I am Thankful for Terriffic In Laws

Not everyone can say they LIKE thier inlaws.  Not only do I like my inlaws, I LOVE my inlaws.  I couldn't have asked for a better family to have married into.  I am thankful for the wonderful mother that raised my husband.  What a great woman.  I love her.  Thank you "ConDog" (JBody's name for his mom) for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, but more importantly thank you for accepting me into your home like your own daughter.  We love you Duema. 

Not only do I love my mother in law, but each of the family members that I married into are terriffic.  Never have I felt out of place in the family.  I love you all and enjoyed spending time with you today for our day after Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner.

There is a lot to be Thankful for today!

Thanksgiving, what a wonderful holiday to share with your family.  I have really liked doing my little thankful blogs this month.  It has reminded me that I do have a lot to be thankful for even if they are just small things.  Today as I started the morning off with a little nudge from JBody to curl up next to him and rest my head on his shoulder in bed, I was reminded of the wonderful man I married.  I am so thankful for a sweet, caring, loving husband.  I love the feeling of him next to me in the bed in the morning and then again with his arm around me as we fall asleep.  I love having him home for lunches, and then again when he comes home and the kids get excited to wrestle with him.  I love knowing that I have an eternal companion who loves myself and our children and would do anything for us. 

As I layed in bed I could hear little voices downstairs.  They were so quiet this morning.   I am thankful they let me sleep in.  Those crazy, fun, hard, wonderful kids.  I know I will one day miss the messes, miss the early mornings, miss the running into you kisses, the soft hands on my cheeks, and the "I love you mommy" in the ear.  Motherhood and hard, but wonderful thing that I am so greatful for.

After a yummy breakfast,  JBody took the kids out sledding on the lawn mower.  I am thankful for our big yard.  When JBody was in school we just had a tiny little yard that Lil' E could keep a small sandbox.  Then we moved to my parents and were there for a year.  They live on a golf course so they have no yard at all.  It was so hard.  Not only for the kids, but for me.  We felt cooped up all day and we could visit the park because JBody had the only car at the time.  We have been in our new home for 3 years this February and I will forever  be thankful for the yard that the kids have to play in.  Right now they have more snow than they will need and a great place to get thier energy out in. 

Lastly I am thankful for my wonderful family.  I really do have a great family.  We are loud at times.  We are goofy at times.  We get cranky at times.  But we will always love eachother.  I am thankful for my parents.  They were married at 17 and were told by some that they would never make it.  29 years later they are still happily married and have raised a good bunch of kids.  Thanksgiving is always fun.  Dad makes a great dinner in which NO ONE can help.  NO ONE is allowed to even come into the kitchen.  Mom does get to come in and make the mashed potatoes.  We love this because we get to tease mom of her "yummy" potatoes she made a few years back.  It brings some good laughs.  All through dinner and dessert we share good laughs.  This year was no exception.  I won't go into detail, but just know that I have some pretty HILARIOUS brothers and one WACKY husband who come up with some pretty crazy stuff.  I even love that we were able to spend the whole weekend with my sister in law who in my eyes is a sister and not an in law.  I missed my little sis this year as we sat around talking and laughing, but it is just one Thanksgiving that she has to sacrifice and I know that she will be blessed for it. 

The kids are now all curled up in bed and asleep.  The house is quiet.  I am typing up this blog and then will probably just enjoy the quiet until I go out into the crazy world of Midnight shopping.  I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I hope you have had time to contemplate what it is that you are thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the rest of your Holidays!

I am Thankful for my Washing Machine

As much as I DISLIKE doing laundry, I love having a washing machine.  Could you imagine having to wash you clothes in a wash bin with a washing board?  Or in a river?  With the 4 loads I did today and the like 10 more I have to do I am so thankful I can just throw them in the machine and have it do the work for me.  Now if only I could find a machine to fold them all and put them away I would be set.  On a good note the kids are stared to put thier own clothes away and I love it. 

This is not what my washing machine looks like, but I would love a front loader.  And how fun would a red one be?  Maybe it would make laundry chores so much funner.

I am Thankful for Snow Suits

This is the first year that I have decided to go out and buy snow suits.  In the past we have had things that worked, but goodness snowsuits make it so easy to play in the snow.  My favorite part is getting the kids dressed and undressed.  Before I would have to layer the clothes on and then when they came in most of the clothes I had layered would be wet.  Not with snowsuits.  They each put on a pair of pants, socks, and long sleeve shirt.  Then on goes the bib and coat.  Throw on the gloves and hat and done. When they come in, I only have to take the bib,coat, gloves, and hat.  Before the kids would get to go outside and play once.  Now, they get to go out a couple times a day.  I makes snow days so much funner!  Good thing because we have had two in a row and another tomorrow. 

Enjoy the pictures of us in the snow. 

We went out and JBody and I made the kids a small sledding hill. 

The snow is still to powdery to make a snowman.  They really, really, want to make one.

I am Thankful for Bedtime Reading

Recently I decided to start reading chapter books to the boys.  I thought that 6 was a good age to do this.  I wanted a book that would keep the attention of the boys and be simple enough for them to follow.  We found a great series called The Magic Tree House. We read picture books with the kids, but reading these read aloud chapter books helps them with reading skills.  We can talk about predictions and what happened yesterday, etc.  Lil' E loves them and can't wait to read them.  Even Doble sits interested.  His eyes are always wide as I read the storiese of Jack and Annie. So far we have only read the first two in the series and my kids, and myself are hooked.  They are a wonderful book that gets the imagination running as you wonder "what is going to happen next."  If you are looking for a good series to read with your kids, I recommend this series.  What fun memories I will have laying in bed with my kids as we read these fun books.

