Confessions of a Girl named Katie

January Blues - New year - New goals

2012-01-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

I have been avoiding blogging.
Shocked aren't you.
It is a new year, a new beginning, a chance to change habits formed last year that were not good for you.
Right?
I have a confession.
I am feeling the blues.
Winter blues.....
Okay, let's be real.
I am blue.
I am as blue as a smurf.
I am addicted to a little Smurf game on my itouch I got for my birthday called
Smurf Village.
The reason I started playing it was to lose the DS Lite addiction I had.
I ended up replacing that addiction for this one.
Addicted is used loosely.
It runs my daily schedule.
No, unfortunately, it is soo very true.
No, I realize how I need to kick this habit and focus on my other obsession....
CLEANING MY HOUSE.
Sounds like a great obsession right, HA!
I have 6 kids.
2 of them are home and hang around mommy all day.
ALL DAY!
I can't sit on the couch or go to the bathroom with out a buddy.
Yes, it is nice that I am loved and I know I need to enjoy it while they are young....blah, blah, blah...
I am a woman on a mission.
I have to get this house in order and clean and guest friendly.
I have made amends with a certain someone who last summer hurt my feelings.
Now, I forgave this person almost instantly. I understand where this person was coming from. I totally do. I am so over it.
My hunny, well, it is taking him a lot longer to forget. Forgiving is easy. (if you want my secret for forgiveness you have to contact me via email, and I will share)
Forgetting is harder.
I am wearing him down, so I am hoping to see this someone soon, but I gotta get my house ready.
Back to my blues...
I just wanna finish the game and be done and get my house cleaned out. (not in that order, no law out there that says I can;t do both at the same time)
then I can .....
I honestly stopped typing.
Because I have no idea.

What will have have to obsess over when both things are done?

I had to stop and think.
And then force myself to type the next line.
Fine, I guess I will obsess over my husband and kids. Those monsters who broke my broom, for the 21st time.
yes, you read that right.
21 brooms.
(this time I stuck a dowel down the center of the metal broom handle and duct tape the crap out of it. fairly sturdy, it will be hard to break this one)
okay, I have 3 other goals and then I will post on the side of my blog.
As I, complete a goal, the goal will disappear.
Are you ready?
Exercise 4 times a week
Scripture study with my family daily
Personal prayer and personal scripture study every morning and night
A craft project once a week (I am happier when I craft)
No app games until I read to my kids.
Read a book for myself
More attention to my hunny.
No new app games.
Now if you add, organizing the house and finishing my smurf game that is only 10 goals.

Of course, there are more. I have to start with stuff I know I can do.
What are your goals? any craft things you wanna do?
Do share.
I love sharing, it's my favorite.

Merry Humbug!

2011-12-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, I said Humbug.

It is just the way I feel.
My house is a mess, I have ten thousand loads of laundry.
My tree isn't decorated.
Heck, it isn't even have lights on it.
I guess I finally understand why growing up my mom got so cranky before Christmas. (if I posted a post like this last year, I apologize, I don't have time to time this blog let alone check past posts)
As we speak, I have yet to do my traditional teacher gift, with home made white chocolate dips pretzels and snowman marshmallow candy, with other blue and silver candies to go with my blue and silver snowflake gift bags or boxes, including a snowflake ornament.
Yes, I do blue and white and snow. Why?
Well, one of these Christmas seasons, my kids will end up with a teacher who doesn't believe in Christmas or is Jewish, so I started playing it safe with blue and snowman stuff. More of a seasons greetings.
Honestly, I can;t believe I am here typing, it is 8:57pm and my boys are playing outside, I have hair pretties to make, teacher gifts (thank goodness for High school and Jr. High, on 2 teachers this year) I also have to make Lemon Squares for my Nathan to take to a pot luck for tomorrow. I just finished eating...sort of my dinner. Thank goodness for the goobers who were home when the pot roast went off on the timer,t they never took it out of the oven...but they did turn off the oven.
Even bribing my kids with money for "babysitting" each other whilst I shop for Christmas cheer, gets them to help me out around here!
That's right.
Christmas Cheer.
That is what all this work and time and effort are for.
That good old, dumb magical Christmas Cheer that isn't even appreciated until they are grown up with obnoxious, ungrateful teenagers of their very own.
I here by shout to the world.
" MOM,I AM SO SORRY I WAS AND UNGRATEFUL OBNOXIOUS TEENAGER"
I do know deep.....deeep.....deeep down, they are grateful.
And I do know in the very end, which is 5 minutes after the presents are opened, it is allllll worth it.
Kinda.
I am grateful that the stress of purchasing gifts this year was not there at all. Getting the right thing was.
I am soooo grateful for my husband who worked extra over time to pay for the Christmas....(all CASH!).
Thanks babe.

Wow, I did it, I actually posted. I....hope I can post a picture of our Tree and the kids soon.
Who am I kidding.....I will be lucky, if I make it over here until next year.

Christmas Cards

2011-12-05T19:45:00.000-08:00

Does anyone still do Christmas cards? I no longer make them from scraps of paper, taking that extra time and love.
This year we have opted to not do it at all.
Well, not a card, but a CD of some of our favorite Christmas songs.
(well, this year, it is some new songs and old songs I LOVE)
The postage to send these suckers out will be the same as doing a picture card and ordering it from Wal-mart.
If you want one, send me your address via email and I will send you one.
I hope everyone likes this one this year, it is a bit different then years past.
I love Christmas music.
This year a asked Jeff if I could start listening to it the day after Halloween.
Of course, I didn't wait for his answer and I started looking for new versions to my favorite Christmas songs.
I wouldn't be offended if anyone gave it away, or even threw it in the trash.
It is different.
But if you know me at all, I am one of those criers. The ones who cant sing at church, because the words of the hymns hit the core of my heart and I start to ball. I mean, like need a tissue kind of a cry.
I have to mouth the words and pretend so my kids will sing.
It is the same with Christmas songs.
I have such a huge testimony of Jesus Christ and his love for me and all of us on this earth. And when almost every song is about Him.... the tears can't be held back.
So...... I went a little rock and roll this year.
Maybe a little too much.
There is some funki-ness too.
I like all kinds of music. (except Gangster rap)
Why am I so nervous about this CD?
I hope everyone gives this a chance and listen to it more than once.
Maybe a few times.
It only took Jeff 3 or 4 times listening to 'tobymac' to love it like I do.
If you want one, email me your address.
If you hate it when you get it, I am truly sorry....but I love it.
EVERY SINGLE SONG!!!

