I'm Thankful

The GREATEST blessing in my life so far and something I am THANKFUL for EVERYDAY is

MOMMY MOMENTS!

Mommy moments are those moments that help you realize how GREAT and LUCKY we are to be parents. They are especially helpful on those days you wonder why you ever decided to give up the single life or the freedom you had before you had kids. The times you wish you could travel more, or that going to the store wasn't such a big ordeal, or that you had energy at night.

I've been blessed with some AWESOME kids. I worry sometimes when I see my bad habits rubbing off on them, but then they surprise me with how much they know and understand and I know they are learning more then I am teaching them, so there is hope.

Kylee is getting close to being potty trained, although I will admit I haven't taken the time to really work with her. She has taken the initiative herself and will go "poopy" on the potty. The other day I stuck her up there and left to go get Cannon out of his crib. When I came back to check on her, I found her reading a book daddy had left on the back of the toilet.

The book she was reading was "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." How cute is that?

These pictures aren't very good because they were just taken with my cell phone. I'm still camera-less and am hoping Santa will grant my wish of a new camera for Christmas (or sooner!).

I just laughed and laughed at her. I hope to remember on the bad days just how many good days we've had and how my kids can bring me joy I've never known. I know what a gift they are, especially after facing the possibility of never having any of my own. It was not "easy" for me as it is for so many out there, but I'm not going to complain one bit, because it is

SO WORTH IT!

And on that note, something else I am SO THANKFUL for is

ADOPTION.

How awesome that we can receive our family members through other means than our own bodies. I heard this awesome story at my cousin's baptism. You should all check it out here. I have no doubt in my mind that children who come to their family by means of adoption are NO DIFFERENT then those who come from their mom's belly. They were meant for that family all along. It is all part of Heavenly Father's plan. God bless all of you who sacrifice so much to adopt.

"Children are one third of our population and all of our future."

I'm Thankful

After talking with a friend about the drama she is having with some of her siblings, I have realized that I am EXTREMELY thankful for...

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

I absolutely LOVE being the middle of 7 children and can't think of anyone else I'd want as my friends then my family. I haven't always been the best sister, but sure have been blessed with the best in return. Don't know why I'm so lucky, I certainly don't deserve it. Here's just a quick note to each of them.

Freddy

Freddy was a wonderful big brother (thanks Tonya for this picture of him). Isn't he so handsome! He was so much fun to be around. Fred died in April 1992. He was only 17 years old. I owe a lot to him though and he will always be one of my heroes.

Travis

Travis is very modest and unselfish. He works VERY hard for his family and has given me the the perfect example of how to love unconditionally. I love when you and your family come and just hang out at my house. I'm so glad we live so close to one another. I really admire and love you big brother.

TONYA

Any musical knowledge I have I owe to my sister Tonya (although it is nothing compared to her knowledge). She has taught me how to be open minded and has introduced me to some very awesome music. I really admire how she can so easily think for herself and isn't afraid to share her opinion (unlike me who cares way too much about what others think). I wish VERY much that I could have her attitude about life. We are very different, but still very good friends and I am so thankful for her love, acceptance, and friendship. LOVE YOU TONKA!

DONNY

Donny is one of the sweetest, smartest, and funniest people I know (and guess what ladies...he's single). I love when people tell me Cannon reminds them of Donny because I will be so happy if he grows up to be as tender hearted and loving as Donny is. (I'll have to try to post pics of Donny as a baby...him and Cannon do have some similarities.) He is a quiet genius and I know we will see great things out of him someday. I love you little brother.

EMILEE

Emilee is one of my VERY best friends. Even though we are 7 years apart in age, we have been asked if we were twins many times (although she is much prettier). She is such a doll. I love how much she loves my kids and I am so grateful for her help when Kylee was a baby. We've shared lots of good and bad times together and I love her more then words can say. I'm so proud of who you are!

CODY

Cody is just adorable. I can't believe he has grown up so fast. I think he is a little bit of all of us wrapped into one. Just off the top of my head, here's a few things I think he gets from his older siblings (Freddy - looks (they look a lot alike), Travis - love for video games, Tonya - love for music, Me - awesomeness (just kidding), Donny - sense of humor (they are funny guys), Emilee - sense of style (although Cody has a style of his own). You are the reason I couldn't wait to be a mom. You were such a fun baby and I'm so glad you came to our family.

And of course we couldn't have turned out so great without our great parents. We had a very humble upbringing, but I honestly wouldn't trade any of it. I am SO thankful for all you have sacrificed and taught me.

I'm Thankful

I'm SO very thankful for

NAPS!

And not just for my kids...I will admit I LOVE TAKING NAPS! Nothing energizes me more then a quick cat nap with the kids. (Isn't Kylee so cute. She fell asleep in Cannon's bouncer chair, which is better then when she fell asleep in his WAY TOO SMALL exersaucer at my parents house).

I recently read the blog of a mother who was struggling with her toddler's sleep habits and my heart goes out to her. I realize I have been VERY lucky with my kids. They have both slept through the night early on (by 4 weeks they would sleep 6 hours no problem) and so far Kylee has been great. She has had her nights where she has woke up at 2 or 3 and crawled into bed with us, but they have been few and far between, so I don't worry too much about it. And she is great to put to bed most of the time, especially if you do it right (the same routine every night and we have to be at our house).

Sleep deprivation is a hard thing to have to try to live with and I'm THANKFUL and CHERISH my good nights rest.

