Simple Gratitude

Thanksgiving. I have been thinking about what that means quite a bit through all of November. I was able to fill two and a half journal pages with the many blessings I count. I'm sure I could have filled more had I taken more time. At the top of the list is my family.

I am blessed, or lucky, to be married to Scott. He is my best friend. He is such a great father. He is true to the core good person. I am also blessed to be a mom for Chandler. He teaches me so much and plays an integral part of my training to live a more Christlike life. I am blessed to be Watson's mother. He makes each day interesting and fun. He also allows me to have brief glimpses into heaven and feel a fraction of what Heavenly Father feels for me. Yes, these are my greatest blessings. Of course, there are a gazillion other blessings each day. For that I truly feel simple gratitude.
Our Thanksgiving morning started early as Chandler and I ran the Utah Human Race 5K. It was Chandler's first race and he was happy and proud to finish it. I was happy and proud he finished it too.
We continued the festivities at Grandma Nettie's with most of the family with great food and our annual Bingo game.

The day ended with Scott and Chandler hitting Black Friday deals at several stores all through the night. We spent a lot of good time together last week. I'm grateful to be where I am and doing what I'm doing. I am so blessed.

A Little Outing with the Birds

Tracy Aviary is the local bird place around here. Watson and I visited this with Chandler and friends a couple of years ago. Then he rode around in his car seat in the stroller completely unaware of the rodent eating birds directly in front of us. This time, he saw everything, even the 29 pound roaming free condor. We met up with a friend of mine with her 3 kids plus a cousin. The kids had a great time pointing out the ducks, watching the peacocks and imitating the flamingoes. We will be back again, maybe after the construction is complete.

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Look Who's a Big Boy!

It was time. The all night sporadic crying, the "who knows what time it is" bedroom visits, the climbing out of bed while all is asleep so he could play with cars in the dark, had to end. Scott and I had no idea what to do to make things better for Watson. So, one day the thought occurred to me that moving him to a toddler bed might be the answer. Heck, things couldn't get worse, right? I think it was inspiration because from the first night Watson has happily gone to bed. He loves it! I've been shocked that the transition was this easy! Since the first night, he has had one or two rough moments. All in all, he has adjusted great, he even (thankfully) takes his nap every day. I'm amazed he is becoming such a big boy so fast. I suppose this is how things are suppose to work--it is so hard for me to let my baby grow up.

A Monkey, A Man with a Yellow Hat, A Scientist, and A What(?)

Halloween weekend was a whirlwind around here. Our neighborhood Trunk or Treat was Friday night. Watson played along by wearing this year's costume once Scott dressed up. I played along, as much as I could, with a wig, glasses and a lab coat. For all you PBS Curious George watchers out there--I was Professor Wiseman. Watson loved it so it worked for me. Scott's costume was a hit and everyone loved our little "George."  No one recognized Chandler. I think he liked being anonymous. He was so excited to get his costume in the mail-- a morph suit. No, I hadn't heard of it before either. Coupled with his very old karate suit he was a mystery to everyone.

Saturday we gathered at Chad and Amy's house for our annual pumpkin carving party. The kids dressed up and had a ball running around the yard and creating original pumpkin designs.

Monday afternoon Watson, Channa, Nicole and I made it to Chandler's school for the Halloween parade. I had mixed feelings about this being the last elementary parade for a few years... Our school visit was followed by a little Trick or Treating at my office. The ladies thought Watson was so cute and gave him more candy than I, I mean, he should eat in a lifetime. Later we got a little visit from two VERY fancy witches and got another little treat.

We ended the evening with more Trick or Treating in Challey's neighborhood. Watson was so excited to go door to door with Stratton and Paris. He made sure to wish everyone "Happy Halloween!" I didn't think he would remember the candy existed after our evening of fun ended. He proved me wrong by climbing up on a chair to reach the treats on top of the fridge at 6 am the next morning. He has a memory like an elephant. I may be in trouble...