Gratitude Catch Up!19-30

Oh. My. How time flies by!!!
All right, if I was cute or artsy or a little literary smarty-pants, I'd make up a song or a poem for the rest of these, but I'm not, so you don't get a song or anything remotely close. Get settled with a cup of hot cocoa, put on your slippers, and enjoy the (not written well) novel!
11-19-2009: My Calling. In our ward, I'm the primary chorister. I really like and am glad to say we finally, have a pianist for primary and she is excellent! I love to hear the kids sing and especially if they know the song well, they tend to sing louder than me.
11-20-2009: Friends to hang out with. On this day my friends and I were finally able to get together. No one was sick and no one had anything going on. I loved it. It was so much fun to talk about whatever and laugh. Oh, how I love to laugh and these friends of mine made. me. laugh! I'm grateful for them and being able to around them. They always have a good, uplifting attitude and are very inspiring.
11-21-2009: Baptism and Cookies! On this day my family and I were given the opportunity to witness a young girls decision to join the church. She asked that I speak at her baptism on the Holy Ghost. I was so grateful for the opportunity. I mean how often do you get this? usually only for your children or nieces and nephews. Cookies! Oh I love cookies, they are so bad for me. If we have them, I eat them. If I make the dough, I'll eat just it. I love cookies and I'm glad to report, that I'm learning to control my passion for them and eat only a few instead of all.
11-22-2009: Boy #2! Oh how I love this little guy. He makes me: smile, cry, frown, laugh, dance, tired, think about how best to potty train him, HAPPY, more loving, search, have my own "A-ha" moments. I'll comment on this last example. He's now noticed when I look for something, I'll say ah, there it is. He is now saying (anytime he's looking for something) "A-HAA!" Oh it is funny, walking out of the store, "A-Ha! there it is" when asked where the vehicle was. He says it when looking for a toy, book, shoe, food, anything.
11-23-2009: Boy #1! Oh he is a cutie. I love this kid. He is smart and works hard in school. He laughs hysterically at all the funny things-even if they aren't. He smiles and has the cutest dimples that will melt your heart. He's a charmer, but refuses to kiss anyone, except for special occasions. Which, by the way, there haven't been any. He loves to run and play on the couches. He loves, loves, loves to tease his big sisters! Oh. my. goodness. The fights that erupt. I'm learning to be patient and calm when this happens. I'm trying to get the girls to realize he likes them and will tease them because of it. He is full of love which then helps me love him even more. He tries so hard to do well, and gets upset when he fails. He knows we love him and will always be here for him. He needs a hair cut often, but that is part of what makes him so cute. There is so much to him, I love his personality and the things that make him, him.
11-24-2009: Girl #2! Oh what a fun loving gal! When she was little, she used to stutter. It was the. cutest. thing. in. the. world. She is always so helpful and loves, loves, loves art. She is constantly drawing a picture of the family or something else. I just love her so much. She calls her grandma to arrange sleepovers for her and boy #1, without my knowledge. She is the best girl #2 that I could ever have asked for. She once asked when she could quit piano, I told her when she can play like her teacher. She frowned at that, but she is still trying hard. She makes me laugh. She tries to make everyone happy, but she is a tease! She is a great reader and loves it. She likes to play school and other games at home. She loves to play on the computer and is getting good at the games on the pbskids website. She loves school and what more could a parent want than that!
11-25-2209: Girl #1! She is FUNNY! at least she thinks she is. ;} I really love her and appreciate all she does here at home. She helps watch the kids, does her piano without being asked, does her chores, helps the others with their chores, and she still gets to hang out with her friends. She is getting older and looks it. I'm sad that my first is growing so fast. I didn't realize that she is going to be a teenager within a few years and I'll have lost her to her friends. I hope not. I hope she'll always be able to talk with me. I hope she knows how much we love her. She is an amazing kid, full of love for all, happiness, joy, the occasional bad day, joking, teasing, patience. I could learn a lesson from her.
