christmas quiz!

I haven't done one of these in years! So much fun :)

You Love the Holidays More than Anyone

The holidays are a special time for you, and you try to keep the holiday spirit going all year long. You believe that this season is all about giving, and you love the chance to practice generosity. Whether you're making someone smile with the perfect gift or feeding everyone cookies, the holidays always elevate your mood. Just putting on your favorite holiday song always warms your heart. Even if it's July!

How Much Do You Love the Holidays?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

30 days of Thanksgiving - Thankful Posts 2011

1-Today, I am thankful for this 30 day challenge. There is so much negativity around me that it is easy to forget the good that surrounds me too. I am thankful for this opportunity to spend the next 30 days looking at all the blessings in my life-to bring me peace and happiness-and to help me realize what is important and what can be done without. ♥

2-Today, I am thankful for my children's different personalities. They are all so unique and bring something special to our family. Each one teaches me something new and they never fail to bring a smile to my face. ♥

3-Today I am thankful for the toy set I found for $5 at the thrift store months ago for Harrison that has already inspired playtime for an hour this morning.

4-Today I am thankful for my awesome kids. They bring me so much happiness everyday and I enjoy just sitting and talking to them. I value our closeness and love our time together. They teach me just as I teach them-and have proven to me that yes, you can be a parent AND a friend


5-Today, I am thankful for my "baby" boy Harrison who is 4 years old today! It was a shock when I found out I pregnant with him, and I was hesitant at first-but couldn't imagine my life without him now! Through his tics and quirks I have learned even more patience, love and acceptance. Happy Birthday Harrison Parker Gibbons!!!


6-Today I am thankful for modern medicine. I don't use it very often, but I am glad it is there when I need it.


7-Today I am thankful for a moment of peace


8-Today, in honor of Dad Land, I am thankful for the Order of DeMolay. I am thankful for the chance to work with these wonderful young men. I am thankful that my son Conner-as Master Councilor -has had a chance to lead and grow this year. I am thankful for DeMolay's teachings and for the friendships and precepts that Conner and Noah both have learned. The teachings are wonderful and it has been an awesome opportunity to be involved with them.


9-Today I am thankful for cable tv. It has kept Harrison occupied (mostly) this morning and I needed to just sit on the couch and rest. I can feel guilty about it later! HAHA


10-Today, I am thankful for friends, for Danny and Bear who are trying to fix our car. I am thankful to know mechanics that I can trust to not steer me wrong. Thank you Dan Sager and Bear!!!!


11- facebook ate it

12-Today, I am thankful for my family. For my husband who I know will always be there for me. I am thankful for our great relationship and for the way he treats me and looks out for me always. I am thankful for my 7 kids and the love and light they bring to my life.


13-Today I am thankful for the roof over my head, the food in my fridge and the heat in my home. I know sometimes things get very overwhelming and I wonder what else can go wrong, and then I have to remember that at least we have the basic necessities above that so many do not have. ♥


14-disappeared off my page

15-Today, I am thankful for my yarn stash. Being able to go in and KNOW I will have a skein of yarn for my project is something I'd not want to be without! YAY for yarn and being able to knit my son a hat when he needs one!


16-Today, I am thankful for Isabella and her excitement at school. She is doing wonderful things in the gifted program that keep her occupied more during the day. Tomorrow is her Thanksgiving feast and I cannot wait to go surprise her by showing up! ♥


17-Today, I am thankful for my unending patience. It serves me well.


18-Today, I am thankful for Thanksgiving break! All the kids are home starting today..(even though the oldest 2 are only home today because they are sick!!) But I am thankful they are home. I love spending time with them and miss them when they are at school. And I am thankful that Harrison has someone to play with and keep him occupied so I can get some cleaning done!


19-just the way I wanted to wake up....the sound of feet running across the floor...followed by puking ugh. .......Today, I am thankful that she made it to the garbage can.


20-Today, I am thankful that our car is running!!!! YES!!!! It did turn out to be the computer "brain" of the car, and our awesome mechanic fixed it and we picked it up today! WOOT!!!!


