Gratitude: Day #1

Thanksgiving is this month. I thought I'd do something I've never done before--at least not publicly. I'm going to list things I'm grateful for. Just one a day. Hopefully, I'll be able to come up with something for every day.

As I turned a corner today, I saw flashing lights in the distance. Without thinking, I pulled over to the right side of the road to allow the emergency vehicle easy and safe passage. I know it sounds silly, but I always love seeing people pull over when an emergency vehicle asks them to. (They ask with bright lights and loud sirens--not unlike the way my kids "ask" for things.) Sometimes people are a little late responding because they didn't notice the need. Why do I love this common occurance? Because I think it represents civility. I am grateful to live in a civilization of order. We obey a variety of laws as we drive around and it creates peace.

(I am aware that not everyone obeys driving laws, but I am focusing on the positive because I am showing gratitude.)

Sometimes I need a little help...

Hey there. Remember me? Listen fellahs. If you ever notice a time when I go weeks without updating my blog; I can't seem to think of a status update for Facebook; or you see me in person and find me sitting and staring in a house that is knee-deep in mess, please remind me to take my Vitamin D.

I just get so tired and forget how to think.

Well, I took some vitamins and then I blogged a bit. Enjoy.

And Halloween

When my kids were little, I loved to create and sew their costumes for Halloween. Then I had a fourth child and something had to give. I guess (through default) I gave up homemade Halloween costumes. I also gave up on laundry, but that's a different story for a different time.

Usually, the children wear hand-me-downs from cousins or whatever they can come up with on their own. But this year was so exciting! Grandma Suzie was visiting from Hawai'i. We were walking through a store looking for winter coats for the boys and we saw a beautiful Cinderella dress--just in Beth's size. Well, who can pass that up? Not Grandma! Before we knew it, she had bought the kids their dream costumes! They've played in them for the last month, so the costumes are already a bit worn. But really, what is the point of preserving a costume for one night? Dress-ups are fun.

Sarah's Special Day

Sarah had a beautiful day the day of her baptism and confirmation. She is such a wonderful little girl. She has been preparing herself for this day. She felt that she should work on her temper and learning to control her anger. She felt that she should try to be nicer to her siblings. She came up with her goals on her own, and she has progressed so much in the past few months. Sarah's Grandma Suzie couldn't come the day of her baptism, but she came the week before. She brought Sarah a special dress. Much of Chris' family who live in California came out for the weekend. My family was also very supportive. After Sarah was baptized, I went in to help her get dressed. She looked at me and started crying. She said, "I love you so much, Mom. Thank you for teaching me how to get baptized." I love her, too.

Speaking of the Beatles...

(which I was in the post I just wrote.)

Check this out:

This is Christopher on Abbey Road. (THE Abbey Road!!)

And here is the studio. Abbey Road Studio. You know, some pretty crazy singing went down in there.