What does the 22nd & 23rd bring to the surface?

November 22nd & 23rd are both days of driving and visiting and enjoying so many people I love.

22nd was a day of Thankfulness for my in-laws.

I never really feel comfortable with that description "in-laws" because they are my family. "In-laws" seems to distance them from me in my mind and I don't ever want to them to think they are the "in-laws". This whole thing might be a bit confusing because you can't hear the way I am writing this in my head and ....anyhow....I hope you can catch my drift.

With all that jibber-jabber said they are my family because I married my husband so that makes them my in-laws. So..there you go.

This day was a wonderful day of spending time with them. I was able to see the talent of my SIL, Melanie, at a boutique she was participating in. I have always known she has more talent in her little finger than my whole body...but it was nice to have others witness it as well.

Then later that night we attended a 90th birthday party for my Grandmother-in-law. You should never use "in-law" after the word grandmother..but I want to clarify what side of the family it was on. Grandma Smith is a wonderful woman...I wish I knew her better. She is such an interesting person.

Over the summer we (my little family) stayed 2 months at my MIL home, where Gram Smith resides as well. So during those months I had a few chances to sit at the table during her lunch and just have a good talk with her and what things were like when she was younger. I wish I would of taken more time to talk with her. I really love her and am so happy that she is in our lives.

I have always struggled with the thoughts of not knowing my OWN grandparents. I want to know them when they were younger and know what they were like in certain situations. I see photos of my parents and g. parents and wish for one minute I could of been a fly on the wall. Just to see what they were doing while standing in line waiting for the pic...were they talking to their friends? Were they shy and standing by themselves? Were they goofs and being silly and showing off? Or were they like me and very self conscious of pictures because the people in line could possibly see you faking a smile for the camera? I wonder!

And then...what did they do when the picture was taken? I always wish I could of known them as a younger them. Not parental and responsible and stressed and worried about life and family.

Well enough of that...back to the party. It was a hit and so enjoyable to see everyone in the family that was able to attend. Some were missing and were noticeably missed!

Later that evening we got to have our 2nd sleep over at J & A's home and little Petch. Thank you for allowing the whole gang to camp out again. Love you guys.

today was a thankful day for my "IN-Laws"

*Now, I can't leave out wonderful friend that I was able to hang out with also on this day. My dear friend Harmonious & her wonderful sisters and mom. Over the past year I have never felt like just a friend to this family...they are so welcoming and inviting to not only my husband and I..but my children as well. I shouldn't leave out that they have known my in-law for 20+ years and so the friendship started long ago...I am just happy to be part of it now.

23rd was a day of smiles from the beginning to the end.

It started off with me filling up my car with gas for only $1.91 a gallon.

That is a great feeling!

I know we all recognize this feeling. It's the one where we don't have the desire to flip off the gas pump or give it a kick to the area that might be between the legs if it were to have 2 legs.... because you just got abused at the pump. This feeling didn't control me today...I actually drove away feeling like I still had my dignity!

This day finally ended at my parents home, safe and sound and So Grateful for such a Wonderful, Loving and Amazing family. ALL the way around!

I love coming home...it's so comforting and relaxing!

Nov 20th & 21st List

November 20th....I am so Thankful for a quiet time when I can get it.

Yesterday Luke took the girls to Tucson with him most of the day and so it was just me and the boys. I do love having "All my Children" around me, and sometimes it get a bit rowdy, but that can be fun.

So when that moment comes and there is a little quiet around me....it's somewhat Heavenly. I almost didn't know what to do with myself. I sat down in the middle of the front room and ate my lunch on the floor with Carter. I made a batch of sugar cookies for todays cookies party at my house. I caught up on LOADS of laundry. And when I say loads I mean it...how do clothes just pile up over night? It's like Night in the Laundry room and everything comes to life....and they create more clothes. I mopped my kitchen floor.

It's such a magical time.

But then there is that time when all the kids are running around chasing each other and all laughing out loud and that time is amazing as well.

