A busy day!

Things I did today:

Shoveled snow for an hour - without gloves on... I left them in Geoff's car, and he was gone.

Washed several loads of laundry

Took Staci to the doctor with all the kids in a snow storm

Filled a prescription for Staci (she was diagnosed with asthma today!)

Took all the kids to the store

Took all the kids to get the windshield on our van replaced... they usually come to you, but it was snowing, and we didn't have a place where they could stay dry. This place didn't have a "waiting room", since they usually come to you, so for an hour, I basically watched my kids run around an office and bother employees.

Went to the bank with all the kids

Tried to figure out why the check engine light came on today... and then remembered that I don't know things like that.

Made three posters for a stake Young Womens activity. I serve in the primary presidency.

Made invitations for a baby shower I am throwing... in my spare time.

Paid bills.

Yelled at the kids.

Danced with the kids.

Missed Geoff.... and the sunny skies of Arizona!!

Tomorrow we are doing a "play all day day!" This is the first one we are able to have with Geoff, so we are excited! We haven't had much fun this holiday season, with sick kids and with Jackson having his tonsils out right before Christmas after being sick with strep throat for so long. We figured we better do something fun before the kids go back to school.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks to my parents for sending us a camera they didn't use much anymore - so now I can at least take a picture of my kids! (would you believe I don't even have a camera on my phone!! I know... that is how old my phone is!) Life has been crazy busy lately, but we are all doing fine and hanging in there. Jackson has been sick with strep throat since Halloween basically, and the doctors finally said that it wouldn't go away until he had his tonsils out. So, they took them out last Tuesday. He has been doing OK, but had a pretty hard day today since I think the scabs are coming off and leaving a his throat really raw. Hopefully he will be all better by Christmas. Natalie is just singing and dancing still and loving life. She was in the school choir and LOVED it! Staci basically does everything Natalie tells her to. She is still such a stinker and we are constantly amazed at how much energy she has! Geoff will graduate in June and we couldn't be happier! It has been a very long eight years in school - to say the least! I am proud of him - he has worked so hard and somehow managed to get the required grade of 90% or better on every test. We are not entirely sure what we are doing after graduation, but have options, and plan to decide soon. He will for sure stay with Walgreens... and we know it will either be here or there! (how's that for vague!) I am doing OK, serving in the primary presidency in the ward, and trying to stay busy and out of trouble. I didn't mean for this to be a "Christmas letter" thing.... it just turned into one somehow as I typed. Anyway, we are so grateful for all of the love and support of our family and friends, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Love to you all!

32 Days of Gratitude... I have some catching up to do

The Pilgrims dug seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these, who nevertheless set aside of day of thanksgiving.

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Well, it goes without saying that I have fallen behind in my 32 days of gratitude. It has been hard to keep up on the blog without really having internet access. Geoff is gone a lot and has his phone, so I can't really keep it up that way, either. I thought I would take the opportunity to post today (since we are at my in-law's house and can use their computer). I wonder how some people with all of their struggles and trials of life can find it in them to be grateful for so much, but I have learned through this last month, that no matter the trial you are facing, there is always something to be thankful for. Today, being Thanksgiving, I thought I would just express the great love I have for my Heavenly Father. I know that He is truly my Father, for I have felt His great love for me in so many times of my life. I know that He lives, as does my Heavenly Mother, and knowing that I can return to live with them someday brings so much joy and purpose into my life. I know that our Savior is the means whereby we can return to our Father, and without Him, all would be lost. I know that the Holy Ghost guides us along this life and helps us feel comfort when we are sad, and also testifies of what is good and true. I know that a young boy of only 14 years old saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and restored the Gospel in these latter days. I know that he, being a prophet of God, was able to bring forth The Book of Mormon, which was written by prophets in the Americas hundreds of years ago, for the purpose of helping us come closer to Christ, and to give us an added testament of Him, along with the Bible. I know that this book is true, with all of my heart, and feel comfort and peace as I read from it and strive to live the teachings found within it. I know that we have a living prophet today who leads and guides this Church in the way the Lord himself would have it lead. I know that we have modern revelation in this day, to lead us in the path we should go. I know the Lord gave us temples on the earth so we could receive the ordinances we needed to return to the presence of the Lord, and so we could be sealed for all eternity with our families. I know families are ordained of God, and they are truly designed for our happiness. I am so grateful, and extremely humbled, to think that I could have been born in a home where the Gospel was taught and standards were lived. I will forever be grateful to loving parents who lead me along the first years of my life, and continue to show me the way and show their love and support to me. I am so blessed to have the family that I do... to have a loving husband and beautiful children. I truly am so blessed! My heart is so full!

32 Days of Gratitude. Day 24

Today I am grateful for the organization of the Church. What a wonderful thing to know that this Church is the same around the world. I am grateful for a young man who had the faith to ask God which church was true. I know Joseph Smith restored the Lord's Church on earth in the latter days. A don't know how I was blessed to be born with gospel in my life, but I understand what a rare thing that really is!

32 Days of Gratitude. Day 23

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

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I apologize for not posting on here yesterday. I have been using Geoff's school laptop since our PC is still dead, and what happens, but Geoff's computer dies! So I am back to using the phone to type at 10 words a minute. Yesterday I had written for at least a half an hour, and somehow I lost it. So please be patient with me again. I will make up for yesterday later, but today I waanted to express the great gratitude I feel for my grandparents! It is my Grandma AND Grandpa's birthday today so I felt like this was a great time to express the love I have for them. I don't know how I was so blessed to have the best grandparents a girl could ever want, but I was! In fact, here I am 35 years old with all of my grandparents still living. What a blessing it has been to live so close to them for most of my life and to know them so well. I have learned so much from them along the way. And although I live too far away now, I hope they know how much they mean to me! They are truly one of my greatest blessings!!

