Tuesday, November 30, 2010
I'm still here!
Good grief! It's the end of November and I am SO far behind on my blogging! Didn't finish my "I'm grateful for" list. Haven't posted about a dozen events. But for now my friends, let me just say NO ... I have NOT given up blogging. Life has just been crazy. So, stay tuned for some updates ... soon ... hopefully! In the meantime ... HAPPY DECEMBER tomorrow!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Day 15: I'm Thankful For ...
It was pretty easy to find something to be thankful for today because here in sunny St. George it was 68 degrees! It was a GORGEOUS day! We went for a walk, played outside, and took every opportunity to soak up some sun ... ON THE 15TH OF NOVEMBER! Ahhh ... THIS is why I love living here! Yes indeed, I'm thankful for St. George weather (most of the time)
I didn't forget Halloween
Dear Blog/Journal:
No, I did NOT forget to post about Halloween. I realize that we're half way through November already, but cut me some slack, ok?
Halloween is one of those holidays that we, as moms, have a love/hate relationship with. It's fun because the kids are so excited. But it seems to drag on forever. You've got the class parties, the Trunk or Treat, good old fashioned trick or treating and then the sugar high. That being said it was still lots of fun!
We began the festivities early on Friday morning with the annual school parade and then headed into Kate's classroom for the party. Then we rushed over to Greg's office for our traditional Halloween picture with Dad. As you can see Eme was just a wee bit tired. Then to make the weekend even more exciting Nana and Jim came down. It was SO fun to have them here for Halloween! We went to Josh's soccer game, carved pumpkins and frosted sugar cookies! Our good friend Brooke even came over and joined in the fun of carving pumpkins. She "claims" that this was her first time ever carving pumpkins. I don't know about that, but it was fun to have her. Of course we had the ward Trunk or Treat and then Nana and I braved the "cool" weather for a little trick or treating with the kids. Thanks for coming down Nana and Jim! It made the weekend that much more fun!
No, I did NOT forget to post about Halloween. I realize that we're half way through November already, but cut me some slack, ok?
Halloween is one of those holidays that we, as moms, have a love/hate relationship with. It's fun because the kids are so excited. But it seems to drag on forever. You've got the class parties, the Trunk or Treat, good old fashioned trick or treating and then the sugar high. That being said it was still lots of fun!
We began the festivities early on Friday morning with the annual school parade and then headed into Kate's classroom for the party. Then we rushed over to Greg's office for our traditional Halloween picture with Dad. As you can see Eme was just a wee bit tired. Then to make the weekend even more exciting Nana and Jim came down. It was SO fun to have them here for Halloween! We went to Josh's soccer game, carved pumpkins and frosted sugar cookies! Our good friend Brooke even came over and joined in the fun of carving pumpkins. She "claims" that this was her first time ever carving pumpkins. I don't know about that, but it was fun to have her. Of course we had the ward Trunk or Treat and then Nana and I braved the "cool" weather for a little trick or treating with the kids. Thanks for coming down Nana and Jim! It made the weekend that much more fun!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
I'm Thankful For ...
Today I am thankful that we had food on our table. It's difficult for me to imagine what it would be like as a parent to not be able to feed your children. And yet, I know that it happens - probably more than I realize. So, today as I ate my chicken over rice with a green salad and cooked squash I felt grateful for the many blessings that we enjoy as a family.
However, as a funny note ... our dinner table was not the picture of manners and fine etiquette. NO, NO my friends! Martha Stewart would probably have been appalled. Picture this ... Eme in her chair tossing everything that we gave her onto the floor and wailing to get out. Kate complaining that she doesn't like squash. Josh, oh Josh, eating EVER so slowly and chattering about everything under the sun. A couple of times I just looked at Greg and smiled. Other times I admit that I ordering everyone around saying, "Eat your squash! Sit down! Don't throw your food!" etc., etc. You get the picture. BUT ... that being said, I'm grateful for those three little people and our wild evening dinners. We waited a long time for them.
