Overheard

FH: Ice Cream helps my tongue feel better!
(He bit his tongue really hard at nursery so to prevent swelling, we gave him ice cream as a medicine.)

PH: Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba
(Pointing at a ball. This is his first word.)

FH: Daddy, play with me.
BH: Friendly Hero, I'm studying for my test.
FH: You have five minutes Daddy.


On the play cell phone:
FH: Hello, Lightening McQueen. Kachow Ivan. That's funny Lightening.
Another Time:
FH: Hello Finn McSile, you are riding on a grey airplane!

PH: Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo
(More for food, or Mom--his second word)

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas! We are grateful for the Birth of our Savior!

A Big Box

 We've spent several days playing with a BIG box. It's been great. We've played inside, outside, blew it up(a side broke while FH was sitting on it, so it blew up), lounged in it like we were taking a bath, and had great fun.









After several days, Mom decided that she should climb in. She fits too!

Nothing Post Worthy

The past few weeks haven't felt like there is anything post worthy. We have laughed a lot--we have crazy giggling fests, and I've made a few Christmas Presents, which won't be a surprise for the boys, and I've worked hard tutoring the neighborhood. My afternoons have been consumed with math as the high school prepared for finals. Now that all that's done, I hope to find little things to post about.

December

 First off--I love having boys. Our highlight the past few days have been standing by the window and watching the Garbage Truck come. I got one of each of the boys looking at the camera, and one of them looking out together. You can even see the garbage truck.

 Peaceful Hero is getting so close to walking. He's getting frustrated and excited all at the same time.

I am really excited that we get to go out tomorrow. We have been quarantined since Saturday Afternoon due to diarrhea. Friendly Hero loved to tell people who called us that he has diarrhea. I had to call and cancel tutoring--because this is not a bug we share. Luckily it stayed with Friendly Hero, and he is the only one who was sick--and he didn't even act sick. We just were at home driving each other crazy--until the garbage truck would come to create some excitement. I love that garbage truck! But I'm even more excited to play at a friend's house, and not to be quarantined!

Family

We were out of town for Thanksgiving, so I thought I would finish up a few last posts for November.

1. I am grateful for Thanksgiving! I love this holiday--I love cooking and spending time chatting in the kitchen. I am really grateful we were able to drive 4 hours to see some family. It was the best!

2. I am grateful for cousins. We drove another 4 hours and spent an afternoon with my cousins. It's a little different hanging out with cousins once you're all grown up--especially the cousins who were in high school while you were in elementary school. It made them instantly cool. Every once in a while I still don't feel cool enough to hang out with them--and I am grateful that they don't feel that way--they treat me like I'm one of them and worth their time. I really love cousins. I am also grateful that we try to hang out together as cousins.

3. I am grateful to be home after a long weekend. It's great to get back into our own routine.

4. I am grateful that it's Christmas Time! I love this holiday! I've spent the last two nights getting Christmas Cards ready. I love sending holiday cheer!

5. I am grateful Peaceful Hero is learning how to get around. Today was really rough, he hit his head about 5 times that show, and more that didn't leave marks, pinched fingers, fat lips and scraped knees, etc. I am grateful that a hug, a kiss, and a cracker make everything better. He is a joy! I'm also grateful he knows how to go up and down stairs safely. No injuries happened there.

Journals

1. I'm grateful for my journals. I have many that I write in every night--one for good things we do daily, one for how I felt the spirit that day, and a normal journal. I really like writing a lot, and I like writing them down separately. I like knowing that I need to look for good things that I do, that my children do, and I love pondering for a minute or two, when I felt the spirit. That journal has helped me the most to identify the language the Spirit uses--and I remember all the times God talks to me.

2. I am grateful for the Bug Hero. He is helping me a lot to get ready for a short trip for Thanksgiving. I am really grateful for his willingness and for his friendship.

3. I am grateful for extended family. It's nice to meet with cousins and aunts and uncles for this trip. I can't wait to see family! Also, I am grateful for cards that come in the mail. My Mom is totally Awesome!

4. I am grateful for friends. One of my friends came over today to help me make a stunning pie crust. I am really grateful for her knowledge and her willingness to help me make a flaky pie crust--and teach me the reasons why you do things.

5. I am grateful for General Conference. I love reading a talk once a day and applying the principles in my life.

Peaceful Hero

1. I am grateful for the Peaceful Hero! He is beginning to pull himself to standing and letting go, for about 3 seconds. I am really proud of him, and it's so much fun to watch him learn, grow and develop.

