HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's to 2009! Hope it's a great one for every body!



(okay, I don't know if it's just my blog, but the time on this thing is way off. LAME)

Back To The Way We Were... Sort of.

So with Christmas being good and over with, we are returning to our semi 'normal' kind of life here,or at least back to the way we were before the holidays. Today was my hubby's day off, and while we usually spend it joined at the hip, we had a broken closet that Chris needed to fix, and I had a sister in law that I needed to hang out with. So my nice mama watched Leah while I went to Kim's house (Leah has the sniffles and a slight cough, so I just wanted to take some precautions) and while Chris fixed the closet. It's been so long since I've been able to just sit down and have a real nice conversation with an adult, who is not my husband... And who is a woman... Who is also a mother... And who I've also come to enjoy talking with. It was really relaxing and somewhat therapeutic. In other words... It was nice. So nice that I pretty much spent the whole day there. Thanks Kim for letting me put a dent in your couch, eat all your sugary goodies and listen to me drone on about nothing! Much appreciated!

After I was done mooching, I headed home to my babies where we had dinner. While I was gone, my hubby was sooo sweet and cleaned for me! Yay! Thank you honey for taking a load off of my plate for a little while! Feel free to do it more often! After dinner I headed over to our new Bishops house to watch a DVD of a youth program that was held at the Conference Center this October. It was like a High School Musical Production LDS style. Still ridiculously cheesy, but a million times more spiritual(if HSM was spiritual at all). To be honest, I was being dumb and didn't really want to go to this, but I knew that I should. So I sucked it up and went. Am I ever so glad that stopped being a big sissy and did go! It was so much fun to be with everyone in YW's (well mostly everyone. We missed the ladies that weren't able to make it) again. The girls are such good examples to me, and I just love them. They make me laugh so hard.

So I think I mentioned before that our new Bishop is one of my bestest friends' dad. Well it just so happened that that friend came down from school for Holiday, and was there! So I got to see her and talk to her for a bit.I miss her so much! Well while the YW, the leaders, Bishop, his wife and I were all downstairs watching the DVD, I needed to use the restroom upstairs, I turn the corner to go up stairs and I see two of my other oldest dearest friends standing at the top talking with Alycia! It made me ridiculously happy to see Bethany and Jeff! I have known Bethany since we were 4 years old! Our dads have worked together for just about forever. I haven't seen her since my wedding, but I ran into her mom at the store a few weeks back, and they were so nice and dropped by two weeks ago and brought us some Christmas goodies! How freakin' sweet is that! I miss Beth so much, she's such a beautiful sweetheart and I LOVE her and her family. They kind of introduced me to the church when I was younger, and are amazing examples of what Latter Day Saints should be. Jeff, I've known since Jr. High, and he is such a cutie! Really, he is a sweet guy.

And after everyone else left the Bishops house, I was able to talk to him and his wife(whom I just adore) and I can't tell you how good it felt to feel so welcomed by them. I never thought I would feel so comfortable around a Bishop and his family. But they are an amazing family. they are so welcoming and non-judgmental. We just sat there and laughed most of time. A few years ago, I never thought that I would ever be sitting there in my Bishops house laughing and enjoying myself and not feeling awekward and like I was being judged. Well, to be completly honest I wouldn't have ever thought that I would be a YW advisor either though, so that's just gravy! But that is the type of people they are. So incredibly easy going and warm.

My experiences today made me realize how blessed I am to have all the wonderful people in my life that I have. Whether it's my family by blood or related by marriage, my friends that I have known since I was a child or friends that I've met at work and keep in touch with by blogs(you know who you are) or other means, or friends that I've made as recently as a few months ago. They are all great examples to me. They are all there for me in one way or another. They all have such wonderful personalities and talents and I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for just being you. And for being there for me when I've needed you, and for accepting me, flaws and all. Thank you. None of you will ever know just how much you have helped me through out my turbulent life. But I know. And again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Well, I don't know how I manage to turn almost every one my of posts into something totally and compeletly different than from what I start out to make it, but when you feel the spirit, you just gotta sit back and roll with it. So this is how I roll! Gratitude style!

