Finishing a goal

Loved thinking of my daily gratitudes.
Glad I actually achieved a goal of posting daily for a month.
Juju's Bday December 1
Georgia's Bday December 6
Pictures to come!!!

Target

Oh what would I do without you.
Thoughts of visiting you make me smile.
So glad you are here in Minot.

My Sweet Young Women

Tonight we had our Evening of Excellence. This is a program where the Young Women from Church present the projects that they have been working on throughout the year.  I am completely amazed at these young girls who are so talented, smart, beautiful and grounded in the Gospel.  It is a privledge to get to work with such fine youth! Truly. My heart was full.

Our Fireplace

In the cold land of North Dakota one can't go without a fireplace.
Ours in on all the time.
First thing I do is turn it on in the morning, then I go pick up Ella Joy from her bed and lay her by the fire like a little kitten.  That is where she wakes up.  All the kids get dressed around the fire.  In the afternoon the fire is back on while Noah plays piano and does his homework. And again at night after dinner and baths the kids wrestle by the fire.  Then Noah and I read on the sofa by the fire. So thankful for our easy turn on the switch fireplace that keeps us cozy and warm.

Visiting Maryiati

Recently our family has started to visit Maryiati at the nursing  home.  She is a friend from Church who is from Indonesia and has recently lost both of her legs to diabetes.  The girls love going to visit.  We play cards, board games, and she gives them a ride in her wheelchair.  She is a sweet beautiful lady and we are grateful to have her in our life.

Oh Christmas Tree

Tonight we decorated our tree.
This is one of my favorite nights of the year.
We turn on Christmas music, dance around the living room, and decorate the tree.
I remember so well doing this with all my brothers and sisters when we were young.
It is such a happy memory--acting out Frosty the Snoman was the best.
I hope to pass this joy and love on to my wee ones!

Responsible Babies

Today I am grateful for sweet Georgia.
My almost 2 year old who asks me to put  her to bed.
She will tell me to get her baba (don't judge) and her pappy (pacifier) and then will run around the house telling every family member good night, kiss them, and then runs enthusiastically to her room.

Washing Machine

Today I did 10 loads of laundry and I am so grateful for the washing machine and that I didn't have to scrub them by hand outside in the freezing temperatures.  So I guess that means I am also grateful for our nice warm house.

Happy Thanksgiving

People who make your life Happy!

Sounds of Sleeping Children

Tonight I laid with Ella Joy and tickled her face and we listened to Juju softly snore.
It was so sweet.
How beautiful the sounds of sleeping children.

Tender Hearts

Ella Joy has a tender heart.
Her emotions are always right on the surface.
Last night we told her that my mom was leaving today and she burst into tears.
She made my mom promise that she would wake her up at 5:30 am to say goodbye.
So at 5:30 this morning Ella Joy is in tears hugging my mom and sending her belly hearts as David drove her to the airport. When I picked her up from school she was sad and said that it is just not the same without Christie. Noah said the same thing. Juju asked why she couldn't go with her.

One thing is certain is that my mom is VERY loved here.

Thanks for everything!

Recrossing Paths

Today I am grateful for recrossing paths.
7 years ago we met the Nelson family as we both started residency.
After 3 years they moved to Arizona and it was so sad--not knowing if we would see them much again.  As we said goodbye Lindsay and I joked that maybe when we were all done we would be neighbors. Hoping that maybe... but thinking not likely.

Now 4 years later and all done with residency and fellowships
 we are"neighbors" by North Dakota standards.  Lindsay and her family recently moved to Bismarck so we are in the same Stake (Church area).

Today they came by for dinner. Noah enjoys having some tough boys to play with and Lindsay and I were able to catch up.  Matt and David went to Church meetings together.

We are so glad to have them nearby.

It just made me realize that you never know when paths might cross again.

