Week of Thanks...

So I've been thankful these last few days to be so busy, and having so much fun that I haven't had time to post! :)

Yesterday we went to church. Between being in Salt Lake, Stake Conferences, being sick, and sluffing church one Sunday....(Yes, I admit we just stayed home one Sunday when the girls slept in til 8:30...which meant we slept in til 8:30.)....if felt like it had been FOREVER since we were at a full block meeting! Probably because it has been too long. Needless to say, our cups were filled! I'm so grateful that we both came home yesterday and looked at one another and said, "That was great, I really love feeling the spirit so strongly!" It's funny how we both felt the same way!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach my children about tithing. Things have been (and still are) pretty tight for us. Yet, showing our kids that we need to give back to our Heavenly Father...who has given us EVERYTHING is such a blessing!!

I'm thankful for neighbors who have been begging us to leave the girls with them so we could FINALLY have a date...just Jason and I! Really, that's been close to 3 years!! We've doubled when we were up in Salt Lake...but to just enjoy each other's company, that's been years! Thanks James and Melissa! You guys are really great, more like family to us! We may have to take you up again soon....we had a great time!

I'm thankful for movies like "The Blind Side". I know that sounds silly. But really, it shows me that there are some really great people in this world! I only hope that I can be an instrument in the Lord's work one day, like they were!!! (GO SEE THE MOVIE! Well worth the money!!)

I'm thankful for yummy home cooked meals! In Relief Society yesterday, they were talking about how important it is to keep the home safe and protected from the evils of the world. I came home with the distinct impression that one of those "evils" is fast food resturants. I know that sounds silly. But I think that eating out at those "quickie" places takes away from the family eating together at the table. Thanks to being strapped for cash, we have been eating a lot more of our meals at home. What a wonderful experience...to sit as a family and visit and eat. It truly does bring us together!

I am thankful for my sweet husband who is trying so hard to hang the Christmas lights on our house. He's DEATHLY afraid of heights. I'm not even joking! Yet he is still trying to get them hung for me because he knows how much I love them!!

I am thankful for early bedtime for the girls! Last night Kayla was in a bit of trouble and went to bed early. Kaitlyn was also tired and fell asleep watching a movie in my bed. This left Jason and I to have a game night! We haven't pulled out our favorite games in a long time! Last night, I got my butt kicked! 0 for 3 in Settlers, and Carcassone. But we still had a great time! I think we're going to make it a Sunday ritual! Jason even wants to get a little goofy trophy for the week. So if you're ever bored on a Sunday night, feel free to stop in and play some board games with us! :)

I'm so thankful for all the Lord has given us! We are blessed! I'm thankful for the love in our household, and hope it only continues to grow!

Count Your Blessings

Yes, I’ve been busy.

I might not have posted the last 2 days, but I’ve still been counting my blessings!

Here’s an extra long list I’ve had running through my head:

I’m thankful for a great pediatrician!

Dr. Marsden is, simply put, THE BEST! He makes my girls feel so special and important when they go see him! They love their doctor, so do I!

Kaitlyn had her 3 year old check up on Monday.

She’s perfect. (But I didn’t need the doctor to tell me that.)

She is also very tall and skinny! Height: 98%, Weight: 70%

Dr. Marsden asked if I had any concerns with Kate…of course I said, “Ummmm, Potty Training??”

To that, He gave me the best idea I’ve had yet. He warned it might get messy. And it definately wouldn’t work with a boy…but girls like to be clean. And, he said since Kate is so stubborn this could actually work pretty quick.

He told me to wake up one morning and announce, “I’m sorry but we are out of diapers. They are all gone, and there is none left at the store for you. I guess you are going to have to wear underwear now.”

He said I’d have to stick with it…after all, there is no turning back when you inform your daughter they no longer have diapers for her at the store.

Well, I decided since I truly only had one diaper left this morning, today was the day. Kate got upset when I first told her “no more diapers”. However, she’s been doing GREAT!

She LOVES that she gets to call Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell, Minnie Mouse, or Donald Duck each time she goes potty. That seems to be her “hot button”.

I am thankful for my husbands fantastic voice impressions so he can help me out with that!! =]

I am also thankful for the moments when you have had such an excitingly, busy day and this happens:

They put smiles on my face!!

I’m thankful for the chance to host Thanksgiving dinner this year!! And I’m even more thankful that I have all the shopping done!

I’m thankful for cell phones. Even though they can be a HUGE distraction (especially for my husband), they can all be a great help! They are so convenient! Can you imagine what it would be like to have to pull over and use a pay phone?

(I didn’t even know pay phones were still around. Go figure!)

I’m thankful for MLIA. When I pop into that website, I usually find one that puts a smile on my face! And sometimes, a full out belly laugh!!

