Thanksgiving Week

We had a wonderful week of Thanksgiving. We started out by going to the Ski/Snowboard show at Cal Expo. That was so fun! Here's a pic of us in GorTex in rain and wind and we didn't get wet at all. It was pretty cool. Rach was also had skiing lessons!

Rach told me all the things she is thankful for, like family, friends and her toys. I started thinking about how I am grateful that I am a member of the church. It is such a blessing. The biggest blessing that I notice, especially as a parent, are the guidelines that we can raise our family by and our standards of how to act. The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet is amazing because it helps me know how to teach my child about modesty, about appropriate movies/music/books, friendships, and how to handle alcohol, drugs (not do them). I just read an article about a girl who started drinking at 12 because her parents had wine around the house. I'm so grateful that we have the Word of Wisdom and that we, as parents, don't have that blurry line of "I can drink a little wine, but it's not good for the kids till they are adults". I don't know how that works, but it seems like kids would be curious about it. I like, that for us, it is black or white. We don't drink. I like that we don't want R-rated movies. It never occurred to me that other people may have problems with them. I once read where a man said that his addiction to pornography got started because watching scenes in movies. And so he had to stop watching R-rated movies, and I think he is a non-denom Christian. I was blown away that someone else might put their own control or limit like that. To me, I never thought about something becoming a problem, just that violence and stuff isn't too healthy to watch and so I like that I have the gospel to help me.

So I'm really, really, really grateful for the standards we have in the standard-shifting world. It is so peaceful.

I'm grateful that I'm a mother to two wonderful girls. I'm grateful for all that they teach me. I'm grateful for my husband and the love he gives to me. (I'm going to be writing another blog about him in a min.)

I'm grateful for my parents and grandparents that have lived their lives the best they knew how and how they have done a great job! They have strength, they have compassion, and they are involved. I love them deeply, and I hope they know this!

Last but not least, I am grateful for friends! I'm so grateful for the friends I have met because of my husband, and that these friends have allowed me into their lives and opened their arms and hearts to me. I'm so happy and so filled with excitement about our lives being entertwined and how we will know each other for years and grow old together. I am enjoying the fact of my friends and I watching each other's children grow. Life is so fun and amazing and I'm grateful for friends to share the journey.

One friendship that has bloomed is with Kev's best childhood friend, Dave and his wife Breeanne. I love to talk to Breeanne because she is so passionate about organics and the environment. She teaches me a lot. I love to be around Kev and Dave because they laugh constantly. In fact, Rach and I feel a little down about how she and I can't get Dad to laugh like Dave does. But then Dave is a different breed... :) just jokin! We love you Kellys! Dave, share some of your secrets! This summer is gonna be crazy with both Dave and Kev workin APX together!

Anyway, we had a blast starting an annual tradition of spening Thanksgiving Eve staying the night at Dave and Breeanne's with their children Jaxon and Joelle. The kids played great, we got to play Wii (tennis anyone?) and the kids got to decorate sugar cookies for the homeless, we got some of Breeanne's mom's pumpkin pie, we made a super rich concoction of hot chocolate for them with some of our Leonidas chocolates we had. We played games, ate a yummy dinner and breakfast. (wheat pancakes with berry sauce and whipped cream!!) Thanks for the memories. Same time next year!

Thanksgiving was at Kev's uncle's home, and it turned out really nice. The cousins had bunches of fun playing outside. The weather and the meal were perfect!

Friday, we went to Apple Hill with my parents. We ate apple donuts at High Hill Ranch and got some Christmas gifts and ornaments. I got some Butter Pecan syrup (just like the kind I had at Breeanne's!) and then we went to another ranch and the kids got to horseback ride and then we had In-n-Out burger and came home. Rach stayed the night with the grandparents and Kev and I and Gabs decorated the chocolate shop for the holidays and organized our new chocolate inventory. The shop looks really nice. I love the tree up inside. Ah, Almost Christmas!