We are thankful for....

November 22

Dallin--- I am gratetful for my dad because he is the main example in my life of what I need to do to be the best I can be. I love my dad and I always miss him whenever he goes to Alabama. I'm greatful for the hints that he gives me to get through life. He works really hard to provide for our family and sometimes I feel like I take that for granted. He can beat my butt in golf and teach me how to play at the same time! He always supports me in all of my goals and helps me accomplish them too. He is all a father should be to me...

Landon-- Well I'm ver thankful for my wonderfull Dad and I don't really know what I would do without him. He's an inspiration to everyone around him. I'm very proud of him for persuing his new job, trying to make a better life for us. As I go on with life, I realize how much he really does for me. I can't even comprehend what he sacrifices to make things better for me. I'm so thankful that he wants to provide for me and he loves me as much as I love him. I don't know where I'd be without him. I don't know, maybe not on this Earth! Thanks Dad!

We are thankful for....

November 21

The Military of our nation is full of amazing men and women. We are grateful for their strength, courage, and commitment to our country to keep us safe and free. And the sacrifice. They are willing to give their lives for the good of our country. They fight for freedom and do whatever is asked of them. They leave families to go abroad to preserve our freedoms. May they be blessed during this holiday season and peace be with their families.

We are thankful for....

November 20

My past is full of people that I have never met, people who have created a legacy for me. A legacy that I am grateful for. I want to meet these people who I have heard so much about.

Josiah Rogerson and his mother, Mary left England and came across on the plains pushing a handcart to be with the saints in Salt Lake City. I think they were strong and courageous and so full of faith.

August and Emma Lange are my great Grandparents. They emigrated from Germany to start a new life in America with their little family. I think they were incredibly hard-working, humble people. They loved their family and heritage.

Thomas Alma James and his father, Thomas John James. They lived in Wyoming and started a lumber company that became my Grandfather's business. I think they were industrious and smart.

Great Grandma James, Margaret Syme made raisin-filled cookies. I think she was giving and strong.

Duckworth Grimshaw , a funny man who lived in the small town of Beaver, Utah shared his history through his writings. He had a very matter-of-fact attitude about life. I think he was very no-nonsense and practical.

Della Rogerson, my grandmother. I've never met her. She died when my Dad was 14. Her pictures show a kind, gentle face with beautiful eyes. I think she was quiet, but fun and had a peaceful, kind spirit about her. She always had a smile on her face. I'd like to give her a hug and talk with her. I want to hear her sweet voice. Someday I will.

Each person in my past has added to my tapestry of life. And I must go forth creating my own legacy for my children and theirs. It just goes on and on.

We are thankful for....

November 19 We thank thee Oh God for a prophet..........We love our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. We are grateful to have a prophet on the earth to guide us and lead us. It's wonderful to know that Heavenly Father has given us a prophet for our times, just as the prophet in the Old Testament. We are blessed to feel of his love and to hear of his teachings. By listening and heeding to his counsel we can improve our lives and become better followers of Christ. I do miss President Hinckley. I just loved him. I have grown to love President Monson. I feel the spirit when listening to him. I know he is our prophet.

We are thankful for....

November 18

Freedom....I really love the sound of that word. Freedom....there's just so much meaning in that one little word. It means that I can say what I want, think what I want, worship how I want, live my life how I choose to live it. Granted, there are rules, laws, guidelines, commandments that we all must follow to live in a peaceful society. I get to vote. I get to choose my profession, where I live, and I can choose how to raise my family. I do love my freedom and the great USA of which I have the privilege to be a citizen. Enough said. Freedom.

6 Pack

A towel-covered Easton was looking in the mirror at himself after his shower. He said he was looking for his 6 pack. When asked if he found it he replied in a very matter of fact way, "It's a 4 pack."

We are thankful for....

A few weeks ago I was sitting in Landon's honor chorus enjoying the melodies and harmonies of middle school choirs. Bzzzzz bzzzz bzzzz....my cell phone was buzzing. Ashton was texting me with questions about Dallin's cross country race outcome earlier in the morning. Bzzzz bzzzzz bzzzz...my phone buzzed again. It was Dallin texting me with questions about where I was sitting in the theatre. He was late and looking for us. Bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz...my phone buzzed again! This time it was Landon who was using a friend's phone to text me. He doesn't have his own yet. He too wanted to know where we were sitting so he could find us after he performed. All of this buzzing from three of my children took place within about 5 minutes. What would we do without cell phones and the ability to communicate with each other? We are so connected. Sometimes too connected but we are grateful for communication. Grateful to talk to family and friends whenever we want. In college I remember the dreaded phone conversation with family. It was always such an urgent thing--"This is costing money. We need to hang up. Dad's giving me the look. Well, we better go. You know a stamp is cheaper than a phone call." Always a rush. Guilty feelings when I would call for no reason. Things have certainly changed. Ashton calls constantly--we love it and are thrilled that we can communicate as often as we do. I love the sense of security I feel when I have my phone with me. I'm connected to my family wherever I go and I like that. I feel comfortable leaving my children home because I know they can reach me. Easton always calls at least once when Stephen and I are on a date. He calls Stephen whenever he wants during the day. What a great thing for a child to be able to have his needs and questions immediately taken care of and to feel a connection with a Mom and Dad who love him.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by my friend, Jill. The instructions were to go to your fourth file of pictures and load the fourth photo. I was surprised to come up with July 4th, 2008 when we were at Grandma and Grandpa's in Utah. I've been taking digital since last November but my computer crashed and had to be cleaned. I have not downloaded old photos from last year year. So you get July. This photo is of four cousins on my side of the family. Dallin and Landon and their cute girl cousins, Madeleine and Tessa. We don't see these cousins as often as we would like but when we do get together it's a fun, giggly time. The cousins are watching the North Salt Lake fireworks at the Eagle Wood golf course after having a fabulous dinner at Grandma's with all the family. This was a fun trip down memory lane. I tag all family and friends out there! What's the fourth picture in your fourth file? Huh?

