Sometimes

I sometimes find myself wishing that I were braver.  I sometimes wish I weren't so shy.  I sometimes wish I were more outgoing.  I sometimes wish I didn't feel the need to hide while in crowds.  I sometimes wish I had more confidence.  I sometimes wish I could talk to strangers.
I sometimes wish.......

Black Friday

So today was Black Friday, and I contemplated going and doing some of my Christmas shopping.  Then I remembered last year, and what a crazy ridiculous experience it was, and I decided that saving a couple bucks on gifts was not worth me loosing the Christmas spirit.

Last year I went with my nephew in law Craig to WalMart in Twin Falls in hopes of getting a laptop for Ray for Christmas.  Well after witnessing fist fights (over $2 movies) and people just taking things out of  other peoples carts (ridiculous), I missed out on the laptop and was a bit annoyed.  Craig was able to get the gaming system he went shopping for but me, I was still annoyed.  Well as we were leaving a guy asked me if I was interested in purchasing a 52 inch flat screen TV,  it was half the cost and I decided that Ray would love it for Christmas and I jumped at the chance. 
I hated every minute of the Black Friday experience, and in a way it ruined the whole Christmas fuzzies for me.  So this year I decided that enjoying the warm fuzzies the whole Holiday Season was far better than a few bucks I may be able to save.

I ordered Ellie a gift online and it arrived today.  I got a Black Friday price on it, and it arrived on Black Friday!  I didn't have to fight the crowds.  I didn't have to loose my fuzzies, and I still got a good deal.  For all the crazies who chose to face the horrid crowds I hope that you fared well, and that your fuzzies are in tact.  May you enjoy this Holiday Season as much as I plan too.  <3

Day 24 of Thanks! MEMORIES

I am so thankful for Memories.  Everything we do in life, everywhere we go, who we are day to day creates a memory that stays with us our entire lifetime.  I love the memories I have of my childhood, the memories I have of loved ones who have long since passed.  I love the memories I have of a different time, of the people we used to be.  I came across a quote that read, "don't judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore!"  I love that we can change from the people we used to be.  We can become better, but will always have those memories to remind us of who we used to be. 

I love the memories I was able to make with my mom, with Rays mom, with my grandpa,  with siblings.  The memories I am able to make with my own children, with Ray.  I love that one day I can sit down with my children, with their children and tell the memories that I have, and maybe they will be able to cherish them as much as I cherish them.  

I Love The Memories I Have Been Able To Make!!!

Day 23 of Thanks! Almost done!

Today I am thankful that I ordered my Christmas cards early this year, and that they are almost all addressed and ready to send out.  It seems that every year I fall way behind when it comes to sending out cards, and they usually end up being sent the day after Christmas.  It is such a nice feeling to know that our Christmas Cards will be addressed, stamped, and ready to send out in the mail when we are ready to send them.  I love this time of year when we can send out cards and letters, but I love it more when we receive letters, photos and cards from those we love most.  It helps us to be able to get a glimpse of our loved ones lives, and makes us feel a little closer to them.  :)

Day 22 of Thanks! Vinegar and Water

Vinegar and Water, I know that it is an odd thing to be thankful for today, but really when you have a van with windows that are completely iced over from the cold and wind and fog from the night before, you find that this type of thing is a great thing to be thankful for.  This morning when I went running out to my van to get it warming up and realized that the amount of thick ice on the windows was going to take me decades to scrape off, I remembered something I had read on Pinterest (awe pinterest my newly discovered bff )  some brilliant person had wrote that vinegar and water in a spray bottle will make the ice go away.  Well as I was filling up my bottle with these two ingredients, I was possibly saying a little prayer that it would work, and that my hands would get to stay dry and warm.  I went back outside and started spraying my windows, and sure enough the ice started sloshing up and dripping down the window.  Love it, love that this winter is going to be a tiny bit easier getting my kids to school.  Love that some genius was generous enough to share this idea with others, and love that I tried it. 

Day 21 of Thanks! Smiles

I am thankful for the gift of being able to smile.  I think  sometimes people go through life in such a fast forward, holier than everyone else mode, that they forget to just stop and smile.  I love to smile, I love to smile at others, I love when I am in my van and passing others on the street, that the first thing that I do is smile and wave at others.  You never know what a smile can do for someone else.  I know for me there have been days when I have felt down, and someones' smile has made me feel better.  It makes me sad sometimes when I pass people that I know from church, or the kids school, and they are sitting so high on their soap boxes that they can't wave or smile, or anything.  I think that it is their loss, and someday maybe they will regret being this way(probably not).  I am thankful that I have taught my kids that smiling at others is a good thing, and that they are able to show that kind of kindness to others now as well. Have you smiled at someone today?  :)

Smiles are contagious, pass them on!!! 

Day 20 of Thanks! Maddi

I am thankful for our dog Maddi!  She is such a smart pup, and is definately part of our family.  I was a bit hesitant at first to get a dog, and wasnt sure that I wanted a full time indoor dog.  I told myself that if we were going to have an indoor dog she was going to have to be fully house trained, and smart as well.  After we brought her home from my parents house (they had the parents)  I got online to find out everything I could on Shih-Tzu dogs, and what it took to train them.  I spent a lot of time training her, and teaching her lots of tricks.
 Here is a list of her tricks. 
1. She can sit
2. She can speak
3. She can high five
4. She can shake
5. She can lay down
6. She can stay
7. She dances
8. She comes
9. She boxes
10. She goes to bed on command

 Some of the things she really hates are to be stared at (she starts to wine if you stare at her for too long). And if you blow on her face she will cover her face with her paws and cry.  It is both funny and a bit heart breaking.  Some of the funny things she does are when she knows Ray should be walking in the door from work she will start to pace back and forth, and then when you say where is daddy she will start running in circles and then belines for the back door.  I guess I am glad we have her in our family, and that she is such a joy to have.  I don't know what we would do without her!