Friday Fargo Favorites #3

What you've been waiting all week for.....

1. My Boyfriend

Not only am I married to the most perfect but also HOTTEST guy ever! I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for him in my life. He's my best friend. He is so patient, loving, kind, hard-working, forgiving, smart, spiritual, handy, appreciative, buff, and did I mention gorgeous?! There's never a week that he is not on my Fargo Favorites list! But it wouldn't be fair to take the spot away from others things every week. However, my good-lookin' boyfriend had a birthday this week so I am especially grateful for him today- thus he made the list! XOXO! I love you Honey! I'm so glad to be here in Fargo with YOU! Happy Birthday, Love!
2. Hay bales

Whenever there is not snow on the ground (and even sometimes when there is)- you can find hay bales in North Dakota! They are in every field along any freeway. They are massive if you ever get a chance to go stand by one. I think they are beautiful!

3. The Harvest

We never grew a garden as a married couple until we moved to Fargo. Now, we grow a garden every year! Now... don't be fooled because we are by no means farmers! (Let's say- "don't quit your day job" kind of planters) Green thumbs don't actually exist in our immediate gene pool but we plant nonetheless. We love to watch things grow and on occasion we completely enjoy the Harvest! Aren't these berries absolutely gorgeous???? [We'll have to let you know how they taste -you see, we actually don't know how they taste because this years harvest as been meager and Justice is saving every one he finds to hopefully make jam someday! Way to be patient buddy. Too cute!]

4. Clouds

I'm not sure what exactly it is about the Midwest but the CLOUDS here are amazing! The puffy white clouds in the clear blue sky almost make me want to cry! (Ha- I'm a poet and I didn't even know it! LOL) Seriously, I could almost get in an accident watching them as I drive places. They make me so happy!

5. Water Towers

In case you we not aware, there are NO mountains anywhere near Fargo! No snowy mountain streams to melt and run down into the water system. So, we have water towers instead. There are candy striped ones, blue ones, white ones, flate ones, round ones, tall ones, skinny ones, short ones too! (It sounds like a song I know;) They are kind of like landmarks as you travel through the city. I have grown to love them. I'm grateful that there are other ways to store water while we are so far from any purple mountain majesty.

SO... What are you grateful for today?

Friday Fargo Favorites #2

Time once again for my...

 

1. Baby Feet

I LOVE baby feet! Unfortunately, the time of my babies having baby feet is limited. And you could even argue that the time is actually gone. BUT I am so grateful that I have had that stinkin' cute baby feet stage 2 and 1/2 times during the my stay here in Fargo.

2. Monthly Decorations

During my time here in Fargo, I have gone a little bit CRAZY about my monthly decor. Partly because my crafty skills have been cultivated here as well. Every month, I pack up last month's stuff (it's an amazing skill I have to be able to fit it all back in;) and pull out the new boxes. The kids have so much fun pulling everything out and helping me deck out our house for the next holiday/season. One of my favorite boxes is my FALL box. My dear friends, Brooke & Kristen got us all started on these adorable fabric apples a couple of years ago and I swear- they mutiple all by themselves. OK- not really but we have a lot! Also- most of my decor from the FALL will always remind me of my dear Fargo friends! Luv ya gals!

 

3. Our Umbrella Tree in the Fall
We have the most fabulous tree in our backyard. We call it our Umbrella tree! As the branches grow low and touch his head, (He's pretty tall, ya know;) Brett chops them off- so literally it looks like a humungous umbrella. It provides shade on the hot days. A home for birdies in the spring. Shelter when it rains. Tons of fun when the leaves fall. And vasts amounts of climbing. It's the best tree ever!

4. General Conference on the Internet

I already wrote about what I learned at Conference and that I am grateful for the Internet but wanted to take one more chance to say how grateful I am for being able to hear the Prophet and Apostles speak live through the Internet. It truly amazes me and makes me very grateful.

5. My Red Door

Brett decided a few years back that he wanted RED doors on our house. He took them down, sanded, primed and painted both a gorgeous red. I love them! It's fun to say- we live in the house with the red doors. You can't miss them!



So... WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL TODAY?

Friday Fargo Favorites #1

So I've been thinking a lot lately of how very blessed I am. Don't get me wrong- I don't live in any kind of Magical LaLaLand! Brett's been gone more than he's been home this month, my 4 kids continue to be kids ;), an entire night's sleep is something that I only dream about, laundry and dishes don't magically do themselves at my house and so far as I can tell- a "money tree" does NOT exist. BUT in the midst of what real life throws at me, I am EXTREMELY blessed!!!

