Grateful

Thanksgiving this year is a little different. I am at my mom's house and Dennis is at home. It's hard being away from him. I am grateful for so many things this year. First, I am so thankful for my family. I am blessed to have a truly amazing husband who is my best friend. I could not ask for a better spouse. I am grateful that we have never yelled at each other. Don't get me wrong we have our tiffs but we have never raised our voice at each other. It is something I am grateful for. I am grateful that Dennis is so caring and compassionate. He would do anything for me or his family. Dennis's brother brian was in a car accident and Dennis just picked up some extra responsibility to help his brother out. He never complains. He just calls and says hey Brian needs some help with things around the house so I will be home late. Dennis leaves around 6:30 am and he usually gets home at 6pm. When he gets home he is so willing to help me around the house or with Audrey.

I am grateful for Audrey. What a blessing she is in my life. Sometimes I think that life would be so much easier if we had a chance to get on our feet before we had a kid. however when I think of life without Audrey I don't know what I would do. I love that little girl. She makes me a better person. She has taught me so much this year. I am grateful to have her sweet little spirit in my life.

I am grateful for my health. A few years ago I had the nickname as a "lemon" I was always sick. When I was pregnant with Audrey I threw up at least 9 times a day and got hospitalized a few times. This last year I have been really fortunate to be really healthy. I am grateful that the whole family has been really healthy.

I am grateful for so many things and this is getting really long. So I am going to list a few. I am grateful for the gospel in my life, I am grateful for extended family, I am grateful for the chance to go to school and continue my education, I am grateful for my church calling I loved serving in the Young Women's presidency. I am really blessed in life.

The Daily Routine with Papa

Everyday Audrey goes and helps papa feed the dog and the chickens. I have been meaning to get a picture of this for quit some time now. You would think this could be a job for anybody. However, one time I tried helping Audrey while Papa was out of town. It was a disaster. I guess I did not have the routine down right. This is only a job for Papa. When Audrey is in a bad mood and she hears Papa say, " I guess I have to go feed the chickens" Audrey's mood instantly changes. Everyday they go feed jake (the dog) get the scratch and go feed the chickens. Audrey has to get the scratch and she takes her sweet little time sprinkling the scratch. Papa is nice a patient waiting for her. The chickens just started laying eggs which make helping with the chickens all the more fun. This is something that Audrey, Papa and Mommy are defiantly going to miss.

She's defiantly a girl!

Audrey loves to help me bake. Last night we were baking a cake. I turn around to put the cake in the oven, when I turned back around I saw Audrey licking the bowl. She really got into it.

mixed emotions

My life right now is full of mixed emotions. On one hand when I think of school I get so excited. There are going to be so many positive changes. Dennis and I will have our own home, we will be making a positive move for our future, we will be in a church environment, we can make some friends our own age. I can keep going. However I am feeling overwhelmed at the moment. There is so much to do before we move. My mom flew in today to help me with the drive to school. It just put it into reality that we are going really soon. To top it off I am feeling really sad. It is hard realizing that we will be farther away from family. I guess I always took it for granted having family so close. If I ever needed anything I could pick up the phone call and have help. Now it will be harder living so far away. Audrey is going to miss playing with her cousins. I know this is a weird blog but this is what blogging is for. To write about the happy, the sad, and the confusing and I guess this one falls under all three categories.

It feels Like Christmas

A friend of the family the McDonalds, currently has a baby up at childrens Hospital waiting for a new heart. She is four months old and has been fighting for life ever since she was born. She has had good days and bad days. FINALLY last night they got "THE CALL" as Mimi describes. A heart was on it's way. I am so excited I could not sleep, I felt like I was 5 years old waiting on christmas eve for morning to come. Though this is better than any present anyone could ever give. I also feel sad and grateful for the family who lost someone and was willing to help Mia out. Mia went in for surgery this morning at 6:15am the surgery will take 5 hours. I am anxiously waiting to hear. I am so grateful there is a happy ending.

CINDERELLA!!!

I took Audrey to the South Hill Mall today to let her play on the new toys. Out of the blue Cinderella shows up. At first Audrey was not sure what to think, about 30 seconds later she had a huge smile on her face and kept saying it's Cinderella, It's Cinderella! Cinderella sang a couple of songs and Audrey stood right in front of her watching just memorized. On the second song Audrey was telling the little boys who were busy playing who could care less about Cinderella, "Hey it's cinderella come on come see." It was so cute it totally made Audrey's day I only wish I had my camera. The picture is from my phone. When Audrey got home she HAD to watch Cinderella.

REALITY CHECK

So Dennis and I were figuring out when we are going to leave to go down to school and all the fun moving stuff. I am really really nervous driving in the snow in December. We decided yesterday that it would be best if I drive down the end of this month and stay with my parents for a few weeks. Then I will fly home a week before we move down to school to help pack and say goodbyes that way Audrey can stay with my mom and not have to make the drive when the roads are so bad. In a few weeks Audrey will be over there for good. It's Crazy we always talk about things with plans and what we would like to do and what would be nice. But this is actually happening we are actually going and starting the next chapter. I am really excited to go. Some sadness set in today with the reality of leaving family behind. I love having a big family and Audrey so close to all of her cousins this is going to be harder than I thought.

TRICK OR TREAT

Audrey choose to be a kitty this year. We went to a trunk or treat. (Our church does this every year members go to the parking lot, open there trunks and pass out candy. It's safe for the little kids, which I love). Audrey was so excited about getting candy in her bucket. Once she realized what was going on she was running up to everybody. After the Trunk or Treat we went to my brothers house. It was nice seeing my side of the family. I don't know why but we do not get together that often. Anyways we took the children Trick or Treating around the neighborhood. This was a priceless moment. Audrey and her cousins (none over the age of 3 by the way) were knocking on the door saying trick or treat. They kept knocking until someone came to the door. When the lady opened the door Audrey said Trick or Treat and walked right in her house. It was so funny. The Lady was so nice about it. I tried getting Audrey to come out but she would not until the lady gave her candy. What a kid!

P.S. Audrey hated the paint on her face and kept wiping it off. Oh well maybe next year.