Thankful day 24: Traditions

Today I'm thankful for Tradition.

On Turkey day morning for the last 3 years, we have gone to the Zoo for their "Feast with the Beast" with Hubby's mama.

We have so much fun!

This year will be our 4th year going!

Because of the cold, there aren't too many people there, so it's not overly crowded.

They have a schedule of which animals they feed, and when.

It all kicks off with the elephants busting a huge pumpkin.

It's my favorite part!

The picture above is from 2 years ago.

Last year it was 16 degrees when we got to the zoo.

They didn't let the elephants out.

*sniffle*

I think it warmed up to about 25 degrees.

We still had a blast though!

 My monkeys sure are cute!

Yes, all 3 of them!

The tigers get big ol' hunks of meat.

And there are 5 of them.

They were still looking at kids like they were lunch.

Scary....

After the zoo, we usually hang out for a while, and then head up to my mom's for the big meal.

We try to keep turkey dinner around dinner time, so that we all can join in.

My sister usually works the morning shift.

And then we all sit on the comatose couch trying to fight off the "I ate too much" sleepies.

The kids are gonners in the back seat as we drive home.

Some times I wonder how WE make it, since we're so tired too!!!

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful, fun filled, day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful day 23: Freedom & Possibilities

Honestly, we live in a land of Freedom and Possibilities.

Many people around the world do not share the same freedoms that we do.

They don't get the opportunity to seek out their favorite activity, hobby, or passion.

Today I'm thankful for those people that make those freedoms possible.

While you're at home tomorrow, having turkey with family and/or friends, please remember those who serve our country that are not with those that they love.

They are stationed overseas or in another state.

They cannot make the trek either because a lack of funds, or the lack of ability due to their commitment.

Keep them in your prayers.

They are the reason that you are able to live freely and passionately in this country.

Thank you to those that have served, will serve, and are serving our country.

Thank you to those that will be missing someone this holiday season around your dinner table, because they made the ultimate sacrifice for me and my family.

Thank you.

Thankful day 22: Friends

My friends are a huge part of my life.

I would not have survived the 45 mile move to Salt Lake City, if I had not made these friends.

I met them through my church, and they are a-mazing!

If I ever need anything, I know who I can call.

And my circle keeps growing!

I'm just so happy to call them friends, but more happy that they feel like family!

Thankful day 20: Google

I promise you, this is not a paid advertisement.

I am a Google "groupie", for lack of a better word.

Obviously.

Blogger = Google

Gmail = Google email

Google Talk

Google Maps

Google Docs

Google Calendar

Google Plus

Android = Google

I use all of those on a regular basis, as in daily.

Right now I'm multi-tasking between a Google doc for my menu planning, Pinterest, and the budget I've created for 2012 in Google docs.

I am regularly checking the family calendar for what's going on today, tomorrow, this week.

I have a widget on my phone that helps me with it.

Hubby and I share a calendar, and whenever anything pops up that will possibly effect the family, it goes onto that calendar.

Hubby knows what I'm doing most days.

He knows when parent teacher conferences are.

When we've got a double date.

When we're watching the kids.

I know when he has to work late.

Or is hanging out with the guys.

What I love most about Docs, is that I can share the documents I've made for our home with my husband.

Our budget is in "the cloud" so if my computer crashes, I still have it.

{I learned this the hard way}

My menu plan and grocery list is in "the cloud" so that if I forget it while I'm out at the store, I can look it up on my phone and still know what I need to get.

There's an app for that.

Our list for Christmas gifts with links and price points?

In the cloud.

Some of our important documents?

Saved in Google docs.

My blog?

Google.

Need I go on?

I seriously could not fathom any other way to do things at this important, busy, productive point in my life.

Today, as I sit here menu planning, budgeting, and scheduling, I'm thankful for the services Google provides.

Thankful Day 19: No Regret

On Thursday I took our only car to get it's oil changed and a look over since we're going on a road trip in December.

We were about 1000 miles overdue.

{if Dad was reading this, he'd groan}

But that's not a big deal.

Our car goes about every 5000 miles between changes.

It even tells me when we are getting close.

Moving along....

