reasons to rejoice!!

I have 3 wonderful reasons to rejoice this Holiday Season.  3 reasons to make each day a bit more perfect, to make those dark days a brighter! Bet you cant guess what those 3 reasons are

First and for most is my husband Derek.  I love my husband so much and am so grateful for everything he does for me.  I love how perfect he is for me.  I love how he completes me.  I love how happy he makes me.  I love how he can always find a way to make me laugh no matter my mood.  I love how he can always figure out me when even when I can not figure out myself.  I love his devotion to the gospel.  I love his commitment to the church and our family.  I love how much he loves our daughters, and how he would do anything to see them happy. This holiday season is a perfect time to think about how lucky I am, and my sweet Derek is a perfect reason to rejoice.

Another perfect reason to be so grateful is my wonderful daughter Jacquelyn.  Jackie has been the perfect first child.  I could not have asked for a better kid to learn on! She is a wonderful little girl who always thinks about others before her self.  She is learning how to be considerate and I love it! She loves her sister and always wants to make sure she is happy.  Jackie loves her friends and always talks about them and what they like.  She always wants to bring cookies to others.  Jackie is learning so much about the gospel and loves to tell me what she learns about in nursery! I love my sweetheart and know its a special thing to be her mother. 

Abigail is my sweetest reason to rejoice.  She is such a wonderful sweet little girl. She has been one of the sweetest easiest little babies.  She always wants to give kisses and snuggle.  She has the sweetest disposition and will just go off and play on her own and do her own thing.  I know she will do great things as she gets older and learns more.  Right now she loves playing with Jackie and doing what ever she is doing.  These little ones are becoming best of friends and I love it! I can only hope and wish it will stay the same as they grow older *sigh*! For know I will enjoy what they have! 

There are many more things but right  now these are whats on my mind.  My sweet little family means more to me than anything.  I love them more than i can express. 

To all my friends out there, i hope you can take a few minutes to really reflect on what you have in your life to rejoice. 

A whole lot of random

Lets start here.  Have you seen this yet?  Picture of Christ that did not burn in the Provo Tabernacle Fire?  I think its pretty awesome. 










Our bishop gave us all this picture

• I am super excited for Christmas! Jackie is really old enough to fully get it this year and that has made it SO much more fun!  She is pretty easy all she wants is bubble bath and the book Where the wild things Are.  Good thing both those are pretty easy to come by.  Hopefully she wont be too put off by getting a few more then that.  Last night she kept telling me she can only have 2 gifts, silly silly girl
• This will be my first Christmas not seeing my family! They are in Argentina and Vegas! I am a little bit sad about this but also excited to have our first Christmas at our place and to set our own traditions! :) 
• I still am holding out for a White Christmas.  Even though the weather channel made it seem super super super super slim a girl can hope right?!
• My car drives better in the snow then i thought, WAY better then our red car we had before our Xterra. 
• Abigail is growing up so fast and plays so well with Jackie now.  Its SO cute! I love that they are becoming little buddies and I really hope it stays that way!
• I took Abby to nursery Sunday.  She was NOT in the mood to be quiet or hold still at church.  She loved it! So I hope this means in 3 months she will love it also.  I was also super excited to see how good my little Jackie was in nursery.  She listened, folded her arms, stayed in her seat, and helped clean up!  Its always nice to see that what you teach your kids pays off!
• I held an adorable 2 week old baby on Saturday.  And ya know what it made me SO happy that I do not have a new born.  Also re affirmed to me that i am so not ready for another yet. :) I like my 2.  I know we will have more kids but not right now :)
• also 2 weeks of 3 day weekends HECK YES!

my kiddios....

So tonight we got back and i had to go to my business so we just ran in took coats off and shut the door.  Mistake number one.  When you have a 3 year old you always use the chain lock! After i got done just a few minutes later...I am no man who sits and reads FOREVER! (please tell me I am not alone in having a husband who does this?!) anyway back on track, i came out and felt a breeze walked out and the girls were sitting out side waiting for grandma who was about 4 hours away :). 
Don't worry Jackie made sure to put her coat on and Abbys coat....Abbys was upside down still amazed she got it on her!
So moral of the story use a chain, if you don't have one i guess you trust your three year old to get herself and the one year old in coats....I am thinking i will just now make that Jackie's job :) one less thing for me to do when running out of the house ;)  !

yes this again!

