Sunday, November 21, 2010
DAY 15
DAY 15 The first real snow of the season....
Sorry, I am not a photographer, but these are the mountains right outside my front door (THEE same ones that I saw the mountain lion frolicking around). I love the first snow of the season. I wish it would snow like crazy through January 1st, and then on January 2nd it needs to be 60 degrees until June.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mini-me
DAY 14 Today I am grateful for my little look-a-like...Lolo. She is one tough, beautiful, funny, charming, stubborn, sweet, kind, mischievous, active, polite, soft spoken, goofy little twerp. Trevor always looks at her and comments about how there is nothing resembling him at all in her-that's okay, Honey, the other 3 were all mini-yous, so this one is ALL mine. I love this little girl. She has been through a lot lately and she is one tough cookie. She has severe eczema and has been through medicine after medicine, cream after cream and doctor visit after doctor visit. We took her to an allergist about 2 months ago and she had that darn awful back scratch test done-poor kids was miserable, but she made it through-all tests were negative. Then she had 8 shots in her fore-arm for some more testing. Oh she cried, but she held very still-again, negative. Then the Doc sent us to the hospital to have her blood drawn. Again she cried (soft sobs, not screaming-that would be Diva) while the vampires took her blood-again, negative. THEN she had the patch testing done, which is horrible for a 3 year old. First of all her back is tiny, so the patches went down on her bum; then anytime she moved the tape would pull the hair on her skin, so she was so uncomfortable and in pain; plus, during this week, she could not take a bath (sponge baths are very tricky for 3 year old); THEN the tests came back negative. Conclusion-she has chronic eczema. Enter Sarcasm: ya think? At least we know she is not allergic to anything on this planet-but her poor body! Lolo was such a trooper. If this had been any of the older kids they would have had a melt down. Diva freaks out when she has to get the FLU mist-the mist, not the shot! Oh goodness. Anyway, Lolo takes things in stride. She loves to be funny and she says very funny things all the time. I just happen to have a TERRIBLE short term memory and forget what she said or did before I can type it on my blog. This little girl is destined for big things and she'll do great things! We love you Lolo!!!!
These pictures are typical Lolo-she wanted to wear my ugly comfy blue zip up robe....Diva would NEVER wear something like this for a picture. She would want to look her absolute best.
These pictures are typical Lolo-she wanted to wear my ugly comfy blue zip up robe....Diva would NEVER wear something like this for a picture. She would want to look her absolute best.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
More Gratitude
DAY 13 I am thankful for mornings like this one where I get to play with my little Z-man. It's just the two of us and we are building block towers, playing on the phone, learning body parts, etc. He loves to show his belly and gives me a very quizzical look when I ask where his chest is. Z-man doesn't get a lot of mommy and me time, so I take advantage of it when all the other kids are at school. He is such a blessing in our lives-such a sweet personality, and just FLAT OUT DARLING! I know I am biased, but oh well. I LOVE this munchkin-actually, he's my "bug". LOVE LOVE LOVE him! I have 4 AMAZING children whom I love with all my heart! Trevor and I are very lucky and VERY blessed.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thankful for Veterans
DAY 11 I should have posted this on November 11, but I am behind....so sue me. I am thankful for those in the armed services. My grandfather was in the military (although I never knew until I read his obituary-I thought he was JUST a doctor), my uncle (previously mentioned) was in the military, Trevor's grandpa was in the military and was shot in the leg (a cool story behind that to come later), my mom's cousin was in the military and was shot and killed after being out a few weeks, and my list could go on and on of everyone I know. So, THANK YOU for what you do to keep us free-to keep me free-to help others to gain that freedom.
