Thanksgiving

Wishing all our family and friends a

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a fabulous day.

I am so very blessed.

My family is so helpful, hard working and fun!

The Christmas decorations are up!!

Pies and cranberry sauce are made

and all is under control for the big feast.

I am thankful for my amazing husband and children.

For the beautiful home we live in.

The travel adventures we are able to have.

For the support, love, and friendship of fabulous friends.

But, most of all I am so grateful to be a member of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Happy Thanksgiving!





Nutcracker Tea

This year we didn't think Jensen would

have a part at the Nutcracker Tea.

However, she was asked to dress

as Clara's mother.

It was an honor for her.

Jensen and her dance buddies.

They have danced together for the

last 8 1/2 years.

Not only did Jensen get to dress as Clara's mother.

She introduced the dancers and

read the Nutcracker story to all the kids

in attendance.



These are a few of the cute girls at one of the Tea's

It was fun to have Jensen be a part of our final

Nutcracker Tea.

The Nutcracker has been a big part of our lives

since she was 8.

It was bittersweet as we said goodbye.

Lots of memories and friends.

Thankful Tree

Every year we make our "Thankful Tree."

This year was a little more difficult.

Kenzie is away at college, Scott has been traveling,

and so that left the three of us to carry on.

We did call Kenzie and Scott to get a few of

their Thankful items.

It is hanging in the kitchen as a constant

reminder on what this time of year

is all about.

Hopefully we will be able to remember

all year long to be Thankful and show

gratitude for all that we have.

I love this time of year!

Kenzie comes home tonight, short school week,

yummy food for Thanksgiving, family,

Holiday decorations are going up as I type

(I know I am crazy).

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Day of School

The first day of school came and went.

But, I must document it.

Jensen started her Senior year of High School.

Even though she is technically a Junior,

due to the upcoming move she is

graduating a year early.

She is not too happy about that,

but is handling it beautifully!

WOW! I can't believe she will be graduating.

So many changes!

She is such a fun, pretty and amazing young lady!!

Alec started 6th grade.

He does not like me taking his pictures.

It seems like only yesterday that I was taking

him to Kindergarten.

This year it was not cool for Scott and I

to walk him on to the playground.

Although, he let Kenzie.

Oh, to be a big sister!!

He is very involved with school this year.

VP of Student Council, Service Club and

early morning choir.

He loves his school!

He is riding his bike to school...

that is when he doesn't have to be

there early.

Loves to hang with his friends.

They have great air soft battles at the park.

He is becoming a fabulous young man

and we couldn't be more proud of him.

It won't be long and he will be taller

than his sisters and me.

My little boy is quickly becoming

a young man!

FYI....

Who doesn't love a handful of M&M's?!

Oh, Boy do I love M&M's!

Peanut, plain, peanut butter, almond, mint and more!

Yummy!!

Here is a little bit of info I read this week.

If you eat just "one" M&M...

you will need to walk one length of the football field

to work off that M&M.

YIKES!

This makes me think twice before

grabbing a handful.

Don't you love the BSU field?

Happy Monday!

There are days that I sit and contemplate life....

I can't believe that I will be relocating in 9 months,

that my husband is gone a greater part of the week,

that simple family things are harder to do or missed,

that I have a daughter in college, one getting ready to

graduate High School and my baby is in 6th grade!

Disappointment and discouragement are from Satan!

Oh, boy he wants us to feel them and lately I have

felt my own share of them.

Last week it was if a light bulb went off.

I was ready, able and willing to carry on this crazy life and load.

I no longer wanted the heavy feelings that Satan was

putting on me.  Adios!!

I am truly blessed!!

No matter the hardship, my blessings far outweigh them!

I love this quote from a great Prophet (info here).

I am not sure what facilitated the change last week.

I do know that somewhere someone said a prayer

or two on my behalf,  friends supported and uplifted,

and I felt the spirit awaken my soul.

It is a new week with new and old challenges.

I will "Carry On".

For now this is my path.

It is up to me to learn, grow, Be Happy, Believe

and endure.

Happy Monday!

Big Brother

Alec adopted a "big brother."

Tanner is a young man from our ward.

He is currently serving a mission

in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tanner was Kenzie's friend first

and then Alec decided that

Tanner could be the "big brother"

he never got.

Alec has been enamored with writing

Tanner while he is serving his mission.

Alec updates him on sports, video games,

school and life in Gilbert.

I love that Tanner is such a great

example to Alec.

(pictures taken in 2009 at Winter Formal.

Alec and Tanner playing Nerf.)