Halloween

I'm grateful for Halloween and the opportunity we have to dress up, pretend, and be silly for just one night (or several if you have lots of Halloween parties planned.) Also, if you know our family, we really are silly all the time. At our neighborhood Trunk or Treat on Saturday, my daughter was Rapunzel, my son was Batman, and my baby was an angel. After we put the kids to bed, Wade and I went to Tyson and Gina's party where I was a cave woman and Wade was a hot guy I picked up along to way to bring with me. Woo woo!What are YOU grateful for?

Flowrider

I'm grateful for the Flowrider experience after we enjoyed iFly on Friday. Wade's been surfing before in the ocean and wake boarding many times in the lake, but I'm a baby when it comes to trying extreme sports, so I started out body-boarding, and then advanced to knee-boarding, which I got really good at and was attempting all sorts of tricks. Go me! ;) I finally started on my feet and went surfing for only a minute. But after I biffed it, I went back to knee boarding since I'm a pro at that, remember? haha I'm still sore from Flowrider days later, but it was totally worth it. Fun experience!
What are YOU grateful for?

Indoor Skydiving at iFly

I'm grateful Wade took me indoor skydiving yesterday at iFly for part of our weekend getaway to celebrate our anniversary. It was an absolute blast! It's pretty dang awesome to feel like you're flying.

What are YOU grateful for?

doTERRA Essential Oils

I'm grateful for doTERRA Essential Oils. My favorites are peppermint to bring my baby's temperature down, melaleuca to clear my daughter's excema, lavender to help us all sleep better, OnGuard to protect against colds, and lemon to brighten my mood. Quality wellness products right there, I'm a fan!

What are YOU grateful for?

Marie Holleman

I'm grateful for my dear friend and life coach, Marie Holleman with Intuitional Living. This last month, my depression has come back in full swing, where I have felt such intense sadness and anger that I knew without a doubt there was a darkness inside of me, and I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. There were times I taught my children at home, the youth at church, the amazing kids at Live BIG Jr, and during those moments, I was on a natural high and my Heavenly Father helped me share my light. But other times, too many times to count, the darkness came, and I crumbled and broke down in tears, feeling like THIS JUST ISN'T ME! It's the most frustrating thing to feel that something like a chemical imbalance or someone like Satan is messing with me, trying to steal my light. I pray and pray and pray, and feel that God WANTS me to be whole again, but He cannot help those who do not help themselves. He wants me to work through the pain, find answers, lean on HIM again and again, and then share with others what I've gleaned so they, too, can find answers and find HIM.

Today, I'm happy to say that Marie helped me make a HUGE breakthrough, and I feel like the darkness is GONE. After the couple of sessions we've had together, she has helped me get clear on my priorities, get things DONE, learn to LOVE myself again, and find inner peace with God. Thank you so much Marie for sharing your gifts with me!

What are YOU grateful for?

Dr. Joe Maio

I'm grateful for our amazing family dentist, Dr. Joe Maio at Apex Dental. Because he's been a friend and coaching client of Wade's, we knew we could call on him in a heartbeat when my daughter experienced intense pain from her 6 year molars coming in along with 12 cold sores and mouth sores that randomly showed up on her lips and gums one day. Dr. Joe was so generous and insisted we bring her in right away so he could take a look, free of charge. It meant so much to us that he made her feel happy and comfortable in a dentist chair (a difficult feat in and of it self) and found a solution. Within days, she was healed and the pain was gone. Now he's officially our family dentist, and we're so grateful to have someone we trust to turn to with a staff that treats us like family. Plus we get to watch Monster's Inc and other cool movies on the ceiling during our appointments. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Gymnastics Class

I'm grateful for gymnastics class that my kids have had the opportunity to be part of. My son was born to be a gymnist! We call him "Monkey" if that tells you anything about him. He has such a passion and gift for jumping, flipping, turning, climbing, balancing, etc that we feel he could be quite successful in the sport of gymnastics. We will definitely be signing him up for gymnastics again and again through the years. My daughter also enjoyed the class, but she said she wants to continue with solely dancing, which is her passion.
What are YOU grateful for?

Mercedes Kompressor

I'm grateful for our new car. We found an insanely good deal on a 2004 Mercedes Kompressor, and were able to pay cash for it, which feels really good. The paint has been wearing off on the '97 Honda Accord, it has a few dents from the car accident, and when Wade's boss saw the Honda and asked him, "Am I not paying you guys enough?" Wade decided it was time to buy something classy that he could drive his clients around in when they come to town for the Financial Enlightenment events. I told him we're probably going to be spending more on babysitting now so that we have excuses to drive in it together on dates as a couple. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Neighborhood Watch

I'm grateful for our Neighborhood Watch Program. Tonight, we had city councilman, J.T. Martin, two police officers, and a 2 dozen neighbors come into our home for a Neighborhood Watch meeting to make sure we're aware of any problems and work to create solutions. We truly have an amazing neighborhood and look out for one another, and for that I'm very grateful.

