Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thankful #29
I am thankful for the Sabbath. I love going to church (I will love it more in January when we no longer have the 2:00 time slot). I love going to choir practice. I love having a day of rest. Well, as much of a day of rest as a mom can have. I am grateful for the commandment to keep it holy. It makes my whole week better. I learn and am uplifted. It is a happy day. Usually.
Thankful #28
I am thankful for Ashton. Saturday was her birthday. She is TEN. Can you believe it? Neither can I. We had a lovely day. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, all she could think of was that she wanted to spend time with her sweet Maddy friend. So, that's just what we did. We went out to lunch (Ashton, Maddy, Hillyerie and me - sounds like I got a present, too, huh?). It was delicious, too. And then we went to a crafty place where you can go and buy the thing you want to make and even do it there, if you want. And we did. Here are the girls and Hillyerie working on their darling projects. 
And here are the girls' finished works of art. 
How cute are they, seriously?
Later that evening, grandparents and aunts an uncles came over to celebrate with us. Ashton opted for a giant fruit salad instead of a cake again this year.
I believe this is the third year in a row. It was yummy. Sweet Doug made it - including the two pomegranates that Ashton requested.
All day, my phone rang with happy birthday wishers calling to wish the sweetest girl they know a happy birthday. It was a special day for a very special girl. I sure love her.
And here are the girls' finished works of art. 
How cute are they, seriously?Later that evening, grandparents and aunts an uncles came over to celebrate with us. Ashton opted for a giant fruit salad instead of a cake again this year.
I believe this is the third year in a row. It was yummy. Sweet Doug made it - including the two pomegranates that Ashton requested.All day, my phone rang with happy birthday wishers calling to wish the sweetest girl they know a happy birthday. It was a special day for a very special girl. I sure love her.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thankfuls #22-27
I have been so busy this week visiting with my mom, holding new tiny Ellie, shopping for Thanksgiving, cleaning for Thanksgiving, running other errands, plus feeling yuck, that I haven't had time to breathe let alone blog. So, I'm going to lump all of these thankfuls together in one blog. I'll make it somewhat short, too.
#22: I am thankful for Jesus Christ, for His sacrifice, for the Atonement and for the scriptures and prophets that testify of Him. I could make this very long, but I won't today. I love Him. I want to be more like Him.
#23: I am thankful for the Holy Ghost. What an amazing gift that we take so often for granted. I am grateful to have this extra helper in being a wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, and in being myself. I am thankful for the comfort that comes during hard times and the peace and joy that comes during not-so-hard times.
#24: I am thankful for laughter. My kids make me laugh the most. One day recently, I was doing some math in my head (I was just fine, by the way) and Christian yelled, "ASHTON!" I said, "Christian, I can do this. Who do you think taught her how to do math?" Ashton nodded. Christian looked at me like I was fresh off the turnip truck. "Yeah," he said, "but her brain isn't all screwed up like yours." Thank you. I love laughing and I don't do it nearly enough, but those kids sure help.
#25: I am thankful for healthy foods. I know. I'm weird. Don't think I don't hear it all the time. Someone who just met me just about fell of her chair when she heard about how I eat. Wow. I don't think she even knows about homeschool or my other weirdnesses... But I digress... Anyway, I had this client once - well for about 9 years - who was very into healthy stuff long before I was. I remember her telling me that when she changed the way she ate, she became so much more grateful for her food. Probably because she was eating things that came out of the ground and not out of some factory. Ever since I changed the way I ate and started studying herbs/food more, I have become increasingly more grateful for my food in a whole new way. How kind of our Heavenly Father to create exactly what our bodies need and make it just grow in our yards (I know, I'm not very good at that part yet!). I could go on and on on this subject, as with the others, but I'll stop now.
#26: I had Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year. Most of my side of the family was there. It was lovely. Dinner was good. Company was good. My cutie mom made a fishing game for the kids. They threw a "fishing rod" over the ledge and she stood on the stairs below sending up presents for all of her grandkids. She also bought all the tiny girls matching princess shirts. Here are a few pictures.
#27: I am thankful for my sister whom we affectionately call Panda. I love my other siblings, too, but today I am grateful for funny Panda. She makes me laugh. She has been making Sophie (she is the one in my belly, in case you missed that somewhere) a blanket. Yesterday, I got an email informing me that she got tired of making it so WALL-E is finishing it for me.
I love that girl.
#22: I am thankful for Jesus Christ, for His sacrifice, for the Atonement and for the scriptures and prophets that testify of Him. I could make this very long, but I won't today. I love Him. I want to be more like Him.
#23: I am thankful for the Holy Ghost. What an amazing gift that we take so often for granted. I am grateful to have this extra helper in being a wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, and in being myself. I am thankful for the comfort that comes during hard times and the peace and joy that comes during not-so-hard times.
#24: I am thankful for laughter. My kids make me laugh the most. One day recently, I was doing some math in my head (I was just fine, by the way) and Christian yelled, "ASHTON!" I said, "Christian, I can do this. Who do you think taught her how to do math?" Ashton nodded. Christian looked at me like I was fresh off the turnip truck. "Yeah," he said, "but her brain isn't all screwed up like yours." Thank you. I love laughing and I don't do it nearly enough, but those kids sure help.
