{Thankful Thursday...}

Today is D's birthday 

and I can't even express how thankful I am for him

and to be his forever wife and go on this journey called life together...

so I give you 36 D facts.....

1. I am blessed with a husband who works extra hard
2. is an amazing father to our children
3. willing to help anyone and everyone at anytime
4. makes me laugh all. the. time except when he annoys me ;)
5. is an immaculate organizer of all things
6. gives each calling and position in the church everything he's got plus some
7. is honorable
8. loves to water ski which we will be doing today {COLD} but its something he wants to do cause he's never done it on his birthday
9. he loves his family, 
10. he takes time to play
11. he is aware of others
12. he teaches his sons the important things in life but especially by example
13. he is smart has a masters degree 
14. he is humble
15. he is a great boss I'd want a boss like him if I was an employee
16. he is fair and  looks for the best options in a situation
17. hardly ever even gets mad
18. is fairy even tempered like his dad
19. is fun loves to ski
20. likes to landscape and garden
21. takes the kids on walks
22. and jumps on the trampoline with them they love it!!
23. spends individual time with each of the children
24. has been to four colleges and universities and has 2 degrees
25. and did it all on scholarships so we did it all with no debt!!
26. is great at understanding when I need out...
27. hates to shop :(
28. barely gets sick can count on my hand the amount of times he has been sick in 14 years
29. served a mission for the church to Dublin, Ireland 
30. Knows what is important in this life
31. balances work family and church all the time and does a good job
32. grew up on a feedlot 
33. he has 8 brothers and sisters and some pretty incredible parents
34. has a published article and thesis that is read all over the world in the cattle ream of things...
35. has four awesome kids
36. and one girl who feels so blessed and lucky to be called his wife...

Happy Birthday D I love you...

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I am Thankful for the sense of  smell

The sense of smell can be extraordinarily evocative, bringing back pictures as sharp as photographs of scenes that had left the conscious mind.
-- Thalassa Cruso

 

Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.
-- Diane Ackerman

 

smell and memories are synonyms almost because there are certain smells that bring me right back to a certain memory.... some as young as five years old, I know cause I can see it and smell it but I have no pictures of it...

They are

 

The smell of cucumbers 

 

reminds me of sitting in a circle in kindergarten for snack time and somebodies mom brought cucumbers cheese and crackers i still can see the plate being passed around maybe I thought there would be none left for me who knows why but it always reminds me of kindergarten....

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The smell of dill and fresh peas from the garden

 

reminds me of my grandpa and grandma M. they always had an awesome garden and sometimes my grandpa would take us down to get peas from the garden and it always smelled of dill around the garden loved it then love it now!

english mints or scotch mints will always remind me of my grandpa M too...

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The smell of fresh tar and oil

 

reminds me of the boat docks and going to meet my dad or see him on his boat coming in from a commercial fishing run I love the smell of those two things and it always brings me back to the coast love it... 

I grew up running down these docks, and spent the summer I was 19 working with my dad on his charter boat...its a different life...

beauty, serenity tar and oil the mountains and the smells of it all bring me back here...

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Go back. Go back in time. Everyone's life is a chain of memories. In each chain there are shining links, happenings where this element of wonder...was very strong. Reach out and relive some of those memories? If you work at it, remembering the wonder can revive your ability to live life as it should be lived.
-- Arthur Gordon

 

Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things.
-- Pierce Harris

 What brings you back??

Make some memories worth remembering.

We do not remember days; we remember moments.

{Me Thinks...}

Things I never want to forget....

-warm hugs from sleepy kids
-excitement of K2 when I go to get him out of his crib-the sounds of the kids playing nicely and quietly before 7 am
-M's need for night cuddles at like 2 am when he climbs into our bed EVERY night someday he won't do it
-L defending her brothers
-quiet morning walks with k2 lately cause its so nice and warm
-thinking of a nice after school snack and having it waiting for
when the kids come home from school and they are eager to tell me all about it
-k2's jibberish that actually sounds like he is speaking to us
-watching the kids and D jump on the trampoline the kids love it I pee my pants now on it so I can't j/k! Its fun to watch them
-the 6 hour naps k2 takes its kind of like all my kids are in school some days....
 -taco tuesdays cause they are our most insanely busy day kids love it mom loves it
-K doing his homework at the counter each  night
-the excitement in L as she is learning to read...
-spending time with each kid at night talking to them ind., reading or whatever they want to do for 5-10 minutes it all counts you find alot out when they are alone.
-"what is your Favorite thing?" the question of every day at dinner time and then the question of the day and always eating dinner together
-hearing their sweet prayers

Lucky mama I am....

