An Attitude of Gratitude

I feel such gratitude for some of the wonderful things in my life, and often take advantage of how truly blessed I am. Some the things I am most grateful for are:

My husband...who does more housework than any man I know. He is the best, most involved Father! After a long day at work, Zane would like nothing better than to be with his kiddos! I love you Zane!

My kids...who I adore! I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the opportunity I have to be a Mother. I have the most amazing kids! I love you Olivia, Zachary and Jacob! You three are the best part of my life and you all make me smile daily.

My parents...who still offer a listening ear and a word of advice that is often taken for granted and not thanked enough for. I love you!

My siblings and my friends...who are always offering me help and seldom asking for help in return. It is truly appreciated! Your friendship is priceless to me! I love you all!

My home...I love it so much, mostly because of the people in it!

My job...it brings me such a sense of security. At this time of economic uneasiness I am especially thankful for my job. And, as an added bonus, most days I love it!

My church...and the direction being a member of it gives.

Groundhog Day

I have felt such a high stress level from friends and co-workers about the economy that I have to admit I feel uneasy about the happenings in the world. Recently my hospital had instituted some "cost reducing measures" as they call it. Who knew a hospital could be affected by the economy? I always felt I did not need to worry about things like this, and felt I had the ultimate job security...I mean really, who chooses to be critically ill? It is amazing that the poor economy is even affecting healthcare!

There was a handful of my co-workers that went on vacay to Peru (of all places!) and then a different group of people who went to a critical care conference in Las Vegas...So my ICU was running short. My boss was concerned about the lack of experienced nurses, so I volunteered my services. I thought it would help some of this economy stress I am feeling to go on a mini work-a-thon. This one is no where near the insanity of the spring work-a-thon but comes in a close second. Plus...I look like a rockstar at work for helping in a pinch (Put that in my exceeds file!)

Some of the things I wanted to remember about this week:
1. A doctor saying "She look like she going to die, she need SAFA." (A different doctor) NICE!
2. My CVVH filter change record...12 minutes and no drops of blood on the floor!
3. I got over my fear of the I-STAT and learned to love it! (Thanks for the inservice Sherrie!)


Have you ever seen the movie Groundhog Day? I am living it right now. I wake up every day and live the same day over and over. It is just for a few more days. I can make it! Six down, three to go!

It will be a miracle if I make it through this week without a photo-radar ticket. I keep forgetting about the new freeway cameras as I race back and forth! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

tRiCk oR tReAt!

We had a fun Halloween this year. Sherrie and Maddie came over and we carved pumpkins and went trick or treating.
So we started carving using one of those kits....we poked the design in and had no patience to actually carve it. The girls had lost interest by that point (and the Mom's lost interest before starting!). So we carved cheezy faces and called it good!

Incredible Jake-Jake

Zachary loved Halloween this year!
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command reporting for duty!

Trick-or-treating!

The girls with some of their loot!

Sherrie ran inside Chipotle to get herself a burrito and came back out to the car with her arms wrapped in foil. Sherrie got a free Chipotle burrito for dressing up like one! SCORE!

Fair Fun!

Olivia has been dying to go to the fair this year. She actually has been dying to go for the past couple of years, we just have not made it. We have been trying to find an evening that we were all free for the past few weeks. Well, there was not an evening that we ALL had free...so we got creative. We had to, the fair closes in a few days.

What a good looking group! This is the last time we saw this bib. I wonder what else we lost? The whole evening Jake was dropping things out of the stroller.

We finally started using the double stroller. Zach all of the sudden loves it!

Olivia is so brave. She stood in line and got on all of these rides all by herself. She wanted to do some of the tween rides. Zane and I decided we only were going to ride the ferris wheel and Zach was too short (and scared) for some of the things she wanted to try. Too bad you worked Sherrie. Zane and Olivia said several times last night "We should have brought Maddie with us."

Zach wasn't too sure about the bumper cars. He was hanging on for dear life.
The carousel...always a favorite. Although Zach did look a little nervous on this too. He is used to Mom or Dad standing next to him. He started smiling at the end!

Hanging on for dear life again...but smiling while doing it!

You look good in a rocket, darling!

Olivia is being a good sport about the kiddie rides Zach wanted to go on.

Are you smiling because you have a secret? Is it that you just tore off your brand new bib and dropped it in the crowd?

Zachary is trying to decide if he would brave the fun house. It actually turned out to be a favorite!

We ate various foods on a stick for dinner, but all night we all wanted a funnel cake. We got a couple to share. Rest assured, the man told us they were calorie and fat free..."great I'll take two!" Zachary wanted nothing to do with the funnel cake, he wanted a diet coke for dessert. I wish that is all I wanted!

The finale for Olivia...the Cliff Hanger!

With life being so hectic lately, it was nice to spend a whole evening with you guys. Being with you four is my favorite pastime!

Top Secret Recipe

I have had several requests for the popcorn ball recipe. Here you go! It is an Esperson favorite! I hope you all have a Happy Halloween! I can't wait to see pictures of all of your kiddos in their costumes!

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

Fill two big bowls with air popped popcorn...it is a guess on how much. It is 3-4 batches with my air popper. Filter through the popcorn to get unpoppped kernels out. Set aside.

Melt 1 lb. Butter
2-2/3 cup Sugar
1 cup light Karo Syrup
1 tsp vanilla


Bring to a boil while stirring. Boil for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add a
16 oz. bag of Marshmallows (the big ones!)

Stir Marshmallows until melted.
Pour over popcorn and stir to coat.

Form into large balls...do not compact too much!
Enjoy!!!

jUsT fOr cUtE!

Here are some highlights from last week:

I love this picture of Jake and Livi. I made it my screen saver!

Zane was calling Zach "Elton John". He is wearing Olivia's sunglasses upside down!



Just a little drool...but what a sweet smile underneath!



Zach and I do a little joy school with some friends. It was my turn last week. We had a great time playing with friends. We made little pumpkins with sticker faces! Zach had so much fun making his...he kept peeling the stickers off and putting them back on!

Can you guess what we are making? I have had some requests at work for a favorite treat!

Music Fest: A Sing Along Season

The Phoenix Girls Choir season started with a concert at the Chandler Center for the Arts! Olivia looked very serious on stage. I think it was a shocker for her to see all of the hundreds of people in the audience. The audience got to sing along to some of the songs. I think that might be the theme for the year, so I will be practicing by playing lots of rockband!

Olivia's choir performed in 5 songs: When I'm Singin' This Song, I Love it When, Sing a Song, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing, and Feelin' Good.

Olivia looked so cute in her little uniform! Thanks to her little cheering section for coming and supporting her! She loved all of the flowers, and I am enjoying them on my counter top! We love you guys!