for justin

The best thing that happened to me is when this guy decided he wanted to marry me. I pretty much new it was right, because it never felt wrong. 

I remember hearing from so many older couples when I was younger that they loved their spouses more at that time than they did on their wedding day. This couldn't be any more truer for me. He is even better for me then I even realized. I just always knew it was right. 

And to me, he keeps getting more handsome.

for rudger

I just feel so grateful this little boy has been sent to our family. He has got us parents and his siblings wrapped around his little finger. 

My favorite thing right now is when he points up at the mantel where the nativity is and says Jesus. But in his incredibly adorable little voice. Heart melting.

for temples

The world is such a crazy, busy, hectic place at time. Too often I find myself getting caught up in the things of this world...they distract me so easily. But the moment I walk through the temple doors, that peaceful feeling I'm yearning for is there. I love that feeling. I want to stay at the temple to keep that feeling with me, but the other part of me is wanting to get home to those kids I love so much. 

My greatest desire is to have that same feeling in my home. That peaceful feeling that I love so much about the temple. 

for corbin

Oh how grateful I am for this boy who is growing up much too fast. I'm loving who he is becoming. He's fun loving, sensitive, energetic, thoughtful, and helps out so much around our home. 

I love how the moment Rudger wakes up he is in there getting him out of his crib (or maybe a few minutes too early) He makes sure that I follow through with certain traditions and activities. They bring comfort to him. He loves to have the whole family right together, even if we aren't doing stuff together.

About a month ago there was a field trip with his class that he really didn't want to go on, so instead he stayed home with me. Later, all the kids had to write a paper about the field trip. He wrote that it was the best field trip ever because he got to stay home with his mom and play together. 

He makes me happy.

for taylor

Oh how I love this second child of ours. He brings such joy into our family. 

I love how he just loves the simple things in life. I love how he explains in such good detail the book (or chapter) he just read. I love his never-ending creativity. (check out that reindeer and santa)

I love how caring he is. We had some sickness in our home last night, he was so helpful without me asking him to. He noticed Corbin didn't have a blanket, so he got him one. He cuddled with Rudger when I just couldn't for a few minutes. He played with Levi so nicely most of the evening. I'm feeling so grateful for this thoughtful boy.  

for our view

The first day we moved into this house, I felt so grateful that again we were able to purchase a home that had a spectacular view. I love the horses and cows, the great big fields, antelope island in the distance, and the breathtaking sunsets. Which also makes me so grateful for my sight. (even though I have to wear glasses instead of contacts right now because I washed mine down the drain)  

for sleep

I'm so grateful that after a long, exhausting day I can tuck each of our boys in their very own beds and let them sleep the night away. They look so peaceful, warm, and comfortable. As I look at their resting bodies, I commit myself to do a little better the next day. Of course, after I have gotten my full nights rest too. 

I am such a heavy sleeper and feel very lucky that Heavenly Father blessed me with four champion sleepers. I couldn't do the all nighters like some tough moms out there.  Sometimes I wish I could do with less sleep than I get, I could get so much more done in a day. But there must be a reason our bodies were made to get that rest. 

Also, I am grateful that we aren't on the schedule we were when Corbin was first born, and Justin was working the night shift. So happy those days are behind us.

for levi

This boy makes my heart so happy. Even when he is being so stubborn, I realize I should be grateful he knows just what he wants. I have noticed some huge growth in this boy. Even though there are some exhausting days, I love his amazing memory, his sweet shyness and yet he is so social, his ability to light up our home, his excitement, his tender heart, and of course his squishiness. 

Today we took Levi to get a hearing test. He didn't pass the tests they do at the school so we needed a more in depth test. (It brought back memories of when I was about his age and had hearing problems.) As I looked through the little window I could see him sitting on the chair, with the headphones over his ears, and trying so hard to get all the 'answers' right. He would bite his lips and timidly raise his hands hoping he was doing it all right. My heart wanted to burst out, he was so grown up.  I am so grateful for this boy.  

Luckily, (I guess you could say that) he does not have any permanent hearing loss. He has had an ear infection for the past month that looks pretty bad in one ear. He never complained about his ears hurting. We will be getting him on medicine right away and going back for another test. And again I'm feeling grateful for modern medicine.

for mom and sister

On Saturday I got to spend some time with these two. I loved every minute of it. I think there was a time warp in Cafe Rio, I had no idea how much time really past while in there. (feeling extra thankful to my awesome husband who watched the kids pretty much all day)

I love that I can laugh with them, talk about anything with them, get advice from them (and if there's ever anyone to get advice from, it's them. they are so honest, sincere, and loving)  I'm so happy that I can claim them.

