52 Blessings Project~ Week 4!

This Week I Am Grateful For~ My New Camera!

Yeah...totally materialistic blessing this week. I am feeling emotionally and physically drained lately. And sometimes it's hard for me to think of the blessings in my life. Which is exactly why I participate in the blessing project. So when I am having a hard time like I am now then the blessing project forces me to take some time and think of the good I have been blessed with. And I am picking something I love that makes me happy! Simple as that!

For My birthday this year Tony got me a new camera and I love it! I am always jealous of the fabulous pictures I see on other people's blog. I want mine to look that fab too. Waaa...

But I am hopeful with my new camera I can achieve better pictures! I still don't have a clue what I am doing, and I am trying to figure it out.I want the colors on my pictures to look brighter! And I DID manage to get a few that way! Funny thing is I don't have a clue what I did! HA! I definitely need to read up on how to take better pictures.

Here is one of the pictures I took with my new camera. I love the how bright the colors are. It's exactly the kind of pictures I want to take.

There is something wonderful about being able to look back at pictures of my children and remembering that special day, or remember how they were as they were younger. I love being able to capture our lives and look back. So I plan to learn all about my camera and figure out how to take fantastic pictures of my little animals and I'm having fun in the process. And for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 3!

This Week I Am Grateful For~Being Able To Live Under such Favorable Circumstances In A Wonderful Country!

I have been somewhat mesmerized this past week watching the news to see the latest developments in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. My heart hurts for these people. The children. The families. They were so poor to begin with and now they have lost everything.The devastation is so extreme for them.I just don't know how I would handle being in that same situation.

As I watch what is unfolding I can't help but feel so blessed to live in a country where I am free to come and go as I choose. To worship as I choose. Where I have not just adequate housing but a very nice place to live and raise my family. We have such a abundance of things. We never have to know hunger. We are clothed. We have every need possible met. And many times I tend to overlook it all.I don't even give it a second thought! I have many times found myself wanting more. Wanting better. Kinda shameful to think of it now. I think the time is now for me to take a good hard look around me and see how truly fortunate I am. I DO live in incredibly favorably circumstances in the BEST country there is~ And for that I am truly GRATEFUL!!!!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 2

This Week I Am Grateful For~My Sweet Baby Adelynn!

This little girl is such a sweetheart! I love that she is such a mama's girl! One of the tricks that the older kids like to do with her is to turn her around so that she sees me whenever I ask them to hold her. Cause without fail, once she sees me she will start to complain. And if I don't give in and pick her up she throws a full on tantrum! They know it is a sure fire way to get out of holding her!

During the day if I am trying to get something done I will try to put her in her swing. And if I ignore her and keep picking up, she yells and yells at me. But as soon as I turn around and talk to her she stops immediately and starts to smile! She can be crying and then will stop instantly and smile. She is trying to sweeten me up so I will get her! Her little arms start pumping like crazy and she coos and smiles at me. I love it! I love kissing those chubby cheeks, and tickling her fat little ham hocks (thighs!) I am so in love with this little girl and feel so happy having her in my life!

She is one of the best surprises ever!

This past week has been hairy! Issue after issue with one of my kids. To say the least it has been a very stressful week.

Then a few nights ago it was about midnight and I was laying in bed. Couldn't sleep. Thinking of ways I could help things turn around. And frustrated with the tension between me and my kid! My heart was heavy. And then little Adie started crying! So I got up and put her in bed with me. She was hungry and wanted to nurse. I laid down next to her and she turned into me to nurse. She was all business. And my mind went back to my other child. And I wondered if I am just screwing them all up. If it was my fault that they are struggling. And just as I was wondering this Adelynn pulls off from nursing rolls back onto her back and looks me straight in the eyes. And just stares at me with such a intense gaze. Then she gives me the sweetest smile, rolls back on her side and goes back to sleep while nursing. And crazy as it seems it comforted me! Her little smile reminded me I am just doing the best I can. Yeah~ She probably was just being her sweet little self but that look, that smile was just what I needed at the moment!

When dealing with older, mouthy kids, what a breathe of fresh air she brings to my day! I will take a fussy, cranky, baby over a hormonal teen any day of the week~ And for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 1!!

