I am always thinking of new traditions that we can do, whether we do them or not is another story, so this year and hopefully every year after, we are going to start writing down what we are thankful for. Every year we have to say what we are thankful for around the dinner table on Thanksgiving but I thought it would be nice to actually write a list and save them from year to year. So for FHE we each sat down and did this and I loved it so I hope this is a tradition I keep up with. I believe that these lists will be priceless when the boys are older, I only wish I would have started it when they were younger:( But I think they have quite a few "I am thankful for" lists from school assignments to look back upon.
It thrills me when I have the family do something new and someone chimes in "This is great! I like doing this!" Thank you Zack for being so enthusiastic. I wish that I could share the lists that the boys came up with because they really are wonderful and they are not just a list of the things that you would expect, they really took the time and put some thought into it. But I better not because they are private so I will just keep them in our "Thankful" folder.
We do have so much to be thankful for and our family has been very blessed this last year. We are also so blessed by the people we get to call family or friend. Thank you for all that you do for us and we hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Close Call
Today I was finishing up the Christmas gifts for my family that I will be taking to them on Thanksgiving. Yeah! It will be so nice not having to send any packages in the mail. I hate the post office...especially during the holiday season. Anyways, I was finishing framing something and I needed to cut the backing for it so I pulled out the handy Exacto knife. Well it was a little harder than I thought to cut it and while I was struggling and putting all my strength into it, all of a sudden the blade snapped off and flew right toward my eye! I did not even have time to blink!
+
=
DISASTER!
Could have been a disaster but I am so thankful that it was not. The blade barely missed my eyeball (I actually do not know how it did) and I am guessing it bounced off of my lower eyelid. However it happened, I am so thankful for my eyes and the fact that one of them does not have a blade stuck in it. Maybe next time I use an Exacto knife I will have to wear goggles:)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Oh...How they Forget
So this week I am helping out at the Book Fair at Zack's school. Now since both boys are out of elementary school and there are no more things as Room Moms, once in awhile I volunteer to help out with PTA stuff. You know I am nice that way....ha! I actually like helping out at the school and getting to know the teachers, staff and other parents but now there are not many opportunities to do that so when I get chance I usually will say "Yes".
Well Matthew seeing me helping this week at Zack's school chimes in and asks "Why did you never help out when I was Zack's age?", "You help out with Zack's classes so much more than you did with mine!" WHAT???? EXCUSE ME? How quickly he forgets the many times that I was his Room Mom in elementary school. The many days I spent running centers in his classroom. The many field trips that I attended with him. The many school events that I helped organize and run. How quickly they forget:( Will he ever remember the many hours I volunteered at his schools? I have numerous Volunteer Awards and certificates to prove it (Yes, I have kept them as proof).
Well Matthew seeing me helping this week at Zack's school chimes in and asks "Why did you never help out when I was Zack's age?", "You help out with Zack's classes so much more than you did with mine!" WHAT???? EXCUSE ME? How quickly he forgets the many times that I was his Room Mom in elementary school. The many days I spent running centers in his classroom. The many field trips that I attended with him. The many school events that I helped organize and run. How quickly they forget:( Will he ever remember the many hours I volunteered at his schools? I have numerous Volunteer Awards and certificates to prove it (Yes, I have kept them as proof).
Will he ever remember?
I hope so.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sending them off with a Prayer
In this day and age I cannot imagine sending my kids to school without a prayer. I am so thankful for our morning family prayers to start the day off on a good foundation. Unfortunately we say it together at different times because of Matthew's early morning seminary schedule. I luck out though because I get two prayers, one with Matthew and then one with Zack. Now mind you many of these prayers have been said in the car on the way to school, probably not the most appropriate way. But when we are in a hurry, I would rather say it in the car than not say it at all. These moments are priceless to me and they also give me comfort that my boys will be watched over. Not only that they will be kept safe but also that they can withstand the temptations around them. It makes me sick to think what they are bombarded with on a daily basis; the smut, the language, the crudeness. It breaks my heart:( Many times I think, "why do I send them out into this cruel world?" I want to keep them young and naive. But we cannot shield them from everything and it kills me as a mother, who wants to keep them under my wings.
Many times after sending them off to school with a prayer I find somedays that I feel like they need extra prayers said on their behalf and I find myself praying continuously throughout the day. Those are the days that I am so happy when I pick them up from school and find them doing well. Maybe I am just a worry wart but I am so thankful for the comforting power of prayer and the strength it can give us and our youth in these latter (scary) days.
