10 on Tuesday

Today I have 3 guests contributors- Maya, Max and Madi

1.  Maya is so excited for tomorrow - they have been growing winter grass at school for science and she gets to bring hers home tomorrow.

2.  We are eating spaghetti for dinner tonight and my kids are putting the noodles on their faces like Po in Kung Fu Panda.

3.  Madi - she learned a funny dance for the winter sing that she will be performing on Thursday.

4.  Max - has jumped on the tramp a lot these past few days - he has been banned from electronic things due to a progress report that was sent home on Friday - hopefully he will do better before the Christmas break so that he can do the fun stuff that he likes.

5 Thursday was a crazy day.  We had 3 activities - First Max and I had Webelos.

6.  Then we had Bryant's work party.  It was at a Sergeant's house in Chanlder  He has horses, turtles, chickens, ducks, turkeys and 2 crazy dogs.  The kids all went horse back riding, played with the days and held baby turtles.  They also saw some scropions in a case that they thought it was so cool to look at them with a black light.

7.  After that party, we had our ward party.  It was at our Bishop's home and was a lot of fun.  They had delicious mexican food, hot chocolate and lots of fun things for the kids to do.  At the end of the night, we were partied out but happy!

8.  Each nght we have been doing an advent calendar.  It is a calendar of Scriptures of Christ.  I sent out an email to my family and they all sent back their favorite scriptures of Christ.  It has been a great thing to add to our Christmas Traditions.

9.  We have fnally hit cooler weather.  I actually had to turn the heat on Monday morning and this morning it was 37 degrees outside.  It is making it feel more like Christmas.

10.  Random Fact - If I could have either a maid or a personal chef, today I would choose both!  I have been struggling in coming up with stuff to eat for dinner but then I need someone to come into my home and clean bathrooms, wash walls and everything else.

Bonus thing - Today at work was a great day!  I love to wrap boxes in christmas wrapping paper and I got to wrap 47 boxes to go out as gifts for some of our clients.  The  wrapping was neat and I loved the way that each box looked.  Too bad they won't last very long that way!  I just love taking an plain box and neatly covering it with beautiful paper!

10 On Tuesday

I am typing this from my Ipad - so sorry no pictures yet - hope to add them later.

1.  Last Night - we went to see the Temple Lights in Mesa - the best part of it was that Drew was singing with the Mesa High Choir - they did a great job.  The saddest part was that we didn't see Brock - last year we saw him at the Temple and it was AWESOME!!!!!  My kids were alittle sad not to see him again!

2.  Sunday - Kris has made a great suggestion for my kids on Sunday - to Index - well they started on Sunday and LOVED it.  They can't wait to do more.  It is a great way to pass the time, plus I am there to make sure that it gets done the right way.  Good time together.

3,  Sunday - We FaceTimed with Brett!  He was messaging us and I asked him if he wanted to FaceTime, and so me and the kids got to talk with him and Kris - we saw his guitar as well as his amazing dance!  It was so much fun

4.  Every day - I love  it when Brett gets home in the afternoon - the only reason why I know he is home is that he sends me messages.  We text back and forth and have had a great time.

5.  Wednesday - Last Wednesday Brett was sending messages to me and Bryant and so I FaceTimed (apple's Skype).  He was so excited to have someone "call" him that way.  His smile was so big that you could not see the whole thing!

6.  Work - We have hired a new office boy who does all the old jobs - it's Drew - it's fun to see him every day - even though I am sure he may get tired of it - it is a great job for some one in High School - not nights and weekends.

7.  Sunday was Maya's first time fasting and she did really good - she only go hungry about 30 minutes before it was time to go to church.  But as soon as we got in the door, she ran upstairs, said a prayer and dove into the fridge!  So exciting to see her start this next step of her life.

8.  Can't be a post without some sort of running - Saturday I was running my 10 mile run in my training schedule and at about mile 5 my knee started bothering me again.  I was not a happy camper - I started to get really frustrated.  As I walked/jogged the way home - I calmed myself down and realize that theywere things that I could do to help my knee keep working.  I also decded to fast for my knee/body - I really want to run this maraton and complete the goal.  I sure I will be able to.

9.  Friday - my favorite day of the week - Why - it is because I get to spend it all day with Bryant.  I love spending time with him.  I sure hope that it keeps on getting better and better.  We also finished our Christmas Shopping - until we saw this week's ads and some of our stuff is now on sale - so we will be going back to the store and getting the difference back.

