11.23.2014 - for the book of mormon

Recently, as a family, we finished the Book of Mormon. I love this book and I love that we read it as a family.

Earlier this year we asked Corbin to read the Book of Mormon everyday. And on this day, he finished it. I loved looking over at him during the Sacrament reading away. He had just started Moroni that morning and was determined to have it finished by the end of the day. I cannot adequately express how happy this makes me. It just does. 

I asked him what his favorite part was. His response: When Coriantumr cut of Shiz's head and Shiz struggled for breath and then died. Yup, he's a boy. 

11.22.2014 - for dates with my boys

On this Saturday, Corbin and I had a date. It was a pretty special date.

Corbin's good friend Emma auditioned for the nutcracker and made it. We were so excited for her. I asked Corbin if he wanted to go. He asked me how long it was going to be. I told him about two hours. He said, "well, if it had been a half an hour I would go, but not two".  In the end he decided to go. 

I was taking a little too long trying to get ready, he did not appreciate that. Just letting him know what it will be like when he starts dating.

We had a wonderful time. He loved the first act. And was excited to see Emma and another friend in the second act. But the last 15 minutes I looked over at him and I could tell he was loosing interest. But he held out. He gave Emma a rose afterwards and was completely embarrassed. Once that awkward part was over they laughed and had a great time visiting. 

It made me think that my years of being the one he goes on dates with is going to end sooner than I want. I am grateful that I have this time now. With each one of my boys. And luckily I will still have Justin to date.

11.21.2014 - for sibling love

Sometimes the brothers don't get along, sometimes they fight, or they get on each others nerves.  So when there are moments of tenderness, friendship, and love; I feel so happy and grateful. 

I hope that throughout their childhood, they will have many of these moments that will create a strong brotherly bond. A bond that will mean so much to them that nothing will tear it down. 

11.20.2014 - for bathtubs

Having a warm bath is probably the best thing when I am sick. I love seeing our boys play their water games while they take their baths.  I am so grateful that all we have to do is turn the handle and we have clean warm water pouring into the tub. We are so blessed. I never want to take for-granted what we have these days.

And obviously reading in the tub, with no water and our clothes on is pretty awesome.

11.19.2014 - for our yard

As we have been cleaning up our yard and putting it to sleep for the winter, I have been grateful that we were able to have our plants and flowers to look at throughout the warm season. I love knowing that it will warm up again and we will be able to enjoy the beauty of those plants again.

11.18.2014 - for laughter

I need it and I love it. And I feel so happy that I have a husband and children who make me laugh on a daily basis. 

A child's laugh is the best sound on earth.

11.17.2014 - for cuddle time on the couch

^^ an attempt to get a family picture of us sitting on the couch ^^

We have started up our traditional reading of 'The Mansion'. I love when all of us are cuddled up on our couch with the lights on low and piles of blankets all over us. Then we listen to daddy read us a good book. I love these moments.

11.16.2014- for help in seeing clearly

Lately my contacts have been a bit frustrating. I am getting spots on them and then everything is blurry, I can't see clearly. I think it has something to do with my makeup, because the only day that I fully put on makeup is Sunday, and Sunday is when it happens. I come straight home from church and put on my glasses. And then I am reminded how grateful I am that I have these items to help me see. 

I can see my kids faces clearly, I can see my husbands smile, I can read, I can drive, I can see sunsets and the beauty around me. It makes me so very happy.

11.15.2014 - for their daddy

On this day I got to go on a shopping trip with my mom, sister, and sister in laws. I was so happy knowing that Justin was home taking such good care of our boys. 

I love that he plays with them. When I am home I feel like I am in my work zone. There are dishes to be done, laundry to be folded, dinner to be made, rooms to clean, diapers to change, nagging to do. I am not really always the fun parent. It makes me so grateful knowing that they have their daddy.

11.14.2014 - for sleep

^^ he really was asleep here ^^

Sleep is so important to me. I love my sleep. I sleep very well and very heavy. Justin had a device for a while that would put a red line every time he moved while sleeping, unfortunately for him, he had lots of lines throughout the night. I wore it a few times, and for me, totally blank. It confirmed what I already knew.

We lucked out and have really good sleepers. We still need to work on bedtime routines and getting them to sleep earlier. But once they are asleep. It's lovely.

