My friend's blog inspired me to focus on gratitude to prepare for Thanksgiving. I feel like it often comes all of a sudden, we say what we're grateful for before we dig in, and then the day passes and we go back to not focusing on our blessings. So, since I only have 1 week before Thanksgiving, I'd better get crackin'. If I don't post any other things I'm thankful for, I thought I'd at least start with this one: I am Thankful for...Braden
On Sunday, when we met with the Stake Presidency for Braden's new calling, I was interviewed first. They asked me a bunch of questions and then asked 2 very important ones: Is there anything in Braden's life that would prevent him from serving worthily? and Is he a good husband to you and a good father to your kids? I got so choked up at the questions because it was WONDERFUL to be able to answer with the truth!
(excuse this picture...we both weigh about 30 pounds more than we do today. then again, I am 8 months pregnant in it.)
NO, there is NOTHING in Braden's life that prevents him from being able to serve worthily. He strives to be worthy all the time and he is. He holds and exercises the Priesthood worthily, goes to the temple worthily, takes the sacrament worthily, leads our family worthily, and serves worthily. I am SO grateful for that!
And YES, he is a tremendous husband and father. I told the counselor that I couldn't ask for anything better. He is amazing and, though I "nag" him about this and that, he never ceases to amaze me at the incredible things he does for us. He jumps in to help, picks up where I leave off, comforts me, loves the girls, plays down on the floor, jumps up when I need him, and so many things there aren't words for.
A silly example of the kind of person Braden is: when we were dating, he learned I HATED it when he and others cracked their knuckles. Braden had a bad habit of doing that, but he had a worse case of whooped-for-Cheri. So one day, he decided not to crack his knuckles anymore. And he hasn't since. He can be so focused, so determined, and so disciplined to do, become, or excel in anything he puts his mind to.
I'm so proud of his trying so hard to learn this new job, to go out of his comfort zone and do things he isn't used to doing to support our family. In the last 2 years, he has held a dozen odd jobs just to provide and I am SO grateful for that. For 4 years, he worked for BYU Vending Services when he was in school. When he graduated and we moved to Arizona, he started as a server for Johnny Carino's (an italian restaurant). Then when we moved to the valley, he worked for his bro-in-law's landscaping company and then Walmart until FrostBite opened. He worked there for the next year until it closed. At this point, he worked for a few days for a farmer plowing a field, for a friend's landscaping company, and then the post office for 6 months. Now he's working at University of Phoenix and he is happy. And that makes me happy.
When we were dating, he told me about this little book of memoirs by President Boyd K Packer. There's one entry called "The Teacher is Taught" or something like that. In the story, President Packer was Home Teaching this older lady who told him that she and her husband determined to never raise their voices to each other. President Packer testified that this was possible and brought great blessings. From that, Braden determined that he would never raise his voice to me. He has kept that promise and I feel so blessed for it. He is so patient, forgiving, loving, gentle, and kind.
I love bringing our children into this world thru natural childbirth, but I cannot do it without Braden's 100% help and attention. I am so grateful that he is not only willing to stand by my side the whole time and work almost as hard as I am, but also that he defends, supports, and encourages my decision to do this. Because it is important to me, it has become so very important to me. He has NEVER encouraged me to get an epidural or discouraged me from giving birth naturally. I am SO grateful for that.
I love doing projects, often at the expense of dinner, a tidy house, and happy kids. I don't know why, but I love to create and I get all sorts of ideas of how to do things or make things for our home for little or nothing. Or ways to make money thru what I make. There have been many nights that my house is destroyed with thread, fabric, poly-fil, pins, and junk everywhere and Braden overlooks it, enjoys what I'm doing, and encourages me along. He has never discouraged this desire to create! I love that!
There are also many times that I have reached my breaking point, like last night when the kids were whining for hours because I was trying to get my counties done. They were taking way longer than usual and I just couldn't do them and take care of the kids at the same time. So I called an 8-year-old for backup which helped a ton. But when Braden walked thru the door and saw the scene, I just told him, "we're not having dinner tonight." Next thing I know, he's got dinner whipped together with Taryn on his hip and Keara by his side.
One of my favorite sounds in the world (which I haven't heard since Braden's schedule changed) was when I would wake up to the dishes being done. He has always unloaded the dishwasher without me asking and would often do it first thing in the morning. It's a beautiful sound.
