FA LA-LA-LA-LA

On Wednesday, we decided to decorate for Christmas for Family Night. The kiddos were so excited to set everything up. Though we have a lot of decor, I only set up about half. It was the funnest thing to do. We put on our Santa hats, Christmas bells, blasted the Christmas music, and set up the Christmas Village and Tree.

We usually do 2 trees: a fancy one for upstairs and a kids one downstairs. We opted for only 1 this year...the kid's tree. They had so much fun decorating it.

Even Kodes got in the spirit for her 1st Christmas. Mostly, because she wanted to eat the ornaments, but it was still cute.

J was really surprised that I just let the kids decorate how they wanted. Usually, I have it pretty organized. But I figured I'd let them do it their way...after all, it's their tree. Kenna was so fun, because just about every thing she put on the tree, ended up on the same branch. A few times, Rhett moved her things around. But I thought it was so cute, I had him keep one spot of her masterpiece!

I was very impressed with how well they decorated. There is nothing like turning out all the lights and staring at the tree...all lit up and decorated. It's one of my favorite things about the holidays.

I'm so excited for this Christmas and getting to spend it with my family, friends, and kiddos. I think as an adult, its the best to be able to see the holidays through your kids eyes. Merry Season to everyone!

#30

#30: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Justin: No list of mine would be completed if my hubby weren't on it. Most people who know J, know what a huge heart he has. He's constantly thinking of others, so compassionate to everyone around him, totally respectful, a great Dad, a great provider, a Priesthood holder, missionary, teacher, great boss....I could go on and on. I'm so thankful for the temple and the special ordinances that happen inside. I feel honored J chose me and took me to the temple 10 years ago...one of the greatest days of my life.

In the 12 years we have been together, J has never once raised his voice to me, said a negative thing to me, and he would never bad mouth me to anyone...even if I'm not being the nicest. I know I can be handful, but he never acts like it.

We've had a pretty rough year, but I know that J has my back and our kiddos. I know I can always count on him. We are strong in our marriage and our family, as well as our faith in the church. I know it's that foundation that we built on, which keeps us together. I know if we have a problem, I can grab his hand, and take it the Lord. I know if I'm sad or upset, he's right there raising me up again. He's my HOT S.H.O.T. (Supportive Hubby Of Tupperware), my #1 fan, my #1 supporter, my confidant, and my Best Friend.

I admire J so much and the love he passes on to everyone. If you were to ask anyone who knows him, they only have the nicest things to say about him. He's always been a wonderful example to me of his patience, kindness, his intelligence, the way he carries himself, his faith, how he Loves our kiddos, how he honors his callings and Priesthood, and most of all, the way he Loves the Lord. He's seriously the best person I could have lucked into as a spouse and an eternal companion. I love J so much and I am so proud of all he accomplishes. My life would be so bleak without him in it!!!

#26-29

#26: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Rhett: I am so proud of this little guy. I truly understand now when I've heard about the special mother/son bond. I feel like I really relate to Rhett and I enjoy everything about him. I am so proud of his accomplishments. A couple weeks ago he finished all his requirements to earn his Wolf badge, Archery and BB Gun Belt Loops, a Gold Arrow Head and a Silver Arrow Head. He was invited by Davis County School District to participate in the 4th Grade Spectrum Program for High Ability Learners, next year. He says he doesn't want to do it because he'd have to go to another school. But we made a deal that he would do the testing and go from there. His school spelling bee is coming up and he's been studying really hard. He's reading, spelling, doing language arts and math on a 5th grade level. He's involved in his school's SEM program for Language Arts for accelerated learners. He always does his very best and works really hard to get where he is today.

I love talking with Rhett. He loves to have full conversations with me about anything and everything. My favorite memories with him are when we take walks or bike rides on the trail by our house. Or when we drive somewhere, he loves sitting in the front and talking with me. It's so fun to see his personality and identity forming more and more each day. Sometimes he can be temperamental, crazy, loud class clown, way TOO much energy...but he's also so compassionate, respectful, loving, and intelligent. In the end, it's everything about him that makes him the sweet son I love!

#27: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Rylee: What can I say about this little princess?! She is the epitome of diva, drama queen, princess... but I just love her. She loves to pose all over the place and the camera just loves her. She's like "Flight of the Bumblebee" all day long, twirling and dancing in circles all over the place. She loves all things girl...hair, dresses, shoes, posing, babies, barbies, cooking, strollers, being a little "mommy", taking care of everyone, dress-up clothes, nails, and blankies. But on the other hand, she's all girl with her drama, attitude, and tears. I just know if all facets of her were not present, it wouldn't be our Ry. We are so in love with her graciousness, love, kindness, compassion, example, and above all making sure everyone around her is happy, loved, and taken care of.