Here's wishing you sweet dreams tonight.

I'm Thankful

It's been funny because every day I have had something happen that has made me sure of what I should write about that day. Today was no different. I am SO thankful for

THE TRUTH.

I didn't have to work today so I was home as usual with the kids when a knock came at the door. Being the HOA treasurer and with all the packages Curtis gets for work, this was not uncommon. I was still surprised when I opened the door and saw 2 older ladies standing there, dressed in dresses and holding a pamphlet. They immediately told me they were here to share a very important message of truth and could probably answer a lot of questions I might have about life. I immediately started to laugh a little in my mind because I knew from their pamphlet that they were Jehovah's Witnesses. My thoughts turned to my Grandma and her recent mission and how these women were probably some one's Grandma, so I didn't just turn them away. I let them talk for a minute and their message was one of hope and there was actually a lot of truth to it. So I politely smiled at them and told them that I already knew a lot of the things they had told me (That God really cares about us, that war and suffering will end, that there is hope for the dead, etc). I told them that I already believed a lot of what they said was true and that I belong to a church that believed very much the same thing. That the only real difference was that we believed there was modern day revelation and that God actually STILL speaks to us and that the Book Of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ that was written by MODERN DAY prophets FOR OUR TIME. I told them I had a copy they could have to take with them (thank you Curtis and the days of his mission). They both just starred at me and then the one woman finally said, no thank you but if you have any questions about the pamphlet feel free to call the number on the back, to which I went and grabbed a pass along card out of my scriptures and gave it to them and said if they had any questions or were interested in finding MORE TRUTH there was information on the back of there.

How about that? A missionary experience at my own front door. They literally came to me! :) I honestly have NEVER done anything like that before and couldn't believe how easy the words came to me and how easy it was to share what I believed, and even though they would probably throw the card away, how happy it made me feel to give it to them.

I can't help but get caught up with all the protesting that has been going on lately and the sadness of the world. I actually read a comment on one of the new stories that said something like "I don't know how anyone can believe the crap that the mormon church feeds us." to which I immedietly think, I don't know how anyone DOESN'T believe it. And I might be naive, but I think there are MANY people out there who DO, but just have a hard time living the commandments or who Satan has convinced them they aren't good enough or that there is just no hope. He is SO cunning and sneaky. He knows just how to discourage and tempt us. :(

Sadly, I have made A LOT of mistakes in my life and although I know with all my heart the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, I have NOT always lived the way I should and have made choices that have kept me from many blessings and caused unnecessary pain to me and others, but I have never once questioned whether it was true.

Which brings me to one more thing I am SO THANKFUL for...

THE ATONEMENT

There is really no point to living without it. It is the true source of HOPE. I hate to think about what the Savior had to suffer for MY sins, because I know there are many, but I am SO THANKFUL he did. It is amazing to know someone loves us THAT much! It is never too late for anyone. HE loves us ALL and only wants us to be happy.

Just my thoughts, testimony, and love I share with you this day.

I'm Thankful

This morning I am ESPECIALLY thankful for

MY HEALTH!

I have had my share of health problems through out my life, but all in all I have been VERY lucky. Recently a friend from work lost her husband. He had fought a chronic illness most of his life. I can't even imagine! And my heart aches with my friends and family out there with health issues, especially those trying so hard to have babies. I realize everyday how lucky I am to have my 2 little ones. I know we all have our burdens to bear and I'll admit having my gall bladder removed has caused me to change the way I eat and fighting allergies right now is very annoying and slightly uncomfortable, but I will GLADLY take them and I am EXTREMELY THANKFUL for my health and the health of my kids.

May HEALTH and HAPPINESS be yours this winter season!

I'm Thankful

I'm thankful for

Sesame Street!

I think this is one of the best things ever created. Not just the magic of the puppetry or the creativity of their shows, but how educational it really is. And it really isn't that bad to watch as an adult either. I don't think there is a show that doesn't make me laugh.

And I honestly don't know how I would get any work done from home without it. I don't feel too guilty letting Kylee watch a show or 2 during the day, especially when it helps teach her so many great things. It is about the only thing that keeps her attention. It is pure genius in my opinion!

Which brings me to my next thing I am SO thankful for.

MY JOB!

I know that most mom's don't get to work from home like I do. I really love my job and the people I work with and the things I get to be a part of. I am thankful for the insurance and money it provides me. They have been life savers. I am thankful for the opportunity to get out of the house 2 days a week, although it gets stressful and I do miss my little ones terribly. If I didn't have such a good babysitter (thanks mom) I couldn't do it, so I'm INCREDIBLY thankful for that as well.

I'm Thankful

This month I am going to try extra hard to post about things I am thankful for. This weekend left no doubt what the first post would be. I am thankful for...

ELECTRICITY!!!

Saturday/Sunday's stormy weather left us without power for

12 HOURS!

Kylee was devastated when she woke up and couldn't watch Elmo. She tried and tried to get the TV to turn on. I didn't realize how much we really do rely on our electricity and how convenient it really is.

We survived no problem, although I was starting to get nervous about things defrosting in the freezer and how ugly I would look going to church with my hair wet and probably out of control. We found ways to entertain ourselves without power too. We played paper cup bowling, cards, read books, and colored. Once the power actually did come back on, Kylee was jumping up and down and saying POWER, POWER, I love POWER. It was cute.