Blessings for 12.14

12.20- woke up feeling pretty great, how beautiful and precious my kids looked all dressed up in their Christmas outfits, Baily's excitement to find presents under the tree and her first time going through each one shaking it and guessing what it might be and recalling how much I loved Christmas as a child, Motab's Christmas music on the way to church- B and I singing at the top of our lungs to Hallelujah and feeling the Spirit so strongly, an amazing Sacrament meeting where the Spirit was burning like an unquenchable fire within me- my kids sat and behaved so well- reading Luke 2 as a ward- Bishop's awesome talk and how wonderful of a Bishop he is- singing Christmas hymns as a ward family- sweet Cyz girl sharing her snacks with my kids and smiling so beautifully, watching The Nativity in Sunday School and once again- Spirit was burning, getting new Gospel Principles for next 2 years of RS study and so excited about it, awesome YW class- putting together stockings for girls who weren't there- beautiful testimonies shared about Savior- getting to share my testimony about my Savior- getting awesome ornament gift and goodies from Sis. R., B had a blast at her Primary Christmas party and got so many awesome goodies and gifts- best Sunbeam teachers ever!, B's excitement and pure look of joy on her sweet face when she gave her teachers the gift she made, beautiful Christmas music on the way home and singing at top of our lungs with B to Motab's Joy To The World, nice convo with my bro Beau- love that boy!, the best fresh Alaskan halibut dinner at my dad's, Sunday family dinner at dad's- good laughs & conversation, nice deep conversation with dad, Joaquin's secret kiss/handshake he made up for he and I, J's adorable new dance that he made up out of nowhere and does all the time, all out dancing with my kids for half an hour- nothing but music blaring and bums shaking and lots of laughing, cuddling with my girl at bedtime and being overwhelmed with the love I have for her

12.19- my heart being softened and realizing I was wrong and apologizing, principle of forgiveness, email, true love, B playing with her friend Amber so I could have a "meeting with Santa," Joaquin being so cute and loving his alone time with me at the store, Christmas shopping for kids is done!- only one more gift to get for my brother, fun Christmas tag, Christmas music-specifically "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" by Motab, actually sitting down to a homemade meal with my kids for dinner, Joaquin cracking me up during his bath and splashing me until I was soaked, exciting news from Gerald and Rachelle!, making Santa cookies with B and a gift for her Primary teacher for her Primary Christmas party tomorrow, Zpac antibiotics and how they are helping me feel better so much faster- cough is gone!!, meds, B sleeping in her own bed, wrapping is done (except for Roberts) and I'm all prepared for a good Sabbath tomorrow, a pretty productive day finally

12.18- 5 years of being married to the best man ever for time and all eternity, made it through another pay period, B & J playing with Joaquin's new car couch that he got with his giftcard from his Abuela Cande and having so much fun with it, prayer, sweet calls from my Dad (he told me I'm the best daughter ever and it made me cry- a good cry) and Alex, most amazing & patient husband ever, pizza and CM with hubby

12.17- Christmas cards and letters sent- whew!, super friendly postal lady and mailman, new g's!!, house cleaned and getting more organized, sweet 12 Days of Christmas story and scripture, nice lunch with hubby for our anniversary and talking about our 5 faves of each other for our 5 years, Patty watching our kids so we could go out, awesome VT who brought a sweet dinner for us, watching First Pres. Christmas Devotional as a family for Advent Activity, acting out scenes from Elf for Advent Activity

12.16- prayer, prayer, prayer, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, hubby home from work- weird circumstances but glad to have him home, hubby's love and care for me, surviving through the day- literally, an amazing Dr. who I know really cares about me, awesome YW activity that I worked so hard on and the girls worked so hard on- great Spirit and great activity, Sis. Rebarchik- she's amazing!!, getting a very generous gift in the mail from someone who loves us- tender mercy Christmas style, my Savior and testimony of Him, knowing I'm loved, getting mom's letter written and ready to go

12.15- my boys excitement for life when he wakes up at 7:30am on the dot every day, ham and biscuits for breakfast, internet and computer, house cleaned and laundry done, playin' with my kids, baking cookies with Baily and giving them to a neighbor as a Secret Santa and then caroling to Patty, cute new monster jammies for J, watching Monsters Inc. with the kiddos

12.14- Happy Birthday Tia Franci!!, leftover cold pizza, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, crud in my chest is finally breaking up- I may finally be getting better, hubby's french toast and bacon breakfast, reading 12 Days Of Christmas story and scripture as a family, decorating gingerbread house as a family, computer and internet, Joaquin's birthday package from Abuelita & Tia & giftcard from Abuela came in the mail and he was so excited!, Christmas gifts made for family & ordered, Supernanny and her tips, nice conversation with my Abuelita, broccoli cheese soup, cranberry juice, scalding hot shower

