Utah trip-a little late...

...A few weeks ago, we were able to visit Jake's siblings in Utah-we don't get to go down that often, I know it's terrible, but really not fun to do with 4 small kids-and finding a hotel is just not that easy or fun these days (although we do hope to make it down during the holidays to see the lights on Temple Square and hopefully meet up with family while we're there).

His brother attends grad school in North Carolina and made the trek across the country with his small family for a few weeks...we were lucky enough to get to go down and visit for a couple days...We had so much fun, eating, talking, lounging, playing, eating, talking, etc! We already miss them immensely-everyone-Utahans and North Carolinians (sp?) alike...

the guys played football...

the wives (Danielle and Jill) watched the men play...

the kids dug in the sand...

some peed on a tree, out of necessity and convenience...why bother mom to use the restroom?

we tried to get the little ones to smile at one camera...I think I got the worst image...if someone got better please email it to me... :)

Ana played ball with Sarah-my tomboy at heart

Lydia was grouchy and too cute to resist

Halloween

This is our first year to experience anything with the public schools, since Bryant is just in kindergarten. I feel badly that we really have to experiment with him, but I suppose I wouldn't figure it out if I didn't try and I might as well make mistakes now, eh?

Anyway, the PTO hosted a Halloween carnival the week before Halloween, it was quite fun! This kids enjoyed going to all the different "booths" (aka classrooms) to play games and earn tokens for prizes in the end. It was an experience...the school was a little small for how many people they were trying to accommodate, but it worked out. Even though it was crazy chaos, we'll probably go again next year!! As I'm writing this, I am realizing that I did not get a single picture of the carnival, but it was all fun-no arguments or anything-success!

There is always a Halloween parade at the school after lunch (or for the Kindergarteners, in the last hour and a half of class)...I was able to watch Bryant and his class move from room to room showing off their costumes...it totally took me back to the days when I was in Elementary school, whoa! Bryant ultimately wanted to be Iron Man, but we could not find a costume locally (go figure) and decided to make it, but that never happened...so Halloween morning we jumped in the car and sped to KMart for the 50% off sale and luckily found something he liked...it was ripped by Saturday morning ;)

hiding from the bus...

his AMAZING teacher was Cinderella

my handsome army man

after the parade...waiting for the party to begin

While Bryant was in school we took the girls to get their pictures taken at Walgreens...they were doing a free 5x7 and putting the pictures on CD for small price...Lydia decided to have an explosion just before we got inside, so we had the two older girls get their picture taken (thinking they had to be in the same photo)-the lady had no idea what she was doing...she didn't even center the photo!! oh well, it was free! After we got Lydia all changed, luckily the explosion didn't soak onto the dress, we got her photo taken and she wouldn't smile long enough for the camera to catch it, but again, it was free and that's the memory we have!!!

Princess #1 and #2

Princess #3 (her tiara got left at home)

After school, the local Motorsports shop had a public mini-party with a cake walk, bean bag toss and mini-trick-or-treating...we had fun, as you can tell from the cheeses!!! We then went trick-or-treating to the neighbors and to Great-grandma's and got stashes of candy that should last til Easter, if I can keep them from climbing to get into their buckets!!!

during the cake walk...they all won (eventually)

We had a great Halloween! With the kids getting older, it's just getting more and more fun to be a part of the holiday's (even though a few weeks ago, I told Jake I was boycotting all holiday's this year-he knew the threat wouldn't last long). I hope you all enjoyed your day as much as we did!

Halloween Party

As most of you know, or have figured out, I LOVE to host parties!!! A few years ago I suggested that since almost all of Jake's family lives around here that we should have more themed parties, including Halloween. I, of course, took charge and made it a dinner and party...it has become an anticipated and expected party-which I am grateful for...it gives me something to do. Each year the party evolves differently depending on the date and availability of people and, like this year, if there are any extras attending-the more the merrier!

These past few years I have made invitations and invited family members to bring a scary appetizer...it's always fun to see what others think of and create. This year I made beef stew, bread "bones", skeleton dip and witch "cakes"...it was fun! I will post the recipes and explanations to all of these on my recipe blog this week...check it out here.

skeleton dip

bread "bones"

witch cakes

This year we had 14 children, so the games were more directed at them and then I realized that I did not take any pictures of the games, darn it. We played a matching game-where you match a candy bar to a Halloween topic (very fun, I got the idea from a baby shower); operation-they had to feel the body parts (but it ended up not so organized as that, they just felt what the objects were in the bags); guess the candies in the jar (I had two different ones); skeleton wrap (I got this idea from Vanilla Joy).

