I put new stuff over in my sidebar... check it out and see what you think. I found all sorts of awesome Christmas music... more than just the traditional ones.
Give it a listen, and see what you think! There is really good stuff over there!

It's day #30 in my month long of gratitude and, I actually did it. I will let you in on a little dirty secret though... Sometimes I did several gratitude posts in one day. GASP! I know. I'm a big fat cheater... but sometimes I just plum forgot. The great thing about this whole blogging deal is that I can go back and post day and time specific. It's pretty slick! Which, according to Jefe is like my dream come true. When I used a day planner (back in the days when I actually had a life and it needed planning) I would go back through the week and write down stuff I did. Why would I post plan? I dunno. Because I could, I guess. Anyway. This whole blogging thing gives me the freedom to do just that... post plan. Or blog. It's pretty sweet!
Anyway...
Gratitude #30 is that I can clean/de-junk Thing 1's room while she is at school. She has been constantly complaining that she has "absolutely nothing to wear, and we are the ONLY parents alive that won't run right out and buy her a whole new wardrobe because she can't find anything to wear."
Can you believe our gall? I mean seriously. We lay awake at night plotting ways to make her life miserable. When I told her she should actually clean her room, and she WOULD have a brand new wardrobe... she actually started crying telling me: "You just don't understand. I don't go Jr. High School, I go to Jr. Hell School."
Uhhh.
Ok?!?
You should still clean your room.
So. While she was at the Jr. Hell school today, I thought I would be nice and do it for her. (wrong move) I pulled out all the clothes that were from like 5th grade. Folded all the clothes that I knew still fit, and organized her drawers. I found all sorts of pants and shirts. But, apparently that was the wrong thing. She had hidden them because they were "unfit for human sight".
Uhhh.
Ok?!
Are you for real? I mean. YOU picked those out, not your nerdy mother.
Anyway. I did TRY and do something nice for Thing 1. I de-junked/cleaned her room. I got an entire black garbage bag full of crap thrown out. Seriously. Isn't that gross? Or is it just me? And, she does have clothes. Lots. But, apparently we are still trying to ruin her life.
~sigh~
I do believe in nice teenagers. I do believe in nice teenagers. I do believe in nice teenagers.
I do. I do. I do.
I am grateful, on this last night of gratitude, for those hefty duty garbage bags, and the whimsical idea that nice teenagers that appreciate all that their parents do for them still exist... somewhere. Even if it is Mars.

"Blast this Christmas music! It's joyful and triumphant." - Jim Carey - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

What Christmas music are you listening to? Post it in the comment section!

1. Hey Santa! - Chris Isaak
2. What Christmas Means To Me - Paul Young
3. Christmas Time At Home - Rhonda Vincent
4. It's Not Supposed To Go Like That - Rascal Flatts
5. You Are The New Day - The Kings Singers
6. Santa's Stomp - Smoky Mountain Christmas
7. Sweetest Thing - U2
8. The Christmas Song - Josh Groban
9. First Snow - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
10. Christmas Time Is Here - Boston Pops

Bonus: Home For Christmas - 'NSYNC

I help direct the Elementary school choir. This is my second year and I really do love it! The kids are a blast! We meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30am. Yes. You read right. I get myself and all the Things up, fed and ready to drive the 10 minutes to school to be there by 7:30. Its usually not so bad. When it's warm. Now that it is getting cold, I am getting a little cranky about it. But, once I get there, I love it! Really. It has been such a sanity savior to me. I know that sounds weird, but this little choir means something to me. I love these kids, and they have really helped me!
Today I am grateful, however, that I only have 2 more early mornings before we take a break. As much as I like directing the choir... it will be nice to not HAVE to be up and showered by 6:30am. Our Christmas Concert will be next week on the 4th and the 6th. We recorded the kids singing our favorite songs, and sent it in to the local radio station who plays choirs sometimes. Last year they picked us and played us on the radio. The principal played it over the loud speaker at the school. Those kids thought they had died and gone to heaven!
If they pick us again, I'll let you know. Maybe they will even have a link on their website so you can hear them!

I just finished 19 minutes by Jodi Picoult. It was an amazing read... a hard read. A hard read not in the sense of a literary hard read... but a hard read as in emotionally.
I kept seeing my children in this book... a little weird I know. But, I think that every single one of us, when we are honest, can recall a time in our life when we were a victim of bullying. It happens. All the time. How, as a parent, do you protect your kids from being the victim of bullying? That, my friends, is the million dollar question.
Last year, Thing 2 was constantly getting bullied by a neighbor. We tried to help him learn skills to walk away, let it roll of his back, turn the other cheek. It just didn't stop. Finally, Thing 2 had it. Big Bully told him if he didn't do what he wanted, then BB would punch Thing 2 in the face. Thing 2 thought about it for 2.5 seconds, and then punched BB in the face. Then he tackled him and they got into a huge fight on the sidewalk. A rolling, punching, scratching brawl. I have to admit that I was a little proud of him. Seriously. THAT takes guts. THAT is so unlike Thing 2. He is a peacemaker. When I found out about it (several days after the fact) the Mother of BB was insistent that I punish Thing 2. I told her that A) if she had told me the day it had happened it would be much easier to visit the issue with Thing 2 and find out what had really happened. B) The fact that it did happen is SO out of character for Thing 2, I had to wonder what provoked him. She got extremely defensive and said her son was violently attacked.
Yeah right.
Violently.
HA.
After careful investigation, and talking with kids that were there, fragments of the truth came out. When we talked with Thing 2 about it, his response was: "He told me if I didn't do what he wanted me to do, then he would punch me in the face. And, he would Mom! So, I punched him first."
Now. Here is why this story is relevant. I am by no means an advocate of violence. However, there have been zero incidents since that infamous day of Thing 2 beating the crap out of Big Bully. He stood up for himself. And, they knew that he would not take it any more. THAT speaks volumes I think. You can only turn the other cheek so many times before you snap... I would rather it be in the form of a fist fight than a Columbine Snap.
Anyway.
19 minutes. It's a good read. Go HERE to see a trailer for the book. Then, go HERE to hear a podcast regarding The Story Behind 19 minutes (click on #2)
Wow.

