Thankful.

I.
I AM.
I AM THANKFUL.

For...
This beautiful Auntie,

Who doesn't mind holding 2 girls at the same time.

This big cousin, named Preston, who also has the talent.
(of balancing 2 girls)

A trampoline...

And fun cousins to jump with.

SLUM-

BER-

PAR-

TY!

Sisters that were just as pumped to go see "Twilight" as I was.

Hiking on Thanksgiving morning to the top of a big mountain...

With people I LOVE.

NOT getting poked by any Cac-ta-pus!

This bigger cousin, named Xanon, who knows how to make this littler cousin, named River, feel REAL special.

The Wind Cave. The end of the hike... for most people.

Not us. We ALL went to the TIPPY-TOP.

The view...

Was...

Amazing.

Lots of LOVE was found along the way.

Legwarmers. Oh ya.

Cousins, that are also friends.

Holding hands.

This Cousin/Aunt that doesn't mind baby slobber on her necklace.

Hanging out with the fam.

Brothers, who AREN'T fighting.

This cute love of my life, who looks just like his pretty Mama.

ALL of my family being together AT THE SAME TIME...
Just feels right.

We miss everyone already!
Heather... couldn't you have AT LEAST left Preston with us???

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves ME!

Today I had one of those moments. A panicky moment of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and wondering, "How am I going to get all the things done I need to do today,and sleep (more than a couple of hours) tonight?" I went out back (to pick up toys, etc) and I saw, on my patio, waiting for me...
THIS... a heart shaped rock.

This is not the first heart shaped rock I have found in my life, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Through reading the scriptures, I have learned that Heavenly Father speaks to each of us in our own language, in a way that we will understand. I know that Heavenly Father knew that I would find this rock and know that it was His was of telling me, "Jenny... I am aware of you, I'm here helping you, and I really LOVE you".

Thank-you, Heavenly Father, for taking the time to remind me.
I LOVE you, too!

Flower Child

Meadow Rae loves to plant flowers.

She explains the flower planting process like this:
"First I put the flowers to bed."

"And then I tuck them in."

"And then I sing to them. Like this... Sleep tight, wake up bright, in the morning light, do what's right, with all your might, sleep tight and good night!"

"And now we're all done!"

New Meaning

At this 80's party we went to...
The OUTFIT I wore (yes, that's me in the middle) + my BUTT
gave new meaning to the term...

"BUTT-UGLY"

Go ahead, click to enlarge the picture, so you can have a good laugh! I've never had so many pictures taken of my butt in my life. At the party, every time I turned around, someone was snapping a shot. Not that I blame them. It was hi-larious! (Poor Heaven is embarrassed for me... just look at her expression!)

Raven Jonah of Mine

It's not every day one turns 9 years, 6 months and 1 day,
ya know!

Happy Raven Day!

Make a wish,

And blow out the candle.

Oops, guess the candle didn't like that wish.
Make ANOTHER wish,

And blow out the candle.

"What!?"
Darn those trick candles!

For dinner, I told Raven he could have anything he wanted.
He said: Ramen?... Or maybe Bean Soup!
Mom: Really? I'll cook you anything you want.
Raven: Okay, then...
A Taco

And a Coke

With Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream for dessert!
(He's pretty easy to please, in the food department.)

That night, we all went out on the trampoline,

And surrounded Raven with LOVE!

Each heart=something we LOVE about our Jonah-Bear.
(I buy heart shaped post-it's in bulk now-a-days. You'd be surprised how many uses I have found for them.)

Raven told me, "Mom, this is the most PERFECT day EVER!"
Raven crawling up into my lap and letting me snuggle him and sing him "his song", is one of those moments I want to etch into my memory...

And never forget.

(The one part I wouldn't mind forgetting is: Me... getting stung by a bee during our little "We Love Raven" party on the trampoline. That sucked.)