Thirty

Against my will, Brooke and Jeremy left this helicopter in our basement when they moved last spring. The kids think it's the greatest thing ever. 

Today I am thankful that, despite being only 14 weeks pregnant, I am already feeling much better than I was 2 months ago. With previous pregnancies I didn't start feeling well until around 20 weeks, but relief seems to be coming much sooner with this little babe.

Twenty-Nine

Today I am thankful for pumpkin pancakes. It made for an easy dinner after a busy day. And everyone ate without a single complaint. 

Twenty-Eight

Davis playing in the leaves, October 2012.

Tonight Isaac leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Joesph and Mary are so lucky--they got to have a magic baby!"

Twenty-Seven

Me and my Casanova.

Today I am thankful to have to opportunity to teach a religion class, and especially to be able to study the life of Christ this semester. I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father knew that the only way I would make time to read Jesus the Christ was if I was forced to do so by way of a calling. It has been such a blessing and a growing experience to learn more about Him this way. It just might be my favorite calling ever.

Twenty-Six

Decorating the tree for family night tonight.

I am thankful for Christmastime, one of my very favorite times of the year!

Twenty-Five

Today is my dad's birthday. I am very thankful to have my dad in my life. He has taught me many important things, but the lesson that always sticks out to me is the importance of treating others with kindness. When I went home in August I discovered that my dad, who has always been a great neighbor-- sharing his tools and opening his home to everyone--has been buying cat food for a neighbor's animals who doesn't have the money to feed them. The best part about the story is that my dad doesn't even like these cats who are always wandering around his yard. When I asked him why he would do something like that, he simply responded, "because it's the Christian thing to do." 

Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you.

Even though today isn't my mom's birthday, she is one of the people I am most grateful for. She, too, has taught me many important lessons, and when I think of her, the word that most comes to mind is charitable. She is always serving and putting the needs of others before her own. She has done countless acts of service for my young family, and one that I think of often is the time when she flew to Iowa after Davis was born and took care of all of us. I'm pretty sure she went on a different adventure with Isaac and Maddie every day. They loved it. And when I found out that I was sick with cancer, I'm so grateful that she was with us to comfort us and reassure us that everything would be ok. And it was.

We love you, mom!

East Rock Park, June 2012

Twenty-Four

Today Kandis and I got to get away by ourselves to Newport, Rhode Island, a charming east coast beach town, famous for their early 20th century mansions-turned-museums. We toured three of the mansions: The Elms, the Marble House, and the Breakers. Fancy Schmancy! All three mansions were once the summer homes of some of the wealthiest families in the country.

Kandis in the courtyard of The Elms mansion.

Weathering the cold outside the Marble House mansion. The exterior of this one was my favorite.

Pictures weren't allowed inside the mansions except in front of this Christmas tree in the foyer of The Breakers mansion, my overall favorite of the homes we toured.  All of the mansions looked pretty awesome decked out with Christmas decorations. Doesn't Kandis look cute with her headset?

What a fun day! I have wanted to tour these mansions since I first heard about them a year and a half ago, and doing it with Kandis was wonderful. I can cross one more thing off my east coast bucket list!

Twenty-Three

Kandis is here! We are so lucky to have her for the holiday weekend. The kids are already hoping she will stay forever.

Twenty-Two

For several months, Ryan has been scheduled to work on Thanksgiving Day. About a week ago, one of his co-residents offered to take his shift for him so he could spend the day with us. I am so thankful for the great relationship that Ryan has with his coworkers. I get misty every time I think about how this kindhearted act of service meant so much to me. I loved spending Ryan's favorite holiday with him today.

Twenty-One

Maddie "painting" the apple pie cookies with an egg wash.

It's tradition in my family for the girls to get together the day before Thanksgiving and bake pies together. Today I am thankful that we could carry on that tradition in our home even though we are far from family.

Twenty

He even knows how to pout in his sleep.

Things I am thankful for today, in no particular order:

Raspberry Gingerale.

Baby wipes.

Washing machines.

Pot Stickers from Costco.

Hide-and-go-seek in the dark.

Sisters.

Dear friends, near and far.

