Andrew's birthday.

Oct 1, was Andrew's birthday. I know, this should have been two posts before the last two but oh well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

He's now TWENTY-SEVEN! He's getting so old! ;)

He's:

1. sweet 
2. kind
3. handsome
4. sexy
5. fun
6. goofball
7. loving
8. helpful
9. smart
10. forward thinker
11. giving
12. bold
13. strong 
14. talented
15. good kisser ;)
16. faithful
17. spiritual
18. forgiving
19. patient
20. understanding
21. open minded
22. always trying to improve things
23. instinctive
24. charming
25. intuitive
26. logical
27. friendly

Happy birthday babe! We love you!

For his birthday abby insisted that he needed PINK balls to play with.... i don't know where that idea came from. I think the git was more for herself than dad, but that's what she wanted to give him.


Here's some pictures of him opening his presents. 

November...

So in November, we got to go to San Diego and relax from a stressful two and a half months of having tenants living in our house. They chose to leave during our vacation to SD. We used our vacation, as a time to enjoy, Grandma Cowles, A. Eileen, Daniel's family and the Robertson's. As well as, unload the frustration, stress and to get away from the disappointment in our tenants.

As always, we love to see family and it seems like it's never long enough. I'm not sure if I have any pictures from the visit, but thank you family for welcoming us.

We had a turkey dinner at the Robertson's the Sunday before Thanksgiving which was pretty much or thanksgiving. We sort of had a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day but Andrew had to work so it was really low key. We had a little bit of turkey, mainly because it was so cheap and I bottled the meat that evening... That was about it.

For the month of November though, I wanted to write down something I was thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. Here are 25 things I am thankful for:

1. My family, who love me, understand me, tolerate me, and help me though life. 
2. The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the strength, help,courage and knowledge it gives me each day. 
3. My house, a shelter from the outside world. A place where I can find peace and happiness and decorate it however I want. :)
4. Cars that run and get me from place to place so that I can live where I live and go where the world takes me. 
5. My puppies, who keep me happy and entertained.
6. My friends who keep me on my toes and show me that you do need to clean out your fridge and dust and go to the park every once and a while. :)
7. My garden and green thumb husband who makes sure my citrus trees don't die and leave with beautiful flowers and trees to use and look at. 
8. Programs (Blogs, Face book, Twitter) that allows me to communicate to family and friends without having to hold a pen. :) 
9. Computers/internet that keep me thinking, learning, and up to date on life. 
10. My cats that warm me when I'm sick or cold. 
11. My testimony of Jesus Christ. 
12. The warm weather and the fact that I don't have to drive in the snow! thanks goodness!
13. My husband, I know I said family, but he gets a special one. I sure do love him!
14. Abby's little thoughts she shares with me as she learns and grows 
15. My health and my family's health. I'm thankful that I am able to get up and walk and do that things I need to do each day. 
16. The temple and the peace, love, happiness and knowledge it gives to me. 
17. A job, that Andrew can work and bring home income and put the food on the table. 
18. a great church ward family that uplifts and makes me feel the Saviour's love.
19. a wonderful, entertaining childhood I was given, with great examples to try and follow. 
20. a knowledge that there is a world outside of the united states.. and how how i miss it!
21. good food, and the fact that i can cook it! I hate having bland same thing each day food, I'm so glad I can cook and switch it up!
22. Having a house to myself and my family and not having to share it with any one else!
23. having the convenience of quick fast water, food and electricity. 
24. Having a grandparent that my daugther can meet and love
25. Reese's chocolate. :)

Halloween

Then there was Halloween. Abby was a... fairy/princess/whatever. :)

We kind of had a bummer Halloween, but I'm ok with that. Halloween came on a Sunday and I didn't feel it right to go out and trick or treat on Sunday. I don't mind handing out candy and being friendly with neighbors, but on Sunday, it's just not a sabbath day holy activity to me, so we didn't go out.

However at music makers, a singing group I often take Abby to, they got to go to that in costume. Then we had a ward trunk or treat and she got to wear her costume again. However we came a half hour late to the trunk or treat (it was because of confusion. I thought we were eating the first hour then trunk or treating the second hour-- WRONG. ALL the candy was gone by the time we got there.)  :( So we missed out on candy this year. Oh well, we had a bunch of our own that we were going to hand out but didn't because we were late. It was alright though, all she cared about was that she got to dress up. Here's some pictures

Gymnastics

Abby started gymnastics in September. For being 3 and all she's done pretty well. I've been impressed. I hope she continues to enjoy it.

(Katie can correct me if I'm wrong, but from the photo you can see it was taken by Amy Jamieson Photography for Desert Star Gymnastics. She posted this picture on her face book page and wouldn't let me see it. Then finally she let me see it but she wouldn't let me tag myself in it so that my friends and family can see it. I understand wanting to protect your photos and copy rights and such, but if you're going to put a picture of my child up on face book with out my permission, I'd at least appreciate tagging me in it, so that i know about it and can share. Maybe that's wrong, but don't put the picture up at all if you're going to be picky about it. Any who, that was a side tangent)

She can now walk across the beam without help. She's improving a lot, and I love to watch her grow in this! It's already helping her motor skills in her daily life. Yay!

and here's some pictures. not the best but you get the idea.

Slideshow of some gymnastics pictures, taken when she first started. 

Some how I need to end 2010....

It's been far past due... an update that is. I was hoping I would have gotten it done several weeks ago but the inability to post pictures has discouraged me and sent away. Alas, it's time to conquer the big monster, the blog/family journal.

What has happened since I last truly updated my blog.

(Posts to follow)

Trek

I lost my shadow...

I lost my shadow

Today I lost my shadow. And it's hard to take in. I walk around the house expecting her to be there on the floor or eating dinner with me, but she's not. I walk in to the room and her persistence of staying by my side is gone. She didnt say much or do much, but a shadow never does. 

My shadow no longer lays dutifully at my feet while sleeping, waiting to get up and see where I take her that day.

Loyal and true, that's what my shadow was to me. She was always there to greet me when my day was through. Always there by my side, happy mad or blue. 

My shadow was a direct reflection of me. She loved to eat, loved the sun, the out doors, smells, citrus trees, bike rides, car rides, a good chase, a good fight, family and friends. She loved a good prime rib, snuggling, being in the kitchen and being with kids; she was full of love. But of course she loves these things, a shadow is the direct reflection of me. :)

My shadow brought in the perspective of light. With out light, my shadow is dead, and I am too. I feel dead inside with out her. 

I wish my shadow would come back. Like they always say, you don't know it's missing, until it's gone. 

My shadow's in me, she is me. And I love her very much. I miss her deeply. I wish she'd come back. 

Until we meet again.... Rest in a beautiful loving peace. 





In loving memory of my shadow, my baby girl, my puppy: Shelby (4 December 2007 - 15 December 2010

'Twas The Night Before Christmas (mom style)

My friend posted this on Face book this evening and I liked it. So I'm copying it to keep on my blog. Hope you enjoy it too. :)

'Twas The Night Before Christmas (Mom Style)

Twas the night before Christmas,
when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring,
and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,
all snug in their beds,
while visions of N-64 & Barbie,
flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a
shrug, "Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed her tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

Quote of the month of November

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."  -  Theodor Seuss Geisel

Reverse your buts.

I saw this on a friend's status on FB, I'm reposting it here:

"Reverse your buts." (i.e., "I had a great day but I'm tired." reversed to "I'm tired but I had a great day!")