Love these two so much, but I am also so blessed with some incredible sister-in-laws. Love them just as much.

And...isn't my mom so beautiful?! And doesn't my sister look just like her! Lucky.

for school teachers

We just had parent teacher conferences this week. I'm not sure why I get nervous to go, but I do. This week I left feeling pretty proud of each of the boys, and all for different reasons. School didn't come easy to me, and I see that in some of our boys too. However, they have worked hard and each have had some great successes in their own way. Which makes me so happy for them.  I also left feeling so happy that they each have teachers that love and care for them and want what is best for them. I feel so grateful that they are this way because our boys are in their care for a majority of the day. 

One of the feathers for our turkey said that we are grateful for teachers and so we wrote each of their teachers a thank you card last night and made them cookies. The boys left this morning with a little more excitement to go to school and see their teachers. 

I just had to snap photos of their cards since we will never see them again.

This year Corbin is in a class where he has two teachers and they trade off who teaches every other day.

I just love how Taylor drew his teacher (and those beautiful pearls). (and the monkey and turkey)

And Levi's little turkey...I just died.

for modern medicine

Today we took Rudger in for an ECG. When Rudger fell down the stairs last month we took him in to get x-rays, the doctor there found a slight heart murmur in him and told us to have his doctor check it on his next appointment. Today was that day. The doctor is not worried, but still wants it checked. We should find out in a couple of day.

I feel everything will be just fine, but it made me ponder today how grateful I feel to live in a day when these problems can be checked. I know in the end whatever happens in this life is Heavenly Father's will. But I also know that Heavenly Father provided modern technology and medicine to help us out while we are living on this earth. 

for sense of humor

The other day Corbin and his friend were begging me to print out a picture of a two-headed cow. I thought that was weird but finally agreed to do it. I didn't realize what they were up to until they came up, trying to hold back their laughing, and told me to go look on the street sign across the street.  Totally took me by surprise. (those two kids ran off before I could get a picture of them with the sign)

I come from a family with hilarious sense of humors. Justin makes me laugh everyday. And our boys are following in those same foot steps. I need to laugh, I love to laugh, and I get to laugh all the time. 

to remember gratitude

The more I see things the more it is on my mind. My hope is that I can really notice those things I love and appreciate them even more. This month we have put several things throughout our home to remind us to think more about our blessings. 

Remember this turkey? (scroll down the post to see his name) I laughed when I pulled it out again this year. But the boys love finding the feathers each day to add to this turkey.

After dinner we write what we are thankful for that day.

We are hoping to have this jar full by the time thanksgiving comes.

For the next couple of weeks I want to also share some of those simple blessings right here. Care to join? 

last scenes from halloween

We got some before pics of our pumpkins. Then we carved them and they were pretty awesome. But, I forgot to get pictures of them. A few days after Halloween I thought we better get pictures, but they were totally moldy by then. So straight into the garbage they went. Too bad. 

We grew our own pumpkins this year. We will definitely continue to do this. Next year we want to grow white pumpkins.

Rudger wanted nothing to do with getting pictures taken with his cute little pumpkin. This is where he was instead.

Halloween day we headed to Brigham to visit an awesome witch. Trick or treated to a couple favorite homes there. Came home and started dinner. Our new baby cousin came over and went trick or treating with us. We all decided to go together because the weather was quite pleasant. When we got home we watched 'Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein', while the boys quietly drifted off into a candy coma. 

Favorite picture of the night.

It's been a fun month, but I'm ready for something better. Seriously is the best time of year!

packer halloween party with lots of pictures

We look forward to this party every year. Makes me so happy to see the boys creating bonds with their cousins, and even more so with their grandparents.  

We have the traditional dry ice root-beer, donut eyeballs, Halloween-fun lunch, teasing from Grandpa, and decorating sugar cookies. This year we threw in donut eating contest and an impromptu leaf fight. Seriously epic. Grandma rocked it and got every grand kid there good. (except the babies of course)

Best picture of the day. 

After that epic leaf fight

Poor Cami is probably still cleaning up those leaves that got scattered everywhere. Everywhere. Thanks so much for hosting! 

Can't wait for next year!