Never of us ever imagined we would be meeting up in North Dakota.

iPhone

My new phone has finally arrived.
I've been using my cracked screen,colorless,broken phone for 2 months waiting til it was time to upgrade.
And it finally arrived!
Hooray!
Blogging from my phone.

Yoga

Today I am grateful for yoga.
I love it.
It makes me feel good.
It connects me with the person that I want to be.
Not that I am  always that person.
But I get a glimpse of the inner calm and peace that is possible.

Today and for the next 2 days I am doing Yogafit training course.
So nice that they are here in Minot.
So in the true spirit of yoga I invite you to go lie on your back take 10 deep belly breaths and notice how different you feel.  I promise you will.

Namaste.

Vampire Babies

Tonight the saga ends.
Its taken 4 books and 5 movies.
Finally I get to see a vampire baby.
This is all I have been wanting since the first book.

Fun tights

Fun flowery tights that cover pasty white knees in just the right way.

Home Sweet Home

I have to agree with Dorothy, "there's no place like home!!"
So happy to see the kids.

Time with David

Finally done with his conference David had some time to explore with me.
After buying David 2 new suits for an outrageously discounted price (the store was closing and getting rid of everything) we headed over to the Field Museum, Chicago's Natural History Museum.  There we met Sue, the largest most complete T-Rex in the world. It was an amazing museum and I'm  excited to take the kids back one day.  On the way back to our  hotel we walked through Millenium Park and got to see Cloud Gate.  

Amazing Animals

We visited the downtown Chicago ward.

I always love to go to Church when we are out of town.

In every prayer that was offered they prayed for the new building that will be built.

They are currently meeting in a school building.

Evidently there are plans to build an 8 story structure right near the Magnificent Mile.

Sounds exciting!

In the afternoon we visited the Lincoln Zoo.

The last picture was a sweet gorilla mamma loving  her baby.

Absolutely adorable.

MOTHERS

Today I am grateful for MOTHERS.
All mothers! but especially my mother who loves to come and care for my kids.
The lit up revolving MOTHERS sign is spinning in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art.The MOTHERS sign was designed by Martin Creed who said mothers are the most important! I can agree with that.
I thought that perhaps there was a special exhibit on mothers but inside we just found single block lego tower and painted yellow x's that I have a hard time understanding as art. There was a cool oblong staircase....
We took a swim in the fancy swimming pool which was the best part of are very overpriced accomodations. We finished the day by seeing the play, The Book Thief, at the Steppenwolf Theatre. This is one of my favorite books and it was amazing to see it brought to life on stage.

Colorful Stores

David was at conferences all day so Jaymie came for 2 days to keep me company.
Friday we headed shopping along the Magnificent Mile which has every shop you can imagine.
I loved looking at how different stores present their products--the colors, the layout.
After several hours of shopping we filled our bellies and headed to the top of the John Hancock building which is the 3rd tallest in Chicago. It also had a great view of the city. At the end of the day we met up with David, grabbed some middle eastern food and went to Sportz Comedy improv show.

Beautiful Art

Today David and I arrived in Chicago.
He has an ophthalmology convention this weekend so we came a day early and will stay for a few extra days to make it a little vacation.
I was giddy to get here.
I love exploring new cities.
David bought me 2 travel books and on the plane at 5am I was planning our day.

First we took an architectural tour down the Chicago River.
It was interesting, educational, beautiful, and cold.
My question for the  guide: "What building was on the movie Adventures in Babysitting?"
He didn't know the answer so now I am investigating.

Next we went to the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the US.
Recently it was bought by someone else and has been renamed the Willis Tower.
The view was amazing and the clear ledge was really scary.

To finish the day we headed to The Art Institute of Chicago.
I love walking around museums.
My 2 favorite pieces were Thanksgiving by Doris Lee and The Child's Bath by Mary Cassatt.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Not that my heart didn't already adore my bald beauty but I am counting down the hours til my mom and Georgia arrive.  The kids are so excited.  David is so excited!! We are going to buy balloons and make her favorite dinner--Orange Ginger Chicken with Jasmine Rice.  Oh I can hardly wait for 4:45 today....

