Thanksgiving

Since we didn't have enough time off school to travel home, we had another Thanksgiving here in sunny California. We invited Kevin's sister Kelli and her family (she was a trooper to come since she just gave birth 5 days earlier!) and our friends the Tabish's ended up coming too. It was a wonderful day full of delicious food (yes, I cooked), good company, Christmas movies, playing with friends and cousins, and playing games. It gave me a warm cozy feeling and felt like being home. I guess home really is where you're surrounded by friends and family :) Here are a few, ahem, (a lot) of pictures.

My little helper and I preparing the bird.

The boys, Kevin, Scott and Andrew.

Cute Jen and Korbin.

Best buds Kassidy and Sara.

Cory and the newest addition to the Marchant/Fletcher family...Braxzyn! Only 5 days old.

The kid table. These 4 played together so well all day!

Watching Elf and playing Boggle.

More turkey (aka rice cereal)!

Doesn't Kelli look so good for just having given birth?

Here's to many more wonderful Thanksgivings with the people I love!

Another post below.

Kelli's new addition

Kevin's sweet big sister Kelli just had baby #3 last week and we couldn't be happier! We were lucky enough to get to see them in the hospital and have the two older boys come stay at our house for a couple days. Kelli's family just moved out here near us a few months ago. It's nice to have some family close by!

New baby boy was 9 lbs 3 oz and 22 inches long. We like 'em big in the Marchant family! He and Kelli are both healthy and doing great. Kelli and Cory named him Braxzyn K. Fletcher. Big brothers Treyson and Cayden are really excited. Congrats Kelli!

Korbin looks GIANT next to newborn Braxzyn! And he's only 4 months old :)
Waiting in the hall with my kids so we don't crowd the small hospital room.

Things I look forward to:

Disclaimer: I truly love being a mommy and everything that comes with it. This post is all in good fun and highlights some of the things we mommies go through every day.

Things I look forward to when my children are grown:

*Taking a shower without having a conversation with a toddler in a princess outfit on the other side of the glass.

*Eating a meal and not hearing, "But I don't like this!"

*Sleeping through the night!!!

*Going to the bathroom alone (I don't even shut the door because someone always comes and finds me )

*Being able to quickly run into the grocery store for a gallon of milk without having to unload the kids. It's quite the production.

*Having a clean house that STAYS clean!

*Going to the movies with my husband again.

*Actually having a date night that doesn't include little people :)

*Not feeling like a milk cow (sorry boys, but it does happen).

*Having nice things and not worrying about them getting broken.

*Not having to watch Dora, Super Why, Sesame Street, and EVERY Disney movie ever made.

*Having nice things, not disposable things.

*Reading a book in one sitting. Right now I get about 10 minutes at a time while I'm feeding Korbin.

*Watching an entire movie without having to pause it.

*Not having to carry a humongous diaper bag everywhere I go.

All in good time Robyn, all in good time.....

He's an eater

I am tired. This is to be expected since I have a 4 month old. But seriously, kid, why do you have to wake up every 2-3 hours! Korbin was a great sleeper last month. We were getting 6-7 hour stretches. It was bliss. So what happened?! I know, he's still young and trying to get into a routine. Maybe he's having a growth spurt. Who knows. But I am tired.

My solution was to try and fill up his little tummy to capacity so hopefully he'll sleep a little longer. I need this for my sanity and so I can be a good mommy the next morning.

The plan didn't really work. He still wakes up about every 3-4 hours now. But man, isn't he cute eating his rice cereal? On to plan B...a live in wet nurse.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I have truly been blessed in my life. Not only do I always have the essentials (food, water, shelter, safety, transportation, etc.), but I have been blessed with what I consider to be the most important thing, which is knowledge that my Father in Heaven loves me wants what is best for me. I know without a doubt that we are his children and that we can return to live with Him again. I know that we were sent here to be tested and tried, and sometimes life is inexplicably trying, so that we can be better people. We don't always understand all that happens to us here, but I have faith that our Father does know. He will always be there for us when we feel we are ready to talk to Him.

I'm feeling especially thankful during this holiday time (what is it about this time of year that makes everyone so much nicer and happier? I wish it were more like this year round. ) for my faith. It has sustained me during difficult times in my life. I haven't had anything heartbreakingly difficult happen to me like some people. I have my health and all my family is still alive. I am mentally sound (I think) and my children are adorable and healthy. I have an education, a home, a husband who loves me unconditionally, and amazing friends. I live in a free country and feel safe walking outside my door. And this is just scratching the surface of all that I have and am thankful for.

Most important in this list of things are the people I have in my life. Where would I be without them? I feel that life would be most depressing if I thought this was the only time I would see them, during this short existence. I know that I will be with my family and friends again in the next life. I know that through the blessings of the temple, I can be with my family for eternity. I feel truly comforted by this knowledge. Elder Dallin H. Oaks (he's a general authority in my

church) says we need to have "an attitude of gratitude". I encourage you all to keep this in mind, not only during this month, but always. I'm also grateful for the technology that allows me to share my thoughts, feelings, and testimony with anyone who cares to read it.

the many faces of hAlLoWeEn

Remember this?

(Jessie the cowgirl)

Well, come actual Halloween day she changed her mind and wanted to be this...

(Snow White, posing very dramatically)

And three days later she's decided that Halloween's not over, it's "on", so we're still wearing costumes at our house. Here's the most recent:

(she's Astrid from "How to train your dragon")

Yes, our girl has a mind of her own, and much like her mother, she's very indecisive on her apparel for the day :)

We had a wonderful Hallo-week here in sunny California. Fun all around!

Here's Korbin, checking out his cute buddy in grandma Jennette's mirror. Don't you love the little rat tail hair patch that's still left?

What is this stuff?

Until next year!