Thanksgiving 2024

Grateful 💛

No new pictures taken from today but we did spend it feeling grateful for the people in our lives. Although we surely missed our family and loved ones back in Utah it was nice to be surrounded by new friends here in Fargo. We had dinner with a family from church who also had five kids in six years and the chaos was of the best kind. The kids had a blast, the food was amazing and the company was superb.

Wicked Part One

Danny stayed home with the kids while I went on a solo trip to watch my favorite musical on the big screen. This might now be my new favorite movie. It was incredible. I can't believe I have to wait a year for part two. I picked the best day to watch it as well because there were only two other people in the theater room with me, and they picked seats in the way back so it felt like it was truly only me there. I know it's not the biggest deal to journal about but the fact that I got to spend time by myself to watch an almost three hour movie feels like it should be documented. 😁

Homemade Sled

Addie helped Grant make a homemade sled. 💚

First Snowfall

Our first snowfall of the year.

Quinn couldn't believe it. She was so giddy.

Waking up to so much snow.

And remembering that we do not own a snow shovel. 😬

Quinnie (White hat, gray boots)

Rylee (Pink hat, black boots)

Rylee

Quinn

Rylee's stamp of approval.

I have realized that we are not fully prepared for winter. I ordered the kids snow gloves and new boots that are on the way and hopefully will get here soon because the little fleece mittens they used today are not going to cut it. I think I figured that I had more time before we would deal with snow because it hasn't been super cold as of yet. I had no idea that the little sprinkle of snow we were seeing last night would continue through the night and leave a huge blanket of snow outside by the morning. Luckily the older three had snow pants that I did buy last month and the twins have theirs coming soon. We found two old ones that they were able to fit into for today and Quinn wore Addie's old winter boots which are way too big while Rylee wore some old ones I found laying around. They're excited for their own pink and purple boots that will be here within the next couple of days. Looks like I also need to add a snow shovel to my list of things to buy because there was no need for one in Texas. Watching the kids get excited and play in the snow was so cute. The girls have never really seen it before and Grant hasn't played in snow since he was younger than them. So crazy. Last year when we flew to Utah I was hoping they would be able to experience snow but they didn't really have any for them to play in. Today (aside from freezing hands) was magical for them.

The Dash

It's been two years now. Losing a sister is rough. The thought that I'll one day get to say hello again to her in a perfect body and perfect mind, with no wheelchair, no memory loss, no limitations of any kind is everything. 💗 It's always the thought I hold onto when grief hits. Camile I'm so proud of your dash, I hope you can be proud of mine.

The Dash

"I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.

And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,

and always try to understand the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,

remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash,

would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?"

- The Dash by Linda Ellis

BYU vs Utah 🏈

The game tonight is going to end well past our bedtime but I'm excited to follow along as much as we can and hopefully wake up to a fun game having been played. BYU is having an extremely good year so far so I'm feeling a littler nervous but will forever proudly cheer on my Utes. 😄

Little Quinnie wanted some pictures taken as well. 

She's such a daddy's girl these days that I'm sure she'd choose BYU if we ask.

Update: Well I woke up to a one point loss. It does help that Danny is the least non competitive BYU 'fan' out there so even though some years I wish he was more into the rivalry it's also kind of nice to know that he doesn't care either way. It helps soften the blow of a loss haha.