Thankful for...Nurse Aja

Today is not over but I am thankful for Benjamin's nurse Aja. She is great at giving his shots quickly and handing him over to me. I am thankful that she is quick and efficient and tries to make it less painful for all involved.

Thankful for...Pedicures & Home

Yesterday I was thankful for pedicures! My mom and I took some time to get pedicures together and we did our nails the opposite of each other. It was great to hang out and be pampered together.

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Today I am thankful to be home. Traveling is great but there is nothing like your own space and bed. I am also thankful for our safety as the roads were a bit dangerous here and there.

Thankful for...Family Time

Yesterday I was thankful for family time with my extended family. We are visiting my mom and Rudy and my sister Megan is here. We went out and ate great food together and went back to the hotel to swim later. It was great to hang out and just enjoy each other's company. The day before we got to hang out with my brother Jamie and his son Mason. I love family time and appreciate the moments we get together.

Thankful for...Freedom

Yesterday I was thankful for the freedom to travel about as we please. We are so fortunate to travel about and move from place to place so easily. It's great that we are blessed with so many freedoms. I love this country that we live in. I am thankful for the men and women who serve our country to preserve our freedoms. There are days we take it for granted but every time we travel I am reminded of it that we cross state borders without any issue. We get to do things we enjoy and desire without any interference or fear of being punished.

Thankful for...Electricity

Today I am thankful for electricity. There are many reasons to be thankful for it. One I have so many modern conveniences...an oven to cook on and in, a microwave to heat things up, a toaster to make my bread, a mixing bowl to mix my baking items (I don't know how they beat egg whites to stiff peaks back in the day), a washer and dryer for my clothes, lights on my Christmas tree, lights around the house, a heater, warm water to wash with...the list goes on.

While listening to the radio this morning talk about the number of people still out of power and how many might get their power on today or even not until tomorrow it made me think how lucky I am. How stressful for so many families right before Thanksgiving to not be able to do their normal festivity preparations.

I admire those before who made due without power. And I am especially thankful for those who were inspired on how to develop electricity and make it possible to bless my life so immensely today.

The Inner Workings of Benjamin

I know how to get what I want. I will store up my poop. I will wait as long as I possibly can and then finally I will explode. I will explode so much in fact that my outfit will get ruined. Yes! Yes! Then Mommy will have to remove all my clothes and she will be too lazy to get another outfit out.

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Benjamin do you have to poop only once a day?

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Yes! Yes, I do! Because then I get naked time!!!!

Snow Time Marshmallow Boy

Jared found a snowsuit for Benjamin that fits perfectly! Thank you to either Tami or Leslie! It was great taking him outside for his first experience with snow.

Jared was helping Benjamin to wipe snow off of the back of the car.

Sometimes this terrifies me like at the pool when Jared's hands are wet and Benjamin is wet but on the ground with everything dry it was cool. I put the camera in sport mode and had fun. This was the best and highest shot. Benjamin loves it!

I helped Benjamin try to walk in his snowsuit but that really wasn't happening.

Benjamin is flying! I love that face of his. We were outside for maybe 5-10 minutes. Not very long because it is super cold. I think we got up to a roasty 25 degrees today.

Stay Puft Marshmallow Boy

Jared worked on the car this afternoon (cleaning out my mess).

He took Benjamin out with him wearing his 12 month winter coat I got him. It was a great deal so I don't mind if he doesn't get much wear out of it because our next boy can wear it (potentially).

Benjamin seemed to be having some problems moving his arms. Jared kept calling him Marshmallow Boy.

Sunday Outfit

This is Benjamin's new Sunday outfit we got him. It turns out to be a very Christmas oriented one. He is so handsome!

Thankful for...Extra Time Together

Today I am thankful for an unexpected day together. Since it snowed yesterday Jared stayed home due to the road conditions. It helped to free me up to get my work done. Benjamin got extra Daddy time. And we got more time together as a family. It's been a great day and we've still got 5-6 hours until bed time.

I know I was hoping Jared would get to stay home today. I just love the extra time it's like an extra Saturday.

