W45: My gratitude list

November 3-10, 2013

Day 3
I'm thankful that my hard-working-and-oh-so-deserving husband can get a Sunday nap. Hopefully at some point the monkey next to him will sleep too!

I'm also thankful that family lives close by, that we can visit, brighten lives {mutually} and serve each other. We had a nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa Miles that evening.

Day 4
I'm thankful for the ability, desire and love of running. I officially starting training for the Ogden Marathon on May 17, 2014. Always a good time to be sweaty at 5:23 am. I'm nervous about being able to fit in all my long runs but thankfully I love running during the winter because I don't overheat and I have my trusty headlight to help me see on the early morning runs.

Day 5
I'm thankful for my side kick who makes ALL our every day activities a riot. For example the first snow. She runs outside, "Take my picture mom!"

I'm thankful for sick days and the extra snuggle time it gives me with my kids. I must clarify that I'm not grateful they are sick just the one-on-one time and chances to snuggle. Spencer didn't go to school and we were naughty and went to a movie after Lucy's gymnastics class so we didn't have to make an extra trip home. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. I love a chance to be spontaneous. He obviously loved it.

Day 6
I'm thankful my bestie likes to hang out with me, takes care of me, love me unconditionally and helps me strive to achieve our goals. I got to spend the morning with Kurt and I appreciate having him at my side. I know he loves me and I'm a blessed woman.

Kurt took good care of me that afternoon by letting me rest with bebe Jane while he took over the hectic Wednesday schedule. He is busy at work {always} as they are selling lots of fall pivots projects. I appreciate him taking time off when I need him. In turn he came home with gratitude for my daily duties. What a good trade of gratitude.

I'm thankful I get to watch bebe Jane explore and discover the world around her. She still loves to suck and soothe with her fingers. She is constantly staring at her hands and grabbing onto everything she can. She has also got a lot more active this week with kicking and squirming. I'm trying to warn the kids to be careful where they put her down now because it won't be long before she's moving off!

Day 7
I'm thankful for this beautiful and graceful dancer who finds a reason to celebrate the good and happiness of every day.

I'm thankful that markers in our house are washable. And this is exactly why mothers can never rest. She did it later that afternoon with pen! Ahhh she is banned from ALL writing instruments for a month!

Since Spencer missed school Tuesday he also missed bball practice. He was excited to go on Thursday. We were able to watch. He is enjoying this basketball thing. Emma was suppose to go to play practice {she signed up to be in the chorus of OZ the first few weeks of December.) But she really didn't want to go {to the point of tears} and said she would pay back the money {$70} I paid if she didn't have to go. It will free up the December schedule and I don't want her having anxiety and tears over an extra curricular activity. At least Jane was happy and cute during all running and commotion. Love this fuzzy cuddly bear hat and the sweet baby wearing it.

Day 8
I'm thankful {most of the time} for the time we spend together in the car. We use the time to sing, memorize scriptures, talk, read and of course fight. We picked the kids up from school around 1:30 and headed down the road to Logan for Lorna's baptism. There were more tears that most trips but we did survive and arrive alive. Take the blessings were you can.

We went straight to the Farnsworth's house to enjoy the cousin time and dinner before checking into the Crystal Inn for the night.

 It was near impossible to get all of them looking at me let alone smiling! 

Day 9

I'm thankful that I have had this sweet face to make me smile for 4 months now.

I'm thankful for the covenants I have made and that Lorna made the decision to be baptized. Kurt took the kids swimming that morning at the hotel and then we got ready {showered} and checked out. I spent the rest of the morning helping Elaine set up for the luncheon. Sam was the true hero of day by being Elaine's personal assistant. He help prepare soup and a million other odd jobs to make it as perfect as Elaine planned. In true Elaine style it was planned thoughtfully and as Kurt said nicer than a wedding reception.

The baptism was well attended by family and friends. There were lots of kids in attendance and in truth not the most reverent but there were many shining moments that were touching and tender. I especially loved Lorna's gasp of happiness as she came out of the water followed by a big hug to her dad. It was beautiful.

Lorna had asked me to give the talk on the Holy Ghost and I was honored to do so. Lorna has a special place in my heart. She is a beautiful daughter of God and I was happy to be apart of her special day. I prepared a gift box with 4 items inside that represent ways the Holy Ghost is gift to us from Heavenly Father.

We went to another church building to have the luncheon Elaine prepared. There was delicious chicken noodle soup and rolls and a pink dessert bar with more choices than imaginable. The kids were clearly in heaven. Other fun touches: the center pieces were wishing trees. We wrote advice and hung it on the tree, a picture wall of Lorna growing up, Lorna's name spelled out in flowers, and a photo booth. My family had LOTS of fun with the photo booth props.

 SO much fun to see Megan again! Wish it could have been longer

{she wrote down all the names of everyone in our family. "This is what I'm thinking about." Then she followed ME around for the rest of the day with the bubble hoovering over my head. "This is what you're thinking about!"}

 Austin came up to me near the end of the luncheon, "I am full of pink delights."