Blessings for 12.7

12.13- my baby turned 2!- can't describe my gratitude for my sweet Joaquin, prayer getting me through the day, house cleaned up and hubby helping me so much, fun little birthday party with dad & fam at our house- pizza & football cake & fun decorations, Joaquin's excitement with his gifts and having Happy Birthday sung to him & blowing out his candles, good laughs with my family (Pawn stars?- lol), nice quiet evening at home and hubby letting me sleep and rest

12.12- found a great deal on Craigslist for Christmas, cell phones, spending all day with my family, Taco Bell, Christmas music, super fun Christmas party with YW leaders and their husbands, great food, great gospel discussion

12.11- pay day- made it through another pay period, feeling a wee bit better, Glee, Julie & Julia with my Bug, getting a Christmas angel gift for B to give and her excitement for it, BK food (especially onion rings), internet shopping, hanging with my man

12.10- sweet snuggles in bed with Baily while feeling miserable (she helped me to forget the misery for a few wee moments), Patty took Baily while Joaquin was napping so I could nap, kids cooperating so I can rest more than usual, tv, hubby loves me and brought me toast and oj

12.9- snow, snow, beautiful snow!, Robert off work all day, Robert's pancake and bacon breakfast again! (he's so good to us;), playing in the snow with my snow bunnies, making brownies and popcorn balls with the Bugster, delicious homemade beef chimichangas with a recipe I created on my own with homemade quacamole, watching Christmas Story and Harry Potter with my Bug and man, making it through the night alive after being VERY sick

12.8- beautiful & peaceful snow (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!), making it through the night and finally getting some sleep after Joaquin puked about 12 times, hubby's bacon, sweetest & juiciest grapefruit, family prayer, tv & nickjr., Joaquin's long nap, unexpected but gratefully accepted Sealaska shareholder check, Christmas cards, onion chicken cooking all day in my crockpot, cuddling and watching Polar Express with my babies, aroz con chocolate, dad and Jensen for bringing me Gatorade for my kids, kids feeling much better running around and playing like nothing- quick bug and so grateful!, my sweet dad coming to clear our driveway for Robert at 11 o'clock at night, BL and amazing transformations, hubby made it home safe after 2 1/2 hours of driving!

12.7- out with the old-in with the new, rejuvenating walk, ipod, warm house, clean house & laundry, smell of pinesol, food to eat, prayer to help my little boy feel better, a washer and dryer for all the vomiting mess, how everything seems so much better when my hubby gets home

Blessings For 11.23

11.29- facing my fears and trying to have faith, going to church, how adorable my cute B looked, The Proclamation on the family, my ward family, an awesome lesson by our Bishop and getting to sit and hold hands with my husband I love so much, an awesome Bishop, first Sunday family dinner of many to come with dad & fam at our house, great food (home-made breadsticks, spaghetti and chocolate & banana cream pies), great conversation & a full happy home, new Christmas decorations, watching The Santa Clause with my kiddos, glow of the Christmas tree

11.28- hubby home from work and spending time together all day as a family, having fun watching Christmas youtube vids with kids and with elfyourself vids, HOT shower;);), Joaquin's adorable toes and cheekies, putting up Christmas lights with hubby and our awesome teamwork, a beautiful sunny day, decorating Christmas tree, BK for family dinner, BK onion rings, decorating house, Christmas nativities, house feels very Christmasey, aroz con chocolate (first time making it and it was dee-licious!), my hubby and his love!

11.27- first time and very successful black Friday shopping- kids are all done-whew!, amazing deals, our sweet lil' Christmas tree, brother Jensen watchin' my kids in the morning for me, leftover turkey sandwich for lunch!, naps and snuggles with my kiddos, Jensen comin' and playing with my kids and being such a great Uncle, kids were great today, cute new pj's for kiddies, picked up home and now nice & tidy, Biggest Loser, watching Grinch with kiddos, adorable cards from momma and lovin' her so much

11.26- Thanksgiving!, thinking of and being grateful for the countless blessings in my life from on High, deviled eggs & turkey, good times with Aunt Misty, lovin' on my nephew, making Christmas plans and shopping ideas with hubby, working heater

11.25- feelin' better, clean house, Patty baby-sittin' for me & living right around the corner, SYTYCD, phone call with friend Britney, great job interview with Olive Garden, inspiration & Divine guidance, yummy dinner (stuffed shells with cheese & fave breadsticks!) & great conversation with the missionaries, feeling very inspired by the Biggest Loser special, first snow- so peaceful and beautiful!