What are YOU grateful for?

Live BIG Jr 2

I'm grateful for the opportunity I had today to lead and train 52 kids and 34 adults at Live BIG Jr. 2. After the first Live BIG Jr in August, my good friend, Gerald Rogers, knew I was so passionate about empowering kids and helping them recognize their gifts that I became his right hand to plan, prepare, market, and lead this HUGE event. I spent hours and hours on the phone with parents registering their kids and enrolling them as volunteers. And today, together with the other phenomenal trainers, we created positive changes within ourselves and these amazing kids. Plus we had a BLAST while doing it. Bring it on Live BIG Jr 3. Who's in for the next one? :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Jodee Messina

I'm grateful for Jodee Messina, one of my favorite musicians. Her Greatest Hits Album has been my official "cleaning music" for the last decade before two of my friends became rockstars (you know I'm talking about the amazing Jeremy Tyler and beautiful Lyndy Butler!) Today, wanting to change things up a bit and bust out a CLEAN HOUSE in less than an hour, I put on some Jodee Messina and went to work. Man, I was on FIRE working so hard thanks to her tunes and my determination. It felt great!

What are YOU grateful for?

My Daughter's Room

I'm grateful for my daughter's room. This room used to be our master bedroom before we moved to the old preschool room. So here's a BEFORE picture - just sweet and simple...

and AFTER

pinkalicious everywhere! I love having a little girl. Can you tell? ;) My friend, Cindy, gave me some gorgeous bedding, which I was very thankful for. So I bought new sheets, curtains, rods, a glitter lamp, and rug to complete the room. It's such a fun, cozy, inviting room now.

Even the pink curtains make me smile. :)What are YOU grateful for?

Car Seats

I'm grateful for car seats. My friend, Jenica, recently had a car drive over the median of the freeway into their lane, hitting their car straight on. It was such a horrible crash that the other driver died instantly on the scene. Jen and her family were miraculously protected, and she gives credit to God who must still have work for them to do on this Earth and for the seat belts and car seats that protected them. I know as a child in the 80's, car seats weren't a big deal yet. In fact, we often sat in the back of a moving truck during youth activities and such. But I'm glad we have car seats today to help protect our children.

What are YOU grateful for?

Office Makeover

I'm grateful for our office makeover, often a cluttered room for many. It's been fun to clean it up and update it over the years.

the BEFORE Picture- when we first moved to SLC in 2005

Then when our desktop computer died in 2008, we bought laptops and didn't need that huge desk anymore so we moved it to reveal the original 1920's fireplace.

We did some serious dejunking and organizing this spring.

The AFTER picture- our cute, updated office with blues and greens and matching living room pillows to tie it all together, plus my new piano. Yea! We love it!
What are YOU grateful for?

8 Year Anniversary

I'm grateful to celebrate 8 years of being married to my best friend. I know it sounds cheesy, but honestly, he's the one I share my deepest secrets and greatest dreams with. He's there for me, like I am for him. With his solitary and peaceful nature and realistic perspective and my outgoing and energetic nature and optimistic perspective, we just balance one another out completely. And I kind of like him a whole lot. ;) Happy 8th anniversary Wade!

What are YOU grateful for?

Hello Kitty or Strawberry Shortcake?

I'm grateful for my daughter's Hello Kitty/Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party. It's true. She couldn't decide which she liked better. ;) The girls arrived in their pajamas, watched a short Strawberry Shortcake movie with popcorn...
sang and danced to some High School Musical favorite hits...
enjoyed homemade gluten free pizza and salad...
and ate gluten free banana cupcakes with pink frosting. My daughter was so excited that I cooked her gluten free foods from scratch so she could eat them, too. :) With her gluten sensitivity, her eczema and congestion go away when we're careful not to let her have gluten. But honestly, I was so tempted to pick up some Papa Murphy's pizza at the last minute to eliminate my stress (see yesterday's post). She would have survived with regular food, but I'm glad I stuck to my guns just for her. She was a sweet little hostess, not to mention the only brunette out of 10 girls. It was a fun, and very PINK, evening!

What are YOU grateful for?

