Thanksgiving 2009

It's a tradition with Andy's family that on Thanksgiving after we have stuffed ourselves till we hurt we sit around the table as adults and tell each other what we are thankful for in the past year. This year of course was no exception. So here is to my family and friends that couldn't sit at the table...

I have many things to be thankful for. This year has been one for our family to grow. We've learned a lot about our children, and taking care of their needs. Andy's job has been such a blessing and we are so glad that it allowed us to move to Nampa. We feel that we have settled in very well in our new home and neighborhood. We especially love our ward and all the good friends we have made. I am very grateful for the opportunity to run with Angela and find such an amazing friend in her. I enjoy all my time with her and don't know what I would do without her. Most of all this year I am thankful for my calling. We left our last ward kicking and screaming getting out of primary and swore it off! And after being in the 34th ward for six weeks I was called to be the second councilor in the primary presidency. I now know that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. He had a plan for me and I have learned to change my perspective. I have grown to love those children and appreciate them as individuals... even if I can't remember them all by name. It's still not the easiest calling, but at least I can say that I'm grateful for it this year.

Just for fun!

Not a whole lot is going on around here other than normal life. So just for fun I had to mention two things that I thought were knee slappers.

First, when our family was here for the race my mother-in-law had offered to help out with sharing time in primary. Shout for joy!!! Anyway, she was telling the senior primary about this touching story of a husband and wife that involved old fashioned ironing. It really was a very sweet story and some of the kids started asking questions. One little boy, whom I think is around 9 or 10, stood up and said with a very puzzled look, "What is ironing?" I don't think any of us could help but laugh!

Second, today I was watching Angela's boys for about an hour. During that time Preston said he needed to go to the bathroom. He didn't make it in time for some of it and ended up needing new underwear. Since I was only having them for a short time I didn't have extra stuff and so I sent Katie to get a pull-up. Our house is surrounded by girls... and we have pink, princess pull-ups. I'm sorry, Preston. Once Preston saw the pull-up he started crying, "I CAN'T wear pink!" I tried my best not to laugh and even told him that we can cover it up with his pants. That didn't seem to matter in his mind and had a melt down over a pink pull-up. Bryce will be so proud!

Another Race... I know!

I apologize for not having any pictures. Our computer crashed and we lost EVERYTHING! So I don't have anymore photos to post for probably at least a few weeks.

Anyway, this last weekend I ran the Zeitgeist half marathon. I know a lot of you are sick of me talking about running, but what can I say... I love it! A lot of Andy's side of the family came out to Nampa/Boise to run the race with Angela and I. We had already planned to run it and then Emily called and said she signed up along with Nate, Lisa, Amy, and Troy. Pressures on, baby! It was fun to run with all of them and I think a few of them are crazy! Emily had swine flu and ran the insane, hilly course while having a horrible cough and on meds. She coughed hard enough they did x-rays to see if she cracked any ribs! And Troy did Zeitgeist for his first half marathon! This course is so brutal my legs are still sore. The first 3 miles of it is uphill and then straight down for about a mile. From there it's mostly level for a couple miles and then it climbs again. At about mile 8 it was literally straight up! I never stop running for my races and this one I couldn't make it to the top without walking. We were told it was down hill from there and when I reached the top I wanted to cry. We were lied to... it was not all down hill. However, I finished and we had quite the cheering section. Not only did our family run, but a lot of the other family members came just to cheer us on. That part was fun, but I don't think I'll be running that course anytime soon. I need to let my feet heal from the huge blood blisters, first. If you would like to see pictures click HERE. Thanks for posting, Mindy. Thanks to all of you that came out to run. I look forward to running with all of you again! And thanks to all the other family members that came out to support us. It was nice to have you here.