amazing...

You want to see amazing? Check out HIS new website. Take your time browsing. You'll be glad you did. Today, I am thankful that my family was able to be photographed by him.

So, so thankful for my family, the gospel, this country, my friends, good food, my health. I could actually keep on going, but I won't. Gotta go prepare a feast. :)

a question about the big man...

OK...some help here. The other day on the way to scouts, Alex asked me if Santa was real? He said that kids at school were saying it was just the parents. Considering I had the 3 younger girls in the car too, I didn't know what to say. I asked him what HE thought. He still believes, but said that he is almost getting in fights about it at school. I knew this day would come. When did you all learn the truth...or do you still not know? :) I don't think it hurts him to believe...plus that's what Polar Express tells him to do. What is the appropriate age to let him in on it? Will he tell his sisters? Help.

the will of Molly...

Years ago, when Alex was 2, a dear friend of mine showed up at my house with a book...The Strong-willed Child. At the time, I wondered why. Alex was a breeze. I had a lot of control with him. I realize now, that she must have known what would be coming...years later. She must have known about my Molly.

Let me describe for you our last 2 trips to Walmart. 2 days in a row. 2 nightmares. Why did I go back the second time? I'm learning. She is cuter than a button within the confines of our house, but leave, and it's all up to her. Really. Day 1: finishing buying gifts for my sister and Dave's sister who we have this year for Christmas. First off, even after promising me in the parking lot that she will be good and sit in the shopping cart the WHOLE time, she does not. She climbs into the back, then stands the whole way. It terrifies me. Tons of kids do it, but MINE will be the one to fall when I stop the cart. The one to cause serious harm to herself. Let me just say...when a 2 year old does not want to sit, she WILL NOT sit. You can't make her, no matter how hard you try. YOU HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL. I do not like that feeling. Whew man, I really don't. She wanted everything she saw. She tried to grab it all. SO, I had to wheel our cart down the exact center of the aisle so she couldn't reach either side. She was furious, but I had control, right? I started placing gifts in the back with her, telling her she could hold them for me. It was great until she started opening them. Opened a Hotwheel car that I had bought for our nephew. So, now she was going to get a prize for being rotten? I picked a few more for him, then hid them under my purse. She was happy until she saw the others and decided she didn't want the one she had opened. Screaming. Sweating. Out of there.

Yesterday was worse. The minute we entered the store, she was hollering at me. I want that. I WANT THAT! NOW! It sounds a lot like Veruca Salt, doesn't it? She's 2 though. Uuugh. Once again, she stood the whole time. Screamed because I wouldn't buy more yogurt. Then we went down the cereal/fruit snack aisle. We picked a box, but I told her she couldn't have a pack until we paid for it. Whatever Mom. She tried incessantly to get in to the box. She would NOT give up. I turned to grab a box of cereal, and in that 4 seconds, she had opened the box, opened a pack and eaten 2. I took them away and put them back in the box. I knew there would be a fight. She screamed at me with everything she had in her. People stared. I squeezed her...really hard. I wanted to throw her, but the staring people would notice. She says...well I'm going to throw this cereal then. She takes the Applejacks and chucks them. I squeeze again. She screams again. HELP. If I can't throw them, I'll crush them. I'll stand on them until the boxes are flattened. Her mind is constantly wondering...what can I do next? I got all my produce, trying to pretend I couldn't hear her. Trust me, I could. I'm not going back with her. EVER. I will do all my shopping at 5:30 in the morning if I have to. I'm tired.

awesome elves!

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my friends...

2 1/2 years ago, we found this great, tiny little house. It's actually our first home. We rented from our dear friends for the first 7 years of our marriage. I was really excited to own, but not excited to leave my dear Grandview ward. I had grown so close to those people. This ward could never replace that. This ward is different, yet equally as great. I never ever thought I would say that. Grandview was heaven. Don't get me wrong, I still love it there, but down here...the "west side"...man, I love it. I am so happy here. Happier than I really thought I could be. The reason for that is my friends. In those 2 1/2 years, I have made life long friends. People I am sure will be in my life forever. There are at least a dozen girls I could call if I needed help, if I was sad, if I was thrilled about something. The people here are kind. They serve eachother. They love eachother. The past few days have been overwhelming for me. I'm overwhelmed by my friends and how good they are, how much I love them. You sweet people know who you are. Thank you. I love you. I will be eating like a queen for the next few days...a queen sitting on the couch watching Enchanted. :)

blech...

Not feeling so hot lately, though not having to run to the bathroom either which is quite a change from my other pregnancies. My mom just left yesterday. I'm sad. I miss her. It is comforting having your mom around when you feel crummy, you know? I'll post some more stuff later...halloween, grandma...that kind of stuff. Don't hold your breath though. :(

I am SO happy today...

You all need a little Jonathan Canlas in your life...here's why. I love him now, even more than I did. Thank you Jonathan!