Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a nice Thanksgiving Weekend.  The kids were out of school for three days.

The first day we went to Discovery World.

The second day we celebrated Thanksgiving.  My favorite part was the homemade place cards Ethan made.

The third day we went rock climbing as a family.

And then we went and got our annual christmas ornaments, and Shawn always picks out a new christmas Yankee Candle so that our home has that wonderful christmas smell.

2011 Ornament picks:  Shawn-When Ralph drops the "grand daddy of them all" on the Christmas Story, Jenn-smurfett, Ethan-Jack Sparrow (he has a little pirate obsession), Cole-football player (I'm still clueless why he chose this one), and Liv-barbie princess.

We set up the tree and we are officially in the Christmas Spirit.  The kids drew names and spent their hard earned money buying each other gifts.  It was a fun weekend, until we decided to pass around the stomach bug.  We also went to see Arthur's Christmas to help get us in the holiday spirit, ate 1/2 gallon of custard, and went for a drive through candy cane lane (a large group of houses that gets all decked out in lights and decorations for the holidays).

We did have one weird/scary experience this weekend.  On Thanksgiving day, while Shawn and I were in the kitchen cooking and the kids playing games in the family room, we heard the front door open.    Shawn peaked around the corner and saw a man standing in our living room.  He was a total stranger with a laptop in his hands that was open.  As soon as he saw Shawn he took off running.  Shawn's protective daddy instincts kicked in and he chased him down.  After getting him to stop he tried to figure out who he was and why he just walked in our house.  The man just mumbled a few things and ran away.  The weird thing about it is that our front door is a key code.  It is always locked and you have to enter the code to open it.  And it also was a little weird to see someone walking around with their laptops open in their arms.  Nothing ended up happening and we are all safe, but it was a little weird.  After talking to the police and our landlord we agreed that we should change the keypad code.  Other than that, we had a nice relaxing weekend!

Throughout the past 11 years since being married, I have had some amazing experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.  I am thankful for those experiences.

 I am thankful for a faith that allows me to peacefully wake up each morning knowing that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of me and watches over me.  I am thankful that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth to atone for my sins.  I am thankful for my savior, and his eternal sacrifice for me.  I am grateful to know that I have a plan and a purpose for being here each day.  I am thankful to have a loving Heavenly Father who gives me daily inspiration to lead my family.

We moved away from home after being married for three short years.  We moved internationally….far far away.  Ethan was 3 months old.  We were alone and isolated on an island.  It was one of the best experiences of my life.  I gained a gratitude and understanding of different cultures, and learned to love this beautiful earth and all God’s children.  I am thankful for that.

I am thankful for my family.  Although my actual family has dramatically changed over the past year, I still feel blessed to have such wonderful loving people in my life.  Having divorced parents is hard.  There have been many tears shed, but I am grateful that both my mom and dad are not alone.  I am grateful that they each have found someone new to love and share their life with. 

I am thankful that I have two sisters.  It doesn’t matter that we all live thousands of miles apart (Utah, Milwaukee, & Morocco), we love each other.  We don’t bicker, we don’t fight.  We offer unconditional love to each other, lift each other up, and provide support to each other that only other sisters will understand.  I love them.  I love that they are strong, independent, and confident women who serve in their families and callings honorably.

I am thankful for two brothers who love life.  They love my kids and undoubtedly will drop everything to play with them.  I know that they are dependable, loving, and good people and I love them.

I am thankful to have amazingly wonderful in-laws who are supportive, loving, and kind.  They are always there when needed and I truly feel blessed to have them in my life.

I am thankful that I was raised in a home were I was loved, accepted, and taught about serving, and loving others.  I am thankful that my parents provided me with many opportunities to grow, and that they had enough strength to watch me fall so that I could stand on my own two feet.  I am thankful that they allowed me to be independent and learn about the world on my own terms.  I am thankful that they taught me to have integrity and the value of hard work.

I am thankful that in all the crazy places that we have lived, we always had a comfortable home.    I am thankful we have always had food, heat, and running water.  I am thankful for my computer and the internet that allows me to share the beauty of my life with my friends and family.  I am thankful for my camera that allows me to document those moments of pure happiness that I store in my heart forever.  

I am grateful to have found a perfect companion to share my life with.  Some one who understands me, and what I need to be happy.  I am grateful that he honors his priesthood and has a strong testimony.  He is a strong righteous leader, and I am grateful for that.

I am grateful for three healthy, vibrant kids.  They give me a reason to wake up each day.  Because of them I strive to be a better person.  I am grateful they are smart, loving, and keep life exciting.  I am grateful for their strong spirits.  I am thankful for sleeping kids, smiling kids, hungry kids, and happy kids. 

I am grateful for healthy, strong bodies that allow us to work hard and have fun.

I am thankful for good neighbors and friends that save the day and provide invaluable support.

I am grateful to have a job that allows me to be a mom and fulfill my career aspirations.  It allows me to help people and change their lives.  I have felt strong that this is part of God's calling for me and I'm grateful for this opportunity.