Christmas-Part 2

After two months of looking for, buying ,and wrapping gifts, Christmas day finally came! And not a moment too soon either. The stress was really getting to me, and it was getting a little hard to keep the spirit of what it's really about in my mind. I really tried so hard to keep it front and center in our home. So, on Christmas morning I woke up at 6:20 and was just too excited to have my little loved ones open up all of their gifts. And since we had such a long busy day ahead of us, I just couldn't help myself and woke Chris up so he could open his gifts.

We went into our unfinished living room and sat down in front of our first 'real' Christmas tree, and opened up all of our gifts before Leah woke up. Chris got sooo spoiled this year! I got him a super NICE GPS system (anyone who will ever go anywhere in a car with him will thank me) a new MP3 player, he got new Blackberry phone, that was supposed to be mine but I gave it to him. Yes, that does count as a gift because he did NOT need a new phone and he really wanted one. He also got some clothes and and an awesome digital tire gauge (it really is neat, it has a light at the tip of it so you can see where you need to put that thing, and an LCD screen I want one for my car!) A real nice watch from work,and a gift card to Olive Garden, Yum!

He really surprised me with the gifts he gave me this year. He gave me a book, The love letters of Emma and Joseph Smith(He knows how much I love anything about Emma Smith, so that was so sweet that he got me that) He also got me a new MP3 player, a car kit to go with it, a beautiful sweater, a purse, a gift card to Bath and Body works, a box set of all of the seasons of Arrested Development, and the one that surprised me the most... A new camera!!! I have been wanting a new one for just about forever, and he led me to believe that I wasn't gonna get one this year. He also got me a new memory card, a new case and an extra battery to go with it! I guess I was really spoiled too. He did an awesome job-love you Babe, thank you so much!

We couldn't wait any longer so we went and woke the baby up and the look on her face as she came in and saw all the presents and the pretty tree, was priceless! She was so cute. She actually unwrapped some of her gifts, and enjoyed doing it. She got quite a lot of gifts this year from us and Santa. But we did put a limit because a child doesn't need to get everything, and she was still gonna get stuff from other family members too. She got a bunch of Little People sets and lots of Little People accessories, lots of books, two CPK dolls, an awesome bath bubble color changer blower thing, a First Story Reader Book that reads to you and makes sounds from Baby Einstein,her first little purse set, puzzles, a pair of boots, markers and coloring books, and clothes, clothes and more clothes. We had so much fun watching each other open up gifts and seeing the look of joy on our faces!











After that we went up to my mom's to eat a yummy breakfast and open up presents there. Leah really got into opening up the gifts there! She got some really neat stuff. She got a vacuum, some DVDs, an outfit, a puzzle, and another CPK doll,an adorable baby buggy,crayons and coloring books! And more things that we didn't get a picture of. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma, you spoil her!





We then hurried over to Brandon and Kim's to open up gifts and go see a movie. It was a blizzard! You couldn't see anything! There were cars stuck on the side of the road. It was horrible. We made it to the movie and it wasn't all that bad. Aunt Kim and Uncle Brandon gave Leah a Drum set, a stuffed bear, a Dora coloring kit, and she also got two cute Care Bears from Ry and Alaina. Chris got an amazing gift from his brother Matt. Are you ready for it? Matt got him a new PSP! I actually think I saw tears in his eyes! I still cannot believe it. You can definitely say he was on cloud nine. Brandon gave Chris some really neat headphones to go with it. And Kim & Katie gave me a nice basket full of super nice beauty supplies, like lotion, body & lip scrub,etc. I love it! Thanks Kim & Katie. It was a lot of fun spending time with them.

