Thanksgiving

We had a GREAT thanksgiving this year! Well, Ok, it's almost always great, but this year it was just nice to relax and have fun with the family. I always heard mom's say that when their first was born they took a bazillion pictures and with each child it got less and less. I don't think it's the case with taking pictures of the kids as so much as taking pictures of the outings...

So, for lack of pictures let me paint the picture for you...

Imagine. A church cultural hall with 8 tables (long church tables) lined with chairs, a group of comfy chairs on the side of the room, children running wild (in the room of corse) we didn't do an official count but some where around 50 people, laughing, talking, and hugs. The smell of turkey, potatoes, pies, rolls, stuffing, and other thanksgiving yummyness coming from the kitchen. The sound of much to be thankful for in every corner of the room...

We ate, we played, some slept, and wore ourselves out. I will say again, it was an awesome day! I sure do have a lot to be grateful for even if I get overwhelmed and frustrated at times. My husband is doing AWESOME in school! Only 1 1/4 semesters to go until he GRADUATES!!!! My children who love me despite all my flaws, a terrific mom that I am grateful has made it to thanksgiving and is making progress all the time, a home to live in, wonderful in-laws (all of them) that show endless support and love, a loving Father in Heaven that knows me, loves me and blesses me. And last a loving Savior that gave his life so that I can be with my family forever! These are just a few the list could go on...

With so many blessings my heart is full and I look forward to a wonderful Christmas season!

Family Pictures 2009

We got family pictures taken a few days ago. These are some of my favorites, but I thought they all turned out cute. It was SO cold, hence the funny faces in a few. Tate looks like he was in pain. He was a trooper as were the rest of them and I think it was worth it!

School?

Been thinking lately...what should I be when I grow up? I want to go back to school eventually, possibly when Todd is done and I have a little more free time. So maybe when Tobyn is in kindergarden or preschool that lasts longer than 1 hour :-) But what should I do? There is a poll at the left with my top 3 choices, maybe you can help.

Thanks

Grateful

Lately I feel like I am going crazy! I hear "MOM" more often than not, and I feel like I am on my feet almost 24/7. I wake up at 5 am to work out and fall into bed every night. I feel like tears somedays come more often than smiles...but lets face it we ALL know that tears aren't hard to come by for me :-)... I also feel like I spend half of my life in a car, running errands, and never get to see the love of my life...

But then I stopped and starting thinking...WHY am I being so whinny and not focusing on the things I DO have like this....

And them...

These guys too...

Pretty much everyone in this pictures is special to me! I am thankful for all they do and am so happy to be able to call them family (that includes the two that are on missions and not in the photo)

I really am thankful for this time of year. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, even the New Year brings the feeling of renewal and a clean slate. I love black friday, for the tradition and fun not always just the sales, I love all the good comfort food . I love the memories of family and friends gathered around many tables.

So even though life may be a little hectic and overwhelming it is still pretty great. This is the life I chose and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

She's home!

Yep, the title says it. She is finally home! All of the boys were very happy to see her when they got home from school. She still has a ways to go on recovery. She is still on oxygen and takes about a dozen pills each day (okay, that's an exaggeration...but not by much) for another couple of weeks.

New cleanliness codes have been put into place. Our house is now decorated with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer. Not strictly on Dr's orders but we DO NOT want to do this again! Since she has only been home one day we are still working on a routine. Tobyn will most likely skip school today because he..I mean I...need a little break and a chance to pull the house together and figure out how things will run around here.

But hopefully things are on an upward go!

Progress...

So another update about my mom:

She is doing MUCH better. Not home yet, but soon. Hopefully by Monday or Tuesday! Fears have died down a little and tubes are all out but She still has a pick line in for her antibiotics and oxygen. She has done really good this past week and has done everything the Doctors ask.

She has been a real trooper. I am glad she is getting a little of her strength back and is breathing a little better and feeling a little better every day! Yesterday was her birthday and even though she didn't make it out (that was our goal) I think she still had a good birthday. LOTS of people came to see her, the boys sang her happy birthday (which I had recorded on my camera), and the nurses even came into her room and sang her happy birthday! So overall not a bad day :-)

Happy Halloween!!

Classic shot of the boys. Todd was working most of the day so it was just me and the guys.

Another classic shot of the boys. I love good pictures like this :-)

Todd finally came home and finished taking the boys around...I was just too tired!

It was a Happy Halloween! We had a lot of fun getting free candy AKA- Trick-or-Treating...and played with cousins and family at Grandma C's house! It really was a good day. I am not so great at taking pictures but the costumes we saw were all a lot of fun!