cHriStmAs dAnCe rEcitAl

It was our girls Christmas Dance Recital again. Emma did really well. She was so nervous before the recital. She was worried that she didn't know it, and that her teacher wouldn't be on stage with her. She did really well in spite of all her jitters. It is fun to see her improve every year and see the beautiful ballerina that she is becoming.






Ellie had her recital after Emma's. We went back to the house inbetween the two. We had hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls. Then we all headed back to the performance.

I always wonder how Ellie will do. She came right out on stage, waved at everyone, and danced away. She even did the moves this time. She looked just as good as any of the other kids. It was so wonderful to see her improve. I got all choked up when I noticed that she actually knew the dance. It was exciting.





We love all the support that we get from family. This year all the grandparents were able to make it and even Courtney. It was a lot of fun for Emma to have her "big" cousin there to see her dance. Emma and Ellie are very grateful to those who came. See you in the Spring.

sUrGeRy

She has had more surgeries then Well Child Visits. Pretty crappy if you ask me.

Surgery number 8 is in the books. Thank goodness that is over. Ellie had her 3rd surgery on her eyes. She has a lazy eye so they cut the muscle to weaken the eye so it won't pull over so much. It is one of those surgeries that is only a band aid. She couldn't eat from midnight on and from 11:30 on she couldn't drink. Her surgery was scheduled for 2:45. She didn't even get sedated until 4:30. She was a trooper. She didn't cry at all. She whined a little and would sign eat to me every minute from 2:00 on. Other than that you would have never known she was starving. Her surgery went well. She is very tired and cranky when she is woken, but all in all she is doing great.

side note: Elsie came with us because she nurses still. When we were in recovery the monitor was going off. Elsie sat up and in a longing way looked at it and reached for it. The image in the book Are You My Mother came to mind. I have to wonder if in some way she thinks of the monitors from the NICU and misses them. Maybe that is why she is cranky. She misses her "Mother".

Come one, come all...

Today I was able to have some of my cousins over for lunch. What started out as just having Emily and Chelsea turned into having all the Cracrofts as well. It was so much fun. I hope we can keep doing this. I want to invite everyone next time. Those who can come great...those who can't will be missed. I love the Monson side of my family. I had such a fun time. Everyone brought food and great company. We ate chatted and ate. The kids loved it as well. I couldn't see my basement floor after they left. That is a sign of HAPPY kids. Thanks for coming and making my Tuesday a Fantabulous day!

Forgotten Carols

One of our favorite things to do at Christmas time is to see the Forgotten Carols. Jeron and I have always done this as a couple and this year we decided to go with JJ and Emma. It was so much fun to hang out with them and share a tradition that we love. We wondered if they were old enough yet to understand. During intermission JJ said to me "Mom, I almost cried." I think he is old enough to understand. If you haven't seen this before you really should go. It just helps to remind us all what Christmas is about.


What a great night, I hope to make this a tradition that keeps on going. After the show they let you meet the cast and talk with them. JJ and Emma were excited to meet Michael McLean. He was so cute with them. Michael grew up with my Dad and so he told the kids he has been friends with him for 45 years. The kids jaws dropped. They thought they had met a real famous person. JJ wondered how much the autographs were worth. I don't think he understands that things in Utah are not so popular everywhere else. Kids are too cute.
Thanks JJ and Emma for making our tradition that much better. LOVE YOU!

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.