Later we went to my sisters house for a wonderfully yummy dinner( Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole.MMMM, sooo good) Uncle Patrick and Aunt Angie and their family gave her a FurReal pet dog, Baby Einstein book set, and stuffed animals!
And Isabella made this beautiful card for Leah. It made me all teary! It is so sweet! Bella is so good to Leah.






Whew, that was alot to write down. We had such a great Christmas, and hope that everyone else did as well. Have a great New Years!

Christmas-Part 1

So much has gone on since my last post. Chris' mom and younger brother and sister came in from California on the 18th. That night we went out to dinner at Cafe Rio and just caught up for a little bit. The next night was my mother in laws birthday, and all the girls decided to go out to dinner at Johnny Carinos. It was good except for the nasty capers in my pasta! Yuck.

That Saturday we all got together and took pictures for Ruth and then went out to dinner-again heehee. We then headed over to Kim and Brandon's house and had an early Christmas! It was sooo much fun to be with everyone again. especially for Christmas. Grandma Ruth gave her a Cabbage Patch Kid 25th anniversary doll, some really nice cups, an awesome phone that she loves to play with( you can even record your own voice on it), a set of Disney princess keys, some candy, socks, a pez dispenser, a really nice book about the savior with art work by Greg Olsen, and I think that is it. I really hope I'm not forgetting anything. I want to write this all down for record.

Ruth gave Chris a book, Power From On High, his annual ginormous summer sausage, and a pair of pajamas with Homer Simpson on them.
She gifted me an awesome scrapbook kit with everything you need to get started. I love it, and have already used it. She also gave me the original pastel sketch of Leah that her friend had done, and she put it in a beautiful frame for me. It was so thoughtful and I just love it. Thanks so much Ruth!


We really didn't get to see them as much as we wanted to. Chris' schedule was set in stone so he was working most of the time. So he wasn't able to see them before they left on Sunday. But Leah and I are so glad that we did. Plus it was so much fun hanging out with his family. And Leah had a blast playing with Riley and Alaina. It's so cute watching them play together!










Well, folks, that's all for now. But trust me, there is much more Christmas posting to be done on my part.

My Aunties

Yesterday, my Aunt Lourdes under went surgery to have her gallbladder removed. It was making her so sick and put her in a lot of pain. She is also about 3 months pregnant with a child that she has been waiting for, for a long time. She has been in poor health since being pregnant and I am very worried for her and the baby. She is in her early forties and statistically the later in age you have children the more likely something can go wrong. Or so I've been told. I pray she makes a full recovery, and that she and the baby will be alright. I'm very hope full that all will turn out okay.

Now regarding my other Aunt. I was told this week that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm in total shock. I don't think it's really set in yet actually. She's the sweetest lady you'll ever meet. She is so giving and does everything for her family. One of my earliest memories of her is when she was teaching me to make tortillas and feeding the animals on my Abuelito and Abuelitas farm. I cherish that memory. It's one of my favorites I really don't know what else to say about this. Other than the fact that, I love her so much, and I am praying and praying that she'll win her battle.

Happy Birthday Alicia Marie

I have so much to write about and I really don't want them all to be on the same post so bare with me while I get this all out there today.


My beautiful sister Alicia Marie was born on this day, December 16, 1973 at 2:15pm on a Sunday. She returned to our Heavenly Father April 16, 1981, along with my brother Anthony, who was about 18 months old. She had huge brown eyes, silky long light brown hair with flecks of gold, and a beautiful smile that would light up any room. I never was able to meet her on this Earth, but through the stories that I've been so blessed to hear and the pictures I've been able to see throughout my life have kept her memory alive. And because of these stories and pictures, I do feel like I know her. And I love her. And my heart aches for my parents and for my sister Angela, myself and my daughter. It aches because I want to talk to her. I want to hug her and I want her to see and hold and play with Leah. Leah looks like her Aunt sometimes too. I can just imagine what it might have been like with my brother and her still here. What kind of story would their lives unfold? Maybe they would be married to wonderful people and would have had the most beautiful children. Can you just imagine how many more nieces I would have had by now! I might have had a nephew too! And we would all go out to dinner as one huge family to celebrate her 35th birthday...

