Day 10- Snowflakes

Day 9- Date Night

Just the two of us.

Prime Rib.

Snow storm.

Christmas music.

Laughter.

Lots of laughter.

Christmas Shopping.

Cold Pepsi.

Perfect night.

Day 8- Cooking Kids

Sharing things that I love with my children makes me happy.  Today we played school; Annie was the teacher (Mrs. Stanley), I was the student, and Will was the man from the "Cobbler Factory."  We went on a field trip to the factory... aka, kitchen... where we saw the oven and the fridge where the fruit was kept.  The Cobbler man told us all of the different kinds of cobbler they made including peach, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, pink berry, and purple berry- complete with pictures hand drawn of each!  I promised the kids that tonight we would make the cobbler of their choosing.

After school we went to Smith's to get all of the ingredients.  Will chose blueberry- which I had never made before- it was an adventure for all of us!

After dinner was cleaned up the kids took turns measuring and pouring ingredients as Will read the recipe.  They were constantly checking it while in the oven to watch it brown and change.  I must say, the end result was delightful!   

Almost as delightful as making it together.

Day 7- My Kitty Girl

Today Annie and I went shopping in Provo- just the girls.  It was so much fun!  She told me what maternity clothes she liked on me, she picked out her own socks and winter hat (both 'Hello Kitty' brand), we shared Circus Animal Cookies and dark chocolate covered blueberries, while we discussed Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all of those other famous celebs- all in all, it was a glorious afternoon.

Annie is mama's girl, 100%, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I wake up to her little voice and a kiss every morning, and I put her to bed singing "I Am a Child of God," "I Love to See the Temple," and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" every night.  She is my sweetie, and she is my best little girl friend.  I think it would be safe to say that I am Annie's girl, too.

Day 6- Right to Choose

President Barack Obama has just been elected for another four years.  It wasn't what I wanted, but I can't change the results.  I am, however, grateful that I got a chance to voice my opinion.  People say our vote doesn't count, but it does.  I believe it does.

I believe in this country.  I believe it is the greatest country on the planet, and I believe that with work we can put it back together.

Day 5- Just Run

Running has been a huge part of my life the last couple of years- this is no secret.  In the midst of all of the "mommy-ness", it allows me to be ME for a bit.  During this pregnancy things have changed.  Running is hard.  I struggle through every run.  I no longer feel like the "rockstar" runner that I used to.  It has been challenging for me to hold back and not push myself when I see my average paces steadily slowing.

It's just.... different.

Even with the differences, I still love it.  I feel blessed to have not only a body that can run, but a pregnant body that can run. Since I found out I was pregnant, I have:

Completed 30 workouts

Run 113.77 miles

Climbed 4, 056 vertical feet

Averaged 9:05/mile

Day 4- Family Time

The kids when they say their prayers at night almost always say, "Please bless that we can have fun and spend time together as a family."  Sundays are the best for this because Dallas works hard all week to finish his homework so we can have one day when we can be together without other distractions.

Tonight was a pajama, popcorn, kool-aid, Megamind kind of a night.

Day 3- A Picnic

We soaked up as much sun as possible at Wasatch State Park with Grandma and Grandpa Kaiserman, Jenn, James, Alli, Miles and baby John.  Chili picnics in November are a special treat.

Day 2- Work

I may complain about my job sometimes, but working as a server at the Claim Jumper has allowed me to make the maximum amount of money with the minimum amount of time spent away from my family- and that is very important to me.

Plus, it's good for a laugh on occasion- like when you get an IOU for a tip.

If anyone knows Pete, will you tell him that he owes me money?  Thanks.

The Gratitude Project- Day 1

The older I get, the more I love the Thanksgiving holiday.  I used to think of it as the kick off to Christmas, but it's totally different now.  I love this month for what it is- a month of gratitude.  A month to praise God and thank Him for the countless things He's given me.

Last year I tried to take a picture of what I was most thankful for that day, and I'm going to do my best to keep this a tradition.  This year I may not post a picture every day, but there will always be something named specifically.

Today I began preparations for my lesson I will be giving at the end of the month.  As I was reading the talk I'm to present, I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am to have a testimony.  So many people struggle and doubt, but I have been blessed with this knowledge from a very early age.  My testimony has grown so much over the years, but the basics have remained the same:  I know we have a loving Father in Heaven who sent us here with a plan for our own salvation and happiness, I know we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who saved our souls and will comfort us at any time if we ask Him to, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the fulness of His gospel on the earth today.

This testimony is one of my greatest treasures, and one of my greatest blessings.