32 Days of Gratitude. Day 21

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

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Today I feel grateful for my comfy and warm bed.... especially when the weather outside is frightful!! I am also thankful that we have been COMMANDED to have a day of rest! I mean, if you really think about it, we are almost commanded to take a delicious Sunday nap - or at least that theory makes me feel less lazy. Anyway, I am grateful for a day to get refreshed and ready both spiritually and physically for another week of work, work, work!

32 Days of Gratitude. Day 20

If you haven't all the things you want, be grateful for the things you DON'T have that you WOULDN'T want.

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When I asked Jackson if he understood the above quote (since he is sitting here with his chin rested on my shoulder, reading every word I type) he said, "yeah, like if you don't have something you want, at least you can be glad you don't have a million tarantulas living in your house." I think that's a good way to put it, don't you?

I am so grateful for lazy, restful, play-all-day days. Today is snowy and cold, and who wants to go out in that, besides my kids... who already did? We read a book and talked to Grandpa on the phone. We spent about 2 hours dancing to Alan Jackson music and 50's Rock-n-Roll. The kids took turns playing the game where I lift them high in the air with my legs and they fly... and then they flip. We played our favorite game, "Hullabaloo". We had a yummy breakfast and then leftovers for every other meal and didn't do a single bit of work. It was so nice to just spend time with the kids doing nothing. Have you done that lately? Sometimes I get so caught up in all the things I HAVE to do, that I forget about what things are MOST important to do. Remembering all of my blessings helps me to keep my priorities straight. Note to readers: Lack of housework for an entire day may make life harder tomorrow. Oh well! Love it!

Also, as I thought about how I could be on day 20 of being grateful, when Thanksgiving is still 12 days away, I remembered that I STARTED one month from Thanksgiving, in a month with 31 days. So, starting with the 26th of October, and ending on the 26th of November, actually gives me 32 days of gratitude - hence the title being changed to 32 days of Gratitude. :)

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 19

"Our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief....

"Where there is appreciation, there is courtesy, there is concern for the rights and property of others. Without appreciation, there is arrogance and evil."Where there is gratitude, there is humility, as opposed to pride" Gordon B. Hinckley

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As I have said before, I wanted this gratitude exercise to bring something new and thoughtful each day. I am afraid I am missing some very important blessings by thinking this way. I have been blessed with the best siblings ever. I am so grateful for the influence they are for good in my life. I remember my parents telling me when I was fighting with one of my sisters to "be nice to each other because one day you will be best of friends!" I should have listened to them. I am afraid I spent way too much time being a mean big sister, and not a friend and support to them. I wish with all of my heart that I could go and change the way I was back then, but I want my sisters and brother to know that I love them eternally. I am grateful that we have turned out to be such good friends. I am also grateful for the awesome family I inherited when I married Geoff. He has wonderful brothers and I love them all, along with the great girls they all married, who I consider my sisters, as well. I also love the "family" the Morgan's have inherited over the last few decades, (Maxine and her family and Staci and her family) and am blessed to have them in my life.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 18

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.

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I am grateful today for the gift of being able to spend some time together as a family. I have been mad at Geoff's school, as I know I mentioned before, but since he has to sit out this rotation of his internship for 2 months, just to go to a class for one week, we have a lot more time with him. Yesterday we had what is expected to be the last "warmish" day of the year. We were able to spend time as a family - something that we have basically never had! We took the kids to the park and finally taught the kids how to ride their bikes. It feels so good to check off something from the "good parent" list. You know what I mean? I mentioned to the kids tonight that I have one down, 100,000 more things to go. No, I know it's not really like that, but I have needed Geoff to help me make the whole bike riding thing a priority, and basically this is the first time he has had with us. So, instead of complaining, I will say, Thank You, Geoff's dumb school, for giving me a little time with my hubby! It was much needed!!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 17

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”~Albert Schweitzer

Yesterday I watched the memorial service for the men and women who were killed in the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting last week. As I listened to the names and saw the faces and heard the stories of those who were killed, I couldn't help but think of the great sacrifice that so many men and women make every day for the freedoms of this great nation. And although I know that these soldiers weren't serving first hand in the war, like millions of others who have died for this country while fighting for freedom, they were serving our country just the same, and many of them had fought overseas and were ready to be deployed again. How do you even begin to say thank you to someone who serves this nation?! The gratitude I feel this day, especially on this Veteran's Day is for all those who have given so much, and so many with their lives, in our service! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Click HERE to see how you can thank a soldier - I love this, but couldn't get it to upload onto this post. Check it out.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 16

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

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I have never had a great love for my own self and my own physical body, but lately something has been telling me that it is okay to care about myself. Somewhere along the line, I have thought that it is selfish or somehow wrong to love yourself. I think it is hard for many people to love themselves, even those who can give love to so many others so freely. But when you think of the gift of our physical bodies, it is astounding to me that we would take them for granted and not just love ourselves the way we are! I am not implying that we shouldn't try to be the best we can and take care of ourselves, but we shouldn't compare ourselves to others. I have always wanted to be a short brunette with naturally curly hair. There is nothing I can do about that, since I am a tall, blonde with not a single wave of curl in my hair. I have a 5 inch scar on the front of an arm that I can't even straighten, but I can't change that no matter what I do. Of course, we know that our bodies are just a packaging for who we REALLY are as spirits, but they are a vital part, nonetheless. Just think, we will have our bodies for eternity. The same body we have now, only glorified and perfect, unable to be sick or injured. I can't wait for that day! It is miraculous to me that our bodies are capable of so much! As I sit here typing even I am filled with wonder.... how do my fingers just know how to move automatically? I am so grateful for my body, flaws and all, and for the opportunity that I have to gain mortal experience to help me become more like my Father in Heaven. Because God created all of us, we are all beautiful!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 15

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher. I almost finished my degree in elementary education, but met Geoff when I had a semester left before I could do my student teaching, and never finished. I regret it in some ways, and hope to graduate someday. The thing is, I don't think there is any way I could be a teacher now! I used to think I was good with kids... until I had kids. I used to think I was patient with kids.... until I had kids. So now the thought of working with kids all day just doesn't appeal to me AT ALL! I crave adult interaction. Maybe those feelings will change one day, but for now this is how I feel. I want to take a minute to just praise teachers!! I know that teaching is one of the most under-payed and under-appreciated jobs around, and yet they do so much for the kids of this world! I had parent/teacher conferences today. Jackson and Natalie both absolutely love their teachers this year and look forward to going to school each day. It is clear to me that their teachers put in a lot of extra effort to make learning fun and interesting, and I really appreciate the way they seem to truly love their students. I had a teacher while at Northern Arizona University who taught a class on education. There were easily 400 students in that class, and by the second week, she could call us all by name. I will never forget so many of the teachers in my life, both in school, and church as well. I am grateful for the lessons they have taught me, and for the way they have blessed my life!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 14

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?

