Snow

Another thing you might know about me is that I am NOT a fan of winter. I won't make you suffer through all reasons why I don't like winter, and exactly why winter is so much worse for me than you;) because this post is suppose to be happy and full of gratitude. What I do want to talk about is one of the few things I do like about winter. And that honey is the first big snow storm of the season. I can't help but get a little excited, and be amazed at the beauty of snow covered trees. Oh and the tranquil sound of snow falling is so peaceful and I enjoy it so much. Plus, it starts to look like Christmas when everything is covered in fresh white snow! However this year this is what I enjoyed most about the first big snow storm of the season...


HAHA...Oh my Macy is a cutie.

Even though I dislike the winter, there is that small part of me that is thankful that I get to enjoy the all benefits that snow brings, from the beauty to the recreational benefits. I am thankful that I can sit on my couch sipping coco, and watch the snow fall ever winter. I am even more thankful that I get to watch my kiddos enjoy the snow, and creates happy times I can cherish.

p.s. She is not a weirdo, Jake! 

Another Ramdon Thanks

For the sake that I can't make up my mind what to give thanks for, and that I really want to go to bed I am going to make another list of random things I am thankful for.

Warm Showers Because I stink, they feel good, and are the only way I warm up after a cold day.
Games I love playing games, not mind games, but ones like Sikbo, Phase10, 5 Crowns, Settlers, and scrabble
Aprons They can be a cute way from getting dirty.
My mini trampoline, It entertains my children and gives me a good workout
AllRecipes.com 90% of what I cook come from that website, plus the reviews keep me from going crazy, while trying to decide which recipe to cook.

Okay I am done for tonight.

The Last Diaper

If you are my Facebook friend, or if we talk on a regular basis you might recall this summer Macy started to show interest in using the toilet. She was doing quite well, well enough that she could of been potty trained. However I had plans to travel to MI, TX, WA, and other places, so I didn't think it was wise to try to start potty training Macy at that time. I decided that I would start the potty training in the fall after everything settled down.
September rolled around, and getting that girl to do anything but play in the toilet (GAG) was a no go:(. I tried again in October with no better luck. But this very morning everything changed. Macy woke up and told me she needed to poop. So I sat her on the pot, and she pooped!!! I sang and danced to our potty song loud and proud several times. Macy loved the excitement made over her toilet usage, and for the rest of the day, but once, she made it to the toilet. She even used the toilet with out me helping her a couple of times. Oh my heavens I am so excited to be done with diapers!
My plan is is not to put her in an another diaper from this time forth. We might not go any where for a while,  I know there will be a "potty spill" from time to time, and night time might take a few nights to figure out, but I don't have to buy another box of diapers for Macy ever again. hallelujah

I am thankful that Macy has decided to use the potty!!!!

Bed Time

Yes, most good parents have their kids on a schedule, and have them in bed everyday at same time, typically before 8:00. However I am not one those good parents. Don't get me wrong I think I am a great mother :), but I have always thought that I could have improved upon the whole schedule thing.
My children go to bed typically around 9:00 sometimes even latter, yikes. For a while Jake and I were really good at getting them in bed by 8:30, but during the summer, with the long days, remodeling of the girls room, and frequent traveling that 8:30 bedtime flew out the window. Now that things are back to normal I am hoping to get Tori and Macy to bed much earlier, and tonight it happened!!!
Oh I am so happy that the girls went to sleep early. Tori was really pushing my buttons this evening from 4:00-6:00 and it was really exhausting to stay patient with her, so when she went to sleep at 7:00 it was a huge relief. Hahaha, I do love her, and I'll be happy to see her in the morning, but I really needed the early bed time.
 Today I am dedicating my gratitude to early bed times for my children, especially on days, like today, when my patients is running low. I am thankful for the extra time I get with Jake, and even the extra time for myself. Man, an early bed times are the best!

Family Dinner

Family dinners are great. I am thankful that the majority of the time my family sits around the table and enjoys a simple meal together. I am thankful I was raised in a home where I enjoyed family meals, and learned powerful way to bond with family members. Along those same lines I am thankful for 20(quick)  minute meals, crock pot meals, and what ever is easy to make, so I can make food for my family with out to much fuss.

This is what we had tonight...