Happy.

2011-12-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

I am happy.
I am.
It is almost unreal.
I have lived so long being depressed I am not sure how to even proceed.
I have been thinking about it for days.
I even said to my aunt, "I am happy, but it feels weird to be so happy."
I mean, lets get real, there is the everyday stuff...."am I a good mother?"
or "it is my fault we are ave have not bought a house yet." (I have impulse control issues and, well, you figure it out)
But other then doubting myself a few times a day, I am happy.
I don't sit around wallowing in self pity. (I am not eating as much too.)
It is simple.
We have enough for our needs, we are healthy, Jeff has a pretty secure job.
Someone asked me, "Arent you waiting for the bottom for fall out?"
Yes, I am.
But I dont wallow.
I just set it aside to think about tomorrow.
I just try to do the best I can for that day and hope the bottom doesn't fall out along the way.
Speaking of bottoms, mine is quite large.
I am finally ready to do something about it.
Unfortunately, it is December, and a great time of my favorite foods and goodies.
Isn't January the time of renewly and starting over?
That sounds good, January.
Maybe by Summer, I will have a less large bottom.

excited.

2011-09-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

looking forward to October.
anyone else?
I've got LDS General Conference this weekend, (you can watch it on BYU TV if you've got Dish or Cable or here).
I have birthdays out the wazoo and Time Out for Women in a few weeks, more birthdays and then my birthday and my second favorite day of the year.....HALLOWEEN!!!!!!
Good time to be had!
I LOVE IT!!!!

this is how my brain works.

2011-09-21T19:04:00.001-07:00

I noticed something today.
and it took 30 seconds to figure it out!

YOU DO READ MY BLOG!!!!!!!
in that 1 minute and 30 seconds (so far) I have suddenly put a few more pieces of a puzzle in my brain together.

Now, I just instantly thought.."if they read it, they must like me!"
but the doubt in my brain chimes in almost instantly, dashes any hope and says...."they may or may not like you. but they still read it"

yes, this twisted and sometimes forgetful....what was I talking about? .......
....um.....uh.......and always....SQUIRREL.....A.D.D. brain of mine works.
I have voices.
I know I meantioned it before and because of medication.....the bad ones stay at bay
....but my voices of late have wondered if there was a point to blog and even if I blogged what would I blog about...?
so i decided to blog lurk...... and finally I...
I went to a cousins blog and I saw a picture of my grandparnets, which is also on this blog and it made me think about who really reads it and now I am back to my point......
YOU LIKE ME YOU REALLY, REALLY LIKE ME! (name that movie or is it awards show....first or second.)

this is how my brain works.

Now, I didnt add the mundane-ness of my life, like how my mind wondered about 10 times to 10 different things and how my head hurts and I need to feed my kids, but I can't tear myself away from this blog and train of thought to do anything about it..... I wont mention the actual squirrel or the voices ....yes, they laugh at me all the time.......
and again, i say this......if you ever wondered about why I am the way I am.....

this is how my brain works.

and my head hurts and I dont wanna spell check.
you would not believe the amount of words and things I was gonna say and didnt cause I forgot them.
I will remember them later and edit.....maybe....if i remember.
I hope I made you smile.
if anyone actually reads this....

Can you believe it!!!!?

2011-09-07T20:50:00.001-07:00

Okay, so my sister had a request for her wedding this weekend.
She wants old sepia toned pictures of our family on their wedding day to sit in brass frames on the tables along with the center pieces.
so it became my job, (I don't sew, Aimee does... you do the math) to find these pictures and get them printed and framed.
I had to dig out my album and pull out my already scrapbooked "when scrapbooking was new to me 13 years ago" wedding album and find and scan my pictures.
I feel so .....
I don't know how to describe it but..... OLD!!!!!!
No, I am not that old, not even 40 yet. (37 thank you very much)
But I feel old. and if you feel old......
I dont feel the wise old, or the crusty old.... just not hip with the times old.
BLeh!!!!!!
I do have some great pictures of my family to share. I am gonna try and post them.
(My computer hasn't been friendly with me lately. probably because I am old..... and old.)

my brother Shane and his bride Jami

Engagement pictures of my sister Sarah and finance Ryan

My Grandparents

Melvin and Marion

My Paternal Grandparents

Glen and Eva

Jeff and I

Jeff and I

My sister Aimee and her husband Tyler on their Sealing Day.

(they were Sealed in the Oakland Temple. Questions? see Mormon.org)

Aimee and Tyler on Actual Wedding Day 1995

My Parents - Jerry and Susi

They look so young!

I still need one from my sister Sarah on her wedding day.

Working on that. I will edit and add that when I get it.

ah...... To be so in love....... and OLD!!!!!

I can't believe my baby sister is getting married!!!! See...why do you think I feel old!!!!

But we are so very excited and we love him. He just fits into out family so well.

Congrats Carrie!!!!

a minute....or two

2011-08-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

I only have a minute or two to type.
I have been very busy.
The boys are back in school, I watch a little girl 4 days a week, my sister Carrie is getting married in less than 2 weeks and my goal is to make Jeff very happy. (a little birdie suggested he wasn't happy)
Now to do all of this I have to be very organized.
I have changed my whole house around to do this.
To make more room for my stuff that is in JEFF's garage, to be moved into the house. (you know, cause it isn't my garage, I am just allowed to do laundry in it. Am I a little bitter about this statement? um...yes.)
To keep up with this organization I am constantly on the go.
Okay, so maybe not constantly. But I have the changed the rules around here in regards to the boys. I am not as laid back with them. They have walked all over me all summer.
No worries, I am still the relaxed, laid back kind of girl I always was, but I have laid down the law with the boys. Jeff wants me to make them do push ups if they break a rule.
Sorry honey, NOT happening. But they CAN NOT play outside with their friends, play video games, or watch TV if they break a rule.
And if these friends come to the door, the boys fully aware that they are grounded still ask if they can play, I yell really loud..." NO THEY CAN'T!!! They are grounded, tell them to stop being dorks and stop breaking rules in the house! Then they can play!"
Sometimes, it feels VERY good to say NO!
It seems to be working.
Mikey is almost two and VERY terrible which is making my life hard.
Emma is moody and girlie but, loves having another little girl here. She is learning to play with other people and learning to share.
By the way....
I have made Jeff very happy. (he told me so)
And once my sister Carrie gets married... I am hoping life gets back to where it should be.
I do LOVE the organized house I now live in. (Which I need to say, was my goal all along after I got back from girls camp and I still have to concur the linen closet and kitchen cabinets which hard to do with little ones all around)
okay, so that was more than 2 minutes, but if you only knew what was happening while I was typing...or what I now have to clean up......why do they have to be so loud and messy.
P.S. anyone know where my lens is? It fell out of my glasses yesterday and I can't find it anywhere.

