My Thankful Thursday

I am filled to the brim with gratitude...for so many things.......

First &Foremost, 

I Am Thankful For This Guy

{My Husband}

When I tell people I have to be completely off my left foot for 6 weeks the question is always the same -- "How do you do it with 3 kids and especially that new baby of yours?!"  The answer is easy: This man. He does it all. A-L-L.  He gets Cade ready for school including styling his hair and packing his lunch, takes Sav to and from Preschool and dance and fixes all of us lunch, gets up with the baby, keeps the kids happy and social-- like starting a Lego Club for Cade and his friends, loads and unloads the dishwasher, cleans (he was vacuuming our shutters on Saturday of all things!)... all the while still doing everything else that he has on his plate: serving in the Young Mens presidency, keeping up the lawn and pool, and --oh yeah--- that minor thing called work that provides for and sustains this family.  He's been such a good sport about all of this.  While I give him a hard time about some things.... you know, like rationing my Oreos, or completely filling our pantry with sugar-loaded cereal or stocking the freezer with corn dogs and Toaster Strudels...I am so grateful to this guy for the sweet support that he is. I would love to think if the tables were turned, that I would be just as sweet and helpful about doing everything while he was in bed most of the day, but I doubt I have that kind of goodness in me. 

This is my cowboy. I love him.

My Children

{Cade}

Cade has been so helpful lately. He always offers to carry my crutches up and down the stairs for me, grab a diaper for Ruby, or answer the door. He's growing up so fast and I'm doing my best to savor this sweet, innocent time with him.  He was the first to teach me what it meant to be a parent in all of it's selfless qualities, and how wonderful it is to have posterity of your own. Words can't describe the joy he has brought to my life, but I suppose this was a start.  Love you, my little Cruiser!

Cade at 18 months. Alexandria, Va.

Cade 10 months. Provo, Utah.

{Savannah}

I just think of this little girl and I laugh!  She has so much spunk, personality, and says the funniest things. I am so grateful for this little girl's cheerful nature.  She's like a bouncing smile -- never sits or stands still for a moment.  She is such a sweet sister and has yet to learn what it means to be envious or jealous. I love that about her. When Cade got a new Lego set, Savvy said, "Oh wow Cade, you're lucky!" and smiled and hugged him. I melted. That's our little girl! She has been so helpful lately as well. She's usually eager to put things away, or bring me something I need--- and I really do ask quite a bit of this little girl. 

Savvy age ?? West Chicago house.

{Our most recent drop-off from the Stork: Ruby}

Oh this little girl is precious! Today is her 3 month birthday and she has brought so much joy into our home. Her smiles are infectious.  It's so wonderful having another infant in the home again.   Some of her nick names: Rubes, Ruber, Rube-a-doob, Rubik's cube and her latest: Miss Piggy and The Nap-less Wonder. She is chugging down milk like crazy and I can hardly keep up. She has also not taken naps (unless you count 6 minutes of sleeping or 12 minutes sleeping a nap) during the day the past few days. I am not sure why she's trying to test me that way, but I'm not giving up.  This has to stop eventually, right?  Her thighs are full of those sweet baby fat rolls and her cheeks are irresistable. She's been sleeping through the night consistently since she was about 6 weeks old.  I am so grateful for the sleep she gives me. It is truly priceless.  It has also been a blessing to have her to snuggle and cuddle and take care of during my recovery. 

She's a great little bedside buddy. I love snuggling up with her burrito-style. :)

Family

{Dad}

He's so sweet and helpful!  This past Spring when Kyle was in Chicago, my dad and mom came to my rescue one Saturday. First, they made dozens of pancakes that we brought to a primary activity, then my dad came as Cade's special guest to the primary activity and played games with the kids.  After that, he came home and assembled Cade's new bed, fixed the garage door opener, put together their playroom table....and then of course played with the kids.  He came down again when Kyle was out of town over a particularly busy weekend and did even more stuff around the house. I really feel like he is an inspired man and knows his calling as a Father is never finished. Just when I am about at the end of my rope, he comes and gives me another one.

and played some more with the kids.