One person I do want to call out is named Shawn. He is not only my friend, but he married one of my bestest friend ever, Melinda. He is deployed in Iraq right now and this is not his first deployment. He is gone all the time on missions and stuff (I don't know military lingo) while Melinda holds down the fort at home with three little ones. I think of his personal sacrifice by leaving his loved ones behind and for putting his own life on the line and am grateful to him and others like him. He is made of some tough material to do what he does and to keep pluggin' along. I am fortunate to read emails that he sends out from trainings and actual deployments and I would have to say that the crap he goes through would probably almost be up there with child birth-I said ALMOST. I can't believe the things he has to physically put his body and mind through to prepare himself for combat. WOW. I have know Shawn since we were 14 and he is one good dude doing what he can to make our world a better place-so THANK YOU SHAWN! And thank you Melinda for trusting in the Lord every time Shawn leaves your side. I get a glimmer of what you go through when we talk about it, but I still sit in awe at your faith in God's Plan for your family. You are an amazing person, wife, and mother and your family is always in my prayers. You are a great example to so many people. So thank you Melinda. We love you both!
One person I do want to call out is named Shawn. He is not only my friend, but he married one of my bestest friend ever, Melinda. He is deployed in Iraq right now and this is not his first deployment. He is gone all the time on missions and stuff (I don't know military lingo) while Melinda holds down the fort at home with three little ones. I think of his personal sacrifice by leaving his loved ones behind and for putting his own life on the line and am grateful to him and others like him. He is made of some tough material to do what he does and to keep pluggin' along. I am fortunate to read emails that he sends out from trainings and actual deployments and I would have to say that the crap he goes through would probably almost be up there with child birth-I said ALMOST. I can't believe the things he has to physically put his body and mind through to prepare himself for combat. WOW. I have know Shawn since we were 14 and he is one good dude doing what he can to make our world a better place-so THANK YOU SHAWN! And thank you Melinda for trusting in the Lord every time Shawn leaves your side. I get a glimmer of what you go through when we talk about it, but I still sit in awe at your faith in God's Plan for your family. You are an amazing person, wife, and mother and your family is always in my prayers. You are a great example to so many people. So thank you Melinda. We love you both!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thankful for what????
DAY 10 I am thankful that I started running. I know, weird, but true. After the birth of Baby Z and then the complications which put me on "not quite bed rest", I began running. That's been over a year ago, and I am proud to say that I have continued on that path-not always consistant, but I have endured. When your not training for anything it's easy to say, "Eh, I will go tomorrow." If you have read my blog from the beginning then you know that I ran the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving (highly recommend it), I ran the Ogden Marathon Relay, RAGNAR, and then the Provo River Half Marathon. My plans are to do all that again except I will be running in the Ogden Half Marathon instead of the relay.
So, my reasons for running: it gives me a chance to clear my head; it gets me out exercising and pushing my body to limits it has never endured before (and I have had 4 kids!); my butt and thighs look HOT!; okay, I meant to say that it tones my lower extremities and I like that; it gives me "ME" time; it gets me out in the fresh air; I get to run with some awesome gals and chat away until our hearts are content-or our legs give out; it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I have completed a race or even just a long training run; it gives me a chance to see wildlife (I saw a cougar just a few blocks from my home one morning); it makes me face my fear of getting chased by dogs-haven't been chased yet, well, just once, but it was a tiny dog.
I am sure I will come up with more reasons why I run after I publish this post. Truth is, some days I think I hate running, but then I get out there and I feel FANTASTIC. In fact, I took my sweet puppy on a run this morning and so we got to have some quality time together AND I got to feel good. Oh, running.
So, my reasons for running: it gives me a chance to clear my head; it gets me out exercising and pushing my body to limits it has never endured before (and I have had 4 kids!); my butt and thighs look HOT!; okay, I meant to say that it tones my lower extremities and I like that; it gives me "ME" time; it gets me out in the fresh air; I get to run with some awesome gals and chat away until our hearts are content-or our legs give out; it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I have completed a race or even just a long training run; it gives me a chance to see wildlife (I saw a cougar just a few blocks from my home one morning); it makes me face my fear of getting chased by dogs-haven't been chased yet, well, just once, but it was a tiny dog.
