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.

Not Yet

We have had a month of busy Monday nights. So Family Home Evening has been mostly in the car while driving somewhere.

Tonight on the way home from the piano recital (Teague chose to wear a shark costume), I said, "We need a gospel message. Anyone?" Nothing very gospel-ish came up so Kenyon suggested we talk about Stake Conference. But I missed the whole thing chasing Quinn in the halls (can you tell that I really need Love and Logic again?). He asked the kids to retell a story about the oxen. Apparently one of the speakers told the story of a pioneer woman who had lost her oxen and her prayers were answered clearly. She knew where to find her oxen.

Kenyon asked what the lesson was from this talk. We had quite a variety of answers before we got to the real one. But then Kenyon explained to the kids that the speakers in conference were trying to teach that our prayers are answered - sometimes with a yes and sometimes a no. But he pointed out that the speakers missed the most common answer - "Not Yet." I replied that that might be my least favorite answer.

I wish I could remember quite how it went from there but Teague and Elise both made comments referring to Kenyon's knee. It was so interesting to listen to these kids describing the MANY prayers for Kenyon's recovery have resulted in "not yet" answers. Elise said "there must be some reason." The kids are so consistent to remember Kenyon and his knees in every prayer. I am grateful they have the faith and commitment to his healing.

Halloween Mystery Dinner

This just might be the kids' most favorite tradition. Of any holiday. Seriously. I will NEVER get out of this so be careful what traditions you start. Several years ago, my sister-in-law's sister-in-law (is that confusing?) gave me the idea of a Halloween dinner with menu items and crazy food. Thanks to my sisters - it always turns out better than I could do on my own.

Egan's creation. Melted Witch. So clever.

Jane's creation. Bad Heads. Yum.

Read this is if you are having days like me lately...

http://71toes.blogspot.com/2010/10/myth-of-perfect-mother.html

I love her perspective on motherhood. I just wish it had a better solution.