But this is not their story. Alicia is not here to celebrate her birthday. Instead, she is with our Heavenly Father, doing the most wonderful work and watching over us. And I do believe that we will meet again. In a better time. In a better place. Where my parents will never have to say goodbye to her again. And I am so blessed that the gospel came into my life when it did. Because of the gospel, I know that her death was not an end, but a beginning to a wonderful and glorious part of this cycle. And I am grateful and proud that Alicia is part of my family. Til we meet on a much, much happier day.

Happy birthday Alicia Marie! We love you, and we miss you.

FHE, technology and good bread...

So about Three and a half weeks ago I stupidly dropped my phone into a glass of water. I then ordered a phone online because I could get it alot cheaper there than through my provider. Well, forward three weeks later, and I still don't have my phone. Chris came home and said that this was ridiculous so he actually went and just bought me a new phone! I love it! It was just barely released and has my name written all over it.


So I asked Chris what are we going to do when/if the other phone comes? He just said that he'll use it. Yeah like I'm really going to have to twist his arm to use that new Blackberry phone! You can tell he's excited about it.

And on a different note. We had a really good family home evening. Chris was there so that's a plus! He was in charge of the lesson, and he did a really great job! He actually is very knowledgeable when it comes to the Gospel, so he always teaches me something new.

I've really been in the mood for some home made bread. So last night I whipped up two loaves. And they were delicious!!! I made another one to give to my mom and tonight I'm gonna make some Christmas cookies! I wanted to make some jam too but I did not have all of the stuff :(


The other bread was baking, so this is the only one you can see.
We devoured this loaf whilst doing FHE.

Oh, and before I forget, again. Thanks so much to my sis Angie, for the devilishly good coconut bread and the home made peanut butter cups. They were amazing!!!

Leah's first snow...

Okay, so technically it's not Leah's first time seeing snow yesterday... But It was her first time playing in the snow. And my gosh, did she love it! It was so precious. When I opened up the door and she saw all of that snow, her face just light up. She was sooo excited. So I bundled her up and took her outside. At first she didn't know what to make of it all, but then she just bent down and picked up some of the snow, and after examining it for a bit, she shoved it right in her cute little mouth. I loved it. It was so special just being able to be with her and witness that. My baby's growing up so fast.










*And, on a side note... I taught my very first lesson in YW today! It went so well. I think I even surprised myself. I was worried about it all last night, but then when I went to teach, I was so calm. I know I definitely had my Heavenly Father's help. I even had all of the girls and teachers laughing a little too. Can I just say again how much I love the girls, leaders and advisers!They are always there when I need them and they are always willing help to out. They are amazing!

Holiday Festivities

We've had a wonderful, and very festive past few days. Last night we were finally able to make it downtown to see the lights at Temple Square. I have to say a very special thanks to my dad who gave us money for parking because he didn't want Leah to miss out on the lights, and we really tried to find free parking, even if that meant parking all the way in Egypt to get there. That was why we haven't made it down there, because the place was packed and there was no place to park.

Leah loved it! It was freezing! But we had a blast. I got so emotional when we were watching the Nativity Scene story, during the part where President Hinckley spoke. I loved President Hinckley and miss him so much. And then when we went and watched the movie at the visitors center, and it came to the part where the couple just had the baby and they were talking about God's plan for families.

I lost it. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer as the actors on the screen who portrayed a couple, held a newborn baby girl, and as the father asked his wife what was the most important thing that they could ever teach her in this life? The wife then replied that it would be that they love her very much and that Heavenly Father loves her and the most important one:that families can be together forever.

I remember having this very same conversation with Chris when I first gave birth to Leah. It was such an amazing night. We tried to get some good pictures but it was just too dark for them to turn out right,even with flash,and Leah was so distracted that these were the best we could do.