Cara has once again decided to do the blessings project and I am excited to participate again! If you are interested in being a part of it check out her blog here! I missed doing it last year. I probably should have continued last year on my own.

I find it helpful to acknowledge the good in my life since it seems when life gets too busy or hard that becomes my focus and I loose sight of how blessed I am!

So here we go again...

Week 1

This week I am grateful for ~ My maids!!

Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith,a house of learning, a house of glory,a house of order,a house of God D&C 88:119

How many times have we heard this scripture? I remember sitting in relief society hearing lessons on the importance of creating a house of order. And I longed for that! And I felt ashamed that my house wasn't on of those. When Tony and I got married I went from having a two kids to having five! It threw me for a loop! As hard as I tried it seemed I just couldn't keep up with everything!I wanted to be one of those ladies who was so on top of it. So organized.But I am NOT one of those ladies! I had a girlfriend who would give me "tips" on how to be more organized and keep a spotless house. She told me how she woke up at 5 am and couldn't go to sleep so she decided to get up and organize her linen closet. And it was then that I thought NEVER,EVER will I be one of them! First of all...I'd never wake up at 5 am and not be able to go back to sleep, and if it did ever happen, cleaning my linen closet is not what I'd do!

Over time I got better at cleaning and keeping on top of things but it is still a struggle. Seven kids is alot of work and alot of mess! And I know that when my house is together, I tend to be too. It just makes a difference!

After I had Adelynn, we started having a maid come in weekly! I was so overwhelmed and having them come weekly just took that edge off. It motivated me too cause I know they are coming so I have to keep up with the house.

Christmas and New Year both fell on Friday this year. And that is my cleaning day. So I missed having them show up for two weeks in a row.

But they came this past Friday. And I felt such a sense of peace when they left and I walked through my spotless house. I went in my room and sat in my chair and read my book and had a half an hour of quiet, just sitting in my clean house! Delightful!

It restores a feeling of peace to our home and takes a huge load off for me. I feel so grateful that we are able to be able to have them come at this time. For that I am truly Grateful!

52 Blessings Project~Week 52!!!!

Dang I have been sick, so I have neglected my blogging a bit and am behind. So here is my last blessing of 2008. just a little late!
Now I know this is my last blessing of 2008. It should be something poetic.My last week to post something great. Something really spiritual, something big right? Whatever. However, I keep coming back to the same thing! And for me it IS big!
So This Week I am Grateful For~ An Easier Journey!
This has come to me at different times and a little at a time. I have had a realization lately.When I first had Ethan I was cooked. Done! I had a hard time. 3 under 3. 3 In diapers. 3 in my bed. 3 demanding my undivided attention! It was hard. At times it downright sucked. I'd have all three of them crying at once and then I'd find myself crying too! I am not super together. NOT Super patient. If I were a dog I think I'd be a poodle. Nervous and shaky and yippy!
About four months ago things had been really hairy. Grace was having melt down after meltdown all day long! She and Bailey would fight non stop. The older ones took being a mouthy teenager to a whole new level. I felt as if I was getting it from every angle. I was pretty dang discouraged! I was taken to the very edge and then... BAM!Change! A little relief!

Bailey was potty trained, but Grace being Grace had to resist! She does Everything on her terms. Recently though she has decided she is done being in diapers. Woke up one day and said "no I wear panties, not diapers!"Well...OK! From 3 in diapers to 1! Making progress here...
And she and Bailey have decided being friends is better than fighting. They play so nice together. I love hearing Grace say "Bailey you are my best friend." To which Bailey will say "yeah Grace we love each other" Much nicer than the carnage that we had around here a few months ago.

Ethan has been taking naps consistently every day and I am really liking that! Mouthy teens and pre teen are off again on again a challenge but I have had some really nice times with them lately and it helps me see they will eventually come out of the fog. Patience dear, patience.

So, nothing huge, of great insight just the knowledge that things do get easier eventually and for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~Week 51

This Week I Am Grateful For ~ Fun, And FREE!

Christmas is a drain. Financially, physically, and emotionally. It is easy to get caught up and not take the time to enjoy the moment.

