Awkward and Awesome

So I'm really liking 'Awkward and Awesome' posts.  It may be a new tradition! (Please sing 'tradition' the way they do in Fiddler on the Roof. gracias.)

Awkward:

• Ken asked me where the bananas were, while he was 1 foot away from a bunch of bananas (6).
• One of my kids told me sometimes they drink a glass of water while they go (#1) so they don't dehydrate.
• We met the new missionaries last night. One of them served in my brother's ward. (Ryan, same one who's 50 today.) It was special hearing stories from my brother's mission that were bigger and better than I remember.
• Going to the store and only buying a plunger. 
• Me singing fiddler on the roof songs.
• Talks about missionary work, given by a seasoned missionary,  that somehow aren't prepared.  ?

Awesome:

• Nicole has mastered 'Orders of Operation.' (math stuff)
• The testimony we heard tonight from a new Elder, out only 6 weeks.
• Spaghetti
• My new iron that Kate bought me while she was here. (She happened to be using the old one when it died. I did not make her replace it.)
• Anna can spell her name.
• Musicals. 
• legos singing Tradition!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Happy birthday to my old(er) brother Ryan! I think he's 39...or 40.  We'll go with 40.

Two fun facts about Ryan:

• He keeps his toe nails painted. On Sundays we had one on one time with each of his children he allows his daughters to give him MANicures on his toes.  Sparkles, rainbow colors, hearts and whatever else NONmanly is included.  On New Years Day I added crossbones and skulls to his toes on one foot and a gun with bullets on the other. 
• He's really gassy.  This is a fun fact that some would be embarrassed by but he announces it and take a little too much pride in it.

Happy birthday Ryan! I love you!

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

Happy Birthday to my niece, KAYLEE!  She is 2 years old.

Here are 2 fun facts about Kaylee:

• She looks just like her Dad. The first time I held her she was almost a year old and she looked at me and raised one of her eyebrows.  Adam does that to me...a lot.  It was really cute. (on Kaylee)
• Every time Kaylee comes to my house, or both times rather, she hurts herself, really bad.  Bleeding, crying and a bad nights sleep are all involved. It's kind of lame.

Happy birthday Kaylee! I love you!

Just in case you were wondering...(another) Tuesday Edition

*Orchestra concerts are worse than band concerts.
*Nachos are delicious.
*I made cookies today.
*Kate cramps my style by being on vacation for so long.
*I've been sewing a lot of sweet things lately.
*I'm excited for General Conference.
*My cellphone is purple.
*I've been wearing a toe ring for 5 years. I heart it.
*I want to learn how to decorate cakes.
*Gina is lame.
*Spencer is not.
*I have cold feet.
*I spoke with three siblings and my dad today.
*My mom's favorite word was a swear word that began with sh and ended with it. (I was laughing about it tonight with Ken. I thought I'd share that with you.)
*Anna is our most well behaved child.
*I'm going to bed now.

Please VOTE! Right now!

Hi Everyone, 


My cousin Leslie has one year old son who has type 1 diabetes. She is a finalists in a essay contest that could win her $2000 towards the purchase of an insulin pump. Please click on the VOTE link and vote for LESLIE HART. Voting ends tonight. Have your whole family vote. The more the better. Thanks everyone! Please vote now. Pass this onto your blog and sent it in emails if don't mind. It would hep her family a lot!


Here is her essay:

Leslie Hart

My doctor thought my 1 year old had the flu but I knew it was something more when his breathing was labored. I took him to the E.R. 4 hours later where he was diagnosed within 20 minutes of being there. My name is Leslie Hart and I am a mother of 5 children with my youngest (Hayden now 18 months) being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on the tenth of September of 2010, one week after his first birthday. This diagnosis rocked my world! Both my husband and I had decided that when we were done having kids that we would FINALLY take a big trip to Hawaii. We had it planned and booked. But it was about 3 weeks before my sons first birthday that he would wake up EVERY morning clothes and bed drenched from his FULL diaper. I thought his diapers were too small, I thought I gave him to much to drink...I bought bigger diapers and gave him less to drink. He looked like he was losing weight but I thought it was because he was starting to crawl and now he was l losing his baby fat. But then he became weak, I remember watching him crawl on the wood floor and the next thing I knew he was sleeping on the floor. He was weak, and I thought he had the flu.

