Mohawks

I'm grateful for Mohawks. It always makes me want to go get a haircut myself so I can have one, too.  I have to admit, it IS a wicked cool look, especially on a baby in a bathtub.

What are YOU grateful for?

Lookin' Good In New Shoes

I'm grateful for new shoes.  I say that as a positive affirmation so the universe KNOWS I'm ready to go shoe shopping and want to find something that can compare to the cool style of Dorothy's ruby red slippers on the Wizard of Oz.

PS) This cutie makes me laugh as she strutts around the house wearing her big sister's shoes. Life is happy, no? (especially when wearing new shoes)  :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Play Restuarant

I'm grateful whenever we play restaurant at our house with menus and all because it's such a fun way to teach the kids more money concepts just like we do at Mommy Store.

 They even decorated their own menus and counted out how much money to give me (the waitress) for each item of food. 

 The best part of playing restaurant? A fancier dessert than usual...yum!

Paper Purse

 

I'm grateful for the paper purse my daughter made from scratch as a Christmas gift to her cousin.  I was so impressed with her innovative nature and work ethic as she kept adding homemade contents to the purse (cell phone, lipstick, mascara, blush, etc...)  This girl cracks me up!

What are YOU grateful for?

Glitter

 

I'm grateful for glitter. It just makes things pretty. Apparently the baby agrees with me. She gets into it ALL THE TIME when the older kids are making craft projects like the one in yesterday's post. 

What are YOU grateful for?

Craft Projects

I'm grateful for craft projects whether it's in a big group setting or just a part of homeschooling each day, my kids love to create!

What are YOU grateful for?

Christmas Street and Bible Street

I'm grateful to live near Christmas Street and Bible Street here in Salt Lake. And since it's exactly a week after Christmas, I thought it would be perfect time to finally share these festive pictures.

Every home on Christmas street lights up for neighbors to enjoy as they drive by. There's even a banner that says, "Christmas Street" that welcomes you into the circle of lights. It's really lovely.

And Bible Street in just one block away, with a large photo and scripture on the lawn of each home progressively telling the story of the birth of Christ. It's a sweet tradition for our family to drive by the homes on each street and enjoy the spirit of the season. I think we'll still return each year even when we move away. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Tongues

 

I'm grateful for tongues. They're very useful when licking lollipops and ice-cream, but I never thought they were a "cute" part of the body until now. Can you blame me for changing my mind after seeing this silly girl constantly show us her new trick.

What are YOU grateful for?

Jesus Wants Me For A SunBEAM!

 I'm grateful for the song, "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam" and our family home evening tradition of Wade lifting the kids high in the air every time we sing BEAM (the coolest part). They all request this song every Monday night. I don't think we're the most reverent family, but dang, we sure know how to have fun!

What are YOU grateful for?

Courageous

I'm grateful for the movie, Courageous. It's one of the most inspirational movie I've seen in a long time! Wade and I were both in tears throughout the ENTIRE movie. It's that good. And Wade RARELY cries!  It's about 4 cops who step up to the challenge and have the courage to be the best daddy they can be to their children in a world where so many daddies are emotionally or physically absent.

We will be buying this one and lending it to everyone we know to help spread this powerful message.  We'll just have to have a check out sheet so we know who has it each time since another favorite movie, Fireproof (made from the same producers) went missing since so many friends borrowed it. :) 

What are YOU grateful for?

My First Essential Oils Brunch

 

I'm grateful for my first essential oils brunch. It was a hit! We had a great turnout. About 25 friends came to eat my yummy breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, learn about the oils, and get foot massages so they could experience first hand how relaxing the lavendar can be and how uplifting the lemon can be. It was a blast!

Thanks to everyone who came and for our friends, Jared and Kathy Gough, who came all the way from St. George to enlighten us all. I'm so excited for those who are getting some oils to help prevent their family from getting sick and be able to comfort them if they do.  Wade and I really stand behind this product. It's blessed our family so much this last year!

What are YOU grateful for?

Band Aids

I'm grateful for band aids. Attempting to spend more time in the kitchen to convince my husband and kids I'm a good cook, I've been cutting all sorts of things lately...fruits, veggies, bread, chicken... my fingers. Ouch! It's true, I've sliced a finger several times in the last couple of months, and you know how it feels. Luckily, a little frankencense essential oil takes the pain away. Then I add a small band aid, and the healing begins. (Sorry to tell you I was all out of Dora and Spiderman band aids so I had to make due with the regular ones.)  hehe

What are YOU grateful for?

