Thankful ...

Today I am thankful for many things. I teared up quite a few times today, thinking about how grateful I am. Like when I was setting my table with these dishes ...

Or when I looked down at these 3 faces who I love more than anything in the world ...



And for sure when I took a bite of this yummy carmel apple crumble ... :)

There is lots more ... today I'm thankful for

• all of Mylie's help with baking today
• for Blake learning 2 new words today (this is huge as he has a pretty limited vocabulary, today he said roll and Bosco)
• a puppy who saved me lots of sweeping today
• that Jeff is feeling a little better today (sigh, on the 3rd week of a terrible cold/cough)
• for yummy food and relaxing
• for Jeff and Mylie going 4 different places before they found a Thanksgiving newspaper (and ads) for me
• for our families - even though we weren't with them today
• leftovers (Courtney and Bailey - I thought of you when I was eating cold mashed potatoes out of the fridge tonight!)

I am just thankful. Our family has been blessed so much in the last year. We have good jobs, a nice home, the Gospel, our health, and wonderful family and friends.

"For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise."

Random Monday Night Blogging

Mylie went to a birthday party this weekend where she scored this ultra fashionable crown. She put on a dance show for us tonight.

Blake got a new haircut today, courtesy of Alicia's daycare, doggy daycare, and barbershop. Of course he couldn't look at the camera, smile, and open his eyes at the same time. His haircut makes him look SO grown up to me!

Mylie performing, she has a new necklace and wand also. Every princess has those items, right?

Blake LOVES my phone, but I rarely let him play with it (he broke my last one). I did realize though that if I did he would sit still long enough to let me take his picture. I could just gobble up those cheeks!

We are looking forward to a short work week and lots of time together this week. Jeff is off Thursday and Friday and I am off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Yippee!

These kids!

Yesterday these two kids were so cute. I had the day off and we had a relaxing day at home. We played and rested and they snuggled in the chair and watched Spongebob together.

Today was a different story. Jeff is off on Fridays and I was at work most of the day. Before I went to work I told Mylie she could go in the office and scrapbook and play on the computer. When I got home and noticed that Mylie hadn't put everything away when she was scrapbooking. I went into the office with her to make sure she got everything put away and noticed hair on the floor, hair in the garbage ... who knew that decorative scissors could cut hair? After an extended time-out and losing all her scissors we had a long talk. She had no explanation for why she did it. I explained to her that her hair looked silly and that it wouldn't grow back until she is 6. She looked at me with a very concerned look and said, "I shouldn't have done that!"

Fast forward to later tonight, the kids were in bed and Jeff went in the kitchen to put some cookie dough in the oven (yep, he makes cookies). He gets them on the pan, preheats the oven, and when it beeps he puts the cookies in. Just moments later there is a terrible smell. I ask Jeff if something had spilled in the oven. He goes in and looks ... apparently we were going to have baked football for dessert. Yes, Blake has recently discovered he can open the oven and we are having a problem keeping him (and apparently his toys) out of it. This is what I can't figure out though ... how did Jeff put a cookie sheet in the oven and not notice a FOOTBALL sitting there?

There was a Bosco story tonight too, but my Mom will read this, so I'll spare you the details. :)

"Gonna party like its your birthday!"

What a wonderful weekend! Mylie's birthday was on Tuesday and we celebrated with lunch at Red Robin, a trip to the zoo and cupcakes. Jeff and I both took the day off and it was great. We had her birthday party on Saturday and had a lot of fun. My mom and dad drove over on Friday night and brought Darcy, Max and Eliza with them. Darcy and Max stayed at our house ... party time!

Saturday was the party and it fun (and busy)! I put together a slide show of pictures of Mylie from birth to her 5th birthday. It was such fun to do and we had it playing during the party. It was fun because her friends and family who were at the party were in the slide show as well so it was fun to see how everyone has changed. Since I had watched it multiple times through the party, I made it through without crying.

Mylie wanted to have a bowling party, but we decided to have a bowling party at home. The kids bowled outside, and although it was cold, they had a lot of fun. Mylie took 3rd place! {Max, Helen, Mylie & Drake}


Mylie got lots of fun presents, including a dollhouse. It was mine when I was little and my mom repainted it and brought it over for her. She was very excited. It made me a big sentimental.

And of course, there was cake! Although I consider myself a good cake, we go for the Costco cake for birthdays. Yum! Mylie picked the princess decorations and I picked the cheesecake filling. All were happy.

It was a fun day. I'm grateful for Mylie and the special girl she is. I'm also grateful for wonderful family and friends who love and support us. My children will never doubt that they are loved by many people.

We had a fun rest of the weekend. Papa took us all to Fudruckers (his favorite) and then all the kids (except Blakey) went swimming with Papa on Saturday night. Mylie had fun having Max go to primary with her on Sunday. We had a yummy lunch (I did cook this time) after church and then Gramma, Big A Papa and the kids left for Idaho Falls.

I'm not quite ready for the week to start. One week until Thanksgiving break (yay!). I'm tired and tired of being sick. The kids and I have been on antibiotics (we had strep last week) for 10 days and I think all of us feel worse than we did 10 days ago. Jeff has a terrible cold/cough, that is lingering. Mylie and I are working on cleaning her room (not my favorite task). I need pointers to help her keep her room clean. She is a hoarder and everytime we clean her room I empty out bags of paper. But we got a lot done tonight and hopefully can finish it up tomorrow. I already pulled the Santa card ... gotta have a clean room. Believe me, there is no shame in milking the Santa card for everything it is worth.

So here's to a good week, to less sniffles and sneezes, to me being patient and motivated! Hey, a girl can dream, right?

It's strange ...

It's strange to think that 5 years ago, I was just a day away from being a Mom. It's strange to think that I didn't yet know how much love my heart was capable of holding and giving. It's strange to think that I didn't think I could love Jeff more than I did.

And just like that, Mylie was born and my entire life changed. Every little part of it. I didn't think I could love Jeff any more than I already did, and then I saw him hold a minute old Mylie and I fell even deeper. I loved Mylie before she was born, but when I held her, my whole life changed. I knew I would love her and protect her and teach her and sacrifice for her ... and I would be happy to do so.

Mylie and I were talking about her birthday the other day and I was explaining to her that before she was born, I wasn't a Mom. She couldn't even comprehend it, it was so funny. She made me a Mom. I'm so excited for her 5th birthday, but a bit emotional about it too. I've been working on something special for her birthday party and I have had a lot of laughs and tears while doing it.

I don't really even have the words for what I am trying to say, but goodness, I love this girl. I love the baby she was and the girl that she is. I love her kind heart and her quick wit, her willingness to help others and her ability to make others laugh. I love how much she loves her Daddy and her brother and her puppy ... and me. I love it when she tells me I'm the best Mom ever, or the Mom-diggity. I love it when she tells me I'm a good cook or when she can't wait to show me something. I love the pictures I have hanging in my office that she drew for me. Mostly I just love her madly. I'm thankful Heavenly Father had enough trust in me to send her to our family. She brings so much joy into our home and our heart.

So Mylie (or Bear, as Daddy calls her), we love you!