Thankful, Day 10

I am thankful it is almost Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and, thus, an end to my thankful posts. I was pretty faithful; I only missed one day--Monday of this week. It really made me stop and think about all the things I really am grateful for. I could probably go on and on as I think about it. Some other things I am thankful for are sunshine, food, clothing, friends, a beautiful sunset, flowers, rainbows, the mountains, technology, my computer, the temple, my brother--Jesus Christ, the atonement, scriptures, good leaders, holidays, vacations, cars, Black Friday shopping days, buying presents, neighbors, etc., etc., etc. I hope you all take the time to think about the things you are thankful for. Let's not take them for granted. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Thankful, Day 9

I am thankful for pets.

Pets are a blessing in our lives. They become one of the family. Today I am very sad. We had to have my friend of 15 years, Simba, put to sleep today. When we first got her, Lacey was just a little girl--I believe she was about 6 years old. We decided to visit the Humane Society in Salt Lake to choose our pet. Simba definitely had her own personality. She wanted what she wanted. One thing she didn't want was grandkids. She didn't enjoy being around kids, or crowds for that matter. She scared A. J. to death. All he'd have to do is walk past her and she would hiss at him. She hissed at ALL the grandkids. She hissed at Chris. She hissed at Cashelle. She hissed at Lacey. She even hissed at me sometimes. But, I loved her. I'm going to miss my friend.

Thankful Day 8

I am thankful for my health.

Sure, I have some problems, but I can handle what I've got. There are so many people who have devastating health problems. So, I am grateful for my health. Thank goodness we all live in an age where doctors and medicine make life so much better for a lot of us.

Thankful Day 7

I am thankful for summer . . . .

Actually, spring is my FAVORITE time of year, but summer means I'm home. I can work in the house, in the yard, in my mom's yard, go for walks, go to Cedar City or Tooele whenever I want, etc. I know that winter is necessary, but I hate the cold. I kind of enjoy the very first snowstorm. And I also love it when it snows on Christmas, but that's it. Just one more month and the days start getting longer again!

Thankful, Day 6

I am thankful for my job.

Listening to the news and hearing about the thousands of people who are losing their jobs, I am so thankful for mine. This is my 33rd year in my teaching career. Who'd ever have thought 33 years would pass so quickly? I do have one major regret--that is that I worked while my children were growing up. I always felt like I shortchanged them to some degree--well, maybe a lot. And, I felt shortchanged myself. Not being with them all day I missed some of their "firsts" that babysitters would tell me about. That always bothered me. But, there were advantages, too, when they reached school age. We had the same vacations and summers off which was a nice perk. I hope my children will forgive me for being a working mom. We really didn't have much choice at the time. Aside from that, education has been a great career for me. Teaching high school kids has kept me young.

Thankful, Day 5

My education is something I am thankful for.

Where would I be without my education? Education is something not everyone has the opportunity to obtain. Unfortunately, some people don't believe it is important. We should never stop learning--no matter how old we are.

Thankful, Day 4

I am thankful I am a citizen of the United States of America.

I definitely am proud to be an American. We enjoy so many freedoms that we take for granted--things we don't even think twice about. I'm thankful for the many men and women who have fought and died so I may enjoy my freedom today. I am grateful for those serving at the present time. May God bless them. May our country ride through the tough economic times we are facing at the present time with flying colors. I love my country.

Thankful, Day 3

Today, I am thankful for my home.

I feel so blessed to have my own home. As we see the struggling economy, and the number of families losing their homes, not only to the economy but also to the wildfires in California, I am so grateful to have my own. It isn't the largest, fanciest, or prettiest--but it is home. It is a refuge, a place of security, a place where others may feel welcome. Many people don't have such a luxury.

Thankful, Day 2

I am thankful for family. That is next on my list.

I love it when all the kids come home with the grandkids. It makes a houseful but we always have such a good time. I'm thankful for my children (Cashelle, Chris, and Lacey) and their spouses. They all chose great spouses--I love all of them. They complement our family (A.J., Amanda, and Landon). I'm thankful for my five cute, loveable grandchildren (with a new one coming in February to Lacey and Landon). They have to be the cutest grandkids (Madalynn, Audrey, Thomas, Spencer, and Cody) in the world, and I'm not kidding! I'm thankful for my parents, brothers, and sisters. I'm thankful for Curt's parents, brothers and sisters. And, of course, I'm thankful for extended family on both sides. I am especially thankful for Curt. I love him very much. I don't know what I would do without him. We make such a good team. He is so logical (which I'm not). But I'm good at other things like balancing the checkbook (which he definitely is not). We really do work well together. He is also a wonderful grandpa. He loves his grandchildren, and they love him. He is a fun grandpa. He loves to play with the kids. They mean the world to him (and me).

When you think about it, what kind of life would you have if you didn't have family? It would be a lonely, desolate life without family.

Be thankful . . . .

Lyndsay (Landon's sister) had a wonderful idea. She decided to do a post every day until Thanksgiving that tells about something she is grateful for. I hope she doesn't mind, but I thought that was such a super idea, I want to try it too.

