GIVING THANKS...

I have to admit, I haven't been looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday much this year. Its been a year of ups and downs and sometimes it's hard to be grateful for what you have, because you tend to focus on the negative things or trials in your life. I know I take for granted the blessings in my life too often and don't appreciate the joy this journey brings. I also know there must be opposition in all things in order to know the good from the bad, but sometimes like most people I want to just experience the good! I am grateful for the holiday season, so I get the chance to reflect on what is most important in my life and for the opportunity it give me to ponder all my many blessings.

I am blessed to have in my life a loving and healthily family. One who welcomes me home each day with open arms and childish grins because they are happy to see me.

I am blessed to have forgiving children, who don't dwell on your mistakes but love you unconditionally. Children who are content just to have a minute or two of your time to make them smile.

I am blessed to have a husband who truly loves me no matter what mood I am in. A husband who understands me and let's me be in charge with my strong personality. Someone who puts me and my children first and knows that if we are happy, that is enough for him.

I am blessed to have a crazy toddler running around my house non-stop, creating a disaster where ever she goes. For someone you didn't plan on having in your life, she sure fulfills it! A child who makes us laugh everyday with her husky voice and mischievous personality. A child who wraps their arms around you after a hard day and it makes everything better.

I am blessed to have a wonderful and stressful job. One that I know is stable and will provide for my family. A job where my talents are put to good use and I know I can help others grow. A company where they appreciate me and want me leading there team.

I am blessed to have a beautiful home. A place where you feel safe and warm and protected from the outside world. A place you love coming home to, because your family and reminders of your family are there.

I am blessed to have loving and thoughtful parents who live down the street. Parents who welcome our visits at anytime of day or night and love being around our family. Parents who play with our children and love being involved in their lives.

I am blessed to have a handful of the best friends anyone could ask for. Friends you could tell anything to and who will not judge you. Friends who will cry and laugh with you depending on the day. Friends who brings so much joy into my live and aren't afraid of letting their hair down. Friends I can travel with and you look forward to the vacation.

I am blessed to live in the best neighborhood and ward possible. I couldn't imagine my life or my children's lives not being here. A neighborhood where you feel safe and there are friendly faces everywhere you go.

I am blessed to live in the United States of America, where we have so many privileges that others in the world do not. Where we get to enjoy freedom and all the things that come with freedom.

I am blessed to have the Lord in my life and the comfort of knowing where I cam from and where I am going. I am blessed to know that families are forever and that my Heavenly Father loves me. Thank you for giving me everything!

NEW YORK OR BUST

I loved New York so much that I had to go back two months later! Only this time it was a girls trip and boy did we shop till we dropped. Every night we came home absolutely exhausted, so we would all put on our pj's and hop into bed with a box of pastries. (Oh did a forget to mention it was also a dessert trip) We found the best pastry shop in Little Italy, so we went there more than once. We also discovered Magnolia cupcakes, Serendipity and Starbucks (sometimes twice a day).

We worked Canal street up and down for knock off purses, Tiffany Jewelry, hats and Pashmina Scarves. Canal street worked us with lousy copies of DVD's and IPODs we purchased.

We ventured off to the Today show Friday morning and even met Matt Lauer and crew. We spent some quality time on the TV, some of us calm and others not so calm. I don't want to mention any names, but if you saw the Today show, you already know (Jen and Kristen).

My favorite part of the trip was eating Sunday brunch at the Boathouse in Central Park. The service, food and entire atmosphere was amazing. We devoured the bread basket, soaked up the excellent view of the autumn leaves, licked our fresh fruit and waffle plates clean and enjoyed the canoes passing by.

HALLOWEEN

We have a family tradition on Halloween of eating dinner in a pumpkin. I started doing this years ago to be a festive and cute mom. I made the mistake of inviting over my extended family a few years ago, and now it is tradition for them to all come over for dinner in a pumpkin too. The other Halloween tradition we have is mom's homemade spudnuts. She has been making these since we were small children and we refuse to let her off the hook now. Although it is a lot of work I enjoy having everyone over for the evening.

