Giving Thanks!

During Thanksgiving Break, I took a day and spent it away from the house and left the kids with a babysitter. The kids had a lot of fun and so did I. When I got home, there were turkey hand prints all over the house and this:



This was really cool. It had a bunch of different things that the kids were thankful for. It read:

WE'RE THANKFUL FOR...

Ethan: "I am very happy that Carly helps me clean my room."

Carly is happy for her family.

Raya: "I'm thankful for the time me and my dad spend together skiing."

Malia: "I am thankful for food!!!!!!"

Raya: "I am grateful for the turkey on the table on Thanksgiving."

Malia: "I am thankful for my nice warm house that I sleep in."

Ethan: "I am really happy that I have a mom and dad."

It was fun to see this up on the wall as a reminder that we not only need to be thankful for the big things in our lives but also the simple things in our lives.

The past few years I have hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house. It actually worked out really well because we would have both Patrick's side of the family and my side of the family together, but since I was still recovering from knee surgery, I just wasn't up for the task this year. So my cousin Nate hosted it at his house and my Aunt Patty planned the activities. It was very nice and I enjoyed spending time with the family. I was especially grateful that I only had to bring mashed potatoes and pie!

Nate is an avid hunter. He has gone all over the world and hunted many animals. His living room is filled with trophy's like these:









We got to hang out with a few reindeer, a moose, and other various animals including a bear!

The kids got to color:


(Cousins: Rylie Poindexter and Carly)



(Carly showing off her awesome coloring skills)

and make gingerbread houses:

















The food was yummy:


(Nate making candied yams)




(Mom and David)

And the company was even better:


(Nate, Jenn (adopted sister), Chris (Jen's friend/boyrfriend), and Hollis (Nate's friend)


(Sister-in-Law Kelli and niece Rylie Poindexter)


(Dad and his half sister Sue that if I've ever met her before, I can't remember)


(Patrick chatting it up with my Uncle Alvin)


(Raya standing next to one of the many art pieces on Nate's wall painted by my brother Jake)

Decorations were festive:



and the Force was strong:


(Brother Jared was playing Star Wars with Ethan)

I am really grateful for many things in my life! We were able to share what we were grateful for with the family. I shared that I was grateful for my health. I've been pretty healthy my entire life and the knee surgery has really made me grateful that I don't have to deal with different illnesses on a regular basis. I am also grateful for the opportunity that I have to stay at home and raise the children that Patrick and I have brought into the world. I didn't have kids to have someone else raise them and know that it isn't possible for some families to have a stay at home parent. The sacrifices that we make so that I can stay home is worth it. I am also grateful that Patrick has a job. Especially in this recession that we are in. He not only has a job, but he gets paid pretty well. I am grateful for many other things, but all of these things are the sprinkles on the cake...the cake being my family. I can't imagine going through my life without the love and support of my family (both biological and by marriage)...and especially for my kids. They are amazing and I am one lucky Mom!

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone....seriously, where has 2010 gone? Christmas and New Years is right around the corner...oh boy, I better get busy shopping!

Baptism

I was reading a friend's blog and she had talked about her son's baptism. It reminded me that I hadn't posted anything about Malia's baptism that happened back in July. I would hate to leave something of that importance out of my life record (if that's what you want to call this blog).

I made invitations inviting special family and friends to this blessed event (address blocked out due to privacy issues):



Malia was so excited to be able to get baptized in the same dress that Raya was baptized in and also have her very own white dress to wear for her confirmation:



Many family members came to watch Malia enter the waters of baptism:

(above: Poindexter's and Durling's)

(above: Uncle Jared Poindexter)

(above: Grandpa Poindexter and Christi)

(above: Grandma and Grandpa Durling)

(Above: Grandma Poindexter and David)

and many friends came as well. Malia invited two of her friends from her class at school and they both came. Malia's kindergarten teacher came too, but we didn't get a picture of her...darnit!

(Above: Parker and his Mom Laura Bruns)

(Above: Elora Dannan)

(Above: Deidre and Kelly Townsend)

Patrick baptized her:



Spotless...clean...PERFECT...Just look at that smile:





Patrick's dad and our friend Pawel were witnesses for Malia's baptism:



Ready to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:



Patrick's dad, our home teacher brother Jackman and Aaron Miller (not pictured) were in the circle while Patrick confirmed Malia. Brother Jackman had driven all night from Utah and even though he missed the actual baptism, he made it in time to be a part of the confirmation. Totally Awesome!



The day was special. We had a luncheon at our house afterwords. We actually stopped off at McDonalds on the way home and picked up like 20 hamburgers just to make sure we had enough food for everyone. Those were the first to disappear. I was able to get Malia's confirmation prayer recorded and typed up into her baptism book (I just need to get that printed...*sigh*)

It's amazing to watch my children grow up. Two kids of mine have been baptized. Time is flying! The next thing I know, I will be watching them get married and having babies of their own. For now, I need to be in THIS moment and enjoy THESE times. I am so proud of the choices Malia has made. She is truly an amazing girl and our family wouldn't be complete without her!

Perler Bead-A-Palooza

There's this website called http://www.houseparty.com/ Can I just say that it is the bomb (did I really just write "it's the bomb"?) Anyway, you apply to host these party's for different products. If you are selected, you get a party package in the mail and you use it to throw a party bash! I've done this before for Febreze Products. I probably got like $300 worth of Febreze products for free. I shared a ton with my friends and I'm still using them!

I got selected to another party for Perler Beads. Those little plastic beads that you create designs with and then using an iron, melt together. They are so fun (except the ones that drop on the floor), but my favorite part about them is that they are hours and hours of entertainment for the kids...including Miss Carly.

We had a blast and I can't wait to do another party. Check out House Party's website...you might find something you'd like to try for free.

Here are a few pictures of our fun evening...Raya and Malia got to hang with some friends and get crafty...Now that's my kind of party!