I am sure I will come up with more reasons why I run after I publish this post. Truth is, some days I think I hate running, but then I get out there and I feel FANTASTIC. In fact, I took my sweet puppy on a run this morning and so we got to have some quality time together AND I got to feel good. Oh, running.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 9 of Gratitude
DAY 9 I am thankful for....my suburban. I know, silly. But you know what? It is one AMAZING machine just for the fact that my family can not only sit in there very comfortably, but I have TONS OF CARGO SPACE! I loved my Explorer, but once we had 4 kids, my cargo space disappeared. In fact, I searched high and low to find the perfect double stroller that could fold down to about 3 inches wide so it would fit in the back-I found it, but at a price. My suburban can EASILY fit four or five strollers. Not even kidding. I have even put my double jogger in the back and had a plethora of room to spare. I know! AMAZING!
Gratitude....continued
DAY 8 I am grateful for my musical abilities. As a small child my parent's could all ready tell I had a knack for that piano thingy...I played the piano by ear and could do it from a very early age. So at age 5 I was taking lessons and passing everyone up, including the teacher. So I moved on to a teacher who also became a second mom to me-her daughter is one of my all-time BFF's in the world. My lessons were every Wednesday morning at 6am-yup, 6am. That was the only time I could go that didn't interfere with sports and everything else I was involved in.
I am just truly grateful that I can play the piano and organ (yes, with pedals) and that I can serve in my ward in those capacities. I have also been able to teach lessons for the last 5 years and bring in some extra money. I am grateful that I can fill in last-minute for musical numbers when another talented member of my ward cannot fulfill those duties due to an on-going illness. I am grateful that my children can listen and even learn from me (of course they take!).
Being able to play the piano has been an outlet for me. My mom could always tell what kind of mood I was in by what song I was playing and how I was playing it. I even wrote two songs in elementary school for the Reflections program that won awards-kind of exciting! It's like my stress reliever to sit down and pound out Jean Sibilius' Romance and other songs. Anyway, didn't mean for this sound like "ooh, look at me and my piano!", but it's a talent that I am thankful that I have!
I am just truly grateful that I can play the piano and organ (yes, with pedals) and that I can serve in my ward in those capacities. I have also been able to teach lessons for the last 5 years and bring in some extra money. I am grateful that I can fill in last-minute for musical numbers when another talented member of my ward cannot fulfill those duties due to an on-going illness. I am grateful that my children can listen and even learn from me (of course they take!).
Being able to play the piano has been an outlet for me. My mom could always tell what kind of mood I was in by what song I was playing and how I was playing it. I even wrote two songs in elementary school for the Reflections program that won awards-kind of exciting! It's like my stress reliever to sit down and pound out Jean Sibilius' Romance and other songs. Anyway, didn't mean for this sound like "ooh, look at me and my piano!", but it's a talent that I am thankful that I have!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Pardon the Interruption...
So I am interrupting my "30 days of Gratitude" to bring you the Halloween pictures... Enjoy.
Grandpa and Dr. Z-man-Baby Z LOOOOOOVES the ponies!
Sporty with 2 of his cousins
Not exactly the pumpkin carriage...
My brother Tad and his witch, er, wife, Bonnie. He is TOTALLY rockin' it!
My cute niece K.
The kids' handy work.
Lolo, K, A and Baby Z with Grandma Net
Back-H, A Front-Lolo, D, Sporty, Z-man, K
Good times, good food, and WAY TOOOOO much candy!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Day 7
DAY 7 I am thankful for extended family. My Uncle Gary and Aunt Ann are in town from the Northwest and it is always such a privilege to spend time with them. My kids actually call Gary Grandpa Gary and they LOVE being around him and Ann. Gary is my dad's older brother (by 17 years) and he was a career military man. He served in the Army and he and his family were stationed all over the world. Both are very wise and both have plenty of entertaining stories from their past and about their family. They are both a blessing to have around my children. About 4 years ago we went up to stay with their family and Sporty followed Grandpa Gary around all day every day. He would help Gary fix this or that, he would putter around the garage with him and, of course, Sporty would just talk and talk and talk the entire time. When Gary and Ann come to town there is always some sporting event that one of my kids is participating in and Gary and Ann come to watch. They also make a HUGE deal about it so my children are made to feel like they are the most important people in the world. They are both very supportive, genuine, kind and loving. So, thanks Gary and Ann for being apart of our lives, even though you live so far away. We LOVE you!!!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
30 days of Gratitude
I am stealing the idea of 30 days of Gratitude from my friend Amanda's Blog-you should read hers as well; she is an amazing person....Anyway, so since it is November 6th all ready, and since I haven't even posted my HILARIOUS Halloween photos yet, I thought I should start.
