An Attitude of Gratitude

To borrow from the words our beloved President Monson:

Accentuate the Positive
Eliminate the Negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between.

Good advice then, good advice now. This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that work, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative though and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude may be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the most noble of virtues.


As life is what it is, I ofter find myself bemoaning my life and my current circumstance. However, during this season of Thanksgiving I reflect on the countless things that I have to be thankful for.

I am grateful for my husband: All of those who know Todd are able to appreciate the wonderful man that he is. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for blessing my life with his love and companionship!

I am grateful for my family: I truly have the most fabulous and loving family! How thankful I am to have been born to the parents I have and for my siblings and extended family...I couldn't ask for better!!!

I am thankful for the gospel: As I interact daily with people who are not blessed with the gospel in their lives, I feel guilty for not sharing more openly this most precious gift that I have. I am grateful that so many people are intrigued by "Mormons" and feel so comfortable in asking me about my beliefs and this gospel. I pray that I may be the example that helps lead someone to investigating and accepting the gospel one day as I know with all of my heart that it is true!!!

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a doctor: More days than not, I am often rather disheartened and unhappy with my career for a number of different reasons. I am more tired that words can express and often feel unappreciated by the people I work for and those I take care of. However, I think back on the day that I opened my acceptance letter to the University of Utah School of Medicine feeling that it was one of the happiest days of my life. I am grateful for all those who made it possible for me to attain my education and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to change people's lives and help them many in their greatest time of need.

I am grateful for my temporal blessings: Although I often complain to Todd that I am anxious to live in a house, how selfish I am for these feelings. I am grateful for the wonderful roof I have over my head, the food in my fridge, and the car I have to drive. We are blessed with the ability to go out to dinner, to go shopping, to go to movies and sporting events, and to fly home to Utah frequently. In a time of recession, how grateful I am for my job and a husband who works so hard to support us.

I am grateful for good friends: As excited as I am at the prospect of moving to Utah when residency is completed, I do feel sorrow at the dear friends that we will leave here in California. Todd and I are blessed with many wonderful friends from both church and work that we love and appreciate.

This list could go on and on, as it is truly endless. How thankful and grateful I am for all of my blessings!!! I hope that I can adopt an unwavering "Attitude of Gratitude" and recognize my blessings, big and small, daily.

Cancun---A week in PARADISE!!!

Todd and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary albeit a little belated in Cancun, Mexico this last October. We had a fabulous week of doing absolutely nothing but sitting by the beach or the pool, pampering ourselves with a day at the spa, eating about 5 wonderful meals a day and catching up on some much needed time together!!!

Here we are...off to paradise!

Our room..."Happy Anniversary"

Dinner the first night at the resort...over a pool, sunset beach in the background!

Our room's sitting area...

Beautiful day at the beach...

Beware...may need your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of these white legs!

How an albino takes a nap on the beaches of Mexico...

Todd just kept adding layers as the sun starting setting and I was in its burning rays!

The lazy-river pool we spent hours enjoying!

The view from the hot-tub that was in our room...

Our private roof-top pool for just our room!

View from the balcony of our roof...

Todd enjoying our private roof...

"I am never going home!!!"

Another wonderful lunch...

Good sun and shade, good non-alcoholic daiquiri, good book...who can ask for anything more!

We seriously ate all day long between meals and room service...still trying to lose the 5 extra pounds that came home with me!

Oh how I love this man!!!

Enjoying the hammocks that hang over the lazy river!

Our pool and balcony at sunset...

As our trip was coming to an end, we felt that it would be a crime to travel to Mexico and not take the opportunity to visit Chichen Itza, the famous Mayan ruins a few hours away from Cancun. We were able to arrange a tour through our resort and we were sure glad we did! However, after about 5 minutes the albino girl was sure melting in the 118 degree Mexican sun!

In front of the Mayan "spa baths"

The Mayan water hole...

The serpent heads at the staircase...

On our way back to the city of Cancun, we stopped at a natural water hole that you hike 1/2 mile straight down from ground level to get to.

We are half way down the stone staircase...

A view from above...

Todd just as he is ready to hit the water from the jumping platform!