I’m thankful for an AMAZING visiting teacher! We sat for over an hour talking about EVERYTHING and it felt like she’d only been here for 5 minutes! (Plus, she always brings me yummy food!!)

I’m thankful for the difficult times…or uncertain times our family is having right now. It makes me a lot more aware and grateful for the smoother water.

Lastly, (at least for today) I am thankful Ms. Stefanie.

(No. Not Stephanie Meyer, as in Twilight…but I am thankful to her amazing creativity.)

Ms. Stefanie, as in Stefanie: Living off key

A few weeks ago she posted this AMAZING quote on her blog. I came across it today and it reminded me of how thankful I am to her for posting it. And of course I’m thankful to Ms. Sheri Dew for saying it. I will leave you to ponder on the quote…it was quite powerful for me!

"On those days when we're not ready to stop being offended, not ready to forgive, still determined to dish out the silent treatment, what we're actually saying is, "Thanks, but I don't want to become more like the Savior today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today." Perhaps those are the times when we need to pray the hardest, the times when it becomes clear that a change in behavior is not enough--that we must have a change in nature." ~Sheri Dew

Turn that frown upside down...

Do you ever have those days?

You know, the ones where you wonder why you even bothered to get out of bed? The ones where you try and try and try to stay in a good mood, yet it seems EVERYONE is out to ruin it? The days when you feel all alone and upset? The days when you just want to curl in a ball and cry? The days when a gallon of ice cream truly wouldn't be enough to make things okay again?

No?

Must just be me.

Today was one of those days for me! It started off great, then slowly it turned worse and worse. By this afternoon I was in tears, playing the pity party game. At one point I tried to pull myself out and ignore all the rudeness around. I started trying to think of what I was going to be thankful for today.

Drew a big blank.

I almost threw in the towel and said forget it. (with the whole posting gratitude every day this month.)

It was then I realized I REALLY need to find something today to be thankful for.

Guess what?

I did!

I am SO THANKFUL that I was able to take dinner into one of the sweet women I visit teach. She just got the call that they were selected to adopt a new, precious baby boy! She brought him home Thursday and I got to take in dinner tonight.

I guess there are really 2 parts to be thankful for. Obviously when you serve others and you take yourself out of the picture and focus on them it makes you feel better! That's exactly what making the food did.

THEN...there's the whole baby part. OH. MY. GOODNESS! He is GORGEOUS! So tiny. So innocent. So pure! Holding him in my arms warmed my soul. (Cheesy, I know...but so true!) Then to hear her tell us all about her adoption stories with this baby, and her 2 others. It was such a pick-me-up moment! He's beautiful. Their family is beautiful! I think babies are an instant way to put things into perspective!

After leaving her home, I went to the gym...worked off the rest of my hurt and frustration. Then I came home. Home to my sweet, innocent children! There I laid in bed with both of them snuggling up, reading stories and giggling. I'm thankful for their unconditional love. No matter how their day goes, no matter how frustrated they get, they don't let a moment pass without telling me: "Mom, your the best mom in the whole world."

That is a gift you know! To see the love my children have for me. I treasure it.

I am also thankful for the chance I have to hear my children pray to their Heavenly Father! After I took them each to their rooms, I knelt down with each of them individualy and listened to them pray.

I listened to Kate's simple, and at some points non-understandable, prayer. I listened to how she prayed to her Heavenly Father for a baby to come to our home. How she was thankful for "Carly" (a.k.a. Harley, our dog). How she was thankful for her Tinkerbell doll. It was beautiful!

Then I go to Kayla's room and hear her pray. I hear her giving thanks to her Heavenly Father, I hear her telling him how much she loves her sister and her family.

Tonight, I am thankful for sweet innocence. Pureness. Love.

Disney

I wasn't able to post yesterday because we were so busy! (And, the lap top died.)

I have a lot to be thankful for this past weekend.

First, I am thankful for all the family and friends that came by to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday! She had a fantastic weekend full of partying! Thank you for coming by, we really appreciate it!!

Yesterday I was really grateful that we were able to take Mikayla, Kaitlyn, and Cambry to Disney Princesses on Ice! Oh My! It was FANTASTIC! The girls faces lit up as soon as they saw Tinkerbell wisk out. It was very well put together. I was quite impressed!!

By the time we headed out of the Energy Solutions Arena it was a blizzard. We got in the car and the 3 girls PASSED OUT! Literally, with in 3 minutes!

I am so grateful we were able to go to the show!

I am also thankful for warmth. More now than I have been in a while! It has been so cold up here and I am really looking forward to St. George sun!!

