THANKSGIVING!!!

Thanksgiving was great!
We've had Lexi home with us-so that is the best!!!
We got together with the Bellistons. That was lots of fun. I love how they ooh and ahh over everything the boys do. It is so fun. Ashlee and Bryce were there too, they are so cute. We got to see Marlin and Kage for about an hour. That was a good surprise.
We had a yummy feast, complete with seven layer salad (Lindsey made it) and pistachio salad. (Brianne made it) And of course, pie! Banana cream (Samantha made it) Chocolate pie (Lindsey made it) and 2 oreo pies (Lexi and Emily made those) With everyone pitching in, we really pulled it off-way to go Guys.
Of course we missed our AZ family a lot. We love all of you so much. It's been a long time since we haven't gone to AZ for Thanksgiving.
Chris made his first turkey-EVER! He did a great job. (Thanks mom)
I am thankful for this holiday season to remember to have gratitude in our lives.
I am thankful for Chris-being so willing to help out. The girls being so willing to help out.
And of course, I am thankful for all the yummy food we got to enjoy.

November 25th, 2009

I am thankful for the scriptures. I enjoy reading them and getting that lift everyday.
I know it is one of the most important things I can do.

Today I was reading in the D&C. (section 59) I read different then most people I think...
I read the footnotes and I write it all down. I only got through 4 verses, (vs. 6-9) but I learned a lot from the footnotes.
I had 2 favorites: Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
And James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, To visit the fatherless an the widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

November 24th, 2009

I am grateful for the opportunity to see our baby! He looks healthy, he has his fingers and toes and looks good. I am grateful for the peace that information brings to me. I am grateful to be carrying this child and to be a mom. AGAIN!! :)
I am shocked that it is a boy. Seriously, shocked!
We are thinking about naming him, Andrew Marlin.
We will let that float around and see how it feels.

November 23, 2009

Let's see, I already mentioned Chris, I've mentioned my children, my family and friends...even my horse.
I think I am going to say: Donny got a perfect score!
That really made me happy today.
I am grateful for something fun that happened that made me happy today.
The end.

November 22, 2009

My bestest bud in the whole wide world! AUDRA!!
I got to talk to her today!
I am so thankful for her friendship. She is everything I want to be.
We have lots of fun together and we don't have to be doing anything.
We canned peaches together and made salsa and it was so fun being nerdy homemakers together.
When I talked to her tonight she said something that made me happy. She was being asked if I knew what my baby was and she said, "Not yet, or I would know." I know that is not really a big deal, but it is to me. It just shows me that she is confident in our friendship. :)
Bubba talks about her son all the time. He wants to play with him. Or he had a dream about him that totally cracked him up. Actually all of our kids get along well together. Camille and E---, Lindsey and C---and A---, Sam and Em and C----, even Nico and M---. All we need is a 9 year old boy. (the names have been omitted to protect the innocent)
She is like a sister to me.

November 21, 2009

Saturdays-no schedules to keep. Sleeping in, enoying the activities we WANT to do.

Chris and Emily went to the BYU football game. Lindsey and Camille went to a movie and dinner with Anayas. Brianne went to Kaitlins for a party.

I am thankful for a fun filled day. To be able to spend time playing, relaxing and making memories.

I am thankful for my clean floor-we all cleaned it together-the girls "skated" and it is shiny. :)

I am also thankful for chocolate chip cookies. Emily made some tonight for Marlin and Kage. They came over and watched a game with Marlin.

Fun, fun.

A fun day!

November 20th (I missed yesterday)

I missed yesterday because I was in a bad mood. I told Chris I needed to do my blog, but I didn't know what to write yet.
So today, as I was doing my outside chores, putting the horse out, checking on the chickens and just enjoying the beautiful day, I looked at my land.
That is what I am thankful for, all that I have. My 4 & 1/2 acres, my horse, my chickens, dogs, puppies, fruit trees, just my whole yard in general. I love my house and where I live.

November 19th

I am grateful for days like this...
when I am tired and not feeling too well,
that I don't have anything pressing that has to get done today.
That my boys just play in the bed while I rest.
That Chris is willing to bring pizza home for dinner, and everyone is happy about it and
I can get rejuvinated for tomorrow.
I am grateful for relaxing days-once in a while.