Braden isn't perfect. He knows it and I know it. There are some of places he falls short or whatever, but when I stop and remember that none of that truly matters and these things are such blessings, I have to say I could not ask for anything better. He is amazing and I love him so much. 
But since the people at the airport were all new, no one knew if they could let me take the carseat on for Taryn. So we didn't have it and I sure wished I had it in the end! I vowed that I would make them let me take it on the way back if there was room. If you don't know Taryn well, let me tell you that she is a wiggle worm! She is in constant motion and HATES to be restrained. So a small space is not her friend. It was a long flight, but I was SO excited to be going home!!
The next day, Kerri, Carter, Addison, Keara, Taryn, and I went to this great children's museum where they had so so so much to do that we could have gone back every day and never gotten bored. 
I had such a great time getting down on the floor with the girls and exploring. I think I might have had more fun than they did. Taryn loved it because she could just roam all over the place and explore without anyone telling her no. 
After naps that afternoon, we headed to my parents' home. 
I drove with the girls by myself and enjoyed the scenery and silence of the drive. I felt stupid, though, because I realized how quickly I had forgotten the area. When I turned down my parents' street, I started to cry. It was so stunning with the trees canopying over the road. It was perfect.
Keara fell in love with the basement (why don't I have pictures of that!) where my parents have 3 swings hanging from the ceiling, a juke box, disco ball, black and white checkered floor, and plenty of play space! She loved having the juke box play church music and swinging so high that her feet hit the ceiling.
For the first couple days, my other sister, Tauna, and her baby, Claire (who is 1 month older than Taryn) were there too. So Taryn, Claire, and Addison (1 month younger than Taryn) got to play together too. It was great to have the cousins together.
For transportation, we just used the "L" train which is cheap enough to jump around the city any time you want. Since there are so many stops, you can go just about anywhere you want. Plus, the kids loved being on the train.
It was AMAZING to be walking around the city, seeing all the animals, enjoying the weather, and being with my sisters and mom. 
I loved that day. My favorite part was as we were walking along this one path, all of the sudden, it opened up to Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive. 
Then, a bit further down, another gate opened to the skyline and the goregous city. Man, I love that city.
We had the place to ourselves (surprise) and had a great time chasing seagulls, playing in the sand, swinging on the playset, and eating ladybugs. Okay, the last part wasn't that "great". Keara said it was yucky and Addison choked. 
Kerri and I worked on a few different projects while we were there, like caramel apples, oreo truffles, caramel/chocolate dipped pretzels, and a beautiful blanket for her sons' bed. If I can get a pic of that, I'll post it. Thursday, we relaxed a bit I think. I got to see my high school friend (more like from kindegarten on) Anna Lee. It was SO good to see her. It felt like no time had passed at all. We took Keara and Taryn to my dad's office with some treats for his employees. The smell of his office...ahh. I don't know why plaster, toothpaste, sterilizer, alginate, and the stuff to make retainers smell so good to me! I have always loved it.
That night, I had my parents to myself since Tauna had left and Kerri and Steve went to their ward Halloween Party. It was so great to sit up late and talk with my parents. I miss them so much. I loved my last 2 years of high school when it was just me and them. They were (and are) my best friends and I loved (and love) them dearly. It's been quite the adjustment to go from constant contact to rare visits. I miss them so much. 
Keara and I also tramped around the yard a bit where she got to experience leaves, real trees, an abundance of grass, and open air for the first time. 
The weather couldn't have been better. Especially on Halloween where we were able to trick-or-treat without coats or sweaters for the first time I can remember. 
They were Popeye, Olive Oyle, Swee Pea, and a mini sailor. Kerri found Keara a sailor costume, so she and Carter looked like twins. It was adorable. 
They acted like they knew exactly what they were doing and loved running from house to house, saying "Trick or treat" and a big "Thank you!!". It was magical. I made a costume for Taryn so she went as a can of spinach. It was mostly for the laugh factor and people loved it! She looked great. 
The bean is a ginormous silver thing that looks like a kidney bean. It reflects in fun different ways depending on where you stand. 
Its a huge tourist attraction and really is fun to explore. 
We also had Giordano's pizza in the city which was a must. Mainly because I bought an extra one to take home to Braden, but forgot it when I flew out. Darn!