21-Today, I am thankful for steroids-and my ability to breathe a little easier with their usage!


22-Today (a little late in the day!) I am thankful for the wonderful friends that my kids have! I am thankful for the wonderful organizations (DeMolay and Job's Daughters) that have brought those friends into our lives!


23-Today, I am thankful for my brothers life. It was 3 years ago today that I got the call that he had a serious car accident and had been found 6 hours after he had been ejected from his car. His body core temp was dangerously low, but ended up being the thing that saved him as it slowed the bleeding in his brain. Life flight could not transport due to weather. He was in the ICU for many days in a coma. His hospital stay ended up being almost 2 months. He has a traumatic brain injury. They said he would NEVER ride a horse or rodeo again. He proved them wrong. He's a little different, but still my goofy baby brother, and I am so thankful he is alive and with us still.


24-Regardless of how this holiday came about, I am thankful for this day--and the chance to spend it with my husband and children (and friends!!). And I am very thankful that Shawn took over the cooking of the meal since I am still not close to being 100% yet! Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!


25-no idea where this one went!

26-Today, I am thankful for my creative nature. My love of color. My ability to take yarn and make it beautiful by adding colors. My (limited) ability to take a piece of fabric and make what I want or need. My artistic nature helps me to see the world in different ways. I wouldn't be the same without it.


27-Today, I am thankful for my little boy...and his world that I am the center of. ♥


28-Today, I am thankful for a friend-who helped me out when I needed it. ♥


29-Today, I am thankful for the ability to speak my mind and to not have my opinions repressed by the country we live in. I am thankful for a President, who right or wrong, works to run our country. I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and the luxuries we have. And I wish that everyone had those same benefits.

30-Today, I am thankful for the 30 days of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of my friends that stuck it out the whole month with me! I am thankful for the gratitude they shared, and what I learned from their posts. I am thankful for how this challenge has once again touched my life. I hope everyone joins me again next year!

30 days of Thanksgiving-2009

So I found my old posts (almost all of them anyway) from 2009, the first year I did this.  Sharing them now!

10

Today I am thankful for my good friends. You know who you are. I appreciate you and value our friendships

11

Today, I am thankful that i do not have cancer. I am thankful for my family and friends that stood by me the last 2 months-the ones that called and wrote and offered there support and love. I am thankful that life is returning to normal and look forward to the day that this is a distant memory. I am thankful that I do not have to worry about still being here for my husband and children. I am thankful for my LIFE

12

Today, I am thankful for my artistic nature. My creativity is the one talent I possess and I couldn't ask for a better one. I love sharpies and doodling. Knitting is a passion and sewing a bit less-but still there. I love color. To dye yarn is the ultimate expression of my love of color and art. I would be lost without my creativity

13

Today, I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in our cupboards, dh's employment and clothing for us all. So many do not even have these basic needs

14

late in the day--Today I am thankful for the church's teachings of eternal family. For the solace and peace that it brings to those mourning the passing of a loved one. Especially today for Jessica and the loss of her love Jason. Peace and love to you sweet cousin

15

"Today, I am thankful for the good nights sleep I had. I have not slept so long or so well in a long time

16

Today I am thankful for my son with aspergers. He has taught me so much about love and has brought to me the appreciation for the simpleness of a hug or an "I love you"

17

Today, I am thankful for homeschooling Kaitlyn. We have enjoyed our time together so much, and I would not have that if she were sitting in school all day. I love my daughter. ♥

18

Today, I am thankful for my fabric stash. It is serving me well today.

19

Today, I am thankful that I get to go out with my 2 oldest kids tonight to the movies. Thankful that they are good kids that I enjoy being around. We have a great relationship and I couldn't ask for better children

20

today I am thankful for knitting. To be able to take some yarn and needles and create a beautiful handcrafted piece of clothing is a wonderful feeling. Each stitch is filled with love-except those that get messed up and have a few snarly words involved too!