I suppose too much of one thing could get very boring and annoying and keep you sane. (wouldn't want that)

Three Cheers for Quiet time.

November 21st

I woke up this morning with thankfulness for ANTICIPATION.

This feeling keeps the body in check. I love the excitement, nervousness, hyperactiveness, happiness & pure JOY that comes along with anticipating an upcoming event.

I get nervous and happy when I anticipate walking to the podium to bear my testimony in church. It's almost like I can't breath, my face gets hot and I almost can't feel my limbs.

I get hyper and somewhat annoying when I know that I am going somewhere fun and exciting. SO...today is my hyper and annoying day because tomorrow I leave for Utah. Me and the kids are so excited we keep finding our selves jumping up and down in the middle of a room holding hands. We are anticipating a long but wonderful trip. We are also anticipating the arrival of Luke a few days later....CANT WAIT!

YAHOOOO

Well the anticipation just hit me again..I got a knot in my gut because I am anticipating the boys finding me any minutes hiding out at the computer.

Happy Anticipating!

So much to say about November

Last year I did a Thanksgiving countdown and I still remember the things I wrote with out looking at them. I love writing about wonderful things in my life....it allows so much meditation on the things that are really important.

I wanted to do another count down this year....just not as long as last time. Not that I'm not extremely thankful and could think of something for each day of the month of November. But to be honest, I have been quite busy out here on this none busy land.

SO I will start writing today, however I need to back up 2 days for someone that I am so thankful for it hurts me all over to think about him.

So I will start with:

November 17th brings to mind a little dude that I am so thankful for and am in love with it really does hurt.

My little big boy Cedar turned a big 4 years old on Monday.

He brings so much EVERYTHING to my life. I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by his curiosity, creativity and capabilities.

But, not to long ago my SIL Nic told a story about her brother and how he used to be the same as my little boys. Into, undoing, breaking, building, painting with, jumping on, jumping over, jumping off, climbing up, balancing on, tearing up everything.

She told me that her mom used to get frustrated but then realized it was all about the

"why, when, how & Wow" factor. Her mother kind of just let him do his thing as long as it safe. This brother of hers turned into a 25 year old Commercial Airline Pilot.

Don't let me fool you that I Still don't freak out with some of the things that he pulls, because my nerves can be the proof of that.... But I have tried to relax when it comes to helping his creativity grow.

I have watched him turn into such a loving, sweet, observant, kind young boy. Just yesterday after he opened his birthday gift, his younger and louder brother started to cry about not having a "monster truck, like Cartie"...so my birthday boy handed his truck to his younger brother to keep. I thought that was such a sweet and noble gesture. So did Luke, so he went and bought Cedar another one..so now they both can play MONSTER TRUCKS together. Maybe not the best lesson for the younger bro. (you cry loud enough, you'll get a toy) but it was a great thing to see Cedar give his up with no thoughts of getting a different on.

He is constantly learning about all the things a 4 year old needs to know.

EX) it's not kind to tell the UPS delivery man, every time you see him, "you're really small"...even though he really is!

EX) it's not kind to call an ornery old man walking by you in the grocery story a "grumpy Grandpa".

Which leads me to my next thing I am Thankful for...his hilarious HUMOR! He is constantly cracking us up with his comments or his faces or his little attitude. He really makes my day...every day. I am totally and extremely Thankful for my little big boy Cedar!

November 18 brings to mind something I am eternally Thankful for. Just thinking about this subject brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

I am Thankful for the Plan OF Happiness/Eternal LIFE.

This day marks the 2nd year of the passing of my sweet sisters Husband. It's been 24 months and it still hurts to think about her and her boys. We miss Daniel so much...but we are mortals and we live here with HER.

Again, don't let me fool you that she isn't a SURVIVOR...because she is in every way.