SHORT NOTES!!

Dear Christmas Tree,

My nose is no longer as stuffy and I can smell you :) its wonderful to have a real tree this year. it will be nice this year then my cheapness will lend to me buying a artificial one again.  For this year I will enjoy and love it.
Smelly yours,
pine forest lover

Dear Giggle (abby),
Thanks for being so quick to learn not to touch the Christmas tree! I should not have been worried, you have been great! A few times you go for the tree and a no will turn you into a new direction. I am just so happy i was able to put our tree up early and not have to worry too much!
thankfully yours,
mama

Dear Jacquelyn,
Your recent attempts to not eat foods that you have previously loved  makes me laugh.  For example mom made pizza compete with green onions and tomatoes.  While making the pizza you kept stating your dislike yet you ate your whole piece. Stop trying to be pretend to be picky and accept your great love for eating
frustrated and laughing,
a cooking mama

Dear Head Cold,
You have been around for over a week, all i can say is are you kidding, please leave me my head and my awake-ness alone.  I am a working mama I can't deal with anything to slow me down.
Snuffly still,
Jess

Dear house,
Remember how I am a working mama?  Well do you think you could clean yourself?
messely always,
a women in need of a clean house

Dear Abby,
I love how you follow around Jackie, how you are trying to talk, how you want to be big, how you love to be in the middle of everything, how laid back you are, how easy you are to take care of, and all your hugs and kisses.
always in love,
mommy

Dear weather,
thank you for being above freezing!! Please stay this way for a while
in need of warmth,
a very cold lady!

Dear Hubby,
one day we will see each other more.  Until then know how much I love you and appreciate all you do for our little family.
always appreciative,
Your wife

Yummy Potato Soup

I brought this to our work party last week and had a lot of requests for it so here ya go!

Yummy Potato Soup
2 cups diced celery
1 medium onion
2 teaspoons garlic
5 cups water
5 teaspoons chicken bullion
1 bag southern style has browns (the ones that are tiny squares)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
7 ounces cheese whiz
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste 


2 cups  celery ( I like a lot in mine my mom makes it with just a tiny bit....anyone remember what the individual pieces are i cant!)
1 medium onion (more or less all depending on how much you want)
2 teaspoons garlic
2 table spoons butter

Dice celery and onion and saute until onions are translucent

Add 5 cups of water and 5 teaspoons. chicken bullion

bring to a boil

add a regular size bag of southern style has-browns (make sure NOT to buy the kind with peepers)

Let this boil until the potatoes are soft

While it is boiling in another bowl, add 3/4 cup melted butter 3/4 cup flour and 4 cups of milk.  Stir until all lumps are out.

Once Potatoes have softened add milk mixture to pot.

Bring to boil and add 7 ounces cheese whiz (please make sure you buy the correct stuff, this is not in a spray can i have had 2 people attempt to make this with eazy cheese.  this comes in jars)

I always add about 1-2 cups sharp cheddar as well.  This is not in the normal recipe but i PROMISE it tastes a lot better, make sure to use sharp cheddar too, and do not get the pre-shredded stuff, does not melt near as well.

add salt and pepper to taste 

Turn heat down and let simmer for at least 15 minutes.

Eat and enjoy!

Gratitude a day #30

WOW i made it to day 30! Starting out I am not going to lie i was a bit worried, but it was a lot easier then i thought.  AND helped me be a lot happier and positive this month. 

This being the last day i tried to think up something super profound to write about, If any of you know me i am not a profound type person, so I figure you get what you get. 

Today I am grateful for my life.  I am grateful for all the parts of it.  Sometimes i know i complain i have to work and I wish i was home with my kids.  But this month has taught me how lucky i am.  I have so many blessings in my life.  I am going to do better at always looking to those blessings.  I am also going to make sure I do my best to use my blessings to help others.  This is the time of year for service and I want to help and do what I can.

SO dear blog and facebook friends, i ask you, what service are you going to do this year?  Anyone can help and do service no matter your situation.  One thing I have learned is when you need help this is the time you should do as much service as possible and you will receive all the help you need.  Think about it, figure out something to do great or small, and tell me :) I want to hear what everyone is doing

What are the Stells doing I am sure you are wondering well I am still debating.  I know we will get a few gifts to donate, but I want to do more then just that.  So i am looking for those opportunity right now.  Let me know if you know of any good ones :)

Gratitude a day #29

Wow down to my last 2 posts for this crazy!
Today i am going to have to go with I am grateful for the beauty of were i live.