2. I am grateful that our Christmas Card is ready to be copied. I spent several weeks brainstorming, and several hours drawing, inking and creating the card. I am pleased with the result. I hope that our comic doesn't disappoint.

3. I am grateful for Friendly Hero's humor. It's starting to really come out and I love listening to him laugh about things he sees or things he watches. He is also starting to tell me "jokes." It's more of "Mommy, that is so funny when the dog barks." Followed by laughter.

4. I am grateful for my sense of humor. Humor brightens everything. I am grateful to find clean humor.

5. I am grateful for home videos. It's really amazing to watch Friendly Hero at the Peaceful Hero's age--and I'm surprised how much they look the same. No wonder other people get confused.

Church

1. I am grateful for Church. I am grateful I go to serve and to learn of Jesus. It is wonderful to go and teach 5 7-year olds and 1 6-year old. (We have one more birthday.) These kids are silly, but they have testimonies that are strong and they have a strong desire to do what's right.

2. I am grateful for my testimony. I am grateful that I know that Christ's gospel is here on the earth today. I am grateful that I know there is a prophet on the earth today. I am grateful that there is a plan for our lives, and that I know what it is. I am grateful for a knowledge, and a personal relationship with my Savior. This gets me through hard days, and intensifies my joy.

3. I am grateful for personal revelation. I am grateful for the guidance and the knowledge that it brings to my life. I am grateful to know that whenever I have a big decision for myself, or for my family, my husband and I can kneel and ask someone else for help. I am grateful for the peace it brings--we still make the choices, but we are guided from bad consequences, and I find my mind enlightened a lot about my children's needs.

4. I am grateful for the atonement. I am grateful to know that Jesus's sacrifice allows us to be healed from everything--sin, hurt, illnesses, imperfections. It is the most powerful tool we have access to. The atonement allows us to become more like Jesus, more Christlike, more loving. I am grateful for His sacrifice that we all may become like Him--everyone can and no one is excluded.

5. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for the gospel and it's joy, life, and peace it brings. I am grateful for God. I am grateful.

Piano

1. I am grateful for our piano. I am grateful that I am taking the time to develop my talents on the piano. It took me a few months, but I can now play "He Sent His Son." I am really grateful for that.

2. I am grateful to watch my boys love the piano. Part of the reason it took me a few months is that whenever I sit down to play, if one of the boys is up they kick me off of the piano, so they can play. I love to watch their joy as they hit keys...it's not always pretty, but their joy is supreme.

Please excuse the toilet paper in the back ground. PH hero had a lot of fun today. We didn't realize he had made it into the bathroom.

3. I am grateful for cameras. I love that I can capture little moments like these. I need to take pictures with greater frequency, but I treasure the ones I have. Peaceful Hero started smiling at the camera today. He was ready to preform.

4. I am grateful for my sons friendship. They love each other very much. FH is always asking where is PH, or, Is PH. (He forgets where a lot). He is concerned and aware of his brother. Sometimes PH doesn't appreciate the attention--who really wants a 2 year old laying on top of you, or taking your food--but they love to laugh together.

5. I am grateful that I am working on my Christmas Card. We have ideas for all the comics. I'm excited to get them made and copied and then sent out. I really am excited to share them with all my friends and family! If you want one, make sure I have your address.

6. I am always grateful for book recommendations. The most recent books that I absolutely love and recommend to everyone are the Penderwick series, by Jeanne Birdsall. They are the cutest, sweetest books around. There are three books out right now and I've been rereading them a lot recently. Everyone should read these books. They are great!

"JUST the ELDERS"

1. I am grateful for the missionaries. (Just the Elders--according to FH) They come once a month to dinner and they bring happiness and joy with them. FH can't wait until he's an Elder, and he prays for "Just the ELDERS" and whenever we say to bless the missionaries, he says "Bless JUST the ELDERS." I am grateful for their example and for their love. They always listen to FH and enjoy what he tells them. They also laugh at the color of jello he picks out for them. He loves feeding them jello.

2. I am grateful for people who are kind to my children. I really am touched when people say nice things to my children or go out of their way to do something nice for them. I am grateful for their love.

3. I am grateful for the education that the Bug Hero is getting. I am amazed at how hard he works and I am grateful for his dedication and determination to master the material and provide for us. I love him so much! He is awesome!