November 18th, 2009

Tonight Chris and I went to the Evening of Excellence for Brianne and Emily.
It was great. Brianne gave a wonderful talk and shared her testimony of the program. Brianne was in charge of refreshments and Emily took the canned applesauce and pie filling that we made during fall break. I was very impressed.
I am thankful for the programs of the church that help us set goals and improve ourselves.
We were able to go an Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday for our friends son. We took Bubba with us. When we got out of the truck Bubba said, "I am so excited about this." He is so cute. Again, it is another program to strengthen our youth and make them great leaders.
I also went to Samantha's achievement days with her, for review. Another program to help our children set goals and improve. I love it. Sam is done and has already received her reward. She can't wait for YW's in January!
I am thankful for the inspiration of our leaders. We have incredible youth that were saved for this time and they are being prepared.
I am glad that my children get to participate in such great activities.

Maggie's puppies!

The Bellistons came over and watched some of them being born. Actually, Skyler helped Maggie get one of them OUT-it was stuck. Emily and Skyler even cut the cord for one of them because Maggie was SO tired! This is Skyler holding two of them so Em could take a picture. Here is Nico holding one of them. He still insists that HE is the baby. Even though these are baby dogs. He is so funny. We have to call them puppies, not babies, or he gets mad! Seriously!

This was Emily's attempt to show the size of the puppies while Maggie went outside to do her thing. There are 5 girls and 1 boy. Camille and Karsyn had them suck on their fingers to teach them to suck and then they would put them on one of Maggie's nipples. It was SO cute. They were so excited! They had small fingers so it was working for them really well.

What an adventure! Puppies are so fun and so cute!

So, I guess today-I will be excited about our new adventure ahead of us!!! I love adventures!

November 16th, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY !!!
I've been instructed to make this post all about how wonderful Emily is. We all know she is the best, so I will leave it at that.
Today I am thankful for my testimony. I am thankful for the knowledge of a Heavenly Father who not only knows me, but loves me and wants the best for me. I am thankful for my Savior who died for me so that I can repent when I do something wrong. I know that my testimony pulls me through the challenges that I face. I am blessed to have a great life, but there are times when I get discouraged and at those times, I am thankful for the gospel and my deep belief and faith in it that I can lean on. I enjoy going to church so much. I love learning and growing. I wish the changes that I want to make would come faster than they do sometimes.
But I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow and enjoy the process of the refiners fire.
Make a great day everyone!

November 15th

Keeping in line with the whole family theme...I am grateful for Fran. She is the best mother-in-law EVER!
She has always been so kind to me. I have always felt like a part of the Marble family from the moment I married into it. Infact, she will often claim me over Chris. hee hee :)
She is so kind and thoughtful. Chris gets a lot of qualities from his mom. One being, that he doesn't raise his voice. (sports don't count) Chris is also very logical, he can explain situations and reasons for doing things or reasons for being obedient, very well. I think he got these qualities from his mom too. (this is good for parenting)
She is an awesome grandma to our kiddos too. She really lets them know how much she loves them.
Thanks Fran for being you and being so great. I love you!

November 14th

I am just feeling lucky. I am so thankful for my family. I know I have already said that, but I really am.
I am thankful that I get texts and phone calls from my sisters and my mom and my nieces. And "drop ins" from my brother and nephews. It is fun to build relationships. It is fun to share each others lives.
The little girls have been able to play with their cousins and it makes me so happy.
We all are striving for the same thing, we all love each other and want to be with each other.
I am thankful that I have the family that I do.
I can picture heaven and when I think about it-I want everyone there!!!
I am so thankful for my FAMILY!!!

Since I already said this one: I will specify my NIECES AND NEPHEWS! What a great group of kids they are and I love them all so much!!

November 13th, (friday the 13th!)

I have the most AMAZING dad in the whole world!!
My dad has always been there for me, and he has been the best example to me. I have never heard my dad swear (maybe once in jest) but seriously, never. He is gentle and patient and loyal.
My Patriarchal Blessing talks a lot about him too: "Your father, President Green, is a holy man of God. He has been called to responsible positions to serve and help prepare a wicked and adulterous generation for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...." There is more about him, but you know.
I am grateful to my dad and I love him so much!

November, 12th

I know yesterday was Veteran's Day! But I really am grateful for the people who fight, or have fought to keep us free!!!
I am grateful to live in America and I owe a lot to all of those service men and women that fight to keep us a strong country.
THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU!

