27 Days of Thankfulness, Day 8

I am thankful that for the first time since 2003, I sat in the congregation to watch the Primary Program. It was lovely. Brennan read his part well, the kids sang the songs wonderfully, and it was nice to NOT have the stress of planning, writing, organizing, etc. I loved hearing each little child share his or her part, knowing that I helped teach them many of those principles up until June, when I was released from Primary President. I also loved seeing how much each child has grown since we moved to Omaha...2 1/2 years is a long time to spend with children and they are all so different and mature now.
I am also thankful that (hopefully) no one noticed when Jackson clapped and gave Brennan a thumbs up after he read his part. It was very funny and cute.
I am grateful that my husband was able to pull together a really good Sunday School lesson with little to no advanced notice.

Oh, and I am thankful I figured out that I had all the ingredients for a chicken pot pie from scratch and that I remembered to make it right after church...now when I am done with this MOM event, I will come home to a hot, homecooked meal that is delicious. If I remember, I will post the recipe for that (along with a picture of my new shoes, Bren :) tomorrow.

27 Days of Thankfulness (Jumping in a little late)

I just found this blog and want to copy her idea of doing 27 days of thankful posts...I am obviously starting after she started, but that is okay, I will bombard you with thanks today.
And really, what's not to be thankful for?

1. I am thankful for my husband. Today we did family pictures in the Old Market and the train station below the Durham Museum. The photographer seemed as if she did not want to go to the train station, but Bart knew how much I did want to go, so he was helpful in making sure that happened. I am sure there will be other reasons I am thankful for him throughout the month...that is just one for today.

And while I am giving thanks for my husband, I want to tell you about something I started doing after hearing the suggestion during a Relief Society Enrichment meeting. Lori Jorgenson was teaching a strengthening marriage class and gave two suggestions that stuck with me.

#1) Sit by your husband during church. It's a small gesture, but shows your love. We did this, but then Ethan outgrew his carrier so now we are often separated...we will do this again, though. I liked how it kind of helped us be united in the spirit...kind of cheesy, but true.
#2) In your couple's prayer each night, thank Heavenly Father for your spouse, something he's done, something you are grateful for about him, whatever. We started doing this each night, and it really is nice to hear Bart give thanks for me, and I think he likes to hear my thanksgiving as well.

Thankful #2:
I am thankful for my health...I have not felt great this past week and all the boys (even the BIG boy Bart) have had a stomach virus. I am so grateful to not feel sick all the time. I hate that feeling. Oh, and I am especially grateful I did not throw up...I really hate that.
Thankful #3:
I am thankful for hot glue guns. The inventor of that should win a prize. A big prize.

Thankful #4:
I am thankful for MOM...it's provided me with a lot of great friends and often teaches me how to deal with less then great friends as well :)

Thankful #5:
I am thankful for my new shoes...they are pretty cute, even if they scream "Molly Mormon"...I bet at least 1/2 of the sister missionary population has a pair, but I've never owned a pair.

Thankful #6:
I am thankful I learned how to fry chicken from Ms. Glenda. It was something I took for granted for years, but once she got sick, I knew I had to learn how to make it because it was such an important part of my family's history...I mean, Bart invited me over for fried chicken when I first met his family and we had it every. single. Monday until Ms. Glenda was simply too sick to get out of bed.
Thankful #7:
I am thankful for the internet. It's such a great place to find information, reconnect with old friends, make new friends, etc.

Stay tuned for more...

Picture Day is almost here!

It's almost time for our family pictures! I've been obsessively counting down the minutes patiently waiting for a few months now. I've planned outfits, changed my mind, and planned again. I planned for warmer weather and cold...my mind has been consumed with these pictures.

I had my mom order what I assumed would be an adorable jon jon for Ethan from GroovyGurlz on etsy. Yeah...still not here yet. Sure it is not Ethan's birthday yet (which is why she ordered it, for his present), but lady KNEW when I needed it by. She sent a convo at 1 a.m. on November 4th telling my mom how cute it was and that she was going to mail it. Now the lady is on vacation. Yeah. She is having fun while I am getting more and more irriated as I check the mail each day to find an empty mail box.
She has very few hours before I become FURIOUS that it did not arrive. I already left her a negative feedback on etsy. Out of 275 feedbacks, mine is the only negative. I've never done that before. Etsy is a place for crafters to unite and share their love of creating. It's a great place to shop, get ideas, etc. However, this time, it has disappointed me greatly. If the jon jon that was paid for on September 24th does not arrive in the mail today, November 6, I will do everything in my power to make sure others know of this. Groovygurlz has been delivering other products, just not mine. Grrr.

So, back to the happy, and not the furious...we are getting our pictures taken downtown, in the Old Market area. I am excited to try out Jess, a friend used her and will be doing an official blog review soon, where Omaha folks can save 10% off their next session! I like her editing style, so I am excited to see what she does for these oh-so-important pictures. See, these pictures cover a lot of events: Ethan turning one (his b.day is a zebra stripes and blue theme...love the items I've got to review for it!), Bart and I celebrate 10 years of marriage, and I am turning 30 on New Year's Eve...Bart mentioned last night he needs to find a restaurant in Omaha that has a room we can reserve for a dinner party...So, a lot of fun memories to record!

So far the weather seems like it is going to be really nice. I.Can't.Wait!

I better go double check that Ethan's back up outfit is all clean and in order.

Beware!

Why having children is so much fun...you never know what kind of surprises you will find when you go to bed...

Happy Halloween!

This is how Jackson ended his night...sick and on the couch. Yes, that is a 15 inch cake pan. No, I've never used it and figured I'd be safe to let Jackson use it.

But the day started out just fine and dandy, with the Mario Brothers and Toadstool happy as clams as we prepared to go to a party.

Toadstool was just adorable...I made his hat with a circle of cardboard, 1/2 a yard of cheap white fleeve, and a LOT of hot glue :)

Luigi, aka Jackson, was very upset when he got sick at the party and was told he would be unable to go trick or treating when we got home...but then he watched Casper the Friendly Ghost while laying on the couch and fell asleep.

Mario, aka Brennan, was so sweet and would respond to people's question of "Where's Luigi?" with a sweet, "My brother's home sick and can't come."...that won him twice as much candy, which Brennan poured into one big bowl to share with Jackson...had they both gone, I think we'd be in a "good" candy meltdown b/c they wound up with a lot of candy (sure, Ethan did go TorT at a few house, but the rest is all Brennan)

So, how was your Halloween? Did your children get as much candy as in years past? Was there more "crappy" candy? Ours wasn't junkie...we didn't even get that many suckers or tootsie rolls...I guess the middle of Omaha is doing alright in these "hard economic times". :)