Thanksgiving in my own way

This Thanksgiving will be a much smaller crowd than I am normally used to. In some ways, that is good because there won't be as much noise or stress. On the other hand, that means more cooking on my part. That's fine, cause I like to cook. I am excited that it is small because I can also focus on my family instead of worrying about being a good hostess. It will be nice to celebrate our first Thanksgiving in our new home. I have been watching Glenn Beck lately and he has been emphasizing the need to de-commercialize these upcoming holidays. To get back to the roots of the season and take advantage of the spirit of each-he may not have said it like this but this is what I got from it. So tonight we are starting with a family night lesson about the first Thanksgiving and what it was all about. On Thursday I plan on going around the table before we eat to say what we are thankful for.
I wanted to do my thankful list early and start here. I am grateful first and foremost for my life. I am so grateful that I have a healthy, working and functioning body. Even if I have a ways to go to fit in my jeans again, I am so grateful that my body works in the way it is supposed to with no other major problems. I have been hearing of so many people facing issues lately with family members dying from health related causes or accidents. I am so glad that I am not dealing with those things in my own life at this time. I know they may come in the future, but for now, we're good and I am grateful! I am grateful for the gospel in my life. the knowledge of the truth and the peace, comfort and blessings I am so fortunate receive on a daily basis. I am grateful for a loving husband who has really been making an effort this past year to be more patient, to communicate and ponder on things before becoming angry and for taking the time to show me he loves me and he loves his children. I am grateful for each and everyone of my kids. One small thing about each cause I could probably write a chapter if I don't limit myself. I am grateful for Kaleb's sense of compassion towards everyone and everything. I love watching how concerned he gets about complete strangers as well as the ones he loves. He has such a big heart and cares about everyone. Karly has been growing so much lately. I am grateful for her sense of awareness. She recognizes things that many her age wouldn't and I am grateful for that. I am also grateful at how hard she works-when she wants to-with helping out around the house. She is a great helper. I am grateful for Tanners love for his little brothers. We have our struggles at times but he tries to teach Evan and he loves to care for Ryan. I am grateful for Evans love for me. He is a bit attached. I love watching him think about things because he really does try to understand. I am super grateful that he has potty trained himself and taken that chore off my list!! I also love him and tanners singing! What can I say about Ryan? He is such an absolute joy in our lives and makes me smile all the time. So precious! He is such a great baby and so much easier than some of the past ones. Love Love Love my family. With that said, I am grateful for my parents, for all they have taught me and continue to teach me through their examples. I am grateful for my siblings and their love and understanding. I am grateful for my Primary class and the wonderful spirit they each bring every Sunday. I am so grateful for my "good" friends. I have a number of friends but my "good" friends are priceless and I am grateful that I can count on them at the drop of a hat if ever needed. I am grateful that my husband has a job and can provide for my family. I am grateful for comparable price shopping and coupons!! I am grateful for my growing food storage and the peace of mind it brings me. I am grateful for the trials that I have to go through and the blessing of relying on the Lord and his plan. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and look forward to the increased knowledge I will gain from future trials. I am grateful for my home and my beautiful view that brings me so much peace and calm. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to live in Utah and to live in a country that I can be free to make my own choices and have the freedoms I have. I am grateful for all those that serve in all capacities to benefit my life and that of my families-military, police, fire, government-not all, but those upholding the constitution-and those serving the church as missionaries or as servants of the Lord like the leadership of the church.
I could go on and on, probably all day, but I think this is enough for now. There is so much gratitude in my heart for all these things and more and I hope to continue this through the week and on through the Christmas season.