We had a blast, as always, and ate too much food, but it is always great to be together as family.

baby princess

ballerina, pirate, and "belle" (sort of)

Heritage Makers

Okay, so I am totally new to the digital scrapbooking world...mostly because I still don't own a digital camera, but I do print all my film onto CD's so I'm not that far behind. My goal is to finish the pictures that were not developed with CD's in the "old fashioned" hand crafted scrapbooking style and then begin with the digital scrapbooks when I figured out the CD option...I'm really slow sometimes.
Anyway, so I attended the local craft fair today and found a consultant of Heritage Makers. I have heard a lot about them and decided I would create a profile-totally free (I am a sucker for free) and try them out. I have just created that account and am so far impressed-I still get to do the tutorial and such, but because I know that all photos of Lydia are digital I am going to start a book for her and see how it goes! I'm actually pretty excited, I LOVE doing this sort of thing. When you create your FREE profile, here, leave me a comment so that I can let Kymberly know you all are my friends, she stated I may get a deal ;) She even has local workshops to help the poor unfortunate souls like me understand what and how to do this simple and FUN, FUN, FUN version of scrapbooking. I can't wait to get something like that done...it's been FOUR incredibly long years since I've used those creative juices...I hope I still have some :)
Let me know what you all think...can't wait to see/hear of your digital scrapbooks!

New Background

I figured out how to use the Leelou FREE blog backgrounds...they are really cute and fun! If you go to their site you can sign up to receive emails when they post new backgrounds...this one is from their Christmas line...I know I jumped the gun, but I couldn't find fall...when I do I will change it, these are so cute! I just have to get used to the new layout ;D
Go check it out, if you like it as much as I do...she's got some great buttons I'll be posting closer to the Christmas season!!!

Leelou

I have found this fun site...I'm sure some of you already have, so I'm a little slow, but hey! I wanted to share what I found...Leelou Launch Party-I'm still new to this site, so I don't know all the in's and out's, but she has blog backgrounds for free-I hope to figure out the site more and use one of her backgrounds...this is the site where I found the LDS button on my blogroll...she has some fun giveaways this week-I never win, but it's always fun to enter and HOPE I win ;D

What color are you?

These are fun to do...I really enjoyed this one.

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorcrayonareyouquiz/">What Color Crayon Are You?

Weekend fun...

...I mentioned in an earlier post that we went to a surprise birthday party in Boise for my mom...it was during Conference weekend and the kids had a blast! Still playing catch up here...

Mom was canning peaches, so the kids helped...they really do like KP duty...hmmmm...anyway they were so proud of their abilities.

Miss proud

Mr. Proud

Master Chef/Canner Grandma

I was somewhat complaining about fixing the girls' hair everyday because they are very picky about how I do it and it usually doesn't end up that great because of my attempt to trick them into something different than they originally suggested ;) So, mom suggested that we put curlers in their hair, you know the sponge curlers you sleep in...yeah, she still has them from when I was young. Kayelynn got so stinking excited that she could hardly hold still...she got Sarah excited too (although not obvious in the pictures...I'm beginning to think Sarah is not really the camera type girl unless it's her idea)...

She was so stinking excited...it was too irresistable not to take a photo of genuine excitement!

The finished product, she wasn't so sure about the weird feeling of the curlers on her head

Sarah had no idea why Kayelynn was so excited, but she wanted in on the action and mom had to work quickly when Sarah realized it had to do with her sitting still and having grandma touch her hair...

Kayelynn still so thrilled about her new do and Sarah so tired she didn't know what to think except "don't take my picture"

tight curls of the morning...Sarah is relieved that the sponges were out and more than thrilled that her hair was princess beautiful!

pictures speak a thousand words...

and more pictures from the zoo...

cool bird

enormous tortious

I told Bryant he was as tall as a lion...we isn't so sure he likes that idea...measuring up and taking it in...

in the petting zoo area-there is a little play area for the kids to get their wiggles out...they are hiding in an egg shell and Sarah is sharing the wood chips generously ;)

Apologies...