#28: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Kenna: Oh this sweet angel. Little Miss PBC is such a joy. She's recently come into her own little personality. Along with her sweetness, hilarious conversations, independence, and energy, comes her insistent need to be in the middle of everything, talking back, having her mind...all the things I guess a 3 yr old does.
But, she sure lights up a room. She has this personality that is so hard to ignore. Her newest thing is explaining everything her 3-yr-old brain can think of while she puts her hands on her hips full of sass. She loves to talk, "read" books really loud, "sing and play" the piano in her own sweet way, talk nonsense to Kodes, loves animals in her very hands-on approach, and above all she LOVES to play with her sisters. When Ry is at school, she's constantly in the window awaiting for when she will come home. They have so much fun playing babies or barbies together, watching "Babies" (rugrats) on Netflix, playing the computer together, or playing whatever their sweet minds can think of. It's truly so precious to watch!

#29: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Kodee:  I cannot imagine our life without our little Kodes or Smotes. She's got quite the list of nicknames, but whatever she may be called, she has brought so much happiness to our lives. She was our longest to get pregnant with, that I thought we were quite done with 3. But when I found out we were preggers with her, I was more than thrilled.
She is always so happy to see us. With her huge gorgeous smile, the way she's always babbling, saying DADA, clicking her tongue, or rolling over on the floor, when we come near her, we can't get to her fast enough. She's developing more of her cute personality each day. She is pretty clingy, and if I'm in a room, I swear all she sees in me is milk bags...but I hold so much love for her. I love that she always wants me to hold her, cuddle her, lay her on my shoulder...I never get sick of her wanting me to hold her. As my baby, and probably our last, I am just reveling in the snuggles she gives me all day long!

#23-25

#23: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

 My Parents: I know that I can be a handful, stubborn, neurotic, loud. But always growing up, I knew that my parents still loved me. They gave me the world and helped teach me how to live in it. My Dad taught me about organizing, budgeting, the value of a dollar, how to keep a clean house, discipline, and perseverance. My Mom taught me how to love myself and others, compassion and kindness, being selfless, service, being a good momma, and have a testimony. I'll never be able to repay my parents for all they've done in my life...especially in the last year. Things have erupted, people have not been kind, we had a few bumps in the road. At the end of it all, my parents had my back and loved me and my family unconditionally. I hope they know how much it means to me for their example of how to be great parents and great grandparents to my kiddos.

#24: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Joseph Smith: I probably haven't expressed enough about my testimony of Joseph Smith. These last few weeks the kids have been learning about him in church and asking me questions. Which has prompted me to learn as much as I can so I can relay the information to the kids. It's amazing how much I have gained by learning more about him. I am so thankful for the courage and determination Joseph Smith had. I think of myself at age 14, and there's no way I would haven been that determined to follow my heart until I knew the absolute truth. He did, and got an answer...by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ themselves. Its amazing the power of the gospel and the impact it's had on my life. It has kept me from making terrible mistakes and I think saved my life...which in turn provided me the wonderful life and family I have now. And I owe that to Joseph Smith.

25: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Heavenly Father: I am so thankful...beyond thankful; More than I could put into words how much I love this Man. I often think, Could I be ever ready to help everyone in the world? Be able to see past the bad to ALWAYS see the good? Be able to keep an open mind to anyone? Be able to open my arms to anyone who came into them? Be able to be selfless in every situation? Be able to serve everyone without judgement? Be able to let my Son die to save all mankind?
I think in some situations it could be really easy. But in most, I know I'd fail. I feel so blessed to be part of this church and know I have Heavenly Father to always turn to...whenever I feel alone, sad, depressed, fallen, sick, struggling; as well as loved, happy, lucky, thankful, and blessed. I know He's there...anytime, everywhere. All I have to do is kneel down and talk. Thank you to Heavenly Father for taking such good care of me and my family!



#22

#22: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Thanksgiving: What a wonderful time of year to be able to ponder all the wonderful blessings we are given in our lives. There are always so many things to be thankful for. I love being able to do this "Thankful Countdown" tradition every year because it truly helps me to remember all the good things in life.

I started my day by getting up early to turn on the parade for the kiddos, getting all the food prepared, and setting the table....it was fun to use ALL my Thanksgiving dishes.

Then everyone came over and some of us fixed the food...



 ...and others were able to relax and chat!

