Thanksgiving

So we had a great Thanksgiving. My Mom had us all over to her house this year-including my Grandpa Butler (from Denver) and my Grandpa and Grandma Robison, also this year Becca brought home her soon-to-be fiance' Nic (of SLC). We loved having Becca and Nic here for Thanksgiving! We are still getting to know Nic, and we really like him a lot! And we really like Becca with him--she is so happy and so nice---Nic brings out some very good qualities in Becca. Nic was very sweet to all of our little girls (who, I think, all have a bit of a crush on him--they were acting very giddy, silly, shy, and giggly around him). Whitney, is the most crazy about him! Always climbing in his lap and demanding to be held---to which Nic was very accommodating . . . I am so excited for Becca to have Nic in her life. They make a great couple.

Thanksgiving . . . a time to slow down and be grateful for all that we have. And no, I haven't taken the tiniest bit of time to do that this year. I am grateful for so much in my life--my crazy, busy life--- nonetheless, I do have plenty to be grateful for. And I really don't take enough time to think about it all . . . so now is as good a time as any.

1. Scott, of course, he is the first on my list. :) Words do little to describe my feelings about Scott. He truly is my best friend. A team player. Wonderful provider. He makes me laugh. Hugs me when I cry. Still holds my hand when we're walking somewhere. Tells me I am beautiful, even when I can't see it. Loves me. I can see it in his eyes when he is looking at me. This journey through life and raising kids is better with him by my side.

2. Samantha, McKenzie, and Whitney---my little women. Teaching me how to be a Mother. Little reflections of me--some good, some bad-- They are innocent, tender, forgiving, teachable, full of love, full of joy, full of excitement. My greatest life's work. I am grateful everyday for the gift of them in my life.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ. Shaping me, helping me, guiding me, keeping me safe, bringing me peace and direction in my life.

4. A home of my own. I love having a house that is just our family's. A place to learn and love and grow together.

5. Living in here in this great community. So close to family --I love having my parents just next door, and Scott's parents are just down the road.

Gratitude keeps us happy. I actually feel calmer and more peaceful having taken the time to think about the great and wonderful things in my life. Hope you all had a "Happy Thanksgiving."

Journaling--The cute things . . . and "Ba-Hum-Bug"

So in the interest of keeping (somewhat) of a journal, I decided to write about Whitney and some of the cute things that she is saying. Concerning nursery at church, she has been really good up until she turned 2. Then she decided that she will scream, kick, cry, wail, and otherwise frighten the other children (not to mention the poor nursery leaders) until, I agree to stay and play with her. I am NOT letting her tantrum her way out of nursery, so I stay for awhile and then leave for my church calling and then keep checking back and usually go in to help calm her down. When I check on her she is usually separated from the other children screaming in a corner---saying over and over, "I need Mommy, I need Mommy . . . " you get the lovely picture . . . So I have been trying to change my strategy, I thought well I will "Pep-Talk" her before she goes to nursery--Going something like this: "Oh Whitney, it is time for nursery!" she quickly says, "NO Nurs--ee!" I say, " You can see Sister Shirley (whom she used to love)." She says, " NO Sisa Sher--yee!" I say, " Oh come on she is so fun." Whitney says, "NO fun!" I say, "Sister Shirley is so nice and happy." Whit says, " No ni-ice, No Hap--y!"----Pep-talk not working so well. But I had to laugh (inside) at how cute and confident Whitney was with her answers, all with a very serious scowl on her face. This past week we decided to try and talk more about nursery during the week, we even started praying for nursery and for Sister Shirley, I thought it might help when we then got to nursery and of course when we got to church, Sister Shirley wasn't in nursery that week . . . Her son got home from a mission and they were having a family party. Just my luck.

Scott has officially started coaching Basketball this week! He is the new assistant JV Boys Basketball coach at Madison High school! He is loving it! Four hours of B-Ball practice a day--who wouldn't be in heaven? I am trying to be a good sport about the whole thing. I think that I am doing pretty good so far, a whole week---way to go Chris!--- Scott is such a happy guy, all smiles when he is going off to Ball, and in a great mood when he comes home. I like to see him so lit-up about something---the spark the excitement! I am happy when he is happy!

I am trying to keep-up with the Holiday Season---and I am trying not to be a "Ba-Hum-Bug"! I used to love the "Holidays", but now, I kind-of dread them. I know, it's all the in attitude . . .blah. blah. blah . . . I am not ready to have a good attitude about it yet. So, I am being honest. I just feel like Christmas becomes all about "the stuff" and I look around our house, so full of "stuff" and I just get all wound-up thinking about all the more"stuff" that we are going to get . . . I know that we give gifts in honor of the gift of our Savior. And I honestly enjoy giving a gift to someone, when I know that it is really something that they will love and I get excited to surprise them with it, but I hate feeling like I have to get something for someone, just to get them something. more stuff. I know, "Ba-Hum-Bug" Sorry. Scott and I did do some Christmas Shopping this past Saturday, we were able to find some great things that I am really excited about giving to people, plus we got our Christmas cards all ready to send out! ALL of that is helping me feel better about the up coming Holidays!! I like to be on top of things!