Little Miss

HaPpY tHaNkSgIvInG!!!

What a great day! We are so happy to have Amy, Dave and their girlies here....Thanksgiving is so much better with family. In light of today....

10 things I am THANKFUL for:

10. A home that is mine and full of all the things that make it warm, inviting and comfortable. Mr. Williamson's special touches make it that much more special.

9. A job- right now, we are thankful that people want to go to school and that in January I still have a place of employment.

8. Family- we couldn't be more blessed. It is funny, as you age, your definition of family expands, changes and soon encompasses people that, by DNA, aren't relation, but you can't image your existence without.

7. A functioning body- I got up and went for a run this morning. How thankful I am for legs that propel me. I am grateful for my eyes to see the darling creation known as Mckinley. I am thankful for my sense of smell and taste and that I can enjoy all the pies, rolls and pit turkey I can handle.

6. The Gospel- there is no comparison to a testimony of knowing where I came from, where I am going and that I have a constant support system throughout my life. I am grateful that I KNOW I can be with my family forever. I KNOW that prayer is a real, tangible communion with God and I KNOW that the Savior died for me. He knows me personally, individually and loves me.

5. The gift of creativity- in no way should be this be construed as boasting :) I truly love to make things with my hands. The new thing are bows for Mckinley...man, who would have thought they were so easy! :)

4. Technology- web cams for the grandparents...truly amazing.

3. Mark Steven- my friend, companion and soul mate. I can't wait for eternity!

2. Mckinley- what a miracle. I can't look at her and not think about how lucky we are to have her here (FINALLY!!). Such a sweet angel from heaven that brings such a peaceful spirit to our home. I can't wait to see all the accomplishments she will have and to watch her learn and grow.

1. Lastly, in no particular order, I am grateful for shopping. I love it and can't wait for Black Friday!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Turkey Day! Love you all! On to Christmas...I can hear "Muppet Christmas Carol" calling to me!

I can't believe that it has almost been a week since my last post. Sorry bloggers! I know there are quite a few of you (Mimi included hehe) that need pictures on a daily basis. Sorry I have failed you! ;)

This past week my really good friend from 8th grade Melanie came to stay a few nights. She is a sweetheart and quite the traveler...not everyday you meet someone who just up and goes to Borneo :)

Last night we went and rocked out @ the Stephens- here is Mr. Cyclone himself, Dallin holding Mckinley. He kept saying "BeeBee needs haircut" which caused my heart to sing as my child has hair!!

This was just a picture of Mckinley in her sunglasses (Thanks Aunt Becci)...what child in Arizona doesn't need sunglasses? Funny, she opened her mouth like she wanted to eat them. I could just eat her up!!

Angry Explosion...

This video pretty much sums it up...who knows where angry days come from and who knows where they go to fester until the next time they peer their ugly little heads.

Today just was one of those days...I did absorb most of it reading "The Secret Life of Bees" and I thoroughly enjoy it.


At least there is a small bit of humor and nostalgia in this video. Enjoy and brighter days to come :)

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/hulu/vi3990159385/

Babies for Bono

Start them while they are YOUNG...Mckinley sporting her U2 custom onesie. Too soon to tell if she will be a BONO or The Edge fan but she is a music fan- today we rocked out to "Human" by The Killers and she was soothed. Slept. Calm.

Bits and pieces

Me and the BEAN...how lovely a nap...when my eyes are closed the bags under my eyes are completely unnoticeable ;)

Our dog Cory- he is feeling neglected with the new baby but is still such a good boy.

Mark's dad and Step Mom here from Utah. Quite the Scrabble contenders :) It was nice to have them here. Now a few weeks of just me, Mark and the baby and then more guests...it keeps your house clean, your fridge stocked and a happy, anticipation :)

The Mystery Castle

G and Chris (Mark's dad and Step Mom) are in town from Utah this weekend. So many visitors, we are truly blessed! Yesterday was Mckinley's first big outing- oh the stories, considering we took her to a place we refer to as "the Junk House".

Mark and I discovered this gem of a landmark a few years ago and took my grandparents there. G wanted to go and see the Frank Lloyd Wright house..alas, I couldn't part with the $32 PER PERSON price tag to tour a house with a triangular swimming pool. The $5 admission fee for the Mystery Castle was far more appealing so that is where we went. We put Mckinley in the snuggly- Mark carried her papoose style on his chest and after she ate...she slept the rest of the time.

