Ryan's stats

Ryan turned 2 on November 24th. He's a funny kid. He thinks he is sooo big just like Garrett and Hannah. He is a tease and a lover too (when he feels like it!). He is a big helper too. Just as I'm writing this he spilled some sugar on the floor and then said, "Trouble." Yep, he knows he's in trouble but he ran and got his play vacuum and is trying to vacuum it up. Can't be too mad at that, right? He likes to ride Hannah's little Barbie tricycle around the driveway when its warm. He likes to ride at full speed right up to Porter and then skid to a stop and scare Porter. He just smiles and laughs.

He recently had his checkup at the doctor and here are his most recent stats:

Height: 33 1/2 inches (20th percentile)

Weight: 25 lbs 3 oz. (10th percentile)

Head Circumference: 50 1/2 cm (90th percentile!)

He is talking a lot! His speech is really clear. He says funny things to us like, "Stay there!" "Just a minute" and when you change his diaper he will wrinkle his nose and say, "Phew! Stinky! Bum!" He is loud too. When he talks, he yells. Its lovely.

He's a funny kid but we love him!

Bringing the Outdoors In

My house smells like pine. Yep, we got our Christmas tree last night and its a live one! I love the pine smell, though. It really gets me in the Christmas mood. I've already started vacuuming pine needles and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Last night was Garrett's 3rd grade Christmas concert. It was combined with the 4th grade. The place was packed. They did great. It was short and sweet. It was awesome. My parents came and afterwards we went to a new ice cream place called Kiwi Loco. I didn't even know that it existed (although its right up the street from my house)-shows you how much attention I pay to things. My parents know the manager, he lives in their ward. They invited him over for dinner last Sunday. Anyway, we went there and had some really good frozen yogurt. Its really fun because its all self serve.

Next, we went to find a Christmas tree. We went to Lowe's. Partly because I like their trees and partly because my brother-in-law Chet was working and I was secretly hoping he could get us a killer deal on our tree. He did! Thanks Chet! You rock!

They cut the ends of the tree and wrap it in this netting stuff to get it home. Its easier to tote around that way. Here is Blaine and the kids snipping the netting off-unleashing the beast.

Here is our gorgeous tree! It smells awesome. It is now a blank canvas for us to decorate tonight. The kids can't wait. I'm excited too! It will finally feel like Christmas at my house!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan's birthday was last week. The big number 2! We didn't make a huge deal out of it but tried to make it a fun day anyway. It was the day before Thanksgiving and there was a lot to do. Hannah always makes sure to put up the Happy Birthday banner on anyone's birthday. That got Ryan excited!

Because I'm such an "on the ball" mom, I didn't even make Ryan a cake. I figured nobody would eat it because Thanksgiving was the next day. So, we went out to eat as a family and my parents watched the kids so Blaine and I could go shopping for a present for Ryan. (Really on top of things, I know but it had been snowing and blizzarding for 3 days continuously and I hadn't been out!) Anyway, I picked up some brownies and we sang to Ryan. He was so excited to blow out his two candles!

Next Ryan got to open his present (still wrapped in the shopping bag it came in, of course.) He loved it. He is very into tractor and trailers right now, along with Thomas the Train.

He wanted to take his tractor to bed that night. Even though it was low key, he still had a fun day and was very happy. Thanks to all our family members who gave him gifts! You are awesome and we appreciate it!

Laughing so hard...

OK. My plan was to post something else today but I ran across something that I want everybody to read. I read it and laughed so hard I was crying. Then I tried to read it to Blaine. I'm sure he couldn't understand a word I was saying because I was laughing so hard. Ahh, I needed to laugh like that. I hope you have a good laugh too.

CLICK HERE to have a good laugh.

P.S. If you don't laugh, you must not have kids. Or your kids aren't old enough. Just wait...

Cabin Fever

I have only been home from work 1 day but already I have cabin fever. Part of that was being cooped up at the hospital for the last 4 days and the other part is having horrible blizzard weather coupled with sick kids today. Knowing that I can't go anywhere even if I needed to. Not that I really want to brave the nasty roads. I just don't like the feeling of not being able to go anywhere. Oh well. What would I do if I was really snowed in??

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. My dad. He came over this morning to have me do something but he took Garrett to work with him. Garrett loves going to work with grandpa. I don't know what they did today but Garrett had a great time. Plus, my dad brought back cat food. We were totally out.

2. For warm house. I know I've said that before but I mean it more than every today. I am thankful that it was warm in here while it was blizzarding outside. Plus my car stays free of snow and ice in the garage.

3. For friends that I can help and who help me. Last night the hospital was really cracking down on people not being able to make it to work. They offered beds to those who needed to go home, get a bag and come back to stay. I am thankful that I was able to help my friend D'Ann. She stayed at my house-on the couch. Which, I might add, she says is very comfy. I didn't sleep well last night worrying that she might not sleep well. She probably slept better than me.

