An attitude of gratitude

I know this post is so late. As always, our lives have been a whirlwind! We returned home from Orlando just as a snowstorm/blizzard was about to hit. Ok, It was a few days later, but still wonderful!

The morning after we got home James & I went to wake Haden. I was so distraught because Haden didn't want anything to do with me. We had a festive week of Thanksgiving. James, Haden & I even went hiking up the mountains and picked out our first REAL Christmas Tree! It was so much fun. At church that following Sunday we had wonderful lessons on gratitude. I was deeply touched by them. Sometimes I look at things in a misguided prospective. I had been harboring resentment within me all week because Haden didn't want to cuddle with me. What a humbling experience these lessons on gratitude were! Instead of being resentful, I should be grateful! How extremely blessed I am to be able to have a sweet husband who cares for his little one so much! I'm also grateful for a little boy who is willing to show his love for his daddy. They are such a great pair!

Since I had this experience I've been trying to use it more often. We moved the couch out of the living room to make room for the tree. I noticed that my carpet is so disgusting and dirty! Normally I would complain about people not taking off their shoes and making a mess of my home. Instead I counted some more of my blessings. . . How grateful I am that we have friends and family who love us and want to visit us! We have a home that is lived in! And life is lived well here. I can't hide all the dirt on the carpets or the snot Mr. Haden leaves behind (which happens to be all over my couches!). I'm so grateful for all of these blessings.

We've been keeping busy as well with the wedding of Tom & Krystal! It's been so fun to see these two fall in love. They were married yesterday and are now on the way to their honeymoon. They will arrive home on Christmas Eve day. It was such a blessing to be with them when they were sealed for all eternity. Their love is so strong, and reminds me of James and I.

Oops! I'm falling behind!

I'm grateful for the Temples around the world. How wonderful it was to be able to attend the Orlando, FL temple!

I'm also thankful for credit cards. Amazing how you can forget your park tickets and still get in, because you purchased them with your credit card!

Yeah for the spa! I experienced an awesome pedicure at the hotel spa. It was so nice to sleep in and then be pampered.

BOTTLED WATER!!! K, so I found myself dehydrated on the first day of the tradeshow. No Bueno! Luckily James and his co-workers are taking good care of me and making sure I am drinking plenty of water now.

Today I'm grateful for the end of the workday. After eight hours of sun, heat and humidity. . . the evening air is quite welcoming! Also having a good time with food friends and rides should pay off pretty well!

Two days worth

Ok, I missed yesterday. But there's a great excuse for that!

I finally got to bed at 2 am on Friday. Then I woke up at about 5:30 to get ready to head to ORLANDO!!!! The little sleep and flight sure kicked my tail yesterday!!! I didn't get a new job, I'm just here to help James' company with the Expo that's going on next week. So I'm grateful for his company. IMMENSELY!!! Airline, hotel, food. . . it's pretty much covered. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I'm super grateful for the hotel hot tub! It was so relaxing and peaceful! It helped to whisk my headache away.

Pictures to come soon!!!

Thankful Thursday. . Early on Friday Morning

So I should have been in bed hours ago!!! I'm getting there though.

On this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for my sewing machine and the little bit of knowledge I have to be able to use it!

The shirts provided to me to work for S&S did not look very becoming on me. Gratefully, Jenn came over and pinned them for me. Then I was able to sew them in a bit. They look so much better now! Thank you Jenn, Sewing Machine, and for the knowledge I've gained in order to put the machine to use!!!

I'm so very grateful for a happy baby tonight!!!!

We love you little tyke!

Today I'm thankful for parents (and grandparents) who give so willingly of their time. My parents rock! Last night they were our saving grace who invited us over for a warm dinner. After a long, cold, rainy & snowy day it was a blessing beyond measure!!! Today, James had the day off. He spent as much time with Haden as possible. They had a blast. Promptly at 3 this afternoon, my parents were here at the house to watch Haden again while James and I had dentist appointments. Seriously a blessing. Thank you mom and dad, for loving us and giving us so much!!!!

What fun. . .

Today I'm actually thankful for 3 things! And many more, but I just don't have the wherewithall to name them.

1. Fantastic family who are always on the lookout for my well being.
2. The guts to say, "hey, that's not right."
3. Vaccuums

so 2 & 3 have a story behind them.

We went to close on a refinance loan to reduce our house payment today. The guy gives us the first page with the payment. I say, "That's not right. It was lower than that when we began the process." James and I come back home to get the paperwork and take it to him. We call the lender and find out it's that BLASTED mortgage insurance that is lot's higher than discussed. She checks with underwriting. . . ta da!!! My stupid credit, although very high, is one point from where it needs to be to get the lower rate. Well. Now we'll just re-do it again without me to keep it low. But certainly glad I piped up to say "That's not right!"

This is the better one. It brings a smile to my face to think about it. It's quite redneck. But hey, that's right up my ally these days!!! James & I were cleaning the house on Saturday. Working away like crazy bees! We noticed Sophie going crazy. That's weird. She doesn't usually go bezerk. So we moved the hutch which she was sniffing and whining at. A MOUSE! A MOUSE IN MY HOUSE!!! Unreal. Well Mr. Mouse got a way and slid through a tiny slit under the dishwasher. dut dah da duh!!!! I'm married to a Tibbitts MAN!!!! James starts pulling everything apart. He spots Mr. Mouse and starts poking at him to get him to come back out so we can catch him. James had me get the vacuum so he could clean up underneath the dishwasher. He's thinking, "If I can just get at him with the hose, he'll be trapped." James has me stand guard with the bowl to catch Mr. Mouse with. Well that little critter can scurry!!! I exclaimed, "he's right there! Right behind the black plastic!" JAMES TO THE RESCUE. Turns on the vacuum and starts shoving the hose around the plastic. I finally got frustrated and turned off the vacuum because I couldn't hear him. Out of the corner of my eye, I SAW SOMETHING MOVE IN THE DIRT TRAP OF THE VACUUM!!! Yup, Mr. Mouse. Been caught, alive! Quite impressive. My husband sure can redneck, Tibbitts jimmyrig anything!!!

He's turned into a bit of a softie though. Back in the day, he'd have killed the little critter. This day we decided it would be better to let him loose back by the canal. James said he scurried right through the water up the far bank! He didn't even turn back to say goodbye! Oh well!

Here he is. He's gone now. Along with my pride of having a rodent free home. I guess you win some, and loose some. :)