Thankful Thursday

This week I've been thankful for the bus. We have had some days of bad weather this week, and I just HATE driving in the snow. On Tuesday morning the snow was so bad that even the bus was spinning out on the bad roads. I would have been a nervous wreck if I was driving myself to work. But since I was taking the bus, didn't have to deal with it. I only had to get as far as the bus stop, and then I could let someone else stress over it all.

Plus, the bus lets me get caught up on my sleep. Every morning, I get on, sit down, and take a little nap on the way to work. On the way home, I usually read for a little bit and then take another little nap. I'm grateful that I get that chance to get a little extra rest, since I never have that chance once I pick the kids up from daycare!

Works for Me Wednesday

A co-worker of mine has a nifty little hot/cold pack that she uses when she has a headache or sore muscles. She stores it in the freezer at work, so it's ready if she needs a cold pack. And if she needs a heat pack instead, she just throws it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

So last weekend when Aaron's stomach was bothering him, he wanted to put a heating pad on it at bedtime. Then we remembered that it's not really a good idea to go to sleep on a heating pad. That's when I remembered Sally's hot/cold pack. It's just stuffed with rice. I have rice at home. I don't have a nifty little chenille cover like hers, but I did have one of Aaron's big tube socks.

Voila, 5 minutes later we had a hot/cold pack of our own. It doesn't look as nice as Sally's, but it sure works well. I've been using it for my sore face after having a tooth pulled and it's really nice because it conforms to my face better than a heating pad would.

So that's what works for me this week! For lots of amazing tips, or to add your own, visit Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.

Seeing Santa

The kids got a chance to see Santa last weekend. They had fun, and not a tear from any of them!

Thankful Thursday

I love being a mom and I'm thankful for my sweet kids. There are some times that I'm more thankful than others but overall I'm so glad that I have these wonderful kids to love and look after.

But on that note, a collection of the favorite things that I've said (or heard from my friends) in the last few years. Got any good lines of your own? Share them in the comments!

TOP TEN THINGS I NEVER EVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY

10. Share Baby Jesus or I'll throw him in the trash!!
9. No, Santa is not a sneaky, peeky spy.
8. No one wants to see a booger covered french fry.
7. Yes, I can see she ate the crayons!! NOW will you flush the toilet?
6. No. Not until you finish your Cheetos.
5. Don't put Barbie's foot in my belly button.
4. You can NOT go to bed until you eat your ice cream!
3. Why is the cat covered in baking powder?
2. If you use the potty like a good kitty, you can have a bedtime story.
1. You can drive the car on my face, just don't get it caught in my hair.

Thanksgiving Visits

We went to visit Grandma & Grandpa Shields for Thanksgiving...


Haley got to hold her new baby cousin, Coby:


Brekken also visited with Coby - he stole Coby's pacifier!


Once Thanksgiving is over, it's time to get ready for Christmas! Is it Brekken Claus or Santa Brekken?

We also got to see Grandma & Grandpa Schurz and a lot of Tara's family when we all met up in Salt Lake City to go to a Utah Jazz basketball game. The kids all seemed to have fun:


Afterwards, we went to see the lights at Temple Square:


Brekken was wiped out by the end of the night!