
• New cars
• The beach
• Halle Berry perfume
• Scentsy candles
• The list could go on and on!

Smells that I don't love so much: 

• Vomit, throw up, poop, etc.
• Bad breath and body odor
• Cigarettes, drugs, etc.
• Dirty dishes that have been sitting for days
• Dentist offices

I am thankful for smells, even the bad ones, because then I am able to distinguish the very pleasant ones. This works would be very boring without them!

DAY 27

Day 25: Gifts Painted

I'm not a huge fan of paintings and such but I do love painting walls. There's so many colors to choose from, and the work is enjoyable as well. Mainly what I love is color! Here are some awesome pictures (courtesy of Pinterest) of colorful rooms. When I have my own house, there will definitely be A LOT of color!

DAY 26

Day 30: Gifts in Today's Work

This summer I was not able to find a job (besides donating plasma). It was both good thing and bad. I had to watch my spending more closely, and jump on money-making opportunities, but I also had lots of free time to do things I enjoy. It's really hard not knowing how I am going to pay for things. My parents help me out and I have savings, but I didn't want to have to use my savings or ask my parents for more. Some days it was really hard and others it was easy. I had to trust God that he would provide for the things that I needed and show me that I can do without some items. As nice as it would have been to have extra money that a summer job would have provided, I am really glad that I didn't work and was able to have the relaxing break that I wanted. It's really reassuring after this jobless summer to know that I will be going back to my previous nanny job forthe  school year. God is good!

This is the last day of the 30 Day Thankful Challenge. It was a "challenge" to be thankful and happy for some of the things, and even though I didn't blog daily, I am really glad that Colton and I decided to do this. It makes me ore aware of the many ways that God blesses me, even when it may not feel like it in the moment. I pray that whoever read/reads this is inspired and a little bit more thankful. 

Xoxo,

Ashley

Day 29: Gifts That Made You Laugh

I'm glad today's thankful challenge landed on a Monday. I'm sure we could all use a good laugh today. Enjoy!

Day 30

Day 28: Gifts In Your Dad

These are just a few of the many gifts that are found in my dad:

 Hard working and great work ethic

His discipline and unconditional love

The way he raised me

His cooking abilities and loving to try new recipes (that's probably where I get it from)

He gives 110% in everything he does 

His patience with me

His comfort when I'm sick or anxious

His creativity

His musical talent

His love for card games/board games and always playing them with me. 

DAY 29

Day 27: Gifts Loved

I love a lot of things. Besides God and my family, I love Mr. Colton Daniel Groves, which is fitting because today is his birthday! Twenty-one wonderful years of life. And 16 months of being a couple :) We have had some great times together, here are a few of them!

eBay Christmas work party.

His very first Instagram post!

Rock and Worship Roadshow with 1929.

Real Salt Lake game.

Hiking Corner Canyon.

Volunteering at Vincent De Paul soup kitchen with eBay.

Colton got the awesome opportunity to travel to San Jose California and introduce his friend Neil, who received the Heros award from eBay! What a stud!

He biked 100 miles for Bike MS!

His very first legal drink, that I had the privilege of buying.

He is such a blessing to me from God! I love you babe!

DAY 28

Day 24: Gifts Hard Giving Thanks For

I'm sitting in the doctor's office because I have had a couple numb toes since January! Crazy, right? It's so annoying! Anyways, I have cried countless times, complained more than I should have, and basically yelled at God asking him why this has happened to me. Since I am still dealin with this trial, it's even more hard to give thanks, and I don't know if I fully can do that yet. It is something I am working on. For some weird reason, God allowed this to happen to me. Maybe being me closer to him, or teaching me patience, or showing me that my life will go on regardless of the circumstances. Whatever it happens to be is the reason that I am thankful. For the different lesson that God had and continues to tea h me through this experience.

Two bonuses, a hot doctor doing his residency looked at my feet (don't tell Colton ;) hah). And my toe have cute polish on them thanks to a wonderful lady named Carolyn!

Don't mind my ugly shaped toes :)

DAY 25

Day 23: Gifts Old

Old people are great; even the young people who are still older than me. I remember being a kid and having everything taken care of for me. I had a roof over my head, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, family who loves me, etc. the only think I wanted was to be just a few year older and out on my own. Now I am at the point of being on my own and I want to be a kid again!

 Why??!

 I realize now that I had a great life as a kid. No bills, I could do extra chores if I wanted more allowance, but it wasn't required. I didn't have to drive myself places, spend money on gas, groceries, or utilities. The list could go on and on, which brings me to the reason that I am thankful for things old. "Old people" such as my parent who took care of me so I didn't have to; parents who still help me pay my bills, and for school; parents who have more wisdom than I do about life (even when I don't like to admit it). 

See? Things old are great!

 Another person that just turned old is my boyfriend Colton. The big 21! As of yesterday! I'll be following him shortly!

-Ash

DAY 24

Day 20: Gifts Fragile

BABIES!...that's the first thing that came to mind. Although, they're not necessarily all that fragile. One time I was changing this baby's clothes and trying to be so very gentle of its arms and legs; I just couldn't get it to work. The mom then came over and tugged a little here and there, definitely not being fragile (but note meanly aggressive either), and got the clothes changed.

Well...to me, fragile things are beautiful things. Mirrors, pictures, expensive gifts, important documents, china dishes, wedding rings, etc. I am thankful or fragile things because of their importance and beauty. I mean come on, who doesn't love beautiful things?...and babies!