However, as a funny note ... our dinner table was not the picture of manners and fine etiquette. NO, NO my friends! Martha Stewart would probably have been appalled. Picture this ... Eme in her chair tossing everything that we gave her onto the floor and wailing to get out. Kate complaining that she doesn't like squash. Josh, oh Josh, eating EVER so slowly and chattering about everything under the sun. A couple of times I just looked at Greg and smiled. Other times I admit that I ordering everyone around saying, "Eat your squash! Sit down! Don't throw your food!" etc., etc. You get the picture. BUT ... that being said, I'm grateful for those three little people and our wild evening dinners. We waited a long time for them.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
GOOD GRIEF!
All I can say is ... GOOD GRIEF! What a week (both good and bad) this has been. I am obviously WAY behind on my "I'm Thankful For ..." list so I'll get started. Here's a recap of what I have been thankful for this week:
Last Sunday - I was thankful for a LAZY Sunday afternoon/evening together as a family. It certainly helped that we gained an hour with Daylight Savings Time. Then after church we lounged around, watched movies, ate good food, spent time together! It was a perfect day ...
and then it was Monday! I woke up around 1:00 a.m. on Monday with THE worst stomach ache and spent the next hour ... well, I'll leave it at that. Let's just say that what I was incredibly grateful for was my hubby. I started hollering for him from the bathroom and he came running. Thanks hon for taking such good care of me!
Okay ... on to Tuesday. I was thankful that that day I was feeling better and could go to the temple with Greg. Why don't I do that more often? Note to self. Make time to go to the temple more with my honey.
Wednesday - I am thankful for good friends! I honestly have THE greatest friends ever! I know that I can laugh with them, complain to them, count on them for anything and know that they've ALWAYS got my back! I found this great quote that perfectly describes my friends - “A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” - Bernard Meltzer. Thanks girls for being the best friends I could ever ask for!
Thursday ... LOTS to be thankful for on this day! First of all, eight years ago we met Josh's birth mom and her family for the first time! What an amazing experience! How grateful we are that they came into our life and helped to bring our "J-Dog" to our family. I love you buddy! Secondly, it was neat to celebrate Veteran's Day by watching Kate and her 5th Grade classmates march in the parade and then sing during the program. It was a great reminder of how blessed we are to live in this free country and for the sacrifice that so many have made for that freedom. Great job Sis! And finally (and I realize this seems trivial when compared to the other two) I was VERY thankful that my new modem came. (Thus the reason why I'm so behind on posting).
On to Friday - So, off and on for the past few days I had been feeling achy and not the best. On Thursday night I started with a fever and basically felt like GARBAGE! Well, on Friday morning I woke up still feeling like dirt, but on top of it all I had a rash from head to toe! So, my obvious bit of thankfulness for that day goes to my Dr. for some much needed antibiotics and various OTC medicines. But the thing that I was most grateful for were my sweet baby's kisses. I think that Eme could sense that mommy wasn't on top of her game and so she kept on kissing me all over my face. It was honestly the best medicine I had! I love you Emers!
Here we are ... finally to Saturday! Today I'm thankful for weeks like this past week, when things don't always go the way we planned but in the end there were still a lot of good things that happened. I survived without the Internet (actually got a lot done), I am starting to feel better (although the rash is still BAD), I have a great husband who loves me (even though I haven't gotten off the couch in 2 days), I have three amazing, healthy, happy kids and many, MANY more things (and people) that I'm thankful for!
Last Sunday - I was thankful for a LAZY Sunday afternoon/evening together as a family. It certainly helped that we gained an hour with Daylight Savings Time. Then after church we lounged around, watched movies, ate good food, spent time together! It was a perfect day ...
and then it was Monday! I woke up around 1:00 a.m. on Monday with THE worst stomach ache and spent the next hour ... well, I'll leave it at that. Let's just say that what I was incredibly grateful for was my hubby. I started hollering for him from the bathroom and he came running. Thanks hon for taking such good care of me!
