THANKSGIVING POINT - CHRISTMAS PRINCESS

We went to see the lights at Thanksgiving Point on Friday Night. For those of you who haven't been, there's tons of lights and you drive through really slow and there's music playing and the kids love it. Well I took some great pics and then accidentally deleted them (and am so angry about it) but it was so great because Ellie came up with the idea that we were driving through a Christmas Parade and we should open the sun roof and she could be "The Christmas Princess of Thanksgiving Point". She was still in her red Christmas dress from her school performance and she hung out the sunroof waving, blowing kisses and telling us how "they might ask her to come everynight and wear her "fancy" coat with the fur and put furry gloves on her and have her wave and perform for all the people". Matt and I were laughing so hard. It was so great! I got out of the car and took some pics of her, but they're gone, so this will have to create the memory. We also saw the reindeer (real ones) and it was a great night!

My Early Christmas Present to Myself!!

Bought myself a Dyson Vacuum! I've wanted one forever and finally bought it. Whipped it out on Saturday and it's so great! It's even Pink (Breast Cancer Edition) and yes I feel very good about it and the fact that Target donated $40.00 of my purchase to Breast Cancer Awareness / Research! That totally justified buying it and breaking it out before Christmas! Currently looking at my fresh vacuum lines and enjoying every minute of it!

TO RUN OR NOT TO RUN????

I have run the Moab Half Marathon the past 2 years and it's given me the motivation I need to work out and get in shape. However after the last 1/2 I did (Hurricane) I made a pact with myself that I wasn't going to run another one for a very very long time (nice). It was hard and painful. However, I've gotten very lazy and inactive and am seriously considering registering, just to get myself moving again. Sad that I have to be signed up for a race to motivate myself, but it seems to be the only effective solution for me. I haven't done jack crap in months and it would be brutal to start training. However, it is a very beautiful run through the canyon and I love running with my friends Kat and Suz and going down with Maren, Nate and Matt. We've had a great time the past couple of years. Maybe the 5 mile instead of 13? Not sure, just throwing it out there. I think the reason I'm also making a public announcement about it on my blog, is another attempt to motivate myself. Sad!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

With our Thanksgiving Weekend coming to an end, I was laying in bed reviewing the last week and feeling so blessed and grateful! I love this time of year and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! We ate dinner at my Grandma and Grandpa Holmstead's, who are truly my biggest hero's and greatest examples!!!!! We spent most of the day with family. The girls and I got some Christmas decorations up while Matt hung the outside lights and we saw Madagascar 2. It was a wonderful day.

My best memory of the week, and one I want to write about so I don't ever forget, was Ellie not having school Wed. - Friday and so Tuesday night, after everyone had gone to sleep, she and I stayed up until 11:30 playing "Hi-Ho Cherrio" and eating treats with the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" on in the background. She kept saying "this is the greatest night of my life". You would have thought she was at Disneyland. I realized how it's the small things, my undivided attention and a cheap board game, that make her the happiest. It was a needed reminder for my need to spend more time with my girls and how grateful I am to have them to spend time with.

I have so much to be thankful for: Matt, my girls, being born and raised in this free country, my home, food to eat, clothes to wear, freedom, my membership in the church, my testimony, friends, sisters, Matt's job, my job, my education, my mom, Doug, grandparents, heat, air-conditioning, a car to drive, my health, my family's health etc. etc. etc.

My grandma read this to all of us before we gorged ourselves on Thanksgiving Day! You've probably heard it, but it never hurts to hear it again!

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WIFE: who says it’s hot dogs tonight, because she’s home with me and not out with someone else.

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE HUSBAND: who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

FOR THE TEENAGER: who is complaining about doing the dishes because it means she is at home, not on the streets

FOR THE TAXEX I PAY: because it means I am employed

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY: because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG: because it means I have enough to eat.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME: because it means I am out in the sunshine

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING: because it means I have a home.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT: Because it means we have freedom of speech.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT: Because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL: because it means I am warm.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY: because it means I can hear.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING: Because it means I have clothes to wear.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY: because it means I have been capable of working hard.

AND:

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN EARLY MORNING HOURS: Because it means I’m ALIVE!!!!!!

TRIBUTE TO FUSE BEADS

Our Collection

A Beginning Fuse Beader's Work

Intermediate

Current - Advanced Level Fuse Beader

I have been cleaning up massive amounts of fuse beads. I swear I have one in my mouth, chewing on it, at any given time during the day. They are all over my house and my vacuum can only pick up so many. But I love these things and wanted to thank them for the countless hours in which they have entertained my daughter. My sister, Marsh, told me about them probably 6 months ago. I bought them and Ellie would work on them for a couple minutes and be done. Then she got more into it and would complete a whole one. Now she spends countless hours creating, color coordinating and designing. I love it. She's always so proud of herself when she's finished. Zoe will put 4 on a board and want me to iron it, even though there's not enough to iron together. We love these things.