4. I am thankful for TV. Tonight anyway. Blaine is working all night and I don't sleep well when he is gone. The TV is a nice distraction for me. He always tells me to go to bed early. Yeah, right. I don't relax well without him.

5. I am thankful for my cell phone. I can keep in contact with my hubby and my friends and know that they are safe when they are out in this miserable weather. With just a quick text message to them, I know they are OK. Or I can tell my hubby goodnight with just a quick note. Technology is wonderful when used correctly. I am very thankful for it. Plus I'm thankful it still works after I dropped it in the tub the other night.

Its really here.

Winter is really here. For real. Yesterday it snowed and snowed. At one point in the afternoon, we watched it snow huge soft flakes. It seemed really quiet and peaceful. Tonight as I was leaving work, it was like a blizzard. The snow was light and powdery but blowing and drifting. My friend D'Ann helped me clean off my car. I was scraping windows on the drivers side and she was brushing off the trunk. Right as she pushed off a huge mound, the wind caught it and blew it right into my face! Whew! Talk about a wake up call. That was cold!

TONIGHT I'M THANKFUL FOR:

1. That I live as close to my work as I do. My drive home is not very long and I am thankful that I can get to and from work safely every day. Blaine too. I am even more thankful when the weather is as bad as it is. I worry about my friends with long drives home.

2. I am thankful for a garage to park my cars in. I am thankful that I don't have to scrape my windows in the morning and that I can just get in and go. I was especially thankful this morning because it was so cold outside.

3. I am thankful for my belief about what happens after this life. I am thankful to know that I can live with my family again after my life on Earth. I feel sad for people who think that this life is all there is. I can't imagine how sad that would be to think that when someone dies, that's it. Show over. I am thankful for the peace and happiness my knowledge and beliefs give me.

4. I am thankful to have health insurance. Even though it is expensive and I feel like I'm only working to pay for benefits, I'm still thankful for it. I am thankful for the peace of mind it gives me to know that if we get sick, we are covered. It will be OK.

5. I am thankful for a hubby that is willing to get up with sick kids in the night and let me sleep (if I'm working the next day). Hannah was coughing like crazy last night and he got up with her, gave her medicine and rocked in the rocking chair with her until she settled down again. He let me sleep so I would not be too grouchy for work. I am thankful for that sleep that I got. Too bad it didn't help the grouchiness! Ha ha!

Its Monday...again.

So, its Friday. Thats my Monday at work. I work 4 days in a row and the 1st day is always Monday. Then the last day is Friday. It doesn't matter what day of the week it really is. But, for me Friday is Monday and Monday is Friday. Confused yet? Anyway...

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Alarm clocks. I would never wake up on time. Ever. So, I am very thankful for the little alarm that goes off every morning to get me where I need to be on time. Plus, now that I use my cell phone as my alarm clock, I have way better sounds to wake up to than the old buzzer.

2. A husband that cooks. Blaine loves to cook and I am so glad that when I get home from work, I know that my kids have been fed and there is food waiting for me too. It has always been our unspoken rule that whoever gets home first makes dinner.

3. I am thankful that my ears did not hurt today. Because I didn't get a flu shot this year, I have to wear a mask at work. Fine. But it gets really miserable when the strings on your mask are making your ears hurt. Not today, though. So much more pleasant. And I was too. I'm always in a better mood when I'm not hurting.

4. I am thankful that I have a great boss who is able to come out of the office and help at the nurses station when things are crazy. Today was crazy at work. My boss spent most of the day helping us regain control. Not that we ever regained control but it was so nice to have her help. That is not the norm for most places in the hospital. I am very lucky to have a boss like that!

5. I am thankful for hot baths. I am such a bath person. At the end of the day, nothing relaxes me like a hot bath and a good book. In fact, I'm headed there now. I'm in the middle of a great book and I'm cold. Baths warm me through and help me sleep better. (Sounds like a baby, right?). Well, it works for me and I'm thankful that I can just turn on the tap, have hot water, soak for as long as I like and sleep great that night!

Getting behind...

I know that I missed posting yesterday. I got busy and had company and then I wanted to watch the Pioneer Woman Throwdown against Bobby Flay. So those are my lame excuses as to why I didn't post anything yesterday.

So today I am thankful for:

1. Lazy days. Ones where I don't really have anywhere to go or anything to do. And my hubby is home today which makes it even better. I am thankful for days like this where we just veg. Watch movies or whatever. We have plans with friends tonight which makes it that much more fun of a day!

2. Clean laundry. I like doing laundry. I really do. Just not the folding or putting away part. I especially hate folding the whites batch. Sorting socks is always at the bottom of my "to do" list. But, I do love having clean clothes in my closet and drawers. I am thankful too that when I run out of laundry soap, I can just make some soap and still have clean clothes. Besides that, fresh out of the dryer laundry smells so good!

