November 30...I'm Thankful for...

On this last day of November I'm so thankful for...

My Grandma Marler

I saved her for last....love love this lady so much!!!

This is hard for me to write in just a few short words but this grandma of mine has taught me sooo many things.....

Most of all to love everyone I think that's where my mom got it from...she is the one that taught me to sew and gave me my first paint brush...and told me to never give up and believe in what I'm doing...

I remember all the Christmases making ornaments for the tree..No store bought ones on her tree...

I remember cooking with her and watching her have a coke when ever she cooked,created ,painted or sewed...that's where I get that from...

She always had a clean house and taught me to clean up as I go...

She made all our clothes...doll clothes and barbie clothes...

I remember going to painting lessons with her when I got a little older and be in awe at what she could do with her hands..and just wanted to be just like her..I still have some of her painting in our home..

She always had her hair done and her socks and jewelry had to match her clothes..yep that's where I get that from to...

She bought me my first scroll saw and told me to get busy creating...soooo the wood working began...

The inspiration that this Grandma had on me every time I say her words cant even describe so I just wont....I think of her often and know that I'm who I am because of what she taught me..



November 29...I'm Thankful for...

I'm thankful for......the word Nana

 

I never really knew what it was going to be like to be a grandma...I only dreamed is was great...

I loved being a mom to our 5 children everyday!!!! Yep even the hard days that I threatened to take the boys to the boys ranch...or call their dad...oh yes they still remember that just ask them...

Everyone said being a grandma is better than having your own kids...I still don't believe that because I loved being a mom to my kids every day!!!! and I still do...the grand kids are just a bonus...and I love love that!!!

But....to watch our kids get married to the love of there life and have children...WOWEEEE this is such a wonderful thing..

I remember the first time I held Jerzi my eyes were so filled with tears I couldn't see her face till I wiped them away and the love I felt for this precious baby was amazing...and to watch my little girl have her own well that is breath taking...

This little baby Jerzi that would grow and some day talk and give me the name of Nana...Jerzi gave me that name and it has stuck and I love it because she is the one that chose it...And as each one of the grand kids came that love and amazement that they were ours was amazing!!!We felt such love and to look at each one as they came was PRICELESS!! 

 The love we have for these 18 little ones is more than words can say...and everyday I'm so thankful that I'm their Nana...



November 28...I'm Thankful for...

I'm so thankful for these two hands ...

It may seam simple and everyday I'm grateful that I have my two hands to hold...love...work...serve...with just a few of my fav things...

 

They played hard when I was a little girl..

My hands have been taught to create and to teach others..

They have held the hand of my mother and grandmother in their last days..

They have that have let me hold the hand of my husband for over 35 years..

My hands have let me hold my children and love them as each one came to us..

These hands have welcomed each one of our "Bitty bums" into this world with a squeeze and big kiss..

They have served friends, family and the Lord and loved every minute of it..

I LOVE that my hands have cooked for my family over the years...

They have cleaned, picked up,and cleaned again and again...and I'm so grateful for that!!!

They have said many prayers over the years..

These hands of mine may be a little wrinkled and worn but full of life and ready for the next adventure....

Soooo today and everyday this Nana is thankful for my two hands...

 

 

 

November 27...Im Thankful for...

I'm so Thankful for the simple but powerful...SMILE

 

Some of my fondest and priceless memories are of a smile...sometimes its so powerful it changes my whole day....

I remember my mom smiling at me when I had school programs when I was little...its that look on her face that made me want to sing louder and do better...

I see that in my kids and grandkids when I go to their school programs they look for that smile from me...saying Im watching you and LOVE you...

That smile I get from my hubby that seams to make everything just right...

It costs nothing to give but gives so much to those who receive it...

I look at my bitty bums and that smile is priceless and how can that not lighten my day...

To watch my kids look at their kids with such love and that smile that is filled with love...is priceless to me...

It makes your eyes light up and twinkle

Sooooo that's it for today just a SMILE...and a little pixie dust!!!

 

 

November 26..I'm Thankful for.....

I'm so thankful for this time of year..... the magic that this man in a red suite Santa brings to all the sweet and naughty kids and us adults to.....

