Monday, December 6, 2010

Lets Give Thanks Tag

In my thoughts of the season beginning with Thanksgiving I am starting a "Tag". My little sis really started it but I am going to continue with my own list of thanks because I truly am. Feel free to do your own. I never really understood why people get all riled up about Christmas being celebrated earlier (like starting at Thanksgiving). I can on the other hand understand the craziness of stores throwing up tinsel and brightly colored balls for trees on Labor Day weekend. I think that Thanksgiving is a great kick off to giving thanks for all we are really blessed with and to celebrate this fabulous time of year of our Savior's birth. So, here is my give thanks list:

1. My Hubby (willing to sacrifice much for me and the four elves that live with us.)

2. My Parents (raised me the best they could and I hope I am making the good choices they taught and when I am not they forgive me for them.)

3. My Children (love me in-spite of my impatience and faults.)

4. Our Savior (no explanation needed)

5. My Siblings, their spouses and kids (all trying to do our best to give support and love each other who are all in the same "raising kids boat")

6. Wonderful friends and neighbors near and far.

7.Employment

8. My Home

9. My Furnace

10. My Hot water heater

11. Freedom

So many more I could list but I will end there. Pick your own number of thankful things:) I will continue to love this season even with the commercialism of it, try to remember the spirit that started it all.

Monday, November 1, 2010

IS IT OVER YET?

I used to be truly a lover of the holiday Halloween. We bought pumpkins and carved them a mere four days before the big event so as to not have them spoil. They looked fabulous until one of my darlings sat two non carved pumpkin on top of a carved one on the porch. We had pumpkin soup dripping off the porch in two days so that one hit the dumpster.
Since having more than one child to dress in an assortment of costumes which usually consists of one for every event that we have to attend I am not liking it so much. This year it turned out not so bad. For the first year all four of my children have picked one costume and stayed put in that costume. I was not so sad when I found out we were going to miss the church halloween party. I totally boycott "trunk or treats" if we are subjected to that kind of an invitation because they are just stupid. None of my children attended any kind of "friend" Halloween parties and we only had to go to one family party which was sort of like an open house anyway so you could come and go as you please (thank you families that we belong to). All in all my kids dressed up on an average of 2 times each and I only had to put a costume on for one event (pre-school teachers look silly if you are the only one not in costume). Halloween day came and all of my children put on their own costumes by themselves and the boys headed out with friends and Troy and I walked Ainsley to a total of 11 houses (by her choice). It was pouring rain and she is a smart girl and decided it sounded more pleasant to stay out of said rain and enjoy the indoor atmosphere. We enjoyed soup that grandma brought so that saved me on cooking and we gave out all of our candy to the little (and big) people that visited our home this year. Not so bad compared to other years of insanity and costumes! Maybe things will get better from now on. Bring on the rest of the year's holidays. I am ready. Here are the fab four!