LOVE these cousins!! {miss you Adelaide and Gwendolyn!}

After it was all cleaned up we were back on the road again. Jane was not as happy with the fast turn around but what do you do? We made it back around 10 pm, tired, happy and thankful.

~~~Romans' Reflections~~~

- Lucy feeling my chest, "is your heart going on? I'm giving you a check up."

- Jane gets poor diaper change in the middle of the night by mom.

- what does the fox say? Lucy

- after I tuck Lucy in bed, "please go now. See, I'm using my manners."

- snoring on the movie and dad asks if he's on the movie. "No he snores better than you." Emma

- Darby o'gill and the little people and Lucy asked "are they speaking English?"

- Lucy looked at the table cloth on the table and asked, "what's this burp cloth for?"

- Spencer walks into the room pulls on his shirt and says "this is the real deal."
- I overheard Ruth sadly exclaim to herself, "No one gets my language."

w44: my sweetest treat

October 27 - November 2, 2013

Its SWEET to have friends over for dinner. It has become a Sunday tradition. This week we had the Rayo family over. Kurt has been given the assignment from the Bishop to help the Hispanics in our ward and to share the gospel with others in our community.Kurt is very excited about it. The kids love wrestling with Pepe and there is always lots of laughs.

Being Halloween week we had lots of SWEET parties to celebrate...whatever it is we are celebrating at Halloween. Starting with a girl scouts on Monday. Activity Day for Emma on Wednesday and the Harvest Party at school on Friday. We like parties.

The donut on the string has come into play a lot this season.

The Cub Scouts made a yummy caramel apple dip. {they are still a wild and crazy bunch.}

I had volunteered myself to help with our ward's super Saturday {what a nerd.} Our items had to be ready to display for Sunday so Wednesday we went to Nampa to get all the supplies. Jane was just about as happy as I was to be in Target. It had been a while since I'd been there. It was quite SWEET to enjoy our time in their without being rushed. The little girls did great. Its a long day to be in town all day plus all the after school activities.

While Jane still has a terrible cough there are lots of sweet smiley moments. She found her voice this week and has been cooing and sighing a lot. Shes super SWEET! A friend pointed out that she has a deep voice. She continues to grab at whatever she can get in her gasp.

I have been trying to be better about giving her more scheduled tummy time as her head control is getting stronger and stronger. Surprisingly she really enjoys being on her tummy but keeps her mouth open the entire time. Funny.

We had a lovely Halloween day. Spencer had picked out some gross sugary cereal for a special SWEET breakfast treat. I packed fun lunches with Halloween theme food and colors. The little girls and I got the house ready for when they came home from school.  Kurt came home early so we could carve pumpkins. I appreciate that. I know he is busy but it was wonderful to spend some un-rushed Halloween time together.

Ruth was happy to use the Sharpie method to decorate her pumpkin.

FYI this is the Wild Kratt symbol {paw print}

Then we ate dinner and got ready for Trunk or Treat. It was so fabulous not to be so rushed and crazy trying to get all the costumes done/on and ready by myself. It helped that a lot of them were very simple this year, the kids are getting older and more independent and only one required makeup.  Super grateful for the combination because it allowed me to enjoy the time more. After they were all dressed I passed out SWEETS from mom and dad {a new book and halloween pez.}

At the last minute Austin decided to be a nerd. We got dollar store reading glasses and punched out the frames and found suspenders at Salvation Army. Done. He spent the night talking in a nasally voice and cracking terrible jokes.

The Trunk or Treat seemed to be at and all time low candy distributors but the turn out was still great. The weather was decent and it was enjoyable to see all the costumes. It was VERY amusing to see people try to figure out was Kurt and I were. Until we were walking together {with Lucy and Jane} it was impossible and quite comical. Two of our favorite guesses of the night were:

- A blind homeless man with a "help-me" sign in Braille
- Walking DOT game. Want to play?

We made it home in good time to get the kids in bed. They did have school the next day although it was their harvest party. Great reports of a SWEET day with school wide stations. The boys really liked making slime, Ruth enjoyed the coloring and Emma always looks forward to face painting. Before she got to school that morning she shared this important life lesson with us, "Never get your face painted by a boy. Steer clear." Funny but valuable wisdom.

That evening we hosted a bonfire for our friends the Drapers {our family photographer} and Forsbergs. It was Brittney's birthday so they dropped the kids off and left so they could go on a birthday date. We burned ALL the trees that Kurt has torn out. It was a HUGE pile. Biggest. Bonfire. EVER. We had a smaller more manageable fire for roasting hot dogs and smores {plus delicious coco and chili.} I really love Maria. I enjoy her friendship and insight. It was a fun night. Kurt took all the Forsberg kids home and I was outside cleaning up. When I came into the house Emma had the kids in jammies and was reading scriptures to them. Love those awwwww so SWEET moments.

It was also the first day of November. I love this month. I have so much to be grateful for! Join me as I record just a few this month.

Day One: I am grateful for my baby whisperer and SWEET morning smiles.

Saturday morning we drove to Payette for Spencer's very first basketball game. He is doing a 4 week league with the Willow Creek team. Braxton and a lot of boys from our ward are on the team. It was really fun {and sometimes comical} to watch. He did great. I was surprised because he has never really played basketball before. But what I loved the most is that he was a team player. He passed the ball to his team mates and helped others get a turn. Braxton made 3 baskets because of his passes. It was such a SWEET cousin moment. I loved it. "Spencer, Spencer I'm open!"

Ruth took this opportunity to make a sign for Spencer and cheer for him. I'm thinking this is a perfect outlet for her current cheer-leading desire. ;)  {Her sign says "Go Spencer" complete with basketball stickers.}

They had a hour in between the games and so we went on a cold fall walk on the Payette beltway. Lots of gorgeous colors.

That evening after kids were in bed I went to Jamie's for a girls night. Delicious pie and conversation made for a perfect evening.

Day Two: I am grateful for BFC {best friend cousin.}

~~~Romans Reflections~~~
- "I'm a PARTY." Lucy
- Ruth will NOT stopping talking. It is her new language of spanglish that Emma has dubbed as Ruthese.
- Ruth most often will count in Spanish and say her colors in Spanish. She asked, "what is this called in English again. I forgot!" {yellow}
- Lucy is constantly climbing into my lap and stroking my face. She will then say one of two phases, "You are so beautiful mom." or "Just chililax mom."
-"I'm happy now" Lucy