During the holidays money always seems to be tight so even though the kids are out of school and we have the time to do things we never seemed to have them money to do it! This year I have felt fortunate that we had some activities that were both fun and free. They allowed us to take the time to be with the family, share some fun times and just enjoy the time together.

We got the tickets to zoo lights that included a great catered dinner. We took one day and went to Bass Pro shop for their Christmas celebration. They had cookies to decorate, free target shooting, letter writing to Santa, a Santa to visit, and lots of fun stuff to look at! It was very nice.

Temple square on Christmas Eve was fantastic and once again..Free!After Christmas Ashley was here for a visit so we went to the zoo again. A whole different experience than going at night, and once again Free! I love free!

Me being cheap I went to Target before we left and bought popcorn. Only $1.00 compared to the $4.00 at the zoo! The kids had fun and I was lovin how sweet the older ones were with everyone! It doesn't happen often so when it does I love it!

This year I think was one of the best years for me this Christmas. For some reason the stress was just gone. It was like magic! We didn't have a lot of money to spend but we somehow had enough to do what we needed.

And having things to do for free helped stretch the budget and the FUN! And for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 50

This Week I Am Grateful For~ A Sense Of Humor

I have found myself getting a bit frazzled and sometimes just plain angry with the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation and kids and keeping up with the house and life.

Several times I have had Grace or Bailey say something so funny that just when I feel like I am going to cry I find myself laughing!

Well that same thing happened last week in the Circle K. I was frustrated, angry and feeling overwhelmed. I left the house to take a breather and go get a soda. I swear I was so on edge that I was trying not to cry when I walked into the store. I wasn't paying attention very well and almost ran smack into this huge, huge black woman. I stopped just short of ramming her and she was giving me the dirtiest look. I gave her a once over and almost started laughing out loud. I SERIOUSLY couldn't believe what I saw! She had a gold cap on her tooth.She had a gold hairpiece in her head, a HUGE pair of hoop earrings in the upper cartilage part of her ear, another bigger pair in her ears, A gold purse, a gold shirt, pants with gold stitching down the leg and to top the eye catching, sparkly ensemble off she had on a pair of gold sneakers! Freaking AWESOME!!!! I mean who has the guts to wear something like that?

So I get my soda, and I notice this scrawny, little white boy. He is trying to look all pimped out. Gold hat.He has his pants below his butt cheeks,ALL the way below and he also has lots of gold jewelry on. I couldn't believe my luck getting to see TWO people so blinged out and over the top And then... they met up~yes! They were together! How could I not have guessed?

Then I was blocking the cheese sauce for nachos when I was putting the lid on my soda and they asked me to move cause they needed to sneak some cheese onto their chips. They each had a bag of chips. One was Cheetos and one was Funnyuns. They told me it was the most delicious treat and I should give it a try. They then opened their bags and loaded on the cheese.LOADED IT! Trashy goodness or just trashy? Hmmm!

Not sure why but the whole thing cracked me up. Hope I didn't offend them but I was laughing my butt off by this time.

And by the time I left Circle K my mood had done a 180.

Strange but I have had things like this happen alot the last two weeks or so. I am angry or frustrated and then something happens that makes me laugh and seems to right everything for the moment and for that I am grateful

PS~ Rhonda Lu just mentioned I shoulda used my camera phone! I KNOW!!! I was so bummed cause that is totally what I wanted to do! My phone broke and I am using a crap little phone with no camera! RhondaLu has the best photos she captured with her cell phone! I love seeing them!I am totally going to have to capture some of the great photos you do!

52 Blessings Project ~Week 49

This Week I Am Grateful For ~ The Christmas Season !