11-26-2009: Stephen. I love him. He is my rock. I love his support for me and for our children. He supports us all in sports, church callings and activities, home endeavors, school work, friends, and most of all, family togetherness. He always tries to be home when something is going on for the kids or me. He loves us and it is evident. He works in S.L.C. and the drive takes him away from us an extra 2 hours from what we're used to. He loves to: hike, bike, camp, fish, backpack, metal detect, scouting, go to parks, go on walks, pretty much anything outside, and the most important is, that, he always involves us in these activities. I'm grateful for him involving me and our children in his life.
11-27-2009: Thanksgiving and the run that morning. I was able to meet up with Amanda, Lesa, Lisa, Trevor, and Celeste for the Ogden Regional M.C. 5 mile run. It was actually closer to 4 I believe. I ran it in 46 minutes and 28 second. That averages my mile to 11:57. That is fast for me. I usually have a 13 to 14 minute mile. I'm very pleased with it. I'm grateful for the friends that went and ran it with me, even though we stayed together for maybe a half mile. The crowd that was there was huge! I'm glad they waited for me to finish before they went home. That was nice of them. Thanksgiving was a good time spent with family. I enjoyed it and the food.
11-28-2009: Santa Run 5K in Ogden. I ran this by myself, no friends. I was a little sad about that, but I handled it because my wonderful husband and great kids were there to cheer me on. I ran this 5K in 34:50. That is my fastest time of all my 5K's this year. I loved it. I felt good, but tired and hot. I overdressed because we were staying for the parade and fireworks after the run. I was happy though. I wasn't last. I finished the race in great time for me. My husband and children got to see me race. It was my exercise for the day. In 72 hours, I started with a race and ended with a race. It was a good weekend.
11-29-2009: Jake our dog. Jake is a black Lab and Weimaraner mix. He's beautiful. He protects my family from strangers and other dangers. He watches them when they play and makes sure they are safe. He protects us while Stephen is at work or gone camping with scouts. He is always ready to play, but, is obedient when he can't. He is the best dog for our family. He went hiking/metal detecting with Stephen this day. They went early in the morning and they went far up the mountain. To the top in fact. Jake was right there with Stephen, always loyal and faithfully by his side. At the beginning of the hike, about 3/4 to the top of the mountain, Stephen misstepped and started to slide on the rocks going down. He caught himself quickly, but Jake, sensing Stephen's initial fear, pushed his head onto Stephen's chest. It was harder for Stephen to hang on and he had to let go sliding down the mountain face, Jake jumped onto Stephen's chest hoping to stop him before he truly got hurt. Stephen did stop and Jake jumped off him. I'm glad Stephen wasn't alone on his hike, he was bushwhacking and didn't go on a trail. Jake was there to help where he could. Jake will always be a part of our family, no matter if Boy #1 and I are allergic to him and have asthma due to him being in our home. Jake is a faithful, loyal, truly good animal and a huge part of our family. The kids love him, Stephen loves him and I like him very, very much.
11-30-2009: Our general good health. Other than the normal colds, we haven't fared too bad thus far. This is the season for many sicknesses and usually we get them by now. I'm very glad that my kids are all healthy, no diseases for us to worry about. We have truly been blessed by the Lord. Earlier this month, our cousin's son was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, medulla blastoma. He has tumors on his brain and some on the spine. The doctors are treating it as aggressively as it is acting. The poor little 3 year old has been going to radiation treatments five days a week for six weeks. I believe this is the beginning of week three. We pray constantly that all will go well. He will begin chemotherapy after the radiation treatments. He will have several of those, I don't know exactly how many. It will be a long process, a very long time before any of us can be near him, due to it being the cold/flu/pneumonia season. We love this little guy and think he will make it. We hope and pray for all those who are sick, we hope all will be well with all of you who read this. We are very grateful for our general health and hope you will be as well.