Okay ... on to Tuesday. I was thankful that that day I was feeling better and could go to the temple with Greg. Why don't I do that more often? Note to self. Make time to go to the temple more with my honey.
Wednesday - I am thankful for good friends! I honestly have THE greatest friends ever! I know that I can laugh with them, complain to them, count on them for anything and know that they've ALWAYS got my back! I found this great quote that perfectly describes my friends - “A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” - Bernard Meltzer. Thanks girls for being the best friends I could ever ask for!
Thursday ... LOTS to be thankful for on this day! First of all, eight years ago we met Josh's birth mom and her family for the first time! What an amazing experience! How grateful we are that they came into our life and helped to bring our "J-Dog" to our family. I love you buddy! Secondly, it was neat to celebrate Veteran's Day by watching Kate and her 5th Grade classmates march in the parade and then sing during the program. It was a great reminder of how blessed we are to live in this free country and for the sacrifice that so many have made for that freedom. Great job Sis! And finally (and I realize this seems trivial when compared to the other two) I was VERY thankful that my new modem came. (Thus the reason why I'm so behind on posting).
On to Friday - So, off and on for the past few days I had been feeling achy and not the best. On Thursday night I started with a fever and basically felt like GARBAGE! Well, on Friday morning I woke up still feeling like dirt, but on top of it all I had a rash from head to toe! So, my obvious bit of thankfulness for that day goes to my Dr. for some much needed antibiotics and various OTC medicines. But the thing that I was most grateful for were my sweet baby's kisses. I think that Eme could sense that mommy wasn't on top of her game and so she kept on kissing me all over my face. It was honestly the best medicine I had! I love you Emers!
Here we are ... finally to Saturday! Today I'm thankful for weeks like this past week, when things don't always go the way we planned but in the end there were still a lot of good things that happened. I survived without the Internet (actually got a lot done), I am starting to feel better (although the rash is still BAD), I have a great husband who loves me (even though I haven't gotten off the couch in 2 days), I have three amazing, healthy, happy kids and many, MANY more things (and people) that I'm thankful for!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Day 6 ... I'm Thankful For ...
Today there are lots of things that I'm thankful for:
THAT MY BOYS ARE HOME SAFE:
Greg and Josh had a GREAT time at the Utah/TCU game, even though the game itself was a huge disappointment. Thanks hon for being such a cute dad! I know it meant alot to Josh. We missed you boys!
THAT I GOT TO SPEND TIME WITH MY GIRLS:
Kate, Eme and I had a fun time together, even though Eme does not seem to appreciate our love for shopping. Kate helped me pick out new things for their bathroom and was a huge help. I can only hope that she'll continue to like spending time with me in the coming years. For now, I'll enjoy every moment of Kate's chitter chatter and Eme's emerging personality. Here's to many more girl's weekends ahead.
THAT WE GET TO SET OUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR TONIGHT:
No explanation needed!
THAT MY BOYS ARE HOME SAFE:
Greg and Josh had a GREAT time at the Utah/TCU game, even though the game itself was a huge disappointment. Thanks hon for being such a cute dad! I know it meant alot to Josh. We missed you boys!
THAT I GOT TO SPEND TIME WITH MY GIRLS:
Kate, Eme and I had a fun time together, even though Eme does not seem to appreciate our love for shopping. Kate helped me pick out new things for their bathroom and was a huge help. I can only hope that she'll continue to like spending time with me in the coming years. For now, I'll enjoy every moment of Kate's chitter chatter and Eme's emerging personality. Here's to many more girl's weekends ahead.
THAT WE GET TO SET OUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR TONIGHT:
No explanation needed!