11.13.2014 - for music

I have found the older I get, the pickier I am with the music that I allow in our home. I know I am getting old, because I absolutely cannot stand listening to most pop music anymore. I find the songs incredibly obnoxious and the lyrics are awful. I will proudly admit that I have been listening to the local classical station on the radio. The boys are taking piano lessons right now, and I would be lying if I didn't say that I hope they learn to play beautiful classical music. (they are hoping to play Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter music. I'll take it)

I think one of the reasons I love listening to Christmas music so early in the season is because the music is just plain good and happy. We have been listening to the traditional Christmas station on Pandora and we have a few favorite cds in our car that we love. One of the songs that I have on repeat is this version of Angels We Have Heard on High. Love it! Plus about a million other Christmas songs. 

I feel music has such great power. My hope is to have that power be good in our home.

(this is not meant to offend anyone who loves different types of music. I know there is still lots of good with all types of music. except country...that's just gone way down hill :) )

11.12.2014 - for our carpool

^^ crazy hair day ^^

This year our neighborhood got the bus taken away. I have not missed it one bit. Three of us moms decided to start a carpool. We each take one week to drive the kids and then get two weeks off. I. love. it. It's nice to not have to drive to the school every day, but then I LOVE the week that I do get to drive. It's a blast listening to their fun stories. Plus getting to be a fly on the wall and hear things I otherwise wouldn't hear, is pretty awesome.

We also started a fun, little tradition. Friday is early out, and we are all super excited that we made it through another school week. So when we pick up at the end of the school day, we bring a treat of some sort to enjoy. Great way to kick off the weekend in my opinion! 

11.11.2014 - for school teachers

School teachers really are amazing. I remember wanting to be a teacher when I was younger, I realize now that I'm not so sure I could handle it. Which makes me appreciate these teachers even more. 

I am feeling particularly grateful for Corbin's teacher this year. She truly loves her children and wants the best for them. I love that she not only focuses on educating them, but on encouraging them to live good lives.  

We had Parent Teacher Conferences today and with tears in her eyes she thanked Corbin for choosing to be so respectful and kind to not only her, but to all the students in the class. My mommy heart was so happy.

And I just love the motto she has. "Make it a great day!" 

11.10.2014 - for hide and go seek with levi

Levi is usually quite an independent child. Which I love. But sometimes cuddling is not his favorite. 

Our activity for Family Home Evening this night was hide and go seek. My most favorite part was Levi wanting to hide with me every round. One of our hiding places was on the top bunk under the covers. We were giggling so much it was no wonder we were the first ones to be found. I am so grateful for this moment with this boy.

11.9.2014 - for mandi-jon and family

Sunday evening Mandi-jon and the kids came over for dinner and a game. We were all just a liiittle excited to have them over. I feel so so so grateful that I get to live close to my sister. She's pretty much the best. 

11.8.2014 - for no work saturday

On Saturdays I love to get projects done and clean bedrooms and whatever else needs to be done. I guess that I was becoming no fun, because the boys and Justin begged not to have a working Saturday, but an actual playing Saturday. So that's what we did. 

We were lazy, we went to the park and played, we watched a movie and that was pretty much it. And I have to admit, it wasn't so bad.

11.7.2014 - for the pictures on our fridge

The other day the boys brought home their samples for school pictures. I never buy the pictures because seriously, I already take a million pictures of the boys. But these just made me so happy.  

Also, a couple of months ago Rudger's nursery leaders gave him this picture. They said he was the only kid to smile this big. 

Everyday, while working in the kitchen, I just feel so happy seeing these pictures on the refrigerator. 

11.6.2014 - for relief society

Recently I received a new calling in church to work in the Relief Society. Being completely shocked was an understatement. I thought for sure that I was going to scouts. I had many mixed emotions, being overwhelmed took the lead. But after a meeting that I had with the Stake Relief Society Presidency this night I realized some wonderful things. 

One of the greatest things I realized was how neat it would be to work with so many amazing woman. We have such a variety of sisters in our ward, I want to learn something from each one of them. I love that with all our differences, we can come together in Relief Society and feel loved and excepted.   

11.5.2014 - for help around the house

So happy when our home is running smoothly, doesn't always happen, but when it does I sure feel extra grateful. 

