And Then Life Takes a Turn...

I've been teasing you with a promised post on Christmas ornaments for a few weeks, and I promise I did start writing it today.  But then I got an email about a job opening that would be so PERFECT for my husband and I got completely carried away and Christmas ornaments just don't sound that interesting anymore.

What's the job, you're asking?  Well, I'm not going to tell you everything because he hasn't even filled out the application, but recently he told me what he really wanted to be doing was working in the great outdoors.  He's always loved biking, hiking, skiing, and is crazy adventurous.  This job would allow him to do all of those things plus a whole lot more...for a living.

What would the job mean for me?  He'd be gone A LOT.  It'd mean a summer of me and 4 kids figuring things out on our own.  It could mean giving up our house and bumming couches from friends and family all summer instead of continuing our search for a bigger place we can all fit in.  It could mean a lot of traveling to where he is, including a trip up the ALCAN Highway with my minivan, a 5-year-old, 2-year-old and 9 month old twins.  It could mean saving a lot of money or turn into having absolutely no money.  And most importantly, it would mean being so incredibly proud of my husband for giving up the security of a decent paycheck at a ho-hum job to do something that he really loves to do!  It'd give me hope for my own dreams coming true in the future, too!

I'll let you know how it all turns out, but for now know that I have a HUGE grin on my face.  And forgive me for not getting around to that very "settled down and domesticated" post I'd been promising...maybe in a few days when I come down off this high..

We Have 2 Winners!

Congratulations to our Holiday Giving winners!

Giveaway #1 featuring Forking Queen

Winner:  Alicia K

Giveaway #2 featuring Aalbers Creations

Winner:  Rachel M. 

Thanks to all who entered and WELCOME to those of you who are new!

I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Winners have been contacted.  

In the event they do not respond, 

new winners will be chosen Wednesday morning.

Holiday Giving Giveaway #2

Have you entered Holiday Giving (A Giveaway) #1?

  Be sure to head over there and get the back story on both this and that giveaway.

Holiday Giving (A Giveaway) #2

One Item of Your Choice (up to $40 value) 

from Aalbers Creations shop on Etsy.

So, this is my sister Kimberly!  Over the past 3 years she has created herself a business doing exactly what she loves.  Using 1000x more creativity than I was ever born with, she makes beautiful accessories for girls and their mom's and then travels the Renaissance fair circuit donning her wares (okay, super cheesy, I know, but that is what she does).  

Every item you'll find on her Etsy page is hand-sewn, hand-painted, or self-designed.  She dresses her girls in all her own creations, and they beg her to give them painted fairy faces almost every day.  Looking around you'll find a huge range of items from wings and fairy costumes...

 

to play tents and crowns...

 

to leg warmers and bibs...

 

I know you'll love looking through her shop on Etsy!  Check out the entry form below and let me know what you would choose!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Haven't checked out Holiday Giving (A Giveaway #1) yet?  

Head over there now and get your entries in!

Giveaway being sponsored across my blogging gamut.  

All entry forms will be combined to choose one winner for each giveaway.

Prizes are being offered at no cost or benefit to me.  Just a good sisterly deed.

Holiday Giving Giveaway #1

I started December with good intentions of helping my family give service this month and focus on other people instead of ourselves and I think we've been doing okay.  After delivering mailbox treats we've brought our neighbor's trash bins back up to the house on trash day, chose chores to help each other out with in our own house, and helped all the "big guys" put away chairs after church on Sunday.  Today, we want to offer two-fold service by supporting two of my sisters and their businesses and giving you the chance to win something fun and beautiful for the holidays!

Holiday Giving Giveaway #1

(okay, I tried to find a picture of my sister Brooke to post,

 but 1) I couldn't and 2) she would have killed me! :)

One item of your choice at

Forking Queen on Etsy

(up to $50 value, or $50 credit can be used 

towards 1 item of higher value)

Forking Queen is the business my sister Brooke started doing about 7 years ago.  She started out creating unique silverware jewelry pieces like these:

Now she's expanded with a "Leather and Lead" brand:

and some other really beautiful things! 

