Thanksgiving 2010

I didn't run out of things to be thankful for...

...I just ran out of time to post them! So here is my catch up. One thing I would like to say about doing this for the last month is how it was hard to focus on the negative when I was counting my blessings. I know it sounds so cliche but every morning when I logged into my blog all the bad things that happened didn't seem as important. It was a good lesson in focusing on the good in my life. Some of the other things I am thankful for...

My best friend Suzanne. Really, when I think about it, we shouldn't be friends. She young, gorgeous, skinny, organized, athletic, patient, and kind. All things I am defiantly lacking. And how we met? She bought our old house; that alone could be a deal breaker. But, we are friends and I couldn't be happier! I'm so glad she hangs out with a much older, fatter, and grumpier  me. She is a great support to me and I can always (almost) count on her to run away with me when I need to get out.

My other best friend Jillynn. How in the world do I not have a picture of Jillyn? I'm gonna have to change that! Anyway, this girl knows everything there is to know about me. Seriously. She is my go to gal anytime I need a shoulder to cry on. She is always there to cheer me up or commiserate with me. We've known each other for years and we are so much alike. I spend hours on the phone with her every week and I love her to bits.

My oldest best friend Jen. I seriously look up to this girl. She is much more together and "grown up" than me. Really she is awe inspiring. I do not talk to her or see her near as much as I would like but that doesn't change how I feel about her.

I am very thankful that my mom, after 30 or so years, quit smoking!! Quite an accomplishment and I'm really proud of her. I know it wasn't easy for her and she's tried several times but she finally succeeded! Way to go mom!

I am thankful for my dad who really tries hard to be there for me. He comes and supports my kids in all their activities and he is always looking out for me. He is great and I am very thankful for him!

I am so thankful for my ward family. I don't always feel like I fit in but I do know that they've got my back. I am surrounded by some of the most caring people you will ever meet! Service abounds and you can always feel the love. I am even (hesitantly) thankful for my calling. I really do love my calling even though I feel like I contribute absolutely nothing to it. I really just love it for those I serve with and those I serve. Amazing, AMAZING women! I am very lucky.

I am thankful for my job that allows me to be home with my kids. I can't say that I love doing daycare everyday but I do for the most part! I love the kids I watch and I love that my kids get to have me home. I am able to help provide for our family AND experience the joys of a stay-at-home mom. Can't get any better then that!

I am so thankful for the modern conveniences of life. What in the world would I do without my dishwasher, my clothes washer and dryer or my COMPUTER? OK, I would probably survive but they make life so much easier and defiantly better! And flushing toilets? I don't think this one needs any commentary!

Most of all I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and the fact that he made this all possible for me. All this and so much more. I acknowledge that everything I have came from him and our Heavenly Father. And, he gave me the best gift I could ever receive, He gave his life for me that I might live again and for that I am eternally thankful!

Today I am thankful...

...for my new favorite lunch...

a little of this...

...spread on this...

...and add some of this!

Only 3 points and sooooo delicious. Yes, I've eaten this everyday for a week and still not sick of it! It is defiantly helping me get through "lifestyle change".

Mondays thankful...

...My beautiful, gorgeous family! They are my everything. There was a point in my life (I'll admit a little premature) that I thought I might not ever have children. They came and they have enriched my life more than I could have ever realized. Tonight for family home evening we talked about the things we are thankful for. Some of the responses...Family, temples, the gospel, beds, food, Jesus, darkness, friends, money...and that is just the short list. Yes my little family, we are truly very blessed.

Always thankful for...

...SUNDAYS! I love Sundays. They are for sure my most favorite day. I get to soak in the spirit at church, I get a relaxing day at home with no extra kids, I get a nice long nap (my favorite!) and we get lots of family time since we don't allow the t.v. or video games/computer on Sunday. Some Sundays we spend with family and some Sundays Adam takes the kids somewhere and I get  few precious hours to myself. Today was an especially good Sunday and it made me realize just how thankful I am for one day to just unwind.

So eternally thankful for...

