Thanks Giving

One year ago today Jason and I found out that our baby would not survive. This past year has had its ups and downs and we have really tried to focus on giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for what we do have and had. It took a lot on my part to be thankful. To this day I don't think that I can honestly say that I am grateful for what happened, but I can say that I am thankful for my growth. Growth in faith (hard at times), growth in understanding, growth in my spiritual vision, and growth in my love. Sometimes the hardest words to utter are, "Thy will be done". I think that as we grow in life, taking the good and the bad, it becomes easier if you honestly mean it. And I have worked really hard to honestly mean it. It is so EASY to be thankful when things are going your way, but it is BEST to be thankful when they are not. So over the last year here are some of the things that I have become grateful for and will continue to be grateful for...

My Husband is number one. I was talking to a cashier at the grocery store the other day and I said something about Jason and she replied that I had married Prince Charming, and she was right. He is the greatest blessing in my life- through good and not so good.

Jefferson is the light of my life. He is such a character that is was and is really hard to be sad around him. He is the future. I cannot be sad with one miracle because one is better than none. We all hope for more, but if it isn't to be, than one is better than none.

My family is fabulous--roudy meals, playful banter, and crazies included. They really surrounded me when I needed it and they always will. I just hope that I am there for them the way they are for me.

My ward FAMILY. They really are family. They are the most kind, unjudgemental people I have ever met. Always willing to lend a hand, shoulder, car, etc. They were and are my personal angels on earth.

Food. Come on, who doesn't love food. It may seem strange, but I have learned a lot through food. It is a way to show love, compassion, interest, etc. As a member of the Relief Society nothing says I love you like a delivered meal in a time of need, cookies on a birthday, candy just when ever. Really, we could all take a lesson from food.

Nature. When I need to find peace the most I go for a walk. Nothing calms the soul like a view of God's creations. There is a plan, we just have to have faith.

There is so much more that I am thankful for: A home, a working furnace, the scriptures, a living prophet who is such an incredible example of who we should be, my tredmill, the library, great music, my health, my friends, etc. The list goes on and on, as it should.

May you be full of Thanks Giving as well this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

One week to Turkey Day!!

YIIIPPPPPEEEE!! Less than one week until me and the fam go to my parents house for my most favorite time of the year ever!!

In our ward the RS has a monthly recipe exchange and for November we did Thanksgiving traditions. Well, it was the same last year and I didn't want to take the same recipe so I decided to take turkey!

Check out my gaggle of gobblers.

They were so fun and everyone loved them. Turns out I was the only one to bring turkey. They are made of Cocoa Rice Krispe treats cut with two different sized circle biscuit cutters and decorated with candy corn mimi m'nms, and pretzels. They are definitly and hit with the kiddies.

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt!

Anyone who really knows me, knows that fall is my favorite season and Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. That said, Jefferson and I have been reading up on it in preparation for the big event. "Thanksgiving Rules" is a really funny book for children, "Thanks for Thanksgiving" is about being thankful, and "We're going on a Leaf Hunt" is, well, self explanatory.

Once we read it we decided to go on a little hunt of our own. We searched for green, yellow, orange, and read leaves. It wasn't too cold today so it was a great time. Jefferson always wanted to hold the biggest. He climbed and pulled, rolled and ran. Great fun!!

Yellow

Red

Orangish Yellow
Big Yellow, Big Big Yellow (according to Jefferson)

Green

Brown

He just wanted to climb the rocks, but I made him pick a leaf while he was up there. All in all, a great, free, fun adventure.

My Budding Chef!

Like any true Dixon, Jefferson loves pancakes.

He has become my little sous chef (sorry Jessi, you're out). As soon as he got up this morning he was asking for pancakes and since I have the recipe memorized it was fast. This is it was fast until Jefferson realized what I was doing and decided he wanted to be in charge. He quickly moved a chair to the stove where he proclaimed it was "hot hot hot" and then waited until I poured the batter. Then he flipped...

the pancakes.

He then made sure they were flat like they should be.

Then he scooped them up and put them on his plate and promptly said,"Good Job!!"

I asked him to say cheese and this is what I got every time.

It is GOOD!!

Watch out Bobby Flay, here comes Jefferson!

Picture Fun!

I have always loved the look of silhouettes. I think they are fun and classy. I then saw an article in my Martha Stewart Living magazine about different takes on silhouettes and decided to give it a try. I did mine in Photo Shop and they are really super easy and fun. I think that I am going to make a collage of different poses and people from my family. Something like that would be fun and special and classic. Here are the first few I've done. What do you think? If you have some pictures you want done just send them my way!!

The Classic Silhouette (me)

A half silhouette (Jefferson playing soccer)



A funky silhouette (Jason taking a break from vacuuming my car to pose)

My New Goal!!

So, with fall coming on really fast and the mornings being colder and darker I decided that I needed a goal for myself. The purpose of this goal was to keep me motivated to be healthy during the winter/holiday months and to keep me focused on something other than the things that are not happening. So starting last week I made a goal to run 100+ miles before Christmas. As a reward, on Christmas break Jason is going to take me on a day long date!! He is so nice that I know he will take me out even if I don't reach my goal, but that is why I am blogging about it; so you can keep me accountable. Now, 100 miles might not seem like much to run in 8-9 weeks, but it is butt cold at 6 in the morning and my bed is so darn comfy. And lets face it, I love food. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday and I believe in moderation in all things. So to keep me from becoming a much larger version of myself I set this goal. I think I am going to put a ticker at the top of the blog, but we'll see. Since starting last week I have run 25 miles. A quarter to my goal!! What do you think? How do you guys stay healthy through the holiday rush of delicious cookies, pies, cakes, chocolate, etc?