I'm thankful for . . .

Our GRATITUDE TREE . . .

Times are really, REALLY hard for everyone right now. I haven't been posting for quite a while because we've been going thru some difficult times ourselves. I just haven't felt like taking pictures, and I've been extremely busy.
Anyway, last night I decided to focus on the good in our lives, especially since this is the week of Thanksgiving. I read a short story from The Friend, which our family can relate to very well right now. As I read, the girls and Lehi each colored six fall leaves, and wrote something on each one for which they are grateful. (I did mine later.) Then we hung them on our "Grateful Tree." It was simple, but it felt good to remember some of the many blessings in our lives--our Savior, the atonement, family, cousins, brownies, freedom, and many more!
Our Grateful Tree is now sitting in our entryway, to remind us of our blessings--on those difficult days when everything seems messed up!

Onion Braids

This is one reason I haven't blogged for a few months--I've been doing strange things like braiding onions! Who ever woulda thought? . . .

This was one of my projects today--to put up some of the onions from the huge garden Lehi grew this summer! He grew two types of onions--spanish yellows and white. I LOVE the smell of fresh onions, so it was nice to sit out on my porch and braid them.

Meet Hairy!

As you look at these pictures, you have to notice the look on my face!

Notice Kate hiding in the background--where you would've found me when I was a kid! And, to be honest, I'm surprised I'm not there now!!

Yes, the glove--just a little nervous!?! Never held a tarantula before!!

But, then . . . Hairy and I are fast friends!!! Actually, he's quite nice--didn't even try to bite!

Notice, again, where our daughter is -- Eliza, hiding behind the post!

But, then look who warms up to our fine, hairy friend!

Notice the look on her face through all of these pictures! Quite a contrast to her mother's!! "Here little spidey. . . ."

And, then the glove came off! She's definitely my little adventurer!

I know, I know! I haven't blogged in months. I might take the time to explain that in a later post, but for now I wanted to let you in on the newest addition to our family!

If you ever would've told me I'd hold a tarantula, I would've told you you were out of your mind. But, it's interesting . . . when you become a mom and your kids find something fascinating, that fascination takes over you, too! I, honestly, have to say that finding this tarantula yesterday really has been fun!! I can't believe I'm saying that.

Eliza found it right outside our door, right off of our porch. I quickly grabbed a jar and he walked right in. We spent the next hour online, learning all about "our" tarantula. We discovered which (of 800) species it was (a desert tarantula), what sex he is, what its normal habitat is, what it eats, and how to care for a pet tarantula. Then, last night I (yes, ME!) caught a moth because they eat moths, and we put it in Hairy's jar. He attacked it, and sucked the life right out! Very interesting! I'm kind of excited to keep the guy because I'd love to watch it molt--what a great learning experience! This is fun!

Oh, and thanx to our cute cousin, Jonah, for his name. It's perfect!!