Happy Thanksgiving

During this time of year we typically list and acknowledge more things for which we are thankful. I see this as an opportunity to "kick it up a notch" instead of only limiting my thankfulness during this time of year. I try to post lots of things for which I am thankful for. I usually list them as blessings. I am thankful for my family, my children and my husband. I'm thankful for my Savior and the knowledge I have of who I am, where I'm from, my purpose here on the earth, and where I'm going. I am thankful for the ability to be a stay at home mom. I'm thankful for our home. I'm thankful for a great school that my children have to attend. I'm thankful for missionaries who share the gospel to others. I'm thankful for a prophet who leads and guides us on the earth today. I'm thankful for christmas music. I'm thankful for uplifting movies. I'm thankful for the internet and it's wealth of knowledge it shares with me when I ask a question. I'm thankful for food. I'm thankful for snow. I'm thankful for pies and yummy goodness that I am able to taste. I'm thankful for good health. I'm thankful for a working oven and utilities. I'm thankful for wonderful FRIENDS! I'm thankful for so much, I am thankful for YOU!

Today I have been baking up a storm! I've made 4 pumpkin pies (I tried two different recipes to see which one I like best). I made 2 macadamia nut pies (I used macadamia nuts instead of pecan since Bill's allergic). Two different kinds of Rice Krispie treats. and now ChexMix is baking in the oven. I'm going to crock pot my ham tomorrow, so I can use the oven to make rolls and green bean casserole. We'll also have homemade mashed potatoes. Shrimp cocktail and sparking grape juice. I'm so thankful for the bounty for which we have.

I am going to miss my extended family in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, New Jersey, Boston, California, and West Virginia. I hope they have a wonderful holiday and know that we will be thinking about them. This is the first Thanksgiving we have not spent with family in a very, very long time. If ever. It feels strange. It feels very foreign. No family to visit with. No friends even to share the holiday with. If any of my cousins in Provo aren't going out of town for the holiday, you should come by. We have a feast, and have plenty to share. It's a blessing and a curse being the oldest girl of seven kids. I cook for an army.

I'm not sure if I'll be watching the Macy's day parade tomorrow. I'll be enjoying cooking :)

To one and all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings Daily

We have been so blessed this week even among some of our trials. I am so grateful for the Lords watchful care over us. We have had an opportunity to see if we were prepared in all things this week. We realized that we weren't, which has given us a bigger drive to become more prepared. We almost ended up being blacklisted from our bank and any other bank for up to 5 yrs. Due to our inability to manage our money properly. Scary. We had been trying for a couple of weeks to start a plan to help with that problem. We started the process two weeks ago. after we noticed our problem...We had a plan, we started on our plan, but it was a little too late. We had been notified that our bank account would be closed after 10 days, my debit card had already been canceled. I was told before that it was canceled due to it being reported lost. I was totally confused. So I went to the bank manager at the branch near my house. He looked at my account, spoke to a bank investigator about my account, and said I could open up a new account. While I was doing that. They told me that I needed to open up a new joint account with Bill. So I picked him up when I was done with my account and we went back to the bank. sigh... Ok, well here we are in the bank talking to the guy who opens new accounts. And he tells us that we are unable to open a joint account. Due to us being blacklisted! WHAT!!! and that all the accounts I just opened will also be closed. Not to mention that the next day Bill's paycheck was to be deposited into the account we were informed was being canceled in 10 days. We were told we couldn't get any money from that account and that it would be sent back to his company. (more heart-attack), Well, were trying to get definitive answers on the situation that is exploding in our face. We understand we have a problem and were trying to fix it. But this was way too much for us to comprehend. deep breath. Ok so we get the branch manager back out to see if he could give us a straight answer about our account and what to expect. We were in a heap of trouble. Bill's that needed to be paid and the thought of not being able to get our money to pay them was a scary thing. The thought of being homeless was too much to think about. We stayed calm and said many a silent prayer that we would be able to resolve these issues quickly and that we would be able to still take care of our family. The bank manager was able to figure out what had happened, we were able to get things resolved. We had to close one of our accounts, but would still be able to get our money out of it and still be able to keep the plan we were working on to eliminate our issues. With the help of prayer and faith, and the diligence and kindness of others were are no longer blacklisted. We were able to resolve our issues at the bank and were able to open up the accounts we had needed . Tragedy averted. We are even more determined then before to be better stewards over the money the Lord has blessed us with. We are so blessed

