Day #30: Last day & Light up the tree

Well, today is day 30 and the last of my blogging challenge. It is hard to believe it is the last day of November. We put the lights and decorations on our Christmas tree. It is the biggest tree we have ever had. It is about 16 feet tall. I am not sure what we were thinking. They tend to look smaller outside. It is a little quirky and definitely a "country" Christmas Tree but it has character. Let the holidays begin!

Day #29: Game Night

It seems like life moves so fast that there isn't time for game nights anymore for our family. However, we were able to slow down a little bit on Sunday night and had a game of Monopoly. It was a lot of fun. I was definitely the loser of the evening but enjoyed every minute of it.

Day #28: Blind Side

We went to the movie "Blind Side" today as a family. Loved it. What an inspiring story. I would highly recommend it. It is amazing the hard circumstances that many people are raised in. I am so grateful for the wonderful parents that raised me and for their great examples of goodness. They taught me the gospel and their actions were reflections of their beliefs. They quietly serve those around them. They taught me hard work and integrity. They taught me to think of others and to always try. I love you mom and dad!

Day #27: Kids Say and Do the Darnedest Things

Jenna and her friend were talking about movies they have recently seen. Jenna began talking about "The Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey. She told her it was kind of freaky and then says, "That wasn't his best work. Jim Carrey usually does so much better than that." I tried so hard to keep a straight face. She was totally serious. It sounded like she was a guest critic on Siskel and Ebert instead of a 2nd grader.

Robbie just reminded of another funny quote by Jenna. We were on a family trip last year to Nauvoo. We drove there and had spent a long time in the car. Robbie said that he liked burritos and Jenna says, "you are what you eat."

On the same trip, we stopped at a gas station in Nebraska. It was very late on a Sunday evening. Phil describes the attendant as a night shift grease ball for lack of a better description. Jenna told the gas station attendant, "I live in Mendon and we are going to Nauvoo and it is going to take us until Tuesday. And the gas station guy says, "yeah".

About a month ago, I got a phone call from the elementary school. The secretary told me that I needed to come and get Robbie because he had just thrown up. I hurried to the school and there lay Rob in the sick room. It turned out that another 5th grade boy had had some hot peppers at school and at recess was asking others if they wanted to eat them. Rob said he would eat one. He promptly drank a lot of water because they were so hot. He had art and then library after recess. As time went by his stomach began to cramp and he didn't feel so well. Then it was time for lunch. Just as he had gotten his lunch tray he threw up all the water he had drank earlier. Poor Rob was not feeling well. I took him home. His stomach hurt and was in a lot of pain. I called the doctor to see if there was anything I could do for him. As I was talking with the nurse she could hear Rob in the background moaning. Turns out there is not much you can do. We gave him some food because he had eaten the pepper on an empty stomach. But basically that pepper had to work its way out before he would feel better. The time of reckoning came. Rob's moaning could be heard from the bathroom. He came out and said, "that hurt more coming out than going in." I don't think he will be eating another hot pepper any time soon.

Day #26: Happy Thanksgiving & Birthday!

This 30 days of posting is harder than I thought it would be. But I am almost there. This year my birthday was on Thanksgiving. We had about 30 people here for Thanksgiving. It was a great day with family. I am so grateful for family and the opportunities we have to spend time together. I am so grateful for my many blessings....family, friends, home, community, freedom, gospel, health, and love.

Day #25: For me?

Today Phil came home with these beautiful flowers for me. My birthday is on Thanksgiving this year and everyone is coming to our house for dinner so he knew it would be a crazy birthday. Thank you Phil. I love you!

Day #24: Say Cheese!

Alycia got her braces off today! She was so excited for this day. Can you tell? I remember the feeling too when I was her age. I would run my tongue along my teeth and couldn't believe how smooth they were. Congratulations Alycia!