Routine

2011-08-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

Routines.
Everyone needs rountine, right.
I have a routine.
I love my summer routine.
Cause it changes everyday.
I loved sleeping until whenever we all got up.
I loved just sitting and watching cartoons with the kids until I couldn't stand the mess anymore and we cleaned it all up.
I loved being able to do whatever and when ever we wanted.
but now that school is back in session, we have to get a routine going.
I need the routine.
and Emma needs the routine.
She will be in kindergarten next year. Wow!
she will have the routine.
None of my kids were ever really on a routine.
I am not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Some may say yes, but in my gut I say not really.
Yes, structure is good.
But my kids are easy to adjust to things. Change comes easy and they adjust fast. It isn't the end of the world if they have to change the day.
But then, they might be more disciplined if I had stuck to a routine.
Oh well, if anyone has any tips on how to get better on this awful word...ROUTINE.... it hurts just to type it...
Never mind. I will just wing it. See that's me.
I DO NOT like big change....but a little is always good.

Failed

2011-08-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have failed as a mother and a scrapbooker!!!!!
I forgot to take the first day of school pictures!!!!
No, do not argue with me and disagree.
I know better.
I have been taking them the first day of school for 10 years.
10 years!!!!!!!!
I will try and post some of the handsome boys that live here as soon as they come home from school clean...okay, so almost as clean as when they left, which isn't saying much, because half the time I have to make them change their clothes, because "they have nothing to wear"and put on dirty smelly clothes that they wore the day before!
We put all the kids clothes in one room.
Yep that is right. One room Just dressers and a closet full of Sunday wear and dresses.
All the boys in one room and Emma and Michael in another room. No one has dressers or baskets of clothes and I can tell you for a fact their room still isn't clean!!!!!
It is an improvement and their rooms just have blankets and pillows and the never allowed drink cups and food crumbs on the floor.
It does make life easier until I hear the dreaded.... "I have nothing to wear!"
We also made a few changes and since they no longer clean their room by throwing all the dirty clothes for me to wash out in the garage, they have certain days set aside for them to wash their own clothes. I have 3 laundry baskets with 2 kids names on each to share. Emma and Michael, Caleb and Sam, and Matt and Nate.
They are in charge of their own washing and drying of the clothes in said basket. I am in heaven.
I am still doing laundry from the big "super duper move furniture clean up the house" day.
The mountain was beyond control. Jeff took pity on me and got it under control. It was too overwhelming for me. Plus, he was already cleaning his precious garage.
I weed through the clothes as I fold them.

I LOVE THROWING THINGS AWAY!

I sorted 11 (13 gallon size) bags, 3 boxes, and 5 storage containers of clothes. I got it all down to 3 storage containers in Emma's closet and 4 storage containers in the boys closet, plus 2 small boxes. (mostly winter and Mikey, Emma, Caleb and Sam's hand me downs)
We got rid of 13 (13 gallon size) bags of clothes.
We are planning on getting even more organized and cleaning out my closet and room. (which will in turn help Jeff organize his garage.)
I know amazing.
Because of this I failed.
I forgot the pictures.
I didn't get everything back into it right place until a few days later.
Oh well.
I will do it soon and probably post the pictures on my private family blog.
If, I can get them to stand with each other I will try for a group shot, (it is never easy and never very fun) I will post the group shot here.
*deep sigh*
After a long conversation with my mom, we figured out that boys are not easier to raise then girls.
Yes, they might have less stuff, but they still cry like girls.

First

2011-08-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of school.
I miss them.....a little.
It nice to have the quiet.
Kinda.
I like the noise.
Pardon me, I had to stop blogging and change a smelly diaper.
I still have noise.
As of this very moment, I have a screaming almost 2 year old on my floor. He didn't want me to put a new diaper on him. (I hope this means easy potty training when it comes time) as for now, I know it means he really just wants to be naked.
Today, I am watching a darling little girl named Katie. True story.
She is playing with Emma. And it is fabulous.
They love to color and play playdoh, and play with my hair.
I love it.
And Emma gets the interaction with other people besides her brothers and boys cousins. That's right she gets girl time. Which she will need when she does start school.
I haven't decided if it is gonna be this year or skip preschool all together. Sammy did and he is doing great in school. As great as a little boy can be.
yep, Mikey is still screaming.
I tried, offering Pretzel fishes, I tried Momma loves, and I tried shoes (his all time favorite) I think he misses the boys.
We decided last week to go back to Susanville for a mini vacation and visit our good friends up there. We had a blast.
And yesterday we had a last minute mini-mini day trip to Dillon's beach. We didn't get there until almost lunch time and left at 4pm.
Mikey update - Finally, he stopped screaming. (Emma even told him to stop, i guess she couldn't take it anymore.) He got a drink and went outside. Only to come back in after 5 minutes, squealing about a smashed fruit snack on his foot. I guess it was an emergency. Soooo loud this child.
Yes, he is the baby and a tad bit spoiled....okay, a lot spoiled. But it is not just me that does all the spoiling. He has 6 other people who give him what he wants all the time!!!! okay so really only 5, Emma doesn't like sharing.
Back to the beach trip. The boys didn't mind going for such a short day trip. They had lots of fun.
As soon as we got home and I cut our Little Caesars Pizza into smaller portions, changed my beach clothes and scarfed down a few pieces, I left with Caleb and Nathan, to buy new school shoes. I love Ross. I got 4 pairs of school shoes for $97. I originally bought 4 new backpacks at Costco, but when I found out the boys didn't need new backpacks, I had Jeff take them back, and I got new shoes instead.
I haven't even touched the school supply list. and I missed the sophomore orientation meeting, and 8th grade meeting. So my boys will be at school supply-less. I did make them lunch.
I have goals while the boys are at school.
catch up on my soaps, eat bon bons, Get in a nap....nah, i am kidding. I have so much organizing to do.... no really, my husband just told me so.
First a quick cleaning....who am I kidding.... quick.
1 house, 4 bedrooms, living room, family room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and 6 kids.....I wonder if I will get to blog again.
no worries, I will.

