HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here's a (very short) list of things I'm grateful for:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ
My family--husband, parents, sisters, children, and in-laws
Our health
Great friends
My country and those who fight for it and have fought for it
My education.
That I am able to stay at home with my kids

I should have done this earlier in the month so I could have had a list of 100, but I didn't have the idea till just now, and of course, I don't have a lot of time.

I hope everyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving and finds many things to be grateful for!

Anonymity

So, lately I've been thinking about anonymity on the net, and about going private, and about posting pictures of my children and their names, etc. You know, it is kind of weird that here I am, keeping a journal where everyone and anyone can read it. And posting pictures that anyone can copy. But, I really love being able to share things online like this--and I love reading others' blogs, too. In the beginning I was careful about not using my children's names, and I still wonder how harmful it is. I mean, even though just about everyone reading this knows my last name, I don't post that for every Joe to know. And I don't post my street address. I don't think I've even really posted the city I live in, though the state might be kind of obvious. I think for the most part, people visiting here are doing so for benign reasons, but you never really know for sure, right? Anyway, I guess my point in all these rambling, paranoid thoughts is that I'm not going to use my kids names (or family members, too, since they might not want their names used). I'm not so paranoid that I'm going to blur the names on my kids' birthday cakes or go private (yet), but I am going to edit some past posts. And, if you want to know the nicknames I'll use for the kids, take a look in the previous post of their school pictures.

Going to put on my tin-foil cap now....

Birthday Party pictures

Have I complained about my camera here? Well, it's so stupid I'm gonna complain again. I can take a dozen pictures and only 2 or 3 will turn out. Something about an "unrecognized file format". What the hey? Why is my camera taking pictures in an unrecognizable file format? I don't get it. Supposedly it has to do with a problem with the memory card, but even when that is empty, I still get this message. I've tried reformatting the memory card and using a new memory card--all to no avail. I need a new camera. I took tons of pictures of the boys opening their presents, but only two of Lemur turned out. None of Mister. :( That's why pictures of him opening presents are lacking. Stupid Kodak camera.

School Pictures

My Wonderful Kids:

Buddy (6th grade)

Missy (6th grade)

Bug (3rd grade)

Lemur (preschool)

Mister (preschool)

family pictures

We had some family pictures taken today. Lemur was being "shy", as he later told us. We had a devil of a time trying to get him to even look at the camera. Oh, well. It captured how he was feeling at the moment!

Birthday Cakes!

This year the boys wanted rocket cakes for their birthday.
Mister and his cake

Mister wanted a traditional rocket cake.

Lemur and his rocket cake.
Lemur's was a "Little Einsteins" rocket cake.

(Pictures of opening presents and blowing out candles to come.)

Photoshop

I've been playing with Photoshop today, and it's been tons of fun. My sister told me about her friend who had created all sorts of neat things using the same version I have. She pointed me to the tutorials on Bloggin' with Bobbi, and I have to say, it was very easy and fun! If I can do it, anyone can!

Here's what I created (and in much less time than it would have taken to do with paper scrapbooking!):

There are a few little things I need to tweak (like the size of the scalloped paper, etc)but I'm learning the ropes and loving it!

Yum!

A couple weeks ago, when we were in Dugway, my dear SIL made the yummiest Carmel Crunch Bars. These things are delicious! I made some last night, and they didn't last long. Something about caramel, peanuts, pretzles, marshmallows, and chocolate. (And graham crackers.) Yum!

Books

It's been a long time since I've read a really good book--the kind of book that keeps you thinking for days or weeks after you've finished it. The Kite Runner was such a book for me, as was A Thousand Splendid Suns, by the same author. The Good Earth and Uncle Tom's Cabin are a couple others that come to mind. Recently I've re-read several books that I've enjoyed in the past, and I'm always reading (or re-reading) books with my older kids.

But, I just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and that book has been on my mind for days. For anyone who has not read it (you should, it's great), it is about a young foster girl living in a village outside of Munich, Germany during WWII. I've though a lot about the courage of people who survived WWII--the Allies who fought, the Germans who resisted the Nazis, and especially the Jews. I wonder if I would have had the courage to stand up for my beliefs in the face of so much danger and uncertainty. I can't even imagine the hardships people went through during WWII. This book has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for all those who fought for the freedoms of others.

If you feel so inclined, post a comment about your favorite book. I'm always looking for great books to read.

Ready to Quilt!

I guess, technically, I need to sew the backing before I can quilt. But, soon enough!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Last night we had our traditional Halloween dinner at our friends' house, which consisted of soup, bread, yummy bread dip, and cookies. And Halloween candy, of course. We had a delicious chili, and broccoli cheese soup that I made for the first time yesterday. It was surprisingly easy, and turned out very well. (I blended the broccoli and onions together after they were cooked, before adding the cheese.) We had a great time eating and giving out candy to trick-or-treaters!

November Jog Log

11/15--3.5 mile jog

11/13--3.63 miles on the elliptical

11/12--2 miles on the elliptical

11/8--4 mile jog/walk

11/7--4 mile jog

11/5--2.75 miles on the elliptical

11/4--2.5 miles on the elliptical

11/1--3.86 mile jog

Previous Jog Log

So, I was thinking my jog log is getting kinda lengthy--which is a good thing, right? So, I've come up with a plan to post a new log every month and add to it. This way it will archive and won't be just a run-on list at the end. So, here's what I've done from August to the end of October. From now on I'm gonna try the monthly thing. If that doesn't work, I might start a separate exercise blog. We'll see.

10/29--3.75 mile jog *wow*

10/28--3 mile jog

10/23--3.37 mile jog

10/17--5 mile (?) hike

10/16--2 mile jog

10/15--3.2 mile jog

10/13--2.5 mile jog/walk

10/9--3 mile jog

10/7--2.8 mile jog

10/2--2.5 mile jog

9/30--2.83 mile jog

9/21--2 mile walk

9/19--3.5 miles on the eliptical

9/18--jogged 2.5 miles

9/17--jogged 2 miles (yes, on my birthday...had to cancel out the cake I was going to eat!)

9/16--jogged 2.5 miled w/ Ben

9/4--biked 4.5 miles w/ Ben

9/2--biked 4.5 miles w/ Ben

8/28--biked 3 miles to the school and back with Ben (for Back To School night)

8/26--biked 3.5 miles

8/25--biked 2(?) miles w/ Melissa

8/17--walked 1/2 mile w/ the family

8/14--jogged 2 miles w/ Ben

8/8--3 games of racquetball w/ Ben

8/6--biked 4 miles w/ Ben

8/5--jog/walked 1.8 miles w/ Ben

8/4--jogged 2 miles w/ Ben and walked 1.5 miles w/ Melissa