I am Thankful for Spontaneity

It started snowing today while we were in church. After church JBody took the kids home while I stayed and went to choir.  An hour later I got home and the kids had eaten and JBody told me that the kids really wanted to play in the snow (it was more of a film).  We got the sleds out and the riding mower out and went "sledding" with the kids.  JBody figured we better take advantage of the time and just do it.  Who knows this may be all the snow we will get.  I doubt it, I think we will get some more.  I am glad that we took the time to share in a little fun with kids tonight. 

The boys looked so cute hanging onto thier sister.

See what I mean by film.  Any amount of snow is worth playing to kids.

Wait dad!

 I was suprised when the boys stood up and "surfed". 

The actually kept thier balance pretty good.

I haven't been a fan of snow.  I think it takes forever to get the kids all suited up and they only last for a short amount of time.  However, I am a little excited to get a good snow!!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

I am Thankful for a Central Air

Last year at this time our pellet stove went out on us.  We made the decision to install central air.  The fact that we didn't have to worry about the baseboard heating starting a fire from loose bed blankets, clothes, or curtains was a huge decision maker.  I love have a constant temperature and not having crank the heat up to get the chill out of the house.  There is also the benefit that JBody doesn't have to load those heavy pellet bags from the garage into the house in the cold.  Yeah for warmth...and for air conditioning in the heat.

I am Thankful for Babysitters

It has taken me quite sometime to actually feel comfortable with babysitters.  Not because I don't trust them, but because I am cheap when it comes to a babysitter.  I just don't like going out and spending a bunch of money on dinner and a movie and then turning around and slapping another 10, 15, 20 dollars down for a babysitter. I never know how much to pay and actually have been told I pay too much.  That all aside...I am thankful that there are young women in whom I can trust my children with who actually want to come back and babysit my children.  I am slowly getting over the paying thing too.  It is totally worth the money to go out alone with my hubby and enjoy dinner without sharing my food or making sure the kids aren't overly loud.  It is worth it to have some adult talk even if alot of it has to do about our children.  And tonight it was completely worth it to walk the eisles of the store looking for christmas presents without kids asking for every toy they saw or running up and down the eisles.  Thank you Miss B for watching our kiddos tonight!!

By the way I am just wondering what people pay thier sitters if you are willing to share that info.

I am Thankful for My Savior Jesus Christ

I am so thankful for my Savior.  I know that he loves me and that he KNOWS me.  He knows my fears.  He knows my wants.  He knows my heart.  I know that my Savior lives!  I love Christmastime.  I love how it brings people together.  This year we really want to remind our children what Christmas really is. We have done a pretty good job in years past, but this year we want to give them an every day reminder that the Savior was born to bring peace and love.  We want them to remember that the greatest gift they have and ever will receive is that of everlasting life.  It is only through our Savior Jesus Christ that we may obtain it.  May we all remember this this Christmastime.  I know it is early, but may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas surrounded by those you love most. 

I am Thankful for Beautiful Sunsets

As I was going through my memory cards I came across some pictures of a sunset we had this summer.  It made me miss those summer nights being outside with the kids watching them play soccer and baseball.  It made me miss swinging on the swings with them.  I love this time of year with the holidays, but along with winter brings shorter days and that means it gets darker earlier.  I don't even realize when it gets dark because it is about the time I am making dinner.  Are there even beautiful sunsets in the winter?  I don't think I have ever been able to see one.  My challenge for myself this week is to see a fall/winter sunset.

I am Thankful for Easy Bedtimes

Tonight as I put the kids to bed there was no crying about going to bed.    Before scriptures were read all three kids took quick baths and ate cookies as we did some reading for school. We had an attentive scripture reading and loud voices as we sang our primary song.  No one had the wiggles during family prayer. Everyone happily brushed thier teeth. We even got to read 4 chapters in the Magic Treehouse with Razy actually listening as well.  This was all done without daddy to help.  Yeah for easy bedtimes. 

***Taken after her birthday party.  She found a corner and fell asleep.

I am Thankful for the Roof over my Head

I sure hope that this roof I speak of holds up tonight in this crazy wind we are having right now.  No picture tonight in this post because of the wind.  I have a feeling that the we may loose power tonight.  The kids are in bed right now with thier eyes wide open. The creaks, and the croaks of the house with the occasional flickers are something they really haven't witnessed.  So tonight I am so thankful I am not out in that wind and rain.  Sleep tight everyone.

I am Thankful for Fun Sunday Dinners

These are really called aebleskivers, but in our family we call them circle pancakes.

Although they can be very time consuming to make they are fun to eat and oh so yummy. 

The best way to eat a circle pancake is by dipping it in melted butter

and then rolling it in cinnamon and sugar.

We also like to fill them with chocolate chips, jellies, pie filling, candies, ect.

Powdered sugar is also a favorite of the kids as a topping.  Me I perfer them with no filling and dipped in the butter and cinnamon and sugar.

Circle Pancake Recipe

Also used as our regular pancake recipe

1 1/4 cup flour

1/4 sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup buttermilk (most often we use regular)

1 egg

1/4 cooking oil