Lastly, I am thankful for a husband who knows how to fix cars. Last night was quite the night for us. First, our van battery died. Someone, not mentioning any names, left the lights on while we were in Ikea. After about 2 hours we got the battery jumped.

Then we borrowed Jason's mom's car to have a date night. On the way to dinner...the tire blew! Really, it wasn't our night for cars last night. So I am thankful we were safe. And eventually we did warm back up.

One more...I am thankful to Jason's mom! She was kind enough to watch the girls last night...AND the dogs. (Even the devil dog!) Thank you for the night out! We appreciate it!!

Baby, Oh Baby!

Today it’s pretty obvious what I’m thankful for! 

Today is Kaitlyn’s 3rd birthday!  Where do 3 years go???????

FYI:  They fly by!! 

  3 years ago I was probably the sickest I have ever been!  I’m not even exaggerating! 

Because of some complications, they performed an emergency C-section. 

I wasn’t ready for this.  In fact, I had just eaten before my Dr. appointment.  So, when they gave me the morphine in the O.R. I got sick.  REAL SICK!  And since I’m allergic to the phenegren that relieves the sickness…there was nothing they could do.  For 24 hours I was throwing up non-stop. 

Just imagine that for a second…having just had your stomach sliced open to get a baby out.  While they are doing it, you are throwing up on the table in the operating room.  AND, then imagine for the next hours upon end throwing up and how it would feel to have those stomach muscles hurt from the operation!  It was not fun.

But I’d do it all again!

In a heartbeat!

The last 3 years, Kaitlyn has brought such love and happiness to our family!

And today is her special day!

We have a super fun weekend planned!  We are leaving shortly to head to freezing cold Salt Lake.  Tonight will be her family party!  And tomorrow, we are heading to Disney on Ice Princesses to celebrate!

Kaitlyn, my love!

I couldn’t be a more proud mom!  You are so special in every way!  You light up my life.  Thank you for bringing energy into our home!  Remember, no matter how much time passes, you will always be my baby!  I love you so much, and hope this next year is your best year yet!

I’m so thankful for you, and thank God every day that he loaned you to me for this earthly life!  You are beautiful, you are funny, you are sweet, you are feisty, you are my daughter, and you are a daughter of God!  You have so much ahead of you, but for the moment we get to celebrate 3!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Kate!

What you think about....you bring about!!!

Today I am EXTREMELY thankful for KILLER sales! Jason and I were really hoping that Santa would be able to bring something great for the kids this year! We've had our eyes peeled for good deals, but couldn't find any for this one item. We were losing hope that it would happen because we just didn't have that much to spend.

Today I'm pleased to announce that I found exactly what we were looking for, and it was more that 80% off!!! We couldn't pass it up! Check back in a month and you'll see what Santa leaves our two little girls...

I'm also thankful today for re-finished furniture. We started re-doing all our bedroom furniture in black at our old place. I was trying to have it all finished before we moved in our home.

It didn't happen.

Instead, we've had it sitting in 1/2 our garage for almost 4 months. We've been debating whether we wanted to finish them or just buy new.

Obviously new = less work...

However, new also = $$$

We opted to save and do the work. They look good...pictures will come soon. (As soon as I can find the battery charger for our camera!) I love how it feels like we have brand new furniture! (And I really love having our garage cleared out!)

Lastly, today I am thankful for Costco's Photo Center! I know I've already talked about Costco, but I HAD to give props to their photo departement. We ordered a large (16x20) CANVAS PRINT from Costco.

(I had NO IDEA they even did those!!)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! It came today and it is beautiful!! And in my opinion, they were really reasonably priced! My living room is almost ready for a picture to post...just gotta add a large mirror from Ikea, a shelf, and a vinyl saying. Should all come together in the next month. (fingers crossed!)

Veteran’s Day

Today I would like to express my gratitude to all those who are serving, who have served, or who will serve this great country!  What a gigantic sacrifice they and their families make!  Thank you so much, I am so blessed to live in our great country with all the security each of you brings!  Thank you for protecting the freedoms we enjoy!

I am also overly thankful for our car today.  I have been worried the brakes were going out so we finally got it in today.  PHEW.  Brakes are great!  Dirty, but great!  Tires need replacing, maybe next month.

I am thankful for out-of-town visitors!  We LOVE it when people take trips down here and remember to call or stop by!  We know usually most are busy on their get-aways, but love it when you  remember to call have time to see us!  It was great to see you Swainston’s and Grandma Rupp!!

Lastly, lately I have been grateful for the daycare at the gym!  It gives me ZERO excuses to not get my behind over there!  After all, I have weight to lose and a marathon to train for…

Motherhood

Today my heart is full of gratitude.  I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a mom! 

