Month of Thanks - Day #25

Connor:  I am thankful for my five sense. Because we wouldn't want to live without them.

Abi:  I am thankful for this whole family.

Carly:  I am thankful for my Princess and the Frog dress.

Dakota:  Baba

I am thankful for these amazing kids.

Month of Thanks - Day #24

Grateful for Holidays!

The smells.

The food.

The decor.

The company.

Month of Thanks - Day #22

Today, Todd and I decided to get some Christmas shopping out of the way.  So who do we call?  The Barlow's.  There is always someone available to watch our kids, and they do a great job!  And I am terrible, because we usually call them just 10 minutes before we decide to do something, and they come with a smile on their face!

I am thankful for great babysitters, like the Barlows!

Month of Thanks - Day #21

Yesterday my handsome companion turned 36.  WOW!!!  I am grateful to be attached to him!  Why, he is one of the most attractive men on the planet, he's taken me along on lots of awesome trips, we've lived in some pretty neat towns and has lots of great laughs.

I am grateful for the Birthday Boy!

Month of Thanks - Day #20

Today we met with our Bishop for Tithing Settlement.  When we confirmed that what we had paid was a full tithe, my heart was overcome with appreciation and humility.

My personal testimony of tithing was grounded even deeper at that moment.  I know, without a doubt, that our needs have been met and surpassed because of our obedience.

I am grateful for the blessings that are poured out upon us for paying our tithing.

Month of Thanks - Day #19

Today I got to spend some quality time with "my girls" doing what I love to do!  Sprinkling glitter, sewing, crafting!  It was marvelous.

I am grateful that my hotty Toddy doesn't give me hard time about my hobbies and that I have girlfriends who will join in on the fun!  It's always better with gabbing girlfriends, Diet Pepsi and chocolate!

Month of Thanks - Day #18

Having 4 children age 6 and under can, at times, be a little crazy.

Other times, it can provide me with the break I need.  This afternoon, I was able to send all 4 of the kiddos downstairs.  Wouldn't you know it, they all got along and were perfectly content for 2 solid hours.

I am grateful that our kids are so close in age and provide one another with built in playmates.

Month of Thanks - Day #17

Often times I take forgranted all my little Carly has to offer.  When there are three other kids around, her high octane energy wears me down and I have a hard time putting a positive spin on it.

This afternoon, I was able to escape with the firecracker.  Just the two of us.  How sweet it was.  When she was dancing up and down the aisles of the grocery store, it didn't seem to bother me as much.  Instead I just watched and smiled.  I didn't have other wandering kids around and one sitting in the cart crying.  She is full of joy.

It was contagious.  I am grateful for her vivacious personality and constant love.

Month of Thanks - Day #16

Music is such a great companion.  Don't you just love how you can turn on the radio, your ipod, or Pandora and find something that suits your mood.

Nothing makes me smile quite so much as when some music comes on that gets the kids in a dancing mood, and I am always in a dancing mood, so we just break into a dance party in the kitchen.  Ahhh, thank you music!

Every life needs a great soundtrack, and I am grateful that music is easily accessible in my life.

Month of Thanks - Day #15

What's on the menu for dinner tonight?

Thanks to my new friends at Pinterest I took some of the ingredients we had on hand and weaved myself some bacon for the finest BLT's I've ever had in my life!

This is definitely one to be grateful for...good food!

Month of Thanks - Day #14

What a rare treat it was tonight! Connor reminded us that we needed to have Family Home Evening.  He took care of the lesson, Carly led the song (I am a Child of God) and Abi offered the prayers.

Incredibly, the feeling in our home was quite calm and peaceful.  Despite the fact that about 3 minutes into the lesson (Connor was reading one of the Bearnstein Bears books) we were all quite bored.  Todd and I were entertained by the girls who were rolling around on the ground and Dakota who was just being his silly little toddler self.

I am so grateful that my children are still young enough to enjoy family home evening and even instigate it.  How much longer will this last?

Month of Thanks - Day #13

Today in Primar, Janel had a Priest, Teacher and Deacon from our Young Men's group come in and help teach about reverence during the Sacrament.

These young men walked into the room and brought the spirit with them.  I was moved to tears when these young men bore their testimony of the sacredness of this ordinance that they get to perform weekly.

It's not very often that I am quiet or patient enough (or mentally in the right place) in primary to be moved by the spirit.  But I am so grateful for the quiet that was there in the Primary room this Sunday as I was reminded about the importance of the Sacrament.