I hope you have all been to Utah i think most all of you who read my blog have, but really you cant beat how beautiful it is here. We just had snow last night so everything is in a blanket of white, i love it.  I love the the mountains and the green and the pretty snow :)

Gratitude a day #28

Today I am grateful for Church.  I love that every Sunday we have the chance to go learn of our Savior and feel is love.  Sometimes as of late i have hated going to church, due to a toddler who is way past her nap time and still too young for nursery.  Its made it so i miss a lot of church, but you know what, i still love that going and knowing i am where I should be.  Knowing that is where the Lord wants me.  I love knowing that even though i miss a lot my meetings, I love being in the Lords house I love feeling his Spirit.  I love just knowing I have a place to be and a place to worship.  March will come soon and Abby will go to Nursery, but for know I am going to enjoy the little time I do get to spend wondering the halls with Abby and the extra snuggles i get from my over tired baby :)

Gratitude a day #27

I am so super grateful for friends!  I have many friends old and new who are so wonderful and helpful to me in my life! I love and appreciate everyone.  It amazes me the love that they have for me and my kids.  So thank you each and everyone of you who has helped me out in my life, thank you each and everyone of you who has lent your ear for me to ramble on and on to.  Thank you for each and everyone of you who has picked me up when I am down. To all of you how have put up with my craziness of me, You all are wonderful.  I hate that so many of you are so far, and that I do not get to see you all so often, but i am glad for our talks and chats.  I hope all of you are doing well and you enjoy this holiday season!

Gratitude a day #26

Today I am grateful for a FULL DAY off for both Derek and myself :) it was wonderful.  we only ever get this on Sundays when we have lots of other things to do so it was VERY nice! and we got our tree! This is our first year doing a real tree.....we always have had a fake but it bit the dust so we are doing a real one now and after Christmas I will buy a fake one when they are 90% off :) Here it is in all its cell phone picture glory.  So Merry Christmas and lets get ready for a wonderful Holiday season!! :)

Gratitude a day #25

today I am happy to go to  bed knowing i can sleep in and not wake up at 2 am to go black Friday shopping.  Thank you Amazon and Wal mart for posting deals as good as or better than what they are on BF

Gratitude a day #24

due to my extreme fatigue keeping it short and simple tonight.  I am grateful for

Friends
 I really do have the best friends.  Some have been around since Jr High, some from high school, some from freshman year at BYU.  And many more through out my married years.  I love you all and am SO happy you are in my life.  You all  are wonderful and I know I can come to you for anything.  So thanks to you all for all you do for me and all i know you will continue to do for me.

Gratitude a day #23

Can you believe its almost thanksgiving?  Well i can not! Today i am trying not to look outside to see what this weather is bringing.  I am just going to think warm warm thoughts! In the mean time, today I am grateful for Family

This is 2 part.  One I am so grateful for my own little family and how much joy the bring me.  Really they are wonderful and I love knowing they are mine forever :) I am blessed to have them in my lives.  They make each day a bit better by being there.  I love that they love me no matter how crazy i am or how crazy my ideas get.  I love that they put up with all me experiments in the kitchen, my crazy ideas for family fun, and well all the craziness that is me.  I love how much my daughters love their dad, I love how much Jackie is like me.  Its all just wonderful. 

2nd part, is i am grateful for my family near and far.  For my parents, siblings, cousins, in laws everyone.  Its so nice to know that there are people around who care about you and want you to be happy. Where would we be with out family?



oh and you all should make these rolls some of the best homemade rolls i have ever had! :) mmmmm tasty!

Gratitude a day #22

Today was awesome it did not feel like a Monday.  So today I am grateful for

3 day work weeks!!
 Pretty happy I only have to work 3 days and get paid to have 2 off! WOOT!! :)   Who's with me on this one? Can't wait for Thanksgiving! Its coming up! :)

Gratitude a day #21

a few things on my list today

• Abby's fever going down
• snow (this one is more so Jackie will stop asking when its going to finally snow) 
• husband helping me clean and re arrange some things in the house
• Jackies funny comments on life
• Abby's snuggles (when kids do not feel good they give the best snuggles!)
• Husband cleaning up after dinner
• lasagna i had frozen earlier....made for an easy dinner tonight!

