A Time For Every Season- GRATITUDE

I love this time of year. I used to think Christmas was my favorite holiday, but the older I get and the more people I think need presents from me, (whether I want to give them one or not) the less fun it becomes. I enjoy the build-up to Christmas much more than the actual event. The Christmas music, thinking and pondering over the miracle that is our Savior's birth, the homemade goodies that are exchanged, looking at the lights on Temple Square. These are all a fantastic part of Christmas. Unfortunately, what stands out above all those good feelings is this pressure to spend the right amount and get the perfect gift to people who, most of the time, don't need a darn thing. . . sad, but true. Here in Utah, Christmas music starts Nov. 1. That's right, the day after Halloween! It's like Thanksgiving is an annoying holiday on the calender that is just skipped right over. There is no doubt that celebrating the birth of Christ is entirely more important, and if that's what the holiday felt like, it would be my favorite, but it doesn't! I have now decided that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! There is no expectation, except really good food, for Thanksgiving. You can just eat, watch football and make good family memories. I have to admit, one of my favorite new traditions is going shopping on Black Friday way before the butt crack of dawn, with my sister Randi, if we're together for the holiday. So, alright, shopping for Christmas presents in that way is totally fun. That's only because it feeds my shopping addiction for getting the best deal. If there were never sales, I'm not sure I would shop nearly as much. Anybody else feel like that? Anybody? Bueller?. . . Bueller?

Anyway, back to the reason for this particular post. I love Thanksgiving. Gratitude seems to be an ever decreasing state of being. I know it's something I need to work on for sure! Why do we focus on everything that we don't have, or every blessing we haven't received , or how everyone else is better off. I wonder how that makes Heavenly Father feel? If my girls never said thank you for the food I make or the clothes and toys they have. . .what am I talking about, most the time, I do have to remind them by saying, "Thanks for dinner mom!" Then they repeat what I say. Maybe I can imagine how Heavenly Father feels, and yet showing gratitude is a struggle for me and most the people I know! There is a time for every season, and now is the season for gratitude. Here are some things I am most grateful for, (in no particular order)

*The gospel of Jesus Christ. Not just that it is in it's fullness on the earth, but that somehow, I was blessed enough to always have it in my life (even when I wasn't active) and the blessings that come from living the gospel principles are, really, endless!

*My beautiful family! Mckay and my 3 girls bring joy, happiness, and a little spice to my life, What other reason would there be to live on this earth if there were no such thing as families?

*Health!! How grateful I am that we are all extremely healthy, besides the stupid cold sore that I am just getting over. Seriously, it was starting to take over my face. . .no exaggeration!

*The opportunity to live in a free country, and in my opinion, the greatest country! Oh say can you see. . .

*I have been blessed with talents that have been helpful to family and friends. Sometimes, I waver on what those talents actually are, but I know they're there. Every night when I say my prayers, one of the topics I cover is that I can recognize the talents that I have been given and then use them as HE would want me to . . .to better the lives of those around me. I can't really say I know what they even are. They have changed since I was a kid, or even a teenager. But hopefully, I'm doing my part in finding and using my talents. I don't want to lose them.

*I have some of the greatest people as my dear friends! They have kept me sane, given me solice and comfort when I have needed it, laughed at my cheesy jokes (really, Mckay, you're missing out!), and have loved me unconditionally! Thank you friends! Life surely would not be the same without really good friends- I love you!

*Chocolate! Seriously. . .do I have to say more? Everyone that knows me, knows I'm kinda addicted. It comes in handy when there isn't a good friend around. It's a close second!

*Mckay and I both agree that a huge, modern day, blessing is having the possibility to pause live T.V. or to record shows. Who ever thought up the Tivo or DVR...bless you! It has seriously helped us be better parents! We love watching our shows or sporting events and we also love our children , so this helps us be good parents first, without missing our beloved shows! Anyone who says we're pathetic just hasn't experienced the sweet goodness of pausing a show to use the bathroom or grab a snack from the kitchen. Even better, is watching a 3 hour football game in less than 2 hours because we can fast forward through commercials. Ahhh yes, tis truly a blessing!