And today, we went to the festival of lights at Wheeler Farm. Oh man, did we have fun! We got to go on a tractor pull ride, got to see some of the animals, had hot chocolate and best of all, we got to see Santa! I was really wondering how Leah was going to act when she finally met the big guy. She stared at him for a while, and then she just smiled and, got her candy cane and got off of his lap and then we left! We still have so many things left to do before Christmas, but I'm glad we got these things checked off of our list! The holidays are so much better with kids!

Young Women's Rocks!

Tonight we had our combined YW/YM activity. We were supposed to go ice skating but decided that we'll just do that some other time because the YM didn't want to go. So we opted to go see the lights at Temple Square(of course I forgot my camera) Oh my gosh, can I just tell you we had an amazing time! Even though it was freezing! I love the girls in our YW and the other leaders too. We all just mesh so well together.

I was so scared that I wouldn't do a good job or wouldn't be able to connect with the girls. Especially because I loved being in Primary, and that's like the easiest calling you can get-in my opinion. I love working with kids, and they just lit up my life and taught me so much.

And while YW is a little more time consuming and difficult, I love it. It has already taught me so much and I just adore the girls we have. They are sooo beautiful and smart! And they are hilarius too! I was talking with another leader and we both said that sometimes we still feel like we are a YW because we connect so well with our girls and no matter what lesson or activity we have, we learn so much and pretty much laugh the whole time.

Plus the girls always tell me how much they love Leah and how stinkin cute she is. You know I love to hear that-I'm shameless, I know.

Well things are still incredibly crazy around here and I have our tree up and almost all the presents wrapped. I'm sooo excited to see Chris and Leah open up all of their gifts! We ended up giving Leah one present early because I brought it in to show my mom, and I walked out to my car to get something, and as I walk in the door I hear Leah freaking out and see my mom holding the toy.

Turns out, Leah had gotten the toy out of the bag that I stupidly left by the door, and took it to my mom to open it for her. I said to Leah when she brought it over to me to open it, that I couldn't open it for her yet, and she started crying even worse! I melted and gave in and opened the cabbage patch doll for her. It was soooo cute I wanted to cry! She was so excited!

She does this thing when she's waiting for something she wants-food or a goodie- where she flaps her hands up and down making cute happy noises and giggles.Chris calls it the humming bird. I love it! I cannot get enough of this child. She carries her CPK with her everywhere now. I love this age, and I love my Leah!!!

Thanksgiving and then some

Gosh, it's so crazy this time of year! I feel like I haven't been home for weeks, so I will probably not be blogging that often. We had a pretty good Thanksgiving this year. We went to Kim and Brandon's house this year because their mom moved to California and we usually had it at her house. I think my favorite part was watching Leah and her two little cousins play. Ry was making Leah laugh so hard! I love her laugh! It was so much fun seeing everybody. I'm kicking myself that I didn't take very many pictures
because I was busy helping in the kitchen or getting distracted. So I don't have many pictures to share.

We then headed over to my Aunts house. Well, there was very poor lighting and it was really dark. I got out of the car and took a dive onto the road. I tripped over something and rolled my ankle. I scraped my kness, my hands, my foot and it still really hurts to move my right foot. I can't really drive. We were so tired that we didn't stay long. Leah fell own their stairs twice, and Chris was in a bad mood. I didn't take any pictures there.


I did however manage to get a picture of one of four of my pies!










These pictures are kind of bittersweet for me. I really love it and it makes me smile. But I feel that Zach should have been there too. It just feels like someone is definitely missing.




