So Much to Be Thankful For this year!!!

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving holiday. It all started a week early when my sister, Janae, and her family came to visit. They arrived on the Friday before and stayed until the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was GREAT! We loved having the kids around and playing with them, as well as having our kids play with them. Except for the silly face Ryden taught Keara...

We played games, went to the park, made crafts, cooked and baked, watched a couple movies with pizza and root beer to boot, and wore ourselves out. Right before they came, Taryn spent a day throwing up. She felt great by the time they arrived, but apparently the bug hadn't left. Jordan lost his breakfast, and lunch, on Monday. Enoch and Keara spent a night throwing up on Tuesday, and Braden and Aspen did the same on Wednesday. Thankfully, they all felt much better after those nasty episodes, so it didn't ruin any days. Janae and I (and Kyler and Ryden) were SO lucky not to get any of it! Hooray!

We had a great day on Tuesday. First, Janae and I took the kids to the park so Enoch could get some work done. The kids had a great time and Janae and I enjoyed a visit. Then we went to Gilbert with everyone (except Braden). We went to my Aunt Katherine's for lunch and then to her community pool. Only in Arizona can you go swimming outdoors at Thanksgiving. However, it was still cold and the kids had a lot more fun in the showers than the pool. Janae got a great haircut here and looked stunning all week. If anyone's interested, I know a GREAT girl. You just have to come visit. (Thanks Jodi!)

The kids and I made crafts to decorate our Thanksgiving table. It was so fun, at least for me. We made napkin holders with turkeys, Indian headdresses, and Pilgrim hats on them, pinecone turkeys, chair covers, and a turkey bread basket. For Family Home Evening, we all wrote a few things we are grateful for on the "feathers" and stuck them in the basket. Then, on Thanksgiving, we each picked a few out and read them. It was a nice variation on an old tradition.

We had a great meal too. Our turkey was delicious, especially with the cranberry orange sauce our friend's taught us about. The stuffing turned out great, the mashed potatoes were so creamy, the homemade grape juice was delicious, and the pies were great too. There were no disasters and no mistakes. Phew!

It was so funny that Aspen was asking to eat the drumstick all week. She gets the drumsticks at home when they make chicken, which are SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than turkey legs. When we put that thing in front of her, her eyes got huge. She did a great job gnawing away at it!

Thanks for coming!!!

A Voice From the Dust

No, we have not disappeared. Yes, we are back! I haven't blogged in a LONG time because this time of year is SO busy as everyone knows and I honestly haven't had a moment to just blog. So, I woke up today determined that during naps, I would catch up on the last month. Some will be detailed, some will be short. But hopefully I'll get it all in.

Everyday Should Be Thanksgiving

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.

A Couple Other Updates

A few things that don't need their own post but need to be mentioned:

1. We got a treadmill! My friend Jill found one at a yard sale and we bought it for $25. I've used it once, but that'll change!

2. I'm not sick anymore. However, Taryn woke up this morning covered in vomit and has thrown up about 5 more times today.

3. I had a booth at a "farmer's market" which was more of a craft fair this last Saturday and I sold almost everything I had! I started (another) blog to sell them on for the many people who took my card. It's www.dreamsandseams.blogspot.com I'm still working on getting the "add to cart" buttons to work. I was so surprised at how many people loved the pumpkins and snowmen.

4. Braden got a new calling! He is now the 1st counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency. Long story short, he has been praying for a calling with more responsibilities because he really feels that he is ready for it. So here it is. I'm excited for him and for the new presidency. I really respect the new president a lot.

5. Janae and Enoch's family are coming in 3 days!! I can't believe its Thanksgiving time already. We're so excited!

6. Braden is now officially on his own at work and isn't prepared for that! But he's excited and enjoying it, so that's worth it. We're hoping he'll learn it all quickly so he can be more comfortable.

7. Braden got in a bit of a fender bender last Friday when this girl backed up into him and scrunched the front of our car. Fun. Not really, so I'm working with our insurance to get it fixed because, go figure, she had no insurance. Apparently, we attract the uninsured.

8. My house is trashed. If you want to come clean it, please do.

9. We have reached a settlement for our lease!!!! This is the most exciting news of all. But basically, we are paying a settlement fee and then will be released from our lease once and for all. I cannot believe it and cannot believe what the settlement is. We are so grateful to not have to file for bankruptcy and lose everything. What a blessing!

10. Taryn's anemia is improving thanks to the formula, she is officially allergic to milk too, and the allergist predicts she should outgrow her allergies by the time she is 5, including the peanuts. Here's hoping.

Bet Your Bottom Dollar You'll Lose Your Blues in Chicago, My Hometown!