Sometimes, no, usually ALL THE TIME I need motivation to get my house cleaned. It's not that I don't like a clean house, because really I do. It's just that I have 3 fierce tornadoes that stop over here every night. And seriously, when they all come home from school, that is exactly what it looks like. An F-5 has just ripped through.
Today, I had 2 different sets of visitors set to come to our house. The first set was to come in the morning, and the last set not until almost bedtime. Great motivation to get/keep the house clean.
I really do love a clean house, and I really like having people come over because it totally motivates me to get my butt in gear and clean. And organize. And put crap away.
So, That's what I'm grateful for today! Visitors who motivate me to clean.
Cause seriously, you can't have the entire neighborhood talking about what piggies you are now can you?

My cousin's husband works with Jefe and I have known her husband since high school. They just hit their 1 year mark of being out of law school. Oh. I remember. Boy. Do I remember. I have to say that I hope I NEVER forget. The whole law school experience is what has made me who I am today. Without a doubt. It is a life changing event... If you do it on your own without parents footing the bill!
She was a grade younger than me in school, but we were always pals. The nice thing was that we all had our own friends, but if we needed each other, we were there for each other. It was a nice way to go through school. It has been wonderful to reconnect with her. Even nicer to have someone who completely gets what it means to have a husband with the demanding career that they both have. I am not complaining AT ALL. I am so proud of Jefe and the things he has accomplished. He amazes me, constantly. I just like having someone to talk to about "the firm" and all that - that means. And, not only that, but its nice to be able to talk with someone who has known me for my entire life... there is no pretending involved. We can just be ourselves...There is such freedom in being able to say what we really think without worrying about it then being repeated to 900+ people in the neighborhood. Seriously. The old saying: "Blood runs thicker than water" really is true. I know she has my back... and I've got hers. That's what it means to be family... and its even nicer when you are also friends.
Anyway.
I am thankful today that I have been able to reconnect with my cousin!

My house is decorated.
I know.
Shock.
There are still a few boxes of things that I can't find... but Jefe and the kids did the tree, and I got the nativities out and all the other paraphernalia and have attempted to get the house decorated. I think it looks good. It feels good, and I know that the kids (more specifically Thing 3) are ecstatic that I have finally gotten my act together enough to get this task done.
Here is something that I have realized. I hate to decorate. That's why my house is so plain.
I wish that I could just click on my mouse, and drop and drag where I want all my decorations to be. And then, when its time to put them all away, all I had to do was hit ctrl/alt/delete and everything would be back just the way its supposed to. I hate decorating and I really hate having to put it all away. If someone would invent something like that... I would SO buy it!
Anyway.
I am thankful that my house is decorated for Christmas...
Christmas is in the air and its getting exciting around here!

On a Monday!
Seeing how it was Black Friday this past weekend, and I was attempting with Jefe to do some shopping (which only lasted about 2 hours and then we went home)... I neglected Random 10 Friday.
So, here it is, in all its Random Glory and Festive Christmas Spirit!

1. Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
2. Peace - Norah Jones
3. Winter Wonderland - Pat Green
4. Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Cougar Mellencamp
6. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Buble (oh. his voice is like butter! yum!)
7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - MercyMe
8. I Saw Three Ships - Sting
9. Christmas Song (Live) - Dave Matthews Band
10.Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Jackson 5

