veteran's day

with today being veteran's day, my "5" will be:
1- gratitude for the men and women who serve this country.
2- gratitude for the freedom to fly an american flag when and where I choose.
3- gratitude for my parent's teaching me to have pride in my country.
4- gratitude for the mother's, father's, sons, daughters, and spouses who have suffered the ultimate sacrifice such as the loss of their soldier.
5- i'm thanful my children know the words to our National Anthem.

today's 5

1- i'm thankful for my little running buddy. thanks jax!
2- tylenol extra strength!
3- good friends who always seem to call at just the right time.
4- when tay and kars are happy with each other in the morning. laughing and having fun!
5- supportive parents!

GRATITUDE X5 CHALLENGE

I read this idea on the blog of a friend and thought i'd give it a shot. The challenge is to blog every day 5 things your grateful for that day. I imagine somedays there will be more to write about then others as some days are tougher then others, however, I'm up for the challenge! Today is my firs attempt.

1- I'm thankful it's MONDAY. Yes that's right i love mondays. Two months ago I realized working the graveyard shift at the hospital was kicking my butt, so the only other option was to work every weekend. Yep, that means every saturday and every sunday!! It's a hard one to swallow sometimes but everyone knows you do what you gotta do and I constantly remind myself, "this too shall pass." Mondays mean the weekend is over and i can get back to what i truly love and that is being home with my family!!

2- I'm thankful for the gift of a clean home Jason and the kids gave me. Coming home from work yesterday I walk into an emaculate house with dishes done, clothes folded, beds made, and toilet scrubbed. Thanks babe!!

3- I'm thankful for those slobbery kisses and take your breath away hugs I get from the kids when I get home from work. I always envied Jason for that. After a long day at work he would barely even make it through the doors before he was tripping over little ones, arms outstretched, yelling "DADDY!!" Now I get to experience this for myself. I think tay and kars have a bet to see who can squeeze mom the hardest. Although it leaves me gasping for air, I love that they love me. And then amongst the noise, I hear jax man trailing behind. Around the corner he peeks, mouth open, drool dripping, and the cutest little tongue hanging out...makes my heart swell just thinkin about it!! i love my babies!

4- I'm thankful for my health. I don't know when or if I've ever been satisfied with the body I have, but my body works and functions. I'm able to play with my children. I'm able to run on the treadmill, although the time is not what it once was. I don' wear the pant size I'd love to wear and I certainly have plenty more pounds to loose before I'm happy with my weight, but you know what...I'm learning that health is mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual!!

5- I'm thankful for this challenge. As I said before, i know some days will be easier to blog then others, but if even for a moment i take a time out and recognize my blessings, i know i'll recognize the blessings of love, friendship, happiness, health, family, work, play...so many things.

mmm mmm good!

well it's not Campbell's but I love it just the same!! I found this recipe for chicken taco stew. it's so yummy this time of year. throw it in the crockpot and forget about it. one bowl and you'll be craving more. just wanted to share the wealth!!

2 cans chicken breast meat
1 (medium) onion, chopped
1- 15 oz can, corn
1- 28 oz can diced tomatoes (i like the petite chopped)
1- 4 oz can diced chiles
1- 15 oz can pinto beans
1- 15 oz can great northern beans
1 packet McCormick Chicken Chili

Don't drain any of your liquids, add everything to the crockpot. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-6 hours. If needed you can add 1/2-1 cup water throughout cooking. Serve in bowls and top with Fritos, shredded cheese and sour cream!!

YUMMY!

autumn...

We finally made it to the canyons for photos!! I have been wanting to do this since the beginning of the "color change." I think Autumn has become my favorite season. Not too hot, not too cold, and the colors are beautiful!! Taylorann is becomming such a beautiful young lady. She is a very happy person. She loves life and lives it to the fullest. She has really stepped up to the plate in helping and supporting me. She is very quick to help with the boys, help with housework, and just in general be my friend. I love you Taylorann!! Karson Ray is 100% boy!! He is so completely tender hearted. He wants to know that he is doing good and wants to do his best in everything!! He is trying hard to get himself ready for his baptism next month. He played flag football this year and absolutely loved it!! Karson loves having the chance to be a big brother. Wrestling with Jaxon is one of his most favorite things to do!! Karson, you're indeed a blessing in my life!!
Jaxon Kade!! Thank you so much for joining our family!! The gift of having Jaxon become a part of our family came as quite a surprise, but nonetheless, he has brought a feeling of completion!! Jaxon brings love, happiness and smiles to our family. It has been so fun watching taylorann and karson celebrate the accomplishments jaxon makes. From smiling to laughing. From sitting to crawling. They love seeing him grow!! Jaxon we love you!!

the faith of a child...

I am so thankful for the experience taylorann and I had the other day. I asked if she would mind if I shared this experience and she was glad to be able to share this with family and friends. These are her thoughts, she wrote down her testimony. I'm thankful for her faith and example.

My Testimony

"Today when I was cleaning my room, my mom came in and told me I needed my flu shot on Friday. Now I'm a big baby when it comes to shots. I hate shots. I always have. But any way, when my mom told me that, I got scared. I didn't know what to do. My mom just said, if you let Heavenly Father and Jesus come in to your heart, he'll help you. So when she said that I sat up and I said a prayer to Him and I asked him if He'll be with me when we did that. But I was still scared so I asked my mom if she'll say a prayer with me, and we did. What my mom said really let Heavenly Father warm my heart and I heard Him say to me that I will be there with you. After that I just started to cry. When I heard Him say that to me I knew that if I just kept my faith on Him and let Him into my heart He would be there with me."

"So I ask you to say your prayers and listen to Him because I know that our Heavenly Father will help you with whatever you need if you just let Him into your heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

This is my daughter teaching me!! Thank you tay for your faith and desire to have answers to prayers. This was a lesson put to test for me today as we watched Grandpa Payne go in for triple by-pass surgery. I let my fears get the best of me. I felt as though I were drowning. I was trying so hard to keep myself busy so I wouldn't think about how scared I was, and I kept feeling worse and more scared. I saw your note sitting on the desk and I read it again. Taylorann this brought me to my knees and there I found strength in the Lord. THANK YOU TAY!

Family and Friends: I know this is a little personal but if we can't share our faith promoting experiences with those we love who can we share them with. Let this be a lesson to us all. Be willing to listen to that still small voice. It comes in many forms, and today, it came in the sweet testimony of my taylorann.!

As a side note. Marty has come out of surgery. Things went great. He will be in ICU at St. Marks Hospital. Thank you for prayers and faith in his behalf.

fun with grandpa...

my dad, Grandpa Randy, travels alot with his work. This week he traveled to Ogden and the hotel his work put him in is just down the street from us. Tonight he was able to have the kids come and play at the pool with him.

Karson and Jaxon playing around.

It's nearly impossible to get jaxon to look at the camera and completely impossible to get karson to have a serious face!

taylor and jaxon having fun!

it only took about 5 tries to get this. SO CUTE!!

my three cuties!

taylorann, grandpa randy, jaxon, and karson!
thanks dad, the kids had a great time and completely ZONKED out when we got home!!