Black Friday

If you really know me, there is no question where I was at 5 a.m. Tucked soundly in my bed, sleeping soundly. Whatever it is cannot possible be worth gettting up, freezing my butt off, and putting up with the insanity that goes with shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I have one time in my life been shopping on Black Friday, and it was NOT at 5 a.m. and that one time was enough. And, for the record, I am nowhere near as cute as this little guy.

Thanksgiving 2009

A lovely day at home, filled with tasty food, fantastic family, and for the husband-football! I could live without the football part, but I guess I can give him a few hours once a year. After all he is a wonderful guy that takes great care of me and the kids and all the rest of my family too. I am very THANKFUL today, because despite stting my alarm last night so I could get up this morning at 6am to put the turkey in the roaster, it was determined when I sat straight up in bed at 6:32 am that I clearly did not finish the job. I neglected to turn my alarm ON, but all turned out okay. The turkey was finished in plenty of time, and was divine! Wednesday night my mom came over and helped me make my grandmother's stuffing, my favorite Thanksgiving eat. As it turned out my Aunt was here from out of town and my brother decided to stay for dinner with his boys (who ate their first prunes!) so we ordered up some pizza and had a nice night before. After everyone left, the Hubs and I got to pie making. I am somewhat embarrased to admit we only had 2 kinds this year, but with only 6 adults and 2 kids, I just could not force myself to make 16 different pies. The pies turned out perfectly, in fact I think it was the most beautiful pumpkin pie I have ever made. Everything was so good, and we ate until we could eat no more. After everyone departed to their next dinner and/or dessert location we packed up our kids and went over to Grandpa-Greats for a looksee at his Christmas decorations that he and Grandma-great have spent much of the last 2 weeks putting up. To say there are a lot would be a huge understatement. I will have to take some pictures next time, so everyone can get the FULL view. But lets put it this was, there are probably about 50 8-10 inch houses, a full tree, 50+ nutcrackers, and everything ever made that sings or dances. The kids loved it. There is literally a small path to the couch and that is about it, so we did not stay long as there was no room to visit. All in all it was a lovely day. Quiet and peaceful, which is what I wanted.

More to be Thankful for....Days 12- 17

I will probably never catch up. It is the story of my life.

Day 12.
Car seats. This is one of those things that starts off as one thing and morphs into something totally different. I am greatful because they keep my kids safe, but even more than that, I am greatful it contains Lex in a manner of which she cannot escape. Giving me 3 minutes to put the frozen goods into the freezer while not having wonder if she is playing in the street or climbing under a moving vehicle. It also offers me the ability to secure all other riders with out having to wonder how loud the radio will be when I turn the car on.

Day 13.
Let's hear a cheer for the drive-thru. Without you I would be lost. I would have to haul all 4 kids out of the car and that is bad. I can get food, Caffeine, dry cleaning, return library books,and a plethora of other items at a good drive-thru. Many a day you save me.

Day 14.
and speaking of CAFFEINE. I would be more than happy to write you a long and glowing recommendation should you ever need a job elsewhere. but I can assure you that as long as I have children and things to be done that you will never be out of work here. So thank you my friend it whatever form you come to me that day, be it coffee or a good Dr. Pepsi. I promise to appreciate all you do.

Day 15.
For a cat with the patience to contend with a one year old who LOVES you, and to a fish who can go 2 weeks with out having his water changed. We may once in a while neglect you, but we sure do love all you add to our crazy house.

Day 16.
A good book. So probably I should say a great author who has written and published something for me, to take me away from everyday, to teach me something, or to just be. I am forever greatful for a book. Be it good or bad, sappy or totally unbelieveable. I am currently lying in wait for Sarah Addison Allen's new book that will be out March 16, 2010. (if you have never read anything by her, get busy. Sugar Queen and Garden Spells were both....dare I say magical?!?!)