{Mom}

My mother is one of those sneaky serving types. She is not the type to come in and take over. She comes, quietly does what needs being done, and quietly leaves. She is also such an incredible grandmother.  She gets down on her hands and knees and isn't afraid to gift dirty with the kids. She obliges Cade and plays the Wii with him, and obliges Savvy with endless dress-up sessions complete with lots of ooohs and ahhhhs. She has also been a great help to me. When I was sick and pregnant, Mom came down to spend the afternoon with the kids on a Monday holiday. My Mom is a special-ed teacher, so free time is sacred, rare and precious!. She came again right after I had Ruby and spent a precious Saturday with us. Cade and Savvy LOVE spending time with Grandma. My mom came to my rescue yet again last Saturday and surprised me by coming down {with gorgeous flowers in hand, no less} and folded and put away laundry, played with the kids and took them out to have ice cream. 

All while I slept.  

{Melody}

Melody is a great party planner. She makes things happen.  This past summer, she planned a fabulous family reunion at Bear Lake. It was awesome. I was due in 8 days and was 3 cm dialated, but darnit, I knew it was going to be a good time. So I went anyways. Great location, great activities, great food... it was wonderful. She is also really great with my kids and always has something fun planed-- whether it's decorating cookies or playing baseball with them, she's a really cool, fun aunt.  I can't tell you how wonderful it's been having her just blocks away. We take advantage of her often, but for some reason she doesn't seem to mind. She's currently expecting her 3rd son and we are all so excited about it. She and Jon make such cute boys. Melody is often the reason why I have any fun. She gets me out. A couple of my two grandest times were last summer when we went to two concerts in one week-- she had tickets for both and even though I was in the middle of moving, she helped me see that good times far outlast the fun of unpacking.  I'm so glad I went!

Country concert at the Scera Shell. We had front row seats! 

Melody hosted Christmas in 2007. Of course she had all of our childhood traditions ready, including Santa and the cotton balls. You can tell how thrilled Cade is about it. 

{Rebecca}

While cleaning out my nook, I came across some old journals from when I was in high school. It touched me how close of friends "Goose" and I were, even back then. Five years between us has never seemed to make a difference in our relationship. She's always been such a dear friend and confidante. I remember telling her about the first time Kyle kissed me, and being so excited that she was the one to answer the phone first when I called to announce my engagement. She's such a sweet and selfless sister. I don't know how we lucked out to have her living just 30 minutes away, but I will gladly take it!  And if we're lucky, it will only get closer in time. :)  Cade is convinced that Aunt Rebecca is perfect. Sometimes when I am grumpy he asks me why I can't be more like Aunt Rebecca. "She never does anything wrong," he explains. I can't really disagree. There's not a mean bone in this girl's body. I'm so lucky to have her, especially now.

This was in 2006 maybe?  Becca stole our camera and when we downloaded our pictures, this was one of many suprises she left us on it. Silly girl. 

Goose watched the kids while Kyle and I ran in a race for Thanksgiving in 2008.  We all ran except for Goose, who kindly kept the kids herded together and didn't even lose one of them!

 Timeless Friends 

{The Spencers}

When people hear that we lived with another couple two summers of our traveling pest control years, most people gasp and ask, "Wow, how was that?" while assuming it was a regretful experience. Living with Luke and Alicia was anything but regretful.  It takes a special combination of people to be able to coexist peacefully.  Truly, it was more than just a cordial living arrangement. It was enjoyable.  We've made some great memories over the years-- traveling to the Philippines, Ocean City, MD and Hawaii, together.  We are lucky to still stay in touch with them and to have gotten to see Luke a few times this year.  Alicia and Jordan, next time Luke comes out, we'd love for you to come with!

Luke playing with Cade when we lived in Alexandria, Va. May 2005.

 Michelle and Alicia after a treacherous hike  in the Philippines. Sept 2005

Jordan and Cade in their undies.  Devil's Lake 2007?  That was a fun trip.