Break Time 11-18-2009

Every one needs a break. We need a break at work, which you get. We need a break from stress, sickness, laundry, grocery shopping, paying the bills, cooking, exercise, cleaning, and yes, even our children. Now I'm not taking a break today, but I will in the near future. I don't know when, but I will. This morning, I had a semi-break I guess. I haven't been feeling so well, my ears and throat hurt and I had a huge headache. I slept for a good portion of the morning and I felt quite a bit better after the extra sleep and a hot shower. My poor boy #2 though had to sit and watch t.v. while I slept on the couch. Sorry little guy, no fun. I thankful that we are able to take a break from life some times. I call those get-a-ways...from kids, husbands, work, stress, house, shopping (although that can be therapy.) I do enjoy my time away with Stephen, in fact I really like those breaks. I haven't needed a break for a long time, I think its because of my family making life so good. For that I'm thankful for long stretches of time between my breaks.

Book Club 11-17-2009

I joined a book club with my friends Amanda and Mel about 6 months ago, and I really like it. We have read some wonderful and great books, also a couple I wouldn't read again. I very grateful for the friends I have made in Book Club as well. They are wonderful women who think and act amazingly. They are very kind women, who don't judge you or a book by its cover. I love it!
I love to read, I like it. It is my escape from everything else in my life. Stephen's not too keen on my reading all the time, but he'll deal with it. I can spend hours upon hours on a good book. I re-read many of the books I own. There is one set of books I really want to get: Hard cover Harry Potter series. I found the cheapest place is Barnes and Noble.com and, ironically, buying all seven in a box set is cheaper than buying them individually. Stephen's not too excited about that, but I want my children to read them. I want them to learn to love reading as much as I do and I want it to be fun for them. I know some of them won't like it as much as I do, but I want them to read very well and to be able to succeed in life. Reading will help them do that. Anything you've ever wanted to know is written down somewhere.

Music 11-16-2009

I'm thankful for music in general. I love to listen to all kinds. I like the stuff that when you listen to it, it makes you run or dance. I like to listen to the stuff that is soft and relaxing. I don't really listen to music in the car cuz I'm usually with the kids and they are talking with me. I like to listen to music to wake me up and get me going for the day. I do this to Stephen as well, I get loud, fast paced music going to get him out of bed. It's fabulous. I like to play the violin, so I truly enjoy orchestra music. Ironically, I love to hear the viola or cello most. I get to play at our Relief Society Christmas dinner. I'm excited, because I talked my mom into playing her viola with me. It will sound beautiful. My girls play the piano. They do really good when they practice. They have now been forced to practice everyday before either gets to go outside, watch t.v., play their radio, or anything. They come home from school and do their school work, piano, house work, in that order. I'm grateful for my friend Lisa who teaches them. She definitely has more Patience with them than I do.

Do You ever just have one?

Do you ever just have one of those days? When they are so good, you hope to have it again and again? Sunday was one of those days for me. I wasn't stressed, we all went to church, there wasn't any fighting, and we were able to enjoy a birthday party at my parents home for sister S. and brother M. Man!, it was such a good day. I got along really well with my husband and kids and the rest of the family. Oh, Yeah! it was a good day.

Babies

On the 14th of November, my Fathers side of the family had a baby shower for my cousin. I'm very excited for her and know she'll have a great time with her new little one. My sister T just had a baby in October. She is just one of the cutest things I have ever seen. At three weeks old she was probably as big as one of mine at birth. I miss having a baby to hold, but know I can always borrow one. My "baby" is now 2 and 1/2 and I want to start potty training.
Babies bring something out in you as a person. They are so fragile, but not. They seem helpless, but help others feel great. There is just something about them that makes a person want to change and be great. Babies change lives, they help to make the world a better place and I truly believe God sends babies to the families they are meant to be with (either by birth or adoption.) My friend Amanda and her husband adopted Max and he is totally meant for them! I mean it. He looks like dad and acts like mom! They are such a cute family and they are hoping to increase their family through adoption again.
Babies change lives and just help the day go better. I'm thankful for the reminder I had this weekend of how much they are needed.