#25: I am thankful for healthy foods. I know. I'm weird. Don't think I don't hear it all the time. Someone who just met me just about fell of her chair when she heard about how I eat. Wow. I don't think she even knows about homeschool or my other weirdnesses... But I digress... Anyway, I had this client once - well for about 9 years - who was very into healthy stuff long before I was. I remember her telling me that when she changed the way she ate, she became so much more grateful for her food. Probably because she was eating things that came out of the ground and not out of some factory. Ever since I changed the way I ate and started studying herbs/food more, I have become increasingly more grateful for my food in a whole new way. How kind of our Heavenly Father to create exactly what our bodies need and make it just grow in our yards (I know, I'm not very good at that part yet!). I could go on and on on this subject, as with the others, but I'll stop now.
#26: I had Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year. Most of my side of the family was there. It was lovely. Dinner was good. Company was good. My cutie mom made a fishing game for the kids. They threw a "fishing rod" over the ledge and she stood on the stairs below sending up presents for all of her grandkids. She also bought all the tiny girls matching princess shirts. Here are a few pictures.
#27: I am thankful for my sister whom we affectionately call Panda. I love my other siblings, too, but today I am grateful for funny Panda. She makes me laugh. She has been making Sophie (she is the one in my belly, in case you missed that somewhere) a blanket. Yesterday, I got an email informing me that she got tired of making it so WALL-E is finishing it for me.
I love that girl.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thankful #21
I have been shopping, shopping, shopping for Thanksgiving dinner and regular dinners, too. Look at my fridge. Well, not too closely. 
It is bursting at the seams. I have had to resort to storing some things in my garage. I am grateful for abundance. When my brother came home from his mission in Russia about 11 years ago, he went to the grocery store with my mom. He could not get over how much food there was on the shelves. I know this is common for people returning from countries where there is less. Here, we have everything we want or need at our fingertips. I realize that this particular blessing, like so many, comes with a price. It is a double-edged sword. I may expound on that sometime when I am not being grateful. I remain grateful for it anyway. Although my kids often swear they are starving to death (so do I sometimes, I admit), the truth is that we have never really known hunger. I pray we never do. We are so blessed to live when and where we do. (Doug's grandma, whom we affectionately call "Happy Happy" used to say that every time you asked her how she was doing. She was a precious woman.)
Now, let's eat!
It is bursting at the seams. I have had to resort to storing some things in my garage. I am grateful for abundance. When my brother came home from his mission in Russia about 11 years ago, he went to the grocery store with my mom. He could not get over how much food there was on the shelves. I know this is common for people returning from countries where there is less. Here, we have everything we want or need at our fingertips. I realize that this particular blessing, like so many, comes with a price. It is a double-edged sword. I may expound on that sometime when I am not being grateful. I remain grateful for it anyway. Although my kids often swear they are starving to death (so do I sometimes, I admit), the truth is that we have never really known hunger. I pray we never do. We are so blessed to live when and where we do. (Doug's grandma, whom we affectionately call "Happy Happy" used to say that every time you asked her how she was doing. She was a precious woman.)Now, let's eat!
Thankful #20
Yep. I'm thankful for boys without front teeth. Without both is the best, but one missing is still pretty good. And definitely better than it just hanging there. It poked out like a buck tooth. See? 
Pretty funny stuff. Except that the day he lost it, he also bonked his head on a jungle gym and so he looks like he was beat up and that's what knocked his tooth out.
I love the stages kids go through (most of them, anyway). I love it when they are tiny and brand new and snuggly. I love it when they start getting bigger and start smiling and laughing. I love it when they start talking and communicating and you get to know what is going on in their tiny little heads. I love it when they start losing teeth and they lisp. I love that I get to be a part of it all, too!
Pretty funny stuff. Except that the day he lost it, he also bonked his head on a jungle gym and so he looks like he was beat up and that's what knocked his tooth out.
I love the stages kids go through (most of them, anyway). I love it when they are tiny and brand new and snuggly. I love it when they start getting bigger and start smiling and laughing. I love it when they start talking and communicating and you get to know what is going on in their tiny little heads. I love it when they start losing teeth and they lisp. I love that I get to be a part of it all, too!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful #19
Today, I am feeling thankful for modern transportation. My mom is flying in from IL today. She just sent me a text at 7:29 saying she was on the plane. I will pick her up at 11:15. When I make that flight, I think of the pioneers and all they went through to walk that very same distance.
Once, I became so overwhelmed with gratitude, I started crying on the plane. How blessed we are!
P.S. I am thinking that tomorrow I will post about my gratitude for boys with missing front teeth. Christian's is hanging by a thread. I keep telling him that when that thing falls out, I won't be able to stop kissing him. He's already the cutest boy I ever met. Can you imagine him with that hole in his mouth? Hopefully, tomorrow you won't need to imagine anything!
Once, I became so overwhelmed with gratitude, I started crying on the plane. How blessed we are!P.S. I am thinking that tomorrow I will post about my gratitude for boys with missing front teeth. Christian's is hanging by a thread. I keep telling him that when that thing falls out, I won't be able to stop kissing him. He's already the cutest boy I ever met. Can you imagine him with that hole in his mouth? Hopefully, tomorrow you won't need to imagine anything!
Thankful #18
I have two thankfuls today. First, I am thankful for my Doug. The other night, I couldn't sleep because of big anxiety. It was the middle of the night and he got right up and talked to me and gave me a priesthood blessing. I felt much better. He has been supportive and kind during my hard times and I appreciate it!