 Take a look around her Etsy shop and then get your entries for an item (up to $50 value) in below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ready to win a second prize?  

Be sure to enter our Holiday Giving (A Giveaway) #2!

Giveaway being sponsored across my blogging gamut.  

All entry forms will be combined to choose one winner for each giveaway.

Prizes are being offered at no cost or benefit to me.  Just a good sisterly deed. 

A Little Peace For Your Day

Thanks to Valerie at Prepared LDS Family for posting this beautiful Christmas video by the Piano guys this morning.  It's exactly what I needed to start my day.  I hope it'll give you a moment of rest as well...

Thankful Thirty Giveaway Winners!!

Congratulations Debbi and Marissa!!

Thank you to everyone who commented throughout the month of November.  

Hearing from you gives me motivation to keep on writing!

(Winners have been notified and have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be chosen.)

I'm going to take a few days off, but I'll be back next week with some ways that our family is staying focused on serving other people throughout this holiday season.

Thankful Thirty #30 (Wrapping Up)

What a November this has been!  Encouraging myself each day to be aware of the blessings in my life was sometimes hard, but helped me to see exactly what I needed to see in that moment.  Living in the moment.  It's an interesting new thing for me.

Having said that, though, I want to take time today to reflect on what I've learned over the last 30 days.  I needed the chance to slow down and realize that I'm grateful for...

~

Those people in the world

who choose to live each day in the service of the littlest and weakest among us.  

~

A Heavenly Father 
so personally familiar with me and with His plan for me.

~

A husband who knows I am strong,

 lets me be weak, and serves me even when I don't deserve it.

~

Opportunities to provide for my family responsibly.

~

My one vote can make a difference in my local, state, and national election.

~

The good influence the military has been in the lives of my friends who've served.

~

We can still hope in an America that is great. 

 We, the people, can make it great!

~

Simplicity.

~

That little 5-year-old boy

 who loves life so much he can't help sharing it with me.

~

A brief moment in our family finances when 

we can afford to have  a 1st-world problem.

~

Well-intentioned strangers, even if they don't quite know what to say.

~

The ability to keep in touch even from far away.

~

Organization in times of trouble.

~

You!

~

Thoughtful partnerships.

~

The ability to push myself in the body God gave me.

~

Having more good things going in my life than bad and recognizing it. 

~

The lessons I learn when I thought I was teaching my kids.

~

The opportunity I've taken 

to reflect this month on all I have been given.

~

Time to reflect and appreciate anew.

~

An uplifting change in routine.

~

The sweet woman who held a twin during church  
so my husband and I could wrangle older children without killing all of them.

~

The power of writing

 to bring shine back into an otherwise dismal day.

~

The home I've loved and the excitement of looking for another one.

~

The inspiration I receive from the talents of other people.

~

So, now you know what I'm grateful for!  Remember, you've got a little time left to enter the Trappistine Chocolate Giveaway especially for you, my readers.  You can comment on any of my Thankful Thirty posts, but to make it easy for you, why now comment right here?  Tell me, 

Thankful Thirty #29 (Only One More Day to Go)

I can hardly believe I made it all the way through my Thankful Thirty challenge without missing a single day!  Tomorrow I'll wrap it all up, but today I'm going to take it easy.  Here are some of the images I loved this month, but never got around to using...

Source: oprah.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: kittengirl.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: bugaboominimrme.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: oprah.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I'm grateful for the inspiration I receive from the talents of other people.

Thankful Thirty #28 (Home)

It is time to find a new home.  We love the house we've been in for the past 3 years, but it is time to pack and go before the walls burst at their seams.  We need an office space that isn't splayed across the dining room table.  We need a laundry room that doesn't play the role of kitchen 6.5 days of the week.  We need outdoor storage so our strollers, camping equipment, fishing gear, golf clubs, picnic toys, spare electrical parts, life jackets, ski boots, bike trailer, roller blades, fondue pots, spare wallpaper, backpacks, and air mattresses aren't all jammed into one uninsulated closet in our bedroom.  And we need to be able to walk through the whole place without tripping over baby things (or, worse, babies).

