My Thankful List for days 24th, 25th & 26th

My thankful list has not been forgotten...just delayed a few days.

When I come home to my parents it's like the days get mixed up into one Large day. We don't sleep much while we're here and we have to much fun everyday..so to separate it into days would be nearly impossible.

Therefore: I want to list 3 different things from the past 3 days that make me Thankful.

#1 My Sister & MOM!

They are crazy they are fun and they are nuts!

(I mean that in the nicest way)I love being with the woman in my family so much. It's always just a blast and so interesting when we get together, especially when it's after bedtime.

Last night, we had a late night game of Rummikub and when you mix little sleep, games, chocolate and Robbie....you know you are in for something quite special.

There are 4 girls that came from the same set of parents (mine) and we are so much a like and SO different at the same time. Some of us are outspoken, some are more quiet about their personality and thoughts. Some of us do things that the others would NEVER do, some sing songs out of the blue and the others wouldn't think of it. Our beliefs are the same, but some of our views are different, which can make for a fun conversation. No one gets offended or hurt because we love each other, but we don't always agree.

However; when it comes right down to it.. we all want to know the same thing. Can all of us make that "one noise" by cupping your armpit with one hand while pumping your elbow up and down. I know it sounds strange...but it's times like these that pull us together. Sitting around my mom's dining room table trying to make our pits fart while talking about the environment, politics, and the Gospel.

I am thankful for my wonderful sisters. We are so strong together and therefore are strong a part.

#2. Great friends!

(the photo is missing 2 early leavers, darn)

Tonight I was able to meet with a few friends from High school and it was such a good time. A great friend arranged this get together and I so enjoyed it, Thanks Tamara.

We met at a local eating joint and chomped it up. I haven't seen some of these ladies for more than 10 years....so it was wonderful to get caught up with their lives and where they are now.

They are all beautiful, interesting and amazing woman. I was so glad to of got the "call" from Tamara. Can't wait to do it again, hopefully those who couldn't make it tonight can come next '93 reunion.

Go Tigers!

#3. Beautiful Places!

There is so much beauty around Southern Utah. When I was younger and lived here I knew it! I knew that this was a unique and special place. I loved and enjoyed the dirt, rocks, trees and Spirit that is here.

When I come home I feel like laying down in my parents yard and just sucking in all the air I can. I want to go sit on a slab of red sandstone and rub my hands on it for hours. I want to travel to the hills north of us and smell the fragrant pine trees. I LOVE IT here! I about got in a car accident just yesterday because I couldn't stop looking out my rear view mirror at the picturesque view of Zion. OH...this place is Zion, to Me!

So my list includes Family, Friends and Beauty. These are some wonderful blessings and I am Thankful Tonight!

Are we on our way? you decide!

I had to post this....take a listen and see what you think. Make sure you stop the music so you can hear what is being said. This recording isn't really long...so take a minute and see what you can learn.
Very interesting!

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)