For those of you that don't know what the Mystery Castle is...basically a dude built this house all out of recycled stuff for his daughter, who still lives there, and hid all this stuff under a trapped door for them to open in 1945- they opened it and found all this money. The last time we went she was up in her room so we didn't get to meet her...this time she was up and about and thought Mckinley was an angel from heaven...loved her! This site gives a little more information and more pictures...funny enough Mr. Gulley who built the Mystery Castle put in 13 fireplaces and one of them is in a room where people used to get married. Pretty cool. Read more here: http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/ss/mysterycastle.htm

Here is Mary Lou Gulley

Here are some pics of the castle-

We had a fun and Mckinley was pretty well behaved :) G and Chris leave tomorrow and Mark and I are going to start our food storage. I think that is my new quest. We have been really bad at it...up until now we can barely survive a week on what we buy. My first purchase was some Quick Oats..not much but better than nothing. Off to another week!

PS- Thanks. a. million. We have gotten so many calls from friends and family about Mark getting laid off. We are so grateful. We are too blessed! Thanks for the support and love!

Blessing in Disguise?

So, the day we have been dreading has finally arrived....no, I am not referring to the President that was just elected, I am referring to Mark being laid off. We have been anticipating layoffs since August and have crossed our fingers and prayed since. He made it through a few rounds but the hammer fell today. I had just dropped Mark's mom off at the airport (side note it was marvelous to have her here!!) and had made a stop at Hobby Lobby, the first real outing with Mckinley since she is 3 weeks tomorrow, Mark calls and says:
Mark- "Where are you?"
Me-"Hobby Lobby. Why?"
Mark- "Well, make sure you don't buy anything I just got laid off."
Me-"No way."
Mark- "Yep."

In typical "don't get worked up Mark fashion" he says we will be fine and it will all work out. I believe we will be ok. The Lord has blessed us so much and this might be a trial (horrible timing but it wouldn't be a trial if it wasn't), but I know we will be fine. Mark has lots of skills; computer hacking skills, nunchuck skills, bowstaff skills and he can grow a goatee. No seriously, he has lots of things to offer and will make sure he provides no matter what. He is hard worker and we will make it!

"NOT WHAT WE SAY ABOUT OUR BLESSINGS, BUT HOW WE USE THEM, IS THE MEASURE OF OUR THANKSGIVING."
-W.T.PURKISER

BEHOLD!

Wow- up until last week I never realized how codependent I was on technology- I honestly went through internet and blogging withdrawal! Our computer was overtaken by a nasty spyware virus last week and thanks to the graciousness of one Evan Iund (we are forever indebted), we are now back up and running. I know you missed me :)

So here are the details- my mom is gone. It was hard. I never thought it would be as difficult as it was to have her leave- she was here for 16 days and we had a great time. She is up for a game of Scrabble for anyone interested...she could use the practice for when we come home for Christmas ;) (have some taters!! ha). Dad and Bree came for a few days which was nice- it made me realize how long it has been since we had a baby in the family. It also made me wish to be home- we are more than likely coming home for Christmas and can't wait for everyone to see our little girl.

Mckinley had her two week appoinment and she now weighs 8 lbs 8oz. She is a chubster and a great eater. She is sleeping almost 3 hours consistently at night and Mark and I have been taking turns getting up with her. We in fact were just talking tonight about feeding her at night being such a trip. It is so quiet- nothing but the soft squeaks of a newborn and your thoughts- so surreal and meditative.

We are all happy and healthy and enjoying Mary Ann (Mark's mom) being here this weekend. She will be here until Wednesday and then another sad day when she has to leave.

Ok- time for the pictures which I am sure what you have really been waiting for :) Again, thanks to everyone for coming to visit and OH and we got an anonymous gift in the mail...a dArLiNg onesie with her name on it!!! If that was you....we love it! Thanks for the prayers, well wishes and thoughts. We really do miss you guys and wish you all could be here to love on her :)

Mckinley and Mimi

I like Mckinley's face in this one...she knows full well the trouble Grandpa is going to give her...and sweet Van Halen T-Shirt dad :)

Mimi and Auntie Bree

Grandma Mary Ann and her first Mckinley encounter :)