The hunt has begun, and of course we had to start out with nearly irresistible temptation.  There is a house for rent 1 block from where we live now that looked as close to my dream home as I can imagine ever finding.  A long driveway so it sets off the road.  Next to the elementary school with a gate in the fence to get through.  A wall of windows on the north side overlooking an expansive hollow and ravine.  And totally remodeled on top of everything.  The problem?  It's above our budget but just enough to make it impossible to walk away from.

The past two weeks have been a sincere test of willpower on my part.  That's how long we made ourselves wait before going to look at it.  We figured if it didn't get snapped right up, maybe it was meant to be.  Of course in the back of my mind I knew that if it didn't get snapped up there might be something wrong with it, but the idyllic abode I'd built it up to be in my mind kept me dreaming.

We looked at it this morning.  It took two minutes to get from our driveway to the front door and my kids didn't think it was strange at all because they could still see the park they play in and the neighbors they know and love.  And as soon as I walked in the door I knew this isn't the next place our family will call home.

Don't get me wrong, the layout was great, the windows and view were amazing!  There was a basement with two large pantries we hadn't been expecting, and also a patio out the back door.  Past that red flags went up in almost every room.  The bedroom walls were freshly painted, but the stucco walls were crumbling and black mold was poorly hidden.  The bathroom vanity that looked high quality in the listing photos was actually wooden, fading, and showing signs of rot due to the lack of windows or ventilation fans.  And the kitchen with it's new stainless steel appliances and marble counter tops were only a distraction from the matted carpet and exposed electrical wires behind the cupboard doors.  As we finished up our walk through,   I couldn't ignore the thought gnawing inside of me that the amount of cosmetic improvements done on the house must be covering up an equal amount of structural or mechanical problems with the house.

And that was it for me.  All the dreaming I've done since first seeing the listing, and worrying about falling in love with a place we couldn't afford, were mitigated instantly.  Not for one moment did I consider moving my boys into a bedroom with mold.  As we drove the two minutes back home I talked to my husband about the reasons we were comfortable letting this house go and he said that he agreed with me.  Before he left to go to work, though, I need to be sure.  I asked him,  "Are we on the same page?"

His reply? "But it has an ice maker in the refrigerator door..."

This house-hunting thing isn't going to be easy...

I'm grateful for the home I've loved and the excitement of looking for another one.

Thankful Thirty #27

It was not a good day.  I have been trying to find some bright crevice in my mind with something to be grateful, but I just keep coming back to it not being a good day.  That has me marveling that I've actually found something to be grateful for for the last 26 days.  Of course we always have blessings for which we give thanks, but it's not second-nature for me to recognize and them.  This month of writing has been good for me.

With only a few days left in November, don't forget to get your entry in for the Trappistine Creamy Caramel Monastery Candy.  It just takes one comment on one post, and your chances are really good! No matter who, or where, you are, I want to be able to give it to you!

I guess I've come up with something to think about today...

I'm grateful for the power of writing

 to bring shine back into an otherwise dismal day.

Thankful Thirty #26 (Service)

Source: crosscards.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I'm grateful for the sweet woman who held a twin during church  
so my husband and I could wrangle older children without killing all of them.

Thankful Thirty #25 (Children)

Source: pinterestcommunity.com via Michelle on Pinterest

My husband took my oldest son up the canyon for his first ski lesson of the season today and left me at home with our three littler boys.  IT WAS SO NICE!

I can't remember the last time my house was so quiet.  I can't remember the last time I've gone an entire day without yelling.  It was fun to watch our 2-year-old playing what he wanted to play for as long as he wanted to play it.  It was nice to read a book while feeding the babies instead of squeezing bottles into my role as referee.  And it was really nice to be showered in hugs and help when the ski day was through.

Another day like this might not come again for quite some time, but that's okay.  It's not one I plan on forgetting any time soon.

I'm grateful for an uplifting change in routine.

Thankful Thirty #24

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pintere

I'm grateful.  That's all, just grateful.

