Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I'm thankful for my washing machine, dryer, microwave, refrigerator and all my other working appliances.  But not my oven. Our oven has been out for about 2 months maybe even longer.  We ordered the part we needed but it was on backorder and while we were waiting the main oven part broke as well.  So we have an oven that is really just an extra large clock.  I like having a clock in my kitchen I just wish it had more than one function.  Hopefully we can order a new oven and have it installed before Christmas.  

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Today I'm thankful for store bought pies, rolls and whatever else you are supposed to cook in your oven.  I found out late last night that our oven will not be fixed by Thanksgiving.  How do you host thanksgiving without an oven?  Let me tell you.  First, you find a friend that is going out of town and you use her oven to cook your turkey. (thanks for going out of town!)   Then you buy your pies at the store.  Thankfully Costco makes really good pies.  You then ask your neighbor when she will be done and you beg.  This wasn't to hard so we will be able to cook rolls and sweet potatoes in an oven.  I'm so excited for this food!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I'm super thankful that Joaquin's surgery is over.  I was a little worried about it but everything went well.  Now he just needs to rest and heal. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Playgroup.  I really enjoy getting together with friends and having our kids play.  I love the social interaction and fun conversations.  I love learning more about my friends.  I love being in their homes or at the park.  I'm a playgroup kind of mom.  

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Yummy lasagna.   We've been without an oven for about 2 months now.  I'm totally out of ideas for dinner by now.  I can't wait to have an oven again.  Hopefully it will be fixed by Thursday, Thanksgiving.  Anyways, Ashley invited us over for dinner.  She made a yummy veggie lasagna in her oven.  It was so good.  Thanks for the food and fun! 

Friday, November 21, 2008

Girls' night out.  I'm taking advantage of this one.  Last night I went to the midnight showing of Twilight.  I wasn't so impressed but the company was a lot of fun.  Thanks girls.  

Tonight I'm also going out.  I'm joining a group of ladies for a fun dinner at PF Chang's.  We're going out to celebrate with Maline.  

Tomorrow night I'm also going out.  It's Bek's play and I really want to see her sword fight.  

Thanks Drew for being an awesome husband!  

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Icee's.  I love them.  After a fun day shopping with the family I got an Icee.  It was perfect.  Cold and slushy and super sugary.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sleep.  I've been staying up late the past few nights and have been really low on sleep.  This morning Isaac woke up early like normal but he went down to the basement and watched tv so we could sleep.  Stella  and Joaquin slept in.  So I did too.  It felt so good.  I love sleep.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Today I had my first parent teacher conference.  It was great to go in for a few minutes and talk to Isaac's teacher about him.  He's doing great.  He loves school, learning new things and making friends.  She also said he's a little bit of a class clown and quite the talker but overall a really great and creative kid.  I hope he continues to enjoy school and thrive in that situation.  

We're home.  The surgery was fast.  The recovery has started and he's happily sleeping in his crib.  Hopefully it won't be too bad.  Thanks for your prayers and help. 

Friday, November 14, 2008

This afternoon was a little crazy because we all ran a million errands.  The kids were  great but by the time we pulled in the driveway at 8:22pm they were tired and hungry and so ready to be out of the car.  Luckily, Drew had had enough document review for a night and came home early (8pm)  So he saved me.  I love him.  He helped put the kids to bed and then watched a movie with me.  I was so thankful for all his help.  He's the best.  

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Isaac had a birthday party today.  He loves birthday parties and is really into everything about them.  I think its totally the thing to talk about in kindergarten.  Anyways, On the way to the party a couple friends of Isaac's caught a ride with us.  They were so cute talking together, laughing at the silliest things, singing at the top of their lungs at the songs on the radio and just being 5 year olds.  I loved it.  It was so fun to see how Isaac interacts with his friends.  I'm so glad he has such good, honest and funny friends.  

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I have 2 things today.  

#1.  Family.  I'm so glad that Chrislynn and Richie live only an hour away.  Its so nice to have family close.  We made a trip to NJ to see Chrislynn and her kids tonight.  Unfortunatly, Richie was busy and wasn't there but there is always next time.  We had a great dinner - thanks Chrislynn and it was fun to sit and talk.  We really should do it more often.  

#2. Friends.  I have the BEST friends here.  They are always willing and offering to help me when I need anything.  Thank you so much!  I love each and every one of you.  Tomorrow Joaquin is having surgery (nothing big just a little circumcsion - they don't do it in Spain) tomorrow and my other 2 kids are totally taken care of.  A good friend is coming over at 5:30am to watch them and take Stella for the day.  Another is taking Isaac and helping him get on the bus.  I've had numerous offers to help and appreciate every single one.  Thank you so much.  Now I just need your prayers for Joaquin.  I'm sure he will be fine but it never hurts to have a few extra angels watching over you.  

bedtime

Tonight I am very thankful for bedtime.  I started a diet and it's making me so sick.  I'm definitely not the girl that starves herself.  How do people do it?  Anyways, I think it's making me really tired and physically sick.  Maybe I should just go back to eating healthy and working out.  I'm going to go fall asleep on the sofa watching tv and waiting for Drew to get home.  Good night! 