Bonus: The Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler

I had to teach today at church. I teach the 12 & 13 year old girls (its called Young Women's and this particular age group is referred to as the Beehives... don't ask me why, cause I don't know), and it seems that I always get more out of the lessons than the girls do. I mean, I am sure that the girls get stuff out of the lessons (at least I hope so), but it just seems that the lessons I have to teach are just what Heavenly Father needs ME to hear at that particular time. The lesson this week was on Optimism... when I told Thing 1 what our lesson was on, she said "Well mom. This is just for you, cause you have been a major grump lately!"
Jeeze.
Thanks.
But, she was right. I have been. This lesson was interesting because it just sort of came together for me... I was going to share all the tacky stories in the lesson, but then I got to wondering some things. First, I did a thesaurus check just to see how many synonyms there are for the words Cheerful and happy. Over 40. Then I started looking up scriptures with the word references of cheerful and happy and the various synonyms... it was so interesting to me. Cheerful/cheerfulness had 24, happy/happiness had 48, Attitude had 5, glad/gladness 161, Joy 235, Delight 74, Pleasure 81, Enjoyment 22, Good Cheer 13, Content 85, Peace 366, Hope/Hopefulness 140, Rejoice/rejoicing 283, Comfort 131, and Encourage/ment 9.
(Are you even still reading this?)
Add all those reference numbers up and it comes to 1,685 references to being happy/cheerful or something similar. That really made me think. I know that I didn't even make a dent in all the synonyms there are for those words, and yet with just what I found there were 1,685 references to being optimistic. It must be important to The Lord for us to be happy and to CHOOSE to be happy for him to reference it that many times. Now, that was just the verses in the scriptures that reference that... not the actual amount of times the words were used...
(are you still with me?)
It was profound for me to realize that PEACE had been referenced in 366 verses in the scriptures. I told the girls that if they chose to be happy their end result would be PEACE. You can't feel peace when you are grumpy and sad. You can only feel PEACE when you choose to be happy. I really had to think on that for a while. I realized that God already knows how I/we will behave or act when things are going well for us. But, what he wants to understand or know is how we will act or behave when things aren't going just the way WE want them to. How will we choose to feel/act? That is the REAL test! I realized that I probably wasn't passing the test very well, because I have been such a grump... but its like I told the girls. It's all up to us how we choose to behave, or see our lives. We can sit around asking ourselves "Why me?" or we can ask ourselves "Why not me?" and then further "What can I learn from this to make me better?" I challenged the girls to change their attitudes and start asking themselves the 2nd questions.
Choose to be happy, cause it was important enough to The Lord for him to reference it 1,685 times in the scriptures.
So, today I am thankful for these little moments that God gives me to show me how I can be better.

I'm grateful today that we were able to go see the lights on Temple Square tonight (along with every other person in the entire state) and get ourselves in a festive mood.
Every year when we go, I forget just how beautiful it is, and am always surprised by the beauty of the Reflecting pool.
You can see the temple and the lights reflecting off the water and there are tons of little candles floating in the pool... its stunning.
So, tonight, I am grateful that I could take the Things to see this beautiful sight!
I think, actually, that they were more excited to go up to Jefe's office and drink hot chocolate than they were at seeing the lights. It was quite the sight from up in his office, looking down on the lights. What a fun tradition!

For sure I have now heard everything. Really. This one takes the cake... Hands down. It wins... in all categories!
Click HERE to read it. If you have a sensitive stomach, or an easy gag reflex, then maybe you should pass on this one! (You have been warned! Don't get mad if you get grossed out!)
My parents told me about this... at Thanksgiving dinner. They kindly waited until we were through eating; which was good, 'cause I would've definitely lost my appetite!
Ick. Ick. Double triple Ick!

Today is Islandmom's birthday. I'm grateful that she is my sister. She may be younger, by birth, but in reality she is much wiser than I could ever hope to be.
So, Happy Birthday Islandmom! I am so glad you were born, and further that you are not only my sister, but also my wise, wise friend.

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." —Buddha

Happy Thanksgiving people! Enjoy your time with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Festus and Cousin Leroy! It's the one time of year that it is perfectly acceptable to stuff yourselves into oblivion, take a nap and then start all over again! I know I will... I've been doing a little jumping exercises to get "mah belly ready!"
Just a tip that my sis, ima10cow, gave me... if you push down hard on your stomach, then jump up and down, it forces the food to get all compacted and you can eat more! (i know. gross. she said she learned that from some Polynesian girls once... i wonder if it works?!)
Anyway.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Don't forget to remember the many reasons we all have to be thankful...

I am thankful for 2 things today.
First, that I got to go out to eat with my sister and my Mom to one of my favorite restaurants... The Rio Grande Cafe. It's is awesome Mexican food, and I have never had anything there that I haven't liked!

Second, I am SO thankful that we have been saving all year long for Christmas! So now that the season is upon us, there isn't all the stress and sense of doom. Doom, because we are trying to figure out how to squeeze blood from an orange...
I can't tell you what a sense of relief it is to have that money saved! Seriously. It was a dedicated savings account that earned 4% and each paycheck we set it up so that the bank would just automatically withdraw the set amount into the dedicated savings account!!
I LOVE THAT!!
I got to withdraw that money today... And Oh! What a GLORIOUS feeling.

Tonight, I am grateful that I can now feel my little baby kicking inside of me. Every time I feel her kicking away I find myself touching my stomach and thinking to myself "Well hello there little one!" It's amazing! This life growing inside of me. So, tonight I am thankful that I can feel her kicking and moving around inside me.

"...that's fine - just be aware that I may die. Really. Because every person who reads without commenting kills off another little piece of my SOUL. I just wanted you to know. So you can, you know, have a clear conscience at my funeral. Which might be soon. No pressure though." - navel gazing at its finest

I borrowed this from a blog that I like to read on a regular basis. When I read this, I was all AMEN SISTAH! AMEN!
So. Really people. Do you want my death on your head???
Just kidding. Not really. OK. I am. not really. Just kidding.

