Some Things I'm Thankful For

I'm thankful for.....

...this little guy...

...and this big guy...

...and when they play how much fun they have.

My Thoughts...

I have thought long and hard about this post....only because I let what I think the judgements of others will be get to me. But I need to learn not to worry about what others will think of me. So here goes...I am not a stay at home mother. I work. I wish I was able to stay home but that just isn't possible for us right now. I read on other people's blogs about how grateful they are that they are stay at home moms. They should be. Right at this moment in time I am grateful that I have a job. With Joe looking for something else I consider it a blessing that I am gainfully employed. When I am asked if I work or stay home I say that I work. But then I feel like I need to go into an explanation of how I only work 4 days a week and why I have to work.

Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a talk in April's 2008 General Conference. In it he said, "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Click here for the talk in its entirety.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of those that got to stay home. In fact I often wonder how much of a struggle it is or just how some are able to stay home in these economic times. I struggle everyday with not being home with my son. But I know that he is in good hands while I am away as a very dear friend of ours watches him. But I take comfort in knowing that I am a good mother and wife. I do what I can to be the best that I can. And I know that my husband and child don't love me any less when I'm not at home. I only ask that you not judge those of us that don't have the privilege of being home.

Thankful Thursday

1. We all know that Joe is the culinary genius of our family....but I do love to bake! I'm thankful that Joe really does like my baking. I love it when he tells me, "These are so good! When are you going to make more?" Right now he and Zachary are both loving my scrumptious pumpkin cookies.

2. I'm thankful for our food storage. In making said cookies I had all of the ingrediants at home. I love it when I don't have to go to the store. I seriously have issues with grocery shopping...I HATE IT! I dread going. But I do pride myself in our little bit of food storage and am thankful for our good sized pantry and under the stairs storage to keep it all. Here are two awesome websites discussing food storage....Everyday Food Storage and Safely Gathered In.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for a husband that makes the bed every morning (that's right I said EVERY morning) and that he emptied the dishwasher this morning.

2. I'm thankful for Zachary's hugs and kisses. I get hugs all of the time but kisses I have to beg for. When he runs up to me to give me a hug it is so forceful that he almost knocks me over. I'm glad that he loves me so much.

3. I'm thankful for Thursdays. Two words....Grey's Anatomy...need I say more?!

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum downtown last week...aka Discovery Gateway. I had taken Zachary a few months back when his cousins were in town and he liked it then but it seemed to be a whole new experience this time around. We got a six month pass. I think that it was a bit pricey. BUT...when you weigh in the fact that the snow is coming and I don't want to be cooped up in the house with an almost 2 year old...I'm sure the it will pay for itself real quick. Joe hadn't been before so needless to say we weren't there for nearly three hours because of my son. How do you like the tongues and look of concentration on both of their faces? Priceless.

Sadly...

...we received word this week that the restaurant will be closing its doors today.

I'm sad for Joe. He put so much hard work into it and now he has to see it close. It had nothing to do with the food...as they have been quite busy this week. But there were other factors involved, including that of the economy. I know that he will find something soon. He is just that talented. And although I am his wife and can say that...I know that I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I ask for your prayers as I have been praying so hard myself this week. I did find some comfort and spiritual enlightenment that you can find here.

I know that the Lord knows and loves us. He will help us thru this bump in the road of life. And just as Elder Wirthlin said, "Come what may, and love it."

What Is This Stuff?

SNOW!!!! We got some snow on Tuesday. Usually I freak out when the postman walks across our yard making footprints in the snow (drives me crazy...I know I have issues)...but you should have seen our yard after Zachary was done. He was so curious about the snow and wanted to stay outside as long as possible. I still need to get him some boots and was concerned that his feet were going to be soaked by the time we went in the house. But thankfully they were dry. I'm totally enjoying this age of curiosity and discovery.

Little Bit More Hawaii...

I love this shirt! We bought it in Kauai just before we left to come home.

What I Loved About My Vacation

Here are a few things that I loved about my Kauai Vacation:

-Zachary's mellowness (is that a word?)
-Eating fresh fish nearly every meal
-Saving up the money to actually go on this trip
-Relaxing on the beach
-Watching Joe and Chris reminise about "old times"
-My camera
-Listening to Joe try to pronouce every street or city we came across
-Joe wanting to immerse himself in the culture
-Listening to island music every time we were in the car
-Eating at all of the "local places" we could find
-And to go along with that...not caring about the scale as we were eating
-Never eating the same thing twice
-The sunsets
-Footprints in the sand
-Dreaming up our next family vacation
-Zachary eating EVERYTHING
-Rain only occuring at night
-The beauty of the island

And most importantly...

SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH MY FAMILY!

Kauai Vacation: Day 5

This day we drove up the West side of the island to specifically get to Waimea Canyon. Otherwise known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific"
It was breathtaking! I've never been to the Grand Canyon (I know hard to believe) but this was amazing. Joe said that this doesn't even scratch the surface of the Grand Canyon.

Yes, even Monkey himself made it on this trip with us.

On our way back we stopped in Hanapepe at the Swinging Bridge.

This thing scared the crap out of me. Try walking across it with a toddler running and a big guy trying to keep up with him. The bridge was bouncing like crazy!

Zachary liked it so much that he cried when we walked back to the car.

We then drove to Po'pui to eat lunch and some shaved ice. I didn't really care for the shaved ice...too sweet...but when in Rome do as the Romans. So we had to a least let Zachary try it.

Our next stop was the Spouting Horn. We had seen it from the water when we were on our dinner cruise a few night before but wanted to get a closer look. The water rushes in from the left side of the picture and then comes out like you see. But the noise as the water is rushing thru really does sound like a loud horn.

Zachary could have cared less about the Spouting Horn...there were chickens to chase!

It had been a long day and he was tuckered out.

Thank you Kauai! You were good to us!

Mahalo!

Kauai Vacation: Day 4

Did I mention that our dear sweet boy was up every morning between 4 to 4:30? I guess he just didn't want to get off schedule. So thank goodness for the DVD player...Zachary and I would get up and watch a movie and then he would be down for a nap by 7. Then off on our daily adventures!
Now that all of the wedding festivities were over we had the next two days to ourselves. So we decided to head on up to the North Shore and explore. Our first stop along the way was in Kilauea were there is a lighthouse. Unfortunately, we were too early for the gates to be open and actually get down to the lighthouse so we just took pictures from the lookout point.

We then stopped in Hanalei for some breakfast. Zachary pretty much refused to drink out of any sippy cup this trip. He did pretty good with a straw in a cup as long as there wasn't too much in the cup.

The drive was gorgeous. In fact I too busy looking at everything to even think about pulling out the camera. But we did stop at this place called the Limahuli Garden. My understanding is that parts of the movie South Pacific were filmed here. It was so pretty. I think it is about a mile or so loop thru the entire garden. But there were lots of tropical flower and fruit trees...and lots of plumeria. I LOVE PLUMERIA!

Zachary walked a lot on this little hike but then got a ride on his dad for some parts.

We continued our drive up the North Shore and when we got there the beaches were closed due to the winds and high surf. All of the locals were getting back in their trucks with their surfboards with a huge look of disappointment on their faces. Zachary was wiped out as we headed back to our place for a little bit.

The Church is true in Kauai too! This building was right across the street from where we were staying. We actually came across 3 different buildings admist our travels there.

We decided to go back to Lydgate Beach to spead the afternoon. I finally got Zachary to sit in the sand. We threw rocks into the water for quite a while while Joe went snorkling just down the beach.

This day was so relaxing. I think that it might have been our favorite day on the island.