I love the magic and the smell that is in the air all around...

 Not only do we put up our tree and decorate our homes but its in the music and the feeling of home where your friends and loved ones come...

I love the looking for that special gift for that special someone and making sure that its just right...

The anticipation of party's and opening gifts but more than that the gathering of friends and family   is PRICELESS!!

I love that naughty little elf that sits in the house and creates a mess and leaves fun little packages....and remindes the children to be nice or santa wont come...the kids will never forget that ...I so love all this but most of all...

 I love that this is a time of year to celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ

I believe that he loves everyone no matter what the color of skin or what they believe in...LOVE is uncoditional and we need to remember that!!!

November 25...I'm Thankful for...

I'm sooo Thankful for PHOTOS!!!!

One of my most fav things to do is to go through photos of the family and friends...It brings back so many memories!!!

I wish I had more photos of when I was a little girl.....So I knew that I would be taking lots of photos!!! of just everything my family...things I love and places we've been....

I have hundreds of photos that aren't in an album YEP just in a box but one day I will get to them...but I also have alot that are in albums...

I love looking at photos of our kids when they were little and seeing how much they look like their kids...PRICELESS!!!

I'm a little obnoxious (OK alot) just ask the kids but oh well.....I take them anyways....memories that can never be forgotten....and I so LOVEeeee taking photos.

November 24...I'm Thankful for....

Today I'm so thankful for the holidays...

 

When I gather my very favorite people in the whole wide world together for food...crafting...playing...watching the kiddos...sports and making memories together...

These are some of the times that I  treasure and will last a life time...

As each holiday comes and goes I watch my children and their children grow...new ones come...loose teeth...get potty trained...GROW taller....Ive watched us change jobs and struggle through tough times...Ive watched some move away to provide for their family...

And yet there are not words to describe the love that is felt just by seeing the faces of the ones you love!!!

When you get that many people in one house there is always confusion...mess...laughter and tears but most moments I wouldn't trade for anything...I fell like the luckiest person alive!!

November 23...I'm Thankful for....

Soooo Thankful for...FOOD and that I soooo love to cook...

everything about it...the mess...the smell...how it makes me feel and most of all watching my family enjoy it!!! THANKS mom for such great Patience and Love...

I have a great mother that taught me to cook

I remember ever since I was little stirring...spilling...licking the spoon...and well just making a big mess cooking and baking with my mom...

I'm grateful for the patience she had with me and over the years I would go up and help her on holidays as much as I could to learn from the best!!!

I also let my kids stir...make a mess...lick the spoons and bowls and just have fun helping me cook...such great memories!!!

I loved having my kids when they were little help make cookies and frost their own cookies..

Ive tryed to let my Bitty Bums help when ever they have a sleep over make pancakes and turn them over on the pan...they love to help and I love watching their little faces while doing it!!!

 

November 22...I'm Thankful for...

I'm so thankful for TRADITIONS...

Traditions that you and your spouse had when you were little kids that you have taken bits and pieces and made them your own....to fit your family.

I LOVE that Todd and I have taken our most favorite memories of our families growing up and made our own traditions...

We've told stories and made favorite foods that my mom has made...

And as our kids have grown and had there own families Ive seen them take bits and pieces and have them in their family...

I love the memories of great warm feelings that carry me through the years

And I love the way Traditions bring back memories of my mom and grandma and grandpa and Todds family fun!

 

November 21...I'm Thankful for

I'm so Thankful for DATE NIGHT!!!

 

Ever since Todd and I was married 35 years ago we have always made time for a date once a week...I can count on my hand how many times we've missed over the years...and its not many

We always haven't spent $ on dates but made sure that we had that one on one time together!!!

some of my fav memories over the years....

Ive taught our children at a young age how important this is...I think its so good for kids to see their parents have a date.

Sooo thanks to my sweetheart Todd for the 1000's of dates over the years I added it up and that's about 1,680 dates...WOWEeeeee...and many many more to come...

 

 

A Slurpee and a walk

movie and popcorn

Walk around the mall

A ride in the car so we could just talk

A visit to the Temple

Plays are a fav

Going to get yogurt