Breakfast with SANTA

Breakfast with Santa is always a highlight of the season ... this year we went early (Thanksgiving weekend) and the kids have been ready for Santa's visit every since ....

This year we had our friends with us .... Shannon, Tati, Christina, and Madison ....

We met Buddy the elf

The Coke a Cola bear ...

And chatted with Mrs. Claus (who told us Santa's favorite kind of cookie.... for a price I'll share the secret with you)

There was face painting...

And crafts ....

And the magic of the season has come early in our house. The kids eyes sparkle like the lights on the trees and our house if full of love and peace. Merry Christmas to all ... more to follow...

one wish or two?

If neither side is the longer one who gets the wish? Is it now two wishes instead of one? Perhaps infinte wishes? We all get the one wish we hold deep in our heart?

Penguins & Turkeys

The first snow brought much delight for Ian and Anna ...

From snow angels to snowball fights they were outside for hours....

Ian built two walls one for him and one for Anna ... and attempted a snow man... lack of branches for arms and the small size he announced he had made a snow penguin.

Thanksgiving we had a lot to be thankful for. Good food, family, and fun!

Dad was on hand to carve the turkey (I dread the day I have to do it!)

Anna spent the entire afternoon on Grandpa's lap, drawing pictures and writing him letters! And Ian made his Christmas wish list for Grandpa! Crystal and Jessie joined us for pie and we all watch Alice in Wonderland. It was a good day!


My list:
1. I am thankful for Ian and Anna! Their hugs and smiles make any trial disappear.
2. I am thankful for our health. Since losing Mom and having many close loved ones battle various health issues I realize how truly blessed we are!
3. I am thankful for my dog. He drives me batty most the time but when is cuddles I am comforted, when he barks/guards us I feel safe, and when he is always under foot I feel loved.
4. I am thankful for my job. Yes, it is stressful and crazy but it allows me to give the kids a safe, warm home. It allows me to provide a magical holiday season with activities and gifts. It allows me to feel important ... most of the time. Now if only I could get a change in shift (which is coming... I'll keep ya posted ;))
5. I am thankful for my friends and family. Even if time and life keeps us apart when we are together it is indescribable. There is love, commitment, and faith in one another.

I am a truly blessed woman and I intend to appreciate and enjoy all that I am given (even the trials and tribulations -- as they give me strength and character).

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

Class Action Law suit

I've blogged this topic before on my old blog so forgive me if you've read this all before ...

But it is high time women unite and bring a class action law suit against Disney, Hallmark, and all the other propagating media outlets the promote happy endings!

The cold hard fact is there is no knight in shining armor, there is no white horse, or angels to save the day. Little girls spend their childhood listening to stories of the prince who rides in when thinks seem impossible to save the damsel in distress. Every story ends with a ride into the sunset....

Sadly, I sit here now, watching stories of mysterious strangers who light up the night, and angels who guide lost souls to the right path .... damn the Hallmark channel!

Seriously men should want a piece of this law suit ... no wonder you can not figure women out. How does a mere mortal live up to an impossible fantasy? Only in movies can a man know from a brief conversation of a childhood memory what the woman wants/needs.

Where is the story of the mom who works hard, tries to do the right thing? And yet, still spends cold winter nights alone? The woman who does Christmas shopping alone, decks the hall .... alone.

I sound so pessimistic .... which is not who I am ... I have warm house, a good job, and two amazing children who truly are gifts from heaven. But there are times.... I just wonder.... do happy endings happen in real life?

Chewy

Our Chewy came to live with us in August. In the beginning he was a little shy, very sweet, and slept away the days...

Look at his little face and innocent eyes .... it did not take long for him to become family and find his place in our hearts.

He is mostly house trained and will come 'most' of the time when I call him .... two months later and four months old he is full of spirit and keeps up on our toes. His energy is endless and his dog kisses are soggy!

He was named after Chewbacca ... and fulfills his name chewy by chewing on anything and everything (when do puppies grow out of this phase?)

Lucky for him we love him and have found we can live without most of the items he's chewed beyond recognition.

He still has a lot more growing to do .... and that has me nervous ... but as I said ... he is family now and we are lucky to have him with us!

Now... 'GET OFF THE COUCH CHEWY!'

Halloween 2010

This years art project ... painted pumpkins

with silly faces!



Ian and Anna had a great time at the Paluzzi house for a Halloween party last week!










They frosted yummy cookies with many choices of shapes, frosting colors, and sprinkles.





Made carmel apples..... despite the fact that the apple washer should be fired!






Look Shannon ... their carmel is just fine!


And carved Jack-o-Lanterns .... all by themselves!!


Anna made a cyclops!

Ian ... made a toothless vampire (I know what you are thinking .... poor vampire will starve to death)




Halloween night (well really Saturday night cuz this is Utah).

We made a stop at Grandpa's ... then cruised a random neighborhood which was great for the kids ... they got bags of chips, stuffed animals, and the houses were decorated wonderfully for the occasion. Wonder if I could find the same street next year?


Scary Vampire.....





..... and scary Minnie?!


Ok ... I'll be nice Minnie she says!

Better schedule dentist appointments now ....

Be Brave

Brave: to face or endure with courage

Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Persevere: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

Big words. Where does one actually find the strenghth to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty in spinte of counterinfluences, oppositon or discouragement?

I think everyday we need to be brave ... some days more than others ... but everyday none the less. I seem to make big changes in my life often that bring such big changes, opposition ... that I must remind myself to stand tall ... to be brave.

There are emotional roads we choose ... perhaps not conciously, perhaps with a sixth sense, but a path we need to travel to strengthen our character; a journey we must complete to become the who whom we are meant to be.

If you know me well then you know many of my journeys have been trecherous. I have made difficult choices, not always the right ones, but the tough ones, that in the end have made me search the depths of my soul for courage and perseverence.

So as a new day dawns I remind myself to stand tall, be true to myself and my children, to Be Brave and to Live Life.

That's what I want

After miles of battling the road, forging up hills, pushing physical endurance, sweating and persevering ... I searched the horizon for the next mile marker ... I had lost count ... was I finishing mile 9 or mile 10? How much further did I have to go? I scanned the scene before me and as my eyes found the red number marking mile 11 I saw him reach for her hand. They were both slow with fatigue and now held hands to draw strength from each other. I watched as they laughed and encouraged each other on.

That's what I want.

I want to know when I'm tired from fighting the fight there will be someone to take my hand in the 11th mile. To walk with me and talk me through the obstacles I face. I want to cross the finish line and in the sea of smiling faces I want to find the one who is there just for me. the one to tell me "job well done" and "I knew you could do it".

That's what I want.

So I continue the race ... I walk with my head held high ... and will continue to search for ...

A day in life

A day in life....

Their smiles remind me of everything I'm doing right in my life!

Each day life is thrown at me ... I'm reminded of how short our time is here on this earth ...

But now matter what tries to get me down ... I'll always have my angels to help me fly!

Dirty Dash

If you know me then you know I love to run. Ok, perhaps its not running, it more of a fast jog with some walking thrown in. It's my theapy. During my many miles of travel by foot I've always wanted my children there to share the experience with .... today I got my wish (for a second time since I've taken up the sport!)

But I had special company today!

Ian completed his FIRST 10K .... and thanks to Heather we had a cheering section!

This was no ordinary 10K though ... this was a muddy, obstacle course extravaganza.

1 - 2 - 3 JUMP!

How often does your mom let you jump in mud puddles .... and how often does she join you?

It was a GREAT day .... Now .... I NEED a shower!!!