Are You Ready?

Friday, November 21st--I'm ready for Christmas, how about you? Yes, I know Thanksgiving is still coming up but I'm just ready! Weather permitting, we're putting up Christmas lights tomorrow. This year I'm missing the Northwest quite a bit so we may go out and get a real tree (gosh, I love that smell!). I bought some new holiday Scentsy scents: Snowberry and Winter Wonderland(?). They're great! I've been listening to holiday music, on the radio, since November 1st and am only tired of "Feliz Navidad" (blech!). Our Christmas shopping is coming along. I bought some candy cane, white chocolate Hershey Kisses (soooooo yummy!). What can I say, I've got the Christmas spirit! ...........and it feels wonderful!
I feel a lot of gratitude. Nate and I are very blessed and we know Heavenly Father watches over our family. Our Bishop challenged all the members of the ward to be frugal this Christmas (stay out of debt when considering Christmas presents). What that means for Nate and I, we're not sure yet, but it's something we've thought a lot about. I'm thinking of inexpensive craft ideas to do this year, I have a few but am open to suggestions as well.
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays!

My Cousin, Ashlee, the AMAZING Artist!

Wednesday, November 19th--I hope my cousin, Ashlee, doesn't mind. I'm going to give her a little plug. She is a fantastic artist. I'm not sure which side she inherited her talent from (not from the Blackburn side!). I asked her to do some sketches of my kids for Christmas. She chose the photos and then turned Elise into a fairy (her specialty) and Brady into an angel. I LOVE how they turned out! She has a very special gift. I'm jealous. If anyone is interested in her doing some sketches, she lives in Lehi, UT (nearby my house), and she is very affordable. Take a look! First is the photo she chose to work with and then the finished product. I have to re-scan the art in order to be able to click on it and see the detail but you can see pretty well as it is. Amazing! Love ya, Ashlee!

I Feel SOOO Naked!

Wednesday, November 19th--Eewwww! It's bad enough I have to look at myself naked, don't you be picturing me in your mind, you sicko! ha ha ha
Clear your mind and offer me a little sympathy at this difficult time........yes, so difficult (crying a little, need a minute......). I, uh, accidentally, left my cell phone in my jeans today and threw the jeans in the wash with the rest of my clothes. My cell phone got washed and is no longer functioning. (a few more tears coming..........) The dearly departed cell phone was the coolest! It had so much life left to it, I'd only had it for a year. It's red, takes pics, had awesome songs I downloaded as ringtones, the list goes on and on....... I've had various cell phones for the last 12 years and this has never happened--none of them have broken due to stupid mistakes. I just pray all the phone numbers, photos, downloads, etc. are retrievable.
So yes, as crazy as it sounds, I felt "naked" as I was running errands this afternoon and evening without my cell phone. I guess I'll be making a trip to AT&T Wireless tomorrow. Cripes!

Picky-Pots!

Wednesday, November 19th--Okay, so last night, for dinner, it was a pathetic sight. My kids have decided they are going to be picky eaters---Brady not nearly as bad as Elise, in fact he's getting better. Granted, both Nate and I are picky eaters (me, of course, liking all the bad foods for me and hating most of the good ones). My pickiness is because I've tried things and just don't like them.
When Elise was a toddler we fed her everything we ate and she loved it all. I was so excited at the thought that my child would probably not be picky. How wrong I was! Over and over again, she would like something one day and refuse to try it the next. Over time I just lost patience and stopped offering or forcing her to try it. Brady has always been a good eater (obviously!) but he seems to follow Elise's lead on many things so he's been trying to be more picky but we've discovered he can be "bribbed" with things such as Xbox or Matchbox cars, etc. (not the most effective way but it works for now). Well I'm at a point that I'm just so sick of making two to three meals for dinner. I know a lot of it is my fault, I should have put my foot down a long time ago.
Last night I made spaghetti. The very word puts Elise into this tantrum-throwing monster so I gave it a new name. She likes pasta, "pizza" sauce, melted cheese and sausage so I told her it's a new dish called "pizza pasta". She was quite skeptical, which made Brady skeptical. I told them both they could earn some time on the Wii if they would just take a few bites. Brady did right away and decided he liked it so he finished his plate. WOOHOO! Elise, on the other hand, holy moly, what a drama queen! I told her she needed to eat two big bites and then she could be done. She held that fork with the first bite for over an hour, making up excuse after excuse "I need a drink", "I have to go potty", "My head itches", "Brady won't stop talking to me", "Bohdee keeps licking my feet", etc., etc. Finally, Nate and I had enough. Nate picked her up and was taking her to her room when she promised she would take a bite. She sat there again for another 15 minutes. It was only when we turned on the Wii to play a game of family bowling did she realize we meant business. She couldn't stand to be left out! She took a bite and rather than gagging she went........."mmmm, this is good!" An hour and a half later, tantrums galore, only to find out if she had just tasted it in the first place she would have loved it all along. OH the humanity!

