Gratitude: World's Best Dad

Well here we are on the 24th of December and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! And it's not because I'm excited about anything I may or may not get - in fact, that's one of the beauties of having a "financially challenged" Christmas budget for each other - our expectations are really low which frees us up to focus on the giving to others instead of the getting.



I was just thinking this morning that I hadn't posted in a few days and that I still had so many people to post about, when I checked our voicemail and there was a message from my Dad saying "just calling to wish you all a Merry Christmas and tell you I love you." This is the same Dad who we will see in just a few short hours for Christmas Eve dinner, so it's not like he lives half way across the country and had to call to wish us Merry Christmas. He just gets caught up in the Christmas spirit and had to share it - that's so my Dad!


Most of you have met my Dad and if you haven't then I'm sorry for you because he is truly one of the kindest, most easy going people you'll ever meet. He's the guy who whistles almost 24/7, smiles at complete strangers, can sit down and play the guitar and piano beautifully, by ear miind you, and never gets too fired up about anything (unless it has something to do with the Utes - then watch out!) He is so humble and yet so disciplined about certain things. He's the guy who you'll be talking to one Friday evening and asking him what he's doing the following morning and he'll say "oh just gonna go run a little marathon." How am I related to this person?

This is the same guy who accidentaly drove a golf cart into wet cement as the contruction workers who had just poured the cement watched. He's also the guy who cheerfully used to ask "who's this?" when I - his only daughter - would call him and say "Hi Dad" on the phone. He's actually gotten better about that - I think he's been practicing or something.

That's just my Dad - mellow, kind, cheerful, a little flighty sometimes but always means well and does it with a smile. I love him so very much and love watching my girls with him as well. He's a wonderful Grandpa and would really do anything (except change a diaper) for his grandkids.

Merry Christmas Dad - you truly are the best Dad a girl could ever hope for!

Gratitude: Old pianos and older friends

Santa came early to our house yesterday - well, sort of! My good friend Ali (whose been a friend since I was a Brownie!) had our old piano delivered to us yesterday morning. My Grandma Osborn gave us this piano when I was six or seven years old and I immediately became addicted to playing it. I took lessons for several years, but soon realized that I got more enjoyment from just playing by ear - like my Dad does. I loved going down stairs in my parents basement and always having that piano there to welcome me. It has got to be at least 100 years old and sounds horrible compared to a good piano, but I never cared. It's the perfect piano to have with little kids around because there's nothing they can do to hurt it, and besides, I think it's charming!

When my parents moved about 10 years ago, they no longer had room for it and gave it to me and Eric. Then when Eric and I moved into our Sugarhouse home about eight years ago, we didn't have room for it either. Ali, who needed a piano at the time for her darling little girls, helped us out and gave it a home. I honestly didn't think we'd really ever need it again and didn't think too much more about. I was happy that it was in a good home with little girls who loved playing it as much as I did.

In the midst of the financial roller coaster that we've been on over the last seven years, Santa brought me a beautiful baby grand piano several years ago, which later had to be sold to help get us through some difficult months earlier this year. We were hoping to be able to get another, less expensive piano in the near future, but I wasn't holding my breath. So it was such a blessing to get Ali's phone call last week telling us that they were buying her Aunt's piano and wondering if we wanted my old one back.

If I didn't know any better, Ali (my friend on the left - Nic's the one on the right) probably got wind of our "pianoless" state and decided to buy her Aunt's piano in order to have a reason to give ours back. She's always been a wonderful friend to me, and even though we can go months and months without contact, I always feel like she's there for me - through good times and bad. Thanks a lot Ali! Now I need to stop crying and go over there are start playing that piano!

Gratitude: "All I Want Is You Mom"

Yesterday I asked Kate what she wanted for Christmas, just to see if her list has stayed the same, and she gave me a big hug and said with her goofy face "All I want is you Mom!" Now I'm smart enough to know that she was on a little sugar high from the candy she was eating at the time, and anyone who knows Kate knows that she can get a little silly sometimes. But it did make me stop and think for a minute about how true it really is - amidst all of the holiday craziness that seems to surround us at Christmas, all our kids really want is more time with us.