Girls Night

I went out last night with a few of my favorite people to the Olive Garden. Ashly, Amy, Lessley and Ashly's friend Alicia and Amy's daughter McKaelyn. I got there late because Gary had a late call but I still arrived only minutes after they were seated. We were having a fun time chatting when our waiter came over to get our drinks. I guess he wasn't too happy that Ashly and I only ordered water. Anyway, when he came back he was trying to joke with us and was a bit odd. So we all ordered except Ashly and I cause we weren't ready and Lessley told him she wasn't ordering anything-to which she said he kind of gave her a dirty look, although I didn't witness it myself. He suggested this dish to Ashly that he claimed was the best on the list. When he finally came back and we ordered, Ashly took him up on his suggestion and I ordered the ravioli di portobella. Our salad came out as well as the bread sticks so we all dug in. I finished off the salad and explained that if it wasn't gone, they wouldn't bring us more. They never even asked if we wanted more salad! We were sharing the bowl between 4 people so it went quickly. I was a bit bummed! When our food came out, Ashly, Amy and I were not very happy. Mine was dry and pasty. It was also a bit overcooked in the noodle department. Ashly's was no flavor at all and Amy's was also really pasty and dry. So we waited for him to come check on us and how we felt about our food and he took like 20 minutes or more. When he came back he asked if we were slow eaters or just talking too much. Alicia replied, "I finished my food" and he said something to the tune of,"Well we know what to say to that, oink oink." We were all so shocked at how inappropriate he was we were all but speechless. He was laughing and we were laughing in shock. Lessley then said-"Are you guys going to say anything?" So of course we all told him out complaints, to which he argues with us about how he never has heard anyone not like the broccoli dish, or how Amy's is one of the house favorites and he has never heard anyone have problems. Are we just picky eaters? This guy was rude and inappropriate but he did get it all taken care of. We explained that we always come here and we usually love the food without problems and that this was rare for us. So he said he had to pray about it and get back to us. When he came back he said he received an answer and that it was we all needed to buck up and that life isn't always what we want-or something to that extent. Once again, we were shocked at how inappropriate he was, but he followed that up by explaining that Amy's portion was too large for the amount of sauce they gave her-smaller portion with same amount equals better tasting. Ashly's was legitimately wrong because they had run out of the sauce and had substituted it with a lemon butter. She told him to try it and he did and he said it wasn't good-totally understands. For me, I simply asked for more sauce as well as some marinara to help make it not so thick and go down smoother. In the end, we were all appeased but it took 2 hours from when we sat down to when we finally paid our check to leave. We enjoyed our time chatting but were shocked at the experience. I don't know if I will be going back to that restaurant again, anytime soon. I wasn't too pleased with that waiter to say the least and he kept touching my shoulder ad back-total no no for this girl. I need my space man! I think next time we will do take out and nix the restaurant hassle!

Well, Evan is Evan

I realized I didn't really report on Evan, so to be fair, I need to update his status. He is still a stinker that is too rough with his baby brother Ryan, screams and terrorizes his older siblings, and continues to have mostly successful days with potty training. He is pretty much potty trained during the day as well as night but occasionally he doesn't get to the bathroom in time once he wakes up and I often find the product of that problem on the bathroom floor. This morning, he flooded the toilet in my bedroom! That was awesome! Other than that, he is doing the same. He does say prayers on his own now and that is super cute. He says"Thank you for Sesus, for gopel, for famy, have good day. . . ." It's pretty cute. Of course I am his mom so I would think it's cute. He loves to watch Diego, has all but kicked the bottle habit, and begs for candy every morning since Halloween. So that is Evan!

Vampires are here!

So Ryan has been teething and it has been just so much fun! First came the bottom two front teeth. About a week later he started getting a top tooth but it wasn't the front one, it was a far side one. Then the other far side one pushed through this past sunday and he looks like a vampire! It is soo cute. I love it. I finally got him to laugh and smile to get a good picture of it. He also has a funny way of holding his bottle so that he can drink-not the normal way. It looks so non-chalant when he is doing it. Cute kid! I just wish the kids would stop taking the gate down and letting him follow them upstairs. He has fallen down the stairs at least twice this week. He's got a nice bruise on his head. Makes me want to cry.

Kaleb told us the other day that Karly has a boyfriend. We asked her if this was true and she said,"yes, his name is Kaden smith" Gary and I told her she is not allowed to have a boyfriend. I told her he can be her friend but that's it. Then we talked to both her and Kaleb about kissing. We told them how kisses are special and we don't just share them with everyone. We told them if they don't kiss anyone until they are 16, we would give them $100-on their birthday. And the price goes up with each year. This made them happy and excited-we'll see how long it lasts!

