Remember Remember the ...Month... of November

I miss Fall!! The beautiful color changing canyons, the smell of pumpkin and apple pie, the crunch of leaves on the ground, being able to wear a light sweater, feeling and smelling the crisp air... I could go on, but I'll spare you. Although November here means heat and humidity instead of crisp, dry, cool air, we've had a lot to enjoy and be thankful for already.

First off (in no particular order) it was Blake's birthday! This is almost our first meeting anniversary as he flew over last November two days after his birthday. *So technically today is... ;) * Plus, it's his big QUARTER OF A CENTURY (loud booming voice) year. Of course I had to do something for him so he wouldn't feel too old, so I bought him finger paints. Well, not quite. But I did buy him oil paints and most of the doodads that you need to create a work of art. And lots of nice socks so I don't have to do laundry quite as much. He also had some birthday money from my mom, so he decided to expand his collection and bought some acrylic paints and another canvas. I'm excited to see what comes of this!! It's pretty nice living close to his family too as we were able to throw together a birthday dinner at our local Hogsbreath stake joint. Gotta love the prime rib. ;) It was great having a good turn out and celebrating a little extra with the family. I'll have to beg and plead for the pictures of dinner as they were taken by other family members, but here are some of our apartment and him/presents.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Another great thing to be thankful for this month is my friend Julie and her husband have been approved for adoption!!! Congratulations you two!!! Amidst the struggles that come from not being able to have children, they have been strong and have grown in so many ways. I wish I were closer to help promote them more, but most of my friends who read this are in the US anyway, so check them out. Here is a link to their site:

The best way to find a birth mother is through word of mouth, so if any of you know anyone, pass this along! They are an amazing couple and I know would make wonderful parents for any child lucky enough to be adopted by them. Julie and Lance, I wish you the best!

And last but not least, I have been called to be our ward's Primary President! I'm nervous, excited, apprehensive, etc. We had our primary program today (planned and carried out by the previous president thank goodness) and these children are amazing. I will miss teaching my own class, but now I will get to help them all find their testimonies. As one teacher said, I hope this calling won't act as a natural contraceptive. And as Blake says, does this make him the first husband? The ward was a little shocked as I'm pretty young, but the Bishop stood up at the end and testified that I was called by God, and that they all need to support me. I hope they will look past the age as the Bishop is only about 26 himself and they all love him. So, if any of you with experience or good ideas could pass on some helpful hints, I would really appreciate them. :)

So far it has been a good month and I hope it will continue to be one full of thanksgivings!