Can you believe it!?

2011-07-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

**Edited***
No, It is not a joke.
I am posting again.
I am not sure I should share this.....
ah, who am I kidding. I am and I will.
Okay, so a few weeks ago, we got a letter.
It was telling us another letter would be coming and it would cause a rift in a relationship. Ruin it forever.
Well, I decided then and there I would just not read it.
We would "return to sender".
Whatever was in that letter wasn't going to change anything. (we did however, write a letter in response)
I spent the next 14 or so days wallowing in self pity.
No, it was really bad. I mean "thoughts of taking too much Tylenol" kind of bad.
I couldn't and wouldn't ever. No worries.
The faces of my children suffering from my decision to end my life alone whipped me back into shape.
I didn't want to leave the house, I didn't want to go to church, I didn't want to pray or read my scriptures..... I just didn't want to do anything except watch my NETFLIX obsession....McLeods Daughters. (230ish episodes of the Australian life on a Station...my dream, my heaven)
Then the letter that was "return to sender" returned to me.
As my phone died while talking to my mother, I decided to write an email to this letter writer and tell her what for. ....then..... I decided to read it.
Yes, i did. and do you know what......?
It made me soooooo MAD!!!!!!!
I am the kind of girl who says, "oh really, girls cant do .....(fill in the blank)"
I decided then and there I was not the person the letter writer thinks I am.
I am a good person...no great person!!!!
and Poo on them for thinkin' that way.
The friendship/relationship I spent years developing and trying to take care of was just slapped back in my face.
No, I am not perfect.
I have never even thought that I was perfect.
Oh well, I feel better than I have in a long time. All the doubt I was feeling is gone. I have new hope on the horizon.
I can't explain any more than that.
3 things you should know about me.....
1. I try to always think the best of people.
2. I would never make anyone feel bad about them selves no matter what.
3. Even if I did feel strongly of something about anyone, I would NEVER EVER tell them. (see 1 and 2)
So...how"s life for you guys.
I lost my glasses. and have spring cleaned my entire house looking for them.
think good thoughts.
***Edited***
I had to edit to explain something. I hope that helped. If not read the comments.

Okay

2011-07-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

I decided to check my blog.
Mostly to see who has updated their blogs.
And I have been sitting here at least an hour. reading. being updated.
I decided I should post too.
It has been a while.
I don't even know where to begin.
Does anyone even care if I update my blog? (I know there is at least 3 out there who do)
Okay, girls camp was wonderful, I felt a little out of place. Like a first year camper.
New camp. They sing the songs wrong...er... I mean different. ALOT of people I didn't know.
The wonder that I am, was tooo shy to introduce herself.
I have been in this house just over a year and a half and I still only know 30 people in my ward.
I have a hard time letting people in.
I did fine ..okay....I did okay, when I moved to Susanville. But I had no one there.
Here, I have my sisters and mom and Aunt Kathie and cousins, my brothers too.
I don't need many friends right.
I know. I need friends. I just cant let people in.
Why would I introduce them to my falling apart life?
Okay, so the falling apart is a tad bit of an exaggeration.
I am an unorganized mess with no desire to be organized.
I have no self confidence, so severly I can't even fake it anymore.
I have to tell myself every day... "just make it through the next day....week...event..."
(just got through Harry Potter...next event is my sister Carrie's Wedding)
If I can do that, then i can fall apart.
Not that I am saying I will, I just feel like that on the inside.
Does any body understamd what I mean?
I feel like i am not making sense.
I dont wanna blog about how happy am I when I am not.
I am happy about some things, just not everything.
And why fake it? that is not me.
If I can just let one person know that she is not the only mom of six "not always behaved" but wonderful kids, a fantastic "i never deserved" hubby that works nights and overtime, too shy, not confident in her self, probably "too laid back", not organized, really funny other person know she is not alone in this world...then complaining about it here on my blog was worth it. (she doesnt even have to post....I understand)
I am ADD and I have short term memory.
So I will probably get distracted and/or forget about this blog post anyway.
See, I am funny.
I do love my kids and my husband. and I never thought I would be in love with 21 boys (all my sons and nephews). I have no better family on the planet.
No, mine is better.
I love where I live.
I am happy, but complicated.
Hey, I like that.
I am getting meds for this depression I have.
I just feel. Blah.
happy, but blah.
If you read my blog and are lost..... welcome to my brain.
I told you I was ADD.
I write how I think.
(oh, I forgot, I do love my neices too.. all 6 of them both Bigney and Scoville families)

1 whole month

2011-06-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

I cant believe it has been that long since I blogged.
I have been busy.
Last days of school....
GIRLS CAMP.... that is what took up most of my time.
My husband is glad to have me back, but I am not happy to be.
I LOVED girls camp.
Although I didn't feel my purpose there... I loved it.
I now, have nothing to do, I feel my value...disappearing....
Does that make any sense?
People tell me I say ...divulge too much on my blog.
Isn't that what this is supposed to be?
This was never a place to brag about how wonderful my life is or kids are, Not for me anyway....or awesome my spouse is. Dont get me wrong, they are all of that, but ....hard to explain.
I am feeling the hum drums of "after camp".
Yes, I can play with my kids more, but I can also get all those projects I was putting off until "after camp" done too.
Oh joy.
It is very hot and I am sooo not in the mood to clean out closets and organize stuff.
I should be more excited that I have wedding stuff to do for my sister Carrie.
Yes, she is getting married in September. I am very excited for her. We love Brent her fiance.
I am just not in the mood.
There is more going on in my life that requires more explanation, but it is more private than I can share here. (see I don't share everything)
I feel myself slipping into a depression.
I will get over it.
I need to have a good long talk with someone...my mom is usually the very best person to whine to.
When I can do that I will feel so much better.
Maybe a beach trip or a Temple session will help?
I think so. I will give both of those a try.
so to sum it all up....
I am fine.
tired, but fine.