Madi and Jaxson both went out trick-or-treating with friends this year, so all I had to do was take Reagan to a few houses. She thought it was great be able to get candy from the neighbors; however when we reach the Hormon's home, Suzy gave her a tootsie Roll Sucker and it was all over. She dropped her candy bucket, opened the sucker and was done. She didn't take the sucker out of her mouth until it was gone.

TRAILER TRASH PARTY

For Halloween this year we decided to Host a Murder Mystery Party, what a great way to ring in the holiday with a little white trash!

Everyone was assigned a character and had I known everyone would get so excited about dressing up for the event, I would have done it last year.

It was a riot because everyone had fun putting their spin on what white trash is, for example...

Tattoo's / Mullets / Horrible Teeth / Bras straps sticking out / Wife Beaters / Flannel / Hairy Chests / Muscle Shirts / Mini Skirts / Tie-Dye

We even had an authentic white trash meal including; KFC bucket, pigs in a blanket, jello with hair in it (thanks Stoney), macaroni and cheese, cheese tray with Spray cheese and a hostess platter for desert.

The decor included, a clothes line with stained underwear, cheap lingerie and Nascar posters.

All and all it was a night full of white trash talking and laughter. I love that I had friends who are not afraid to let their hair down and have a good time.

FOOTBALL FRIENDS

I love that Jaxson gets to play sports with all of his friends. This past fall we tried out flag football. It was a little more intense with practices, two-three coaches and working plays on the field. Not his best sport ever; but he had a good time running around the field with his buddies Jacob and Karter! His favorite part of the season is getting the trophy, it sure makes him feel proud!

LAGOON

Every year my company treats the employees and their families to a day at Lagoon. This year we went near the end of September and it was fabulous! The weather was perfect and the lines were next to nothing (it definitely the right time of year to go).

One of the things I love about amusement parks is that Madison and Jaxson love the big rides. Madison especially loves roller coasters! Madison will ride anything and because she will Jaxson wants to go right with her, even if he is a little scared. The first ride we went on was WICKED, which is a pretty fast and crazy roller coaster. The rest of the day we had to tell Jaxson he had already done the biggest ride at Lagoon and nothing else would be as scary. It worked, he continued to ride the big rides with the rest of us.

I still remember the time we took Madison on the Tower of Terror in Florida when she was five years old. She was brave and wanted to go, so we said yes. Not knowing how frightening it really was, I had a hard time enjoying myself on the ride because I was so concerned about Madison. She was brave and didn't cry; however when we exited the ride she said and I quote "I never want to go on that ride ever again!" She went two years later and loved it. (I have to admit it is probably my favorite ride ever.)

While at Lagoon I took Reagan on a few rides. Here favorite was the little boats, I still remember riding the boats as a kid. She loved being at the wheel and ringing the bell.

Jaxson's favorite ride was the dinosaur egg. It is a little version of the rocket and he thought it was pretty cool. More his style than Madison favorite ride Wicked.

EVERY GIRL LOVES A GOOD PAIR OF SHOES

We find our shoes all over the house thanks to Reagan; and it doesn't matter whose shoes they are because they all fit her. Reagan loves to clomp around the house in shoes. She has always had a shoe fetish, she loves to pick out her shoes or just put them on in the morning with her pajamas. Don't try and tell her they are the wrong shoes, because once she has made up her mind there is not stopping her. Lately she loves wearing my high heels; it's amazing that she can actually walk in them without falling. She's a girl through and through!

FUDGE FACE

I'm not sure if you all remember my post from about six months ago entitled "Every Girl Loves Chocolate," but I'm here to say that the chocolate cravings never go away.

The story goes like this... we had been at my mom and dad's house one Sunday afternoon and we were enjoying some relaxation time on the couch after dessert. It became very quiet (which should have been my first clue) when we discovered Little Miss Reagan on the counter enjoying the leftover bowl of homemade fudge. She had a big smile on her face, fudge all over her pajamas and was quite pleased with herself to say the least. It all gave us a good laugh and a good tip, never leave food out on the counter because this climber will be up to the challenge.