Month of Thanks - Day#12

I keep the Ensign in my bathroom.  Don't you?

The most recent issue has the conference talks.  This has got to be my favorite issue to get.

I locked myself in the bathroom today for some quiet time and re-read President Uchtdorf's talk.  Amazing.

I am so thankful that these Conference talks are readily available for us to read, watch or listen to at any time.

Month of Thanks - Day 11

Today is Veteran's Day.

It would be a shame if I did not give thanks to those who have fought for our country.  Given their time, their lives and their abilities for making this such a pleasant country to live in.

I am grateful to their families for supporting them in their absence.  It can't be easy for them.

I love living here.

Month of Thanks - Day #9 & 10

I have started teaching Zumba with another cute girl in my Stake.  Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 in the morning, we meet with anywhere from 5-15 ladies and shake what we got.  I am grateful that these ladies come, because it gets me up and going in the morning.

We aren't amazingly talented.  Everybody moves at their own pace and in their own way.  But we are all moving.  There are women in there with arthritis.  There are women in their with sports injuries.  But they do it.  These women are incredible examples to me.

You see, when Todd got laid off, it just so happened to be at the same time my gym membership was running out.  The gym had become my happy place.  I loved the instructors, the people in the classes, loved that my kids got to go to the daycare and have a great time with other friends and escape from me for a while.  I was going to miss that so much.  I needed something to keep me motivated to keep moving my body.

A friend in my ward invited me to Zumba with her, but it was quite a drive away.  It inspired me!  I had been doing Zumba for a year, I could probably teach the dances I had learned and maybe other ladies in my neighborhood would want to learn them too and then if I was the teacher I would have to be at the church to teach them, and then I wouldn't just give up!  Surprisingly, ladies came and a cute girl (Karen) offered to help teach too!!!  It's been wonderful!

I am so grateful for this body.  Grateful that I can move every single one of my joints.  I am grateful that my body has been so good to me.  I have never had to be hospitalized with anything major.  What a blessing!

So, as a way of saying thanks to my body, I will keep doing Zumba.  I will try to run a little more...it's good for my heart.  I will eat more fruits and veggies.

Funny story:
I was wearing my stretchy pants one morning, and before I left the house I had a feeling I should grab a long sleeved shirt to wear over my tank top. So I quickly grabbed it an left the house.  Of course, it gets rather hot when you are wiggling your hips so much, so I took off the shirt and put it on the stage.  Halfway through the dance, I think "I should probably tie that shirt around my waist.  These pants are really tight and these ladies might not want to see so much shaking going on back there."  So I grabbed the shirt and tied it around my waist.  The next song, I did a squat and heard a little tear.  I didn't think much of it til I got home and realized that I had split the seam in the back of the pants.  Good thing I listened to that little voice and wore a shirt around my waist or the ladies would have gotten quite a show that morning!

Month of Thanks - Day #8

I clean the house, a lot.  You'd never know it.  There are cute little chocolate fingerprints on the drawers.  My mirror is still covered in gooey handprints.  I sweep the floor at least 3 times each day.

For this, I am thankful for the following products that I use weekly:
Central Vacuum
Broom, Dust Pan, Hand Broom
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Glass Cleaner
Comet
Lysol
Baby Wipes
Laundry Detergent & Dryer Sheets
Dishwasher!!!!  Love this one the most, because for 7 years I went without one
Clorox
Iron

Thank you people who invented the machines that make my life easier.  In turn, you should thank my children, who make it necessary for me to use your machines and products.

Month of Thanks - Day #7

Monday.

Family Home Evening.

The first Monday of every month, we get together with Todd's parents, siblings and their kids and have dinner and a special Family Home Evening.

That means under one roof, in one room there are:
1 Grandma Great
1 Mom/Mother-In-Law/Grandma
1 Dad/Father-In-Law/Grandpa
6 Siblings (there could be as many as 8)
5 Siblings in Law (there could be as many as 7)
16 Nieces/Nephews/Cousins/Grandkids (there could be as many as 20)
1 Dog

That's a lot of people.  You'd think there would be a lot of chaos.  There is.  A lot.

However, there has never been a time when we haven't gotten together and made it through the night without at least 1 "lawnmower laugh."  The Riches family has an amazing ability to laugh at themselves.  Laugh at each other.  And all the while never being offended by the jabs that go around.  Or the memories that are shared.

