Happy Thanksgiving!

So here is my "I'm Thankful for....." List of the Year 2009:

1. The Gospel - Because real truth is sought for everywhere and so hard to find for those without the knowledge of the Gospel.
2. The Atonement - Because I have a tendency to fall short time after time after time. You'd think I'd learn. I'm just glad the Great Mediator has made it possible for me to return to my Heavenly Father.
3. Joseph Smith and Modern day Prophets - Because I'd be lost without revelation to apply in this day. Our trials are so different, but we are equally in need of consistent reminders. I'm blessed to live in a day when the gospel has been fully restored.
4. The Scriptures - Because whenever I have questions about life and its trials, Alex always responds with, "Well, what do the scriptures say?" as if it were the most insightful source available. I suppose he's right.
5. My Husband Alex - Because, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news to all other wives out there but, he really is the best husband in the world. Jk. But he is the best in my eyes and therefore the best for me.
6. Orion Athen - Because Heavenly Father somehow saw me fit to be the mother of this super understanding and mild-mannered little boy. Because at night he asks, "Mommy, will you cuddle me?" and because that in itself is enough to melt me into a puddle of goo.
7. Chrysalis Rae - Because in the Chinese language, the symbol for happiness is made by depicting a figure of both a boy and a girl. Most Chinese families are only allowed to have two children so if they don't "get it right" the first two times, they are left incomplete. I am thankful to have been blessed with my first dose of happiness. Chrys has completed that for me. But who knows. . . perhaps in a few years I will have a second dose. In any case, I'm grateful to have a little mini-me who loves to wave, clap her hands, stick out her tongue, and say, "Amamama!"
8. My mother and father -For all that they give and continue to give, and for loving me no matter how differently we may see things at times.
9. My grandparents and all my ancestors who left their mark on me in both the obvious and subtle ways that are now who I am today.
10. For my siblings because I know many siblings these days who don't get along and we all do. And especially for my partner in crime Gio.
11. The Constitution - Because it protects our freedom.
12. Wheatgrass - Enough said.
13. Raw and living foods.
14. Bike trails.
15. Internet.
16. Music and the Invention of the piano.
17. Paint and paintbrushes.
18. Whoever invented the sewing machine.
19. Dancers and Choreographers alike.
20. Yoga and Pilates.
21. Friendly neighbors.
22. Seeds that grow.
23. Sun and snow.
24. Books.
25. Blenders and juicers.
26. Oh, and sippy cups.

And I can't think of anymore at the moment. But I think I needed to write this down because I've just now realized that I truly am blessed with so much more than I ever dreamed I would ever have and I'm only 27 years old. I haven't even fulfilled 1/3 of my life yet. Hee hee. Here's to hoping I make it to 100 like I've always wanted to. Well I challenge you all to write an "I'm Thankful For....." List because I would love to read yours and I actually found this silly tradition to be quite therapeutic. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Our First Little Garden - Part 2

Our spinach sprouts that we started from tiny seeds.

Here's how the rest has been doing so far.

From left to right, we've got a patch of fresh wheatgrass that has already been cut about three times. We've sure been downing the wheatgrass juice like no other. I had no idea wheatgrass grew so quickly. Then, we have the collard greens that we didn't start as seeds but they have sure grown quite a few extra leaves since then. Next are some Jalapeno and bell pepper plants and all the way to the right, are the tomatoes.

Here are some baby green cherry tomatoes. Not quite ready yet, but soon to be for sure. I've been wondering if tomato leaves are edible. I've read from different sources that they are and then also that they're poisonous. If anyone can tell me or has eaten them, will you let me know? I haven't tried them yet for fear of eating something poisonous. But if they are, I sure wouldn't like them to go to waste. Please leave me a comment if you know.

Here is a close-up of our collards. There's something so exciting about watching plants grow that you have planted. I don't know exactly how to explain it. I guess it just feels like you're one with the earth. I suppose you feel a little closer to the heavens and it gives you a whole new outlook on what God must have felt when after each day of the creation he "saw that it was good."

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

So here you have it: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I wasn't anything special this year but I put together these resourceful costumes with things lying around our house so that we wouldn't have to buy Halloween costumes this year. I don't think I did such a bad job putting stuff together for my little family. Unfortunately I ran out of time to put together something for myself to fit in with the group but I'm okay with that. I was costume designer this year and made the vegan chilli for our ward Trunk-or-treat night.

As you can clearly see, Orion really wanted to be the wardrobe and the lion. He actually wore this same costume last year. It used to be a little jumpsuit. Amazing how a pair of scissors quickly turns it into a shirt with a tail.

As for the little girl, you'd be amazed at what you can put together with an old onesie, a white skirt, some batting, rhinestones and old christmas decorations.

And voila! You get the White Witch of Narnia.

She's too cute to be a witch but I was very proud at how it all turned out. Originally, I was a little sad we couldn't afford to go buy new costumes, but I guess I was amazed at how creative I was forced to get, with things I already had lying around.

Alex's costume, was of course just an old moving box (because we don't have a few of those). A little paint, some scissors and a black marker was all that box needed.

What is it with kids always wanting to play with the box?

After some trick-or-treating, we were ready to call it a night. Nothing like an Indiana Jones movie at home to set somewhat of a spooky mood. All in all, we didn't do too much, but it was fun cuz we were together. Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

The Arizona State Fair

Our sweet next door neighbor invited us to come along to the State Fair with her and so we did. It was a much needed little outing. Here Orion is riding a few of the many kiddie rides they had available.

He loved this car.

Chrysalis rides a magic carpet ride, fully equiped with steering wheel.

Orion milks a fake cow. It was kind of funny. I've milked a real cow but have never seen something like this before.

His first pony ride aboard Tiki. I thought he'd be more excited about this one but apparently when it's almost the end of the day, the pony ride is just like any other.

Randomness

So my hubby decides this is funny enough to take a photo of before actually checking to see that the baby hasn't suffocated. Apparently she fell asleep on our bed when we weren't watching and somehow rolled up into this position. Our bed is quite low to the ground so that's how she climbed onto it. Not to worry, she's still breathing.

He Told Me

I had to post this little story.

We were all sitting on the floor after a long day and I was trying to keep a teething baby as content as possible, bouncing her on my knee and using other similar tactics. She complains a lot in a loud whiney voice that really travels through your spine. On this occasion, this is the conversation that took place:

Me: "Alex, I am so sick of this child."

Alex: "You're sick of our child?!"

Me: "At this moment, YES, I am sick of our child."

Notice the emphasis on the word child. I suppose Orion picked up on the meaning of the word cuz this is what followed:

Orion: "Mommy, Chrys is child? Chrys is child of God."

I know we sing this song to him a lot before bedtime but leave it to a two-year-old to put me in my place.