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This morning I overslept. Geoff has to be up most days pretty early, and being the good little wife that I am, I stay in bed instead of make him a nice warm breakfast! (Maybe I'll be better one day when I have recovered from having babies that never slept... which I am still recovering from, thank you!) Anyway, Sundays are hard because I have become accustomed to letting Geoff get the alarm (it is on his side of the bed, after all) and I roll over. Most days I don't hear the alarm. Today was one of those days. Thankfully, Geoff hit the snooze button today or I would have really been late. Whoever wrote that song, "Easy Like a Sunday Morning" must have not had to get kids ready and at church by 9:00 am. Geoff didn't feel well this morning, and didn't go to church, and I was so tempted to stay home until at least Sacrament meeting was over! Little Staci escaped from me last Sunday while Geoff was helping with the sacrament, and I didn't catch her until she was in the middle of the choir seats on the stand!! Aargh! I have had the same struggle with all of my kids, and thankfully, Jackson and Natalie have grown out of that stage for the most part. Staci, however, is as much a monkey as ever, and I didn't really feel like putting up with it by myself this morning. As I contemplated staying home for the first hour or so of church, and especially since I was already running late, the spirit told me to just go. Somehow I was able to make it to church on time, and the kids were surprisingly better than average for me. Nobody threw a fit (Staci) or had to be taken out of the chapel. As I partook of the sacrament, I had such a feeling of renewal that I haven't had in a long time. I am usually trying to focus, but with a lot of distractions, (wild children) it is really hard. Today I was able to sit and just listen to the talks and the beautiful musical number and just be filled with the spirit. I needed that, and I almost didn't listen. The talks today were on listening to the quiet whisperings of the spirit. I am so grateful that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me through this life!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 13

Gratitude is expressed in prayer and thanksgiving, but more so in living lives of honor and integrity, of kindness and compassion, in awareness of others and their needs, and in honest expression of gratitude for all those who bless and affect our lives for good. Thanksgiving is best expressed in thanks-living--in lives of goodness and obedience and love and service.

Do you know anyone who works really hard, day after day and night after night and never complains? Do you know anyone who spends at least 100 hours away from home every week and does it all to provide a living for his family? Do you know anyone who hasn't really ever taken a vacation or hardly even a day off in all of this? I DO! I am speaking of my sweet husband, Geoff. Can I tell you that he is such a hard worker and such a great man!? I am so blessed to have him! I know that he has been through hell with this pharmacy school, and I know that he is stressed beyond belief, but he still works so hard!! For the last couple of months we have been able to see him a lot more since he is only gone about 60 hours a week, but until this point, I am not exaggerating when I say he is gone 100 hours a week. Easily that many. All the time he was in his prerequisite classes for pharmacy school, he worked full-time and went to school full-time. He worked every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and put in full-time hours in those three days so he could go to school every other day. I think he went 5 years without having a single weekend off. And honestly, he never complained. I know that he is doing all of this for his family, and I have to say that I feel so blessed to have a husband that works so hard to provide for us. I am blessed to have him also because he is thoughtful of me. It is hard to have him gone all the time, and when he is home, he makes sure I get a break. Today he watched our kids, and a friend's kids, so that I could go to lunch with a few friends. It was all his idea, too! There was a really hard time in my life where I didn't have any direction or hopes for the future, but Geoff came and made everything seem clear. I just can't imagine my life without him. I hope this doesn't sound to "mushy", but I just had to mention him sometime in this gratitude blog because he is such a blessing!!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 12

"The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. We enjoy so much." Ezra Taft Benson

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I feel so blessed! I have really seen this experiment blessing my life. Each day I don't find something so new and profound to be grateful for. I am, however, finding that each day brings more and more feelings of gratitude. Today my little three year old, Staci, was running around in the family room. She ran right into the piano and hit right above her eye pretty hard. It started to bleed quite badly and all I could think of was ANOTHER trip to the emergency room or urgent care for this girl!! As I looked at the cut, I decided it was JUST on the border of needing to go to the doctor, but I thought it would be OK without stitches. Normally, I would just be a little frazzled by all of this, but all I could feel was such gratitude that she DIDN'T need stitches, and that it wasn't an injury to the eye. It is amazing when you start to think gratefully it really changes EVERYTHING! I am so grateful today for the little miracles of having things turn out better than you thought. I don't ever think to be grateful for such things.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 11

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures

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I promise to make up the last few days that I have not written on here. I am still without a computer, but I am writing each day down the "old fashioned way"...you know, with a pen and paper! Today I am grateful for the little moments of silence. When I was younger, I couldn't understand why my mom didn't like to blare music all the time like I did. It seemed so strange to me that she didn't like the noise. She always said she enjoyed the silence when she was alone. I didn't "get it". OH HOW I GET IT NOW!! I had the chance today to go in my room and lock the door and just think for a minute about all that I have. Nobody bothered me. Nobody screamed or fought or got hurt. The phone didn't ring. And it was LOVELY.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 10

"If we only look around us, there are a thousand reasons for us not to be happy, and it is simplicity itself to blame our unhappiness on the things we lack in life. It doesn't take any talent at all to find them. The problem is, the more we focus on the things we don’t have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become"

