I'm thankful for thanksgiving!

We had a great time on Thanksgiving. We had David, Denae, and Finnian Syphus, Jonah, Bradley, and Braedyn Scott, my mother, and our family at our Thanksgiving feast. I took pics b/c it was so pretty but used my phone and have not quite figured out how to get them off! (oops)Anyway, To prepare for the day I was able to incorporate history lessons and fun crafts into our homeschool curriculum. One such craft was the Griesmyer Thankful tree! We had a great time making it and adding leaves to it.

My mom drove from Georgia to Texas to be with us on Thanksgiving. The kids are so excited to have Grandma here! She is a big blessing in my life and I love her. She was so kind as to haul her piano in a Uhaul trailer all this way so that we can benefit from it. Gabriel has proven to be the most musical and interested in it! Who knew?! He is quite the singer and LOVES to play on the piano. I will start them all on piano lessons as soon as I get it tuned. I am excited to have piano music in the house and to have something I can practice on. I can read music, just lack practice. I am so excited and thankful for this HUGE gift of love from my mom!

And yes, as you can see it is put up the Christmas tree time. I love Christmas, no really, I LOVE Christmas!!! I love everything about it! The lights, the music, the celebration of the birth of Christ, the sudden desire to service that enters our hearts more now than any other time of the year. I love the mood, the carols, the parades, the Nature in Lights drive thrus, the secret Santas, the crafts, the baking, etc, etc, etc. My list goes on and on. Most of all, I love gathering with family and am excited to be able to do all of these things this Christmas season.


I am truly thankful that I have such a richly blessed life. We are healthy and happy and are blessed with wonderful friends and family members. The Church is true and Jesus Christ is our Savior. Could there be anything else more wonderful?

A disappointment at "Twilight"

Yes you heard right. I am sure I am writing blasphemy for all you die hard fans out there but I have to weigh in on this much anticipated film:
The sweet love of my life bought me tix to see the movie "Twilight" on Sat night so I hurriedly got a babysitter and we were off on our romantic night out at the movies. I was excited I didn't know what to expect.
I was interested in the scenery, music, and special effects. Beyond that the movie fell flat and lacked the emotional capacity the book delivered so beautifully and powerfully. As an acting major, I enjoy theatre and film VERY much and look forward to engaging in these experiences. I am sometimes critical of what I see but mostly I enjoy the art. I enjoyed the art of this film and little else. The acting was HORRIBLE! The actress who played Bella bugged me in a major way. She never did have an emotional change in the whole movie. I couldn't tell when she went from confusion and anger at Edward's behavior towards her to infatuation and love. HUH??? Was it there? She played one emotion...confused. And what was up with all her audible breathing? Dr. Cullen just made me laugh out loud. Are you serious? I was NOT expecting him at all. The vampire family looked more like fairies than vampires. I mean Bella's eye makeup was way darker than there's! I don't know if I had not read the book if I would have even know what was going on or understood the plot. The best acting was James and Victoria. Too bad they killed James off! All in all, I was disappointed in the lack of meat of the film (where was the bond?) and the acting-was horrendous!
That's my report and I'm sticking to it. I'd give it 2 stars.

It's a.....

BOY!!!!

I had a much anticipated ultrasound today to figure out when my due date is and we saw his little "thingy". I am 14 weeks and am due May 22nd, 2009 with my 4th boy:
Elijah Aaron Griesmyer

Yes, I have had this name picked out since Ammon was only a few months old.

Here's the story:
I was sitting on the couch nursing Ammon; watching Gabe, Zech, and Gary wrestle on the floor of the living room when I had a panic feeling come over me that someone was missing. I looked around and counted, nope all there. I counted again b/c I couldn't shake the feeling. Everyone was there, even Ogden. The next day was Sunday and I was sitting in Relief Society when I had an overwhelming feeling/thought/prompting that I was going to have another boy SOON and his name was Elijah Aaron. It was so strong that it brought tears to my eyes and I audibly said "OK" to the voice/prompting.

Well, that was right after I had Ammon and since I don't see "Monthly Friend" until I am waaaay done nursing I thought it would have to be by an act of God. Well, Ammon was 11 months when I got pregnant again. These 2 are by far my closest together. Since I had no idea when I got preggers, my Chinese birth calendar tricked me into thinking it was a girl. Did I hope? Yeah a bit. Gary and I both did. We are absolutely thrilled,however, that Heavenly Father is sending us another boy. What a strong home I will have with all these soldiers in God's army (that's what Gary calls them) around!
I am truly blessed!

Who am I?

I don't even know what is going on with me anymore.
I'll have one great day where I get up, make a yummy breakfast for my family, iron my hubby's clothes, snuggle my kids, read the scriptures as a family, take a shower, get dressed to my shoes, do the morning chores, have a wonderful day of homeschooling, put the children down for naps, have personal time with Zech, do my afternoon chores, make a great dinner, kiss my husband when he gets home, clean the kitchen, give the kids a bath, read them stories, say prayers, sing them songs, give them kisses, and send them off to bed with nothing but sweet feelings and happiness in my heart for a day well done.
That was Monday.
What happened to Tuesday, Wed, and Thursday???
Tuesday I can't even remember Tuesday.
Yesterday I had a massive headache/migraine??? I don't know. It was really bad.
Today is an absolute disaster! I am sooo emotional! I completely lost it in front of some friends and feel so stupid. I have been crying ever since. Is it pregnancy hormones? Am I losing my mind? Is it too much stress? I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over. I don't mind being pregnant, but I do mind not being in control of myself. I swear if this is not a girl I am going to pissed. Because I have NEVER been like this with my other 3 pregancies.