Thankful Thirty #23 (Reflecting)

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and I hope you feel as refreshed from visiting with family as I do. I think in a day or two I'll put into words how moving it was to be reminded I'm surrounded by fabulous people.  Right now, though, I think we should all make a leftover turkey sandwich to eat in the car on the way out to find our amazing Black Friday deals.  See you back here tomorrow!

I'm grateful for time to reflect and appreciate anew.

Thankful Thirty #22

Source: thetwineryblog.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Thankful Thirty #21

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments 

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” 

~ Thornton Wilder

I am grateful for the opportunity I've taken 

to reflect this month on all I have been given.

Thankful Thirty #20 (Humility)

"I want, I want, I want!"  I'm sick of hearing it already.  The Toys 'R Us toy catalog came in the mail nearly a month ago and I haven't had a quiet day since.  Every time I think I've hidden it, thrown it away, or incinerated it the blasted magazine reappears, a little more banged up, but still readable and enticing.  My kids are begging me for things they've never heard of and I guarantee would hate as soon as they found it underneath the Christmas tree. To try and combat the vacuum of materialism that can put a damper on the holidays, we sat down as a family tonight for a lesson I called "I Want/I Have." First we did an activity I adapted from the Groovy Storytimes blog.  She said,

For an object lesson on greed, build a small "table." Use building blocks at either end for legs, and a rectangle of thin cardboard, (I used a postcard) for the top...Place a small pile of small stones beside the "table."(We used building blocks) Pick up one of the stones and say, "I want a _______." Fill in any item that you know your kids like. Place that stone on the cardboard tabletop. Pick up another stone and repeat.  Again, fill in the blank with anything, from a bicycle to a Playstation to a pet dinosaur. Place this stone beside the first one on the cardboard. Continue in this fashion until there are so many stones on the cardboard that it collapses. Explain to the children that, if we're not careful, our "wants" can overwhelm us.

Everyone in our family took a turn doing this and then we talked about how when we want things, we'll never have everything we want.  We'll never be happy enough.  Then we did the activity again, but this time I moved the "table" legs together to make a sturdy base for the postcard to lay on.  With each block we stacked this time, we said, "I have ______."  When all our blocks were stacked steady on top of each other, we talked about how focusing on the blessings we have to be thankful for help us to be happier and stronger.

The second part of the activity was to draw a turkey on the chalkboard.  Each person named a thing they are grateful to have and added it as a feather on the turkey.  Then I explained to my boys that every time this week that they started a sentence with "I want...", I would stop them and we'd add another "I have..." feather to our turkey.  They were excited and I thought I was a genius.

Then my great activity kicked me in my own behind.  As we ate our family night treat and got ready for bed, I caught myself choking on my own "I wants...".  Real art when we move into our next house, a newer car seat for my toddler, new pans on Black Friday, and on and on and on.  Apparently, I'm as bad, if not worse, than my kids with their toy catalogs.

I didn't add more feathers tonight because I was able to stop myself before sharing all the material things I was wishing for.  But tomorrow morning, I will add a few important things to our turkey and hopefully by the end of the week our entire family will be focused a little more on the many blessings we have to be thankful for.

I'm grateful for the lessons I learn when I thought I was teaching my kids.

Thankful Thirty #19 (Blessings)

Source: drooz.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I'm grateful to have more good things going in my life than bad and recognizing it. 

Thankful Thirty #18 (The Body)

I ran a mile today.  I've only done that one other time in my life.  It was 17 years ago and I HATED it way back then.  I'll stop short of saying I hated it as much when I did it today, but I am confident telling you it was not the most fun thing I've done lately.

Why did I decide to do something so unenjoyable on a cold rainy day?  A little while back I agreed to run a 5K with my sisters and then they actually decided it was something we should motivate each other to do.  I'm not sure I expected that, but I definitely don't want to show up there being the slowest one.  So, my "training" starts today.

