Alot to be Thankful for.....

It has been a long week and I just wanted to say thank you to all of those that prayed and showed concern in any way for Mom and the family. We all had some pretty neat experiences this week that were given to us because of the spirit and the knowledge we have of the gospel. So again, Thank you! We definately felt the prayers that were offered in our behalf. I personally felt a joy that is indescribable. That joy that makes you cry and you are so happy inside.

So here is the update on Mom. She made it through a 6 hour surgery. Her heart seemed to respond very well with the new "Pig Valve". She didn't have to be put on a machine while her new valve got used to working with the artificial valve that she already has. She is still in ICU and will be for a few more days then moved to a regular room. Because of her delicate condition before surgery it will take a little longer for her to fully recover, but we couldn't ask for anything more. She has been wiggling her feet as if she were dancing and lastnight she even sang the alphabet backwards. Anyway, thanks again for the love and concern. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know I did!

Thanksgiving Traditions

I am one that is big on traditions. I love the Holidays and the traditions that come with them. Since Thanksgiving is here, I thought I would see what some of your traditions are with food for the big feast. Of course I love all the food at Thanksgiving. I really like the leftovers. That's why we always have our own turkey, yams, stuffing, pie and everything else at our own house even if we are going to family's house for the day. So here is one thing that I love to have with my mashed potatoes.... It's regular turkey gravy (made off of the turkey drippings), then Mom adds homemade noodles to it. Like the noodles you put in chicken noodle soup. That mixed with the mashed potatoes are so yummy. Another food that I remember having all the time at Thanksgiving is the green jello with cottage cheese and pineapple in it. The cottage cheese would give the jello a creamy texture. And yes, it has to be done in the jello mold. I can't say I ate alot of this, but it is tradition. So what are some of the things that you do that may be a little different than others. I would love to hear others food traditions! Happy Thanksgivng!!!

A Week of Wonder.....

I don't even know where to start this post. I am filled with so many emotions right now. We have been so blessed and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for what he has blessed me with. We are now at the point in our pregnancy that my water broke when I was pregnanct with Lexie. The point that changed so many things in our lives. I have been watching for this week to come. I have been nervous and very anxious. Every day and week that goes by from here on out in this pregnancy (without delivering a baby until Feb.) will be a big sigh of relief. My doctor says that everything is going good and that he doesn't expect me to go through what I went through last time. It has helped to have a few distractions so I am not thinking about my pregnancy. Although the distractions are ones we don't wish for, we are growing and learning from them. So, once again, I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the things he has blessed me with. I feel trials are a blessing. I know it is hard getting through them and yes, I wonder sometimes why Heavenly Father is doing this to me, but that's also when I think, I need to talk to my Heavenly Father and get his help and feel his comfort. Which I have indeed felt. I have had to travel to Salt Lake several times by myself in the last month. I have felt quite lonely and wished that Jim and the girls were with me. As that thought has arrived I have felt that little kick or squirm in my belly that reminds me I'm not alone. That little spirit inside of me is here to comfort me and be with me at this time when I can't be with Jim and the girls. And what a comfort it has been.

Going to Salt Lake has been one of the distractions I was talking about. My mom is back in the hospital and is scheduled to have surgery the day before Thanksgiving. She has retained so much water that they are trying to get it drained off before the surgery. She is doing well. I guess this is her way of getting us all together for Thanksgiving. Just kidding... we love our mom and know that there will be plenty of leftover turkey for us somewhere.

Another distraction we are still experiencing is the job. We still haven 't found a job. I know many of you know what that is like.... the stress and worry, so I will just leave it at that.

Our third distraction came yesterday morning when we found out that one of Jim's good friends had passed away. It's been a numbing experience and kinda shook us up a little. As Jim said, you never know how you are going to react to a situation like this. You can expect grandparents to die, but to have someone so young pass on, it's kind of hard to take. "We know we will see you again Joey. Thanks for being such a good friend to Jim. Our prayers are with Kate and all your family. We will always cherish the times we went to the rodeo with you guys and how you would buy cotton candy just for our girls. We love you!

So, now to start a new day and see what surprises await us........ I think I might go buy a turkey today!

Majesty of Creation

We live in the most beautiful place. This is a photo from our back yard...

Recently there was a sunrise that made the field appear a beautiful yellow, the sky pink and the leaves (changing colors on the trees) were enhanced 1000 times. Wasn't fast enough to get a pic in full splendor, but here is my late attempt.

Sunsets here are beautiful too. Kristi spotted this one, the last of the sun over the mountains, once again, from our back yard. It was pretty much dark, but very bright orange over the mountain.

Kristi, Lexie and I rode up the Blacksmith Fork canyon the other day, less than a mile from our house, during the storm. We stopped and took this picture on the way down. btw... still no elk at Hardware Ranch yet this year.

I am so grateful for the blessings we have, and for the creation. As Kristi and I were talking yesterday morning, she said, "If this world represents the Telestial kingdom, how beautiful will the Celeltial be?"

Your Majesty......

Everyday there is something that Lexie says or does that makes me laugh or think about where she learned it. This morning I was fixing Brindley and Karissa's hair and they got talking about how they wanted their hair like a princess. I was telling them that they really are princesses. As we talked about being a princess, in walks Lexie.... "I'm the Queen!" she stated. I couldn't help but laugh. But knowing this house pretty much revolves around her, I should have known.... that she is The Queen!