Monday- Was my mom's birthday. We bought her a new Christmas tree because her old one broke, so she was going to have to go without a tree for Christmas! Not acceptable. She loved it. She is such a grateful person. My dad then took us all out for dinner. I just love that about my dad. Most families, when they all go out for dinner, will have to pay for themselves unless they are the birthday person, which I don't have a problem with. But my dad will pay for everyone. Chris and I have attempted to pay for ourselves on numerous occasions , because we feel that that's just the right thing to do, but we have to fight with him and we often lose. He's such a giving person. That was so much fun! Leah had a blast. We then headed to my mom and dad's for cake and ice cream. My sister made the cake, and can I just say, it was one of the best I had ever tasted! And I'm sooo picky about cake, too! She is the best baker! It was a great celebration for an amazing woman. I love my mom more than words could ever say. I still need her as much today as I did when I was a little girl. Oh, and I have to brag a little that she has lost 42 lbs! I'm so proud of you Mama! We LOVE YOU!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My sister, my mom and me

JUST BECAUSE...




I'M CRAZY IN LOVE WITH THESE TWO!!!
And I thought they should know

Thanksgiving prep

I went to the store on Saturday to get all of the stuff I need for thanksgiving dinner before they run out of everything that I need. My fridge is packed! I'm going to prepare some things for two dinners and I'm so excited. I wish my place was big enough to have it here but, someday...

I love, love, love to cook! I'm making four of my made from scratch apple pies, homemade stuffing(can't stand the boxed stuff on Thanksgiving) Yam casserole, for both dinners and for my side of the family, a turkey. I cannot wait! I love being able to cook for so many people, and being able to spend time with our families.

What the?

So it's no secret that my little family has had it's share of health issues of late. But today it took a turn for the weird. I got up early so I could print a few last things off for my YW's lesson today, my very first time teaching too. When I found it really hard to open my eyes and that my eyelids and the skin around it was on fire! I already wasn't feeling well because of the nasty cough I've developed. But I was really horrified when I looked in the mirror and saw my eyelids swollen! I know I've been having some issues with dry skin ( I always do this time of year ) but this is just ridiculous now. So now I'll be spending the whole day with ice packs on my ugly eyes. And bags too from coughing up my lungs all night. Ugh. I feel bad for my husband, who has to look at me! I just have to laugh at all of this. If I didn't I think I'd lose it.

So yesterday was an incredibly busy day for me. I had a ton of grocery and Christmas shopping to do. My sister and I decided to do all of this together and it was alot of fun. And I get to all again today as soon as I post this, I'm off! I really appreciate how she includes Leah and I into so many things, even if it's just errands. She's such a good sister and aunt to Leah. I'm so excited to give my 6 beautiful nieces their gifts. It's not much, but I hope they still enjoy it and know how much I love them.

Okay, on a completely different note...

Well, when it was time to, we went to pick up her girls from school. Bella had just gotten into our car and I put my car into drive when my sis had gasped that there was a girl who was getting jumped! I turned my head and i see this sea of kids standing around this 6th grade girl getting stomped on!

We then jump out of my car and run over to break it up, and as I got closer I see the mother of the girl who I guessed started the fight against the girl being beaten, egging her daughter on, by saying 'go ahead, f*** her up'! Are you kidding me!!! I told them to knock it off and get away from this girl.

And this girl in Jr. high who was helping beat this 6th grader girl up started to yell at me! So I said as calmly as I could, but still really stern and dead serious, for her to shut her mouth and not talk to me that way and learn some self control and respect and that what they were doing was cowardly and so un-classy. She shut right up and looked at me like I just slapped her in the face.

I then look at this little girl who started the fight and see her in tears. I don't believe for one second that she wanted to jump that other girl, but did it because of all the pressure by her friends and her own mother! So I turned to her mom and said to look at what she did to not just the girl lying on the ground but to her daughter as well.

I said this was ridiculous and that she should grow up and think about what she was really teaching her little girl. And one other thing that ticked me off, there were so many other people there, standing right there, who didn't do a thing to stop it. There was even a teacher out side who just stood there with her hands on her hips looking annoyed. The principal came out eventually, but the people who jumped the girl ran off right after my sister called the police.

