Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we decided to do just the three of us. For our first year we went to Golden Corral. For our second year we were in the hospital with Justin, and for our third year we had Thanksgiving with friends. So this year was a nice change. It was definitely a nice and relaxing day!

This is a picture of my first turkey! I was nervous that it wouldn't turn out, but it did...horrray!

Here is Bennie carving the bird
Justin enjoying his 3rd Thanksgiving

I am Thankful FOR my FAMILY

Things to be thankful for:

Being Thankful for a life you live.
Being Thankful for those who give.
Being Thankful for a child's smile.
Being Thankful for everything is worth while.
Being thankful for our loving Father above.
Being Thankful for the ability to love.
Being Thankful for blessings that come each day.
Being Thankful for all simple things, is the greatest way.
Being Thankful for family and the love they send.

Being Thankful for the hands that others lend.

Being Thankful for a loved ones touch.
Being Thankful for all things, means so much.

I am thankful for my little family! They always keep me happy and smiling!

Today, I went upstairs to get Justin's clothes and this is how I found him when I returned.I asked him what is he doing and he replied, "reading scriptures." I am so grateful for my little missionary in training.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN!

Justin opening his Tonka trucks!

Today was Justin's 2nd B-day! Ben took him out this morning to a gun show while I went shopping for some gifts. Justin did not understand what a birthday was, but he loved opening presents and blowing out his candle 5 times.

Here is what Justin got for his birthday:

• Firetruck
• Helicopter
  
• Books
• Small trucks
• No mess coloring book

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FIRE STATION

Justin loves firetrucks so we decided to take him to the fire station today. He definitely had a blast! Maybe he will be our little fireman someday.

Our little driver who did not want to get out of the front seat.

Dad and Justin inside the fire station

Curious George

Justin and I were at the mall a while back and I decided to take the elevator. While inside, Justin was curious to see what was behind the small door that had a picture of a phone on it. I was thinking about something and I was not paying attention to Justin in his stroller. I guess he pushed a red button that called 911. While inside the elevator, I heard a voice say"Dialing rescue services..help is on the way." I looked down at Justin and all he could do was smile at me(just like George is). I started to panic and as soon as the elevator door opened, I sprinted to the mall main offices. After I told them the story, they thanked me and told me everything will be taken care of. Never again will I take my eyes off my little Curious George. :-)

Did I say being a mom is great?

Yesterday little J-man surpised us when we walked into his room after his nap. He took off his diaper and smeared his poo everywhere even all over himself. His room smelt so bad that my gag refelx kicked in. Ben was sooooooo kind to help out with most of the cleaning. Yeah for DADS!

Christ's Love

This picture is one of my favorite pictures of Christ. I also love the story behind it:

Del Parson says:

"For a long time, the idea of painting Christ with a smile has been in the back of my mind. I’ve wanted to show a very friendly, personal, and loving portrait—one that children especially can relate to.
One Sunday, our ward was having the Primary Sacrament meeting program. The children were singing and reciting their parts and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man with this wonderful smile on his face. That smile just drew me in. After the meeting, I looked back and said something like, “I noticed your smile.” I told him that was the kind of smile I was looking for to use in a painting. I don’t even think he realized he had been smiling, but he told me the story behind his expression. His little boy had been afraid to go up on the stand and participate in the program. He was scared to sing and do his part in front of that big congregation because he was new in the ward. The father knew his son was afraid and didn’t want to go up there, but he did it anyway—and he did a great job.
That man’s smile was a very genuine, loving smile. It was a father proudly watching his son accomplish something that was very difficult."

Propostion 8

Even though our pick didn't win president, Ben and I are so grateful for the passing of Proposition 8. Our stake advised California members to help in calling centers and to support the amendment. We were told that if it didn't pass it would have a ripple effect across the nation and our families will be affected. Many took the challenege and stepped up to defend the family. I know that it passed because of many who helped, fasted and prayed. I also know that Heavenly Father was with us!

Here is a quote I like from ELDER OAKS that sums up Same-Gender Attraction:

"God loves all of His children. He has provided a plan for His children to enjoy the choicest blessings that He has to offer in eternity. Those choicest blessings are associated with marriage between a man and a woman by appropriate priesthood authority to bring together a family unit for creation and happiness in this life and in the life to come.
We urge persons with same-gender attractions to control those and to refrain from acting upon them, which is a sin, just as we urge persons with heterosexual attractions to refrain from acting upon them until they have the opportunity for a marriage recognized by God as well as by the law of the land. That is the way to happiness and eternal life. God has given us no commandment that He will not give us the strength and power to observe. That is the Plan of Salvation for His children, and it is our duty to proclaim that plan, to teach its truth, and to praise God for the mission of His Son Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s atonement that makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and His resurrection that gives us the assurance of immortality and the life to come. It is that life to come that orients our views in mortality and reinforces our determination to live the laws of God so that we can qualify for His blessings in immortality."

YEAH for ELECTION DAY!!!

WHAT A GREAT RIGHT THAT WE HAVE IN AMERICA!!! I was so excited to vote today!! I was in and out in 5 mins. So that was great! Ben and I are now anxiously waiting who is going to win!

Our New Foundation

Ben and I came up with this foundation for fun:

Our home is infested with many species of spiders. We would like to start a foundation that will help protect these creatures from becoming squished and eventually terminated by harmful chemicals. Your sponsorship donation of $25 or more helps care for one of the spiders at Arachnid Sanctuary. When you sponsor a spider, we'll email you his or her bio along with a full-size, high resolution photo that you can print. It's a great way to make a friend -- and make a difference! The $25 will cover bugs for food and a cage for the spider to live in if injured or released into neighbor’s yard. It will also receive the love and affection it needs. Your kind donation will give this eight legged friend another chance at life. Just choose a spider you would like to save.

Featured Spider of the Month

Our sweet Danny is a very sad case. He was found in our back yard by our 2 year old son. When our son brought him to us, Danny was unfortunately missing a couple of legs. This friend is in desperate need of help. Please help this 3 legged friend to stay hopeful and to stay ALIVE. The difference between life and death is in your hands! For more information email us at

ArchnidSanctuary@spiders.com

Willie the WOLF SPIDER

He has a very aggressive personality.

He likes to eat bugs around garden area.

He was injured by a shoe.

Harry the HOBO SPIDER

Very Shy!

Poor eyesight and poor climber!

We can’t find him any more.

Besty the BLACK WIDOW

Very outgoing!

She likes
to hang out around our backdoor area and in
our storage closet.

Carl the COMMON HOUSE SPIDER

He likes to sneak through door cracks.

He was almost sucked up by vacuum cleaner.

He needs extra TLC.