Savannah's on a two wheeler!

Ben took off Savannah's training wheels today and she took off! She is a pro! Now, if you remember, Austin just got his training wheels off this past summer!

She loves that she is the same as all the other kids on our block now, a big kid. Hooray for Savannah!

my gratitude list...

I am thankful for-

modern technology that lets us keep up with those friends and family that we don't live near any longer

the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

eternal families and temple work

dependable cars

anti-depressants

indoor plumbing

a yard with green grass

my body, even with all its flaws,

to be in a position to give service to those who stand in need and help those who just need a little pick me up

Savannah- who reminds me everyday to laugh

Austin- who reminds me everyday that the most important things are right in front of me

Ben- who reminds me everyday that miracles do happen and to believe in a little magic

for this country and the rights and privileges we have

for those people in California who made the hard decision and stood up to protect the sanctity of marriage

Savannah gives thanks

Austin gives thanks

my kids are super!

Austin as Batman

Savannah as the Flash.

Thanks Alex for the costumes, they are awesome!

What's it like where you live?

At Austin's school, he is expected to be fully reading and comprehending what he is reading by the end of first grade because in second grade, they will not be working on those skills. He will be expected to already have that skill set and be ready to apply it to his classwork.

I am wondering, is that the same where you live? I know in Kansas, you have to be fully reading in order to pass kindergarten. What are the requirements where you live? I am trying to get a feel for what to expect when we move from here. Is he going to be behind? Should I get him so tutoring so he has a slight advantage? Our worst in the nation education is hard to swallow, especially because my sisters kids are in the #1 school district in the nation. Not that I am comparing mine and hers, I am just hoping that Austin isn't going to have to pay for it later.

Tagged by Jeni H

Okay, Jeni tagged me. I have to name seven quirks.

1. long fingernails on boys-Austin's grow so fast and they are so thick and the fact that has way better nails than both Savannah and I isn't fair and sometimes they just gross me out. They usually have black crud under them and that makes me yack. I have to clip them right after he showers and then I make him go back in the bathroom and wash them.

2. hot cocoa- I remember up until a few years ago, the idea of making hot cocoa with milk never occured to me. Then one day at a friends house in Ames, she made it that way and now I can't drink hot cocoa made with water.

3. nose picking- my kids pick their noses all the time and I just want to reach over and slap their dirty hands and then I make them go and wash. Gross!

4. socks with sandals- I think that is self explanitory, wrong.

5. grudges- I am not a person who holds grudges. I tend to be pretty forgiving and expect others to be that way too. When people bring up things that happened years ago or base their opinions of people on events that happened a long time ago, I don't get it. We are all constantly changing and hopefully bettering ourselves and to be held to mistakes that happened a long time ago is irritating.

6. leftovers- can't eat them. I keep them, put them in my fridge and then throw them the next time I go grocery shopping. I hate to think of myself as wasteful, but the truth hurts.

7. new clothes- I never wash new clothes before I wear them.

Austin and I had the sex talk...kind of

Austin has had a lot of questions lately about babies and how they grow and how they get in mommies tummies. Yesterday, Savannah had a birthday party to go to and Austin and I were planning a lunch date and I decided that after much prayer, this was the opportunity.

He was very interested and asked some good questions and I must say, he seemed to get the gist of what I was saying. I asked him if he had any questions and he said if he did, he would ask. Then he said the funniest thing, "Mom, sex really sounds like fun." We continued to talk about the bounds with which this wonderful experience should happen, and he totally got it. He said, "I can see why you should only have sex when your married. Kids need mommies and daddies."

I am so grateful I was able to have this first (of many) conversations with him. I am grateful to feel like the Spirit lead my words and he was able to see both the beauty and necessity of boundaries when it comes to sex. I hope this is the start of many open conversations about important topics and that he will always feel like we can talk about questions he has.

Someone stole my identity!

I was checking our bank account info and noticed that three charges had been made on my debit card online that I didn't authorize. I called the bank and filed a report and they are sending out the info in order for us to have the money put back in our account. They recommended filing a report with the police department. They said it will create a paper trail, but that unfortunately it probably won't lead to anything being done. They said 8 million people a year have the same problem and I was lucky that the charges were relatively small (6.00, 79.00 and 89.00) and that I caught it so early. I had to cancel my card immediately, order a new one and they recommended purchasing Identity Protection through my bank or any financial institution.

I never thought this would happen to us. I feel sick. The only online shopping I have done in months was from Old Navy and they said it is very possible the info was phished from them. That no online checkout was as secure as if we had made purchases in the store. She said things like bill pay were safer, but everything is vulnerable. We will be purchasing Identity Protection from our bank for only 12.99 a month and it will offer daily monitoring and a copy of our credit report from all three major credit bureaus. I recommend you all do the same.

Yes to Prop 8

We all know this fight in Cali isn't going to stay in Cali. We can all do our part to support the idea of marriage as between a man and a woman. This link has nothing to do with not supporting our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual friends and family. It simply fights to protect the idea that "marriage" is between a man and a woman.

Here is the link in case you would like more information and would like to get involved to help:

http://www.protectmarriage.com/

The baby is good!!!!!

I got in today at 11 and Dr. Keller did a trans vaginal ultrasound and said the baby looked good. She said she could see that I was having some cramping, but she thought it was because I had such a bad stomach flu this week and was dehydrated. She said to take it easy, lay around and no lifting. I will see her again the week of Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all of you prayed on my behalf. It worked.

My cup runneth over.

I started bleeding this evening...

please don't call, I don't think I can talk right now and hold myself together. I'll update tomorrow after I see the dr.

It's just Wrong!!!

I have a confession to make. I love Halloween, because for weeks after my house has more candy in it than any other time of the year and I am able in indulge and I usually glutton myself out of a pant size all on fun size candy bars and sweet tarts.

But, no not this time. We have more candy than any previous year and this year I can't force myself to eat it. I am having a revulsion for anything and everything sweet. I can't stomach chocolate, and just the smell of the kids sweet candy breath sends me running for the bathroom. It is like the gods of all things sweet and yummy are having a good laugh at my expense. Here I am swimming in Reese's PB cups and Snickers, and all I want is a taco or turkey breast sandwich with extra salt.

I should be thankful at least this is keeping me on track with my weight goals, but it just seems so wrong and unfair. Yes, if you could see me right now, my hands on are on hips and I am pouting. It's just wrong! My genetic makeup is at least 2 parts chocolate, ask my mom!! But no! I can't even look at without wanting to dry heave. Oh well, it just forces me to make an extra big turkey for Thanksgiving and extra dressing! YUMMY!!! Like I said, wrong, on so many levels.

the flu - round 2

My turn, luckily, I only got Austin's 12 hour stomach bug. It was brutal. Ben was at the races all afternoon while I was yakking my guts out and the kids were out riding bikes. I would sit out with them, run in, puke, clean myself up again, and go back out.

I did that for about an hour and half and then I made them come in so I could lay down. Ben got home sometime after 5 or so and I went to bed. I got up Sunday feeling a little weak, but better.

I did get a flu shot on Friday so hopefully I won't get the big one!