Month of Thanks 2008 -- Finale!

What am I most thankful for?

My family = My WORLD!

********

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Month of Thanks -- Day 24

I'm thankful I still have a little one that is excited to dress like this at school for Thanksgiving:

She had her Thanksgiving feast today at school.

After I picked her up, we were waiting for Lee to finish with a meeting and she said she was hungry.

I said, "But you just had your Thanksgiving feast. You're hungry?"

Then she said, "Mom, that was a snack. I need lunch."

What can I say?

The girl loves food.

And this confirms that she is truly my "Mini-Me".

Month of Thanks -- Day 23

Today was one of those days.

You know what I'm talking about.

It started out okay.

I thought that even though I would be away at meetings all morning,

I had things organized enough that everything would be fine.

Well, if I had cooperation, it would have.

I'll spare details but it wasn't the best of mornings.

This past week I've had a hard time.

I've had a serious case of the blues that I couldn't shake and it seriously left me exhausted.

My house turned to pot.

My family didn't eat well.

Things have been nuts.

Well, today I somehow got my band of wahoos to church and, once I finished last minute preparations for singing time, I sat quietly, saying a silent prayer that I could feel peace and forget the morning.

I am here to tell you that

prayers are answered--even quick, silent ones.

Once the opening song started, I felt peace.

Even my naughty children (Yes, in case you're wondering, teenagers are naughty in church sometimes too.) didn't take that feeling away.

I loved it.

The first talk was directed right at me.

It was on, of all things,

order.

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a bhouse, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" -- D&C 88:119

How many times have I heard this scripture and this message?

Seriously. Why can't I ever get it the first time?

I needed yet another reminder.

I knew what I needed to do.

My life has been chaotic lately.

Some things are beyond my control and I need to just go with the flow, but most things I can control.

I need to simplify.

I need to rally my family and get back to doing the things we've been slacking on and I don't care if they think I'm asking too much and that they think nothing is good enough for me.

(That's their cop-out statement, "Nothing is ever good enough!)

I need to somehow muster up some energy to get my house back in some kind of order.

It's time.

I can't have another morning like I had today.

So, today...

I'm thankful today that I have the opportunity to go to church.

I'm thankful that I can pray to my Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.

I'm thankful that Heavenly Father listens to me and answers my prayers.

I'm thankful that I know what I need to do to make life better for me and my family.

Month of Thanks -- Days 21 & 22

I'm thankful for priceless moments like this one:

Max's surprise party was loads of fun.

He thought he was coming to the church to help clean.

Yeah, he was happy when he found out it was a party and even more happy to find out it was for him!

******

I'm also thankful Elisabeth made it here safe and sound.

It's so good to have her home!

*****

Jake received his official acceptance letter to the University of Utah today.

Way to go Jake!

We're so proud of you!

I'm thankful for the great example he is to his younger brothers and that he is willing to work hard for what he wants.

I can't believe another one of my children will be leaving home and going to college!

Time does fly.

Month of Thanks -- Day 20

Max turned 9 today.

He woke up at the crack of dawn and was dressed and out riding on his new scooter by 7:00.

So, to say he was excited would be an understatement!

He's a boy that knows what he likes.

He wanted chicken salad sandwiches "without green stuff" (cilantro) for dinner.

Instead of cake he wanted Rice Crispy treats so we made it kinda look like a cake.

He decided it needed something else so he added gummy bears.

He makes me laugh!

He's had a fun day and even had everyone on the school bus sing to him.

He was very excited about that!

But little does he know, his birthday will continue tomorrow afternoon.

He hasn't got a clue that we are throwing a surprise party for him after school.

I can't wait to see his face!

And to make it even better,

Elisabeth will be coming in around the same time!!!

I can't wait!

Today, I'm thankful for my sweet boy, Max. He's a doll and so funny. I can't imagine life without him. I'm glad he had a good day and I'm glad he finally earned his Wolf badge just in the nick of time before turning 9. (Have I mentioned I don't do Scouts well?) Anyway,

I'm thankful for Max and the joy he brings into my life!

Month of Thanks -- Day 19

I had just gotten home with a headache after driving through the streets of Orem at rush hour

(NIGHTMARE!)

and ready to go crazy when Lee told me that

a friend of mine had just dropped off

"the best sour dough bread".

