Traditions

The annual choir concert was a few weeks ago. It is so fun to go up there and see the light and hang out with the family...we also got to check out City Creek a little bit more.

Christmas shopping is almost done, a few more gifts for Bauer and some stocking stuffers.
We are doing our annual gingerbread houses very soon, the kids are super excited. They also have been enjoying our elf on the shelf. We don't have a naught elf, we have a nice elf named Tinsel.

Cousins

Saving for the future

I was at work the other night and when I called home, Ben told me that Kessler came up to him all sad and said Dad, I am in trouble. Ben asked him what he had done and Kessler responded that he ate a penny.
I hate that feeling of being gone and there is nothing I can do, there would have been nothing I could have done if I were home. We truly don't know if he did swallow a penny, it has been 48 hours and nothing has come out yet.
I am not sure if I should take him in and have an x-ray or just keep waiting, he hasn't been in any pain he has commented that he thought the penny was in his back and also commented that it was in his lower chest area?
None of the other kids have ever done anything like this, so I was a little confused on what to do.

He also commented today that he ate rocks, that kid is so weird. I am almost certain he didn't eat rocks, he was with me all day.....but who knows what tomorrow will bring, hopefully a penny.

Speechless....

I can usually start up a conversation with about anyone, it doesn't bother me. I enjoy getting to know people, listening to their story. I also have been known to say really stupid things probably more than I realize!

Lately I have been in situations where people I love are hurting and it is so hard not to know the right things to say.

I just want those people to know that I love them so much and hope that everything turns out the way  it is supposed to. While I was typing this, this song came on my playlist (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and thought I would put this on here to kind of some up the way things are sometimes.

Ive seen hard times and I've been told
There isn't any wonder that I fall
Why do we suffer, crossing off the years
There must be a reason for it all

I've trusted in You, Jesus, to save me from my sin
Heaven is the place I call my home
But I keep on getting caught up in this world I'm living in
And Your voice it sometimes fades before I know

Hurtin' brings my heart to You, crying with my need
Depending on Your love to carry me
The love that shed His blood for all the world to see
This must be the reason for it all

Hurtin' brings my heart to You, a fortress in the storm
When what I wrap my heart around is gone
I give my heart so easily to the ruler of this world
When the one who loves me most will give me all

In all the things that cause me pain You give me eyes to see
I do believe but help my unbelief
I've seen hard times and I've been told
There is a reason for it all

Family Photo Shoot

 I have been wondering if I would be able to pull off a photo shoot without my beloved Jeni Boston doing it for me, but to put some skillzz to the test we tried a photo shoot with the tri pod and some really hyper kids.

 A few of the photos still need a few edits, I don't know if I would do it again, I think it is well spent money having someone else come and shoot the photos for you and you just have to walk from location to location.

 Needed to get the Christmas card done, so it can be sent to the printer!

Cooper

I wasn't  going to blog tonight and considering it is almost midnight I thought I better write this down before I forget how it made me feel.
Cooper is my sweet, tender, imaginative, concerned, different boy. Doesn't necessarily have friends, he swings by him self at recess, always has a question, gets overwhelmed very easily.

Tonight, we were walking around Temple Square and Cooper picked a cute little purple pansie, he knows my favorite color is purple and came up to give it to me, I normally put little flowers my kids give me, in my hair but my hands were full. He carried that little flower around for a few more minutes and as we came around the corner onto North temple there was a homeless lady standing there holding a sign with a little rolling suitcase next to her. As we walked past and down the street my sister came up from behind me and told me that Cooper put his little flower on her suitcase.

I sometimes don't know why I deserve that boy, I hope I can do what is right for him, I love him more than words can describe and I am so thankful for his sweet little gesture tonight, he reminded me once again to be kind to others even if it is as small as a pansie...

A November to remember is a bit played out...eh?

Even though it's played out I played it......

Some things that have been going through my mind lately....