Many times after sending them off to school with a prayer I find somedays that I feel like they need extra prayers said on their behalf and I find myself praying continuously throughout the day. Those are the days that I am so happy when I pick them up from school and find them doing well. Maybe I am just a worry wart but I am so thankful for the comforting power of prayer and the strength it can give us and our youth in these latter (scary) days.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Zack turns 11
Zack's birthday is today and he is finally turning 11. Yeah!! I remember the day clearly that Zack came into our family, actually I remember the day that we found out I was pregnant with him. It was very exciting because he was an answer to our prayers. We had been trying to have a baby since Matthew was born because we were looking forward to having more kids and I was wanting to have 6 all together. Well when nothing happened, we went to the doctors and they could not understand why we were not getting pregnant. I was getting very discouraged but we just kept praying that we would be able to have at least one more child so that Matthew would not grow up as an only child. Well our prayers were answered when we found out that I was pregnant in February 1997. On November 10, 1997 our miracle was born. Zack is truly an answer to our prayers!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Men in RS?
As I have mentioned before, Adam loves his calling in the Young Adult Ward. A part of his calling is that he oversees the Relief Society and therefore he gets to attend RS every week and can I tell you - he loves it! I mean, how could you not like it? I have walked past the door of a Priesthood lesson being given and notice half of the guys sleeping with the teacher sitting on the table in the front (sometimes half asleep himself). Now I am not trying to be rude and I am sure that the Priesthood lessons are very inspiring but lets admit it, men and women do things very differently and that goes for giving lessons also.
Well this last Sunday Adam had the opportunity to teach Relief Society, something I thought I would never see in this lifetime. I had to attend! He did such a wonderful job and he came very prepared and even wrote on the chalkboard. He came with a tablecloth, statue and flower arrangement (all color coordinated) to put on the front table. Ok - he did have a little help from me on this. But he also made up a handout for everyone and he did that all on his own. Now it didn't have scalloped edges and it wasn't laminated and made into a magnet but the thought that he made one was pretty cool. I thought he did a fabulous job and I was so proud of him! (I was going to sneak a picture of him teaching with his nicely made up table and all but I forgot to bring the camera so you will just have to imagine)
Well this last Sunday Adam had the opportunity to teach Relief Society, something I thought I would never see in this lifetime. I had to attend! He did such a wonderful job and he came very prepared and even wrote on the chalkboard. He came with a tablecloth, statue and flower arrangement (all color coordinated) to put on the front table. Ok - he did have a little help from me on this. But he also made up a handout for everyone and he did that all on his own. Now it didn't have scalloped edges and it wasn't laminated and made into a magnet but the thought that he made one was pretty cool. I thought he did a fabulous job and I was so proud of him! (I was going to sneak a picture of him teaching with his nicely made up table and all but I forgot to bring the camera so you will just have to imagine)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Favorite Hymn
What an incredible Sacrament meeting today! The spirit was so strong and the testimonies born were enlightening and inspiring. My favorite part though was the closing song. As I opened the hymn book and looked upon the first lyrics I realized what a perfect hymn this was to sing with all the Prop 8 stuff going on. Then as we begin to sing it, our wonderful bishopric stands, which inspires all of us as a congregation to stand and sing these words. It was truly amazing! To say the least my eyes were not dry and it was so inspiring to look around and realize that we stand together, on the Lord's side, against the adversary. Incredible! I have sang that song before but never paid attention to the words as I did today. I will never be able to sing that song again from this day forth without feeling the spirit as I did today. It was incredible!!
Who’s on the Lord’s Side?, no. 260
1. Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Now is the time to show.We ask it fearlessly:Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?We wage no common war,Cope with no common foe.The enemy’s awake;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
[Chorus]Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Now is the time to show.We ask it fearlessly:Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
2. We serve the living God,And want his foes to know That, if but few, we’re great;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?We’re going on to win;No fear must blanch the brow.The Lord of Hosts is ours;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
3. The stone cut without hands To fill the earth must grow.Who’ll help to roll it on?Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Our ensign to the world Is floating proudly now.No coward bears our flag;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
4. The pow’rs of earth and hell In rage direct the blow That’s aimed to crush the work;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Truth, life, and liberty,Freedom from death and woe,Are stakes we’re fighting for;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Who’s on the Lord’s Side?, no. 260
1. Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Now is the time to show.We ask it fearlessly:Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?We wage no common war,Cope with no common foe.The enemy’s awake;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
[Chorus]Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Now is the time to show.We ask it fearlessly:Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
2. We serve the living God,And want his foes to know That, if but few, we’re great;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?We’re going on to win;No fear must blanch the brow.The Lord of Hosts is ours;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
3. The stone cut without hands To fill the earth must grow.Who’ll help to roll it on?Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Our ensign to the world Is floating proudly now.No coward bears our flag;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
4. The pow’rs of earth and hell In rage direct the blow That’s aimed to crush the work;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?Truth, life, and liberty,Freedom from death and woe,Are stakes we’re fighting for;Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A very different Halloween
It was definitely a bitter-sweet Halloween this year. Halloween night found me alone with Adam (which I love), kids gone, watching Adam eat pizza and watching the Science Channel (not a big fan) and periodically answering the door to trick or treaters. Can it get any worse? OK it wasn't that bad but it was just weird for us to be both home passing out candy, with no kids around and it was also kind of nice. Matthew had gone to a Halloween party at his seminary teachers house and Zack was trick-or-treating with his friend, James and hangin' out at his house...both of them were having a great time! I have a feeling that this is how our Halloweens will be for now on. We are off the hook of taking our kids out trick-or-treating....like I said, it is bittersweet!
