This Safe Place

Today I am thankful for this safe, warm and loving home that Hunter spends his week days in. Without Sonia and the day care that she provides for Hunter....Wade and I would not both be able to work....and not only just work....but KNOW that Hunter is safe, having fun and LEARNING a great deal from the older children and Sonia.

There is no place better than MY home and ME. But for today the next BEST place is SONIA. I am thankful for every moment she loves, feeds, protects and teaches Hunter.

I am Thankful for the Boss Man

Today I am thankful for this nut....

Almonds have changed my life. When I graduated college I thought I would change the world...I was full of energy and ideas. I was hired into an almond packing facility and it was the prefect place for me to not only find myself, but to mature into the woman I am today.

I have been able to travel to foreign countries, lead a team of people, work with farmers, run daily production of a large facility, deploy a custom written data base, learn a few things about computers and networks and learn from some of the finest people out there.

But then there is this man....

He snatched me from my first job and put me to work here at Monte Vista. I am so thankful for him. I am thankful for having a job and being able to help financially support my family.

I really know that God has used Jim in my life. You see.....it is because I moved to Turlock that my life really took a BIG change....the BEST change of my life....and it had nothing to do with work.

I was all alone in this new town so I went on EHarmony to find a good date.

I found more than a date I found Wade...the LOVE of my LIFE.

Through our love for each other and GOD's love for us....We had SON.

I will forever be thankful to Jim... I think about how different things would be for me if Jim never would have hired me...

I am Thankful for my girls

Oh my! I love these girls. They are so full nothing but goodness. I want to hug them and squeeze them, I want to read them stories until they fall asleep in my lap and take them on crazy adventures in the woods of Nipawin. I want to be a loving, supportive always there for them, fun aunt.

I am an aunt! I love these girls for making me that.

I love that we share our last name, and that Hunter carries some of the same blood and genetics that they do.

Look at these beauties! I see so much 'Little' in them...just like I see it in my son. I hope that they share more in life than a last name and a big head. I hope they become friends and that they walk life together sharing all of it's BIG moments next to each other.

Today I am thankful that Hunter has these girls....and that I have them too.

I am Thankful Everyday

Todays marks one month until Thanksgiving! I thought since I could never address all the things I am thankful for in one post....I would spend a month doing it! For all of you that want a daily post...well your wish is coming true this month...be thankful (haha).

Last night I started working on some Christmas presents and I was trying to edit this picture. The original was over exposed and almost yellow in color the white balance was so far off. It was so horrible I will not even show you the original. I took the picture months ago just after I got my new camera...and I obviously did not know how to use all of the high tech functions...But you know what I did get right?

I saw the raw, powerful potential of this picture. See her smile. See how she holds him close. I caught a picture of her heart in that moment and I thankfully get to save it forever.

Today,

I am thankful for photoshop... because without it this picture would have been worthless.

I am also thankful for a camera that can capture the love my mom has for my son.

More than anything...I am grateful for every day she spends with him and every ounce of love she pours into him.

Pumpkin Patch!

On Sunday we ventured out to Del Oso Family Farms and we had the best time. You all know how I love to support local family farms....and this was exactly that.

The petting zoo was one of my favorite things to do that day. They had so many baby animals...the pigs were my favorite....it takes me back to my FFA days!

Hunter had a great time. He ran from pumpkin to pumpkin wanting to take them all home...in fact he some how talked Wade into taking home the biggest pumpkin there....only 52 pounds. I do not even want to think about how we are going to carve it next weekend!

A BIG first

First pee pee in the potty!!!


And a little on me!


Post From My iPhone

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving...I love that we get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice a year!

There are many many things I love about Thanksgiving....

Pumpkin Pie with extra cool whip

Creamy mashed potatoes

Football - the one time a year I can stand to sit and watch a game

All the brightly colored leaves falling to the ground

A room full of people I love

Time away from work to just rest and relax

And my favorite.....

Thanksgiving has always been a time we sit around the table for hours after the meal is done and just talk about the past year and ALL that we are thankful for.

To my Canadians....

Thank you for loving me and taking me into your family without hesitation

Thank you for coming out to visit this past summer...our time was full of memories that will last a lifetime

I am thankful for Wade and what an amazing man you raised him to be

I am grateful to Neil for being an amazing hands on father to Wade...because now Wade is an amazing hands on father to Hunter.

I have loved watching Tanner with Hunter...I would never have guessed a teenager to be so in love with a toddler...but Tanner you are a special kid and we are so grateful to have you in our lives

We wish we were there with you all....but then I found out it was snowing.... and decided California might be a better, warmer place for me today....I promise to brave the cold snow for Christmas though!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Japanese Treat

Some wonderful customers of our came to visit the plant today. I had the pleasure to spend some time with them....and in return I got something better than gold....I got candy.

Not just any Candy....but candy that has our almonds in it!!!

I love how they package all of their products....for the Japanese it is all about quality, top of the line product ---- nothing else. They are also creative and full of energy, purpose and life. Inside this box of candy was individually wrapped sets of this candy....and it gets better...

Each packet had an animal design! I personally like the owl...it seems like the wise choice...haha

The past 5 years I have been getting to know and understand the way of doing business with the Japanese people. They are picky...and I appreciate that they know what they want.

They make delicious candy...and Hunter agrees that the almonds make it magical!