Luke and Alicia in Hawaii. December 2008

Timeless Friends {The Bookettes}

It all started in the pleasant view second ward. A girl named Sarah in the ward had started a book club and when I joined the ward in August of 2003, they invited me to join them. For 2 years these girls unfailingly invited me month after month, even though I turned them down every time.  It was really, really hard to come to book club, or find any time to read books for pleasure, but finally when graduation was on the horizon, I took the plunge into what it was like to be in one of those mommy book clubs.  I LOVED it!  These girls were hilarious, thoughtful, witty, intelligent, talented, and they didn't judge.  Over time, the women moved away from the ward, with the exception of two, but these gals still got together unfailingly every month, sometimes even getting together for overnighters.

Once I graduated and Kyle and I stopped trading off watching Cade to go to school-- rather, it was just me and Cade full time, it was hard to not be envious of Kyle's carefree life of coming and going to classes.  Some days were really long, hard, and not the blissful days of motherhood I had the expectations for.  For a while I thought I was crazy. A bad mother even. I never told anyone my thoughts. I thought that having a bad day, or sometimes wishing I could just be alone and get out was a sign that I was doing something utterly wrong.  Enter the bookettes.  These girls not only discussed good reads, but also the every-day ups and downs of motherhood. It wasn't long before I realized how normal I was. You have no idea how liberating this was for me. To realize no, I was not a bad mom, that yes, all good mothers have their days with their children and that getting out was something I never expected to gain from joining a book club. It truly was the greatest gift. And so when it was time for Kyle and I to head to Chicago, I was sad. Afraid I wouldn't find that type of support group ever again. I was wrong. But even better, I  hung on to these friends and they have been faithful ones. Two of them even came out to visit me in Chicago. Whenever I visited, I always planned my Utah trips around when book club was. It sorta felt like I never left. We still get together and I love how unique each woman is. We gain much from each other's experiences and I love having them in my life.

right after I moved back to Utah we all got together and surprised Liz for her big 3-0!!! Fun night.

About 2 weeks after Ruby was born, I hosted book club. Kind of out of selfishness-- It was easier for me to attend and be there on time if we had it at my place with a new baby and all. The girls surprised me with a thoughtful shower and I still am touched to tears for their kindness.  Ruby and I were spoiled!

Timeless Friends {Steve!}

Dear Steve Bishop Palmer,

 Thank you for allowing Kyle to join you fellas in South Dakota for a few days.  Had Kyle not gotten a little man-time vacation in before my surgery, I think he'd be going nuts.  Also, thank you for inviting him to play on your indoor soccer team. Even though your games begin right when the kids are going to bed or at 11:00pm, I am grateful Kyle has a place to go at the end of a long day and enjoy himself. Even if he does come home grumpy for losing. Work on winning, will ya? 

(Sorry, Ladies. He was taken long, long ago).

Timeless Friends {The "Shelleys"}

While out in Richmond for my reunion, I met up with two dear friends of mine from the high school days, Shelley B (left) and Shelley M (right). These girls ran track and cross country with me for three years. At an age when it is oft times difficult to find wholesome friends who like wholesome fun, these girls truly defied that premise. They continue to be upstanding chicas and though it has been over 13 years since we met, they still keep in touch and make the time to visit when I'm in town.

Giving Friends

{Virginia and Judy}

I know I spent a bit of time grumbling while planning the reunion, but truly, I had so much help. Virginia and Judy  really gave me a hand and got me through the reunion, despite their already hectic lives. I have known these girls since middle school.  They are smart, ambitious, successful, and have chosen great men to spend the rest of their lives with.  I look fondly back on the time I spent with these gals back in high school and consider myself so lucky to have been able to associate with them. They were such good friends and examples to me.  Thanks for sharing the table with me in the Library before school, gals!

(I think I totally pass for an Asian, don't you think?!)