This same blog author also did a post recently about being a little over the top about checking her comments. I sat and laughed as I read that post because that is SO me. I will write something that I find humorous, and then proceed to call Jefe and ask him to read the blog. Then my sisters, and casually ask if they have checked my blog lately. That's code for "please look and tell me just how totally funny you think I am!
Seriously.
I am MAJOR O.C.D. about checking my stats... how many people have looked at my blog today? (not very many since I don't have it linked to my name, or have my blogger profile up... But, you never know. A miracle may happen and people may become clairvoyant and just KNOW that I have a blog and what it's address is...)
The thing is... I am also a total and complete freak about who I let look at my blog. I have photos up of my cute Things, and I totally do not want some weird freak in like Germany or Singapore looking at my cute Things! So, even though I KNOW there are only like 5 of you that look at my blog, I am still a total freaker about checking my my stats and my comments, (which are always a big fat ZERO) just to see if anyone has become clairvoyant, you know??
Not that I am complaining or anything (OK I am) This blog is my version of therapy. It's cheaper, and more convenient... and I don't have to lie on that stupid couch or look at dumb ink blots!

WTH???
Check out THIS link. You have got to be freaking kidding me!!
I now think that I have seriously heard EVERYTHING.
Everything. There is nothing left to shock me.
Well. O.K.
Probably there is, but lets not try people. Ok?

You know its going to be a long day when by 7:00 am you are super grumpy and are just plain SICK OF YOURSELF!
It's those freaking cats, I'm telling you! This is why cats suck!

Today I am grateful for the internet. I know that is such a silly thing to be grateful for, but seriously, I am. I mean, how in the Sam Hill did we ever survive life without it? Seriously, HOW?
IF there was no Internet, then there would be no email, there would be no Google (gasp!) and no allrecipes.com. The ONLY way to cook! I made potato soup from there tonight that had like 400+ reviews and 4+ stars... and family went GA-GA! It was soo freaking easy and made a ton and was oh. so. good.
So, yeah. The internet. I'm really thankful for it! How 'bout you?

I hate cats.
Really. I hate them. Despise them. I think they are Gross with a capital G.
I really really REALLY hate cats.
And, thats all I have to say about that!

Today, I am grateful that I get to have 2 turkey dinners. 1 cooked by me, and the other cooked by my MIL. I heart turkey, and turkey dinners! They are soo yummy. My mouth starts watering around Halloween for turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and everything else that goes along with it! Oh sweet joy! Oh rapture!
I am grateful that I get to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners.

I'm grateful tonight that I can go to bed and have a fresh start tomorrow.
I have been a grump today...
I am sorry. I don't know why everything has been bugging me today. Sheesh. Even I bug myself.
So, tonight, I am thankful that I can now go to bed and have a fresh start tomorrow!

This is what I'm making today. Its $99 bucks online, but I found a metal tree at Target for $12 and then I will just run to good ole' Hobby Lobby and buy some tags. I'm going to put it on my kitchen table and at dinner, each night, have everyone write stuff they are thankful for, then on Turkey day, we can read them aloud. Too bad I didn't find this idea earlier, so we could have lots of stuff to read! But, as I was reading about the tree pictured above, they said that they keep theirs up year round... and periodically pull them off to read then start over. I think that's what I am going to do. It's a good idea for me AND the kids to remember our blessings so that we don't get that pity party going on, or the poor picked on me syndrome.
What do you think??

"I live in my own world, and every one knows me there." - a bumper sticker I saw this morning

AMEN!!!
And, should we say further, you don't have a passport to enter? Naw... I won't be that mean! ;P
It's random 10 Friday again. The last Friday before the rush of holiday shopping is upon us. Next Friday will be BLACK FRIDAY!! Scary! So, enjoy this last Random 10 Friday that has no Christmas music in it... the last Random 10 before all the madness begins!


1. Rip Off - Ryan Adams
2. Mr. Curiosity - Jason Mraz
3. I'm Gonna Find You Another - John Mayer
4. Everything's Not Lost (Live) - Coldplay
5. So Damn Lucky (Live) - Dave Matthews
6. 19 Somthin' - Mark Wills
7. Dancin' - Chris Isaak
8. This Time - Starsailor
9. It's Not Over - Daughtry
10. This Is A Call - Foo Fighters

Bonus: Angel of Harlem - U2

Thing 2 got his Wolf badge tonight. He was soo excited. He passed every single Achievement off. Even the ones that weren't required. Then, he only had 3 Electives that he did not do. THREE. I was impressed with his excitement towards the program... but then one of the scout masters pointed out that one of the badges that he earned is REALLY hard to earn, and that specific badge requires a lot of work. Huh. I didn't know that. I guess never having any brothers, and not really knowing anything about scouting made us naive. I really didn't understand the whole program. So, we just plugged away on it. I thought he had to pass EVERYTHING off in his book. Apparently that is not the case... He has earned a total of 1 gold arrow and 7 silver arrows. When they announced that everyone in the audience sortof gasped and I heard many "Wow's." Is that not normal? He just did what he thought was expected of him. I think that I won't correct him... then he will be more extraordinary than he already is!!

So, tonight I am thankful for Thing 2 and his love of the scouting program.

He has finished the Bear stuff twice already. Jefe is the Bear leader; has been for 2 years and has let Thing 2 attend with him... So, if he wanted to, he could move up to the next level... if they didn't have that dumb age rule. I hope this continues on into the Boy Scout program... it will help to keep him out of trouble, and keep him focused on what's important!