Gratitude a day #20

Today i am happy that Super Saturday for Relief Society went SO WELL! I have spent a long time planning it and getting everything together so YAY for it working

I could add to the list

• going to the BYU game
• BYU winning!
• date with the hubby! 
• so many people willing to help out! Love all the ladies in my ward and their wiliness to serve and help!

Gratitude a day #19

There are few people in my life who I truly look up to and admire.  One such man is who i chose to write about today.  Today I am grateful for

My Daddy

Yes I still call him daddy from time to time. I know I will always be his little girl.  I love my father.  He has always been a wonderful example of a disciple of Christ, of loving his family with all his heart, and of always trying to do what is right.
My dad has fallen in love with the role of grandpa.  I love watching him treat my kids as if they were his own children and I love how much my girls love him. 
I hope as I get older I can be more like him.  Thanks dad for all you have done for me and all you will continue to do.  I love you!!

Gratitude a day #18

My whole life I have been a very positive person.  Always looking at the positive side of life, whats the bright side to any crappy situation is. I have always been called an optimist.  After Abigail was born i really lost this part of my self.  I think it was due to a bit of postpartum, our financial situation, moving away from family, and the fact I would not look at the positive sides in fact sometimes i just plain refused.  It has taken me a while to get out of this mind set and come back around to where I feel like myself again.  So today I am grateful for

A Positive Attutuide 

I am really glad to be able to say I have this back.  Its taken a while to feel I really have this back but last month i really noticed that my thought processes was coming back to focus only on the positive.  Please do not get me wrong I do have my moments where i am fed up and done with everything and just want to scream.  I have moments where my kids drive me nuts with their kidness, but what i have found is when I look past those I am happier, when I am able to remember the good life is better.  So I am SO happy to really feel like I have my positive attitude back, here is to doing what ever it takes to keep it! :)

changing things up

After 17 posts on just what i am thankful for I feel the need to just write SOMETHING else.  So here it goes!

First off I am really enjoying the gratitude a day thing.  I have noticed it really helping me stay positive and happy :) So I might try to keep it up.  I had a gratitude journal i kept (my family did it nightly) as a child, so I might see about starting that up in our family.

I have been really bad about going to the gym these past 2 weeks, and dang it all the scale is showing it.  I need to get better at going but with our schedules its been hard lately.

Abby has started sleeping poorly due to teething i believe so i have been having her sleep in her pack n play in the play room and now i can let her fuss at night for a bit and not worry about her waking up Jackie. Its helped I just hope her teething ends soon so i can but her back in her bed...or I will just move Jacks bed out  in the play room until the teething crazyness stops.

Abby walks everywhere now.  I love it.  She is so dang proud of her self its super cute.  She is also becoming a great eater.  She loves everything and anything she can put in her mouth.  (this includes, dirt, mud, grass...what ever she can find!)

Jackie has tried to be picky at dinner time lately.  After we let her know that's not the way things work, she eats her food and likes it.  Just trying to assert her independence i am sure, little does she know in my house I will not stand for that (well i guess she is learning this one) I am not one to make a kid finish their whole plate, but at least one bite per year old per item is required :)

Derek and I well we are good :) Just hanging in on the crazy roller coaster of life.  Getting ready and excited for thanksgiving, Derek hoping it snows, Jackie hoping it snows, me loving it has not yet !

Gratitude a day #17

After  a long day at work there is nothing I love more than coming home to my sweet, darling little girls today I am grateful for

Hugs, cuddles, snuggles, and kisses

Were would we be without these 4 simple things.  I love when my kids want to snuggle its rare but it does happen.   When I get home from work they love to give me all the above and I am more than willing to take it! My children are adorable and I love them like crazy!

Gratitude a day #16

Todays is a bit long so here it goes

I am grateful for my love and desire to cook and small ability and wonderful cooking websites such as our best bites  to help us have wonderful meals and switch up from the normal.  

