Thanksgiving in 2 parts

PART 1
We celebrated Thanksgiving twice this year. First we went to Jeron's Dads on Sunday before Thanksgiving. Jeron loves a good Turkey dinner so I think he was pleased to get to eat it twice in one year. I made about 90 rolls for this shindig. Everyone pitched in and brought a dish. It turned out to be a success. We all ate in the living room and it was fun to be all together like that.

I really enjoy Jeron's step brother and sister and their families. We always have a fun time with them and this time was no exception.

After dinner we played games and hung out. I will have to say the games were a flop! But it was fun anyway.

Jeron got some good snuggles from the little girls.

Uncle Jeff giving Ellie a horsey ride. I think Jeron really wanted one as well.JK

Tara and I hanging out.

PART 2
On Thanksgiving Day we went to Jeron's Moms for dinner. She had a very nice dinner. She prepared the whole thing herself. I am not sure how she does it but she always pulls it off. We all were able to sit at one table which was really nice. They transformed their living room into one big dinning room.

After dinner Jan had the kids do some crafts. They thought this was a blast. I think that Tara enjoyed it the most:)

Megan, Jordan, and Elsie. They came for a little bit. It is fun to see Megan all grown up.

The Jones Ladies and Grandma

Gene and Jan have a friend that is kind of part of the family now. He is fun to talk to and really sweet. He was feeding Ellie and she was loving it. He even shared his drink with her. That is practically sainthood if you ask me.

For some reason I just love this girl. Maybe it is because she is part of the Ann club or maybe because she is freakin AWESOME! Either way "LOVE HER".

Me and my honey.

Playing cards with everyone. I love to play cards and yap. Always a good time for most of us:)

Jeron loves this picture that JJ took of me. He says it is how I always look. WHATEVER

I didn't get a lot of pictures of the kids because they were always running off having a BLAST with their cousins. Thanks to all for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

I don't ever spend enough time saying what I am grateful for. My sister last year did an awesome post about all that she was grateful for, and I thought that I would copy her this year. That means that one of my brothers or sister-in-law will need to copy me next year. (HINT)

There really is so much to be grateful for. I am very blessed is so many ways. I have always been able to live the way that I want and how I want. I think that I take this for granted often. I was taught since I was born that I am a Daughter of God. This knowledge has blessed my life in ways beyond measure. No matter what life throws at me I know that I am loved. I hope for nothing more then that my children will always have the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves them. I also have felt of Christ's love from me. I know that He lives and through Him all can be made whole again. I know that He is there when I allow Him in. I am truly grateful for the atonement and all that it has meant for me.

I am so grateful for my family. I am so very blessed to have a loving husband and four beautiful children. I am able to stay home with my kids and be here for them. I am so grateful to Jeron for working hard so that I can be home. I am grateful that he sees the importance of me being here for them. Things are tight and yet he doesn't make me feel like I need to get a job. We do what we can so that I am here. Jeron gets me in a way that no one else does. We just fit together perfectly. Not to sound corny but he completes me. Our kids mean everything to me. I love how they soak everything up. They are full of life and remind me of what is good in this world. Being a Mom is so much different then I ever imagined growing up. It is so much harder yet more rewarding then anything I have experienced.

I am truly grateful for our families. My family is one of the best families out there. They are always supporting us and helping us in our lives. My kids are the only kids on the Meads side and they get spoiled by my family. My Mom and Dad are here at the drop of a hat when we need them. My Mom is one of my best friends. I know that if I need her she will be there for me. My Dad is our handy man. He has helped Jeron and I in so many jams. I am truly grateful for my siblings and their spouses. I don't think that any of them know just how much I love each of them. I look up to each of them for the examples they are to me.