I haven't posted the sex of our baby because I was trying to figure out how to get the ultra sound scanned to the computer. I don't have a scanner, and I don't know anyone that does. I had thought that would be a pretty cool way to announce it all... a scanned photo of the ultra sound, and you could guess in the comments. But, alas that is not going to happen.
NOW.
Let me preface this little announcement with a few facts. I was very happy. I hadn't even realized how upset and nervous I was until the ultra sound was over.
See.
Thing 3 was my stress baby. I was on bed rest with her from 20 weeks on. They didn't think she had kidney's and usually if they do, there is a huge possibility of renal issues. AND, if there are renal issues, then heart issues go right along with that. They did all sorts of echo-cardiograms on her... I had an ultra sound twice a week for 5 months. Can you say expensive? (to the tune of $70k expensive)
Anyway... as the tech was doing the ultra sound for this baby, I had a very long checklist of things I wanted to know. Did the baby have a3 vessel umbilical cord or 2? (Thing 3 had 2 and you want the umbilical cord to have 3) Could they DEFINITELY see the kidneys? Did the heart look good? Could you see all the chambers? Clef palate?
See??
A laundry list of things I needed to know. When they would say: "Yup. Everything looks fine" I would start to get more and more teary eyed. The baby was healthy. They baby was going to be fine. No problems. No bed rest! As they were doing the ultra sound, I could see the baby moving all around. Opening its mouth, practicing sucking, putting its thumb in its mouth. Kicking, waving its arms around... it was amazing.
NOW.
I am very happy, cause the baby is healthy. Thing 3 was VERY disappointed... she wanted a puppy. Didn't I have 2 babies in there Mom? One of them could be a puppy, right? She even tried to convince me that we could trade the baby for one of the neighbors puppies. She said: "I know that neighbors will trade us a puppy for the baby." Uhh. Yeah. Not going to happen.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 were not so happy... They wanted a boy. I told Jefe that I guess I really screwed up for everyone, and maybe we needed to go get a boy puppy so that everyone would be happy. Sheesh.
Yup.
We're having another girl.
Now the real battle begins.... finding a name that everyone and their dog hasn't used! AND a name that Jefe and I can agree on. The ones I have suggested, the Things have all made barfing sounds too.
Got any suggestions? I don't want it to be popular... and not too weird either. Leave me a comment with some suggestions.... PLEASE!!!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have serious issues with The Dentist. The Dentist is right up there with Darth Vader. I'm serious. I have major fears of The Dentist. My heart pounds and I feel like I can't breathe when I think about getting various "procedures" done. It's bizarre, but its real. A. very. real. fear.
This morning, before normal people are functioning, I had to take Thing 3 to get her cavity filled. She was going to get "sedated", which freaks Jefe out more than me. I can't get him to understand that its not really full on anesthesia, but a shot of versed .
That is the only thing that Thing 3 remembers from the procedure this morning... the shot she got in her arm. Within less than 5 minutes, she was relaxed and they did the procedure. In 35 minutes the entire thing was done. It was amazingly quick. I wish they would've had that kind of stuff for when I was a kid. I wouldn't be such a freak when it comes to the dentist... So much better than the being held down (which I remember happening to me) by a nurse while the doctor worked on your teeth. See why I have issues?
Anyway...
I was frantic and very nervous. Thing 3 was brave... very very brave. She happily opened her mouth and showed them her "yucky" tooth. I was amazed at how quick the whole thing went. We were home by 9:30 and were watching Shrek 3... all day long.
While she was in recovery, she kept trying to talk. She would tell me "this is fun" and I found myself actually being worried. Oh no! Does this mean that she has a predisposition for drug use? She likes the feelings of the narcotics... yikes. But then she started talking a little better and was really trying to tell me she felt funny, and I looked funny. See, I had 3 eyes to her. She kept looking at me and saying "I want my Mama!" I finally scooped her up and said "Baby! I'm right here. She looked at me, scrutinizing my face and said "Mama? You have 3 eyes! You look funny." Whew. She didn't think the narcotics were fun... she thought I looked funny. I felt a little better. I told her she must have special powers to be able to see my invisible Mommy eye. Only special people can see the Mommy eye! (do you think that will make her need therapy when she gets older? Her mommies third eye? I hope not.)
Anyway... today I am grateful for our modern medicine that made my babies little tooth dealie much easier to handle. I have serious issues with the Dentist, and REALLY do not want to pass that down to my children. I want them to have their own fears... not fears that I have placed on them because I am a freaker! Know what I mean?

Thing 2 went to his first day of Wrestling camp tonight. He had been dreading it until he told one of his friends he was going, and they thought it was cool... so then he started changing his tune. He thought it was cool until one of the kids threw him over his back and Thing 2 landed on his shoulder. Ouch! That hurt!! Then he DID NOT think it was cool anymore. Change is such a hard thing. Trying new things is difficult. He is definitely my child. I was never good at trying new stuff or change. He wanted to quit. I would've wanted to quit too... But, I firmly told him No. He had to finish the remaining week. He was loving it until he got his butt kicked. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Tonight I am thankful for being able to try new stuff.

Today I am very simple. I am grateful for my eyes. I had to drive Thing 1 to school this morning and saw a beautiful sight on my way there. There was fog this morning and it had settled on the pond near the junior high. Oh how I wished that I had my camera with me, but alas, I am not that prepared. I hurried home, got my camera and hurried back up to the pond. The fog was gone, but this is what I was able to see.