Scrapbooking

2011-05-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am scrapbooking again.

(after you get over the shock that I am posting so soon after the last post, and the fact that I am scrapbooking again....
Yes, it is true.
A hobby, no art, that I was passionate about had returned into my life.
I even cleaned off my scrapbook desk and moved it out from my room and in to the living room.
My fabulous cousin Denise messaged me on Facebook, to make a scrapbook for her son. (it is a surprise, so shhhhhh, he is too busy being a boy, to read my blog, so I am not worried)
I said yes.
On top of going to Girls camp and having A LOT of little projects that goes along with it, I am a mother of 6.
I know with help from Jeff I will be able to get everything done on time.
Plus, I said yes before I knew I was going to Girls Camp.
Cross you fingers and toes, that it all works out.
I would , but I need my fingers to scrapbook.

LOST

2011-05-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am seriously addicted to the TV show LOST.
yes, the very one I used to make fun of.
The very one I teased my sister Sarah about.
Now I am hooked and all I want to do after the kids go to bed is watch it. Jeff and I sit together and watch....sometimes until 1 in the morning.

We finally got the netflix disc for the Wii so we could watch movie instantly.
then for almost a year we had to get the wifi.
I am literally kicking myself....
WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS A LONG TIME AGO!!!!!!
Yes, it does mean wasting hours and hours time watching TV, but there are movies, i would love for my kids to see.
and the old shows...like
Flipper and the Cosby Show.
I wonder if they will ever put the Monkee's on netflix. that would be awesome.... and the Brady bunch.
I am so excited. it is bed time and Jeff is almost home.
Just gotta get on the PJ's and get the house picked up.
I also got a new (well new to me) computer. My uncle Roger knew a guy ready to sell a used one.
I said yes.
So you may see a lot more of me on here again.
After girls camp.
After school is out....hopefully.

Photography

2011-05-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

I love looking at photography blogs. I am amazed at how one can capture the beauty of anything in a flash....a second....a blink of an eye.
I love to take pictures myself...
okay, I am not as god as most people at taking pictures, but I am not bad.
I just need a more sophisticated camera and one class with a very good photographer.
one like my amazing cousin Felisha Cotrin.
She is soooooo talented.
She lives in Oklahoma, but she is willing to come to California to take pictures if you ask really nice. (well, and pay her too)
She is totally worth it. I would share more of her pictures, but I havent figured out how to make the pictures small enough to load on here.
that, I guess, is one class i will need first.

Very Little time

2011-05-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

literally.
I barely have time to post this.
I just am so busy. and when I am not, I play the boys DS's for my down time while I listen to my daily dose of Gilmore Girls.

Our vacation was fun. Always more work for the parents (mostly moms) but it was fun. Kids had a blast.
We bought a car about 14 days before we left on vacation.
A 2004 Ford Excursion.
Nick named "the beast" because it is huge and very scary to drive. I am still practicing my parking skills in the back of the parking lot and huffing it to the from of the store. (exercise right)
It is a gas guzzler, but it fits all 8 of us.
I finally got my glasses ordered. So I will be able to see the world the way it is suppose to look like. NOT FUZZY!
I somehow lost my Cell phone.. I know... my other brain!!!!
with the help of my awesome brother I will get it tomorrow. I have been using a temp phone my sister let me borrow, and it has kept me going.
I just dont feel whole!!!!
My Sammy turned 8 and will be baptized soon.
I am now part of the Nursery at church. i am very excited. I love being with those sweet young spirits. What's not to love, Toys, snack, lesson? easy!
I am currently working on Girls camp with my Aunt. and it almost consumes my life.
My meds are working as long as I take my meds everyday.
I figured out I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and having a hard time falling asleep. I get my meds soon.
Hopefully That will take care of my sleeping problems which will give me more energy so I can start getting ready to do phase one of my new life.... a marathon.
don't laugh.....not tooo loud anyway.
I will lose this hefty weight and I will run in a marathon. I WILL!!!!
After I fulfil that dream, I will learn to drive a car like an CIA agent or ...FBI!
I am tired and of not doing stuff.
Oh, i forgot ablut Salsa Dancing.... or surfing....or ......

feelin' good!

2011-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Feeeling Great! getting ready to go on vacation with my family. all is swell!

So much to say, so little time

2011-03-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

I do have a lot to say.
But it is Tuesday night and Jeff is home and I can only stay as long as it take for me to eat my wonderful dinner.
So...just a couple of base words.
New
Way of
Eating
No joke.
I have been almost carb and sugar free for one week and I feel AWESOME!!!!!!! (i have a cheat day)
If you want to know what I am doing email me privately and I might tell you. lol
okay, times up. We have family movie night.
We are watching Pinocchio.
Maybe it was help with the lying and sneakin' we have been dealing with.
Never owned it until yesterday.
(dont worry, we have late start school tomorrow and we dont start until 9am)

boys

2011-03-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Boys are so gross.
Just a fact I thought was worth sharing.
If you live with 3 or more boys, than you understand.
If not, I am jealous.
I know that someday I will miss the bangs of basketballs on my floor, walls and doors. The shooting sounds of video games from the TV, and lots and lots of dirty, muddy clothes to wash.
Someday I will miss the bags and bags of groceries I have to buy, load and unload from the car. I will miss the dozens of meals I make every week.
And I will miss the loads and loads of dishes I wash.
The fart sounds, and burp contests, the snakes in the sinks, and bugs in the jars.
The piles of Nerf guns and army gear. The yelling and fighting and and squealing for "MOM!" The wrestling and name calling, and crying.
The scrapes and bruises from a tumbled bike ride.
Someday I will miss all of it.
But I don't like it now.
Okay, maybe a little.
But JUST A LITTLE, teeny, tiny, bit.