Joseph B. Wirthlin

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It was a beautiful day today. It was sunny and around 65 degrees. Not bad for November in northern Utah! I felt a little desire (little, mind you) to clean, and spent quite sometime today bleaching and disinfecting various areas around the house. I had the windows open and let the nice cool breeze freshen our home. I suddenly felt the desire to get the windows spotless, so I spent the next hour or more washing windows inside and out. As I did this seemingly tedious chore, I was reminded of how much I LOVE having windows. Did I ever mention that Geoff and I lived for nearly 7 years in a basement with no windows? We had no concept of night or day. I lit that basement with so many lamps and it was "light". What I realized living down there is that no amount of artificial light can compensate for a lack of natural sun light (and have been able to use that analogy in terms of trying to have joy in our lives with things other than the ONLY source of true joy, the Savior, Jesus Christ). I am in no way complaining of our living arrangements in that basement, for I feel so blessed to have had that experience of living with my grandparents, and still miss that basement sometimes. But being above ground has been a great thing for us. I never will take windows for granted again.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 9

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues"

Thomas S. Monson

I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with this way of thinking. Five out of the last six days I have had a migraine and sharp ear pain and have felt like I was not going to make it through this whole "gratitude" thing. I feel like Satan is tempting me to not look at the good I have. This experiment has given me more to be grateful for. I have found more desire to read the scriptures and pray throughout my day than I have in a very long time, and I feel more grateful to my Heavenly Father than I have in a long time. Nevertheless, it has been a hard few days and I have been starting to get down again.

One thing I struggle with the most is trying to understand what I must learn from my pain. Honestly, I could name several things I have learned already along this journey, but it is obviously not the entire lesson the Lord wants me to learn. I have felt a love for others that I think only comes from developing empathy. Going through pain has helped me be less judgemental of others, and of myself. I know that we can not judge others, because we really don't know what cross they are carrying. Another thing pain has done for me is help me REALLY appreciate good days. I feel SO grateful when I can go through a day without pain! Today, although it is hard to admit.... I am grateful for pain. I know that this life is about being tested and tried in all things, and I don't even pretend to have trials compared to so many others, but I know that this was given to me so that I WOULD remember the Lord in my daily life. He loves me that much, and really I should rejoice in my pain!

Pain stayed so long I said to him today,

"I will not have you with me anymore!"

I stamped my foot and said, "Be on your way!"

Then stood there startled at the look he wore.

"I who have been your friend," he said to me,

"I who have been your teacher --all you know

of understanding love, of sympathy and patience,

I have taught you. Shall I go?"
He spoke the truth, this strange unwelcome guest;

I watched him leave and knew that he was wise.

He left a heart grown tender in my breast.

He left a far, clear vision in my eyes.

I dried my tears, and lifted up a song

Even for one who'd tortured me so long.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 8

Well, I did not have to think very hard about what to be grateful for today! Yesterday afternoon my computer crashed! As I type this I am using Geoff's phone. Thankfully, he needed a blackberry type phone so he has to have the internet on it. It has already taken me several minutes to type this entry so far. So, be patient with me for the next few days, because I may have a hard time writing on the blog. I promise to keep track of and post any days I may miss. So, today I am grateful for computers...as silly as that may seem. Let's hope I don't loose all my pictures. Oh, the best blessing the computer ever brought me was my sweet husband! :)

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 7

Reflect on all the you have to be grateful for and you will find more to be grateful for.

Oh, the fun of Halloween! My kids drove me crazy bouncing off the walls all day waiting for it to finally be time to party. Or at least time to trick-or-treat. What it would be to be a child again. Do you remember how things were for you as a child? I remember that the world was wonderful and there were so many interesting and magical things to see and learn. I remember that I knew nothing of race or color of skin. I didn't know the difference between a democrat and a republican and had no concept of rich or poor. I thought that everyone told the truth.

As we were out at a neighborhood "trunk-or-treat" there was a funny little kid dressed as a nerd. He had toilet paper hanging from the back of his pants and was playing the part so well. I said to Jackson, "Look at that funny nerd!" Jackson's response kind of shocked me. "What is a nerd, Mom?" I didn't exactly know how to respond to that. I said something along the lines of "oh, it is a person who is really silly and smart and people usually make fun of them." Jackson looked at me as if he still didn't "get" it. All he could say was "that's not very nice." He has never thought of another person that way. Somewhere along our lives, we become hardened and judgmental. I know now why the Savior emphasized so much for us to become as little children. I am so grateful for the innocence of children.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 6

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

Yesterday a good friend called me. We consoled each other ways only other "stay at home moms" can. We laughed a lot as we talked about how we needed to hide in the closet to be able to hear each other over the phone. She is such a good friend to me and always wants to know how I am feeling. Then she listens to the answer. A little later another good friend called me. We had both planned on taking "White Chicken Chili" to the ward chili cook off that night. We had the exact same recipe and both thought we would be so original with our chili. We are alike in many, many, many ways. We laughed and laughed about how great minds think alike. Then the first friend I mentioned came and picked up the chili I had made and took it to the cook off for me since I had a sick little boy at my house and couldn't go. Then, as the night went on, I spent a couple of hours on the phone with one of my oldest friends. I have known this friend for close to 30 years now. It was so good to catch up with her. What I feel grateful for today is wonderful friends who bless my life in so many ways. It would be such a lonely life without the love of true friends. I am so grateful for all the people that have blessed my life and been my friend.

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 5

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

When I started this 30 day experiment to change my outlook on life, I wanted to make sure that I thought of new and profound things to be thankful for. I didn't want to have each entry be something that I have already been grateful for all my life, and something that was rather common. I wanted each day to bring a new perspective on how much I have truly been blessed.