How beautiful is that? So, today I am thankful for my eyes. And well, my ears too. The birds were singing like crazy there at the pond... so yeah. It was a great morning.

My sister, Ima10cow, hooked me up with this website called allrecipes.com
It is freaking amazing and further, I am addicted. Seriously addicted. If you type in the ingredients that you have, it will search their vast data base and give you all sorts of recipes that have those ingredients. I have followed ima10cow's advice and only pick things that have 4 stars or better with AT LEAST 200+ reviews. I read the reviews (not all of them) and then go to town.
Today was an allrecipes.com day. Oh. How thankful I am!
I made this cheesey ham & hashbrown casserole and my family went nuts-o!

Seriously! Its a great brunch casserole, and is a nice change from our usual standard. It was fabulous, and my kids gave it rave reviews. Thing 3 kept saying, "Ummm! this is so yummy!"
Then I made this awesome slowcooker pot roast, and let it cook all day long.

The house smelled soo yummy! The thing that is awesome about this recipe is that when the meat is finally done, you have gravy. I did have to thicken it just a little bit, but that's ok. I did NOT cook any vegetables with the meat, as I usually don't like how done the vegetables get. I waited until the meat was done, and I was thickening the gravy to cook the potatoes. The kids loved the gravy and potatoes. When it was finally time to eat, everyone was salivating! Again, Thing 3 stuffed her face and did not say a word. She ate everything that was on her plate, and then said "Wow Mom. That was really really good. Can I have some more?"
Jefe kept moaning while he was eating... I guess he was loving it too. (he always makes fun of me when I do that!)
Everyone had seconds, and some even had thirds. It was so fun to watch everyone go to town on the dinner. All in all I would say that today was a success in the food category!
This website is fabulous. You should totally give it a looksie. I love that I can save the recipes that I like, and then just click on my recipe box and wah-la there are the successful ones! I am thinking I am going to try some of the recipes and tips & tricks for Thanksgiving this year! I mean seriously, if they 4+ stars, and have a plethora of reviews, how could I possibly go wrong?

Anyway, today I am thankful for allrecipes.com, because this website seriously makes me look like a fantastic cook!!

ps. I just talked to ima10cow... she just posted a post about allrecipes.com on her blog too. How funny! I guess great minds think alike!

Today is the 10th day of my month of being Thankful. It has made a difference. I was skeptical, but it has made a difference on my attitude and outlook. I have found myself, during the day, looking for things to be thankful for... trying to see things differently, with new eyes. It is working.

I am grateful for my children today. I went to Home Depot this afternoon to get some nuts and bolts for Jefe. I pulled into my parking spot, and looked into the car parked in front of me, and saw something shocking. There was a baby in the car, with the windows rolled up, in a sweatshirt, crying and sweating. I was stunned. I watched the baby (who was probably about 12-14 months old) cry, try to gain its composure, hold its had over its eyes to block out the sun -- cause the car was facing west -- directly into the sun. I was fuming mad. I watched and watched and watched, but no parent came. I was getting more and more irate as the time passed. I waited for 15 minutes then called Jefe and asked him to talk me out of calling the police. He didn't. As I was talking with him, a Home Depot employee spotted the baby locked int he car. He looked at me, questioningly, and I nodded and said that he should probably go get his manager. I hung up with Jefe and called 911... just as the MOM showed up. Now, I guess her is where my sexist ideas come into play. I sort of expected it to be a Dad that had left the baby in the car. Not the Mom, and certainly not a Mom that had taken her older children into the store with her. Yup. You read right. She had left the baby in the car, and took her older children in with her. I told the 911 operator that it looked like the mother had finally showed up. He said "Oh. Thats nice, we still want the information so that we can go talk with her." So, I got out of the car, and started describing the car to the officer, while the Mother sat and listened. She looked a little shell shocked, and was hurrying to get her crap in the car and get out of there. (the manager showed up shortly after as well)
I gave them her license plate number and was surprised that I got so emotional. I was really emotional. I had been planning a great verbal tongue lashing speech... but, when I was so emotional, I decided to refrain. I didn't want to be yelling at an irresponsible mother and start crying. In hindsight, I wish I would've yelled at her. Seriously. Had the police showed up while she was still in shopping, her kids could have been taken for a mandatory 3 days. 3 days people! Is convenience worth having my children taken from me? No! I understand the whole nap thing... really I do. But for Pete's sake people, nothing is worth your children's lives. NOTHING!
I was livid for most of the day. I came straight home from the Home Depot, and had to love on my kids. I love my kids so much. I hope they know that.
So, today, I am grateful for my children.

Today, I am grateful for my dumb boxer dog. She is a good companion and is really rather dumb. Seriously. I love her, but she is constantly under my feet. Following me from room to room... if I get up to go to the bathroom, then the dog gets up too, and waits outside the door for me. I am constantly tripping over her, and getting mad. But, in reality I should be flattered. The dog clearly has a crush on me... and is my biggest fan. Everyone needs a fan club, even if it is just a dog.
So, today, I am grateful for my dumb boxer dog!

O.K. This made me laugh right out loud! It's funny!!!

This song makes me happy! Its soo catchy, and I seriously can not stop myself from tapping my little toes! Listen and see if it doesn't make you feel happy too!