I had been looking at past Christmas pictures earlier in the day and couldn't hold back the tears as I realized how quickly they're growing up and how fleeting these little moments are. I realize that the best gift I can give my kids this year and every year is my time, my unconditional love and my attention (even when I have a million other things to do!)

Gratitude: Tutus and tiaras

I'm sorry, but there's just nothing cuter than a little girl in a tutu and a tiara! No wait, there is - lots of little girls dressed up in tutus and tiaras!

Halle had her first dance recital last Saturday night and did such a great job. We were really only expecting her to stand up there and pick her nose (which would have been okay 'cause she looked so dang cute in her costume, who cares?) but she actually danced and had fun. Her cousin Camryn also performed and was, of course, wonderful too.

These pictures just remind me of how much I love having little girls and all of the fun and frills that come along with it. I do realize that ten years from now we'll be living in a state of drama and tears 24/7, which makes these pictures all the more precious!

Gratitude: Grandma "O" (my wonderful Mom!)

To say that I am only grateful for my mom at Christmas time would be a lie. We are grateful for her 365 days a year, and if my kids had their way, that's how many days they would get to go to her house! But there's something extra special about my mom's house at Christmas time. Her already beautiful, comforting home is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland made specifically for her grandkids. It's every kids dream - full of twinkle lights, vintage toys, singing snowmen and candles lit for the sole purpose of letting the grandkids blow them out.

She has this special "grandkids" room that has a lot of our old toys in there, like my old dollhouse that she and her mom made for me one Christmas, and my little wooden cupboard, and Carter's space shuttle - it's awesome!

Some days, I feel like my mom was put on this earth just to be a grandma - she's that good! Since Eric's mom passed away while I was pregnant with the twins, my mom has had to do double duty as grandma, and even though I've told her this a million times, I know that Grandma Linda is grateful to my mom for making up the difference.

My mom has been there for us through thick and thin and is involved in almost every aspect of our girls lives. I see what a difference it makes to my kids have such a wonderful grandma who is so interested in them and gives them such unconditional love. Thanks Mom - you're the best!!!

Gratitude: Old Christmas Movies Like "Holiday Inn"

Everyone has a favourite old Christmas movie. For some it's "A Christmas Carol", or "Miracle On 34th Street", perhaps "It's A Wonderful Life." For me, it's Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" with Bing Crosby, Fred Astair and Marjorie Reynolds made in 1942. Made long before I was born, I remember watching it with my Mom growing up and for some reason, it had an influence on me. Maybe it's the black & white war-time feel or the amazing dance numbers, or the comforting sound of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas for the first time. Did you know that "Holiday Inn" was the the first time the song "White Christmas" appeared? It wasn't until 1954 that the more popular movie titled "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen came out, which is also wonderful movie. But for me, there's just something about "Holiday Inn" that feels like re-visiting old friends at a magical, mythical place.

Santa Has Problems

I'm sorry, but if I don't write this down now I'll forget. I was sitting at dinner with the girls tonight, and telling them about the news story that I saw last night about how Santa's workshop might not be able to get all of the toys made this year because there were so many good kids. I was just trying to put a little doubt in their minds that there's a chance that they may not get what they asked for - it's more fun that way on Christmas morning.

So anyway, I'm telling Annie and Kate this and then Annie sets her grilled cheese sandwich down and says, "but Mom, Santa doesn't have any problems." And as I'm trying not to laugh as I think about all of Santa's "problems" Annie holds a finger up and says "except for, of course, the sleigh crash of '64."

Yes, of course Annie. The infamous sleigh crash of 1964. Where does she come up with this stuff?