4. I am grateful for days of hard work. We were busy during some naps and were able to get a lot done. It was great to see my efforts pay off.

5. I am grateful for a friend who has loaned me her dehydrator. I love being able to dehydrate the last of the baby food into fruit leather. It's great to be able to have options.

Good Books

1. The word of the day was bibliophile: a lover of books--and I'm grateful that it's me. It comes to no surprise that I love to read, to my kids, to relax, to escape. It's one of my pleasures to pick up a book. I'm grateful for books.

2. I am really grateful for the Bug Hero. He was so great with the kids today--he went to work late so he could play with Friendly Hero. Normally I play with them, but today I took time to read, because I was in dire need of some relaxation. I am grateful that they love each other and it was fun to hear them playing in the other room and laughing together. I am grateful for the Bug Hero. He is my Hero.

3. I am grateful for these family pictures. They are fun! I don't necessarily want them on my wall, because I like to have close pictures of our faces, but I really like these artistic pictures to look at.

4. I am grateful for family. (Flam-lee) Heavenly Father really knew what he was doing when he sent us to Families. I love having these boys help me grow into the mother I'm supposed to be, and I love finding joy in their lives...some days it's really easy to find joy and other days it's not so easy.

5. I am grateful for the Hunger Games preview. It's totally awesome! I'm excited to see the movie!

Wednesday

1. I am grateful for Christmas Music. I have listened to it all day. It's so fun to listen to the holiday music and to bring Christ into our home.

2. I am grateful for having a budget. I love being in control of the money and not having it run away from me. I am grateful that I know where it goes.

3. I am grateful for phones. I love receiving phone calls from friends and family.

4. I am grateful for a friend that let us drop by for an half hour and we just chatted. I love chatting and hanging out with friends. I also am grateful for her son, who's 4, he was willing to play a lot with Friendly Hero. It's so nice to know he has friends who love to see him.

5. I am grateful that the Bug Hero is coming home! I got a phone call at bed time saying he was about 3 hours away. I am so glad that he was able to have a successful conference, but I'm really grateful he is on his way HOME!

Tuesday

1. I am grateful for normal days. We had a day where everyone woke up happy and cheerful. We all laughed and played a lot today. It's wonderful to have these days--and I'm more grateful for these normal days after a few grumpy days.

2. Projects--I love having lots of different projects. Today I switched to another project and it felt great to work on something different today. I am grateful for lots of ways to use my talents.

3. I am grateful for sunny days. Today was another really nice day--weather wise. We got to play outside and enjoy the sunshine. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

4. I am grateful for Peaceful Hero's growth. He's pulling himself up to standing a lot now, and prefers to be standing. He's getting closer to walking--but still is insistent for help--I love that he wants me to help him do everything.

5. I am grateful for today. I really love having everything work out swell.

Mondays

1. I am grateful for Family Home Evening. We had ours around the dinner table, as the boys were finishing their dinner. (It was the only time that Peaceful Hero was happy today.) and we each created lists that we were grateful for. The First Item on PH's is FOOD. This kid must have been starving today, because if he wasn't eating he was crying. Friendly Hero was grateful for: My light blue spoon, this window, mom, this macaroni and cheese, and my light blue bowl. It's really cute to see them.

2. I am grateful for my clean sink. All day yesterday and today, I have done the dishes right away, because I don't want the dishes to dirty up the sink, and I want to see my clean sink.

3. I am grateful I am done sewing pinwheels. I'm working on two twin sized quilts for the boys. (When they get a bunk bed in a year--getting the quilts finished will probably take all year long.) And between the two quilts there are 300 pinwheels. I am grateful I am done with this stage and get to start putting the squares together. I will show pictures when I have the tops of the quilts finished.

4. I am grateful for tutoring. I love that I get to help children learn and understand math--and that it gets me out of the house. My boys love to go to their friends home, and they see that Mom loves being their Mom, and that she also loves to teach Math.

5. I am grateful for my husband. He is awesome. Without him around I'd go crazy. He brings a lot of patience and stability. When he's there, I can be more patient. I love him so much!

Sunday

1. I am grateful for our friends in our ward. Today, we got to early to Church--and we got to sit by our adopted family. We also ended up sitting in front of the Bishop's family. He has 3 daughters, and as we sang the opening hymn, I looked back and each of the daughters had taken a baby from the families around them. I looked over and the Peaceful Hero was calmly sitting in one daughter's arms. (She did have food.) He stayed with her for the whole meeting. I was able to hear more of the meeting than I have in several months. I am grateful for their love and service. These daughters were so excited to see babies and hold and snuggle them, and practice loving them as they will love future children. I loved the spirit there.