...So, I've really been using this blog to complain-which has never been my intent, although I guess that's how journals go sometimes, eh? Anyway, I've realized that I haven't really been upbeat and exciting with my posts and that's probably detered a lot of you from wanting to read/post on this blog-which is of the family...also in my realization I have not posted about some of the fun and exciting things that we have done as a family recently...I'm over my complaining and back to my upbeat self-I am still having issues with being a good mommy and such, but I'm really discovering myself again and excited about it!

Our Relief Society Enrichment leader has started a new thing in our ward and I'm way excited to participate...she is inviting all the women to meet at the temple the first Wednesday of every month at 6am!! LOVE IT! She has really considered the families and situations of our ward and is trying hard to be able to accommodate all the working schedule of families and with the temple within 2 miles, it will be a perfect solution! I can't wait to attend with the women of the ward and just help myself increase that much more in my efforts of mother, woman, wife, daughter, sister!

Anyway, I've digressed...onto the family fun...

Back in September the zoo here had an appreciation day, so it was free! Perfect opportunity to take the kids to the zoo!! :) Luckily it was actually a day that Jake had off work...

Unfortuantely, this is the closest to a family picture that we got...Jake took the photo..

After spying the tiger in the shade, the kids wanted to "ride" on the tiger

Mama and Papa lion...this kids thought they were so cool and I have to agree, they were!

Bryant lost his first tooth (apparantly assisted with a bloody nose) ;D

Lydia is developing quite the personality...although she is still pretty serious, she will crack a smile quickly when someone grins at her first-don't expect a smile if you just stare at her...

Princess Crabby Pants (is what her outfit says)...the saying fits her perfectly-thanks Greg and Eloisa...perfect choice ;)

Kayelynn loves to make her smile and coo...

The kids continue to develop their skills in...

washing dishes...they will start the water themselves and when they are done I get to mop the floor and wash the dishes all over again, but I'm so glad they are still willing to help out.

If you look really closely, you'll see water covering Kayelynn's shirt...

Okay, this was to show, just how well they were to cooperating...the outfit Kayelynn has on is...oh so, three-year-old-choosing...she INSISTED that she wear the most unmatching outfit of all time (this is her style)!!

My little, big 2-year old Sarah, cheesing her grin and proud of her "bella" outfit...she loves to dress up as a ballerina and watch "Bella Dancerella" a ballet video to teach basic ballet to the princess Disney movies...she loves it, dancing is an absolute favorite past-time!!

I have an amazing family...can't wait to show you the other events we've done and will do in the next few weeks!

Embarassing...

So apparantly in my cleaning of the oven I tripped the ignitor...oops!
The repairman finally came today and, of course, laughed at the situation and then fixed it quickly! How embarassing...but oh, so exciting!!!
I have been aching to use my oven-my brain has kicked in that it's baking season (I need an oven for that)!!
I will be baking up a storm the next couple weeks...I have decided that I will be selling baked goods at the local craft fair (held at the Junior High) on November 1st while helping Jake's great-grandmother sell quilts. I will have cookies, breads and maybe even some cinnamon rolls (I have to be really ambitious to do these)...I'm kind of excited, I just hope they sell and that people like them if they do purchase them...all the recipes I use will be posted on my recipe blog (probably after the craft fair). I wouldn't mind any requests/suggestions to make for this fair...I'm selling the cookies by the half dozen and the breads by loaves and the cinnamon rolls individually...I'm so excited to use my oven (even though it's older than my mom)!!!!!!

Spoke to soon...

...the oven is not fixed!!
AGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday, I cleaned out the oven more thoroughly and lined the bottom with aluminum foil and turned it on...nothing, no heat, nothing! My stove top-luckily, still works...but the darn oven refuses to work! So much for the lasagna (luckily that was still simmering on the stove, it quickly became spaghetti) dinner I had planned and the zuchinni bread (already whipped up and ready to put into pans) and the cookies!!! In this cold-snow-threatening weather it'd be nice to have some warmth from fresh baked goodness, but we just settled for caramel popcorn ;)
The landlord will be bugged AGAIN tomorrow, poor guy...

