My Life

No

extra sugar, soda, candy or dessert for one month.

Plus at least 4 times at the gym a week with 4 miles down at each trip.

I have such a sweet tooth.

Never could have imagined I could do this.  Let alone during the month of October.

Guess what?  I'm 8 days in and holding.

I am the boss of me....I can so do this :)

 

Do you know what's cool

1. This tutorial for drawstring bags

2. This fabric store for cute fabric to make the drawstring bags.

3. and pandora type in an artist or song, it will give you similar music.  Give it a listen.

I thought this was summer break

You wouldn't know that by looking at my planner.

the two little boys started swim lessons at LV swim academy.

Kade loves it.  Brandon well, not so much.

I've forgotten how totally exhausting it is to drive so far every. single. day.

It is quite enjoyable to be all alone watching them swim and not have to worry about a toddler getting into everything.  That is a nice plus this year.

The big kids are still in school and have multiple projects due at the end of the week.  

Not your easy breezy ones either.  Time consuming, I want to put it off till the last minute kind.

I hate "family projects"  Don't teachers know we have enough family projects that we create all on our own?

We've had piano lessons, t-ball, trips to the grocery and Costco, loads of laundry in between....always loads of laundry :) a quick trip to the new centennial hills library.  I love kids books and that library makes me happy.  Lots of titles and variety.  Definitely going to frequent that place.

We've been working on our backyard.  Steve has been a trooper getting the grass into place.  Such a long process, but it's going to look awesome.

I was looking forward to a day at home to get caught up on the disaster that we have been living in.  That day was Friday, until Kyle reminded me of his class field trip that I volunteered to chaperone for.  And the afternoon is shot as well.  Got VT  appointment scheduled.

Rats....maybe this weekend will be the perfect time to get my house in order.

Wish me luck.

I photographed these cute kids as a surprise for their mom.  We had a good time.  Such a thoughtful gift I think.  

Since the Last Time

• Our 50/60 something neighbor who wears not enough clothing in public had a interesting conversation with Steve.  She wears little terry cloth one piece short sets.  Conveniently her name is Terry which works great for Steve because he as problems remembering names :)  Anyways they are building a pool and our playset happens to be right next to their wall.  This week they planted a TON of trees.  Steve happened to be up in the playset measuring for a replacement canopy.  Terry was outside and he commented on the trees and how it would help in shading our yard as well.  She starts going on about how they needed some privacy and how our kids are always looking over their wall....blah, blah.  Then she softens the blow by saying yeah, it just startles us.  We don't want to scare them when we go skinny dipping. SERIOUSLY....people KILL me! I think she was for real.   
• I found Kade's glasses.  The ones that I had been looking for forever.  The ones that we had to replace.  Yep, they turned up in the swimming bag.  Nicely zipped in the little pocket that could hold your coins. I have not a clue why I didn't think to look there :) 
• Went to the butterfly park today.  At one time the kids were the only ones there.  Enjoying the whole park by themselves.  That is a rare occurrence.  Brandon was shy at first, then proceeded to drink the water.  I could not make him stop, so oh well, he'll live right? 
• I have been couponing and saving lotsa bucks.  I was most pleased with my stop in at Smith's midweek.  I couldn't pass up the dishwasher soap.  .40 something cents.  For the love.  This kinda stuff makes me so flippin happy.  So I spent $27.26 and saved $42.87.   
• Steve says don't be one of those crazy coupon ladies.  Too late, I am.  
• No really, he's good with it now that he sees the savings. 
• Been thinking that I am going to pull my hair out with the dirt.  Constant dirt incoming from the backyard.  It gets everywhere!  Hopefully the yard will be complete in the next couple of weeks.  Tonight Kade comes in with filthy, dirty hands.  He has been helping load more dirt into the backyard from a pile that was just placed in our front yard today...good times.  Anyways, I say go to the bathroom and wash your hands.  No, mom I got it.  He opens the fridge and begins to wash his hands with the water dispensor.  No lie.  Grrrrr! 
• Taking pictures, editing pictures.  Wondering why the heck I do this because I can't get the flippin skin tones right.  Remove myself from the computer and try again.  Such a hard process.  I'm still learning and this stuff takes serious practice.  So, I really should cut myself a break. 
• Two more preschool days.  Did you hear me? TWO.  That is a piece of cake :) 
• I kinda feel like I have been running a marathon.  A never ending marathon.  The end and relief is in sight.  It's gonna feel so good to not have that on my plate for awhile. 
• I baked bread today.  My house smells yummy and I think I could go for some toast and strawberry jam. 
• We welcomed Kyle back from his trip to Arizona to stay with Kason and Kyron.  He had a blast.  The stories just keep a coming. 
• We are preparing for Lauren's GATE trip to San Diego.    
• picking up clothes, washing clothes, sorting dirty/clean clothes that have a tendency to get mixed together daily by children rummaging through to find socks.  I hate folding socks.  I hate when my laundry mixes. Sigh.

   

I love this talk

Daughters of God by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

and think that is is worth rereading this weekend!

Response to a Comment & The Roll Recipe

I received this comment today from this post:

All of the above is true IF you believe in God. We live in a FREE country where we are able to choose...This is our given right! You moromons are so judgemental & hypocritical.

--from Claire in Springfield, IL

I tried to respond privately in an email.  It turns out the email she provided is no longer valid as it was returned to my mailbox.

Since this is a "FREE country" and this happens to be my blog, I will respond here.  Not sure if she'll be back, but I'll feel better about responding.