3. I am thankful that my family lives close enough that I can use them for last minute babysitters for my kids. Lately I feel like I have used them a lot and I am thankful that they always say yes. Plus my kids love them!

4. I am thankful for sweet, innocent things my kids say to me that make me laugh. The other night I said something about a "New Hampshire accent" but Garrett said, "A new hamster accident, what?" That just made me laugh. He still didn't get it after I explained it. Hannah sometimes looks me in the eye and says, "Mom, I'm just a little kid." Yep Hannah, you are. But when she says that it makes me laugh. Ryan is so sweet. I say to him "guess what?" He always says "what?" Then I say "Love you!" and lately he says "love you" back to me but it comes out sounding like "woo woo". I am thankful for these small things that make me happy.

5. I am thankful for friends who make me try things I don't want to do. We went to dinner with friends tonight. Then, we played laser tag. I didn't want to play at first but it was a BLAST! Very fun and quite a good workout as well. Plus we were laughing so hard that it hurt to breathe. Thanks guys! I'm glad I went.

I am thankful

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Variety. It really is the spice of life and living in Idaho, you get plenty of spice. You will never be bored with Idaho weather. Today (all before noon actually) we had wind, rain, snow and sun. This afternoon was mild enough that Garrett and friends went out to play without coats. (What a bad mother! Its November after all!)

2. Friends with skills and talents that are willing to share with me and my family. My friend Lorna came over yesterday and cut both Hannah and Ryan's hair. It is so nice to have friends with skills to share. I paid her with a new recipe and most of the ingredients. She told me today that it was a big hit. I am thankful for all my friends who are willing to share all of their skills and talents with me, especially things that are hard for me that come easy for them. I hope that they feel that I share with them as well. (Mostly, I just try to bribe people with food!)

3. I am thankful for a reliable car to get me where I need to go. Earlier this summer, the vehicle wasn't so reliable. It made me scared to drive it, in fact. But, with some help (and divine intervention) the car runs great. For this I am truly thankful.

4. I am thankful for Thomas the Train. Weird, huh? Well, yesterday while Lorna was cutting Ryan's hair, we set him up in the booster chair with a Thomas movie playing. He held stone still. No tears. This is the first time EVER! Usually I have to hold him as he buries his face in my neck while Lorna tries to cut one side, then the next. In the end, the job is done, we are all exhausted and Ryan and I both have to take a shower.

5. I am thankful for medicine. Hannah had a little fever tonight. Not enough to worry about but enough to make her cold and uncomfortable. I am thankful for Tylenol and Motrin. Without them we'd be in world of hurt (literally) and I am thankful they help my babies feel better.

Smiles and Rosy Cheeks

We took a little trip to the Great Frozen North, otherwise known as Island Park. We went to stay with friends at their cabin for a couple days. We borrowed a 4-wheeler from my dad and headed North. The trip there was uneventful. (Other than Ryan crying the whole way.) We got to the cabin and it had been snowing a little. To get to the cabin you go uphill, then around a curve and straight downhill. To get in the driveway, you take a quick left up a hill and you are there. We came around the curve, down the hill and just kept going. There was no stopping us with the trailer behind. We slid the whole way down. Ok, we'll try again. Slower. This time, we were sliding a little but much more controlled. Turning into the driveway was another matter. No turning. Just crashing. We screeched to a stop just before hitting some trees and falling off the hill. (I am probably making it more dramatic than it was but it was a little nerve wracking!) We screeched to a stop and all the kids yelled, "Get me out of this car!" We got out and let the guys deal with getting the car in the driveway and what to do with the trailer.

I took this picture from the window of the cabin. I didn't want to watch. Here the guys have the car backed up and on the road, 4-wheeler unloaded and are ready to park the trailer at the bottom of the hill. Look closely (or click on the picture) and you can see our skid marks where we originally stopped. It doesn't look like we were close to the trees but it sure felt like it.

So, while the guys were taking care of the car, the rest of us went in and started warming up the cabin. What an awesome cabin it was!! It takes a long time for wood to warm up, though. So, we just stayed in coats and snuggled on the couch!

It wasn't long before Garrett and the other kids wanted to go out and go sledding. I was content to stay in for a while longer so Blaine and Tyler went out with Garrett, Christopher and Creedence. Good snow clothes are a must here!

The boys slid down the hill and then hooked up to be pulled behind the 4-wheeler the rest of the way. They loved it and were crazy on the sleds! It was snowing lightly as you can tell.

The next day was cold. Not too cold to go sledding, though. Here is Hannah and Creedence sledding down the hill...heading for the trees and a wreck. Hannah was freaked out.

