In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
May you all have a safe and enjoyable time as you gather with friends and family to celebrate the many things you are thankful for this year.

Grateful Journal Day 7

Wow, can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow?! Is your turkey defrosting? Are you starting your pies? That's what I'll be doing today...fun, fun, fun!

On this beautiful morning, I am grateful for:

1. Health. Mine, Randy, and the children's. The human body is truly an amazing machine.

2. A warm cozy bed, Which fosters a good nights sleep pretty much always.

3. Great Kids. I love them so much!

4. Family. What a blessing it is to know that we have such wonderful people to call family.

5. The sunshine. After days of rain and glum, having the sun shining down up has lifted up our spirited and made our day a little more pleasant.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVE EVERYONE!

May all those that are traveling this holiday week do so in safety.

Grateful Journal Day 6

I am grateful for:

1. Having a new friend over. Looking froward to getting to know her and her family more.

2. Thoughtful phone calls. Spent a lot of time on the phone today. : )

3. More finished projects. That's right, the other bunk bed quilt is DONE!!! (pictures will be up soon)

4. Surprise Love notes from my hubby. What could be better?

5. Fun shopping trips with The Daughter. Can I just say I had more fun at the store today than I have had in quite sometime. She has been so involved today in the planning of Thanksgiving...FUN!

Sorry to be so brief today but I've got a holiday to plan and a show to watch.... :)

Grateful Journal Day 5

I am grateful for:

1. My husband's Employment. With everything we and so many other people have gone through this year, we are blessed to have a job good or bad.

2. To have one quilt done. One bunk bed quilt is done!!! The other is almost there...maybe tomorrow.

3. The ability to learn new skills. I love the challenge projects bring as they force me to expand my knowledge and skills.

4. Devoted Educators. They will make or break the way our children view learning. I'm thankful that my daughter has such a great teacher that is in tune with the needs of her students.

5. Mother-in-law that offers to help. I really appreciate her offering to watch the kids while I went to a parent-teacher conference this morning. The kids love spending time with her.

Grateful Journal Day 4

1. Nap time. Every Sunday afternoon we home from church, start dinner, and all lay down to relax for a few moments. While I don't actually nap, I enjoy the chance to relax and enjoy the complete silence of the house. It's wonderful!

2. My membership in the church. What a blessing this has been in my life.

3. A warm meal. Nothing hits the spot like a piping hot bowl of Potato chowder on a such a cold wet & super WINDY day like today.

4. Giggles. The uncontrollable giggles that echo out of the kids room as they should be drifting off at night even if it's an attempt to keep themselves awake a bit longer.

5. The chance to study the gospel. My evening was spend studying, pondering and writing a talk. I'm not thrilled to give a talk next weekend in sacrament meeting however I am very grateful for the chance to expand my knowledge and grow a bit more.

Grateful Journal Day 3

I'm Grateful for:

1. A Lazy Saturday. It's a very rare occurrence here at our house. Worked on projects here & there and enjoyed not having to rush from place to place.

2. Pumpkin Treats. I love pumpkin shakes, pies, bars, cookies. Yummy! (Thank you to my awesome, super sweet, thoughtful husband for bringing me a pumpkin spice milk shake! what a great and unexpected surprise!)

3. Super cheap Turkeys. Got to love this time of the year. We're stocking up!

4. Shopping by myself. No children (of my own at least) to worry about while dodging carts at the grocery store for me today, it was nice. Now, if only the store hadn't been so crazy...you'd think Thanksgiving was this week?!

5. The sweet things kids say. While dropping a Turkey off at my Mother-in-law's, my 2 yr old nephew took my hand and declared "I ready to go...come on let's go to your house!" I'm so glad that after spending most of the week with me & my kids he still wants to come back. Melts my heart.

Now I'm off to watch a movie with the hubby and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Grateful Journal Day 2

On this fine Friday evening, I am Grateful for:

1. Play dates. I love when the Daughter has a friend over to play (especially when they get along so well!) It broke up yet another no school day and it gave me some uninterrupted time to work on projects/planning.

2. Craft Stores. I love the smell, the colors, and just about everything about them. The only problem...I tend to spend more than I planned whenever I walk into one. Today I hit The Craft Warehouse, Michael's, and Jo-Anne's. The Christmas projects have begun... :)

3. The weekend. I'm so excited for a weekend with no events planned. Maybe, just maybe, we will be able to get a few projects done around here and enjoy some down time together.

4. Long talks with Good friends. I'm oh so very thankful to have such great friends in my life. What would life be like without girlfriends to lean on, gab with, and learn from?

5. A Good Deal. Today while out running around I was able to score some nice clothing for my kids at the second hand store. They each got an outfit, and P.J.s for a grand total of $30. Gotta love that! Everything was in great shape and two items had never been worn (tags still on them!)

Grateful Journal Day 1

It's that time of year again. Can you believe we are exactly one week away from Thanksgiving? I sure can't! Where has November gone? We've been so busy with things, it's just passed us right on by.

Here we go, with an attempt to bring the season of "Thanks" to the forefront of our minds; I am Grateful for...

1. Plumbing that works. After last weeks plumbing adventures, I'm so thankful that a.) the shower faucet now tuns OFF (yes, you read right, the faucet failed leaving the water running full blast, no way to shut it off) and b.) that we don't have to run outside to turn the main water on every time someone needs to go potty.

2. The knowledge and skills to cook things from scratch. I like knowing exactly what's in the meal I prepare for my family and knowing that if I'm out of boxed mixes I can still whip up a mighty fine tasting cake. I am all about being self-sufficient.

3. For a willing child that cleaned her room. The daughter is a pack rat, no question about it. While putting some clothes away I discovered that she had little "treasures" stashed everywhere (in little boxes, under the bed, behind the dresser, you name it, she had something there!) With little to no disagreement, we pulled everything out, threw away some, sorted the rest, and organized it appropriately. Now she still has her treasures and the room is clean!

4. Photographs. They hold all my happy memories. I can't help smile when I glance through them. :)

5. A canceled meeting. The stress of the evening has just been slightly relieved. Sorry to hear the Bishop is not feeling well though. :(

Join me in making a list of things you are grateful. :)

A Birthday Recap

Slept in WAY late and enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes (a special Birthday treat)
Went out to dinner at one of her favorite restaurant for dinner:
Loved EVERY moment of them singing Happy Birthday to her.
Why it's the Big Top Cupcake maker!! (She has been wanting one since she saw the infomercial months ago...she's a bit of a "as seen on TV" junkie.)
Having a Cooking Party (her idea). We made aprons, pizza, and cake in a mug. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Enjoying the Big Top cake at Grandma's house for a Birthday get together.
After almost a week of partying, this mama is ready to move on! Now it's time to prepare for the Holidays.........

Six years ago...

Exactly six years ago to the minute, after months of uncertainty and many trials, our baby girl was born. Overwhelmed with Gratitude, we became parents to an amazing little girl that would test every obstacle she faced to ensure that she would grow into the strong health girl she is today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
We love you SO MUCH!

Halloween 09

Our Halloween Recap:

A clown how didn't want face make-up (to itchy...)
Ward Halloween party & Trunk-or-Treat...I promise she was really having a good time!
Sharing his loot...regardless of if you wanted some or not...
Trick-or-Treating at the both Grandma and Papa's houses (& a visit with Richie & Linda while at Grandma Val's)Visiting with the "special" uncle...
and a Pirate sticky from head to toe...arrrr!

We hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!