Ford-ology: I go back to December all the time.

Yes, I am lame. I'm highly aware of the blogging promises I make and fail to keep. How am I ever going to have a popular blog and expect readers to be faithful followers when I, the writer, can never deliver.

Talk about self disappointment.

Well, I guess I can't dwell on the past and complaining about it isn't going to make it better. New Year's is coming up so maybe a blog goal is in order?! I think so.

I absolutely let myself down (again) on the 30 days of Gratitude. Since I didn't complete the full 30 days I have decided to start this blog off with a list of 20 things (20 being the number of days I missed) I am grateful for:

1. an incredible husband who loves me.

2. having the WHOLE family here for Thanksgiving.

3. doctors.

4. hot chocolate.

5. warm sweaters and scarfs.

5. beautiful holiday lights.

6. dates with the husband.

7. yummy holiday treats.

8. great friends.

9. Christmas cards

10. family photo's.

11. the gospel.

12. a warm house.

13. strawberry lemonade powerade

14. medicine.

15. an understanding job (with amazing work buddies)

16. holiday smells.

17. secrets. (that don't hurt anyone)

18. laughing.

19. Christmas tree's.

20. movie nights.

November was great for us. We kept busy with work and preparing to have my parents and sisters come stay with us for Thanksgiving. It was a blast to have the 5 of them (and Max) stay with us for a few days. I miss the craziness of having a FULL house all the time. The noise, the mess, the amount of food you go through... all of it!

It was lovely to be able to spend the holiday with the family up at Grandma and Grandpa Goold's house. It was also nice for it to be just our immediate family over the weekend. Lots of movie watching, cooking (especially sushi night put on by Aubrey and Daniel) and a visit to temple square (with 1st class parking) to see the gorgeous lights.

While we were all together my parents decided we should finally chose a headstone for Hunter. I am sure there are lots of reason's why it's been over a year and there is still only a small plaque above his grave site, but for me it was all so final. The final step in saying rest in peace to our dear brother. I was glad we could all be together for it and happy we were all apart of the process. It will be so wonderful to have that headstone honoring and remembering sweet Hunter Boy. (Mom and Dad will make another trip to Utah this month to pick up the headstone and take it back to California. I love Bonus visits :)

After the family left things settled back down in the Ford household.

I got really sick and missed an entire week of work. The first day isn't so bad lying around doing nothing all day. But day three and four and five are torture! I hate feeling so helpless and especially hate worrying about all the things I had to do at work that weren't getting done (luckily we have awesome people in my department who picked up my slack that week!!)

Kevin was so great and patient with me while I was sick. Poor guy only had one cooked meal the whole week. He said it was almost as bad as when I went to California for five days and he ate frozen dinners the whole time. Guess I have a responsibility to make it up to him this week?!?

Kevin's brother Jeff and his wife Hayley brought a new little baby into the world last week. Mason Ford was born on November 30th and is just the cutest, chunkiest little baby I have ever seen. I am so excited we will get to spend Christmas with them so I can love on that little baby!

December is jam packed full of adventures for Kev and I.

This week we have work parties, dinner with friends, an early birthday surprise (I have no idea what it is but it's happening this Saturday so I'll make sure to blog about it). Then; my birthday, dentist and doctors appointments (my first trip to the dentist in 5 years, sick nasty I know, trust me I'm terrified), the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert, weekend getaway to the Anniversary Inn Hotel in Salt Lake, homecoming for my cousin Cameron, flying to Washington for Christmas, murder mystery dinner in Washington with the family (put on by my two amazing and creative sister in laws) and then I am sure we will wrap up twenty-eleven with an incredible New Years (I think Kev and I will keep to ourselves that night. Apparently I have to make up for the crappy kiss last New Years Eve).

As you can see our life is in full swing. It's a blast. We are still having so much fun and enjoying every moment of our lives together. Next week will be 9 months of marriage and I am still wondering when the "honeymoon" phase is gonna end?

Seriously bliss EVERY DAY!

Thanks for not giving up on me readers!

I swear it that I will get better.

Don't forget to remember those who lost their lives 70 years ago today at Pearl Harbor. Never Forget.