DAY 1 I am thankful for my husband. Sorry, need to gush for a moment. I have never met a man that works as hard as he does. He is a Coach, a Teacher AND he owns a business, all to provide for our nutso family. His work ethic is AMAZING and what an example he is not only for our little family, but for those who observe him. I am thankful that he can overlook my faults and that he still loves me no matter what. Neither one of us is perfect: we argue, we laugh, we tease, we get mad, we smile, we frown-but at the end of the day we love. We love each other and we love our kids. I am thankful for the Priesthood that he worthily holds. I am thankful that he has a testimony of the Gospel and of our Savior. I am thankful that he lives the Gospel. I am thankful that he fulfills his callings to the fullest. I am thankful for his love. I am even thankful that he is a NEAT FREAK! :} had to throw that one in, Honey! I am thankful that he served an honorable mission. He is my strength, my support, my everything. He is my Eternal Companion.
DAY 2 I am thankful for my Testimony. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). I believe in a Father in Heaven who loves us all. I believe in our Savior Jesus Christ and that he was sent to earth to atone for us and to help us return to live with our Father in Heaven. I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet who restored the Gospel back onto the earth. I believe that he did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I believe that our Prophet Thomas S. Monson was called of God and leads us today. I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a husband and wife. I have a testimony of Eternal Marriage and that Trevor and I were sealed together by the proper authority back on December 16, 1999, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and now our children our sealed to us. I believe that Families can be Together Forever. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have regarding my loved ones who have passed away and that I will see them again as long as I keep my temple covenants and the commandments and endure through my trials. I KNOW that I am a Child of God. I have felt that special witness that the Book of Mormon is true and I have felt the Holy Ghost in my life to confirm all these things to be true. I KNOW my Savior loves me and is there for me when life gets rough. Of this I TESTIFY.
DAY 3 I am thankful for good health. I have been blessed with good health and so has Trevor and my children. We have all gone through things here and there, but we all recover and move on.
DAY 4 I am thankful for my house. When we looked to buy a new home a few years ago I would have never imagined or considered moving two doors down from my in-laws, but we did. Let me explain-it's nothing against them-honest. I love my in-laws very much. We did not want to live THAT close to any family, including mine. We wanted to move to a home where we could establish our own roots and not be tied to anyone. Well, long-story-short, both Trevor and I both had an overwhelming confirmation from the Holy Ghost that we were supposed to buy this house. I even lost a best friend for a while over this purchase...it broke my heart for many years (things are on the up and up now). Anyway, my home is not the fanciest, it's not the biggest, it's not the newest; I have carpet up the walls in one of the rooms, I don't have a garage, I have to share a bathroom with kids, but it's my HOME. I love my HOME, I love my neighborhood, and I love that my kids can run to grandma and grandpa's house to get Popsicles when it's hot. I am thankful for my house, because my house is our HOME.
Day 5 I am thankful for modern technology. I always say that I could have been a pioneer woman-I could camp, I could use a make-shift potty, I could fish (I wouldn't eat the fish...), but I would have died during childbirth. An emergency c-section saved my life and my oldest son's life. I am grateful for the Doctor who developed an alternative way to giving birth and also for the doctor who perfected the bikini cut incision so that recovery was minimal. Modern technology is a miracle for me-and I now have 4 healthy children because of those advancements.