I have come to realize over the years that children are a loan from God.  I believe that completely!  I am so grateful that He has entrusted me such beautiful girls to raise and teach.

Over the last few years I have been asked the same question over and over again. 

“When are you going to have more kids?”

I’ve always been hesitant in my answer.  Most of the time I simply brush it off and explain that we are “good for now”.  That’s true, but not entirely.

For at least the last year we have been trying to have another baby.  We’ve seen some doctors during this time.  We’ve found out that I don’t ovulate as I should.  In fact, most of the time…not at all.  Apparently, the fact that we have 2 beautiful children is a rather large blessing and miracle.

In the past year we’ve tried different options to help me ovulate so we might add to our family to no avail. 

I’m not going to lie.  It hasn’t always been easy.  I know many women struggle with this.  Unless you’ve been there, you can’t begin to know the feelings associated with it.  (I don’t really want to touch on that because it stirs a lot of inner emotions with me.)

So today, instead of focusing on what I wish would happen, I choose to be grateful for my 2 miracles!  I choose to enjoy their childhood.  I choose to be grateful for the opportunity to be called “mom”. 

Maybe one day the Lord will bless our family with another “loan”.  Until then, I am just overly grateful to be a mom now.  Words can’t express how precious that gift is.

Staying with that topic, sorta, I am also grateful for pictures to document my family!  I’m thankful for Celeste and Studio C Photography!  She came down to St. George and took some AMAZING pictures of my family!  Here are a few:

View Full Album

She did such a great job, and I’m so thankful that she was able to capture my kids personalities in these photos! 

FHE

Tonight I'm thankful for Family Home Evening. We are very consistent at having this, but usually by the end of the (short) lesson I am wondering if anything even got through to them.

Tonight was different. Tonight they were very into the story. They were answering questions. It was wonderful! Tonight we learned all about Thanksgiving and why we have it. We also went around, and around, and around naming things we are thankful for.

Can I tell you what impressed me most?

(Of course I can, it's my blog! haha)

Each time the girls named something they were thankful for, it was real. Not a worldly toy or TV show. They named things like family, church, Jesus, etc. Without any prompting!

It's times like that when I think maybe, just maybe (with my fingers and toes crossed) we might be doing something right!

Today I am also thankful for beautiful evenings down here! We were outside (Kayla and Jason still are) for most of the night. Probably the last 2 1/2 to 3 hours! I love that this weather gives us the opportunity to enjoy our evenings outside!

I am also thankful for great neighbors! Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) we don't do a good enough job at putting ourselves out there to visit and get to know them. Tonight it was fun to have the kids come out and just laugh and play and visit. We are so thankful to live where we do, and we are trying to do a better job of breaking our mold to get to know each of them more! I really think we live on the best street ever!

And since I'm in an overly good mood tonight, I'll add another that comes to mind. Costco and their return policy!! I am so thankful to that store and I will be a loyal customer forever! They take back anything, anytime! No receipt needed! No questions asked! What great customer service!

Sabbath

Today I have been especially thankful for my health. Although I've been quite sick as of late (and still am!) I realize it could be so much worse! There are many out there who are much sicker than me. There are many out there who don't even have full use of their bodies to do the things I do. So yes, I count that as one of my most prized blessings! The ability I have to pick my kids up, to clean my house, to run and play...those are all blessings thanks to my body's health. And I know EVENTUALLY I will get past this sickness that has been lingering.

Ever since General Conference, and Elder Holland's talk, I have been overly engrossed in reading the Book of Mormon. I am SO THANKFUL for my testimony of The Book of Mormon! I know of it's truth. I know of the peace it brings to me in my life. I know when I have gone without reading the book, my spirit hungers! Many people out there have tried to disprove the book. I personally know many who try to deny it's truth.

Simply put: I don't understand it. I don't understand how any person can not read that book and not know and feel of it's powerful truth!

But if you question for yourself, please...listen to this short talk given HERE.

Elder Holland explains The Book of Mormon extremely point blank. His testimony of the book, the facts he gives are powerful. I'd like to share one part that has really stuck out to me. He is talking about those who have been misled into believing the book is UNtrue and He says:

"...if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit. In that sense the book is what Christ Himself was said to be: 'a stone of stumbling, a rock of offence, a barrier in the path of one who wishes not to believe in this work."

The entire talk was P O W E R F U L!

I am thankful for the powerful testimony Elder Holland gave. It has given me the fire I needed to read The Book of Mormon.

Today I am also thankful for my testimony of the truthfulness of the church. I can't imagine my life without it! I would be lost. I gain such hope, such peace from knowing the truth! I am not a perfect person. But I try. Everyday I have hope that I might become better, more Christlike, more loving. Everyday, I wake with a new hope. I am grateful for the peace in my life. I am grateful for the knowledge I have! There are many out there who are searching for this, some might not even know it! There are many I know who once knew and now doubt.