See how happy she looked after that? So, I took her down the hill on a sled. I think she hated it even more. She just rode on the 4-wheeler after that.

It really was a nice day-as long as you were bundled up. We took a ride on the 4-wheelers with the kids pulling along behind. It was sunny with no wind. Awesome!

We took some pictures along the way. And so did Tyler and Jessica.

Ryan loved it too! What little kid doesn't love playing in the snow?

The boys played out there a lot. Lots of rosy cheeks this weekend.

We headed home on Saturday night for an uneventful drive (except the part where we came down Ashton hill sideways.) It was foggy and we were driving slow. We could see brake lights up ahead and so we started stopping. It was slick, though and although we weren't going fast, we were skidding all over the place. (Again, the trailer does not help anything). There was a truck creeping down the hill, almost stopped. There were 2 cars in front of us trying not to hit the truck and then us trying not to hit the cars. Thank goodness for Blaine's great driving and 4-wheel drive. We were able to get control and make it down the rest of the hill safely. We had an awesome weekend and it was great to get away. Now, back to business...

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. The power of prayer. I know that we were kept safe a number of times this weekend because of the power of prayer. It is comforting to me to know that I can take any problem or worry to the Lord and he will help and comfort me. I know that I have been blessed in my life at other times as well because of the power of prayer.

2. I am thankful that today is sunny. Although it started out foggy, the sun is shining and the weather is mild. I do realize that the snow is important but I love it when it is sunny. It improves my mood immensely. Plus there is no wind today (a rare occurrence in Idaho).

3. I am thankful for being able to visit with my family this week. My aunt Darlou and her family are here visiting from New Hampshire. My aunt Natillie will be flying in today from California. How exciting to have everyone around to see. Although I get to see Natillie more often, I haven't seen Darlou for 4 years! I am thankful to see them whenever I can.

4. I am thankful that I was able to go to church yesterday. Sundays are not always the most restful day but I appreciate being able to go when I can. I am thankful for the things I learn there, the Spirit that I feel there, and the great people I get to associate with there.

5. I am thankful for warm snow clothes. In Island Park, although it was cold we were warm while playing in the snow. I am thankful that I have been able to provide my children with the snow clothes they need to make playing in the snow enjoyable. I am also thankful for my hubby who helped me pick out appropriate snow clothes for myself a few years ago. Each time I go out fully dressed in the boots, hat, gloves, snow pants and coat, I mentally thank him. I don't like to be cold and with my stuff on, I don't. Not even fingers or toes!

The Great Frozen North

No time to blog...we are headed to the Great Frozen North for some R&R.

I'm very thankful for that!!

Veterans Day

I have vowed this year to be finished with Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving. It would be the first time in history that I was done that early. I would really like to spend December doing things with my family instead of worrying about getting gifts. Not to say that this time of year isn't busy as well. Tonight we have parent teacher conference with Garrett's teacher. I am looking forward to it. From our end of things, this is a different child. I'm curious to see what his teacher has to say.

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. The people who volunteer their time to be a leader for my son for scouts. I am not in love with the scouting program but my son and husband are. I am softening towards it and trying to keep a good attitude. Garrett's leader, or Akela as he calls her, does an awesome job with the boys. Garrett is so excited for scouts each week. I am so thankful for them and their service to my son.

2. I am thankful for the people who serve our country to keep us free and to help other be free. Garrett's scout leader just sent her husband off to Iraq for the 2nd or 3rd time. I am very grateful to him and his service for our country. I am also very grateful for her sacrifice of letting her husband serve. Thank you to all who are now or have served this great country.

3. I am thankful to live where I do. I am thankful to live in the United States. I am thankful to live in Eastern Idaho. I am thankful to have grown up on a farm. I am thankful for my home and my neighborhood. This is where I am supposed to be.

4. I am thankful for all of the freedoms I enjoy in this country. Freedom of speech and religion are huge for me. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to vote as well. I am thankful that I have a part in choosing who represents me in the government. Sometimes things don't always go as I would like (last presidential election) but I am thankful, nonetheless, that I have the right to vote in the matter.

5. Finally, I am thankful to have the opportunity to serve others. When I am wallowing in self pity, service is just the thing I need to boost my spirits. It takes my focus off myself and forces me to care about others. I am thankful for the people I can serve.

Gratitude

Posting every day is a lot of work. At least I am not used to it. I am liking it, though and especially liking the topic I've been posting on. It focuses my thoughts for the day and I find myself a lot happier. I am also grateful that anybody reads this blog. Thank you to all of you who do. I consider it my journal and appreciate your comments!

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. My dishwasher. And garbage disposal. I can live without both. I have done so many times. But...they are such nice conveniences that I uses multiple times a day. They speed up the process of doing dishes so I have more time to spend with my family.