2. I am grateful for my calling as a Primary Teacher. I had to take both boys with me to Primary today, and my class just ate them up. They were so willing to help hold, and entertain these boys. My class are 6 and 7 year olds and they were so excited to play with a 2 year old and a 1 year old. I am grateful for their love and awesomeness.

3. I am grateful for my friends. I was in sharing time, and tried to get Friendly Hero to share with Peaceful Hero. The sister, my dear friend, who was teaching looked up and asked me how I knew that it--the sacrament trays--weren't metal...I apologized for interrupting her lesson, she thought that I was correcting her, when I was telling someone to share his cereal. It made for a great laugh. I just love my friends.

4. I am grateful for Friendly Hero and what a good big brother he is. I had to use the bathroom, and as I was washing my hands, he starts frantically telling me, "Mommy, come get Peaceful Hero!" I race out to find FH standing on the third stair, with a head first PH propped up on FH's belly. FH had caught PH from falling down the stairs, and he couldn't move and was worried that they both were going to fall down the stairs. FH is a wonderful brother--he loves him dearly.

5. I am grateful for family. I love my family, both sides. They are just awesome!

Saturdays

1. I am grateful for Saturdays, we get to spend the day as a family. It is really nice to have the family home together. We laughed together and Daddy and Friendly Hero built a LEGO Snot-rod. (A character from Cars, FH has some underwear with him on.)

2. I am grateful for the cleaning that gets done on Saturday. (I clean something everyday during the week), but we do everything again on Saturday. It's always so nice to enjoy the clean apartment until the boys start to play.

3. I am grateful that it's Sunday tomorrow. We love going to Church and the spirit and worship that we experience.

4. I am grateful for the Peaceful Hero. He has been so cute all day. He is cheerful and loves to snuggle with his mom. I am his favorite right now, and I love it. Once he finally learns not to eat LEGO's Dad will replace me as favorite, so I'm holding onto his favoritism right now.

5. I am grateful for Visiting Teaching. We had a play date and we talked and laughed together. We loved spending time with each other and everyone left edified. I love this program! I am so grateful for the chance we get to love and serve each other.

6. I am grateful for a clean sink. It is so nice to have a (as close to) sparkling clean sink. I feel better about the cleanliness of the kitchen and of my life in general when my sink is clean. That and when the laundry is put away. Those are two signs that everything is right in my little kingdom.

Grateful

1. I am grateful for tutoring. Friendly Hero loved going over and talking to the children I teach Math too. He picked out the order and then he told me what to teach them. I am grateful that the kids just kind of laughed at him and they enjoyed his side comments--"Mommy, you teach C, about multiplication and give me some Life."

2. I am grateful that in the car ride today I realized that I can use the time to teach Friendly Hero things like, octagons, rectangles, and what excellent means. Friendly Hero is getting quite bossy--he has a way things need to be done since he's now developing a sense of order and is paying attention to how things are done. I tried hard not to let him bother me as he bossed me about driving. Once I started using the time to teach him things--we had positive interaction and it was really good. I am grateful to watch him learn and grow.

3. I am grateful for our Bishop's family. We had a short play date this evening with them. They came over to see the LEGO room and play with the Bug Hero. I got to talk with the mom, and she is an inspiration. She cares about everyone and notices little details. She saw that I had made a few of our wall hangings and she asked to be taught how to do some of them. She has most of the ward over to teach her children and her things like computer use, to sewing machines, to crochet, to piano, to violin, etc. I am grateful for her example of love and humility. It was also so funny to hear her say things like "Now, I'm going to call up that there's five minutes left, Math Hero, and the boys are going to moan upstairs, you watch--" and she predicted accurately, every time.

4. I am grateful for the Peaceful Hero. I had been telling the Bishop's daughter and wife about how the Peaceful Hero crawls and pulls himself up to a kneeling position but I've never seen him get his feet underneath him to stand. He crawled over to the stairs and then he knelt down and two seconds later, he was on his feet!! I was so proud of him, we all clapped and he flashed his award winning smile, and started bouncing--his happy happy dance. I am grateful to watch his development and be a part of it.

5. We met with a financial planner today and I am grateful for the whole experience. I'm really grateful for the time we spent.