11.24- grapefruit (sorry but I just love 'em!), the sound of rain, my awesome step-mom Patty for taking Baily for a while so I could rest during Joaquin's nap and bringing over yummy chicken noodle casserole for dinner, Broadway music, new Ensign and Friend are here, reading most of Friend with Baily, Pres. Eyring's First Pres. message in Dec. Ensign, Donny won DWTS!!, hubby home from work earlier than usual, Baily cracking us up, rocky road ice cream, hubby's buff arms

11.23- hubby's big fluffy pancakes he made just for me, realizing how grateful I am for being taught integrity and values during my background interview, fridge is not broken!, looking for Christmas ideas at Target with my kids and their excitement for the day!, good advice from Patty, kids behaving so I could get my walking workout in, having access to my dad's treadmill whenever I want, being showered with kisses from my kids, baked potatoe soup and breadsticks for dinner!!, that the markers ate while I was cleaning the kitchen were non-toxic, dancing the Paso Doble with my kids during DWTS

Black Friday Success!

Friday November 27, 2009

4 am is when my alarm clock went off this morning. The plan was for Robert and I to leave at 4:30 to go to Wal-Mart and Target and my brother Jensen was going to come crash on our couch and watch our kids for us. We made our list, mapped out our routes and were all set and ready to go the previous night. Here's what actually happened. I finally got up at around 4:45 and Joaquin then woke up and apparently knew something was up because he would not go back to sleep. Drat. We thought about bringing him along but quickly realized that was dumb. So sadly and to my dismay Robert stayed with the kiddos and I headed off to face the madness that is Black Friday. I have gone once before this but had no money so it was pointless. Well we still didn't have much but somehow it worked out that we had a little extra this week so I got to have my first reall Black Friday shopping experience. Wal-Mart was my first stop. I got there about 20 after 5, 20 minutes after it opened and it was a madhouse. I managed to find everything on my list though and was stoked. After waiting about 30 minutes in line and going through the checkout I realized I didn't have my Visa. Great. So I had to wait there by the register while my husband got to bring me my card and Jensen got to stay with my kids after all. Ha ha... that's what he gets for thinking he got to sleep. After that stop and after Robert went home I headed to Target next. There were people there and it was busy but not crowded or crazy at all. The things I were looking for were gone at first but then after chasing some poor workers down I found a few of the "extras" of the items I wanted as was so excited. I headed home, changed my mind about some things, went back to the two stores a couple of times because I couldn't make up my mind and finally made it home, dragging (I was one tired momma!), around 10:30. I am so grateful for the awesome deals that they had this year. I got some rockin' deals and am so excited about Christmas. I am all done with my kids (except for stockings) and even got some other things we needed like snow boots and pajamas and a Christmas tree as well. It was a very successful trip and since most of my shopping's done already I think I will be able to enjoy the Christmas season much more this year and not be so stressed all the time. So you can say I am now a big fan of Black Friday shopping and plan on making it a yearly tradition;) I was pretty much dead for most of the rest of today. Jensen came by and brought us a Mr. & Mrs. Clause decoration for outside and ended up staying and hanging out for a bit. My kids adore their Uncle Jensen. He's so much fun for them and I just have to say that I adore my brother too. After he left I got a little more motivated and picked up my house and got it nice and tidy. We had an easy dinner, the kids got into their new Christmas jammies ($3 at Walmart thank you very much) and then we watched Christmas movies. On the list was the Grinch, Dennis the Menace Christmas (pretty cute actually) and now The Santa Clause. We are decorating our tree and house tomorrow and plan on making cookies and cocoa and possibly decorating a gingerbread house. Now all I need is snow! I'm so excited for Christmas season and plan on really enjoying it and focusing on the true Reason for the Season this year. Merry Christmas Season everyone!

Discussion Question:

How do you go about your Christmas shopping?

A Feast of Thanksgiving!!

Thursday November 26, 2009

Yesterday I had a fabulous Thanksgiving. It was simple and great. I slept in since I couldn't sleep the night before and woke up and got to cooking. We were going to my dad's for dinner and Patty made most of the dinner so I just made deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, spinach & artichoke dip and cherry & blueberry cheesecakes. After that was ready Baily and I picked up Patty and Jensen and then we went to pick up my Aunt Misty at her care home and then to pick up Cadie and Nolan (Jensen's girlfriend and son). After that we dropped them off at my dad's then I picked up Robert and Joaquin and we joined the rest of the gang at my dad's. The house smelled so good and the food tasted even better. We had a nice blessing and then enjoyed a truly grand feast. As we sat and ate and enjoyed each other's company I couldn't help but think of how blessed my life is and I think that's why I love Thanksgiving so much- it helps us remember (see link at bottom for one of my favorite General Conference talks on this subject) how truly our lives are blessed. After we ate we just sat and visited. Then we took our visitors home and my sweet family and I went to our home. It was a wonderful day indeed.And as cliche as this may be, I would like to share my top 10 blessings that I'm grateful for in my life. Please share yours with me too;)

1- First and foremost is my Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel that I am blessed to be a part of and all that comes with it (The Book of Mormon, Priesthood, the Prophet, etc.). My life would be nothing without Him and His sweet gospel.