...This man. The last 18 years of my life have been the most amazing adventure with him. I feel very lucky to have found my love in life so early. I was 16 and he was 17 when we started dating although we had developed a close relationship before then. We have had incredible highs and devastating lows together. We have laughed, loved, fought, cried and learned together. We have created a home and an eternal family together. As crazy and fun as our journey together has been so far I know it will only get better. I am so deeply, crazy and madly in love with him. Thank you for choosing me as your wife. I am thankful everyday for that gift.

Giving thanks for...

...the Atonement of Christ and the power of forgiveness. I've learned a lot about forgiveness in the last 18 months or so and still have a lot to learn. I am grateful not only for the mercy extended to myself but for the mercy shown to those who have wronged me. I think Elder Holland said it best...

"Closely related to our own obligation to repent is the generosity of letting others do the same...In this we participate in the very essence of the Atonement of Jesus Christ...We don't want God to remember our sins, so there is something fundamentally wrong in our relentlessly trying to remember others' sins...It is one of those ironies of godhood that in order to find peace, the offended as well as the offender must engage the principle of forgiveness."


--Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom", Ensign, Nov. 1996, 82

So not sure what to do about this...

This is my rice cooker and this is oatmeal and some sort of lettuce and who knows what else Ian put in. Completely oblivious to Ian's creation I tried to cook some rice. Any ideas on how to get it clean? I'm thinking I might have to chuck it...

Thankfullness fills my heart...

...for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about what I believe you can read about it here... What I will tell you is that the Book of Mormon and The Church of Jesus Christ changed my life and it will change yours too. I can't imagine my life without it and I give thanks for it everyday.

Thankful for...

...Those friendships that stand the test of time. You know the ones I'm talking about. Tonight I went to dinner with some friends from my childhood and early teenage years.  I never see them except maybe a couple of times a year. Even when I do see them we don't have a whole lot of time to catch up. The great thing about these friends? When we finally do get together we can  pick up right where we left off. There wasn't anything awkward or weird about getting together. Just lots of laughs and catching up. I love these girls! Nicole wasn't able to make it due to a bout of stomach flu but I can't wait until we can all meet again and do the same thing!

Ronalee, Nicole and Sissy. 8th Grade

Melissa and me. Girls camp 7th or 8th grade

The three of us in the back starting with Sissy second from the left. Taken at my bridal shower 1995

Dinner last night. The fifthor so attempt at a picture! We finally got one! Someone tell my husband I need a new camera...

Sharing my thanks for...

...This sweet little bugger, Owen. He is the sweetest and sassiest little boy I know. One minute he's hugging on me, kissing me and telling me he loves me. The next he's screaming at me and telling me NO! I have to admit he's a little spoiled but he's my baby! I love my days home with him and I'm thankful to have a job that allows me to do so. I had to wait awhile to get him but he was defiantly worth the wait!

It's Monday and I'm thankful for...

...lots and lots of Advil! I've had a bad headache all day! No, actually today I am thankful for my body...even with all of it's imperfections. I ran today.  It was the first time in months. It felt good...like my body was welcoming it back. I think our bodies are pretty amazing...the way they heal themselves! Now I'm ready to reclaim the one I was meant to have...

Giving thanks today for...

...This sweet little gem of a girl named Emilia. She is such a bright spot in my life! Today she could tell I was having a bad day. I had a pretty bad headache and she was going to have a nap with me but instead I ended up cleaning my room. She waited patiently for me to come lay in my bed with her but when I never did she made my bed for me, putting the final touch on my room! What a sweet girl!

I really am thankful for...

Ian and Chucke E right before Ian bit Chuck E's hand...