I have had the best time getting ready for Christmas this year. I love the small acts of kindness that people offer to one another this time of year as they strive to be a little more Christlike. I love the carols. I love the nativities. I am hoping to find a live one this year.I love trying to teach my little ones the true meaning of Christmas. I love the lights and the shopping and the baking. The older ones were asking on Thanksgiving if I was going to buy them a chocolate advent calender too this year. I had to smile at that one. I always buy those calenders and we open them each night as we read out of our book and sing Christmas songs. And I have loved the kids asking me to make some of the Christmas smell.
Tonight I made some homemade caramels and the kids were so excited to help me pull out the Christmas taffy wrappers and wrap them. Zach was saying the treats that I make each year is one of his favorite things.
I love pulling out decorations that we have had for years and remembering who we got them from. I love decorating the tree and seeing the sweet ornaments that the kids made for me in elementary school. One of my favorite ones is a clay star Zach made that has his picture on the front of it. I can't get over how quickly time flew.
I love the kids drawing each others names and the shopping as they try to find the perfect gift for each other. This year we are trying to have the kids not only give each other a gift but also a gift of service. I hope it helps them feel more kind towards one another.
I have always been so stressed over Christmas and there have been many years that I have not enjoyed it. It was just a season to survive. But..this year is different. I am enjoying it. I am feeling some Christmas spirit. It has been fun, and touching, and exciting and one of the best years yet! For that I am thankful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 48

This Week I Am Grateful For~ Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving.I love the gathering of our family.I love the food. There is something comforting when you prepare and eat the same foods that you grew up having at each holiday. It bridges the gap and helps me to feel a little more connected to my family even if we aren't together that year.

I love sitting around the table and having each of my children tell me about the things they are thankful for. It is always a good reminder for us to recognize how blessed we are.

I loved that the weather was cooled off for the day! It actually felt fall-ish! It was fantastic!

I felt very thankful for so much that day.

here are a few things that struck me throughout the day that I was thankful for~

Tony's job. Tony is opening a new store in Tempe. They had a job fair to fill some positions. They needed to fill 37 positions in the store. They had over 500 people show up to interview for it! Time and time again he heard people tell him that they were laid off from their jobs and are desperate to find some work. Tony has a very good job that pays well and gives us some stability in our lives. Yes we have had to move several times but we have been blessed knowing that our family will be taken care of.

My health! Our families have had a heck of a year with health issues! It has been very difficult with all the trials that have come their way. I have been so impressed with the resolve and spirit in which Maria has handled her health difficulties. I admire her courage and strength.

Rosemary, Isabelle, Adam, and Angie have also had health issues or injuries! Crazy year I swear!

My sister has just had a stroke last week and the Dr's are still trying to figure it all out. She has been so calm throughout the whole ordeal.I can't imagine how scared she must be feeling. I am worried for her. She is young and it is wild to think of her going through this right now!

Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers! And..I can promise you I won't take good health for granted again!

My kids! Whoa did I just say that? Well yes! I enjoy the good and great times. It was fun to sit around the table Thanksgiving and laugh with them and listen to the stories.They are smart and funny and difficult and strong willed and loving and kind. They are my hardest trial and my greatest joy! I need to chill and enjoy them more!

Willing helpers! This year after dinner Tony got up and cleared off the table. Then Zachary got up and started doing dishes. And he washed the things that wouldn't fit into the dishwasher by hand. Wow..he doesn't do that often! It was nice! And Rachelle and Hannah helped put away food. I think this was the first year that I wasn't freaking out and angry that no one would help and I had been working my tail off! It was delightful and relaxing!

Living in the best country in the world. Even though the elections took a few years off of my life and I don't always agree with the politics of this country I recognize how blessed I am to be free to express it. We have a abundance in our lives. We have great medical care. We have religious freedom. We have amazing soldiers and their families supporting them as they bravely stand up for us and fight for our freedom!

I love, love this country!

I could go on and on .There was so much I have been blessed with and I love that we take the time every year on Thanksgiving to acknowledge all the blessings in our lives!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 47

Running behind posting but have been meaning to on this one. So..

This Week I Am Grateful For~ Going To The Temple!

Tony and I haven't been to the temple for over 6 years! Gasp..yes I know. But when we moved into our new ward our bishop told us he feels that there are blessings that come to your family when you attend the temple and he felt very strongly that we shouldn't wait any longer to get our recommends! Wow! When we lived in Colorado our bishop there said he wouldn't give us a recommend for at least a year and then it was still only a maybe. I was upset thinking it was extreme but we went along with it. We hadn't done anything really wrong but were just inactive for awhile.

So I was thrilled and emotional and grateful all rolled into one when we got our recommends!

