Thankful 11/16

no I am not thankful for me. I am thankful to be smiling, standing without pain, and not sick!!! This has been a trying week and I am so thankfully over the hump! I cannot express thanks enough to the wonderful wonderful friends, family chiropractor etc who helped me get here today. To be smiling! I hope that I am never in a pain situation like this again! I'm thankful to be smiling for real!

thanks 11/15

This is what I survived on today. literally. I felt much better this morning, but didn't want to over do it. I tried to do very little. Well my stomach was not feeling so good. after dropping Jed off at school  I grabbed 2 cherry coke (side not one was coke zero which was terrible!!!) Chis has always said that coke cures an upset stomach. Well since it was 1230 and nothing sounded good (I had eaten nothing) I got one. and guess what it did calm my stomach. so until 615 1 cherry coke and about 6 crackers was all I ate. So thankful for "sick" food.

Thankful: an "air" hug

This is odd but I am most thankful for this message today. I've been having a difficult few days for a number of reasons. But I'm so thankful that when I send a message to a friend 1200 miles away that I really need a hug from her,  this is how she responds.

"I just hugged the air and blew it your way! I'm so sorry that I cannot deliver one in person. Know that you are loved, and if you need to talk I am here."

This is one of the most priceless friendships I have ever had. I am so thankful for Jana and the amazing person she is.

11/13 thankful

So hopefully daily I will be posting photos now.

I am so thankful for Church magazines. especially the General conference edition. I am someone who likes to hold a book and read it. I miss most of the talks during conference so this way I get to sit down read them and learn everything I missed the first time. Thank you to the Church for sending out this wonderful magazine each month.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I write this in greater apprechation for people who suffer from back/neck pain. I managed to hurt my neck/upper back yesterday and am amazed at how debilitating it is. It makes me so thankful for those who have kindly helped me out yesterday and today
 Elise - responded to my facebook post to watch Henry for me today.
 Tiffany - She took Jed to and from pre-school, and is bringing us pizza for dinner
 Annmarie - she is always so kind and has a great sense of nuture about her. She stepped up big time this morning, plus her endless hugs help.
Chris - He came home last night and picked up where I stopped about an hour or 2 before. I am so tankful for him and all that he does for me. Lots of times I wonder how I got so lucky,
the many others who wished they could help but it was poor timing. THANK YOU!!

2. Saturday we went to an elders Quorum party. It was the last one for our old Waukee ward. The kids explored the aceres of land and played with fire while the adults had a rifle shooting contest. It was great fun.

3. After the party we went to the Allison's house and had dinner and played. It was so wonderful to be in a home where everyone feels comfortable. So thankful for our first friends in the Waukee ward.

4. Saturday morning we went to help out Gwyn (my boss/friend) rake her yard and dig some holes. After 2 Saturdays of raking leaves I will say I never ever want trees (ok I know I do but there has to be something easier that raking!!)

5. Chris and I bought our tickets to go to DC in Feb. Why? well there is a J Reuben Clark Law society thing where Elder Holland and Justice Clarence Thomas will be speaking at. I am so excited to go and spend time with just Chris. I am also so thankful for those who have kindly offer to take our kids for 4 days.

6. I meant to take a photo like this a long time ago but never got around to it. So here it is. This is one of the million reasons why I love Iowa. Why haybales? no cclue I just love them. I love that you see them in the middle of town and all over the outskirts. I love love love Iowa.

7. I learned my lesson. never ever question why someone was asked to do something at a stake function. Why? because you will be asked to do something at a stake function. I will be speaking at stake conference this coming Sunday. I am a lot nervous, but I think for the first time in my life I am earnestly praying that I say what the Lord wants me to say, not what I think sounds the best. I also hope that the kids will be good for Chris.

8. I'm learned of the past while that I have become more and more hesitant to comment about how someone parents their child. Why because I'm sure I am being judged all the time with how I raise my kids. I'm thankful that Chris and I have decided to raise our kids the way we do.

