I Am Thankful!!

So, my big idea that I came up with around Oct 28 was to write an "I am thankful" post everyday for the whole month of November. I was sooooo excited about it that I wanted to start that day. But, I told myself..."No, wait till November". So, I did. And it is now November 6th. But, I am going to catch up today. I am not going to let 6 opportunities to say what I am thankful for pass me by.

(Backpost for November 1st, 2008)
Now, where to start. Probably here.
I am thankful for this Man.






If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have the beautiful life I have. Living in Hawaii as a stay at home mom with 1.5 kids, day after day, in a beautiful home 100 paces from the ocean. He is funny, kind, thoughtful, and consinderate of others...and especially me. He's the best Dad in the whole world. (I would know this cause I grew up with a best dad in the whole world). He's always pushed me to do more, and to be better. This is a good thing because I often will settle for good enough. He lets me sleep in as long as I like. He lets me decorate the house how I like with his hard earned money. He knows when I am having a bad day, and he helps out with the chores. He keeps our cars running, food in our bellies, and a roof over our head, and he's excited about our #2. I couldn't hope for a better life. I am so thankful for the one I have been given, and thankful to my Heavenly Father for sending me this man.

Happy Halloween!! (Better late than never...right??)

Somehow I didn't post this. I think my Internet must have cut out before I finished writing.

SO...We had a lot of fun for Halloween this year. We dressed Eden up as an angel, and if I may say so she looked so cute! We went to ward Trunk or Treat at the church Wednesday night. Daddy dressed as the Devil and mamma as an angel too. Eden enjoyed running around and getting candy as we strolled from car to car. They also served some delicious chili and yummy ice cream sundaes. We have a really awesome ward.





On actual Halloween night we headed to Laie, which is considered the safest neighborhood on the island. Dadda dressed again as the devil, mamma as a witch, Eden an angel, and Cisco joined us dressed as Bob Marley). Unfortunately when we got there, I realized I had brought the camera...but left the SD card at home. But that didn't stop the fun. We walked the popular Moana street. It was so much fun. Eden ran as fast as she could from one house to the next once she realized that they were giving her candy. She'd hold out her little trick-or-treat bag (that I proudly made for her out of a dish towel from last Halloween), and say in her own way "trick-or-treat!", get candy, say thank you, and run off to the next place. As we walked away she would always put her hand out or try to open her new candy and say "By! By!" Which is Eden-eese for "bite". She loved looking at all the decorations and some houses did an amazing job decorating for the little trick-or-treaters. Eden's new words she learned for this fun event were, "Happy Halloween", "candy" (pronounced "nandy"), trick-or-treat, and I think that's about it.
Anyway, it was a super fun evening.

Is this me?

This is what some website said about me judging from my birthday. Some of it, I definitely agree with. But still, it's fun to read. Check it out. The link is at the bottom.

Your Birthdate: March 22

You tend to be understated and under appreciated. You have a hidden force to do amazing things, doing them your own way. People may see you as strange and shy, but they know little. Your unconventional ways have more power than they (and even you) know. Your strength: Standing up for what you know is true Your weakness: You tend to be picky and rigid Your power color: Silver Your power symbol: Square Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I don't feel underappreciated...well, I guess that would be a lie. I think we all do sometimes. Do people really see me as strange and shy? Maybe. Picky and rigid? Hmmm, didn't think so, but mabye. Standing up for what's right and true? Definately. I remember getting in a fight (no fists of course, I would have died) with a VERY BIG and VERY ANGRY person once at Golden Corral because he was swearing at his waitress calling her all sorts of horrible names. Luckily he was told the cops had been called and he ran out of the resturaunt before it escalated much further. Several nights later, we saw this guy on the news because he was wanted for murder. Like I said, I would have died had he decided to hit me.

Anyway, this is what is says about Monkey (Eden). Some of this I definately agree with. The rest, I guess we will have to see as she gets older.