Last weekend our stake had a day of gratitude. They asked all the families in the stake to attend the temple. They wanted adults to attend a session and they wanted families to visit the visitor center and the temple grounds. They even served a lunch for everyone at the chapel.

So we took the kids and made a day of it. It was such a neat experience for us and my kids were so sweet. I was so moved by some of the comments the older ones made. It gave me hope that there is a testimony in there hiding. And that we were on the right track to help build it.

I knew it was where we should be and that we were doing the right thing.

Needless to say it was a emotional day!

I felt such peace and I am feel so grateful to be able to have a temple recommend and to be able to attend. For that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 46

This Week I Am Grateful For~ A Sunday Without Chaos!!
I usually hate Sundays. Yep, hate them. I fight with the kids and yell and am frustrated that they won't get in the shower, can't find their tie, can't find their shoes. Won't help get the diaper bag ready.
Doesn't matter that Saturday night they were supposed to have their clothes laid out and ready to go. Often they claim that they are only to find Sunday that they aren't! Ugg!
So, by the time we get to church~usually late I am ticked off. And then wrestling my lil ones trying to keep them quiet often adds to my mood. Some days I sit there and wonder why we even try.
BUT~ we have made the commitment. We ARE going to try. Each and every Sunday. Even if it sucks. Church is where we need to be. What our family needs.
So I began the prep for Sunday on Saturday. Bought everything for the dinner. Crockpotting it. Bought new tights for the girls so I didn't have to look for old ones. Bought Ethan a new shirt so I wouldn't have to dig through laundry to find one of the few ones I have for church.
I actually checked to make sure the older ones had clothes ready.
And now for the really big part here.....On Sunday I got up early (gasp!)
I got in the shower first thing and got myself ready. Yes I think that is the secret for me.Once ready I had time to get the dinner in the crockpot, make cornbread, bathe the lil ones, get them dressed, Bugged older ones to be on time and get crackin and I even got someone to get that dang diaper bag ready before we were ready to leave.
I didn't have to scream once. I didn't have one single argument with one person. It was smooth sailing around here!
Best part???? We arrived almost 20 minutes early! First time evah! BOOYA!
I wasn't angry, or frustrated. I was calm. And it was a fantastic feeling to watch Zach up there as a priest helping to bless the sacrament. I was so grateful. Our ward is a lil pushy with him and even if he protests a little they keep on him. So he did it! Yah I totally love this ward.
So even if the lil ones were still a bit wild I was able for the first time in a long long time able to go to church without all the Chaos and frustration and I actually had a great day!
~For That I Am Very Thankful!

52 Blessings Project ~ Week 45

This Week I Am Grateful For~ Having A Microwave!
When we first moved here the microwave was not working. We went two weeks without one! At first I thought no biggie, we would get a new one on the next paycheck. But Oh my heck! I thought I was going to die without it! What was I going to do when I forgot to put the butter out to soften? Or can you cook Hot Pockets in the oven? Do I admit that I actually burnt canned ravioli on the stove top?
Fact is I am a domestic retard without that sucker and since the broken one has been replaced I find myself smiling each and every time as I soften a cube of butter or cook a corn dog for lunch and for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project ~ Week 44

This Week I Am Grateful For~ A Backyard They Can Play In!

Wow! I had no idea what we were missing around here! We haven't had a backyard that the kids could play in by themselves for years and years!

Every morning when the lil ones wake up they have some breakfast and then the first thing they want to do is play in the back yard.

They climb on the swing set and they climb on the walls. They dig in the dirt and they pick the flowers. They play in the sprinklers and they play with the hose!

Bailey and Grace have made friends with a little girl who lives behind us. They climb up on the chiminea and she climbs onto the wall and they talk and talk all day long! They are delighted to have a new friend. I told them when I am not sick we need to have her over to play.

Today one of the great new finds in the back yard is that we have worms in the flower bed. The girls are so excited that they have "the most cutest little pet ever. Wormie" Nice! I reminded them that wormie would be broken hearted if he was brought into the house. He loves to be outside. ONLY outside! Hmm we'll see how that goes!

