Something that made me smile this week...

1. This picture. It cracked me up. I found about 50 others just like it on my camera. Oh that Savannah.

2. My Adam's birthday was this week. No, we didn't go to Long John Silver's, but I just found this picture and smiled. I actually have been pretty sick this past week, so one of my dear friends made dinner on Adam's birthday. Menu: bbq chicken, spaghetti squash baked to perfection, sauteed spinach, homemade bread, mashed potatoes that were the bomb, and german chocolate cake from scratch. I'm pretty sure it was his best birthday cake yet. I can't believe how great my friends are.

3. My girls wanted to do something for Haiti about a month ago. They put "Help Haiti" jars in all the classrooms at their school (with the principal's support) to collect change to donate to Haiti. We tallied all the moo-la on Wednesday. I can't believe this little fundraiser made $645.11! It was a good experience for my girls and it made me smile as we found Chuck E. Cheese coins and carwash tokens, knowing that the sweet little children at the school probably dumped the entire contents of their piggy banks from home.

4. My three oldest were accepted to this amazing charter school for the fall. This definitely put a smile on my face.

5. Annie won this speech contest at her school. It made me smile, looking at her in unbelief at how much she's grown.

6. After losing my patience yesterday (shocker), I said "shut- ___." You get into serious trouble around here when you say that. Austin came around the corner with a concerned look, pointing his index finger at me, "Mom, you said a bad work. You get spicy on your tongue." smile. "You're right, Austin." (while dishing up cayenne pepper on my tongue). Thank goodness for my littles. They keep me in line...and smiling.

7. It's Friday. Friday=Happiness (We're watching Phineas and Ferb at the moment. This puts a smile on my face...a grin and some laughter).

Hope you have something exciting going this weekend. It's supposed to rain here tomorrow...that's exciting enough for me.

Day-O-Love

Happy Valentines Day!

I have a lot to tell you, but first...how is your day going? Have you eaten anything delectable lately? Are there any lovely flowers on your table? What are you having for dinner? (I'm still stumped). How do you observe this Love Day?

So, this past week, my one-and-only and I went to Las Vegas for his business trip. Can you even believe it?! My generous parents came out and stayed with all the natives here. They pretty much put my house back together again with repairs, organizing, etc. I need to show you the inside of my cabinets...you'll be jealous. Anyways, so Las Vegas (the Strip-to be more specific). Let me preface this by saying that I could be dropped off in the middle of nowhere with my husband, and be perfectly content and happy. Our room was luxurious, the food was plentiful and delicious, we were able to go to dinner with Adam's brother and his wife (which was the best part); but other than that...yuck. In fact, did you know that the golden cow idol from the Old Testament transformed into a sparkly, golden horse and is now sitting in the lobby of the Bellagio? It's true.

When we arrived home, we were able to enjoy a couple of extra days with my parents and my brother Ford..."The Lady's Man." As he was running an errand with me, we were listening to some music. He refused to listen to any song, sung by a male. He said he prefers women singers. Okay. Then, he said, "I'm a lady's man." I burst out laughing. Surprised, he said, "What? I am." Love that Fordy.

Last Sunday, we drove down to San Diego for my niece's blessing. She looked like she just was dropped from above...dressed in all white, complete with a delicate white bonnet. The day was perfect. We all basked in the beauty of the day.

We celebrated our Annie's 11th birthday this week. She and I went on a shopping trip last night to celebrate. We had such a blast! She was very careful how she spent her birthday money. At the end of the night, I told Adam that I don't think they come any better than that girl. She is a joy.

Are you watching the Olympics? I can already tell that we won't be getting much sleep for the next two weeks. I just love the Olympics.

And, last but certainly not least...I got a new washer. Did you just gasp? This Big Daddy holds up to 25 bath towels. When Adam came home and told me that this washer had a "Fluff & Fold" feature, I gasped. What?!!!! It fluffs and folds? "No dear. (smiling and amused) It fluffs and gets it all ready for you to fold." Oh. Great. Nevertheless, I am thankful and ready to attack.

It is such a gorgeous, sunny day today. I hope it is so in your neck of the woods. Hope you can enjoy the Lovely Day. Go draw a card. Go read a poem.

