Today I am thankful for Derick being crazy enough to marry me 12 years ago! It was a beautiful autumn day like it is today, being cold and all. I remember being a little nervous but mostly excited. I could never in a million years have guessed how awesome it would be to be married to my best friend. We have had our ups and downs like everyone does, but sticking together and working things out is what makes it work. Losing Jake could have made us let go of each other, but we never once considered not relying on each other. I am so incredibly happy with my life, even when it seems like I should just throw in the towel. Life is great and I am so happy to still be head over heels in love with Derick!

Today I am thankful for the incredibly, incredibly nice person Derick was able to talk to about one of the bills from Jake's hospital stay. Even now, it makes me teary eyed thinking about it. When you least expect it, somebody comes along and does something that completely blows you away! Thank you, whoever you are that showed kindness to us today:-)

Yesterday I was thankful for Zane deciding that he actually did want to go to school. He had gotten it into his head that he didn't want to go, but he kept driving me a little crazy cause he was bored and very whiny. I kept asking him if he felt OK and he said he did. When he finally realized that there were no friends to play with, since they were all in school, he was fine with going. He was 30 minutes late but at least he went. He asked me this morning if today was a school day too. When I said yes, he said he was not going today. Luckily McCall was there when he said it and reminded him that his teacher had told them that they would want to come today because they were doing an art project.

I am going to write later what I am thankful for today.

For some reason it's hard to find something to be thankful for today. I don't mean that I'm un-thankful, just can't think of something specific. Maybe if I sit here and try to analyze my day I'll come up with something. I guess I am thankful for the chance I had to go and help out in Zane's classroom. Except for the little girl that picked her nose, looked at it and decided to eat it - that was totally GROSS! And yeah, if you do that too, just know that there is always somebody watching you do it even when you think no one is. Especially if your alone in your car. Sick!

Jake has been on my mind a lot today, and I have wanted to cry a few times, but haven't. I keep telling myself it's only been 4 months so it should still be hard, but then again, it's been 4 months, why can't it be any easier? Patience is not my thing. I am very thankful to be home again with Derick, McCall and Zane.

I am feeding the kids a late dinner. I made chicken enchiladas but will they eat that? Of course not! Picky, picky.

Today I am thankful to go home! Yes, it's been nice to be away for a few days, but now I'm ready to see my husband and kids again. I was actually ready to see them again yesterday, but I did have a good time here in California.

The highlight of yesterday was when we saw an H&M and we got to shop there!!! LOVE H&M and so wish they had one in Utah! Please, please, please come to Utah H&M!!!

Didn't write what I was thankful for yesterday, so I'll write it now.

I am thankful for being able to walk on the beach and feel the sand and water on my feet. I am also thankful for being able to wash that sand off when I am done at the beach:)

Today I am thankful for getting to talk on the phone with my kids and husband while I am gone.

I got a text from Derick yesterday that McCall had re-chipped his tooth! The dentist I took him to on Wednesday are closed on Friday's so I have to take him in on Monday. Sure hope it doesn't happen again.

We went to the pool this morning it felt really nice, just wish my kids and husband could be here and enjoy too. In a month we're going to Florida, so I guess we'll be able to enjoy together then:)

This day is almost over so I need to hurry and write what I am thankful for today. I am thankful for my sister and my nieces, they are funny:) I am also thankful for not having to drive for hours again until Sunday:) Good night...

Today I am thankful for dental insurance. McCall had only been gone for about 10-15 minutes this morning when I got a call from him saying that he needed to be picked up because he had chipped his tooth. He is OK thank goodness, but I am not. I had just finished applying hair color to my hair(it was way overdue) when he called . So, I had to hurry and throw some clothes on and put a towel on my head to go and get him. I was so embarrassed. At least I gave a few people a laugh on my behalf. They probably thought I was completely crazy;-)

It is only 10:20 in the am, but wanted to write down something I am thankful for.

First, my friend Misty, who is just so wonderful and caring. Thank you, thank you:) Second, for her son Taggart, that is here right now playing with Zane. They crack me up, they are so funny:) And the last one for now, my wonderful husband who can pull me out of the funk I find myself in when I don't even know how I got in it in the first place!

OK, for all you people who know me and know that I am not a dog person, there is a dog in my yard right now and all I can say he better not poop! Gosh, we need a fence!

It's taking me forever to put pictures up here, no wonder I never do it!

We had a nice weekend, just wish the rain would have waited until after the kids were done trick or treating. Since Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, we did our trick or treating on Saturday. We had a trunk or treat at the church, and it's crazy how much candy the kids got from there!The kids went around in our neighborhood later and got completely soaked, but they didn't care, they were just happy to be there:) We went online to look at different kinds of jack o lanterns to get ideas about what to do with our pumpkins, but after all was said and done Zane wanted his to be an X and McCall made his own pattern. I think he did pretty well for being his first time carving his own pumpkin.

I am counting down days again. Seems like I am doing that a lot lately. On Thursday I am going on an all girls trip with my sister and her daughters. We are going to Newport in California. It is so beautiful there and it's one of my favorite places to go.

I know I did this not too long ago, but since this is the month of Thanksgiving I thought I'd try and write down a little each day of what I'm thankful for. Today I am thankful for my friend Angie whom I just started walking with. It sure makes a difference to have someone to do things like this with, so thank you Angie! Right now I can't think of anything else I'm thankful for, how pathetic is that? No, that's not true, I am thankful for a lot of things, just not willing to share it with all of you right now;)

Halloween 2010

Derick decorated one of the pumpkins as
Mr.Potato head. Zane wanted his pumpkin to
be an X and McCall made his own.

Zane didn't really have time to
stand around all night posing
for me, there was candy to
collect!

Here are our very own Ninja Zombie and bat.
Forgot to tell Zane to spread his wings...


Ninja Zombie

This is the only picture of Zane by 'himself'.

Sorry Alyson, McKardy and Tag...

Me, my mom and Mette


Amanda, Mike, Mette and Nik.

Silly boys:)

McCall's friend Bram, came with us.

Cascade Springs.

Yours truly with my kiddos:)

Amanda posing for me:)


Nik posing for me:)

Amanda and Nik

My awesome nephew, Nik:)


Derick, McCall, Zane, Mette and my mother.
Cascade Springs.


My mom and sister on the trail at Cascade
Springs. It's so pretty there.

Nik and McCall were building lego's. This is

McCall before his haircut.

Derick wouldn't look at the camera, and Kristine

and Brenton were pretty much rapped up

in each other;) Amanda smiling and being

happy:-)

We were done eating and hadn't cleared off

the table completely yet. This was the last

day my mom was here and it was Derick's

birthday.

These pictures are from when we went to Lagoon back in August.