A time for giving thanks . . .

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving; time to reflect back on the past year to the things my family has to be thankful for. We have faced some financial difficulties, the loss of a loved one, and a move. We have grown stronger as a family and our faith in the Lord has been strengthened. At this time of year I want to express my deep heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my family. I want my husband to know how much I love him; he is my best friend. We have endured much in our marriage that has brought us closer together despite the arguing, fighting, and stress of it all. I am thankful for his strength and comfort. I am thankful for the way he stands beside me in every decision and all that I do. I am thankful for the way he makes me laugh. I am thankful for the wonderful father that he is to our children. I am thankful for each one of my three children; they truely bring joy to my life. I am thankful for the way they look at me and state simply that they love me, then wrap their little arms around my neck. I am thankful for their smiles and laughs that makes any day better. I am thankful for the house I have to clean, the dishes I have to wash, the laundry I have to do, and the job I have to go to everyday; that means I am alive and have the neccessities to raise my family. I am thankful for the church and the important role that it plays in my family. I am thankful I can fight with my children to sit still and be quiet during sacrament meeting because it means we are where the Lord wants us to be. I am thankful for the ward we are currently in and the seeds of friendship that have been planted and begun to sprout there. I am thankful for the calling I have as the Young Women 1st Counselor and for Brian's calling as a teacher in the Elder's Quorum. Jerome has been the best thing to happen to us! As I prepare to feast tomorrow, I shall reflect on all of these things and thank my Heavenly Father for it all.

A first in the Blauer household

We spent General Conference weekend at Brian's parents house. We were really enjoying ourselves and my children were playing so nicely with their cousins, perhaps a little too nice. There were about 6 or 7 of them on the trampoline which is a recipe for nothing other than DISASTER and that is exactly what happened . . .

When Whitney (cousin) came in and ever so calmly told me that Briton fell and broke his leg, I thought she was joking, but then she, still ever so calmly, told me that she wasn't kidding and I took off running. I don't think I've ever run that fast! When I got outside and looked down at his leg, it looked like a second ankle bone poking out the side of his leg. I immediately scooped him up into my arms, carried him to the car, and headed into the ER.

Briton broke his tibia AND fibula! His cast starts at his thigh and goes down to his toes.

He has learned to get around pretty well on his crutches although it has taken some time. Brian and I spent the first week carrying him around the house in our arms. Do you have any idea how much weight a cast adds?

He has to wear this cast until about Thanksgiving, then he will be put into a smaller one for about another 4 to 6 weeks. We have been really amazed at how well his leg has been healing. I guess with this kind of break, it is very common for the bone to slip out of place within the first week, but his bone stayed and is healing very well.

This whole ordeal has been hard on him because he is such an active little boy, but I am very proud of him and the way he has obeyed the doctor's orders so he can heal.

A new twist on an old classic

Briton and Parker have put a new twist on an old classic . . . the slide.
Starting at the top of the stairs, they lay down a bedspread, and then pile on top; usually Briton first and Parker last.

They push their way down the stairs until they start going, then they just hold on and enjoy the ride.

Once they hit the bottom, they laugh their heads off and run up for more.

My boys are the best of friends (most of the time) and I enjoy the way they play together. They really keep me on my toes!

Imagination

I walked into the kitchen the other day and found Kaelee playing with the water bottles. I wondered what exactly it was she was doing when I turned the corner and saw this . . .

She was making a bed for her baby in the empty space. She had a little blanket and pillow in there and she sshh'd me when I tried to talk to her. Apparently I was too noisy for her sleeping baby.
Her imagination never rests and she makes me laugh with some of the things she does. I love my little princess!

Family night

Brian and I have never been down to Centennial Park in the canyon in Twin Falls so we took the kids one evening for Family Home Evening. We picnicked, Brian and the boys did some hiking, and we all went for a little walk around the park. It was absolutely beautiful and the kids really enjoyed it.


Parker was determined to get to the top. Brian kept asking him if he wanted to go back down, but he insisted on going to the top, and he DID it!


I love this picture because of the VERY rare moment that it portrays; Parker and Kaelee holding hands as they walk. (They are usually fighting each other for my attention.)


Briton wanted to try to walk across the little stream. He did it, but he got his shoes and socks soaked in the meantime.

I enjoy being a mom. I love to watch my children explore and experience new things; their reactions, expressions, and questions about it all. The things they are learning and doing amaze me everytime I turn around.