Thankful for...Imagination

Last night we had the opportunity to babysit our nephews. Jared did great with them, I mostly watched from the sidelines while making dinner, caring for Benjamin and journaling. It was great watching them and their imaginations coming to life. Jared got out flashlights at one point (identical ones so there was no fighting) and they started looking for monsters. Nice monsters and ones that eat your boogers so you better keep a clean nose by blowing it. They ran all over the house finding things under the piano and couch. On the ceiling and down the hall way. It kept them quite preoccupied and distracted from much else. I just loved how they were so creative (Jared included) in their monsters and how to capture them and tell if they were bad or good monsters.

Thankful for...(Catch Up)

I know I am behind in my postings of giving thanks for my blessings. But I have not forgotten. This has actually made me be more aware of my blessings. Throughout each day I am thinking of things I am thankful for and giving thanks more to Heavenly Father for all that I have. I am hoping that I can keep this attitude of gratitude going throughout the year. A friend of mine gave a great talk in church today. She pointed out how Heavenly Father loves to hear us giving thanks for all that we have. I’ve noticed in my life how when I stop and think about it I really do have so much. Listing only one thing each day that I am thankful for is sometimes hard when I stop and think about it because there are so many things to be thankful for.

I haven’t listed anything since Wednesday so that is 4 things to list that I am thankful for…

I am thankful for experiencing the first snowfall of the year with Benjamin. Benjamin and I were hanging out in the kitchen this morning getting things ready for church when I saw it was snowing. I picked him up and had him look out the window. I decided to go outside into the freezing cold and show him the snow up close. I caught a snowflake and brought my hand close to his face to watch it melt away. It was wonderful to experience with him the first snowfall of the year and his first experience with snow. It was beautiful to see everything lightly dusted in snow.

I am thankful for my husband! He is such an amazing person. He makes me laugh frequently. I am always impressed and grateful to see how he is with Benjamin. They have a pretty special bond already. Jared spoils me frequently and I don’t know that I always tell him thank you. He lets me (within reason) have whatever I want. He lets me go scrapbooking on a Saturday and come pick Benjamin up once he is done giving service so I can finish what I am doing. He takes care of things I rarely even think about like finances and the garbage and I very rarely say thank you. So thank you to my husband for being the best husband for me.

I am thankful for this time of year that helps turn everyone’s thoughts (for the most part) to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this time of year. It is my favorite. While I do enjoy the presents I really love turning my thoughts more towards the miracle of his birth and the gifts he has given us like the atonement. Without the atonement our lives would be pointless we would have no way to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

I am thankful for my warm house. I know I am blessed to have a warm place to keep all of my things and to lay myself down to sleep each night. Especially as the days get colder I become more thankful for my warm home, clothes and blankets.

Thankful...Ability to Breathe

I am thankful today for the ability to breathe!

(take a deep breath...aaahhh)

I almost completely overlooked this. I got a slight cold at the end of last week which plugged me up and made it so I couldn't breathe especially at night (I'm sure my snoring was unbearable). Today I am able to breathe without any issue and my throat is no longer sore!!! Hallelujah! I was talking with a co-worker who is coming down with a cold which made me realize what a blessing it was that I could breathe today without any issue. Which made me think further on how often we take our bodies for granted. When things don't work correctly we sure do notice it but we don't give thanks very often when things are working correctly. I am thankful for my body that is a pretty amazing gift with all of it's capabilities.

Thankful...my husband

Today I am thankful for my husband. He is such a great person. I love and appreciate how great he is with Benjamin. They have a special bond! I am grateful for how Jared helps me to realize what is more important.

Thankful...Crockpots and Showers

Yesterday I was thankful for crock pots. I am trying to get better at using my crock pot because it is so nice to come home to dinner ready to go. The issue is that I stick to recipes I know so I've started branching out recently and getting some great stuff.

Today I am thankful for showers. My feet were freezing of my own accord. I should have put socks on but I finally took my shower and it was so nice and hot. It warmed me up nicely. I am grateful that I have running water to warm myself up and to clean myself with along with my household.

Thankful...Family Time and Inspired Leaders

Yesterday I was thankful for family time. Jared got home early from work by and hour and a half. It was a great surprise for Benjamin and I. We decided to make the most of it and go out and do something as a family. We went to the YMCA and went swimming. Benjamin absolutely loved it. He loves to swim! He was just floating on his back kicking his little feet. We wore him out pretty good.