10 - Random Fact - I LOVE the smell of Lemons.  We have been trimming our lemon tree and I love the way that it make everything smell so great!

10 on Tuesday - Thankfulness

No pictures this week - sorry but things were crazt
1.  Wednesday November 21 - I am thankful for our friends.  We have some great friends in our ward and on Wednesday night we got together to roast turkeys in a pit.  It gave the kids a chance to play together and for the adults to chat!  Loved every minute of it.

2.  Thurday - November 22nd - well it was Thanksgiving - so I am grateful that I was able to spend the whole day with my famiily.  The day started off with a turkey trot that Bryant did with us!  First time since he didn't help with the turkeys this year!  We then went to the Rostenbergs and enjoyed a great lunch/dinner with them.

3.  Friday - November 23rd - easy one - I am grateful that Madi was old enough to join in on the Black Friday Shopping.  We hit Taget at 3am, Old Navy, Home Depot (they had donuts), Michaels, JcPenny, Cabella and I think that's it  It was lots of fun to share the day with her!!

4,  Saturday - November 24th - I am grateful for great weather so that I could put up the decorations in the sunshine.  I love putting up the decorations, listening to Christmas music and all that goes along with it.

5.  Sunday - November 25th - I am grateful that Madi and Maya sang in the ward choir - they have the most amazing choir director (who happens to be our neighbor and their piano teacher who they love)

6.  Monday - November 26th - I am grateful that I chose to have a week of no TV, Computers, electronics stuff, etc.  The kids realized that we still have a trampoline, and that they could play together!

7,  Bryant found out that in January he will be switching shifts.  He is going to be working during the daytime so that we can have more time together as a family.  He is going to an area that he really does not want to go to but he is doing it for our family!

8.  Christmas Advent Calendar - I found this on Pinterest and decided to do it.  It is a scriputres advent and I asked our families to send me their favorite scripture about Christ.  It has been great getting them and I can't wait for December 1st.

9.  Running - I am in training for a marathon and it has been going great but Monday's run was cut short - my legs were just not in it!

10.  Random Fact - I love hot chocolate but I found a way to make it better.  Add peppermint creamer to it.  It adds delicous peppermint taste plus makes it creamer!!

Ten on Tuesday

 1.  Monday November 19th - I am grateful for good running socks.  I have worn socks that werent so good and have gotten blisters and other things but I am so grateful for socks that make my feet more comfortable when I run!

 2.  Wednesday - November 14- I am grateful for my kids when they like to do their jobs!  Maya has started mowing the lawn and loves every minute of it!  I had to get a picture of her and being so proud with herself!  She is the best helper(when she wants to be) and I love it when she helps!

 3.  Saturday - November 17th - a no brainer - I am so grateful to Maya that she choose to be baptized a member of the church!  She has been dying for this day to come and I think that she loved every single minute of it.  After she got baptized she told me how she had been praticing repenting now that she could do it for real.  She is an amazing young girl and Bryant gave her a great blessing!!  So grateful for him too that he was able to baptize and confirm her a member of the church!

 4.  Sunday Nov 19 - I am grateful for a empty sink - this meant that the kids did the jobs which I am grateful for!  It also means that the mess from the party over the weekend has been cleaned up!

 5.  Tuesday - November 20th - i am grateful for clean counters.  It makes the house look so much better and I wish that it would happen more often!

 6.  Friday - November 16th - I am grateful that I took the time to be a fun mom!  We roasted marshmellow and had smores BEFORE dinner!!  It was so much fun with the kids and I am grateful that we did it.  It is a memory that the kids will have and one that I will keep for a long time!

 7.  Thursday - November 15th - I am grateful for Brett!!!  He is my hero.  I have learned so much from him.  I have learned that when you do hard things - it makes you a better person and you don't stop doing things because they are hard.  I am grateful to him for his laugh and his smile.  I got to text with him last week and loved every minute of it!  I am so grateful that he is in our family and that we are lucky enough to have him in our lives!!! 

 8.  With all of the family over this past weekend - we had lots of together time - the kids wanted even more for this picture!  SO lucky to have each of them in our famiily - all very different and I would not want it any other way!!