Update

I just have to share that my oven is FINALLY fixed!!!
After the fire we were headed to Boise, so we didn't make a big deal out of it...just got the kitchen cleaned up and modified menus to include the microwave and counter grill...we got back late Sunday night and tried to contact our landlord Monday and Tuesday he finally got to us, he didn't think it was a big deal-for some reason he interrpreted that we had some part of the stove working so we would be fine for a few days. On Wednesday Jake finally got through to him that all we have is our crockpot and microwave and grill-the lightbulb turned on and he was on it. After speaking to him for a few times Jake looked at the back of the oven as something reminded him that he may be able to fix it himself...sure enough the power cord on the back had a short and had finally come apart, so the landlord brought us a new one only to find out that the breaker was still tripping even with it turned off! The electrician finally came over on Thursday and stated that he didn't think anything was wrong with the stove...well some genius had filled in the plug cover with foam, so the electrician had to peck at it and take it off and funny enough the breaker was broken the same way the cord had broke!
My stove is like new (even thought it's from the 50's, okay maybe 70's). It gets warmer faster and stays warm better than ever!!!
Because I thought the stove was going to be replaced I hadn't really cleaned inside, just wiped it, so that chore is still on the list...not sure how the oven works yet, but today I will. I am determined to make the kids cookies!!
So we are all okay and looking back I'm kind of glad that I'm the one that started the fire instead of waking up in the middle of the night from an electrical fire that was bound to happen!!!

Quarks, Quirks, Whatever they're called...

I was tagged by my friend Mary. I am not good at these kinds of tags, but since I was I don't want to disappoint...I do like reading these on all your blogs, so hey maybe one of you will enjoy reading about me...who knows, these are all quarky, quirky, whatever it's called, anyway!! :)

Rules:Link the person who tagged you (like Mary above)
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.
Quirk #1- I am OCD or a perfectionist, however you'd like to call it...everything has to have a place and everything needs to return to it's place. This is very hard to break with little children as they don't understand my crazy need to have this accomplished.

Quirk #2- I am a planner, spontanaety is not really my kind of fun. I carry a planner at all times and sometimes purchase a new one because I made a mistake in the old one or one of the kids colored on a paper (never mind if it's one I won't use-going along with the OCD description). I LOVE to know what's happening AT LEAST one month ahead. This is rather irritating for Jake as he is way more the fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy.

Quirk #3- I am left handed...personally, I do not think this is quarky, but for some reason others do...it's normal to me ;)

Quirk #4- I organize mine and my childrens clothing by color, sleeve length, size and season...my husband says he can't dress the kids because he doesn't want to ruin my system, so I end up getting the outfits out the night before so that no system is broken

Quirk #5-I collect recipes-the cupboard above my stove is chuck full of recipe cards, recipe books, newspaper/magazine clippings all of recipes! I have so many recipes and have probably only tried an 1/8th of them, that I finally started a new blog, just to share and make myself try new recipes...Audi's Recipe Collection

Quirk #6- I LOVE bargains...I will drive all the way to Boise just to purchase my kids clothes at the monthly quarter sale (all items in the sidewalk sale are a quarter; clothing, blankets, shoes, books, etc.), never mind the gas it takes to get there...to me, I can purchase more outfits and items of clothing in a two hour rummage than if I were to drive to I.F. and search all day. I can usually come out of the quarter sale with over 100 items for $30 or under (sometimes I have a $10 off coupon)!! I LOVE yard sales for this reason too, I am not afraid to negotiate the price. Therefore, I have a hard time shopping anywhere else for things that are a $5 or less-a quarter is better :D (although I do break down sometimes and purchase new items as long as they are under $5).

There you have it, not real interesting. Although the rules did say they had to be unspectacular quirks. I think I accomplished that.

I tag...oh how I hate tagging...but I am a rule follower...Eloisa, Melissa, Amanda, Tina, Katie, and Tricia.

