Today was busy.

...and I'm exhausted. So I'm going to bed without an explanation to these pictures. Make up your own story :)

HIL.AR.I.OUS.

My stomach hurts from laughing so much.

I have fun doing this every Christmas, so I thought I'd share and let you partake in my giddiness.

I can't upload the video onto the blog, so just click on the link to watch it...then, if you want, you can create your own video to show me...I'd love it.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/9IMX9vjR99uYTfeH

Don't die laughing!!

To see the good...

I'm very routine. Every day that I work I spend my morning and early afternoon with Wyatt, drop him off at my parents by 3:30, am at work by 4, off at 9, and home by 9:30. Yesterday Jeff suggested that I pick him and Wyatt up at his parents house after work since he was going to be there late anyway watching the ASU game (which was RIDICULOUS, by the way!!) SURE. Why not? We're trying to save money by carpooling anyway.

So after work yesterday I stopped off at my in-laws to pick up Jeff and Wyatt on my way home.

As soon as we left, not 5 miles down the road, Jeff hears a mysterious thumping noise. At the stoplight he looks out his window and realizes the back tire is low. I asked if it was flat and he said, "Probably not. If it was flat you'd know." The car wasn't shaking...it wasn't swerving out of control...it was just making a soft thumping noise. So we pulled into the nearest QT to fill the tire up with air.

As we both got out of the car to take a look, I instantly smelled burnt rubber. The tire was smoking and was definitely flat. (In Jeff's defense, it's hard to tell whether or not we have a flat tire, since our tires are already so thin anyway...) So...thankfully we had a spare, and Jeff was able to change it out, no problem. When he took off the flat tire, the inner side of the tire was completely worn and shredded.

THE REASON FOR THIS POST:
Even though we had a flat, and even though we have to pay money we don't have for a new tire, I'm THANKFUL.

I'm THANKFUL because:

1. Out of all the nights that I usually just head straight home, THAT NIGHT Jeff just happened to be with me. I ALWAYS go home right after work. AND my whole commute is freeway where I'm traveling 70+ mph. What would have happened had I not stopped to pick Jeff up? If I had just continued driving on that tire, which would have inevitably become flat, I would have been headed for injury. This was a HUGE blessing in disguise.
   
2. Jeff knows how to change a tire. I do too, but I don't think I would have been able to un-tighten the lug-nuts...
3. Jeff heard the soft 'thump thump thump' of the flat tire. I didn't even notice.
4. Wyatt was asleep during the whole ordeal.

So although a flat tire doesn't seem like a blessing, this one most definitely was.

The Christmas countdown has begun...

This year Jeff and I have started Christmas early in our home. I think we've both been really excited for it because last year we were both so tired from having a new Wyatt in our lives that we really didn't go all out like normal...

So it first started off with our Christmas shopping--we're both done. And all the presents are wrapped. And the tree isn't even decorated yet. (And yes, we already got the tree...as of...yesterday.)

Then we went shopping on Black Friday. We were going to get a 40" TV, but unfortunately they were all gone by the time we got inside the store...so we settled for another new camera...which will be our present from Santa that we get to use early to document the holiday festivities of course. (And yes...that's ANOTHER new camera. If you remember correctly I bought one LAST Black Friday, but it broke in March and I had just thrown away the receipt the week before so I couldn't send it in to fix it...) THIS TIME I remembered to buy a home for the camera so it will be protected and thereby preventing harm:

My little man in his Sunday outfit!! So cute.

And here is our tree!! REAL, of course...I couldn't have it any other way. It's a lot smaller than last years, probably because Wyatt and I convinced Daddy that it didn't need to be the biggest one in the lot...we love it though. Decorating will begin on Tuesday for FHE.

Other things on my Christmas Checklist:

• I'm going to start decorating the house this week...
• I'm actually doing Christmas cards this year...

AND

• Chirstmas music is being played in our house at all possible moments...

We've even got Wyatt sporting his Christmas thermal jammies...

We're SO EXCITED!! And it's especially fun this year because Wyatt will be able to somewhat comprehend what's going on!

Laughing Turkey

This was on Thanksgiving, after we had all eaten. Ginger loves to participate in Thanksgiving too, so we always give her some turkey. Wyatt was SO tired because he hadn't taken a nap and that's why I think he's being so silly...enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Sometimes it's hard to remember to be thankful and so I'm glad we have a national holiday set aside for that specific purpose. Last night I had Jeff write down a list of 30 things he is thankful for, and I did the same. I'd like to share our lists, written in no particular order...

Jeff's List of "Things I'm Thankful for:"

• a beautiful, loving wife
• that Rachael makes the bed every day
• that Rachael does the laundry
• that Rachael cares about cleaning the house
  
• for a wonderful son
• our health
• for Rachael taking care of the bills
• for wonderful grandparents/parents who are willing to help us
• our jobs
• that we live in America
  
• for freedom to choose
• for the Gospel
• for a prophet that receives revelation from God for us
• for a wife that allows me to go play sports
• for all the time and effort Rachael puts into taking care of Wyatt
• our home
  
• for vehicles that function
• that we're able to put food on the table every day
• for friends that care about me
• sports
• for brothers and sisters who are willing to help babysit Wyatt
• for the joy and laughs that Wyatt gives us
• clothes to wear
• for the unconditional love that Heavenly Father has for me
• my mission
• for leaders who helped me grow
• for parents who worked hard to raise me right
• for life experiences that have made me who I am
• for Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me
• our temple marriage

And this is the list I came up with...

Rachael's Gratitude List:

• Jesus Christ--I'm not the best at remembering to acknowledge Him in all my life, but I'm very blessed and grateful to have Him with me
• Jeffrey--and all he does for Wyatt and I
  
• Wyatt--and the opportunity I have to be a mother
• Families--and my knowledge that families are forever
• The Gospel
  
• Laughter
• Freedom
• Good friends
• Flowers
• Vacations
• Rainstorms
• Our jobs
• History
• My mom's cooking (thanks for Thanksgiving!!)
• Music
• Love, hugs, and kisses
• The ocean/sea-life
• Education
• Our home
• Temples
• Nature...being outdoors
• Homemade buttermilk pancakes
• The winter
• Horses...and animals in general
• Having our needs fulfilled
• Nutella
• Dark chocolate
• Technology
• Unconditional love
  
• Functioning vehicles

We've had a very blessed year. It hasn't always been easy, but we've learned and grown through it all. We're very thankful for all we have, and we're especially thankful for our family and friends. We hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year and enjoyed your turkey feast!

I wish...

...Jeff liked to take pictures. But he doesn't. He makes fun of me when I want to take random pictures of the 3 of us...

... but we're cute, so he should get over it.