9.  Saturday was an amazing day - busy but amazing.  I am amazed that my baby is 8 and baptized.  It is a day that I will remember for a very long time.  I loved the spirit that was in the room when she got baptized and when she got confirmed a member of the church.  She is one special little girl who lights up the room when she walks into it!  I love Maya so much and could not imagine our family without her.

10. Random Fact - I realized that I am truly a shy person.  If I don't know you, I won't talk to you or go out of my way to introduce myself to you.  I need to get better at that.

10 on tuesday - Thankfulness

 These are out of order but I will do my best.

1.  Monday 12th - Veterans day - I cheated and took this off of Kris's blog because I couldn't take of picture of them - but I am so thankful for Jeff and his family and for the sacrafice that they make everyday on my little families behalf to protect this great country that we live in.  Heather deserves just as much thanks as Jeff does - I am also thankful for Dad, granddad and Wyatt (Kiresten too!) for their sacrafices

 2.  Tuesday - November 13th - I am thankful that my kids are starting to work better.  It is a long process to teach them how to work and they may trim the bushes a little too close but they are doing it and hopefully will continue to work through out their lives!

 3.  Sunday - November 11th - I am thankful that we had stake conference and got to listen to Elder Holland and President Eyring and that I got to make cinnamon muffins that morning.  I am so grateful for the words which I heard which have given me comfort and let me know what more I need to do as a parent with kids!

 4.  Thursday - November 8th - I am thankful that we LOVE to play games together as a family.  I love the fact that we sit around the table, talk, eat, and have fun together as a family with no TV, Computer - just music to help us rock out!!!

 5.  Wednesday - November 7th - I am thankful for Bryant!!!!  He probably could take up the entire month but on Wednesday I was especially thankful that he was fulfilling his calling in the YMs.  He makes the best wings and he made them for the YM and YW's and even though it takes a while - he did it because of his calling - thank you for fulfilling your priesthood responsibility!

 6.  Friday - November 9th - I am thankful for new stairs in our backyard.  The stairs that were there were pretty scary.  Not very sturdy since they were as old as our home.  I am grateful that Bryant did an amazing job on the stairs!!

 7.  Saturday - November 10th - above is before and below is after.  I am thankful for my body and that I was able to run a 1/2 marathon on Saturday.  One year ago, I could not even run a mile due to knee issues and I was really afraid that I was never going to be able to run again, but I can and I love it!   I enjoyed myself (went out a little to fast for the first half) but finished it in a better time than 2 years ago and now I am training for a marathon in March!

8.  I am so excited for this time of year because one of my most favorite ice cream flavors is availabe -Peppermint!!

9.  This week Maya gets baptized and I can't wait for Mom and Dad to come down to AZ for a quick trip from CO - we will miss those who won't be there - but we will be sure to eat some pie for you!

10.  Random thought - I have to brag on this one - yesterday Bryant ran 2 miles at a 8 minute pace!!!!  He is amazing!!!

10 on tuesday - Thankfulness and Halloween

 1.  So last week, Kris said that she was going to take a picture of something that she is grateful for each in during the month of November - while she has done a better job posting them but here are mine so far - Nov 1st - so grateful for my kids!  They make me laugh, cry, experience more joy, want to make me pull my hair out, but I can not express how truly gratful I am for each one of them!

 2.  Nov 2 - My new running shoes - I used to wear a different shoe - I went to Road Runners Sports and got fitted for a new pair of shoes and also insoles (way expensive) but they have saved my right knee from having the issues that plagued me last year - it is amazing what they can do.  I am running a 1/2 marathon this weekend and know that these shoes will carry me through it and straight onto my full in March in 15 weeks!  Just hope the rest of my body can keep up now!

 3.  Nov 4- My crockpot - I love the fact that when I put uncooked and sometimes frozen meat in it on Sunday mornings, when we get home from church around 1:30 pm and open our front door that I am hit with an overwhelming smell of yumminess from this!  I never thought that I would use it that much when we bought it!

 4. Nov -3- My glasses - I am now officially old, over 40 and need glasses.  I am grateful for my glasses because when I wear them and am at the computer, I don't get headaches any more.  I am grateful that when I wear them and on a date with Bryant that I don't have to ask him to read me the smaller print on the menu.  I am grateful that I found this cute pair at Costco and they were cheaper than at my Eye Dr's office.  I am grateful that I now know that my arms are longer enough to see some things and need to wear my glasses.

