#13 & #14

#13 - Neighborhood friends.  This is kind of like my ward, but different.  I have a few ladies that I walk to or from school with, with our kids and then we meet up with another friend who drops of her preschooler.  It is so nice to have ladies to talk to about our kids, husbands, poop, anything really.  I have been able to go out to dinner with a couple of these ladies (Marissa and Bronny) and it was so much fun.  It is so nice to be able to be my self and say what ever I want to say and they will still be my friend and like me for me.  I am so blessed to have such a good friends so close to me. 

#14 - Good food.  I am a big fan of good food.  It makes me happy.  I am pretty sure it makes everyone happy.  I just wish it didn't come with the calories. 

On a side note:  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Tony and I!!!!  9 years today!!!!!  That was such a fun day and we had such a amazing honeymoon.  It was so nice just being together and learning more about each other.  It has been a great nine years and I look forward to many many more to come.  I love you Tony.

#12 - Laptop

It is so nice having the convenience of a laptop.  When I lost my job I had to give up my work laptop and it was super sad.  Then my dad let us borrow his old one, then it broke.  So we decided to spend the money and find us our own laptop.  Tony found a good refurbished one on-line that was a good deal.  It came super fast and we have enjoyed it ever since.  We all just love it.

Anniversary Weekend

Tony and I were super lucky to be able to spend this past weekend celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary.  It started on Friday afternoon when we dropped all the kids off at Tony's parents where they were to spend the night on Friday and Saturday.
Our first stop was Costco (because that's just how cool we are) where we did some shopping.  It is always nice to go shopping without the kids.  After buying our goods we took them back home.  We did some cleaning and other stuff before we got ready to go out for the evening.  We decided to stop at Walmart to look for a couple things before going to dinner.  We found some snow boots for me and a couple other things.  With all the snow that we got this weekend it made me realize that I needed some boots for when we take Tyler to school in the snow.
Then we headed to Texas Roadhouse where we met up with some friends, Mike and Jackie.  It was fun getting together and seeing them.  We hadn't seen them since last Christmas and they just got engaged.  The food was good (as always) and the company was even better.  After dinner Tony and I went back home and watched a movie that we got from Red Box.
On Saturday we went out for a late breakfast and then headed to the mall to do a little shopping.  We wanted to look for some clothes for the family for family pictures.  We found a sweater for Tyler that we liked and then we got some hand soaps from Bath and Body Works.  Then it was off to The Desert Star Playhouse where we saw a show called, "Wicked-er."  It was kind of lame.  We were pretty disappointed that it wasn't better then it was.  Not sure when we'll go back there again.  But we still had fun doing something that we don't do very often.  After the show we went to Sam's Club (yep, still super cool).  We found a couple things and then decided to go back home for a while.  When we returned the last movie we got a new one, so we decided to watch it.  It was kind of weird being home with no kids for so long.  It was quiet.  I enjoyed the break from the kids, but I am glad that we have them.  They really do complete our lives and we love them a lot.
We decided to go to eat some dinner and ended up at Sizzler.  I really like their salad bar and we had a coupon for steak and salad bar for $10.  So we just ate the salad bar stuff and then took the stakes home to eat another day.  It was pretty good food and it was fun getting out.  Then it was back home for relaxation and another movie.
This morning Tony went to his meeting and then we went to Tony's parents ward to go to church with the kids.  They were very excited to see us and liked to snuggle us all through sacrament meeting.  We all just hung out at Tony's parents house after church until dinner.  Now we are home.  Our three awesome kids are in their beds sleeping and Tony and I our hanging out.  We have a pretty awesome life!

#11 - Friends

Today I am grateful for friends.  My friend list has changed many different times over the years.  I am lucky to still be friends with a great group of friends from high school, but we don't get to see each other very often.  I have some pretty good friends in my ward right now.  It is so nice when your close friends also live close...which is probably why they become close friends.  I am a very social person and love having lots of friends.  I have learned over the years that the amount of friends doesn't matter, it is the quality of the friends that is most important.  It wasn't until I had some really amazing friends that I realized that the friends that I had weren't really very good friends to me.  I feel very blessed to have had so many amazing friends in my life who have taught me what being a true friend is all about.