2. I am thankful that my husband is not a picky eater. I tried a new recipe tonight. Two new recipes, actually. I don't think my kids ate any of it. I thought is was mediocre at best but Blaine never said a word. He ate everything on his plate and told me it tasted good. I don't think he was lying but I guess you'd have to ask him. I have ideas for how to "fix" it if I choose to make it again but I am so thankful that Blaine doesn't complain. He just eats what I fix and is happy to have it.

3. I am thankful for people who are in tune enough to call me when I most need it. And let me cry on their shoulder when I'm not even sure what I am crying about. And to make me laugh so I'll stop crying. (What a bawl baby!). You know who you are. Thanks for the phone call.

4. I am thankful tonight that I was able to find some scrubs that fit. The hospital where I work is changing our dress code and the nurses will all wear navy blue now. The hospital is assisting us with purchasing some new scrubs and the scrub company reps were here this week. Monday I went and tried some on and left very disappointed. I went back tonight with Blaine and we were both able to find scrubs that fit. I am very thankful for this and it is a huge load off my mind about what I was going to wear to work.

5. Finally, I am thankful for this. I makes me cry every time I watch it. It reminds me of what is important and to not take anything for granted. It helps me re-prioritize my life. It reminds me of what I am thankful for. Thank you. I cry when I watch this, not because I am sad about what happened to them (I am) but I cry for myself and my own selfishness. I hope you watch it and I hope it touches you like it has touched me.

White Out

No, we didn't have a blizzard but the white stuff is staying. My kids love it. I still like it. I get tired, though, of putting boots, hats, mittens, coats and snow pants on and off, on and off, on and off. I do miss the days of just herding the kids out to the car and jumping in. Now we have to get bundled up. The roads are clear, though. In the end, thats really all I care about. I'll take as much snow as comes. As long as it stays off the roads!

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Leftovers. Funny thing to be thankful for, right? Well, I don't particularly like leftovers but if we have leftovers, it means we have enough to eat. More than enough, actually. I know we are blessed that we have enough for our needs-and then some. I am doubly thankful for leftovers because that means I have lunch tomorrow at work (or home). And it usually means my hubby packed my lunch (which I love!). And it means that whatever is in my lunch bag tastes a heck of a lot better than whatever I would scrounge up at work!

2. I am thankful for warm coats. And hats, mittens, boots, and snow pants. I am thankful that each of my children and my husband and myself has all of these things. I am thankful that we can stay warm and dry when we are outside working or playing in the snow. Again, I know we are blessed to have these things.

3. I am thankful for recipes. Recipes that help me make tasty food, or fun things for my kids, or even help me be resourceful at home. For instance, I ran out of laundry soap the other day. I am thankful that I have a recipe for homemade laundry soap and that I had thought ahead to have the ingredients on hand. I have recipes for lots of homemade things like, soap, window cleaner, bisquick, cream of something soup, etc., etc. I am thankful that I have these things available to me. It helps me continue to take care of my family in a way that doesn't break the bank and still gets a satisfactory job done.

4. I am thankful for the 4 walls that surround me. I am thankful that I have a shelter from the elements and it just happens to be one I love dearly. I am thankful that I can make my house a home; a sanctuary from the world and that when the tempest is raging outside, my family and I can feel peace inside.

5. I am thankful for a good work ethic. I was thinking about this tonight as my kids were helping me unload the dishwasher. It is something I am trying to instill in them. That if something is hard, you probably don't have a choice to quit, just work harder. Get the job done and do a good job regardless. This is something I was taught by my parents, something that was taught to them by their parents and so on and so forth. It is one of the most important things I learned from my parents.

Monday=Friday

I am always happy when Monday comes around when I have been working. The way my schedule is, Monday = Friday! Even though it is my 4th day, I am usually pretty happy and energetic because I know it will be a whole 10 days before I go back!

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Snow. Yep, that nasty white stuff. I am thankful that it falls and fills the reservoirs and aquifer and the rivers and lakes. I live in a mountain desert and it would be pretty brown around here most of the time if we didn't get snow in the winter time. Plus, without snow how would I be able to make snowmen and snow angels with my kids?

2. I am thankful for the priesthood and that it is in my home. I am so thankful that I know I can access it at any time.

3. I am thankful for children who make life so much more fun and exciting. I am thankful for the tooth fairy, the brownies, Santa and the Easter bunny. It is so fun to see the kids get excited with the anticipation of what might come. Garrett lost a tooth tonight and for the first time he actually put his tooth under his pillow. He is so excited! Its fun to watch him get that way! What is the going rate for the tooth fairy these days?

4. I am thankful for the internet. It has been a huge blessing in my life. I can quickly access information and recipes as well as stay in better touch with friends and family. It lets me share my journal (blog) with all of you!