It was finally time to eat...everything was sooo yummy, though I think the sweet potatoes and gravy were my favorite. Thanks everyone for helping make this such a successful dinner.



After dinner, Amos helped me do the dishes and then we looked at the ads for Black Friday. Jason and Kyle went to the ever-so-packed Walmart, while me and Amos did our shopping online. She was able to help me find $3 movies on Amazon....great deal! After we shopped, it was time for dessert. And we had quite the spread: apple crisp, pumpkin cake, turtle pie, pumpkin pie, and cheesecake. It was so good. I felt like I would need to be rolled to bed.

Thank you everyone for coming and spending time with us on Thanksgiving. It was a very relaxing day, no kids fought, we had delicious food, and I couldn't think of a funner holiday than it being spent with family.

#16-21

#16: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Christmas Lights: I LOVE Christmas Lights...on the Christmas Tree, Houses, A Christmas Village, Lining the Windows, Temple Square, On Garland, etc. It's one of my favorite things about the upcoming holidays. It's very soothing and serene for me to just stare at the Christmas Tree and Lights. I'm so excited to get our tree up in the next couple of weeks.

#17: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Glasses and Contacts: Just another wonderful luxury we are blessed with. I swear with working on the computer every day, aging, having kids, and genetics, my eyes get worse each year. But I'm thankful I can get my eye exam to get the right prescription and have that put into glasses and contacts so I can see great.

#18: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Conditioner: I love conditioner. I know it may sound silly to be thankful for it, but with 3 girls (soon 4) in the house that use it, I love having it. Especially with me and Ry's hair permed, it helps get those tangles out...and saves a lot of tears from coming. And luckily, when Costco sends out their coupons, I can get this big bottle for only $4.50! Cheap, works great, and lasts quite a while.

#19: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Fruit: I love how versatile fruit is. It can be used in salads, jellos, fruit trays, used in dips, on fruit pizza, in cake or pie, freezer jam, etc. Not to mention how yummy it tastes, how healthy it is, and the many nutrients/vitamins it gives us. It's so cute that the kiddos will often choose fruit for dessert. It's just that good!

#20: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

School: Though I haven't done a lot this year to graduate, with the birth of Kodes, I'm hoping I can get back in the groove. I love how easy they make it available for me to do it at home in the comfort of PJs. I hope I can get through it soon so I can get a job. I'm also thankful for regular school for the kiddos. We are so fortunate to be in a state/district that thinks it's important to give our kids the best of the world...studies in each subject, Art, Music, Computers, Library, PE, Lunch, Recess, etc. It makes me so proud to see how much my kiddos learn each day. They have amazing teachers...and I really love West Point Elementary.

#21: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Cars/Trucks: I feel very lucky to have both. A lot of days when J has one, I always need the other...whether its to work, run errands, grocery shop, Dr. appointments, school, etc. It's great to be able to rely on something that will get me and the kids to where we need to go quickly and save me time to get everything done in a day. Not to mention that it's cheaper to drive than fly the 6 of us when we're able to vacay...like our recent trip to WA!

#10-15

#10: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Houses: I feel super grateful for my house. We know that the Lord helped in the timing when we decided to move 6 1/2 yrs ago. On those chilly nights, I feel blessed to have each one of us tucked inside our warm home and also being sheltered from the elements.

#11: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Music: I LOVE music. It doesn't matter what kind...Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Pop, Country, Classical, Alternative, Christmas, Church, New Age...I listen to it all. It's amazing how music can change the mood of either the home, a movie, the car. It's so relaxing and I love there are so many options to match the mood I may be in.

#12: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Pillows: I LOVE this pillow. Mandee introduced us to the best pillow ever. It's the side sleeper feather pillow at Ikea. I love being able to lay down on this soft pillow every night for bed. It never flattens and it's always soft and comfy. Along with my fan and Melatonin, this pillow helps me to stay asleep!

#13: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Treadmills: I love having a treadmill and thankful for Josh and Jessica for handing me down their old one. I feel like no matter what type of exercise I do, walking/jogging is always the best. It always makes me feel in shape and gives me the cardio I need. And during these upcoming cold winter months, I love being able to walk in the comfort of my home and watch a fun DVR while I exercise.

#14: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

School Buses: I feel soooo thankful for the school bus and glad we are able to have the kiddos ride the bus. Mostly because I'm lazy, but also because when the 2 oldest go to school, the younger 2 are still asleep. So it's so nice not to have to wake the younger 2 kiddos, drive everyone to school, battle school traffic, school zones, crosswalks, etc. Being able to have the bus is such a wonderful luxury and I'm thankful Davis School District offers it.

