Our Thankful Tree

This year we made a Thankful Tree. I cut out leaves and pumpkins and we wrote what we are thankful for and put it on the tree. It was fun, because we had some unexpected contributors! There was a pouch on the poster, so anyone, at anytime, could write what they were thankful for.

I loved reading the different things people wrote.....

As each day passed, it filled up more and more....

Even Savannah wrote her own version of what she is thankful for...

This one from Xander made me cry! I am so grateful he feels strongly about his priesthood responsibility.

The other day, Savannah was playing, and I looked at her and took a mental picture in my mind. It was one of those moments where I never wanted to forget her. I wanted to always remember the clothes she was wearing, the smile, the way she said certain words.

As I took down the thankful tree and put up the advent calendar, I started thinking about all the things I am truly thankful for.

This year my health has been a huge blessing. I have felt so much better than years passed. The hives and headaches and joint pain has been at a minimum, compared to years passed.

I have an amazing family. I love each of my siblings so much and my parents are the reason I am who I am today.

I have a husband who makes my life complete. He is a good man, a wonderful father and the perfect husband for me.

My children are such a blessing in my life. The day I took my mental picture of Savannah, I took mental pictures of all my children. I want to remember them small and getting bigger and growing up.

So, I thought I'd share some of my random memories and mental pictures and what I am grateful for.

Here are some of the mental pictures I love the most.....

I only have six more years until this little boy graduates from high school, goes on a mission and goes out into the world to seek his fortune. I can't believe how much I love him now. I thought I loved him when he was born. I couldn't believe how much I loved him when he started kindergarten. And now, as a young man, I love him even more!

I am grateful for goofy moments in photo shoots!

For little boys who grow into young men....

And little girls with crooked smiles!

I am grateful for sisters. The ones I have, the ones I have inherited, the ones I have adopted and these two little girls that are sisters.

I am grateful for my boys....they will always be my little boys, even when they tower over me! I am grateful they have promised me that they will always sit in my lap!

I am grateful I got one last bathtub picture....

I love this little girl with all my heart! She keeps me on my toes and reminds me how precious life really is!

And this boy...he makes my day with every hug and kiss I get from him!

I am grateful for moments where reading stories on the lawn is the only thing that matters!

I already mentioned this guy. He rocks my world!

How can you ever forget memories like this?!?!

I am grateful for little girls who love to dress up and wear flowers and bows...

I am grateful for boys who are willing to sit in the cold ocean water for a picture!

I am grateful for the moment I met each of my children...nothing else compares....

I am grateful for all my Hilton Head memories. I miss that place!

I am grateful for first day of school shots and sleepy little girls in cute pink pj's!

For little boys learning how to wink.....

And little girls who love to play music!

For Thanksgiving turkeys made out of candy.....

And time spent wrestling with dad......

For pictures where they are all looking forward, even if one of them is bawling.....

And little girls who think they are divas!

For family vacations where some of the best memories are made....

For newborn baby yawns.....

And the beach.....I am always thankful for the beach!

For summer days and winter days....

And little boys almost ready to lose a tooth....

For pinewood derby cars.....

And creative Halloween costumes....

For snowballs and cold noses and going inside for some hot chocolate....

And especially baby cheeks and soft pink hats....

For rock star hair and magic wands......

Yes, I can honestly say I have been very grateful this Thanksgiving. I sometimes struggle with making it all work and being a good mom and what to make for dinner, but these memories are the things that matter most. And I want to keep making these good memories. So when

my time on earth is done, I have a lot to bring with me!

I want to shout from the rooftops!

This young man walked into the church today just having graduated from primary and left the church today a newly ordained deacon. The power of the priesthood has been given to him and he was ready. He was worthy and he makes me want to shout from the rooftops how much I love him and how proud I am of him!!!