(I did get kind of mad that he didn't wait for me before tasting it! I mean the card did have my name on it! Geeze!)

There on the counter was the beautiful loaf with the cutest homemade card.

It totally changed my mood and made my day!

Thank you so much!

It was so good!

You are such a talented baker.

Month of Thanks -- Day 18

I'm thankful that my mountain o'laundry

has turned into this...

Now, we get to put it all away!

That's right kids...WE get to put it all away!

Month of Thanks -- Day 17

I'm thankful for my heritage.

Month of Thanks -- Day 16

I'm thankful that we turned the t.v. off, logged off the computer, and didn't answer the phone for over an hour and just enjoyed each other's company. That needs to be done WAY more often! My kids are awesome!

(And hilarious!)

Sorry to sound braggy, but it's true.

They are awesome and I'm so, so, SO very thankful for them!

(And I CAN'T WAIT for this weekend!

Elisabeth is coming home!!!

I can't wait for a night like tonight with her too!)

Month of Thanks -- Day 15

Well, I hope I haven't bored too many people with my Month of Thanks but it has helped me feel more grateful for what I'm given.

Bear with me,

the month is half over!

Today was the Primary Program practice.

I've been involved with many, many of these in the past -- written them, helped with them, played the piano for them -- but I have never been the chorister.

That's a whole other ball of wax.

(Whatever that means!)

I was (am) so nervous that the kids won't remember the songs and I'll feel like a loser chorister. From experience, I know the Lord is with us and the program always goes well and everyone is happy so

why am I nervous?

Maybe it's because I have to stand with my backside to the whole ward while I lead the songs.

(NOT a pretty sight!)

Maybe I feel bad for the people who are around me because they have to hear me sing when they just want to hear the children.

Maybe I'm just stupid.

I don't know.

Oh well. It'll be over tomorrow.

After the practice, I went with my parents, Max, and Emma to get Max's baptism picture taken for my parents' hallway.

(They have pictures of all the grandchildren when they get baptized.)

Well, to let you know how on the ball we are,

Max turns 9 on Thursday and was baptized almost a year ago!

But, it was taken while he was technically still eight!

Isn't he a doll?

I mean, look at that face!

Oh, how I love this child!

Today, I'm thankful the program's almost over, for my beautiful son, and the yummy, yummy dinner Lee made tonight.

He made London Broil with garlic mashed potatoes, and homemade noodles with white sauce. YUMMY!

P.S. Pray for the members of the church in California. My friend, Amy-Sue, wrote in her blog that they are expecting protesters outside of their meeting houses in Long Beach this Sunday. Please pray that this will all be peaceful and will stop. It's so scary to think what could happen in a big group of angry people! I am sick when I hear what our members have to endure in California! Please pray for them!

Month of Thanks -- Days 13 and 14

Okay.

Nobody's perfect.

I totally spaced posting yesterday.

I woke up yesterday a little on the bummed out side but that changed when I got to spend a little time with my friend, Cynthia.

Can I just say how much I love this classy lady?

I always have so much fun when I spend time with her.

We really need to do it more often.

Thanks for lifting my spirits Cynthia!

. . . . .

Today, I woke up to

a beautiful day.

It's cold but sunny -- the perfect fall day.

Even after getting mad at Max this morning (I'll spare the details) I couldn't help but feel happy.

Sunshine makes all the difference.

I am so glad that fall has stretched out this long with only one real snowfall so far in the valley. It's so great!

Today, I'm thankful I get to live where there are four definite seasons and I can look out and see the beautiful mountains whenever I want.

I'm also thankful for this guy...

Thanks for always making me smile Lee!

Month of Thanks -- Day 12

Excuse the messy hair. She really had fun today!

Emma had Errawtee at school today.

(That's Karate in Emma talk!)

She's always really shy about sharing what she's been learning in Karate.

I'm not sure why but she just is.

Well, today when I picked her up, she was so excited.

She got a sticker from her Karate teacher.

(I love how little things make her so happy!)

She said, "Me dot a stitter from my Errawtee teacher betause

me tounted in Erreean."

It took me a minute and then I realized what she said...

She got a sticker from her Karate teacher because she counted in Korean!

I asked her to do it for me

and she actually did it.

