List - I'm Thankful For

I've been so distracted by sickness that I really didn't think a whole lot of what I'm thankful for at Thanksgiving, sad but true. Ugh, even writing it I feel terrible but it happened. I or at least two other members of my family have been sick for the entire month of November. Yup. Good times had by all. BUT now that I'm feeling better I'm doing my grateful list (It doesn't include everything because that would be a crazy long list. Plus some things I'm grateful for are too personal to post on a blog).

10. Sunny days, Rainy Days (as long as I don't have to go out in it for long), Snowy Days - They're all beautiful in their own way.
9. Thoughtful People - You know, the ones that let a mother with three children, two of which are crying, go ahead of them in the line at the grocery store.
8. My home - Its perfect for us and even though its not ours I love it.
7. Wood stove - It makes everything cozy.
6. Cherry Jam - Oh my goodness its like cherry pie in a jar. Yum!
5. Music - I seriously can't help myself. Sometimes I'm singing along and don't even know it.
4. Books
3. Laughter - It really is the best medicine.
2. My big family - All of them. My parents, brother, mother and father-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
1. My little family - Jeremy, Madilyn, Emma, and Garrett. There are not words to describe my feelings for them. They range from barely controlled anger to the most tender devoted love. My life would be empty without them. They give me purpose, laughter, and make me want to be a better person.

List - The Kids Have Won

1. They've watched so much tv in the last week that they've memorized the cartoon schedule.
2. You let your 6 year old go to school wearing an outfit that looks like she got dressed in the dark.
3. You eat macaroni and cheese for more than one meal a day.
4. You eat peanut butter and jelly for the other meal.
5. Halloween candy becomes an acceptable between meal snack.
6. Clean rooms are a thing of the past.
7. Clean house is a thing of the past.
8. Clean dishes are relative.
9. Watching your 15 month old eat off the floor you think, oh good I don't have to get him another snack now.
10. You feed them chocolate cake for breakfast.

In my own defense, we're on week two of fevers and ear infections.

On Turning Thirty

To be real honest, it hasn't bothered me to be turning thirty this year until about two weeks ago. I've been looking back at my twenties and, really, I've accomplished all the things I had planned on like graduating from college, getting a job, getting married, and having children.



But a couple of weeks ago, my voice teacher suggested that I enter a certain young artists competition. The day I looked at the information was the day the applications were due. I needed to have 5 songs, at least 2 languages, memorized and ready. This year it just wasn't going to happen. But, yes, you've guessed, next year I would be too old. I'll no longer be considered a 'young' artist.


Suddenly turning thirty became something inhibiting.


More than anything I think it made me realize I am leaving behind my twenties. I'm not the youngest one at the party. I'm not the new kid in town. I've been through childbirth 3 times, been through 4 Young Women presidencies, and two productions of The Savior of the World amongst other things.


And after a couple of rough days I came to the conclusion that it's ok. I'm ready. I hope I'm wiser and don't make quite as many mistakes but chances are there a some big ones coming. A few opportunities are gone but there are so many more ahead of me.

Bring it on Thirty.

Can Anyone Tell Me?

Can anyone tell me how some random blog is now showing up on my blog updates? It isn't on my list, nor do I know these people. I'm sure they are lovely but how do I not follow their blog when I didn't sign up for it?