I am grateful for Jeron's family. Jeron's Mom and Gene are just great. They have come to our aide more times then I can count. They are very supportive. I am grateful to have Jan as my Mother in law. Gene has always been so sweet to me. I am grateful for the times when we get together with everyone. We always laugh and have a fun time. John and Viki are here for us when we ask. It is good to be able to go to them especially for Jeron. I am grateful for Jeron's siblings and for the times when they have been there for me. Jeron's brother reminds me a lot of Jeron. The could be twins in so many ways. He looks out for Jeron and I appreciate that. I think that my nieces and nephew are just wonderful. My kids love to play with them and hang out.

I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds me. I love the mountains and the lakes and the valleys. I love the way that the leaves change color in Autumn and the way that the trees bud in the Spring. I love the winter when the ground is covered in white. In the Summer I love the lazy carefree days of going to the pool with my kids. I love the rain, the smell the air everything about the rain makes my soul sing. Every time I look around and take in the wonders of this world, I am reminded that Heavenly Father loves me.

I am grateful for my cell phone for a few simple reasons, one that I can go anywhere, two that my kids can get me whenever they need me, and last but not least I can talk to my sister when ever I need or want.

I am grateful for my home, the heat and air conditioning, my washing machine, my dishwasher. Our furnace has not been working the past couple of weeks. It is fixed now and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for heat. I am grateful that I no longer need to wear a hoodie and socks(yuck) in my home. When we went to This Is The Place I realized just how much I have, and that I need to not take these things for granted. We are blessed in so many ways. We have yards and good neighbors and every modern day convince. I am so glad for this

I am grateful for "the land of the free and the home of the brave" I am grateful for my freedom. I have a love for my country that runs deep. I am filled with pride everytime I see the flag.

I am grateful that I have the blessing of the Gospel in my life. I love the truth that I learn and the knowledge that we will one day life with our Father in Heaven again.

I am grateful for good friends that cheer me up when I am down. That remind me to take it all in stride and lift me up to be a better person. I am grateful to them for the examples that they are to me. I am fortunate to be surrounded by great Mothers, Wives, Sisters, Friends, and Daughters. They all teach me the way to be better in all areas of my life. Also I can't leave out that I have a freakin' great time with them and laugh until I cry.

I thankful for so many things. I am truly blessed. I will have to say that I can't end this without saying how grateful I am for my bed. I love to sleep, I crave it and I miss it. I am so grateful for the nights when I get a good night sleep.

I am just grateful. I am grateful for my health, for plenty of food, for the internet, for silly sappy chick flicks, the list could go on and on and on. But these are just a few that I wanted to share. Have a happy Thanksgiving and remember that I am thankful for YOU!

Tagged By Maren My Sissy

HUSBAND INFO

1. Where did you meet? Graduation Night at Weber playing pool.
2.How long did you date before you got married? 3 LOOOONG years
3. How long have you been married? 10 years and 2 months of wedded bliss
4.What does he do to surprise you? Well, um...does covered wagons count?
5. What is your favorite feature of his? Just about every last part of him but mostly I love his shoulders.
6.What is your favorite quality? He is an excellent Daddy, a lot more patient then me with the kids, and He is funnier the crap. He always cracks me up.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Megs, Babe, Megardoodle, Hon...
8. What is his favorite food? Sunday dinner, and my cinnamon rolls
9. What is his favorite sport? College football (BYU) hmmm...
10. When and where did you first kiss? In Bear Lake at his friends condo. He asked if he could warm my feet and one thing led to another.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Stuff envelopes JK, talk, hang out without the kids at night, wrestle and well other stuff hint hint good times:).
13. Does he have any hidden talents? He can sing a mean Friends in Low Places.
14. How old is he? 32
15. Who said I love you first? He did, but it was just to cop a feel.
16. What is his favorite music? Country
17. What do you admire most about him? He is hard working and easy to be around.
18. What is his favorite color? Blue
19. Which side of the bed does he sleep on? The one furthest from the door.
20. Will he read this? Heck No.

I tag Calee, Jana, Melanie, Britt, and whomever want to play.