This week my goal was to make something new daily sooo this is what is on our menu!
Friday we had Southwest Burgers  I really like them.  however i  really like spice so i would have added a lot more spice to the mayo and burger :) but they were fun and different from typical burgers so that was nice
Saturday we had Tortellini Sausage Soup with these breadsticks. Man alive these both were tasty! I loved it! the breadsticks were amazing and i can not wait to try it as pizza dough!
Tonight we are having French Dip sandwiches  I am hoping they are tasty! 
Tomorrow we are having enchiladas with homemade sauce the recipe is from a co-worker so i will keep you posted...but really we love Mexican how can you go wrong!
Thursday is left overs because we gotta eat things up!
Friday is Creamy chicken taquitos  I made these once before so its not too new but i am going to change a few things up :)

A yummy week for sure.  Best part is shopping for the week and everything i spent $56 and a lot of what i bought was not related to these meals but others things we need for the week :)

Gratitude a day #15

Today I am grateful for my families

Immune Systems

We have been incredibly blessed to be the type of family who just does not get sick too often (i am knocking on wood this WHOLE POST!)  My children have wonderful immune systems and I could not even get to 5 in the amounts of time they have both been sick combined.  Derek and I are a lot the same.  I think I get sick the most out of all of us!  So I am hoping this winter we will be blessed with our same luck.  I am grateful for the luck we have had.  I know its a great blessing! So here is to continuing luck with my kids and our self's.

Gratitude a day #14

My sister in law helped inspire this (okay i SO stole her gratitude)

Today I am thankful for my

MOM

I love my mom. She has become my best friend as we have gotten older.  I love that I can call her and tell her anything, I love that she calls me when she needs to talk. I am thankful she went through the "joys" of pregnancy and labor to bring me here.  I love that she cares SO much about me and my kids.  She is a wonderful mother and more than I could have asked for.  I love you mom! Thanks for all you do for me!

Gratitude a day #13

We had a great day today! We got to go spend sometime up in SLC at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum! (thanks living social for the $11 fam pass!)  So today II am grateful for

Family time! 

Due to our crazy work schedules and church obligations we do not have a lot of family time.  When we get it i relish it and LOVE IT!  We had a lot of fun at the museum...pictures to come later they are in the car with Derek at work.  After the girls had enough we got some Pizza from Dereks Parents 5 buck in Bountiful and went to their house to watch the BYU game.  And OH my my cougars played amazing! I am glad they have kicked their butts into gear and started playing better!

We came home had some yummy homemade soup and bread-sticks, and sent Derek off to work.  I love my little fam and anytime with them is wonderful.  I love watching Abigail experience new things and get so excited by everything.  I love listening to Jackie narrate (well most times!) her life and everything that goes on.  Her little questions and comments always make my day. And my sweet hubby, I love that he puts up with all my ideas on how to spend our family time.  

Gratitude a day #12

Today its pretty simple.  As I look at my darling girls eating their bedtime snacks i am ever grateful to be

A Parent

I love being a parent.  Nothing brings me more joy, than the look on my darling daughters faces when they light up with laughter.  I am so grateful to be given the chance to be a parent in this life.  I love to watch my children grow and myself as I try to learn how to be a better parent to them.  I pray daily that I can learn and grow and be better to my kids.  They are amazing little girls who have a lot to do on this earth, I only hope I can live up to the task of raising them up!
Being a parent has taught me more than i could ever imagine.  Mostly it has taught me how to be patient (well we are still learning this one!) its teaching me to become selfless, and its given me a glimpse at the love my Heavenly Father has for me.  So today I am giving a few extra hugs and loves to my kiddos as I put them down and remember how wonderful it is to be their mom!

Gratitude a day #11

Bet ya cant guess what today's will be

Military 

And not just the men and women serving.  I am ever grateful for their families that they have left behind and who go on every day without them home.  I am so thankful to you for sacrificing your life and your time with your family so we can live and be free.  Thank you to you left at home while your love ones are away.  Thank you for allowing them to serve.  You all make me so proud to be an American!

Gratitude a day #10

Today I have been pondering what to write about today, going through a list in my head of what i can write about.  I just looked outside my window at work and so today its pretty simple.  Today I am grateful for

Modern Conveniences

My list could go on and on here, but such things as heaters, cars, indoor plumbing, stoves, microwaves, tv, ect. I know i COULD live without all these things but really I am glad, I can stay warm with the touch of a button, go to the bathroom inside in the middle of the night, cook food a lot faster, warm things up for the girls fast, and have something to watch for me and the girls when we need a break! :)

Gratitude a day #9

I am ever grateful for


Great deal!

the past few days i have lucked in to some pretty sweet deals for Christmas and other activities!  I am so grateful that this year I can provide a nice Christmas for my kids with out spending much money! I am even more excited that I am almost done Christmas shopping! :) It will be nice not to have to worry about Christmas shopping and just enjoy the holidays!   Now to find a great deal on a Lazy Boy so I can knock my self off my list....anyone know of any good deals?
 