#8, #9, #10

#8 - Our ward.  I was not a big fan of our ward when we first moved into our house.  It took a couple of years for Tony and I to find our place here.  But now, after almost 9 years, we really love our ward.  We know most the members and have served in many different callings.  We have many friends who have come and gone from the ward and we have felt blessed to know them.  We just had our annual Tasters Table activity and it was so much fun.  It is my most favorite activity of the year.  Good times, go 4th ward.

#9 - Snow - It started snowing yesterday morning and pretty much continued all day long.  It was so pretty.  My boys love to play in the snow and I love it too.  I wish it would snow every day in the winter time.  It is so beautiful and it makes it feel like the holidays.  Tyler asked if it was Christmas yesterday because it snowed.  I love that Utah has all the seasons and I am glad that it is winter now.  I love snow!

#10 - Anniversary - Tony and I have our 9th wedding anniversary on the 14th of this month.  We are celebrating this weekend.  We have been SO SO lucky and blessed to have Tony's parents take our kids for a couple nights each anniversary so that Tony and I can enjoy a couple kid free days.  I look forward to this weekend every year.  I love my kids so much, but it is so nice to have Tony all to myself for a couple days and to just have us time.  We get to go out to eat and take in a show.  We normally stay in a hotel for a couple nights...it is just good fun.  Love our anniversary...love Tony...love Tony's parents for taking good care of our kids while we celebrate.  Here's to 9 years!!!

#7 - Home

Right now as I sit in my nice comfy chair and watch silly television in my nicely warm house it makes me very grateful for my home.  It isn't super big or super fancy, but it works just fine for us.  A lot of our house, like the kitchen, was the original 1958 house.  We're talking pink and green tiled bathroom.  Tony has put in a lot of time (and money) into making our house a place that is updated and pleasing to live in.  Their are things that I wish that I had (like a master bath) but for now this house works out just fine for our little family.  The yard is nice and big for the kids to play and we have plenty of room for all of us.  Almost 9 years ago Tony and I felt that we should put an offer in on this house and we figured that if they accepted it then we were meant to have this house.  So here we are...almost 9 years later...wasn't sure we would stay here this long...but sure feel blessed to have a nice home that we enjoy.

#6 - Independence

Today I am especially grateful for my freedoms and independence.  It was election day today.  Obama vs Romney.  We all got our chance to make our voices heard.  We are able to do many things here in America that others can not do.  I am grateful that with all these freedoms it includes freedom of religion (which will be another post).  I am thankful for the men and women who have risked or given their lives for us to enjoy these freedoms.  I am a firm believer of the free enterprise system and all the blessings that come from that type of economy.  No matter what happens tonight I know that it'll all work out how it's suppose to.  Obama or Romney...it'll all work out.  I love my country!

Day #5 - Gratitude

#5 - Health.  Being healthy is definitely something that I take for granted when we are all healthy.  It is not until one or more of us is sick that I realize how nice it is when we are healthy.  Being healthy is one of the things that I pray for (probably) the most.  Josh has had a tummy ache for the past couple of days and it was the worst today with him throwing up three times.  He still had a good attitude most of the day.  Megan is doing a little bit better, but still has some bad diapers.  I just want my babies to be healthy and happy.  We are all a lot happier when everyone is healthy.  The worst is when I am sick and then kids are sick because then I just have no patience what so ever.
I am also very thankful for modern medicine.  I am so thankful for my doctor and the kids pediatrician.  I love that when we are sick we can go to the doctor and get us medicine that makes us feel better.  I can only hope and pray that we will all be healthy and strong soon...very soon.   

Gratitude #3 & #4

I remembered as I was in bed trying to get to sleep that I forgot to post day 3 of my month of gratitude.  So here I am bright and early Sunday morning sharing a couple more blessings.  We ended Daylight savings this morning, but we're all still on our old schedule and up early.  We will need to work on these kids sleeping in later (especially Megan who was up at 5:30 am).