She constantly amazing me by her Spirit and outlook on life. She is constantly giving credit to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She has grown into this woman that I admire so much. I have always admired her awareness of the Gospel and what it brings to our lives, but her strength is something fierce now. She has never faltered in her beliefs, even in her darkest hours. Since the death of her love, she has allowed Jesus to take his place. I have watched how she has turned the hurt over to him, and it's constantly healing her heart. Watching her has strengthed my faith and it gives me so much hope. Through this tragedy I have seen my testimony grown in terms of eternal life and the choices I make here on earth.

With all this said and all the things our family has learned through her...it's not the same as having her eternal companion here physically with her and the boys.

But in the same breath..I am Thankful for the loving reminder I have been given about this idea that we, as members of the LDS Church, have that if we can only survive living this life WORTHILY and progressing as Jesus did...we can live with our loved ones FOREVER!

November 19th brings thoughts into mind of what I have.

I am not going to say "I have this and I have that...so I am better than so and so".

NO, that's not my line of thinking with this subject.

But, I am going to say "I have food in my pantry, I have shoes on my childrens feet, I have a roof over my head, I have a heater to warm us at night."

I do have many things...but this idea is more a long the lines of

I have much to be Thankful for.

There are so many that have nothing and are still so happy! It's amazing how, when people find happiness it's not about things....but a Feeling of contentment and understanding of things far beyond our noses.

Oh to be Thankful...it's a magical thing!

Tagged x 2

I was tagged by my sweet friend/sister Jackie with thee old...what's the picture in the (blank) folder. So Jackie's was the 4th picture in the 4th folder and then I read my sweet SIL blog and saw the tag for the 7th picture in my 6 folder and wanted to see what mine was....lets see what we got..

4th in the 4th

Me showing off my Sumo Pants from Hawaii

Great pants...funny picture

6th in the 7th

My sweet Birdie....(she is going to be so mad about this picture being here)

we love to do this game on the computer for family fun.

The kids yell "do dad, do Creams, do Cedar"...it's pretty funny.

The Last Lecture

I received the book "The Last Lecture" from my dad about a month ago and have been reading it ever since.
At first I struggled with this book...because I knew the out come. I had watched a special on Randy Pausch and knew that he dies due to Pancreatic Cancer. So, reading this book was like watching the Titanic years ago...or reading the Work and the Glory Novels or watching the Joseph Smith movie at Temple Square. I knew what was going to happen...it was just a matter of time till you get to that part. So reading about his life and his courage to live the rest of his life to it's fullest...was kind of tricky.

One point I want to point out that I learned while reading this book is.
I need to let your children know what you love about them.

I say to my kids all the time...I LOVE YOU. But I need to let them know what it is that I love about them. I long for that very thing in my life...to be told what about me is loved and wonderful. I ask my husband that question quite often.
If I need that then I am sure that my children do as well. I need to give it to them.

This book is a wonderful book about remembering what we loved in the past and what we have accomplished through out our life time.

It's a very fast reading book and it's worth it.

My scattered mind

I think that the whole Christmas shopping is already getting to me and I haven't even started.

I have totally lost it!

Yesterday I made some phone calls around to the sisters asking for input on nieces and nephew gifts.
"what do your kids like, what are they into, what should we look for"...questions to open up the mind for just the perfect gift.
I made a call to my SIL, Laurie, yesterday on our way home from the library and merc. I was able to visit with her all the way home...which is only like 5 miles but it was a nice visit. Finally, me and the kids pull up to the house, and I am still talking on the phone to her.
Of course all the kids pile out of the car so I am left with taking everything in. Doesn't it just figure?
I reach over the console and pull out my purse, the 3 small grocery bags and the 40 lbs bag of library books. I walk in drop the book back on the table, drop the grocery bags on the counter and head to my bedroom to put away the purse... still talking my my SIL.
I put my purse on the dresser and immediately start digging through my purse in search of something...still talking on the phone.