Surprises

I haven't posted for a while, since, I never know when my mom will be reading this ;)
We had planned a surprise party on Thursday for her - she just turned the BIG 5-0!!! This past week was quite the full week for us...with the darn fire we were out of commission for a while in the kitchen and then discovered that the stove/oven are officially doomed-there was a wire that sparked when we put it back against the wall from cleaning under it and the wire has melted itself to the stove...we now have the tragic event ahead of us to tell our landlord...we were trying to fix it ourselves to save ourselves from being responsible for purchasing a new stove, but it will not be the case I'm afraid and in the meantime I had been the one in charge of making the dessert for mom's surprise party-I ended up having to order cookies from the local college-they were delicious, but cost money-darn it!
Our school district takes a Spud Harvest Vacation in October for about 10 days (including weekends) for the farmers to get all the help they can from the local High school kids and some parents throughout the community as well...initially this was scheduled for Oct. 1-10, but they have the right to change the dates of this vacation according to the needs of the local farmers...it ended up being changed to Oct. 6-15...AFTER we planned mom's party-so Bryant was going to miss Thursday and Friday school.
Last week we found out he had his first field trip scheduled for Thursday...oh to have a kindergartener doomed and hate his parents for the rest of his life if he didn't get to go on his first ever field trip (he was threatening to stay behind without us)...I finally got the courage to ask his teacher if he could be allowed to attend the field trip with the morning class as he is in the afternoon class...she was very gracious and allowed this-yeah! he won't hate me for missing his very first EVER fieldtrip! So instead of leaving bright and early on Thursday for Boise, we left at noon...in the end I think it worked out better, we only had to hide from my mom for two hours instead of four-we just went straight to the church where we were having the party and got it all decorated.
Mom loved her surprise...we were able to get her to the church by involving the Executive Secretary-he called her the night before to come for an appointment with the Bishop-her and dad...so for 18 hours she tried to speculate what new calling she might get-HA! We had a friend of hers sitting in the foyer acting as if she were getting a new calling too, and had her lead mom through the gym since the Bishop wasn't there yet {wink,wink}...
Mom was so startled-she thought she was walking in on someone's setup-the lights were out and we were all sitting there, but with the background light from the hall she could tell there was something there...my kids ran right up to her and gave her a huge hug!!
It was so fun...we had a baked potato bar-many ladies from the ward cooked the potatoes for us...and then my sister and I had put together a fun questionairre about mom to get to know her better and then a video with pictures throughout the last 50 years and some facts on how things have changed since her birth, her graduation year (from HS) and today...it was so good. The last part of the movie had a very tender song (I can't remember the name of it right now) from Josh Groban and the minute the lights turned back on mom rushed to my dad and gave him a ginormous hug-it was so tender, if we weren't crying already, we were definately crying then!
We then gave mom another surprise...a cell phone for her birthday...she has officially entered the technology world and I will finally be able to call her when I desperately need tips when I'm cooking dinner and she doesn't answer he home phone ;)
I have had to make up many stories to my mom in the last month so she wouldn't be suspicious...we are enjoying our vacation in Boise and will be home tomorrow evening to attack reality and pray that we are not forking out too much for a new stove and that we will get one quickly...sandwiches get old fast, so does going out (on a budget that doesn't really allow it). It's always fun to come home, even if it rains.

Strength...

The General Relief Society meeting tonight was TOTALLY for me!!!
In relation to my recent struggles most of what they said tonight was just what I needed to hear.
Sister Beck reminded me that the most important things to do was to;
1. have faith
2. strengthen home and family
3. serve the Lord and His children
So simple it's easily overlooked as THE thing to do daily!

Sister Allred reminded me that attending the temple and participating in the ordinances I've made will bring the blessings I need.

Sister Thompson reminded me that I should devote myself to Relief Society and to not be so shy-just lift and bless others through service so I will be able to reflect the light of Christ in my countenance.

Elder Uchtdorf, what an amazing and strong talk!! The first thing he reminded me was that I, along with all the sisters in the world, are treasured daughters of God with infinite worth...something that I have forgotten since leaving Young Women's...the greatest tidbit I got from him was to not let fear of failure discourage me-it hit me between the eyes. That has been one of the major sources of my issues recently. And to create something that did not exsist before...what an interesting way to approach creativity! Just what I needed. I loved the quote he gave by the Peter Pan author..."Those who bring sunshine to others, bring it to themselves"...and the reminder that prayers are strong, but being an answer to prayers can be even stronger (or something along those lines).

I cannot wait to have this talk in print...the minute I notice it online I will be printing his and all the talks from this night. What a powerful night. I am grateful to my Visiting Teaching partner for inviting me to go with her...I don't know if I would have gotten the same things out of it had I gone alone. I love nights/days like this where I can edify myself and go home with a greater attitude and renewal to get things done and focus more on the Savior and His teachings!!

Update from last night: Jake is such a wonderful husband...he was so grateful that nobody got hurt and was so concerned for mine and the kids health that he cleaned the stove and fridge and walls and floor so I would not have to kick up so much dust when I went to finish cleaning the rest. It's still not good enough to cook in there, but the fridge has a lot that can be made into random meals that we'll be okay until I get it completely cleaned. Thank you Jake!