Gratitude a day #8

Picking my gratitude post today was easy.  Today I am ever grateful and thankful for

My husband

I love my husband.  He is a wonderful husband and father.  I do not know many dads that would take their kids to as he puts its "mommy and me gymnastics".   He cares so much about his daughters, and I love seeing that. Both girls are a 100% daddys girls. They always want to climb and jump on him, or have him cuddle up to them.

He is also a wonderful husband.  He cares so much about me and what I want.  He always makes sure I am happy and always knows what I want (even when I don't even know) most of all he puts up with all my craziness and silly ideas, i love it!

I am so grateful he is devoted to the Church.  I love knowing my husband holds the Priesthood.  I love how much he is willing to go help others.  I love his devotion to the Lord.

So today dear husband.  Thank you.  Thank you for all you have done for me and all you continue to do for me.

Gratitude a day #7

Today I am going to keep it pure and simple today I am grateful for

The Church


I feel so lucky to be a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.  I love this gospel.  With out this gospel I know I would be lost.  I am a better person because of it.  I love that each day I can devote my life to living like Christ.  Its not always easy, at times I make mistakes, but I am so thankful for the knowledge that I can repent and receive forgiveness.  The Church is true.  Christ lives.  Thomas S. Monson and his apostles are true leaders of Christ.  

Gratitude a day #6

I got a call from my dad this morning letting me know my Uncle had 2 extra tickets to the BYU game and wanted to know if I wanted to come.  Um can you say HECK YES! Derek was already going with the paper, so I called my grandparents and they said they would watch my darling daughters.  So today I am grateful for

The generosity of others!

Seriously I know some amazing wonderful people! I have been lucky enough to go to 3 BYU games this year for free all because of some wonderful people I know!  This includes those that have watched my kiddos to make this happen!

Its been a VERY nice thing for me to have a chance to get away with out my kiddos and get some time to relax! I love my kids and miss them when I work, but sometimes i just need some me time!  I love my cougars and I really love college football!  So to all those who have helped me get to these games, Derek, Brieanna, Analane,Chris, Marcie and Trent, Jim, and my grandparents THANK YOU! Your sweet generosity has really touched me.  (yes i am grateful for all the other things but for today its about getting some me time and watching some football!)



oh and is it bad of me to add i am grateful for a cougar blow out and a tcu blow out against the utes? ;)

Gratitude a day #5

So far this daily post is working, I am having a hard time deciding what to pick from my life, its amazing me how easy it is to over look the little things in our life we are grateful for! Today I am grateful for

Jacquelyn

I am so in love with my sweet daughter. I do not think I could have asked for a better kid to be my first child!  She still has yet to go through terrible anything stage.  She is one of the sweetest little girls I have ever meet.  Jackie is always asking how she can be better, and what good friends/people do.  It amazes me how much I can learn from her.  She always gives such a great example of how to treat others.  She has a love for the church and I love that! 

Jackie always has a hug and a kiss for anyone who needs/wants one.  Jackie is a great little companion and will not let a conversation die down!  She will keep talking about everything and anything.  Its crazy to see my self in her as she gets older.  She keeps doing more and more to prove to Derek and I, how much she is my little clone.  Derek says it freaks him out but I love it! :) 

Tonight I was making her a tutu and she came up to me hugged me and told me how sweet I was.  While watching sprout she made her bed time wish, " I wish I wish my mommy will always be happy"  (this is her normal wish at night).  Last night she started talking about Christmas.  My first thought was she was going to tell me what she wants, but instead she was telling me what she wanted to get everyone for Christmas and asked what jobs she could do to get them gifts.

I am SO in love with my first born.  She is a HUGE blessing in my life, she makes everyday better and brighter.  I love her!

Gratitude a day #4

There are many things on my list I wish to post but I am trying to really get beyond the "normal" ones.  So today this one might seem a bit odd (well those i work with will get it!)

Today I am Grateful for

Not Being Stupid.

Don't laugh, let me explain.