We celebrate any birthdays or anniversaries that are to take place during the month.  The birthday song is usually sung in multiple keys and at an incredibly slow pace.  Often times the key is set WAY too low.  Quite surprising, seeing as how the Riches all have beautiful singing voices, but most of them are basses, so that would explain the low key.  They laugh with their eyes during the whole song.  Awesome.

What a gift.  I am so grateful to be a part of their family and witness such hilarious harmony.

Month of Thanks - Day #6

On this day, I will give thanks to the time change.  When we lived in Hawaii, we never had to deal with this whole time change thing.  To be honest, I never really understood the whole reason behind the time change until my dad recently explained it to me (farmers, livelihood, etc.).

Many people have been complaining, not excited about changing their clocks and losing an hour.  I started to give in and think about all the bad things.  It gets dark earlier (but then it gets light earlier!).  The kids will wake up earlier (but with it being dark earlier, I can put them down earlier with less fighting).

This morning the kids were up at 6:30am.  This meant that I had plenty of time to get myself and all four of the kids ready without the rushed feeling that usually accompanies my typical Sunday morning.  It was quite pleasant.

That is, until, Connor decided he didn't like the socks he was wearing and right before we were heading out the door felt the need to change them.  Ah!  What Sunday morning would be complete without a little chaos.  I would hate to experience perfection, because then I might just expect it all the time.

Month of Thanks - Day #5

I am thankful for my dad.  He has many hats, you know?  Let's review them shall we, and why each one needs to be given a moment of thanks:

Bud:  He is what some might call a "pack-rat."  He has held on to quite a bit of electrical/computer stuff (he still has an original macbook and some apple computers I don't recall the name of and I am sure he is rolling over right now in agony that I can't remember the names of each of them).  However, there have been many-a-time that Todd or I (or any other sibling) has needed a cord or connecter or scanner and wouldn't you know it, he has one just lying around somewhere.

The man is also a whiz at the computer and my personal favorite, photoshop.  He has taught me all I know and continues to teach me every time I go over.  And every time I go over it is for a personal project that I have to enlist his time and printing capabilities in.  His poor business makes very little money, probably because of me.  He never complains and always helps me out (I just printed 6 large photos today, like 16x20" photos and they always turn out awesome).

Dad:  The man made sure that as a young woman I learned integrity.  Showed me how to change a tire and check my oil.  Made me hold a worm.  Never let me get away with back-talking my mom.  Taught me to mow the lawn without leaving behind "mow-hawks."  Had us laughing...a lot (or rolling our eyes).  One of the most important has been the love he has for my mom.  He LOVES her (actions speak louder than words) and he so often tells me how gorgeous she is.  After Thirty-some-odd years and he still talks about my mom as though they are still young kids in love. Awwwe.

Papa Bud:  This, perhaps, is my very most favorite role he plays.  My children adore their papa Bud.  For most of them, it was among their first words spoken.  I admit that I take advantage of this role the most.  If ever I want something (like a coach for Connor's soccer team), I can always play it off on something that "the kids want" and he will drop whatever it is and be there for them.  It's not just my kids, though, he is that way with all of his grandchildren and also the nursery kids at his church.  That's right, he is in the nursery and the man LOVES it.

So very grateful for my dad.

Month of Thanks - Day #4

Last night, Todd and I attended our ward's Temple Night.  It was a night that all of the members of our ward were invited to be in the temple together at one time, and dinner is always included!  Being fed spiritually and physically...doesn't get much better than that.

Todd is in charge of the Young Men, so I went with our awesome youth as they went and did Baptisms for the Dead.  The moment I walked into the temple this overwhelming feeling of peace came over me.  As I sat on a bench waiting, I opened the scriptures and had that same feeling again.

During this time in our life, where Todd's income in inconsistent, kids are going in different directions, medical/dental/education bills are staring at us, it sure is nice to know that there is a place that allows us leave our worries at the door, clear your head and feel the personal love our Heavenly Father has for each of us individually.

While visiting the temple that day, I was able to receive answers to my prayers and confirmation that Todd and I are doing what we are supposed to be doing and if we continue on in such a way, we will continue to be provided for.

I am grateful that I can enter the temple and do the important work that needs to be done as well as receive personal revelation.  I am also grateful that there have been temples within close proximity of every place Todd and I have ever lived.

