"Eye of the Storm"

"When I had toddlers clinging to my legs who were drawing on couches and spitting up all over creation (serious reflux) she always used to tell me to try to envision myself as the "eye of the storm." You know that quiet part in the middle of the hurricane?"

That above was found here and I LOVE it. It hit home and I REALLY need to tae it to heart and put my self in that place when everything gets crazy. Usually, I AM THE STORM.

Little John is bendy

I have noticed that the vertibrae at the top of John's neck seem big. He said that some kids at school have said the same thing so I had to get it checked out. He had an xray and the only thing we found is that his joints are extra flexible. He can hyperextend his body parts....we've always been amazed at the bendy positions he sleeps in. He also has distended pecs. I don't remember the real term for it but they sink in. Interesting. The doctor said when he gets some meat on his body, his spine won't protrude so much.

So that's that. And he's practically perfect in every way.

Halloween 2011

Pumpkin carving this year was done by Sam, Jack, Thomas, Emily, and their dad. Somehow lil John, Leah, and I missed out. They did a great job.

Grandma invited us to come trick or treat at her work. Her entire office was decorated amazing. It was fun to see.
The kids are ready for the Ward Halloween Party.
Aaron and Zach came over to trick or treat with Thomas and Jack. Sam left with his buddy Benson and his family. It was a perfect night for trick or treating. We had soup with our neighbors and Rob, Teresa, and Leslie then Teresa, Leslie, and I took the kids around the block. There were people everywhere. It was so fun.

TODAY I am thankful - Day 3, 4, 5, 6

I have missed a few days of being thankful but that is because we have been campaigning a lot and not much else is on my mind.

So today I am thankful for this campaign we've been working on for the last 3 months! The primary was in September which got us started in August. We are tired of seeing our signs. We have gone through moments of being tired of 'campaigning'. We're tired of all the dumb 'politics' going on in other cities....luckily not our own. We are ready and excited to be done.

We have worked hard. John has knocked between 800-1000 doors of homes with 2+ voters. The kids and I have left flyers on doors of about 2500 more doors. On Saturday, John had about 50 homes left to knock before every precinct has been personally hit by us. About half way through he excliamed "We're done". We felt good and decided to hope for the best.

We woke up this morning and knowing we have about 250 flyers left, our nerves kicked in and we will be finishing those flyers today.

It has been fun. The kids have loved it and we have loved it. We've gotten to know our city and a lot of people in our city. Our kids have been exposed a little bit to the life of politics. They ask questions and more than anything are so excited for their dad.

I've sworn I would take pictures throughout this process and it hasn't happened. All of us have spent hours and hours stapling mini-signs to flyers, putting magnets on mini-signs, putting stickers on the mini- signs, stapling rubber bands to flyers, and running door to door to door of 2000 of the most frequent voters. Sometimes knocking on doors asking people to 'vote for their dad' but mostly leaving flyers at doors.

I think we've had less fighting and less contention as we have worked together. It has been fun and today I feel excited and hopeful and nervous and like we've accomplished a great thing. Win or lose.....we worked our tails off. Hopefully WIN!!

We are so thankful for the help from a wonderful woman, Nancy and her 'team' and Rick and his 'team'. Their stories of where they came from and their help later.

TODAY I am thankful for the excitement and fun of this election and that tomorrow is the big day!

TODAY I am thankful for wonderful children who are willing to give up whatever they need to give up to help us.

TODAY I am thankful for great family who have provided so much help and donations of all kinds to help to us and Richard in our campaigns.

TODAY I am thankful for wonderful neighbors and friends who have given support and donations.

TODAY I am thankful that after tomorrow, I don't have to wake up every day feeling stressed and anxious about our campaign and about Richard's campaign. (John and I have felt more stress and hope for Richard's campaign than our own)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL. IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY!!!

TODAY I am thankful - Day 2

Today, I had a busy evening so I had dinner all planned out. It went in the oven at precisely 4:30 and would come out of the oven when I got home at 6:30. Between campaigning, High Priest visits, Emily's last softball game, guitar, and all the hoopla that goes on every evening, we had a 30 minute window to eat dinner.

I got home at 6:30 and thought it was odd that I couldn't smell dinner. I announced to everyone that I was home and it was time for dinner and to come help set the table. Not only that but it was chicken and rice. All of my kids all time favorite. They don't care what flavor as long as it is Chicken and Rice.
As I got closer to the oven, I didn't feel any heat. Turns out, just after I left at 4:30, one of the kids turned off the oven. I had just finished some soup I was taking to grandma and grandpa and maybe they assumed I forgot to turn off the oven. I don't know.

For about one minute, I wanted to cry. I stood there in a slump, then stared into the pantry trying to figure out what to come up with, almost calling John to bring home pizza.

