God is Good.

I say it a lot. Because it's true. Maybe it's because it was the week of Thanksgiving, but God is Good. I had to sit back in awe of this past week. Because I am happy. I am thankful. Here's just a few things why:

FAITH: I am thankful for who I am and have become because of what I know. It makes me happy knowing that I and the ones I love can live for eternity! I love that. I love being a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

FAMILY: I am so greatful that I get to spend eternity with the people who drive me crazy, frustrate me, but overall make me happy and laugh beyond belief. I love that. I love them. 

FRIENDS: I am so happy and thankful for my white friends. They listen to me (even when they don't want to), share their testimonies of the Gospel, and make me laugh. I love my white friends. 

So yes that was a short post, but I'll make it up with some pictures from this past week. 

Kaz being...Kazia. 

Booyah. I got Mike asleep.

How could you not love Lukers?

He does like pictures, I promise. 

Play place at the mall!

I get to live some of my childhood through my nephews and nieces...hence the awesome train at the mall. It really was exciting!

Mike loved it!

And so did Sam and Luke! 

I mean look at that belly! 

Mike and Luke on the flipping slide! I didn't have this kind of luxury as a child. 

Sam laughing at Despicable Me...that kid is almost like a minion.

Twinning!

Kaz...yeahhh. Also, I don't really say "bae" but it's just really fun to say and tease about. But this girl really is before all else. 

My apps bring all the grandkids to me! 

But no really. Look how cute Sam is letting Kaz sit between his legs! 

This kid's laugh is priceless. 

Yup. That's my pops. 

Sam loved my old phone! It even helped to teach him to sign "please". Cutest thing ever. 

Mike slept over and she even let me french braid her hair--aunt Rissa for the win!

A few things you should know about having a sleepover with this goober:

-She pokes your face basically until you both fall asleep. 

-She takes up 3/4 of the bed giving you about 1/4 for you to sleep on. 

-She snores. 

-She doesn't understand that you aren't supposed to horizontal sleep on the bed.

-Her prayers consist of "Heavenly Fader, tank fur dis day, Jesus Christ amen"

-But above all else, when you tell her you love her she says "I love you too" back and it melts your heart.

Went to Chick Fil A and Jakes with these kids. Afterwards, a impromptu party at Nolan's!

Did you notice Riley totally dodge in front of Nolan? Pretty funny. 

But we took a make up picture. Then Riley wasn't quite in it. 

I love Morgan's face in this one. 

Cute little kid. 

Yes, my grandma Ball did put boiled eggs on green beans. Just to be more festive. 

Naps and afterwards pie with Kaz. 

She ate most of it... 

Blurry, but a cheeser!

So I don't like shopping, and when I wait in the car THIS happens. I'm guessing somebody lost a bet. 

So adorable. 

I'm really good at getting Kaz to sleep...not so good at the situations that she falls asleep. 

They love me because of my apps. 

This kid always sticks his tongue out on selfies. But it's okay, because it's cute.

Told you. 

The face he made after he accidentally stepped on the dog's paw. Such a fragile kid, he doesn't like it when people don't like him. 

So there was a stake dance, and there was no theme so we made one...I told friends to wear something superhero. We all wore Superman unplanned...But it was one of the funnest stake dances I have ever been to! 

This is what happens when you yell "DANCE SELFIE!" You get a pretty good turn out...and about 20 pictures of it on your phone--thanks Bryan. 

Mike found the perfect spot to sit at the store--we have the same outlook on shopping. 

Pie Day in Sunday School!!

~There's a lot to be thankful for. God is Good. And that makes life Full of Smiles.~

My God is Good. 

Life is not easy. 

But it was never intended to be. 

But he is there. 

And because I know that, 

everything is going to be okay. 

Brudders.

This past week I've been thinking of how fortunate I am to have the brothers I do. Even if they call me "Mini Mom" or "Sister Sue" or even (my favorite nickname) "Rissa", I'm proud to be their sister. They are always there whenever I need them. I know that if I call them they will answer and help me out with anything I need. I hit the jackpot with the brothers I have.

So here's to them! I don't say it enough, but they are truly the best and I love them.

Josh

Oh booger boy.  I sure love this kid. I remember one time I was having to carry a few dutch ovens inside and being as stubborn as I am and against my dad's promptings, I brought in two at a time. One of those dutch ovens was Josh's and I hit it against the other dutch oven, in progress of chipping a good chunk out of the rim of it. I felt so bad. I was angry at myself and when I told my dad he told me to go tell Josh. I was dreading telling him and was scared he would be mad. I went outside to go tell him and he just said to be careful next time and that it was okay. I couldn't believe he was okay with me breaking something that costed so much money to him. I'll never forget that.

Another thing I remember with Josh is one of our trips I was in a crummy mood. I was sick of people and just didn't want to be around our family. (Which is ridiculous because my family is flippin awesome.) Josh hung out with me and was just there.

He also married the coolest girl ever and she's one of my best friends. Plus he gave me the cutest nieces ever. So that's cool. I love that booger boy.

