Much to Kaydee's dismay, the fall soccer season has come to an end.  The YMCA Strikers had their last game on Friday.  They did great!! Kaydee made two goals--she played a great game.  Even in the rain. 

In a hurry to be on time we left the camera home, so we didn't get any pictures of the game or of the end of season party afterwards.  Let's just say a good time was had by all and pizza enjoyed by many.  At least we were warm and dry inside the Y for the party....

THANK YOU, Coach Perry & Coach Giddens!!

 I did get a picture of our soccer star and her trophy:

[img:20081116161659248 width:0 height:0 align:auto src:disp link:1 alt:0]

Today was the annual Thanksgiving Musical and Feast at Kaydee's preschool.  All of the four year olds took the stage dressed as pilgrims and Indians.  They sang three songs and then it was time for their "feast"--chicken nuggets, tater tots, turkey toast (they cut turkey shapes out of bread) and chocolate pudding (that the kids made themselves). 

Kaydee is extremely observant.  Lately she's been noticing street signs. (See my "Stop To Go Up" post).  Well today on the way to school she noticed several "Kids at play" signs.  At the first sign she asked what it meant.  There were at least 4 more signs on the way to the school, and she kept looking for "kids at play."  Finally she blurted out, "Well.  I don't see any 'kids at play', do YOU, Mommy?  I mean, I don't see ANYBODY outside.......they need to take those signs down!"

***UPDATE***

Last night on the way to soccer we saw two girls running down the street.  Kaydee said, "THERE are the 'Kids at Play', Mommy!! Why isn't there a sign HERE?"

It's November!  And with the election behind us it's time to concentrate on Thanksgiving.  And being THANKFUL. 

We live in a society where we are seeking the bigger and better.  And while I think it's okay to seek good things, if we are always looking forward to a happy tomorrow, what becomes of today?  I think we need to start to recognize the things in our lives that currently bring us joy---and openly give thanks.  There is a theory that whatever you think about expands.  If we regularly focus on the things we are grateful for we will attract more things to be grateful for.

A very condensed list of the many many things I am grateful for: (If only I had time and space to insert all of my blessings....)

*The Gospel of Jesus Christ & Christ's Atonement
*Two healthy, happy children  ( I use the term "happy" loosely....as Abby wails in her crib because she's too tired to go to sleep...)
*A husband who loves and supports his family
*FAMILY: My wonderful mom and dad, Virginia and Dorothee who are my bestest friends.  My awesome Aunts and Uncles (who still keep in touch!), Cousins, Grandparents, Mother & Father-In-Law who are incredible, Sister In Law who is one of my best friends, my cute niece Addie, Gammie and all the rest.
*Parents and Grandparents who passed on a legacy of love and a love of learning
*Friends who listen
*Jenn, Jamie & Erin who make my Primary calling a little less daunting.(THANK YOU,GIRLS!)
*And since I'm on the Primary train I can't forget to thank the all our dedicated teachers--I am so grateful for them!
*Telephones that keep me connected to my family
*Email & blogs that keep me connected to family and friends
*Music
*Living in a free (for now) country
*A roof over my head....that doesn't leak
*A beautiful world
*Changing leaves--the view outside is spectacular!
*Warm weather in November (God Bless the South)
*Books.  I love to read!
*Comfortable jeans
*Chocolate
* Diet Coke
*Big hugs & "cuddle time"
*"Squooshy Mooshies"
*Thursdays
*Bubble baths
*Slumber Parties with Kaydee
*My VW Jetta that is all paid for and gets great gas mileage
*Naptime (which makes blogging possible ;) )


And if you still haven't had enough, here's some reading for you:
An Attitude of Gratitude by Thomas S Monson 

Gratitude As A Saving Principle by James E Faust
Finding Joy In The Journey by Thomas S Monson
Live in Thanksgiving Daily by Joseph B Wirthlin

Why would you vote for Obama?  Here may be some good reasons...

Why no christian working class American should not even consider Barack Obama!  This is Scary Stuff!

[img:20081017200559363 align:auto link:0 alt:0] Kaydee went on her first field trip on Thursday to Washington Farms.  She had fun seeing the animals (goats, pigs, bunnies, turkeys, calves,  & a donkey).   Then she learned all about growing pumpkins.  We got to go on a hay ride and pick pie pumpkins to take home.  We had beautiful weather and Kaydee had a lot of fun playing with her friends.

To see more pictures click here

Another kid at school asked Kaydee, "Why is your hair so long?"

Kaydee's reply:  "Because Jesus makes us however He wants us!"

Today as I was driving Kaydee to school she asked, "Why do you have to stop to go up?"

I told her I didn't know....why did she think you had to stop to go up?

She said, "That sign says you have to stop to go up."

I had NO idea what she was talking about....until we turned onto another road with a Stop Ahead sign......

We had a fantastic weekend--we went to a friend's birthday party in Athens.  Kaydee had two little boys fighting for her attention....I guess she's used to it; she tells me that two boys fight over who gets to sit by her at school.  The mom of one of the boys told me that he's convinced he's going to marry Kaydee--I told him to get in line!

We also went to the pumpkin patch and got pumpkins.  Shane and Kaydee carved two of them.  See photos here.

I grew up listening to Roy Orbison, Bobby Vinton, Connie Francis, Ricky Nelson, Leslie Gore, and Elvis (among others).  My sisters and I would spend HOURS making up lip-synced performances, dressing up and dancing to our favorite tunes.   We sat in "Dad's Room" and listened to tapes and records while we looked through his amazing boxes of "stuff" : postcards, scouting odds and ends, pictures, old yearbooks, etc.  We built our "Little People" houses to the tunes of Johnny Horton.  Dorothee and I even made up a dance (that we, embarassingly enough still remember) for "Battle of New Orleans." 

Anyway, I thank my Dad for my love of music....although I guess I technically should give some credit to my mom, since she's super muscial and can play the piano and organ and compose music and sing.  But since I don't play the piano or organ (other than plunking out a tune by ear) or compose music, and can barely carry a tune, I attribute my love of listening to music to my Dad. :)

So....for me and my dad---here's a link to one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE songs:

http://www.cmt.com/videos/roy-orbison/280970/blue-bayou.jhtml?id=1596039

Love you, Dad!!