Thankful Thursday

I'm sure many you are tired of reading about how thankful I am for my family. But family is such a huge aspect of life, and mine is so awesome, that you'll just have to take it when I gush.

I am so thankful for my family. Last week I watched our wedding video and it brought out all these big lovey feelings:) And it's lasted for days! I have an aunt who passed away three years ago. In the video, most of the shots with her in it you can only see her from behind, or she's bent over; rarely do you see all of her because she and another aunt were taking care of my dress and making sure it was safe from the snow outside. The first shot you see of her is the top of her head behind me taking care of my train. Made me cry just seeing the top of her head. Because for me, it represented all the behind the scenes things she did for us all; and I miss her.

I can't watch the wedding video without my love for Bret growing bigger. I sure do love my husband!

And every time I watch it I can't believe how I got so lucky to be born into such an amazing family.

Now my younger brother is engaged and I can't wait to be in the temple with everyone when he gets married and gives me another sister:)

Families are wonderful. I will love mine forever and ever.

What are you thankful for today?

If only...

"Yee-heh-heh-heeeeeeessss!"

But actually, who I really miss is not only forty-one presidents past, but long dead.

I'm reading a biography of Thomas Jefferson and I would very much like for him to be President right about now.

Walking to church

Does it get any sweeter? I think not:)

Kudos to you, Judge

"A judge ruled Friday that Roman Polanski must return to the U.S...."in defense of the integrity of the justice system, he needs to surrender."" (AP)

Everyone is very focused on Polanski's crime involving the 13 year old (understandably so), but I haven't heard any mention of consequences for fleeing the country and avoiding arrest. Is he going to face any repercussions for that?!?

For pity's sake, c'mon back Polanski and own up to what you did. Quit with the appeals and the delays.

Thankful Thursday

I'm in a weird mood. I was all but sickened yesterday after finding out something I would rather have remained ignorant about. I felt so gross because of it that I turned on some hymns for a couple hours to try to keep from blubbering in front of my kids. I don't know how to tell you what I discovered without ruining someone else's blissful ignorance or giving you that roadkill feeling of "I just have to know." I'll just say it was about abortion and leave it there. How's that?

Today, after reading just a few sentences of junk about homosexual marriage, I've come to a conclusion that I reach every so often- this world is a sick place and I'm grateful to not be a big part of it. I am so thankful to be a stay at home mom for so many reasons. One of those reasons is that I can be in and focus on creating and maintaining this place called home. A place separate from the ways of the world, where my family and I can feel safe in our beliefs and enjoy a higher spirit than we find most everywhere else. A happy place. A place full of love. A safe haven. A refuge from the storm.

Just a few weeks ago I learned that the f-bomb is dropped in civilized society more than I ever imagined and that my husband has to hear it ALL the time at work. What the heck?!

I don't want to live in a world where abortion is commonplace. I don't want to live in a world full of homosexuality and promiscuity. I don't want to live in a world where even and especially the well educated and civilized swear like sailors.

But here I am. And I'm here for a reason. I'm so grateful to be a stay at home mom and I'm able to stay away from most of the junk out there. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be my sons' most seen example, even though that responsibility is often daunting. Though evil is creeping into every crevice of society, I'm grateful that there is still so much good in the world.

Haiti was hit hard and so many are rushing to their relief. Sunshine. A little lost boy in the grocery store was seen safely to the service desk by at least five of adults. Strangers still smile at each other. The rally of friends and support given when a loved one dies. Phone calls. Thank yous.

The light of Christ still shines through so many.

What are you thankful for today?

Patience is a virtue

Al and Goose have figured out how to manipulate toys to turn lights on and off.

I had hoped to avoid this trying ordeal for a long time yet.

The light going off when I'm working on something.

On. Off. On. Off. On. Off.

It drives me batty.

And it will take at least 200 variations of "don't play with the lights/don't touch/leave the lights alone-if it's on leave it on, if it's off leave it off/no no no" and 50 time outs before it finally sticks enough to only subject me to the occasional light change.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

(If you're here for Thankful Thursday, don't worry. It's coming later:))

Sometimes, I do know what I'm talking about

Tonight at dinner, my four year old didn't want to eat part of his meal. He kept asking me to put ketchup on it so it would taste better. I kept telling him that ketchup would make it taste pretty gross and it would taste best by itself. After the fifth, "Mommy, will you pleeeease put ketchup on this so I can eat it?" I did.

A couple bites later he turned to me and said in a voice of disbelief and with a look of disgust, "Mom...I think you were right. Ketchup makes it taste more yucky."