This -n- That!!

Nothing really special to blog about today, I'm currently on a lunch break at work at 0530 in the am, and it seems like I rarely have time to catch up on blogging at home, so.... This works!

We are counting the days till Thanksgiving!!! LITERALLY!! The kids put a big "X" on everyday that gets them closer to when their big brother gets home! : ) So sweet... Ma-lak's prayer before dinner last night went something like, "Lord, I'm glad it's only 6 more days till David comes so he can take us to the arcades!"

It's super cool this year that the kids have the ENTIRE week off next week. How relaxing.... No rushing home from work to get them to school! I have Tuesday and Wednesday off before Thanksgiving and I'm sure I'll spend the majority of that time cleaning and doing all the last minute grocery shopping that I'm putting off doing this weekend.... Looking forward to time at home just BEING..... Loving the growing contentment in doing nothing in particular, as long as I'm with my family. Thanks, Lord!

My mom had surgery yesterday morning to repair a hernia, and everything went without a hitch! She was back home that same afternoon, and my sister was able to be there with her for a few days to help her and dad out. (Miss you guys, wish I was there!) She's of course sore, and having a cold/cough doesn't really help when you've just had abdominal surgery, so please keep her in your prayers!

Hope this finds you all counting each and every blessing as a season of thanksgiving approaches! I'm reminded a million times a day, usually at work, that I'm so fortunate to have my health... Lord, please help me to not forget that or ever take it for granted!

On a fun note, the girls have begged and pleaded that I take them to see the new Disney movie "Entangled" when it opens next week. :) Oh, twist my arm! I love every opportunity for a mommy/daughter day, and it looks like a cute movie! And we'll have to throw in some black Friday shopping too, I'm sure, since I can't keep my children in clothing and shoes faster than they outgrow them! Here's Ya'shar's four-year-old philosophy on hand-me-downs: "Mommy, how come when Ma-lak keeps getting bigger his clothes keep getting smaller and then I have to wear them? I don't like it!" Hilarious!

Blessings to you all!

Mermaid 10K Run - San Francisco!

Here are a few pictures from a perfectly beautiful weekend! (I'll post the rest on facebook - it's a little easier!)

This was truly one of the most fun and relaxing and all-around enjoyable runs I've ever done! So close to the water we could feel the ocean spray on our faces as the waves crashed a few feet away!

And thanks to my family who got up REEEAAALLLLY early to come and cheer us on! I love you!!!

Me, Just a-Lovin' the Fall!!!

This really truly is my favorite time of the year.... Here's another Top Ten List of things I love about fall (because it's just fun this way!!)

10. You get to use words like "crispy" and "brisk" without sounding corny.

9. Time to turn on the fire place!

8. It just LOOKS beautiful...

7. I'm a scarf person, and it's time to break out the scarves!

6. The best food of the year is served during the fall.

5. It means we're getting closer to Christmas break and I like it when my kids are home with me!

4. I always volunteer to bake something with pumpkin in it for potlucks at work. Have I ever mentioned I like to bake??!!

3. No one makes a mean tur-duck-en like me husband.

2. Two words: apple cider. No wait, I don't like apple cider. How about: hot chocolate!!!

1. Trees. It's all about the trees!! (See the following post for reference!)

Sunsets, Sushi, and Somewhat Spoiled Sons

Here's a "hodge podge" of pictures that I've randomly taken from the last week or so!


We had a warm spell and the weather changed off and on several days ago, and I don't know if that's why, but we had the most gorgeous sunsets!! Our house faces north, so if you're not outside at the right time, you might miss a sunset, but I finally was able to snap a few pictures!

And speaking of things with perfect colors, I found the most beautiful tree.... I have some great memories from when I was a teenager of taking long walks in the woods and using up 2-3 rolls of film at a time taking pictures of trees with gorgeous colorful leaves! So when I saw this one I begged Daryle to pull over and take a picture of me with it. :) He's such a good husband, he humored me, which really says a lot because this tree was in none other than the Walmart parking lot...

So with all this warm weather it's been so fun to get out and about on my days off. And with the house almost empty of children Ya'shar is relishing the quality one-on-one time with mom and dad while the other kids are in school. Friday he said, "Hey Daddy, I have a great idea. Let's go eat some sushi but we gotta hurry because those other guys will be home soon and we don't want them to go." Well he's honest! So we headed to our favorite sushi spot and watched that little guy put away an entire beef bento box all by himself. Love that dude!

More 10K Pictures

Enviro Sports hired a photographer to take pictures of us during the run last weekend, which I thought was pretty cool cuz you can't really take pictures of yourself... :) The scenery was so breath-taking and I thought the pictures really captured it!