Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for.  I have been mulling a list over in my mind I have so many blessings how could I list them all so I will list a few.  
1.  I am thankful for my husband.  I am far to lucky, blessed, and graced with his wonderful presence in my life.  He is not perfect but he is definitely perfect for me. 

2. Rachel-- She is the sun in my house since she has graced us with her sweet spirit.  She has helped me through the darkest days of my life.  She is so happy.  (except when she is not--Derrek says she is digital all on or all off)

3. Jacob-- My sweet son.  He is so thoughtful.  He is also a tease.  He makes my days better.  His prayers are angels words.

4. Shelby-- She is such a good help.  She is constantly doing little things to make my life easier.  She is a good cook, a good babysitter, a good house cleaner, and a good laundress.  She also has started listening to the radio and has brought a lot of fun music to our home.  She is a good shopper.  I am not.  She is such a wonderful daughter. 

5. My parents.  They are great.  I am privileged to live close to them.  My children are privileged to have them as grandparents.

6. My in-laws.   They are perfect.  They are helpful and fun to be with.  There  talents are different from my parents but just as needed and loved.   I am blessed to be included in their family.

7.  My nieces and nephews.   I have 26 of the most adorable, good and kind nieces and nephews.  I have two more coming in the next year.

8.  The church I belong to.  This is a little far down for this to be in order of importance.  I love the gospel and the hope and peace it has brought into my life. 

9.  Joshua-- What an experience it has been to have been an angels mother.  From high to low to mellow I am grateful for the perspective he has brought to my life.  I  feel blessed to have had experiences I would never have had without experiencing his untimely death.

10.  Our new baby coming in April.  I feel like a new 1st time pregnant person.  I am excited, and scared over every new change.  It has been great to see the baby healthy and doing well.  I am praying this continues until we can hold this sweet addition in the spring.  Truly a miracle, an answer prayers, and hope to its parents. 

Catch up (again)

I have been a little preoccupied these past days and I have not blogged our real life for a long time.  Here area few highlights of the last 15 weeks.  

First day of School:  Can you believe a 7th grader, a 4th grader, and

3 year old preschool.  Oh I am not old enough to have children this old.  I am sure of it.  I am still in my 

early 20's right.....  Maybe I could convince someone.......

 Braces:   Shelby now has a necklace on her teeth (Rachel's description)  She is loving them (insert sarcasm)

 Peach Days:  Derrek marched with the Veterans, and Jacob marched with the scouts.  Jacob's picture didn't turn out very good but he did a great job. 

 Rachel and Jacob climbing on the real rocks.  Scares me to death.

But they are always safe and come back with thousands of exciting words about how fun it

was to go up and up and up. 

 Halloween.  Our annual pumkin carving.  I really am an amutur compared to my children and my husband.

Every year they carve these beautiful creations and I just take pictures and help here and there.  Derrek uses the Dremmel. Even Rachel caught on this year and she did the majority of her pumpkin 

(minus the sharp knife ) this year.  Oh well my front porch always looks fabulous thanks to their great work.  I love the fall. 

 Costumes:    Rachel was  Minnie Mouse.  She was so so adorable.  I haven't had a little one for many years and she was so funny.  All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday she ran around our house saying "Happy Halloween"  Is it trick or treat time?  She had us all laughing and giggling all day long.  It was really really really fun.  Trick or treating was fun also.  She would go up to the house and say either thank you or trick or treat and then alternate the ending with whichever one she didn't say first.  Hilarious.  Jacob and Shelby had fun with friends and left us in the dust for the most part.  Which is appropriate but I do miss going trick- or -treating as a family.  Jacob was a Roman Solider/Moroni depending on who was asking.   Shelby was a beautiful witch.