Your Birthdate: April 10

Independent and dominant, you tend to be the alpha dog in most situations. You're very confident, and hardly anything ever shakes you. Mundane tasks tend to drain you - you prefer to be making great plans. You are quite original. When people don't "get" you, it bothers you a lot. Your strength: Your ability to gain respect Your weakness: Caring too much what others think Your power color: Orange-red Your power symbol: Letter X Your power month: October

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Below is Jonathon's birthday profile. This totally sounds like him. Very likeable, never satisfied. He always used to tell me it was a suprise he ever got married because he is not one for sticking to any one thing long term. That's why he's decided on social work. And he surely wants to travel and have fun. The one thing it failed to mention is his head strong will once he sets his mind to something. If he says he's goona do something... he does it, even if it takes 156 hours. All the reasons I love him.

Your Birthdate: January 23

You're not good at any one thing, and that's the problem. You're good at so much - you never know what to do. Change is in your blood, and you don't stick to much for long. You are destined for a life of travel and fun. Your strength: Your likeability Your weakness: You never feel satisfied Your power color: Bright yellow Your power symbol: Asterisk Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

This week I want...

So, my craving seems to change from about week to week. But, sometimes it takes me a few days to figure out what sounds good. I got really tired of the goulash and pot roast after a few weeks, and now it sounds far from appetizing. For a week I wanted salmon every day, and lately I've been in an eating slump for about 2 weeks, but I finally figured out what I want! This week my new craving that I finally figured out is pumpkin.
Too bad it costs a bazillion $$ here on the island. I bought a can of it at foodland the other day for $4.50. I swear this stuff sells for $1.50 on the mainland.
Anyway, I made a batch of pumpkin soup Monday and it turned out quite delicious. I just ran out today, so I will probably be making pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, or pumpkin curry today. I'd make all of it if it wouldn't cost me $20. ;-) Probably something sweet sounds best though. So, come by for a visit if you are craving pumpkin too! ;-) Or you can come enjoy craving #2 tea. Yesterday I bought Jerusalem Mint with pomegranite (herbal of course). So, come join me for a tea party!

Note to pregnant friends. I looked up pregnant tea drinking online. This is what I found.
Which teas are not safe?
Many of the herbs used for teas, when taken in large or medicinal amounts, can potentially stimulate the uterus and induce miscarriage. These include anise, catnip, chamomile, comfrey, ephedra (called ma huang in traditional Chinese medicine), European mistletoe, hibiscus, horehound, Labrador, lemongrass, licorice root, mugwort, pennyroyal, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage, sassafras, stinging nettle leaf, vetiver, and yarrow.

Whose Face is This?

Well, I will tell you. This is the face of our beautiful...wait excuse me, handsome coming baby boy. Yes, that's right folks. Unless the ultra-sound tech misjudged an umbilical cord for boy parts, we are having a little baby boy. I am super excited. But, I would have been excited for a girl also. I'm mostly just excited for Eden to have a sibling to run around with. At the ultra-sound she even pointed to the screen and said, "baby!" So, maybe she understands what is going on after all. It was a long day. We had to wake up at 6:10 am in order to get out the door by 6:30to make our 7:30 appointment. I don't know what I was thinking when I scheduled that. But, we were done around 8:20 so we decided to go to a delicious place for breakfast. I can't remember how to spell it. Buuts (Pronounced: boots) and Kimo's. It in Kailua and they have the most DELICIOUS banana pancakes with maccadamia nut creamy sauce. It tastes like maccadamia nut ice-cream melted on top. Eden ate a thing of Yan-Yans. It's a cookie treat that I had in my back-pack. I was supposed to mail it today to Jonathon's little brother on a mission as part of a care package, but I was desperate. So, thanks for sharing Ryan. ;-) Anyway, you dip these cookie sticks in chocolate frosting, and she managed to get the frosting all over herself, and even some on me and her dad. After breakfast we took Dad to work. Eden and I went to the mall to run around the kiddie gym for a bit. But, after Eden ran out of it twice in the first 5 minutes, I decided we were done. We did a little shopping at Children's Place where I found 2 long sleeve onesies (perfect for Utah cold weather) for $2 each! Then we headed to the pet store where Eden squealed at the puppies for a good 20 minutes. Then a quick lunch at Subway, and a LONG walk to Ross, where I bought a new black maternity t-shirt. Then a LONG walk back to the mall to get the car and pick Dad up by 3. All in all it was a great day! And we can't wait to meet our baby boy. We love you!!