She even showed me how you punch and yell "hana" (one), "dul" (two), "set" (three), "net" (four), etc. up to ten.

(I cheated and looked them up on the www. I couldn't for the life of me understand what she was saying but now that I know how to pronounce them, I think she speaks better Korean than English! Just kidding!)

I was shocked and so happy she finally wanted to share this with me!

Then we were eating lunch and she said,

"Hey Mommy? You know me is 'net' years old?"

And then she giggled.

Today, I'm thankful Emma has the opportunity to learn new things that I can't teach her. Preschool has been great for her!

Oh, I love this smartie girl!

Month of Thanks -- Day 11

I'm thinking today about our veterans.

(Especially some that are dear to my heart.)

This is my Grandpa Runner. He served in the navy in both World War II and the Korean War. He was a brave naval gunner (His nickname was "Gunner Runner"! I always thought that was cool.) I am very thankful to him for teaching all us grandchildren the importance of freedom and love for our country. I'm grateful that he was willing to fight for the country

he loved so dearly.

This is my cousin, Damon, and his beautiful wife, Ashley. (You can read a little of his story here. ) He also was a brave soldier who was willing to leave his young family to fight for freedom. He served in the Army and was fighting in Iraq last year when a bomb hit the humvee he was in and he was killed. I have a hard time putting into words how grateful I am to him and his wife for the sacrifices they have made

in the name of freedom.

I also have the opportunity to know quite a few veteran's that are also my friends and neighbors. When I think of the things they had to see and endure it is so amazing to me that they can be the happy people they are today. These are great men and I'm so grateful for their willingness to serve our country.

Today I would like to honor those men and women who have sacrificed so much for the freedom I enjoy!

This doesn't seem like enough but...

Thank You!!!

Thank you .

Month of Thanks -- Day 10

Three things I'm thankful for today...

1) Elisabeth got a really good job and I'm so proud of her! Now she doesn't have to work at that silly day care anymore.

2) When my husband took my bank card out of my wallet without telling me, a friend of mine was there to bail me out at Albertson's. Thanks! That was really embarrassing.

3) My father-in-law going out of his way to come pick up Emma and take her to preschool. She was so excited to go today and I would have felt bad if she missed.

Month of Thanks -- Day 9

Lee and the boys all walked to church today so all I had to do was drive Emma and myself.

Easy enough right?

Well, I was gathering all my stuff (because choristers have lots of stuff) and left my keys on the piano. Without noticing, I got Emma out and locked the door.

Nice.

Luckily I don't live far from our church building so Emma and I walked too.

I was a little panicked.

I was hoping Lee had his keys with him.

I could picture us having to break a window or door to get back into our house and I was feeling pretty stupid.

We got half way to church and a ride was offered to us (thanks Sheri!).

Once we got to church, I was relieved to find out Lee had his keys so all would be well.

He even skipped out of Sacrament Meeting (I know), walked home and brought the car back so we wouldn't have to walk home.

(I have to say I was relieved because I don't like walking in high heels.)

So, today, I'm thankful that I don't live far from church, for friends who are willing to help and that Lee had his keys.

I'm also thankful that next week is our Primary program.

I don't know how many more times we can sing the same songs and still have some fun!

Month of Thanks -- Day 8

I'm thankful today that Lee made dinner because I was too tired after a day of cleaning and making cookies for the Primary.

He made homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles.

Delicious!

Month of Thanks -- Day 7

Today I'm thankful I finally got a new pair of jeans that actually fit comfortably.

I'm wishing I didn't know the size (yikes!) but at least they're comfortable.

. . .

I'm also thankful my boys went to a barber and each got a good haircut for once.

I usually cut their hair but it's always nice to get a really good one once in a while.

I'm next.

My hair is hideous.

But I'm thankful I have hair.

. . .

I'm so thankful and oh so happy that my friend Karli is expecting!

Read her story here.

It's pretty darn amazing!

. . .

Finally, I'm thankful that

Emma's vision has improved!

She had her annual eye exam today and her eyes are getting stronger.

Yea!!!!

She still needs glasses and we need to patch her eye for three hours a day but her wandering eye is getting stronger and her vision isn't nearly as bad. She had to get new frames because her old ones broke in two. She left them on the stairs, for reasons unknown, and Max stepped on them. They snapped in two right across the bridge. Nice huh?