#15: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Our Bus Driver: This kind of goes along with #14, but I had to make it separate. Ry sometimes is very sassy and drama in the morning. And sometimes I have a hard time getting up and I get the kiddos out to the bus right as it comes. I've heard stories of other bus drivers who will drive away and not care if kids are running to the bus. Our bus driver is so kind to always wait for the kids who are running behind (and sometimes it's not just mine.) Or in Ry's case, she sometimes will have attitude and literally walk to the bus stop even after I yell at her to run because they are waiting for her. Or how when she's throwing a tantrum, and poor J plays into it and she throws a fit on the stairs of the bus and the bus driver can't go until Ry finds a seat...yup that's my girl. But our bus driver is always ever so patient to put up with that when many others wouldn't!!!



#1-9

#1: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Fans...I haven't been the best sleeper and now since we've had the Kodes, I'm a pretty light sleeper. So I know this sounds strange because it's fall, but I'm so thankful for my box fan. I put it on, and the white noise is so comforting me. Not to mention that it drowns out all the other noises in the house...water softener, snoring, dogs barking, airplanes overhead, etc. And I love having it in the summer. I am always sooo hot so it sure helps out alot.

#2: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Melatonin: I feel sooo grateful to my friend Allison Glover who told me about Melatonin a couple years ago. Everyone who knows me well, knows that I have the hardest time sleeping. I'm such a night owl. I wasn't comfortable taking other pills to help me sleep. Melatonin is already produced in the body and so this is such a better alternative. It's organic and safe for the body. And it helps me get to sleep pretty quick...even the 1mg!

#3: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Credit Cards: I know this may sound so bad, but I'm thankful for our credit cards. The last year was a pretty rough one for us and honestly if we didn't have our credit card to rely on, I'm not sure what we would have done. It may take awhile to pay off, but it was a saving grace to help us pay for the things we absolutely needed.

#4: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Water: I love water...in all forms. Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, Pools, Drinking water, Running water for bathing, making dinners, etc. I love knowing that I can turn on the faucet, and water comes out. I feel so lucky to have this luxury. I can't wait to get back to the beach...nothing is more therapeutic for me than sitting on the beach and listening to the waves.

#5: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Coupons: This last year, I have really come to see how important using coupons is. I've been able to save so much money and honestly is there any better feeling knowing you saved a little money by cutting out a coupon? So easy and so worth it.

#6: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Cell Phones and Texting: It's weird to think of what everyone did before the day of cell phones. I love having a cell phone within reach. Whether it be because I'm being lazy :) and glad I don't have to use a phone attached to a cord, or if there is an emergency, it's so convenient to have where ever you are. I also love texting. It's so convenient and for me, it's such a time-saver. I'm such a talker that when I need to get a list of things done, I love I can multi-task. Or if I am carrying a conversation with more than 1 person, it's so easy and saves me a lot of time.

#7: I'M THANKFUL FOR:



Sisters: I LOVE my sisters (I couldn't find a pic with my sis-in-laws) I feel so blessed to have so many sisters. I love each and every one of them and grateful for each of them. They each offer something unique and fun and when we are all together, it makes for a great time. I'm also so happy that my own girls have each other growing up. I know at times they may fight and bicker, but in the end, they love one another. And it's so sweet to see how well they play together and take care of each other.

#8: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Harmons: I LOVE this store. I love the atmosphere and how nice the employees are. First, Harmons cares about making sure everything is fresh and sanitary. They make sure the employees get a lot of training...from Better Basics, to Fork Lift Training, Food Handler's Permit, etc. They also offer classes for employees to help them better themselves in the workforce like Being a Better Manager, How To Make Money, How to Market, etc. Not a lot of companies would care enough to offer these services. Not to mention, it's also J's workplace. They take such good care of him. They offer some great benefits, help add to our 401k and HSA, provide an AWESOME Lagoon Day, and give positive feedback when something is done right as well as give constructive criticism when something needs to be worked on.

#9: I'M THANKFUL FOR:

Tupperware: I feel so happy that I joined the Tupperware team and thankful my hubby pushed me into it. I signed up mostly to get a discount on the products because I grew up with them and I love them. But, I quickly found out how much I LOVE to do home parties. It's been so fun getting out the house, getting loud and crazy, giving away free products, and doing the Tupperware-shake shake shake. It's caught on to my friends and mostly Ry. She loves to mimic my Tupperware cheer. I love how flexible my job is, how I can run my business the way I want, how good it is to see them get so excited when we succeed and how easy they make it for me to succeed.