I was thinking that we so should of had a Halloween party since Halloween landed on a Friday night for parents such as us with no kids at home or even parents with children and they could trick-or-treat around our neighborhood together. I think that it would be so much fun! Oh well there is always next year - Halloween will be on a Saturday night. I will start planning it now:)
But a funny thing did happen last night and as always I am such a dork! I went to pick up Matthew from his party and when I took him to the party I had followed someone there so I really wasn't sure how to get there. But as I was driving there at almost 11pm, I believed I had remembered the street that their house was on so I didn't even look at the street sign to make sure. I knew the address of the house was 511 so I found the house number and went to the front door and knocked. I did not get a good look at the house earlier that evening when I had dropped him off but the house seemed a little different but I didn't think anything of it because it was the right address, 511. The house was dark, which surprised me, but there were some lights upstairs on so I thought they must be up there watching a movie and they could not hear me knocking. So I continued to knock louder and louder. I start to really bang on the door. No answer. By this time I am looking in the front windows, ringing the doorbell and getting very frustrated...I was practically calling out Matthews name. I went back to my car, pulled the stake directory out, looked up their phone number and gave the house a call. They answered and I asked them to send Matthew out front because I was waiting for him in the car. So there I sat, waiting for him to come out, but still no Matthew was coming. I am a bit irritated by now. I double check the address, yep it is the right house number but I decide to check the street name so I drive to the corner and what do you know, oops, it is the wrong street. I felt like such a fool and those peoples door that I was banging on were probably in the process of calling the police to let them know there was a crazy lady outside their house, harassing them. Oops! I preceded to drive to the next street and lo and behold there is Matthew waiting on the curb with a look saying where were you? I am such a dork! I am just so glad that those people did not open their door, I would have really felt like a fool! To say the least, we had a great laugh over it!!
I was thinking that we so should of had a Halloween party since Halloween landed on a Friday night for parents such as us with no kids at home or even parents with children and they could trick-or-treat around our neighborhood together. I think that it would be so much fun! Oh well there is always next year - Halloween will be on a Saturday night. I will start planning it now:)
But a funny thing did happen last night and as always I am such a dork! I went to pick up Matthew from his party and when I took him to the party I had followed someone there so I really wasn't sure how to get there. But as I was driving there at almost 11pm, I believed I had remembered the street that their house was on so I didn't even look at the street sign to make sure. I knew the address of the house was 511 so I found the house number and went to the front door and knocked. I did not get a good look at the house earlier that evening when I had dropped him off but the house seemed a little different but I didn't think anything of it because it was the right address, 511. The house was dark, which surprised me, but there were some lights upstairs on so I thought they must be up there watching a movie and they could not hear me knocking. So I continued to knock louder and louder. I start to really bang on the door. No answer. By this time I am looking in the front windows, ringing the doorbell and getting very frustrated...I was practically calling out Matthews name. I went back to my car, pulled the stake directory out, looked up their phone number and gave the house a call. They answered and I asked them to send Matthew out front because I was waiting for him in the car. So there I sat, waiting for him to come out, but still no Matthew was coming. I am a bit irritated by now. I double check the address, yep it is the right house number but I decide to check the street name so I drive to the corner and what do you know, oops, it is the wrong street. I felt like such a fool and those peoples door that I was banging on were probably in the process of calling the police to let them know there was a crazy lady outside their house, harassing them. Oops! I preceded to drive to the next street and lo and behold there is Matthew waiting on the curb with a look saying where were you? I am such a dork! I am just so glad that those people did not open their door, I would have really felt like a fool! To say the least, we had a great laugh over it!!
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