 My job I talk to a wide variety of people. People who get life, and those who are just lost in life and have no clue what is going on.  People who seem lost in life and lack common sense and how to figure things out.  People who do not know the meaning of agreements, or their word.  People who do not understand what being intelligent is like or what being decent and kind is like. 

So today I am grateful for my intelligence.  For my education at BYU.   I am grateful for my ability to know and understand how things work and am grateful the people i associate with are not stupid either,  :)

SO there ya go, i know its a weird thing to be thankful for, but MAN i am so grateful for that! (don't worry Derek and Jackie will get love later on!)

Gratitude a day #3

Today I am very thankful for

my job

I know sometimes i complain about being a working mom, but I am so grateful for my job and for the ability to pay all our bills on time.  This is something i took advantage of but learned quickly how important it is.  SO thank you Prosper for employing me and being a great employer.  I do love my job (most days!;))

Gratitude a day #2

Wow so from what i saw today i am not the only one with this idea :) haha but WHO CARES! I want to take time to see the good in my life.

Today I am grateful for

Abigail

Abigail has been a wonderful addition to our little family.  She is so sweet, kind, and loving.  She always wants to cuddle and give kisses.  She has the sweetest disposition.  She loves to play on her own which is nice for times when things need to get done.  Abby loves her big sister so much and wants to do whatever Jackie is doing.  I feel so blessed to be her mother and have her in our family.  I know she will do big things and I know she is a huge blessing to our family! Sometimes i feel bad I don't get to spend a ton of time with her, but I know she is happy and fine with her daddy.  She always has the best hugs, snuggles, and kisses waiting for me when I walk in the door!

I mean with that cute face how could you not be in love??

got the hubby to go with me!

Remember how I am not eating sugar?  Well my husband has decided to do it with me this month :).  He as also added on no fast food to our goal.  :)  Wish me luck i do love me $1 spicy chicken sandwiches from Carls Jr.

I am surprised how EASY it has been to not have sugar.  I so passed up any and all chocolate and peanut butter combination this Halloween and TRUST me that used to be hard :) 

So here is to 25 more days and who knows maybe after a slice of pie i will go until the new year :)

What is it about November?

November just spells gratitude to me.  Its what my mind becomes consumed with.  Constantly thinking about how blessed my life is.  I guess it has something to do with Thanksgiving.  It is after all my favorite Holiday!

I am a positive person.  I hate dwelling on the negative in my life, because really where does that get me.  Answer feeling more crappy then I did earlier; don't get me wrong I still do it, i just HATE it when I do.

So this month my goal is to post something i am grateful for daily.  Because really I do have SO much to be grateful for. 

Today's Gratitude

The chance to grow up in 2 homes. 

Now i know some people might stop for a minute here.  Let me explain.  My parents divorced when I was 7 and both remarried when i was 10.  What did this give me.  A whole lot of new siblings and 2 new and wonderful individuals to fill in the roles of my step parents.

I love my Step parents dearly.  I love them as if they are my real parents.  I am blessed truly blessed.  What i am most grateful for, was the chance to see parenting from 4 different parents.  I know this has helped me become a better parent.  On top of this I have what Derek has learned also.  I found parenting styles and ways from all of them that I liked and did not like.  I have tried my best to put all of  my parents parenting styles together in the way I parent my girls.  I really do think I am lucky to get to see so many ideas and ways to handle situations. I know I am a much better parent for it. 

My choice style for parenting is Authoritative. (you can see parenting styles here)  
I try my best to stay in this range but lets be honest, sometimes its easy to snap at your kids and sometimes its easy to over indulge and give in to them.  I am going to try my best to speak softer and kinder to my children to ask questions and to make sure they know just how much I love them.  I am so grateful for such sweet and wonderful children.  Jackie is adorable cute kind and loving.  I love that she always remembers her please and thank yous.  I love that she trys to be a good friend and worries about her friends.  I love how kind and calm Abby is and all of her kisses. 
I want to try to be the best parent I can be because my girls do deserve the best, and I only hope i can live up to that.

So

Why the heck this is on my mind.  Sunday School lesson was on parenting styles (marriage and fam class)

anyway I will do my best to post my daily gratitude this month

got the cops called on us

Last night a friend on facebook posted he had 2 free tickets to the game today.  I was the first to respond so we got to go.  Can you SAY SUPER COOL! he was even nice enough to deliver them to my house!