5. I am thankful for my friends. It is interesting to look back on your life and see the types of friends you have had. Different friends for different stages of your life. After high school, it doesn't matter so much if you have older or younger friends than you; you seem to stick with people who are at the same stage of life as you. I am so thankful for all of my friends, past, present and future. I love spending time with them and thank them for their friendship!

Day of Rest

Sundays are never a day of rest around here. Too much to do. Meetings to go to, shoes to find, meals to prepare, kids to wrestle and even shifts to work (every other Sunday). Some day, when I'm real old (or something) maybe it will be a restful day. Poor Blaine has to take the kids to church alone. He is such a great dad for them and great example too!

Today I am thankful for:

1. My sense of hearing. And my ears. Besides that fact that I think I'd look pretty funny without them, I'm so glad I'm able to hear. I love hearing my children's voices and love hearing the little songs they sing when they think nobody is listening. Ryan has started to do this and its so sweet! I'm thankful that I"m able to hear my patients at work when they thank me for caring for them. I'm even thankful that my ears hurt after wearing a mask all day because it means I have ears and they work!

2. I am thankful that I was born when I was. I would not have made a good pioneer. Well, maybe I would have but not one of the ones to travel across the prarie. I'd need to have been settled but I am so thankful for modern conveniences like electricity, telephones, running water, flush toilets, etc.

3. I am thankful for soft tissues and soft toilet paper. This may seem silly but after a few nose blows when you have a cold or bum wipes when you have diarrhea, you will really appreciate soft stuff. I wish the hospital that I worked at had softer tissues and toilet paper. After a while, toilet paper=razor blades. Or at least it feels like it. I am really thankful for the tissues with lotion or aloe and the extremely soft toilet paper. Kudos to the smarties to come up with those ideas!

4. I am thankful for disposable diapers. Again, the bad pioneer woman thing. And the born when I was thing. I know I can do cloth diapers. In fact, I should do cloth diapers. But, the modern convenience of disposable is so nice. Quite a luxury, in fact. Oh, and I'm thankful for baby wipes, too!

5. Now, this last one sounds selfish, but I'm thankful for bedtime. I mean my children's bedtime. As much as I love my kids, and I really do, I am thankful for the time of night that we get to say prayers, tuck them in, get drinks, go potty, turn on the music, say "Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" and then give them kisses. THEN, I close the door and they stay put. In their own beds. And Blaine and I have some time together. I am thankful for all of that.

Changing Time

*click on the picture above to read the whole thing*

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. The extra hour of sleep I'm planning on getting tonight. Although I don't really understand the need for daylight savings time now, I do enjoy the falling back part of it. I am thankful for that extra little hour of rest to help my body and mind renew for another day of work in the morning.

2. I'm thankful for running water. The other day my water was shut off by the city because of some construction they were doing up the street. I felt like "well, there is nothing I can do today because I have no water." Ridiculous, I know, but thats how I felt. Can't do dishes, can't wash clothes or scrub toilets. I felt slightly panicky when I came to the realization that if my water were shut off, the only way to get any would be through what I have stored. Scary!

3. I am thankful for my sense of sight. I am so thankful that there is modern medicine that can help me see better with the help of glasses or contact. I am thankful to be able to see the gorgeous fall colors that are all around me right now. I am thankful to be able to see my kids smiling faces when I walk in the door at night.

4. I am thankful for a sense of humor. It helps me to laugh when I really feel like crying and to help someone else laugh when they want to cry too.

5. I am thankful for chocolate. Sometimes when laughing won't keep you from crying, chocolate will. At least thats what I tell myself! Haha! Its my therapy.

Hard Work

I want to be kissed like this someday. My husband knows this. I want to look as pretty in my nurse's uniform with shapely legs like hers someday too! Dream on, Jodi. Dream on!

Today I am thankful for:

1. My job. I am happy to be a nurse and I am very thankful to have a job. I am thankful to work at a place I like, with awesome friends to work with. I am thankful that I get to help others and use the knowledge I obtained in school. My job is a challenge to my brain every day. I love it!

2. My husband's jobs. Yep, I said jobs. Plural. I know we are lucky to have 3 jobs between us when some people don't even have one. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that Blaine and I have such great jobs and that we work with such awesome people. I am thankful that Blaine works hard for us to help support me and our children.

3. I am thankful for my health. And sanity. (Whats left of it, anyway! Haha!) No really, I am so thankful that I am healthy enough to get up everyday and take care of myself, my kids, any one else's kids that come over and even other people. I am thankful for a body that does what I want it to (most of the time). I am thankful for a sound mind and a healthy body!

4. I am thankful for the people who stop to let me cross the street when I am coming or going to work. Thank you for not running me over. There have been times when I was sure the people weren't going to stop. To those of you who do, Thank you! My husband, children, family, friends and co-workers thank you too! It may seem like a small thing, but I don't like risking my life every day just to cross the street so I can go to work.