11-13-2009

My Mom and Dad. I am so thankful I was born to them. They have always been wonderful examples in my life. They have always supported me and my brothers in whatever we chose to do. They LOVE their grandchildren, in fact, I think they'd rather them than us some days ;}
My Dad helped me find and purchase every vehicle I've owned until I was married. He helped me buy my own horse (and sell it,) and let me take care of the family horse as well. My Dad taught me how to drive a standard vehicle, which I absolutely loved. He would help me with Algebra, which I hated! He took me (not just me, but our family) hunting, fishing, camping, to the drive-in a couple of times, and always to get a "soda water". I know my Dad will always help me.
My Mom helped me with learning how to play the violin. She helped me when I did Ballet. She helped me with learning how to sew, cook, and take care of children younger than me. She has taught me to try to have patience with my own children and to always leave the room if I feel too angry. She is understanding and has always been willing to help. I know my Mom will always help me.
They put me on their cell phone plan and instead of me paying them, I clean their house and try to help out when I can. That is what I did on Friday the 13th, I cleaned their house. I would help my Mom with cleaning anyway, but this helps me have a way to contact them and others when I'm not able to be home. So I'm very thankful for my parents and everything they have done for me and my husband and family. They are absolutely wonderful parents.

Nov. 12th, 2009

I'm very pleased to announce that my husband is now a full-time, non-contract, employee of Blackrock Microsystems as of November 1st. We have been hoping and waiting for this to happen for some time now and are pleased as punch! We will have better health insurance and we won't have to worry about paying the taxes out of his paycheck anymore! (that in itself is a big plus.) He still has to make the crazy drive there, but I'm sure we can figure something out. Yay! for a great job and yay for better health coverage!
I'm so happy for my husband, I know he was worried for a small time about it. I know he likes it there and is very happy to be employed with them. He will do very well there.

11-11-2009

Veteran's Day. Remembrance Day. Armistice Day. How many of you know why we really celebrate it? I learned a little bit about it and how it came about. It came about on November 11 1918 when World War I formally ended. It ended at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month with the Germans signing the Armistice. I'm thankful the men and women of ours and other nations military are willing to put their lives on the line, no matter what, to protect our rights, our freedoms, and our privileges and obligations as Americans. So many young people don't give a flyin' whoop about their elders, there is so much one can learn just by talking with someone who lived years ago. We've had several in our family line serve in the military and we're proud of them. Those who have served during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the most recent of wars that have been, Afghanistan and Iraq, I'm glad to say all our family have come home safely and there are some that are able to, would serve again.
I hope all have remembered those who fought for the U.S.A. and for our rights, freedoms, and privileges. Remember them and pray for those still fighting for us.

Guess What!? I RAN

I ran almost a full 4 miles this morning. I was 16th shy of the full 4. pbbt! I know I could have ran all of it, but I didn't know when to stop. Oh well! I'll be working on it this whole week. Oh, and it only took me 45:50, that is something I can live with. Mel and Manda, you know it took me this long just to run 2 miles when I first started. I'm excited!

I like the teachers

I really like my children's teachers in school. They make me feel like I'm a great mother-which not to brag but, I do all right. Boy #1's teacher tells me the happenings of the class. She also lets me know if the boy had a book to read or not. I like her a lot! Girl #2's teacher has a lot of fun with girl #2. She loves that girl #2 is always willing to help and loves to read and do anything involving art. Girl #1's teacher is cool. He helps the students so much and is always trying to get them to improve and to just try a little harder. Girl #1 likes his class and is enjoying her time at school. I really like their teachers and that the teachers and the children work so hard to make it a good day. (November 10)

November 8th

Today, I am thankful that our Primary Program is officially done. I was stressed forever about it, that the kids wouldn't know the songs and I would not be able to lead them. We did, in fact, mess up on one verse of one song, but everything else went pretty good. We are not The Mormon Tabernacle Choir by any means, but these children of God sang very well. I am proud of them. The main topic for the program is that the family is of God. We sang a song with that title, which we had the primary broken up in groups for, and they all did as well as could be expected. (which I expect a lot from them.) I am so proud of how hard the children worked and how well they did. They all knew what to do and did it very well. What can I say? they are truly Children of a wonderful Heavenly Father, who loves them and wants the best for them. I'm so blessed to have been a part of it. I loved it!