 5.  Nov 5 - My Ipod Touch - I got this for a birthday present 1 1/2 years ago and I can't beleve how this has changed my life.  I am grateful for it that it can hold tons of songs for me to run to, dance with my kids to, rock out in the car to and listen on Sunday to.  I am grateful that I can put the conference talks on it and listen to them on my way to work and help me start the day off on the best foot possible.  I am grateful for it because I can get streaming general conference on it and with one small cable attach it to my TV so that we are not huddled around the computer monitor to watch/listen to conference.  I am grateful that I can put my crazy busy life on it and I can keep track or try to keep track of the different this going on in our live!

 6.  Nov 6 - My dishwasher - I am grateful that I don't have to wash all of our dished by hand.  I am grateful that one of my kids loads it and another one empties it for their jobs.  I am grateful that I can put a filthly dish in and get a sparking clean one out. 

 7  A friend of mine tooks some pictures of me and the kids for Bryant's christmas present and here are two that I love but probably won't use for gifts.  I love the way that Maya and Max are - they truly are friends and like being together!

8.  THis one make me laugh because even though it is far for this way most of the time, our kids do really like being together.  They can play for hours and hours without a problem or be together for 5 minutes and are ready to kill each other.  Hopefully they can be friends when they get older just like me and my siblings are!

9.  Today is Tuesday november 6th - Election Day!  I am so glad this day is finally here - it has been a long 12 months of ads, backbitting, and lots of other things.  I voted for Mitt Romney and I sure hope that he beats Obama.  I voted for him - not because he is a Mormon but that fact that I believe and know that he will make this Country great and that he truly loves this country.  I sure hope the rest of the country agrees with me!

10.. rAndom thought of the week - I love my car - we bought it in June and I still love to drive it - a Mazada CX9.  It is was to fancy for me but I still love it after these past 6 months or so.

Ten on Tuesday - Colorado & Pumpkins

 1.  This past weekend - thursday through Monday - I was able to spend up in Denver with my 93 year old grandparents.  It was amazing.  The pictures aren't so good but the show to me a lot - the one above - is Granddad on Saturday Night getting the pill boxes ready for the next week.  He has a binder that he keeps the lists for himself as well as Grandmom.  It takes him about an hour to do this but he does it because he wants to take care of them. 

 

2.  This is their home on Friday Morning after the snow.  I can't tell you home many times We would turn at Araphoe High School on Dry Creek Road and see this home and the memories that we have had here over the years.  So glad that I was able to get the picture with the snow and relive lots of memories.

 3.  Out of order - but we carved pumpkins tonight for Halloween - due to my trip to Colorado - the annual pumpkin carving was pushed back - but we did it.  Lots of fun and lots of pumpkin guts!!

4.  The kids with their pumpkins - Bryant helped them clean out the guts but their each designed and carved their own pumpkins!  It was nice that they could do it on their own!



 5.  Back to Denver - they were doing the dishes and putting them away.  It was amazing to watch them work together - I guess it what happens after you have been married for almost 73 years!  My granddad is a saint - his goal to to live long enough to take care of his wife.  She has lost a lot of her short term memory and asks the same questions over and over and he does not get frustrated.  What an amazing name. 

6.  Their back yard with snow - when I was little I used to think this was the biggest yard ever.  They had a balance beam, a waterfall and the best raspberries!  So much has changed yet stayed the same.  I love them so much and I am truly grateful for the weekend that I was able to spend with them all by myself.

7.  One funny story that Granddad told me that I never heard before - when he was 5 or so, his family moved onto 40 acres to homestead it.  He didn't have very many toys, but he and his little brother wanted to be ranchers (cowboys) so, with the wooden spools that used to hold thread they did it.  The spools became the cows, they made brands for each of them and they shared the "cattle", when it came summer time, they herded the cows to the summer pasture (100 yards away) and it took quite a while.  There were stampeds too.  I loved hearing the story and loved watching Granddad's face as he told it to me.

8.  Mom & Dad - my parents have been serving in the Palmyra Temple for the past 3 years and on Monday - they got released!  I am excited to have them back closer to us.  They have made difference in a lot of people's lives in NY - I am so grateful for the chance that it gave us to go back their and for my kids to see the church sites there!

9.  Bryant - This past week - he has truly been amazing!  I am so glad that he married me!

10.  Random fact of the week - when I run - my right hand hardly moves at all but my left hand moves all over the place! - I have been challenged to take a picture a day of things that I am thankful for - I will do it and post them during November!