5. I am thankful for my vehicles. I am so thankful for two cars that work properly, that get me to where I need to go. I am thankful to those people who have fixed my cars when they don't work properly and I am thankful to those people, seen and unseen, who help keep my vehicles running. I know who you are and I am so thankful! It is a huge weight off my shoulders to know that when I get in the car, it will start and I will get there and back safely.

Digging carrots

These are not my carrots. But I did dig up a big bucketful this afternoon (with the help of my hubby) and got them washed. They are resting on my counter. Drying. Waiting to be placed in bags so they can stay fresh in my refrigerator all winter long. Crisp and tasty! Mine looked amazing! A lot like those pictured above!

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. I am thankful that I have the space, motivation and excitement to garden. It was a rough year for our garden. We replanted some things once, some things twice! In the end, though, it is so worth it. I am grateful to have this time to "practice" gardening and hopefully figure out what works for us so that when the time comes "to do it for real" I'll be ready. Plus, gardening is almost free. Just a little sweat equity needed! This year I used two empty flowerbeds for my squash and cucumbers. It worked out great. I am grateful that I can plant tiny seeds and end up with delicious food for my family.

2. I am thankful for the knowledge I have of canning. I have canned and canned and canned AND canned this year. I was very blessed to have a plethora of fruits and vegetables come my way and be able to preserve them. I am still learning and consider this book my canning bible. It was lost for a while but I found it again and I feel so much more secure when I have it to use as a reference. I am thankful to all those people who have helped me can this year and to those who have taught me what I know. Thank you!

3. I am thankful for teachers. Especially elementary teachers. (I only have a child in elementary school, but I'm sure once he is in middle and high school I will greatly appreciate those teachers too!). I helped out in Garrett's class today for an hour or so. His teacher is awesome. She teaches and runs her class with what she calls "Love and Logic". Basically the kids learn that there is a consequence to every action, whether good or bad. Garrett is a different child this year. He is the student we knew he could be. It is wonderful to see his good grades come home, to not have a knock-down, drag-out bawling fight each night over homework, and to see him happy and excited for school. Thank you Mrs. Wheeler! No words can express how thankful I am for teachers like you!!

4. I am thankful for warm November afternoons. This day was gorgeous and I will enjoy it as long as I can. I love being able to send my kids out to play without a jacket on. It was 60 plus degrees today, sunny with no wind. Perfect! The fall colors are gorgeous and the leaves are falling. My burning bushes are on fire! I do not take these kinds of days for granted.

5. Finally, I am thankful for books. And for the people who write them. I am able to immerse myself into a story or a topic and either relax and escape or learn and grow. I am thankful for those people who take the time and effort to research topics so that I can be educated or entertained. I am thankful for authors who make their characters seem so real that I wonder what those characters are doing right now. (I know they aren't real. But they could be!). I am thankful for an author that describes a character so vividly and with such passion that I am almost shocked when I realize they are describing a real person-someone that I knew existed but didn't think much about-someone that I know exists and I work my hardest to avoid. If you are wondering what I'm talking about, you should read this book. And the 5 others that follow it.

Ok, enough for today. Can I tell you that I really love doing this? I am thinking all day of things I'm grateful for. I am grateful for that!

The Thanking Month

Ok. My sister-in-law Kara posted this post the other day. I thought is was awesome and I'm going to copy her and try to do the same. I totally agree with Kara, though. I started reading NieNie Dialogues after stumbling across it from another web site. Wow! I was bawling my head off for days about my own selfishness. So, this excercise of thankfulness will be wonderful for me! So, the plan is for every day of November, I will post 5 things I'm grateful for. (Thanks Kara! Imitation is the best form of flattery!) Since I'm already 3 days behind, I'll just start with today.

November 3, 2010

1. I'm grateful for my husband. I can't imagine my life without him or with somebody else. I can very literally say he is my soulmate. When we first met, I felt like I had known him forever. I think we both knew, without saying anything to the other, that we would get married. He is the love of my life. He loves me and takes care of me like nobody else ever could! I love that he will wake me up before he leaves in the morning to kiss me goodbye and tell me he loves me. He always says "Love you!" before we hang up the phone too! He is one of the most important things in my life. I'm grateful to have him for eternity!

2. I'm grateful for each of my children. They are a gift from God to me. They make me laugh, they make me cry and sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out but in the end, I'd never given them up. I'd be a mama bear if anybody tried to hurt them. They say the funniest things. Just the other night I was clipping Garrett's toenails (gross, I know) and Ryan was kinda jumping on me at the same time. Garrett got all nervous and said, "You know, if you cut me with those things (clippers), Ryan owes me a toe." I totally busted up laughing. I love my kids!