We ask the boys to check off four things each day. Morning - which consists of making their bed, picking up things off the floor, getting ready for the day, and emptying the dishwasher.  Practice - piano and math facts. Zone - Those orange papers rotate between the boys each week and then after dinner they each take a room to work on. Reading - 20 minutes at least.  

I think we are all a little happier when our home is more calm and peaceful. I sure feel grateful for it at least!

11.4.2014 - for the privilege to vote

Tuesday morning I woke up and realized I hadn't researched all that I should have on the candidates and everything that was going to be on the ballot. Luckily Utah has such a great website to help become of aware of what is going on. I spent an hour in the morning researching and finally left feeling pretty confident in my decisions. 

It felt great walking in with Rudger holding my hand and looking around to see that 90 percent of who was there were the elderly. One man was in his American flag jacket that I can only guess he wears just once a year, another man in his full army uniform, and so many other good citizens. I left feeling very patriotic and proud to be an American. Plus Rudger and I loved getting our sticker.

11.3.2014 - for mondays

Mondays are one of the greatest days for me. I love being home and just recovering from the weekend. Why does my home go through such a whirlwind on those two days? If I can, I avoid leaving the house for the day.

I get laundry going, clean up any extra messes around the house, and try really hard to focus on the goals that I have made for the week. Mondays are such a fresh start. And adding Family Home Evening in is just the icing on the cake...most of the time :)

11.2.2014 - for happy sundays

Yesterday was just one of those really good Sundays. (for me, most Sundays are really good). It started out with the boys being extra good during Sacrament meeting. Lately we have been sitting among the elderly in our ward. After the meeting, one of the sweet sisters leaned over and told us we sure have our boys trained well. Made my day right there. Our testimony meeting was one of the best we have heard in a long time. There was an incredible spirit there that day. Which reminds me, I am so grateful for my testimony of the Prophet Joseph and for temples.

Sunday was an extra chilly day, finally felt right to have our traditional chili, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Always feels like I am back at home in Brigham City when I eat this.  Then the boys decided to brave the cold (Levi in shorts *sigh*) and run around and play together outside. I am just so thankful for happy Sundays like this one.

11.1.2014 - for preserving and that smell

I am so happy that it is November. Like, I have been completely giddy and excited the past few days. I was looking at what I did last year and remembered how much fun I had writing up simple things I was grateful for. So I'm doing it again, only last year I started part way through the month, not so this year :) I'm starting at the beginning. 

Obviously I am incredibly grateful for my family, and really this whole blog is dedicated to how much I love them and our memories. So you won't be seeing posts about them individually, unless there is something unique on a certain day that I am just so incredibly thankful for...we'll see.

The first day of November we put away all of the Halloween decorations - I was so over it, washed sheets, cleaned the house, and then spent the afternoon making applesauce. My dear friend gave me two boxes of apples AND let me borrow her Victorian Strainer so that we could turn those apples into some deliciousness. 

That whole day I kept thinking, I am so grateful for fruit, for inventions to help in preserving the fruit in different ways, for good people who share their produce, for help from my husband and our babies, and definitely for the smell of cinnamon and apples filling our home on that windy day.

halloween for days

Halloween has come and gone. I hope it was good for everyone. We had some good times, but I have to say, when Saturday came and Halloween week was over, I was one happy mama.

We kicked off the week by going to daddy's work for trick or treating. They got plenty of candy.

^^ I love how Justin is the only one aware of photo time. ^^

 We had a pumpkin carving party with some cousins.

 ^^ how cute are these! Justin's sister brought these. loved them ^^

 ^^ we also made treats for the ward Halloween party ^^

 ^^ I love how Levi washes his face the moment we came home from the party. ^^

Halloween day we stopped at the side of the road to get pictures of the boys in their costumes. We had just come back from McDonalds. We got happy meals for 1.99 for dressing up. Booya. Which explains the messy faces.

 Halloween night was lovely. We had pumpkin pizzas, and good intentions to have eyeball deviled eggs. We just had deviled eggs. Good enough. The boys loved trick or treating. Corbin and Taylor were all about having friends with us. Levi was all about getting to the next house as fast as possible. And Rudger was just stinkin cute saying "trick treat" and "thank you", then he would grab my face and say "trick treating...fun!!"

The highlight for the older three boys is when we climbed in the van with five of their other friends and drove over to the other neighborhood where they don't get a lot of trick or treaters. They scored big time there. I think some good memories were made.

And now, hello November!