Dried Mangoes and Challenges

I don't know how many of you have ever had dried mangoes, but they have to be one of my all time favorite snacks.  If you ever get the chance try them!  They are fabulous!!!

Thanksgiving went well.  The turkies came out great!  We ate a ton of food and had a lot of fun.  I did do the black Friday sales and boy was that a rush!  I love shopping... probably a little too much, and it was so much fun!  I was able to get a lot of stuff that I absolutely didn't need.  I did get a lot of things that are totally un-neccessary, but I will not be giving them everything all at once.  I am going to keep most of it for random good-job surprises for the kids to get throughout the next year. 

I have two weeks before I leave for Texas.  I am getting excited, but I will miss my boys so much!  I haven't been gone from them for 2 years!  I have never been away from Ian.  It will be a crazy five days full of fun and relaxation, with one of my best friends! 

As I look toward the Christmas season this year, I am finding that the magic isn't quite here yet.  My boys don't seem to understand that Christmas is about the birth of our Savior.  That the ultimate gift was given to us by our loving Heavenly Father.  We have been blessed with so much in our life together as a family.  Joe has been able to have and keep a steady job, have his education paid for by the Marine Corps.  I have been able to stay at home with my children and try to nurture them and cultivate my skills as a mother and wife.  My kids have been able to live and experience many places and traditions.  We have so much to be thankful for and it seems to me I need to do a better job of teaching them and instructing them on how to be better and more grateful for what we have. 

I want to challenge anyone who reads this, to do the same with their families!  Our ward is also challenged to read the book of mormon by April Conference.  We started last Sunday and we are supposed to read about 4 pages a day.  So far Joe and I are doing this, together, and are keeping up with it.  It's a great challenge for us.  It helps me keep in mind that I have a goal and I need to accomplish it.  I am extending this challenge to you all as well.  Good luck!