In my mind I know I could not find what I was looking for with only one hand, so I put the phone on the shoulder up to my ear, and start digging with two manos. My hands start searching my pant pockets first front then back. Then my hands went to my jacket pockets...still nothing. I went back to the purse and look through it again...still nothing. Back to my pants front and back and then front and back once more. Still nothing. Maybe it is in my jacket pocket all the sudden, even though it wasn't there a minute ago....maybe it's appeared out of no where. SO, of course, I CHECK! Nope, still not there.
I had a thought flash through my mind..."Maybe it fell out of my pocket at the store. That would really stink to have to go back to the merc and get my dang phone."

by the way...I am still having a conversation with my sister in law while this is all going on.

Finally I say OUT LOUD to my conservationist
"I can't find my dang phone, I hate it when I do this...I put it somewhere and can't find it".

I pause for the her to say "have you check....here or there or everywhere".
But all I hear is in a quiet voice "Aren't you talking on it?"

She was right...I had been talking on it for the past 20 mintues...it wasn't in my purse or my pockets or hadn't dropped at the store.... because it was stuck to my dad-gum ear hole.

My response to her was "DId I really just say that out loud?, Holy Crap Laur....I am such a weirdie".

I have totally lost it!

Christmas is on it's way and I am sure my mind will only get better. (wink)

The worst Recipe to stay thin

For those pumpkin lovers...

This is the worst recipe I have ever tried....because its so gooood.

pumpkin cake w/ cream cheese icing

1 box yellow or spice cake

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

1 cup pumpkin

1/4 cup water

1 tsp Cinnamon

4 eggs

Mix well.

350 40-45 minutes

This is designed for a bundt pan...but I used 2 bread tins and they worked great.

Top with Cream Cheese frosting

(either your own or store bought)

WARNING...once you try it...WALK away or you'll stand in front of the cake and

eat it all.

It's yum-o and easy

berries and cream

My little Birdie reminded me of this commercial that makes me crack up....I think it's so funny! Especially the leg kick at the end! Oh, so funny.
Shelbert loves his little white socks and black boots.
Birdie is still a little frightened by this image.

Halloween what a creepy thing

We had blast in our little town.
This community really gets the idea of "small town" fun. We met at one of the local churchs...had a bite to eat and jumped on, one of 4, trailers full of hay. Of course we got on the one with the cutest driver.....LUKE! We were so thrilled to have Mel, Big E and the girls here with us....it's always better when you can share it with someone you love.
The hay ride took us down a very dirty and dark road where we made 3 stops along the way. Each stop everyone jumped off and found the goblins or gypsies that were handing out candy. After the 3 stops on the dark road we headed to Main street, where they had it all blocked off to traffic.
Once the ride stopped, again every one jumped off to find 20+ booths, tables, haunted wagons and blow up grave yards ready and waiting to hand over the candy to all the trick-o-treaters.
The town really come out and had a good time. I would say there were way more adults dresses up than NOT...it was fun!
Oh, and let me just say we brought home at least 14 full size candy bars...That's what I'm talking about.
We had in our midst.....
2 Cowgirls (thanks mom for the wonderful costumes
1 Vampire
1 Witch
1 Superman
1 little dude (Creams didn't want to wear his Batman costume)
1 Dirt Headress
1 Arivaca Princess
and
1 lady that needed a whoopin for flirting with Luke ALL night long.

Hallelujah

Okay...forget the Presidential Election for a minute...there is nothing I can do about it except CRY.
Let's look at the SILVER LINING...

PROP 102 PASSED!!!!!

This is a huge feat....and I am proud of the choice that was made.
I read an article this morning and this is what it said:

Numbers show Arizona's Proposition 102 has passed -- same-sex marriage has now been constitutionally banned in the state. With final numbers yet to come, voters in the Grand Canyon state have clearly said no to same-sex marriage.
Preliminary results show the measure has the backing of more than 56% of voters.Arizonans essentially reversed a 2006 vote against such a measure, ensuring the definition of marriage can never be changed by a judge or the Legislature.
This year's proposition -- unlike 2006's -- didn't include a ban on domestic partnership benefits or block the potential for civil unions, which most likely swayed many voters.
"Blame the Mormons," says Krysten Sinema, who led the campaign against the proposition. "The Mormon church was very involved and was not in the past," she told the Arizona Daily Star. "That made a huge difference."