November 7th

I'm thankful for running in the morning (only three miles) and then hiking in the afternoon (2 miles.) I'm learning to like exercise even more. I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with some favorite people! My hubby, sister Sue, My kids and My friend Amanda! Good times! We ran in the morning, before the sun ever decided to poke its head up. No sun at all. The hike was in the afternoon at a great time of day. It was beautiful, warm, and not hard at all. All the kids hiked up fast! We went to a cave, but I am an absolute chicken and wouldn't go in. Everyone else did. They are crazy, but had smiles when they came out of the cave. So, I'm thankful for fun activities that make you exercise, even when you don't want to.

November 6

I'm thankful for Rock Band Parties or at least, the friends that throw them! It's nice to be able to visit with them and other friends that we haven't seen for some time. I love, love, love to play. One day, I will own one and then I will rock the drums!

November 5th

I'm thankful for having long hair that can be braided so I don't have to wash it for a couple of days if I choose. I didn't feel like taking care of it today so I put it into double french braids and stayed home. It was a good day.
My girls' hair is also long enough that, if I need to, I can braid or ponytail theirs in a jiffy. I like the easy way sometimes, it makes you feel good.

30 Days of Thankfulness

This month we celebrate Thanksgiving. My friend Lori has suggested 30 days of Thankfulness. I think I'll give it a try because my life is full of many things I'm thankful for. The little things I don't blog about and the big things I do. So, here it goes. I'll make a sidebar list for everyday and post some of the things individually. This one is a big post because it's the first one.

Sunday, November 1st: Grandpa I. We celebrated Stephen's Grandpa's 94th birthday today even though it is tomorrow. He is the sweetest man and always "mean as ever!" He has been a great example to my husband. I'm thankful for him being in my life.

Monday, November 2nd: Cleaning. I truly hate to clean, but I love it when it's done. I spent the day cleaning bathrooms, kitchen area, vacuuming and putting away the Halloween stuff. My house looks a little less cluttered. I like that. Laundry is a necessary evil and will always prevail.

Tuesday, November 3rd: My brother and his wife. They were married that day. Because of them I was reminded how blessed we are and can be if we follow our Savior and His teachings of Eternal marriage. (I'm especially grateful for this reminder.) Because of them, Stephen and I were able to dance and have a great time with our children at the reception. Because of them, we spent the whole day in the South Jordan-West Jordan area. Good times! Because of them, we were with my family for a good portion of the day. All of this, because my brother found someone to love and who loves him equally. Yay!!

Wednesday, November 4th: My father's mother. She had a bad fall yesterday and ended up cracking her vertebrae between her shoulder blades. She never did stand straight and has a hunch on her back, and I believe that is part of why she hurt her back. She wasn't doing so well at the wedding luncheon and that may have been part of it as well. She is doing okay, but in a lot of pain, and is at the hospital under the careful eyes of nurses and doctors. Her doctor decided it's not best for her to have the vertebrae fused, so I'm not sure what the next step will be.
She is one of the sweetest old ladies you'll ever meet. She would give you her eyesight if she had it to give. She told the best bedtime stories of princes and princesses, of witches and other fairy tales, and I'm sad to say that I don't remember how she told them. Her birthday is on Halloween day, she has always said she was a good witch, when I was little, I believed her for long time.
She is an amazing artist. She at one point in her life drew for Disney studios. She was that amazing. Thanks to age, disease, and uncontrollable events, she can no longer do art. She would blend colors together that you would never think of to put for the color of skin or hair. I'm grateful I was able to save some of her drawings and have her do a couple just for me.
She is full of love for everyone and for the Savior. She has a strong testimony of Christ and all he does for us. She trusts our Heavenly Father in taking care of all of us and that whatever happens to us is His will for us and part of our life and plan to return to live with him. I love her and am so thankful she is a part of my life.
11/05 Add to post The Doctor for my Grandma is doing surgery tomorrow on her spine. He is going to fill the crack in the vertebrae with cement (and any other cracks he might find.) I hope she does well and makes it through this.