Jake

I love this guy. He's like a big huggable teddy bear and he's always there for me and willing to listen. I remember one time I was having a really hard time and just feeling so left out. I can't remember if we were texting or if he called or I did, but we ended up talking on the phone and I was crying and crying because life wasn't fair and he just listened and gave me advice like he always does. He was listening and helping me through what felt like my 12 year-old world that was falling apart. Jake's always been there, just a phone call away.

I remember how excited I was the night Jake went with mom and dad to go pick out a ring for Kendra. Mom and dad took Kendra and I out to the mall while they went. I was so excited for my sista to be! She didn't know and it was fun to just hang with her! I still have the photo booth pictures of us. Jake was (and still is) in love with Kendra. She is another one of my best friends! He was always happy when he was around her. They make cute kids too. 

Ben

Oh boosa. (I don't know how to spell that.) This kid cracks me up. Not only that, but he always is there when I need help with spanish homework. He's the coolest. 

So this kid. I remember when my parents would have him babysit us three younger kids, he would let Andrew and I ride around on his back (like an elephant) and carry us around while he pretended to be "Boosa" it was quite possibly the best thing ever when an older sibling would do that. Another thing is that this kid would make me smell his SMELLY armpits when I wanted to watch tv when he babysat. Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. Heaven help his poor wife Morgan. ;) Morgan is the coolest! I remember the first time we met her and Ben took FOREVER to get ready! Mo was so nice and patient with the weirdo and still is! Plus she always is willing to listen to me and help me out with hair or anything! She is seriously one of my best friends! My brothers did a dang good job finding good wives and sisters for me!

Ben is also one of the strongest people I know. He had a lot of issues with his legs but he fought through it and only wanted to do what was best. No doubt he was in pain, but he didn't let me see it. I didn't understand what was going on when he had those problems, but he was still my "Boosa" through it. (I will go further into his leg troubles in a later blog post. This kid is a tough one.)

Adam

This. Kid. Just like my other brothers, he is truly one of my best friends. It was the hardest thing saying goodbye to him for two years, but 71 days until I get to see him! Adam was always there to listen, and I remember we have the same sense of humor and would stay up late at nights and show each other funny pictures and laugh and laugh until we cried. He and I would tell the stupidest of jokes and it would be perfectly fine because it would be funny to both. 

Adam would also be the brother I can easily talk about boys with. And he vice versa with girls. I would tell him anything and everything about what was going on and he would listen and help me through it. He would see a lot of things that I wouldn't or I would need to see someday. I'm glad he was and is there to listen about the terrible girl hormonal problems I go through.

This kid was a trooper. I remember one day I REALLY wanted to go to Old Navy. (One of my favorite stores.) So he took me. I distinctly remembered sitting in his car and listening to music and talking about boys. He scared me as a driver but we didn't die. I miss those moments. But in 71 days they will happen yet again! I love Adam.

Andrew

Botat. I have to admit, this kid was hard to get along with at times. He drove me nuts and whenever I was around him I felt like I was doing something wrong. But, he gave rock hard advice. (Don't tell him that.) He was one of the most spiritual people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He always looks to God and he knows with him, you cannot fail. Andrew is one of the most giving people ever. He seriously just gave, and gave, and GAVE! He didn't think of himself, but others first.

My squash more year of high school was a rough one. It didn't seem to help that I was referred to as "Andrew's sister". It drove me nuts at first. I didn't want that to be that. I was Marissa. Not Andrew's sister. But as the school year went on, I didn't mind being that. Sitting in the car with him on the way to and from school did something. We became closer. We sang songs in high pitch voices and terribly off tune, he consistently quoted the "Lobster Bisque" sketch from Studio C, knowing it drove me nuts. And here I am. Crying about how great he is and how much I miss that. I didn't give that kid enough credit as much as he is worth. And now he is doing great things for the people of Ecuador. And no doubt getting blacker too.

5 Brothers, No Sisters.

At first I almost hated saying that. I didn't understand that I have the GREATEST brothers ever. I was lucky enough to even get 5 of them! Now when people ask how many I proudly say:

"5 brothers, 0 sisters."

Utah right? I'm glad to have grown up in a house of testosterone rather than one of hormones. I'm thankful to not be that super girly girl but learning to be me and happy with it because of what my brothers have taught me. But I'm glad. I'm happy I have the smelliest, silliest, craziest, funniest, most lovable and caring, brothers ever. I don't know what I do without them and their crazy shenanigans. 

~I have the BEST Brudders ever. End. Of. Story. They make my life Full of Smiles.~

Now for some random pictures I was able to find!

Josh wanted me to go to preschool with Adam!

My first chocolate chip cookie--stolen from Josh

Walking my brothers to the the bus stop. 

Curlers and bowl hair cut swag. 

The Zoo.

Andrew was awesome enough to paint his nails with me. 

Can you say my brothers are the best?

Because really they are. 

Jake was such a trooper. In a lot of pictures you can see him carrying me places. 

I have the raddest brothers. 

I love Adam and Andrew in this picture...I think I am aspiring to have a beard.

I am sure grateful for this 5 boys.