Thanksgiving helps me to ponder my blessings and have an opportunity to share them with my loved ones and friends. Beware- I ramble, I am not a writer and I am a run-on sentence queen. Craig says I write as though I am talking with someone- or like I speak. Who knows.

My top 10-

1- Craig- he is my everything. No matter what- we remain intact. Every single day of my life with him I have been grateful for him. He is a blessing that was placed in my life at the exact time when I needed it- then he turned into the best decision I have ever made. I think about spending an eternity with him and I am completely at peace with the thought- in fact I look forward to it!

2- Elliott- he is my miracle. I am completely aware of how much he resembles me. I do not question this at all. I know who he came from and that he is suppose to be mine and Craig's baby. He makes my life complete and whole. He is such a love. There is never a moment when I am not in awe of this little being in my life. Words can not explain.

3- Family- Mine and Craig's. The disfunctionality of my family makes me wonder sometimes what is up!- but they are MY family and they are perfect for me. Each one of them impacts my life differently for the good. I am grateful- especially for a really fun childhood with all of them in Idaho. I wish El could grow up with a little more open land and freedom like I did- ocean will do.
Craig's family has been so accepting of me and my strangeness. It is nice to be accepted and loved without judgment. They have not only taken me and added me to their family- they kind of took a package deal and added my sister, her husband and now 3 kids. Very telling of good people when they open their homes to everyone. I am so grateful that I get to live close to family. I also am so thankful to call them my friends too.

4- Shelly- having Shelly, Scott and the kids so close is one of my greatest blessings. She is someone in my life I can tell anything to and know that I will not be judged. She takes care of me as if my mom were here and I hope that I do the same for her. I can not imagine my life here in California without her and her family.

5- A Home- I am so blessed to live in Southern California- to have the beauty that surrounds me and the perfect weather all year around. I am lucky to have a home to call my own and to do with as I wish to make it a place where the Spirit can dwell and where my family and friends can come, feel the Spirit and know they are ALWAYS welcome. When Craig and I bought our home we talked at length about making it a place where all would be welcome and accepted- especially Elliott's friends. I look forward to the day when Elliott's friends hang out around the island in the kitchen and are jumping off the roof (graduated from the falls) into the pool.

6- A free country- Growing up I always loved saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I never really put much thought into it until the last 6 years. I am able to live in a free country where I can live my life the way I wish. Practice whatever religion I choose, have as many children as I choose, eat when I want- what I want, buy a home, have choices of locations to live, the list goes on and on and on. What a blessing our country is to me.

7- My body- Many of you may think I am not thankful for my body. It doesn't always cooperate with me- but it is mine and I have to do the best with what I am given. I realize to many of you I seem a little extreme in my thoughts on food, herbs, vitamins, etc. but for me- the things I do keep me going, keep me hoping, keep me happy and keep me grounded. My body is my struggle- yet I will never stop trying to work toward making it better and healthier. I am very grateful for a body that can change and heal and keep on going.

8- Stay-at-home-mom- I am so lucky to be able to be home with Elliott during the day. This is a gift that Craig has given me. I do not take this for granted. I know many women would give anything to have this with their little ones. Whenever I take Elliott to his little preschool I get a little sad leaving. I have a hard time leaving him- no matter when or where. He is my little pal.

9- Email and the Intranet- I know totally different from all of the others- but still important to me. I have a little brother on a mission for our church. I have the ability to email him as much as I want in a week and then get an email from him every Monday after he has read my weekly banter. The last few times he has emailed I have been there at the computer when they come through so we have been able to email back and forth for a little while- just like we were on the phone. For me- priceless.

I love the ability to look up anything anytime I want- directions, answers to questions, something for El and I to go do or a craft to do at home- right then right there- no waiting. We are such spoiled people. It is crazy.

10- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- this time of year I always look at as an opportunity to share a little bit of the church with everyone I know. I love the gospel. I would not be who I am or where I am without it in my life. I try to live my life cleanly and as close to right as I can. I am so far from perfect- but that is the beauty of it- everyone is- we just have the knowledge to get back on tract and become even better than before. This church binds me to my boys and my family forever. What better blessing is there than eternity with Craig and the Eldogs?

The Price of a Child

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family.

It translates into:
* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.*
That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich."

Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watching Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wishing on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck.
You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* re moving a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs,
* and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:
* first step,
* first word,
* first bra,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, So one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!Love & enjoy your children!!!!!!!

I have been tagged to post 5 things I would ask for from Santa if I were a kid now. This one was a little hard- but after thinking of it for a bit wasn't hard at all.

1- Little kids cutsie gardening tools. Plants, dirt, bugs.

2- Origami paper set. I always wanted one of those but I don't think I ever asked for it- I imagine I probably thought I wouldn't get it- looking back though I bet I would have.

3- Barbies. I was a Barbie girl. I loved her. She was rad- still is. I always wanted the latest prettiest Barbie. Too bad to all of the silly feminists that might read this- she was cool and she never made me feel like I wasn't perfect, needed different boobs, or needed to be taller- etc. However, my Barbie's were rock'in. They were fighting, getting kidnapped (scandalous) and camping. Go figure.

4- Beach Cruiser- black, solid black with something edgy on it.

