Simplicity and Thanks

We had nice Thanksgiving. We spent time with family and ate yummy food.
In many ways, Thanksgiving is like Christmas without the shopping and commercialism--which kinda makes me enjoy it more. Most Christmas seasons I don't really enjoy shopping, I worry about it--which is a shame. This year I have been trying to simplify things so I don't have as much to worry about. I can't completely eliminate the need to shop, but I can cut out some non-necessities. For instance, I think we may be sending an email Christmas card this year. I have always frowned on doing this in the past (when Eric has suggested it) , but it will save me a lot of time and money--both of which are in shorter supply during the holidays. A few non-emailing relatives will get "real" cards, but everyone else will get a virtual greeting. Today as we decorated our house for Christmas, I tried to think about what we really enjoy seeing, and left the rest in storage. With a busy toddler, I'd be a glutton for punishment to have some things out. If anyone has suggestions for simplifying the holidays, I'd love to hear them.
Taking my sister Sarah's lead (she did this on her blog) , I'd like to list a few of my blessings for which I am most thankful right now:

• My knowledge of my Savior Jesus Christ and of His plan of happiness for God's children.
• My dear husband Eric who works hard as a provider, a spouse (I keep his nose to the grind!), and a father. All of our boys are "daddy's boys."
• Eric's job. We aren't the most wealthy people on earth, but we have sufficient for our needs and for many of our wants.
  
• This free land I call home. I have mentioned this previously, but in reading about Germany during and after WWII, I have felt increasingly grateful for the U.S. Constitution and feel a strong need to elect leaders who will protect this inspired document.
• My home. I hope we never have to move. It is a work-in-progress and probably always will be, but we have room to spare and are surrounded by beauty.
• Friends. I haven't had as active a social life this last year because of spending so much time up at school volunteering and with my kids' sports, but I still love talking to dear friends in person, on the phone, or on Facebook.
• My mom, dad, 6 sisters and 1 brother. I love my big family. We grow closer as time goes by. I can say or do anything and know they will still love and accept me.
  
• My health. I feel an obligation to use my health to bless others. I believe good health is like a talent that God doesn't want us to bury or waste. And we never know when it could be taken from us, so we should seize the day!
  
• And last, but far from least, my children. Though they each frustrate us daily, they also bring so much joy and focus to our lives. I'll share one little jewel about Brandt: He had some intestinal issues for a couple of days and his bottom became broken out. He would barely walk because of the pain. I had to put some Desitin on his little buns.This morning when he first woke up, he came down to our bed wearing a big grin. Then he annonced, "Mom, that medicine you gave me made my bottom happy!!"

This is the GIANT card that was on the table on the morning of my birthday.

Workouts this week:
Monday: I ran 5.85 miles in 49 minutes. I kept a really good pace on the flats, but I started pretty slow and slowed some on the hills.
Tuesday: I biked 52 minutes and did weights.
Wednesday: I did speedwork on the treadmill: 13 minute jog warmup. 20 minutes of 40 seconds at 10mph, followed by 20seconds of rest. Then I jogged to cool down for about 10 minutes. This was a tough workout for me. That afternoon Melyssa and I took the kids on a hike in the Sports Complex. I was thankful for the chance to get some of the lactic acid out of my legs.
Thursday:I ran 1 hour 2 minutes on the trails. I'm not sure of the distance--I think close to 7 miles. I love having trails so close--something else I'm very grateful for.
Today: I biked 46 minutes--15 miles and did weights. I stayed up too late last night, and I could feel it during my weights. They were much harder to get through than usual. Maybe some of that triptophan from the turkey, too.