XOXOXOXOXOX

A Piece of the Puzzle

This morning my level-headed husband smiled and said that I had a sympathy problem..."which can be a blessing or a curse" (I can't say this word without adding Jack Sparrow's accent). He's right. For the past three or four nights I've laid in bed, unable to sleep, staring at the ceiling, thinking, worrying, crying over people I know and people I don't know--their decisions, their losses, their heartbreaks, their upcoming surgeries. Or maybe it was just the stomach flu that hit me on Saturday where I felt like all my innards wanted to be on my out-erds...never mind. I'll spare you all the gory details.

Nevertheless, it got me thinking. I started thinking about faith. Faith is such a simple, yet complex thing. I think maybe it's so simple and that's what is so hard about it. It is trust. Implicit trust. Trust in an all-knowing, all-loving Father in Heaven. Faith is hardest to grasp when the situation is hardest to understand. But, there is always a Plan. A Big Plan. My son illustrated this point beautifully to me this afternoon...

As Joseph and I looked at all the unconnected pieces lying on the table, he grabbed one and started connecting. He knew what to do. But, he would get stumped, frustrated, discouraged and then I'd point out a piece that would go perfectly with it. He would say, "Oh yeah, I know, I know, I know." As he started working on a small part of the puzzle, I asked, "Joseph, what is this puzzle a picture of?" "Oh, it's of this little boy with a crown." Actually, it wasn't. The small boy with a crown was just the small corner of the puzzle...a small piece of the big picture.

So often, we get frustrated and discouraged with our circumstances. Heavenly Father lets us try to figure it out for awhile and then gives us nudges. They seem so simple and obvious. We wonder why we didn't think of it ourselves. We get caught on one small part of the "puzzle." We think "this is it." But really, it isn't. Our plight is to trust. Implicitly trust. Knowing that Heavenly Father is aware of every single, solitary piece of our puzzle. He knows where they all go. If we put our trust in Him, he will teach us. He will help us to progress, to refine us. Soon enough, our puzzle will all be put together. It will be a masterpiece.

p.s. my sweet friend texted me this week, saying that I was slacking on my blog. I'm going to do better. "No blog slacking": resolution #382. It'll be right next to "No mildew in the laundry room."

Love you all.

And, so it goes...really

Okay, since it is so late, I'm not thinking clearly (obviously). Here are the photos that go with the last post.

And the books...

And the website...

https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1861&1861.donation=form1&s_src=14703

And I'm going to bed.

And so it goes...

I shouldn't be here at this hour. Please don't tell my husband. I'm already breaking one of my most serious resolutions; however, the house is unusually quiet right now and well..I just couldn't help myself!

So, since the last time we were together, life at the Thunell home has been moving at great speed (and with great volume). The silver-bowl epidemic swept through here with a vengeance. Large bowls were set very carefully and strategically by everyone's bed; however, it never seemed to work. I spent the week changing sheets, scrubbing throw-up off of carpet, toilets, walls (sorry) ...mercy... fixing broth, wiping mouths and buns (sorry). It was eventful. You missed a good time. And so did my husband.

At the end of the week, we were feeling better. The three youngers and I had a picnic lunch at the park. You know, before becoming a mom I had no idea what a huge part parks would play in my rearing of our children. I love parks. They are easy. Everyone is outdoors and happy. I have spent many happy moments with my babies here. very sweet.

Moving along...Annie has basketball games on Saturdays. For the past three weeks her team has been smeared. This morning she begged me not to make her go to her game. "Please. It's just so embarrassing." Adam (bless him) has taken her to the church court before school this week to practice. She is improving. This is definitely a lesson on endurance, perseverance, and commitment...none of which are easy to learn.

Monday, my sister, Lauren, had her 4th baby...Caroline Louise...precious. I do not like that she is all the way over in Milwaukee (not one little bit); however, I am so glad that my Mom could go help her. I love my mom. Lauren is an amazing girl. This is her fourth c-section and second spinal headache...ugh. BUT, thankfully she is feeling better and the babe is healthy and beautiful...a blessing.

My sweet brother, Clarky came up on Monday with his darling little boy, Ethan. We LOVED having them come for a visit. His wife just had a darling baby girl, Amber Nicole, in December, so this was the perfect chance to give her a break and to get some cousin time. Have I ever mentioned that I don't like family living so far away? Well, I don't like family living so far away. Clarky's family is living in San Diego at the moment...which we love and are grateful for. Ethan got a good, healthy dose (probably a little too healty) of his cousins. I think it may take him a good week to recover. We loved it. And, Clark hooked us up with Skype. We've spent every day with our family on this webcam in TX and WI...sheer delight!!!