5- Books- all kinds of books. Now that I have Elliott I ADORE books- even more than before. I love kids books- there are sooooo many choices and options.

Sure- might be a little boring but not to me. Maybe I'll put Barbie on my list this year just for fun. Yes, I still make a list- it is mandatory in our home. Kids at heart.

I am so stoked to have Christmas this year with Elliott. He is soooooooo excited and we have a month to go.

I am still enjoying my after Halloween purchases. These cheezers were $1.99. How could I not buy 2. This one has paid back 100 fold. I laugh every single time E or Nate walk into the room- that silly purple hood thingy just gets me.

For the first time in my mortal existence I went on a little weekend getaway with some girlfriends. Who thought this stuff up? I totally needed it. Did I accomplish much? No Did I care that I accomplished nothing? No Well- I did make a few gifts and worked on some Christmas stuff- but seriously- I haven't sat on my tush that long in FOREVER!!!!! Wonderful. Thank you girls- I loved it.

I was introduced to the roulette table. Fun. I am not much of a gambler (sorry J) but I seriously tried to enjoy the thought of loosing my meager $40 that I was tossing out there- however, it ended up to be so much fun. Up until this point I looked at extra money as clothing or something I wanted for the house- not as something to loose- so It was hard for me to look at as my "entertainment". Once I did and actually made a little money back- I realized how it can be fun. Don't worry- I didn't loose a penny. I actually walked away with $90. Don't worry- all those I went with including myself were QUITE able to walk away.

I had a lovely time and should like to incorporate some girlfriend time into my life in the future- with or without the roulette tables- that I guess will be all up to who I go with. I know- I can read half of your minds right now- HEATHENS- yes, total heathens- sometimes, life is too short.

E got another after Halloween purchase. Thanks be unto Target- $4.99 again. Love these purchases! He isn't as keen on wearing this as often as Spiderman. We shall see- he tends to be totally into something and then flip to something else entirely. It is pretty creative- he gets us all into it. The knight outfit doesn't fit me quite as well as it does E- I wish I had a picture it is pretty funny. The breastplate is up past my belly button. Attractive and knightish.

E and Nate were playing outside- one was a Jedi and one Spiderman- it was so funny. Elliott was telling me something in this one and below Nate is "getting" me. It was fabulous! They were quite creative!

After Halloween specials- LOVE them! We all love these costumes. Nate and E have been having a great time playing with them. As you can see in the action shot above.

I have been challenged to post my 5 favorite things right now- hummmm. Hard to narrow this one down. Wendy- I don't know if this will help with your Christmas shopping or not.

Photoshop- yes, photoshop. I am madly obsessed with creating some personal Christmas cards and presents for some of my favorite people.

mp3sparks.com- music is always on my list of favorite things. Especially MY own music- not kids music- my music.

Cusinart Citrus Juicer- this may be the best $25I have ever spent. I use it daily- I am a little obsessed with fresh squeezed orange juice with fresh squeezed pomegranates mixed together- or fresh OJ and fresh strawberries in a blender. Heaven.



Spiderman Muscle Costume- Nate got one of these after Halloween just for dress-ups. So E fell in love with it- had to get one- and now???? He won't take it off. He wore it down to the nature center, in the car to Nate's house, everywhere we go. I am totally bummed I didn't buy like 5 of them. The best part.....after Halloween prices! 75% off= $4.99. Total score. Pictures of Elliott donning this thing to come.



Salad Spinner- When you eat as much salad as we seem to be these days- you must have one of these! I simply adore this thing and use it every day- sometimes more than once. If you don't have one of these you are missing out!


Okay- so that was 6- and I have more. Maybe I will do another "things I love right now list". It always makes me appreciate all that I have! Happy Christmas shopping to all.

Happy Birthday Brad! This picture cracked me up- who knows who it is- but I thought it worked! We hope it has been a wonderful day! Congratulations on the house and on the lawnmower. What a day!

Elliott and I have been able to spend some extra special time with Nate, my nephew. Since Shelly has had the baby we have been picking up Nate or going out to their house to just be with Nate while Shell take a nap or does a few things she needs to be doing.
He is such a rad kid. Seriously- he is so fun and we have a great time together. He and Elliott have been having such a good time and have been playing SOOOOO well. It is kind of weird to have them playing so well and just enjoying each other.






I wish everyone could have been there to witness this- Nate was going crazy swinging on his belly and El thought is was stinking hilarious! I took a series of shots but this one makes me smile the most when I think about the scene. Elliott could hardly stop laughing. It was pretty fun!

We have been talking about Halloween for what seems life FOREVER!!! I say 8 weeks (I remember telling E one day "In 8 weeks it will be Halloween...."- Craig thinks it hasn't been that long- who knows- but it seems like it has been quite awhile. It was sooooo nice to wake up Halloween morning and answer El's daily question "Mom is it Halloween day today?" with a "yes, it is". He was so excited ALL day long. He could hardly focus. I felt so bad when the actual time from start to finish for our trick or treat adventure was like- 3 hours total. Oh well, he had a good time and that is all that counts. He is a fabulous little guy and he makes the holidays so much more exciting and fun! Love Halloween.