November 11, 2009

I have decided that my mom must have been super valiant in the pre-existence. In the councils before we came to earth Heavenly Father said, "I am really going to test this one, she is strong, she will pass." First, she is not going to be born into a loving LDS family. Second, her dad will die when she is 8 years old (about Camille's age). Third, her stepfather will be mean to her. Fourth, her own mother will not support her. And fifth, she will live with drugs and alcohol while growing up.
I think that would give anyone an excuse to give up and not live up to their potential. (Look at her extended family) But not my mom. She is strong and she is valiant and she has accomplished A LOT!
She raised 7 children in the gospel, we are all active, we all LOVE our families, we were all sealed in the Temple. We love each other. She has served in the gospel faithfully and is now on a mission. She has made a lot of sacrifices to serve her mission. 3 Nephi 14:20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not only did she rear her own children, but many others too. We had people living with us all the time growing up or hanging out at our house and many of them had said it is because of mom and dad that they turned out the way they did.
She is a great example to me and has been the most influential person in my life. My Patriarchal Blessing talks a lot about my mom. Here is a part of it: "You will be a good wife and a good mother and you will be able to rear and care for your little children as your mother has reared and cared for you. Your mother is an honorable woman and she is like Ruth in the bible of old. She loves you with all of her heart and she is desirous that you be true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and that you emulate and pattern your life after the Savior."
I am GRATEFUL for my mom. I am lucky to have such a great mom and I love her SO, SO much!!
I love you mom!

November 10th, 20009

Brothers-what can I say, I have some great brothers. (brothers-in-law included) They are hard working, and really great dads and also great husbands to each of their wives. That is a good example to me. I think the thing that I am grateful for the most is that they are honorable priesthood bearers. I am grateful that I can go to them and ask for a blessing whenever I need one. I am glad my boys have such great examples to follow.

Bubba wanted to type his name: Bubba (good job son)

November 9th

Today I took the kids to the Skyhawk GORGE! And yes what a gorge it was....It was like 30+ places to stop and sample food. Let's see, donut holes, potato salad, nachos, kisses, hot tamales, pizza, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, chocolate dipped pretzels, butterbeer, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, snickers, meatballs, brownies, mac and cheese, apples slices and carmel, I can't think of them all. We only hit about 8 of them...my kids were overwhelmed!
Anyways, it was a Make a Wish for an 11 year old boy. So, I am thankful for 2 things from this experience...
First, That I have healthy children. I think that people with sick children are really strong. I guess they have to be, but I am still impressed by them. I am grateful for healthy children
Second, I am grateful to have a high school in my own town now. We have become such a close community now and I love all the school spirit. I am thankful for that! A new school.

So 2 things this time, but it is all about the school experience...so it's ok.

November 8th

Alexis came home last night so she could go to church and listen to Ryne. He did a great job!!!
Again, I am thankful for the spirit that I feel when I go to church.
Today I am thankful for my girls!! They are so great! They bring so much to our home. I am so lucky to have such good girls-they want to do the right thing. I am so grateful for that too. That makes my job as the parent so much easier. :) I love being a mom and having 6 beautiful daughters.

November 7th

Today Chris and I got to go to the baptism of some of the young kids in our ward. I am so glad that we went. I love watching the little ones get baptized. Camille will be next for us. Next year!! I am grateful for the sweet spirit that I felt today. I am grateful for the spirit that I am able to feel when I participate in church activites.

November-giving thanks

6. Nov. 6th: I have been thinking a lot about my sisters the past few days. (this includes my sisters-in-law) I actually prefer to call them my sisters too. I see no need for a difference. Anyway, they are all so talented and they are such good mothers. I get strength from them. I love to read their blogs and hear from them. I love all of their children and that just makes me love them more. What beautiful, strong, talented, loving, religious women I get to have as sisters!! I love them all and Iam grateful to have them as my sisters.
5. Nov. 5th: I am so thankful for my sweet husband. He is so great! I am so glad that he honors his priesthood. I love that I can count on him to give us blessings. He is still the funniest person I have ever met. I love it when he comes home. I am happy then!!! He is SO nice to me all the time-even when I do something stupid. I love him so much! I can't believe we will be celebrating 20 years in February. Fun fun!
4. Nov. 4th: My boys: I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time. Have you ever watched a 2 year old and a 4 year old wrestle? If not, you are really missing out. Bubba and Nico would dance around the bed, embrace and then fall. Bubba would be done and want to get up and do it again. Nico would keep fighting, mouth wide hoping to get a bit, grabbing ears, shirt, neck whatever he can and say, "I got him." That boy does not give up. It was hilarious and I wish I had a video camera to record it. Thanks boys, that was a great laugh!!
3. Nov. 3rd: Hank: It is his birthday today and boy do I miss him. What a good man, good dad, good father-in-law, good grandpa. I am glad that I got to know him. I am thankful that he raised such a wonderful son that I love with all my heart. Chris gets a lot of great qualities from both of his parents. He loves people and cares about them and he gets that from his papa. So today, I am thankful for Hank.
2. Nov. 2nd: I am thankful for the bus that came to pick up my girls for school, so I didn't have to take them. :)
1. Nov. 1st (sunday): I am thankful for my cozy bed that I got to take a nap in.