I would like to share with each of them, and everyone else the fact that I know God lives. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. He is my redeemer, my brother, my friend. I know he gave his life so that I could have the chance to live with my family forever. I know the Lord watches over us all. I know of his love. I have felt it, I have seen it. Each and every day that passes I rely on this knowledge because of the happiness and peace it brings to me. I know there is plan. I know this life is a test. I have hope in my future because of the gospel! The fact that I know The Church of Jesus Christ is true, the fact that I know my Savior lives and He loves me, THAT is the greatest blessing I have! I know! I know. I am so grateful that I know!

If you'd like to learn more about that which I know, visit HERE!

Bright, Bright, Bright Sunshiney Day!

I couldn't fall asleep last night.

I laid there thinking.

Thinking
Thinking
Thinking.

Thinking about my life.
Thinking about my family.
Thinking about my hopes.
Thinking about my dreams.
Thinking about my shortcomings.
Thinking about how I'd like to focus more on what's important, rather than world things.

Then. I started thinking about what I was going to write about tomorrow (this morning).

I am thankful the Hilary Weeks album "Lead Me Home".


Truthfully. I'm thankful for ALL of Hilary Weeks music. But yesterday afternoon, while I was making dinner I turned my IPod on and had my spirit uplifted! It was just what I needed.


I'm thankful for Neopolitan Ice Cream. Seriously! 3 flavors in one!!

I am thankful for good sappy love movies on HBO. (especially when I'm curled up watching it, eating my neopolitan ice cream!)

I have a good life. I really do!

What are you thankful for today???

Put a candle on the cake!

I think this gratitude exercises has been good for me. It really is helping me to focus on things that are important everyday!

I'm thankful we have enough $$ to pay our mortgage this month!

I'm thankful that Mr. Wonderful gets up early every morning and lets our 4 legged kids out to go potty! (And it doesn't stop at the 4 legged...when my last 2 legged kid was born, I never had to get up at night with her. NEVER! He always did it!)

Lastly...I couldn't end my gratitude without being thankful for my mom! Today is her birthday, you know! First off, without her...I wouldn't be here. =D I love her so much! She is so willing to do anything she can for those she loves! Thank you Mom! Happy Birthday!!!

Gratitude and more...

Today I am thankful for:

Good dreams, the ones you want to fall back asleep to and never wake up!
Instant hot water in the shower. I can't imagine my life with out it...brrrrrrr!
My 2nd mom! Today is her LAST CHEMO TREATMENT!

I know it's been a bit since I gave you an update on her status, so here it is: She is so stinkin excited to be having her LAST chemo treatment today. (Actually, right now.)

Can you blame her?

I think we should all do some random happy dancing RIGHT NOW. Yes, where ever you are reading this...just break out into dancing because THAT is something worth dancing about!

It's been a long course, but there seems to finally be light at the end of the tunnel!

Now she gets to wait 2 weeks and then will begin her radiation treatments. They will be daily for 6 weeks. Seems like a lot, huh? She's been told that compared to everything else she's endured, this should be a walk in the park. Let's hope and pray for that!

Are you dancing yet?

I am!

Wednesday's Thanks

Today I am thankful for:



The beautiful weather we are enjoying in Southern Utah!

The cool breeze coming through my windows, airing out my house.

Clean, crisp, white sheets on my bed.

What are you thankful for?

Giving Thanks

What do you know, I missed yesterday. I could have skipped today too...but I am determined to focus on gratitude this holiday season!

Yesterday I was thankful for:

A daycare center at the gym!
Melissa who drug my lazy butt to the gym.
My dishwasher, especially when my dishes pile up.

Thoughts

There are some reading this who will understand EXACTLY where I am coming from and the feelings I have. There are others who won't, but will try to sympathize.

Most of you are aware, Jason's job is in jeopardy. In fact, that doesn't even begin to explain it. Last month he was given 90 days. 90 days to find a new job or to show the "higher ups" that St. George can be grown as an area and is worth keeping.

{sigh}

We have also been informed that if, IF, he has a job...he will not have insurance or benefits this next year.

{sigh}

As you can imagine, things in our household are beyond stressed! We just got into a brand new, beautiful home. Now we are scared. For those that don't live down in Southern Utah...jobs are scarce! And the jobs that are available start at a very low rate. (I'm talking 8 or 9 an hour.)

{sigh}

Some of you might wonder, why can't he make the job he has work. Let me explain: Businesses down in St. George aren't buying. They don't have the money. No one has money right now. For him to open new accounts they would have to be able to buy from him. He's been trying. Everyday he tries. Everyday we hope.