Gratitude: Amy and Janalyn

Today I was very grateful for the two awesome women my little brothers were fortunate enough to marry: Amy and Janalyn. I was thinking about them as I was driving over to Amy's house this morning. Amy babysits Halle for me every Wednesday so that I can volunteer in the girls' classes. I was thinking about how lucky I am to actually LIKE the girls my brothers married, let alone be able to call them two of my very best friends! Since I grew up without a sister, I had always dreamed of having one. I don't think I knew what I was missing out on until my brothers got married: first Carter to Amy, then a few years later Bryan married Janalyn. I admire so many things about both of them. Amy is one of the most laid back, easy going people I've ever met. She's a little more on the quiet side and is definitely not one show off or put herself in the limelight. I think her worst fear is speaking in public, especially in church! She is loyal, genuine and would do anything for her family. She shares Carter's love of all things football - specifically Utah and Oregon and is one of the most dedicated mom's I know.




And Janalyn, well, what's not to like about Janalyn? She's spunky, vivacious and always has something funny to say. One of the first things I remember noticing about Janalyn was what a great listener she is: whenever you talk to her she makes you feel like she totally understands and hears every word you said. When Bryan lost his best friend Cam, almost four years ago in a snowmobiling accident, Janalyn was there for him 24/7 just listening - which was exactely what my little brother needed. And for as stylish and put together she may seem on the outside, one of the her best qualities is that she'll be the first one to poke fun at herself and won't stop until everyone in the room is laughing! She's a great singer (she even played "Annie" when she was little!) served a mission in Brazil and can shop like nobody's business! Like Amy, she too helps me out with my girls when I need it (our whole family lives within 5 minutes of each other - how cool is that?)

They both are amazing people and I am so blessed to have them in my life. And the best part is, I have several other amazing sisters-in-law on the Smith side of the family who warrant an entirely separate post to this blog, so stay tuned!

Gratitude: Christmas Music

This weekend I was grateful for Christmas music and the ability it has to bring peace and even, yes, Christmas cheer to a snippy conversation with my husband.

For example, Eric and I were driving in the car with the kids, on our way home from a "lovely" afternoon spent waiting in line to see Santa and get pictures. Eric was THRILLED that he had a chance to wait in that marvelous line and got just a little bugged with a nice lady in front of us let another family "butt" in line. I'm sure you can see how this ended - no, there wasn't a brawl, but Eric just couldn't resist confronting the lady and I was mortified and the rest is history.

Needless to say, we were both bugged at each other in the car, and just at the right moment "Frosty The Snowman" came on the radio. Now I'm someone who was raised by a mother who started playing Christmas music in September. I physically can't help singing or humming Christmas Carols in the car - especially Frosty The Snowman. And apparently Eric can't resist either. So before you knew it, we were both singing loud for all to hear and there was peace in the land.

Thank you Frosty!!!

Gratitude: People Who Cut Me Some Slack!

Okay, so I'm two days behind on my 31 Days of Gratitude, but I never said that I would post every day, did I? I don't know, maybe I did. But anyway, I was, in fact, very grateful for stuff this weekend. It just got a little crazy and Eric was home HOGGING the computer and so there you go.

I did make me think about how grateful I am for all of the people in my life who cut me some slack. When I start to think about all of the things I say I'm going to do and never do; all of the phone calls I say I will return and never return; all of the birthday cards I think I'm going to mail that never get mailed; all of the endless good intentions that never see the light of day - I am truly in awe that most of you still put up with a flake like me!

I realize that with some things in my life I've just been downright lazy: excersizing, eating healthy, remembering birthdays, returning phone calls and emails within the accepted three month window, yadda, yadda, yadda. I honestly plan to be better about all of those things in 2009 and will make a more concerted effort to act on all of those good intentions. But until then, I figure I've got three weeks left to live it up so just keep your expectations of me extremely low and you won't be disappointed!

Gratitude: Diet Coke

Okay, today I'm going to be a little lazy and say that I'm grateful for the obvious - Diet Coke. I mean, c'mon, isn't every LDS, stay-at-home mom grateful for Diet Coke? I know technically I'm not supposed to drink it because it has caffeine in it and believe me, I know why! Getting off the juice is definitely on my bucket list, but for now, it's a simple pleasure that I just can't seem to give up.