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Day

...More like afternoon...
The day started out rather well and I was getting so much accomplished: clothes washed, dishes started (there's no electric dishwasher in our home), kids actually took naps, vacuum was ready and waiting (Bryant's chore after school) and since all was so well and we would be having a visitor for the night (my nephew) I thought I would treat the kids to yummy bars (recipe at the end of post).
I made the batch quickly and easily and then I wanted to get the chocolate chips and butterscoth chips to melt quicker since it cooled faster than usual, so I turned on the oven to broil and stuck the yummy bars into the cold oven to just warm while I took one load of laundry out of the dryer...it would be perfect timing.
Well, I got some of the laundry out and then realized that since I had Lydia attached in her Moby Wrap that I couldn't bend over (it always wakes her up and she JUST feel asleep for the first time) so I called for Bryant's help to get the remaining clothes out of the dryer...I assisted a little and then was on a roll and started putting another load in the washer when I realized that there was an awfully strong burn smell...memory finally caught up and I went into the kitchen and saw the most smoke I have ever seen...immediately I pray there is not a fire, I open the oven door and of course there is a fire and it started to get bigger because I had opened the blasted door! I shout out that I have no idea how to put out a fire and immediately wish I had a bunch of water to use, but since I didn't I went for the fire extinguisher and got it out. That stuff hurts the lungs and makes the smoke even worse! Lydia is still in her wrap so I'm most worried about not getting her burnt and just getting the fire out... I opened the back door to let the smoke out and shout for Bryant to open the front door for super ventalation (not the greatest in a basement apartment)...all the while the 3 kids are watching Santa Clause and at the same time are watching him burn the turkey.
The neighbor even came to check on me, she noticed a lot of smoke...looking back I should have asked for her help instead of insisting that we were okay...I was totally lying to her!
I choked incredibly on the stuff and went back in to find more smoke and another fire...yeah! duh!!! I didn't turn off the dang oven OR take the culprit out...I had to extinguish the fire AGAIN (the stuff burns the throat) and then hold my breathe to be able to get the pan out. I shouted for the kids to go outside as is...no shoes and let the smoke leave the house...about 1/2 hour later the house STUNK!!!!! and all my laundry has to be rewashed as does everyone's bedding and the kitchen has to be washed ceiling to floor!
At this time I am so shaken I call Jake at work and inform him of my major mistake and then take the kids to get the mail and play outside while my mind reels with ideas for dinner and how to clean the awful mess...we jumped on the neighbors trampoline for a little while until Sarah tweeked her knee...she couldn't even walk, so I have Lydia in her wrap and I'm trying to carry Sarah in the house and keep the kids out of the kitchen and figure what to have for dinner and how we are going to entertain my nephew...then we see hobo's through the house, I must have smoked them out of the kitchen...what a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!!!
I'm still so mad it's not even cleaned up yet!

Non-burnt version of Yummy Bars
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. karo syrup
1 c. sugar
Put all in a pan and stir together until warmed and completely smooth, almost boiling...do not let it boil and stir often or it will burn at the bottom of the pan.

Mix in with 6 c. rice krispies and spread into a cookie sheet.
Top with 1 c. chocolate chips and 1 c. butterscotch chips, melt slightly to spread over the entire treat-hence the reason to put in the oven for a few minutes.

Cut and enjoy!!

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who made comments either privately or on the blog relating to my recent post-partum rambling. In my attempt to just relieve some exasperation I failed to tell Jake that I had posted this and after he read it he realized that I just needed some assistance and wasn't noting that I should ask for help...he has really stepped up and helped me gain some insight and control as well as lending more of a listening ear-thank you Jake for listening to my ramblings and gossip (as he calls it) the past week. I feel a whole lot better just from that :)
I'm afraid I may have misled some of you to believe that I need serious medical attention, the point of my post was to state that the more children I get the more behind I get in the goals that I have placed for myself and therefore I was asking for some SIMPLICITY advice.
I have been trying really hard to make my tiny basement apartment work for my family and get rid of a A LOT of CRAP! For as many times as we've moved I have just put things in storage, but it's been {almost} seven years of marriage and there are a few things that I just won't and haven't used so I say "be gone"... Jake has recently adopted this idea as well - as a side note, for those of you who know him, this is a seriously BIG step for the pack rat that he is, so we are working quickly to get through this before he changes his mind and thinks of a reason to keep it even longer...hehe, Jake I'm sorry I had to share that tid-bit about you :) We have recently accepted that this horrible, tiny, musty basement will be home longer than we originally intended so we have finally decorated and made it more of a home instead of a dwelling...I think that has helped to perk up my attitude as well. Again, thank you Jake for assisting in my directions :)
Thank you friends and family for your care and support. I took some advice and spent a night out with some girlfriends and was able to chat mommy to mommy for a few hours and I truly enjoyed it.
I am spending a lot of time organizing and setting a better routine to keep me sane and the kids happy and lovable {wink, wink}...just know that if I'm not writing on here it's because I'm getting things accomplished in my home!! Thanks again for listening/reading!!