3. I am grateful for my family. I love that I live close to them and that I get to see them all the time. It tears my heart up when we aren't getting along, which luckily we get along most of the time. I know that I can call on my family at any time and they will be there for me. I love them very much and hope they know it.

4. I'm grateful for Blaine's family. Bet some of you are surprised to hear that. I am really not quite the "outlaw" that I used to be and I really love and appreciate Blaine's parents and siblings. I know I can call on them at any time as well. I love you guys too!

5. Finally, I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I find a huge comfort and relief to know that I am never alone and that I can dump all my stress, fear, heartache, and pain on my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They comfort me and calm my wildly anxious heart. Again, cannot imagine my life without that knowledge.

Ok. These sound like really generic things to be grateful for. But everything I list comes from the deepest part of my heart. I have so much to be thankful for!

Halloween

The day before Halloween we were going to take the kids to Trick-or-Treat street in town but the line was literally 1/2 mile long! We decided to go out to Beckie's house on the farm and take some pictures.


We loaded up the kids and took a 4-wheeler ride down the road to visit the neighbors. Bill & Janna were surprised to see us! The kids thought is was awesome. Kara was a good sport and rode in the trailer with the kids. I think we got some weird looks from the cars passing by.

The it was off to see Grandpa in the field. The little boys liked to trick-or-treat him because he had ice cream!!

All the kids with Grandpa. Ryan was obsessed with the tractor and would only hold still there.

It was getting dark so Doug followed us home in his pickup. He would rev the engine and the kids would scream, "Go faster! He is going to get us!"

Saturday was when we actually celebrated Halloween. We were in charge of the trunk or treat for our ward. We combined it with the other ward in our building and served hot chocolate and cider. It was a hit. People dressed up and decorated their trunks. Here is our friend Tyler. He is a hippie/Rasta sitting in the back of his VW bus. It has a mural painted on the side. Very cool!

I took the kids around and had to lead them in a parade. Very much out of my comfort zone!! It is fun to dress up, though!

Next, we went to my grandma's house to trick or treat her. I love that she lives so close and I have these pictures with her and my kids. My kids love going to her house.

Blaine wore this old man mask when he walked in. Grandma looked up and she wasn't expecting to see him like that. She jumped and screamed! Haha!

Blaine is giving her a kiss.

I think she liked it!!

Next, it was off to my parent's house for trick or treating with cousins and the brownies came. Jonah was superman, complete with the curl in his hair!

Beckie was a sexy, spidery witch thing!

Doug, Kara & Karston all dressed up like Shaggy, Velma and Scooby Doo. They even won a costume contest. So cute!

Halloween was so fun but I am so glad it is over! In between all of this I helped with Garrett's class party and Blaine, Garrett and I helped in the spook alley for the school carnival. Blaine was a very scary scarecrow and although I was just there to keep people from falling on their face after being scared by Blaine, I think I scared a few too. I was in the shadows, all dressed in black! Haha! Fun times!

Pre-Halloween Festivities

The couple of weeks prior to Halloween are filled with lots of fun stuff for my kids.

We went to the pumpkin patch with friends to pick out the best pumpkin! Hannah, Ryan and Pearson are riding in the wagon as we collect pumpkins!


Porter came too! Hey bud, I think that pumpkin might be too heavy for you!


They had a straw maze and another smaller straw maze for the kids to play at. Here's T.J., Creedence and Hannah being silly.

The pedal tractors were a big hit with my kids, especially Ryan. He didn't like having to take turns to ride.

They had this cute spot to take pictures. Unfortunately, it was facing west and the sun was shining right on it. The day was gorgeous, warm and obviously sunny. The kids could hardly look up for a picture.

Last weekend, while I was a work, Blaine took the kids to have a party with the Jones cousins. Blaine's sister threw a very fun party with lots of games and candy. In the picture above are:

Back: Gavin, JaNene, Jolynn, Shawn, Christopher, Jordan

Front: Brandon, Taylor, Hannah, Isabel, Ryan, Garrett

Hannah has powder all over her face from playing a game of eating a donut on a string. Next came bingo with candy pieces.

They carved pumpkins earlier in the day and I was told it was a VERY fun time!! Blaine's sister JaNene wrote a Shirlock Holmes mystery theatre type story for the adults to play. Blaine said it was very fun. What a talented sister!!

A few days before Halloween, we got together with the Purcell cousins to carve pumpkins. Here is Jayson and Garrett cleaning out their pumpkin.

Cute Kara hard at work cleaning out her ginormous pumpkin. Doug's was even bigger!!

Brent used a power tool to carve his pumpkin. Smart.

Ok. Very unflattering picture of myself. I obviously used a knife to carve my pumpkin.

Here are our cute glowing pumpkins. Mine is the little vampire to the far right. What a fun couple of weeks with family and friends. Lots of stuff to do leading up to Halloween. I'm exhausted by the time it gets here but we really have so much fun!!