About 20 minutes into it, I got called back to the service area.

I NEVER get called back.

So I pulled monkey along and we wandered back.

The nice guy at the desk says to me:

"I have good news, and bad news."

No one ever wants to hear those words.

He continues:

"I found a leak in your water pump. We need to replace it before it goes out."

Me: *gulp*

He says

"It's covered under your drive train warranty, so we'll just take care of it today, it'll be about 2 hours."

I think I did a little dance right there surrounded by 5 guys.

Today, I'm thankful for my car warranty.

It made the "overpriced" brand new car totally worth it in my book.

That lovely piece was $600 in parts and repair.

I paid $0.

I totally am all about buying a new car.

We did so 4 years ago.

Our warranty is amazing.

We have had to use it a couple times, but we're so thankful it is there.

We even bought the service package, so all our oil changes and state emissions and inspections are paid for for the first 7 years.

It's an amazing car that gets us everywhere we needs to go.

This is what our car is

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2008 Scion xB

Thankful day 18: Date Night

Date night is sacred.

It is not to be taken for granted in any way shape or form.

In our home we have almost weekly date night.

I've talked about our Babysitting Co-Op before.

Thankfully we are still going strong, and will be celebrating a year full of dates this month!

I'm so very glad that we get this opportunity!

I hope you take it as food for thought and get one started up for you.

It's one of the best marriage building tools Hubby and I have!

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Tonight hubs and I are doubling up with one of our favorite couples and having dinner and good convo!
I'm so excited!!

Thankful day 17: Fall

Fall is one of my most favorite times of year.

I love the colors.

I love the cooler temperatures.

I love that I get to break out my awesome boots and scarves.

A few weeks ago, Monkey had an assignment to bring to school a various assortment of fall items.

5 different kinds of leaves, twigs, pine cones, acorns, and a gourd.

We took the opportunity to use that as an "excuse" to drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

We usually drive up to see the colors every year around the first of October, but this year we just hadn't gotten to it yet.

Now it was almost the end of October, and I'm so glad we waited!

Fall was late coming this year, and if we'd gone earlier, we'd have missed what we found!

It was so stunning up there!

 When we reached the top, Princess refused to have her picture taken with her dad and brother, so she took a pic of me with them instead.

Poor Monkey lost his head in a couple of the shots.

Brighton actually had a bit of snow...on the ground, to the right.

You can't see it in this shot, but it is there.

*sobs*

On the way down we stopped at one of our favorite campgrounds to see if they had anything we needed.

We found the ground covered in leaves.

Since it was closed for the season, we decided to have a good time throwing leaves at each other.

I just wish it wasn't over so quickly.

Fall only lasts about a month, sometimes less.

I guess we should feel lucky it lasted over 6 weeks.

I just wish the snow wasn't coming close behind it!

Thankful day 16: I am a nerd

Okay, I know this is a weird one, but hear me out.

I'm actually thankful for being a nerd.

There are a lot of things in this life that I like that people will roll their eyes at me for.

Frugal DIY girl

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gLee

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I am a computer nerd/addict.

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Lastly, I think this is totally true.

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I hope you have some nerdy stuff to brag about too.

Thankful day 15: Humor

I have been told that I have an interesting, dry, and witty sense of humor.

I really get that from my parents.

Thankfully, Hubby can keep up as he is the same way.

*wipes sweat off brow*

Good thing too.

He laughs at stuff I find on Pinterest with me.

Like this one

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Hope you smiled a bit too!

Have a great day!

Thankful day 14: Coffee Dates

Something I'm finding that I enjoy more and more are the fun coffee dates with my girlfriends.

We either meet at a coffee shop, or one of us will run and buy while the other opens her home.

It's so much fun, and sometimes we let the kiddos in on the fun.

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I'm so excited I get to have 2 coffee dates this week!

Thankful days 11, 12, & 13! Plus exciting news!

I've been in hiding again.

Well, not hiding per say, but I've been in front of my sewing machine having a good time!

Let me catch up on things I'm thankful for first!

11th:

For some awesome girlfriends wanting to go do "nerdy" things with me.