My purse...

Thought this was cute, I'm sure you'll all agree that this is pretty much me...I guess I'm more relaxed than I would like {wink, wink}

What Your Handbag Says About You

You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You are a low maintenance person. You can adapt to a variety of situations. You are a very creative person. Your life tends to be a whirlwind, but you always seem to pull it together. You are practical and down to earth. You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourhandbagsayaboutyouquiz/">What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

Bryant's Major Milestone...

For dinner last night I decided to serve leftovers or whatever...yes, I caved in and made 5 different meals...most of which were just heated up in the microwave :) That's better than a 30 minute meal {wink, wink}...anyway, Bryant decided that he wanted a turkey sandwich.
We were all eating and Bryant takes a bite of sandwich and pulls back crying as if he'd bit his tongue or something. He explains that he took a bite and now his teeth feel loose. He took another bite before I could look and see what he was talking about and winces and pulls back somewhat crying...I look over at him and he is shocked that there is blood on his sandwich. I look at him and chuckle - "You have a loose tooth" and proceed to explain what that means.
He exclaims that he didn't want to loose any teeth until he was 6 (he will be 6 in December). I took one look at his tooth and told him that it would be out before he went to bed. This was at 6:30pm...he thought it was so cool that it would wiggle like that in his mouth that he was more interested in wiggling the thing to death than talking our ear off - as he usually does - he has quite the imagination and story telling abilities!!
Jake needed to visit his grandmother and Bryant went with-they returned a little after 10:30p (yes, it was incredibly late) with a tooth in a ziploc bag!!! Bryant had wiggled the thing right out of the socket! He was so proud of himself!! He put the bag under his pillow and this morning he announced that the tooth fairy had brought him an entire dollar bill!!!! He was ecstatic-he wanted to put it under his pillow again to get more money...HA!
He is well on his way to maturity-my "baby" is getting permanant teeth, starting school, and will only grow up from there...what an eye-opener. This all comes with mixed emotions, even Grandmother was a little saddened to notice that Bryant is really growing up now...what a thought!!

Vulnerable Ramblings...

I have come to realize that it just gets harder to manage house and home and routine the more kids you have...I know a lot of you might really be snickering at this comment and wondering why it's taken my FOUR children to figure this out, and I do not have a very good explanation.
I think some reasons...when Bryant was born I was in school so it just had to work-I was stubborn and did not want to quit school with just one year left; when Kayelynn was born I was the most calm about a child entering my home and treasured every minute I had with her and Bryant; Sarah was somewhat of a surprise (yes, it's possible to experience a surprise child) but I was working full-time and knew that I would continue working after she arrived and somehow it just worked into life; with Lydia life turned upside down from the minute we found out we were expecting her and hasn't stopped and I don't want her to feel unwelcomed and not get the attention that I'm used to giving the other children.
I feel as if I am a new mom with 4 children that are all of a sudden my responisbility, but that I have an advantage in the sense that I know the children and their "quarks"...I just don't know how to handle the quarks mixed with the constant change of life and keeping up with the necessary household "chores"...our routine has really been altered since the arrival of Lydia and we are slowly getting it back, but I think it's going to take a lot more time than just a few weeks to get back into the swing of things.
I know I am not the only one that can experience feelings of doubt, frustration, and inadequacy, but sometimes I feel like the only one that can't figure out how to "fix" it!!! I have so much anxiety and I don't know how to get control-whether any of you believe this or not-I used to be so, so organized. I used to have plans/to-do lists/goals/order that I never worried about what I was doing, what needed to happen or how I was feeling because it just was the way it was and I was content with it...I didn't lose control, now I feel like I don't even know when I'm going to wakeup and eat, let alone get everything done that's bottled up in my head.
Don't get me wrong I don't just lay in bed wondering what to do, but there are so many things that have to get done that I sometimes don't know where to start and how to not be frustrated when I didn't get it done or that I didn't fulfill my mommy-ness for the day. I am getting too worried about being a good mom that I have let other things slip and it affects being a good mom, does any of this make sense? Has anyone else ever felt like this? Do I sound like I need to be sent to the local crazy hospital? I don't mean to come across like I've lost all control and my kids are neglected, or that I'm losing my faith/testimony, I just need some suggestions to make life easier!!!
If I could ask for help and actually get it, it would be for a professional organizer to come into my home and help me see the areas that would accomplish simple, quick, easy, happy living spaces. I know I've been rambling and I apologize, but I just have to say it somehow and by writing it I can "vent" without interruptions and I can just get it off my chest. Too many people have said recently that they "admire what I do" and I just want to scream!!!!! I don't feel like I'm doing anything right or well and I want to be a fly on the wall to see a different perspective and how I can make things work better for me and my family.
Anyway, thanks for listening/reading...now that I've written this I feel extremely vulnerable and embarassed to have anyone read this mix of emotion in my head...forgive my human-ness. I could still use some suggestions from dear family and friends on how you make your life simple and still maintain control.