Friends

1. The Friendly Hero had a few friends over for the morning. We were watching them to help out--but they helped me out. Friendly Hero loved having another friend his size and age and they laughed and laughed the whole time. It was great fun. I am grateful for friends.

2. I am grateful for mail. We had a fun day--we got our family pictures for our Christmas Cards--and they are so sweet. I can't wait to send them out. But I'm having problems coming up with a comic about me...if you have any ideas, please send them my way.

3. I am grateful for sleep. Friendly Hero woke up at 4, really upset, but we were able to take care of the boys and get him back to sleep. I am grateful that this isn't a normal occurrence, and when it does occur that we can help our boys calm down.

4. I am grateful for Book Club. We had a great discussion about "The Hiding Place." We are very blessed.

Silliness

1. Today was just silly. I am grateful for all the little things my boys do:

2. "Mommy! I kindof like a L-eefant." Giggles. "I be silly." This was the start of our day. He makes laugh really hard.


3. Peaceful Hero started playing peek-a-boo with us at the dinner table. He covered his eyes and then would kick his legs (a sure sign he's happy.) I loved it. My favorite times were when he would peek out of his covered eyes and smile really big that he was hiding.


4. We called up our Grandparents today to tell them how much we loved them. As we were talking to my mom, Friendly Hero raced up to the phone and growled out "I'm NAKED GRANDMA!!!" You could barely understand him. It was so funny. He had just finished flushing the potty and came racing out to talk to Grandma. And the first words out of his mouth were explaining this to his grandma.

My boys make me laugh. I am really glad that I found the joy and we get to enjoy each other's company. We love it!

Friends

1. Friendly Hero got to play with some friends today. He basically played with friends all day long. I am glad that he has little kids his age and others who are not his age that he gets to interact with. I'm starting to tutor a new family this week and Friendly Hero loved being there. He loved the kids he could play with--the youngest in that family is 7. He was in love with their house, their food, and their toys. I was grateful to over hear some comments (He thinks a hamster is a master....he's so silly.) I am grateful he makes friends wherever he goes.

2. I am grateful for my friends. I had a rougher morning with the Friendly Hero. He wanted me to work on his big blanket. (I'm working on a twin sized quilt) and I was trying to use the rotary cutter, and he would stay back, and then sneak up and then race back away when I reminded him that he couldn't be close while Mommy was cutting. (We didn't really make excellent progress, just managed to annoy both of us.) Every time I tried to put it away, he would get really upset. I am grateful for my friends, because as I shared the story with my friend while Friendly Hero played, we both laughed and I was able to enjoy this little moment. (Once it was past.)


http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&id=2011-11-018-a-book-of-mormon-story#2011-11-018-a-book-of-mormon-story

3. I am grateful for this movie. I love the animation and the music. We watch it a lot. I am also grateful for the Book of Mormon. I really like that book.

4. I am grateful for to-do lists. They motivate me and help me accomplish all I need to do that day. (Some days they are short, and other days they are long. But usually everything on the list gets crossed off.)

Temples

1. I am grateful for temples. The Friendly Hero brought in the LEGO temple that I had designed and built. (Yes, I play with LEGOs too, you just can't escape LEGOs in our family.) He was so excited that we had a little Temple and he loved it. It made me reflect on the blessings we have and that we get to be sealed together forever. I am grateful for temples.

2. I am grateful for medicine. I have a headache and it's late, but advil really helps. I am grateful for medicine that helps take care of little aches and pains and lets us get good nights sleep.

3. I am grateful for playtime. I'm typing this a lot later than I normally do, because I went upstairs during bath and bedtimes and played with a 1 year old boy. His little personality has blossomed this past week or so and he LOVES to play and laugh and he is a joy to be with. I love playing with him. I also love hearing Friendly Hero say, "Do me next." Whatever I'm playing with Peaceful Hero, Friendly Hero doesn't want to be left out.

4. I'm grateful for Lightening McQueen and Mater. Mostly because they bring joy to Friendly Hero. Okay, only because they bring him joy. I'm glad that he likes the Cars and likes the fact that they are friends. I hope that he is slowly picking up on the message that being kind and thinking of others is where real joy is found.

Balloons

1. For the adoption walk we went on yesterday, both boys got a balloon and then they handed us three others on our way out. The boys have LOVED the balloons. Peaceful Hero gets so excited to see them, hold and release them. It's great fun.