Today I am thankful for inspired leaders. I went to a leadership training tonight and I just felt so very thankful for all the leaders everywhere in the church who follow the spirit and try their best to do what the Lord wants them to do.

Thankful...Clean Kitchen

Today I am thankful for a clean kitchen. It has taken me all week to get my kitchen clean and I mean clean. It is spotless. Things are wiped down and cleaned out that haven't been in months. I am so happy and I know when I wake up in the morning and come out here I will smile. I have a load of dishes to unloaded in the morning because they are not quite done. But the counters are cleaned, all the dishes are done, the floor is swept and mopped, the table is wiped and everything is off of the floor. It is wonderful! I feel so good! I feel accomplished and wonderful. The smell of pine sol this morning before work was a nice kickoff to my day!

Benjamin's Time at Kim's

Last week my friend Kim watched Benjamin for me for 2 days. Here are some pics she took of her daughter Leia and Benjamin. Leia apparently loved having Benjamin over a lot. She actually got up in the morning because she knew he was coming over.

Benjamin got to play on a different play mat.

Leia looks like she is enjoying holding the baby!

They put Benjamin on a little car thingy that you can sit on and scoot or you can stand behind and walk. Benjamin seemed to enjoy it. Maybe we will get him one for Christmas.

Thankful...Music

Today I am thankful for music! I love how music speaks to my spirit. It is a huge part of who I am. I love playing music, singing, and listening to music. I am listening to Christmas music on www.warm1069.com right now. They aren't quite playing it on the radio yet but they have their online station capable of it. I love listening to their station because it plays all the Christmas songs I have grown up on so it brings so many fond memories to me. I am also starting to play Christmas songs on the piano and I am excited to get them down over the next several weeks.

Music is just such a wonderful gift! Benjamin loves it when Jared and I sing songs to him.

Thankful...Waking Up Early

Today I am thankful for Benjamin waking me up early. It started on Saturday which I think was due to Jared being home and he wanted to play. Sunday, yesterday and today I think is due to the time change. Yesterday and today we got up, hung out with Daddy and then I did chores until Benjamin went down for a nap and then I started work. I feel very productive and then I am not so worried about getting chores done after work. We shall see how it goes. It also helps me to go to bed early or at least it did last night.

Thankful...IT People!

Yesterday I was thankful for really smart IT people! My work computer started giving me grief last week making it impossible to work by the weeks end. I had spent a few hours last week trying to get it fixed and I spent an hour yesterday morning by myself trying to fix it again. I finally gave up and called the Help Desk. I spent 2 hours with them and they got some things fixed but the rest had to be fixed with me in the office. So I got Benjamin and myself dressed packed up and hauled us off to Redmond. I got some funny stares while caring Benjamin in my yellow mobi but a ton of smiles and people trying to make him smile. Thankfully my computer is now fixed!

(This picture is not from yesterday it is from 9/21/10. But it shows him in the mobi!)

Thankful...Holy Ghost

I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I love how it touches my heart and teaches me things that I would otherwise not learn. I know I can always pray and receive an answer. I know that my life is blessed by following the promptings of the still small voice and I try to be better at listening.

Thankful...Peaceful Moments and Screams of Joy

I decided to spend my time last night with my husband while Benjamin slept instead of being on the computer. So today I will write what I was going to write and do today's.

I am thankful for peaceful moments. Moment's where I can watch Benjamin sleep and let the cares of the world disappear. Moment's where I can feel the spirit guiding me. Moment's where I can cherish memories.

I am thankful for the ear piercing screams of joy from Benjamin. They make me laugh. He is happily screaming as I write this blog and watching his daddy play Halo. He loves to scream and make it known that he is happy.

Loves to Jump

Benjamin really gets into his jumper! He just loves it! I thought this one was so cute because he is naked so you get to see his chubby little body. I know he is not so little but you know what I mean. We were watching AFV earlier tonight and they were played a video of twins and they were 8 months old and Jared and I looked at each other and laughed. Benjamin totally had them beat with being able to move on his own and for size at 5 months. We thought the babies were 3-4 months.

Tell me this doesn't make you laugh!