And, it rained. Not just California mist, but honest to goodness TEXAS rain!! HALLELUJAH!! We even had thunder and lightning. I was giddy sipping my Stephens hot cocoa (I will soon become one of their sole stock share holders) and reading my delightful book. Right now, do yourself a favor. Go and get these two books and read them. I'm sorry to say that I was rather neglectful (tossing crackers at my children as I read); however, it was wonderful.

All in all, life has been great.

If you're interested, go here to help with the Haiti relief efforts.

XOXOXOXO

Welcome 2010!!!

Yeah!! You're here!

2009 was a wonderful year, but you will be even better (I can feel it in my chub-covered bones)!

2009 also went way too fast. Please, please don't do that to me. I don't want to get to Christmas and wonder how my children became just so grown-up. Just slow it down a little...for me.

And, I am going to be better. Look! I already bought a brand new beautiful calendar and four dozen exquisite tulips to inspire me, in your honor (I know. I always go a wee bit overboard. If 1 dozen are good, then 4 dozen are, of course, better).

My resolutions (filling a full sheet of college-ruled paper) include writing in my journal daily, havng 10 min. of alone time daily with each of my babies and sitting and talking with them at bedtime (versus falling asleep on their floor and mumbling, "Please, just go to sleep."), which leads to going to bed by 10 p.m., planting my rose garden this month, keeping up with my laundry every week, keep up with my book club list, invite a new friend over 2x/month, keep my outdoor pots lovely, finish painting my kids rooms, sing in church as a family, run 1/2 marathon with my husband (or a 5K or maybe just a run around the block...we'll see)...See, it's going to be a full, wonderful year!

Welcome 2010. We're in for a treat!

Christmas Conversations

"So, Joseph, how in the world do you think Santa gets down the chimney--seeing that he's so chubby and all?"

Joseph, (pause, thinking), "Well, I think he just puts a little bit of that dirty black stuff on his nose, says 'ho, ho, ho' and then just goes down the chimney."

"Just like that?"

Joseph, "Mmm, hmm."

That was easy.

Yesterday, Savannah had to turn in a snowman that looked like her. As I was helping her, I accidentally got a little glue on the snowwoman's upper lip. meep. "Oh Savannah, I am so sorry." Savannah, "Oh well, but why does everything I turn in have to look dirty?" Annie chimes in, "Savannah (said in big sister fashion), it doesn't look dirty. It just looks like your snowman spilled hot chocolate on itself as it was drinking." Savannah sighs, "Okay." (I have to giggle. This is so typical of a big family.)

Also, the three youngers and I were reading this week when Joseph spotted a little black boy on a Barney board book, "Look! It's President Obama!" Well... this book is pretty ancient. Yes, I can definitely see a resemblance. President Obama & Barney--that'll put a smile on your face.

Erika is walking. She is too cute for words! Such strong opinions for such a little person her size. She and I stacked wooden rings on their stand over and over again today. very sweet and simple. I love that part of my job description. The simple teaching, the sweet moments.

My three olders have their piano recital this weekend. I've heard their pieces many, many times. Kate is playing The Little Drummer Boy. I especially love it when she plays and sings.

Do you want to hear a neat story?

Last night, Adam came home from work stressed. I have to say that that is one thing (among many things) I admire about my husband...he usually is stressed and has usually had a very full day, but doesn't show it when he gets home. I don't know how he does that. I'm nothing like that. Anyways, full day at work, tithing settlements and other needs at church all night, and he said he had to type this memo to the hospital board by noon the next day that kept looming over his head. That night, after he got home from church, I encouraged him to just go to bed and wake up early the next morning to type it out. He was so beat, he agreed. Early the next morning, he came and told me how much he loved one of his VPs. "What happened?" I inquired. "Well, he (his VP) was going on a trip with his wife last night. His flight was a red-eye and the airline he was on was trying out their new wireless network. He said he had the time and HE TYPED UP THE ENTIRE MEMO FOR ME. He said it was a draft and I could make changes if I needed to." I could see the weight lift off my husband's shoulders and a smile enter onto his face. A Christmas miracle. I thought about that the entire day.

I don't know if there really is a difference in people or I just simply notice more...people's true goodness at Christmas. I love it. I love that we get to feel this every year.

Sweet dreams...maybe a few sugar plums?