The reason I didn't get this actually posted yesterday is that we made a little detour during our day to the ER. Poor Roxie tripped on the floor and caught herself on her chin. No one was in the room with her, but came RUNNING when we heard her. We found her in a puddle of blood on the floor. Poor thing. It was quite scary. She had a huge gash on her tiny chin. There was no doubt she needed stitches, so I had Ashton get me a towel and call Doug, who hopped in the car and met us there. Christian grabbed Roxie's shoes, and some ice. I scooped her up and we were out the door. Luckily, we were the only ones in the ER, so they got us right in. They gave her a drug to make her zombie-like (no exaggeration here - it was SCARY) so that she wouldn't fight the stitches. I went into shock and almost passed out and they had to wheel me to the waiting room to wait until she was coming out of it. I am so grateful that she is OK. I know stitches are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn't make it less scary in the moment. Here is a picture of her this morning with her teddy that they gave her at the hospital. You can't see the stitches because they are on the bottom of her chin and I am still too traumatized to take a picture of them.
How cute is she? The hospital staff was amazed at her sweetness and her kind manners.
And back to Doug for a moment - I was such a mess, he drove us home and walked back to the hospital in the freezing to get his car. He takes good care of his family.
The reason I didn't get this actually posted yesterday is that we made a little detour during our day to the ER. Poor Roxie tripped on the floor and caught herself on her chin. No one was in the room with her, but came RUNNING when we heard her. We found her in a puddle of blood on the floor. Poor thing. It was quite scary. She had a huge gash on her tiny chin. There was no doubt she needed stitches, so I had Ashton get me a towel and call Doug, who hopped in the car and met us there. Christian grabbed Roxie's shoes, and some ice. I scooped her up and we were out the door. Luckily, we were the only ones in the ER, so they got us right in. They gave her a drug to make her zombie-like (no exaggeration here - it was SCARY) so that she wouldn't fight the stitches. I went into shock and almost passed out and they had to wheel me to the waiting room to wait until she was coming out of it. I am so grateful that she is OK. I know stitches are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn't make it less scary in the moment. Here is a picture of her this morning with her teddy that they gave her at the hospital. You can't see the stitches because they are on the bottom of her chin and I am still too traumatized to take a picture of them.
How cute is she? The hospital staff was amazed at her sweetness and her kind manners.And back to Doug for a moment - I was such a mess, he drove us home and walked back to the hospital in the freezing to get his car. He takes good care of his family.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thankful # 17
Yesterday, my sister gave birth to her sweet daughter #3, Ellie Paige. 
Don't you want to pick her up and squeeze? I want to snuggle her like crazy. I'm thankful for babies. I love them. Holding them is better therapy than anything in the world. I love their sweet spirits. I LOVE them. Seeing this new tiny one makes me even more excited for my own. They are such big miracles in tiny packages!
Don't you want to pick her up and squeeze? I want to snuggle her like crazy. I'm thankful for babies. I love them. Holding them is better therapy than anything in the world. I love their sweet spirits. I LOVE them. Seeing this new tiny one makes me even more excited for my own. They are such big miracles in tiny packages!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thankful #16
See this babe of a lady in the clutches of a moose?
Yeah, she's my mom. And today is her baythday - oh, I mean birthday. I am thankful for her! She is a great mama. She is always there for me. She is supportive and wonderful. She is kind and compassionate. She is a good listener and a good talker. She is so wonderful that even Doug looks forward to her visits and is sad when she goes home (how many men can say that about their in-laws?!?)!
Before I ever had kids (I am the oldest, first to marry, first to have babies), she informed me that she could not be "Grandma." After lots of thinking and a little researching, she decided upon "Mumsie." She is a most wonderful Mumsie. My kids adore her. They love to call her or talk to her via webcam. They mostly love seeing her in real life, though. Luckily, she is coming to visit this week. We are very excited to see her. She is coming to see her new granddaughter who was born on her very birthday, this very day (about an hour and a half ago, to be precise), for which I am also grateful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
Yeah, she's my mom. And today is her baythday - oh, I mean birthday. I am thankful for her! She is a great mama. She is always there for me. She is supportive and wonderful. She is kind and compassionate. She is a good listener and a good talker. She is so wonderful that even Doug looks forward to her visits and is sad when she goes home (how many men can say that about their in-laws?!?)!
Before I ever had kids (I am the oldest, first to marry, first to have babies), she informed me that she could not be "Grandma." After lots of thinking and a little researching, she decided upon "Mumsie." She is a most wonderful Mumsie. My kids adore her. They love to call her or talk to her via webcam. They mostly love seeing her in real life, though. Luckily, she is coming to visit this week. We are very excited to see her. She is coming to see her new granddaughter who was born on her very birthday, this very day (about an hour and a half ago, to be precise), for which I am also grateful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thankful #15
This morning we went to tithing settlement. I was pleased to go and honestly say that we are full tithe payers. We always have been, but usually by playing catch-up at the end of the year. This year, we have stayed on top of it and have been richly blessed for it. How grateful I am for the commandment and the blessings.
On a side note, Roxie kept interrupting the poor bishop by saying, "Guess what! I had a baythday and my friends came to my baythday!" He would kindly acknowledge her and continue. Then, "Hey! Guess what! Ashton is going to have a baythday!" And on and on and on this went. Finally, she announced that she needed to go potty and the poor bishop just wrapped up as best he could. I don't think he said what he wanted to say at all. Poor guy.
On a side note, Roxie kept interrupting the poor bishop by saying, "Guess what! I had a baythday and my friends came to my baythday!" He would kindly acknowledge her and continue. Then, "Hey! Guess what! Ashton is going to have a baythday!" And on and on and on this went. Finally, she announced that she needed to go potty and the poor bishop just wrapped up as best he could. I don't think he said what he wanted to say at all. Poor guy.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thankful #14
Last night, it snowed. Today, it snowed. I may have mentioned how fond I am not of the cold/snow/winter. So, today I am grateful for my nice warm house and my heater. I am spoiled by them, I am sure, and I hope to never have to live without either one. We are making homemade tomato soup for dinner. It will warm us to our toes. I am grateful to have all the food I need or want. I am blessed beyond words and I am thankful. And, should the time ever come when there isn't enough food, I am doing my best to build up my food storage, as the prophet has counseled. I'm grateful for that, too. Plus also, I'm grateful for the prophet. There's so much to be thankful for...
