Month of Thanks -- Day 23

Today, I'm thankful that all these beautiful children are home, 

safe and sound,

 enjoying being together.

Is there anything better than listening to your children laughing together?

I am so thankful that we are sealed together as a family and that, some day, we will be able to live together forever!

Month of Thanks -- Day 22

Today, I'm thankful (so thankful!) for my amazing, beautiful, talented, kind, compassionate, hilarious eldest child, Elisabeth.

I love hearing stories about her students and how she is handling things with them.  

All I have to say is those kids are blessed to have her!  

She recently had her parent-teacher conferences and had a mother come up and give her a big hug.  She told Elisabeth how grateful she was that she was her son's teacher.  I guess last year, this boy was failing and with Elisabeth as his teacher, he's getting A's and B's.  Gotta love that!  

  I miss her like crazy but I know she's doing great things!

Month of Thanks -- Day 21

Today, I'm thankful to have creative children.

I'm glad that all my children are creative in their own ways.  

Max and Emma received medals for their Reflections Contest entries.

They decided to do 3D art this year and raided my felt supply!

The PTA took pictures of the kids with their entries and made a video.

I shamelessly copied their pictures off the video.

They were just such cute pictures!

Way to go Emma and Max!

Emma's entry, "If everything was the same, the world would be boring.
  Diversity makes the world beautiful."

Max's entry, "Diversity means putting aside differences and having fun."

Month of Thanks -- Day 20

Today, I'm thankful to have another Priesthood holder in our home!

What a blessing.

Max turned 12 today and received the Aaronic Priesthood and became the newest Deacon in our ward.

It was a good day.  :)

Lee, Max and I

Almost the whole family.  Just not the same without Scott!  

Max with Grammy and Papa

Max with Nanny and Papa

Yeah, he was pretty happy!  

Month of Thanks -- Day 19

Max and Coleton -- Halloween 2011

Today, I'm thankful that Max has such a good friendship with his best bud, Coleton.

We've been celebrating Max's 12th birthday this weekend and Coleton has been right there with us.

They are such good friends!
It's so much fun watching them together.

This picture of the two of them on Halloween cracks me up!

They were old men. :)

I can imagine these two still friends when they really are old men!

We were talking and Max's ancestors and Coleton's ancestors worked together to build Cove Fort (just outside of Fillmore, Utah) back in the pioneer times (which I think is pretty awesome).   I bet they were friends too.  

It's no wonder these two connected! 

Coleton comes from such a wonderful family and we are blessed to have them all in our lives!

Month of Thanks -- Day 18 (Even though it's really being posted on the 19th)

Things are so different around our house than they were just a year ago.

Last year we had five children still at home.

This year, we only have three

 and most of the time (because Cole has a VERY healthy social life) 

we only have two.

I know where Cole is when he's not at home,

 but I rarely get details on what he does.

So, today I'm thankful for Facebook because I found these pictures that kind of tell what he's up to.

  As you can see, 

Cole is as goofy as ever!

Cole with his date, Bronwen, at the Halloween Dance/Date.  They were Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper from Blues Clues. They even had little baby paprika and baby cinnamon!  I never saw the costumes Bronwen made.  Well done, Bronwen!

Cole and his friend, Calvin, in History class.  So nice that he's taking this school -thing seriously!  

Cole in Math class.  Again, looks like he's a serious student, huh?

Cole at one of his friends house.  I'm have no idea how he made this face.  

Busted!  Cole on an "illegal" date before he was 16!  Not really.  I guess there was one other person there (the one taking the picture) but boy, it did look suspicious at first!  :)

Obviously, this wasn't taken recently but I never saw this picture until  Facebook came along.  Here's Cole at his 6th grade graduation with all his "girls".  Oh boy!  His expression KILLS me!

Deja vu!  Cole at his 8th grade graduation with his "girls".  I didn't see this picture until Facebook also.  Some things never change I guess. :)

This picture ... oh. my. gosh!  Cole's friend, Samantha, is taking a photography class and needed a "model" for a portrait.  Looks like Cole was willing!  Geeze!  This picture makes me laugh!  (Notice the HOSA t-shirt he helped design and silk screen...a seahorse riding a real horse.  Another thing that makes me laugh!)