{sigh}

So we've been discussing different options.

A. Finding multiple jobs here and trying to work them around each other.
B. Finding something in Vegas and commuting daily.
C. Finding something in Salt Lake, having Jason live up there during the week and commute home on the weekend.

Then we found a great possibility. Jason would be PERFECT for the job. He is MORE THAN qualified! We went weeks without hearing from them. Then, last week Jason got an email. He was so excited to hear they were considering him. We waited to hear from them.

No call.

No call.

Still waiting.

Finally, Jason called them today. The lady was quite rude. She informed him that they originally hired someone else. They didn't work out. That is why they were considering him and everyone else that applied again. She told him they forwarded his information to the manager and to not call back. If the manager was interested in him, HE would call.

{sigh}

Now we are back to square one.

We are trying to have faith. We are trying not to fear. Jason does a lot better at this than me. But I think even he is getting a little scared!

90 days will be up right before Christmas.

We could really use a break. Or a lead. Or a call back. We could really use some sort of good news right now in our family.

So if you are reading this and you know of a job, please let our family know! Whether it be in St. George, Salt Lake, Vegas, or even New York at this point. We need something.

Prayer

I was going to post this on the sidebar of cute thoughts my kids say, but decided I needed to go into a little more detail about the incident.

Yesterday I was extremely sick. (Still am today, but yesterday I couldn't even get out of bed!!) Late last night, Mikayla was getting ready for bed. I could hear Jason helping her. He told her to come tell me goodnight.

She came into my room and tenderly kissed my forehead.

Then, she asks me: "Mom, is it okay if I say my prayers in your room tonight?"

Of course I said yes.

So there my 5 year old is, kneeling at the foot of my bed. I'm up in the bed covered in blankets watching her.

She innocently, and beautifuly starts by saying...

Heavenly Father, I love my mommy. Please help her to feel better. She is so sick and I want her to be better. I'm thankful for this day, but please help my mommy feel better for tomorrow because I love her so very much.

There I sat (or layed) in my bed listening. As she finished the prayer, tears came to my eyes! I could feel the love and testimony of my 5 year old baby girl! She has such faith in her Heavenly Father!

And for a moment, sitting there watching her, I didn't feel sick anymore.

Giving Thanks

I realize there are many times when I don't give thanks quite like I should. This month is one of my favorites, and my favorite holiday is quickly approaching!

I LOVE Thanksgiving!

What holiday could beat it? Great food, family time, great football, ornament painting, and the list goes on and on and on.

The thing I love most about Thanksgiving is that society hasn't figured out a way to really commercialize it. Christmas used to be my favorite...and still is right up there! However, I have been really turned off to Christmas in the past few years.

It seems like every year we pushed to buy Christmas items earlier and earlier! Even Costco had all their Christmas items out well before Halloween! Is that really necessary?

I'm a girl all about decorating for Christmas...but NOT until after Thanksgiving.

Now, I'll step off my soap box and explain why I'm writing this post. I decided that because I sometimes don't show my gratitude enough...I'm going to make a very concious effort. So watch my blog for the next few weeks because everyday between now and Thanksgiving I will be giving Thanks for all that I have! (I encourage you to do the same!)

~I am thankful for modern medicine! I'm thankful that when I get as sick as I have been I have medication to help me feel better!!

~I am thankful for my husband. Sometimes I drive him crazy, yet he still seems to love me....go figure! He works so incredibly hard. I am so lucky to have him!

~I am thankful for Barnes (my husbands work). They gave Jason the opportunity to promote down to St. George, which in turn gave us the opportunity to fall in love with Southern Utah! I'm grateful that they are still employing my husband, and we truly count that blessing on a day-to-day basis! We aren't sure how long Jason's employment will continue, but our hearts are full of gratitude that we are still receiving a paycheck for the time being.

So there you have it...check back tomorrow for my next 3.

New Addition

The Bowling Family is welcoming a new addition to their home!!! And we are SO EXCITED!



No. We aren't having a baby.



We welcomed Harley to our family yesterday. She is a BEAUTIFUL Golden Retriever. She is 7 months old and is a fantastic dog! Pictures coming soon.....

Salt to the Lake

Last week I got "the itch". The travel itch...
I wanted to hit the road and have some fun with the girls. I decided Salt Lake would be a good choice.
We decided to leave on Sunday and spend the week up there. Sunday also happened to be my brother's (Chris) birthday.
So we hit the road.
I had a lot planned for these little girls. I didn't want to bring them up to just sit around the house. Here are some tidbits from our week:

Sunday: Celebrated Chris' birthday with a yummy dinner and cake. Also got to play some fun family games! Happy Birthday little brother! :)

Monday: I got the girls up and going early. I wanted to have lunch at my FAVORITE burger shop......SMASH BURGER! I have been craving one of these burgers since the last time I was up in Salt Lake! They KILL In 'N Out or Five Guys! So GOOD!



