Day 30- Best Kids Ever

Today I slept in until 8:15. When I got up I discovered that both of my big kids had gotten dressed and brushed their teeth, cleaned the basement, their room, and made their beds all on their own! I'm such a lucky mom and so blessed to have such great helpers. 

Day 29- Black Friday (aka Tradition)

Today I shopped with my Aunt Jenn until we literally ran out of stores that we wanted to shop at.  I loved spending the day with Jenn- no kids!- so that we could think about, talk about, and buy for those very same kids we were so happy to leave behind. 

Best break ever.

The white chocolate mints from See's didn't hurt either.

Day 28- Plenty

Plenty of family, plenty of food, plenty of laughs, plenty of love.  Plenty of blessings.

Day 27- Full House

A full house- not the TV show (although I'm sure that would have made my list in 1994)- is one of my very favorite things.  I love having Dallas' siblings stay over night at our house.  Everyone is arriving for the big day tomorrow, and our house is bursting- literally!- with bags, people, and laughter.

We had fresh chocolate chip cookies and watched Sharknado.  Have you seen it?  Oh my.  It's a winner.

Day 26- Pictures are worth 1,000 words.

In this picture Annie snuggled up to Will and said, "Will's my boyfriend." Where did that girl come from?!

Day 25- The Little Things

Today I am thankful for a million and one little things.  For:
-funny homemade hats.
-Super Mario World.
-fettuccine alfredo.
-Gingerbread Cream Oreos.
-text messaging.
-Motrin.
-Netflix.
-binkies.
-pictures.
-18.5 mile bike ride without leaving my basement.
-children that pray.
-Family Home Evening.
-hand print turkeys.
-budgets.

Days 23 & 24- My Parents

Since we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day at Grandma Kaiserman's this year, we took the opportunity to head to my parents this weekend.  It was so relaxing.  We slept in until almost 9 AM, talked and talked about the cabin my parents are building in Island Park, and Dallas and I even got away for a few hours to dinner and a movie.

Whenever I ask my parents to babysit, they never even hesitate to say yes.  I don't have to work up the courage to ask them, or worry about my kids while I am away.  I'm so grateful that not only do I have such wonderful parents, but that my kids have even better grandparents.

Dallas commented on what a great relationship my kids have with my Dad, and it's true.  My Dad will sit and talk and play with the kids for the entire day.  My kids love Grammy, too, of course, but they really love "Bumpa Aig" a whole lot.

Day 22- I quit!

I am thankful for for my job at the Claim Jumper and how it has been a huge blessing financially for my family, and I am equally as thankful to leave!  I quit today!

Day 21- A Thanksgiving of our own.

I have wanted to make a Thanksgiving feast on my own for several years now; in fact, it's on my bucket list.  I never thought that when I decided to do it that it would be on impulse as I walked through Walmart and saw turkeys for $0.69/lb, but that's how it happened!

It was a long cooking day, and the last hour I was shocked that nothing lit on fire.  It was all worth it to gather my family around the table for a home cooked Thanksgiving feast-- just the five of us.

How grateful I am for my family.

Day 20- Called to Serve

For years I have longed to be in Young Women.  I love teenagers.  I find them hilarious, and fresh, and exciting.  I always loved the program when I was growing up, and I've wanted to be a part of it ever since I graduated and moved on.

This year I was finally called as the 1st Counselor in Young Women.  I love being with the girls on Sundays, and we always have a blast during our Wednesday activities.  I have the cutest group of girls that I can honestly say I love with my whole heart.

In spite of everything, what I have done the last little while?  Complained.  I tell everyone about what I refer to as my "Wednesday Stress" because I'm getting ready for activities, or I say how busy it is, or how it's hard to leave my kids (or take my kids!) because they cry and it stresses Dallas out because he's trying to get homework done, etc, etc...

You know what I haven't done?  Thanked my Heavenly Father for giving me an opportunity to be inspired be these girls. 

