Halloween 2008!

Happy Halloween!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A few weeks ago...

Grandma and Grandpa Thomas came to visit.  We were so excited for visitors!  It was a lot of fun.  We made it to dinner/BYU game for our anniversary. Yes, we are efficient.  Lucky me to have my anniversary fall on the same night that BYU LOST.  So sad.  Mark tried not to be depressed.  No pictures of that night.

Of course we had to hit up as many yard sales as we could - and found a few treasures.  We checked out the farmers market (if it could even be called that- very disappointing).   Chilled at the freezing cold pool.  Time to turn the HEAT on management! I know your all thinking,"but it's still 90 degrees out!"  Just trust me on this one.  

 Zina and Grandma made the most delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with squash instead of pumpkin. 

Yum.

And we made it out to Macayo's Kitchen for some delicious Mexican food. 

This is why we don't eat out very often (well one of the many reasons).  It's just easier at home.

Look how mad she is. 

And of course they filled our fridge with delicous utah apples, peaches, and squash. Thank you thank you Grandma and Grandpa. Come back.  We love your visits!

Outside

It has finally cooled off enough for us to be outside (other than at the pool).  It is really very exciting, which is why I'm blogging about it. 

Here are the kids in my birthday present.  It has changed my life.  Really!  We take it everywhere - grocery store, library, park, runs, MWU - love love love it.

I just really love this picture.

On our way to eat free Pizza at Midwestern for PA recognition day.

And of course, Zina's new bike!!  Wilson graduated to Zina's old bike and here is Mark giving them riding lessons. (And yes, we need to invest in some little helmets.)

a few thoughts...

Thursday was our fourth anniversary and today is my 26th birthday.  I have so enjoyed the week.  As I sat in Sunday School and Relief Society today (thanks to my wonderful husband for chasing Wilson through the meeting house hallways) I felt so grateful for a few specific things.  The first being my Mark.  

Where to begin.  How do you put into words something that just keeps on getting better.   I spent a lot of time fasting and praying to know whether or not I should marry Mark - the Lord blessed me in his infinite mercy with the knowledge that my desires to marry Mark were righteous and good.  I have never regretted that decision and am so grateful for a tender husband who respects me and loves me and supports me.  Since being here in Arizona I have grown to appreciate his efforts to be a good husband and father even more.   He is a complete perfectionist and being a perfectionist in medical school makes for a lot of pressure, but he always makes time to come home to eat dinner as a family and then get down on the floor to play with the kids, and visit with me before hitting the books again.  It is my favorite time of day.  I love to make delicious meals and then hear the words, "Mmmm, this is GOOD Mama!"  

That leads into the second, I have been so blessed to truly love the work in my home.   I love being home with Zina and Wilson - singing, dancing, cooking, cleaning, playing, crying, hugging, teaching, learning, etc. etc. etc.  There is so much to feel and so much room for growth within the walls of my home. 

And thirdly, I am grateful for a tender 3 yr. old who is learning and growing up so quickly.  Today the nursery leader told me a cute story about Zina that made my heart swell with pride.  She said one of the little boys was having a bad day and crying (sobbing) because he didn't want to be in nursery that day.  Zina went over, sat beside him, and held his hand through the whole nursery class to help him feel better.  She has always been concerned when she sees others suffering.  I think she was more upset with Wilson's shots a few weeks ago then he was.  She teaches me so much every day.  I love my Zina Zee.

Last but not least - my rambunctious Wilson Boy.   He is learning to climb and jump faster than I thought possible.  His favorite game is to climb up on the couch and then leap off onto whatever is on the floor.  Yesterday it was just the floor and he did a great big belly flop. Ouch.  He cried for a while and then wanted to do it all over again.  He makes me laugh so many times a day with his big slobbery kisses and toothy grin.  If I'm having a bad day I just need my Wilson Meds.  

Because of all this and so much more, I'm pretty sure that I am the luckiest person alive. 

Because

they are adorable and it was fun.

Rio Vista Splash Park

While watching conference.

Zina sat on my lap and sang, "I am a Child of God" along with the children's choir during the Saturday Afternoon session of General Conference.  (You can watch it here)  We talked about the Holy Ghost and how we felt inside - good, happy, warm.  She immediately became "to warm" for snuggling, sat up and declared, "feel my hands Mom, they are SO warm from the Holy Ghost!"  

This morning Wilson finally ate some porridge after a 24 hour fast due to some mouth ulcers in the back of his throat.  I was so happy, and declared to Zina, "Wilson's body is such an amazing gift from Heavenly Father!  It is starting to heal itself."  Zina looked at me with amazement and happiness and said, "Mom, Wilson made the Holy Ghost."  And it was true.  

I don't know if I would have stopped to think about what I was feeling - but Zina remembered that feeling from watching the children sing in General Conference.   I was so glad she did.  

Tagged...

You have to stop what you are doing and take the following pictures NOW. No excuses! If you don't have time to blog just take the pictures NOW and blog when you can!! No cleaning, re-arranging, just have fun taking the pics!

1. Kitchen Sink 2. Favorite room 3. Fridge 4. Closet 5. Laundry room 6.Self Portrait 7. Kids are doing, or what you are doing 8. Dream Vacation 9.Favorite Shoes 10.bathroom

And I tag, Kamala, Michelle, & Suzanne!

1. Kitchen Sink - crocheted dish clothes are the BEST.  

2. Favorite Room.  I love making yummy things in the kitchen.  I love my memories of helping my mom make yummy things in the kitchen.  My kids love helping me make yummy things in the kitchen.  The kitchen is a yummy place. :)  

3. Fridge - yup kind of a mess. I'm not a very organized person...but I'm working on it. 

4. Closet - it's the biggest closet we've ever had and it's still full of STUFF. Makes me wonder how on earth we have fit into the many places we have lived.  

5. Laundry Room.  I love love love having a washer and a dryer of my own - even if it is in the kitchen closet.

6. Self Portrait - I forgot to rotate it. Sorry. Just turn your head.

7. Kids are doing

8. Dream Vacation

So we went to Panama this past summer, but I missed this beach - Mark went before I got there.  I think I'd like to go back now that I have been once and know what I didn't know before. 

9.  Favorite Shoes

- given to me by my mother-in-law for Christmas -  L.O.V.E them!  They are comfy and cute. What more do I need? P.S. They're even cuter in real life.. :)

10. Bathroom

This tag was kind of fun, but took me awhile thanks to my beautiful children. :)