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!!!