The truth is I was unbelievably nervous to strike out today.  First, I didn't want my husband to laugh at me.  Of course he wouldn't, but he's run several marathons and has distance running legs and lungs and I could definitely never keep up with him.  And second, I honestly didn't think I could do it.  Even though I love hiking and biking, I've never considered myself athletic.  I mapped the distance in my car and my jaw dropped-it seemed really really far!

Well, I did it...and I didn't die.  My neighbors might have questioned that if they saw me walking home after I finished, but I made it.  My teeth were hurting and my head was so hot it could have been burning, but now I can say that it's done.  And I feel good!

Tonight after all the kids were in bed and the housework was as done as it's going to get for today, the thought popped into my head, "You ran a mile today!"  It brought a smile to my face!  It made me happy.  And it's motivated me to quit being so lazy.  I'm not entirely convinced to go back out tomorrow and try running some more, but there are other ways of exercising that I do enjoy and I'm going to get out to do them...so that I really don't show up for the race with my sisters and watch them smoke me...

I'm grateful for the ability to push myself in the body God gave me.

It's 1:45 in the morning as I push the publish button.  

If I wake up in the morning and realize this post is completely incoherent,

 I completely apologize! :)

Thankful Thirty #17 (Your Turn)

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

Thankful Thirty #16 (Relationships)

Source: flickr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

You are probably reading this at the beginning of your day, but I'm writing it at the end of my day and I'm tired and I'm ready to crash and I'm so glad my husband was willing to give the babies their bath tonight so I could sit for just one minute and relax.  He's a good dad.  He's a great husband!  I love him.

I'm grateful for thoughtful partnerships.

Thankful Thirty #15 (A Giveaway)

I'm halfway through my Thankful Thirty and it has done so much to help me focus on the myriad of good things happening in my life.  Today I want to take a moment to thank you, my friends and family, who read my ramblings and every now and then chime in.  I love to hear from you, but even when I don't, it's encouraging just to know you're there.

I want to say thank you!  

Now, a gift from me to one of my loyal readers.  That's right, a giveaway only for you, the ones who continue to trudge along with me.  I will not be advertising this giveaway anywhere, so the entries will be low and your chances very high!  Here's a look at the gift I'm going to give and how you can enter to win:

Trappistine Creamy Caramels

Monastery Candy

I first discovered these melt-in-your-mouth little goodies in a Reader's Digest "Best of America" series.  I was fascinated that they are made by cloistered nuns at the Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, and I was immediately in love when I realized these ladies are whipping up their confections right in my home state!  

I'm pretty sure I've tried everything this candy operation offers and I guarantee you can't go wrong.  Each November their catalog is a welcome surprise in my mailbox and my mouth starts watering as I decide which sweet treat I'm going to reward myself with that holiday season.  This year, that's what I want to do for you!  Here's the information...

Giveaway

2 winners will receive their choice of (1)

~Hazelnut Meltaways (6.5oz box)

~Swiss Mints (6.5oz box)

~Chocolate Coated Caramels (9oz Gift Box)

How To Enter

Comment on any of my Thankful Thirty posts.

1 comment=1 entry

That's a potential 30 entries.

Giveaway Rules

~Giveaway open 12:01AM November 15, 2012-11:59PM November 30, 2012 

~Winners will have their choice of one item above

~Winners will be chosen by Random.org and have 48 hours to respond before new winners will be chosen.

Remember, if you're reading this post, then this giveaway is a special thanks to you! 

This is not a sponsored or compensated post. 

 Prize will be awarded out of my own pocket

as a special way to say thank you.

Thankful Thirty #14 (Organization)

I am grateful for organization in times of trouble.

Thankful Thirty #13 (Service)

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinterest

My family is participating this year in Operation Christmas Child.  I first heard about it a few weeks ago on a blog I read from England.  Then, a second-time on a friend's blog in Iowa.  I decided to look more into it and decided it would be a perfect way to get my family thinking about other's as we head into this holiday season.

