Count My Blessings

Okay, so I was sweeping my floor this morning and thought of a really fun surprise that happened to me when I turned 16. Then I started thinking about other nice things that have been done for me and I realized I need to be especially aware of counting my blessings during this hard time. So, each day I think I will try to post something I have been thankful for in hopes that I can see more of the positive in my life than all the negative I seem to see and feel right now.

#1: For my sixteenth birthday, my parents and Uncle John surprised me with a trip to San Diego. I remember going with my family in our station wagon to the Sacramento Airport to pick up my uncle from San Diego for a visit with our family in NorCal (so I thought). While waiting at the gate, I remember the anticipation of greeting him as he stepped off the plane. Instead of a plane arriving from San Diego, the announcer said US Airways would begin boarding to San Diego. At that moment, my mom and dad handed me a boarding pass and envelope. I was so confused. They were all smiles and explained that I would be going to San Diego to meet Uncle John for my sweet 16 for a week of fun. I was definitely shocked! Mom and Dad had packed my suitcase and checked it in for me. In the envelope had been letters from my friends who had been in on the secret, a letter from Mom and Dad, and also flyers of the fun places Uncle John and I would do together (Sea World, Tijuana, Disneyland, Raging Waters, etc.). So, thank you again to my parents and Uncle John for suprising me with a trip that I'll remember always and for a fun memory that is helping me to be happy at this moment.

#2: The other day I came across my note pad. On it was written in Abby's handwriting, "I love you Mom." I love you, too!

#3 I'm thankful for little hugs at the knee and hip.

#4 I'm thankful that I didn't have thyroid cancer three years ago.

#5 I'm thankful for a husband who really loves me.

Upsizing and Downsizing

I realized I haven't blogged in a while. Probably because I'm eight weeks pregnant and experiencing the worst morning sickness of all four! Even though I feel so yucky, I'm thankful that I will be entrusted with another little one, but I'm not looking forward to the UPSIZING of my body that is ahead!

As if morning sickness wasn't enough, we are in the process of packing and moving in the next three weeks! I'm really sad to be moving from my great neighborhood, ward, and house, but I'm happy that moving up to Sugarhouse will make for a seven minute commute for Eric and that we'll only be 1/4 mile from Kerri and her family. Will and Kate could quite possibly be in Kindergarten together. So cute!

Eric and I are also looking forward to DOWNSIZING. (I know--we're considered weird--especially in this day and age of supersizing and "I need this" and "I need that" syndrome.) Turns out 4000 square feet is a lot of space, and we don't need or use that much. Hopefully 2400 square feet will suit us just fine! We're also excited about the neighborhood and ward we're moving into. We know a lot about it already because we're buying our house from Kerri's friends. Sounds like LOTS of kids and neighborhood fun with a strong ward!

The next few weeks (as well as the past couple) will be (have been) a rollercoaster of emotions for me (times 100 due to the pregnancy hormones). I'm so thankful to ERIC for his help and understanding thus far and hope he can survive the next couple of weeks! (Poor guy.)

The Civil War at Hale Centre Theatre

Last night Eric and I had such a fun time together--thanks to sweet Ashleigh! She watched our little munchkins for us last night so we could celebrate Eric's birthday two days early. THANK YOU, Ashleigh!

We were able to have a delicious dinner at Johnny Carino's followed by a wonderful production of "The Civil War" at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City http://www.halecentretheatre.org/. Talk about off, off, off, off Broadway! The theatre seats approx 532 people in only eight rows. It is a theatre in the round, so there is not a bad seat in the house. The stage was very dynamic as it could move up and down and split into different sections. Very cool. The singing was great, too. I think the slave ensemble stole the show each time. I was very proud of the talent here in Utah! (Thanks to my fabulous AMM teacher, Tamara for suggesting this place to me. Also, I got these two images from her blog. Thanks!) We got home after 10 last night, and the children were sleeping peacefully and the house was so clean. Ashleigh's the best!

A Very Windy Thanksgiving Point

You know you're desperate for sunny weather and fresh air when you decide low 40s and icy wind are doable for a nice family outing! On Saturday we went to Thanksgiving Point Gardens to see the bulbs put on their show. They were beautfiul! The rest of the foliage was still pretty drab, but the waterfalls were as magnificent as ever. We let the kids runs amok (without any interference from other guests as there were no other people there as brave/desperate as us) until our ears and hands had no more feeling. We then practically ran to the toasty car and drove to Astro Burger in Draper for a yummy lunch.

P. S. I took lots of pictures of flowers in honor of our friend, Kathy Willis, who had a nasty fall while skiing Deer Valley on Friday. We are going to visit her at the U of U hospital tonight, and I think I will take her a card that is reminiscent of her wonderful cards she is so well-known for.