I'm Thankful...

...I'm thankful for the turkey.

I'm thankful for the pie.

I'm thankful for the corn and bread,

and squash I'm going to try.

I'm thankful for the toys I have,

the sun I feel and see,

and always for my family,

who gathers here with me.

(Scholastic Teaching Poem)

This Thanksgiving I'm pausing from baking and taking the opportunity to let those of you that care enough to follow me and our doings know how important life and its happenings are to me. I'm extremely grateful for my family and the times past, and look forward to times to come.

Here some pictures I used for a lesson on traditions and Thanksgiving while I was student teaching...ah, memories.

Every year after eating or while waiting, we would do puzzles.

Good food & family.

Mom's "sucker turkey" (we couldn't touch the suckers 'til after dinner)

As I contemplate on things that I have, things lost, and things to gain, tears of joy and gratitude toward Heavenly Father and the Savior fill my eyes. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have and my testimony of the Gospel. I thank my parents and others in my life that have taught me the truth, and especially the Holy Spirit for guiding me and testifying of that truth. Times are tough, but I'm grateful for the lessons learned and strength gained from those trials. I know that through obedience and faith, true happiness and eternal life is attainable. This past week, my Grandpa Lawrence returned to live with Heavenly Father, and though I will miss his presence here on earth, I am comforted to know that he is truly happy and is with his wife and others who have gone before. How wonderful this is to know!

As for me, I know there are many faults to conquer and changes to be made, but I know that I am given these things to better myself and to help others along the way.

Thank you to all of you for being by my side and remembering me and my family.

Love you all!

Now, go eat some yummy food!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cookies, cookies, cookies...

I spent the day making leaf-shaped sugar cookies for the YM/YW activity tonight. Trevor and the Teachers were in charge and they chose to do a service activity raking leaves, hence the leaf shapes. They asked me to make cookies 'cause I made them last year at Christmas time for them, and they were a hit. I have to say it takes quite a bit of time, but I really enjoy the decorating and (trying) to make them look good...not to mention eating them of course. They went off with a hit again tonight, but I am glad it's over. Now I just have to clean up the mess! Tomorrow.

This past year I have tried to do a little more cake/cookie decorating. I really enjoy it and love to see the finished 'art'. My favorite shows to watch are decorating tip shows and ones on the Food Network. Ace of Cakes and the pastry challenges are the best. So, here are a couple pics of my doings . Remember, I'm just an amateur :) The kids loved them though.

Macie's Princess crown cake

(Gunnar with cousins Sydney and Colten)

Gunnar's loader tractor cake

I will continue practicing and hopefully one day I'll get to where I want to be with this fun stuff!

Finally, technology has made it to our house!

Okay, so now that I can surf the information hiway at up to date speeds, I can get this thing going! It's only taken me 8 months...we'll see how long it takes me to get used to this and all its doings. So, please work with me and be patient as I learn what it takes to get all artsy/cutesy with this stuff!

As for going ons: I'M NOT READY FOR COLD YET!, I'm in dire need of a bigger, newer, cleaner, fresher, prettier, non-clutterier(my own word, I think), super de dooper HOUSE! Coming sooner than later, I hope. We're at the starting point AGAIN.

I shouldn't complain (but I do) we are very blessed and I am very THANKFUL for what I have, things could be worse. We are all good, except for the fall sniffles and coughs, and are still thriving. G and M are in pre-school and their latest thing is to jump off of anything they can climb and that has a soft landing...preferably laundry waiting to be folded that is hauled with dumptrucks from the baskets to the landing zone. Broxton insists on crawling still, but at lightning speed mind you...he stands by himself then realizes what he's doing and collapses to the floor with a look of terror as if we've wronged him somehow. Trevor's doing well, keeps busy, same ol' farming business, but has recently added some new livestock to his herd. As for me, I'm looking to begin teaching (sub) soon as well as getting into some city rec leagues. I'm also the YW sports director and have the priveledge to coach and get to know some awesome girls in the ward. I am very excited for the hOLIDAYS! Stacey and her fam will be here in a couple of weeks and then Steph and hers (hopefully Scott too) for Christmas!!!!!

I LOVE my fam and can't wait to see them all!

So, for my first official post, we are good and we love our families, and can't wait to get all 'bloggy!'

Stay Tuned.