Thanksgiving.

While visiting my family in Missouri for pre-Thanksgiving, my Aunt commented on what a nice car I had. I had never really thought of it like that before. I mean, it is a mini van. I did have to trade in my hot momma car for this. It was cheaper, bigger and had better gas mileage than the other bigger vehicles. This comment made me ponder. My van is only 3 years old. It is reliable. It can hold up to seven people. It can haul tons of junk. How did I get to this point in my life to not be appreciative of such a great blessing. But it doesn't stop there! It also made me reflect on my own self. I am constantly in a battle with my body image. I began to ponder some more. I will never look like a supermodel. Supermodels can't eat like I get to. They can't enjoy making and eating cookies with their children whenever they feel like it. They don't get to enjoy their children's favorite meal of spaghetti or pasta ever night of the week. When my children see me that don't see the extra flab around my waist, the stretch marks, the cellulite or even the wrinkles on my face. They see their mother. They see comfort and strength. They see my arms holding them and embracing them and making them feel better. They see a lap that is a perfect size just for them. They can see me from across a room and feel relief. There is my mom.

Todd is Thankful for...

Todd brought home a turkey today. On it's feathers were things that he was thankful for. Here they are in no particular order.

My brothers
Ham (I didn't know he knew what ham was)
Power Rangers
My dog (we don't have one)
The Mall (for the play area and treats)
My friends
My house
Milk (who knew)
My Family
My toys

Today it rained leaves

We have been hit with the cold, flu, allergies, or something. It keeps dragging out each day and you wonder if you feel any better or not and then the symptoms change. After school, we drove Michelle out to Melissa's neck of the woods. I drove in my pajama bottoms because I decided I wasn't changing. I didn't feel well. As I was driving home the temperature dropped twelve degrees. While driving through the country side, it started to rain leaves . I smiled. It was beautiful. It looked so peaceful. When we got home I decided to change out of my pj's and take the kids to Wal*Mart to pick out a treat for a Friday Movie Night. Thank you, Father in Heaven, for the beautiful seasons.

A Lost Election

Wednesday morning I woke up with the blues. I think I was still in shock that the election was over and that we had lost. I don't think I have been so emotionally involved in an election as I was with this one. It started last year when one by one the candidates announced they were running. History was made in this election on both sides of the isle. It was watching the primaries. Then, excitedly watching the conventions. I watched both. I was excited. I was pumped.

Now, I have to put on my boots and figure out what to do next. I have to pray for our new President. I have to pray for the American people. I have to pay attention to the Senate for purposed bills. I have to be informed. Things have not gone my way in the election. Life is not over. I have to respect the American peoples' decision. I don't love the decision but I will do my part as an American citizen. I will continue to listen to the policies placed before me. I will continue to disagree and agree. I will continue to vote in elections. I love this Country. It is the greatest country in the world. I am proud of that. I do not feel that we should feel bad or apologize for the success of this country. Men and women have fought and died for this great country. I will continue to fight in my small way. It is my home. It is the home of my children.

Trick or Treat

Last night we celebrated Halloween by trick or treating our way through the neighborhood with our friends. We had a great time. Todd really enjoyed himself. On the way home he said that this was the best Halloween ever! I brought the wagon for the little girls. They watched the big kids and by the third or fourth house they were walking up to the house holding their buckets. They were super cute. We started a tradition a few years ago to get rootbeer floats on Halloween. So, off to Sonic we drove to get our ice cream fix. We had a great night!