A hard-working, unselfish husband.
Zofran.

Season 2 of Downton Abbey at our local library.

Nineteen

 I often get asked if I have a preference on the gender of our unborn child. My usual response is, "a girl would be nice to even things up a bit." And it would be really fun to have two sisters running around together.

Playing with water, one of D's favorite things to do. 

Isaac, trying his very best to articulate an awesome ninja pose, but his bladder just won't let him.  I am so thankful this little boy is mine!

But lately, the more I think about it, the more content I would be to welcome another boy into our home as well. Isaac is growing up so fast and developing such a fun personality--his sense of humor is really starting to come through and it's fun to see. But he's still little enough that I catch him singing his favorite songs at the top of his lungs.

 And Davis' new favorite pass time is wrapping his hands around the back of my neck and giving me long kisses smack on the middle of my lips, always ending them with a solid "muaah!" He must kiss me 50 times a day. I call him Casanova when he does this and he almost always responds with "No you Casanova, mama!" I'll take them as long as he gives them to me, even if it means ten wet and slobbery ones in a row most of the time.

We won't find out the gender of this little one for another couple of months, but I think I could be perfectly content with another little boy to love.

Eighteen

Lynn and Mary-Ann, October 2012.

I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful family and I'm thankful that my children have such great examples as grandparents. Do you know how these two are spending next Thursday? Feeding Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless. That's just the kind of people they are. 

Seventeen

 Today I am thankful that we got to spend the morning together.

Sixteen

That time the ipad saved Thanksgiving.

I knew just after mentioning "grocery shopping" to Davis this morning that it was not going to be an easy peasy trip. The mere thought of it already had my two-year-old in tears. Then I got an idea--a desperate, brilliant idea.

Today the ipad made it possible for me to get our Thanksgiving shopping done without a single tantrum. I think Davis even exclaimed happily, "I wuv pwice wite!"

While he played alphabet games, virtual legos, and saved the My Little Pony clan from the evil NightMare Moon, I found each and every thing on my grocery list. 

Thank you, ipad! I never thought I'd say it, but you live up to all your hype.

Fifteen

I am thankful to be married to a man who practices karate moves with our children in the park, even when he really has no idea what he's doing. Ryan's never cuter than when he's playing with our kids.

Fourteen

I was recently introduced to Maybeline Super Stay 24 hour lip stick. It brings color to my naturally ghost-like complexion and I only have to apply it once. I am still a newbie so I've only tried the color Forever Chestnut  but there are a plethora of shades to choose from.

Just make sure that you put it on carefully, because once it goes on, there are only two things that will take it off- makeup remover or time.

Thirteen

When I was a teenager I remember my mom reading stories from the New Era Magazine to my siblings and I as we ate breakfast each morning. Even though there were times I rolled my eyes and wondered why we couldn't just eat in silence, those stories and that tradition stuck with me, and I looked back on it with fondness years later as a full-time missionary. I started to understand why she took the time to do that for us.

I have tried to continue this tradition with my children. Most mornings while they eat breakfast, I read a story or two to them from The Friend magazine. I am really thankful for the monthly issues and the messages that are in each story. It makes me feel like I am dressing my kids with a little bit of spiritual armor before they run off to school. 

And so far they are still too young to roll their eyes about it.

Thanks for sticking with it, mom. 

Twelve

The self-portrait.

I did her hair this morning, but a few hours later she went back in the bathroom and came out with clips everywhere, proud as a peacock. "I made me more beautiful, mommy!"

A few days ago, before we announced to the kids that another baby is on it's way, Maddie and I had the following conversation:

Me: "You know, Maddie, you will always be my baby, no matter how old you get."

Maddie: "I'm not a baby, mama!" she giggled. "There aren't any babies left in our family, just kids."

Me: "Well, what if one day I had another baby?"

Maddie: "Oh, you're too old for that."

I love being her mother.