Well, I could go on with more but I won't.  

I'm just thankful there is something like Facebook that I can see some of these details of Cole's life that I would have missed otherwise. 

Month of Thanks -- Day 17

Today, I'm thankful that I made it through my presentations last night 

at our Parent Party at school without passing out.

Boy, I was nervous!

I had to give 2 separate presentations on Internet Safety for parents last night.

I'm totally ok with talking with people one-to-one and I'm even ok giving a talk but whenever there is the opportunity for my audience to comment back or ask questions, that's when it gets hard for me.

But, I did it and I didn't pass out or make a fool of myself so that's a good thing!

I'm also thankful that this wasn't real...

and it better NEVER be!

A police officer gave a presentation on safety and apparently "Bob" (that's what Max said his name was) volunteered to get handcuffed.  Nice.

Month of Thanks -- Day 16 and POST #600!

This is my 600th post since I started blogging.

Time flies!

I'm going to throw a little personal party here with my very own fireworks....

Everyone say, 

"Woot! Woot!"

Okay, enough celebrating.  Back to the Month of Thanks...

Today I'm thankful for this guy...

I'm thankful to have been able to share 24+ years with this handsome man 

who never ceases to amaze me!

Month of Thanks -- Day 15

Today, I'm thankful for my phone.

I know it's not a fancy phone -- it still has buttons -- but it works for me. 

(I love the paisley pattern and red too.  It's pretty huh?)

It's not the "latest and greatest" and it's certainly not a "smart" phone 

but it does the job.

It allows be to be in touch with my loved ones.

I can get pictures sent to me in an instance from my kids who live far away. 

 Like Beth sending me a picture of the funny housewarming gift Jake gave to her. 

 Or Scott being excited that he (or at least half of his body) made it in a housing brochure for SUU and he sent me a picture of it.  

I got to see these pictures instantly. 

 That's pretty amazing when you think about it!

When my camera broke, my phone came to the rescue.  

It even takes video!

I've found some priceless tidbits my children have created saved on my phone.

It makes me smile.

I can talk and talk with loved ones miles away no matter where I am (except at work because I work in the middle of a cinderblock building and it doesn't get reception.)

I have a really cool ring tone. 

It's one of my favorite songs, "Lucky" by Jason Mraz. 

Everyone teases me but when it rings, but there's no mistaking whose phone it is.

But the best is my ring tone for my messages.

It's Emma's little 5 year old voice saying,

"You have a message!"

It's priceless!

Today, I had a nice chat with my awesome Mom.  

Something I could never have done if I didn't have a phone. 

 Yesterday, I got to hear from the excited Beth when she found out she's getting a grant for her classroom (which is totally awesome!) and I get fun texts from Scott almost daily which make my day.

Again, I wouldn't get if I didn't have a phone.  

So, today, I'm thankful for my phone. 

(Even if it is a little dorky compared to everyone's fancy "smart" phones!)

:)

Month of Thanks -- Day 14

Today, I'm thankful that we've been able to enjoy

 a long autumn season this year.

(I was too lazy to go out and take a picture so I found an oldie but goodie--
Ethan and Max on the Provo River Trail 2005.)

Usually it's snowed and all the leaves are gone by now but I love that we can still look up in the hills and see the beautiful autumn colors.  

The weather has been beautiful.

The colors have been amazing.

The air has been crisp.

Just how I love it!

Month of Thanks Days 11, 12, and 13 (Hey, No One's Perfect!)

Well, I've missed a couple of days of posting so I'll be doing a little catch up today!

Day 11

Friday was Veteran's Day.  

I am so thankful for the thousands of men and women who serve our country so valiantly and unselfishly so that my family and I can enjoy the freedoms we have here in the U.S.A.!

At school on Friday, we had an assembly honoring some of the Veterans.

The children introduced their family members or friends that have served our country.