Friends who rescue

I'm grateful for friends who rescue me in time of need! It had been a rough week, ending with an emotional breakdown Friday and again Saturday morning. I knew I couldn't clean the house and prepare for my daughter's birthday party alone, so I called my friend, Heidi, and she spent 3 hours with me, and just lifted my spirits. She helped me put up my daughter's new curtains, which was her birthday present from Wade and me (pics to come soon), curtains in my room, and clean the whole house. What a sweetheart! Then during the party, Traci, Jill, and my sister, Margaret, stayed to help me with the 10 little girls, my baby, son, and 3 little ones I was watching for the weekend. I couldn't have done it without them! When Wade came home after his conference, he was amazed and grateful for the support I received, and so was I. Good friends are precious!

What are YOU grateful for?

Canning

I'm grateful to be able to can fruit and vegetables so my family can enjoy it all year round and have some extra in our food storage during hard times. Every year, I spend a day or two with my cousin, Carolynn, washing, cutting, and canning peaches, apples, applesauce, jellies, etc. As I've said before, it feels good to work hard and see the benefits of my labor, and Carolynn is a wonderful teacher to work with.

What are YOU grateful for?

Fruit Smoothies

I'm grateful for the fruit smoothies I make every morning for my family. They are healthful, yet soooo yummy! I just blend 2 c. strawberries, 2 bananas, 1 c fresh spinach, 1 c. water, 1 tsp. stevia, and 8 ice cubes. Most of the time, I make the smoothies along with oatmeal, cereal, or eggs. But when we're just having smoothies, I'll add protein powder to help us stay full longer. Goodness with a straw...love it!

What are YOU grateful?

Walking Baby!

I'm grateful this baby is walking. In case you couldn't tell, I kind of like her and that HUGE smile of hers that lights up a whole room. And it's especially delightful to see her smile with confidence as she's mastering walking. You go girl!

What are YOU grateful for?

Happily Ever After? Who LIED To Me?

I'm grateful for the marriage seminar Wade and I attended Saturday, "Happily Ever After, Who LIED to me?" Tony Purcell, Garret White, Kim Flynn, and Gerald Rogers were rockstar speakers, inspiring us to go deeper in our marriage. Wade and I have been married for 8 years, and honestly, I feel like the first 7 years were bliss. I'm such an optimist and just stayed positive all the time, often pretending there weren't challenges in our communication or connection. But this last year and a half has been difficult for us. I was in survival mode some days with my depression, not really asking him how he's doing, how he's feeling, etc. Plus, I dropped balls all over the place with the cleaning, cooking, dishes, etc, and our home just didn't feel as peaceful. The last couple of weeks, we've been authentic with another, seeking CHANGE. We decided to use this last year of challenges to help catapult us into thriving mode once more. Life is still a roller coaster at times, but we're committed to a rockin' marriage, and we won't settle for less.

What are YOU grateful for?

Sabrina

I'm grateful for Sabrina being willing to watch my little ones while Wade and I attended a marriage seminar on Saturday. From the looks of it, I think my kids had a good time. What do you think? ;)
What are YOU grateful for?

Wade's 30th birthday

I'm grateful to be able to celebrate Wade's 30th birthday with him and our good friends, Kevin and Nancy Woolley. We ate a delicious gluten free stuffed meatroll, spinach strawberry salad, homemade grape juice, and no-bake cookies instead of cake per Wade's request. Since the Woolley's just had a beautiful baby boy, we've been wanting to bring them dinner for a few weeks now, but it was perfect to do it tonight so we could also celebrate both Wade and Kevin turning 30 years old. A few friends and family asked Wade earlier today if was freaking out turning 30, and he said he actually has been looking forward to it because it helps him feel more mature and credible as a financial and life coach in business. I for one, am a little nervous next year when it's MY turn for the BIG 30.Here the boys were being funny and pointing to each other as they sang "Happy Birthday to YOU." It was cracking Nancy and me up, but we're easily amused by our crazy husbands I guess. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Homeschool Party

I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with other families who home-school. We had a blast last night with the Duggar's, McGary's, Bradshaw's, Neil's, Erickson's, and Bartlett's in our home. There are many other home-school families who inspire me who couldn't make it. But I was especially grateful for those who were there. They are outstanding parents with children who just know WHO they are and make a positive influence in this world. Teens WITHOUT the attitude? That's what I'm finding in these home-school families. It's awesome! I learn soooo much from these families, and I'm grateful for their example in my life.
The kids had a war reenactment in the backyard similar to what you would read about in Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis would have been proud of these brave, adventurous, and imaginative souls! ;)

What are YOU grateful for?

Silly Supper

I'm grateful for the first annual Silly Supper we attended on Sunday. Gerald and Jana Rogers invited us to this VERY special and unique occasion to say thanks for watching their cuties the weekend before. The Silly Supper was just as the name suggests, a chance to eat and dine and be as silly as possible, complete with costumes and all. It was awesome. We are SUPER lucky to have SILLY friends like that who let us just be ourselves.

What are YOU grateful for?