Friday, November 5, 2010
"I'm Thankful For ... " #5
Tonight I'm extra thankful that Greg, Kate, Josh, Eme and I are a family! I'm incredibly grateful that Greg is my husband, best friend and the greatest dad ever! He has taken Josh to SLC to see the big TCU/Utah game tomorrow and I miss them like crazy! However, it's been fun to spend time with my two favorite girls. So far Kate and I have played the Wii, gone out to dinner and then Kate headed off to Nutcracker rehearsal. We're going to stay up late watching movies and go shopping tomorrow, so it's sure to be a fun weekend. But I can't wait until we're all back together again ... me and my little family!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Day 4: "I'm Thankful For ..."
Tonight I'm going to keep it simple. I am thankful for ...
DAYS WHEN YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR PAJAMAS AS LONG AS YOU WANT:
As a stay at home mom, I try to get ready at least by the time everyone comes home. But some days, like today, it just feels nice to stay in my pjs and get stuff done. Sometimes I let Eme go back to bed for her morning nap in her pjs because I think she's all snugly and warm. And besides ... who wouldn't love going back to bed at about 10:00 a.m.?
Another thing I'm thankful for:
GORGEOUS FALL DAYS IN ST. GEORGE!
WOW! The past few days have been fantastic! Actually it's almost been warm enough to warrant turning the air conditioner back on. But, oh how I love these cool nights! It's like a gift from Heaven after a long, hot summer!
Alright ... there's TONS more that I'm thankful for, not the least of which is my little brood. But for now I'll kiss them all goodnight and save that for another post. Happy, thankful thoughts to all!
DAYS WHEN YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR PAJAMAS AS LONG AS YOU WANT:
As a stay at home mom, I try to get ready at least by the time everyone comes home. But some days, like today, it just feels nice to stay in my pjs and get stuff done. Sometimes I let Eme go back to bed for her morning nap in her pjs because I think she's all snugly and warm. And besides ... who wouldn't love going back to bed at about 10:00 a.m.?
Another thing I'm thankful for:
GORGEOUS FALL DAYS IN ST. GEORGE!
WOW! The past few days have been fantastic! Actually it's almost been warm enough to warrant turning the air conditioner back on. But, oh how I love these cool nights! It's like a gift from Heaven after a long, hot summer!
Alright ... there's TONS more that I'm thankful for, not the least of which is my little brood. But for now I'll kiss them all goodnight and save that for another post. Happy, thankful thoughts to all!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 3 of "I'm Thankful For ..."
Tonight I've given a lot of thought to what I'm thankful for. One thing really sticks out to me for Day 3 of my list and it's this ...
THAT I HAVE A PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE:
I know that sounds really heavy but here, let me simplify it a little bit. If I felt like my only purpose for the rest of my life was to get up, do laundry, make beds, wash dishes, etc. how excited would I be to get up every day? I WOULDN'T! I'd stay in bed forever! (Let's face it - some days, even with a purpose in mind, I'd rather stay in bed!)
This morning I was talking with a friend who is having a difficult time right now and she feels exactly like that - what's the purpose for getting up every day? I don't know if she went away from our conversation feeling any better but I've thought about it a great deal today.
I'm grateful for the gospel and its principles that give my life direction and purpose. My ultimate goal is to be with Greg and my kids forever and in order to do that, I know that I need to do certain things. NOW ... let's be clear about one thing - I fail miserably at the list of things that I should be doing most of the time. HOWEVER ... (and this is the main thing that I'm grateful for today) I KNOW that each day is another day for me to try harder. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me regardless of how I did today. I know that he's cheering me on and saying, "Okay, so today wasn't your best day. But get some sleep and let's try harder tomorrow." I find that extremely comforting!
I also know that the work that I'm doing in my own family is THE most important work there is. AGAIN ... I go to bed most nights thinking I could have been a better wife and mom. But I know that I have tomorrow and I know that the ones I love forgive me for my shortcomings and love me in spite of them.
