Just one thing to say ...

I have just one thing to say today ....

Feeling Grateful

I LOVE this time of year! I love the colors as the leaves change. I love the temperature (especially here!). I love the food. I love the feeling that's in the air. I love the thoughts of home and family. I love it all! But I particularly love the way that it causes me to stop and think about what I'm truly thankful for. So, allow me to list a few things:

* My awesome husband and two amazing kids
* Our extended families
* The gospel of Jesus Christ
* The long awaited joy of being a mom (and a wife)
* Good health for me and my loved ones
* Greg's good job that allows me to stay home
* A nice home with carpet, heat/AC, water, and electricity
* Plenty of food to feed my family
* Many, many great friends
* Good school and teachers for my kids to attend
* Freedom and being a United States citizen
* A wonderful neighborhood and ward to raise my kids in
* A safe place to live
* Two cars (we had 1 car for the first 13 years of our marriage)
* A nice soft and warm bed to lay my head each night
* Being close enough to family to visit often
* Modern conveniences of cell phones, computers, etc., etc.

Although this year has certainly had its ups and downs for us as a family, I am extremely grateful and happy. It doesn't take long to realize how truly fortunate I am and I hope that I can somehow instill a feeling of gratitude in Kate and Josh, especially at this time of year.

Talented Loved Ones

When I stop and look around, I realize how many truly talented friends and family I have. I am in awe of each person's unique talents. Thank goodness we can all find our niche. That's what makes the world go round, right?

I want to send a shout out for two of my talented loved ones. First, my little sister. I may have mentioned before, but she is starting a photography business. This past weekend we were fortunate enough to have her take our pictures. I LOVE them and as soon as I get them back I'll post a few. Thanks Am! You're the best! If you're interested in having family pictures taken, check our her blog at: amytwittyphotography.blogspot.com.

I also have a very dear friend who is amazing at digital design. She's very humble and doesn't like a lot made of her incredible talent. But Ashley ... you are great and I'm so glad you've started a design business! If you're looking for some adorable Christmas cards or any type of card really, check out her blog: allthatilovedesign.blogspot.com.

One thing I love about my kids

There are LOTS of things that I love about Kate and Josh, but one thing that I really admire about both of them is their self confidence. Neither one of them really gives a hoot about what anyone thinks and in some ways, I wish I was more like that.

Two weeks ago it was "Red Ribbon Week" at school, aka "Say No To Drugs" week. On one of the days it was mismatched clothes day. Kate and Josh both wanted to go all out! They weren't satisfied with just a shirt worn wrong side out or things that didn't matched! That was much too conservative for them. So, here's what they came up with ....


The next day it was crazy hair day. So, we gave Josh a mohawk and put ponytails all over Kate's head with all sorts of ribbons. Unfortunately we didn't capture a single picture because we spent so much time worrying about getting it "CrAzY" enough.

Thanks Kate and Josh for teaching me every day that it's GREAT to be me and for loving your mom for all her wackiness! You're the best!

Reconsidering

I think I'm going to reconsider my "going private" status after talking with a couple of people who have. They've told me it's a pain. So, for the moment ... enjoy reading my "non-private" ramblings!

Guess what?

Okay ... guess what? After a year of debating with myself, I've decided to go private. I know, I know ... why? Like lots of you, I saw a special on the news about blogging and although I enjoy "blog-surfing" as much as the next person, I'll feel better.

So, please, PLEASE, if you would like to be "invited" to view my blog (even if you're a friend of a friend of a friend), leave me a comment with your email address.

Halloween 2008

Halloween has come and gone and I, like most mothers, am exhausted! However, we had a great day and we've got lots of cute pictures to prove it.

Wednesday night we carved pumpkins, which is always fun. About two weeks ago we went to the pumpkin patch and bought our "original" pumpkins. However, by Monday night they were already rotting. SO, I headed to Walmart to hunt down a few more and thankfully I was successful.




Then came the big day - Halloween! Josh woke up at 6:00 a.m. and said, "Mom, do you know what day it is?" And in my groggy morning voice I said, "Yes, it's Easter! Happy Easter buddy!" He was not amused. We then bolted out of bed, ate breakfast, and put on their costumes before heading out the door for class parties and costume parades at 8:45. Both kids' parties were fun and it's always exciting to be around the little kids on such an exciting day!

After school we had our traditional dinner in a pumpkin and then headed to our ward's Trunk or Treat and did a little door-to-door Trick or Treating. It was a fun-packed, sugar filled, exhausting, exciting day!