I have enjoyed sitting in the chair on the back patio and watch them play and listen to the laughs as they discovered new finds! It is delightful to enjoy a cooler evening in the back yard. Tony grilling on the BBQ and the lil ones tearing it up out there. I have loved having them occupied for a bit so I can get things done!

I had no idea what we were missing and I am loving having a back yard that is safe that they can play in and for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 43

This Week I Am Grateful For~ New Beginnings!
I have been excited for a fresh start! A new chance to make new friends, a sparkling clean house (who doesn't love that!), and a new commitment we as a family have made.
We took this move as a opportunity to make some changes for the better in our lives. Tony and I have been feeling as if these kids are growing up so dang fast. And we aren't taking the time to enjoy it. And be in the moment. And be the kind of parents we need to be. And to just chill! We have realized time is short. So we decided to make the changes we need to in order to find peace in our home! It feels good. We went to church yesterday and although I felt uncomfortable with being around new people, they were very kind and I felt a little excitement at knowing that we were going to try to throw ourselves into this ward. And be active, and serve, and try to do better. Last night it was Zachary that came in to round everyone up and remind us that we needed to have family prayer before bed.See.. he does have redeeming qualities ! And today I have been cleaning, and doing laundry, and I cooked a yummy meal. And everyone was so sweet tonight. It feels peaceful this evening. I have been able to chill out a little tonight thanks to everyone pitching in. I am hormonal today and these older ones are teasing me about it but they are helping out and being kind. I feel really optimistic! Funny how my feelings about these things change day to day(hour by hour??) but that is life I think. I do feel like we have been given a new beginning to really change the tone in our home and for that I am very grateful!

52 Week Blessings Project~Week 42

This Week I Am Grateful For~ Big Families!

This past week has been so fun and something that struck me time and time again is how much I love having a big family! I grew up in a family of 8 kids. I don't think I loved it as much growing up but I can see what a huge blessing being a part of this family is! I love my siblings so much! They are the craziest, funnest, loyal, most supportive bunch of people you could ask for! I know that I can turn to anyone of them for help.We are always there for each other.

I always knew from a early age that I wanted a big family just like the one I had! Well, mission accomplished! His, mine, ours we have 10. I love it. But not always.

It has been so fun getting to have Elizabeth with us to spend the day at Coronado Island, or having Anthony come to the beach with us, or sharing some pie with Eric for his birthday. I was thinking about how much I miss having them with us and am looking forward to having all of the kids together again for the holidays!

I love my family and am grateful to have such a big one to love!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 41

This Week I Am Grateful For ~ Our Home Teacher~Brother Clark And His Wife!
I think there is something wrong with us. Our family. For our entire married life we have never, ever had a home teacher that has come to visit us regularly. They usually come one time and then that is it! Never to be heard from again! Maybe we are too scary? Well, I have had this same problem with visit teaching too! Once again my whole adult life I have someone come once, twice if I am lucky then I never hear from them again! Well, it happened here in my last ward. My visiting teachers came twice, then didn't come anymore. They switched me to someone Else, and they came once, then never again! Our home teacher came once, then never again. See... we are scary. And my feelings got foolishly hurt. BUT...We were assigned a new home teacher several months ago. And they have been so kind. And they have come every month. And they have been willing to help us with whatever our needs have been. Whether it is needing a blessing, or bringing by some chicken when I was sick and Tony was out of town, or substituting for our primary class when we were out of town, or tailoring the monthly lessons to the children. Bringing a story that they could relate too. Including both the little ones and older ones!
As we have been working on getting moved I have had a call from brother Clark to see what they could do to help us out. He was there on our moving day and even after working his bum off that day he still insist he will be there next week to help with our final load!
I have been so, so grateful to him and his wife for the service, kindness and love that they have shown our family! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It has meant so much to our family and for that I am very grateful!