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This weekend was a catchup weekend D got the yards cleaned up, lawn mowed, he organized inside and out and made sunday dinner and cleaned and took the kids for a walk,..... me i got sick and now have a man voice and a hacking cough like half the town I think!
We also went to a reception of  a cousin of mine and there were some people I hadn't seen since i was ten and seriously I looked at this one guy and said to my mom is that so and so...she couldn't believe that I would remember this person after almost 25 years of being gone so I had to go talk to him and his wife, it was kind of amazing to me how the mind can just pick things up after so much time!!! Crazy but it was fun to see lots of people.
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ME Thinks

My sweet sister Dawna brought this to me this week I'd read it 
before, but it was an awesome reminder i love it so I'm sharing it with you all....

God Knows Best  

by Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain--
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain--
We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...
Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...
God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...
And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...
For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...
So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us

To make our spirit strong.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

{Handsome Boy Either WAY.}

.....and an hour after he got home his brother accidental whacked him in the head.... bent his glasses, twisted the frame and popped out the lens. Wow that has got to be a record. So here we go again. Joys....

BUT

He put them on and said "WOW"

"I can read the sign over there"

He never noticed how bad it was till he put them on and saw how clear things could be.

I think he'll be wearing them.

We had a nice day together just him and I.

Either way with or without we sure love him!

{Life.Is.LIFE.}

 In the last week and a half I have:

1. attended 4 meetings
2. Taken kids to bball 
3. clogging
4. cubs
5. Been snack mom to a child who decided to act like he needed a constant aide {slightly embarrassing he was acting that way} I left.
6. I had ordered some supplements I have to take for cysts and such, 3 weeks ago and usually comes in 3 days...... that I've been on for about a year which is safe to say me and my body really need them. 
7. Bawled for a day cause sometimes life reminds you of the things you try to keep from the surface. But it also reminded me and made me even more grateful for the great husband, friend and shoulder he has for me to cry on.
8. Realized that no matter how much time goes by some things never change.
9. Helped out for picture day at the school....
10. got the best hug that day from my four year old niece waiting to get her picture taken.... because I think she knew I needed one because she is like that. a sweetheart.
11. that day also made my feet ache for the rest of the day
    I was the class runner...wore the wrong shoes
12. All our classes were last years lists so our job became alot harder reorganizing the entire schools new teacher and students in the right classes. So I was more than happy to be the runner.
13. had a child get in a fight
14. another one so so happy to be playing bball she loves it!
15. Had a friend come and take M for the morning because she loves him and she also made him a batman cape..... because she's like that and knows how much he loves it! we Love her! She is my saving grace some days. its safe to say she is always in tune and shows up at the right minute.
16. Had another friend take M to play one morning. Thank you!
17. felt left out of my own family. a little hurt. out of the loop. and realized more than ever that communication is so important. 
18. had a nice talk with my mom. love her.
19. felt frustrated that I'm turning 35. for one reason.
20. Helped with our meet the teacher night for PAC duties.
21. was one number off winning free school fees in a draw that night. one number.oh well.
22. missed a girls night. but K and D went to bull riding and had a lot of fun together. so its okay.
23. went to our community harvest party. it was inside and loud. crowded.
24. went through every box of old kids clothing.found a new wardrobe for two of them. and got organized feels great. dejunked.  spent little time on the computer all week. and it felt good.
25. went to a children's trade show.
26. helped with a funeral.
27. forgot about an activity that was supposed to be at my house. oops.
28. spent about a thousand dollars between clothes for school, school supplies, school fees, basketball camp fees, dance fees, and preschool fees. safe to say September is a crazy month.
29. Watched L blossom into a new girl over the past few weeks its amazing the change. kind of fun to watch them both learn and grow.
30. I have realized the difference in really listening to your children getting down onto their level instead of saying yep that's nice etc....look in their eyes...... and listen to them like they are the most important person in the world..... at that moment nothing else matters. try it you'll notice a big difference.

and TODAY found out that our K needs GLASSES. 

he is not HAPPY about it. 

and thinks he doesn't need them. He cried. we told him he doesn't have to wear them if he doesn't want to but he has to get them and he can't drive without them {like he cares about that right now eh.} and because he is a responsible boy he might be able to get contacts sooner than later. 

life.  

yes.

sometimes its

hard {or easy for some}

no matter if your

old or young.

