Day 8--I'm Thankful For My Health

Sunday, November 29th--I'm at home today, another week of no church. The family is sick. Elise was doing well and then started puking her guts out late last night. I have been faithfully taking all sorts of vitamins and herbal remedies in hopes of maintaining my good health--so far, so good (knock on wood!). I'm thankful for friends and family who have shared their secrets of staying healthy and I'm using those to their full extent. I'm sure eventually it'll all catch up to me and I'll get the mother-load of all illnesses but for now, I'm enjoying pretty good health and I pray it'll get me through this coming week as we do the Festival of Trees.

Day 7--I'm Thankful For Living In the Moment

Saturday, November 28th--As I was driving around running errands today I came to a realization that made me a little sad. Elise is almost 8, which means, in only a few more years, that Christmas "magic" we've all enjoyed ever since the kids were babies won't be present anymore (you all know what I'm talking about). Soon she'll figure it all out and it won't be as "magical" anymore--I think I was 9 or 10 when my big sister opened her big mouth! It made me sad. I know once she knows that Christmas will still be wonderful. I just remember once I knew, things just weren't the same anymore. I still loved Christmas and have always but knowing SC doesn't come to my home made a difference.

I'm going to try my hardest not to think about it anymore and just live in the moment, enjoy the "magic" with my children, put on all the movies about SC and just soak it all in. I know, by doing that, it'll be an amazing Christmas--as will all Christmas's I get to share with my family. My family is what I give thanks for the most.

I discovered a really cool website, in case your little kiddies are wanting to send SC a wish list: http://www.santaclaushouse.com/ (I SOOO want to go there!)

Mail wish lists to:

Santa Claus House

101 St. Nicholas Drive

North Pole, AK 99705

Your kids should receive a letter back with a postmark stamped: North Pole, Alaska.

Day 6--I'm Thankful For Christmas Cheer!

Friday, November 27th--I spent almost the entire day decorating my home, inside and out. I absolutely loved it! Nate and the kids put up the family tree downstairs. It's a crazy looking tree but they are all very proud of it and I am proud of them for making it just what it needs to be. Elise & Brady spent a chunk of the day "studying" the commercials on TV and making their Christmas wish lists--then revising several more times as more things of interest popped up. I loved watching other neighbors putting up their Christmas decorations this weekend as well. There's something to say about that "feeling in the air". It's definitely in our neighborhood and all around. I'm so happy for this time of year! Like I said, it's been a very long year. I'll be glad when 2009 is over and we can hope for a wonderful 2010. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this next month with my family and friends celebrating as much as possible with plenty of Christmas cheer! Happy Holidays! I'm so thankful!

Day 5--I'm Thankful for GREAT Food!

Thursday, November 26th--HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I just spent the entire day either cooking food or eating it. Elise did an excellent job setting the table. The turkey was nice and moist (Martha Stewart you rock!), the gravy took a little while to get perfect but it was just that. The mashed taters were smooth, no lumps. The rolls and veggies, celery with cheese whiz, stuffing. Sparkling Cider fizzing in our mouths. It was all so great! Then there was the dessert......woah baby! Pumpkin cheesecake, mini cakes from Dippidee---that was only the beginning! We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. My sister, Alishia, and her family came to eat with us. We had a wonderful time with them, as always. I'm truly thankful for them and all the love and affection they show Brady and Elise.

After we said "good-bye" to them we headed to Nate's parents house where most of his family was still around. We ate dessert there, so delicious, a pumpkin roll from Schmidt's Bakery, homemade banana, pumpkin & apple pies. Just amazing. Needless to say, we all overate today. I don't regret it a bit, it was all so good. I enjoyed every little bite thoroughly.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy a scrumptious Thanksgiving and ponder on the hundreds, even thousands, of reasons we should all be thankful!

Day 4--I'm Thankful for Trials & Enlightenment

Wednesday, November 25th--Tonight is the eve of Thanksgiving. In a little over 6 hours I have to get up, at 5:30 am, to prep the turkey. I realize, in exactly a month, it'll be Christmas Day, which also means this year is almost over. This year has been.......wow.......full of huge ups and downs. So many trials and yet, so many joyful experiences too. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my own life and all the changes I need/want to make. I've worked on some and am making baby steps in the right direction. I've thought about all the things that matter to me. So many of the things that were superficial and petty no longer matter. My faith in my Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ, my family and so many friends that uplift me----those are the things that matter.
I feel like I've grown up a lot this year. I've realized I need to stop making excuses for all the things I need to be doing in my life that I'm not doing. No more pity parties, no more feeling sorry for myself. I have a great life and I need to acknowledge that and seek out reasons I'm blessed every single day of my life. Even through all the trials and stresses that are dished out, I've got to find the positive in order to learn and grow. This may not be the feelings or opinions of others, but it works for me and for that I am thankful.