And it's not just regular old Diet Coke, but more specifically, McDonald's Diet Coke. Mmmmmmmmm. I don't know what they're putting in that stuff, or if it's the extra-wide straws that hold some magical kind of power over me, but they keep pulling me in.

I've decided how I'm going to make a million dollars AND loose weight all at the same time. I'm going to invent a personal, at home McDonalds Diet Coke machine - kind of like a coffee maker, but instead of coffee you just have McDonald's Diet Coke on tap 24/7 - with the magic straws and cups included. Think of all the money we'd save! Not to mention the gas money AND calories spent on the occassional (yeah, right) Cinnamelt, French Fries or McMuffin (you know exactley who you are!)

Sure, there may be a down side to having my own fountain of Diet Coke accessible to me at all hours of the day. I would miss my daily honk and wave as I pass most of my friends as we are on our way to and from McDonalds. I could become bloated beyond belief, loose all hydration in my body and be bouncing off the walls 24/7, but we'll never know until we try, now will we?

Seriously, you think I'm joking but I'm not. Someday I'm going to do it, along with my Pizza Factory drive-thru salad bar. Then my life will be perfect. Just you wait. . .

Gratitude: Halle

Today I'm especially grateful for Halle - my sassy little 2 1/2 year old. I love her chubby little legs, the dimples on her fingers and that little waddle of baby fat that she still has underneath her chin. I love the way she solemnly says "fank you mom" every time I give her a string cheese (which happens a lot these days - the girl only eats like five things!) I love watching her try to play with her big sisters and I love to hear her say "dat's cool, Kate" or "what da heck?"

I'm grateful that there is a four year space between her and the twins because it means that I get her all to myself during the day. She's my little buddy. I love driving in the car and just when I'm starting to get into a radio program or a song, I'll hear her pipe up and say "look at da pretty leaves Mom" and then after I oooh and aaah at the pretty leaves, she'll mutter "she likes it!"

I love watching her do sign language, especially when she signs "firefighter."

So today I'm grateful for Halle and the blessing she is to our family. I'm grateful for the doctors and technology that helped make her life possible. I'm grateful that I had such a healthy pregnancy with her and that she is so healthy and happy.

I'm grateful for what an awesome baby she has been - she was absolutely perfect! I think the Lord knew that I could only handle so much and he took it easy on me. She was another little miracle baby for us and there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for her. There also isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel a little tinge of panic in my heart at how fast she is growing up. And it's that feeling of panic that makes me just want to slow down, and enjoy every second with her.

Halle, you rock!!!

Gratitude: Utah 48, BYU 24

Today I'm grateful for this video that my little brother Carter sent me. I was kind of having a crappy day until I saw this and it reminded me how grateful I am that the Utes beat the Cougars. Life is good!

31 Days of Gratitude

Our cute friend Marianne did something so cool on her blog last month, and I want to do it on mine for the month of December. I'm challenging myself to post every day about something I'm grateful for. This is so good for me, because lately I seem to have a problem verbalizing anything that may cause me to get emotional, which either results in "the ugly cry" (as witnessed by my family last Thanksgiving) or just completely shutting down and not talking at all in order to avoid "the ugly cry," which is what happened at Thanksgiving this year.

So I guess that today, I'm especially grateful for this blog and the opportunity it gives me to communicate my gratitude for the many, many blessings that I have. I used to be so good about writing in my journal from the time my parents gave me one at my baptism up until right after Eric and I got married, and then I stopped - I don't really know why. Maybe it's because Eric LOVES to talk things out and is such a good listener, that he became my emotional outlet and confidant. Or maybe I just got lazy. Anyway, I wish that I would have kept it up and blogging, for me at least, is the perfect way to document our lives and my thoughts all in one place.

So stay tuned . . . so many, many things to be grateful for!