So Thankful.

NOTE: This list I started during Thanksgiving and am just putting up. Yeah. I'm that behind.

I've had a 'thankful list' going in my head ever since I put up the fall decorations and only now have I been able to sit down and write them. Life has been a little hectic around here to say the least.

My husband. He's such a hard worker, fun dad and wonderful person. I can't think of anyone else I'd like to spend an eternity with.

My boys. They make me laugh, scream and cry. They have made me a better person (I think) and are some of my greatest teachers. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time and stop them from growing quite so fast though I can't wait to meet the men that they will one day become.

My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are very few things that I know for certain or can count on in my life, but the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a constant amid chaos and a guiding light to my life.

My family. I am so thankful that I have never doubted for a second that my family would be there for me when I need them. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well my boys have the best 'village' I could ever think of.

Music. Though I don't get to do enough with it, I am so grateful for music. It can brighten my mood, push me to work harder, and help me to reflect on the eternities. I am grateful to be able to sing and just belt it out when I want (which is usually in the shower or car), sit down at the piano and play a melody or strum something on the guitar.

Modern life. Living in Bolivia showed me how easy we have it. No hand washing cloths, going to the market several times a week or daily due to lack of refrigeration or making every meal from scratch. I have it SOOOOO good and I hope I always remember it.

Working. Even though I've worked from home, I have never had to be away from my boys for the most part. And now I'm even more grateful I am able to work at home doing something I really love, where I get to be creative and allows me a lot of flexibility and do a lot of service for people in the ways of giving to charitable events.

Meeting Santa

For weeks I have been talking to Levi about Santa and what the whole thing is about. He's watched Polar Express who knows how many times so by the time came to meet Santa he was quite excited.

The first time we saw him he was at the Vial/Fotheringham work party a couple weeks back. We all waited in line patiently after some fun activities. Ok, Max wasn't so patient and he was very skeptical of the man in the red suit.
Levi was pretty focused and excited.
While this shot is a little blurry, his look says it all about how he was feeling, in awe. It reminded me of when he met Spiderman at the 4th of July parade. He was so excited before and after but completely in shock and speechless during the whole thing.
And guess what Santa brought? Cars, from Cars of course! How did he know?

Hilarious Levi Part V?

"I'm a hooker mom, I'm a hooker!!" (he had a hook in his hand while putting him in the car at church. I almost died of laughter and wondered if anyone happened to overhear)

Dressed up as a knight with armor, hat and sword Levi realized he didn't have his horse (oh, by the way, he had put a crown on me, just to keep with the theme). So he ran off to get it saying, "I will get my horse. I will be back as short as I can" It's not super hilarious but I am forever amazed with his complete sentences and thoughts. They make me smile.

Levi's going off about superheros right now, despite the fact he's totally dress up in a full 'knight in shining armor' costume. He's been taking for several minutes already, so here's what he's saying:
"Superman lives on the red planet. Superheros don't be persons. They're superheros. Spider man is a hero. His webs can make him swing so he can climb up. Flash is a superhero, he's fast. Superheros save people, they're good. They save the day! Wolverine has claws. He scratches people. You're not a super hero. You don't have claws in your arms mom." I wish I could remember the rest of the superhero monologue, I'm sure it was awesome.

Mom: "Levi can you give Max the monkey?" (it was a Curious George that he loves to sleep with)
Levi: "But if I don't have a monkey.........then I won't have a monkey".
Great logic bud.

"Mom, twirl your hair around, and then we will laugh!"

"Elephant's don't fit in houses. They are from the Jurassic Period". I think he's been watching too much Dinosaur train.

"I'm going to use my new sharp teeth" while eating dinner. When asked which ones those were, he pointed to the ones in the back.

Rocket Man

For Levi's b-day he got a huge rocket ship from Grandpa G. that he loved and loved and loved. The boys would put as many toys as they could fit and 'fly to the moon'!
I have no idea how much stuff could fit in such a small space.

Sugar Rush

For the ward Christmas Party I was asked, along with a number of ladies at church, to make a gingerbread house for 'Santa's Workshop' for the kids to see before they saw Santa. I thought and thought about it and came up with nothing. But while Levi and I were playing one of our many games of candyland, I decided to do something with a candyland theme. Off to the computer I went for some ideas and saw some of the coolest candy/cake replicas I have ever seen.

I knew it was more than what they were asking but once I had it in my head, I knew nothing else would do. So with the help of my crafty and clever husband and with some restraint from the kiddos we did it! Though I must admit that by the end of it all I was a little sick of candy for a couple weeks.

All and all it wasn't too tricky, just took a lot of time. Jason was a huge help and did the base along with doing the 'Candy Castle' out of rice crispies. He got way more into it than I thought he would.
Doesn't it look yummy?

It took a couple days to get it all set up and on the last night before the big event, I stayed up till 3 on the finishing touches. I was extremely exhausted and was sick of it all by the end. But when I woke up it the morning and saw it with refreshed eyes I was so happy I did it! Levi and Max were practically drooling when they saw it.

Here's Levi with it at Santa's Workshop. I asked him to point to his favorite part and I totally thought he would point to Gloppy because that's always been his favorite. Guess what he's pointing to? The train set that was set up. Typical.

Check out my other blog for more pics and instructions!

Wishin'

I have always wished for more time in the day but now I'm really wishing I was a vampire and didn't need to sleep. Oh, the things I would do.

Though I have lots of pictures to put up, I have barely any time to edit them or even write this but thought I'd write something for Larry's sake.

Here's what I've been up to:

Trying to keep up with holiday orders. Luckily I have a gal in the ward who has been coming and babysitting several times a week so I can stay on top of things.

I've done two craft fairs/bazaars and have two left this weekend.

Finishing decorating the house, which is mostly done thanks to Jason.

We're working on a candy model of the game Candyland for a ward activity. I might have bit off more than I can chew with that one but Jason is helping and it's been fun so far. We'll see how it turns out. In my mind it is amazing. We'll see what reality brings.

Putting together Christmas packages to send off.

Oh. And this weekend I had to deal with a tooth ache and had a root canal yesterday. I SO hope one of my boys become a dentist. If you saw my face you would laugh. I look like the elephant man. It's kind of gross.

We'll see if I write more later. Just a tidbit. Levi is getting dressed up in his knight costume AGAIN and watching the Polar Express, which is now one of his favorite movies probably because it has a train in it.