{Lyndsey}

I met Lyndsey in college when I was 10 months pregnant with Cade.  We both ran for office for PRSSA for BYU and won. I ran unopposed....I don't remember about Lyndsey. In any case, we got to know each other really well over the next 2 semesters. After graduation, Lyndsey ran off to California to work at an awesome job and marry and awesome guy. A couple years later, they decided they hadn't gotten enough of Happy Valley, and came back for the hubs to get his Masters at BYU. She just had a darling baby boy named Jack about a month before I delivered Ruby and it's so nice knowing we are back in the same town again, minus tests and projects. :)  She is a great mommy, and a wonderful friend. Case in point: came to visit shortly after Ruby was born and with her brought a package of Oreos. More recently, I was in a bind. Kyle wasn't going to be home in time to take Sav to her dance class. It's a hard thing having to ask so many people for favors being practically bedridden and all, but as I scrolled through my phone, racking my brain on who I could possibly heave this inconvenient burden on,  I remembered a text Lyndsey had sent before I got surgery telling me if I needed anything, to let her know. Lynds is a genuine, real person, so I knew that meant the same for her offer. Because of that, I was able to swallow my pride and ask her. She was sweet to accept the task and Sav had a grand time with her. She even asked today if "Miss Lyndsey" was going to take her to dance today. I told her daddy was and she grumped back at me, "But I don't WANT Daddy ta take me ta dance. I want dat GIRL!" 

Lyndsey and Jack next to the mirror Lynds painted herself. :) {photo stolen off Lyndsey's blog.}

Food 

{esp. food I didn't cook!}

Even at 8 weeks after I had Ruby, kind friends were still calling asking if they could bring me meals.  It was easy to swallow my pride and accept these generous and thoughtful gestures -- around here there are some amazing cooks. These are just 2 pictures of several delectable meals we've had over the last several weeks. How could one turn down this kind of food?! Now that I am a little out of commission, the generosity of friends and neighbors continues. This neighborhood is amazing. We are being well-taken care of. Spoiled even. I am so thankful.

'

Extended Family

{Aunt Suzi & Uncle Darrel}

We were so fortunate to get to spend extra time with my Aunt Suzi and Uncle Darrel this past August. Suzi miraculously found a doctor in Murray, UT who could treat her severe back pain she has suffered with for years as a result of a car accident. The catch?  She had to have 3 weeks of consecutive treatments done twice a day, 7 hours from her home in Las Vegas.  Suzi was a trooper and bounced between Melody's and I's guestrooms for that time and it was so fun having her and Uncle Darrel around!  Cade and Savvy got to know their great aunt, uncle and my cousins really well during that time. Kyle was out of town for much of that time so it was nice having an extra ear and pair of hands.

Uncle Darrel, "the baby whisperer",  taking a snooze with Ruby.

Puppies {that belong to other people!}

Cade and Sav have been begging for a puppy for about a year now. Ever since Cici, Grandma's dog came to visit us when we were living in Lindon, they've been in love with the idea of having a dog.  I will forever say no, but forever gladly let them play with other people's doggies anytime. When we went to Boise to visit last month, Cade and Sav got to play with Gma and Gpa Hunter's new litter of puppies. Cade put one in this little bucket right before we were heading home and said, "Okay, Mom. I'm all ready and packed up!"

The joy on this cute face is almost enough to convince me to get a puppy. Almost. But not quite. :)

Two working feet.

I miss it. Oh how I miss it. WALKING! Running. Climbing stairs instead of crawling up them. How I took it for granted.  I like to think this has given me a new perspective on life and the lives of others who deal with this on a permanent basis.  I am really looking forward to being back on my feet again. Until then, I'll reminisce of the good ol' days....

surfing lessons. Hawaii. December 2008

Wipeout! Boogy boarding at it's finest.  Hawaii. December 2008.

Nature's Beauty

{Flowers}

So  beautiful. Needs no explanation.

Holland, Michigan

Holland Michigan during the Tulip Festival

{Snow}
I loved how the snow stayed and stayed and stayed in Chicago. So pretty, so much fun! And SO much better than cold rain.

{Beaches  All of Kauai}
I think I'm missing Hawaii a lot. Probably should go back soon.

Well, that's a start....there's still plenty more, but that will have to do for now.