Voices

2011-03-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

I hear voices.
I have for years.
Okay, so not really voices, but a voice.
Not my voice in my head, but a really negative voice.
This voice on a daily basis would tell me I am a peice of crap.
I am dirt on someone shoes.
Not really loved or like.
I could go on, but I think you get the point.
I am talking, twenty-something years.
I am 38.
It started long before I got married.
And the worst part..... I believed it.
I believed this horrible voice.
I have never been able to resist the voice until it wanted me to harm myself.
That was a bad day.
I knew I could never go through with it.
My kids would be the ones to suffer the most.
Why am I telling you this?
Why am I sharing this personal part of my life with anyone?
Because the voice is gone.
I finally told my doctor about my thoughts of suicide, and she got me on some meds.
Now, why in the world didn't I do this before?
I believed my voice and I believed I wasn't worth it.
I am so much happier now.
I am not 100%, but I am getting there.
I am sharing, just in case, there is someone else out there like me, who might happen upon my blog and understand, have the same problem and can help them.
I am also sharing so that people who do know me, can finally understand where i have been the lasy 20 years or so and maybe they will say..." oh okay, that makes sense. she was crazy after all, glad she is getting help"
yes, I joke, but seriously.
Someone out there knew it. She spotted it years ago, called me on it, and because I didn't want to believe it, we were never able to be really good friends.
She was so right. Sorry about that.
I am doing TONS better.
I am on a new heathy eating plan, something even I can do.
I plan to start walking when it stops raining.
Someday....dont laugh.... I want to run a marathon.
I want to fly to Utah and see my BFF. (one seat)lol

Not much else is happening in my life.
I am a mom of six, so I clean, cook, and hug alot.

Hearts

2011-02-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

I decorate for every holiday.
Yes, and this month it is the "love" month.
As I type this, my daughter has collected all my hearts.
All of my glittery card board hearts I bought last year at Wal-mart that I strategically placed all over my the family and living room.
It made me think about my real heart...or hearts.
My awesome adorable husband and 6 awesome adorable children who have claimed a piece in my heart forever.
I hope I have a nice place in theirs.
That is my question....or questions....
I am sure they love me, they tell me everyday, as I tell them.
But....
Do I show enough love for my 7 favorite people on the planet?
Do I really try to bring love into my home?
I know daily scripture and prayer with my family will answer that question, but kids wont remember that.
I don't. I remember all the little things my mom did for me.

Am I truly showing them all the love I have?

I feel like I do.
But maybe I could do more.
I am so in love with them all.
Any ideas on what I could do?
I have a few ideas.
here's the thing...
Every Valentines day Jeff and I get something fabulous for the kids and I write a cutesy little note....
Something we didnt have enough money for for Christmas, and it is Income Tax Return time so...
One year was a Guitar Hero video game and I got a Guitar Hero poster and wrote a note that said, "You boys rock my world, will you be my Valentine?"
Emma got something equally cheesy, but she was only 7 months old and didn't really care.
I have made sugar cookie hearts and little baggies of candy.
I wanna do something different and VERY cheap.
It was a long December with no overtimes, so any extra "stuff" is not gonna happen.
I would love ideas so I don't have to waste hours on the Internet looking.
I would rather spend my few eatr minutes of spare time watching a princess movie with Emma, or goofing off with my boys.
I would love an day by day idea of showing my family i love them also.
And cleaning and caring for their daily needs doesn't count.
That is my job.
And I actually like it.
Most days.

Tasty Tuesday - The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

2011-01-26T13:02:00.000-08:00

I almost don't want to share it.

I don't want this secret out.

I never got a chance to ask my cousin if I can put it on my blog.

My awesome cousin Felisha was home for Christmas and while she was here I got to taste her cookies.

OMG(ness)!!!!!!

I craved it days after and had to make them myself.

I have NEVER had a good experience with Chocolate Chip cookies.

I can make and bake all kinds of things, but Chocolate Chip cookies was not my forte.

This recipe is sooooo easy. and I almost have it memorized.

I have made it 3 times in 12 days. (I am learning to share and not eat them)

And I am lazy.

I have developed the perfect way to make 3 dozen Chocolate chip cookies in 20 minutes. (okay, so it is really 25....maybe 30.

Point is.... it is just smart.

I will show you with pictures.

But first the recipe:

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (doubled)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups unsalted butter (room temp)

2 tsp vanilla

2 egg (room temp)

4 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 package semi-sweet Chocolate Chips. (I love the mini chips the best, more chocolate in every bite)

2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

*Add brown sugar, sugar and butter, vanilla and eggs into a large mixing bowl.

*Mix with your hands. (i used a hand mixer on low)

**Until just mixed.(It can be a little lumpy, DO NOT OVER MIX)

*Add Flour, baking soda, salt chocolate chips and walnuts.

*Mix with you hands or on low until well mixed. I repeat, do not over mix.

Now what I did was the lazy woman's way....

*I pulled out my cookies sheet, sprayed it with cooking spray, and pressed the cookie dough down into the pan evenly.

*I baked it at 350 for 17 to 18 minutes.

*I let it cool for 5 minutes or so, and while warm, I used a small 1 1/2 inch heart shaped cookie cutter and cut out cookies, placed them to cool on a cooling rack.

And I love it because there is no back and forth in to the kitchen to put and take out cookies in the oven.

You can also just cut like cookie bars, but I like the heart shapes.

I have made some similar for Christmas cutting out trees. I have even thought of melting chocolate and decorating the tree.

I might just to this same recipe for Valentines day treats for the boys to take to school.

I am gonna try pecans next and maybe some mini M&M's.

Proud Momma

2011-01-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Photographer Felisha Coltrin at http://felishacoltrinphotography.blogspot.com/

Thanks to my awesome and brillant, naturally talented cousin we had a fabulous photoshoot for the kids. (next year when jeff and I have lost the bazillion pounds, we will take family pictures...cross you fingers)
yes. this was the only good one . thanks sammy.