Day 17.
My "real" job and boss. Everyday, for the rest of my life I will be a mom. But a few special times a month I get to do something that for many years I considering dreary. I get to work outside of my home. I love my job. I am very lucky to have a position and set my own hours or have the chance to just fill in once in a while. And since I am working for the same guy that I started with many years ago (like 12+), I am very blessed. He is a great guy, who probably knows me too well and likes me anyway. So to Rick, the man who helps me keep my sanity. I say thanks so very much for letting me work at such a great job.

Thankful Days 6-11

Okay, I fully admitted that I would probably get behind, so here is to catching up!

Day 6.
Today I am thankful for extended family. And not just the blood kind, though I have a good number of them that are fantastic. All those out there who are so good to me and that I love like family, thanks for being there for me.

Day 7.
Wonderful neighbors and neighborhood. We live in an amazing place. Our next door neighbors are a Godsend. I would not move unless I could take them with me. They are kind and helpful and their daughter Courtney is so amazing with my kids. Especially Nathan. They have a unique bond those 2 that I would not trade for the world. I do not know a lot of 19 year olds who will drop nearly everything for a 4 year old. And whose boyfriend is also so kind to my kiddies. Thanks "Egan". Our extended neighborhood is also great. They are kind and thoughtful. They are inclusive and for the most part do not spend their days judging us for being a family with more than one religious view.

Day 8.
Beautiful, healthy nephews that I get to spend alot of time with. I am so fortunate that my little brother and sis-in-law trust me with their boys. I love them like they are my own and cannot wait to teach them all the things their mom has specifically asked me not to, kidding Keanne.

Day 9.
The three best friends a girl could ask for. And you crazies know who you are....Amy (my sista), Katie (my voice of reason) and Heather ( my shorter and older twin) They are the most amazing women I know. And together we are nuts. I seem to do really dumb ( and I do mean DUMB) things when I am with them, but it is because I am totally comfortable with them. I never have to wonder if there will be cattiness or nastiness. There never is. And for that I am so very thankful. Now to just see them more often........

Day 10.
This may seem silly to some, but today I am thankful for an awesome foot doctor. When I first saw Dr. Elkins in Sept I was in pain every second of the day, not anymore, thank you very much. He is a wonderful Dr. who listens to everything I say, which I am sure half the time he wishes he didn't have to do. He is caring and funny. I feel like he is someone I can talk to and not someone there to judge me like some doctors I have seen. I do not dread seeing him, and would recommend him to anyone in need of a great podiatrist.

Thankful Day 5

Today, I am thankful for my wonderful Mom. She is one amazing chicky. She is stronger than she knows and has an ability to love that I find unbelievable. She has taught me so much about being resisilant, and picking yourself up when you get kicked in the teeth. She can make gold from straw. She is not only my mom, but one of my best friends. And, that is all I can type when crying.

Thankful Day 4

Okay, first let me say that these really are in no particular order. I am writing about things as I feel them, so if you think they maybe in a strange order you are probably correct.

Today I am thankful for a warm house, and the moula to pay the bills that keep us warm and in our home. (does that count as 2?) I know there are a large number of people out in the cold, for one reason or another. And I am greatful that we are not on that list. Greg has a good job, and we have tried to live according to our means. Some days that goes better then others, but I am happy that we are (both willing and capable to be) responsible for our financial decisions.

Baby Days!

