My not-so traditional Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. It is the one holiday out of the year where I get to chow down on my 2 favorite foods: turkey and stuffing. Not this year!

When I went to bed on Wednesday night I felt like my throat was swelling shut. It hurt to swallow, but I've had a bad cold for over a week now, so a sore throat didn't phase me. (I have been coughing for over a week too, so maybe that's why my throat hurt?) Anyways, I awoke in the early nighttime realizing that I was having a hard time breathing and swallowing. Yep, my throat was swollen, and Holy Cow did it hurt. Cauley got up around 5 am to put the turkey in and I decided that as soon as Urgent Care was open I was headed out.

I got to Urgent Care sometime around 8 am and was immediately seen and swabbed. (throat culture.) Then the nurse took me back and listened to the baby's heartbeat (a policy for that office). Right after she left, the Dr came in wearing a mask. She told me I was positive for strep and then checked me for other things. (I think I only have strep.) The dr said I had a really severe case of strep and wasn't allowed to be around ANYONE for 24 hours. I also wasn't supposed to eat anything I had to chew well for 24 hours as my throat was so swollen I could easily choke on it or it could make me throw up because something about the chewing process and having my throat so swollen. (?) My mind went directly to my favorite feast that was to take place in about 4 hours. I was really bummed- but determined! I got my prescription, then they checked me in and out at the same time, and I went to Walgreens to fill my script. Since I was supposed to be drinking a huge amount of fluids that day, I went and got me a big Caff. Free Diet coke while I waited for my script to be filled. I immediately took the first dose (cause I had my coke!) and drove home and went back to bed.

My family left me with a plate of turkey, a chocolate cream pie and an pumpkin pie and went to Cauley's parent's house for the big feast. I am told they all had a great time eating, going to the park, and eating dessert. They even brought me back a plate with everything on it. I love my husband, but he didn't listen when I told him I wanted a plate with nothing but stuffing on it. Oh well- I had a few good bites of the stuffing he brought me home before I turned my plate over to him to eat the green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and gravy. (they're ok, but when you wait an entire YEAR to eat stuffing and turkey, who wants to eat filler foods?)

No, this wasn't the day I dreamed about for 51 weeks straight since last year, but at least I got my turkey fix. As I lay in bed after waking from an afternoon nap, I thought back on my unfortunate circumstances of the day. I decided to count my blessings instead. Blessing #1- I got to hear my baby's heartbeat again! I have been worried as can be as we have had so many misfortunate circumstances of women losing babies (especially later on in pregnancies) lately in my ward. Even if it did take the nurse a while to find it, the heartbeat was there and it was strong! Blessing #2-I finally got some much needed R&R. Yes, I did spend all day in bed, but I can't even remember the last time I got to stay in bed past 6! I told a friend this last week that all I wanted for Christmas was a pajama day, and I guess my wish came true early. I have been going and going and going since getting this new calling, and I REALLY needed this break! Blessing #3- as I lay there counting my blessings, I felt something very distinct- my baby moving! I have had instances where I thought to myself "was that the baby?" But I was never quite sure. As I lay there, however, I am POSITIVE it was my baby. I finally was taking the time to sit quietly enough to know that my baby is alive and moving inside me- what a miracle I can treasure! I wanted to continue counting my blessings of the day after that, but decided I needed my turkey and pies to fill my growling belly! I ate until I was full, ignoring the UC doctor's orders. (It was pretty hard to swallow the turkey, but worth every bit of pain!) Cauley made the BEST turkey this year and I can't wait for leftover turkey sandwiches! So, even though I only got a 1oth of the stuffing I needed to satisfy me until next Thanksgiving and the turkey was painful to swallow, my day was great. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

PS- I am making me a box of stove top today- not the best, but I can eat it with some leftover turkey. Also, a BIG thank you to all my friends who braved the sunshine and their health to bring me a thanksgiving goody! You guys are the best!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Click on the link below to find a WONDERFUL message!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Articles of Faith of Mormon Culture

1. We believe in SUVs and minivans, as the form of transportation, and in knee lengthshorts, which are always nice, and in multilevel marking.

2. We believe that church ball players should be punishedfor their own fouls, and not for unsportsmanlike aggression.

3. We believe that through bread crumbs, cheese, creamysoups, and rice all casseroles can be saved through obedience to wardcookbooks and creativity in the mixing bowl.

4. We believe that the first layers and ingredients of theDip are: first, beans; second, cheese; third, chopped tomatoes; fourth, thegift of sour cream; fifth, olives; sixth, salsa; seventh, guacamole, that is,if you have it.

5. We believe that a Mormon shouldhave a distinguished or a cute name, that it is appropriateto name a child after a church leader or a historical figure including anancestor, that alternative spellings and French prefixes only add to a name, and thatwhen referring to the names of General Authorities, middle initials should bea part thereof.

6. We believe in the same wall decor that exists in manyMormon homes, namely, framed family proclamations, vinyl lettering, inspirationalword signs, family photos, pictures of temples and Jesus, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of the re-gift, church books,crafts, family photos, baked goods, emergency supplykits, and so forth.

8. We believe in sparkling grape juice so long as it isnonalcoholic; we also believe in bringing root beer and sprite to ward parties.

9. We believe in all that we have scrapbooked, all that wewill now scrapbook, and we believe that we will yet scrapbook many great andimportant things pertaining to our family, friends, pets, and vacations.