Dear Claire,

Yes we do live in a free country and I expressed my belief.  That is my right.  Just as it is yours to disagree.  I hesitated to even post my feelings, but sometimes standing up for what you believe is difficult. I felt strongly about the situation.  I find it interesting that when anyone is opposed to same sex marriages or any moral issue, then they are attacked personally.  You don't know me.  I am not judgmental or hypocritical.  I will not attack you personally because our views do not match up.  I live by a set of rules and can't just go with the flow when my moral rights and the rights of my children will ultimately be challenged.  I am a very tolerant, open minded individual.  I don't care what homosexuals do, that's their business and their choice.  I do have problems when the family is redefined to fit their lifestyle and then shoved down my throat and I'm supposed to accept it and be alright with it.  Last time I checked, I was entitled to choose how I felt about the issue.  Hoping we can agree to disagree.
Thank you for your comment
Heather

On a lighter note.....

the "easy" roll recipe

2 to 2 1/2 c. flour

3/4 c. lukewarm water

1 Tbs. yeast

2 Tbs. sugar

2 Tbs. oil

1 egg

1 tsp. salt

Put water in the bottom of a large bowl.  Sprinkle yeast on top.  Add sugar, oil, egg and salt to yeast with one cup of flour.  Mix until well blended.  Place bowl on rack over another bowl filled with hot water.  Cover with dish cloth; wait 15 minutes.

Gradually add remaining flour until dough is thick and somewhat sticky.  Knead until dough is soft about 6 minutes. (this is where the bosch comes in handy) Turn dough out onto floured surface.  Cut dough into 12 equal pieces and form rolls.  Place in greased pan and let rise for at least 25 minutes (may rise longer if desired) Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 10 minutes or until browned on top.

While you're at it go ahead and double the recipe.  These rolls are so good!

Ten on Tuesday

  

1. The pinewood derby revisited.  This is serious business.  High tech tracks with times down to the second.  Nothing like the old wooden ones that I am used to.    A few more pictures from that evening.  This is just the beginning of years of pinewood derbies for us :)

    

2. I successful made my mom's roll recipe.  The one that she swears is "So Easy!"    Well I have determined that you either have to be a great breadmaker, because in my book breadmaking is an art OR you have to own a Bosch.  It was easy with the help of that great machine.  Can I just say I am so pleased because I was beginning to worry what would happen with the roll tradition if none of us kids could make it.  Well Candace can make them, so I wasn't THAT worried. But now there's two of us.  {I thought Mom had this recipe posted on her neglected blog, she doesn't I'll post it later}

3. I have never consumed a fresh pear until this week.  Can you believe that? It's my new favorite fruit.

 

4. I am loving cute preschool projects from Kade's preschool (He goes in the mornings to another school and then afternoons to me).  Especially ones that go on the cute preschooler.  Such a clever little Abe Lincoln costume for  Presidents Day.

5. We have been painting like crazy!  Well let me rephrase.  STEVE has been painting like crazy.  It feels so much nicer.  He is determined to get the whole house done.  I am actually alright with the subtle changes and have no desire to go buy fabric and get to sewing drapes.  Probably because I am so busy with preschool, I don't have the extra time to do projects.  I'm sure that will all change once summer rolls around.

 

6. My sweet oldest and only girl child Lauren is feeling overlooked these days.  I love this expression as I was trying to get my photo for the day.  Highly irritated as she is trying to tell me a story but keeps getting the camera in the face instead.  Nice!  Sometimes I don't do so well with the high dramatics.  I think a girls night out with my girl is in order. (Check out the dark chocolate paint in the background....it's my favorite wall.)

7. Running is a total  mind game.  I have almost reached my goal of running for 20 minutes straight.  Not as bad as I invisioned it to be.  Now if I could just get to the gym more than once a week.

8. Gearing up for another online class.  Excited about that :)

9. I have institited a new bedtime for myself.  11pm.  I'm sure I'll not stick to this rule.  Haven't been able to all week.  So much for self control.

10. Love these finds on the web: pillow tutorial, the always inspiring Crafty Crow...such a wealth of crafty ideas and since many contribute, a fun list of creative minds.  Cute little flower tutorial from maya made that just went perfectly with our unit this week in preschool not to mention made for a perfect photo of the day yesterday.  Man, I love the internet.

Shameless Self Promotion

I am taking names for preschool next year.

I am seperating the children this year.  Doing a threes only in the morning and fours in the afternoon.

I currently have 1 spot available in the 4 year old class and 2 spots in the 3 year old class.

Spread the word.  Thanks!

Remember When

Mom used to help us with our homework and get really frustrated either because

1. we were goofing off, being lazy and wanting her to figure it out for us.

2. Not understanding a word she was saying....words coming in but no connection.

It was usually during scenario #2 when she would get the most frustrated, voice would get louder so that maybe the louder words would help us understand more clearly.  Sometimes tears were shed.  Not by her :)  She would walk away.

I AM SO THERE.....

I get her frustration today!

really get it.

Thanks Mom, for everything. 

New Year

 

[birdfeeders that Kyle made at cubscouts]

Christmas is packed away, like the minute after it was over....the decorations/chaos/mess was bugging me.  So it's all boxed up to rediscover next year.

We have started some projects.  Painted the dining room and hallway.  Recovered dining room chairs.  Steve is constructing this awesome chalkboard/corkboard with hooks for backpacks and such.  Can't wait for that to be finished.

The kids have gone back to school.  It was funny because Brandon and Kade needed me to play with them ALL DAY.  It was hard to accomplish "chores" without the big kids keeping them entertained.

Routines are back, order is being reestablished, messy areas are getting organized.  I love that about the new year.  A chance to start fresh and the hope of great things to come and become in the upcoming year.

I like to set goals.  This year I decided to focus on one main thing.  Obviously I have broken it down into more specific goals but I just want to focus on family.  Strengthening bonds, increasing love, having fun, making family the highest priority.