I feel so blessed and grateful for the many opportunities my Heavenly Father has seen fit to bestow upon me. At this time of year I love being able to stop and reflect.  Life is good.  I am happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

  

Birthday

Things have been a little crazy around our house the past few weeks so we decided for Shawn's birthday we weren't going to do anything big.  Shawn chose a nice family dinner at PF Changs and then a movie.  The dinner actually went pretty smooth.  Ethan only complained about the food a little, Cole only yelled a few times, and Liv actually sat still and didn't climb over the bench.  The kids had fun experimenting with chop sticks.  Ethan requested to have shrimp for dinner and cole said, "I want beef".  We ordered Mongolain Beef, Honey Shrimp, Fried Rice, Vegetable Lo Mein, and crab wontons for an appetizer.  Rather than make a cake Shawn wanted the "great wall of China" at the end of our dinner.  We sang a very poor rendition of Happy Birthday in the restaurant and then came home.

Earlier in the day Shawn opened his birthday presents, which consisted of some new work pants, two sweaters, and a gift card.  A few hours later he decided that the TV we got when we married 11 years ago just wasn't going to cut it.  Shawn and Ethan immediately went to Best Buy and he bought himself a new 46 inch television for our bedroom.  So, he actually ended up getting a new TV for his birthday also.  I hope he remembers that when I ask for a new lense for my birthday :)

Overall, it was a nice relaxing birthday!  Shawn got lots of phone calls and texts from family and friends and only had to work a few hours in the moring.  The kids had an early release day and got out at 11:30 so we were able to spend the entire day together.  A perfect birthday!

11.11.11

Tomorrow is a big day.  Not only is it the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011, but it is my husband's birthday.

The other day at work I was talking with some friends.

Friend:  You mean your husband stays home and takes care of the kids while you work?
Me: Yes
Friend:  Does he feed them dinner?
Me: Yes
Friend: Homemade or does he just order pizza?
Me: Homemade
Friend:  What else does he do with them while you are at work?
Me: He helps with math, reads stories, spelling words, and art projects.  He even takes them to swimming lessons, soccer, dance, and the park.
Friend:  And he is a doctor also?
Me:  Yep
The room was silent and everyone was instantly jealous of my awesome husband.

Yes, I know, I am pretty darn lucky.

Shawn is an amazing husband, he is loving, tender, and strong.
He provides a secure, stable life for us.
He is a devoted father, who teaches and loves each one of our kids.
He is a righteous priesthood holder, who leads our family.
He is an intelligent, hard working, and compassionate physician.
He teaches my boys to respect women and work hard.
He teaches my daughter that she is a daughter of God.
He is a loyal and respectful son.
He is a fun, supportive, and true friend to many.

One of the main reasons I knew that I wanted to marry Shawn was because of the way he made me feel.

He makes me feel beautiful and loved.
He supports me in anything I do.
He inspires me to reach my dreams.
He loves me, even with all my crazy ideas.
It is because of him that I am a good mom, friend, and wife.
It is because of him that I can fulfill my divine potential as a woman.
Because of him, I am happy!

Thanks babe, for everything.
The kids and I are truly lucky!


**birthday post to follow**

iphone updates

Ethan's continues to love scouts.  He did the flag ceremony a few weeks ago.  He can hardly carry the flag, it's three times his size, but he did a good job.

He still is a climber!  The other day the kids were out back playing the with neighbors.  I looked out the window and couldn't see Ethan so I hollered to Cole and asked where he was.  "I"m here mom" said a tiny voice.  I looked around and still couldn't see him, but I could tell he was close by the sound of his voice.  When I noticed some movement in a big tree I looked up and Ethan had climbed up to the top of a big tree. I still can't believe we haven't had any broken bones yet with him.  He climbs EVERYTHING.  I often see him climbing up the top of the basketball hoops at recess.

Ethan had his first official late night with a friend.  They had a Wii party and Ethan requested the following snacks: Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Grape Fanta, popcorn, and Lime Chips.

Cole continues to be crazy and lovable.  Living right across the street from the elementary school has it's disadvantages, like when the kids can see there house outside at recess and decide they are just going to walk home in the middle of school.  Yes, Cole decided to do that last week.  But it actually was pretty dangerous because we live on a fairly busy road.  The principal caught him just in time, but he did have to spend the next day in the principals office during recess.  That morning before he left for school he said the following in his prayer, "Please bless that I can have a good time in the principals office."  Shawn and I both laughed, but he actually did end up having a good time.

Liv is still dancing and playing and being the cutest little diva.

Liv and I went out on a girls lunch.

We love to eat at Panera.  It's the only restaurant that everybody loves so it tends to be our choice for eat out nights.  Last week we stopped by for a quick dinner and a cute older couple came up and said, "this is a great example of the perfect American family."  We smiled and thanked them and I realized how truly lucky and blessed I am to have the "Perfect American Family".  Especially during this wonderful monthly on Thanksgiving I feel truly grateful to be surrounded by such a great family.

HALLOWEEN 2011

Our neighborhood held its annual Trick or Treating this weekend.  People in Wisconsin really go all out for Halloween.  There were lots of great decorations and everyone was outside sitting in front of their house with a big bonfire.  The kids had a blast and we even found a house that was giving away king-sized candy bars.

Here are a few random phone pics from the week.
Liv at her school costume party.

I spent almost all day at the school helping with parties and next was Cole's class.

For some reason Ethan's class didn't have a party, but I did catch this picture later that evening during swim practice.  He is becoming a pretty good little diver.  He runs and jumps and dives off anything he can.  In the picture he is a total blur, but that is him jumping and diving off the diving board.  Maybe next time I'll bring my real camera and get a good shot.  

Family Pictures 2011

3 grouchy kids + 2 parents + 1 camera + 1 tripod + threats + bribes + 30 minutes later =