JJ got his Bobcat!

Tonight we went to JJ's pack meeting. He was the one that announced the flag. (Is it called Color Guard? I have no idea.)He did a really good job. Him and some of his friends earned their Bobcat badge. I even got one for helping him. I really think that Jeron deserved it. He has helped him with a lot of his things. JJ really enjoys scouts and he has an awesome leader. I think because of this JJ will have a wonderful Cub Scout experience. Way to go JJ. Keep it up.

kiDs sAy tHe cuTeSt tHinGs

I took Ellie to preschool today. When we got there a little boy ran past her and gave her the sweetest smile and waved. When we got to the cubby to put the coat away he was in there. He said "Hi, Ellie." Ellie said "Hi" then this little boy looked at her and with the sweetest face he bent down to her level and said "GAGA GOOGOO, GAGA GOOGOO!" It was one of the sweetest/cutest/funniest/ thing that I have see a kid do with her. I just had to smile. He really tried to talk to her. Love that boy.

Sweet Victory!

I will have to say that game is the worst for my nerves. I get excited for it almost as much as I do for Christmas. I know I am weird but there is something about it that I love. Not only did my UTES do amazing but they slaughtered the other team. byu looked pathetic next to UTAH. I was nervous for a while and then we just kept sticking it to there offense and Hall didn't know what to do.

Can't wait for the bowl game. GO UTES! The only sad thing is that the season is over. Hey byu this is what a "Quest for Perfection" really looks like.

Go Utes!

I happen to know that the Ute football team has been playing good both on and off the field which according to the boys down south that means this is our year. How do you like them apples Mr. Collie?

wHy cAn't I gEt aNytHinG dOne?

This is what it looks like when I organize one room while Ellie is playing in another. She thought it would be great fun to pull all the clothes out of the drawers. This is a regular thing at our home. I just finally have proof of the mess. So if you hear screaming coming from my home you will know why!

Elsie is 8 months

How cute is she in the jacket that my sister got her. I love this little girl. She is now sitting like a pro, she is rolling all over, and rocking back and forth. She is trying to cute some teeth but it hasn't happened yet. She loves JJ and laughs at him all of the time. She looks and Emma like she is a princess and is happy to just be around her. She is terrified of Ellie, and then loves her to death. She is becoming really attached to her Mommy and still loves her snuggles from Daddy.

This is how Elsie looks all of the time. She is always sucking on her bottom lip.

My favorite thing right now is her laugh. She scrunches up her nose and snorts just like my brother Smitty use to.

Love this girl.

{Broken Heart}

When you go from having a baby to having another one, you tend to compare the two. I keep getting surprised by all that Elsie can do and then remember who I am comparing her to. Everything has been so much harder for Ellie to learn. It took her over a year to learn how to cry. I bet you didn't know that is a learned thing. We were sitting in one of her many doctor appointments and they wanted her to take this HORRIBLE sedation medication orally. She was so upset that she cried. I mean really cried, tears and all. I was so excited that she had learned this that I started to cry with joy. I know that sounds weird but I really wanted her to learn this. We all need a good cry once in awhile. She still has to work on crying though. If she is with someone she doesn't know very well she won't cry. Even if her hand is stuck in the door.(real example) It is something that she is continually progressing on. Some days I wish she wouldn't work so hard on it.

Anyway back to what I was even posting about. Today I was running behind and the baby needed a bath. I still needed to shower and thought "I should just give Elsie a shower with me." I have not wanted to do this because babies hate showers. They cry, throw a fit, arch their back, and are just plain terrified. Shower+soap+wet scared baby=DANGER Right?!? WRONG! I totally forgot this is something that is hard for Ellie but Elsie LOVED it. I then started to remember that "Oh ya, I did this with JJ and Emma and they loved it." Ellie has very sensitive nerves. So the feel of the water hitting her body like it does drives her crazy, plus she doesn't trust the situation at all. When I held Elsie I realized how much I missed these moments with Ellie. It made me feel so bad for her. She saw me in the shower with Elsie and wanted to get in. So all by herself she took off her pajamas(no small task for her)and got in with us. She immediately got scared, cried and stood at the back of the shower so the water couldn't get her. My heart was broken for her. She wanted so badly to do what Elsie was doing, but her body wouldn't let her.