The night before I took him to the doctor, he woke up EVERY hour wanting a bottle and he drank it as though he were dying of thirst. I still had know idea what was going on. That morning his breathing had changed as if he had just crawled up the stairs and was breathing hard. I took him to the doctor, and he said it was probably the flu. I told him he wasn't dehydrated because he was drinking so much. ( I never mentioned the diapers - I thought he just needed bigger or better diapers) but it was his labored breathing that I KNEW was not normal. The doctor told me that if I wanted peace of mind that I could go and have blood test done at the E.R. or urgent care. Four hours later I took him to the E.R. still thinking that something was wrong, and within 20 minutes he was diagnosed with type 1.

The Dr. told me he would be insulin dependent, I thought okay what's that one shot a day. I can do that. I was clueless! All the diabetic signs were there and I knew nothing about diabetes. I didn't even know that I had a first cousin who lived in Nampa, whose son had Type 1 (He was diagnosed almost 1 year to the exact day). Family History is so important to know, and to let other family members know what to look for. I could have lost my son over the weekend if I didn't listen to that motherly intuition.

We need to educate our society on diabetes and how to prevent and identify diabetic signs- even doctors. Later, my doctor (name withheld) told me he really didn't know a lot about diabetes and that they had to talk to their diabetic doctor about it. I know my doctor will not miss the next diabetic now because of my experience.

Diabetes effects the whole family. Hayden takes 6--8 shots a day, his finger is pricked 10-13 times a day. (his blood sugars are checked every 2 hours) Since Hayden is a toddler, he can't communicate with me whether he's feeling high sugars or low sugars which requires a lot of testing. My husband and I test him every night at 2 a.m. and sometimes every 2 hours through the night to make insulin adjustments or to feed him. We are tired but this little boy is so worth it. Hayden's needs also come first at meal time, the kids know it but they love their little brother and are patient. As for vacations, we will be vacationing together as a family, which is good. Dates with my husband usually involve our "third wheel" but he's a cute "third wheel!" We don't eat out as much either because carb counting can be difficult.

However, I've learned that doesn't have to control us we can control it with some work. Meeting and working with our Endocrinologist has been very educating when it comes to Diabetes. Hayden is our joy in life. He is a normal healthy boy who just needs insulin. He will live a normal life of activity and learning. He will soon be on a pump and we look forward to that as a family.
It's so important to know your family health history, and we need talk more openly about diabetes and how to prevent type2 as well to know what signs to look for in type1. I feel like I was introduced into another world that I didn't know existed. I now have a better understanding of other people's challenges and compassion for those who struggle with any physical health challenges.

Anig and Recneps cont...

One day Anig and Recneps were being old at Anig's apartment, working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Anig did something Recneps thought was amazing! She put together 7 or 8 pieces of the puzzle in a row. You see, Anig is lame at puzzles. (just a little.) When Recneps saw this miraculous thing that had just taken place, he said , 'Good job Anig!!; in a voice that may have sounded a little juvenile.  Anig asked Recneps why he spoke that way and he said, 'I was treating you like you were five.' Anig got up from the table, walked down the hall and changed into a fairy princess, including pigtails sticking out of her crown and came back down the hall. She said, 'You want five years old? you got it.' She then continued to work on the jigsaw puzzle while singing and talking like a 5 year old.

to be continued...
*if you are just arriving to the story, there is a section to the side → that has a link to take you to the beginning. (this is only the 2nd part,)

Stuff and Things on my mind. 3-28-2011 edition

• The first things Anna said to me this morning was, 'Now everyday is a sad day because Kate and Josie left.' I agree.
• We had people over for dinner last night that lived in Ketchikan, Alaska for a few years. They know my brother and sister in law. Small world.
• My dryer is broken. The power won't turn on. I'm calling the repair man today.
• I don't like scary movies. (They scare me.)
• How do you teach a left handed person to crochet?
• I'm so glad my kitchen doesn't have white walls anymore.
• I still need a camera.
• I want to stalk to Amish (and Kate) in Pennsylvania. STAT. 
• I love my sewing machine. It makes pretty things.
• I love singing in the choir for the substitute director we have. I was watching her conduct last night and I wanted to cry. She reminds me of my Grandma Price. A lot. I've only ever spoken to her a couple of times, but I really love and respect her.