Here it is, the post you've all been waiting for. All about the trip I had been waiting for and now its come and gone! I can't believe it. This is a LONG post, so either skim or get comfy.

It all started with me and the girls taking our first airplane trip without Daddy. The flight was relatively open, so I got 3 seats together. 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!!

We got there on Monday night and got picked up by my sister, Kerri! It was COLD...about 37 degrees and it was PERFECT! I loved the cold. It felt so refreshing. That night, we stayed up way too late talking and playing games and loving being there. 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.

It was SO exciting to come home, to finally be home and be able to play, relax, do, see, and be there. It was so good to walk in the door and see my parents and to let the girls get to know them. 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.

She and Carter, who are 1 month apart, had such a great time together. At first, it was a little rough getting to know each other and become comfortable, but by the end, they were like 2 peas in a pod! It was adorable. 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.

On Wednesday, we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Since that doesn't mean a darn-tooting thing to most of you, let me explain. One thing I LOVE about Chicago is there are so many things to do for cheap or free. The whole city is based on the idea of having entertainment, parks, and other things available to the public and to families, so there are parks everywhere. They have statues and other amenities that are just for fun. Since the whole city is on Lake Michigan, there are beaches everywhere. For those who think its not really a "beach", it sure feels like it! Lake Michigan is huge so you can't see any of the other shores. 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.

Anyway, the Lincoln Park Zoo is built in the middle of the city (sort of). But literally, its just plopped down right in the middle of people's way home from work, neighborhoods, etc. And its free. And its great. This is no dinky zoo. It is huge, with tons of exhibits and animals. And I hate to say it but I love zoos where the animals are in enclosures so we can see them up close and personal and see a bunch one right after another. None of this natural habitat stuff. 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 went to the beach in Wilmette with my mom, Kerri, and the boys one morning.

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.

We went to the library for story time on Halloween, which was fun to do with Keara. She was a little unsure of the big group thing, but enjoyed running with Carter after the other kids left. 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.

We dressed up with Kerri and Steve's family for Halloween. 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.

We also got to see a family I babysat for years...the Schield's. It was SO good to see them that night and then visit with them again on Sunday. I love the many people who so influenced my life, but the Schields and the Kennedys (another family I babysat for years) were 2 of the most influential in my life. I love them!

Saturday, we went back to the city to go to Millenium Park. There's not enough space on this blog to describe my feelings for this city, so go visit. But Millenium Park is this huge area they built a few years ago. They moved the outdoor ice skating rink there, built a huge grandstand area for concerts, put in 2 huge pillars that show faces and shoot water in the summer, a floating puddle thing also in the summer, and then the bean. 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!

Sunday, we went to my old ward. There's hardly anyone there anymore that I know, and they renovated the building, but it was good to be there just the same. Taryn was a nightmare in church and I really missed Braden's help. I was so sad to leave on Monday. It just wasn't enough time. I loved every minute of our trip. I didn't think I would miss Braden as painfully as I did and I was so excited to go home to him, but I didn't want to leave. It was the first time in years I have felt those tender feelings of being home. Feelings of peace, safety, happiness, and the true ability to be myself. I was so happy every minute. I am so grateful I got to go.

Our flight home was a nightmare. It was packed and they didn't even have 2 seats together for me and Keara. A nice gal switched places with me, but that still put us in a row with this 20 year old single guy who "likes kids cause I've got a little brother and sister" but really tried hard to sleep the entire time so he wouldn't have to deal with us. I wished we had gotten a grandma to sit with. Oh well. Because of the laws on liquids, I brought only enough to fill the sippy cups. That was fine until about an hour before we landed when Taryn wanted another bottle and I didn't have anymore water. I didn't want to spend the $4 for a bottle of water and they wouldn't give me their tap water. So I delayed, trying to keep her satisfied. But after another 20 minutes of her squirming and the many "I'm trying to look like I sympathize with you but really wish you would quiet your child" looks around me, I asked to buy a bottle of water. "No, you can't buy anything now. It's all put away." That's when I broke down and cried. I tried not to let anyone see, but Keara did. For some reason, my being sad always turns her into angel child so she was perfect the rest of the flight. Taryn still fought me the rest of the flight and the nice people in front of us tried to help, but I prayed for the flight to end as soon as possible. We made it off the flight and waited for Braden to come get us. It was the greatest sight in the world to see my dear husband who I missed so terribly walking toward us! I didn't want to let go. I was glad to be with him again, just wished it could be back in Chicago!