2. I am grateful for my dad. It was his birthday yesterday. He taught all eight children to work, to love the gospel and to feel the spirit. I am honored to be known as his daughter. I love his sense of humor, he loved to say of his eight children--all boys except for six girls. It made him feel better because lots of people don't do the math, or they do it later and realize that there are only two boys. He is extremely supportive of all his children and their life goals. He wants us to have goals, and is proud of us as we accomplish them. (The goals do need to move in a direction--he's not really proud of goals to eat chocolate every day or to learn how to roll your tongue.) My siblings and I are all heading in different directions, but they are the ones that the Lord wants us to follow and he's really supportive. I am grateful for my dad. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

3. I am grateful for the opportunity to fast again. Today was the first day that I was able to fast in over 3 years. It was really hard (I think I made it extra hard by donating blood yesterday--I wasn't able to make it all the way through church before breaking my fast). I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to fast. Today was amazing at church--I felt the special spirit that comes from fasting. I missed it during the 3 years, especially when there would be a special family fast. I know that being pregnant and nursing is commendable and I only really longed to fast a few times but I am so glad that I get to fast again. Even though it is extremely hard.

4. This picture is awesome. The little boys were hungry and so we had brought crackers to bribe them and they ate cheerfully for about ten or so minutes. Long enough for us to take a few pictures of them eating. (They eat all day long.) It captures our family dynamics.

5. I am grateful for day light savings time. The boys slept in and we did too. It was great to get some extra sleep. (Peaceful Hero was off with his naps and was cranky at church) but we loved the lazy feel to the morning.

Donating

1. I am grateful we were able to go for a walk this morning as a family. We participated in an Adoption Awareness Walk. One of our friends are trying really hard to adopt, and we wanted them to know of our love. As I was walking, I couldn't help but love the family I've been adopted into when I married their son. And adoption has a special place in our heart because the Bug Hero and his identical twin (Puesdo-Scorpion Hero) were adopted. Their birth mother who we don't know anything about gave them the gift of life and love when she gave them up. We are so grateful for adoption and for the circle of love it brings.

2. I am grateful for our screen saver. We have our family pictures show up on random like these and Friendly Hero and his friends love looking at it and identifying who's on the computer. It adds to the entertainment, because they only see every other picture. They are constantly correcting each other.

3. I am grateful that I got to donate blood today. It means that for 56 days the collection agency (I know most people get bugged about credit agencies, I get bothered by blood agencies.) will leave me alone until I'm eligible again--and they pester me even if I have a donation scheduled for a week after. I had to cancel my last appointment because I was ill. I got a phone call once a week until I was better and all sorts of emails begging for my blood. (The emails looked like "Riley's (children's) hospital needs more blood for it's emergency room. You are the only one who can fill this shortage. WHY aren't YOU donating?" To which I replied in my head, I'm on antiboitics. You really don't want my blood.)  I am grateful I can donate and fill a need. I'm O-, which is why they pester.

4. I'm grateful for our new printer. Our printer died on Monday, right as I was trying to get some stuff ready for tutoring. I was able to make it work, but it was really frustrating not to have something work. This week I realized that I do use the printer fairly regularly and it was inconvenient to plan a day or two a head so the Bug Hero could print stuff off at school. I am grateful we have a new printer and that it works really well.

5. I am grateful for bed time. I look forward to going to bed, and I love having the kids go to bed so I can have time with just my husband and I.

Creating

1. I am grateful for crafting projects because they help me create things of beauty. I really love President Uchtdorf's talk a few conferences ago when he talked about burnt toast. As part of that talk he mentions that everyone has a desire to create something. I really am grateful that crafting helps me to fulfill that goal.

2. I am grateful that the Friendly Hero finally understood that quilting and Mommy sewing means that I'm working on HIS big blanket. He watched me for a long time and then he played with Darth Vader's TIE Fighter.

3. I am grateful for Darth Vader's TIE Fighter. Friendly Hero makes the sound of it flying and then says, "tew, tew, tew!" as he shoots things. It's really sweet to see him develop and start playing with toys. (Yes, it's LEGO. Not really surprised are we? Good.)

4. I am grateful for google stats. I looked at the blog stats for the first time and it was way awesome. I loved seeing how many times people have looked at the blog and it was really heart warming to see that people in Switzerland, France, and South Korea look at my blog. (Yes, I know who they are, and I'm glad that they like to check up on me, since I check up on them.) Thanks everyone for reading my blog, I am really grateful that you take time to read it. And the stats warmed my heart since it was math. (And I didn't have to calculate the stats, since that's the one part of math that I don't really like at all.)