Another thing that breaks my heart is that there comes a time for any little kid to want to go play with a friend. In her limited vocabulary she has told me how much she wants to go and play. She is still like a two year old in some things so to send her to someone's house is like asking them to baby sit. I can't do that to my neighbors. I have kids come over but it just isn't the same. She wants to do what JJ and Emma are doing. When they leave to go and play with their friends she cries for the next 30 minutes in her room laying on her anywhere chair.

My neighbor has told me that I can send her over but when I do I just feel guilty the whole time. You are probably thinking "Don't! She told you you could." and I wouldn't except the other day I was with some kids her same age and I asked one of them if she would like to come over and play with Ellie today. She turned and looked and Ellie with an uneasy look and said "No, I don't want to play with her."

At first this broke my heart. Then I thought back to before I had Ellie and I probably would have been that little girl who said "No". She wasn't being mean, she was being honest. We judge people on their outer appearances. We are taught this is not right, but this is how children are. My kids are included in this.

After giving this some thought I realized that Ellie never gets calls to come play. That is because when you ask your kids who they want to play with they tell you. I started putting two and two together and realized that she is not the kid that other kids want to play with. Again this breaks my heart. The thing is I totally understand. I use to not have a Down Syndrome child. I use to be one that was uneasy and felt pity for those that did have one. I can't expect because I have changed that everyone else will as well.

I just have to figure out a way to not let these kind of things get to me. I could just cry and cry when she goes to her room and cries. I get her to come out with some fun activity that her and Mom can do together. This usually works, but I know in her heart she really truly wants a friend. She loves her play group, preschool, and Ballet. She gets so excited when she hears that she gets to go to one of these. I wish that I could construct a kid that she could have as her best friend. I guess in a way Jeron and I already did. She just needs to get bigger first and then Ellie and Elsie can be best friends for a season.

The thing that scares me is that she is only four. Soon she will be eight and what then? I hope I get some answers to this dilemma before the time comes. I am so grateful to the women that are ahead of me in this process. They come with so much insight and wisdom. I will just keep asking them for advice.

It really is a wonderful world to be a part of. Just some days are harder then others. That is why we have family and friends to help us through the days that break our hearts. I know each of us have issues with our kids and I am not unique in mine. My heart breaks all the time for my other kids as well. It is just easier to figure the problems out when other kids have the same issues.

I am sure in a while I will learn the reason why Ellie has to struggle with this. I have already learned so much from her as it is. We will just keep loving her and heaven knows she will keep loving all of us.

A tribute to those that have fought for our freedom

My cousin posted this on her blog and I hope she doesn't care that I stole it. I just wanted to simply state that I am proud of those who have served our country. In the Kaysille Parade when the Vets go by I always tear up. I think that they know what Loyalty and Pride are all about. I love America, and I am grateful everyday that I live here. I am extremely grateful to those men and women who fought so Valiantly for our country.

bAtH tiMe fUn!

This is a lot of pictures for bath time fun but they were all so cute I couldn't pick just one. Tonight we gave Elsie a bath sitting all by herself. She loved every minute of it. I think that they look so cute. Ellie thought it was so fun to be the big sister instead of the little one. She kept showing Elsie toys and when I would look away she would dump water on Elsie. Elsie survived, even though it made me a little nervous. Our bathroom is not very big so when Emma decided that she wanted to do her homework in there it got kind of crammed. Emma was my little helper though. She did all the running and getting the things that I forgot. Thank goodness I had her there to help me. JJ was doing the dishes and as soon as he was done he came in and took the bum pics for me. JJ couldn't get the right angle so Jeron had to help. Six people in one little hot bathroom made for a lot of laughs. We did get the pic but only after a few X rated versions did we finally get the adorable pinch your checks shot.