It is full of harsh realities, growth and learning... but.....

for the lessons we learn.

and the growth it brings.
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It's all good. so to lighten it up a bit here are some of my frivolous favorites.....I LOVE {show}

always a favorite...maybe a slight obsession maybe... my favorite place to shop since pretty much when it opened when i was at ricks college long ago

the other would be here for cheap sales and shipping to my door

dot com

for a discount code for most things online. saved. me. lots. of. money.

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But for the real things that matter the real favorites are right here

watching these little feet grow, and the knowledge that each step we take is never alone we have a Heavenly Father who loves us more than anything and loves to hear from us everyday. 

I am thankful for the power of prayer. 

{{and for these little feet.}}

.....watching this little girl grow and waiting for the day we get to meet her and hold her and let her know how very loved she is..and the miracle that she is. She is growing each day. She has incredible strong parents and a loving family and hundreds of prayers and hours of fasting already.

{{ I love how she has a grip on that string!}}
India weighs 3Ibs now!!  She no longer has an I.V. in her leg and is no longer on ani-biotics. She looks really good Liv got to hold her for 2 hours yesterday! She only has the nasal prongs (like a mini oxyen help gong into her nostrils) and the tube for milk to aid her digestion. Indie is an amazing little girl and she has changed our lives for the good!! -guy/livi    

I  love family nights where its just us, family home evening and watching our children grasp and understand the teachings we strive daily to teach them, sometimes we think they aren't listening but they ARE. I love the fun lessons each monday night that we {try} to get across and the fun it is most of the time. But the biggest pay off is to see it in daily life. That is a reward. Worth every monday night and every day.

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count your many blessings.

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The most important of life's battles

is the one we fight daily in the 

silent chambers of the soul.

David O. McKay

“The hardest battle you're ever going to fight is the battle to be just you.” Leo F. Buscaglia

{Thankful Thursday...}

sometimes in life there are so many why's so many unanswered questions
so many things I want to know but haven't got a clue about ?
so many tests or trials that take patience, understanding, and hard work to get them or get through them.
Too much to think about sometimes.
There are so many people suffering in big ways, little ways and unseen ways and so many people who are angels who come right at the right time when you need them most. There are a few people in this life, in my life, that are constants who see a need and act on it.
i am so thankful for those people.
I am thankful for strength, health and happiness,and family
I am thankful
for eyes that see
arms that fold
knees that bend
ears that hear
and prayers that are answered
not always the way we think or want
but the calmness, the tiny reassurance that all is well
To say one and feel that peace.
I am thankful for that feeling.
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I am thankful for QUOTES like this one

"Whatever lies behind us and whatever lies in front of us are but tiny matters in comparison to what lies within us."
I love quotes that make me think and makes me what to do better and be better.
we are powerful girls--we have the power to change any situation that comes to us.
we have choices. we have feelings. we have strength. we have determination.
sometimes its hard to dig it up and out, but its actually overwhelming to think what we really can do in any given situation. how we can change any situation....
its all in how we take it, use it and apply it.
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So I guess some things aren't worth wondering why
they just are.
but it still doesn't help things
- does it.

I guess it's being grateful for the blessings that fill our "buckets"{lives} and not worrying about the ones missing outside of it...hard as it may seem sometimes...they seem to be the ones that we can't reach or achieve on our own or that don't belong to us...some things come with time..and its never on our time line...that I am learning...
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I'm thankful for my extended family... D's fam {we got pics done in july and just got some of them back} my family,{if I had a current pic I'd put it up of my fam too but I only have really outdated ones} all of them...... each one has different gifts, talents, and trials but each one teaches me something every day month and year. 

I am so thankful for my families.

For eternal families and the chance to be together forever.
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 Have to pass this funny story on judging...... love it gave me something to think about...

"I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven's door....not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp-- The thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics and the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice. Herb, who I always thought was rotting away, was sitting pretty on cloud nine looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. And why is everyone so quiet? Give me a clue.' 'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!! Remember... just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. 

Every saint has a PAST... Every sinner has a FUTURE!"
- Anonymous

 {thanks kristin}

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Have a great weekend....  

{india Updates here}

{ Random thoughts by Me}

 What a long week!  of Craziness and back to routine, schedule and running here and there! Meetings, parent council and places to be..... 

Besides D busy with work and staining our deck and fence which K helped with and I would have but as it goes kids need fed, napped and shopping still needs done...but its getting there. I went to my first Bunko night Thursday I was so tired, they probably all thought there was something wrong with me.... I was a little slow but I did end up with the most bunko's and a nice picture frame by the time I left...

