Thursday, January 20, 2011

Still time to be Thankful!

I've somewhat neglected blogging,
 and I'm really excited to post about
Christmas..
however, I could NOT forget
Thanksgiving!
 For many reasons this Thanksgiving
 will always have a special place in my heart.
 Perhaps the biggest reason of all is simply
 the love that could be felt as
 I had all my kiddos together.
 With grandparents,uncles,aunts,and cousins
  unconditional love was truly felt this Thanksgiving.
 I feel such gratitude to a wise and loving
 Father in heaven that made
family the center
of his plan of
happiness.
  



The LONGEST picture in the World!!
The cousins were inspired by Ramona Quimby
 and made their own version of
The LONGEST picture in the World!
 (as seen above.)
They spent Many busy, creative hours
 together on this fun project.
 It really is impressive and really is
 LONG!
We ended our Thanksgiving weekend
with special visits to both of Lou's grandmother's.
Grandma Atwood is 95 years old and
you would NEVER know it.
She is absolutely amazing.
She has overcome so many obstacles in her life
 and is such an inspiration.
I don't think the women of this family age.
It's a little disturbing.
Pretty soon I'll look older then my mother-in-law.
 really.
Visiting Grandma Buhrley
was such a tender experience.
 Oh, how
we love her.
While in her presence,
 you feel of her goodness.
You just want to soak in her sweet spirit.
Truly a Thanksgiving to remember. 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

"You are...WHAT?"

I have always felt lucky
to have been blessed with kids
that can entertain themselves.
They are very creative while doing it,
I might add.
Justin had a particularly 'creative' day of play last week.
Mandi and I had just finished saying,
how cute Justin had been playing all afternoon,
when I entered the (just cleaned) kitchen,
to a smell.
a very strong smell.
A smell of cumin, sage, thyme?
And could it possibly be
MORE CUMIN?
What in the world???
My jaw drops.
My eyes and nose,
are in disbelief.
empty spice jars lay as evidence.
me: "Justin, WHAT are you doing?????"
Justin: "I'm a giant, and I'm cooking my dinner.
I'm cooking...army guys."
me: "seriously, an entire bottle of cumin?"
Justin: "Yes! And there is some more in the freezer."
The army men in the freezer were in bags of water...
to freeze?!?
Along with an army helicopter..
a large army helicopter.
Oh, don't get me started on all the unusual things
I've had in my freezer during the last 6 years !
Combine all the mischievous behavior
of all my other children.
Although, it may be a close race...
Justin would still win.
( You really can't include Gracie.
90% of her mischief...is with Justin.)
Ever since Justin started walking,
he has had an agenda.
Play,play,and more play.
When I think back
at all the crazy things this child has done,
in the name of play...
Oh, my!!!
Crazy thing is,
I haven't ever thought of him as trouble!
Never once.
Was I delusional?
No, I really don't think so.
I would take 10 of him.
(maybe just not all at once.)
Maybe it's because his mischief is always tied up
with some great imaginative play that appears to be innocent.
( yes, I'm realizing now, it may not have been all that innocent.)
Maybe it's because of those
big brown eyes and long lashes.
Maybe, yes, just maybe it's because
he always knows the right thing to say
and says it in the sweetest,
tenderest possible way.
Whoever marries this guy,
is a very lucky girl.
Example:
Keep in mind this example,
is from the same week,
if not the same hour,
as the cumin army men.
me: "Hey, Mandi. Can you come here?"
Mandi walks into the kitchen.
Justin comes in a few seconds behind her.
Justin: As he takes Mandi's hand,
"Did mom just say 'hey' Mandi?"
Mandi: "ya"
Justin: "Oh, well she should have said,
Hey BEAUTIFUL."
Hmmm...YES!
I'd say it's because he always knows
what to say.
This kid is good.
So,SO good!