Thankful #13
In the book The Five Love Languages, the author Gary Chapman explains his theory that we each have a love language, a language by which we express and feel love.
They are
1. Quality Time
2. Words of Affirmation
3. Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch
I find the whole thing very interesting and thought-provoking. Anyway, as you have likely guessed from some of my previous posts, my primary love language is Acts of Service. That makes me feel loved and that is how I often show my love. I do, however, have a secondary love language. It is a close second. It is gifts. That sounds like I am selfish, but I don't think that's what it means. At least I hope not. I love gifts (even something tiny and silly) because it means the giver had to think of me when he/she could not see me. That makes me feel good. It is not the actual gift, but knowing that someone thought of me that makes it special.
So, today, I am thankful for thoughtful gifts. I have taken a picture of a few I have received recently.
The mug is from my sister. It was my birthday present. It says, "Are you a good witch..." on the other side, but I am showing it on this side because, as everyone knows, I am, in fact, a bad witch. Those little sockies are Sophie's first present. They are from Hillyerie and I can barely wait to stick them on those brand new tiny baby feet. How delicious are they? The third one - what? you didn't notice a third one? - is the floor. When we bought our house, the entire house had orange carpet except for the kitchen. It had green. Oh, no. I am not exaggerating. Well, the last floors to be replaced were the bathroom floors (yes, orange carpet there, too), which were not seeing any progress. Until a horrible thing happened. (Wicked snicker...) My wax (for waxing eyebrows and such) fell on the carpet. Oh darn. We had to pull the carpet up. However, we have just had the sub-floor for months (maybe a year? longer?). One day, my friend called me up and asked if she could come visit me. I said yes and a few minutes later, she was at my door with another friend and some vinyl tiles. They informed me that I was getting a new bathroom floor. She had been very sneaky finding out what kind of tiles I wanted and had ordered them. How precious is that? So, I am feeling grateful for thoughtful gifts (not just the ones I mentioned) and their most wonderful givers for speaking my love language and making me feel loved.
They are
1. Quality Time
2. Words of Affirmation
3. Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch
I find the whole thing very interesting and thought-provoking. Anyway, as you have likely guessed from some of my previous posts, my primary love language is Acts of Service. That makes me feel loved and that is how I often show my love. I do, however, have a secondary love language. It is a close second. It is gifts. That sounds like I am selfish, but I don't think that's what it means. At least I hope not. I love gifts (even something tiny and silly) because it means the giver had to think of me when he/she could not see me. That makes me feel good. It is not the actual gift, but knowing that someone thought of me that makes it special.
So, today, I am thankful for thoughtful gifts. I have taken a picture of a few I have received recently.
The mug is from my sister. It was my birthday present. It says, "Are you a good witch..." on the other side, but I am showing it on this side because, as everyone knows, I am, in fact, a bad witch. Those little sockies are Sophie's first present. They are from Hillyerie and I can barely wait to stick them on those brand new tiny baby feet. How delicious are they? The third one - what? you didn't notice a third one? - is the floor. When we bought our house, the entire house had orange carpet except for the kitchen. It had green. Oh, no. I am not exaggerating. Well, the last floors to be replaced were the bathroom floors (yes, orange carpet there, too), which were not seeing any progress. Until a horrible thing happened. (Wicked snicker...) My wax (for waxing eyebrows and such) fell on the carpet. Oh darn. We had to pull the carpet up. However, we have just had the sub-floor for months (maybe a year? longer?). One day, my friend called me up and asked if she could come visit me. I said yes and a few minutes later, she was at my door with another friend and some vinyl tiles. They informed me that I was getting a new bathroom floor. She had been very sneaky finding out what kind of tiles I wanted and had ordered them. How precious is that? So, I am feeling grateful for thoughtful gifts (not just the ones I mentioned) and their most wonderful givers for speaking my love language and making me feel loved.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thankful# 12
Just in case you wondered, I am not thankful for this:
He slithered into my mums as Christian snapped the photo. He had been out sunning himself. The snake, not Christian.
But I am thankful for this:
All three of the kids came down with something the other day. I started them on herbs every 30 minutes. They alternated echinacea with the Christopher's Super Garlic Immune. I made Christian take that Lung and Bronchial Formula, too, because everything goes straight to his lungs. After the first day of yuck, they started feeling better. I kept them on the herbs. Today is the third day and they are swinging from the chandeliers. (Because I have so many chandeliers from which to swing...) Seriously. I don't know what it was that they got, but it started out pretty nasty. Doug started getting it, too, and I sent him right to the store to get his own bottles of herbs to keep at work. (He would have to be mostly dead to call in sick.) He is feeling good. I never got it and the only thing I can think of is that I take my Vitalerbs every day. I am so thankful for my herbs and for knowing what to do.
He slithered into my mums as Christian snapped the photo. He had been out sunning himself. The snake, not Christian.