So back to schedules routine and running around...

I don't believe in putting my kids in everything just a couple each usually so they have time to be kids and run and play... its hard on me rushing them after school to hurry hurry hurry just so they can run off to the next thing after being in school all day long! I can't imagine how tiring it is for them no matter how much they enjoy whatever it is!  I think besides the important things like cubs and someday achievement days....they should be in something that helps them grow and find their talents... like piano or dance whatever it maybe. So they can find there niche or what they are good at!

L is trying Clogging and they are both in a bball camp we'll see how it goes

K will be start piano next month once he gets used to gr.3 which compared to last year is keeping him plenty busy with homework and extras. But all are doing great so far, M loves preschool and took the bus for the first time this morning i was a little nervous but thankfully he has a great older brother who helps him out!

and I'm enjoying spending time with K2 who loves to be read too, he always brings me books and plays the piano everyday eh loves it!! He loves to make lots of messes too and makes me laugh he always says mom mom mom mom and I'll repeat it right after him back and forth then he laughs its the cutest thing!!! He loves to copy words and is just so fun! 

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ME THINKS

No matter where we go in life we meet people 

people from every walk of life 

people we get along with 

people that annoy us 

people that say the rudest things without thinking how it comes off 

people that come from who knows where
people who have been abused, sick, hurt

peoplewho have overcome more than we ever will know

people that come into our lives to help us understand more deeply

people that talk to much
people that make us count our blessings
people that have made sacrifices, more than we will ever know

accomplished people

people that serve beyond what we ever think is possible

people that act like everyone owes them a living

people that give all the time

people that are suffering

people that have suffered 

sometimes we are friends with people and have no idea what they have been through...

sometimes we have to put ourselves in others shoes to see ourselves  more clearly, to help us understand that part of ourselves that maybe we didn't even understand or listen too, to learn and grow 

and to help us all understand each other.

I watched this i know this person watched her kids, have had fun talks with her and love seeing her every once in awhile she is fun, spunky, accomplished and smart.

and I had no idea how far she had come. 

I watched it and I cried.

Because I HAD no idea.

Because I think there are so many who are quick to judge and walk away from someone just because they are different or are perceived as different. According to who?? You?? Me??

But those are the kind of people that teach us the greatest lessons life has to offer because they have been there whatever ""there"  may be.
We could learn so much from them. If we took the time.

None of us is better than the other, some just think they are.

We learn from other people, we are here to be tested some of us way more than others.{Some test us way more than others ;)}

But those are the people that sometimes make us look at ourselves and evaluate where we are headed and our own thoughts and feelings and personal struggles.

It amazes me to hear others stories. Because when it comes down to it its all the lives around us that help us to be what we are.

For better or worse its all in the attitude, choices and a little empathy & understanding would help us all.

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AND

  where were you on September 11th 2001??
  I wanted to do a post that day but didn't make it. Its one of those dates we will remember forever. 
I was living in an apartment D and I were getting ready for work.. no kids yet, getting ready for work at the elementary school  we were listening to the radio heard it ran and turned on the tv and 
watched over and over again as those buildings came down 
as smoke
dust and people
ran away those that could in what looked like an unreal movie seen. 
I bawled
and wondered what made people do that. 
I went to work and we all took turns watching the day play out on cnn. over and over again those images played all day long. 
and it is the day I always know where I was and what I was doing. 
I cried alot I couldn't imagine how a person could get to that point and how evil and calculated it was.  and What a world  we live in. What people. 

What kind of PEOPLE ARE WE??
Where were you? 

{Me Thinks...}

 My big M started preschool this week...

I'd say I'm going to miss him but really I enjoyed this morning way to much, I didn't have to listen for the doors and windows to open, I didn't have to feed a hundred snacks all morning and K2 didn't cry once! And not  searching the neighborhood or horse pens for him was kind of nice,  he's been bored since all the kids on the street went back to school I think I might just love two mornings a week 

just some me and k2 time!

Don't get me wrong I'll miss him a bit, his cute little face and jokes, but he will learn and grow so much this year its worth every minute!!! 

See look how excited he is....

 my cute little school kids..growing up way to fast... 

... a second of nerves, one escape to another classroom and a big hug later he can't wait to go back!