9. I got to go to the temple on Friday night. I love going there. I only wish I could go more often with Chris.

10.  I read a book!!!! I rarely read for a variety of reasons. Mainly I tune out the world while and read and as a mom that is not too good. I read the 2nd book in the Beyonder series by Brandon Mull. Seeds of Rebellion. I loved it just like I loved the first book and his Fabelhaven series. He is a great clean author who write great, fast read books. Thanks to Tammy for letting me borrow it!

Random fact - I really miss shooting guns. after going this weekend. It made me realize I enjoy this "sport" I'm sure Chris misses it more. I just wish it was a bit cheaper so we could justify doing this while in school.

3 more more days of thanks

8. Friday night I got to go to the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha, NB with 2 wonderful ladies. I love this place. I have never been more grateful for a temple than I have been while living here and having to drive 2 hours to get to one. 

9. Random packages. While I have a hunch as to what this could be I have not yet opened it and will wait until the 23rd as instructed by the box. Thanks to whomever this was from Mesa to send this to us.

10. Phase 10. while our older 3 are not yet great at this game we had a blast. It took me 6 rounds to get out of the first phase!! but what is important is that we are having a wonderful time :)

3 more days of thanks.

6. I know sneakers are something weird  But I have become so picky about shoes for working out. I finally found some that I can use when I teach BOSU and HEAT. Funny thing is they are volleyball shoes, funny I never thought about this type of shoes before.

7. I am so thankful for Family Home Evening. This board was the best thing I could come up with. WE have had good ones and we have had terrible ones! but we have them and that is what counts

8. It is amazing how different each kid can be. Jed has been a handful but when he decides to be nice. He has the best smile and really wants to be just like his older brothers. I think he mostly wants their attention. But most importantly I love him and the kind kid I know he can be when he wants. This photo is of him spitting at a sibling. I figure better get a photo of him acting him like normal :)

Ten on Tuesday

1.       Henry has been taking steps. The most we have seen in 4. So soon he will be joining the crazies in this house. We wouldn't want it any other way.

2.  Saturday our family went and helped out UCAN (a local city organization) and raked leaves for those who cannot do it them self. Wow our 2 yards had a ton of leaves. I think I never want to own a tree ever. Our kids did great. It was a long morning but it was worth it.

our friends holding up the signs that we place on the yards

our first house. the front was so much easier than the back

Jed and the others did lots of this, mostly Jed though

Annmarie helping to stuff 1 of the 46 bags we did at the first house!

3. Will got baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday November 3, 2012. Chris baptized and confirmed him. A family friend Landon Sandburg gave a talk on Baptism and David Bowen gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  It was a great moment to see him get baptized. But also to know that I married a man who can perform these ordinances without hesitation.

 Chris and Will

this photo is classic. no one was there yet. The kids were singing primanry songs. the one that Jed is singing as he is swinging at Jeffrey is I'm trying to be Like Jesus. Pretty sure that is not how to be like Jesus.

4. Halloween started off our crazy beyond crazy week. My kids had 2 nights of it here and I ended up throwing away candy on Saturday. (sorry all the photos are sideways)

5.        My parents came by for a quick visit after getting released from their calling. My kids had a great time with them. Then a day later Chris’s mom came. My kids had such a great time having other playmates. I’ve decided that we love visitors!!

6.  Sunday we went to a meeting that realigned most of the boundaries in our stake. Needless to say half my ward went to a different ward than we did. My street because that street that is the exception. Gotta love that ;) The change is bitter sweet as most change tends to be. We are happy to be with those we are with but will miss being in the ward with our other friends. This gives us the opportunity to make even more friends. 

7. I substituted a lot of classes last week and I am so tired!!! I think I will take my 3 classes a week and happily stick with that.

   8.Chris’s semester is quickly coming near to the end. He is loving tax and all things related to it. And wishing some classes were over. Once again he is doing great and we are so proud of him!


9. Michelle (Chris’s sister) will be graduating from Nursing school in a month. We are so excited and proud of her. She has worked so hard and we couldn't be happier for her. Now she needs to find a job in Iowa ;)

10. Random fact – today is election day. I’m so thankful that I get the right to vote. I’m thankful that I voted early. So glad I live in a country where we can still make a difference. Hopefully the winners in each position will turn to God and seek out his guidance, and not trust in man.