But I am thankful for this:
All three of the kids came down with something the other day. I started them on herbs every 30 minutes. They alternated echinacea with the Christopher's Super Garlic Immune. I made Christian take that Lung and Bronchial Formula, too, because everything goes straight to his lungs. After the first day of yuck, they started feeling better. I kept them on the herbs. Today is the third day and they are swinging from the chandeliers. (Because I have so many chandeliers from which to swing...) Seriously. I don't know what it was that they got, but it started out pretty nasty. Doug started getting it, too, and I sent him right to the store to get his own bottles of herbs to keep at work. (He would have to be mostly dead to call in sick.) He is feeling good. I never got it and the only thing I can think of is that I take my Vitalerbs every day. I am so thankful for my herbs and for knowing what to do.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thankful #11
See these people? 
I'm thankful for them. They make me happy. They make me laugh. They sometimes make me crazy, but I would rather be crazy/grumpy/furious/worried/sad sometimes than not have them. I miss them when they're not home. I am excited to see them every morning. Their giggles are the most wonderful sounds I ever heard. Well, and their singing. It is because I love them so much that I am willing to and want to have more.
Ashton is my 5'2" not-even-ten-year-old. She is so stinking smart. I think she has a photographic memory. Plus, she plays the piano like a dream and has perfect pitch. She is kind and helpful and wonderful.
Christian is funny and smart. He is always thinking, planning and figuring things out. He loves his sisters. He is becoming a good little pianist. He is a math whiz. He is a joy.
Roxie is, as I have said before, SUNSHINE. She is hilarious and darling. She makes us laugh and amazes us at her memory and her story-telling abilities. She is one smarty-pants!
Did I mention that I also think they're cute? I know that every mom thinks that she has the most wonderful children in the world and I am no exception!
P.S. These photos are the kids' un-school pictures. They were taken by fellow homeschooler Mindy. You can find her here, if you want. I have many amazing photographer friends. I'm thankful for that, too!
I'm thankful for them. They make me happy. They make me laugh. They sometimes make me crazy, but I would rather be crazy/grumpy/furious/worried/sad sometimes than not have them. I miss them when they're not home. I am excited to see them every morning. Their giggles are the most wonderful sounds I ever heard. Well, and their singing. It is because I love them so much that I am willing to and want to have more.Ashton is my 5'2" not-even-ten-year-old. She is so stinking smart. I think she has a photographic memory. Plus, she plays the piano like a dream and has perfect pitch. She is kind and helpful and wonderful.
Christian is funny and smart. He is always thinking, planning and figuring things out. He loves his sisters. He is becoming a good little pianist. He is a math whiz. He is a joy.
Roxie is, as I have said before, SUNSHINE. She is hilarious and darling. She makes us laugh and amazes us at her memory and her story-telling abilities. She is one smarty-pants!
Did I mention that I also think they're cute? I know that every mom thinks that she has the most wonderful children in the world and I am no exception!P.S. These photos are the kids' un-school pictures. They were taken by fellow homeschooler Mindy. You can find her here, if you want. I have many amazing photographer friends. I'm thankful for that, too!
Thankful #10
I am thankful for the fall. I don't love all of the seasons, I'll be honest. I wish winter was only the last two weeks of December. Maybe the whole month. But that's it. Instead, it seems to be 6 months of winter and two months of each of the rest. Maybe that makes me more grateful for the other three.
This year, we have had a particularly lovely fall. One afternoon, we took a drive through the canyon. The colors were spectacular. My camera can't do it justice, but you get the idea.
Plus, there are many fun fall activities. My sister and I met for a field trip to Cornbellys. It was lovely. Well, except for my niece cutting her forehead on a rock and all of us (including my sister and me, who are both pregnant) getting lost in the corn maze. But, at least I was lost with her. That made it way more fun than being lost alone! I'm grateful to have a sister who lives close!
How cute are these cousins? And who knows if they are walking faster than 2.45 mph?
I think fall is saying its goodbyes this weekend and that makes me sad, so I thought I would be grateful for it while it's here.
This year, we have had a particularly lovely fall. One afternoon, we took a drive through the canyon. The colors were spectacular. My camera can't do it justice, but you get the idea.
Plus, there are many fun fall activities. My sister and I met for a field trip to Cornbellys. It was lovely. Well, except for my niece cutting her forehead on a rock and all of us (including my sister and me, who are both pregnant) getting lost in the corn maze. But, at least I was lost with her. That made it way more fun than being lost alone! I'm grateful to have a sister who lives close!
How cute are these cousins? And who knows if they are walking faster than 2.45 mph?
I think fall is saying its goodbyes this weekend and that makes me sad, so I thought I would be grateful for it while it's here.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thankful #7, #8, and #9
Apparently, I took the weekend off from blogging. Slacker me. I do have good news, though. I told the mom of the haircut kids that I blogged about them and she said, "You should have told me! I would have sent you pictures." So, I will be posting pictures soon. Then you all can be thankful, too.
Saturday, November 7
As you can imagine, I have been somewhat behind on my laundry. OK, so way more than "somewhat." It has gotten out of control. Saturday, I had a decent day and decided to tackle it. Here's how I do laundry (it may sound familiar to you): I sort it, put it in the washer with some detergent and walk away. When it buzzes, I go back and move the laundry to the dryer, add a dryer sheet and walk away again until I hear the buzzer. As I looked at the HUGE piles of laundry, I felt so grateful for my washer and dryer. I am grateful that I didn't have to was it all by hand. It would have taken me half of an eternity. I am blessed!
Sunday, November 8
I LOVE music. I really love it. I was not blessed with any gifts in that area (though I like to pretend!), unless appreciation is a gift. I got that one. I am grateful, too, that my kids love music. Some of them even have more than the appreciation gift.