*What kind of daughter would I be if I didn't show gratitude for all the parents that have helped raise me, and shape my life? My mom is the most talented, organized (close to Jandi), and driven person I know and she is the reason I'm here on this beautiful earth. Thanks for deciding to be a mom! My Dad is the cheesiest and most grateful, and humble person I know. What a blessing it has been for me to get to know him better since I've become an adult. I also have to mention Mckay's parents, not only did they raise an intelligent, kind, and good looking son for me to have as a companion, but they have also embraced me as one of their own. They have taught me and loved me as they might their own daughter. I call them mom and dad, because they wanted all of us daughters-in-law to. It brings a sense of comfort and familiarity that I am truly grateful for.

Thanksgiving is such an important reminder for me to remember all my many blessings. Why would I be given more if I can't appreciate what I already have? I have a wonderful life, and besides being able to work off this baby weight easier, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Peanuts?

My friend Christie and I happen to visit teach one of our other friends Kim for church, which is totally handy, and our visit teaching sessions usually turn into hours of talking. Well, today, we were in Kim's front room chatting about a variety of ways in which we could be better mothers (a common topic), and our 3 three year olds were sitting not far away in the kitchen at Kim's counter eating a piece of cake. We weren't totally aware of what the kids' conversation was up to that point, but Devon (Christie's son) thought it necessary to say, "Girls don't have a penis!" very matter-of-factly, to which Emmie seriously replied, "We have peanuts, do you want some, I'll ask my mom." Elle (Kim's daughter) sitting in between the two didn't care about peanuts or penises, she turned to Devon and said, "Don't talk with your eating!"

I couldn't stop laughing. I knew this was a conversation I couldn't pass up writing about. I love how that seemed like such an everyday occurrence or conversation to 3 three year olds. My girls obviously have not had any reason to know the difference between peanuts and a penis. However, maybe something should be said. . . I don't want to have the same misunderstanding ten years from now when Emmie is 13 and I finally decide it's time to tell her that there is definitely a difference between the two "P"s.

Fine!

O.k. so it's come to my attention that some of you would like to see an updated blog. What? "Yippee Emmie turned 3" is getting old? Well, my excuse, most of you that complain know, that my retarded computer is acting...well...retarded! I can't get it to download, upload, whatever, any pictures from my camera. So I have all these cute fall pictures I've taken, including Halloween, that I can't put on my computer. Do you really just want me to write about stuff without the added advantage of looking at pictures? FINE! here's what has been going on at our house lately:

*Our girls made a haul on Halloween. We have some older sweet neighbors next to us that gave a special treat to our girls-a bag full of little toys and extra goodies! Even the know-it-all neighbor that has never had kids has finally realized how lovable our girls are and gave them some special treats as well. I knew she would come around! Morgan dressed up as a firefighter (which she also says she wants to be when she grows up!) Emmie dressed up as a witch . Stinkin cute as she was, the title of witch is fitting ever since the great change of her third birthday-no yippee any more! And little Rhyan was a pea in the pod, which was also fitting because there were three peas on the costume and she is our third pea! She wasn't too thrilled with being costumed at first, but after we were out trick-or-treating for a while, she figured out, we weren't taking it off!I also have to mention that the weather was almost Perfect. It sprinkled on us just a little. Mostly, though, it was unbeatable! It was not one of those Halloweens where you have to bundle yourself up with a winter coat and then flash the candy-hander-outers what you dressed up as! We walked around with some friends in their neighborhood for a while and that is always a good time! I do love Halloween!