Determination

2011-01-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

After writing, editing, re-reading, and posting my last blog post I am bound and determined to get Matthew motivated and read for grown-up adulthood.
I mean, it is my job after all.
My job as his mother.
It is easy for everyone else to already know that, but it takes me wallowing and stewing in what I consider 'misery' to see it.
So I did what any mother would do.
I bribed him.
I have seen him succeed.
I know he can do it.
He has no homework, thanks to the teachers at his school, and an IEP. (they decided that he can just do it in class)
So why is he failing.....he just wont do it.
I had many long talks with Matthew this weekend, and got down to the bottom of it.
He doesn't wanna.
So I bribed him with an PlayStation 3 and a game called Call of Duty.
He has until the 15th of February to pull up his grades and do his work in class.
yes, I am still taking him to be tested and maybe we can adjust or try out a new medication.
Things are looking better.
I think I forgot to mention... that.... I have PMS and it lasts for about a good eek.
Just ask Jeff.
It is usually the cause to all of my woes.

Failure

2011-01-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

We all feel like we have failed at something at one time or another.
But lately I feel like I am failing at everything.
And.
And I don't know how to fix it.
I have been getting email reports on how my son Matthew has been doing at school. The latest ones shows that he is failing all of his classes but one.
And no, it is not PE, it is Earth Science.
Matthew is not your typical 15 year old. He has no desires to be a normal teenager and girls are not on the brain. The only thing he cares about is Lego's. and his MP3 player, and his DS game system. He doesn't care much for his cell phone. Probably, because there is no one to talk to or text to.
He is socially behind. Which is why there is no one to text or call.
It breaks my heart.
I mourned the loss of my perfect child years go when we found how he had learning disabilities and A.D.D.
I know I have talked about this before.
And yet, I have found no way to help my son and so I have failed.
My mom asked me about a Relief Society Class she wants to have for her Stake. She is the RS president for her Stake and wants to do a class on Self Esteem or Self worth.
She asked me.
I had to ask her why.
I have been involved in RS activities in years past, in the planning them, but we never touched this subject and I really wouldn't know how.
I have a battle in my brain daily on my own self worth.
I am not posting all of this to get advice.
This is my confessions.
I am journal writing.
This is just here to annoy the really positive thinkers.
*deep sigh*
I could go on and on about the things I am "failing" at, but my biggest concern is my Matthew.
It isn't like he needs a tutor.
Yes, he is failing, but I have seen him do the work. HE CAN DO IT.
He is passing Earth Science.
He doesn't talk to me, I can get him to stayed focused enough to tell me much of anything.
He has to learn focusing tools now, so he can be a productive adult.
I will take advice from others on Matthew.
As I sit here and ponder, I also weep.
We all worry over our children, I have different worries for each of my children.... but Matthew is...
He is so wonderful and frustrating all at the same time.
He is AMAZING with little kids.
He loves to play with them.
But it is almost like he is a child in his brain.
He also doesn't have any friends his age.
*deep sigh and a sniffle.... or two*
We have tried working with the school, but the teachers are annoyed that he is a hard kid to deal/work with. He can't stay focused. Even on the 30 mg of Ritalin he takes 2 times a day. If I stand and watch him take it. (he gets distracted and doesn't take it some days, and that is another long blog post)
It makes me wonder what the teachers would say if he wasn't medicated.
I have a lot of praying and phone calls to make on Monday.
I need to get him tested for other disorders.
What if he is not only ADD? What if he is slightly Autistic? or in that realm?
He might get more help, have more options as far as he education.
Have I mentioned I have ADD? probably.
Part of me knows how he feels. Part of me doesn't.
The part that doesn't, is the part who had a social life in high school.
Grades were not my focus, low self worth has a lot to do with that. I have probably had a low self worth since....wow.....
....since as far back as I can remember. Since the time the 10 year old boy my mom babysat tricked me into playing "doctor".
I didn't know it was bad self worth I was feeling, I just knew it was bad.
It never got any better.
I have always felt that I lived in Murphy's law.
And it is still a miracle to me that I am married to this awesome guy and I have these awesome kids.
Back to failing my Matthew.
I do understand how hard it is to focus, in the 4nd grade (I know I have talked about this before) I was diagnosed with short term memory.
I cant remember some times to go write down the thing I am really suppose to remember.
And if I do remember, I forget where I left the note.
Oh, get a dry erase board you say..... when it comes time to buy it, I forget to add it to the budget. It never happens. Actually I think I bought one once, and I forgot I had it and never used it. or the biys abused it.
It doesn't help that Jeff has a thyroid problem, which causes forgetfulness.
Yes, we are a great parenting pair.
Matthew is doomed.
Back to being serious, I think Matthew has a really bad uncontrollable focusing problem and memory issues.
So, If I have not posted that I have called the doctor and gotten Matthew some help, I beg you, if any of you read my blog, message me, call me, facebook message me...help me. ...to remember.
And if you have any ideas for a class for "Self Worth"....you know...for my mom...just get a message to me somehow.

