Something I'm thankful for

Obviously I'm thankful for the usual family, friends, God, home, food and jobs but I was thinking today of something else that I am thankful for and that would be the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. Don't get me wrong I think working moms are great. I was one of those too for 5 years and I miss teaching terribly and will probably go back sooner than later. BUT, I've been a SAHM for 4.5 years now almost as long as I was a working mom and it's a pretty good gig. It does come with it's sacrafices but there's lots of benefits.

1. My kids are almost never sick. Not even colds!

2. I get to help at school. Which is seriously fun and helps me know what they are doing.

3. By far less stress!

4. I get to see all the cute and not so cute stuff Ella does during the day.

5. I get to cook and bake more and eat out less. Always a good thing.

I'll probably think of more.

PS I'm thankful I can go back to work if I wanted to. :)

Momma's Boys

Look!! Apparently, being the "Meanest Mom EVER" is workin' out for me.

My favorite details

Life with Ella

Ella can dress herself now. This evening she wore a pajama top and her favorite tights which she calls her "Princess socks."

Ella: "These socks pink Mom."

Me: "Yes they are. You are right Ella."

Ella: "I LOOOOVVVVE them!"

Me: "I know you do."

Ella: "They my favorite Mom."

Me: "I know they are."

Ella: "My sister gave them to me."

Me: ???

Stand there scratching my head.

(Ella now puts her purse over her shoulder.)

Ella: "I going to pick some bowls of popcorn."

Me: "Okay"

Ella: "Good-bye! I love you!" Blows kisses with a very loud "MUH!" kissing sound

Me: "I love you to! " Return the kisses.

Good-byes and kisses are repeated several times.

At this point I am trying to make dinner. Ella wanders off and I hear the locks turn and the front door open and shut! I manage to get her back into the house before she gets off the front porch. Thank goodness I don't have any neighbors!

Gone Leafing!

One of our favorite things to do is rake Grandma's leaves in the fall. Christian had to honor of being babysat by Grandma for almost 5 years of his life while I worked and raking the leaves was something they really enjoyed together. Since I quit we have tried to make it over each fall to play in Grandma's wonderful leaves. They are perfect. They are big and there are lots of them.

Poor Grandma!

Letters from Sisters

October 1998

Steph,

Hey, I just wanted to drop you a little note to tell you how much I love you. I look at you and see a perfect mother, you have always been the one to take control of a situation, you know what you want and you don't let anything stand in your way!

I will never forget the day I watched you walk out of those temple doors. You looked so beautiful. I wanted to be you so bad. I never knew how much you cared until that day you called me crying because you were so worried about me. I am so sorry I made you cry. I never really get to talk to you anymore but I am excited you are so happy and keeping very busy.

I know your kindergarten kids probably worship you. I am excited to see you succeed and do what you have always wanted to. I love you. I am so excited to play with you on Halloween!

Love,

Lil' Nat

November 2008

Dear Nat,

I just wanted to drop you a little note to tell you how much I love you. You have grown up so much since you were 18 years old. You have grown into an amazing, talented and beautiful woman. I look at you and see a perfect mother. You are always one to take control of a situation. You are determined and you know what you want. I admire you for your courage and your abilities as a leader.

I will never forget the day you got married and we were all in the temple together. I wept that day with tears of joy. You were so beautiful that day.

I want you to know what an amazing mother you are. Your children and mine adore you. I am excited to meet your new little daughter.

Thank you for being one of my best friends.

I love you,

Steph

Adventures in Mouse Hunting!

So tonight Ella keeps saying, "Kitty is under the couch." We are scratching our heads because Kitty can't get under the couch. (Yes, our cat's name is Kitty. We have a hard time naming things even our children.) We go into the living room and the cat is wedged between the wall and the couch. She WILL NOT come out. She is going nuts. There MUST be a mouse under there. So I move the couch back and sure enough a mouse runs across the baseboard behind the couch. The cat chases after it. The mouse runs under the couch. I move the couch out further. The mouse runs under. This happenes several times each time the cat tries to catch it but isn't fast enough. In the mean time Brandon and the boys have armed themselves with platic cups and he has each boy at an entrance to the living room to guard it. Apparently he thinks the boys can catch a VERY fast mouse from running into the next room. The boys at this point are jumping up and down screaming, "This is the best night of our lives!" Brandon and I then decide we must tip over the couch. On the count of 3 we tip the couch onto it's front. As we lift it the cat goes in for the KILL and starts throwing the mouse up into the AIR! The mouse hits the ground and runs under the couch just as I am setting the front of the couch on the ground. . .

AND. . . .






. . .




. . .




. . .




. . .



. . .



SQUISH!!!


I squished the mouse under the arm of the couch!

Game over! YAY me!

Look at my handsome boys!

They are growing so big!