Day 7 & 8

Salt City Candles. I still haven't found another brand of candle I like better. We'll definitely have to bring one back from the trip.

Legos. No matter how many new fancy dancy toys on the market today it seems kids never tire of old fashioned traditional Legos. Tyson played with them everyday he was here. Their simplicity allows for much more imagination and creativity.

The Forgotten Carols. Heath and my official "first date". We would love to make it a holiday tradition. I didn't think we'd get to see it this year but I overheard Heath planning it out and ruined my own surprise. I'm still excited!

Magic Erasers. Wonderful.

Modern Medicine. My dad had back surgery yesterday. It went well but I don't envy his recovery process. He has a great attitude and was just grateful that all his back problems could be corrected.

Seasonal Chocolate Oranges. You know the ones that you crack and they peel apart into individual slices. Soooo good! And I like that they save them special for the holidays.

Day 5 & 6

Elli's New Helmet. Now I can be a bit less paranoid about the humongous soft spot on top of her head. We're easing into it the first week. So far she's handled it pretty well. According to Heath it came just in the nick of time what with the big BYU/Utah Game this Saturday. He's got big plans for decorating her helmet. I have to remind him she has yet to form an affiliation for either team. Don't push the girl.

Scrapbooking Embellishments. It'll be fun to accessorize her helmet everyday. Options are endless and she'll look adorable I'm sure.

Mirrors. I don't consider myself overly vain, but by golly mirrors have their purpose. Today we were in St. Louis at the hospital for much of the day. I hadn't had the chance to glance in a mirror until an hour ago. Apparently during the morning make-up rush I only put eyeliner and mascara on the one eye. Very obvious. Had it not occurred to Heath how strange I looked all day? Obviously not my Go To Guy in that category.


Hot Chocolate. What would winter be without it.

Barnes and Noble; Borders. If I had a penniless hour all to myself and no obligations I think I'd spend it in a quiet cozy little corner of Barnes and Noble.

Flip Flops. I'll miss your convience and comfort!

Day 4

Gabrielle. Congratulations to Isaac and Keitra! They have a beautiful new baby girl, Gabrielle Lynn Knight. Isn't she beautiful. I love being an Aunt!

Sleeping in on the Weekends. This morning Heath let me sleep in and he even made me breakfast. I so look forward to a lazy morning. When you get up at 6:00 every day 8:30 seems like heaven. Thanks Heath!

Primary Songs. I sometimes wish we could occasionally sing one during Sacrament meeting. They're so cheery. Saydee and I especially love the wiggle songs.

Day 3

Computers. And to those of you who know me best, thats right computers. I can't believe I said it either. But I can no longer deny their convience and superior methods of communication, and unlimited resources of information. I still would prefer a hug rather than an e-mail from my mom but hey, I guess its the next best thing, next to a call or a handwitten letter. J/K
Seriously I'm so greatful for computers, and I love the blogging.

Grass. I love lush green grass. It's coolness, the texture, the smell, especially right after it's been mowed. My allergies would dare to disagree but I love grass. And though its not big, we now have a grassy yard of our very own :)!


Geneology. People fascinate me. I haven't always been a history buff but I've always enjoyed stories of people, especially those nearest and dearest to the ones that I love. I love it when my parents and grandparents reminisce.
When I see old photographs of my Grandparents or Great grandparents, I can't help but wonder what life was like for them. Who were these people? Even besides the different eras they've experienced, their personalities and interests, political and religious views fascinate me. I wonder of their influence on those closest to me, my Mom and Dad, my husband, my In-laws, good friends.
In fact some of those that I have the deepest respect for are long gone and people I've never personally met. Isn't it interesting how we all influence eachother.

Gratitude Day 2

Spray Paint. I love the stuff. Its cheap, fast, easy and doesn't look too shabby.



Our friend was trying to get rid of this table set, two ends and a console table. A little primer and some black spray paint and we were pretty happy with the end product.

A Fast Recovery. To update you on Elliana she is doing great. It may sound irrational but a tiny part of me feared that the surgery would change her demeanor some. But she was back to her sweet little happy self that first day she came home. What a joy she is to our family.

Washable Markers. I think you mothers know what I'm talking about. It seems anything is fair game around this house; walls, furniture, siblings...

Man, you'd think she had sucked those markers dry. Come to find out the source mostly came from her touching her face with her hands. Lucky I know.

Gratitude

If I could think of one word to describe Thanksgiving it would be "warm". Its such a happy, cozy holiday. Large family gatherings that still feel so intimate and comfortable. Lots of laughter, delicious smells and a wonderful sense of contentment.

Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas and Easter just as much but there is something special about Thanksgiving. Less busy maybe, less hype. We just celebrate it for what it is, a day of gratitude, to give thanks for all that's good in our lives.


A friend issued a challenge for an Attitude of Gratitude on her blog for the Month of November.
List 3 things you are grateful for each day. I thought this will be good for me.

So in no particular order, and mostly thinking of the less obvious, mine will be the condensed version.



So, here we are... November 13th


1. Autumn. I love it! The weather is perfect, the colors are beautiful. Heath and I both agree, if our last name wasn't Tree our next daughter would be an "Autumn", love that name! The Fall always brings out the kid in me.



2. A Good Book. Ahhh, there's nothing like a good book. But they make me crave for more time. That's when I love a good magazine, easier to flip through in those spare moments. There are so many creative minds out there. I'm glad they share.



3. $1.89 for a gallon of Gasoline

Elliana's Big Day

Right after surgery. We were able to help wheel her down to the ICU.

Elliana's surgery went great. It only lasted 45 min, much shorter than even the surgeons had anticipated. We thought she'd be all bandaged up but they left her incisions exposed. Her face was a bit swollen but we were surprised how great she looked. Not at all like she had just come out of surgery.

The Pediatric ICU.

Because she held the same position for so long all the fluid pumping into her system made her right side swell up.

We absolutely love St. Louis Children's Hospital. The surgeons are amazingly skilled, the nurses and staff are very sweet and attentive and the facility is awesome and fun for children of all ages. However, there is no room in their ICU to accommodate anyone but the patients, which is of coarse the most important so no complaints. Heath and I traded off trying to sleep on the very hard floor. We're glad she only had to stay one night.
Right before we left we found out there was an entire floor and a beautiful roof garden dedicated for patients and their families who have to spend a long time in the hospital. How nice for them, but we're glad that wasn't us. Elli was discharged the next day by noon.

They let me hold her right before we left.

She will only have two scars hidden by her hair. The surgeons removed the middle top portion of her skull between the two incisions.

We were a bit surprised they let her go so soon with no helmet or head protection, not even bandages. But, they say she can resume life as normal. We are so thankful to live in a time with all these technological advances which allow for such a quick, safe and effective surgery for our little girl.

Even the doctors were impressed with her recovery rate. We attribute that to so many prayers and fasting given in her behalf and the power of priesthood blessings. I could feel such a tangible love our Heavenly Father had for those sweet little kids in ICU. It broke my heart to see so many little ones suffering. But I could feel the spirit so strong there and knew they must also feel of His comforting influence and presence. I am so grateful for my personal testimony of the Atonement and its power that I can share with my children. I know Christ has felt all of our pains and knows how to comfort us individually.

These pictures were taken one day after leaving the ICU.