10. We believe in the literal mixing of ketchup and mayo and in thegenerous application of ranch dressing;that CBAs (church-based acronyms) will be used to describeYM/YW, PEC, the Y, NCMO, and CTR; that Mitt Romneywill get Mormons to vote for him any time heruns; and, that the Mormons will enjoy readingTwilight and The Work and the Glory.

11. We claim the privilege of trying to identify commonacquaintances with any visitor at church, and allow all other people at church thesame privilege, and let them name drop the names of Famous and generalauthorities how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in beingsubject to scoutmasters, pampered chef hostesses, and the writers ofthe U.S. News and World Report Rankings for professional schools, and inobeying, honoring, and sustaining Glenn Beck.13. We believe in being above average, good at crafts,optimistic, and being fifteen minutes late everywhere we go. Indeed, we may saythat we follow BYU football. We believe rumors about famous people joining thechurch, we hope to meet the three Nephites, we have endured many pyramidschemes, and hope to be able to endure all pyramid schemes. If there is anythingcheap, free, sold in bulk, or given away when somebody is moving, we seek afterthese things.

A new begining for us!

Well, most of you who read my blog (all 5 of you!) are in my ward or are family, so you probably already know the big news. A few weeks ago our ward split. (hopefully our last for a long time!) We are now part of the Pecan Ranch Ward, which consists of 1/4 mile by almost a mile the other direction. It was pretty exciting, especially since I didn't know too many people anyway. The next Sunday no callings were made, which I thought was pretty odd. They asked all of us to keep serving in our old callings that we were before we split off, so Brianne and I kept up for the Relief Society. However, I did get a call to meet with the Bishop later that week. Uh OH! (Just kidding!) I was called as our ward's new Relief Society President. I laugh even looking at it. My mom's first reaction was "You can't be a Relief Society President- you're too young!" Well, as young as I feel, I know that Heavenly Father needs me, and that He has prepared a way for me to do whatever it is that He is needing me for at this time. I have been able to get the medicines I need to stop throwing up, I have been blessed to feel a lot better then any other pregnancy, and I have somehow found a way to do all that He's asked of me so far. I'm not going to say it's been easy, because I've spent countless hours on my knees and in tears in behalf of the sisters, but I've never felt the love for my fellow Relief Society sisters before, which is turning out to be a pretty amazing thing. The following week after meeting with the bishop to receive this calling we had Stake Conference and so today my two counselors and I were sustained. Can I just tell you how much I LOVE the sisters who are serving with me!! They were definitely put there to help me and teach me how things go, that is for sure! Hopefully by next Sunday I'll have 2 secretaries called, as well as a few other things that need filled.

Happy Halloween!

Tyli, our fairy princess.
All glittered up!

Luigi and Mario! (Brothers!)

(One of my favorite pics of them. )

Our 2009 Preschool Halloween Party. I do have to say the costumes this year were PHENOMENAL!!! One of my friends made 2 of them, the elephant (her daughter's) and Ariel. She is so very talented and some day I want to be like her! I loved EVERY costume this year!


Halloween was a very much anticipated event for our house this year! Tyli asked EVERY morning if it was Halloween day yet (and her birthday, but lets not go there!). She was mostly excited for the glitter spray and getting to wear her wings. My boys had the perfect costumes for them. They LOVE Mario and Luigi! They did have real mustaches that came with the costumes, but it looked better having me paint them on.

We started off the holiday with our preschool party. It went ok, but I kept remembering last year's preschool party (when I started miscarrying) and freaked out so I took it really easy and made it all low key. McKade said it was still fun. Then Friday night was our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was stressful- myself with the 3 kids eating dinner and all wanting to run different directions. (Cauley had a varsity football game.) Dallin is at the age where he thinks he should be able to go off by himself with his friends, but I'm not ready to give him that much freedom. We made it around the parking lot once and I decided I had had enough trying to keep us all together so we left- with fits from all 3 kids of course! The fun part was just about every trunk we went to where the dad was handing out candy, he would say "It's mario and Luigi!" (In a funny Italian accent.) Some even got their camera out of their car and took pictures of the "Mario Brothers! "Then we headed over to my friends the Richetto's for an adult Halloween party. Sarah had hired a babysitter for the kids upstairs which was WONDERFUL! I laughed so hard and had a great time, but wish Cauley could have been there with me! It was fun seeing old friends while getting to know new friends from my new ward. (I'll explain that one in a different post in 1 week!)

The next day was Halloween. With our procrastination, we almost missed out on pumpkin carving this year! I went to 2 stores before being told by someone else looking for pumpkins that had also been to 2 other stores that the only pumpkins left in our area were at the Olive Mill. I drove as fast as I could and actually got the very last one! (I got a 3 dollar discount for that too!) Cauley and the kids had a great time cleaning and carving it, but the smell was too awful for me. It turned out really great! That evening I helped get the kids ready and off they went with Cauley Trick or Treating! (I went to Stake Conference.) They didn't go far but got so much candy that Ty couldn't even carry her bag! (she drug it along behind her until Cauley convinced her to let him carry it.) Again, the boys' costumes here a hit according to Cauley. Some people even thought that Tyli was the princess to finish off the group. (She corrected them of course!)They had a blast though. They really only went a few streets but came home with a bag full each. Now I gotta hide it- from myself!