More house pics

Here are the stairs going to the second floor, which is 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.

This kind of show how high the ceiling is in the living room. We had to go and borrow a huge ladder from our neighbor to replace a lightbulb before we had friends over for Noah's birthday.

Right as you walk in the front door, is this sitting room to your left. We are trying to find something to put in their. We would love to have a toy room or place for all of our office things, but not to be the first thing people see when they walk in. . .

This is supposed to be the formal dining room, it is to the right when you walk in the front door. For now it can be our Christmas tree room. . .

New House!

We finally got our household goods and started moving in on Tuesday. We are not close to being done with the unpacking so that's what I should be doing, but I wanted to post a few pictures. These were all before we got our things, so I'll have to take more later. Here's the front of the house. . .

Back yard. . . right behind the fence is a really cool looking wooded area that Noah is so excited to go out and explore. There is a gate to make it more accessible.

Back yard and shed. . .

Huge living room with vaulted ceilings. . . I must have been ignoring Ammon who must have been asking for food and snacks as usual. . .

This is what you see of the kitchen and eat-in area as you are coming into the living room.

Gratitude Month--Z

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. . . .

That's right--SLEEP! I am thankful when I have a baby who sleeps. I am grateful for when my kids nap and sleep well in the night. And I am thankful for my own sleep whether it's being able to sleep during the night or taking a wonderful afternoon nap. It is so nice to fall exhausted into a nice comfortable bed at night and drift off to sleep. There are times that I wish for more hours in the day, and think "wouldn't it be nice if my body didn't need sleep--think of all the extra time I would have!" But I think I would just take a few more hours in the day, and still be able to go to bed at night and rejuvenate and let our brains recover from our day. . . I am so thankful for sleep.

Gratitude Month--Y

Yarn--I am not a naturally creative or crafty person. I have always spent more time on playing sports and being outside. Now I see the beautiful talents in people around me and sometimes wish I had developed those same talents. A few years ago, my friend Marian taught me how to crochet baby blankets ( yes, with yarn, now you see the connection). It is a good feeling to be able to create something fun and beautiful, no matter how simple. I should learn to do more things like that.

Yoga--Marian also introduce me to bikram's yoga about a year and a half ago, and I love it. I never would have guessed that I would like such things. I did it almost every night before Micah and while I was pregnant I did the pregnancy version. It helped me not get as much sciatic pain or back pain, and I am positive that my labor was much better because of it. I have been a slacker lately but I want to start doing it more regularly, because you feel great afterwards.

Gratitude Month--X

XOXOXOXOX
XOXOXOXO

First of all, I have nothing against video games or anyone who does have an XBOX, but I am still grateful that we do not have one, and that Travis isn't really interested in playing video games. I can't help it, I just love attention to much to share. . .

Next- XOXOXOX--I am grateful for hugs and kisses. So grateful. I love cuddly kids (to an extent, I guess I can easily be smothered by them, though) and baby snuggles, and I need daily hugs and affection from Travis. It creates feelings of affection and happiness a sense of well-being that just don't come any other way. I love it and it makes me happy.

Gratitude Month--W

I don't know why I had a hard time thinking of something for this one. A sudden flood just came to me. I could say Water--whether to drink, to swim in, to clean things with, to shower in. It's awesome. Or the Weather--okay, I mean the four seasons. I love the variety and excitement with each new season.


Washing Machines--How lazy am I? I seriously do not know how in the world people kept their family's clothes clean in the days before Washers and Dryers were invented. I do laundry 3-4 times a week. It takes a good chunk of my time and I am not even doing it by hand! Can you imagine?



But my final answer is:

Weaknesses--Although I hope to overcome them someday, I am grateful for weaknesses. One of Noah's challenges in school is that he is used to already knowing how to do things. When he comes across something more challenging, or when he just makes a simple mistake and the teacher circles it, he flips out (I'm not sure how else to say it). As his teacher and I both try to explain to him that it's okay to make mistakes and it's even good, I have thought about myself and how our weaknesses can becomes our strengths when we deal with them in the right way. One of my favorite scriptures:

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Gratitude Month--V

Vegetables--and other healthy food. I am grateful for the people who have inspired and taught me to be more healthy (you should know who you are). And I am grateful that my kids usually love their vegetables. I feel gratitude every time I don't have to fight them. I am also grateful when I am eating well, and how good it makes me feel.

Vacuums--I love the looks of a newly vacuumed room! And ours gets very dirty very fast so it's even funner to vacuum and see the difference. I have to vacuum at least twice a day and don't know what I would do without a vacuum! I am also especially grateful for OUR vacuum--and excited for the day when we have it back. . . (maybe we already do by the time this is posting. . . )

Vans--I am grateful for our minivan. We bought it when I was 6 months pregnant with #3, and I'll never forget how great it felt to not have to bend clear down and buckle kids in. It's so nice to have the extra space, too.