DAY 6 This one is for my friend Amanda-here is the link to her blog again. I am grateful for Adoption. Because of this miracle, Amanda and Jared are the parents to two beautiful, wonderful, miraculous little boys. I watched from the sidelines and read Amanda's blog about the pain and sorrow they have felt dealing with infertility, only to be rewarded with the joy and peace of having those two boys being placed in their homes, their hearts and their lives. I am grateful for those birth mothers who trusted in the Lord and were lead to Jared and Amanda. These two are wonderful people and have gone through many trials and have been truly blessed. Check out her blog, because I am not doing it justice-she is much more articulate, heart-felt, emotional and real. Adoption is wonderful. To quote Amanda, "I heart Adoption"
DAY 1 I am thankful for my husband. Sorry, need to gush for a moment. I have never met a man that works as hard as he does. He is a Coach, a Teacher AND he owns a business, all to provide for our nutso family. His work ethic is AMAZING and what an example he is not only for our little family, but for those who observe him. I am thankful that he can overlook my faults and that he still loves me no matter what. Neither one of us is perfect: we argue, we laugh, we tease, we get mad, we smile, we frown-but at the end of the day we love. We love each other and we love our kids. I am thankful for the Priesthood that he worthily holds. I am thankful that he has a testimony of the Gospel and of our Savior. I am thankful that he lives the Gospel. I am thankful that he fulfills his callings to the fullest. I am thankful for his love. I am even thankful that he is a NEAT FREAK! :} had to throw that one in, Honey! I am thankful that he served an honorable mission. He is my strength, my support, my everything. He is my Eternal Companion.
DAY 2 I am thankful for my Testimony. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). I believe in a Father in Heaven who loves us all. I believe in our Savior Jesus Christ and that he was sent to earth to atone for us and to help us return to live with our Father in Heaven. I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet who restored the Gospel back onto the earth. I believe that he did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I believe that our Prophet Thomas S. Monson was called of God and leads us today. I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a husband and wife. I have a testimony of Eternal Marriage and that Trevor and I were sealed together by the proper authority back on December 16, 1999, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and now our children our sealed to us. I believe that Families can be Together Forever. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have regarding my loved ones who have passed away and that I will see them again as long as I keep my temple covenants and the commandments and endure through my trials. I KNOW that I am a Child of God. I have felt that special witness that the Book of Mormon is true and I have felt the Holy Ghost in my life to confirm all these things to be true. I KNOW my Savior loves me and is there for me when life gets rough. Of this I TESTIFY.
DAY 3 I am thankful for good health. I have been blessed with good health and so has Trevor and my children. We have all gone through things here and there, but we all recover and move on.
DAY 4 I am thankful for my house. When we looked to buy a new home a few years ago I would have never imagined or considered moving two doors down from my in-laws, but we did. Let me explain-it's nothing against them-honest. I love my in-laws very much. We did not want to live THAT close to any family, including mine. We wanted to move to a home where we could establish our own roots and not be tied to anyone. Well, long-story-short, both Trevor and I both had an overwhelming confirmation from the Holy Ghost that we were supposed to buy this house. I even lost a best friend for a while over this purchase...it broke my heart for many years (things are on the up and up now). Anyway, my home is not the fanciest, it's not the biggest, it's not the newest; I have carpet up the walls in one of the rooms, I don't have a garage, I have to share a bathroom with kids, but it's my HOME. I love my HOME, I love my neighborhood, and I love that my kids can run to grandma and grandpa's house to get Popsicles when it's hot. I am thankful for my house, because my house is our HOME.
Day 5 I am thankful for modern technology. I always say that I could have been a pioneer woman-I could camp, I could use a make-shift potty, I could fish (I wouldn't eat the fish...), but I would have died during childbirth. An emergency c-section saved my life and my oldest son's life. I am grateful for the Doctor who developed an alternative way to giving birth and also for the doctor who perfected the bikini cut incision so that recovery was minimal. Modern technology is a miracle for me-and I now have 4 healthy children because of those advancements.
DAY 6 This one is for my friend Amanda-here is the link to her blog again. I am grateful for Adoption. Because of this miracle, Amanda and Jared are the parents to two beautiful, wonderful, miraculous little boys. I watched from the sidelines and read Amanda's blog about the pain and sorrow they have felt dealing with infertility, only to be rewarded with the joy and peace of having those two boys being placed in their homes, their hearts and their lives. I am grateful for those birth mothers who trusted in the Lord and were lead to Jared and Amanda. These two are wonderful people and have gone through many trials and have been truly blessed. Check out her blog, because I am not doing it justice-she is much more articulate, heart-felt, emotional and real. Adoption is wonderful. To quote Amanda, "I heart Adoption"
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