I usually do nothing spectacular in my day.... unless you consider getting all the laundry washed, folded and put away, spectacular. In which case, I still usually do nothing spectacular. :) Of course, I was trying to think of something specifically to be grateful for on this day while I did nothing but clean house and fold laundry. I thought of all kinds of things I am thankful for; Crock pots, washers and dryers, The Magic Eraser. But as I was praying and reading in the scriptures in the middle of the day (to give me the boost I need to make it through my day), it dawned on me! I am so completely and utterly grateful for the Savior! And although this is obviously nothing very new, how could I pass up a chance to express the deep feelings of love and appreciation I have for Him? I cannot even express the slightest bit of the feelings in my heart. I read a few chapters in Matthew today of the Savior's last days on this earth. It has been a while since I read these verses of scripture, and I was deeply moved again by how much He has truly done for the me, and for all of us. I am amazed at how quickly I can be filled with the spirit when I turn to the Lord and read His words. Almost immediately, I am encircled in the arms of His love, and I am OK. Actually, I am more than OK. I am home.

As I attended a stake primary meeting last night we sang the song, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". The words to this song are so sweet and I love to hear the primary children sing it. But this was the first time I have ever heard this song sung only by adults. It was a different experience for me. Instead of thinking about the Savior being by the childrens' sides.... I was talking about the fact that He is always by MY side. The last verse states, "He is always with me, though I do not see Him there. And because He loves me dearly I am in His watchful care." I KNOW that we are in His watchful care. He is our Savior, and He loves us more than we will ever know. It doesn't matter the degree to which we have sinned in this life, NONE of us would ever make it to our Heavenly home without Him. I am so eternally grateful for His sacrifice for me and for the spirit that brings me peace in a world of turmoil and confusion. What a blessing!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 4

If you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.

The above quote is from a song in one of my favorite movies, White Christmas. The song was going through my head last night as I was trying to fall asleep. I started counting my blessings, and what do you know, I fell asleep! Thinking about problems and troubles will keep you up all night, but counting blessings really puts you to sleep. Try it sometime.

As I was thinking of all of my blessings one came to me that I haven't thought about in a long time. When I was ready to have my first child it was a little scary. I had been in labor for a REALLY long time and he was not being born. In fact, he was not really "dropping" at all. Finally, the doctor said we would have to do a c-section to get him out. Although it wasn't the ideal situation, I wanted to do what was best for him, of course. When he was born they soon understood why he wasn't born naturally. My tiny little baby had the umbilical cord tightly wrapped around his neck 3-1/2 times. He was in a lot of distress! There was absolutely NO way he would have been born without the c-section. Countless women and their babies have died during childbirth, and unfortunately some still do. No doubt if I had been living before modern medical technology, not only would my baby have died, but I would've died too. I am so grateful for the miracles of modern medicine. It is amazing to me that so many advances have been made to diagnose and treat severe illnesses.... things that only a few years ago were terminal. As I was complaining to my mom a few days ago about all of the people that seem to be getting the swine flu in my neighborhood, she said a very interesting thing to me. "At least it's not Polio going around, Emily". I think about it, and really so many of those horrible diseases have become so rare. It is such a blessing!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 3

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul

Yesterday was one of "those" days. I woke up with a terrible headache that only got progressively worse through the day. I hate days like that. I have been trying so hard to change my attitude, but dealing with chronic pain is the pits. I immediately thought, "I don't know what to be grateful for today! How am I ever going to find something to be grateful for!?"

As I sat in the shower, letting the water just fall on my face, I was reminded of what I could be thankful for! I had the door locked to discourage any little girls of mine from interrupting me 18 times in 10 minutes. OK, I was grateful for locks on doors... but really, I was grateful for warm water that flows freely from shower heads. It is one of those blessings I have almost always taken for granted. I say "almost" because there was time when I lived at home when 7 people had to be showered, dressed and out the door by an insanely early time, and I remember taking MANY cold showers in those days. But since that time, oh so many years ago now, I have had a nice warm shower at my disposal. I realize that I am one of the most fortunate people in this world to live in a place where water comes out of the tap and I can drink it and wash with it, and let my kids play in it, and it's safe. I am aware that there are over a billion people in this world who don't have access to even clean water... and many walk for miles just to get water, and then have to choose if they are going to use it to wash themselves, their dishes or clothes, or maybe drink it or cook with it. I have never had to make those kinds of choices!

While I sat there in the shower, with my pounding headache, I turned the shower on "cold" for a few minutes. It snowed and rained all day yesterday. I was cold when I got in the shower, so a hot shower was feeling good. But I wanted to remind myself of this luxury. Still, cold water flowed freely from the shower head. I am certain there are countless people in this world who would be grateful for that!

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 2

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

Yesterday I raked leaves for 3 hours straight. It stormed last night pretty hard so you can't even tell where I raked. Apparently, winter is here now... so I wanted to get a little ahead of the leaves before they REALLY started to fall. For an idea of how it looks at our house in the fall, here you go:

Last year and the year before as I raked leaves, I focused on how crazy it is that the wind always seems to blow ALL of these leaves from our neighbor's tree into OUR yard! I mean, we don't even have a tree in our backyard at all, and we are stuck raking all season long! Yesterday, however, with a conscious effort to be grateful and loving, I was reminded of the wonderful blessing it is to have this huge tree hang into our yard! It is the perfect place for my kids to play on their swing set in the summer because the shade keeps them cool. They swing for hours that way... which also is a perk for me, because they are happy and occupied. I have been blessed with a huge backyard that has a lovely view of the mountains - what a blessing! I became quite emotional as I thought of a world without trees. I LOVE this time of year. Fall has always been my favorite season, and I love how the trees and bushes change color little by little. A bush in my front yard at the moment has vibrant shades of green, orange, yellow, red and bright pink on it - and I wouldn't have really noticed that if I had not been raking leaves right next to it. Each winter, and even into spring, I think to myself, "It seems like this tree NEVER had leaves!" But then, as if almost overnight, leaves fill the trees and the world is beautiful again. I also had the children helping me while I raked. Jackson, especially, hung in there for most of the time. It is a blessing to have opportunities to work together as a family, and I could see this as a blessing in that way. As I focused on these good points, the time flew by and seemed enjoyable. I am so grateful for the trees.... falling leaves and all! P.S. After just one day of an attitude of gratitude, my kids said, "why are you being so nice, Mom?!" My response? "I know! Weird, huh?!"