Monday, November 9
I am grateful for technology. My parents live far away from all of their grandchildren. Sadness. So, one day, they were at the Apple Store. My dad showed my mom a webcam and told her what it was for. Although she usually discourages his spending money there, she asked him, "Well, what are you just standing there for? Buy them for the kids!" So, we have cell phones and webcams and email and digital cameras. We can talk whenever we want. It is lovely. Last night, we talked to them on the computer for quite a while. My dad and sister did a puppet show for Roxie. My kids have such a great relationship with them. How sad that in days long ago, kids would grow up and move away and their kids may never know their grandparents. I am grateful that my kids know theirs! Here is a photo Roxie took of Aunt Panda and Uncle Choo-Choo while we were visiting via webcam.
Saturday, November 7
As you can imagine, I have been somewhat behind on my laundry. OK, so way more than "somewhat." It has gotten out of control. Saturday, I had a decent day and decided to tackle it. Here's how I do laundry (it may sound familiar to you): I sort it, put it in the washer with some detergent and walk away. When it buzzes, I go back and move the laundry to the dryer, add a dryer sheet and walk away again until I hear the buzzer. As I looked at the HUGE piles of laundry, I felt so grateful for my washer and dryer. I am grateful that I didn't have to was it all by hand. It would have taken me half of an eternity. I am blessed!
Sunday, November 8
I LOVE music. I really love it. I was not blessed with any gifts in that area (though I like to pretend!), unless appreciation is a gift. I got that one. I am grateful, too, that my kids love music. Some of them even have more than the appreciation gift.
Monday, November 9
I am grateful for technology. My parents live far away from all of their grandchildren. Sadness. So, one day, they were at the Apple Store. My dad showed my mom a webcam and told her what it was for. Although she usually discourages his spending money there, she asked him, "Well, what are you just standing there for? Buy them for the kids!" So, we have cell phones and webcams and email and digital cameras. We can talk whenever we want. It is lovely. Last night, we talked to them on the computer for quite a while. My dad and sister did a puppet show for Roxie. My kids have such a great relationship with them. How sad that in days long ago, kids would grow up and move away and their kids may never know their grandparents. I am grateful that my kids know theirs! Here is a photo Roxie took of Aunt Panda and Uncle Choo-Choo while we were visiting via webcam.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thankful #6
I just said to Ashton, "What am I thankful for today?" She responded, "That your kids didn't cut their own hair?"
That wasn't as random as it sounds. Here's the story:
On Tuesday at 8:04 am my phone rang. It was my friend. "I have a problem," she said. Apparently, the day before had been quite the day. I won't give you the details, but it was quite the day. The kids were up way too late, so she sent them downstairs to get ready for bed and followed them down 15 minutes later to tuck them in. As she walked down the stairs, she noticed that the stairs were covered with hair. Big clumps. And the whole basement. Hair everywhere. She found her four year old daughter. At least half of her hair was gone. She, being exhausted from such a day, decided to deal with it in the morning. She quickly put them in bed and called me first thing in the morning. We scheduled a time for her to come over and have me fix the haircut. About 20 minutes later, she called again. "IT'S WORSE!" Apparently, in all the hubbub the night before, she hadn't noticed that the four year old had gotten to the one year old, too.
So, they came over. In my 12 years of hair-doing and hair-fixing, I have never, and I mean NEVER seen anything like this. We had to cut the 4-year-old's hair in the shortest bob you ever met and it still had chunks missing that we decided to just ignore to preserve her femininity. The one year old is a boy. We buzzed his head, but there were still holes. The only thing we could have done to completely fix his would have involved a razor, not clippers. I don't know how she did it, but it was right to the scalp.
So, silly as it may be, I am grateful that wasn't any of my kids. And, I am grateful that my friend just laughed, unlike what my reaction would have been. I could learn a lot from her.
P.S. I apologize for not having taken pictures. You will have to use your imaginations. Imagine it. Now make it a little worse. There. You have it.
P.P.S. I am grateful that it is November 6 and 70 degrees outside.
P.P.P.S. Two of my three kids have cut their hair. Luckily, it was pretty minor. KNOCK ON WOOD!
That wasn't as random as it sounds. Here's the story:
On Tuesday at 8:04 am my phone rang. It was my friend. "I have a problem," she said. Apparently, the day before had been quite the day. I won't give you the details, but it was quite the day. The kids were up way too late, so she sent them downstairs to get ready for bed and followed them down 15 minutes later to tuck them in. As she walked down the stairs, she noticed that the stairs were covered with hair. Big clumps. And the whole basement. Hair everywhere. She found her four year old daughter. At least half of her hair was gone. She, being exhausted from such a day, decided to deal with it in the morning. She quickly put them in bed and called me first thing in the morning. We scheduled a time for her to come over and have me fix the haircut. About 20 minutes later, she called again. "IT'S WORSE!" Apparently, in all the hubbub the night before, she hadn't noticed that the four year old had gotten to the one year old, too.
So, they came over. In my 12 years of hair-doing and hair-fixing, I have never, and I mean NEVER seen anything like this. We had to cut the 4-year-old's hair in the shortest bob you ever met and it still had chunks missing that we decided to just ignore to preserve her femininity. The one year old is a boy. We buzzed his head, but there were still holes. The only thing we could have done to completely fix his would have involved a razor, not clippers. I don't know how she did it, but it was right to the scalp.
So, silly as it may be, I am grateful that wasn't any of my kids. And, I am grateful that my friend just laughed, unlike what my reaction would have been. I could learn a lot from her.
P.S. I apologize for not having taken pictures. You will have to use your imaginations. Imagine it. Now make it a little worse. There. You have it.
