Indiana Copeland!

Do you know what happens when you have "old" parents? The things they think are cool you think are cool therefore you have an "Indiana Jones" birthday party for your 8th birthday not really realizing that "Indiana Jones" is soooo 1980's!!!!

So what's a mom to do since you can't find any toys (with the exception of a Lego DS game) or party supplies still in stores? Well thank goodness for Amazon.com! And my wonderful friend who can make a cake look like anything!!!!

So here are just a few of our recent Indiana Jones birthday party for the 8 year old!

(taken by the 4 year old sister who couldn't swim)

 

 

 

7 and 8 year old boys + swimming + cake and ice cream = fun for all no matter what the theme!!! So glad they all had such a good time!

 

Introspection

Day 30 is here - my goal was almost fulfilled - I did complete it - for that I am thankful.

 Here's what this little lesson has taught me...

• I'm thankful for the little things like - I can move today after the Zumba! class I attended last night. I enjoy it don't get me wrong, I'm still not sure a woman like me is supposed to move that way but I'm trying!
• I'm thankful for the focus - it's so easy to get caught up in all of the unnecessary events that encompass November & December. It's easy to look on the negative side of things, especially after a major election that most of the country didn't even participate in, or the child that is too stubborn for his or her own good or that weight doesn't just fall off because you'd like for it too (hence the Zumba! class). 
• I'm thankful I have friends & family that are more amazing than words can truly describe. They take me with all my flaws and love me anyway.
• I'm thankful this type of avenue exists. This is an easier form of communication for some and no one has to feel obligated to read it. If nothing else it is a therapy for the writer, if you the reader glean something from it - that's gravy.
• I'm thankful for this time of year which allows you to move the focus to others so easily. There are so many ways to serve and help out your fellow man - that includes letting someone cut in front of you on the highway! When you get lost in service you tend to lose yourself and then your issues don't seem as daunting.
• I'm thankful that this is my little slice of heaven!

Here's hoping you don't make your December too busy but that you have time to enjoy it!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I'm thankful for "the most wonderful time of the year"! I think the only thing that would make it better is if I were at the "happiest place on earth" during the "most wonderful time of the year". Yes, that is a hint that I'd like to take a trip to Disney World, but I digress...

I love this time of year! I don't particularly like the cold, but I do like a crisp fall/winter morning. I like that most people this time of the year take the focus off of themselves and place it on others. Except maybe when driving, but most of the time in the stores and other places they are thinking of others. Since having kids we "adopt" a child to buy a Christmas present for so the kids get into the habit of exhibiting charity and service. We take drives to look at Christmas lights. We decorate, bake and do a million things in the name of Christmas. I think we do it because the Savior is so dear to us, we want everyone else to feel His love. I hope you get to feel His love this season, but remember it's available to us all year long.

Laughter

I noticed I hadn't given my thanks for laughter and that's one of my very favorite things. I'm grateful for people who can make me laugh - Steve Carell (Michael Scott from "The Office") typically can make me laugh much to the chagrin of my hubby. My hubby is pretty funny too!

Anyway - I am extremely grateful for laughter and for your pleasure here are a few of my "go-to" favorite photos that always bring a smile to my face!

There - now don't you have a smile on your face? :)

Pleasant Unexpected Surprises

Today I'm thankful for pleasant unexpected surprises...

you know the ones - a friend brings you flowers (those really brightened my day), a holiday bonus early, kids getting along with one another, a semi-sick husband that's not cranky - just things that you aren't planning on that can make live a tad bit easier.

I set a goal to update daily in November but didn't manage my time wisely over the Thanksgiving holiday and didn't count on Bedlam going into OVERTIME (Boomer!) so I didn't quite reach my goal. Maybe next year I'll set the goal for February and see if I can reach that one!

Problems, Issues or Troubles

Today I'm thankful for my problems.

Yep you read that correctly - I'm thankful for my problems, troubles, issues - whatever you want to call them I'm thankful for them. I'm thankful that the load I'm asked to carry isn't the load that others have to carry. I'm pretty sure if you ask them they wouldn't want to trade places.

Thanksgiving Traditions

I am so thankful for our family traditions.

We are so fortunate that our families get along. It's such a blessing for our kids. Instead of having to decide which side of the family we'll visit when on holidays and birthdays - our biggest dilemma is which location we'll invade! 

Thanksgiving is the holiday we all make sure everyone has their favorites so there is an absurd amount of food. And for 10 people it's really loud!!!! But it's also great to have us all under one roof for a short time. 

Here's to making memories.