The Orchard Team Huddle

A few weeks ago we read President Thomas S. Monson's latest conference talk about gratitude.  I loved this quote so I hung it on my pantry door for a month for all of us to see. "My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive?  Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love." We listed things we were grateful for on the feathers of a turkey and I could have easily had 15 more feathers available.  For our family prayer and personal prayers that night we only said thank you. Again, around Grandma and Grandpa's Thanksgiving table we shared what we were grateful for.  Mason was grateful for the temple.  He must have picked that up somewhere:).  I love Thanksgiving and the feeling of love and gratitude that comes with the month of November.

I seem to be in a bit of a blogging slump lately.  I just haven't felt like there has been anything super noteworthy to write about.  Today I realized that perhaps our everyday life would be interesting to someone in the future so noteworthy or not, here goes. The most exciting thing about today was a trip to Target to purchase this: I love EVERY song this guy has ever sung.  Me and Keith put in quite a few miles together in the mornings.  I am so excited to listen to this over and over!    In fact, I am listening to it for the first time right now!  Mason just zonked on the couch, I am tapping my toe and sipping on a fountain Diet Coke, also purchased at Target:).  A little over a month ago I purchased Kenny Chesney's new album (CD?).  I really don't think it is fair that they both put one out within months of each other and then I have to wait years for something new.  I love Kenny but Keith is my favorite. When I am not buying C...

The kids are out of school tomorrow so today was Halloween Day.  Halloween is far from my favorite holiday but it is one that has brought me so much happiness.  For the past 10 years I have done a party in one of the boy's classes.  One year I even got to do a party for each of them.  When Stockton was small he had so much fun sitting with Douglas, eating candy corns from his Bingo card and feeling like one of the big kids.  I LOVE doing Halloween parties.  Today I was not needed.  My boys have moved on and I was left feeling very empty and completely lost. Mason and I went to the annual costume parade.  I loved holding him on my lap and watching all of the kids go by.  I loved posing him on the stage trying to get a good shot of his costume.  (This pose was ALL his idea!  I was just trying to get him to look at me.) But the whole thing only lasted about 30 minutes.  This is the only picture I got of Stockton and then we we...

I have a confession to make.  I am a cheapskate.  I think this was more of a learned attribute than a god-given one.  I was raised the oldest of 6 kids.  My mom did her best to clothe us as stylish as we wanted to be without breaking the bank but that meant I never got expensive shoes, I never got name brand jeans and through the 8th grade, many of my clothes were homemade.  I am not complaining, I never felt gypped. (Well, I did REALLY want a pair of Jordache jeans in the 6th grade because my best friend had some.  My dad told me if I hit a home run in Bonnet Ball he would get me a pair but I think he knew that was a pretty risk free promise!)  I had no choice but to grow up to be a frugal clothing shopper. I have come a long way.  It has taken a little trial and error but clearance jeans usually aren't that cute, that's why they are on clearance.  No one wanted them.  Walmart shirts are cheap and shrink.  Payless shoes are uncom...

I have had the urge to record some of my deepest feelings but have not been able to come to some kind of organization with my thoughts.  I guess I will start typing and see where it takes me. Each year I feel I have to pass through this gate of remembrance.  It starts weighing on me a few days before Lincoln's birthday until I sit down and take the time to ponder and reflect on what I am doing with the promptings and assurances I received 8 years ago.  I love to reread the account I recorded of my experience delivering a still-born child.  Though I am not an avid journal writer and this blog is pretty much my current journal, I will be forever grateful that I felt compelled to write it down.  It is nice to remember the details and the chronology but the biggest gem is really about the feelings and emotions that were mine.  To an outsider it may be unbelievable to see how one could feel so much comfort, love and support from their Savior in the middle of ...

These are the photos that lovingly adorn my entry way welcoming the world to our home. Stockton was 3, Douglas was 7 and Russell and I were somewhat younger than we are now. For pretty obvious reasons it was time to get a new picture on the wall.  I REALLY hate the whole process of family stress  pictures.  Everyone needs recent haircuts, clothes need to be clean and somewhat matching.  A location needs to be chosen, a poor sucker has to accompany us to snap the shots, no runny noses or cold sores can be present, Mason must be happy, Stockton must be agreeable and Douglas and Russell must be supportive.  So, over the weekend I forced my family to humor me and get this HUGE feat over with.  I am pretty happy with the results. Of course, for every good shot there are about 10 not so good ones!  You try and make a toddler hold still and smile nice!  My nephew, Jordan, asked his mom why I got to be in charge.  I told him i...

Having a toddler as a constant companion can be a little trying at times. It is nice when the rest of the family is home and they can help with the entertaining but most days it is me and Mason for 7 long hours. Some of his favorite things to say are "play with me," "I need a game," and "let's ride scooters."  He likes to dump his toys more than he likes to play with them and he has discovered the game and puzzle pantry in the dining room...within his reach!  Needless to say, I am constantly looking for ways to get out of the house (saves on messes), entertain, yet still get the things done I need to.  Today I had an epiphany. Sam's Club is the perfect field trip for us.  Mason has always liked this outing but today I realized just how perfect of a place it is!  The aisles are big with lots of things to touch but nothing really to break.  Mason can walk around and explore in a pretty harmless environment.  He can even run to the end of the is...