P.P.S. I am grateful that it is November 6 and 70 degrees outside.
P.P.P.S. Two of my three kids have cut their hair. Luckily, it was pretty minor. KNOCK ON WOOD!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thankful #5
Today, I went to my Joanie-mother-in-law's house because she is teaching Ashton to sew. She is so patient. I can't imagine having that kind of patience. I couldn't even do the sewing, let alone teach it! She always gives big hugs and tells me she loves me. She loves my kids and lets them know it, too. I love her. I am grateful to live close to her.
My father-in-law was there, too. When he saw me, he smiled great big at me and gave me a bear hug. He made me feel loved, too.
Then, I went to my Kaye-mother-in-law's house and picked her up. She had surgery recently and can't drive. She needed a haircut, so I brought her to my house to cut it. We had a nice visit. She was so gracious and kind and told me approximately 2000 times how cute and wonderful my kids are. That never hurts. :) She also gave me one of the kindest compliments I have ever received. I am grateful for her, too.
My other father-in-law wasn't around, but I love him, too.
In-law relationships are hard, I think. All of a sudden, you have a new family member. And you have to deal with all their quirks and differences. It isn't easy on either part. My poor in-laws have had more than their share with me. I have extra quirks and differences. But, they have done so with grace.
I live far away from my own parents. I miss them terribly. I am grateful to have an in-law family close by. I love them and they are my thankful-for-the-day today.
My father-in-law was there, too. When he saw me, he smiled great big at me and gave me a bear hug. He made me feel loved, too.
Then, I went to my Kaye-mother-in-law's house and picked her up. She had surgery recently and can't drive. She needed a haircut, so I brought her to my house to cut it. We had a nice visit. She was so gracious and kind and told me approximately 2000 times how cute and wonderful my kids are. That never hurts. :) She also gave me one of the kindest compliments I have ever received. I am grateful for her, too.
My other father-in-law wasn't around, but I love him, too.
In-law relationships are hard, I think. All of a sudden, you have a new family member. And you have to deal with all their quirks and differences. It isn't easy on either part. My poor in-laws have had more than their share with me. I have extra quirks and differences. But, they have done so with grace.
I live far away from my own parents. I miss them terribly. I am grateful to have an in-law family close by. I love them and they are my thankful-for-the-day today.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thankful #4
Today I am thankful for tender mercies from my Heavenly Father. I am a constant recipient of them. A recent example is my trip to New York. Last year for Christmas, Shan gave me many boxes that I had to open in order. The last of all the boxes (which all had to do with Wicked) finally informed me that she was taking me to New York to see Wicked on Broadway the following October. (I think I gave her a scarf of something comparable.) It was part of her Mary Kay goal setting. I planned this pregnancy so that I would be in my second trimester during the trip, hoping I would be feeling better by then. We planned for nearly a year. As the time grew closer, I became increasingly unsure that I would be able to go. As I have said before, I wasn't feeling better. I prayed constantly. The day before we left was Roxie's birthday and I couldn't even stand up long enough to make her cake. I had to keep sitting down and resting. A friend came over to clean my house, and my sister came over to decorate the cake. I was nervous about the trip. I had even told Shan that she could take someone else instead if she didn't want to deal with my sicknesses. She assured me that she wanted me to come if I thought I could. So, I prayed more and had a priesthood blessing. In the blessing, I was promised amazing things. Even Doug was surprised as he said the words that he felt inspired to say. Sure enough, I felt great in New York. I got a little sick on the ferry, but that's about it. I walked from the time I got up in the morning until I went to bed at night. I didn't get dizzy. I didn't get nauseous. I didn't need a nap. I felt so good. The day I came home, I went right back to my yucky self.
Here's the thing. The blessing of feeling better in New York didn't do anything for anyone else. It didn't further the Kingdom of the Lord on earth. It didn't help spread the gospel. It did not affect my (or anybody else's) eternal salvation. It served no great purpose other than the Lord saying, "I love you. I know things have been rough. I want you to have a break. Have fun!" Now, I have experienced the other kinds of tender mercies as well. The kind that have eternal consequences. And I am grateful for them. But it really touches my heart to be reminded that my Heavenly Father is my Heavenly Father. He wants me to be happy. He loves me, not because I am one of his numberless children, but because I am Jessica, wife to Doug, mom to Ashton, Christian, Roxie, and Sophie-to-come. He knows me like my earthly dad does, only better. And He wants to bless me like my earthly dad does, only better. It reminds me of this scripture: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:11.
I am so thankful.
Now that I am bawling, I think some New York photos are called for, right?
We stayed right off Times Square. I didn't think I would be impressed, but I was. Pictures don't do it justice.
We went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We loved it. Except the cold. We didn't love that part. But the history. Oh, wow. There are still places where the immigrants carved their names on the walls. These people who sacrificed all they had to come here. Poverty here was better than what they were leaving. And we take our abundance so for granted.
One of these Statues of Liberty is the real thing and one is Shan trying to fool everyone. See if you can guess which is which. 
We also went to Behind the Emerald Curtain. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wicked. It was beyond words. Here is Indina Menzel's Elphaba dress. If you don't understand what I just said, we need to talk. 
Here is the stage. 
It was amazing. That night, we saw Wicked. 
It was my third time seeing it. It hadn't lost one speck of its magic. I still couldn't breathe when Elphaba sang "Defying Gravity." Literally. I could not breathe. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, please call me right now. We really need to talk.
I am so grateful I was able to go! And, I should mention that I am so grateful to Shan for taking me! And to all my dear family and friends who prayed that I would be able to go. And to everyone who helped with the kiddies while I was gone! See how blessed?