Tanner is still as cute as ever and still a total tease to his younger brother. He and Evan love and hate each other. They are fun! Tanner still has his lisp/speech impediment so when he says things like-booker (Vicki's dog), it sounds like he is saying booku. His R's are difficult but he is so darn charismatic that it becomes adorable!

Stuck in a rut!

I have had no motivation lately to do anything. I want to just sit in my bed, or take a hot bath, or read a good book, or. . . well you get the idea. Anyway, I just don't want to clean my house or do the laundry or cook. Things I usually don't mind doing or actually enjoy doing most of the time. No motivation! I have a floor covered in laundry next to my bedroom door, a laundry room floor covered in even more laundry, upstairs bathrooms that are in a desperate need for some major attention, kids bedrooms that have been sliding under the radar-not quite clean but not as bad as the rest of the house. Dishes are not overwhelming, maybe twenty minutes to clean after emptying the dishwasher. Carpets need to be vacuumed all over the house, and the kitchen has been worse but there are still traces of last nights dinner on my counters. The kids should be home from school in about 45 minutes, which will then send me into the "complete your chores, do your reading, where's your homework-no your backpack and shoes and coat go in the closet, not on the floor" mode. AAAnnnnd, Kaleb started wrestling this week and he loves it but I have to take him 4 days a week to the high school to be dropped off and return an hour later to pick up. Gary is gone so often and when he is home, he is so tired or trying to spend time with the kids that I really don't get enough help around here to keep this house in order. Gary has been making breakfast for the kids-which he doesn't clean up after- and doing scripture study with the kids this week; so he is helping with the family. It's just so hard sometimes, you know! Last week I felt so good because I finally tackled the stair walls and got rid of all the pencil and crayon art that Evan added to the house. It looked great and Evan decided this week that he liked it the way he had put it so he has added his artwork to it once again. Hey, we all need to add our own touches to make it feel like home, right? Anyway, I think part of the no motivation thing is because I am not sleeping due to my baby being sick as well as most of the rest of the family. I haven't felt motivated for a while-I almost didn't do the pumpkin party! I don't think a vacation away will fix it, either. I am trying to get the kids on a good schedule of getting there chores done and being more responsible for their messes, but that's a lot of time and energy. Maybe I need to start working out? I really would like to go outside and soak up some good Vitamin D and feel warm! I have been so cold the past couple weeks. Being the energy conscious person that I am-okay, I just am cheap and don't like paying for unnecessary electric bills-I won't raise the thermostat above 69 degrees and I sleep with full cold gear on down to fuzzy slipper socks! Is it winter that is making me melancholy and tired? Why are bears the only ones that get to hibernate? Seriously?! I would love to take the winter off. Think about it! Stock up your energy supplies by stuffing your face on Thanksgiving and then take a long siesta until, let's say the 1st of April! I am totally for it! I mean, I love snow skiing and hot cocoa and all, but man, I need another Summer right now.

We were going to try t go out of town this weekend to someplace warm, but we are trying to sell the jag and my expedition was sold last week so we don't really have the transportation figured out. California was a bust when it comes to helping out because it was rainy and overcast the whole time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am very happy right now. I am not cranky with my kids or husband, in fact, still in love and even head over heals kind-I just need some warmth and sleep. Every time I try to sleep in, it doesn't happen. My kids are all early risers and the new time change is not helping! Ryan got up at 5am Wednesday morning so I got up, looked at the ads and collected my coupons to go shopping at Walmart at 6am-yep, 6am at Walmart! Loads of fun! Any suggestions? Anyone? thought I would put it out there. I am going out with girlfriends this Friday night to the movies but I am starting to think I don't want to see a movie-I want to just sit around and talk and eat yummy food. Who's in?

Are you an EOG?

