My Poor Paigey!

Today Paige fell off of some playground equipment and broke her nose. Doesn't she look cute, her grandpa told her she looked like a Koala bear. I just feel so sorry for her, this kid never gets sick, much less hurt, so this is kinda a sad thing for her. She doesn't want anyone to know she is crying about it so she says "I'm not crying, it just that my tear ducts are stretched out and the tears are just running out!" Isn't that the cutest thing. We love her and are glad she is okay. She has to go to the doctor tomorrow to make sure everything is okay.

Merry Maids!

Today I am thankful for a house full of girls. This morning I told the girls we had some chores to do. Bathrooms and Bedrooms were what I wanted done this morning. No one complained, they just hopped to it. Sinks, Mirrors, toilets, every surface was sparkling clean, and I didn't have to do any of it! They are good obedient little girls and I am thankful to them for all their help. Oh and did I mention they gathered all the trash up and took it out too! I've noticed something, if I can get Paige on board with a project, then the other two happily follow along. I hope she uses that power wisely. I am so blessed!

Are You My Mother?

If your name is Trent, Traci, Troy or Trachel, then Yes, This is your mother! Mom is at it again, this time it was for a Young Women in Excellence Program. Don't worry her head was covered most of the time! Gotta love her!

So I guess today I am thankful for a mom who taught me through EXAMPLE to laugh at myself and to not take things to seriously! I am so thankful for a mom who gives 100% to all of her callings, great or small, and who is never to proud to dress up in anything for just about anything!!!

I SURVIVED!

I survived my Saturday, and have had a great Sunday. Thank you to all you sweet sweet girls who left me a comment. It helps to know that others feel the same way at times. I had a great nights sleep thanks to Linda for taking the baby, although it did feel like I was sleeping on boulders come morning. (you know the "undrained breast" how weird that I just shared that, but I know some of you can relate!) I was so happy to see Preesley this morning, and you better believe she was happy to see me. Linda said she only got up once to eat. Then after church today, Buck took the baby so I could get a Sunday nap! Once I awoke from my slumber I went downstairs to find a husband who was doing the dishes and starting dinner. Honestly, he is wonderful. So we cooked dinner together, chicken tacos, a family favorite, then made 2 batches of cookies, chocolate chip, and oatmeal. What a difference a day makes. Today I am so very thankful for the happy life I live, healthy kids, a roof over my head, food to eat, and the peacefull circumstances in which we live in this country. *Side note to Kodi, please let me know how the pig pen sleepover goes, it doesn't get much more creative than that, Super Nanny, would be proud!*

Help

Today I am thankful for help. I was feeling really overwhelmed today, laundry that needs to be folded and put away, vaccuuming, preparing clothes for Sunday, cleaning up from Ally's party (at this very moment there are still 4's and elephants hanging from my ceiling), grocery shopping for Buck's hunt, (actually he doesn't have a tag, but 4 of his buddies do, and he is going along to help) making green chili burritos for his hunt, oh and did I mention having to stop and breastfeed, and did I mention picking up clothes, Marley has gone from her Saturday play clothes, to a princess outfit for a birthday party, back to play clothes, then because it was 54 degrees outside she decided it was nice day to put on a swim suit and go lay out in the sun! So that of course meant that Ally had to also! All this time feeling overwhelmed because Buck is leaving at 6:00am tomorrow morning, which means I have to teach our primary class alone, get the girls ready alone,etc. Anyway it was just all getting to me (is someone playing the worlds smallest violin for me?) Well Buck could see my frustration and so could Linda. Soooooo, Linda offered to take the baby for me tonight so I could get a good nights sleep before Buck left, and Buck being the little peach that he is, told me that he could leave on Monday morning instead of Sunday morning because one of his buddies isn't going till then. And that he will help me do anything I need before he goes. WHEW! did you get all that? Anyway, as soon as he said that I instantly felt better and just wanted to cry truthfully. So the list of things for me to do hasn't change, but my attitude has knowing that I have HELP.

Ally is FOUR!

Today I am thankful for Ally! She is a big, bad, 4 year old today. I alternate years that my kids can have a "friend party" and a "family party" and this year is the year of the Family. Which is kinda hard for Ally since she has been able to go to so many of her friends parties this year. So I decided to make her Family party extra special. So this morning I told Paige and Marley they could ditch school to spend the day with Ally. They were all "seriously?" It has been fun, and has made Ally's day! They also have a Sisters Sleepover planned, which consists of games and staying up as late as they want!!! I don't know where Ally came up with the idea of an Elephant cake, but that is what she wanted. In fact my mom asked me today "is Ally into elephants?" No, but she is today. So I did my best to make her an elephant cake. Not to shabby if you ask me!! And I did it all by myself!! So now enjoy a picture tour of her day so far. There are more fun things to come including going to see Madagascar 2, presents, cake, and grandparents coming over! I think after this day, she just might look forward to "family" birthdays every year! That is if Paige and Marley can get used to these phrases "I'm the Birthday girl" "It's MYYYYYY Birthday" One thing is for sure we know exactly who's birthday it is!

Ally's Breakfast-MONSTER PANCAKES-with loads of sprinkles provided by Paige.



Ally's Elephant Decorations



The DITCHERS and Ally's new Scooter


Preesley loved starring up at the elephants and 4's!



Elephant Cake

I've gone Gourmet

Today I am thankful for thankful kids! Tonight I just threw dinner together early because I had mutual. It consisted of macaroni and cheese spirals, fried ham, and green beans. That's it! So simple, boil water, open a can, slap a few ham steaks in a skillet, and WA-LAH! Anyway, my kids devoured it and Paige kept saying "mom this is so good, thank you" Then I would spoon on some more mac and cheese and she would say "thanks mom this is so good". And wouldn't you know it, it is her requested meal to take to school tomorrow!

ThankFULL

In college I watched an Oprah Winfrey on writing in a thank you journal. Everyday you were supposed to right at least one thing you were thankful for. I did this. And it helped we through a pretty crappy time I was having (don't worry I'm fine now!) Anyway I thought I would start that up again, since we are in the month of November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I decided that each day I would post at lease one thing I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for eternal perspective. Without it I don't know what people think about this world we live in or how they survive. I am so thankful to know that Heavenly Father loves us and is continually mindful of us. And that ultimately our faith in him, and obedience to him is all that matters. Easier said than done though, especially when we deal with "the now" which is the economy, our potential President, etc. But it is my knowledge and faith in the eternities that keeps a smile on my face and hope in my heart, and for that I am THANKFUL!