Xander is such a fine young man. He has always been a good boy, but today, there was something special about him. A presence that cannot be described. He has been growing taller, but he has also been growing up. It's kind of a bittersweet feeling for me. I want him to be my little boy forever, but I also want him to take on the world and grow and explore and become a man. We were excited, because our good friends, The Welters, came down to be a part of this special day for our family.

I was a little disappointed that my family could not be here. It's hard having everyone live around the world. We saw everyone this summer, at the family reunion, and I always miss them terribly after that!

Yesterday, around 6pm, we got a phone call.....

Yep! My dad!

He was flying through on business and called to ask if he could spend the Thanksgiving week with us. I was so excited! It was a fun surprise and it made my day and I did get to have family with me on this important day!!!

There were so many people who came to see him ordained. We are blessed to have friends and family close to be able to share this day with Xander.

Mike and Peggy Welter. They are like surrogate grandparents to my children. Xander really wanted them to be here and they drove six hours to spend the week with us and to be a part of this day. They have known Xander since he was born and Jason's family since Jason was a little boy. Peggy used to hold Xander for me while I was in the Spanish branch and Mike was the bishop. They have loved this little boy for many years!

Steve and Kathleen Boyd. We call them Uncle Steve and Auntie Kathleen because they are so close to our family. They have known Xander since he was born and Jason since he was born also! They are college friends with Jason's parents. We love them very much!

Jason's family. Jessica, Alicia, his parents. We are so grateful they made the effort to come. It's nice to have some family close to share moments like these.

Steve and Charlotte Day. Xander's paternal grandparents.

Three generations. I am so grateful we were blessed to be able to take this picture! It means a lot to have my dad here!

Three generations of Days.

The two grandfathers.

The very proud mommy!!!

And the proud dad!

Today was a reminder of how blessed I am to have these four beautiful children. I never realized how strong the spirit could be until we were blessed with Xander, Garrett, Eleanor and Savannah.

It seems like every picture I took, Xander was so happy and filled with joy. He was gracious and kind and gave everyone a hug and thanked them for coming.

I hope he knows ho much I love him. I know he understands how important the priesthood is. We have talked about it. I am amazed at his insight and understanding. He will make a great asset to the quorum. And next week, he will pass the sacrament for the first time.

Congratulations Xander! I love you!!!

40 toes

I just want you to know how much I love these toes....and the kids attached to them. I am truly blessed to be their mom. So many things have been happening lately. I need to catch up. I need to get it all documented. But just for now, I will relive this summer memory and thank God I am blessed beyond description!

From trash to treasure.....

When I first met Jason, he was driving a Mercedes and wearing a Nordstrom suit. I, on the other hand, was driving a Volkswagon and wearing Birkenstocks. I was thrilled at the treasures you could find on the side of the road. He looked at me in horror as if I had a rare disease.

We have since come to an agreement. He tolerates most of what I bring in and has on occasion been heard to say, "Wow! I never knew you could do that with what it looked like before!" Other than a few purchases, most of what we own was found on the side of the road, given to us or nowdays, found on Craigslist.

I really wish I had a picture of this frame when I found it. We were driving to his parents house and there was an entire PILE of picture frames. I yelled, "STOP!" He kept going, insisting we were late (which we were!) and I was so bummed! I just knew someone was going to swoop down and take all my picture frames while I was having to be social with his family.

Luckily, the odds were in my favor and all 36,000 people who drove by that night had enough picture frames in their homes. On the way home, they were still there and I was soooooooo excited!

So, he pulls over...I run through traffic.....he does some kind of illegal turn.....I rummage through the frames and grab the best ones.....he pulls over...I jump in.....and he peels out like we are in a getaway car, lest someone see us!

The frames sat in the garage for several weeks. I convinced a friend to use the smaller ones for her daughters wedding, but this beauty was MINE!!!!

So, here it is before.....

And here it is as a chalkboard at the bottom of the stairs going to his studio!

You can see more of it at my creative blog: www.onecreativeday.blogspot.com

And yes, this was one time he said, "Wow! That's really cool looking!"