I think it totally looks like she is giving me the bird in this shot. She was just showing off her toy.

Ellie loving her big sissy moment.

All clean and oh so cute.

These were just to cute to pass up. I had to post them all. I think she looks adorable. She is also so happy. I love these pictures of her.



At first we were trying to get Ellie to stand next to the tub, but she kept trying to be on Elsie's level by bending over. You can imagine what that picture looked like. So finally we told Ellie to put her hand on Elsie's head. That did the trick. Picture a little weird but still cute checks.


Emma the homework, helping ,hardworking, big sissy. Thanks for all you did for me tonight.

It ended up being a real family effort to get the job done, and my kids (JJ and Emma) did it with a smile. It was just one of those feel good nights. Love you Snowpack.

What is with all the number tags?

Tagged by My little Sissy!

8 Favorite TV shows:
1. Survivor
2. The Office
3. Bachelor
4. Grey's Anatomy (minus lesbian plot)
5. Amazing Race
6. Lip Stick Jungle
7. Boston Legal
8. LOST

8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Finished the Relief Society Newletter
feed the baby
2. Went to Church.
feed the baby
3. Went to my friends baby blessing.
feed the baby
4. Listened to Church music.
feed the baby
5. Went to my families for dinner.
feed the baby
6. Watched Amazing Race.
feed the baby
7. Watched Jeron reading his lesson.
holy cow she is asleep
8. Went to sleep watching him read.
ALL FOUR KIDS GOT UP LAST NIGHT (or should I say this morning)

8 Things I look forward to:
1. Maren and Ryan coming for Christmas
2. Taking the kids to The Forgotten Carols.
3. Thanksgiving, but I will miss my families cooking and company.
4. The Win Utah will have over BYU
5. UTAH getting a BCS Bowl.
6. My sisters birthday, bittersweet because she is not here, but it is fun to have her get OLD.
7. CHRISTMAS.
8. Our trip to California.

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Cafe Rio
2. Subway (seriously)
3. Steakhouse of any kind
4. We never go out what are restaurants anyway?
5. Red Iguana
6. Bun Basket
7. Spanky's
8. Again we never go out:(

8 Things on my Wishlist:
1. My sister and bro in law to have a baby
2. My brother to find someone that loves him as much as we all do!
3. MY BROTHER TO GET IN MEDICAL SCHOOL!
4. Get off Diet Coke
5. A good nights sleep
6. To find joy in the moment
7. To be financially stable
8. That Ellie could talk.

8 people to tag:
1. Jana
2. Misty
3. Britt
4. Melly
5. Calee
6. Smitty
7. Ashlee
8. Shannon

Cousin Visit

We had Jeron's sister and Todd and their family up this weekend. We made pizza and hung out. It was really good to see them and get together. The kids had so much fun. We looked at all of my scrapbooks so I couldn't complain. I love to show them off. Especially since they take so long to do. The kids played games and made cookies. It was a great time.

JJ and TayTay (Taylor)I think she has always had a special bond with him.

We were so excited that Taylor came. She is 16 so that is a big sacrifice to give up a Saturday night. We loved having her. Emma loves to see the big girls. I think she thinks they are pretty and therefore AWESOME! So she was extra happy to see Taylor.

We don't know if it was her shampoo or what but Willy could not get enough of Julie.

Kylie and Courtney loving Ellie. Ellie loves it when her cousins come. All my kids adore these two. They got to stay with us so we feel very close to them.

All the kids laughing at Willy and Julie. They were laughing so hard they were crying. It was midnight that might be why it was so funny to all of us.

Thanks for coming up. It was a great time.