25 Years.

1,300 weeks. A quarter of a century. 9,100 days.

No matter how you look at it, Owen is now one year old (and hopefully wiser too). I can't believe he's twenty-five already! It really isn't old, but there was once a time in my life that it seemed very far off. I guess I'll be there before I know it!

We celebrated a day early with friends and family, eating out at Chili's and then coming home and eating some of this

Photo Courtesy of Allrecipes.com

It's heaven on a plate, I promise. I would have taken pictures of ours, but my rechargeable camera batteries bit the dust (I really need a camera with a battery pack) and the dessert was gone before I could get new ones. This is our second time making this recipe and it still has some kinks to work out before it's perfect. Here's the original in case you're looking for a carb overload anytime soon.

I Got Sucked In

If you've been wondering where I've been, I can explain. It's all Stephenie Meyer's fault. I finally caught the bug and read the Twilight Saga (all 2,444 pages in under two weeks). I couldn't put it down. Now, I'm not saying it was the best series I've ever read, because it's not. It was, however, a very intriguing story that leaves one wanting more. So, yes, I loved the books, and now I'm finished. I'm happy to be done, but sad that it's all over at the same time. Oh well, at least now I can get my life back and hopefully get some back-blogging done too!

When Else Would We Buy Socks?

Another Thanksgiving. Another Black Friday. Another load of half-price socks from Fred Meyer.


It's tradition...don't ya know?!

We Have Much to be Thankful For

Here's my gratitude list (one reason for every day, November 1st through Thanksgiving Day -- in no particular order).

1. The restored gospel
2. A loving husband
3. My sweet baby girl
   
4. A wise father
5. A creative mother
6. An eternal marriage
7. The Savior and His Atonement
8. A warm and cozy home
9. Quick internet access
10. Plenty of food
11. Good books
12. Electricity and hot water (sorry, Mom and Dad - you'll be back in the States soon enough)
13. A reliable car
    
14. Motherhood and all the tender moments that come with it
    
15. Living prophets
16. The scriptures
17. Caring professors
18. Low gas prices (currently $1.65/gallon -- amazing!)
19. Hardworking parents
20. My cute class of 3rd graders
    
21. Inspiration and whisperings from the Spirit
22. Breaks from school
23. A great family -- both sides
24. Beautiful music
25. A sharp mind
26. Good health
27. Having enough of everything we need

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Hump Day!

When my sister, Alicia, was serving as a full-time missionary, my dad searched high and low to find a toy camel for the halfway mark of her mission (hump day). Today is my parent's mission hump day, so the camel is back in play. I considered sending the little guy to Africa so my parents could have a little chuckle, but decided against it since then they'd just have one more thing to bring home in August. So, a picture will have to suffice.

Dear General Mills,

I would like to thank you for making Cheerios. Having them around makes both my baby and I happy.

She must think they taste delicious because she just eats them up all day long. She's even developed a knack for finding the leftovers that she tossed off her highchair, that I obviously missed. Plus, they give her some autonomy, which she loves.

I love them because she's able to feed herself, and not create a huge mess with it...enough said.

Sincerely,
The Mom

I Am Pro-Thanksgiving

I've always found phrases like Pro-Choice and Pro-Life to be interesting. Leave it to political correctness to make good things seem bad and vice versa. For the record, I'm Pro-Life, which if you think about it would technically make me Anti-Choice, wouldn't it? But nobody in our PC minded culture would admit that. Good thing too because I'm not Anti-Choice, I just feel that the choice has already happened. A baby coming is the obvious consequence of such a choice, and that is a consequence that should remain, regardless of what anyone says about other choices.

But really, this is all beside the point. What I really mean to talk about is Christmas in all it's commercialized glory.

I am NOT Anti-Christmas; I'm Pro-Thanksgiving.

You see, every year, immediately following Halloween, I see people all over decorating their homes...for Christmas. I see lights not just up on the roofs, but blazing brightly night after night. Some neighbors have their indoor decor up and ready to go even. And, I suppose this is their right, but, if I'm not mistaken, there is a holiday smooshed somewhere in between Halloween and Christmas. What was it again?....

Ahh, yes. I remember now...I believe it's called Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. I love the family time, the food (mainly pie), the break from school, the pie, Black Friday shopping, playing games and wasting time, oh and did I mention I love pie? It truly is a grand holiday. But even more than these superficial traditions, I love that it is a time to pause our lives, reflect on our many blessings and show gratitude to our Father in Heaven by remembering these things.

So, while I may love Christmas, (I really do. But it has its own time and place.) I try my best to remember this often forgotten holiday too.