BLAME ME!

Debbie Downer here: It scares me that only 56% voted YES. But I will take it proudly!

*note....prop 8 passed in California as well! (that is great)
*note....Florida also passed a similar proposition last night! (wonderful)

I think I Bruised my COCCYX

So, yesterday afternoon...I fell off a horse!

I do think I bruised thee ol' coccyx a bit.

I wasn't thrown off the horse...OH no! I FELL Off!

The only throwing that was involved in this incident was probably me throwing my arms up in the air and just surrendering to the ground.

WOW, is all I can say about myself!

Honestly, how does that happen? Well let me tell you how that happens.....

It all began while carving my 5th pumpkin and getting very ready to go outside for some fresh air. I was delighted to hear a knock on the door and have it be Allison, our friend/staff from down the road. She asked if she could take the girls to go get a horse out of the pasture to ride. Let's call this horse "Palo".

Just as this was all underway I see Luke and the boys out the window, walking over with a horse of their own. Let's call this horse "Moro".

Once Luke got to the door he asked me to throw some shoes on and lead the boys around on the horse while he ran to change the sprinklers. I was so glad to get out of the house with the kids. We, me the boys and "Moro", decided to go find the girls. We met up with them and decided to head down to the arena area. Let me make a point to mention that Allison decided to NOT use a saddle today on "Palo", so it was bareback for any that rode her.

While down there I was getting fed up with the dirt in the arena...

(I know a true cowgirl attitude, right?)

It's like powder sugar, very soft and light. The only difference is it's brown, dirty and doesn't taste so sweet. When the boys were off "Moro"...they were kicking it, jumping in it, laying in it, throwing it......my shoes and pants were full of dirt and so were they.

After I led the boys around the area for a while and Allison led the girls around on "Palo"....it was time for some jockeying of riders. Everyone was getting to ride, except poor ol' mom.

I remember thinking "I really would like to ride but 'moro" had a small saddle on for the kids and the "Palo" has no saddle. I watched Allison riding "Palo" just fine and even got trotting on it with no saddle.

I was thinking "I wonder if I could?"

Just about that time I hear Allison say "you wanna ride Palo?"

Me: "NO, I don't feel comfortable bareback and I don't really know how to ride that way".

Her: "Oh, come on....he is really nice."

ME: "Okay, why not".

So with the help of Allison's knee I was up and feeling okay. I went around the arena once. On my way back I see Luke heading our way to see what's happening with his little family.

By the time Luke walked to the gate, I was also back to the gate where all the kids were, again, playing in the dirt.

I was still on "Palo" and turned to face Luke and said "I don't know about this bareback business, I feel a little unsecured on here"

He looked at me and gave me a thumbs down, (in agreement that this sucked)

I decided for my last run across the arena I was going to give this horse a little kick and see if I could trot him and be cool while doing it.

I remember thinking "don't forget to hold on to the mane."

So I feel the horse go a bit faster...the following are my thoughts:

the horse goes: UP DOWN

and I think: I am going and so far so good.

UP DOWN... hey I am still sitting good, feeling good.

UP DOWN.. okay this is looking promising, I might surprise myself.

UP DOWN...oh NO...I feel a little crooked on his back...I need to stop this horse..PULL BACK on the reins.

UP DOWN...OH NO...I am really feeling strange, this could be trouble..PULL BACK.

UP DOWN...What should I do, lay on my belly and hold on for dear life....OH CRAP...Luke is watching...YEEEEKS

UP DOWN...Okay, Can I get my leg around fast enough to land on both feet, and then say TA DAH? But, iF I don't, I might get trampled by the horse...OH CRAP...I know Luke is watching.

UP DOWN...what are you going to do? You're officially on the side of the horse still sliding. THROW your leg around the horse or lay down on your belly on the back of the horse..NOW! ...DANG this is going to SUCK.

UP DOWN...'ERE SHE BLOWS .....TIMBER!