First Snow

We got our first snow of the year today. Of course the kids are so excited, while I'm not sure I'm ready yet. Ellie was out playing in it this afternoon and making small snowman (the snow wasn't hard enough). It does always feel like a new start, a clean slate and the start of winter. I love that the days are shorter, it makes me relax earlier and enjoy the evenings with my family.

CAMPAIGN '08 - OBAMA WINS!

I really don't know how I feel. I had told myself all along that I was voting for Obama. After every debate I was impressed with him and thought he'd be the change this country needs (and Sarah Palin didn't help sway me to vote for McCain). When I got to the poll I just couldn't do it. I don't know why, for sure. Not because I believe he's a "terrorist" or the "death of this nation" like my husband does. But I had several reservations. I think my biggest problem was the fact that he's so stinkin liberal. I have a hard time voting for someone who's values are so different from what I believe and know to be true. With that said I also am hopeful that he's going to make some positive changes we desperately need to see. I believe he's extremely intelligent and I really like Biden. I hope he proves himself to be trustworthy and follows through with a great deal of what he's promised. Good Luck to all of Us!

HALLOWEEN

I was so bad at getting Halloween photos this year. Arrgghhh. I don't know why. Anyway here's a couple. Zoe did wear a shirt, although she doesn't have one on in the picture. Ellie loved being "Brainwashed" (her and cousin, Carson). And I got sucked into entering a contest at work (no harsh feelings Kat) and was the crazy patient being sought after by "Dog the Bounty Hunter" aka: Silvia, and his hot wife "Beth" aka: Kat! We did win a prize and will all be going to Outback to celebrate our win!!!

Our Little Trip to St. George for UEA

We went to St. George for UEA and had a blast. We drove with Alex and her two friends and I was taken back to high school. Talk of boys, "wanting to be kissed", singing in the car the whole way there and back etc. It was great!

ZOE'S POTTY TRAINED and HAS A NEW HAIRCUT!

I'm officially announcing that Zoe's potty trained. It's been so wonderful. She's also had a little haircut and here's a few before and after pics.

MY NEW RIDE!

I wish I were reporting that my new ride is the White VW camper Eurovan, but after much research and looking, I've given up on having one (I know many of you are disappointed). You seriously can't find them in Utah. Utahns just don't have good taste in vehicles. Plus, to get one with reasonable miles and year, they are so expensive. VW quit sending them to the US in 2003, so that's the newest one you can buy and they are well into the $30,000's.
Okay, so all that aside I bought a Honda Pilot (w/ the 3rd seat) and I'm excited and loving it. Matt is out of town on a hunting trip and left me the Volvo - which he's thrashed and needed so much work and I went and traded it in for my new ride. When I called him to say, "should I buy it" he was a bit shocked and said, "Myken sleep on it". I didn't. He won't care. I'm sure he'll be excited, but everyone can't believe I did it. I did buy his truck while he was at work, without him seeing or driving it, remember. And he was tickled. He's relieved not to have to look, drive, have the anxiety that comes with buying a new car. I'll keep you posted if his reaction is different than my prediction. I bought Black cause I love it, but the city of American Fork is completely under road construction and it's already filthy. It'll be awhile before I can keep it clean, which is going to drive me crazy. OK enough! I'm going to cruise Main!

SHE'S ALMOST THERE!

I think Zoe's ready for the potty. The other day I got her little one out and she was so excited and went many times. She would go, walk away for 2 seconds and get back on. Olivia was attacking her toilet and getting involved in the training process. Her favorite part was wearing her "my little pony" panties. Hopefully soon. I can honestly say this is one of my least favorite parts of raising children. It's always hard!

BRAINWASHED

Ellie has struggled to decide what to be for Halloween. We were at Walmart and of ALL the costumes they had there, this is what she picked (it was titled BRAINWASHED). At first I tried to talk her out of it, but after a minute I thought, "What's the harm, it'll be hilarious". The funniest part to me is that a 5 year old GIRL would choose this (on the package it say's BOY's Medium). This is what makes her so great and what I love about her. Her quirkiness and disregard for what others think. It's great. So here's a pre-halloween preview of Ellie in her costume!

Okay, Amy tagged me and I'm givin in!

I am.............

