Horsing around on Thanksgiving

Thanks to Uncle Chris & Aunt Nora for such a fun Thanksgiving! We had the best food, and then
went out doors and rode it off. (well I didn't get on, I didn't want to hurt the poor beast, I was rather full) The kids rode, and even got tips on how to train and control the horse. My bro is like the best horse trainer, they really call him a "horse whisperer". It was great fun!

Birthday Cake!

Okay, this is from here on out the Birthday Cake of choice at our house! It is soooo easy and soooo yummy! We got the idea from the Lara's in our ward, so we made it for Jenny's birthday. The boys always wanted ice cream cakes and I'd spend a fortune on them, when I could have been doing this all along! It's just layers of ice cream sandwiches, whip cream, crushed Butterfinger candy bars, chocolate and carmel syrup!

Gratitude Attitude

The other day I read the greatest Thanksgiving day poem I've ever read. It was deep, yet simple, showing gratitude for large and small blessings, bringing to mind pleasures and joys we sometimes overlook or take forgranted. I would copy it and put it right here on my blog, but without the authors permission I could get in to trouble (even if I do know him personally) Actually it's our nephew, Clark. What an awesome guy; rough and rugged on the outside, but has this poetic side we didn't know about!

It has really made me think about what I'm grateful for; hot water in the shower, baby smiles (isn't it cool that you don't have to teach them that, they just do it!) flowers, music, the people in my life, laughing, etc., etc., etc. I wonder what this coming year will bring, and I want to remember that no matter how things change (and yes, change IS coming - Obama promised!) that there are ALWAYS THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR! What will we not have next year at this time that we have this year? Will it be harder to thank HIM then? I for one will try. I hope everyone in this nation/world will. It changes your everything to have that attitude of gratitude. Thanks be to the ONE we are eternally indebted to!

This week . . . much better

Although there was still much contention, we had a tender mercy and joyous moment. My little peacemaker to the right here, really did an awesome thing for her mom. She's helping me to see into the mind of a jr high creature.

After we talked for a bit (actually she has joined her older siblings in telling mom and dad just exactly how to finish raising these kids), she tenderly told me I was a good mom, and that she was on my side! It was like bells ringing in my heart and I felt like I was in a movie as I ran to embrace her. We just hugged and cried together and I told her what an awesome girl she is. She's the best! I love her so much. And you know, I don't think that moment would have been as sweet if not for a bitter past. It was truly pure joy to me!

A rough week

Ok, I've been trying to figure out how to write this blog entry without sounding too down, or name names or blame blames, so I will just say that I know God gives us family associates that challenge us, stretch us, and help us to grow! I want to be honest on my blog, and say that sometimes life is really, really hard. I don't want to sugar coat things or supress things, but I also don't want to put on the "woe is me!" act; things can always be worse! I can honestly say that I have learned things being a parent of the people I parent, that I could learn in no other way, and for that I am grateful. I'll just say that this week I have worried and cried till I'm exhaused, I have debated certain political issues till I'm sick, and I have felt frustration as I've faced a school problem we've never dealt with! BUT! (and this is a big BUT! heehee) I AM STILL STANDING! Today as I took the sacrament at church I had more hope and love than I could contain (infact it leaked out of my eyes through the whole song) Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is my salvation! Not only for the things that I do wrong, but for everyone I love. He will save us ALL! I read an article about this lady's little grandbaby who grabbed a hot curling iron, and how he cried and cried in pain. She prayed for him and asked the Lord to let her have the pain instead of him. As she pleaded to Him she heard a voice that said "that is not necessary, I have already done that". WOW! . . . I just thank HIM for that!

You're a good man, Charlie Brown

Just had to post the 2 cute Charlie Brown's we saw this Halloween! The first is grandbaby, adorable Charlie Brown in his little ghost costume (he was also a cowboy on Halloween night) and then this awesme pumpkin that C.J. and Stephanie carved. I can really see the resemblance, can't you?

Parent Weekend at BYU

We went to Utah to visit Paul & Skye last weekend. It was so great! It was as much or more fun than going on a vacation, just to hang out with your kids. They are the cutest newlyweds, and working away at life. Their basement apartment overlooks the town of Cedar Hills, including the Tipanogas Temple where they got married. I finally our last morning got a picture with all of us in our BYU Parent Weekend shirts. We went the first day to the art museum there and what I thought would be torture for Chuck ended up being something we couldn't tear him away from. They had an exhibit of Geneva Steel, so he got his little "Bob the Builder" face on and was facinated by that exhibit. (wish I coulda got a picture there) Paul teased me the whole time about my picture taking. He calls me a Japanese tourist.
I found out that Sky is a professional shopper. She and her mom took me shopping and gave me a whole new look. We got lots of cute sweaters that I can only wear for a few months in AZ. Skye said it was much funner to spend someone elses money (yah, woulda been for me too!) We also went to the BYU game. It was

amazing. I've only been to ASU games and there is a whole different feeling there. They had a tailgate party, which involved plinko game, watching Vocal Point sing, and drinking hot chocolate and eating donuts! We saw Vai Sikahema and his family, as well as Vanessa Gissell and her family. Her daughter married the quarter back, Max Hall, and her other daughter married another player on the team. It was perfect weather too. We found some seats up by Skye's family and watched the first 1/2 of the game, then went back to their apartment and had wings and watched the second 1/2. What a great time! It was so good to be with them. Yah, we'll be visiting Utah more often!

The Breinholt Resort

Chuck's cousin, LeRoy and his wife Kelly invited us up to their cabin a few weeks ago. Chuck, myself, Jerry, and Kyle went. We took Alejandrina last minute. It was a blast. It is a total resort and they get it all to themselves (although they invite people, and share it with the ward YM/YW often, as well as work people) It was amazing. They also took us on their razor (go cart thingy). Roy is just as big a hot dogger as he was when we all used to go dirt bike and quad riding in the 80's. You'd think being a bishop would slow him down a bit. We played volleyball, sat around the fire and ate

Burger House burritos. When we left for home our car broke down,

and only Chuck & Kyle could

fit in the cab of the tow truck. Jerry, Aleja and I stayed in the desert with a little fire and waited for C.J. to come pick us up. It was a great time.