30 Days of Gratitude. Day 1

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others

I was reading and article in the Reader's Digest a few days ago about a man who changed his life by learning to be grateful for everything in his life. On the first day all he could find to be grateful for were coffee and naps.... but as the month went on, something amazing happened, and he began to notice all of the wonderful things in his life that he had taken for granted before.

It has occurred to me that I am in need of some serious reflection. Life has been "hard" for us lately. Geoff has been barely surviving in school, and I have still struggled quite a bit with my health problems... but I have to change the way I look at my life. I had become so angry at Geoff's school (for some horrible mistreatment that we won't go into) that I had lost the spirit in my life. Even though I wasn't doing anything "sinful", I was unable to feel the spirit in my day to day life because I was so consumed with feelings of anger and frustration!!

So, on with my new life of gratitude and love! Thanksgiving is one month from today, so I figured it would be a great time to start. It is also a great day to start because it is my Angel Mother's birthday today. Of all of the things I feel blessed in, my mother stands right at the top of the list! I don't know how I was blessed enough to be born to such a wonderful woman, but I am eternally grateful that I was. In all of my life, I have no memory of my mom saying a sarcastic or mean thing to anyone.... much less DOING anything unkind. She has always been the epitome of kindness and unconditional love. I can remember some rather interesting people in my life that she has reached out to in service and love, when many others would never have bothered with such a person. She is completely nonjudgmental and loves people of all different personalities and cultures. My mom went back to school after her kids were mostly grown and became a nurse. I imagine that her patients always can feel her love - even the grumpy ones, for she has told me that the best way to deal with patients is to treat them how the Savior would. If she has spare time on the job (which is very rare working in the unit she does) she finds little ways to serve her patients. She rubs their feet, she talks to them and cries with them. I just can't even begin to touch the surface of her kindness. I hope to one day be half the woman she is. Thank you, Mom, for your endless service to me and to so many others!

Livin' on a Prayer....

Jackson's Big Day...

It was wonderful to see Jackson be baptized. He is such a sweet young man and has so much desire to do what is right. I doubt there has ever been a kid with a bigger heart! He always reaches out and includes the lonely or new kids. He gives all of his toys away when someone comes to play. He is such a good example to his little sisters, too. We love you, Jackson!

Party Time

This year we had cake and ice cream at Grandma and Grandpa Morgan's house to celebrate Staci's birthday and Jackson's birthday. I know I won't be able to always celebrate their birthdays together, but we were doing so much for Jackson for his baptism, that I figured it was OK this year. Jackson wanted cheesecake for his birthday cake. Smart boy.

Staci's big day...

Well, I just had to post these pictures of what Staci looked like on her first day of potty training. I sat the little potty chair in front of a movie to see if she would just stay for a while - kind of a hard thing to get her to stay in one place for more than a minute or two. She insisted on wearing the hat and scarf, by the way! And when she saw I had the camera, she posed for the second picture.... "tell us what you really think about being forced to use the potty, Staci!!" :)

lazy days of summer - and other way overdue things

As you may know, Geoff was able to get his first rotation of his year of internships for pharmacy school in my parent's town of Pinetop, Arizona. We had the chance to stay with my parents for six weeks of the summer. The time just flew by, and my kids couldn't have been happier! Grandma and Grandpa spoiled them with trips to pick out new toys, McDonald's for lunch, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, swimming, games and fires in the backyard. Plus, on top of all that we had cousins and friends come to visit for some of the time.

Nothing better than that!

Natalie, Cousin Susannah and "Papa" canoeing on the lake across the street from my parent's house. How fun!

Jackson and cousin Owen waiting for their turn on the canoe

"Nap" time

Always fun to spend the day in the pool!

Cousin Hannah

Jackson with friend, Jacob

What did you find, Jackson?

Right after we got home from Arizona, my sister-in-law, Chami, and her 3 girls came to Utah from San Jose to visit. We loved spending time with them, too!

Jackson, Staci, Kendra, Natalie and Kylinn in our backyard

A Good Day

Well, it's been a while since I have posted anything to this blog. I have a lot to catch up on (when I find my camera/computer connector thingy - it's been lost since we got back from AZ a few months ago.) But before I forget about some of these things... here I go....

Potty training Staci has been a little frustrating. OK, well maybe a LOT frustrating. She just wanted NOTHING to do with it! She had shown nothing but HATRED towards the idea of being a "big girl". When I told her that she was a big girl she said, "I am NOT a big girl, I am a baby!!" And immediately she showed me how little she was by crawling on the floor and saying "goo goo ga ga!" I honestly didn't know what it was going to take to get this girl on board the potty train!! I had tried sticker charts, treats, big girl underwear, major bribery ("all you have to do is pee in this pot ONCE and I will give you this brand new Dora doll!"), but NOTHING seemed to interest her. When I asked Geoff what he thought we should do, he said, "I know! Let's not have another one!" :) Honestly, it was getting bad!

Well, one morning I was changing the dirty diaper from hell, when I mentioned to Staci how much I didn't want to change her diapers anymore. "You like-a change my diapers, Mama!" was her response. I then explained that I DIDN'T like to change her diapers, and that it made me want to throw up sometimes.

And that is what did it! I think she had thought that I wanted her to be my baby!! She said right then, "I will go pee-pee in the potty!" I couldn't believe my ears, because she had never said that before. I decided to just put the diapers away for the day and see what happened. And guess what!?! SHE DID IT! It has now been a few weeks and she hasn't even had ONE accident! It just goes to show that there is really no making her do ANYTHING she doesn't want to do - but when she WANTS to do it, she can!! Thanks, Staci for FINALLY deciding it was time!!

Jackson is Eight!