Three or four  weeks ago two sisters in our ward sang 'If the Savior stood beside you' as a musical number for sacrament meeting. These women aren't seasoned singers but the spirit that filled the chapel was undeniable.  Since then I've had that song on my mind often and I'm amazed at the choices that I make when I am thinking that the Savior is literally standing next to me. Would I yell or speak unkindly? Would I ignore a child's (relevant) request? Would I clean that mess up or get back to it later? and so on. I'm so thankful I was in Sacrament Meeting to hear them sing. They have helped me to improve myself.

that is all.

Once Upon a Time...

There were these two people I know. Their names are ..*Anig and *Recneps. Anig and Recneps are young people who love each other and will one day get married...maybe. Here is a picture of them...

Here is their story.

They're old even though they appear young. they spend their date nights putting together jigsaw puzzles, texting each other, he plays on his iPad while she plays on her iPod Touch.

Nerds. Here is another picture. They're doing a puzzle with an old lady. Maybe Recneps's grandma. Anig doesn't have anymore Grandma's. (They died when they got this old.)

Okay, that is all for now. Another volume of the story will be coming soon...For now this is what we've learned.

They are young but act old.

The End.

ps, names have been changed to protect their identity. BUT, if you are bright, you will read them backwards and figure it out.

Our bedtime ritual goes like this:

Sometime between 6:30 and 7:00pm

Me: Anna, go get your pajamas on and brush you teeth.

Anna: Okay Mom. (and off she goes to do exactly what she is told.)

a few minutes later...

Anna: Look Mom, I brushed my teeth. They're shiny. (big cheesy grin.)

Me: Yes they are! Good job. Go get get your cupcake blanket and get in my bed. I"ll be right there to tuck you in.

Anna: Okay Mom. (and off she goes to do exactly what she is told.)

Me: I tuck Anna in, kiss her and hug her, ask her her 5 questions (see below) turn off the light, close the door and don't hear a peep out of the little lady until morning. When Ken is home, he tucks her in too. He's just not home too often.

Fast forward to 8:00pm

Me: Nicole and Matthew, go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth.

ignored

8:05 Me: Nicole and Matthew, go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth.

Nicole and or Matthew: okay mom...ignored

8:15 Me: I turn whatever they are working on off.  (tv, computer, whatever...) Nicole and Matthew, go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth. 

them: HEY! I was working on that. bla bla bla.

Me: Me: Nicole and Matthew, go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth.

By about 8:30 the big babies have their pajamas on but have not brushed their teeth.

me: go brush your teeth!

them: We did!

me: let me see.

them. coming close to me they try to breathe their nasty breath on me and laugh little girls.

me: (upset now.) Go. Brush. Your. Teeth. Now.

Matthew: oooh! Mama's mad!

laughing from the peanut gallery. AKA Ken. 

Finally, 45 minutes later, teeth are brushed, pajamas are on, they're in their beds.

I tell them to be quiet because I don't want them to wake up their sister.

From their bedrooms: can you tuck me in? Can Dad tuck me in? When will you tuck me in? Will you rub my back? Can I have a drink of water? Are we going camping this summer? I need to go to the store to buy a swimsuit. on and on and on it goes.

Ken and I both tuck in the big kids. EVERY NIGHT.

They get:

• hugs
• kisses
• asked the same 5 questions every night - in the same order. (by each of us)

1. Do you know I love you?
2. Do you know Dad loves you?
3. Do you know Heavenly Father and Jesus love you?
4. Are you going to serve a mission?
5. Where are you going to get married?

• a 'who am I' question. - Ken gives them clues to a person in the scriptures and they have to guess who it is. If they can't guess it, he gives them a scripture reference to look up to figure it out.

After this loooong process is complete, we hear yelling back and forth from the bedrooms, trying to figure out 'who am I?' We also hear, 'hey! you didn't rub my back!' 'You were in ______'s room longer than mine.' 'I still want to go camping!' Daaaaaad! Moooooom!  