*I am....laying in bed, watching Spongebob with my girls.
*I think....me and my kids are getting sick.
*I know....the church is true. (Serious) It's the first thing that came to my mind.
*I want.... more $, which is stupid I know, but true.
*I have....so many things to be grateful for.
*I miss.....Matt, he's on a hunting trip.
*I fear....dying or having my kids or Matt die. (even saying it scares me).
*I feel....grateful for all I have.
*I hear....Patrick and Spongebob arguing and Ellie and Zoe arguing.
*I smell....nothing.
*I crave....Parker's fries and a cheeseburger.
*I cry....all the freakin time. Over just about anything and everything. I think everyone I know has seen me cry at least once. Embarrassing.
*I search...for things I can win lately, sweepstakes, giveaways etc. Embarrassing, but I'm going to win something soon! (THE SECRET)
*I wonder....if Matt's going to kill me when he gets home and finds out I bought a car while he was gone, not a coat or an outfit, but yes a car!
*I regret....not traveling the world before I got married or before I had kids.
*I wish....I could sleep in until noon tomorrow.
*I love....my girls more than anything in the world.
*I care....about the election and who's going to win and what it's going to do to the future of our country.
*I always....get a Diet Coke in the morning. The healthy highlight of my days.
*I worry....about this economic crisis we're in and about getting enough food storage.
*I am not....even close to the same weight I was 3 months ago and am so mad at myself for it.
*I remember.... how relaxing life was before kids and how I miss those days, but wouldn't trade them for anything.
*I believe....life is hard and we have challenges for a reason, to shape us and make us who we are and make us stronger.
*I sing....in the car when I'm alone - loud, but when my kids are with me Ellie begs me not too. rude.
*I am not always.... the kind of mom I want or need to be. I always want to do better.
*I argue....that being a mom is the hardest job on earth and way harder than just going to work everyday. (Matt agrees)
*I write....notes to remind myself about everything and on my blog. Need to start writing in a journal.
*I lose.... weight and gain it right back. Wondering when I'm going to learn how to maintain.
*I listen....to other people's problems a lot and am exhausted sometimes and don't want to hear anymore.
*I don't understand....how if something makes you so unhappy, it's so hard to stop doing it.
*I can usually be found.... at Target (or out and about. I can't stay home for long, I start to go crazy).
*I need....to stay home more and stop shopping. I need to start reading my scriptures daily. I need to set a better example for my kids and those around me. I need to do lots of things.
*I forget....what is really important in life and get caught up in things that don't really matter.
*I am happy....when I'm productive, exercising and taking care of myself and my family, and doing what's right.

I'm tagging everyone on my bloglist. If your name is on there, you better do this!

I GUESS GOOGLE DOESN'T ANSWER EVERYTHING!

Ellie and I were having a conversation about Eskimo's for some reason yesterday. I was telling her that sometimes it doesn't get light for days on end where they live and we were discussing how awful it would be. She was asking questions that I didn't know the answers to and I said, we'll have to GOOGLE it. She asked what that meant and I told her that Google is on the computer and it will answer any question you have. After a brief moment she said, "Awesome, so we can google how Heavenly Father was born when he was the only person on the earth". I can say I was stumped. I told her we'll have to wait and Google that in Heaven". It was so cute of her. How does she think of this stuff?

Happy 33rd Birthday Matt!!!

Matt turned 33 on Friday, September 12th. I just wanted to tell him how much I love him and how I know I'm impatient and not so nice sometimes, but I do love and appreciate him so much. He works so hard to support and provide for our family, all while going to school, spending time with us and being a great father to Ellie and Zoe. He is so good to them and they love him so much!!!!! He has so many great qualities....

Kind

Smart

Caring

Compassionate

Funny

Real

Honest

Hard Working

etc. etc.

We love you Matt!

My Little Citizen

Ellie has earned her first "Citizenship Award". She came home from school with her gold metal, pencil and Wendy's Frosty gift certificate. She had no idea why she got it, but said her teacher did say "she noticed the other kids were running through the hall and Ellie was walking and behaving like she should". She's Awesome and loving school. It's so fun!!!!

So Thankful for Friends!!!!!

So I had an epiphany today at work (I'll spare the details, but it was somewhat of a painful one) but my great friend Kat was there to share it with me, or should I say, there to listen to me cry my eyes out and be my therapist. She has a way of making me feel good about myself and appreciate life. She is really amazing! I have shared so much with her and deeply miss our runs, which were therapeutic in more ways than one. I feel so blessed to have so many people I call friends, who are always there to listen to me, support me, offer assistance etc. etc. etc. I truly don't know where I'd be without you. I can't imagine not having my sisters or friends to talk to, sometimes 2-3 times a day. I love you all and am so grateful for you!!!!!

TUB TIME

Greg, Kels and Olivia came over and it was time for the girls bath. They wanted "ibby's" to get in with them so bad. These pics were too cute not to post. (How cute does Zoe look?)

CRAZY HAIR DAY!

It was crazy hair day at school today for Ellie and she was so excited! You should have seen some of the other kids. Where do these mom's come from?

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY ALEX!

Happy sweet 16 (really) to my sister Alex (wow we're only 17 years apart). She's the greatest. I love hanging out with her and her friends, they're hilarious! She's such a good, nice, humble, kind person and I look up to and admire her in so many ways! She's so beautiful, inside and out. My kids love her to death and I'm sure will want to be just like her when they get older. Love you Alex!!! (just some pics of us celebrating her B-Day! - Ellie felt the need to go downstairs and make her hair crazy for the party?????)

The Mask!

Ellie got some new pajamas (spongebob of course) and they came with one of those eye mask things - I don't even know what they are called. Well she was so excited about it and put it on before going to bed and I was sure she'd have it off within seconds but she didn't. She fell dead asleep with it on and Matt and I were laughing so hard. I went into her room in the middle of the night and it had come down around her neck. For fear, she'd choke in the night I took it off and she was livid with me the next morning. She made me "pinkie swear" I wouldn't do it again!