The Great Outdoors

I've wanted to go on a hike for a few weeks now. Getting my boys to go anywhere outside is like pulling teeth. It's so hard. Plus, Luke only had shorts and I knew he couldn't go hiking in those. It took me a while to get him pants that he will tolerate, but I finally did and was determined to get out yesterday. 

We went up Rock Canyon to the rock slide spot. It isn't that far, but it was far enough for these silly (complaining) boys. We discovered that Luke's beanie needs to be repaired. The boys thought it was so funny to have Luke stick some of his hair out of the hole.

At one point on our way back to the car, the boys ran down a little hill and into my arms. We had a massive group hug which was exactly what I needed. It was the perfect ending to the hike these boys didn't want to go on. I am reminding myself that I am strong and capable and I can be a decent mother to these boys.  

#givethanks - Day 8

Thanksgiving this year was so wonderful. Amy made sure we had plenty of food, and then some. We had a cheese platter, crackers, chips (bbq, original, sour cream & onion), stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, turkey, pie, 4 kinds of icecream (vanilla, salted caramel, moose tracks, and cookies and cream), carrots, peppers, snap peas, olives, cucumbers, and razzleberry pie.

My favorite part was working on the potatoes with my BIL while we talked about healthcare. It will be interesting to see what our new president decides to do with the healthcare system. 

The boys loved dinner so much. Peter ate.....chips dipped in mashed potatoes. Later he had pie. Luke ate.....turkey, plates full of chips, and moose track icecream. They were in heaven.

I told the boys I had such a great time having Thanksgiving that I thought I might host it every year. Both boys promptly told me No Way. They said they like to go to Chuck A Rama for the pizza and it still is better even if they don't have the potato chips. LOL.

#givethanks - Day 7

 I am overwhelmed with the generosity of Christmas angels and gift givers. I am so thankful for their kindness to me and the boys.

-We have a Christmas angel who will be surprising the boys with gifts under our tree.

-Another Christmas angel gave us a $100 gift card. I bought Christmas stocking candy and gifts for the boys.

-A neighbor asked if we could use some meat. Yes! Her parents filled up my freezer. We will be eating well for a year, at least.

-I was given two turkeys plus a turkey breast. I made up one turkey for our family dinner and then learned how to can all the others. It was empowering and I know it will be so yummy in the months ahead.

-A kind person left this bag of kindness on my doorstep this morning. I feel so loved on my first Thanksgiving holiday without a husband or kids. It feels strange knowing they are at Gpa/Gma T's sitting down together to eat and I'm not there. 

-A few weeks ago a dear friend brought her kids over to decorate my door with these adorable hand cut hearts and trees. 

-We also got some help with some food from our local Bishops Storehouse. It was a blessing - especially the vanilla ice-cream for Luke. 

-Months ago my little sister asked how she could help. I asked if she would be willing to buy us a Christmas tree. I love it so much!

Everyday I give thanks and ask Heavenly Father to send special blessings to those who have been so kind and giving to us. I am so, so, SO blessed.

#givethanks - Day 6

Today I am thankful for a sister who comes to my house and does piano practice with Peter and Luke. It is especially awesome because Amy knows how to read music and play the piano. So, if the boys play a wrong note Aunt Amy won't let them get away with it. It's perfect and they always try to work really, really hard for Aunt Amy.

#givethanks - Day 5

 Naps....it's the only way I am surviving.

Decorating for Christmas

This year was epic. November 12th we started to decorate the house for Christmas. I started with all the decorations first and then we put up the tree last. It has been so much fun to have it up. It brings a bit more cheer and happiness to our days. My favorite thing will always be reading by the light of the Christmas tree.

This year Aunt Lisa bought us a new tree. It is smaller and more full than the one we had for the past several years. I love it. Peter helped hand Luke the decorations for the tree. It was so much fun to see them doing it. I was in charge of the lights and the red Christmas bow at the top. I just love it so much.

Most years, Bran would read me A Christmas Carol during the holiday season. We never got around to it last year, but I am trying to read it to the boys. We've been doing it for nearly two weeks and we are only on page 12. They aren't that into it. Not sure if I should plow ahead or give up. Motherhood is tricky like that - you never know if what you are doing is helpful or not. 

A week or so we also got an email from Peter's former teacher from Westside - Mrs. Hermann. She wanted to share with us a fun Christmas reading countdown. It was so thoughtful for her to do. We have started filling it in already. I'm enough of a realist to know that we won't get it all filled out on the correct days. We are having fun with it. 

 

#givethanks - Day 4

At 6am this morning both boys came into the office for the daily handoff of computer time. I go back to bed for an hour and they play computer games while I'm sleeping.

While I was taking off my blazer and wiping off my lipstick Peter asked this question "How do you have so much energy to teach these kids when it is so early"? 

I told him that I don't know how I have so much energy. Once I get into a classroom full of Chinese kids I just get going and the energy comes. But, the moment I log off my last class tiredness overwhelms me and I stumble back to bed.

So, today, I am extreamly greatful for lots of energy each weekday morning from 2:30-6am. It's a miracle I am so blessed to have. #givethanks

#givethanks - day 3

Someone in our neighborhood gifted us a 2nd turkey. Today I am greatful I have the tools and motivation to learn how to can turkey so we can eat it later. Parts of the process were really gross, but I am determined to utilize what we've been given.

#givethanks - Day 2

My sweet, loving, and creative neice made this for me when she visited Utah in August. It reminds me, on my hardness days, that I am loved and beautiful. I especially love the big purple gem. It reminds me how tough I have been in the past and how I can be just as tough now. Love you, Ella!

#givethanks - Day 1

Today, Amy, the boys, and I gathered around my phone and listened to a special message by President Russell M. Nelson. He spoke of gratitude for the many things we have been given. He gave me needed perspective. He reminded me that this global pandemic will be put in the annals of history....eventually and by showing gratitude we can make it through this difficult time more easily.

He invited us all to share our simple thanks of gratitude over the next 7 days on social media. My Facebook has been flooded. While I love seeing so posts about gratitude, it has also been difficult because so many of my friends express gratitude for husbands. It makes me want to barf. So, I'm taking a break from Facebook for the rest of the month and will post what I am most grateful for here:

Today I am grateful for a beautiful, safe, and warm home where the boys and I can create memories and joy. #givethanks.