21

Today, i am thankful for my local group of girlfriends. Looking forward to our day of crafting together

22

Today, I am thankful for the Food Network. No really. I know it is silly-but growing up and not learning to cook, well--the food network inspires me and teaches me to cook more great foods!

23

Today, I am thankful that my brother is alive. It has been one year today since his car accident and subsequent 2 months in the hospital. He shouldn't have made it. he shouldn't be doing so well with his brain injury. But he is. He is working, he is engaged, he is living!

24

Today, I am thankful that I will have my children home for 5 days. I miss seeing them so much ♥

25

Today I am thankful for the moments I have with the kids today-preparing our holiday dinner together and making christmas presents for swaps. ♥

26

Today I am thankful for the life I am living. I have a wonderful husband who is there through thick and think. Great kids who teach me something new every day and show me how much love one person can have. I have caring friends who are there when I am down to lift me up, and to laugh with through the good. We have what we need, and I thankful for that. Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and loved ones!"

30 days of Thanksgiving 2011

30 days of Thanksgiving starts today!  What is 30 days of Thanksgiving?  Everyday you post one thing that you are thankful for.  It can be big or small.  What matters is that it is important to YOU.   Myself, I post it everyday on facebook, and then compile them all here in one post at the end of the month (last years post).  You can do it whatever way you wish, but the purpose it to just recognize all the things we are thankful for that we don't think about.  There is so much negativity in the world.  Lets focus on the positive!

I started this 3 years ago.    Last year a few friends joined in.  This year there are even more! I hope that you will join me for the 30 days of Thanksgiving too!  You won't regret it!

If you take the challenge, post a comment and link me to your blog, twitter, wherever you are posting so I can keep up!

The simple things

that make your day


and a CHRISTMAS water cup!! (perfect timing since my other broke)

 Pretty yarn

 and a beautiful and extremely happy girl-who doesn't care what other people think! LOL

Hope your Thursday is a great one!

Pumpkin Chili-details

Yesterday I saw that the weather today was going to be cold and rainy.  I LOVE IT!  So I decided a nice warm comforting meal was in order for the menu tonight.
Yes, it is autumn...so what could be better than pumpkin chili?!!!

Adapted from this recipe

I added 1lb extra hamburger, a 64 oz container of v-8, extra spices and beans and did a whole can of pumpkin instead of half.

So kind of funny,  I went to the store to get bell pepper and onion because somehow I was actually out! *gasp*

While there I realized no cans of beans - well they wanted $1.50 for 1 can of beans!  yes, so at 1am I was starting a pot of beans last night.

Then today, I realized, no pumpkin pie spice! LOL  so I made some up from this recipe here

the only thing not from scratch was canned tomatoes and the canned pumpkin...maybe next time I should remedy that!

Looks great and smells divine!  I can't wait to taste it.

Brown 3 lbs hamburger

Add 2 Tbsp of Pumpkin Pie spice...I made my own

Place hamburger and 1lb cooked beans in your pot/crockpot depending on your method of cooking

Add 2 cans diced tomatoes, or more if desired. and 1 1/2-2 Tbsp Chili powder

1 29oz can of pumpkin puree and 1/2 cup sugar

Sautee 2 green bell peppers and 2 onions

Add to mixture

64oz of V-8 or other vegetable juice

Cook/simmer on stove top for 1 hour

or 8 hours on low in the crockpo

cool days makes me long

for a sweater!  I wonder how many years it will take me to actually knit myself a sweater.  or a cardigan.  or something wooly just for me!  I always knit for everyone else, but I tell you, the thought of a sweater for myself is daunting.

The days are turning cool-wonderful days for curling up on the couch with my down comforter and book.  cool days that bring big pots of chicken noodle soup for the family (yes, with joyous cries of excitement!!)  this is truly my favorite time of year, and I hate how quickly each day passes.  why can't it be October for 2 months or more? lol

things are crazy it seems.  7 kids means everything is insane.  Kaitlyn started highschool this year and it is weird having 2 of them there! Next year Noah will start.  And the fees for highschool are insane! Holy cow!  Even just to be in men's choir cost Conner $75 on top of supplies.