The whole time I'm practically begging them, SHUT UP!! (in nicer words though.)

about 30% of the time they wake Anna up. This isn't because they are quiet the other 70% of the time. It's because she sleeps like a hibernating bear.

It's 10:45. We've had silence for like 10 minutes.

They are fired. They = Nicole and Matthew. Anna is being promoted...to queen. (like she's not there already. :) )

Our bedtime ritual goes like this: (part 2)

A few hours after the kids go bed, or a few minutes later (depending on how late they are up) The last bedtime ritual goes like this:

Try to be the first person in the room and in the bed so you don't have to turn the light off.

Tonight...I win! Because I am back in my bed, blogging...again.

nighty night!

ps I changed the publish time for this post to show up on my blog after the first one, when reading in the archives...

Blogging, WA, TV, Toilets, Communication and *Fancy* White Trash

Here I sit in my bed blogging. Again. This can not become a new habit. We are on a 4 day weekend. My children are awake and wanting to know what's for breakfast. One just asked if I could surprise them with a 'day of fun' not at home. note to self: help the children understand what 'surprise' means.

As I sit here in my bed, not quite ready to face the world, secretly wishing I had a personal supply of xanax, I think I should count my blessings and tell you 5 things I'm thankful for. (and not just the obvious ones.)

1. I'm thankful for all my fellow bloggers who update regularly. As sad as it may sound, you are my social life because I don't get out much. (hence the desire for mucho xanax.) I also like to blog stalk. (not real stalk.)
2. I'm thankful to be living in Washington State again. I've also lived in Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Kansas. I breathe better when I live in Washington. Literally and psychologically. There is something about knowing you live a short drive from the people you care the most about.
3. We don't have TV in our home. Everything that crosses the screen is there by invitation. Because of this I feel the spirit more strongly in our home.
4. I'm thankful we don't have to go outside to an outhouse to go to the bathroom. I think I'd be cranky a lot more often if that were the case.
5. I have 16 set speed dials on my cell phone and only 3 of them are local. All the other's classify as long distance and I call many of them fairly often. I'm thankful it is affordable to make those calls.

confession.

I recently read a book (from the YA section) that may or may not have been the best choice I've ever made. It's called 'Fancy White Trash.' by Marjetta Geerling  Here are the problems with this book.

• underage drinking
• teenage pregnancy
• bullying
• one person is confused about his sexuality
• The whole 'cast' of this book is completely dysfunctional.

Here are the 'good' things about this book.

• There is no swearing.
• There are no sex scenes.
• It is HILARIOUS!

Am I recommending it? Probably not, but maybe.

Have you ever read it? I'd love to talk about it.

That is all.

Things I may or may not have done today.

• Stayed in my pajamas until 11:30am
• made beautiful fabric birds that are now ready to be stuffed with stuff.
• finished my stripe quilt. I ended up tying it with white yarn instead of machine quilting it. I was too intimidated. It's hanging off my kitchen counter. 

• deactivated my facebook account. I go in phases where I love it, then I hate it. Right now I hate it.
• went to a young women's meeting for girl's camp. 

Shameless plug: Our ward YW will be selling a cookbook this summer for $10.00. You're all invited to purchase one. It's going to be awesome.

• I may or may not be eating nachos right now.
• My brother's wife may or may not be pregnant. (she is.) Guess which brother.
• It's not Kyle.
• He is sans wife.
• fed my family spaghetti for the 3rd time this week. The sauce is finally gone so we can move on.
• washed my new stripe blanket and ruined it because the back is red.  (It now looks tie-dyed. That's a little disappointing.)

Here's a bonus photo for you. These are the boats in Bremerton at PSNS.

Awkward and Awesome

My friend Amy posts and 'Awkward and Awesome post' every so often on a Thursday and I'm going to copycat her today because I too am awkward and awesome. Mostly awkward.