I, like Lyndsay, am most grateful for the gospel. I don't know where I would be without it. In church today, we had a homecoming and a farewell. The spirit was so strong. I am so grateful to be a member of the church. I just wish everyone knew what a wonderful thing it is to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It means everything to me. Anything that is important to me came about because of the gospel: family (which is one of the church's most important facets), a temple marriage, a priesthood holder in my home, the scriptures, I could go on and on. I challenge anyone reading this blog to jot down your thankful things before Thanksgiving arrives. We still have several days.

Too many people hear such awful things about the church that are simply not true. Don't believe everything you hear. Find out for yourself. Get a copy of the Book of Mormon. Read it! You'll find out. There is an amazing promise in Moroni 10:4 which you can try out for yourself. Don't know where to get one? Let me know--I can help you find one.

Happy thankful blogging!

Tagged by Cashelle . . .

This one is from Cashelle.

8 fav tv shows
The Biggest Loser
The Office
10 O'clock News
Deal or No Deal
The Amazing Race
Oprah
The Apprentice (has it been on yet this season?)
Friends

8 fav resturants
Panda Express (not really a restaurant, but one of my favorites)
Los Amigos
Texas Roadhouse
Olive Garden
The Satisfied Ewe
Sno Cap Lanes (we really don't have a lot of choices in Manti)
Wendy's (that's a restaurant in my book!)
Taco Bell (another pseudo restaurant)

8 things I did yesterday
Watched the Biggest Loser (I was furious at Vicky because of how mean she is to Phil--I think she should be voted off next. Good ridance to her husband, too)
Took a shower
Played with Lucky with a golf ball
Went to school
Cooked dinner
Worked on my church program on the computer
Visited Grandma Kjar
Talked to Kelly and Grandma Duncan

8 things I look forward to
Baby Jayleigh Kay being born
Fridays (my favorite day of the week)
Bowling Mondays
Eating out
The Twilight Movie, of course
Summertime (but Spring is really my favorite)
Family visiting or me visiting them
Family camping trips

8 things on my wish list
To lose another 50 pounds (Hey, I've lost 32 since the end of July, so I'm well on my way)
Travel to Australia
A TOTALLY clean house (every nook, cranny, closet, etc.)
Someone to cook and clean for me
Enough money so I didn't have to worry about it
A stable economy
A new truck for Curt
Self-cleaning clothes (I would love to not have to do laundry!)

I tag: Amanda, Lauri O., Bridget, Stephanie, (I would have tagged Amber, but I was certain Lacey would want to tag her)

Football Weekend

This weekend Curt and I traveled down to Cedar City to watch Manti and San Juan play in the semifinals. Manti won 26-13. We now play for the state championship next weekend against North Summit. We left after school on Friday and stayed at Lacey and Landon's Friday night and Chris and Amanda's Saturday night. We had a nice visit with them all. We especially enjoyed Manti winning the game. The weather was perfect! It was almost even hot. Landon and Lacey at the game. We didn't even have to wear coats.

Curt and I had to don our sunglasses. The weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Cody was having a good time. He was clapping for Manti. He really enjoyed getting down on the grass behind our seats and playing there.

Chris and Amanda at the game.

There's the three amigos against the fence enjoying the game and the nice weather.

Halloween Weekend

Before I begin my blog entry, I just want to express my thanks to Heavenly Father for saving my sister, Kathy, and her husband, Larry. They were involved in a rollover accident near Wells, Nevada, last night and were able to walk away virtually unscathed. Thank heavens for seatbelts! If you don't use them, you better start. That is the only thing that saved their lives. I am so happy they are still with us today. It could have been much, much worse. Love you guys!

Now, on to my blog . . . We were able to visit Kelly with the kids on Halloween. We also went to Steve/Carol's, Gary/Sidnee's, Granny's and Josh/Athena's after the Trunk or Treat. Here the kiddos are in Kelly's kitchen.
At the Trunk or Treat, Curt's friend, Joe, was right out on the street handing out candy to the HORDES of people who showed up. I have never been to the Trunk or Treat before. Man, I wish they had such a thing when my kids were growing up. I have never seen so much candy! If the kids ate one piece per day, I'm sure they would have enough to last the entire year!

In line at the Trunk or Treat. They had such a good time. Spencer was a pumpkin, Cody was a cowboy, Madalynn was Snow White, Tommy was Batman, and Audrey was Tinkerbelle. I thought I had a picture of all of them at the Trunk or Treat but I don't see Audrey in this picture. Actually, I think that is part of her wing sticking out behind Amanda. Sorry, Audrey.

Cody as the 2008 King Cowboy.

Grandpa got out his walkie-talkies to play with Madalynn outside. He's such a good grandpa. Madalynn had so much fun hiding in the yard and talking to us on the radio.

"Breaker, 1-9. You got your ears on?"

Ride 'em cowboy! It was so nice in the backyard, we all sat back there enjoying each other's company. Thomas decided to climb aboard when I lay down on the lawn. That face tells it all.

Closeup of Tommy enjoying a caffeine free diet Mountain Dew.

The clan over at Granny's house.