We are thankful for....

November 16

We are very grateful to have the Book of Mormon in our lives. We have read it and know of its truth. The stories of the people in ancient America are fascinating. Having another testament of our Saviour is such a blessing. We have read it as a family and it really does change the spirit in our home when we are reading it. If you haven't read it yet we would encourage you to read it. It will change your life.

We are thankful for....

Modern day appliances are the greatest inventions and I am soooo grateful for them. I love my washer and dryer. I have heard my mom talking about wash day when they were work together with the sisters doing laundry all day long. They would use the wringer and other contraptions. Ugh! I love my dishwasher. Putting a whole days worth of dishes in the washer and then pushing a button and walking away is so cool. Now someone just needs to invent and way to rinse your dishes and clear the table for you. I love my microwave and oven and stove. Oh yea! What would we do without those? Imagine cooking over a fire and trying to regulate your oven with coals and logs. That's a hassle. The microwave cuts down on cooking time and sure makes heating up those leftover a wonderful experience! What about the refrigerator. Life would be rough without that. I'd have to go the store everyday for fresh stuff--hey, I feel like I do that now. I really love my Kitchen Aid. I lived for many years without that and survived but now that I have one--I just love it. Making cookies and bread dough is so much easier with the Kitchen Aid. How about the garbage disposal--now that's a cool little invention. All of these nifty little things definitely make my life easier and help me save time. That gives me more time to read my scriptures, spend quality time with my family, do service for others, write letters, update my journal, help the neighbor, etc...........

We are thankful for....

November 14

We are thankful for.... A mom who knows how to cook! When we go to other people's homes to eat their disgusting food I feel like I'm about to puke sometimes. Well, when we're at home, we don't have to worry about that beacause our mom knows how to cook. ITs always fun to have a mom who knows how to cook, especially on the holidays! We dont even have a favorite dish because they are all so good! we hardly ever want to eat out unless it's applebes or something. "When i am trying to eat something healthy for running or something, I dont even have to ask my mom to make anything specific! It's all healthy!" -Dallin and Landon

Fortunate

My friend Amy and I do a dinner swap with each other on Mondays and Thursday. I make and bring dinner to her family on Mondays and she makes and brings dinner to my family on Thursdays. Last night she brought us an Asian meal with yummy chicken, noodles, rice, green beans and fortune cookies. We had a blast cracking open the cookies and finding out what our fortunes would be.

Mom: You will inherit a large sum of money. Now that's downright exciting. I'll let you know when that happens and of course, I shall share with you all.

Easton: There's a good chance of a romantic encounter soon. Easton said, "What?!"
Landon: There are 365 days in a year. May all 365 of your dreams come true.Dallin: A friend will bring you a big surprise soon. Well, we're waiting....what's the surprise?

May you all have good fortunes coming your way today!

We are thankful for....

November 13

Over here in the Carroll home our blood runs BLUE!!!!! We are very thankful for BYU--for a lot of reasons. My parents met at BYU and both graduated from there. Stephen's Dad went to BYU. Stephen and I met at BYU and we both graduated from there. I received my Elementary Education degree and Stephen received a Bachelors degree in Spanish and an MBA. Over the years our children have grown to love Brigham Young University. They love to wear their BYU baseball caps and cool sweatshirts. I love my BYU key chain and my growing collection of sweatshirts. Blue is my color you know! We love watching football and other sports. The BYU tv channel is watched often at our home especially on Sundays because it brings us the MoTab and the Spoken word. And.....our adorable daughter, Ashton is currently a student at BYU. We couldn't be happier for her. She's doing great and learning much, academically and those wonderful life lessons. Her blood is turning blue even though she still has a Georgia (UGA) in her. Who knows...maybe she'll meet her husband at BYU just like her Mommy and Grandma! (Not until you graduate first, Ashton!)

Fall

When it's Fall time the weathered leaves

fall from branches off the trees.

Whirly, twirly, whirly, twirly in the air,

whirly, twirly, whirly, twirly everywhere!

Hey family--remember that song? It always comes to mind when we are crunching through newly fallen leaves. Yesterday Easton and I had our fall moment. He loves making piles of leaves and then rolling, jumping, tumbling and throwing! Before the huge pile was destroyed by the beastly lawn mower we played. Oh what fun! We laughed and giggled the whole time.

Ripstick

This is what Landon bought last week with his money that he has been saving--a ripstick. It's like a very fancy skateboard the twists in the middle. The wheels are like casters that move. It's a crazy contraption and takes a lot of practice to get the hang of. I did it a little today and it's hard. Landon and Dallin are both awesome on it. Tons of fun!