The boys are over their illnesses. They are doing well in school. We had parent teacher conferences this week, and they all did well. Their teachers said that they are all so very respectful. They wish all of their students were as respectful. That brought a tear to my eye. That is something that I am so grateful of that they are so good in their classes. They all have a few areas they could be working on, but that area is not one of them and I'm so grateful for their respect for their teachers and other classmates. It is truly a blessing.

We had a great day at church today. It was stake conference. The talks were so wonderful, the choir was heavenly. I am grateful for the blessings of the Temple. We are more determined to make it a regular part of our lives. We are grateful for a loving, inspired Stake presidency and bishopric. I am grateful for the friends we've been making here in Utah. We have been so very blessed to be here. I hope you all will see the blessings of the Lord in your life and praise him daily.

November Update

i have been really enjoying my cub scouts calling at church. We made clown hats from paper bags for our activity last week. It was so much fun :) Our theme this month is Under the Big Top :) So we're going to be clowns and we'll even have a strong man, one of our cubs :) I'm excited for our circus on Nov. 19th. We are going to make cars from boxes for our skit next week. :)

The boys got their report cards on Friday, I'm pleased with the results. Braeden and Mikey did very well. Only a few areas to work on. Bryen is still struggling, but not as bad as I thought he would. Today I have an appointment with his teacher to talk to her and to hear from Bryen about his first term. they don't do grades here, If they get a 3 then it means that they are at or above grade level, if they have a 2 then they have areas where they need help to get up to grade level, and a 1 is needing extreme help, and no where near grade level. Bryen had several 2.5's and 2.75 and a couple of 2's, a couple of 3's, not a single 1 so I'm ok with that, We'll continue to work with him on his areas of needs. But he has a great support network at school and at home, I know he can do it. I'm proud of all of my boys and their efforts towards their education. Bryen was suggested by his last school to be held back. But I think he's doing very well.

I just got a "new to me" couch set. I'm very excited because I now have plenty of seating in my living room. No more need to use folding chairs. :) took us long enough to get extra seating. Now to get a new table/chairs for the kitchen :) maybe next paycheck, The table and chairs I want to get are at Ikea... I can hardly wait to get those :)

I've been using my crockpot a lot lately. I made a brisket in it for dinner last night, it was sooo yummy. and then I tried again to make a hashbrown casserole but it was a flop. :( I'll keep trying, I just have to figure out what I'm doing wrong to get it to work. I am thinking of making cream cheese chicken later this week in it.

Bill is doing well still at his job. We are still blessed to have a job. I'm still looking for work. But we are making it on Bill's income so I'm not complaining. I have really enjoyed being home with the kids. I've been helping in the Library and in their classes :)

I may be able to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Katy in New Mexico, She is still waiting to find out what days she has off of work so we can plan accordingly. I haven't spent thanksgiving with her in over 11 years. Pretty sad if you ask me. I love my sister very much. We talk almost every day. Who would have thought with the way we were when we were kids. We got along ok, but not the best of relationships. I'm glad that we talk more now.

I have been so very blessed, I am grateful for the blessings that we have been given. My wonderful husband, and amazing children. The ability we have for me to be able to stay home with the kids, and for Bill to be able to work from home. For the knowing that we are Loved and our relationship with family and friends. We are also so very grateful for the Saviors sacrifice for us and our personal relationship with him. I'm so very grateful for our trials that bring us closer to the Savior and each other. We are so very blessed. All we are and have is from Heaven. Praises be unto him. :)