It is the worst of times and the best of times

I have a greater appreciation for those who blog everyday. I only did it for a week but it took me almost a month of typing a little here and there to compose that week. I had to do just one more post before I spend time on something else. I needed to wish my mother a Happy Birthday!

You know how they say you won't really appreciate your own mom until you go through it yourself. Don't you hate it when their right?

There are times I have found myself thinking about what I put my mother through. Sometimes I think if I was this bad I don't want to know. Mostly, though, I have gained an appreciation of how much FUN it can be.

Thanks mom for putting up with the frustration and challenges but mostly thanks for enjoying life with us. That's what I remember the most from my childhood and what a majority of being a mother today is for me.

Black Friday

How do you like to shop?

For me I hate last minute shopping! I hate crowds! In fact I would prefer to pay a little bit more and avoid the crowds. If I can find it on the internet and it has free shipping that's the way I go every time.

If I don't have Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving I'm not a happy camper. Thankfully, for the most part, I am all done. We had a couple of items that my husband was convinced were such a great deal on Black Friday it was worth heading out. I didn't, so...... I began searching while the kids were watching Star Wars (my husband got these for his birthday so we have been enjoying some marathon watching during this school break).

I got lucky and happened to find these items at the same price and no shipping. Thank you internet! It made my day to know I didn't have to get up at 4:00 am this morning. Sleeping in was fantastic!  I am so grateful for the internet.

The human body

Thanksgiving. A day for the school age kids to learn about the Mayflower, pilgrims and the Indians. A day to celebrate and remember what we are thankful for. A day for family. But really it's a day for FOOD! (or at least that's been my main focus the last few hours as I prepared for 25 people to descend on our home).

Today I figured would be the perfect day to do this post-without a body what's the point of today.

I graduated from college with a bachelor degree in nursing and then soon after took the qualifying test (NCLEX) to be a RN (registered nurse). A long time ago I made the decision to stay at home full time rather than try and work part time. It has been a long time since I have worked so I am often hesitant to tell people I am a nurse. I have kept up my license. Having my license is a great peace of mind for I know I could go back to work if I needed to. (I would definitely want to take a refresher course as I fear my skills are a little rusty). To keep up a license you have to either work or do continuing education.

Working on continuing education is what I have been doing for the last little while. I have been reminded how much I love learning about medical related things.

The human body truly is amazing!

There is so many facets to it. I am in awe that for the most part everything functions correctly. It is amazing that our body can heal itself and take care of illnesses.When it can't, it is so neat that we have learned so much about what a body needs to function properly that we can do things to restore it.

I am so grateful for our bodies and the medical knowledge we have acquired. I'm so glad we are continually learning more and more about this amazing gift from our Heavenly Father.

I am also grateful I can enjoy food! Now off to find some pie.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

My kids

The other day I read a post written by a mother of a handicapped child. This son was born healthy but had a reaction to a vaccine which left him physically changed. It was his sixteenth birthday and she shared how sometimes she allows herself at certain milestones to think about what life might have been. It was that same week that I read another blog where a dear sweet child was called home after an unfortunate accident.

Prior to this time I was dealing with some issues with some of my children that I felt to be overwhelming. I was reminded.....

One of my main desires in my pregnancies was to have a healthy child. I know we all have that desire, but for me it was a real fear of having a handicapped child. Please don't read prejudice into this. I have nothing against handicapped children. They have a special place in my heart.  I am well aware of how special they are and the blessing they can be. My husband has a handicapped sister and she truly is a blessing in our family. My father-in-law is the first to state he believes she is here for him and the lessons he needed to learn. They have a special relationship and she truly adores her father. If we were to have had a handicapped child I would have been fine with it, but that doesn't mean it was something I would wish for.

I was quite sick for the first 20 weeks of each pregnancy. I made the personal decision not to take prescription medication for I knew if something was to happen that could have been linked back to medication I would never forgive myself.  (Please note this was a personal decision and something I don't feel is best for everyone).

I was blessed with healthy children. Just having them born that way is no guarantee though. Things happen in life where this may change or they may even die. I was reminded how grateful that right now my child are alive and healthy. Even though they are strong willed at times, I am so grateful that they are able to experience life and it's traditional milestones. Being reminded that I endured some pretty rough times dealing with morning sickness was the perspective I needed that I can endure these particular challenges. I went through a lot to get them here. I can handle raising them.

Do you hear what I hear?

This is my favorite time of year for music. It is at this time of year I am grateful for the efforts we have put into teaching our children piano. I love hearing them play Christmas songs. My absolute favorite is playing duets with them. I hope it is a fond memory for them as well.

This year we even added in the flute  My oldest has been playing the flute for about two years. Her sister, who is 22 months younger, has stated she wants to start learning the flute. We have had my daughter using my old flute. We figured if we were going to soon have two children playing the flute (I promise I'm not persuading them) it was time to buy my oldest her own flute. Let's just say our bank account is feeling a little tight right now and she had better keep up with the flute for awhile.