...The challenges in my life. I know I complain about them a lot but I think that they make me a better person. I'm talking about Autism in paticular but I am also thankful for the other challenges in my life. Today we went to Chuck E Cheese for my brothers birthday and Ian had several meltdowns. He just can't understand why I won't let him take food off of random peoples plates and climb on the rides that other kids are already riding. I was trying hard to keep a hold of him and my eye on Owen by myself and it wasn't easy. At one point, Ian was laying on the floor screaming and I had an employee ask me if he was hurt and if he needed help. I just smiled and told him he was throwing a fit but inside I was on fire! I was so angry at that moment that I was standing there alone having an anxiety attack because of his behavior and everyone else was laughing and having fun completely unaware of my battle. Sure, they could see him throwing a fit but they didn't know the struggle I was having between breaking down and sobbing hysterically and the desire to pick him up and throw him against the wall. The evening only got worse until my sister graciously stepped in and helped with Ian. She was the only one who could really see how close I was to losing it! I was angry, hurt and upset and as I left I was ready to throw my hands up in the air and scream "I QUIT! I'm done being a daughter, a wife, a friend and most of all I'm done being a mother!" As we drove home Ian was being so chatty and so cute. I could tell he'd had a great time. At that moment I thought "this is my experience. No one else knows what this feels like!" At that moment I realized that I get to experience feeling for a child no one else will ever know. I am mother to one of Heavenly Father's most choice spirits. Our lows are low but our highs are high! He and I share a bond like no other! Besides how many other 10 years olds get out of bed practically singing "Good morning sunshine!" How many other 10 year olds still climb in their moms laps and squeal with delight "MOMMY!"  There are a lot of things I will never understand about Ian and about autism but I know I am a better daughter, wife, friend and mother because of him!

One of the things I'm most thankful for...

...is my food storage. I know it might seem strange to some and maybe even wasteful to others but I call it my own little insurance policy. No, I'm not preparing for the Armageddon. I preparing for those lean times and I'm sure they will come. Besides, it's nice having my own little grocery store in the basement. I almost never run out of anything and have to run to the store. If we had a storm, earthquake or other emergency we have more than enough to get us through. Besides, it's something our prophets have asked us to do. I'm no survivalist by any means but I feel really good knowing that my kids will not go hungry if something prevents us from going to the store.

Thankful for...

...The country I live in and those whose serve on my behalf. Especially those that have a special place in my heart...Jordan, Karissa, Mikey, Isaac, Uncle Rob, and Uncle Lee.

I have much to be thankful for today but...

I am most thankful for those who help pick me up when I am down. It was one of those days with lots of tears but I also experienced lots of love. Thank you to those who love me and aren't afraid to show it! The little words of encouragement, the treats, the home cooked meals...it means so much to know that I am cared about and that I am important to others. Sometimes I feel like such a big baby but then I listen as others tell me it's ok to get discouraged and I feel so much better. It's so good to have good friends.

Today I am expressing my thanks for...

My awesome and amazing son Matthais. I really got lucky when I had him. He is so responsible. Did you know, he is up and showered and ready for school before I even open my eyes? On Sunday, he is up and ready to head over to the church to help set up chairs before Adam and I are even out of bed. He babysits for me at least everyday. Today he watched the kids while I went to dinner with some friends and when I came home and told him he would have to watch them again tomorrow while I go to a class he didn't say a word. He never tries to push the rules and he almost never gives me that teenage attitude. (notice I said *almost!*) He is a straight A student and stays on top of his schoolwork. He honors his priesthood and works hard to serve others. He is *mostly* patient with his younger siblings and he has a special relationship with Owen. I am so thankful for his help and good attitude but mostly I am just thankful for him.

I'm thankful for...

Sleep! When I get it that is! And when I don't...I feel it. Unfortunately my family feels it too. I didn't get my Sunday "catch up from the rest of the week" nap and I was a beast to my family. I feel really bad. Adam took the kids to his mom's and when one of the kids asked "where we going?" he replied "anywhere mom isn't!". I was so sad but I deserved it.  I am defiantly one of those people who needs a good 8 hours of sleep and sadly, I almost never get it. I don't mean to take it out on my family...they are just the easy targets. No excuses... It's time to play nice. It's just so much easier those nights I get sleep.

Giving Thanks for...

...my Home Sweet Home. It is nothing special, not our dream home but it is perfect for us. No one ever comes over without commenting on our amazing yard. We love it too. We love our neighborhood, we love our ward, we love everything about living in this home. My dad owned it before us and I'm thankful he sold it to us at such an amazing price. We are very lucky, and very thankful! This picture was taken the Christmas after we moved it. Aren't those kids adorable? Here is the house as it looks today...

Absolutely, positively Thankful for...

DATE NIGHT! What would I do without them? Time spent with my husband is the best time of my week! Tonight it was Zupas where I had an AMAZING swiss onion soup. My new favorite. Love you babe, thanks for making me feel special!

