I love this time of year!

Yesterday as I was running my Saturday errands I kept finding myself smiling…

Smiling at the kids getting out of the car next to me as they told their father that they knew exactly what the perfect gift for mom is… I love the excitement and energy that is in the air as people rush about buying gifts and goodies for friends and family.

Smiling as I past three different Christmas tree lots & wonder how Santa can be at all three lots!...I love what Santa symbolizes & the spirit of giving that abounds at this time of year.

Smiling as I was singing along with the radio… I love Christmas music…both the silly songs about dancing snowmen, flying reindeer and a jolly old man in a red suit, as well as the sacred hymns that tell the story of a baby born in manger on that sacred silent night in a little town called Bethlehem.

Smiling at the Christmas decorations appearing on the lawns and houses of friends and neighbors… I love seeing the colorful Christmas lights glowing as I drive around town at night.

Smiling at the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven…I love baking goodies on a cold winter day.

Smiling as I watch Connor (who got his pyromania from me!) build a very large fire in the fireplace… I love to relax in front of a nice warm crackling fire with a hot cup of cocoa and floating marshmallows.

Yep! This is truly a special time of year! Now…tell me…what makes you smile?

Ok...I'm ready for Christmas now!

Earlier in the month I was kinda bothered by all the stores skipping right over Thanksgiving & getting their Christmas stuff out, but the more I think about it we don't really need a special day to be Thankful...we are so blessed all year long!

We've experienced so many small miracles in our family recently , that I know Heavenly Father is aware of who we are and our individual needs! Why wait for Thanksgiving to say thanx!

Have you got your turkey yet?

My cousin sent this link to me in an email...test your skills at shooting your Thanksgiving turkey.



http://www.southbank-design.co.uk/turkeyshoot/index.htm


Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas already?!

Friday we had a Baked Potato & Chili Pot Luck at work for Halloween, so on my way to work I needed to stop & pick up a few things...when I walked in to WalMart I was greeted by a Christmas tree! What's up with that?!

They've been getting the Christmas stuff out for a few weeks already, but at least it wasn't at the front door yet...not only could they not wait until after Halloween but they skipped right over Thanksgiving! In fact, they were even already discounting "Fall" decorations...I guess maybe they figure people don't have much to be thankful for right now.

I personally have SO much to be thankful for!

• A great husband that not only works hard at his job, but then comes home & works on projects to improve our home.

• Two awesome boys! Connor & Tanner are such examples to me, Connor can bring humor to any situation & Tanner is always so thoughtful of others feelings.
  

• Good health! I have my problems, but I can't complain.
  

• A very caring sister. Suzy is a superstar in my book!
  

• A Heavenly Father that knows & loves me!

• Fantastic Friends.
  

• A warm home & comfortable bed.

• Two reliable cars.

• A job I love!

The list goes on & on.

Let's not forget to be thankful this year!

Thank You Officer...

Today Eli & Tanner had the day off from school, so I decided that I'd go home for lunch & spend some time with them. Living as close to work as we do, I can drive home for lunch every day & still not need to fill up my gas tank for two weeks...It's great!

So...I'm driving along, singing to the radio & thinking about what I'll make for lunch, when suddenly notice some flashing red & blue lights in my rear view mirror. I think to myself, "He's so far back, he can't possibly be pulling me over" but then I look at my speedometer & think "Yep! He's coming for me!" I was so busy thinking about other things that I hadn't noticed I was doing 47 in a 25...oops! I tried to be clever & polite in the hopes that he would let me go with a warning, but he still gave me a ticket. He did tell me that because I was wearing my seat belt he cut the amount I was over in 1/2 & only cited me for going 36. He then politely informed me that if I go to their traffic school the ticket won't go on my record.

Darn! It's been four years since I've gotten a ticket...I was pretty proud of myself for never getting pulled over in the two years I was driving to Draper every day.

I can't believe it...but after he had me sign his copy of the ticket, returned my driver's license & was walking away, I actually thanked him!

I love Fall...

When I first moved to Utah to go to school I fell in love with the Fall season...probably because in California the colors of the seasons are green or brown. I love to look up at the mountains and see the patchwork quilt of colors as the bright green fades from the trees and we begin to see bright yellows, oranges & reds.

"A fallen leaf is nothing more
than a summers wave good bye"

Well...except for having to rake leaves, I love Fall!

Are You My Mother...

As the boys get older I see personality traits of both Eli & I, but as far as who they look most like it kinda depends...sometimes I see me & other times I see Eli...sometimes I even see other family members like grandpa, grandma or cousins. When I saw this meter on a friends blog I decided to give it a try. No wonder I can't decide who they look most like...the look-alike-meter can't tell either!