Monday, November 10, 2008

I Love Stella and everything about her but the girl has some serious stubbornness in her.  I think she gets it from both Drew and myself.  She is very set in her ways and if she doesn't want to do something it doesn't happen.  Therefore she doesn't know how to write and has never before today attempted.  She draws but has never wanted to learn how to form letters.  I've tried many times and many ways to try and encourage her but I'm always unsuccessful.  Today she asked me how and after I showed her how to write the letter "A"  she tried.  And she can do it!  I'm so grateful for her willpower and control and for her desire to want to learn to write.  

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I love holidays.  I was so happy to learn that Isaac didn't have school today.  We didn't do anything special but it was really fun to relax and just spend time playing together.  I really love seeing my kids interact.  I LOVE them so much!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I just turned on some christmas music and Joaquin started jamming.  The kid has some good moves.  He's so much fun to watch dance.  He's so happy and really gets into the music.  Sometimes he even closes his eyes and nods his head.  It's really cute.  

This one is HUGE

I'm so excited.  A whole new world is opening up for Isaac.  Tonight he read for the first time.  It just clicked and he glowed.  He was so happy to hear himself reading.  He would sound out the word and then put it together.  I'm so glad I as able to see it.  He really was so proud of himself.  I'm so proud of him.  My little guy is reading.  I can't believe it.  

Saturday Night Family Clean

I had a great thought pop in my head tonight.  Our house was a mess and I didn't have the energy to clean it all by myself.  So we had a Saturday Night Family Clean.  The kids loved the idea.  I told them we needed to clean the house so that we could have a better Sunday and keep it holy.  (I don't normally go by this rule but I might start)  It totally worked.  It's so clean.  The floors are even mopped and cupboards wiped.  It was awesome.  I think we just started a new family tradition.  So I'm super thankful for a clean house tonight but especially for all my helpers.

Learning

Today I'm grateful for learning.  Drew and I were able to go and visit Isaac's class today and see how he works in a different setting.  It's amazing how much he soaks in and how much he enjoys school.  He loves his teacher, Ms. Tortorella.  He loves the other students and all the friendships and interaction.  He loves the Special classes like gym, art, library and music.  But most of all I think he loves learning.  He smiles when he knows the answer.  He waits to be called on.  He has really good handwriting.  He just loves and enjoys every minute of school.  I'm so glad he does.  I hope he always feels this way.

Fall Foliage

Growing up in the desert I never really understood fall.  Yeah, the weather changed a little, the days grew shorter and everyone said it was fall.  But you never knew what it meant to rake leaves or see a pile of leaves and you had no clue what it meant for leaves to change color.  It's really unfortunate because I now know what Fall is.  Breathtaking.  I love the rainy days, the huge piles of leaves, the leaves piling up along all the streets, the brisk air of fall days and the colors.  This is my favorite.  The deep reds, the bright yellows, the vibrant oranges all mixed in with a little bit of green left over from warm summer days.  It's amazing.  You really have to see it to believe it.  So today I'm very thankful for Fall foliage.  

November

In a way I've been inspired by a friend to do this.  She suggested taking a picture everyday of what you are grateful for that day.  So I'm going to try and post a story to go along each day in November.  

November 1, 2008

How can I not be thankful for Candy!  I love Halloween.  This year was the first year my kids have been trick or treating the traditional way.  (Yes, I do mean by knocking on doors and walking up and down our neighborhood.)  It was awesome.  

November 2, 2008

Today a new Bishop was called in our ward.  I felt an immediate confirmation that this man was the man that Heavenly Father choose to lead our ward.  I felt his sweet and quiet spirit.  I felt part of a wonderful ward as I raised my hand to sustain the calling.  Today I'm grateful for the spirit and being able to discern when things are from God. 

November 3, 2008  

Books.  On Mondays Isaac has Library at school and Stella has Storytime at the library.  I'm glad my kids love books.  They love to get new books.  They appreciate reading or being read to.  They laugh when we read funny books.  They love to hear poems.  They just love books and so do I.

November 4, 2008

We had an adventure today.  Ashley called me this morning and wanted to take the kids into the City.  I'm always up for going into the City.  I love the energy, the people, the crowded streets and all the tall buildings.  We had a wonderful day.  We visited Toys'R'Us in Times Square, ate lunch with Daddy, enjoyed Central Park and then had a fun but long ride home on the train and then an unexpected dinner in the City with Daddy.  I accidentally had us take the wrong train home and so we spent a few extra hours traveling with 6 hungry and tired kids.  It ended up being an unforgettable trip into the City.  I'm so thankful we were all able to have fun and enjoy the moment even though it didn't turn out as expected.  Today I'm thankful for good friends and helpful daddies.

November 5, 2008

I'm thankful for so much but today I'm so thankful to live in a free country where I have the right to vote.  Yesterday I voted.  I'm thankful for the process.  I appreciate having the privilege to vote for who I'd like but then accepting what America decides.  I didn't vote for Barack Obama but I'm really excited to have him as President of our great nation.  Today I watched a lot of post election coverage.  I felt so enthused for our system.  I love how he is inspiring a nation.  He truly has made me think today.  I'm so grateful for the role model he has become and the hope he has given to others but more importantly to me.  I love America.  Living abroad really made me aware how great we have it and how wonderful our Country is.  I'm so thankful for everyone that has helped to shape it and keep it this way.