I couldn't talk about being thankful...

Without mentioning my other family; Adam's family. They put up with me even though they really don't have to. Yes, I know, I can be a brat sometimes! Somehow they find it in them to over look that and I love them like my own!

Here are most of them. Isn't everyone gorgeous?

Here is one with just Adam and his siblings. This is all of them! Hats off to his mom, I don't think I would have stayed sane with this many little ones! They are all just amazing!

Siblings to be Thankful for

I am the oldest of 11. That's right 11. I am the oldest of a blended, his, hers, ours, theirs, whoevers kind of family. And really, I could add more to that number but this is the number I grew up being the oldest of so I pretty much stick with it. It can get pretty confusing. Just the other day I tried to explain it to my friend Suzanne and I'm pretty sure she gave up even trying to figure it out. So, this post is for her and for anyone who is confused by my family situation and for journaling purposes in general. I can see my progenitors now trying to figure out this dynamic situation. Try to follow along...

My mom (Becky) and my dad (Albert) were married and had two beautiful girls...

They divorced.

Albert has Dustin with Debbie...

...While  Becky marries Billy and has Cody, Ryan and Jordan. They divorce and Becky marries Scott who is the father of Krissa and Chayson. Together they have Chandler

Albert later marries Angela and has Gehrhart and Louis

Following along? There are a few more marriages and few more step-siblings but they all happened after I was an adult with children of my own and so I don't really consider them part of my brothers and sisters. I only have one full blown, full blood sibling; my sister Melissa. However, I consider all the rest of the brood my siblings as well. Full, half, step...it doesn't matter to me. I am thankful for them all. We couldn't all be more different! Of course, I am the older, more mature of the bunch but that comes with being the oldest I assume. Each of us has something special to offer. Most of my siblings have started families of their own and it's fun to watch this next generation. I love you guys, and so thankful to be your big sis!

What is this you might ask?

It's only the recipe to the most amazing drink EVER! Just ask Owen. He was experimenting with the juice he had and he made it SO DELICIOUS he had to write down the ingredients so he knows how to make it again. Just in case you are wondering, the recipe goes like this....

Man I love this kid!

Today I am thankful...

...for our current financial situation. As of today we are debt free, except for our house which we owe 15 years on. Although I know that it could change in an instant, I am so thankful for Adam's job and for my opportunity to earn an income and be home with my children. We are truly blessed.

Brunette again

I know, I'm fickle...

Thanks to Owen for the lovely photograph who, by the way, said the cutest thing after seeing my new hair color. He said, "mom, I love your hair! It looks so wet!"

Vampire, fairies and rain! oh my!

Halloween was a drizzly mess of a holiday this year. Well, Halloween was actually a beautiful, sunny day but because it was on a Sunday, the general consensus in Utah is to celebrate on Saturday. It pretty much rained all day on Saturday. Then it got windy and cold. The kids lasted long enough to get a pretty good haul and I was glad to be done by 7:30. Sadly, Ian did not go with us. He did not care enough to dress up and he certainly did not care enough to trudge through the rail. I did have everything to make him a pretty cute cowboy but oh well...we had a pretty cute fairy and vampire to keep us happy. (love the camera cord in Millie's picture!)

Always Thankful...

...When my daycare inspections go well. Sheila, my new inspector, was very pleasant and praised me for a job well done. She was 1 1/2 hours late but she apologized and was very accommodating. I don't always get that from the people who come. I was written up for having garbage bags in the bottom drawer (minor mistake) and she will have to come back but I will welcome her with a smile. It was nice to hear her encouraging words and am so thankful for her kindness.

Something to be thankful for

I am going to be very cliche this month and each day I'm going to post something I am thankful for. It's all part of developing my attitude of gratitude.

Today I am so very grateful for winning a $100 gift certificate to Abelia Photography! I totally had plans to get pictures taken of my kids and family (I didn't do school pictures again) but because I don't have a ton of money I was going to go somewhere really cheap. Nichole will do a much better job and I won't come home hating them (again). I almost didn't enter because I never win anything but I am so happy to have this opportunity. Now, if I wasn't so fat...maybe she can photoshop me? Check out her blog and website to see just how lucky I am!