With this thought running through my mind AND the topic of gratitude being thrown at me from every direction lately, I decided it was time to focus a bit and record those things that I am grateful for. I have seen lots of blogs that do the "Thankful Thursday" thing but me being me, I wanted to tweek that idea and make it something all my own. Well, I finally decided that with the famous and dreaded "Winter-blues season" coming quickly that I especially need to focus on what I love and am grateful for right here in Fargo. (Not to mention- it will let me pratice my photography which I absolutely love as well.) So welcome to my...

Fargo Favorites on Fridays!

1. God

First and foremost, I know that there is an amazing Father in Heaven that loves me. He knows me. He desires that I find joy in this beautiful world & the City of Fargo that He's created. As I show my gratitude to Him, He will pour over me even more of His love. I can't wait!!! ;)

2. My kids

I have the most fabulous children ever!!!!!. They are the most good-lookin', hard-working, smart, forgiving, patient, creative and thoughtful people I have the priviledge of knowing. I am very lucky to get the chance to be their Mom. Luv ya guys! Thanks for being so fabulous this week. You are awesome!

3. The Internet

It's amazing how the whole wide world is at my fingertips even here in the middle of nowhere. It is truly amazing the good that can be done with the magnificent technology available. I am so grateful for google ;) and the creative possiblilities that it blesses me with. I am so blessed to be able to stay in contact with friends and family all over the world. I love that my thoughts and Partay life are all preserved on my blog which I can print into a book to add to our family history. The endless possibilities being connected to the world are truly amazing- Even this week while looking for gratitude things I came across an article about how Gratitude is a parent virtue. Basically it means any virtue that is worth having can be developed by practicing a little Gratitude. Here's a quote, "Want more inner peace? Work on gratitude. Want more patience? Work on gratitude. Want to be more compassionate? You get the idea."

4. Rain puddles

Heaven knows we have our share of rain puddles here in Fargo. They come in the Spring, they come in the Fall and sometimes in between. There are times they cause problems but they also can be pretty amazing and provide hours of free fun AND the chance to do a little extra laundry! Joy! Joy! LOL!

 

5. My Apple Tree

My poor little apple tree is on it's last leg. We only got like 6-7 apples this year. It's mainly because it's an off year but also because now half the tree is dead. It has been the yummiest thing ever! The best eating apples you could ever find. What's better than something that grows all by itself and produces amazing things?. It's also been a great climbing tree. The kids have spent hours climbing in it's branches. We are sure gonna miss it when it's gone.

So.... what are you grateful for today?

Happy Father's Day!

There are many men that I am grateful for today.

First, on my list (especially because he was 2 inches from my face this morning :) is my wonderful husband. He is absolutely amazing! I can never say enough of how truly perfect he is. He works so extremely hard to take care of our little family. He is so fabulous with our children. He is so patient with me. He makes me feel so beautiful and loved and safe. He is majorly HOT!!! AND He is such a great example of the Savior- loving, thoughtful, full of charity, hard-working, prayerful, and diligent in his testimony of the Gospel. We love you so much, Honey! We'd be lost without you. XOXOXOXO

Next, are our earthly fathers. My Dad, Randy and Brett's Dad, Garold are amazing men. They are extremely hard workers and great examples to our family. They are constantly sacrificing for their families and always have. They have taught us so much of what hard work really is. They are both so kind to keep in touch with our family even with us so far away. There is hardly a week that goes by that they don't check on us. They'll never know how much that means to us. We love you both so much!

Next is my Uncle Bud. He and his wife took me in at a time in my life that was critical. I never can repay them for saving me from a situation that could have altered my life forever. They also took our little family in before we moved here so that we could make some plans for the future. We really appreciated their sacrifice of part of their home, time and money for us to be there. We have so much fun laughing and joking with their family when we are with them. (although I have learned well to tune Uncle Bud out when he goes too far - Oops! Sorry about that. LOL!:) He is also a great example of a hard worker and making the most out of life. Thank you so much for the influence you have had on me and my fam. Luv you!
I also can't forget those special men here in Fargo that always look out for our little family when Brett's away and are so kind and loving to our children. Thank you so much for being our family away from home. You are men that are teaching our children things that I hope they will continue to do the rest of their lives. We love you!
Finally, but by no means the least, is my gracious Heavenly Father. He has given me everything and I would be very ungrateful if I didn't take the chance to honor Him today. Thank you so much for your Son, Jesus Christ and the sacrifice you both made for me. Thank you for this earth and the beauty that surrounds me every day. Thank you for your watchful hand upon me daily and for your forgiveness in my shortcomings. I am truly blessed because of YOU! Thank you for being my FATHER!

Happy Father's Day

to all those amazing men in our lives!

We love you!!!