*We also had our first experience with Parent-Teacher conferences for Morgan. It was fun. McKay and I squatted down in the meant-for-the-smallest-rear ends kind of chairs along with her bubbly teacher (Miss Kanz) from Minnesota. We love her. Enthusiasm goes a long way for teachers, especially kindergarten teachers. She said Morgan is doing very well in every subject, which is totally expected by McKay and I since I am brilliant and it is apparent that she takes after me! On the other hand, Miss Kanz said she has a hard time talking to her friends too much instead of listening to directions. . . that must be something she got from McKay. We all know how annoyingly social he can be! So all-in-all she is doing very well and is really starting to use her phonics abilities when it comes to reading, sounding everything out nicely. Morgan has loved school, thankfully. I know, in the years to come, that won't always be the case. My hope is that even when she isn't loving it, she always understands how important education is and gives it her best shot. I look back and know exactly when I was frustrated and gave up or just did what I could to pass the class, knowing that I could've done better. Lesson learned!

*Emmie continues to crack us up! I remember Morgan being the same at this age, I should've been better about writing down what she said. Everything out of Emmie's mouth makes me laugh or makes me angry or both. Like when she says, "you can't say no to this." that's when I say, giggling "Wanna bet?"

*We finally got the bunk bed painted and put them in the big girls' room, formally known as the toy room, tear drop...sniffle, sniffle. I will miss having a designated toy room. However, with the help of my extremely organized friend Jandi, we made it look like a room with some toys, instead of toy chaos with some beds. That stinkin bunk bed (thanks dad for making it and bringing it down) has been like a thorn in our side. Between trying and not liking any stains, then deciding just to paint it, then deciding to glaze it as well, taking it apart, putting it together, not being able to park in our garage. . .we are happy it's finally done and it looks good! We chose a really cute brown and pink circles bed spread that I love and I think the girls like as well. There was no way I was gonna let them pick by them selves. We would have ended up with some ugly Dora the Explorer or Princess bedspread that I would've had to buy the ugly wall border and lamp that go with them!:) No offense if any one looking at this has that in their child's bedroom...I mean if you like that kind of stuff! Any way, Morgan and Emmie are loving their new bedroom and so am I!

*On the subject of the girls' bedroom, Jandi, my really good friend from home, came a few days ago and really helped me get the room the way I want it and still have it completely functional for my girls. I am a clean person , however, organization, does not come naturally (sorry mom). With Jandi's help, I got that room just the way I always wanted it to be...Thank you thank you Jandi. Plus, having Jandi being able to visit for a couple days is like soup on a cold day. You don't get it that often, but when you need it, it's so comforting. Our relationship is so comfortable, we could go a month or more without talking, then call each other and pick up right where we left off. . .like we still hang out every day. No awkward, "So, how's it going?, Everyone doing ok? What's the weather like?" Nope, none of that for Jandrea. . .that's our nickname we came up with in college for when we were together, which was all the time. We always have a good time even if we're just organizing. She really puts a fire under my butt to get things done, I love her for that. Everyone needs a friend that can give them something they're not! Even with ornery kids and tired moms, we still have good times. It never seems like we have quite enough time together, but I suppose that's better than getting sick of each other. Someday, we'll live in the same area, or at least the same state again, and we'll have plenty of time to get sick of each other. Love you Jan!

*Today McKay is fly fishing, which he hasn't done in just about a year, with Clark Pierce. Going fly fishing with Clark is like having your own professional guide, for free. At least that's how McKay puts it. So hopefully, he fills up his fishing void he has felt since we moved to Utah. When you live in a new area and there aren't a lot of brothers around any more to say, "hey let's go fishing this weekend." Then it's just not the same kind of fun. Later this evening Mckay and Nathan (Jandi's hubby) are off to see the REAL Salt Lake professional soccer team in the Western Finals. He's pretty excited about that too. We've never been to a Real game before. By the way, the name REAL is pronounced (ray-al) for those who don't know. It took me a while to figure it out. I thought ,"big deal, a real soccer team, as opposed to what? a fake one?"

Now that I'm mostly caught up, everyone, get off my back! I did it! I will be better about just writing the new events in our family-pictures or not! You can be sure I'll be blogging next week when Twilight comes out! Six days until I get to be swept up again in the outrageous world of Edward and Bella!