FIELD TRIP!!! Sweet Berry Farms

I was so excited to go on a field trip that my homeschool group was planning to Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls, TX (about an hour away).

I even talked my oh so reluctant neighbor and BF, Kelsie, to go with me! She's kinda a recluse and HATES to take her hellion anywhere she doesn't have to...seriously he's a hellion! But she said OK! and we were ready to leave our house and meet the caravan at 9am. 9am came and went, no one showed! Oh well, all 4 kids were buckled in the car, snacks were packed, and the day was clear-LET"S GO!!! It takes twice as long as it should to get anywhere with 4 kids in tow and a pregnant woman driving! I think I had to stop more than the kids did! UGgggh! (I am sooo not looking forward to the enormous drive to Ohio and then to GA and then back to Texas over Christmas.)
Anyways, we drove down to the farm and found 3 or 4 buses of kids there. It was busy but there was so much space and things to do that we didn't notice. First, we made a pit stop at the port-a-potties (soooo gross!), then went to pet the goats. While all the kids loved this, since it was Ammon's 1st time, he was particularly thrilled. I swear he is the cutest kids EVER!!!

We then went on our hay ride. The "guide" told me I needed to watch more TV since I had 3 boys and was preggo again. "You're funny....no really." Ammon didn't like this nearly as much as feeding the goats. Look at his little face! Zech and Gabe loved every minute. Seth got only a "few" spankings b/c he would not keep his butt on the hay bales.

After the hay rides, the kids played some games. They liked this one alot and we spent too much time there. But hey! We were there to have fun not to rush through the day. Ammon is quite the helper too! Yes, Ammon is full-on walking/ almost running (he is sooo fast!)

We then went to the corn maze, had a Sweet Berry Farm strawberry popsicle, and stuffed a scarecrow! By this time, the day had gotten really hot and I was REALLY tired! As you can tell from the lack of pics. Anyways, we hit McDonald's on our way out of town and made it back home with some shreds of sanity. All in all, it was a good day! We can't wait to come back in March for strawberry picking! The kids are also looking forward to visiting Nanner and Grumpa's farm for hay rides by Uncle David, fighting the Lamanites in the woods with Aunt Sarah, and exploring with cousins!

Griesmyer family debut

I always knew I would find a way to make my family perform, I just didn't realize it would be in the time and place that it was. Our little family was asked to sing in sacrament meeting today.

Observation:

• Zechariah and I have NO problem being in front of people. Singing, talking, acting...no problem!
• Gabriel is actually a better singer than Zech and knows practically every Primary song by heart. However, he is terribly shy in front of people.
• Gary is the love of my life and cannot carry a tune very well. He has a very nice voice but gets off pitch easily.

Conclusion:

Our family practiced "Love is spoken here" this past week in preparation for our big debut today. Gabriel sang every single time we practiced with GUSTO even, Ammon would conduct. (every time I sing to him he waves his little arm as if he's conducting an orchestra!) So, the big day arrived and I am proud to say we all stood up in front of the congregation and sounded pretty good. I sang 1st, then Zech and Gary sang the 2nd verse. We all came together at the end. Ammon didn't conduct and Gabriel covered his eyes and put his head on Daddy's shoulder. All in all, it was an overwhelmingly spiritual and gratitude filled moment for me. I am so amazed at my family. Life just keeps getting better and better!

Just wait until our Ward Talent Show! Woohoo!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We have been receiving Wal-Mart and Toys R' Us toy catalogs in the mail all week long. The boys have enjoyed looking at them. The Wows! and Look at that! have been fun to hear. I am impressed however that they have still not been swayed by all the new toys from the Christmas lists that they decided upon already.

Here it is in all its glory: (for family's interest mainly)

1. Legos, Legos, and more LEGOS!!! (Star Wars are Zech's ULTIMATE favorite! but any will do)
2. Spy Kits (Gabriel and Zechariah really want spy kits for Christmas-don't ask me why-I have no clue)
3. Spring loaded light-up light sabers (this one is what Gabriel asked specifically for!)
4. National Geographic planet/constellation projector
5. Science kits (rock tumbler, rainbow maker, telescope, etc.)
6. Magic treehouse books (volumes 9-?)

I am delighted and pleased that my little boys are more interested in learning and building than video games or mindless toys that waste time and money. Is this a direct effect because of homeschooling? Is it just that they are nerds like their dear old Dad? Or are they geniuses and I just don't know it. (who needs the genius lessons?) :)

I love my little boys!

Ummm, yes I know I didn't mention Ammon-seriously what do you get a 1 year old that is happens to be your 3rd son??? Any suggestions?