Month of Thanks - Day #3

We've had some minor medical maladies amongst our family this year.  Nothing too serious.  Abigail had what we thought was appendicits, only it turned out to be a stone in her appendix that should dislodge on it's own someday.  It then turned into a series of UTI's.  Carly had a UTI, Dakota had an ear infection and every one of us came down with a cold that lasted about 10 days.  Anytime I get a cold, it always turns into a sinus infection.

However, after all of us took our proper medications to clear them up, I am so very grateful that each of us are now in great health and that the poor health issues we have experienced have been minor.

I am also grateful to live in a day and age where science and modern technology are available to relieve us of our discomfort.  A high tolerance for pain is not something that I posses, so it is probably for the best that a sinus infection is the worst thing I am inflicted with each year.

Month of Thanks - Day #2

How could I not give thanks for the child that entered this world 4 years ago today!

I remember driving to the hospital the morning of her birth, and listening to Michael Buble's song "It Had Better Be Tonight." Good thing she came and it was that night!

Her first year of life was entertaining.  Carly was never a very solid sleeper, waking up 2 or three times a night until around 18 months old.  She was kind of a big blob, content to just sit and watch whatever was going on around her.



Then she turned 2.  Terrible Two's rang true with this one.  As you can see above, all objects that could leave a mark somewhere were used...every flat surface was her canvas.  Anytime we pulled out a camera, she would usually start screaming.  There was a lot of yelling during this stage of life, however, it was still cute and I probably didn't help the matter by laughing when she started into her tantrums.



Three years old, dancing and singing and dancing and singing and teasing and dancing and singing.  She  discovered that she was pretty good at singing and could often be found in the basement with little princess figurines in her own little pretend musical world.

 Now that our darling daughter is 4, she is starting to be more social with friends and has become a master at solving puzzles and can sit still for over an hour putting them together by herself.  Carly is incredibly independent, still a little bit of a tease, and just keeps improving at her movements through life in song and dance.

"Burst"Day

Carly was being spotlighted today in her preschool class to celebrate her birthday. Tomorrow this firework for a child turns 4!  So what better treat to share with her preschool friends than something that explains her sparkling personality?

We counted out some Starburst to put in little bags for her classmates (she counts very well) and then tied them with some ribbon and attached a little tag that says, "Today it's my burstday!"

I made a few more other cute tags for the girls' Halloween Preschool treats, but failed to take a picture of the completed projects.

For Abi's class, we turned Tootsie Pops into spiders, using black pipe cleaners and attaching googley eyes.  There were the cutest eyes in this cheap pack I got from Wal-Mart that had eyelashes on them!  Then we placed the little spiders in their new home (a clear pillow box leftover from my sisters wedding favors) and wrapped this around them:

For Carly's class, I found this cute idea on Pinterest where you attach eyes to the tops of Reese's Miniature Cups and wah-lah, you have Monster Eyes!  We just attached some of the googley eyes we had leftover from Abi's to round stickers and then attached those to the Reese's.  Put some in a little baggy and folded a little card to the top that looked like this:

I was so in love with the stickers attached to the googley eyes that I started sticking them on the kids Halloween projects on the fridge. I am saving them post-season and going to attach them to magnets for the fridge.  Now every project the kids bring home from school will have silly eyes on them!

Month of Thanks - Day #1

I am thankful for the snow that fell today.

Having lived in Hawaii for almost 7 years, I became accustomed to the mild climate.  There were a few times we lived there and wished for the smell of Autumn, the crunch of dry leaves underfoot or snow on Christmas day, but for the most part, I LOVE the weather there.

Since our return to the mainland, once the temperature hits 54 degrees, I have to sleep with socks on and if the temperature drops below 30 degrees, it takes me a few days to thaw out and get rid of the constant chill.  I am also a very defensive driver, and wet weather is not good for my nerves (or the other people driving by me).  Hence, I only love the snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but today was different.

I saw it through my amazing Baby Boone's eyes.  After putting his warm winter coat on, we went outside and I let him feel the white stuff on his face.  He got so overwhelmingly excited that I was afraid he would wriggle right out of my arms.  He was waving his hands in the air and shaking his head and jibber-jabbering as if to say thank you to the snow for providing a new form of entertainment for him.  It was precious!

Am I the only one that sleeps better when it snows or rains?  Last night I slept like a log.  That's another reason I was grateful for the icy precipitation.