I landed on the ground..smack on my back side.

The feet & legs failed me and didn't make it down in time to stop the blow to the buttocks. I landed and jumped right up in a matter of a slit second, laughing so hard I was crying.

Luckily I fell off the side of the horse that Luke wasn't on!

I peeked around the neck of the horse to see Luke standing there wide eyed and mouth wide open. (I have to say, he never did laugh)

I can only imagine the sight of me from his view point.

Seeing me leaving the top of the horse, not seeing me for a flash and then seeing me on the ground in the dirt at the feet of the horse.

I asked him what it looked like when I hit the ground. He said "you looked like Linus from Snoopy...just a cloud of dirt around you."

I like to imagine, for laughter purposes, it looking like an ATOMIC bomb going off as I hit the ground. YOU know, dust billowing up around the old lady that just slide off the horse.

Yes...I am sure I bruised the coccyx....and my last weeks chiropractic adjustment

all shot to HECK!

UPDATE

Cedar and Cream slid off the same horse...with no saddle...you would think I would learn.

They are okay, just a little stunned by the fact that they got my riding abilities.

my little collection of things

I have been making a list of things I wanted to blog about over the past few months. Instead of writing a post for every one of them...here is my readers digest version.

1. Gave a talk in Church a month or so ago about strengthening our family with FHE. I talked about how Cedar uses a wooden spoon to direct the music, every monday night. I also mentioned that some how or another the spoon turns into a weapon. The way I said it had Luke concerned that the congregation might think that "WE" use it as a weapon during FHE rather than the kids tossing it back and forth. So when Luke spoke next he made sure to clear the air and let people know we didn't use FHE as wooden spoon beating time.
"THANKS Babe for clearing us of Child Abuse Charges"

2. I am so proud of Little Delb. On the 6th of August she learned to tie her own shoes after just getting so mad and doing it.

3. A few months ago, Lainie hit her head on some wood at the hay barn. She came home and told me...we looked and saw that there was a little cut, but was okay. Two weeks later she mentioned that her head hurt again right in the same spot. I took a look and saw 2 larger splinters "oozing" their way out of her scalp. (YUCK)

4. I have been telling Cedar for some time that "there will come a time when your little bro will take you down and get you. YOu better start treating him nicer". Well, that time finally came when Cream had received his last body slam. Cream saw the chance and took it...he launched a 4 inch square metal scrapbook tool across the room and nailed Cedar right in the head....cutting it open. The threat was heard...loud and clear!

5. I love listening to my kids sing a song on the radio and getting the words mixed up, like:
instead of "talk about it, talk about it, talk about moov' in"
it is "taco body, taco body, taco body yeah yeah"

instead of "we built this city on Rock and Roll"
it is "We built this city on Noggin More"

instead of "Roxanne"
it is "Rock Sand"

6. I love hearing my kids say funny things that they KNOW makes sense, like:

While going to bed Cedar says "I'm so so so Romantic"
While playing outside Cedar says "I'm sweaty, I need a vegetable"
While Cedar is talking to Cream "you're a muscle boy, you re not scared"
While preparing to cross the cattle guard Cedar says "mom, I can't cross the Cadillac by myself"

7. WHile putting Cedar to bed I ask "are you going to go on a mission?"
He says "NO, I am going to drive monster trucks".
Me: "well, maybe you can go on a mission first and then drive monster trucks when you get back".
Him: "mom, actually I will drive monster trucks on my mission"
ME: (laugh)
HIm: No, actually mom, I will put on my mission clothes and then drive my truck"
Me: smart idea buddy.

8. I asked LUke if I could throw Cedar in the shower with him, seeing how we were in a bit of a hurry and the boy needed a wash down. I walked into the other room to help Creams get dressed and over heard their conversation going on in the bathroom. I heard Luke say "let me wash my hair real quick and we'll get out" Next thing I hear is Cedar saying "DAD, your BUM is staring at me." I couldn't help but laugh out loud!

Those are a few things I wanted to write so that I might have them!