"Home for the Holidays"

A friend wanted to do a service project this holiday season. She chose Gary's parents as her lucky/blessed recipients. Her plan was to makeover the house! She asked Gary and I to keep it a secret and try to get supporters to help. She ended up letting Kent and Jeanette in on it knowing we'd need their help and knowing that Jeanette would like to help pick the materials.

We (mostly Kent and Jeanette) spent weeks selling furniture and packing up their whole house for this big makeover! By time it was finally time to do the makeover I was seriously worn out. Or so I though. We spent the first day redoing the kitchen counters. I loved getting my hands dirty and learning how to install Formica. 

The second day was filled with paining! We had help from many friends! The third day we ripped out flooring and put in a tile entry way and back splash in the kitchen! We also did some paint touch ups.

Day four was spent placing wooden floor boards in areas where the linoleum would be laid. We also put it in the kitchen and dinning room and front bathroom. They brought in the new toilets and new vanity and sinks in the bathrooms.

Day 5 we installed the carpeting, faucet installations and final touch ups.When all was done and everyone had left, Kent and Jeanette returned home from their mountain retreat in Estes Park.

I learned a lot and most importantly I loved the experience. I got to know the sweet lady who put this all together as we worked together through out the week. I felt bad now and then for following her around but I wanted to help and enjoyed doing so.  The construction workers were the best! They were so kind, funny, smart and experienced. I felt lucky to be in their presence as they worked.

It was a wonderful experience and the final results and the joy it brought to Kent and Jeanette are priceless!

Thankful For...

I love and enjoy the season of Thanksgiving. I enjoy that we get to take a few days off, spend time with family and ponder all of our blessings. It's been a wonderful five day weekend!

Here are some things I'm grateful for:

• My family (my parents, grandparents, husband, in-laws)
• My job! The kids I watch are so fun to be with!
• The plan of salvation and the knowledge that that I will be with my loved ones for time and all eternity!
• The temple and the peace it brings when you attend.
• My husband who is so patient with me and tries to give me the best!
• Modern technology and transportation.

Not to complain but...

We're experiencing some difficulties. I've been without a car for 5 months now. We're poor (and I mean Poor!) and we've even had to move back in with my in-laws (who I'm very thankful for).

Like I said, not to complain... Life's just throwing us a ton of lemons. It's ok though. We're saving up to make some delicious lemonade to go alone with our humble pie.
 

October

October is my favorite month of the year. Not just because it's my birthday, but because of the beautiful fall colors, the cozyness that comes when you first turn on the heater and put the down comforter back on the bed, the crisp fresh air and Halloween!

I had a great, simple birthday this year. I didn't have to work since that family I nanny for had the flu that day. Sad for them, Happy Birthday to me!!!

We had Panda Express for dinner and just watched chick flicks. I have the sweetest husband. He also surprised me with an Ice-Cream Maker! Oh, its so good! We've made so much ice-cream already it's just amazing. The cool thing is, we make it was 2% milk and no cream so it's pretty much healthy, especially when we use our sugar free vanilla syrup vs sugar.

For Halloween we obviously went to church since it was Sunday. We came home, took a nice nap and carved our pumpkin. It was great team work. I gutted it and roasted the seeds. I also picked out the design and Gary carved it with his manly skills.

We had a grand total of 2 trick-or-treaters! I wish I had given them a handful of candy each but it was only 6:30... I assumed we'd get more kids! Oh well, more candy for me! Oh darn.

Biggest news of all! The house sold. Yep. It's bitter sweet. I'm sad to leave it. It's beautiful and cozy. It's good to have it gone now though, after being on the market for 2 years! We'll be moving into Gary's parent's in 12 days. Off we go to the next phase in our life. I'm looking forward for the things to come!

My Favorite Time of the Year!

I love Fall. It's so cozy, warm and happy. I love the colors of the trees. I love eating pumpkin everything. I love baking and being able to eat hot food again. I love that I celebrate my birthday and get to watch General Conference while enjoying home made cinnamon rolls in PJ's.  I love that feeling of a new beginning as everyone heads back to school and focus more on work than play. Most of all, I love the rain!

This year I love the fact that Fall brings me a new job! I have something to do again and it's wonderful! I have been working for about a month now and I love just about every moment of it. There are times of course, like today, that I wonder why I'm putting myself through this. Then there are moments immediately following that remind me of how blessed I am to spend my days with precious little kids!

Today for the first time, I had to put my 3 year old friend in time out. She was in tears and I was close to shedding one for her. She has been getting comfortable with the word "NO" lately and I've been trying to set it aside assuming she's just tired or she's just adjusting to all the changes or worst of all  thinking every kid says no, who really wants to put their toys away.

It's a good thing I get to nanny so many children. By time I have my own I'll have some great experience! Today I learned that time out followed by a big hug and quick chat result in glorious outcomes. She went from telling me yelling "NO" to saying "ok" or her other acceptable responses I taught her "one minute please" or "ok but can you help me".  Being polite and respectful became a fun thing!

It's ok, I know what your thinking. I understand that every child has their own quirks. I know that what works for my little buddies now won't necessarily work with my own kids but see... this too has been shown to me as I get to work with unique children.

I can't wait to see what else I have in store to learn as I continue to watch my 3 and 1 year old friends.