Day 3--I'm Thankful for Hearts Touched

Tuesday, November 24th--Well, I started my "week of thankfuls" out with the obvious and had debated on keeping that "trend" the whole week. Today, that all changed. As I've mentioned before, I've been working on a large project for the last couple of months. Along with Nate's brother, Dustin, and his wife, Crystal, we are donating a tree to the Festival of Trees (click for details regarding the festival) this year. It is a "Curious George" themed tree. We have been decorating it, with the help of others (thanks SO MUCH Carly & Sharee!) and, I must say, it looks fantastic (these pictures do it NO justice!)! It's bright in colors and quite whimsical. Very child-like, which was the point. We are dedicating the tree and surrounding items to two children, Sadie Huish (age 6) & Lucas Nelson (age 8 months), who both passed away this summer from different forms of brain cancer. (Click on their names to be directed to blogs their parents created on their behalf. You can see how beautiful these angels are.) Sadie & Lucas' families reside in Eagle Mountain, within blocks of each other and within blocks of my house. I've known the Nelsons for a while but hadn't known the Huish's very well, or anything of Sadie's battle with cancer, until Shannon Nelson had brought their story to my attention.....two weeks after Sadie had passed away. During this time was when Lucas was battling cancer. I read Sadie's blog and all about her journey during the 16 months she fought an incredibly tough battle. My heart was truly touched. Shannon also started a blog all about Lucas' journey and his incredibly tough 3-month battle. Again, my heart was touched.

These children and their families are on my mind every single day. I get teary-eyed thinking about them and pray their families are able to cope and feel the comfort and love of our Father in Heaven. Also, the incredible amount of support they have from our amazing community. I wish I could have known little Sadie. She seemed like such an amazing little girl--which makes so much sense, considering how wonderful her family is. I wish I could have seen baby Lucas' big, beautiful smile in person. His family, too, is so wonderful. The stories of Sadie and Lucas have touched so many hearts and blessed a community, and so many others, with the desire to continually want to do more, to serve more, to love more, try harder to do good and be better. I don't want to ever forget their courageous fight or all of what their families have been through as well. Regardless of never knowing these two beautiful angels, they will always remain in my heart............and I am so very thankful for that.

Day 2--I'm Thankful For My Chillins

Monday, November 23rd--Many years ago I thought very little of myself. I thought I was undeserving of all the happiness others experience on a daily basis. I never thought I would find the perfect man to marry and if, by some miracle I did, we wouldn't be able to have children. I had no physical or health problems to back my feelings on this.

The day that pregnancy test was positive, the first time, I couldn't believe it. I had convinced myself it could never happen. Then a week later I was incredibly sick and had all the typical symptoms of a pregnant woman. I felt Elise move at 22 weeks pregnant.......it was so magical. She finally cooperated for Nate and moved for him at 24 weeks pregnant. It was all reality now and I finally believed I was deserving. I knew she would be born healthy and perfect, that confidence came from the most amazing blessing Nates dad, Dan, gave me. Dan gave me the same kind of blessing when I was pregnant with Brady. Both were born healthy and perfect.

I still have those moments where I am shocked and amazed at the fact that I'm a mom. It's not always an easy job but I experience moments of joy and happiness every day with these crazy kids. I love Elise & Brady SOOOO much and can't be thankful enough for being allowed to be their mom. I say it all the time, I hope I can always be the mom they deserve to have.

A Week of Thankfuls--Day 1, My Best Friend & Love of My Life

Sunday, November 22nd--Today I start another annual week of "thankfuls" for Thanksgiving. I admire those that have been able to do this for the whole month. While I haven't written it down, I find reasons every single day of my life that I am thankful for---a long list of reasons, I am so blessed.

Today, I am thankful for my most favorite person in the world, my Nathan. He's brought me to life, encouraged my confidence and just makes me a better person on a whole. He's incredibly romantic and showers me with affection on a daily basis. He's the most amazing dad! I've never seen such a devoted dad, it's so heartwarming. There's so many little things he does that I'm thankful for. I could go on and on (he truly is THAT amazing!) but really, he's the best thing that's come into my life. I look forward to so many more years happy years with Nate. I love him SOOO much!

Time To Paint!

Sunday, November 15th--While mom was getting things for the tree we're donating to the Festival of Trees, the kids had a hey day going through the craft store, Michaels, and wanting just about everything they got their little hands on. Needless to say, it got quite annoying! When I had got all the items I needed we let them grab some cheap crafts to take home and paint. Sunday night Nate opened them up and the kids started painting. Brady chose a wooden airplane and Elise chose a pair of ceramic animals. Elise LOVED painting her little creatures. Brady got bored pretty fast and let Elise take over the painting of his airplane. Between them both, they did a great job. You can tell they're both really proud of their accomplishments.

Playin' In the Snow

Sunday, November 15th--Last night we had some great snow fall so Nate got the kids dressed up warm for some morning play-time in the snow. They crammed all the typical snow-playing in (snow angels, snowman building, snow ball fights and a little eating of the clean stuff) before it was time to get ready for church. I think they really enjoyed themselves! Once their tooshes were frozen we brought them in and gave them nice, warm baths then time for church. The kids are looking forward to more snow soon!