Gratitude

There are many things for which I have to be grateful. The normal responses being family, food, job, shelter, etc. However, over the last week I have (again) been reminded of some other things that I have to be grateful for. The first being healthy children. I had a friend lose his little boy a week ago to a terminal genetic disease. How grateful I am that I have been blessed with healthy children who run, jump, talk, eat by themselves, and yes, even fight. Sometimes I forget how much of a blessing that is. My heart and love goes out to that family. Number two is the knowledge of the true Gospel and the Plan of Salvation. What a blessing it is to know that we will see our loved ones again! Number three is life itself and having more time on this earth to spend time with my family. I guess getting in an accident (albeit a smaller one) reminds us of this. Number four is a wonderful patient husband. He is always there and more than patient with my many shortcomings. Number five is family who are always there when you need them. Whether it is just to talk, watch the kids, or anything else my family is there. I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

3 Big Years!

My little boy is growing so fast! He is now 3 years old. Or at least he will be on November 29th. Linc is my little cuddle bug. Since the day he was born he has loved being held and cuddled. Even now, he will look for us so that he can come and sit in our lap and just be with us. He gives me hugs and kisses all the time...though I have to ask and sometimes pout to get them. He and I had fun going back to Fotofly to get his pictures done for his birthday. He was so excited because first of all he loves being a cheeser and smiling for the camera. And second because I had bought him a cupcake to eat in some of his photos. It was a lot of fun! Of course I did end up wearing that cupcake by the end! I love you my Linky-Loo. Thank you for coming -unexpectedly- into our lives.

I love you!

Shutterfly cards!

Okay thanks Aliese for your post on your blog. I am a member of Shutterfly, but have not made their Christmas cards. In fact, I was almost deciding whether or not to do them, but now I think I will! This deal is way too good to pass up! Shutterfly is offering 50 free cards! All you have to do is fill out the form. Shutterfly Make sure to tell everyone you know! I know I will.

It's Tradition!

Well, for me maybe! My mom is from Peru. And in many South American countries little girls get their ears pierced by the doctor just days after they are born, if not right after. I, myself, was only two weeks old when my parents went to have my ears pierced. So, to go along with my mom's tradition, we went to the mall to have Nikh's ears pierced. She is three months old. Ember was two months old when we had her ears done. I know that for many people, including Branden, this is not right. That piercing the ears of a child should be done when they can take care of them. However, I feel close to my mom's heritage when I do small things like this. Thank you Sweetheart, for trying to understand. Nikh was not too happy about the whole ordeal. Unlike Ember, who stopped crying the moment he stood up, Nikh cried and had to be consoled all the way to the car. :( At least it's over with for life!

And the Winner is...

Me!!! Okay, I hardly ever join a contest because I never win. However, after going to Fotofly and "like"ing them on Facebook I decided to join in their CD giving contests. Every time they get 100 or so more followers on Facebook they have some sort of contest to give away a free photo CD. (For those who have no idea what I am talking about, check out their website fotofly.com  they are great.) Anyway, they recently had a contest where you had to guess a number.

"We passed 2100 fans! It's time to give away another CD. This time, the contest is based on some FotoFly trivia. You're going to guess a number but here's a hint: it's the number of unfilled appointment times left next week multiplied by how many CD's we've given away on Facebook in the last four months plus the highest number of sheets any one customer has bought from us in a single day. Good luck!"

Well, as I was sitting in bed with my laptop and feeding Nikh I decided I would take a stab at trying to figure it out. Now, I could have been really smart and looked up how many open slots they had, but I felt that was too much work. So I just guessed at how many appointments, Cd's, and sheets. 

Anyway, I just looked at Facebook to see who had one and I saw my name! Remember, I NEVER win things like this. 

"Our winner is Angelique Boyles! She guessed 204 and the correct answer to the trivia question was 203. (27 CD's given away on FB x 6 open appointments this week + 41 sheets bought by one customer) Congratulations Angelique!"

Well, they are just in time too. We have an appointment to have Nikh's official blessing pictures and Linc's 3 year old pictures taken this Friday! It really could not have come at a better time. YAY!!!!!

Miss Giggles!

I love going through all the firsts with a new baby. It is fun to see them grow. Nikh laughed for the first time today! She was sitting on her her daddy's tummy when he decided to try and make her laugh by tickling under her chin...and it worked! He was the one to make Ember and Linc laugh too.

Follow the Yellow, Brick Road!

Right before Nikh was born, Branden had the wonderful idea that we should come up with a theme for our family for Halloween. Of course, he being the one with brilliant mind, came up with the theme The Wizard of Oz. (I have to, or should I say I like to, dress up for Halloween for school.) It is so fun to dress up and Branden is willing to humor me and dress up too. The funny part is that after all of our costumes arrived Branden decided that he is no longer dressing up unless it is something "cool." He got stuck with being the scarecrow since Linc wanted to be the tin man.  I just love being able to do fun things like this as a family.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween as a Junior Jag

Ember was so excited to go to school today and be able to parade through her grandpa's school. They did so many fun things. Click on the link to hear a recording of her describing her day.

(Sorry, Link to come when Branden does it!)