A Visit to Danika at Home

Saturday, November 15th--After leaving "Disney on Ice" we headed over to Dustin and Crystal's house so Nate and Brady could see baby Danika. They just got home from the hospital this afternoon. Brady was feeling much better today, definitely making up for the energy he had no desire to exert yesterday. We asked if it was okay to bring him over and they said it would be fine, just to keep him away from Danika's face. We lucked out, he didn't really want to be around the baby, instead he ran laps around their kitchen! Silly boy! Crystal looked pretty tired--Danika's a hungry little girl! She wants to nurse a little more than expected. She slept the whole time we were there. She looks like a very, sweet little angel! My heart just melted when Nate was holding her. He's so wonderful with babies, he really enjoys cuddling and holding the little ones. Hopefully, he'll have one of his own, again, in the next year. Elise was a little on the grumpy side so she didn't want to hold Danika. Between Energy Solutions Center and the Trax station she lost her most favorite blanket, one she has had for almost 4 years. It was very upsetting to her so we promised to stop at Target or Walmart after we left Dustin and Crystal's house to get her a new one. She picked a soft, pink "blankie" and all is well with the world again!

While holding Danika we talked about her name and how they came up with it. Danika, or Danni (sp?) as she'll be known, is named after my father-in-law, Dan. I sure both of them will agree what an honor it is to share their name with each other. Dan is an incredible man and deserves to have this beautiful little girl named after him. I have no doubt she'll live up to the honor! Danni is the 9th grandchild born into the Dan & Rosemary Armstrong family. They now have 5 grand-sons and 4 grand-daughters.

Here's some pics of Nate holding Danni---so sweet! I got the tear!:

Disney On Ice

Saturday, November 15th--In case you didn't figure it out already, when we can't make it to Disneyland we get our "fix" by attending "Disney On Ice" every year. This is a great show and we love going. This time the theme is "100 Years of Magic". How that can be, I don't know since Mickey Mouse wasn't created till the 1920's--unless the celebration is Walt Disney's 100th birthday (not sure when he was born). Anyhoo, we decided this was one of the best ones yet--aside from the "Disney Princess on Ice" that Elise and I attended earlier this year. Nate got us great seats on the 10th row, front and center. We really love seeing the kids react to everything. They jump up and down when their favorite characters come out. They love seeing the fireworks. Every time I go I wonder if either one of the kids would be interested in taking ice skating lessons. One of these days I should look into it, see if there are any around and how much.
If you've never attended one of these, and you're a Disney fan, I HIGHLY recommend you go and take your family or friends. We usually do a matinee showing and get inexpensive seats. Here's some pics (you can click on them to get more detail):

I Got Tagged

Friday, November 14th--This is a good one Kerri! An important one and I tag EVERYONE that reads it!

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY...
1. My husband (refer to 3 posts ago!) & children
2. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ
3. (I'm with Kerri on this one) A nice, cold fountain drink with the "good ice" 60% regular Coke and 40% caffeine-free Diet Coke (I'm trying to not drink regular so much so I'm weening myself!)
4. A TIE: A road trip to a great destination/vacation & a rare shopping spree
5. Holidays--decorating, kids reactions, family, etc.

The Newest Armstrong

Friday, November 14th--Introducing, Danika Leigh Armstrong. She was born yesterday to Crystal and Dustin Armstrong. She's healthy and beautiful, very much alert and quite the little wiggle worm (Crystal, I can't even bear the thought that she was THAT wiggly in your womb!). Welcome to this crazy family, Danika! You can try and calm us down but it won't work so just jump on in to our craziness when you're ready! And to be a part of this family, you must LOVE Disneyland so we'll get you obsessed in no time! ha ha ha Love you, Danika!

Elise and I visited the U of U hospital tonight to meet Danika. Nate stayed at home with Brady, he seems to have some kind of stomach flu (Please no ER visits! PLEASE!). Elise loved holding her new little cousin and looks forward to the time she can play with her and make her laugh and everything else. I enjoyed holding Danika too, although she seemed to just want to eat and I couldn't help in that department so back to mom she went. Dustin and Crystal are so very happy and I'm happy for them. Congratulations!

Mom & Dad, A Message From Baby Claire

Friday, November 14th--"Hi, Audra's parents. This is baby Claire Pease. It makes me very sad you're not coming for Christmas! VERY SAD!!!!"

I'm Thankful....

Thursday, November 13th--It is only two weeks till Thanksgiving. I'm excited to be able to be with family and enjoy a wonderful feast of food while visiting and mingling.
I've been thinking quite a bit about things I'm thankful for. The list stretches for miles and miles but the things I'm most thankful for, I hope, are very obvious. First, and foremost, my husband, Nathan. I have chosen to spend eternity with him and he has chosen me. Having that freedom to choose is precious. I know, in other cultures and religions, that is not always the case. Our marriage continues to evolve and change as we learn more and more about each other. I think that is healthy for a marriage and I'm thankful it exists in ours. He and I both tolerate plenty from the other but our love for each other remains strong. He provides for our family and works very hard to do so. Once again, his company is going through a large round of lay-offs and he's been informed his job is safe again. I know his faithfulness in paying a full tithe is the reason for this great blessing.
I am incredibly blessed he has such an immense love for our children. He plays with them, he puts them to bed with stories and prayers, he shows them love and tells them of his love for them--I could go on and on.
There's plenty more I could say about Nate but the bottom line is: I'm thankful for him and for all that he is and contributes to my blessed life. I love you with all of my heart forever and always.
More to come on things that I'm thankful for!