Awkward:

• I'm a big nerd. I try to be funny or clever. It mostly doesn't work in real time. That is why I write a blog. Because I feel like a genius on this thing!
• Watching two little four year olds dance and sing. So cute. So painfully off key and off beat. 
• Trying to be my friend's stalker. I'm not good at it. It is simply too creepy. I will soon be moving her shrine over to this blog and trying to update it more often...awkward. (What is going on in the mind of a real stalker?!  Good grief!)
• Singing in the ward choir. I am surrounded by 3 really good altos. Me? Not so good. I'm not a bad singer, but I can not hold my own if they don't show up, or if someone really bad (worse than me) decides to show up.
• The need to cry over insignificant things. This happens to me often. It started after Matthew was born and I've not outgrown it yet. boo.
• I finished off a bag of Cadbury robin egg chocolates. They were delicious. I felt gross.
• The size of the YouTube video I posted down there. ↓

Awesome:

• My kids want to go to the library on their day off of school. This is awesome for two reasons. #1, they want to read books by their own free will and choice. #2, they won't be home the whole day, even on their day off.
• All the new fabric I have purchased lately. It's a good thing I threw out so much of the junky stuff I had. I need the room! (I am officially don't buying fabric again...for a while.)
• It's 9 in the morning, I typing this blog from my bed, in my pajamas while my kids do their chores.  Wait, this is awkward! How did it sneak in over here?!
• Jim Gaffigan. He's hilarious! You can watch Jim Gaffigan: Beyond the Pale instantly on Netflix. If you've never seen him, you might want to watch this. If you have, you should watch it again. You should also watch this YouTube video of him. Right now.

Caliente Pocket! Ole!

pictures! from the last six days

me and Katie on the ferry, Seattle in the background. (I look like a boy)

 Pike Place Market. (This sign used to be in the beginning of Sesame Street, not sure if it still is...)

Me trying to look like the guy behind me. (Still looking like a boy.) 

The gum wall. gross. We contributed to the grossness.

 One of my favorite pieces of art in downtown Seattle.

 The Space Needle

Me sitting at the worlds largest table and chairs. (Located inside the Pacific Science Center.)

 Katie

 Me and Katie

 Seattle Temple at night. Katie took this picture.

 forks. (We didn't go to Forks.)

New BFF's 

Believe it or not, Josie just turned 4 last week. Anna is small and Josie is tall.

sweet sisters. 

That's all I got. (That I'm going to share!)

Highs and Lows...

My friend Kate has been staying with us for the past 6 days. I love her! I'm going to miss her so much! Right now she is on a walk with the little girls, taking pictures of forks in the woods near our home. Here are my highs and lows from the trip.

Friday:
Low: It took over three hours for her to get here after she landed in Seattle. (Lame Friday night traffic.)
High: She got here in time for dinner and our first shopping excursion to buy toothbrushes and junk food.

Low: Josie was really tired and cranky when they showed up (well past her bedtime on the east coast.)
High: Anna and Josie hit it all almost immediately and they've had minimal arguments through out the visit.

Low: Going to bed that night knowing I had so much I wanted to visit about but Kate was too tired.
High: Getting a text from her 5 minutes after going to bed and being able to visit a few more minutes.

Saturday:
Low: Little girls waking up at 5 in the morning.
High: Getting an early start to the day so we didn't lose anymore valuable time.

Low: Josie wanted orange juice with her breakfast and we didn't have any.
High: I made all the meals, Kate helped the big kids with the dishes.

High: Two hours in JoAnn's with no children.
High: We collectively purchased over 30 yards of fabric this week.
High: Kate made two super cute blankets.
High: My strip blanket is almost done!
High: My Dad came to visit Saturday and spent the night.
High: We had a huge three course fondue dinner Saturday night.

Sunday:
Low:  2 hour melt down from a big kid.
High: Awesome soup and homemade bread for lunch.
High: The little girls were very well behaved during Sacrament Meeting.
High: I didn't ruin the hymns.
High: Quiet time for little girls.
High: We didn't break the sabbath. (and we wanted to.)

Monday:
Low: 2 hour melt down from the other big kid.
Low: so. tired.
High: Another trip to JoAnn's sans children.
High: Cold Stone Creamery
High: Spaghetti and home made french bread rolls.

Tuesday:
High: Kyle made us a cake.
High: We rode the Bremerton to Seattle ferry.
High: Pike's Place Market
High: The Space Needle
High: The Pacific Science Center
High: The Spaghetti Factory
High: Session at the Seattle Temple with Kate and my Dad
High: We didn't run out of gas.