Our school choir and the second graders sang songs of thanks.

We even had a 93-year-old World War II veteran speak to us with is pretty cool since we don't have many of them still alive now. 

Max wanted to honor his great grandfather.

Grammy and Papa came and they brought Grandpa's top to his uniform and a sailor hat for him to wear for his presentation.

I think Grandpa would be proud!

Day 12

I'm thankful for a clean (for the most part) and organized (for the most part) house.

We spent the day cleaning the yard, garage and house and getting furniture moved from bedroom to bedroom.  After getting things all cleaned up and the Thanksgiving decorations up, my house isn't so bad.
I know I complain a lot about my house, but actually, I'm extremely thankful for it.


Day 13

Today, I'm thankful for a church building that we can go and worship in peace.
I know there are many in the world that don't have this blessing and I am grateful that I can go every Sunday, safely, to church.

Month of Thanks Day 10

Today, I'm thankful for Jake's sense of humor.

Jake posted this on Scott's Facebook wall today and I'm still laughing...

Jake Houghton

How"s it going down in Cedar City, Eloise

(You know, because Scott's living in a hotel)

:)

There's nothing like Jake's one liners!

Month of Thanks Day 9

Today, I'm thankful to be able to have an answer to the question, 

"Mom, what's for dinner?" 

Maybe it's not the greatest meal in the world but it's a meal and my family will not go hungry like many in the world. 

 For this, I am truly thankful.

Month of Thanks Day 8

Today, I'm thankful for Cole's willingness to share his talents.

Cole has learned to play the guitar without any formal lessons.

He's gotten a few pointers from different people but he's pretty much taught himself.

I love hearing him practicing up in his room!  

He's getting pretty good if I do say so.

A lot of kids his age are afraid or unwilling to share their talents -- especially when they haven't been doing something for years already.  

Well, not Cole!

Next month, he and his friend will be playing at the Provo High's Got Talent talent show.

I can't wait!

Thank you for your example Cole!

(And for bringing music back into our home!)

Now that Emma and Max are taking piano lessons, I hope they can follow his example and not be afraid to share their talents with others.  

Here's a fun video taken at Draper Days last July.  It cracks me up!

Cole has gotten a lot better at guitar now but it's still pretty darn good!

(Sorry if you couldn't watch this earlier.  I set it to private when I uploaded it last night.  It's up and running for all to see now.  :)  )

Month of Thanks Day 7

Today I'm thankful for fun, cute kids.

What would I do without these two?

I mean, really.  :)

Month of Thanks Day 6

Today, I'm thankful I got to witness this boy bear his strong, 

heart-felt testimony today.

In our ward today, a 13-year old boy, who's father has been denying him the opportunity to receive the priesthood for almost 2 years, became a deacon today.  The father (not a member of the church) has asked near impossible things for this boy to do in order to "prove" he was ready to receive the priesthood.  The deacon's quorum decided that they were going to be there for their friend and studied scriptures with him, offered support, etc.   After he was sustained, he burst into tears.  When he walked past the deacons, there were handshakes, hugs, and fist bumps.  Many of the boys later bore their testimonies.  It was an emotional testimony meeting.  We sat right behind the deacons and Max saw the love and support these young men have been giving this boy.  

He decided he wanted to bear his testimony too.  He got up and bore a very heart-felt testimony.

  He said that he felt the spirit and he never wants to lose it.  

I am so thankful I was able to witness this.  

Looks like my Peter Pan is growing up.

Month of Thanks Day 5

Today, I'm thankful for the amazing people my adult children have become.

Not that my three younger children aren't something special too, but today I am thinking so much of the three that have now left the nest. 

Elisabeth moved out today.  She will be renting a small house in Salt Lake with two other young women. It is a super cute house in a great location--really close to the University of Utah.  She won't have the awful commute (she can get to work in 20 minutes!), she'll have the opportunity to meet a new group of people, and she'll be really close to Jake.  I am really excited for her but, I'm not going to lie,

 I am going to miss her like crazy! 