Speaking of Conner, he gave his first speech as a DeMolay state officer a few weeks ago.  He did a great job!  I was so proud of him. 

Homecoming 2011- Conner and Tiffany!

Homecoming 2011-Kaitlyn and Will

Kaitlyn and Conner

Speaking of Conner, I forgot to mention-he broke his arm in July.  And not just a break, he broke it good!  Was going down hill on a little razor scooter, got going too fast (paramedics estimate about 30 mph) lost control and fell forward.  His arm snapped on impact, then his head hit and he was knocked unconscious.  They said it was good his arm hit first or he might not have made it with the impact to his head-  He had a compound break of both arms in his bone and had to have surgery.  2 plates were put in his arm and he was in the hospital for several days.  Here are his incision and the area where the bone broke through the skin.

pretty gnarly scars he has now! 

Summer time....

It seems like June went by in a blur--the girls had Grand Session for Job's Daughters in Pocatello....if you don't know what that is...hundreds of teen girls, hormones, drama....nah! LOL  it wasn't that bad!  Our Bethel did an awesome job this year and we had a lot of fun!  They compete in their ritual work, music, dance etc.  Kaitlyn placed in black and white photography for a photo she did of Harrison.  And Hannah did AWESOME on her novice competition and only missed 4 points total!  that is HUGE....I am so proud of her.

Kaitlyn was drawn as Idaho Grand Bethel Representative to the Philippines.  Here she is with her medallion:

We all had a great time and their bonds of sisterhood were greatly increased!

Conner was appointed the Idaho State Junior Councilor for DeMolay,  and I can see busy times ahead of us! LOL

Noah had his surgery, he had over a 50% occlusion of his throat.  He is doing well now-we have his follow up next week.

I am looking forward to some down time with the family...only 2 months and they will be back in school-and yes the time is flying by faster than I can keep up with!

Hannah, the night of the Miss Idaho Job's Daughter Pageant

someone let the crazy in!

It seems like the last few months have passed by in a whirlwind of "crazy time"
I can remember bits and pieces..like in snapshots of time.  but not the whole picture.    Between Jobies, DeMolay and other Masonic stuff, we have been insanely busy-especially when you just add in life in general.

I couldn't even begin to do it justice as a recap, so I will share a few pictures and a few hi-lights to get caught up!

Conner and Noah attended DeMolay Conclave this year in April.  This is a statewide event for DeMolay.  Conner was awarded the hugest honor:  DeMolay of the YEAR!!!  Out of all the boys in Idaho, he was chosen.  Here is a newstory on it:
Local Youth Wins Idaho DeMolay of the Year

I cried.  Shawn cried.  Conner cried.  Sweethearts and boys from his chapter, along with other parents in the room cried.  He was so humbled, shocked, and appreciative.

Other things I can remember:  kaitlyn was elected Guide in Jobies.  The installation of officers is May 21 at 2pm.  Noah's surgery was delayed, but we will be getting it soon. 

Other than that, i leave you with photos....

VOTE! Cupcakes for a good cause!

So I am sure you have seen me mention baking pumpkin muffins on my blog.  That wonderful recipe is courtesy of my friends Sandi!  They are seriously to die for and we look forward to them every year-and yes, they are devoured in minutes!

Well, Sandi has done it again!  She created this cupcake for a contest to benefit the American Heart Association.  Not only is it gorgeous and sound divine-but it is also GLUTEN FREE!  Yes, this is a huge deal! Yummy gluten free baked items are really hard to fine...and yet, she created it!

This is a personal mission for Sandi.  Her grandfather died at the age of just 54 from heart disease.  This had a big impact on her-and winning the contest means a donation in her grandfathers name.

Can you help?

Every 24 hours you can vote-no log on or registration required...just go out, click vote, and you are done.

Do it for the cupcake lady.  Do it for a great cause.  Or just do it because you want to be nice-but DO IT!