It is wonderful to see Jackson turning into such a little man. He is such a sweet brother and does so much to show all of his family how much he loves them. He is also a really good friend and reaches out to others. Towards the end of last school year Jackson had the chance to go to recess early for some kind of reward for good behavior. The understanding was that he could choose one friend to go with him. Jackson was torn up about this because he didn't want to hurt anyone for not choosing them. He then remembered a kid that didn't have a lot of friends, and someone who didn't get chosen often, and picked that kid to have early recess with him. This is the kind of boy Jackson is. He was excited to get $2 from the tooth fairy so he could give one of his dollars to Natalie so she wouldn't feel bad, since she hasn't even lost one tooth yet. We love him so much and are so grateful for the young man he is becoming.

Little Staci Lou....

...Happy Birthday to you! For a couple of months now Staci has been saying, "My birthday's comin' right up, Mama! We today we finally got to celebrate turning the big 3! What a fun age. She is so loving to others and has so much personality. Many people say, "Oh, I bet it just feels like yesterday she was born." Honestly, I have to admit that it seems like an eternity almost. I don't even remember life without Staci. She has brought us a lot of drama (you know, with all of the ER visits and things) and so much love. We just love her so much! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

The Song of My Heart...

Today the kids and I were able to attend a birthday party for the son of a good friend of mine. Little Carter is such a sweet guy who is always so happy and just lights up the room with his smile.... oh yeah, and did I mention he has Downs Syndrome? Straight from that birthday party the kids and I headed over to my brother and sister-in-law's house for the birthday party of their daughter, (my niece) Kaylana, who is turning five, and just happens to be autistic. As I sat there visiting with the family, Kaylana joined the group and began singing the most beautiful song I had ever heard a child sing. She sang sweetly for several minutes, and then announced to the group of us that she had just sung the "song of her heart." She had made it up right there on the spot and had sung it in perfect pitch and with so much conviction. Although I couldn't understand most of what she was saying, I did hear several references to Jesus and Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. How sweet is that!

Some time later, I was watching the kids play and Kaylana came up to me and gave me a hug. I told her how beautiful her song was, and then she said the most profound thing to me. "Aunt Emily", she said, "Sing the song of your heart!" To appease Kaylana, I made up some song about her and how special she was and how it was her birthday, and all the while twirling her around in circles. As this silly song stopped, I immediately thought, "WHAT is the song of my heart?!" I couldn't help but tear up as I thought of this. I remembered the scripture in Alma Chapter 5 that asks a similar question, "if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" Several years ago there was a time in my life where I could honestly say I could sing the song of redeeming love on a daily basis, but the biggest part of this question is, "can ye feel so now?" For some reason, I have lost my daily song. I can sing it from time to time, but so many times I forget how it goes. The song only stays when I live my life in such a way that I have the constant companion of the Holy Ghost. So many times I yell at my kids and get so frustrated with this mortal life, that I lose the Spirit, and then the only thing that fills me is misery and woe.

I have a song in my heart!! I know it's there, and my goal in these coming days is to find it again - to do whatever it takes to feel each and every day that my life is a gift. My Savior paid the price for me, and for all mankind, that I CAN sing the song of redeeming love! What is YOUR song?

Father's Day.... Ruining it year after year.

Pretty much ever since Geoff and I have been married, Geoff has had to work on Father's Day. It has been less than special, and although I try... I am not very good at making the day all about him! (Sorry) So, last year Geoff finally wasn't working Sundays anymore and I had planned on making it a really great day. Well, while making a special Father's Day breakfast, Staci fell and bit her tongue half way off. (see pics from last June if you already forgot about this event!) I spent the entire day in the ER with her and needless to say, it was not a great day. SO - this year came around and I had decided it was going to be the year for the Father's Day Celebration. Well, this week we all got sick with stomach bugs (even Geoff) but are doing a little better now - except for Staci. She has been crying most of the time for several days and has not slept at all. I was a wreck all day having only received about 4 hours of sleep in the last 2 nights combined and NO sleep two nights before that. Anyway, I am rambling... I am tired. We were down in Mesa this weekend for a family get together and decided to come back to Pinetop this morning so we could try and get Staci back to "Normal" life - (we have been living here for a month while Geoff does and internship for pharmacy school, by the way). All the way home from Mesa (3 hours) she cried in the car and by the time we got her home we decided she was acting worse than ever and screaming that her stomach hurt! So, I took her to the ER this evening to make sure it wasn't appendicitis.... NOPE. It was just a virus that may last another few days. That being said - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my sweet husband and father of our sick and crazy and accident prone kids. I LOVE YOU! Also, to all the other Father's out there that I love (my Dad, Geoff's Dad, Grandpa B and Grandpa H) WE LOVE YOU, TOO! Next year I vow to not spend the day in the ER, forcing Geoff to fix himself a sandwich for his Father's Day Dinner! :) Wish me luck!

Natalie's Preschool Program

Today was quite an emotional day for Natalie - in fact, she was a wreck! Let's just say that she does NOT deal well with saying good-bye to friends she may not (and probably will not) see again. The preschool she has been attending has kids come clear from South Salt Lake to as north as Ogden - and even when a girl in Natalie's class moved last month, her parents even drove her down twice a week from Pocatello Idaho for school. The kids LOVE these teachers, who as mother and daughter have been teaching preschool for I believe over 30 years. The teachers were in tears most of the program, which I think probably set Natalie off.... which set ME off! Anyway, we are glad she had the opportunity to make friends and get out of the house every now and then. Here is a highlight of the show:

Natalie and her friend Phoebe with Mrs. KayLynn and Mrs. Hodson

A Little Star Struck......

When I was a teenager I attended an "Especially for Youth" conference and became a huge fan of singer/songwriter Steve James. I soon purchased his cassette tape (what?!) and wore it out. After a couple of years I wanted to tell him what an influence one particular song of his had on me. I wrote a letter telling him how much I loved his song "If You Only Knew", and mailed it to the address on the tape. The letter was returned as "undeliverable" and I was so sad.