Lately she has been helping us feel like this expense was worth it as she has practiced a lot. I love it!  We have also done some Christmas piano/flute duets. Now that we have two flutes I look forward to doing some flute duets.

I am so grateful I can enjoy music from my kids and that I can play music with them.

Sweet potatoes

Do you like these?

Growing up this was the last thing that would be on my list of essentials for a Thanksgiving meal. I hated them and it didn't help that they always made it with little marshmallows. I'm not a big fan of marshmallows. That all changed a few years back when we went to Thanksgiving with my husband's side of the family. His sister made the sweet potatoes different then I had ever seen before and they were delicious!  I have found I really like sweet potatoes. And they are so good for you.

Here's the way she made them:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3 large sweet potatoes                                        2 eggs
3 tablespoons butter, softened                             1/4 cup milk
1 cup packed brown sugar                                   1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup chopped pecans                                         3 tablespoon butter
1 cup flaked coconut (optional)                            1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup all-purpose flour                                      1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork, arrange the sweet potatoes on a cookie sheet. Grease an 11X 7 inch glass baking dish.
2. Bake sweet potatoes for 1 hour. Let cool, then mash in a large bowl. There should be approximately    3 2/3 cups of mashed sweet potato.
3. Combine softened butter with brown sugar, nuts, coconut and flour; stir with a fork. Set aside.
4. Combine sugar, egg, milk, orange peel, butter, vanilla, salt with the mashed sweet potatoes. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar-nut mixture over the top of the mixture.
5. Bake for 35 minutes.

My kids are warming up to the idea of sweet potatoes. Here's their favorite way to eat them:

Slice thinly. Saute in a pan sprayed with PAM over medium-high heat until lightly browned. It usually takes about 5 minutes. Then sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar.



Do you have a favorite way to eat sweet potatoes?


By the way today I'm grateful to a sister -in-law and trying something new.

A bishop's wife

When my second child was 5 days old my husband was called into the bishopric. He served for five years and then the ward boundaries were rearranged and we were put into a new ward.  I was then called as the primary president and my eyes were opened to the workings of the ward leadership. I was still serving in that position when my husband was called to be the bishop. It was right after Christmas and we had six weeks until the change of bishops would happen. Let me tell you it was a long six weeks for a secret of that magnitude.

That was almost four years ago. You would think after having a husband serve in a bishopric I would be prepared, but it wasn't the easiest thing for me and I fear I wasn't always the most supportive wife. I have learned a few things over the years that have helped a lot as I fulfill the role of bishop's wife.

I must admit that at first I resented the time that my husband was gone. I was stuck at home with young children and at times it was pretty frustrating. As I look back, I fear when my husband came home, I often  tried to act in such a way that my husband would know how hard things had been. My thoughts truly weren't focused on him and how things were for him. I didn't help him out by making sure things seemed okay on the home front so he could serve without worrying about us. In fact I wanted him to worry about us.

A couple of years ago we had some new neighbors move in. The father of the family is often gone for weeks at a time for work. In fact, they moved  in while he was gone.  What impressed me most was the wife's attitude. Even though this was hard, I constantly heard her make comments on how she just felt sorry for her husband and that he had to miss so much. Still to this day, on the day he comes home from these extended trips, I often hear her express ways she is trying to welcome him home. What she could do for him-cook his favorite, wash his car, etc.

This changed me. My husband was gone for hours at a time, not weeks. I realized that we are currently blessed that my husband doesn't have to travel a lot. That would make his service as a bishop quite difficult. I have tried to be more patient and aware of how things have been for him when he is gone. Try to focus more on what I can do for him. I still have my moments where I complain but later, not when he first comes home.

I have also had my eyes opened to how valuable a bishop is to the Plan of Salvation. I often don't get to see whom he meets with and what my husband does. I just see the time he is away serving and helping the members of my ward. (which is how it should be). I am ashamed to admit at first there was times when I would think to myself, "If these people would just do what is right they wouldn't monopolize my husband's time and he could be home more".  Through the comments of a dear relief society teacher and the quiet whisperings of the spirit I have come to realize that a bishop truly is called to do a life saving work. He is helping people in ways oftentimes only the Lord is aware of. No body is perfect and a bishop is one step that some need to truly repent and receive the happiness the Lord wants for all of us. Personally realizing this has changed me. Sure I'm used to things now, but the time he is gone doesn't bother me any more for I know he's doing what truly is important in the eternal welfare of others.

I have also seen the value of a Stake president. There are times that I have sensed that whatever my husband is working with others on has been draining and ever present in his mind. These are times I try to show an extra amount of love. I have seen a visible change, though, when he comes home from meetings with the Stake President. Just having the ability to draw on his help, advice or just someone he can talk to in private is a necessity for a bishop to keep going. I will be forever grateful for our Stake President's time and to his family as they support him.

I guess the point of my ramblings and thoughts this month is a gratitude to dear members of our stake who have helped me learn some lessons. They have helped me be a better bishop's wife and then hopefully in turn my husband is better able to serve in this calling that truly is part of our Heavenly Father's plan.

