Saturday, October 31, 2009
What a sweet day!
By the after noon we were ready to start earning our Halloween goodies. We headed off to the pumpkin patch to take those oh so loved pumpkin pictures. Our first destination was to see how the kids measure up this year.
We roamed around the pumpkin patch taking pictures in all the wood cut outs. Then we took a few pictures with my pumpkins surrounded by real pumpkins.
Our next stop was to Papa Murphy's were we got Jack O'Lantern Pizzas and the kids got free cookie dough because they were in costume. Our last stop was at Toys R Us where the kids got a small goody bag for showing up in costume. We finally headed home where Aunt Tamra, Uncle James and Hunter, as well as Grandma Bev and Uncle Chris, were meeting us for dinner and trick-or-treating later that night. Hunter looked adorable in his cute Luigi outfit.
Then we hit the pavement with our buckets in hand. Lauren enjoyed leading the pack. She quickly caught on that this night was about her favorite food CANDY! She was such a trooper and walked almost the whole way carrying her bucket. Towards the end she allowed us to carry it. When she reached complete exhaustion she would no longer listen to reason. She wouldn't let us carry her bucket anymore. I think she feared she would not longer see it again if she fell asleep without holding on to her bucket.
After the kids got home, we let them pick out 5 favorite candies that were especially theirs then the rest went into the community pot. This is what was left. Not to mention the four huge bags of candy we didn't hand out. We only had a hand full of trick or treaters once we got home, each got a huge handful of candy, but it wasn't enough to put a dent in what I purchased.
We finished the night by watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. It was a great day and I was exhausted. Of course not too exhausted to collect my candy tax! YUMM!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Apple Hill
A new blog...
So if you are interested check it out!
http://alwaysmakingstuff.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 16, 2009
Things to remember
Today I had one of those moments I hope will survive the plethera of memories of childhood. Whenever I open the blinds I always sing, mighty poorly I might add, "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today." Although I always sing "let the sunshine in my soul today..." It always reminds me that I need to have the light of Christ shine through me. From a previous post you can tell sometimes I need more reminders through out the day. It is so fitting because of the sun shining into our home. It gets kind of dark and gloomy, but as soon as the blinds are opened the house seems brighter and full of energy, I love it.
Today I was pouring cereal and asked if Hannah could open the blinds for me and she asks with all the innocence four years of experience can allow "so we can let the sunshine in our souls today?" I loved it, I never thought the girls heard me when I would sing it, but I know they do. I hope as they grow up they will remember this and even sing it to themselves as a reminder.
P.S. Jeremy: I am sure you have know this for years, but I now realize tha I totally butcher this song with my rendition, luckily the message is the same! ; )
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's no secret.
When we bought our Wii a while ago we did it with the one condition that the kids all get game time. We allow 15 minutes per day, it isn't much per kid but it is an hour of game time total so 15 minutes of playing and 45 minutes of watching...I always see birds so we set the timer. It is now good enough that the kids know how to set the timer and will monitor it for me. Today as I was on the computer, I hear the timer going off, followed by little feet running to turn it off. I ask what the timer is for and Hannah proceeds to tell me that my game time is up, it is time for me to get off the computer. I was in the middle of the previous blog post so I told her just a minute. She was generous and allotted me two more minutes. The timer went off again, and again she informed me that my time on the computer was up.
I have mixed feelings, one it is sad that she realizes I spend a lot of time on the computer, but proud that she figured out a logical way to tell me that she notices. Gotta love it huh!
I'm in love...
Hannah tried it on first. I love the front. The back needs a little tiny bit of help, but I can't locate the seam ripper at the moment. Besides only I know. The ruffle is a little off where it meets. Now that I point it out you will notice!
I am by no means a talented seamstress but I am having a blast trying new things. Last week I made some baby gifts which I fell in love with and may even make it my staple baby shower gift. Finally just so she didn't feel left out, here is a random photo of Lauren today. Don't you love the feathered hair. With that and her FREE SPIRIT I think she was supposed to be born in the seventies!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sometimes you feel like a nut...
I continued the evening as planned still pouting and fuming as stated above. We ate a good dinner. Shame was starting to seep over me but at the same time it is too frustrating that they will not just clean up, especially when I KNOW they can do it when the "reward" is good enough. For Family Home Evening we decided to practice some songs that the kids will be singing for our Primary Program at church. We decided to sing "My Eternal Family" the words are:
The funny or better yet more interesting part was that none of us could remember the line I put in bold above. We were all looking at each other for help and guidance. So I pulled out the lyrics and sure enough it was the sledge hammer I mentioned above. Maybe the first time if I had spoke with kindness, aka been more Christ like in my delivery, it would have only taken one time. I know I could have handled this"I am a builder working each day to build my family
and I will do the best I can to serve them lovingly
I am a builder growing so tall and leaning everyday
To SPEAK with KINDNESS in MY HOME To help at work and play
Chorus
My Heavenly Father sent me here and he knows I can be
Strong and Righteous as I build my eternal family.
I am a builder building a home, I seek the Lord in prayer
And as I try to live God's word I feel the Spirit there.
I am a builder serving the Lord and Following his plan,
To help my family come back home and live with Him again.
Chorus"
thing to build my eternal family, in fact I was tearing it down. Tomorrow I need to apologize and make it right with them, apologize that I yelled and made them feel bad, not that I made them clean their room. I love them, I love their laugh, they way they play pretend, the way they hold hands on the way to and from school, or the hugs they insist on giving each other. Amongst my destructive behavior, they are great kids. It is so true that I have more to learn from them then they have to learn from me.
I am grateful for the sledge hammer I received tonight as well as a very loving Heavenly Father, who despite my weaknesses, which are abundant, he loves me and never looses his patience with me. He is always willing to teach me, and most of the time I am willing to listen!
Meal Plan Monday
Friday=Tortellini Alfredo with Chicken and Brocolli
Saturday=Clan-erole
Sunday=Ham and Potato Casserole, Dream Sickle Salad
Monday=Pork Chops and Au Gratin Potatoes
Tuesday=Mexican Hot Pockets
Wednesday=Chicken Poppy Casserole
Thursday=Easy Lasagna (based loosely on this recipe)
Friday=Cordon Bleu Chicken Rolls
Saturday=BBQ Burgers and Hot Dogs
Sunday=Mom J. cooks!
Monday=Jumbalaya with Chicken and Sausage
Tuesday=Creamy Sausage Casserole with Biscuits
Wednesday=5 can casserole
Thursday=Macaroni and Cheese you know like from a box!!!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Everyone needs one of these!
- They are to rest, all day long!
- No milk, this was especially hard for Lauren.
- They must take a nap.
Craft-tastic!
A few days later, as well as a MESSY house, I produced 4 burp clothes. A onesie, yes I am moving up from the stamped ones, although I am not giving up on those yet. And a Diaper wipe clutch.
When the father opened the gift he held up the one item without a "B" on it and showed it to his wife. He said "Look honey, she ran out of B's" I thought it was hilarious, especially since I had one more at home, I just didn't think it would look right.
Lauren's a Big Helper
Can you believe it?
I just scheduled his next appointment so his "Stats" will be posted at a later date. Hopefully they won't label him skinny again, but I do know he eats like a champ so it just may be his destiny. He has been a perfect addition to our family. All the kids adore him. Especially Lauren! She will talk to him and they will giggle at each other, I will have to get it on video it is priceless.