Thankful

I hope everyone had a really great Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful day and my thoughts were turned to all of the blessings in my life. Despite the struggles that our family has been through over the last few years I can honestly say we are experiencing an abundance of joy amongst the turmoil. We are so blessed and our trials are small in comparison to many others and so we can't help but be extremely thankful to our Heavenly father for all that we enjoy. So here are just a few of the blessings we have realized in the last few weeks.
I am so glad to have a daughter old enough to start babysitting. She took Aida to the park one day so we could get some stuff done around the house. So helpful.
I often complain that my house is too much to take care of. It is old and needs a lot of TLC. The projects just seem too keep on coming but what would we do without them. This year I took on the job of raking the leaves in the back yard. 20 bags later and I'm only 1/3 of the way done but I have actually enjoyed being outside in our beautiful fall weather. I can't complain because we love our back yard. It is was drew us to this house in the first place. Our kids have so much fun playing in the yard climbing trees and making swings and forts. It really is like having a park in our own back yard. Plus how many people can say that they can go apple picking in their own back yard. Not to mention apricot, plum, peach, cherry and grape picking.
I am thankful for my kids or course. They make life interesting. Without them we just wouldn't laugh as much.
I am also thankful for health insurance. We have really needed it over the last year.
I sure was happy to have a kids table at this years thanksgiving dinner. Danny and I actually ate a meal in peace.
I am also glad for $5 hair cuts at the beauty school. I took all the girls for haircuts. It was a treat for us since I usually do the cuts myself and we are also really glad that hair grows. Some of the cuts were a little disapointing and especially since Aida then tried to cut her own hair. Notice the chopped bangs and she has a bald spot in the back. LOVELY.
Just look at these adorable kids. How could I not be grateful and blessed. I am so thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayers. He has listened to me and answered mine. Maybe not it the way I thought they would come but I can see the wisdom in his ways. I am thankful for the blessings that come from paying tithing. We truly are recieving blessings and there is not enough room to recieve them all. I am also thankful for all those who have served our family in one way or another. They are the deliverers of all the answers to my prayers. There is so much to be thankful for and I know that my poor writing skills are not doing it justice here. My heart is full and my words are lacking. I feel truly blessed.

Halloween Night

Life around here has been really crazy and the kids thought we would never get out of the house but once we were out the door it was a great night. We had the best Halloween weather ever. It reminded me of my childhood Halloween nights in Arizona where the weather is gorgeous. In the 12 years we have lived here I can't remember a Halloween when we didn't need winter coats that covered up our cute costumes. Speaking of cute costumes we are sending out a great big thank you to Robin for sewing these costumes for us. I couldn't have done it without her this year. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This year I had my heart broken a little. Halloween has always been a fun family day for us. For starters I ran out of time to make our pumpkin pancakes and ghost milk. When Paige and Reed were little I used to do themed costumes for the whole family but as the kids grew up and got an opinion about their costumes that tradition flew out the window. Getting Meridee and Aida to match was closest I could get to a theme. This year they decided that it wasn't cool to go trick or treating with mom and dad. The older kids took off with their friends but we did meet up again later for s'mores in the back yard. I really missed spending the the whole night together. They sure are growing up but the little girls still get really excited and that is the best part anyway. They sure were cute.

Do I have to?

I'm having a really tough time with Meridee lately. She is so defiant. I have threatened taking away Trick or Treating this Friday for some extremely bad behavior and today has been the worst of it. I threatened it again today and I kind of think I have to follow through with this but the wimp in me says she's only four and think of all the fun memories you are taking away. So I'm asking everyone's opinion,
Do I have to? or is there another way?

I've been tagged

by my friend Amy

8 things about me

1. I'm really not that interesting. I'm actually quite dull most of the time.
2. I had a strange job once in High school that I had completely forgotten about until recently. I dressed up as a M$M mascot a couple of times. It was quick and easy money but the costume was so hot, sweaty and stinky that in the end it really wasn't worth it.
3. I secretly wish I could be Amish(Maybe just for a little while).
4. I want to move away just for a change of scenery. My boring life needs some adventure. I'm thinking a whole other state or even a different country could be fun.
5. On the flip side of the Amish thing I would also like to be stinkin' rich.
6. I am really hard on myself. I usually second guess everything I do. This could explain all the depression. Positive self talk is not easy for me.
7. I am really finding it difficult to think of 8 interesting things about my self because when it comes right down to it we are all probably a lot more a like than we think.
8. I hate dressing up. Danny thinks it is funny how fast I can change out of my church clothes on Sunday. I'm usually done before everyone is even out of the car.

So there you go 8 interesting or not so interesting things about me.

I tag Becky,Robin,Tami,Dayna,Jill,Mandy,Macey,Stacy

Party Girls

This past weekend was full of parties for the little girls. It was so fun to see all of their excitement. Meridee was invited to a Halloween Party. It was her very first party invitation and so you can imagine how special that made her feel. Aida turned 3 on Saturday. I think that turning three is so much fun. It was the first time I think she actually grasped the idea of a Birthday party. Even though it was just a family party we made invitations for her to deliver to each of her siblings. She put them on their pillows while they were at school. I also made her a cute shirt with a big 3 on it for her to wear(thanks for the idea Shanda). Grandma and Grandpa Nordstrom also came over and she had some cousins visiting who joined us as well. She was so excited. For the first time she knew exactly what to do with the gifts and the excitement in her face as she unveiled each gift was priceless and then she gave hugs to each person and said thank you. She was way too cute. We made some really yummy cupcakes that I ate way to many of and they sure looked cute too. Baking and decorating the cupcakes was fun and easy. I'm actually considering a little business making cupcakes. Might be kind of fun and easy way to earn a few extra dollars. I'm only considering it because I could probably do it after kids are all in bed. Anyway we'll see. Right now I am drowning in housework and enjoying the time that I have to just sit and hold Tanner. Well that was our fun weekend. Next weekend will not be so fun. I am having my wisdom teeth pulled. Yuck!

Stop complaining

Well I know everyone is wondering why there aren't more pictures on here yet. Well I don't know why you are complaining because you should all know that we take a million pictures with the first child and that the last kid usually gets jipped in the picture department and that is no exception here. I just haven't taken that many yet. I am still try to catch up on sleep and the nursing hasn't been going that great either. We pretty much sit on the couch all day and try to figure out the nursing thing. Shouldn't this be easier. Mothers in the animal kingdom give birth and nurse their babies without issues like sore nipples, breast infections, and stitches. Anyway here are a few more pictures from birth day and I promise to take more pictures. Tanner is just too special to not get his fair share of pictures. So stay tuned.