"No matter how rich you become, how famous or powerful, when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather." - Michael Pritchard

Oh how I love Random 1o Fridays. For many reasons... because its Friday. Because I live my life in a soundtrack and like to punctuate moments with songs. Nerdy. I know. But, its the truth. I love Random 10 Friday. Won't you come out and play with me??

1. While You Loved Me - Rascal Flatts
2. Two Hearts - Ryan Adams
3. Crush (Live @ Radio City) - Dave Matthews/ Tim Reynolds
4. Why Georgia - John Mayer
5. You Can Bring Me Flowers - Ray LaMontagne
6. (You're) Timeless To Me - Hairspray Original Broadway Cast
7. River Flows In You - Yiruma
8. You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
9. Parachutes - Coldplay
10. Chaos - Mute Math

Bonus: You Are The Queen - Br549 *yes i am!*

I took my kids to a Primary Thanksgiving Dinner Activity tonight. The Primary presidency made a Thanksgiving meal for the entire primary and served it to them. On real plates. With real silverware, and real glasses. Can you say Lots of Work? I was, frankly shocked, and then VERY impressed! I mean, that is a ton of work for people to go to for children to have a meal AT CHURCH. A lot of work to try and teach the children about gratitude.
A LOT OF WORK People.
Some of the teachers didn't show up, so I was recruited to go and sit with the kids (and get to eat the food, which was a huge motivator for me. I hate that I have such an unhealthy relationship with food. Seriously. I am totally food motivated!) It was fun to hang with the children, and listen to what they are thankful for. After the meal was over, and we sent the kids on their way, I started looking around and saw the mounds and mounds of dishes these ladies had to do. I felt overwhelmed, and I wasn't even involved. I started cleaning off the tables, and Thing 3 was so excited to be able to help and take the silverware to the kitchen and the cups to the kitchen. I had Thing 2 help to take the chairs and put them away, and take the tables down. Thing 1 helped to serve the meal, and to clean the dishes off the tables. It was a good chance for them to offer some sort of service. AND, they did it happily! They were excited to help and were having fun!
I have decided that my children need to see me and Jefe not only serving ~ happily~ but they also need to be involved! It was a good thing for them to do. Jefe came and took them home, and here is the part that I am thankful for.
I stayed and helped these women do the dishes. Wash all 900 (not really) dishes, silverware, and glasses.
I know.
Gasp!
What was I thinking? I don't know. But, honestly, it was fun. I completely enjoyed myself. We all chatted and laughed and had a nice time. It reminded me of "the olden days" when we would have ward dinners at church and the youth would have to go into the kitchen to clean up after the meal. Washing dishes and water fights and talking. Everyone there was in Primary, so I was "one of these things is not like the other..." but not withstanding, I am glad that I did stay. It was cleansing. Really. I have found lately, that when I start feeling blue and like a total dork, if I will extend myself beyond myself, I eventually feel better! Which is something that I have known for years, but its such a scary thing sometimes to put yourself out there. Service is a soul cleansing thing.
So, tonight I am grateful that I was able to stay and help clean up after a party that was thrown for my children. I think I walked away with more than just clean dishes!
I am grateful for service.

I wanted to get a really good close-up of this truck, but I didn't want to go traipsing through the construction site next door to then have to try and figure out which workers truck it was to then have to ask permission to shoot a photo up close and all personal like.
Whew. Was that a total run on sentence or what??
Anyway. I dig this truck. I wish I would've been able to get a better shot than this...

O.K. I got a a couple of emails asking if I REALLY used illegal substances. (refering to my previous post about the "good stuff")
Uhhh. NNNNNOOOOOOO!
I mean, come on people! I NEVER have used illegal drugs, nor do I plan on ever using illegal drugs. I was merely referring to the wonderful medical advancements that have been made to make our trips to the Doctors, Dentists, hospitals, delivering of babies, surgeries, ER visits, sicknesses etc. more pleasant... or at least 'doable'.
So, that is my disclaimer. I am not admitting to being a junkie or a crack-head. (although sometimes I wonder if I am on crack with the stuff that I agree to do... but not really. Really. No, not really, I'm kidding.... I digress again.)
All I am admitting to is being a person who is thankful for the medical/pharmaceutical advancements our society has made. Because of those advancements, I do not have to be tied to a table when I get a cavity filled. Hence being grateful for "the good stuff".

Today, my gratitude lies in the fact that we have been having Freaking Awesome Weather! Need I say more about that? How do you argue with 65 degrees on November 7? You can't. So I won't. I am grateful for this awesome weather, and the fantastic Indian Summer we are having! Get out and enjoy people! Seriously!