When I Make it to the Post Office in time

 I'm grateful when I make it to the post office in time so my packages can still go out that day! It's been a REALLY crappy day because of other stuff going on, and accomplishing that task was a huge relief for me. After finally getting all the addresses of the winners of my last giveaway, I made 9 small loaves of whole wheat bread and sent out the packages just in the nick of time.  It felt good to think of other people instead of my own problems while I was doing it. Maybe I'll make bread every time I have a had a bad day.   

 What are YOU grateful for?

Photos Forgotten About

I'm grateful for photos forgotten about because it always brings a smile to my face when I do come upon them in my pictures folder.  I couldn't believe I never posted this one from the Neighborhood Christmas Breakfast.  Merry Christmas everyone!

What are YOU grateful for?

When My Kids Help Carry in the Groceries

I'm grateful when my kids help carry in the groceries to earn points for Mommy Store. This was the final load to carry in this particular day, and I was super impressed my daughter attempted to carry the 25 lb bag inside. While she's struggling to lift it, her brother is saying, "Come on, let's go!" almost as if he can't believe it's taking her forever to follow him. Needless to say, I snapped a quick pic and then helped her with that huge bag. I love my "happy helpers." (I put that phrase in quotes because we're continually working on having a good attitude while helping mommy right guys?)

What are YOU grateful for?

Mommy Store

I'm grateful for Mommy Store.  Our kids work hard all week doing their chores to earn as many dimes as they can so they can put some in their savings jar and use the rest to buy surprises every Monday at Mommy Store.  They usually only earn one big $1 item per week or a few small items, so it's been a powerful way to teach them delayed gratification, not to mention responsibility for taking care of their own things. They feel greater ownership for the things they buy from me, and end up taking better care of those things.  I'm grateful my mom played store with us growing up (using tickets instead of dimes) so my siblings and I would learn to work hard and have fun spending the "money" we earned from doing chores.

What are YOU grateful for?

A Good Cry

I'm grateful for a good cry.  Doesn't it feel good sometimes to get those tears out?  Tonight, we watched 17 Miracles again, and I cried like a baby watching the end of the movie.  It's so humbling, plus I was feeling extra tender hearted already because I taught my young women's lesson this afternoon about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice he made for each of us through the atonement.  I am just in deep awe and gratitude for the MANY sacrifices that others have made for me that I probably take for granted and should acknowledge more often. I am so blessed!

On a side note, for anyone who for whatever CRAZY reason thought my life seemed perfect, take a good look at the background of my sad baby. Welcome to my life. My house is constantly messy with the help of this cute, creative, and destructive toddler.  The other two kiddos add to the mess a.k.a "play zone" as well, but this one seems to have quite the creative gene at such a young age.  I adore my children and know that although the mess feels never ending, it's truly just temporary, because someday they will grow up. Man, thinking of that makes me want to cry all over again. I better stop, dang it!

What are YOU grateful for?

The Roof

I'm grateful for our first experience at The Roof Restaurant. Before we attended the Salt Lake Temple tonight, Wade and I made a spontaneous decision to have a classy experience for dinner. The food, environment, and views were amazing! More than anything though, I was grateful to have one on one time with my man. He always makes me laugh, and I appreciate so much how he understands me and loves me. 

We don't have the perfect marriage. I don't know anyone who does. Everyone has their own "stuff" they deal with. What keeps us working on "forever" though even amid trials is first remembering the promises we made when we were sealed and second, the agreement we have to be one another's biggest fan and always speak kindly about each other, whether he/she is present or not. It makes a big difference in our attitude and perspective.

What are YOU grateful for?

Silly Supper #2

I'm grateful for Silly Supper #2.  It was just as crazy and cooky as the first one, just sooner than we had originally planned, and it's a good thing because it's such a blast!  We all decided it was too much fun a few months ago that annually is simply not enough. Once a quarter will be more fulfilling for our funny bones. Wade was a crazy old man with a hunchback, I was a crazy old woman, my daughter was pink panther, my son was a ninja, and the baby was a pioneer.  The Rogers fam had some unique costumes, too. We sure love those guys!

What are YOU grateful for?

Headbands

I'm grateful for new headbands for my daughter and that she insists I try them on so mommy can feel pretty, too. How thoughtful of her right? ;)

PS) I'm still debating whether to change the title of this post to super big nerd because I SO am one, and I know it. At least it makes my hubby and kids laugh when I act like a nerd. I'm glad to know I have fans.

What are YOU grateful for?

Baby Swing

 I'm grateful for this baby swing and the hours of entertainment it has provided our little girl recently. I bought this cute swing off of KSL when she was a newborn, and then we never used it because I instantly found another one that worked with the decor better. haha So FINALLY, we're getting good use out of this one when I brought it out to see if a friend wanted it. 


What are YOU grateful for?