Operation Christmas Child is a program sponsored through the organization Samaritan's Purse.  Basically, you fill a shoe box with small items that will then be sent to a child in need in another part of the world.  I especially like it because it costs very little money on the part of the sender.  In the area I live there are always a plethora of opportunities to help needy families at Christmas time (angel trees, Toys 4 Tots, Sub 4 Santa, etc), but I always feel there's no way I could afford to fill the requirements for most of them.  With Operation Christmas Child, it felt completely appropriate to use free samples I've been collecting along with a few $1-$2 items we picked up at the store.  Actually, I'd bought 2 Crayola Activity boxes a little while back when they were on clearance and they worked out perfectly!  The box already had markers, crayons, paints, stickers, and play-do, so we only had to add a few things more.  

We filled our box tonight and I think we had success!  The boys had a struggle at the grocery store picking out one truck or car to "send to a little boy."  They wanted to pick out something to keep for themselves, of course.  But I talked to them about why we were buying them and was surprised when we got home that they remembered and didn't fight me about giving the toys away.  It was really cute to hear my 2-year-old telling his Daddy that we were giving a present to "a boy."  

I'm especially looking forward to this being an opportunity that we can draw on throughout the holiday season.  Part of Operation Christmas Child is being able to track where your package is going.  I'm hoping to use those updates as a chance to remind us all why we gave and what we should be focusing on at Christmas time.  

I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach my children to serve others.

Interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child?

Boxes are being accepted November 12-19.  

Click here to find a drop-off location near you.

Thankful Thirty #12 (Technology)

What did we do without modern technology?   I have grown so much closer to my sisters and other members of my family since joining Facebook 4 years ago than I ever was before.  I wonder how we ever knew anything about each other's lives before?  The truth is, we didn't.  And so, while I know that as with anything, it's only good in moderation, I'm glad for the connections that technology brings me.

Hopping over to the Facebook tab at the top of my computer screen right now, I'm finding out  the following things:

*the 60th grandchild is on the way in my husband's family

* two of my sisters are motivating each other to exercise while on vacation together

*My parents are going on a mission trip to Texas after the holidays

*My nieces had the cutest Halloween costumes in their entire town for trick-or-treating

*My in-laws are living my dream traveling with their kids in Cambodia

All that without making any effort to search or call or ask around.  Have you had the same experience with modern technology?  How do you keep in touch with your family?

I'm grateful for the ability to keep in touch even from far away.

Thankful Thirty #11 (Strangers)

Source: antonioandrade.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinteres

We got hit with our first snowstorm of the season yesterday.  It's beautiful-everything is blanketed in white.  As the snow began to lightly fall I loaded my kids into the van and headed off to do my Costco shopping.

Costco carts are great (read: HUGE).  I had two carseats and both my older boys loaded in along with all the things I was buying.  We may have been a spectacle, but everyone was behaving and having a good time.  Then came the part of having twins babies I have not gotten used to yet...the attention.  I swear to you every other person in Costco felt the need to stop me and proclaim, "You have twins!  I can't believe you're out in this kind of weather."

Notice above that I did not say we were having a blizzard.  It was snowing...lightly...

Two of those dozens of people did touch my heart.  The first was a much younger mother whom I passed as she carted kids out of the bathroom and I toddled my in.  She remarked, "I thought I was brave bringing my three today."  She was wearing her baby in her Moby wrap and had two older boys the same age as mine.  It was refreshing in a sea of aghast faces, to feel like at least one other person in that store was like me.

The second person approached as I was standing in the check-out line.  She asked rather shyly, "Do you mind if I ask how old your babies are?"  I told her and she went on to tell me she's waiting for her babies to get out of the NICU.  They were born at 33 weeks and have been in the hospital for 3-1/2 weeks.  Everyone she knows has her panicking about taking them out in public once they're home and she was encouraged to see me out with mine.

I re-assured that sweet mother that babies are resilient and I'm sure she will have impeccable judgement on when her little ones are ready to venture into the big bad world.  Maybe, though, I should have fed into her fear.  Going out with twins does make you an anomaly people can't resist commenting on.  Better to know that now than being bowled over on Day 1 with an unexpected barrage of attention.

I'm grateful for well-intentioned strangers, even if they don't quite know what to say.