Well, Jackson's school had a music night a few weeks ago where they performed the songs they had been learning in their music classes. The flyer that was sent out said that there would be "special guest, Steve James" and I was intrigued. I wondered if this could be the same Steve James I met as a 17 year old kid. I made sure to get there really early just in case the line was out the door to see him (The kids and I were the only ones there for a good 20 minutes). Anyway, it WAS the same Steve James. He has won several national awards for his children's music and tours the nation performing with schools now. The principal at Jackson's school was Steve's childhood friend in California, so he made sure to get him for his school. After the performance I went up and spoke with Steve and told him of the influence his song had had on my teenage/young adult years and actually got teary eyed just telling him about it. I think I caught him off guard, but it was so good to finally get to say the things I had written in the letter 17 years ago.

Jackson getting ready for the show
Steve James (sorry about the horrible quality of the pic!)
Jackson and a couple of his buddies.



As for what the rest of us have been up to, we have been taking life just a day at a time. We can hardly wait to get to Arizona to see all of our family and friends. A year is just too long to go without seeing all of them! We will be spending most of our time in Pinetop for Geoff's first internship, but we will make it to Mesa at least a few times, and I am planning on staying there for at least a week after Geoff comes back up to Utah for his few weeks of summer classes. After the past 7 years with Geoff in school we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel - and it feels good! I am so proud of Geoff for how hard he has worked to get to this point! Oh, and case you are wondering - we still dance around here!

This one is a crack up!

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone had a great Easter! We actually had a nice warm-ish day!

A new addiction...

Don't worry, it's not a bad one! (I have enough of those!) My new "high" is coming from trying to find joy in life. It is hard, and this past week was especially hard, but I have faith that if I stay really close to the spirit, I can be happy and have the strength to get through some of the pains and trials I have been facing for the last few years. I have been reading a book (just a short one, don't worry Dad!) called "The Healer's Art" and it talks about how we can be healed, even if we are not cured from what is ailing us. The Savior can heal our hearts to know that whatever trials we face will shape us into the person that He already knows we can be. It comes down to what we can learn from the trials and how we handle them, and learning to submit to the will of our Father in Heaven, even if that means certain trials may last our entire mortal lives. I have decided to laugh more. I have had this humor blog for a couple of months now and am loving it. Unfortunately, it is making it harder to post to this blog. I am still going to... just not feeling it as much right now, sorry! If anybody has ideas on how to learn to laugh when you really feel like crying, especially how to laugh when you are in pain, I would love your ideas. Also if anyone knows how to enjoy your children while you are in pain... that's another one I need! Thanks!

A conversation with a two-year-old

Staci: Momma... I have dia-wee-wah
Me: You do? Let's change you then - hurry!
Staci: I have dia-wee-wah
Me: I know, lie down and let me change you!
Staci: I have dia-wee-wah... Pewwee!
Me: You only have a wet diaper, you stinker!
Staci: Na na na na na na! I tricked you!

Now, doesn't it seem like such a smart girl should learn to use the potty?! Nope - she won't have a THING to do with the potty! She HATES it!!!

Out of the mouth of babes...

I saw this on a friend's facebook profile, and thought it was a cute idea. I am not going to tag anyone to do this, but do it if you want to - it is funny to hear the answers your kids come up with.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Jackson: Go get ready for bed
Natalie: I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Jackson: Cleaning up without being asked
Natalie: When I do what she says

3. What makes mom sad?
Jackson: Not cleaning up at all
Natalie: When I don't listen

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Jackson: When she is playing we me
Natalie: Hmmm... that is a tricky one

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Jackson: I don't know - I wasn't even born yet!
Natalie: I don't know

6. How old is your mom?
Jackson: 34
Natalie: 51?

7. How tall is your mom?
Jackson: Taller than me
Natalie: 6 feet long

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do?
Jackson: Take naps
Natalie: Get married

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Jackson: I don't know 'cause I'm not around
Natalie: She looks around for me

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Jackson: Being a good cook
Natalie: Singing

11. What is your mom really good at?
Jackson: Being a mom
Natalie: Hugging

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Jackson: She doesn't know very much about Star Wars
Natalie: I know I shouldn't say this, but Gymnastics

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Jackson: Teaches her children
Natalie: Folds clothes

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Jackson: Whatever Dad might cook
Natalie: Grapes

15. What make you proud of your mom?
Jackson: When she takes us to Disneyland
Natalie: When she can get the whole house clean

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Jackson: Minnie Mouse
Natalie: Cinderella

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Jackson: Go to the store
Natalie: Go out places

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Jackson: We are both humans
Natalie: We both have blonde hair

19. How are you and your mom different?
Jackson: I'm a boy, she's a girl
Natalie: I can't think of any ways!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Jackson: Because she does
Natalie: Because she kisses me all the time

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Jackson: The store 'cause she goes there ALL THE TIME
Natalie: The pizza parlor?

Did I mention that we don't do anything?

Most days while Jackson is at school, this is what we look like: Every now and then we dress up in tutus and neon colors and dance

And other days we sit around in our underwear on top of the table and play with balloons.

Anything goes around here.

A Nice Day!

A few days ago we had a really nice day. The weather was in the low 60's!! That is SO rare for this time of year, so we had to get out of the house! First we decided to feed the ducks. I wanted a picture with all the kids, but I was HOLDING Staci, and Natalie would grab a piece of bread from me, then the ducks would come towards her, so she would chuck the bread as far away from her as she could (the whole piece) and run for her life. She did it over and over until I just stopped giving her any more tries. Even Jackson was standing on the bench hoping to have a little advantage over these pretty big and quite aggressive ducks.

My little buddy!

If you don't think there is any way that it could be warm enough to play outside without our coats... check out the couple in the background of the above picture. Is that proof enough? (you may have to click on the picture to enlarge it)

OH, and by the way... what happens when you go to the park as soon as it gets a little warm?

MELTED SNOW!