The love of my life

I wish I had more time for this post.  This morning we enjoyed a celebratory breakfast of crepes. I have chicken enchiladas and chocolate cake to make. And let's not forget the presents. Oh and there's making sure he can watch the BYU game live. It just wouldn't be right for him to have to watch "his team" later, through the use of DVR, on his birthday.  That's right he's another year older. I don't know that it would matter if I had more time, though, for words aren't able to express how I feel about this man. Today I'm grateful for my husband. I truly couldn't imagine life without him. I am also grateful to a mother-in-law who gave him life and raised him. I'll be forever in her debt.

My home

The other day I drove a friend of my daughter's home. Let's just say she lived in a nice home in a nice looking neighborhood. I found myself focusing on all the things I would love different about my home and where I live. I needed to change my focus and be grateful for what I have. I need to strife to enjoy and just be happy with here and now. Here's what I have realized I like about where I live. 

Living on a non-through street.

Having very patient neighbors and not a lot of restrictive covenants. It allows us a place (on the street) to park the big beast (the trailer) until we decided where to put it permanently.

Getting to drive by these everyday as I take my kids to school.

And then not having to drive to far. In fact it's within a short bike ride or a good walking distance to see these.

Living close to 

And

The day to day memories we get to have with them are priceless.

Having adequate rooms for all of us. While things seem a little tight it's a whole lot better than what my husband or I grew up in. We each came from 3 bedroom homes with one bathroom. We should feel spoiled with three bathrooms, a fact we remind the girls of often.



And at the risk of bragging, but we have done a lot of work so I figured I should enjoy it, the remodeling we have done.

You

I love that at this time of year we have a holiday to remind us to take time and be grateful. I have seen how a lot of people attempt to do this by blogging everyday in the month of November. I have thought this is a great idea but have realized for me, at this stage of life, that just isn't possible. My kids would be neglected too much. So..... I thought this year I would attempt one week. In this week before Thanksgiving I hope to try and express what has been my thoughts this month in regards to being thankful.

I would like to start this off with thanks going out to you--My family and friends who take time to read this blog.

As I sat down to write this post I saw that I have over 100 posts.  Over the course of the past year and those posts, I have really found that I enjoy blogging. It gives me a chance to do something creative while keeping a record of family events and everyday details that otherwise might be forgotten.  Even though I enjoy blogging I could easily do this on something that is just private. I have realized, though, that knowing someone is going to read this and will notice if I don't post is what keeps myself blogging. Without you I know this would turn into one more thing, like scrap booking, that I just never quite make time for. I would then have good intentions but no actual recording of life.

Each time I post something, though, I get nervous. Is it just the same old stuff? Am I being to personal? Do I put too much about my kids so I sound like I'm bragging? It is so nice to post and have someone take time to comment. It's kind of a validation that what I wrote was interesting for someone. I also truly love the ablility to keep in touch with you through your comments and your own blogs.

So.... today I am very grateful for YOU. Grateful for the time you spend in reading. Grateful that we have this way to keep in touch and share thoughts, everyday events and give support to each other.

Gingerbread Festival

This week I turned the car radio to one of the stations that plays Christmas music all the time. (They actually started the day after Halloween- I'm not ready for Christmas music that early). While I can't stand listening to Christmas music all the time I quite enjoyed it on my drive home. Christmas music is the thing that gets me in the Holiday spirit.

At our house we celebrate Thanksgiving. We have specific Thanksgiving activities and lessons and we put up Thanksgiving decorations. I don't mind, though, seeing evidence of Christmas early. It just reminds me of the Holidays and the traditions we love. For me, Thanksgiving is part of the Holidays. 

One of our traditions is to attend the Gingerbread Festival.  It is another thing that brings the Holiday spirit. Here's some of our "favorites" this year captured by my kids at the camera (I think they take more pictures than I do. I don't know what we'll do if they ever get their own cameras).

A Smurf's house

Pinkalicious

Up, Up and Away

This is what I thought motherhood would be

Yesterday I had my little ones help me make granola, which incidentally is my son's current favorite. We also made some bread dough. While it was rising, I sent the kids out to play in the leaves. As I was cleaning up from our adventures in the kitchen, I glanced out the window and had to pause to watch. 

It was a perfect Fall day, just cool enough to need a jacket. The warm sun took the rest of the chill off. My kids piled leaves onto the slide and cried with joy as they slid through them. They then raked them into a pile and jumped into the soft landing. They were truly enjoying this moment. 

I couldn't help think these are the moments I dreamed of when I thought of being a mother. Working hard to meet their needs and desires all seemed worth it when I got to watch them just truly enjoying child hood.

As I grabbed my shoes to go help them bury each other in leaves, I was grateful....

Grateful that I get to be a mother!

Surprise, Surprise! As I downloaded pictures from our camera today I found 70 pictures they had taken of yesterday's adventure.  Here's just a glimpse of what I got to silently watch.