Gratitude #1

We are already 6 days into the month and I meant to be more grateful. I was going to copy the idea of blogging each day about the things I am grateful for.

I have been putting on that on the back burner. Life is crazy. Then yesterday was so not a good day that I realized how much I really need to focus on some gratitude.

We were recently reminded of this important principle and virtue in our General Conference meeting. Our living prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson, said,

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love...

We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”⁵

When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given."

The rest of his talk can be read here.

So for yesterday - so thankful for a night out (dinner and a movie) with friends that we don't get to see that often (which is silly, really).

And for friends who took care of Quinn for many LONG hours.

Supernova Granola

Check out the new blog my sister started - and soon to be business. She will be selling her yummy, healthy granola. You might even be able to get some now if you ask.

I LOVE granola. And she has been working the recipe to perfection.

Her blog also has great ideas and info on being healthy. She knows and she practices what she preaches. Me on the other hand - I know stuff but I am not so good at implementing it. Especially when there are left over cupcakes on the counter. Danger.

My biggest problem - overcoming sugar addiction. Check out a very interesting article here at Goop. I thought I could do it today - no treats. But it was a totally insane day. And the candy corn and M &Ms were so easy to grab. LAME O!

Queen Quinn Turns 2

How did this happen? Our little sweet baby grew up to be a 2. And in a flash she will be 16. I'm scared. She is hilarious and trouble all in one. She is a sweet girl. We are so happy she is a part of our family. We pretty much want to squish her to pieces most the day. Sometimes because she is so cute we can't stand it and sometimes - well cause she is making us crazy. But that smile easily melts us.

I went with the owl theme for birthday. So many fun ideas out there.
Party Favors: Owl Bean Bags
and chocolate owl suckers  with flavored colored chocolates from Orson Gygi
Owl Cupcakes
Owl Pinata We thought it would be easy to break open. It is made out of cereal boxes and tape. Seriously easy but it would not give in. That thing had the life beat out of it and it held strong. So funny.
A true sugar fest for the Queen of Sweets - check out her tray.
We invited just a couple of her cute friends (that she talks about all the time) to join us for a little celebration. Boy, did she love all the attention.

Halloween

So not into it this year. Sorry. My poor kids would love it if I really cared about costumes and the whole bit. It was pretty make shift. But luckily, they were still very happy and got WAY too much candy.

This was our first year with a kid at the neighborhood school so we have never done the school parties and parade deal. Wow. That is chaos. I watched hundreds of kids parade by and thought "what is our deal? we put our kids in goofy costumes and march them all over. Then we give them unheard of amounts of candy. Dumb."

Is that a bah humbug or what? Sorry.

I do love fall though and don't get me wrong - I do love a mini candy bar. And I really love those happy faces on my kids.