Her new ones come next week and they are pretty cute!

(more round than her others.)

I can't wait for them to be done.

Poor Emma is gets so frustrated with her wandering eye.

But, her eyes are getting stronger

and that's something!

Month of Thanks -- Day 6

Today I'm thankful...

1) For this GORGEOUS day!

Seriously, look at the blue sky!

(View from my back porch this afternoon.)

2) That I still have a pretty little geranium growing in my front yard that just won' t give up!

3) That Emma decided to cut her doll's hair and

not her's this time!

(I walked in the living room and found this...)

4) And that I got to go to lunch with this cutie!

Life is good!

Month of Thanks -- Day 5

Just some thoughts...

I'm thankful the election is over.

I'm not sure if I'm thankful for our President-elect just yet.

I'm just not convinced of his abilities.

For some reason I don't feel safe.

I can't explain it.

But, America will make it through whatever.

I'm afraid this is going to be a rough next few years.

But then it would have been regardless of whoever was elected.

Good speeches were made last night and it was definitely a historical night.

It's sad that Obama's grandmother couldn't live to see him be elected.

That is really sad to me.

I'm also disappointed in our local election results.

And I'm really puzzled how Super Dell got over 25,000 votes?

I don't get some people.

***

I'm also thankful for our new elementary school.

I was there at the beginning of school today (Max was late today. Don't ask.) and the very first thing, the Star Spangled Banner plays over the the entire school.

Classes stand, children sing, everything stops and respect is shown to our great country.

How grateful I am that at least one of my children has this opportunity daily!

Max, Emma, and I stopped in the hall along with a few other adults and children.

Everyone stood with their hands over their hearts.

I looked inside a Kindergarten class and all the small children stood with their hands over their hearts singing as best they could and I couldn't help but get tears in my eyes.

I am worried and a little scared but

America is strong and we'll make it.

Month of Thanks -- Day Four

Today,

I'm thankful to be American.

I'm very grateful for the right to vote.

If you haven't already,

don't forget to vote today!

Month of Thanks -- Day 3

(Me, Cortney, Craig, Cricket, Coni, Mom and Dad on the day Craig received the Priesthood.)

Today, I'm thankful for my family.

I was lucky enough to be born into a loving home where the gospel was lived and taught.

We felt the blessings of having the Priesthood in our home.

My parents were hard working and taught us the importance of work.

They taught us that we were each other's best friends and that no matter what, we always had each other.

My family is the greatest!

Month of Thanks -- Day Two

Being in the Primary is a blessing.

Out of the 21 years I've been married, 18 of those years have been spent serving in the Primary.

I love it!

I've had every calling in the Primary and I have to say that being the chorister is the most fun.

After days like today however, I wonder if I'm really the best person to be teaching songs (I couldn't for the life of me get one song's lyrics correct!) but it is really fun to get up and act goofy.

I think I'm pretty good at being goofy!

Anyway,

today I'm thankful for all the beautiful Primary children in my ward.

They are all so adorable and they don't care when I make a fool out of myself.

In fact, they like it!

I love when I'm stressed and I look out just to see some cute child smile at me.

What could be better?

Month of Thanks - Year Three...

It's that time of year again!

The time where we take the time to remember and ponder on the things we are most grateful for.

I know that I'm really good at taking my blessings for granted.

Life is so busy and I often neglect to mention the many, many blessings that my loving Heavenly Father has poured out upon me.

I wish it wasn't true, but it is.

Sometimes I can act really ungrateful.

Well, I have decided to continue my little tradition of my

Month of Thanks

to help me remember how blessed I am.

So, here goes with Day One...

I have complained a GREAT DEAL lately about my calling as Activities Chairman of my ward.

(Especially about the Halloween Party.)

I have had this calling for many years (I think I'm going on 6 or 7) and I have been feeling very burnt out lately. I haven't had the best attitude when it comes to this.

However, I have to say, I am thankful for my callings (both Activities Chair and Primary Chorister) -- even with all the craziness that goes along with them.

For selfish reasons, they have helped me develop talents I had no idea I had and they have forced me to come out of my comfort zone. But mostly,

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father and the members of my ward in both my callings.

So, that's what I'm thankful for today.

I wonder what it'll be tomorrow?