thankful 22

22. Good people. I was in the shower when I heard something outside ... I hurried out to find Joe Webster's tree care in my yard, with a dead tree of mine cut down and a new tree about to be planted. I had talked with Joe about the tree but had decided to wait until next year to replace the tree and really I could do it myself because it wasn't huge. I ran out to see who told them to come and they said Joe wanted to take care of it so he replaced our maple with a new breed of dogwood for free. The thing is Joe had planted the maple too deep and so it died. The droughts and then monsoons we had didn't help either I'm sure, but I had called him several times to get help to save the tree when I saw it struggling and he thought it was just blistered from the heat. That was kind of him huh?

thankfuls 20 & 21

20. Answered prayers. I teach relief society and the lessons I've had lately have been challenging. So I was worried that this past Sunday's would be hard too. Surprisingly the subject was fascinating to me and I came across an amazing blog with references to everything so I could verify everything the author writes! It truly was an answer to my prayers and the lesson went off without a hitch!

21. Calm kiddos. I'm thankful the girls were in good, sweet, easygoing moods today! I've had several items on my to do list for months now and was finally able to cross them off! I also was able to clean the house, do laundry, do a little service, and make a few crafty things I've been meaning to do. I am zonked but happy. Thank goodness for Livy's nice nap, and play dough for Addie.

thankfuls 16-19

16. Down time. I took a little time to myself to catch up on some favorite TV shows and it really helped me relax. I then spent the next 5 hours on my feet cooking and cleaning up dinner, bathing girls, doing laundry, and such, but the hour I had to myself was wonderful!

17. Promptings. I'm grateful when I receive a prompting from the Holy Ghost, recognize it as such, and follow it. It truly is an amazing blessing. I heard once that if you followed every prompting and was close enough with the Lord you would never make a mistake. How amazing would that be???

18. Dates. Not the fruit variety. Jarom and I spent the evening out celebrating our 7th anniversary (a night early). We saw Breaking Dawn (not so great) and then had an incredible dinner at Conner's steak house. I am so grateful that after seven years I still look forward to date nights and time with my sweetie. I still look forward to him arriving home each day and I'm grateful for the love that we have. We are far from perfect but perfect for each other. He is my rock.

19. Birthdays. We are having Addie's 4th birthday party today due to next weekend being a holiday and the following weekend a vacay and then celebrate Scott's 22nd birthday tonight. Addie is having her party at Bananas. They are dressing each kid in a prince/princess costume, doing their hair/makeup/face paint, then they have a crowning ceremony, royal "tea" party, a royal ball, pizza party, cupcakes, and then making pucker powders (Pixie sticks). Addie is thrilled, I'm thrilled to not have to do cleanup. I love birthdays because they are such a special perfect time to show extra love for those you love and remember them and what makes them so special to you. Seeing Addie's excitement growing has been priceless.

thankful 14 & 15

Whew this month is just flying by!

14. Family Home Evenings. We do a large FHE with all of my family and sometimes some friends. It is so nice to have a spiritual discussion with the people I'm closest to, and I love watching Addie learn too. Livy isn't quite there yet, haha, but it will come! PS Having a yummy dessert waiting isn't too bad either! ;)

15. Food. I know this one is a no brainer, but I sure am grateful to have a pantry/cabinets/2 refrigerators/3 freezers of food!!! I am so grateful Jarom has provided so well for us so that I can buy food in advance so that I can rely off of my stockpile for at least a month or so if necessary. This came in handy when I had my miscarriage in 2009 because I was in such a funk from it I didn't have the energy or desire to grocery shop. It also is counseled that we have food storage, so I need to get back on the ball of building my supply. MMM... Food. (Dinner was a big salad with fried chicken tenders, avocados, a yummy ranch dressing, cheese, garlic toast... etc. It was SO delicious!)

thankful 13

So this is a little thankful but after apple cider and milk were spilled across my kitchen, Clorox wipes are my favorite item of the day. I realize they aren't eco friendly but man they make my life so much easier! I buy them in bulk at Costco and use them to clean just about everything. I seriously should buy stock in the Clorox business because between wipes, bleach, bleach pens, and Clorox 2 I use something of theirs at least twice a day! PS. Lysol wipes suck as do Kirkland brand when it comes to stainless.

thankfuls 6-12

6. Church. I'm so grateful to have been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I can't imagine how life would be without knowing of the restored Gospel and I'm thankful my parents had open hearts and minds when the elders came a knocking.

7. My home. As I cleaned house Monday I thought about how blessed I was to have a nice home. Many of you probably know I really hate the look of the outside of our house but as I cleaned I appreciated having a home with nice features. Plenty of room for us, in a wonderful neighborhood and school district. And its ours. Ugly on the outside, cute on the inside. :)

8. Gorgeous weather. We had sunny 70s here this week and it was perfection. We took advantage of it and the girls played at the playground for hours. So nice.

9. New friendships. I have a new friend, Evelyn who is married to one of Jarom's friends from growing up. They recently moved back from UT and we've become close friends. Wednesday was her birthday so our hubbies watched the kids while we spent a girls day out having a yummy breakfast at Another Broken Egg (bacado omelets and cinnamon rolls... yum!!) followed by an hour massage at the spa, time in the steam room, a pedicure, Target trip, then the guys grilled steaks and we ate them with salad, some yummy garlic parm rolls I made, and a cheesecake! Perfect day. I'm grateful for my sweet new friend and the joy and insight she adds to my life. I'm also thankful my hubby has his friend back to hang out with who set up the whole day since I've had my spa giftcard forever! :)

10. Bunco. A friend from church set up a bunco group last August and asked me to join. So once a month I get a GNO with yummy food and great company. All the gals are from my Ward and I've really enjoyed getting to know them better. I look forward to it every month and always have a blast! Jarom is sweet to be sure to be home that night on time so I can go and I'm grateful for that too! Sometimes a little girl time away makes for a better mommy and I'm always ready to give my babies a big squeeze when I get home.

11. Veterans. I've been blessed to be born and raised in this great country where I'm free to do as I choose. I'm thankful for the veterans that have fought for my freedom and are currently fighting for my freedom.

12. Eternal families. A friend's dad passed away this morning. I can only imagine how they must feel during this difficult time. I know they must find peace in knowing their family is eternal. I'm so grateful to be bound to my family and it gives me great comfort to know that death is not the end. I'm so very thankful for my forever family.

thankfuls

I'm going to try to post my thankfuls for the month of November.

1. My sweet girls. They drive me nuts but they also bring the most joy. They adore each other and I often spy them holding hands, hugging, kissing cheeks, or brushing each others' hair. It makes the times when they are pulling hair and screaming worth it!

2. My hubby. He is so easygoing and easy to please. He works so hard for us. He's my eternal mate, my forever best friend. I love him.

3. Heaters. After being out in the nasty wet weather it felt so good to come home into a warm house.

4. Addie's preschool. When Trevor her best friend moved we went through a hard spell with Addie. I wasn't able to find her a school that felt like a good fit and inspiration led me to call a school I had called before and upon touring I knew it was where she belonged. Addie has made 3 new little girlfriends who are all within a month of her in age which was important to me since she is an older 3 and she now has friends to play with. I'm thankful I finally convinced the kids' moms that I'm not evil being LDS and we now all go to the playground every pretty day after school for a few hours. Addie still asks for Trevor all the time but at least her rough patch seems to be behind us. She LOVES school and her teachers are too cute!!

5. Good health. We've been hit by allergies and I've lost my voice again. I look toward to feeling great again soon and having the girls back to normal!