Lydia is...TWO MONTHS!

Okay, so I seriously feel like I was just blogging/complaining about still being preganant and now I have a TWO MONTH OLD!
Lydia is now 13.2 lbs. and 25 inches long...she has a long body that still makes her look slender, but she has most certainly filled out and has the cheeks to show for it!!
She is quite a serious baby...she will smile, but it's usually right after she's been changed or if she's being talked to by her daddy.

Lydia is growing up into her own little person and the others are leading and guiding her to maturity as all siblings do :) I love her content attitude. She will let you know if she's bothered in any way (diaper needs changed, she's hungery, too noisy, she's tired, etc), but she is content to be held and watch her siblings around her. I'm so glad she's a part of our family!!

Vanilla Joy-Giveaway

I know a lot, if not all of you, enjoy doing crafts of some sort or another. Well, I heard about this AWESOME giveaway at Vanilla Joy. She is giving away the most amazing storage unit for crafts...it is called the MiniBox from The Original ScrapBox and it's a $800 value-can you believe it??!!!
I would LOVE to win this myself as it's been way too long...like 4 years...since I did any crafting/scrapbooking that counts for anything. Part of the reason is from moving so much and working as a "dorm mom", the other part...it's been way too cramped and way too overwhelming to think about it because I have so much stuff in so many areas of this one little room that I share with the kids. My "craft room" is their play room and I usually let them win out in space. Everytime I think about getting something out to start I get anxiety because I don't know where everything is and I don't have it organized, therefore I would not be able to put it away quickly, so it just doesn't come out...anyway, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win this :)
Go to her site and check it out...I hope to win, but I if I don't I hope it's awarded to someone that I know ;) then maybe I could actually see it in person!!! I have added her link to the right, Vanilla Joy-Family Fun activities or her link is above...check it out and submit a comment! Good luck!!!

Bryant's thoughts...

He has been very attentive to the actual words being said, especially when they don't seem to make sense to him...



Why is it called a "restaurant"?

How do they make couches?

Why are they called "fireworks"? Is it because they are made from fire?

Why is it called a kitchen? Why do we have them?

I just try to get him to answer the question and see what his little creative mind can come up with and then we look it up if we can't figure it out. My dad used to tell us to "look it up" if we asked questions like that, so I'm trying to teach him the same concept. I am so glad we got him an atlas and a dictionary for Christmas last year!!! They have really come in handy as does the internet. Do you know the answers??

My OTHER blog

So, I guess it's the thing these days to have more than one blog...well, I guess you would say that I joined the band wagon.
I have created a recipe blog.
I have so many recipes and I love to collect them, I figured I would publish them. I like to throw parties and share the foods that I make, so this will be your resource if you ever want a recipe to something that I have made or have heard of me making. If you can't find it, just email me and I will post it or direct you to its posting :)
I will also be posting my weekly menu on Saturday nights for the upcoming week and then posting the recipes to coincide with the day. I would love your feedback and suggestions.
I hope you enjoy it! It's DELICIOUS!!

Here's the link (before I forget): audisrecipecollection.blogspot.com