DigestZen

I'm grateful for doTERRA's DigestZen.  It's my favorite oil lately! It calms my kids tummy aches and my nausea within seconds, like when I ate too much at Denny's with friends tonight and felt like I could throw up. I just rubbed a drop of DigestZen on my stomach and felt relief.  I love this stuff! And it lasts forever so $30 is well worth it.  Let me know if you want the wholesale price, too. It's awesome.

What are YOU grateful for? 

Wade's Mad Snowboarding Skills

 

I'm grateful for Wade's mad snowboarding skills when we went sledding Saturday because it provided entertainment for the rest of us. He created that "ramp" himself so could do jumps off of it for hours. Good times. Enjoy the video clip. :)

Also, I'm excited to announce the 3 winners of the Delicious Giveaway!

Congrats to Ashley Ludlow, who said "I'd love some bread!"

Jamie Ziegler, who said, "I sincerely hope I'm in the running. I think it's great that you are doing this blog. It's great to always try and stay positive. :) "

and Joy Bingham who said, "I am totally intrigued by you. Used to help my mom bake bread weekly. It's been a looooooong time since I baked a loaf of bread."

I'll email you to get your address so I can send you a loaf of my yummy homemade wholewheat bread this week. Thanks to everyone who entered and check back daily for more gratitude coming your way as well as another giveaway on February 1st! Wahoo!

What are YOU grateful for?

Sledding Time!

 I'm grateful to go sledding for the first time as a family yesterday morning. It was extra fun to have my sister, niece, and nephews join us, too.

 Make sure to enter the Delicious Giveaway before tonight at midnight. It's your last chance!

What are YOU grateful for?

Sleepover Silliness

 I'm grateful for the sleepover silliness that occurred when my niece and nephews stayed the night this weekend. While Wade was scrambling the eggs for breakfast, the girls snuck up behind him and decorated his bum with bows and flowers.

 He pretended to be upset...his face is classic in this photo!

What a cool train track making, pancake eating, fort building, laughing, snow playing, big hill sledding weekend. :)

Only 2 more days to enter the Delicious Giveaway!

What are YOU grateful for?

Clarity and Direction for My Goals

I'm grateful for clarity and direction for my goals after a power packed two days at The Best Year Yet event with Gerald Rogers and Tiffany Peterson! It's such an honor to staff at events like these because I learn more and more what it takes to create successful events that influence so many for the good. Plus, each time, I receive a dozen juicy tidbits of how I can become the person I want to become and how I can promote my business more effectively and bless others through the natural remedies of essential oils.  This event was exactly what I needed to commit to THIS YEAR being my best year yet. Thanks Gerald and Tiffany! You are a gift in my life.

Only 3 more days to enter the Delicious Giveaway!

What are YOU grateful for?

Wife of the Year Award

Following the theme from yesterday, I'm grateful to be awarded the Wife of the Year in 2011 because to save money, I gave my husband my red high heels for Christmas. Most husbands want tools or something similar that Tim Taylor from "Home Improvement" would be proud of, but I assure you, Wade was absolutely thrilled by my cheap...I mean loving gesture.

Only 4 more days to enter the Delicious Giveaway!

What are YOU grateful for?

Mom of the Year Award

 I'm grateful to be awarded Mom of the Year in 2011 by all of you wonderful people. Oh wait, you didn't vote? I didn't even vote for myself? Why would that be? Oh yeah, maybe because moments like this happen every day...

 

Tattoo creations 101

 Climbing 101

 

 2pm and we're still in our pajamas! Rock on!

 

 The baby's climbed on the table again? What the heck? Where was I? I promise I watch my children and protect them from the boogie man. They're just dang fast at getting into trouble...especially this little turkey, I mean angel!  ;)

Only 5 more days to enter the Delicious Giveaway!

What are YOU grateful for?

Pot Roast Just Like Mom's

 

 I'm grateful for our pot roast we ate Sunday just like mom used to make. Even the carrots were tender, but not burnt like my Grandma Lang's. If any of you know my Grandma Lang, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I have no idea WHY on Earth she took PRIDE in those darn burnt carrots, but we all love her for them! Then Wade whipped up the yummiest mashed potatoes perfectly. That was always his assignment in the kitchen when he growing up. It makes me think of one my favorite movie quotes, "These potatoes are so creamy." Name that movie--ready go. haha (While You Were Sleeping)

 Thanks Troy, Skyler, and Rachel for joining us for a cool cousin dinner on a beautiful Sunday. It was such a treat to laugh with you, eat good food, listen to Enya (Skyler's fav), and play Clue, which Wade never plays with me since I ALWAYS win. Hey's it's my blog. I can exaggerate all I want. If he wants equal time to rebuttle, I'll let him get his own blog. ;) Love you babe!

Only 6 more days to enter the Delicious Giveaway!

What are YOU grateful for?