What a fabulous vacation spent with the love of my life!!!

Vacation to Utah...

Yes, another week off of work == another visit to Utah.

Along with being able to spend much-longed for time with our families, Todd and I were also able to meet with physicians, administrators and recruiters from McKay-Dee Hospital and discuss future job opportunities.

Even more exciting was the blessing of having Laurel and Paisley visiting from Pittsburgh!!!

I was able to leave LA a few days before my dear hubby. I arrived in Utah on Saturday, September 26. I was met at the airport by Daddy, Mommy, Grammy, Laurel and Jocey and we headed straight to Provo for the BYU-CSU game. Thankfully BYU didn't disappoint (hard to believe this season I know) and provided a win!

Sunday is always a wonderful day when home. I was able to go to church and hear Dad's fabulous Sunday School lesson. It was then off to Devin's for a celebration of all of the September Birthdays!

Only our best sides please!

Sweet Sisters minus Emily.

Princess Paisley is requesting no pictures at this time...

Mommy and Daughters...we miss you Emily!

Mommy, sisters, cousin MaKenzie and Aunt Mindy...sure adore those beauties!

Monday morning I was able to meet with a surgeon at the Ogden Clinic to talk about surgical practice in Ogden. The rest of the day was spent playing cards and lunching, shopping, and meeting Daddy for dinner at Cafe Rio (no trip to Utah is complete without Cafe Rio pork)....what were we thinking...no pictures?

Me and my gorgeous Mommy!

Me and my beautiful Grammy!

How blessed I am to have the love, support and example of these two marvelous women!

Tuesday was spent meeting with the big-wigs from McKay-Dee...oh how I hope I can have a job there one day!!! Tuesday was also Christine's birthday and we were able to celebrate by going to dinner with Todd's Mom and Dad.

Happy Birthday Christine...beautiful flowers compliments of Jimmys Floral.

Wednesday was a bitter-sweet day as we had to bid farewell to Laurel and my Princess P. We stopped for lunch at CPK before going to the airport.

Me and my Princess...she really isn't scared of me...

She was really supposed to be mine...see the resemblance???

The best hubby in the entire world..at the most handsome!

How how I love and adore this little girl!

Mommy, Laurel and Me...

Wednesday night we were able to spend visiting and playing cards with our dear friends Bill and Heather...Todd and Bill were classmates in medical school.

The winning side of the table!

Don't frown just because you are losing!

Thursday was a day at the salon...mommy and I were able to have Auntie Emily beautify us. That night, the Grunander Family got together to officially celebrate Christine's Birthday. Enjoyed a yummy dinner at Timbermine!

Todd's Mom and Dad

The Grunander Clan

Friday was spent running errands and playing cards with Grammy and Aunt Mindy! Take-out, spoon me and the BYU-USU game filled the night.

Saturday I was able to meet with my sweet friends from high school, have lunch at Sonora Grill...a stop every time we visit and then it was back to LA for Todd and me....however, only to prepare to leave the next day for Cancun...more posts to follow.

Thanks again to our families and friends for another wonderful visit...I can count on one had the number of visits we have left before we are finally home for good!!! We love and miss you all!!!

10 Years of Truly Wedded Bliss!

I can't believe that Todd and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary today. I t seems like just yesterday that we were sharing our first kiss by the WHS tennis courts during a Halloween stomp! What absolute utter joy that you have brought into my life...more that I could have ever dreamed possible! Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with the most amazing and wonderful husband imaginable and I would be utterly lost without you! You sacrifice so much on my behalf...and I know that it is not equally returned! You never fail to provide for my needs whatever they may be. You go out of your way to cook, clean, do errands, grocery shop and ensure that the laundry is always done despite how busy you are. You carry me to bed when I am absolutely too exhausted to walk the short distance from the couch to bedroom, never forgetting to get my alarm set for the next morning. You allow me to stay in bed and answer intern and resident endless pages and phone calls all through the night even though you may be on call the next day. You are loving, kind, thoughtful, supportive, a worthy priesthood holder and exercise that power within our home, and despite how tired or stressed you may be feeling, you never fail to bring a smile to my face when all I want to do is cry...and if I do cry, your supportive shoulder and listening ear are always there! How blessed I am to be your wife. If asked to make a list of the qualities I hoped and looked for in a husband, my best list would have fallen very short of the man that you are. I love and adore you more than I ever imagined possible! You are the love of my life..I can't wait to embark upon the next 10 years of our marriage!