Thankful Thirty #10 (1st-World Problems)

Source: laurawinslowphotography.com via Michelle on Pinterest

For my birthday a few months ago, my husband told me he was going to be buying me a new tablet. We did the research and decided to get on the waiting list for the new NookHD, which should be coming out in the next few days.  It's a very spendy gift, and he knew back then that I'd try to talk him out of it a dozen times before I actually have it in my hands (even though I bought him an equally spendy ski pass for the birthday he just celebrated).  I haven't disappointed him in that.  

The problem now is that I've come up with a different item that I can see being MUCH more useful.  I need a new good quality camera.  There is no way on this planet we can afford one that would be much different than the one I have now, but it is on it's last leg (if I use the zoom my pictures turn into a weird retro film-look with yellow stripes through all the faces).  And I don't want to tell my husband because I have a terrible habit of ruining every sweet idea he has for me.  I know that I/we would end up loving to have an e-reader/tablet, but the practical side of me sees that a camera would be a much wiser choice.  My stomach is in knots as I see the Nook release date looming closer and closer and knowing that the money is going to be spent and gone on an entertainment piece solely for me.

Terrible problem to have, right?  Deciding between too equally frivolous items because my husband loves me enough to give me whatever I want.  And yet, I'm not feeling apologetic.  I am slowly learning that sometimes I have to let things be about me.  If only that would make my decision easier....

I am grateful that for a brief moment in our family finances, 

we can afford to have such a 1st-world problem.

Thankful Thirty #9 (Parenting)

Source: pinstagram.co via Michelle on Pinterest

I chose this picture today for three reasons...

1. It made me think of the drawings plastered across my refrigerator door, my office space, and my children's bedroom walls.  My boys are ALWAYS coloring, cutting, and pasting.  I love watching them cultivate their creativity.
2. She (the bunny) looks like she's been through the wringer, or a war-zone, or my house today.  My 5-year-old NEVER runs out of energy and if his mouth is running, then he is running.  Literally.  He does almost all his thinking out loud.  And while he's telling himself whatever it is he's thinking, he's running laps through our living room, dining room, kitchen, and back again.  All day long today.  He was telling me the Cars 3 movie that was playing in his room with his Lego guys as the main characters.  Believe me when I say it could be the next Disney feature-length film, both in content and length.  At the end of the day, my head is SPINNING!
3. The most important things are not always the easiest to remember when I'm having a bad day.  Sometimes it takes all I've got to remember what's really important when it comes to that little guy. He's going to grow up one day and I have no doubt I'll be so incredibly proud of him then.  But I have the chance right now to marvel at the imagination that will catapult him to who he's going to become.  I need to remember that instead of letting it annoy me.

With tears on my cheeks, I'm grateful for 

that little 5-year-old boy

 who loves life so much he can't help sharing it with me.

Thankful Thirty #8 (Simplicity)

Source: truelifeofasouthernbelle.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Today I am grateful for simplicity.

Thankful Thirty #7 (Election Day)

I watched my 18-year-old neighbor cast his first-ever election ballot today and it nearly made me teary.  Over the years I've known him to be a typical teenager-arguing with his parents a lot of the time, pushing the boundaries they have set, and insisting that he's an adult and can make his own decisions even though he's still in high school.  Seeing him truly come of age and make such a mature decision to exercise the right to make his citizen's voice heard was heartening.  

I myself felt the weight that comes with having my personal choice make a difference on election day.  After trying for years to fully understand the electoral college v. popular vote, I will admit it still is a little shady to me.  BUT, I KNOW it is important to make sure my choice and preferences are heard.

Most people who know me will not be surprised when I say the presidential race did not go the way I had been hoping for.  I want to make it really clear that I am not a straight-ticket republican-I had a real struggle deciding which candidate to support in our national Senate race today, and even as I type shortly before midnight, I'm anxiously awaiting the results for our new congressional district, where my preference is for the Democratic candidate.  But I did believe Mitt Romney had a clearer vision and belief in the America that I want to live in.  