We got a neighbor to watch the girls, put on a lot of layers since it was raining super hard, and drove on over.  We got to our seats in time for kick off.  Well and we stood.  I grew up right, was taught at games you stand and cheer.  When your team needs you this is even more important (and this is SO BYU right now they need all the help they can get) plus the players are constantly trying to get the fans to stand :).  We stood up, and then the yelling started.  People telling us we needed to sit.  People telling us we needed to live our religion, people telling us that its not Christ like to stand when they want to sit, people telling us we are jerks, an old man even swore at my husband.  All because we wanted to stand (this was all during a scoring drive mind you).  One of the people told security on us.  They told us we could stand if we wanted.  This did not fly with the old man, so he went to the cops.  The cops told us we could stand and he understood our want but said we could move down lower as not to cause a fight....which i am pretty sure some of those people were ready for. 
I saw a guy from my work, so we went and sat with them.  (this was about 6 rows down (we were 1st row upper bowl)  but in the lower bowl not upper) Got to stand the whole game and cheer.  I kept looking up to see our wonderful friends up above....i never saw cheering, they never stood.  seriously lame fans! So we had a lot more fun down there so i guess it turned out good in the end......still I think its funny they told the cops on us for standing.........

but who cares my cougars won, we had a BLAST, my husband was soooo nice to those mean people, and the above story happened in the first 6-7 minutes of the game

So what i learned is, some BYU fans are horrible and have no idea how to cheer at a game, or well be nice to people.  But don't worry in their eyes we are the horrible people for standing to cheer......

You should all do this

Who dose not love a giveaway :) its a great cause! http://www.jesseephotography.com/ — check it out

My current FAVORITE thing EVER!

This pass is my favorite. 

As in my super super favorite.  For $45 (they are all different prices for some weird resaon!) you get a season pass to seven peaks (next year of course) unlimited actives at Lehi and Orem trafalaga (everything but the arcades) plus a ticket to each Owls and Flash game (the minor league baseball and basketball team)  for 12 months! 

That is not even the best part, kids 3 and under are free to all the above events.  So we only needed 2.  We got these on Saturday when Derek and I went on a date.  I took the girls that night, and we went yesterday for FHE.  Jackie thinks they are the coolest places ever. (yes she does need to go to Disney land)  I am pretty excited about them, even more excited for seven peaks this summer!

If you live in Utah country you should check them out!

i wanted a cute picture

Me and the girls looked super cute today, Abby and I were also super fam picture matchy so i was like i need to get a picture of us! Only issue derek had to stay after to do fast offerings so no one was home and girls were getting near napping.  I kept them up to wait and this was the best we got when he got home :)

I think Jackie is getting over her non smiling phase either that or the Popsicle to told her she would get got her to smile

 Abby just wanted to push around her toy

 Attempt to get one with all of us.....

Love this little one! today she made all on her own some get well cards for 2 girls that were not in nursery cuz they were sick!

L

 Me and Abby...thats the best we got

Jackies hair was so cute today lol i wish i had a picture of it oh well!

trip to hee haws (pumpkin patch plus!)

Last Monday I really wanted to go to a pumpkin patch, only issue it rained all freaking day like sheets of rain! I was really worried we would not be able to go, but it stopped raining so we went! The patch was closed due to the mud but everything else was working and they had a ton of pumpkins they picked waiting for us to get :)

 Our fam at the trick or treat hay ride Jackie and Abby LOVED the hay ride, Abby kept yelling YAY YAY YAY jackie of course was in heaven every time they threw in some candy

 Abby on the pony it did not last long :)

 Jackie on the pony she LOVED it

 The potato slide as she calls it was her favorite

 Derek liked it too

 It rained a bit while we were there

 The train i sent abby with Jackie and they did great! Abby did not try to escape!

 daddy powered swing

 Jack on the tractor

 GIANT PUMPKIN Pic :)

 They had swings that were dad powered ;)

We had a lot of fun! Jackie wants to go back :)

pictures pictures pictures

 She is getting better at smiling haha I think these are from Abbys real b-day we took her to get french fries and ice cream :)

 She LOVES ice cream!

 After that we went to the park

 My baby loves home made chilli!

 The other day Jackie told me she wanted to jump in a pile of leaves so we swept up some for her :)

 She threw them more the she jumped

 Abby kept eying and climbing the stairs

We are loving the fall and the fall weather!