black friday on the other side

Have you ever worked retail on black friday? No? Well let me tell you what it is: It's tiring. It's infuriating. It's tedious. It is not fun.

Have you ever shopped at 4 am on black friday? No? Well let me tell you what it is: FUN! Not that I would know because I was in my kerchief, dreaming of sugar plums at that hour, but my dear husband ventured into the cold morning at 4 am to battle the crowds for guitar hero at a serious discount. And his report? "It was fun. I'm taking you next year." Like it's a trip to bermuda or something. But anyway he was victorious and we've been playing guitar hero nonstop since then (excepting our road trip to be documented next) and we are all glad he went.

ode to thanksgiving

Oh thanksgiving, we loooooved you...

We aaaaate some chiiiicken because tuuuuuurkey is busted and our napkins looked like lotus flooooowwwerrrs....

Aaaaand our stuffing was littered with arrrrtichokes...

And we had the yuuuuummiest pies and hoooomemade ice cream with our friends the Fiiiiiiiicklins but we didn't take a picture because we were too busy devooooouring...
Ohhh Thanksgiving, we are thaaaaaaaankful for you!

Did you sing that in your head?

this morning

I woke to snuggly Benson, who crawled into bed with me, curled into a ball right by my side, and softly stroked my face.

I went to collect a cooing Banks from his crib and found him sitting mermaid-style, with both legs in one pant leg. It was awesome.

The children now sit, gleefully watching their Grammy read books to them on the t.v.

I blog for a moment, and then it's off to the kitchen to make pies and cranberry sauce and pretend my nose is not turning into a faucet. And for those that will eat said pies; Don't worry! I'll be completely sanitary, promise.

And tomorrow is Thanksgiving and today is Steve's birthday. Huzzah to both!

cinnamon goodness

mmmmm k if I could photoshop myself right outta this photo I would but I guess now no one can accuse me of only putting photos of me all done up and pretty on my blog. This is the only photo we have from the night's festivities so it has to work.

Last night we decided to make cinnamon ornaments for FHE. They were really fun to make, and quite simple, and you can't beat the smell. Benson really loved helping cut them out with cookie cutters, and he would have liked to do the whole thing himself if I would have allowed him.

You can get the 411 here from my best gal Martha.

I think I forgot what a busy signal sounds like. I'm getting a series of beeps that sound vaguely familiar from my junior high days but it has been so long since I've heard a busy signal I'm worried it actually means something else. Call waiting killed the busy signal.

Oh goodnes this is cute

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

So click on the link above to see how completely adorable this woman's designs are. She only makes clothes for little girls, I think, but OH they are cute. Anyway by sharing this I will be entered to win the clothes. Which I will not win because I never win anything but it's fun to try nonetheless.

grateful

*If you get queasy over lovey-dovey-ness you'll probably want to quit reading....now.

Today I am most grateful for a lover who leaves me love notes in the morning, as he ventures into the cold cold world to earn money and better our lives.

I am grateful for a patriarch who leads by example, leaving the page open to the scriptures he read that morning so I will remember to read them too.

I am grateful for a partner who plays with our children tirelessly and as a result they have a love for him that's almost as intense as mine.

I am grateful for a He-man who can carry all the groceries in at the same time, and looks super hot in that brown shirt he was wearing yesterday.

I am grateful that some miracle happened upon me in my immaturity at 19, and I was given the most incredible person to spend all my days with. I thought I loved him then, but as it turns out, I didn't know what love meant at the time. I understand now that this feeling that literally makes my heart feel full and takes my breath away is more than a feeling or a declaration. It is just a way of be-ing. It is intense, but simple. It consumes me, but fills me up. It almost hurts with it's force, but comforts me with it's gentle glow.

I love you just doesn't seem like enough. But I do, Ben.