Freedom

I know its kind of an obvious answer on voting day.
But truly I am grateful to live in a country where every voice counts.
I love our country. I love being an American.
And all though it is far from perfect....
I am proud to be an American!!!

Art Class

Ella Joy is my super creative child.
She loves art, crafts, and cooking.
When I asked her what afterschool activity she wanted to do she said, "Art."
There isn't much offered here but one of the things the local musuem does is a program called Bedtime Art.  Every other Monday night at the Taube Museum children come at 7 pm in their pajamas.  Margi, the wonderful education director, reads a story and then they do an art project.  Tonight they did printmaking.
Ella Joy was in heaven.
Juju had a great time too.

Skype

Georgia is away in SC visiting my mom.
And the whole family misses her ALOT.
David keeps asking when she is coming home.
Ella Joy carries her picture around.

JuJu has finally admitted that she misses her too and wants her to come home.
As for me I can't wait to kiss that beautiful bald head.
So I am grateful for Skype that we get to talk, blow kisses, make heart signs, and roll our tongues with her even though she is miles and miles away.

Organized Closets

I know I'm a nerd.
But a super organized closet brings me amazing satisfaction.
Today I organized the closet under the stairs.
I gave away about 50 VHS, old clothes,toys, and stuffed animals. 
Two big bags of junk are on the way to Goodwill.
I feel lighter just thinking of it.

Snow! Oh me Oh my!!

New Month

For the month of November I am going to try and post one thing each day  that I am grateful for.
I thought it would be a good way to express my gratitude during this month of Thanksgiving.

So the first thing I am grateful for:
A fresh new calendar page.
A new month.
Blank.
For a few minutes anyways.
Ready to be filled with lessons, appointments, games, visits, trips...
I love the first day of  a new month!

October

October flew by.
We started the first weekend enjoying an amazing General Conference.
I think it may have been the best I have ever listened to.
I loved so many talks but the 2 that stand out most to me were given by
Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Holland. 
They each last about 20 minutes but are so moving, inspiring, and uplifting.

October was also spent running. Noah, Ella Joy, and JuJu all ran cross country.
The city puts on a meet every Monday night for preschoolers - 6th grade.
Noah has become quite a good runner.
Despite have one leg that is a little shorter that the other, his sheer determination and super competitve nature makes him push himself hard.  His best time in the mile was 6:37.
He also finished his first 5K.

Ella Joy runs because she wants a treat at the end.
Its not her favorite thing but she does it.
She found out to get a rainbow ribbon you have to finish last so she walked for one of the meets.

JuJu is a little athlete and tried her best.
She loved getting a ribbon and it was fun to see her running along side David.

The third weekend in October I got to take a quick trip home to visit family.
All the Stier girls went down to the beach to visit with Tracy and Gail.  It was so good to see them.
My uncle Tracy was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in his liver.
He continues to be his happy and optimistic self.
It was truly inspiring to be with him and see his deteremination to enjoy each day to fullest.

And of course we finished the month off with all the Halloween festivities.
Our neighborhood is a happening place.
I think the rumor has spread pretty quickly that one of our neighbors gives full size candy bars and another gives cans of soda so there were over 200 trick or treaters.
We had a post trick or treating dance party in our playroom, David was our DJ.
We also had out blow up castle going in the gargage, bobbing for apples in the bath tub, crafts, and lots of yummy  food. It was fun!!!

 David's new running buddy

 Showing off  her rainbow ribbon

 I'm gonna puke face..

 Finished his first 5K at the Zombie Race

 Dressed for the Trunk or Treat

 Juju went from Wonder Woman to Snow White, Ella Joy the ghost princess

 Noah was afro Jack

 Porch decor, thanks mom and Valerie

Jumping in the garage