Count Your Blessings...

I have been thinking alot lately about all the blessings in my life. There are times, alot of them, when I get so caught up in the "hard times" that I forget to look around me and remember all that I have. My wonderful Mother-in-law told me once that she keeps a journal of all the things she is thankful for, daily. This helps keep things in perspective.

So here is a little sampling of the many things I am thankful for... :)

I am thankful first and formost for my Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for my membership in His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am thankful for my AMAZING husband RC. We have been through some hard times but together we have always been able to pull through.

I am thankful for my children: James (our angel in Heaven),

Justice (heading off to BYU-Idaho),

Briana (my best friend and wonderful roll model),

and Aidan (our comic relief and anchor, the one who is quick to forgive and quick to love). I am thankful for my family:

Mom for always being willing to help us out whenever needed,
Sister Shannon (Sista S) for being my Best Friend!

Also all my Cook Family! Mom and Dad Cook, we would probably be living out of a cardboard box if not for them! (only half kidding) :)

I am thankful for my home. It's one thing to have a house to live in but having RC and my kids there laughing and loving is what makes it a home!

I am thankful for my job... yes, a necessary evil. haha

I am thankful for my friends.

I am thankful for the freedoms that we have in this great Country of ours.

I could go on and on... :) So when you are feeling down here's a reminder to take a minute and "count your blessings".


When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "BOY"

July 13, 2010 - Today would celebrate the 19th birthday of James Aaron Cook aka "Boy"!

Wow, I can't believe he would be 19 already. RC and I were talking today about the things we think he would be doing, one of them being getting ready to leave for his mission. It is a comfort to know that he is having that opportunity with our Heavenly Father. We really miss him but know that he was needed and that we will be able to be with him again, for eternity. We love you James! James went to a Monster Truck Ralley with Grandma Pat. They had tons of fun!
I love this picture of all four kids. This was taken on our trip to Nauvoo Illinois. Wow, how they've grown!

My boys!

James, Aunt Shannon, Aidan, and RC at the MTC. Getting ready to send Sister Owings off to serve her mission.

I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that families can be together forever!

HOW MUCH WOULD MY FINE BE...

All the Cottonwood Trees in Boise..

+ PLUS +

= EQUALS =

aaahhh, sweet relief! Enough said.

Camping!

Finally our first camping trip of the summer. RC, Aidan and I decided to go to McCall and camp for the weekend. I have to start off by publicly apologizing to RC for calling him "old" because he wanted the air mattress. We forgot the pump. I swear it was an accident! After sleeping on the ground and waking up so stiff and sore I could hardly move I laid there waiting for RC to wake up just so I could tell him those 3 words that every man loves to hear "You were right"! I don't ever remember feeling sore like this when I was younger. Hmph.

However, camping was fun.

We roasted hot dogs,

marsh mellows and star bursts and then played a rousing game of "go fish" with some cards that Aidan found in the van.

Sunday the 4th we decided we would like to skip the crowds in McCall and go for a hike. It was fun following Aidan up the trail. These are a few pictures of his "ninja moves".

Boulder Lake was beautiful! We stopped and had a picnic lunch and then hiked back down. Aidan was a trooper but couldn't stay awake any longer. He fell asleep on the back seat of the van while RC and I loaded up to come home. Hmmm, could have been strategy on his part.

The trip was quick but fun and I was SOOO very happy to sleep in my bed last night!

Pride and Prejudice

Hello, my name is Claudia Cook and I am addicted to Pride and Prejudice. There, I've said it and I feel much better! I realized today while reading the book Austenland by Shannon Hale that there really are others out there just like me and decided what better way to find my kindred sisters than to come out and admit it.

I have read the book a few times but my real obsession did not start until I watched the BBC version of P&P with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I originally watched the movie for something to fall asleep to as RC was pulling an all nighter at school. I ended up pulling an all nighter also as I would jump up from my couch to remove the video from the VCR, put it in the rewinder and insert the next (of 5). I have been a true follower from that night on. My friend Alison and I would "syncronize" our watching of our favorite movie so we could feel like we were watching it together. We would spend our time finding bloopers and little known facts about the movie and share them with each other. It is 12 years, 2 video sets (I gave one to my sister so she could join in my obsession), and 1 DVD set later. I have taken online quizzes, looked up Pride and Prejudice vacations with the Jane Austen Tours, read sequels (my favorite being: Pemberley: Or Pride and Prejudice Continued by Emma Tennant ) and watched movies such as Lost in Austen. I am proud to admit that I love it as much now as I did that first night!

So here is to all my P&P sisters, enjoy!

Miss Bingley: I believe I can guess your thoughts at this moment.

Mr. Darcy: I should imagine not.

Miss Bingley: You are thinking how insupportable it would be to spend many evenings in such tedious company.

Mr. Darcy: No, indeed, my mind was more agreeably engaged. I've been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.

Miss Bingley: And may one dare ask whose the eyes that inspire these reflections?

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth Bennet's.

Miss Bingley: Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am all astonishment.