Vacation in Utah...

Todd and I were able to spend a fabulous week in Utah the first week of June...sad that it has taken me this long to put together a post.

Todd had gone to Utah a few days before me as his vacation started earlier. I was able to fly into Utah early Monday morning and headed straight for lunch with many of my mom's side of the family. Great company and good food...can't ask for a better way to start vacation!

Tuesday was spent enjoying the great outdoors of Willard Bay!

Brady showing off his wakeboarding skills...

Teaching Cannon wakeboarding...

Todd slalom skiing...yummy!

Wednesday was spend with more family and friends....lunch with Judy, Nicole, Mom and the sisters at Pelotons. We then went to dinner at Sonora Grill and bowling at Fat Cats with the Grunanders!

Dinner at Sonora Grill...so good!!!

Jennifer and Christine

Thursday morning I was able to meet with Trauma/SICU/General Surgery group at IMC to discuss future job opportunities. I then met Mom, Grammy and the sisters for lunch at La Ferovia. That afternoon I was able to meet with a general surgery group at McKay-Dee to also discuss future job opportunities while Todd met with an orthopedic group who is actively pursuing him to join their practice when he is done. Then, off for more fun at Willard Bay followed by pizza and cards with Grammy Char...what a fantastic way to spend the day!

Cannon was able to have fun in and out of the water!

Whose legs are more pasty white...mine or Jocey's???

Sadly, I think my leg is twice the size of Jocey's scrawny chicken leg...

Sunbathing Beauties...

Cute Crewy...just adore that little man!

Brady, Laurel and Cannon on the tube...

Todd was able to knock them off...

Friday morning Todd and I made the trip to the salon to be beautified by Aunt Emily...haven't been able to find anyone even half as good at doing my hair in LA! I was then able to spend the afternoon and evening with my dear friends from medical school catching up...oh how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends!

Saturday was spent lunching at Cafe Rio...a vacation must! We then spend Saturday night playing more cards with Grammy Char...absolutely one of my favorite past-times!

Sunday we were able to attend church, enjoy Sunday dinner and then off to the airport and back to work!

Thanks to the Wolthuis and Grunander families for making our visit so wonderful...you always pamper us and we really appreciate it! Can't wait for our next visit in October!!! We miss and love you all more than you can know!

Happy Birthday Emily...a few days late!

Although my sister Emily's birthday was last week, I did want to let her know how much I love and admire her. She is the most perfect mother and wife..I am in awe of how she is able to keep up with 3 very busy boys, always cook a wonderful meal, her home could be a picture our of a magazine, all while serving her ward and neighbors endlessly!!! Happy Birthday a few days late...so grateful that you are my sister and my friend!

Harbor-UCLA and USC graduations

Every year in June was are able to attend celebration dinners in honor of the graduating chief residents. Here are a few pictures from our respective program graduations...

USC Orthopedic Surgery Graduation

The "DREAM TRAUMA TEAM"

Danny (2nd year), Adam (chief), Nora (4th year and Todd's trauma chief this year)

Mike (Todd's co-resident) and his fiancee Judy

One of Todd's favorite graduation chiefs, Bobick

Another of Todd's favorite chiefs, Maddhov and co-resident TJ

TJ and Todd's trauma chief, Adam.

Harbor-UCLA General Surgery Graduation

The girls of Harbor General Surgery

My co-residents...Armen, Taryne, Cliff. Missing Matt...

The Famous...Infamous....flip flop of my trauma chief.

He would wear these with bootie covers while on trauma call and walk around the blood covered ER trauma bay....GROSS!!!

My co-resident and dear friend Taryne

Notice someone missing from my graduation dinner...Where is Todd you ask??? At the Angels baseball game sitting right behind the dugout...apparently tickets that just "couldn't be passed up." I think I deserve a pair of shoes for letting him ditch me...how about you???