Thank you to everyone who made that trip possible. I needed it so badly. Unfortunately, it left me wanting more, so I'm ready to go back! I'll wait until its practical or necessary again, and I'll rely on pictures in the meantime. What a bum way to end a trip, and then to get sick, but other than that, it was perfect. The greatest trip I've ever had, if only Braden had been there too.

Not like you wanted to know the full story...

I can't believe it's been almost a full month since I last blogged. I have good excuses, really! The last time I blogged was on the 15th of October. After that, life got really busy as I got ready to go to Chicago, as well as organize RS activities, participate in a boutique, finish gifts, make holiday decor with my sis-in-law, and a slew of other things. Then I went to Chicago for a week (don't worry, that's to come, just not today). I got back this past Monday. About 20 minutes before our flight landed, I noticed my throat was hurting. No big deal, a lot of people feel sick after a plane ride.

But when it didn't go away, and actually got worse, I figured I was coming down with something. By Wednesday I had congestion in my chest and was starting to cough, though it was a dry cough. Thursday was worse and by Thursday night, my voice was hoarse. I sounded like a man. I felt fine, like no stomach ache, headache, fever, body aches, etc. But my throat really hurt and the cough hurt my chest each time I coughed.

When I woke up at 6:45 on Friday to set up for our yard sale, I felt okay, but I felt weak. We set up and within an hour, I was shaking with chills. I shook for the next 10 hours, trying to warm myself in anyway I could. Each minute I got weaker and weaker until I couldn't move. I couldn't walk, sit up, or help the girls. I also had a pounding pressure headache that throbbed with every cough. We closed our yard sale early and I laid on the couch for the next 2 hours until the girls took a nap, at which point I moved to my bed. Then when they woke up, I went back to the couch until daddy was almost coming home at which point we moved to the guest room, where I stayed for the next 2 hours until I moved back to the couch until going to bed.

My poor girls. They didn't get fed all day on Friday until Braden got home. Keara had KIX for breakfast and then found the box and poured in on the floor for her and Taryn's lunch. She found some juice in the cupboard to drink, and then got a sippy from the cupboard and filled it with water. I had to get up twice to get bottles for Taryn and to put them to bed. But otherwise, I tried not to move. I was SO grateful that they played and let me rest in peace, for the most part. Besides climbing on me. Anytime they even came near my body, I hurt. I felt like each touch was burning my skin.

Every bone, every ligament, every joint ached. Oh, wow, it was terrible. My sister suggested TheraFlu which Braden ran to get for me. Amazingly, it worked! At least long enough to come downstairs and eat. I had a full appetite, but couldn't move enough to eat or even stop hurting enough to chew. So I felt much better for about an hour until it knocked me out and then wore off during the night. So I was up throughout that night and awoke early Saturday for another go at the yardsale. (btw, I made about $125 from it all. Hooray!)

Saturday was much better. My voice was still hoarse, but not as manly, the chills were gone, the aches were less, but the cough was stronger and more frequent. Then my muscles started hurting. Like each cough shot a pain in my chest and back. My neck feels so strained, probably from lying down so much. My glands swelled up and I started feeling hot, though not running a fever. But I couldn't stop coughing. And the coughing made me nauseated. So I got a blessing from Braden and our friend Ben last night and the coughing subsided for the most part. I even slept with only coughing 2-3 times! It was great. Were it not for Keara waking up twice, I would have slept all night. (any song come to mind?)

Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I felt tired. Very unenergetic. Braden and I talked about me not going to church. If I hadn't gone, it would have been the first time in years that I didn't go to church, besides right after having a baby. I believe in going to church. I believe that if you are able and you're not going to infect the world, you should be in church every week. The more you miss, the harder it is to go. So I didn't want to stay home, but I didn't know what is wrong with me and I didn't want to make anyone else sick.

We decided I should go just for Sacrament meeting (the first hour or so of church) and then I would bring Taryn home. Our friends were blessing their baby today and we wanted to be there for that. I figured we would just sit where no one else was so I wouldn't breathe on anyone. But there were SO many people there that we filled up the entire chapel, first, second, and THIRD overflow! It was amazing. But, then again, there were 3 babies blessed and everyone's families came to be there.

Long story longer, I felt really good thru all of church. I hardly coughed, though my voice is practically gone today. It's nice to whisper. We stayed, and I'm glad I did. But when we got in the car, the coughing started again, the aches came back, and my head is hurting now. I want to lie down, but I hear Taryn upstairs and Braden is on the phone with a family from his mission to Brazil. So, I guess we'll just get going.

Excuse my home, by the way, if you happen to come over. Its a warzone here. I've done nothing to clean it because my head hurts to bend over and pick things up. So, besides the wonderful job Braden did the other day tidying up, its trashed.