Tonight was Young Women in Excellence.  I sat there as girl after girl got up and shared talents and projects that they had been working on for months- some years!- and I was completely blown away; not only by their talents, but by their spirit.

I've been given a rare opportunity to be touched by these Daughters of God.  I was watching them as they were all practicing the song "His Hands" that they would be singing as the closing song.  They giggled, and made room for everyone, and then they sang of their Savior.   

Their Savior.   

My Savior.

I am humbled by them.  I am awed by them.  I am blessed by them.  I can't help but wonder if they really know their worth?  I hope, in my small part, that I can help show them.

Day 19- The Finer Things

For three years now I have looked forward to enriching conversations, decadent food, and friendship from three of the best women I know.  The Finer Things Club will always be something I'm very, very thankful for.

Day 18- A Clean Couch

Today I cleaned.  All day.  I did take a break for an hour in the middle of the day to meet cousins at McDonald's, but other than that, I cleaned.  My hands are raw from being washed hundreds of times, my back aches, and I'm mentally zoned out.

BUT.

I love my clean house.  And I love that I can lay my head down on my couch and it smells like detergent.

Hard work pays off, people.

Day 17- My People

Day 16- Peace

There's no place else I'd rather be.

Day 15- My Angel Girl

I spent more time playing with Annie today than I usually do.  It's amazing (sad!) that there are times that I can go all day without sitting down and doing something with her.  Moms are busy!  But it is no excuse.  So, today with my angel girl we played Gone Fishing!, made Christmas pictures for each member of our family, cuddled and watched Gremlins, and made dinner together.  I love my big girl.

Day 14- Friends for Everyone

I love where we live, and I love it because of the people that surround us.  We all have made such great friends here.  I know that within 5 minutes I can find a friend to have pie with in the afternoon, make dinner plans together, or find someone to rescue me in a time of need.  Not only do I have this, but my kids do as well.  I am so grateful for good friends.

Day 13- Pie

Today for our Young Women's activity I taught the girls how to make pie crust.  I didn't learn how until 2 years ago!  I love spending time in the kitchen and I'm so grateful for my skills and how they bring such joy to my family.  Plus, making a pie just makes me feel like a rockstar!

Day 12- Uncle Sam

Today Sam came to visit and get some work done.  It was so much fun to have him!  He waited until Will got home from school, and then we all piled in the car and headed to Kneader's for a late lunch and a treat.  The kids got chocolate milk and a Boston Cream Cupcake.  Sam had lunch, and then we split the Turtle Cheesecake and the Raspberry Cream Cheese Pie.  In my opinion the pie was the best; well, it came in second behind spending time with my big brother.

Day 11- Blast from the Past

Today I am grateful that I take the time to preserve moments from my life.

In the 6th grade we made time capsules and canned them in #10 cans.  I opened mine several years ago, but then put it away.  I rediscovered it again today!  Some people took more time planning their items; mine just came from my desk at school.  There were still some awesome treasures inside like notes from friends, a few short books I had written, and the crowning jewel- a letter to myself!

The letter contains some of my favorite things, favorite friends, and LIES!  Why in the world I would write lies to myself is beyond me.  Bless my 6th grade soul.  Here is what it says (all capitalizations, spelling, and underlining are as written):

Myself,

I HATE ELEMENTRY!!!  I have 2 more weeks of school left.  I can't wait to get to Jr. High!  I hace quite a few friends they are:  Katy, Jamie, Haley, Whitnie, Kiersten, Sami, Tobey, Krista, Ben, Tom, Taylor, Steve, Matt Farr, Wendy, Misha, and lots more I just can't name them all.  My Very best friend is Lyndsay Harding.

I just barely went into Young Womens in church.  We're going to Brighton LDS Camp for Girls Camp this year.

My favorite Singer is Mariah Carey.  These are my top ten favorite songs.

