Thankful...

I can't believe it's that time of year again. The holidays are here once again! I absolutely love this time of year. Everyone seems more mindful of others. More forgiving and unselfish. I have been thinking of the things I am thankful for this week. I could make endless lists of my blessings, but these are on the top of my list this year!

* I'm thankful for my wonderful, handsome, hard-working, loving husband of 10 years!

* I'm thankful for 2 beautiful, healthy, entertaining kids!

* I'm thankful for amazing family and friends! I don't know what I'd do without them!

* I'm thankful for my health. Nothing puts everything into perspective like a little "scare".

* I'm thankful for my job which allows me to work when convenient for me!

* I'm thankful for my home and the everyday comforts I enjoy.

* I'm thankful to live in this country and have the freedoms that so many other's have fought for us to have.

* And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my Savior.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and takes a moment to give thanks for the blessing, big and small, in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"Thankful"

Some days we forget to look around us
Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say, I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
We're so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each others love

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for

Fit for a Princess

November 11th my mom, Stella and I went to Disney Princess on Ice. I bought tickets a few months ago and Stella has been looking forward to this so much! Anyone who knows anything about Stella know's that she is a little obsessed with princesses. The Monday before I told Stella that in only 2 days we'd be going to Princess on Ice and she said to me, "Mom, I am so excited I could freak out!" I laughed so hard when she said that! I love when she says things that catch me off guard like that.

Stella was all dressed up in her princess outfit when I got home for work and was ready to go. I have never seen so many cute little girls dressed up as princesses in my life. There are some pretty elaborate dress up clothes out there! Stella was captivated from the moment it started. She clapped and cheered so loud at the end when all of princesses came out in their wedding gown I couldn't believe it! I had never heard her cheer like that for anything! I just looked at my mom and laughed. She was so giddy on the way home she couldn't stop laughing. I love making memories like these!

Today we had Stella's dance recital. There were 4 different groups that performed including Stella's. It was so much fun to watch all of the little girls dressed up perform the dances they have been practicing for the past 3 months. Stella had only been in dance one other time when she was 3 so we decided to put her in with the more advanced group hoping it would push her a little, and she certainly kept up with the rest of them!

Thanks to Stella's G & G Duffin, Dellany and Tremayne, & Barbara and Dave for making the trip out to see her perform. She was excited to have you all there!

Trick or Treat!

This year we had a busy, but very fun Halloween! It started off with a bit of confusion since the clock in my bedroom was apparently a day off and automatically fell back an hour early for day light savings. Fortunately Bill wasn't late for work since he was planning on going in an hour early and leaving an hour early, but I was sure confused when I woke up and half my clocks were wrong. Once I realized I didn't have as much time as I thought I had, I hurried to get the kids and myself ready to visit family.

First we made a quick stop at my mom's to show off the kids in their costumes. Of course Tristan didn't want to cooperate and wouldn't put his on. This didn't surprise me since he did the same thing last year. Stella looked gorgeous as a blushing bride.

Next we headed out to Dellany and Tremaynes. We had a great time playing with lego's, talking, and starting our new band. The kids loved playing with their Rock Band instruments and the keyboard. They started their evening off with plenty of candy too.

Afterwards, we had our annual dinner with the Eichelbergers before facing the cold weather, begging candy off our neighbors. Melissa and I took the first loop around our street, while Bill and Bart took the second. The kids had a blast and we always love to see all the kids dressed up. I love Halloween! It is such a fun holiday that brings back lots of memories and makes you feel like a kid again. We ended the night by watching a Halloween movie on t.v. together. Tristan did finally get into his Thomas the Train costume and looked pretty dang cute I must say. Only a few weeks 'til Thanksgiving and a month and a half until Christmas. Can you even believe it?!