Thankful

This year I meant to be as ambitious as some of my blogging friends and write everyday about something I was thankful for, but today I am thankful to say that my life has been too busy to have the time to blog. I am thankful because of the time spent with these people who I have been busy with, family, friends, and my adorable kids.

I'm so grateful for parents who took care of all my needs as a child, and who still are there for me if I need them. We didn't have much, but we never wanted for anything, and I've always known They would do anything for me.

I am grateful for a home ward (and especially YW's leaders) that took me under their wings and taught me the Gospel. These people made a huge impact on my life and set me on a course that has stayed with me today, and has greatly impacted the person I am, and the one I want to become.

I am thankful for my Bubba. YOU are everything!!!!! My best good friend, my lover, my life!

I am grateful for the four woman who brought my children into this world. I love you all!!

I am so grateful for my sweet babies. Boogala, Sugar-butt baby, Bear, & Gump, I love you like the stars.

My lunch friends, playgroup friends, walking friends, old friends, new friends, best friends, I love you all. What would I do without you?

My three brothers, my partners in crime, the pains in my butt, the holes in my bedroom door. You guys rock! Who needs a sister when they can be stuck with you redneck hillbilly's forever?

A warm house, food to eat, sufficiant for our needs, and even a little for our wants.

A free country where ANYONE can be whatever they dream of being.

A cat who doesn't run away, even though she is the most neglected person in our family. We love you Xena!

I'm so thankful that we are all healthy.

To my extended family, you are all crazy and wierd, and I love you for it.

And so much more to be thankful for............



I am living an enchanted life, and have been very blessed. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for providing the way, the truth, and the life, that I am living. It is my hope and goal to someday be worthy of it all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twilight

Went to see the movie and out to lunch with Cindy & Liz today. I didn't really care for the books, especially the whining Bella, and the fact that they were definitely meant for a much younger audience. In fact I started reading the fourth one the weekend it came out, and still haven't finished it. But the movie was much better, probably because it was shorter, with less whining. I could actually probably sit through it again.

Thanks for the fun date girls! And thanks Bruce for always letting me go play. You rock my world, baby! Edwards got nothing on you.

Fun on the farm

Met up with some friends at Wheeler Farm today. It was a beautiful Fall day and we had a lovely time.

Josh & Bear had no fear of the ATTACK geese


Although Bear did keep her head tucked in, while in the midst of them. She got nibbled on more than once, but she just said "hey" and laughed.


Hannah & Aja kept a safe distance from the birds after both running away screaming hysterically. Apparently the hissing geese were really terrifying.


This picture just makes me smile. I love you Joshua!


This one does too. I love you Suga-butt baby!


Aja, Joshua, Bear, Hannah, Maya, & Sage. Don't you love how Sage is forcing Maya to look at the camera.


Beautiful Hannah


Baby Bear's got BACK!! and I love it!


The girls opted to feed the birds from a safe distance, atop a picnic table, while Joshua romped with the birds happily.


All the way home, we listened to Joshua singing from the backseat, "Farmer me has a chicken, eiei-ooooo. Cluck cluck there, and gobble here, & moo cows over there, eiei-oooooooo".

It was ADORABLE!!

Happy Birthday Joshua!!!

Today was a very BIG day for Joshua. He finally got to celebrate his birthday. The poor kid moved in last year right after his birthday so he has had to patiently wait all year, through everyone else's parties, for his big day to come along. Every morning for almost a month, we have had this conversation.

Joshua: Mom when's it going to be my birthday
Me: It's coming I promise
Joshua: Am I going to have presents and a party?
Me: Yes Joshua, you will have a party just like everyone else.
Joshua: I AM BIG, I will have a party on my birthday.

EVERY DAY PEOPLE...........multiple times a day.

Ruth sent me this picture a few weeks ago, and when I saw it I just started to cry. I was so sad that I didn't know Joshua as a baby. He is such an amazing little guy, and I knew he had to be an adorable baby. I was right, he is sooo CUTE!

A chubby 5 month old version of Joshua

We started off the BIG BOY birthday, by letting Joshua open his present from Bruce and I. We got him a Roller Coaster, which he loves. He spent every second that he was home today, sitting on it. In fact he cried when I told him he had to get off it to go to his own birthday party.

Joshua & his coaster


For his party we took him and some of his friends to McDonald's for breakfast. Luckily, my friend Liz came along to help me with the chaos. They had a great time, and the party was over by 10:30 am.

The whole gang


Joshua opening presents surrounded by his "a little too helpful" girl-friends.


Then we were off to The Children's Museum, for a few hours of play. This is one of Joshua's favorite places to be. We also ate lunch downtown at Sabarro's.

Birthday tea party


Fire/police man

We ended the day with a family dinner, and Joshua's favorite treat, Donuts!!

Joshua loves DONUTS!


Joshua,
Your dad and I love you so much! And we are so happy that you came to be in our family. We can't wait until the day we can all go to the Temple and you can become a part of our Forever Family. We feel so blessed to be your parents and it has been so fun to watch you learn and grow this past year. You have changed so much from the quiet, scared, sick, little boy, that could barely talk, who came to our home a year ago. Now you are loud, sassy, funny, smart, loving, and just one of the kids! One of us!

I will forever be grateful to your Birthmom, for choosing us to be your parents. Even though your coming was a definite surprise, it has been an absolute joy to have you in our home, and we are all crazy about you. In fact, looking back, I was in trouble the first time I saw you, which was when Sage (your foster mom) brought you to playgroup at Burger King. My heart was already falling for you, and the mother in me, wanted to take you home right then. The first thing you said to me, when you came to live with us, was "Are you the mom?" I said "Yes, I am the mom", and you said "okay". From that moment on, you have been my boy and I have been in love. You are my son, and I'll love you forever.

Always know Joshua, that your family loves you very much and we will always be here for you. We are excited to watch as you continue to learn and grow and become your own little person. Happy Birthday to you, my BIG 3 year old boy. Here's to a great year, and life, ahead of you. I love you too, Sweetheart!

And the best gift of all, MOMMA LOVE!


Your Favorite things at 3

Friends: Dakota, Emma, Allie
Foods: Mac & cheese, Cereal, Bananas, Joobies
Movies: Frosty the snowman, Jay Jay the Jet plane, CARS, & anything Dora the Explorer.
Toys: Hot wheels or any type of car, dressup clothes, Legos
Places: Pre-school, Nursery, Children's museum, Zoo
Color: Blue

****While I was typing this you walked into my office and said "I love you too, mom. Can you draw me a Temple?" So adorable!!!****

Obama President-elect

“If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

~Barack Obama

Tonight I watched history in the making as Barack Obama became the 44th President elect of the United States of America. I found myself overcome with emotion, with tears running down my face, as I watched him make his acceptance speech. It was so amazing to hear them announce the arrival of the next first family, and to see an African American family take the stage. I was overcome with so much pride in our country and hope for the future. And of course I looked at my own little brown beauties, and was so excited for what this will mean for them, as well as for my sons.

I'm a little nervous as I hear the Democrats chanting "change is coming", as in general I fear change. I will be praying that it is a change for the better, and that by having this man as our President, things will improve for everyone. We definitely need a change in government, but I'm not convinced that the Democrats will move us in the right direction.

Bruce and I both voted today and each for a different President. I'm not saying who I voted for, except to say that the only thing that could of made this a more perfect night, was if Obama had been Republican, so I could of voted a straight ticket. :)

Shhh, don't anyone tell my mother who I voted for. Love you mom!