Jake is getting close to graduating with his Bachelor's.  He still hasn't decided to graduate this spring or go on another year for a dual major.  He won't be done with school because he's going to graduate school but he's been working hard in school and that's something to be proud of for sure!  He is really excited to have Elisabeth closer.  (He even invited her over for Sunday dinner tomorrow which makes me smile!)  He helped move her in today and had us all laughing with his dry humor!  

Jake will drop everything to help others.  That's just who he is.

Scott moved into his temporary residence (a hotel!) today.  He'll be there until the end of this semester.  It's not such a bad deal.  He gets a queen-sized bed, cable t.v., his own bathroom, someone to come change his linens and clean, and an indoor pool and hot tub.  All for the price of his dorm!  Not too shabby!  We called him at about 4:00 and he was just getting his things moved in because he spent the day helping everyone else move in first. 

 That's Scott for ya!  

It's kind of strange only having the three children home.  Lee made the comment today that we have less children now than we did when we moved into our house.
 I know it's natural that kids grow up and leave but it's still sad.
We miss them and can't wait until we are all together again.

 I am just so thankful for the amazing people they have
 grown up to be! 
I know they are destined for great things. 

Month of Thanks Day 4

Today, I'm thankful for the many thoughtful people that I am blessed to have in my life.

One example...when I got back from delivering the computers to the various classrooms for testing today, I noticed a red envelope sitting on my desk addressed to "Teacher Cari".

It was such a surprise!

I opened it and there was a beautiful thank you card and a gift card in it!

It was from a co-worker who said that she appreciated what I do for her and the school.  

Can you believe that!?!

I couldn't!  

She's the one that I should be thanking for all she does.  She's totally amazing!

So incredibly thoughtful and it totally made my day!

This is just one example.  I am blessed to be surrounded by loving, thoughtful people (family, friends, ward members, co-workers) who demonstrate daily a Christ-like love, through their genuine kindness, concern, and service to others.

So, today I'm thankful for thoughtful people.

Month of Thanks Day 3

Today, I'm thankful for the ability to talk.

I went into a 3rd grade classroom today and I noticed is was suspiciously quiet.  I went to ask the teacher a question and she passed me a note that said, 

"We aren't talking today.  Please write your question."

My first response was,

 "Really? Really."

But I did and we corresponded with notes that took way longer than if I could have just spoke to her.

I left the classroom and I started thinking about how I take for granted my ability to speak.  Even though I'm not the most articulate speaker, 

I can speak 

and I am very thankful for that.

Month of Thanks Day 2

Today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to work.

This time last year, things were looking pretty bleak.  We were struggling financially and it was difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Lee was trying to grow a business and I was babysitting part time.  Now, a year later, Lee and I both have good jobs, our benefits started this month, and even though we are still backtracking from going a year without a real paycheck, we can see the light bright and clear.  

It's a good feeling!

So, today I'm thankful for the opportunity to work and

 I won't take it for granted!

Month of Thanks Day 1, Year 6!

Today starts the Month of Thanks year six.

(I can't believe I've blogged for six years now!)

Today, I am thankful for a son that is willing to put aside his troubles to provide service for others.

Scott was informed Sunday night that he had one week to move from his dorm because the building is not safe to live in.  As of today he isn't 100% sure where he will be moving to.  The school is helping those who need help find dorms, apartments, and rooms but he hasn't been told where he will be placed.  He's been working as an Attache this year. This is a strictly volunteer opportunity that he has embraced and has spent many hours working at.  

Scott is the handsome one second on the right in the back row.

He gives tours and helps the housing department at S.U.U.  (Can't you just see Scott giving a tour of the dorms? )

Well, even though his future living arrangements aren't certain, he isn't letting this get him down.  He is putting aside his troubles and helping others pack and move to their new place.

He even made the news while helping!

(Click the link below to watch the story. Below is a screen shot of Scott helping.)

SUU students forced to leave dorms in a week by faulty heating system | ksl.com

So, today I'm thankful for Scott's example.

I sure love and miss him!