2- My family. This includes my sweet kids and hubby, my parents, grandparents and siblings, in-laws and extended family. I truly love each one of them and they have all blessed my life in their own special way. I love you all!

3- My freedom and residence in this wonderful country that I love. And this includes all those that are fighting and have fought for this freedom.

4- The beautiful earth and all the seasons and glorious creations.

5- Mine and my family's health and well-being.

6- All my awesome friends who make my life so enjoyable and bearable.

7- Music!

8- My beautiful home sweet home and all the luxuries we enjoy in it (heat, cool, water, electricity, warm beds, etc.).

9- True love in it's purest form- the kind that brings that joy and peace which passeth all understanding.

10- It may sound weird, but technology which would include cars, computer, internet, tv, movies, cell phones, dishwashers, dryers. I was definitely meant to live in this day and age and am so grateful that I do!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying all your blessings to the fullest!!

Discussion Question:

What are your top 10 blessings you're grateful for?

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Blessings for week of 11.16

11.22- Glee, Glee music, prayer, meds, my friend Britney J, grilled cheese sandwich and tomoto soup for lunch, freshly bathed children, one of the juiciest & sweetest grapefruits ever, watching my fave movie "Ella Enchanted" with B, tea party with B, bedtime

11.21- clean house= happy mom, smell of pinesol, my vacuum, B helping fold towels and being so excited to help, laundry all cleaned & folded & put away, awesome VT who I love so much & great gospel conversation, cuddles & watching "Cat in the Hat" with B, great sound sleep

11.20- a day off thanks to my sweet hubby!, a very productive YW Pres. meeting and loving the sisters I serve with, hanging out with just me and my awesome cousin Sarah, NEW MOON!!!, Native Americans;), Sonic!!, hubby did the dishes- thanks babe!, the new TLC show Family Armor about an LDS family, making it through a tough run and the high I get from running, good chat with my Pops, grapefruit!, new snack of chocolate covered Ritz (yum!), Ferrera Rochet (yum, yum!), playing Monopoly with my bros, getting lots of free steaks from a good ward family friend

11.19- getting to meet with a soon-to-be baptized sister with the missionaries and my kids not being too crazy, the BOM (Book of Mormon), Baily not being as sick as I thought she was and being in a good mood all day, playing with Joaquin and his sweet sweet laugh, SYTYCD and the way Baily tries to imitate each dance, Baily making a heart with her hands and running to tell me so excitedly that it was a special heart for me because she loves me so much, getting a letter from my momma

11.18- sleeping in, getting through a very hard run, excitement for New Moon!, super hot shower on a cold day, hanging with my best girl Brittney and getting to watch her kids then her watching my kids for me so I could go to YWIE in peace, BK onion rings, a fab Spirit-filled Yound Women in Excellence, all my Beehives and how proud I am of them, talking about my mom and how she taught me faith by having charity and compassion, enjoying late night frozen pizza and watching our shows (Law & Order SVU and Criminal Minds) with my amazing husband, loving & appreciating my hubby so much, cuddling with my sweet babies

11.17- citrus season is upon us!!, delicious grapefruit, classical music, refreshing & crisp Fall walk, loving my country and all our people as I watched past episode of Biggest Loser, Wendy's Frosty & fries, red lipstick, my cute leather jacket, my very warm home in very cold weather, playtime with the kiddos, SYTYCD

11.16- woke up with tons of motivation and made a list of "Will" goals, prayer, doubling my running time and making it through the workout, a super hot shower, Baily's sweet family prayer all by herself, family council meeting, love of Moroni, clean home, the call to have a background interview for job I really want but thought I didn't get, delicious dinner with new recipe (chicken pockets) and kids eating all of it without a fight, making special k bars with my kids and eating them!, kids helping me clean basement without a fight and having fun playing catch with them, my kid's laughter, reading with my kids, playing Uno Attack with B and her cracking up, B's sweet prayers, my awesome hubby, a wonderful day of keeping up with my "will" goals