Ok. I am totally going to let you see the naughty side of me now. The side that I try oh so very hard to hide from everyone... but it usually doesn't last. Me. Naughty. Totally.
I am soo thankful today for drugs. Really. Drugs. The good stuff. (not that I got to have any of the 'good stuff' today, but none the less, the good stuff) . How on earth did people survive without drugs? I mean seriously people. HOW?
Why am I thankful for drugs?( One time I hurt my back really bad, and I had to take "THE GOOD STUFF". I had to go meet with our Stake President to get a new calling, and he was really concerned about me having to have to sit for 2 hours straight during conference to get "voted" in, and then to have to sit some more while I waiting to be set apart... I laughed, waved my hand and said. Hey! No biggie! I have good drugs that I'm on! Jefe cringed and told me I HAD to stop saying that to everyone I met, cause I was starting to sound like a junkie. Really? Me? A junkie? Huh. Anyway.... I digress... )
Let me tell you why I am thankful for drugs. I hate the dentist! Really. I do. Any Dentist. I don't care how Hot you are or if you have just won the Nobel Peace Prize of Niceness... I just really have issues with Dentists! I am sure it stems from the scary dentist that my parents made me go to as a child that reminded me of some sleazy porn star (sorry folks, but its true!). I have Dentist issues, and I HAD TO GO VISIT ONE TODAY. O.K. There it is. The source of my naughtiness... That is why I am soo very thankful for drugs. Can you imagine having to get a cavity filled and NOT having any good drugs? Not only to make you not feel anything, but then to take afterwards when you get the feeling back in your face and realize they must have used a JACK HAMMER to give you the 1,900 shots they gave you. Seriously! Drugs people.
This is what I tell my friends who are anti-drugs: (especially during child birth, which is unfathomable to me, but whatever)
Drugs are good. Drugs are our friends. GOD made drugs for us to use, and we would not be using God's gift to us if we did not use them... ESPECIALLY when someone is going to be digging around in your mouth. Or you're having a baby. Whichever.
So, today, for my Month of Gratitude, I am thankful for drugs. The good stuff, like oh. I don't know. Maybe Tylenol. Yeah. Tylenol is good enough for me!

Is it bad to be thankful for Daylight savings time again? Cause, I am! By 7:00pm tonight, my little kiddies were soo tired the little two wanted to go to bed. They were pooped. We had FHE, and then put the kids to bed. By 8:30 they were all fast asleep. Even Thing 1. She crashed. So, I am thankful, again for Daylight savings time.

I want to see this movie SOOO bad! Steve Carell is fast approaching my most favorite actor. For real. I know. He's not eye candy, or even really sexy. But that's just it. That's what IS sexy about him. He's just a normal guy, who is FREAKING funny. And that, my friends, IS sexy. Besides, THIS makes me laugh, and THIS and THIS and THIS! I mean, lets get real people... He is hilarious! Check him out and see if he doesn't make you laugh your little head off!! Then, watch The Office and go see Dan in Real Life!

Besides, the music from the soundtrack is oh. so. yummy.

Today, I am grateful for daylight savings time. Why would someone be grateful for THAT? Especially me, and all the ranting I have been doing with regards to it be later this year... and the meaning behind the delayed daylight savings time (read: congress has nothing better to do than screw with the dates of daylight savings time. No. Nothing better at all! Oh like maybe instituting universal health care, or stopping the crazy antics of our even crazier president. No. Nothing at all better to do! So, they screwed with daylight savings time! Yes. I am bitter about that!)
No. Really. I AM grateful to daylight savings time today. Simply because my lovely children slept in... and I mean they REALLY slept in. And, when they got up, they were happy.
It was nice to have a leisure morning. Every time I thought we were going to be late for church, I would look at the clock and realize that Whew! We had oodles and oodles of time. So today, I am grateful for our silly congress, and them changing daylight savings time to today. So far it has been a nice, peaceful day.

My gratitude moment today is for my 3 healthy children... bad attitudes and all. We all got up at the crack of dawn and went over to the church and did yard work. They were NOT happy about having to go to the church at 8:00am, but in the end everyone left with a better outlook and attitude. Nothing like 38 degree weather to clear the head and make you feel better about EVERYTHING! Besides, Denny's helps too!

I am thankful today for Jefe! He is so kind to me, and takes great care of me. We were able to go out tonight together, and its just nice to be able to be together and remember why I think he's so HOT!

"When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns."
- Jack Handy

Random 10 Friday. Won't you come out and play with me? Finally the weekend is here. I think I hear a collective sigh of relief that the week is over! Whew. We survived not only a 4 day weekend, but Halloween and all the candy induced comas that come from that lovely holiday!
Enjoy the nice weekend! They are going to be coming to an end here, sooner than I would like to admit!

1. Closing Time - Tom Waits
2. Seek Up - Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds
3. Everything's Not Lost - Coldplay
4. Music Was Saved - Starsailor
5. All I Want Is You - U2
6. Hold You In My Arms - Ray Lamontagne
7. Daughters - John Mayer
8. Prayin' For Daylight - Rascal Flatts
9. Dear Chicago - Ryan Adams
10. Smoothie Song - Nickel Creek

Bonus: Ain't That Right - G.Love & Special Sauce

I want to try a new thing. I have tried for years to do a month of gratitude, starting on November 1st; however, I always forget and don't remember until either the 15th or something, or I only remember until around the 15th.
SO, I am going to give it an honest effort this time around... Publishing it for the entire internet world to see. Maybe that will help me to be more cognizant? Who knows. Here are MY rules. You can make up your own rules, so don't bag on mine! I can be thankful for anything/anyone I want. Regardless of how silly or stupid it may seem. Its the gratitude that I'm after.
Anyway.
It's November first. Here is my first gratitude moment.

I am thankful for Ultrasounds... and being able to see cute little babies (even if Thing 1 thinks it has a giant head and looks weird). I am also thankful for being 75% sure what our baby is going to be!!