Thanksgiving

As I loaded five kids into the van to head to my sisters house on the day before Thanksgiving on possibly icy/snowy roads, I wondered if it was really worth all the effort to spend a night at her house and to travel for Thanksgiving. Wouldn't it be easier to stay at home? Yet once we arrived, I don't think I saw the kids. They disappeared with their cousins. They played basketball. They played cops and robbers using plastic hangers as guns. They went sledding and didn't really care about dinner but were eager to resume their playing. Even as we left and they had been going non-stop and I thought they must be tired, they were asking, "Why do we have to go?" I have to say I enjoyed myself just as much talking with my sister as we were cooking in the kitchen. We don't talk often yet there is always things to talk about when we get together and things that I know my sisters will understand when others won't. I was grateful for family and it helped me remember Thanksgiving is more than just turkey :)

Bridger's birthday

It was Bridger’s birthday this week. We celebrated for 3 days. I made his cake on Thursday (his real birthday) becauseI told him that he had to have cake on his b-day. It was too crazy to do much else that night (pack meeting, hockey, and ym pres meeting). The cake was from a cooking show on PBS called “America’s Test Kitchen.” They try out recipes to find the best of whatever it is that they are making and try out kitchen ware as well. I like it. I found the best chocolate chip cookie recipe on there and can’t wait to make them again. Friday we had both of our parents over for a b-day dinner and he opened his presents. Saturday we went to Harry Potter as his choice of activity to celebrate his birthday. We also had the first snowfall of the season. It is always exciting for the kids. It makes me want to curl up in front of a fire with a blanket and a book. That is how I enjoy the snow.

Golden Ticket

"I've got a golden ticket! I've got a golden chance to make my way, and with a golden ticket, it's a golden day!" I didn't get to go into a chocolate factory yesterday but I did indulge in eye candy for my house. I went to Salt Lake with a friend for the day and did some shopping. I was able to get some new decor for my house and get a start on my Christmas shopping in a marathon day that would surely have caused my children to faint. I have my husband to thank for their preservation. He stayed home and gave me the credit card. I have not had a shopping day like that since I have had children and it was SO fun! Maybe the fact that I was not limited to 500 calories a day had something to do with my enjoying my day so much, too! I feel like I have much to be thankful for!

Comfort

I did several things to bring me a bit of comfort this week and none of them were my traditional comfort foods! I officially made it one week without cheating and eating any sugar in any of its devious forms! I think I deserve a prize. How about a pumpkin cheesecake from Costco? The craving still haven’t gone away but I feel a little more in control of them. I have 2 more days of shots and by Saturday I will be able to include healthy fats in my eating. Then three glorious weeks from then, I will be able to start to incorporate starches and sugar (in moderation) back into my diet. My sister keeps telling me I can do it for 40 days and lose more weight, but I would be too far into December with neighbor goodies coming in by the truckload and feeling a little helpless not to just have a taste. I will be done. I am proud of myself for making it this far. I even made no-bake cookies for treats for FHE on Monday and did not have any! I have purposely not made brownies because I think that would be too much.
We went to the temple yesterday. It always brings a sense of comfort that comes from nothing else. I enjoyed the time to talk to Bridger. I got the Halloween decorations down in time to hurry and get the Thanksgiving decorations up before Christmas comes. We started to put a dent in the Christmas shopping yesterday after our trip to the temple. I am glad to have a start at that. Christmas is a stress to me and I am glad I am taking proactive action by starting.

I am being put in as the 1st counselor in our ward primary presidency today. I love primary. I have been there before and was sad to leave. I always feel unworthy of such callings. The people who are there now are doing such a good job. It is such a trick trying to capture their attention and bring the spirit in to teach them such important truths. I am not sure how my kids will feel about me being in there. I hope it will be okay with them. Just as I was getting comfortable!