The food was just as good as I remembered! I really hope St. George gets one soon!!!

After lunch, the girls wanted to ride a train...a.k.a. Trax. I was informed by my other little brother, Jordan, that only weirdos ride Trax. When we got there, I understood! But, the girls had a blast!

They even had to call their Dad from the train because they were so excited!

Where were riding to? To the Children's Museum. Only, it's not called that anymore. It's now called Discover Gateway...or Gateway Discovery...or something like that.

The girls had all sorts of fun there! Even Uncle Jordan got in on the fun!!

There was a real life flight helicopter that the kids could get in and pretend to fly!

They had lots of fun being pilots, even Jordan got in on the fun!

Next was the news studio. It was super cute, inside they had a portion sectioned off just like a new station. They had cameras, a news desk, teleprompters. And, the kids could even see themselves on TV. Mikayla thought that was pretty cool!

I can't forget the grocery store! They went shopping, made sandwiches, and even got to use a cash register!

(Sorry for the blurriness! I didn't know how to use my mom's camera...mine was forgotten at home!)

The museum was a success! By the end of the day we were BEAT...that is, Jordan and I. There was so much for the kids to do and I highly recomend it if you haven't been there!

Tuesday: I took the girls into Grandma H.'s work. She was taking a part day to spend with my little chickies. We ended up taking them to Jungle Jim's. I hadn't been there in ages! In fact, I didn't know they still were open. The girls loved it! They ate pizza, rode rides...it was lots of fun.

(Sorry...forgot the camera!)

Tuesday night I had a treat! My dad invited me to go see Les Miserables with him. Taylorsville High was putting it on. I don't think I could ever get sick of that play! WONDERFUL! Thanks Dad!

Wednesday: Was a day of fun with Nana B. We had SO MUCH FUN! The girls got to go pick out a toy from the store...anything they wanted! Katy scored a Tinkerbell doll. (Of course!) And Kayla opted for a cute Snow White picnic set. They were in heaven! They even got to carry their own bags out of the store!

After that, we hit Ikea! I couldn't take a trip to Salt Lake without visiting Ikea! Luckily, mom wanted to go too!

Next came lunch. The girls opted for Wendy's. But they were super surprised when Nana let them go inside to eat. (Mom never does that!) They enjoyed their food...even Katy who decided it would be yummy to dip her NUGGETS in her FROSTY! Ewwww!!!

After that we went back to Nana's and let the girls play with their toys and visited for a little while. It was such a nice day! We ended the afternoon going on one other visit.....but that is a whole other blog post to come when I get home....

This week was great! We had so much fun! Thank you to my 2 mom's and my dad! Mikayla told me SEVERAL times, "Mom, thank you so much...this is the super best day of my life."

And Kate. She is all sorts of upset knowing we have to leave. When we left Nana's yesterday she cried all the way down the street. And even right now she is in Grandma's bed crying because she wants her Papa and Gwandma.

Sometimes, it's really hard to live away!

Luckily, we'll be back up in 2 short weeks for Disney on Ice and Kaitlyn's birthday!!!!

Frivolous (Revised)

It seems there are 2 times in a persons life when they can spend money a little more freely.

First: When they are young and have no children responsibilities.

Second: When they are older more mature and their children responsibilities are now taking care of themselves.

Bad news: It’s too late for the first.

Good news: We will definitely be taking advantage of the second.

Bad news:

His concert falls in between the first and second.

Garth was my very first concert. I have grown up to Garth. My mom would always play his Double Live Album on Saturday’s while we were doing housework. I have followed suit. My girls rock out to his songs!

He has been in retirement for quite some time now. However, he is coming out for a brief moment. He is performing at the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Vegas in December, January, and February.

I was fully ready to go. In fact, my tickets were already purchased. At least, in my head they were. Then reality struck. Or maybe it was responsibility? Or how about logic.

So instead of spending about $500 on 2 tickets + hotel room + spending money + money for buffet (it is Vegas!) for a weekend getaway with the love of my life…instead, I get to have a concert of my own.

You read that right. I fully intend on ROCKING OUT with my girls to Garth Brooks Live the entire weekend. I figure if I close my eyes for a moment, it might feel like I’m there live. Right, right?

No?

Well at least we’ll have fun doing it…..

After all, I am “much too young to feel this damn old”.

But excuse me for a second while I imagine just how great his show would have been….

And I'm back. And quite surprised!