Eleven

The other day I was feeling tired, sick, stretched too thin, and generally overwhelmed with life (4 kids!? What on earth were we thinking? was just one of the thoughts circling through my mind). My dear friend sensed my anxiety, invited the kids and I to her home, hugged me and offered a listening ear, and then fed all the kids dinner while I rested on her couch. Might I add that this dear friend just gave birth to her 4th child a month ago, and she is married to a radiologist with very demanding schedule. 

I am so thankful to be surrounded by wonderful friends. I don't know what I would do without them.

Ten

Brian with my baby sister on her wedding day.

It dawned on me today that I have been known to praise my sisters on this blog but rarely even mention my brother. So on this day of his birth, here is a little tribute to him. 

• Sure, he teases me and everyone of his sisters every chance he gets. 
• And yes, he still pretends not to know the names of my children. 
• He even makes fun of this very blog ("I did a search on Sara's blog for all the posts that weren't about her kids and suddenly her entire blog disappeared...")
• But...there is no denying he is an excellent father. His four fantastic kids are living proof of that.
• He married really well. Erinne is amazingly talented. I've always thought that they make a great team.
• He is the family chef and cooks the majority of their meals. I think that's pretty awesome. Not to mention that he's actually a really good cook. Never would have guessed that one growing up...
• Even though he doesn't call me up for weekly heart-to-hearts, he's always been there when I've asked for his help. And even though he may deny it, he still reads this blog, so I know he must care a little bit.

Brian and Erinne at Corey's wedding, Feb 2012.

Happy Birthday, B!

Nine

This is what it looks like when a kindergartner gets himself stuck in a baby swing.

Yesterday I was talking on the phone with my sister when Isaac beckoned to me, 

"Answer me this, mom: Is talking on the phone more important than your children?!?" No, son, but it might just be more important than listening to you tattle on your sister for the fifth time today...just sayin'.

I am thankful that Allie and I laughed in this situation. In my current high emotional state it would have been really easy to cry. I have been blessed with really great sisters.

Eight

Three monkeys on a motorbike built for two.

I heard one of life's sweetest sounds earlier this week---my baby's heartbeat for the very first time. Our party of five will soon become six around Memorial Day 2013. That is definitely something to be thankful for.

seven

During a storm like this one I am thankful for a roof over our heads and electricity.

Six

I am thankful to live in a country where I can exercise my right to vote, and I'm also thankful that this time of campaigning is coming to an end. In my opinion, these seasons tend to bring out the worst in humanity. I can't wait to talk about something else for a change. Though the SNL parodies almost make it bearable...almost.

Five

Davis is currently all about dressing up. Be it a rescue pack, a cowboy hat, or his pirate outfit, he rarely leaves the house unless he's dressed as some sort of character. 

As Batman on Halloween night.

Harry Potter meets batman. 

A cowboy who loves Spiderman but hated having his picture taken.

Cowboy/ Diego/Dennis the Menace?

I am thankful to be this little guy's mother.

Four

Today our church meetings were shortened to one hour, and we were asked to come dressed in grubby clothes instead of Sunday attire. After the meeting was over, all who could headed out with shovels and leather gloves to help those devastated by Hurricane Sandy. There was even a job for people like me with small children---we stayed  behind to help prepare sack lunches (or watch children for those who were preparing sack lunches, in my case) for all those who were offering service to the damaged homes in our area.

I am thankful today for membership in a church that teaches my children the importance of helping others.

Three

Today I am thankful for the most fool-proof bread recipe ever. And delicious  raspberry jam from friends. It's with this recipe that I had my first successful bread baking experience back in Iowa years ago.

Two

Picking up Isaac from the bus stop this afternoon.

Today I'm thankful that everyone got back to a regular schedule. Preschool for Maddie, kindergarten for Isaac. The kids have all been on vacation all week due to school closures from the hurricane. I will miss sleeping in later than usual and staying in our jammies half the morning, but everyone is happy to be back to our normal routine.

One

A ninja, a mermaid, and a dragon at our church Halloween party last week.

I am thankful that I was able, despite power outages and debris everywhere, to take these three trick-or-treating last night. The four of us had a super yummy dinner with great friends and then hit up their neighborhood for Halloween loot. It was a fantastic night, and Ryan even made it home in time to kiss them goodnight and hear about all of their fun.