Then quickly, I made eggs, popped 14 eggos into the toaster, microwaved some frozen sausage, and within 15 minutes we had dinner together at the table.

I am trying so hard to not miss and it has been going well for a few weeks now. It is my favorite time of day and I love my family coming together every day to eat together.

So, I am thankful that I grew up with a mom who never missed providing dinner together at the table. She got home from work around 5 and would immediately get to work putting together nice dinners for our family. We were taught how to set the table and we all knew to be home at 5:00. Recently I had the realization that with all the "disfunction" in our family (and remember, every family has disfunction), her dinners were key to keeping us together. And I am so thankful for that.

I also remember many, many dinners at my grandma and grandpa Jamison's house. Manners were expected. We ate all kinds of wonderful food and had lots of chocolate milk and "shirley temples".

I also remember my grandpa Kimball making us big breakfasts. And I remember one time when Jolie and I were eating spaghetti dinner with my grandma and grandpa , they said to us "you can slurp your spaghetti at our house." I've always remembered that because my dad did not allow "slurping" of any kind and I thought it was kind of cool. Then we all kept laughing because it was quiet other than our slurping spaghetti.
TODAY I am thankful for family dinners.

TODAY I am thankful - Day 1

I LOVE November 1st. October is beautiful but nearing the end of the month, the beauty is over run by ghosts and goblins and parties and candy. Way too much candy. We had a great Halloween with family but November 1st every year is a breath of fresh air and an instant welcome to the JOY of the next 60 days. I am one that starts the Christmas music as soon as I want. I don't see a need to put off Christmas music. I like to prolong out the real Holidays. I love to be reminded of my blessings and work on being more thankful.

A friend posted the beginning of her daily November thankful post today. It was being thankful that her husband encouraged her to go to kickboxing today. That's it. And I got teary eyed. Because I was reminded to be grateful for EVERYTHING.

After all, "Entitled to Nothing. Grateful for Everything." is a quote I love.

The Winnie the Pooh picture above is from "Winnie the Pooh: The Season of Giving" video. Yes video. 12 years ago, my mom bought this movie and "Boo to you too, Winnie the Pooh" and I watched them many times with John and Emily. I get so excited every year to watch these shows with my kids. John and Emily are really bored with them and complained a lot about it the other day. Until I shared with them, my wonderful memory of watching these movies with them.

I love the feeling of this 2 month season. Something sparks inside of me and it stays. I have great intentions every year of finishing off the Christmas shopping before December even starts and this year is the year. I'm determined!! My mom already has everything done and wrapped and she's done something special this year for the grandkids. She has a stack of presents from floor to ceiling, in the corner in her bedroom. The kids stare at these gifts mesmorized, anticipating the day they get to open them. It is like this every year and all 12 grandkids love to guess what might be in those pretty boxes. So do I.

Grandma and Grandpa H. spend all year, every year, planning and putting together thoughtful gifts for their 43 grandkids. It is fun to see what they come up with and they always give gifts that will be treasured forever. I am so thankful for that.

I am ready to turn on the hot chocolate maker and get out the marshmallows and whipped cream. Especially on cold days when we are all home and can watch the beauty of winter outside, from the inside of our home.

I am ready to get our traditional 12 days of Christmas ready with the kids. Especially deciding who we will do it for this year. And why.

I am ready to shop for something special for my kids. I think it's fun to get them things they will love. I love to make them happy. Even if it is with 'things' sometimes.

I am ready for Thanksgiving! I love taking time every day of the month, with my family, writing down what we are thankful for. I love Thanksgiving. What a wonderful tradition to gather with family and be thankful for each other. I am excited for Brussel Sprouts. I hate them. But they are a must because they are tradition. And I love tradition.

I am ready for the Christmas parties, putting up the tree and the lights on the house, caroling, Temple Square, Christmas Streets, Christmas movies, and finding any way we can to be reminded of our Savior....the REAL meaning of Christmas. I see all the 'fun' parts as a way to feel JOY and remember that it is all because of HIM.

TODAY I am thankful for "The Season of Giving" and the reminder to be thankful.

Sam

Sam was ready for church on Sunday when he decided to run around outside in his socks. He got them all wet and dirty so when he came in, we told him to take them off and go get some new socks. This is what he came up with and he was completely happy.

Aren't little kids awesome!!! He just needed socks so he got the ones he wanted.

We had him change into church socks and next thing we knew he was right back outside without shoes again. Aren't little kids awesome.

He also wore a vest over his white shirt but only agreed to wear it if he could put it on WHEN HE GOT TO CHURCH. So that's what he did. Thomas HATES wearing vests and I think Sam has picked up on that. When really he doesn't care.