#3 - My parents and siblings.  I really do enjoy having such a big family.  We have a good time together and love being silly.  My sister Julie and I have a special "understanding" of each others sense of humor and enjoy laughing at our selves.  We have a lot of fun memories growing up since we are closest in age.  I am lucky to have four sisters and one brother.  I enjoy talking to and spending time with all my siblings and even my parents.  I used to go to my parents house at least two times a week when Tyler went to preschool in Murray and it was so nice to see my parents and hang out as friends.  Now I only see them a couple times on month and I miss seeing them more.  I know that if I need anything that my family will come and help.  I am so blessed to have most my family live close and I love when we all get together.

#4 - My in-laws.  I really do love Tony's family.  They have been pretty accepting of me from day one.  They don't always get my sense of humor, but I am used to that.  We have a good time together and my kids just LOVE their cousins.  I really love seeing them on Sundays and it is an extra special treat when everyone can get together since it doesn't happen very often.  Tony's parents have taken us on some pretty awesome vacations as a family and they have been so fun.  Tony's parents genuinely enjoy spending time with their grand kids and it is so fun to see them enjoy being grandparents.  Tony's parents are very supportive and are willing to help out when needed.  Tony's dad has come over and helped us with our house anytime Tony has asked.  I love that Tony has learned so much from his dad about building and fixing things.  Tony's mom has taught Tony to be financially frugal and to do his research before he makes purchases and that is a great skill to have.  Tony's parents really make us all feel special on our birthdays and other days of year with their thoughtfulness.  They have taught us many things and we are very grateful to them.   

The Month of Gratitude

November is the month to be thankful.  Some of my friends are doing a list of all the things they are grateful for each day this month and I think that is a good idea.  I am already a day behind.  I really have been so blessed in my life and I am excited to chart some of these blessings each day until Thanksgiving.

#1 - Tony.  Tony is a great husband and dad.  He is so good to me.  I am so needy and Tony is so good to take care of me and the kids.  I love having him home and I am pretty selfish with his time.  He really seems to enjoy being home and spending time with the family.  He doesn't go out with buddies and ditch his family to do "more fun things" - he is home with his wife and kids (and likes it).  He is willing to help me, our neighbors, our family members or anyone who is in need of help (you just have to ask).
He is a super fun dad, the kids all love him and love to play all over him.  He gets down and plays with his kids, and I love that.  He loves all kids, not just his.  He is the fun uncle who takes the time to play with all the nieces and nephews.
Tony is a hard worker.  He has goals and he will make those goals.  He gets compliments often at work about what a good worker he is and how impressed people are with him.  Tony has a real talents for machines and computers and can take a new piece of equipment and learn it faster then anyone else.  He is a good provider.
Tony has a strong testimony of the church and is a great priesthood holder.  He is always willing to give blessings when needed and knows a lot about the church and the scriptures.  If I every have a question about the scriptures or the church I know that Tony will know the answer.
Tony is also very handy.  He has made our home look so nice with all the updates he's done.  He can do pluming, painting, electrical, work on our cars, and much much more.  He is amazing!  I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband. 

#2 - My kids.  I am so blessed to have three super cute and good kids.  They drive me crazy sometimes and make me yell way too much, but I sure do love them.  Tyler is such a sweet heart.  He asks me for hugs and kisses like twenty times a day.  He is so good with Megan and can be such a good helper.  Josh is so funny.  He has started giving me more hugs and kisses just like Tyler.  He loves to ride his bike and be totally active at everything.  Megan is such a go getter.  She gets so proud of her self when she crawls around the house and pulls up on things.  I feel like I should also mention Koda Dog.  He is like one of our kids.  He really is a good dog and I am so glad that we have him in our lives.  He is such a good protector of our family and is a good companion.  They are such a great bunch of kids and I am so lucky and blessed to have them in my life.