Jared is so funny to watch with Benjamin. I couldn't stop smiling myself while they were playing so I quickly grabbed the camera to get some of the action. It just makes me laugh to listen to Benjamin laugh. It's so contagious! Isn't it?!

Lobster Anyone?

This is Benjamin in his little lobster outfit for Halloween. Thank you Jacki for taking pictures. I think we have some on our phone too but I need to figure out how to offload those pictures to the computer. It was a tight squeeze to get Benjamin into this outfit. But I think he was pretty cute and it did making holding him a little awkward.

Theresa you were definitely right Halloween costumes do run small.

Thank you Jennifer for getting the costume for us!

Thankful...for friendships

I am thankful for friendships. Old and new. Short and long. I am thankful for being able to call on them for help, advice, fun, movie time and just to chat.

I am especially thankful right now to my friend Kim for watching Benjamin while I had to go into the office. She and her daughter Leia found out how stubborn he can be but still enjoyed hanging out with him. And they helped make my separation easier. My friendship with Kim started a few months before I met my husband Jared. She is the reason we are together even though I refused to meet on her terms. I love that we can go months on end without talking but still catch up and be there for each other.

Thankful...for fall days

I am thankful for...beautiful fall days like today. It was gorgeous! The sun was shinning calling for Benjamin and I to go for a walk. I love the color of the leaves everywhere. It's such a beautiful painting every day.

I know these days will become few and far between so I am trying my best to enjoy them to their fullest. I bundled Benjamin up for our walk but really didn't need to. The air was so warm! It was in the high 60's low 70's. I felt great and rejuvenated. Benjamin I think got a kick out of the leaves swirling everywhere. The wind was a wonderful warm constant breeze. It was very pushy at times.

Benjamin was having a blast starring at the house while I took his picture.

Benjamin makes the most interesting and inquisitive faces. I got asked yesterday if he was 9 months old and I said no, he is only 5 months now.

Gospel Topic Tuesday: Faith in God

How would you describe faith to someone? While sitting on my front porch with Benjamin on my lap today (10/27/10) I started to think about faith. As I was sitting there watching Benjamin experience things for the first time and wondering what he thought about all the things he was observing and feeling this lead me to think about the wind. How do you describe to a child what the wind is or to believe it is a real thing? You can’t truly see the wind or actually grab it. You can see what its actions do to leaves and branches and you can feel it in your face as it whips your hair around. I mulled this over and over while we waited for daddy to get home from work. Faith is to believe in something you can’t see. Is that not like the wind? Everyone accepts that there is wind and believes in that so therefore we are showing faith in something unseen right? So why is it so hard to accept the fact that there is a God who created this world? Even though you can’t see Him right now or physically grab Him you can see and feel His touch in your life and the world around you. I see God in the creation of life. How a child was born from me with a body that is capable of so many things. I see God in the rain that falls and replenishes the earth. I see God in friendships that are created and relied on for help and strength. I see God molding me into who He needs me to be to help do his work on the earth. I have faith that He exists and that He knows me and loves me.

Thankful...

Thanksgiving is coming and I was just thinking how it's a tradition at the Thanksgiving table to share what we are thankful for. Sometimes it's silly like "I'm grateful I don't have a fork in my eye!" and sometimes it's serious and very heartfelt. I am going to try and write something I am thankful for every day this month.

Since today is the 2nd I will write two things I am grateful for.

I am thankful to be a mom! It is the most rewarding experience of my life. Being away from Benjamin today for a few hours made it even more precious to me.

(Benjamin on 7/22/10. My heart melts when he smiles.)

I am thankful for my flexible job. My job is blessing our family financially and making it possible for me to work and care for Benjamin.

(This is Benjamin playing on the floor next to me while I work. This picture was taken 9/25/10.)

Sitting Up

Benjamin is 5 months and 3 days old today. He is growing so fast! Here is a video of him sitting up and playing with his alligator for the first time from this angle. He is getting really good at sitting up on his own. He doesn't put his hands in the ground anymore for balance.

On a side note the PJ's he is wearing...when we put them on Jared commented that Corey (our nephew) was just wearing them last week. This is a 6 month outfit that I thought was going to be too big, boy was I wrong.