CHRISTMAS CARDS

It's that time of year again.
My favorite part of the holiday season.
CHRISTMAS CARDS/PICTURES
They're going in the mail this week.
If you would like some Christmas cheer let me know,
Leave a comment and I'll add you to my list.
(you just have to promise to add me back)
Tis the season my friends, tis the season...

Oh...and I PROMISE,

you won't see any of THESE pictures on the card either.

The End.

GRATITUDE

Today during Sacrament meeting, one of the speakers spoke on being thankful. It was a great talk. Perfect for not only this time of year, but all year round. She put things into perspective. Materialism. It's rampant. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries. You might not think you are wealthy, but you are. Did you know that if you do NOT have a dirt floor in your house, you are in the top 50% of wealthy people? If you have a door AND a window in your house, YOU are in the top 20% of wealthy people. Do you have a car, tv, vcr, microwave oven and computer? That number drops YOU into the 1% of the ELITE. That means I am wealthy. What do I have to complain about? NOTHING. I have a wonderful, comfortable home with running water, heat and electricity. I have a healthy family. I have clothes on my back and food on my table. I might not have the latest/greatest, but I have what I need. For THAT...I am grateful.

Perspective...it's a wonderful word.

DONE

DONE...I'm done eating.

Please do not make me eat another thing.

I'm food'ed OUT!

(burp)

MY CONTRIBUTION

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This is my contribution to the masses.

2 pumpkin pies

1 apple pie

1 coconut cream pie

1 banana cream pie

100 rolls

creamed onions (a family favorite)

We are heading down to Conneticut today.

We'll be back tomorrow night.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for YOU!!!

CELEBRATION

In Our Home We Like To Party!

...every one of us.

Any excuse for a celebration and WE'RE THERE!

Yesterday we finished the Book of Mormon

for the FIFTH time as a family.

That's cause for a BIG SUNDAE BOWL.

1/2 gallon vanilla

3 bananas

lots of strawberries

even more chocolate and caramel

whipped cream

and cherries.

Yep.

All for one, and one for all.

That's how we roll...

FIVE!

...mmmmm

Round 6 starts today. :)

NO BIG DEAL

I love being a mom.

It's way fun.

I especially like doing my children's errands.

Those are the BEST.

The other day Kaleb came to me.

(he does that when he's needy)

You see...we just bought him a team soccer jacket,

to the tune of $40.

(that's a story for another day)

After three wears...

he tells me the zipper fell off.

I groan.

He moans.

I call his coach to complain.

He tells me to return it to the store.

It's 25 minutes away.

Great.

I procrastinate, cuz I'm good at that.

Today I wanted to cross THAT chore off my list!

It's raining, no...POURING out.

I load Ben into the car.

We drive 25 minutes to the store.

I unload my 50lb. child,

and carry him into the store.

We stand there waiting...

it was a big warehouse.

The place was slow,

but nobody was running to service us.

I was starting to buckle.

(under the weight of my son)

"Could someone PLEASE help me?"
A not so helpful guy strolled over.

I proceeded to tell him the problem with the jacket,

and how I paid $40 and would he please replace it.

As I'm showing him the non-exsistent zipper,

(you know...the one that fell off)

I suddenly notice...

THE ZIPPER DOES EXIST.

It's at the top of the jacket.

I look at him.

He looks at me.

I slowly back away and run for the door.

I'm a moron!

(my bad for not checking first)

LAST NIGHT

Last night I was tucking Kaleb into bed.

We always have interesting conversations.

It went a little something like this...

Kaleb: mom

Me: yes?

Kaleb: no offense but I don't really like YOUR days.

Me: huh???

Kaleb: I mean how you looked.

Me: what?
Kaleb: you know....the jeans...

the ones that go up to your belly button?

The really big belts and

big baggy shirts you tucked in?

Me: um...son?

Kaleb: ya?

Me: you are sorely mistaken.

Those weren't MY days...

Those were your DAD'S days.

This is me in 1991.

I look awesome with

my BIG hair bow.

This is Steve in 1988.

Nice mullet, dude.

The sweater? Rock on!

*****

C'mon...serious difference here.

SO glad I didn't live through THOSE days.

(smile)

HE WILL COMFORT AND LEAD YOU...

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?” We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

*****

Thomas S. Monson

(HIS talk)

PROMOTION

Today was my 2nd degree brown belt test.

I was nervous.

My stamina is down just a bit.

But my friend Sharon is always there for me.

She hooked us up with some GINSENG SHOTS!

Helps the energy level.

It's what I needed.

She also brought me some juiced kale and strawberries.

This is Dashi striping me.

The two white stripes signify "2nd degree"
PROMOTED!

(I'm headed home for a NAP!)

GOING HOME

Do you know what I love MOST

about going home?

Moments like THIS!

(I LOVE when my kids run to us when the car pulls up)

*****

Ben and I are homebound today.

(we're leaving DHMC)