In our home, "stupid" is known as the "S" word. We don't like it being said when referring to people or other living objects. If something happened at school that you were not pleased with, you are free to call the situation stupid as long as you are not labeling the person involved. Anyway, Evan and Tanner often fight and it is Evans favorite word to use when referring to any family member he is angry with. In fact he often says, "Your tupid mommy!" or "Tupid tannu!" and often, "Tupid daddy!" We have almost cured him of this horrible habit with the aid of my friend Senor Tabasco as well as the all too convenient Mrs. finger flicker. This morning though, I was on the phone ad Evan and Tanner were having one of their common arguments and apparently Tanner was called the "s-word". So being the dutiful tattle tale that he is, he ran over and said,"Evan just called me the s-word mom." And since I am busy on the phone I tell him, "I'm sorry honey. That was not nice of him." To which he follows up with, "And, he called me another bad word- EOG(spelled out of course). He called me E-O-G mom!" To which I smile and apologize to him again. He thinks he knows how to spell. Lately he has told people how to spell his name. It often has many letters in it that are not remotely close and occasionally contains at least one letter from his actual name. In fact, here he is. I will write what he says right now. "Tanner, how do you spell your name?"-His response is,"Tehijklmnop" I respond "Are you sure? That's not just part of the alphabet? Let's try again." I don't know how, wait,Tebtect, um that's how you spell my name!" Hilarious. I love that conversation I just had with him! My house looks like a tornado hit it so I am going to go!(and maybe I will clean it?!)

Finger fumbling and hand hazards

We had a very small pumpkin party-small in comparison to past years. I didn't want to do it this year because I hadn't planed it well and I didn't want to deal with the added stress. Gary, of all people, pushed me to follow through with it. So we invited my sisters and a few neighbors and it turned out really good! We had great food and good times. If anyone reading this was not invited, please don't be upset. It was extremely last minute and thrown together. Anyway, it went well and was followed by Kaleb's birthday party on Thursday. We went to Lazer Assault in Provo-super awesome and fun-and then to Coney's. We had gift certificates from city deals so that made it much more bearable! We took the three Draschil boys, Kaleb's friends Cossette, Tomas and Spencer from school and Tristan. They all had a blast. Kaleb had his lip split open and a nice fat lip resulting from a confrontation from a fellow teammate-will-during the fight. It still looks pretty bad but he's fine. At Coney's we got to enjoy some excitement when Tristan stuck his finger into a decorative hole on his seat and got it stuck. He couldn't pull it out but luckily Gary had his tools. Nate did take a picture that I will have to get and post to this eventually. Anyway, we tried soap, ice and cold not get it to budge! Finally, Gary used his tin snips to cut around the hole and separate it from the seat. Then the guys took him into the bathroom to try to get it out with soap. This still did not work so he had to cut close to the finger and then break it off. We got the kids home sooo late that night and I felt so bad!
The next day I had a murder mystery party to attend and was quickly trying to put together our roaring 20's costumes. I was sitting on the ground, using my sewing machine's start stop button instead of the pedal, sewing Gary's spats-white shoe covers with buttons up the side. I was sewing away and Ryan was crawling around me on the carpet. I pulled a pin and set it to the side and when I turned back, Ryan was trying to grab the foot and needle while it was running. I quickly grabbed his hand but wasn't quite fast enough. I pulled his hand back and didn't know that the needle had already gone through and as I pulled it back, the needle broke off. I looked and saw the part of the needle that had gone through sticking out the front of his palm between his pointer and middle finger on the right hand. Of course I freaked out, began crying and called Gary and then my sister Vicki. I ran him down to the urgent care by our house and was in tears when the doctor came out to look at it. Of course he consoled me and got Ryan to laugh. Ryan only cried for about 5 minutes total. I didn't know what was going to happen, and I did try pulling it out myself but it seemed pretty stuck and only made Ryan cry more. We went back and the Doctor simply grabbed the end protruding with a pair of clamping tweezers, pulled once and it came free with no problems. Ryan barely flinched. Of course I began to apologize for wasting there time for such a minor cure. I felt like a moron but they assured me I did the right thing and you never know what to do in things like this. I got to keep the broken needle piece. It is about 1/2 an inch; maybe a bit smaller. He's fine, a bit of swelling and redness, but other than that, he is fine. I of course needed a cherry coke to calm my nauseated stomach and my headache from the adrenaline rush. Two finger/hand injuries in two days. Halloween was uneventful in that department, thankfully.
On Saturday we went to the shop and recycled a ton of metal from old AC and furnaces and a bunch of water heaters and old appliances. We were able to make enough money to go buy the kids their season passes at Sundance for this ski season! Karly also got a helmet that was super pricey, even on sale. Well, that is all I am writing for now cause my dinner is waiting. More to come!