Chicken Spaghetti

Added by Ree on September 5, 2009 in Main Courses, Pasta

Prep Time 30 Minutes Cook Time 45 Minutes

Servings 8

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked Chicken
• 3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces
• 2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup
• 2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• ¼ cups Finely Diced Green Pepper
• ¼ cups Finely Diced Onion
• 1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained
• 2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• ⅛ teaspoons (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar. Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

Party Time

 With Macy's birthday came some partying, and we had a lot of fun. First we had a family party with my in laws last Sunday. It was compete with one of Macy's favorite foods, fettuccine Alfredo, gifts, cake, and candles.  Then on Macy's birthday I took her for out for our family's traditional birthday breakfast to Village Inn. My sisters Camilla and Angela, my brother in law Loyd, and Tori joined. Macy enjoyed a early morning banana cream pie, and scrambled eggs. For the rest of the day we kept a low profile, till Papa Wayne and grandma Sherrie came over. Then Jake And I went to the freezing cold BYU game, and Macy got to play with her grandparents. Finally today we had a few friends over this evening to celebrate. Macy loved playing with all the kiddos that came over, and enjoyed her homemade ice cream cake.

The goods Macy scored at the family party

 

 Macy loved eating breakfast with me and her aunties

 Whip cream is yummy!

 Saying bye to Auntie Camilla :(

 Macy and Tori cuddling and watching a movie.

 All my sweethearts taking Sunday nap.

 Macy's Huge ice cream cake.

So the thing I am thankful for today is for birthday parties. I love to celebrate, and to have a good to time. I figure that our life, and the life of the ones we love is one of the the most worthy causes to celebrate, and the best excuse to throw a party. I most likely get this from my mother, but all long as I am on this earth, even when I am old and grey, I will celebrate my life on the day I came to the earth. I am thankful for the day we get to eat cake, sing happy birthday, and enjoy company to recognize that how ever so many years ago our life began. 

May is Two

My sweet Macy turned two today!!!  The past two years with Macy in our family has been such a blessing. Macy is my little crazy, funny, cuddle bug. She is full of attitude, loves to run away, and can drink milk all day long. She is a picky eater, but lately we have been discovering more things she will eat. Macy gives the best hugs and kisses. But the words from her cousin, Brockston, sum up Macy perfectly when he said,"That Macy, She is a character."

I am thankful that Macy is my daughter. I love her blue eyes, and her curls. It makes me so happy to see her dance. Yeah for my Macy.

  Today, my little two year old.

 

 Macy enjoying her first birthday

 Macy's Birth day

Temples

Toady is a big day for our family. More specifically it is a huge day for Jake's sister, Karen, her husband, Jared, and their baby, Dallyn.  Today is the day Dallyn will be sealed to Karen and Jared for all time and eternity! Karen and Jared were married and sealed 09.09.09, they adopted Dallyn in March of this year, and then last week the adoption was finalized in court. Yeah!!! Today they will go to the Bountiful Temple to become an eternal family. I am so happy for them. It has been a long hard road for my sister and law, and today is seems to outshine all the crap she has been though.
I am so thankful for the sealing ordnance that bonds Tori, Macy, Jake, and I as an eternal family. I am thankful for the so many temples so close, and a that soon I will have a temple only a few blocks away from my home. I am thankful for the peace, knowledge, and assurance I receive going to the temple. 

Artsy Tori

 I have been waiting to do a thankful post about my girls till I had a lot of time to dedicate towards them, but I'll do a quick one about one of Tori's talents. I am thankful for Tori's artistic talents. They make me so happy to see. Her are some examples...

This is Tori's self portrait made from playdough, made today.

 

This is a picture of Tori and Macy. Tori drew this in February.

One of my favorites is this picture of a bird. I think it is really pretty. I need to frame this one for sure.

Great Day

Today was a good day. Actually a lot of really wonderful things happened. I slept in latter than normal, My girls cuddled with me while I was waking up. I got a lot accmoplished in the exact time frame I wanted. I got to see Jake in the middle of the day. I finally got some essential oils I have been wanting. I went out for icecream. I got all the laundry done. I made dinner, eggplant Parmesan at that, and guess what,  I liked it!!! I have never had eggplant that I liked till today. Yepee. Anywho, I also bundled up with Jake and the girls, and we walked to the church on this very fine fall night. It was beautiful! I loved the sound of the leaves crunching, the smell of the smoke from peoples chimneys, the crisp air, and the brilliance of the moon. Plus seeing my girls all rapped up in blankets was very sweet to me. After our church activities I picked up my sister Anglea, and we drove to the Salt Lake airport and picked up our sister Camilla! I love love love having family coming into town! I am ao happy to get to spend time with her.

I am thankful for today, and how GREAT it was.  I am so stinking thankful my sister  traveled safely here, and is able visit with me.  I am so Thankful.