Day 6 of Thanks! Elena

Today I am thankful for my dear sweet exchange student Elena.  She keeps me laughing almost all the time.  She is such a funny girl!  Some of the things she says are so dang funny.  She calls pimples- pickles, she says wideo when she means video, she will say parrott when she mean period.  When she gets excited she starts talking in this really high squeaky voice which is a little funny cause Ray can be asleep and know if she is telling a "good" story or a "bad" one all from the tone of her woice (voice). 

She is a really good girl, and I am so glad we decided to give this exchange program a try.  I don't think our lives would be the same without her.  I do know that when it is time for her to go home we are going to be extremely sad to have to say goodbye to her.  She has been a good role model for my kids and they love her to pieces, and think of her as a big sister.  Yes, I am thankful for my daughter from Germany!  <3

Love you Laney!  :)

Day 5 of Thanks! Cough Medicine

 Today I find that I am thankful for cough drops, and cold medicine.  Jake is sick, and his cough is so yucky.  I always feel so bad when my kids are sick.  It is OK for me to be sick I can handle that, but when my kids are sick it breaks my heart. 

Yesterday while I was shopping I bought some extra cough Syrup, and am glad I did today.  I am thankful that there is something that can help quiet down his angry cough.

I am also thankful for cough drops that sooth his sore throat.  While shopping today I let him choose a flavor that would not be too hot and he chose cherry, and they seem to be helping him.  Now If I could only get him to try some Chicken Noodle Soup I think he would feel much better.   But until then I will be thankful for the time he wants to just snuggle with his mommy!  <3

Day 4 of Thanks! Family

Family, thats what it's all about!

Top Row L-R:  Mike, Debbie, Karri, Chad, Tracey, Mickie, Kellie, Troy, Melanie, Stephanie

Front Row L-R:  Caline, Lance, Dad, Anna May, Jackie, Ty

Last month my dad got remarried. He married a wonderful lady by the name of Anna May. Even though I don't know her very well I can already say that I love her so much. I think one of the reasons I have been able to fall in love with her so quickly is because she was able to make my dad smile again. It broke my heart to see my dad so sad after my mom passed away. I had told him that I would like him to remarry if the opportunity presented itself, and that the sooner the better. This wasn't because I was not sad about my moms passing, but that I wanted to keep my dad around for a long time, and I was afraid that if he was alone for long he would die from a broken heart. Needless to say when he introduced me to Anna May and I seen how happy he was I was completely thrilled for him and any decision he would make in his life. When Anna May joined our family she brought with her 6 children their spouses, and countless grand and great grand kids. I am so excited to get to know each one of her family members personally. I come from a family of 8 kids counting myself, and I love the time we spend together laughing and making wonderful memories together. I went from being the second to youngest of 8 to the second to youngest of 14 and that is so exciting to me. I have new brothers I can laugh with, and new sisters I can cry with. I don't look at them as step but just as my brothers and sisters, and their children as my nieces and nephews. I look forward to the many family get together's we will have in the future, and can't wait for the memories we will make. :)

Day 3 of Thanks! NO!!!

Today I find that I am most thankful for the ability to say NO.  I am not one to be able to say this to many people, but I am finding that in my aging years, I must say it and not feel bad when doing so.  Too many times in my life I have found that I will just say yes because I fear that if I say no I will hurt someones feelings, or make them mad.  I say yes and then I am left feeling taken advantage of, or used.  So I decided it is time to start saying NO and not feel bad doing so. 

Here's to a new word, and a new bravery I have not really ever experienced before!

Day 2 of Thanks! MY KIDS!

I am so thankful for my kids! My life has been blessed tremendesly because of these two. Never in a million years would I think two people could make me experience so many emotions all in the same moment. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for my children, and I would not trade them for all the riches in the world. I must have done something right in Heaven to have these two sent to me.  

Ellie has such a sweet smile!

I love when Jake shows me how big and strong he is (he can be found flexing in the mirror on a regular basis).

Day 1 of Thanks! My Mom

I am thankful for the knowlegde I have that I will see my mom again.  I have missed her so much, and think about her everyday.  There has been several times when I have wished I could call her and ask her a question I have had, or get her advice on something.  If I could I would thank her for helping me be who I am today.  The good, the crazy, and the inbetween!  ;)


I Love You Mom,
and I miss you more than I knew I could.

Happy Halloween

Detention Girl and a Police Officer

Cowgirl Sheriff  Elena

Stick-em up WAY UP!!!  ;)

You are under arrest, for being so cute!