I am not going to be angry,though.  I'm not going to let my fears get in the way of my faith.  Instead, tonight I was reminded by the Holy Ghost that President Thomas S. Monson, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the living prophet of the Lord today, is still valiantly guiding us to live righteously.  The Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are still special witnesses of Jesus Christ and are still striving to spread His message of love and service to all the citizens of the world.  I believe President Dieter F. Uchtdorf when he says,

“Our fate and the fate of our world hinge

 on our hearing and heeding the revealed word of God to His children.”

Whether you voted for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, whether you exercised your right to vote or stayed at home, whether you woke up this morning with renewed hope or a hesitation over the unknown, I want you to know that my eyes are still firmly looking towards the Lord.  Regardless of which side you are on, know that the Lord has promised great blessings on THIS country.  OUR country.  The United States of America.  Our responsibility?  Our best hope of one day seeing her take her full reward?  Live righteously.  Follow His commandments.  Serve your neighbor more than yourself.  Seek not for riches, but for treasures in Heaven.

I am grateful we can still hope in an America that is great. 

 We, the people, can make it great!

Unfamiliar with 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and it's teachings?

I hope the links I've provided above will help to answer some of your questions.

Thankful Thirty #6 (The Military)

Source: Uploaded by user via Michelle on Pinteres

As the nation focuses today on the election of our commander in chief, let's not forget the men and women who bravely and selflessly put their lives in harm's way to guarantee we will always have the freedoms we now enjoy.  

I'm grateful for the good influence the military has been in the lives of my friends who've served.

A Moment Before Election Day

"I have faith in America...I plead with you not to preach pessimism.  Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world.  This is the favored land.  This is the land of our forefathers.  It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."

-Harold B. Lee

Please pray before entering your voting booth on Tuesday!

I'm grateful my one vote can make a difference in my local, state, and national election.

Thankful Thirty #4

I fell in love with Gymboree today!  If you've been reading with me for awhile, you know that I love clearance shopping and one of my best days this year was my marathon DI shopping trip.  I very rarely shop at any of the stores at the mall, and especially not for kid clothes.  But last night I found myself there with no tiny hands tugging on my arms and ventured into shopping heaven!  It couldn't have been better timing.

See, last night I was shopping at closing time and only had one pair of pants in my hands.  Then I found out Gymboree was having a "Circle of Friends" customer appreciation sale and giving 30% off of every purchase.  I really mean EVERY purchase.  There were no buying limits or "with our store credit card."  Every single person shopping received the friends and family discount.  What store have you been in recently doing that?  In addition, anyone with a rewards card (which was free) was getting an additional 5% off. My one pair of pants ended up costing under $5.00.


I could not stop thinking about either the store or that incredible sale!  I had to go back today.  Knowing that I only shop the clearance racks when I do go in stores like Gymboree, I was positive I would walk out with an incredible deal.  And knowing that I now have twin boys to clothe, I definitely justified spending the money.  My sweet husband let me take an hour out of his birthday festivities to go and see what I could find.

This was absolutely the best shopping day!  My arms were piled neck high-that never happens to me!  I watched the discounts falling off and couldn't contain the grin spreading across my face.  My husband and I took bets to see how much we would save and I'm happy to say I was closer, but still came nowhere close to the total savings printed on the bottom of my receipt.

Now remember, I only shopped the clearance racks and I did save a good amount of money off of the clearance prices.  But today it seems entirely appropriate to consider the savings I made off of the original pricing.  When all was said and done, shopping at Gymboree today, I saved $439.55!!!!!!!  It's not used clothing, it's not cheap quality threadbare fabric.  I did good today.

And I still haven't stopped talking about it!  The thrill of finding such an incredible deal unexpectedly has my adrenaline pumping.  Gymboree will never know it, but this one sale on this one weekend has made me their newest loyal customer.

I'm grateful for opportunities to provide for my family responsibly.

Thankful Thirty #3

My husband has asked for a little head's up if I'm going to write something that makes tears come to his eyes in front of the guys at work.  To give him a break, I'll keep it short and sweet today.

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I'm grateful for a husband who knows I am strong,

 lets me be weak, and serves me even when I don't deserve it.