I hate not working out for a few days and knowing tomorrow i'm back on the wagon, dang!
I really LOVE taking baths.
I really love the song by Alison Krauss, Baby now that I have found you.
I hate mice so much I don't feel bad anymore when they are stuck on my sticky trap and still alive...ok maybe a tinsy, winsy bit. But getting more and more unsympathetic.
Been thinking about getting a new lens with some tax money, *yeah I have almost spent the money in my head:)
I worry about buying the right things for Christmas.
Went to Letherbys' with a friend I have known since 4th grade....boo-ya #glorydays
I ordered elf on a shelf for the kids, kids only once right.
I am a Shania Twain fan and would love to see her in Las Vegas.
Bennies paid off again my Mom got first class on a flight she took the other day! #bestjobever

Ben's bionic leg Friday morning was twice the size of the non-bionic leg
I love the song they are singing in Primary
I love pumpkin pie (once a year) couldn't do more than that.
Been to Target more in the last 2 weeks than I have in 4 months...that's a lot, oy!
Wish it would snow!! lots of snow!!
Need to fix the light on the suburban, bugging the heck out of me!
Would like to start playing volleyball again.
Christmas concerts galore coming up.
Thinking about making real gingerbread for the houses this year.

Daily Thanksgiving- wrap up

I am glad I took on the challenge of writing down the things that I am thankful for, my heart is still full of thanks that I haven't necessarily published but that are deep in my heart and publicly publishing them makes me feel way to vulnerable, that is why they are tucked away in my personal journal. But I am always, all year long thankful, for my blessing that I receive each and everyday. Thankful for my little family, and thankful for the ability to be their mother each and every day.  Thankful for my Mother and her compassion and her no holds barred opinion most of the time. I am thankful that she has always been honest with me and in turn I value not beating around the bush, so to speak, when communicating....if that makes sense anyway.

I am super thankful for Ben, like I have said many times he is a quiet giant. Many times I wish I could truly show others the side of Ben I see, but words can never describe the feelings....

Thankful for my sisters they teach me many things.

Thankful for my brother, he is a good sport with only sisters.

Thankful for my dad, he is the seed that planted my sense of humor.

I am thankful that I am thankful, I know when I was a teenager, four or five years ago:) I may have not been as thankful, and it is only the growing up, learning, making mistakes, doing good things, getting older that puts that into our hearts. I am thankful.

Ok.... onto what has been going on lately around here lately.

For my mom's birthday at the end of October we went and saw a play at Desert Star playhouse with my bro, his girlfriend Sam (whom I REALLY like) so I hope he doesn't screw this up, and my seester Jen. It was very funny, my favorite part was the evil witch was fighting with the good witch and the evil witch called her a "weeotch" It struck me so funny I laughed so hard people were starring:)

 M

The boys getting ready for church one morning, and the lower left picture, the kids were crazy fighting one morning and the result they couldn't color, draw, read, snack or anything but fold their arms during all of sacrament. I know, I know that is what they should do every time,  but I think they appreciated that they are allowed to do that and so this last Sunday I overheard Cooper say something about he was going to be good so he could color.

I had to get the transfer case oil changed on the Suburban and it ended up taking them a little bit longer than usual, and I mentioned that I had to go get kids and take them places so they let me borrow one of there 2012 used suburbans and yes I was sold, I went as far as taking it to Target and teasing Ben........look what I just bought" well I behaved myself and gave it back but it was FUN!!

The kitten it getting bigger and not catching any mice yet, even though there are one or two in the basement that I had to resort catching the old fashioned way, she needs to start pulling her weight around here and doing what she is supposed to!

Ben taking some much needed rest.

Me below getting stuck in ABQ for a morning waiting for maintenance to fix our plane.....that was a horrible day!! (even though I don't look to upset at the time) I should have taken a before and after pic:)

 My little Cooper is doing much better the medication he is taking is making him quiet the night owl, and so I love seeing him sound asleep and getting the rest he needs.








I also forgot how much I love my home-made chicken noodle soup. I had not made in it for quite some time. I was so happy for the few days I had some for lunch!




Christmas lights are up and are getting turned on for the season tonight!!

Ben fixing some broken lights on the tree this year, So thankful he does this, I don't know if it would get totally put together is I had to do it....

We celebrated 13 years on the 11th of November and this was our anniversary pic.....true love right there people. Don't need anything but each other:) (ok maybe a really great trip for year 15 but whose counting down anyway...only 718 days:) just kidding I had to figure that out...

 

Black Friday is here in full force and Ben can barely walk this morning his feet and legs are very sore, he is resting and will back on the front line again tonight, luckily we scored some super sweet deals for Christmas at the store and online. I am toning down Christmas a little this year, instead of toys, toys, toys we are thinking out of the box.

Kessler posing for a picture in his new jammies, not sure about the crazy grin, but realized the 5t's are too tight on his liitle toes. This boy won't stop growing dang it!!!


Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!