52 Blessings Project~Week 40

This Week I Am Grateful For~ Willing Workers!
We started to move some of our big stuff into the home! I have brought almost all of my kitchen over, and set up my bathrooms and laundry room and I was anxious to get more stuff moved in! I just didn't want to wait a whole nother week! So, to appease me, Tony rented a moving van and Zachary, Rachelle, and Tony moved a ton of stuff over! We now have our patio table, outdoor love seat,and chairs, our kitchen table, living room sofa, family room sofa and love seats and all our decorative tables there!! It is looking like a home!
I feel a sense of relief and peace every time I walk into that home! I feel it is a huge relief and blessing!
So..walking into my home, seeing all our stuff, having it look like our home..all of this because my husband and kids were willing (with a smile even) to make me happy and bust some of this out!
For that I am very grateful!
Thanks family for working so hard! It means so much to me!! You rock!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 38

This Week I Am Grateful For~ A New Home!

WooHoo! We found our home and we are so stinking excited! Just when I had given up all hope of finding something, we found it!

We had applied for a few homes to rent and we kept getting turned down! I finally got angry and asked one of the property managers why we were turned down and she told me because of poor landlord/tenant relations! What the???

Our landlord here had told them we were sucky tenants! Was that when we put up without air conditioning 3 times this summer? How about no air for three full weeks one of those times? Or how about when the dishwasher breaking and her not wanting to pay to fix it! Or when the pool has broken down and each summer we have only been able to use it for a month and a half ?

Hmm I guess we suck! Probably because she is angry we won't stay here while she tries to sell it! Whatever!

Well, after I heard the reason why I was really freakin out. How were we going to ever find a place to live if we were being turned down right and left?

Once I had my little breakdown we prayed and decided to just leave it in the hands of the Lord. I just prayed for the peace to accept whatever his will might be.

The next morning I found a new ad in the paper for a house we hadn't seen yet! We went to see it and knew it was the one! We were the first people to see it! We tentatively told the landlord we wanted it and asked for a rental application. He told us he doesn't need one. He likes us. All we need to do is sign the lease! Freakin huge bonus?? He told us the deposit was only $500! Unbelievable! Mom even looked him up on the county recorders office cause it seemed too good to be true! Yeah~he checks out .He is a Dr who owns several properties. He told us he bought this one when he remarried and had stepkids to fill it. when he got divorced he just didn't need a big house anymore!

We went to sign the lease tonight and he asked me if I minded him leaving the piano for us to use and the six bar stools at the counter! I wanted those bar stools and had actually told Tony I wanted to make a offer to buy them from him! I get them for free plus a piano which is something I have always wanted! ANDDD~ Rent is almost $900 less than what we are paying now! And I like this home so much better than where we are now! The kitchen is great, and I love the back yard! The home is big!It has a pool that is actually fenced! We got everything we wanted in this home!

I feel as if my heavenly Father loves me and heard and answered my prayers . I feel at peace now!

For this I am very grateful!

52 Blessing Project~ Week 37

This Week I Am Grateful For~Anthony's!!

When I was a little girl one of my favorite things was when my parents would load all 8 of us into the van or station wagon and we would head to the harbor to eat at Anthony's. Anthony's is a fun restaurant that is on the harbor. It has been around since 1946 and is still going strong! When

we went we would always order the same thing~Shrimp boats! It was fried shrimp that was served in a blue plastic boat! I think I loved the boat as much as the food!

I loved going to Anthony's!

it always felt like such a great adventure!

Well, we took the girls to the fish grotto there this weekend and it brought back such great memories! The food was still incredible and it was neat being able to sit with my family by the water, feeding the gulls, watching boats sail by and enjoying a fun lunch! I loved being able to recreate the same memories for my kids as the ones I loved growing up!

As we were leaving we walked past the Star of The Sea Room. It is next to the grotto and a part of Anthony's. It is a fine dining restaurant. I was reminded of my 16th birthday! My dad took me on my first date and I chose to go there! It was so fun. I remember how grown up I felt!

I had such fun this weekend reminiscing and sharing with my family!

It was wonderful sharing those memories with my kids and enjoying a beautiful day on the harbor!

52 Blessings Project~Week 36

This Week I Am Grateful For Cooler Temperatures!
OK..It's not that much cooler here, but this weeks temps have only been in the 90s and are expected to stay there for the rest of the week.
It gives me hope thinking the end is in sight!
I can't wait for cooler temperatures and now it seems they could be right around the corner and for that I am very grateful!