You've Been Tagged

1. Not sure how to make one of those clever links maybe this will work. Anyway, I was tagged by my awesome sister in law. You can find her blog on the right "Miah Rachel and kids" in-case the link doesn't work. She's one awesome Mommy, and you should check out her cute blog with their super cute kids.

2. 7 random facts

a. My middle name is Gabrielle, and I've always liked it. I didn't like my 1st name in elementary. Probably cause all the kids liked how it rhymed with fatty. Didn't help that I was a chubby kiddo. ;-) Anyway, now I really like my name cause it's original. I feel like I need to keep it a good name by doing good for those around me.

b. My feet are .5 size different from one another. This isn't a problem in a Hawaii because I wear slippers (flip-flops) 95% of the time, but I hated trying to find comfy shoes when I lived in Utah. Especially when I worked at a bank and needed to wear "nice shoes".

c. I like to listen to fun loud girly music and dance around my house. You know the type, "apple bottom jeans" and the like.

d. I am a licensed elementary teacher in the state of Hawaii... but will probably never teach here.

e. There are 6 kids in my family, and their ages range from 22 to 47 or something like that (sorry Mike, I don't know your real age). I fall in the middle. Oldest to youngest Mike, Amy, Jeremiah, Me, Jennie, Micah. My oldest neice is just 3 years my younger. Did you follow that?

f. I am still in contact with my best friend Hannah (pronounced more like Hanukkah not Hannah Montana) from kindergarten. We were only friends for the year of kindergarten, then I moved to Missouri. But, we must have really liked each other cause we still catch up with one another from time to time. She was my first best friend.

g. When I get my own house I want to have a piano room. A grand piano, a fun electric, my 1st piano that I learned on. My grandma's. And maybe 1 antique...and in 10 years or less, I plan on having this room. However, it may be short on the grand and antique piano for a few more years, since I don't own those yet. But the other 3 I have in Utah waiting for my return. ;-)

Ok, now to follow rules I tag the following folks. Let's see if i know 7 people. ;-)
I now tag
A different wonderful sister-in-law: Kristine
My neighbor: Stef J
A good creative friend, Echo Allred
http://stephanielovesthomas.blogspot.com/ Future in-law: should the arranged marriage between our 2 children go through: Stephanie Robertson
Good old TVA days friend: Brooke Douglas
Another good creative friend: Melissa Crosby
Another good old friend from the days of TVA: Ashley Carter

Shucks. Looks like none of my links worked. I need someone to teach me how to do that.

Butterflies and More Butterflies

So, I have decided to do Eden's room with a butterfly garden theme. I've always planned on doing her room in a garden theme (hello, her name IS Eden). But, I have a few butterflies from her mobile when she was an infant, so I thought I would break that apart and incorporate it into her room. We had fun yesterday making butterflies by shaving crayons and melting the shavings onto paper with an iron. We hung these from her ceiling.


She loves them. We only made 3, but I plan to make more soon. (Eden actually sat in her high chair and ate crayons, and colored a little while I made these).

It's been fun decorating her little room.


I think it's the perfect size for her. I love our little house, it is perfect for us. I really enjoy being here. It's so much easier to entertain friends or watch other kids, the patio is perfect, the yard is perfect, and it just feels like home. I love it!!