Our Thanksgiving 2009

Our Thankful Tree.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was held in Page, AZ at my parents home. We had everyone there except my sister Kaye and her family, who live in Alaska. We were blessed to have my grandparents come down from Salt Lake City. It really was a fun holiday. My mom once again made lots and lots of yummy food. Our Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. We had yummy turkey, lots and lots of salads, yummy homemade rolls, and of course too many desserts to count. We did a really fun thing this year: we made a Thankful tree. Everyone was able to write on a leaf what they were thankful for. Before we knew it our tree was full of all the many things we are thankful for.

My mom and dad

My grandma Jenkins and I (I love this lady)

Karlee had lots of cousins to play with and lots of things to do. Grandma had lots of games and things for all the kids to play with. I think that outside was their most favorite place to be. Rob had to work over the Thanksgiving holiday but came over on Saturday morning. Saturday, Papa took all the grandkids GeoCashing in the desert. All the kids look forward to going geocashing with papa. Karlee went on her first geocash, but got a little bored, so she just started playing with the sand.

Going GeoCashing with Papa

Karlee's idea of geocashing - Playing in the dirt

Saturday afternoon all the guys watched the BYU and Utah Football game. Rob came back really happy as BYU beat Utah 26-23. My brother Tom not so much as he is probably one of the biggest Utah fans I know. Horray Go BYU!!!

I am thankful for:

I am Thankful for: (in no specific order)

• Rob -most patient person I know
• Karlee - can't remember my life without her
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Family - I love having such a close family
• Opportunities to serve
• My Parents - so much gratitude
• Savior
• My In-laws - again I love having a close family
• Roof over my family's heads
• Friends
• Talents - probably need to use them more
• Hobbies
• Church callings - Sunbeams
• Trials - I have learned so much
• Freedom
• Beautiful weather
• Temples
• Food in our pantry and on our table
• Clothes - however outdated, and not so comfortable.
• Healthy body - need to get into shape, again. ugh!
• Adoption

November - National Adoption Month

Karlee (February 2008)

I think that it is appropriate that in this month of November as a nation we set aside Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate things that we are most grateful for. November is also National Adoption Month, so we have another reason to celebrate our precious Karlee. We are so thankful for the miracle of adoption. Adoption is such an act of selfless love. Our adoption experience has been guided by the hand our our Heavenly Father. He truly knows us and answers prayers. Our lives are filled with so much joy to have the blessing to raise Karlee. We thank our Heavenly Father daily for the blessings in our lives, for the guidance in all our decisions. We are and will be truly and forever grateful to Karlee's birthmother and birthfather, who selflessly gave us the greatest gift we have in our lives. Not a day goes by that we see both a little bit of them in her, be it her sleepy morning eyes from her birthmom (I absolutely LOVE them), and her blonde hair that she got from her birthfather (And yes she is finally getting hair). Again our Heavenly Father knows us, and prepares us for moments in our lives.

Honor our Veterans

Today is Veterans Day. When I walked out to get the paper today, I looked up the street and a lump filled my throat as I saw these young boys placing American flags up and down the street. I just love to see the American flag out and waving. I guess the older I get the more emotional it is for me to see service men and women. Today Rob, Karlee and I were on our way to do an errand and ran into closed roads for our little towns Veterans Day Parade. So Rob pulled over and parked the car, we were able to enjoy most of the parade. Again I got emotional and teary eyed. To see all these veterans who have lived such amazing lives, and have sacrificed so much of themselves to serve their country. I am grateful for their sacrifices and their dedication to our country and to our freedoms.

There have been many in our family who have served our country, and for this I am grateful.

Disclaimer: I have pictures that I will be putting in at a later date, as the pictures need to be scanned.

This is a picture of my Grandpa Worthen. My grandpa served in World War II with his two brothers. My grandpa Clive (left), his brother Ray (center), and his brother Hal (right). This picture taken in Texas when they were all on leave. They served in the Army.

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Grandpa Jenkins served in the Marines during the Korean War. He served on a ship around Japan, Korea, and China.

My brother-in-law Matt served in the army just out of high school. He was based over in Korea for a year. I am taking this from my sisters

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Rob's uncle Don Claude Williamson served in the Marine Corp. in the Vietnam war. He lost his life in service in that very war. While I was in Washington D.C. a couple years ago with my parents. We went to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The Wall, and found his name and etched it onto paper. This was quite a sacred experience, it was as though the world stood still, not a dry eye near by. I did a little research on Rob's uncle, it said that his tour began on April 2, 1968 and he died on May 25, 1968 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was only 20 years old.

Thanks to all our veterans! God Bless America!

What a Mess-maker!

Okay so for all of you who know me. . . and know me well. I am not much of a mess maker, and thus I expect nothing less from Karlee. (right! ha ha) However I have been trying to take a back seat when it comes to mess making. I just don't know how some of you parents can do it. Ugh!!! I guess I just don't have the patience. Anyways last Saturday when my parents were here Karlee was up to the table eating her yogurt, and decided to put some on the table. She then started to finger paint on the table. My mom thought - "Awe look so cute, she is finger painting". My first thought - "Oh what a mess she is making". I know, I know I am insane to think that a little kid would want to stay clean and out of any type of mess.

So the other night, as we were eating dinner, I gave Karlee some cottage cheese and a spoon. She is getting really good eating with utensils, she will only eat if she either has a spoon or fork in hand. This girl has pretty good fine motor skills. Karlee was still eating while I decided it was time to clean the kitchen. When I turned around I saw this (grabbed my camera of course):

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Look at this face! I mean seriously! - What a cutie!

Karlee had decided to forgo the spoon, and eat with her hands. Then she decided to rub her dinner into her hair. When I tried to stop her, she threw her bowl (still with contents in) onto the ground in protest, I am sure!. Needless to say we ended the night with fun in the bath. Good thing this girl loves her bathtime.

Bathtime washing away the mess!

I just don't know how to turn my head, when it comes to mess making. I am trying to get a grip on it, but trust me this is pretty darn difficult for me. Wish me luck!

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I keep telling myself. . . You are only a kid once, so you might as well live it up!