Today:
Low: They are leaving.
High: Six days of house guests that are welcome anytime!
High: My house totally wreaks of AWESOMENESS!!


It's funny how you can look forward to something for so long - two months in the case - and the time just seems to crawl. Finally the day arrives that she gets here and all of the sudden time is no longer crawling. Instead it is racing by. It's over now. She just left. Now I'm sad.

Low: Kate just left. boo.


*pictures to follow soon. Stay tuned.

Parenting. It's the best of times. It's the worst of times.

I was raised by a Mom and a Dad...and a few older siblings too. I learned a lot of things from my parents that I have continued to do as a mother. I have also chosen to refrain from certain things my parents did.

Some of the things I do differently:

• I get up with my kids each morning and help them get ready for school.
• I make breakfast everyday.
• I do not wash their laundry after they turn 10 years old.
• Christmas is not as big at the Cheney home.
• I can't make gravy.
• I sew on Sunday.
• I don't eat KFC on Sunday. (very often)
• Liver and onions, canned peas and Mexican spaghetti are NOT dinner choices.

Some of the things I do that same:

• My kids have chores everyday. dishes, laundry, vacuuming, scrubbing a toilet, etc
• I have put my on the streets to sell things -business to business- that I have made, to earn money to pay for Christmas.
• I made all the blankets in our home, many of the church dresses, and most of the Halloween costumes.
• Nachos, sticky corn, BBQ pork, and french fry casserole - YUMMO!
• My kids have to practice the piano everyday, with the exceptions of when I lose patience in trying to get them to practice to I commit to starting over at when Summer starts, school starts, etc. (just like my mom did.)
• You don't need a reason to throw a party.
• shoes are optional.

Here are a few other facts for you.

• I have a bad temper.
• I have spanked one of my children so many times in a row I had to stop because I had lost control.
• I have said very hurtful things to my children that they will never forget and I won't either.
• I have pulled hair, spanked with wooden spoons, kicked in the backside, and slapped both of my big children. (not all in one incident. ever.)
• I don't physically punish my children anymore. 
• Matthew has anger issues, is bipolar and has put holes in the walls of our last 5 houses.
• Nicole has extreme sensory and OCD 'issues.' Strict schedules are the only way she functions.
• Anna has been in enough unsavory circumstances that it's a miracle she is functioning at all
• I love Nicole, Matthew and Anna so much that I can't see straight.
• I have kissed and hugged all three of my children so many times in a row they have told me to stop.

As you can see my parenting style has it's high points and it's low points. I am not perfect and I have already created moments that I will regret forever. I also have memories that I cherish so much.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave 10 suggestions that can help each of us teach our children.

1. ...Take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going...whether your children are six or sixteen.
2. ...Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. ...Take time to read to your children.
4. ...Take time to pray with your children.
5. ...Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening...Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. ...Take time to be a together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. ...Take time daily to read scriptures together as a family.
8. ...Take time to do things together as a family.
9. ...Take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments....
10. ...Take time to truly love your children.

'A mother's unqualified love approaches Christlike love'

These are the guidelines for my parenting style.

*Anna does not get to pick her clothes.
*My kids start(ed) to pick their own clothes after they were baptized.
*They were expected to make their own lunches once they were in the 'double digits.' (10+)
*As they get older, they are given more privileges and more responsibilities.
*They assume and expect me to make their meals. It's my job and I do my job. If I want to surprise them, the pancakes will have fancy shapes and their lunch will have homemade cookies instead of one from the store. But I will make their meals. Pick their clothes if they need help. Help them make beds if they need it, and take every opportunity I can to teach them how to be the kind of parent that helps build of the kingdom of God. I've given them enough bad examples. When they move out of my home, they will have their own issues (like we all do) but they will know I cared and that I took care of them. 

Happy Birthday Alexa!

Happy birthday to my niece, Alexa. She is 15 years old today! My oldest niece (& nephew) on either side.

Two fun facts about Alexa.

• She is a dancer and has gone to nationals with her school dance troupe.
• We have the same middle name, Charlet. After my Mom, her Grandma.