I still cannot believe that "mother" and what she did. I was so distraught after this. It was horrible. I know I'm coming off preachy but that is just not acceptable to me. Don't even get me started on that YouTube video of those fighting toddlers that I saw on the news. Disgusting. And why would YouTube allow it to be posted!?!?

Leah update

Leah went to her doctor this morning and it's not the flu or strep. The Doc said we just have to wait it out. Poor thing. She has two huge white sores on her throat and has an off and on fever, but it's no where near 103 like it was earlier so that's good. She is not interested in food at the moment, naturally, but has been drinking a bit here and there. Her doctor said that the fever and vomiting is in the first few days then comes diarrhea. I am also coming down with it and could not make it to YW's tonight. I guess the good thing about this is that she is really into cuddling at the moment and she has no energy to fight with me so I was able to french braid her hair to keep it out of the way for now. Now that I have an idea of what she must feel like, I feel so horribly bad for her. It really is messing with her sleep schedule and it's hard to get used to. Well that's about it for now. I can hear from the baby monitor that she is waking up again.
Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes. We really appreciate it!

Poor poor Leah

Tonight. right when we were about ready to sit down to dinner, Leah woke up from a nap and looked so sick and was on fire. A few minutes later she started to vomit. We changed her jammies twice and took her to Primary Children's, I sat in the back seat with her and held a towel to her mouth while she threw up the whole car ride, only to walk in there to find a packed waiting room and it would be hours before anyone would see her. Well she was showing signs of improvement so we just decided to take her home and take her to her Doctor in the morning. My mom thought we should stay at her house, and that really lifted her spirits, she pushed Chris and I away and ran to grandmas room, hopped up in her bed and made herself comfy, and she has finally fallen asleep. So, we're staying the night at grandmas. Chris and I are sleeping on my parents couches tonight, or should I say morning. My poor baby. You can just tell she hurt all over. She usually doesn't fuss when I wipe her off, but she is so tender right now that when I washed her off with a warm cloth she started bawling. I wish that I could do more to help my baby. I am once again so grateful to my momma for being there for us and wanting to help out. She has been amazing tonight.

Gratitude Post

It's been a pretty hectic week/weekend, so I haven't been able to post much, and I fear I am already starting to forget some events. But for now I'll post my second gratitude post.

I'm very grateful for my mother. I don't know how she has survived all of the trials that she did and was able to come out as good as she has, but she did it. She's survived two house fires, poverty, abuse, her mother falling ill and dying when she just 10 years old, being separated from her brothers and sisters while growing up, she survived mine and my sisters teen years hehe, but most of all, she didn't give up when she lost two young children,one of whom was born with multiple health problems and had to go through surgeries and long days and nights spent in the hospital. I still don't know how she did it all, but she did. She's always more than willing to help me out whenever I need it. She is one of the most generous people I have ever known. She would give up anything and everything for her loved ones. She loves her grand babies with every fiber of her being and I swear every thought in her head somehow has to revolve around them. She gives until she just cannot give anymore, and she loves without restraint. I really don't know what I would do without her. I know that sometimes I take her for granted and complain about how overly involved she is in my life, but I've really come to realize how lucky I am that I have a mother who cares for me and my family, worries about us-constantly, helps us whenever we need it (even if we are too prideful to ask) and prays for us. She has taught me so much, and I know that I am a better person because she is my mom. I love how all I have to say to Leah to put her in a good mood is, 'Do you want to go see grandma?' and she runs to the front door. I love that when we walk into my parents house Leah looks around the corner in search of grandma and searches every room until she finds her, and when she does she runs right up to her and holds onto her until my mom picks her up. LOVE IT! Oh and I can't leave out one of the things that I really love about her: She is the BEST COOK Love her chicken salad. No matter how hard anyone else tries, we just can't make it as good as she can! I've all but given up on it.

I love you mama, and I am sorry for all those times I have taken your love for granted. And I am proud of all that you have accomplished.

Family time!!!