I think it is safe to say that the baby days are over at our house. Alexandra is very nearly 2 years old. She long ago gave up bottles, night time wakenings, and the need for me to do all things for her. She has started to tell us when she has a stinky diaper. And she is already fighting naps. I look back with much love at the baby daze, but I don't think I am going to miss it. Which I find a bit strange considering how long I waited for the baby stage. I remember from the moment we got married I wanted kids. Hell, even before we were married, during the longest engagment on record, I wanted to have babies with Greg. When we did finally get married, I knew the waiting was not over. I knew that it was still not the right time....Greg had just gotten accepted into his professional program at then University of Utah, and that it was going to be 3 long years, and a lot of stress, before graduation would be upon us. So I put it all on the back burner and waited. And then we waited one more year after graduation just to safe. I remember finding out we were pregnant with Nathan, right before our fourth wedding anniversary. It was the most amazing, frightening thing ever! Having a pregnancy, that up until the 7th month was so easy, and then watching the whole thing fall apart in front of my eyes. Realizing that I was giving birth 6 weeks early, to a baby, who I knew was not ready. But giving all my faith to the doctor to make the right call, and to God to do what was necessary. I will save you all the tale of Nathan's birth and first weeks in the hospital. ( you can read about them in my May 2009 post titled "4 years ago...") And then, 3 years later, when I was pregnant with Alexandra and we all kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it never did, except for the c-section at 11:30 at night becasue after 13 hours we were pretty darn sure that her head was never going to fit. I love my children. They truly are the best things Greg and I have ever done. They have made our family what it is, and for all that I am forever greatful. That said, it is somehow a little bittersweet to know that we are done. But I am very contented with that decision. Long before we had kids, we knew we only wanted 2. It didn't matter if they were both one sex or the other or whether we got one of each. As it turned out we got one of each for which I am still suprised. I was sure, despite being told she was a she, I had a nagging thought in the back of my mind that she was going to be a boy. Clearly I was WRONG on that one, but I am so happy with what I was given. As I sit here, now, and watch them 2 of them playing together on the family room floor, I am very content. I love a good baby as much as the next person, but I am happy my babies are now a toddler and a pre-schooler.

Thankful Day 3

Today, I, like the rest of the nation say "thank you" to our veterans. I am so greatful for my freedoms. I acknowledge the cost that many have paid and the sacrifice that they are so willing to make for me and my family. This is especially true of my two cousins, who are really more like brothers to me. I am delighted that on this Veterans Day they are both home in the United States. They have both been to some of the most frightening places I can imagine. I am amazed at their willingness to serve, but not suprised. I think we all knew in our early teens that these 2 were going to be army boys. So to all our veterans, but most importantly to Max and Zeke our active guys we say thank you!

Thankful Day 2

Day 2, I am on a roll now.

This day I am thankful for my kids. They are such wonderful little creatures. This one is especially profound for me at this time, becasue on Friday, I know a family who will be burying their precious little boy who passed away at 3 months old from a birth defect. My heart breaks for them, I am sick over the whole thing. I cannot and do not wish to ever understand their heartbreak. But, on a happy note, back to my kids......Nathan and Alexandra are by far the most amazing people I have ever met. Every day they do or say something that I find to be hilarious. Alexandra, every day is just as wonderful. Her new "trick" is to take something, that she knows she should not have and just as I catch her to take it away, she hucks it across the room. I am so tried of her version of catch, but she sure has an arm on her. And Nathan, has the most amazing imagination. The other day, just before bed, he got all his STARWARS guys out and had them arranged around the family room and the kitchen. When I told him it was time to clean up for bedtime, he looked me square in the face and said, "but Mom they are at their battle stations". Far be it from me to remove any one from their battle station just becasue of bedtime. I love those 2 kids so very much!

Thankful Day 1

So I am late to the band wagon, but I am jumping on all the same. I will (hopefully) post one thing every day for which I am thankful until Thanksgiving. Here goes:

Today on this first day, I am thankful for an amazing husband. Greg and I have been together for right around 15!! years now. I have been with him nearly as long as my life was without him. I am amazed some days that he puts up with me and all my craziness. He really took his vows to heart(smile and nod here if you must) for which I am so happy. I know without a doubt there are days I drive him up the wall (or possibly to drink) but he puts up with me and loves me no matter what, for which I am beyond thankful.

Halloween 2009

My mom asked me why Nathan thinks Halloween is so great. The answer is easy, around our house it is one big party. We have been so lucky for the past few years to have all our friends gather at our house for yummy homemade rootbeer (thanks, Loren!) and a tasty dinner and then we hit the town for some trick-or-treating. We live in a great neighborhood, and it is so much fun. Here is the whole bunch of kids on the stairs (the photo place of choice in our house!) before we hit the town. They are so stinking cute. We had things, princesses, zombies and part of the zoo, and a wizard and witch tooo!!



So thanks to all our guests. Family and friends. We had a great time!!! And hope you all did too.