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Me Thinks

K's teacher sent home a sheet called

9 Principles of Positive Parenting

I love it I've studied it and I'm trying harder to be better at being positive instead of a naggy bag some days you know the same things over and over again

ever have days like that??

Then you'll love these too...

1. Say something complimentary and encouraging to your children each day.

2.Create a warm, friendly home atmosphere where smiles come easy. Laugh with your children each day.

3.Ensure that your children feel important to you and is regarded as a worthy member of your family.

4.When your children fails in a situation, help them understand that there are many ways that they have been successful, and that failure may turn into success by trying again.

5.Treat each child as an individual, do not expect the same performance from all.

6.Help your child understand that no matter what he or she does, you do not disapprove of them as a person.

7. Be a model to your children in those areas in which you wish to cause growth to occur.

8.Conduct daily positive conversations with you child about school. Invite your child to teach you what they have learned.

9 Ascertain you child's need for attention and recognition.

Spend individual, personal time with each of your children every day addressing those needs

Sometimes it takes a deep breath, a walk around the block and a step back to evaluate what we are doing in our lives.

Really looking at what we are doing and moving along, trying better and trying harder cause that's what it will take in this day and age.

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So since its fall and since I made my first fall recipe today and made our own twist of an old recipe using these we got at target on Monday....

pumpkin chocolate chip muffins 

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS

1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. ground pumpkin (canned)
1/2 c. cooking oil {I use applesauce and they are perfect!}
1/3 c. chocolate chips

Mix together. Fill muffin cups and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

 If using mini muffin pan, just about 12 minutes is perfect in my oven. And I sprayed the mini muffin pan before filling each space half-way with the mixture. (No muffin cups.)

So Instead of chocolate chips I filled the mini muffin tins not even halfway and put a Hershey kiss in -- point down filled up the rest of the tins so they are covered and baked for 12 minutes!! 

 

They turned out so yummy moist, sweet, spicy, perfect for fall..... give em a try!! They are So good! Plus I had a cute little helper too

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 I am thankful for the change of seasons for everything that goes with them and sometimes they aren't exactly what we wish they were, sometimes we wish we had sun when its pouring or snow when its dry etc... sometimes not even in the season they should be but that is life and we have to learn to enjoy what we are given. Rain snow sun or otherwise!

I'm thankful for each of my children for the the joy they are to me, the funny things they say sometimes, and the blessings each one are to me.

Have a great weekend!!

{Thankful Thursday.....}

I am so THANKFUL for thrift and others garbage ha ha.....

this came from a reuse center for free, we got a dresser from the dump an old antique which will go in L's room too when it is finished! I'm thankful for the ideas on the internet and for my amazing sil Katelyn for introducing me to free furniture and seeing that its not hard to redo things a little time, sanding and patience even if its not perfect its worth it! D did most of the work but it was a fun project for the both of us to work on together.

still looking for an old chair to redo and an old mirrior for now I found a damaged cork board and an old frame we sprayed need a lamp and then we might be finished we'll see how long that takes me!

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I'm thankful for this little man in our lives he is such a joy and is growing up way to fast!! I want another one just like him!!

I am thankful for

cause those moments make up the milestones and all its life lessons along the way that get us to today.

There are so many heartaches, disappointments and hurt in life but if we let them run us eat us from the inside out it doesn't do us any good or those around us.

I watch the news and half of what is on there is garbage, sick twisted messed up stuff.  It makes me more than ever thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the power of prayer, the plan of salvation and for my forever family, for being a member of the LDS church a blessing beyond all because it is who I am,

 and for each one I am so so thankful.

I AM

Thankful to be born where i was to the family i was to the country i was. To have the children i do the husband I do and the friends i do and the community I am apart of. 

Even our hardest days don't compare to what some are going through in other parts of the world or the neighborhood over.

Its all about gratitude. for what we have and have been given, good or bad.

How you take it, them make it makes all the difference its only up to one person. you.

‎"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." -John Milton

create some moments worth remembering....
 

{Hum....}

First hAPPY sEPTEMBER We've had hail thunder lightening sun and rain today hope its not a sign of things to come but just for randomness sake...

 Noticing this already:

Want to go here:

Loving this:

Looking forward this:

Wish I lived here some days:

Remember these sheets? We had em all!:

Loving:

Love this picture and the peace that comes with it:

Love these cookies:

Lemon Gems

1/2 c. butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 c. flour

Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar. Add vanilla and lemon. Gradually add flour. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden.

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Because of our routines we

forget that life is an on going

adventure. 

-Maya Angelou

explore it. 
your turn.....