Yay, it's Chris' day off! We're gonna take Leah bug to go see a movie, and maybe go out to lunch. I kind of want salmon, but that's what I made last night for dinner with some asparagus and baked potatoe,so I'm not sure where we'll go to eat.Yeah about last nights dinner, I had our plates all ready and assembled with salad as well, when I realized, we had no dressing! So I hurried and busted out some homemade Italian dressing with my own seasonings and oil and vinegar. I actually liked it. I get so scared when I try new things.

Moving on now. I think we're gonna take her to see Madagascar2 since there's nothing at the dollar theaters right now. Leah does really well in movie theaters, and she's down for a nap right now so she'll be in,hopefully, great mood. I love, love, love his days off. We tend to be a bit selfish and like to spend time with each other on his days off. This time of the year is so crazy for him, we hardly get to see him from November-January.

I'm so excited for family time!

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to all those brave Americans, both men and women, who have fought silently for this country. To my great grandfather, grandfather, and uncles and cousins who were and are still in service.The ones who fought on the battlefields and behind the scenes. To those who have fought in World War one, World War two, the Korean war, the gulf war, the Iraq war, and those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. So that we may have a chance to maintain our liberties that we often take for granted. It is very disturbing to me that a huge percentage of our veterans are not being taken care of like they should be. Like they deserve to be, because they have more than earned it. It should be a given. And don't even get me started on walter Reed medical center. Unbelievable!

Okay, sorry,moving on, today is a time for gratitude and honering our veterans. I just want to say again, thank you, thank you, thank you to our servicmen and women who have and still are dedicating their time away from their loved ones, so that we may enjoy our time with ours. Thank you and bless you.

Our weekend wrap up...

Since I decided to start my gratitude post yesterday, I thought I should just post what we were up to this past weekend today. Friday I was able to get a little Christmas shopping done, thanks to my wonderful mom for watching Leah for me while I did that. She always has so much fun with my mom. I was able to buy four of my nieces part of their gifts and get some ideas on my other family's gifts. We really have to stretch it this year, but we have sooo many people to give to. It's sort of a curse and a blessing at the same time, hehe, just kidding. I love my family tons. While I was out I was able to finally get Leah's snow suit and got her some more dresses for church I found some at, of course, Kid to Kid,and then at a regular store for almost the same price as the secondhand dresses! They're having a huge sale. Super cheap.


Love the fluffy little ball on the hoody of the sweater dress. Not bad for $6.00


I have always wanted dresses like these for my little girl. So festive.


She looks so cute in this, like a pink marsh mellow!


On Saturday I made a huge pot of homemade chili (Chris insists I make tons, he would eat it everyday for every meal if I let him) in the afternoon so dinner would be out of the way and the flavors could develop more. Then later on in the evening,it hit me. I do not want chili tonight. It just didn't seem too appealing to me. So I looked around in my pantry, fridge etc. And I decided I really felt like homemade manicotti. I didn't have any manicotti shells so I just used lasagna noodles and whipped out a huge pan of manicotti. I actually liked the lasagna noodles so much better than those shells. It was so much easier to fill them too! Chris came home and before he even came into the kitchen he said really loud, "Mmm, smells like my baby's been cookin all day!" Yeah, he was in heaven. He ate two servings of manicotti and a bowl of chili. Plus I had dinner made for three nights this week already because of the huge batches I had made. Gotta love leftovers. Whew, that takes a load off of my mind.

I really enjoyed our Sabbath day yesterday. Chris was able to get the day off and I love Young Women's. We have the sweetest girls! Leah was getting so rambunctious, and three of my friends said I should take her to nursery just to try it out. So I asked the ladies in nursery if it would be okay, and they said yes. Well, let me just tell you that she had a blast! I was so worried that she would be sad or scared, but she was so good. I would go and check up on her and my friend Teri said she was so good and didn't cry, or throw a tantrum and played so nice with the other kids. And she even colored a picture for me. I just wanted to cry! My baby's getting so big.