Always Be My Baby #1
Crossroads #2
Long ago #3
Young & Proud #4
Because You Loved Me #5
Gangsta's Paradise #6
Fantasy #7
Dreamlover #8
One Sweet Day #9
Forever #10

J.T.T. on Home Improvement, is very popular right now.  He is VERY fine.  My boyfriend's name is Shad.  He lives up in Island Park, by our cabin.  He looks sort of like J.T.T. except with short hair, and brightblue eyes.  He's Just as fine as J.T.T., almost.

Why don't I describe myself, I'm 5 ft. tall, I have brown eyes, and I consider myself, cool, beutiful, and friendly.  My love is my rabits.  Their names are Daisy, and Rosie.  I used to have two other rabbits named Honey, and Shelbe, but they got killed by a dog.  My har is about 4 inches past my shoulders, and I can't get my ears peirced until I'm 16.  I want to be a singer when I grow up, and write books in my spare time. I want to have 3 kids, 2 girls, and 1 boy, the girls names are Dawn, and Kennedy, and my boys name Craigen.  I have to go so farewell!!!!

Love,
Myself

p.s. The year is 1996!

It's gold, Jerry.  Gold!

And to set the record straight- I never had a boyfriend named Shad.  Lies!!!

Day 10- Sleep

No one knows how important sleep is like a new mother. While I have a baby that is a pretty decent sleeper, I am still exhausted most days. (Could be the three kid combo?) last night I fell asleep at 9:30 and slept until 7. 9.5 blissful hours. That felt good.

Day 9- Growing

The last time we went on this little hike below Jordanelle Reservoir, Paige was born the next day. My heart was tender returning to that spot with my THREE kids. 

I'm so grateful that Dallas and I have not only been blessed with children, but that so far we have been blessed with as many as we have asked for. This is something I have never, and will never, take for granted. We are so richly blessed by our growing family. 

Day 8- These Cousins

My kids play with no other friends or cousins as well as they do the Robinson's. There is so much love between these guys. They are truly best cousins. 

Day 7- Accidents happen.

Today I backed into my friend's Honda Pilot.  Best part?  IT LEFT NO DAMAGE!  So today, I am very thankful for big cars, and brush guards.

Day 6- Grandma (again)

Today rather than doing my housework I went and played Scrabble with Grandma Kaiserman. We played two games, each winning one. It was time well spent! My housework will always be here, but she won't. 

Day 5- Money Matters

I spent the evening alone at a finance workshop. After 6 years of living off our savings, we are excited to start building it again come the new year. Cannot wait to apply what I learned! 

7 Months!

Every single day I am grateful for this sweet girl that has come into our home.  We are all enamored of her!  She makes it so easy.  Paige has the most pleasant personality; always smiling, rarely fussing, and cute as can be. 

At 7 months Paige...
Sits unsupported for a short period of time (about a minute, sometimes longer).
Rolls, and rolls, and rolls all over the place!
Hates baby food.  She makes the biggest mess and is not a fan at all!
Wakes up once/night on average.
Loves to talk and say "Da, da, da, da, da."
She wants to grab everything and put it in her mouth.
Saw her first movie, "Free Birds," which she quietly enjoyed.
Had her first Halloween!  She was the yummiest cupcake ever.
Loves her siblings.  Will and Annie make Paige giggle like no one else can.

 

Day 4- Change!

I surprised Dallas with a makeover in a day!  Well... sort of.  I did buy the paint a year ago.  Each time I walk into my bathroom I can't help but smile.  It has made me so happy!

Day 3- The Grandma That Plays

Not only will she play, but she lets them win AND makes a big deal out of it. 

Day 2- Best Dad

Dallas melts my heart as a father. He's playful, fun, sweet, tender, and a wonderful teacher both through word and example. 

On days when it seems I just can't take any more, Dallas comes to my rescue. We are all so blessed to have him. 

I have a long shift at work coming up tonight. Just when I was going to take a shower, Paige started to cry. Without a word he went in to take care of her. It's little things like this that make the biggest difference for me. 

Day 1- Sleeping Babe

There is nothing I love more than a sleeping baby in my arms.