5. I'm grateful that today was nice enough outside to go and play. We played at the playground for about 2 hours and it was great fun. The Peaceful Hero was so excited to see the swings. The Friendly Hero loves the big slide and riding his bike. I love being outside.

6. I'm grateful it's the weekend!

November 3

1. I am grateful for dates. Bug Hero and I went out yesterday night and we saw Beauty and the Beast, the traveling Broadway production. It was so much fun to go out away from the house and to see one of my favorite plays/stories ever done. We loved it a lot. The thing that I realized when I see this story, I am so grateful for my own happily ever after and that we help each other to be better people. To me--that's what real romance is, and Beauty and the Beast captures that, both people need each other and they are amazing.

2. I am grateful for libraries. We went to the library for the first time in a month, and we'll be going back soon. I love that there are free books to borrow and that we get to read, read, read. The Friendly Hero picked out about ten books for me to take home and read to him. I love reading to him. I love to read.

3. Today there was a little bit where the Peaceful Hero initiated a game of peek-a-boo with me. I just about had my heart melt I was overcome with joy. He flashed me his award winning smile (The reason we dressed him up as Gilderoy Lockhart) and I played with him until his attention was caught by a car. (thirty seconds) I enjoy every stage of my children's lives, (so far) but Peaceful Hero is beginning to play and show off his little personality. He is funny and I am grateful that he likes to play.

4. I am grateful for sales. Our grocery store had awesome sales this week. I got about 1.5 times the amount of food I normally get for the same amount of money. We are really good about only shopping sales, except for necessities--you always need milk--but I'm grateful for really awesome sales.

5. I am grateful for friends. I love having friends near by and that we love to play with. Friends are where it's at, when your family lives far away.

Gratitude

1. I am grateful for my tutoring skills. I am tutoring four children right now and it's full. But I love it. I love seeing them understand and I love explaining new concepts to them. Three that I work with are homeschooled so I get to be the teacher. It's so wonderful to see them grow and see their personalities. Also--it's wonderful to move at their own rate. I taught one kid in one day, something that took me a week to teach in school. Can I say AWESOME?! I love it!

2. I am grateful for my washing machine. I have a utility crush on my washing machine. It's got a sanitary cycle and so I can do cloth diapers, it's got a gentle cycle so I don't have to wash anything by hand. I'm kind of in love with it. If it ever dies, we're going to have to replace it.

3. I'm so glad I get to stay home. As I have been working a lot tutoring, I'm so grateful I can pick as much and as little work as I want. I like using my talents, but I love devoting my talents to my children. I know this is tender for people, but I am so grateful we could make a choice about me staying at home and I'm so grateful that I chose to. It makes all the difference.

4. I'm really glad that Daddy came home today. Friendly Hero and Peaceful Hero were screaming for about 20 minutes as I made dinner and couldn't stand it that I wasn't giving them love and attention. I am grateful that Dad came home and that he helps out. He is the highlight of the day.

5. I am grateful for this picture. I love that Peaceful Hero is looking at the camera as all the rest of us look forward. It's very tender for me. I love that kid so much!

Thanksgiving

I've spent a lot of time the past few weeks debating on if I want to post things I'm grateful for each day. Yesterday was awful, mostly due to my own attitude and I decided then that I would post things every day that I am grateful for, so I notice them and pay attention to them. If you don't want to read about my gratitude, then don't. I'm doing this for me.

1. I am grateful that it is warm right now. We spent two hours outside playing at the playground and it was wonderful to play and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

2. My Give Thanks Calender is back. I spent a long time making it last year and it feels great to have it out and on my wall again. I'm excited to do little things each day to show our gratitude.

3. We are grateful for our toys. We gave some Duplos away to our friends because we play with real Legos at our house. Our friends spent an hour playing with them today. I'm grateful we could share the love and joy around.

4. I'm grateful we are in school. I really am appreciating this time of our lives. (It's good because we're in the middle of it.) I have some friends who are on the end and they can see the end and they are getting antsy. (I probably will too in four years.) I am realizing that right now is awesome. We have two beautiful boys and we have friends that surround us and no one has money to flaunt. We don't try to keep up with anyone or feel like we need to because everyone knows that we are poor grad students raising a family. I am grateful that we are in a position where we make do with little. Because we only need little.