Here's the thing. The blessing of feeling better in New York didn't do anything for anyone else. It didn't further the Kingdom of the Lord on earth. It didn't help spread the gospel. It did not affect my (or anybody else's) eternal salvation. It served no great purpose other than the Lord saying, "I love you. I know things have been rough. I want you to have a break. Have fun!" Now, I have experienced the other kinds of tender mercies as well. The kind that have eternal consequences. And I am grateful for them. But it really touches my heart to be reminded that my Heavenly Father is my Heavenly Father. He wants me to be happy. He loves me, not because I am one of his numberless children, but because I am Jessica, wife to Doug, mom to Ashton, Christian, Roxie, and Sophie-to-come. He knows me like my earthly dad does, only better. And He wants to bless me like my earthly dad does, only better. It reminds me of this scripture: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:11.
I am so thankful.
Now that I am bawling, I think some New York photos are called for, right?
We stayed right off Times Square. I didn't think I would be impressed, but I was. Pictures don't do it justice.
We went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We loved it. Except the cold. We didn't love that part. But the history. Oh, wow. There are still places where the immigrants carved their names on the walls. These people who sacrificed all they had to come here. Poverty here was better than what they were leaving. And we take our abundance so for granted.
One of these Statues of Liberty is the real thing and one is Shan trying to fool everyone. See if you can guess which is which. 
We also went to Behind the Emerald Curtain. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wicked. It was beyond words. Here is Indina Menzel's Elphaba dress. If you don't understand what I just said, we need to talk. 
Here is the stage. 
It was amazing. That night, we saw Wicked. 
It was my third time seeing it. It hadn't lost one speck of its magic. I still couldn't breathe when Elphaba sang "Defying Gravity." Literally. I could not breathe. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, please call me right now. We really need to talk.I am so grateful I was able to go! And, I should mention that I am so grateful to Shan for taking me! And to all my dear family and friends who prayed that I would be able to go. And to everyone who helped with the kiddies while I was gone! See how blessed?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thankful #3
Today I am thankful that I live in a place where I can vote. I can have a say in who my political leaders are. The people I want to win don't always win. OK, they usually don't win, but at least I have the chance to cast my vote. Sometimes I become discouraged with the direction government - both local and national - is taking, but when it comes right down to it, I am blessed to live here and partake of the freedoms that are foreign to so many.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thankful
My Hillyerie friend, whom I have mentioned many times before, decided that each day in November, she would blog about something for which she is grateful. I decided to copy her. (She won't mind. She stole the idea from her friend's blog.) I will do two today because I missed yesterday.
November 1: I am thankful for such a loving and wonderful ward. I am grateful for good and kind people who take seriously their covenants to "bear one another's burdens." This is Christianity.
November 2: I am grateful for amazing kids. Today I am feeling particularly grateful for Ashton. She is such a remarkable girl. I often forget that she is not yet 10. She is so talented. She has such great understanding for things of a spiritual nature. She is so good and always wants to be better. She is the smartest person - big or little - I have ever met. She puts others around her at ease and makes them feel good about themselves.
People are in awe that I can homeschool, etc., and I just think Well, if you had Ashton, you could do it, too. She is such a big help to me!
I got some one-on-one time with her today. This is rare because she quietly lets her own needs be overlooked when her brother or sister demand attention from me. I am grateful to have had a little time with her and we have made a goal to try to make that time every day.
Isn't she lovely on the outside, too?
November 1: I am thankful for such a loving and wonderful ward. I am grateful for good and kind people who take seriously their covenants to "bear one another's burdens." This is Christianity.
November 2: I am grateful for amazing kids. Today I am feeling particularly grateful for Ashton. She is such a remarkable girl. I often forget that she is not yet 10. She is so talented. She has such great understanding for things of a spiritual nature. She is so good and always wants to be better. She is the smartest person - big or little - I have ever met. She puts others around her at ease and makes them feel good about themselves.
People are in awe that I can homeschool, etc., and I just think Well, if you had Ashton, you could do it, too. She is such a big help to me!
I got some one-on-one time with her today. This is rare because she quietly lets her own needs be overlooked when her brother or sister demand attention from me. I am grateful to have had a little time with her and we have made a goal to try to make that time every day.
Isn't she lovely on the outside, too?
Halloween Cuties
This year, Ashton dressed up as Nancy Drew, Christian was Darth Vader, and Roxie was - you guessed it - Sleeping Beauty! 
We had a lovely time. Friday night was the party at the church, Saturday was the trunk-or-treat that our homeschool group puts on for those of us who don't eat refined sugar (who knew there were enough of us to have our own party?), and Saturday night was Trick-or-Treat in the neighborhood. Fun was had by all. Once again, many of our sweet neighbors had non-sugar treats for the kids. The kids have decided to sell their candy to a local dentist who buys it by the pound and sends to kids in third world countries. Then, Ashton, Christian and Roxie will take their money to the dollar store and get something fun. It was another fun Halloween at our house!
We had a lovely time. Friday night was the party at the church, Saturday was the trunk-or-treat that our homeschool group puts on for those of us who don't eat refined sugar (who knew there were enough of us to have our own party?), and Saturday night was Trick-or-Treat in the neighborhood. Fun was had by all. Once again, many of our sweet neighbors had non-sugar treats for the kids. The kids have decided to sell their candy to a local dentist who buys it by the pound and sends to kids in third world countries. Then, Ashton, Christian and Roxie will take their money to the dollar store and get something fun. It was another fun Halloween at our house!
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