DAY 21

Day 19: Gifts in Evening

Nighttime occurrences:

• Seeing the beautiful sky/stars/consetellations.
• Knowing that sleep and rest come very soon.
• Watching moves or Netflix.
• Cuddling with Colton.
• If it's a weekend, Colton doesn't have to work.
• More possibility of a date night.
• Usually the hour that Colton and I make smoothies or s'mores.
• Beginning of "all-nighters".
• Great hour to hang out with friends.

DAY 20

Day 18: Gifts at Noon

Things happening midday:

• The weather warming up for the day.
• Colton usually wakes up at this time. ;)
• Knowing that I got a lot of things accomplished by this hour.
• Realizing that I still have the rest of the day.
• Colton and I do not have to go into work just yet.
• Perfect time of day for swimming.

DAY 19

Day 17: Gifts in the Morning

Things that mainly happen in the am: 

• My productivity level is extremely high.
• Being able to exercise at the gym.
• The birds chirping outside.
• There is a certain way the morning time looks that I just love.
• The Quietness and peacefulness.

DAY 18

Day 15: Gifts in His Word

Right now I'm having trouble sleeping and I want to get upset at someone because they didnt respond how I was hoping they would. It was very hard praying for God to help me just let it go. I know I shouldn't be upset with them but it's what my human nature wants to do, which makes me thankful for verses like these:

DAY 16

Day 10: Gifts Understated

When I think of the word "understated" I first think of a blog I stumbled across called http://www.beautyredefined.net/

The main thing I took from reading a few articles on there was that it isn't all about our appearance. Our other (more important) qualities are strongly "understated" and we need to work on taking those good qualities from the back-burner, such as our awesome personalities, and bringing them forward; ahead of our appearances. God didnt give us talents, gifts, personalities, generous hearts, and kind spirits, to be passed over and focus solely on our looks. He gave us all of these to equally define ourselves; not just one of them but all of them working together.

I am learning this and probably will still be learning it tomorrow, in a month, and even a few years from now. Thank you God for helping me start to realize this.

DAY 11

Day 9: Gifts Musical

Obviously, like everyone else in the world, I am thankful for music. Have you ever met someone who didn't
like music? I haven't. Here is what I've been listening to lately...

Kacey Musgraves-Follow Your Arrow

The Band Perry-Better Dig Two

The Band Perry-Mother Like Mine

Carrie Underwood-Two Black Cadillacs

We As Human-We Fall Apart

DAY 10

COLTON

Day 22: Gifts Very Small

Babies again!! Just kidding, enough about those cute little peanuts! 

My "babies", but really my puppies, actually they're just dogs, not puppies, but whatever. My "babies/puppies" are the cutest little things I have ever seen. Right now as I type this, I get to spend the weekend with them! 

When you put a sock on Annie, she acts like she is dead. Rarely will she ever move while the sock is on. Once taken off, she is back to her lively self.

My other dog, Chloe, got a haircut a few days ago and was shaved too closely around her bum/tail area. The poor girl has to wear a cone and a makeshift diaper to keep from licking. How sad!

DAY 23

Day 21: Gifts Long Awaited

Here are the things I'm waiting patiently for...well, trying to anyways.

1) Colton's 21st birthday (July 27, send him some birthday wishes!) and mine too (August 6).

2) Marriage, kids, family, the whole white-picket-fence-2.5-kids-living-in-the-suburbs-of-some-great-city ordeal.

3) Graduating from the U of U in Exercise & Sport Science and then starting cosmetology school. 

4) To become the homemaker that Karen Groves is. She is a combination of Betty Crocker, Rachel ray, Paula Dean, any famous chef/baker you name it, that's Karen! [side note: my mom bought this awesome Pampered Chef frosting kit with the different tips and a Pampered Chef cookie cutter set at a yard sale for me. Thanks mom!]

4) Finding what I'm passionate about. I feel like I like a wide variety of things, but there isn't one thing that I'm completely head-over-heals in love with (except Colton).

What are your passions?

DAY 22

Day 16: Gifts of Family

I am one of 4 Kittelsruds in the whole state of Utah. Talk about a small family! Even though we are sparse, the love and encouragement I receive from them is just as much (if not more) then one gets from a large family.

I also have another family that I consider and love like my own;  the Groves'. I am blessed to be dating the wonderful man of God that Karen and Danny raised. They're always very welcoming of me at their house, whether or not Colton is around. I am so blessed by them.

I like to consider myself pretty lucky because I have not one, but two wonderful families in my life. Thank you Jesus!

DAY 17

Day 14: Gifts Together

I am so thankful for having Colton to do things together; plasma, grocery shopping, watching movies, cuddling, looking up important things like doctors, cooking food, and playing Foosball. All of these things and more I especially enjoy with his wonderful company.

Outside of him, it's nice to have other Christians to fellowship with together. Sharing what God is doing in our lives and how we can pray for one another.

Friends to share struggles with, to encourage each other, to give advice to, and just have a listening ears

People to help me; plan things, counsel me, and encourage me, mentor me.

Mosg importabtky, I am especially thankful that God is always together with me.

Hebrews 13:5 "...'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

DAY 15

Day 13: Gifts Difficult

I have a hard time being thankful for difficult things. Yes, I know that they teach me a lesson and help me grow, but that knowledge is only hindsight. Plenty of difficult things have come my way, but they could have been a lot worse.

• My wallet could have been in my purse when it was stolen from my car. 
• My whole bike could have been stolen instead of just the tires. 
• Colton and I could have crashed our car when half my bike came off the bike rack on the California 405 freeway. 

These are just a few difficult things, and I am thankful for them because I have learned multiple lessons and I would rather have mild difficulties than extreme ones.


-Ashley

DAY 14