November 22nd

I know, I've slacked again. *Sigh* This whole sick husband thing, finals, and holidays takes more of my time than I anticipated.

On Saturday I was grateful for The Cheesecake Factory and my besties. We went to lunch to celebrate me growing older (Ugh) and had a fabulous time! I just love their stuffed chicken tortillas!

On Sunday I was grateful for my ward; more specifically my bishopric. I am grateful for their kindness, compassion, and optimism. They are such dear sweet men and I admire them so much.

Today I am grateful for my car, its heater, and its almost-new tires. I'm ready to brave this winter weather! Bring on the snow!

November 19th

Yesterday I was grateful for my INCREDIBLE mother. Yes, I know I've mentioned her a time or two in recent posts. I came home from 3 very long days in the hospital to find my house clean, my oven scrubbed to spotless perfection, and a hot meal simmering in my crockpot. How does she always know exactly what I need?


I am also extremely grateful for my in-laws. Amidst all of the drama, they were so gracious and offering to help us in any way possible. My sweet father-in-law actually got our grocery list from us, went to the store, and brought us everything we were in need of. Then he took the time out of what I'm sure was a busy day and drove it all down to us from Layton. I appreciated it so much he'll never even know!

We are so blessed!

November 17th

As I sit in Jason's cold, dim hospital room, I am grateful for a myriad of things.

I am grateful for:

• My husband. His strength, his valor, and his perpetual optimism. For anyone that knows me, they know that I HATE staying in the hospital. I despise being woken up every few hours, I loathe the uncomfortable hospital beds, and hospital food leaves a LOT to be desired. I don't know if Jason has just become accustomed to it or what, but these unplanned hospital stays don't even seem to phase him anymore. He is my hero.
• Wi-Fi. Yes, I know it sounds silly, even petty at this point. But I sincerely appreciate that I can be here at my husband's bedside and still get my homework done so I can stay caught up with my classes.
• Capable doctors, caring nurses, friendly aides and technicians. I have never had an experience as comforting and reassuring when it comes to dealing with the medical profession as this one has been.
  
• AMAZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I am so so so grateful for all the concern and support that has been shown by all those who love and care about our little family. I am especially grateful for Karyn. She was my knight in shining armor yesterday. I have the tendency to behave like an emotional basket case when faced with the unknown. Karyn dropped everything to run to my aid and help me with Emee. I am also deeply indebted to my younger brother Josh. When everything happened yesterday he drove four hours round-trip to come and give Jason a blessing. His actions were the type that make me so humble. I hope that if I were in the same situation I would behave with such compassion. To add to the list, I am so thankful for Cortney, my mom, and all the others who have offered to watch Emslee. Hanging out in the hospital is a difficult task for a curious, adventurous toddler. I am grateful beyond words that she gets to play at home with people she loves who love her back.
• Phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to each individually, but I sincerely appreciate knowing everyone's thoughts and prayers are with us.

Thanksgiving Posts cont.

I totally slacked on my posts of gratitude this weekend. My weekend was jam-packed with wedding addresses, a sick hubby, and my cousin's mission farewell.

Friday I was grateful for clean bathrooms. It takes a lot of work to get them there, but I LOVE the smell and feel of a clean, disinfected bathroom!

Saturday I was grateful for Hobby Lobby. How I adore that place! I bought a bunch of different colors of satin, which I made into gorgeous flower clips for Emee's hair. They are to die for!

Sunday I was grateful for my family. I got to attend my cousin Koster's mission farewell, and it was so much fun to visit with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. Then I spent the rest of the day hanging out with my parents and Todd. It was a great day.

Today I am grateful for a working dryer and washer. I usually try to do laundry during the weekend, but with everything that was going on, I ran out of time. Today I have washed, dried, folded, and put away SIX loads of laundry. I don't know what I would do if I ever had to traipse all my wash to the laundromat. I am so blessed!

November 11th

Today I am grateful for my sisters, both the ones I am blood-related to and my friends I consider to be sisters. They are always there for me, buoying me up, laughing with me, and sharing my struggles.
Today has been an especially taxing day, and when my aggravation level rose to the level of an almost-inevitable implosion, it was my sisters that helped me through it.
Love you ladies!

November 10th

Today I am grateful for chocolate. Nope, this isn't a deep, thoughtful, awe-inspiring one. But chocolate certainly makes me smile and can make everything in my world right.....if only for a moment. :)

PS-I definitely think the lady in this photo has the right idea!

November 9th

Today I am grateful for the best job in the whole entire world! I love being a stay at home mom. I love love love watching my daughter learn and helping her understand this amazing world around her. I love being here for her laughter, her tears, her questions, and her hugs. I don't know what I would do if I had to entrust her care to someone else. I am so grateful that I am her Mommy!

I heart Thanksgiving!

Seeing as how we're a week into November, I wanted to start my "posts of thanksgiving." I plan to post something on my blog every day that I am grateful for. I have so many blessings in my life. Let my posts of appreciation begin!

Today, I am grateful for my husband and my little Emslee. They always make me smile, and brighten my day. Jason is an amazing daddy and husband. He works so hard to support our family and plus he goes to school full time! He is amazing! Emee is the sun and the moon to me. I never knew I could adore someone as much as I do her.
I am so blessed!

Halloween 2010

For our Halloween this year, I decided to make Emee a Dorothy costume. At first I was planning on buying her some ruby red slippers from Target, but the smallest they came in was a size 5. (Ems is only in a size 4.) So I decided to make her some instead. With some red paint, lots of glue, red glitter, and some handy Shellack I was able to make her the cutest little shoes! For only 6 bucks our little Emee turned out to be an adorable little Dorothy.
She had so much fun going trick or treating. She thought it was the best invention ever! We traipsed around our neighborhood in the rain and filled her little basket with all sorts of sweet treats. We also went to our ward trunk or treat earlier in the week and she got a basketful just from that. She was on a sugar high for 3 days straight!
She had so much fun, and we thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Halloween with her. What a little doll!