5. I am grateful for Family Pictures. We had family pictures taken a weekend ago, and we got them today. They are amazing! (You'll see them a lot in the next few days.) I love how our dear friend captured our personalities and took awesome pictures!

Happy Halloween

 We planned and attended a Halloween Party on Friday. It was lots of fun. We had a Lion and Baby Gilderoy Lockhart. They were so cute!

 This one has learned how to smile for pictures.

 We had donuts and each child ate an entire donut, and cookie.

"Obliviate!"

Have a Happy Halloween!

A Birthday Party

We had a great day celebrating the Peaceful Hero. He loved the extra attention, and recognized the words, "Happy Birthday," but had a really confused look on his face about why EVERYONE he saw said that to him.

We kept it low key, because he's 1. Really he doesn't need a huge shindig of a party. The Friendly Hero helped me wrap presents, and he picked out the menu for Peaceful Hero's birthday dinner. Peaceful Hero obviously wanted Pink Jello, pasta, and cupcakes. Because if that's what Friendly Hero wants, then that's what Peaceful Hero wants. Right?

He then helped the Peaceful Hero unwrap the presents.  That tractor is now a favorite toy. Both boys fight over the tractor.

We love you Peaceful Hero! Happy Birthday!

Follow the Prophet

Today, the Friendly Hero wanted to listen to the Prophet. It was great, we pulled up one of his talks from General Conference. While we were there listening to his wonderful stories, Friendly Hero noticed that he had a purple tie in this picture. All he would tell Dad was that "President Monson have a purple tie!" Or "The Prophet has purple tie!" Dad pulled out his purple tie and then put it on Friendly Hero, so he could Follow the Prophet.

We then sang, "The Elder Song." For everyone else, that's "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission." And whenever we sing about missionaries, he substitutes Elders in.

On a side note, I've been waiting for him to develop discomfort and then I would know that his 2 year molars are coming in. They haven't bothered him. He has one all the way in, one half way in, one peeking through, and one bump. He's a champ! I feel a little shameful that I didn't know at all.

ONE!

Day He came home from the Hospital.

Sleeping Baby

Best Friends

Meeting Extended Family in December

Growing

Learning to smile

One of Mom's Favorites

Learning to move

Sitting up by himself

Superstar at Marsh, our grocery Store.

Beautiful

"Inconceivable!" Dad thinks this is a perfect face for Vincini in the Princess Bride.

We are so happy that Peaceful Hero is part of our family! It's amazing to think that my baby is one year old. He's not a baby any longer. He brings us joy and laughter. He loves to hang out with you and be carried around. He's mastering the point and lean as his mode of communication. He points and leans at what he wants, or the direction he wants to go in...which makes for a squirmy heavy hold. We love you!

A New Game

We have a lot of chipmunks in our backyard. I made bread and we had one bold chipmunk come up and investigate my wheat grinder that I hadn't cleaned yet. I ran outside and scared him away. I cleaned the wheat grinder right away and brought it inside. Friendly Hero wanted to scare the chipmunk as well. Luckily the chipmunk came back, again and again and again. We had a good hour or so entertainment chasing the chipmunk and waiting for him to come back.

Looking out the window for him.

"I scare the chipmunk again! Bring him back Mommy."

 "Stay away CHIPMUNK! No eat my FOOD!"

I laughed so hard at him. It was great to see him engaged and occupied while I made the bread.

September

 We've done some awesome things this month.

We made glasses from Legos. Friendly Hero's first creation.

We rode on a train. We loved the train. We saw ducks on our train ride.

 We've been making funny faces.

 We've taken pictures of bugs and studied their habits.

 And we played with a box. Boxes are always so much fun.

 Especially if you can fit inside of them.

Other than that, we've made a family motto, and we've all been sick. It's so sad to hear the Friendly Hero cough, and it's sadder to know that he wants to play with you when you just want to curl up and sleep off this illness. We went to the doctor's today for Dad and Mom. It was really sad for the Friendly Hero not to see HIS doctor. He wanted to go and talk to Doctor H.

Hopefully the rest of this month will look up as we all slowly get better. Dad's antibiotics should help quite a bit.

We are looking forward to Saturday of General Conference and APPLESAUCE! That's my tradition--apples, apples, apples. As a teenager I hated apple season, and now that I don't have to pick them, sell them, have my dinner interrupted by them, I don't mind apple season. I will give one day away and love all the applesauce all year long!