So, there's my little soap box for tonight! We DO have purpose ... and it's not just all about the laundry, carpools and paying bills. It's SO much more and I'm grateful to know that!
THAT I HAVE A PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE:
I know that sounds really heavy but here, let me simplify it a little bit. If I felt like my only purpose for the rest of my life was to get up, do laundry, make beds, wash dishes, etc. how excited would I be to get up every day? I WOULDN'T! I'd stay in bed forever! (Let's face it - some days, even with a purpose in mind, I'd rather stay in bed!)
This morning I was talking with a friend who is having a difficult time right now and she feels exactly like that - what's the purpose for getting up every day? I don't know if she went away from our conversation feeling any better but I've thought about it a great deal today.
I'm grateful for the gospel and its principles that give my life direction and purpose. My ultimate goal is to be with Greg and my kids forever and in order to do that, I know that I need to do certain things. NOW ... let's be clear about one thing - I fail miserably at the list of things that I should be doing most of the time. HOWEVER ... (and this is the main thing that I'm grateful for today) I KNOW that each day is another day for me to try harder. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me regardless of how I did today. I know that he's cheering me on and saying, "Okay, so today wasn't your best day. But get some sleep and let's try harder tomorrow." I find that extremely comforting!
I also know that the work that I'm doing in my own family is THE most important work there is. AGAIN ... I go to bed most nights thinking I could have been a better wife and mom. But I know that I have tomorrow and I know that the ones I love forgive me for my shortcomings and love me in spite of them.
So, there's my little soap box for tonight! We DO have purpose ... and it's not just all about the laundry, carpools and paying bills. It's SO much more and I'm grateful to know that!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
I'm Grateful For ... Day 2
Alright ... Day 2 of what I'm thankful for:
LIVING IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN VOTE:
Now, I'm not much of a political junkie and I, like some of you, get pretty sick of politicians sometimes. But, that being said, I AM grateful that we at least have the choice and freedom to vote in this country. Sure, there are lots of problems with the economy and the way the country is being led, but let's not forget that we are FREE! Free to send our kids to school. Free to shop and live and eat where we want. And most importantly, practice whatever religion we choose.
MODERN TECHNOLOGY:
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE my computer! I love to create things on it, organize my life on it, admire other people's creativity online and yes, I am guilty of online shopping as well. Josh and I somehow got on the subject today about the first computer. I mentioned to him that actually computers were invented during my lifetime. He looked SHOCKED! It was as if I had told him I went to school with George Washington! Yes, I'm older than I'd like to admit but thankfully I've lived long enough to enjoy a little web surfing and computer time!
So, there! Two more things on my list! Now, it's off to enjoy something else I'm VERY thankful for ... SOME SLEEP!
LIVING IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN VOTE:
Now, I'm not much of a political junkie and I, like some of you, get pretty sick of politicians sometimes. But, that being said, I AM grateful that we at least have the choice and freedom to vote in this country. Sure, there are lots of problems with the economy and the way the country is being led, but let's not forget that we are FREE! Free to send our kids to school. Free to shop and live and eat where we want. And most importantly, practice whatever religion we choose.
MODERN TECHNOLOGY:
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE my computer! I love to create things on it, organize my life on it, admire other people's creativity online and yes, I am guilty of online shopping as well. Josh and I somehow got on the subject today about the first computer. I mentioned to him that actually computers were invented during my lifetime. He looked SHOCKED! It was as if I had told him I went to school with George Washington! Yes, I'm older than I'd like to admit but thankfully I've lived long enough to enjoy a little web surfing and computer time!
So, there! Two more things on my list! Now, it's off to enjoy something else I'm VERY thankful for ... SOME SLEEP!
Monday, November 1, 2010
I'm Grateful For ... Day 1
I've decided that in honor of my favorite holiday (or at least 1 of my top 3 favorite holidays) I am going to list things that I am grateful for every day until Thanksgiving. I know it's cheesy, but I'm hoping that by the end of the month maybe I'll be a more grateful and thankful person.