Happy birthday Lex! I love you.

T-20 hours

In less than 20 hours my friend Kate will be in my house wrecking it with her awesomeness.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Here is a list of possible things we may or may not do while she is here for SIX days!

• eats 6 pounds of chips turned into nachos. with extra guacamole
• go to JoAnn's. Everyday
• go to the Seattle Temple
• Drive to Forks. (boo on the whole Twilight Saga.)
• make matching pajamas for us and our girls
• drink hot chocolate with homemade peppermint marshmallows
• have fondue
• she's going to clean my room.
• and my garage
• paint a room
• make a dress
• sew a quilt
• stalk someone (you know who you are.)
• go to church
• eat more nachos
• watch a movie
• read a book
• she may take our family pictures
• take a nap
• It's going to be AwEsOmE!

I might not be here for a few days.

Not quite a mastercard ad

• Finding 8 plastic snakes hidden in scary places: minus 6 years off my life.
• Dirty (stinky) clothes stuffed into a camping backpack: minus 2 years off my life.
• Bread crusts, crushed cookies and candy wrappers randomly through out the room: minus 1 day off my life.
• I cleaned Matthew's room today: I will sleep well tonight.

Reading Scriptures

I love hearing her 'read.'

7th grade band

Okay, so it may as well just told right now...

I'm not a good mom.

Well, maybe I am, but I do NOT like a lot of things that many good mom's enjoy. Here are a few of my not so favorite things:

• Parks
• Story Time
• Field Trips
• Band Concerts.

We'll stop with that last one. I do not enjoy band concerts. At all. But I do go to them. Nicole had one last night. It was a everything a band concert could be, including grades 5-8. Here are a few videos for your viewing pleasure...if you like that sort of thing. :)

One thing I will say. Nicole does a really nice job on the clarinet. She practices hard and it shows. Well done Nicole!

okay, enjoy the videos taken from my cell phone.  :)

'Wipeout'

'Limbo Rock' by the 6th graders. and a bald guy's head

'Let's Go Band'

Here is a bonus for you. It was from Nicole's 6th grade band concert. It's similar to the last song posted above, but at the end they yell Go Great Bend instead of Let's Go Band. The 6th graders also played it faster.

ps, I miss Great Bend.

There's another concert on the 31st of this month, so stay tuned for more awesomeness.

New Recipe #10 - Cookie Soup

okay, this probably doesn't really count as a recipe but I'm posting it anyway. 'Tis the Season for 'Cookie Soup.'

1 box of Thin Mint Cookies from the Girl Scouts
          *You may substitute with Keebler Grasshopper Cookies
Milk

1. Freeze the cookies
2. After frozen, take the amount of cookies you desire to consume and cut them into fourths.
3. Place all of them in a cereal bowl or mug.
4. Fill bowl or mug with milk
5. Wait 5 minutes for cookie part to go a little soggy
6. Eat delicious crunchy chocolate outside and milk soaked cookie inside.

ps, I did not buy even 1 box of Girl Scout cookies this year. I'm pretty pleased with myself.

New Recipes #9 - Wheat-Free Oatmeal Cookies

Trishelle, I had you in mind the whole time I was baking these. I hope its a recipes you can use...

3 cups rolled oats (not instant)

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups smooth peanut butter

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup white sugar

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine the oats, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Place the peanut butter, butter, and sugars in a large mixing bowl and beat together with an electric mixer on medium-high until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Beat in the oat mixture on low until just incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips.
4. Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie.
5. Bake the cookies until they are golden around the edges but still soft on top, about 12 minutes. Let the cookies stand on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then carefully slide the parchment sheet with the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

*I didn't have any old fashioned oats so I used instant and they turned out just fine. In fact, they were really good! I will make these again in the future.

New dresses!

My new sewing machine got here a couple of weeks ago and the first thing I did was make my girls new dresses. I had a pattern for Nicole's. I didn't have one for Anna's so I just made it up as I went,  but both of them turned out well. 

Please note that Nicole will not be wearing this dress as a sun dress. We couldn't find her white shirt when I took the first picture.

Welcome!

Thanks for accepting my invitation. Amy, posts on the way...VERY SOON!  Everyone else too.  :)