Jason surprised me this morning by informing me he purchased tickets to Garth!!! And! He it looks like we may have found a cheap hotel room for the night! Thank you Jase! You have NO IDEA how excited I am. You know I would have never given you the "ok" but secretly, I'm glad you did it anyway! <3

Now I'm off to find a babysitter for that night.....

Award

Thank you, thank you! Really. You are too kind!

That's me, just practicing my acceptance speech for the award I SO deserve.

Here is just a few of the reasons I should be given this award...(and this is only in the last 24 hours)

Yesterday the girls were playing in Kaitlyn's room. Little to my knowledge, Mikayla had unlocked the window and opened it up. (Keep in mind we are in a 2 story house.) THEN. Then, she decides to be Jane of the Jungle and begins swinging on the cord that pulls the blinds up. Swinging back and forth, back and forth. Ramming her 5 year old little body in to the screen. Eventually, the corner pops out.

Today, I'm downstairs busy. The girls were upstairs playing with toys in the loft and they had Dora on. Next thing I know Jason comes home. We start talking in the downstairs family room. It's pretty quiet upstairs. Then we notice the show was no longer Dora. And it definitely wasn't a cartoon. Jason heads upstairs to find Mikayla ENTHRALLED in "Fire Starter". (About Drew Barrymore, who starts fires as a girl in the show.) Rating: R. Who knows how long ago she decided to play with the remote and change the channel...who knows!?!

So yes, thank you...thank you! I will gladly accept your award for Mother of the Year! It's such an honor to be honored with this prestioious award. Truly, thank you!

(Did you sense my sarcasm?) (If not, you should re-read the post.)

Wanna Keep Up?

I started a new blog to keep track of my grocery savings. Check it out HERE if you are interested in learning more about it.

Addicted!!!

I'm an adict. And this high is SO MUCH BETTER than any drug!!





Last night I a lady come by and teach me about couponing. WOW! I never thought I would become one of those ladies.





I thought I would give it a shot today.





I used their website. I even went to the store I consider more expensive than any other.....Albertson's.

It took me about an hour to get the list made, the coupons cut and printed. I was in the store for about 30 min (maybe 45 min). (And most of that was because I wasn't familiar with Albertson's since I NEVER shop there.)

I'll admit. I was a bit skeptical! However, I kept loading my cart. It was COMPLETELY FULL by the time I went to check out.

Here's what I brought home:

11 boxes of cereal

14 boxes of Quaker granola bars

25 lbs of sugar

16 yogurts

18 air freshners

9 hamburger helper

3 hershey's chocolate chips

4- 2 liter bottles of 7-up

5- 64 oz bottles of juice

4 syrups

4 sour creams

2 boxes of hot chocolate

gold fish crackers

cookie dough

a nifty spinning tooth brush (this alone retails for $12!)

and Snow White DVD

When I saw the grand total (before swiping my Albertson's savings card or giving them any coupons) I about DIED! In my head I thought if I go home spending anywhere CLOSE to the $300.00 I was almost at I would DIE!!!

So.........Drum Roll Please...................................

Subtotal before ANY discounts: $283.96 (YIKES!)

Total AFTER savings: $116.75

I saved a WHOPPING $167.21! I SAVED more than I spent!!!

And the best part: This is ALL stuff we already use, but usually pay full price for!!!

I'm pretty darn proud of my first couponing experience! I will definately be doing this again!! Thank you for taking the time to teach me Jodi!!

TinFoil Dinners??

Our neighbors invited us to head out to Pine Valley and cook up some yummy tinfoil dinners.  Anyone who knows me, knows I can’t resist a delicious tinfoil dinner!  So we packed everything up and headed out.

It was actually a really nice drive.  It was the first time I’ve taken the marathon route since I ran the race.  I’m sure Jason loved the “play by play” I gave him. 

“Look honey, right here I was bawling my eyes out” or “oh, yeah…right here it was a full on hail storm” or “oh this is where my dad met up with me” or “this is where I saw the lady peeing on the road” or “this is where I didn’t know if I could go any further”.

Wasn’t he lucky to get my play by play re-count of that day.  =D

So once we turned off to Pine Valley we saw SO MANY deer!  So many!  I was cursing myself for not remembering the camera.  The girls were loving it!!

What do you do when you get out to Pine Valley…only to find it’s chained and locked up for the winter?  You turn around, hit Arby’s on the way home and then start a bon fire in your back yard.  Duh!

The girls had a blast!  They thought it was so cool that we could have a fire in the backyard! 

We roasted some marshmallow’s.

  

(The girls, myself, Melissa, and James)

Ate smores until we were all sick to our tummy

And had so much fun that the girls were BEAT by the time we went in!