New York New York

So I've been a slacker in the blogging department! Life is just too busy when you have six kids a hubby and a dog! :) Actually, I've just got to be in the right mood. I really can not believe how fast time flies. I have always been pretty good at getting my Christmas shopping pretty much done by Thanksgiving. Not this year!! I am just not mentally ready for Christmas or winter or cold or snow or anything that comes with it.

All the kids are staying busy with school and everything going on in their lives. They have all managed to stay away from the flu that has been so bad this year. I am a little bit crazy, but was determined NOT to get sick before I went on or during my trip. I was willing to try it all--gargle salt water, swab my nose with salt water, zinc capsules, major hand sanitizer, lysol wipes. I did it all and it all worked. So far so good.

On November 5 me and 4 other gals headed for New York City. This trip had been planned and paid for months and months ago so it really didn't seem real. It was an amazing trip. I can't seem to quit talking about it and looking at pictures. It was a great place. We went to Broadway shows, shopped, ate, red bus tour, shopped, food tour in Greenwich Village, run in Central Park, shopped. We even did a temple session at the Manhattan temple. We didn't skimp when it came to eating either!! We went to some AWESOME restaurants and ate well! Our all time fav had to be Hillstone. Yummy ribs that I ate with my fork! I honestly couldn't believe all the fun places to shop. I was in heaven. If I had more luggage to take it all home in, I would have been even happier. Yes, Canal Street is all it is hyped up to be. I got some WAY cute purses! Everyone has asked me what my favorite part was and I have to say without a doubt, for sure, I'd do it over again in a heart beat---Wicked!!!!

All I can say is if you haven't seen it, you really need to. Seriously! Life changing!! A Spiritual awakening!! I will no longer watch the Wizard of Oz the same again as long as I live. I love the wicked witch of the west. She is my favorite!!! I could relate to her sooooo much. I was laughing and then crying and then laughing and then crying again. WOW! It was especially fun to be watching it with friends who have stood by me through my ups and downs in my life. They are true friends. I luv them!!

Well, Thanksgiving will be at my house this year. All of my family will be with us. It is always fun to get together with them. Luckily for me, most of the food is brought with them so I don't have to cook to much.

Today I called the temple and scheduled our date to be sealed. Dec. 12, 2009!! I am so excited and can't believe that it is really going to happen. It is just amazing to look back over the last 5 years at the ups and downs and where we are now. I am so proud of Travis and the example he is to the kids. This is one of those times I just want to sing, "To those who ground me, send a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying gravity!" (if you've seen Wicked, you'll get it) I love it!

I'll post a few pictures, but they just don't even begin to describe the wonderful, fun, amazing time that I had. And it is only fitting to say how thankful I am for friends. Friends that I can cry with and laugh with and just be crazy with. Friends who make be a better person. Friends who love me because of me. Friends who are amazing examples. Friends that because I know, "I have been changed for good....."