I know a lot of people (myself included) who take advantage of the simple every day blessings and focus more on the negative things in life. I don't want to be like that! Those kind of people aren't a whole lot of fun to be around! I know I'm not when I'm stomping around griping about every little thing and snapping at my family. I want my kids and my husband to think of me as a happy, joyful and thankful person who loved life.
Now, don't laugh. The things that I mention that I'm grateful for may not always be the obvious or most important things in my life. If I were to do that every day I would list my family, faith, friends, etc. every single day. My main goal by the end of the month is to SHOW the people that I love how thankful I am for them. So, if I fail to mention them hopefully it's because I'm showing them instead.
Alright ... so for Day 1 of my "I'm Thankful For ..." list I thought of the following (because I was particularly thankful for them today):
MY WASHER AND DRYER ...
Some of you may recall a funny story about me and my broken washer earlier this year. If not, GOOD! Pretty embarrassing! But today I am especially thankful for my washer and dryer because I had about 8 loads of laundry at the beginning of the day and as we speak the final load is in the washer. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the pioneers to have to wash their clothes by hand and hang them out to dry. YUCK! Which reminds me of another blessing ... that the good Lord sent me to Earth when he did ... after the invention of the washing machine!
MEDICINE ...
Modern day medicine is amazing to me! First of all, the simple fact that we can walk into any grocery store and buy pain relieving medicine is awesome! Take today for instance - Eme and I both have colds and I woke up with a WHOPPING headache! So, what do I do? Simply walk to my medicine cabinet and get myself some Ibuprofen and Tylenol and then give some to Eme, too! BAM! The headache and body aches are gone and I can function again.
More importantly, I have 2 friends who have had life changing surgery in the past week. One friend received a new kidney today and the other had brain surgery to help control her epilepsy. What a miracle!
So there you have it! The beginnings of my "I'm Thankful For ..." list! What are you thankful for?
I know a lot of people (myself included) who take advantage of the simple every day blessings and focus more on the negative things in life. I don't want to be like that! Those kind of people aren't a whole lot of fun to be around! I know I'm not when I'm stomping around griping about every little thing and snapping at my family. I want my kids and my husband to think of me as a happy, joyful and thankful person who loved life.
Now, don't laugh. The things that I mention that I'm grateful for may not always be the obvious or most important things in my life. If I were to do that every day I would list my family, faith, friends, etc. every single day. My main goal by the end of the month is to SHOW the people that I love how thankful I am for them. So, if I fail to mention them hopefully it's because I'm showing them instead.
Alright ... so for Day 1 of my "I'm Thankful For ..." list I thought of the following (because I was particularly thankful for them today):
MY WASHER AND DRYER ...
Some of you may recall a funny story about me and my broken washer earlier this year. If not, GOOD! Pretty embarrassing! But today I am especially thankful for my washer and dryer because I had about 8 loads of laundry at the beginning of the day and as we speak the final load is in the washer. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the pioneers to have to wash their clothes by hand and hang them out to dry. YUCK! Which reminds me of another blessing ... that the good Lord sent me to Earth when he did ... after the invention of the washing machine!
MEDICINE ...
Modern day medicine is amazing to me! First of all, the simple fact that we can walk into any grocery store and buy pain relieving medicine is awesome! Take today for instance - Eme and I both have colds and I woke up with a WHOPPING headache! So, what do I do? Simply walk to my medicine cabinet and get myself some Ibuprofen and Tylenol and then give some to Eme, too! BAM! The headache and body aches are gone and I can function again.
More importantly, I have 2 friends who have had life changing surgery in the past week. One friend received a new kidney today and the other had brain surgery to help control her epilepsy. What a miracle!
So there you have it! The beginnings of my "I'm Thankful For ..." list! What are you thankful for?
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