Including but not limited to seeing Peter, Nikki, Charlie, Jackson, and Ashley from Breaking Dawn part 1.

You can see the news clip HERE.

Yes, we were inside.

No I haven't downloaded the pics off my camera yet.

Like I said, I've been busy!

12th:

For my sewing machine and the ability to get over the fear of using it.

I'm having SO MUCH FUN!

My gramma and nanny would be so proud!

13th:

For the times where our little family has a giggling good time.

Today the kids just busted up over nothing, and Hubby and I had to laugh at them laughing.

I'm sure we were teasing them about something to make them laugh so hard.

But for the life of me, I can't remember what it was, just that they were so darn happy!

Moving along to my news!

After much anticipation, anxiety, and a little bit of self conscious feelings, I've finally put some new stuff in my Etsy store!

Many of you remember I was selling Apple Butter and Watermelon Jam this spring.

Then came my busy summer, and I didn't list anything else.

But the past 2 weeks my desire to sell stuff came up again and I've listed some coffee cozy's into my store!

Also, for the next week, you can get 15% off your order by using COFFEECOZY15

I'd love to hear some of your feedback!

I also offer the option to combine 2 cozy patterns to make a custom reversible cozy!

Thanks for stopping in today!

Have a great week!

Thankful 10: More Family

I'm thankful for my second mom, dad and sister.

Also known as in-laws.

But they are more than that!

Thankful day 9: Family

I'm thankful for my family.

My mama, papa, and sister!

They're pretty awesome and fun!

Thankful day 8: Creativity

I'm thankful for being creative!

Sewing and Digi-Scrapping are my crafts of choice.

I'm starting my annual gift this week.

I'm going to start a December Daily album soon as well.

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Not to mention we're making Christmas for the kiddos!

One for each kiddo, including mattresses, covers, and pillows.

blue prints at Ana White

I'm making this to share

Fort in a Kit

{Hello random tangent}

So yes, I'm thankful for creativity!

Thankful day 7: Jesus

I don't talk about God much on my blog, but He is a huge part of my life.

I was lost.

He found me.

Not only did he find me, but I was at rock bottom.

Financially.

Emotionally.

Spirtually.

I thought that I had to "DO" to get to Him.

I found that all I have to "DO" is TRUST in JESUS to get to Heaven.

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Having a relationship with God is awesome.

Life as a Christian isn't easy, but man it is worth it!

Thankful day 6: My Monkey

He's a snuggler since day 1.

He is kind, loving, and oh so hilarious!

But he's got a temper to rival King Kong's.

Man I love this little house ape!

Thankful Day 5: My Princess

She's adorable.

She's 7.

She's so sweet, kind, and funny.

She's more stubborn than me and hubby put together.

I kid not.

Maybe some day I'll tell the story of the black bean soup showdown.

Oyi.

But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thankful Day 4: My Hubby

I'm pretty thankful for him.

He's an awesome husband and father.

Perfect?

Nope.

Not one of us is.

But he's pretty darn awesome in my book.

Thankful Day 3: Home

I have a hard time being an "apartment dweller" sometimes.

One of my dreams is for Hubby and I to buy a home.

Someday.

However, I'm still thankful that I have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, and possessions I don't really need.

I mean, in the end, I'm still living in THE RICHEST country in the world.

I have TONS to be thankful for.

My home is just one of them.

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Thankful day 2: Coffee School

Last night hubby, the kids, and I went to Coffee School.

We seriously have grown to love this little free activity on Tuesday nights.

The kids play with their toys quietly, while Hubby and I sugar and caffeinate ourselves silly on samples.

It's a glorious experience.

I'm also learning a lot.

Happiness!

It's also helped me with an issue I was having with coffee.

As in it was making me ill.

I was devastated.

I love me some coffee.

So I'm glad that I've been able to ease my way back into it's awesomeness.

Today, I'm thankful for coffee, coffee school, and my awesome friend, Becki, who teaches me all she knows about it.

Now, where did I put my cup of Kona.

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If you're in Salt Lake City, I recommend stopping by Cinema Coffee.

They're pretty awesome, and LOCAL.

No, they don't pay me.

I just love the place that much.

*smiles*