Sickness

2011-01-13T16:07:00.000-08:00

There is a sickness going around my house.
A head cold with an unbelievably long life.
why you ask is it it lasting so long?
Because I have no washing machine.
I can not clean the linen's fast enough.
My very huge, free washing machine I got from my brother-in-law last year when we moved into this house , from which he got it free off Craig's list, ended it's life.
(it was probably miserable with the constant use)
but hey, it was free and huge...I do have 8 people wearing clothes in my house.
It was not perfect, it had a slight malfunction.
It would run a load and throw a code. EVERY TIME!!!!!
F1 right before the spin cycle.
All you had to do is hit stop and start and it would work just fine.
Well, that lasted for about a year.
As the year went on, the how many times you had to push the stop then start button (which were only 4 times at first) moved on to be 9 times before it died.
The washing machine decided it was too much.
It could not take the pressure.
It was last Tuesday, we turned it on to do a load and all the lights started to flash. (it was a very fancy washing machine)
When it stopped flashing, the light moved, and it never stayed in one spot. The washing machine would stop and start in a matter of seconds and constantly beep.
SO when I tried to unplug it and plug it back in....(i thought it would reboot it), the plug sparked at me.
Like it was cursing at me. ("don't even try with you wench!!!!")
I feel much like that washing machine.
Over worked, tired, kind of not completely right in the computer. (brain)
I throw a code once in a while and I need a stop (get control of my senses) start (start over and try again)
I feel like someday I will completely go crazy.
And maybe start cursing and someone else.
So what do I do now.
As for our family and the washing machine....
We do not have the extra money to just go buy a new one, nor do we have credit cards to use.
But, my parents have an extra one they are hoping to fix because that one is broken to. (waiting for parts)
Please, don't get me wrong, I am grateful for their generousness, but I am tired of broken washing machines.
I want a fresh, brand spanking new, red one. With a dryer to match.
One day, some day.
As for me, I am not sure what I am going to do.
I feel like I am just going through the motions of the day, of my life.
Wake up, clean, feed people, clean, get ready, go spend money on things and meals for the people I have to feed, put it away, feed people, clean, and a whole mess of more things I do for other people.
(You know, no one asked my how my Christmas was)
So how do I fix this problem?
I have no idea.
It is not like my mom has a spare broken me in her backyard, that just needs a few parts and it should, maybe, be good to go.
Until I can get a new one.
There is no getting a new me.
There is only one me.
Someday, I like me.
Someday, I wallow in all the mistakes I have made.
Some days, I am too busy to do much of anything for me.
I know I need improvement, but don't we all.
I made a list of goals to fulfil this month in my last post and I already failed.
I didn't blog on my family blog.
I didn't make the list to be seen by all on the side of my blog, like a constant reminder.
And No I did not call the doctor.
Yesterday, I had to go to my sisters and do laundry.
Because I have no washer.
I had to wait until the boys got home from school so I could have Matt watch the sick ones. (Jeff needed his uniform washed, so I HAD to go, I had to do it)
I didn't get my dishes washed, I didn't get to clean anything except my room.
(I HAD to find something of Sammy's that I lost)
And if I wasn't do that I was holding 2 sick babies. My 2 little babies that have totally gross green/yellow slime constantly coming from their noses. they are miserable so I had to comfort.
Just doing my job.
But while doing a gross job as that (sometimes it is gross when the sick ones want to give you gross snotty kisses) it only means one thing.
You end up getting sick too.
Yes, on my way home from my sisters house washing 5 loads and drying 3 ( I have a working dryer) I started to feel the ache.
The "oh crap, I know what is coming and I don't have time for this" feeling.
By the time Jeff got home at 11pm, I was done.
The little sick ones were still up watching Nick Jr., I was glued to Sammy DS, that I conveniently confiscated at bedtime, playing his DS so I didn't lose my achy sick mind.
A semi descent night of rest and I do not feel better. I need just one more nap.
No I will not get it.
I have to finish my mom job for the day.
Dinner, homework, chores, and bedtime. ( not in that order)
I sit here now, in my old ratty blue nightgown with grey leggings, red and green striped fuzzy Christmas socks, my new warm slippers, Jeff's green thermal shirt, shivering, cause I am just so cold, sinus pressure making me cranky, waiting for Nathan to finish his rough draft of his Speech that is due tomorrow so I can help him type it up, I am thinking I just need to sit on the couch and relax with Sammy's DS.
But as a mothers job is never done, I have to think of something for dinner that takes minimal effort, but yet edible to all.....
Sounds like a great night for cereal...but what will I eat. I hate cold cereal.

Inspiration

2011-01-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

I have been inspired.
I read 2 blogs today.
One I only read when she gets around to it (Ashley L)...
and one I try to read every day (Kasi)
Both awesome girls and I am glad to call them friend.
Ashley posted recently about her goals for this year, and It got me to thinking.
I need to do the same.
My list has to be small.
I don't always fulfill the long term, probably because of my memory issues and I forget. (seriously, I am not sure you guys fully understand my Forgetfulness is a huge issue and has been the cause of serious events and situations in my life. I have lost friends because of it)
So I am inspired.
I am gonna post a list of goals for January. and I will post it on the side of my blog. I will put a star buy it if I remember to get it done.

10 Goals for January

Call the eye doctor and have this "floater" in my left eye checked out.
Call the doctor to have my thyroid checked. (could be why I am so forgetful)
Walk around the block 3 times (1 mile) 5 days a week
Organize all the closets in this house.
Call a friend every other day and talk on the phone. (I developed a phobia of the talking on the phone)
Read scriptures with my boys 5 nights a week.
Attempt and plan a Family Home Evening once a week. With a song.
Memorize an Article of Faith with my kids

Take more pictures, develop them and hang them on the wall in the hallway.

Blog everyday. Especially the family blog with pictures and facts about each kid.

Okay, now that the goals have been set.
Yay.
I feel better already. Thanks Ashley

Now about my other friend Kasi.
I have never met her in person. We met on a Scrapbook network with other ladies swapping scrapbook items for pages. She is Fabulous!!!!
She is so talented and brilliant.
I doubt she has any idea of the inspiration she brings to me every time I read her blog.
When I grow up, I wanna be like Kasi Good.
She is a wonderful mother and wife.
She is an awesome writer.
I wish I could write as well she she does on her blog.
Someday I hope she writes a book.
Go check out her blog and see the talent she has not just for scrapbooking( not sure if she has much of the scrapbooking posted), but for making furniture. (I want that book self Kasi!!!!)
I read blogs all the time (I mean, when I get computer time). Some inspire me and she are just fun to read.
I will try very hard to get back into the swing of things.
Blog, call my friend that i miss like you wouldn't believe, walk, clean and love my hubby and kids.
Sounds easy right? Loving my hubby kids is the easiest part.

blank

2011-01-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

So as I sit here at the computer, looking at my blog, knowing I have something really profound and worth while to share ...I can't....my head s starting to hurt just from trying to remember what i wanted to share....nope... nothin'... my mind is a complete ....
BLANK!
No joke.
I may need to call a doctor.
I need more sleep.
I have been a scatter brain since I was born but this is getting ridiculous.
I know it is the lack of sleep.
I have been here before.
Caleb was 3 and Sammy was almost 18 months and I didn't sleep much.
We had a hard time keeping them in bed all night.
But we got a slight break when before Emma was born.
I remember getting the boys off to school and then hiding under the covers with Sammy while he watched TV. I would snooze in and out.
It was my nap.
Oh the days!!!!
We lived in Susanville, and I didn't have much to do.
I was depressed and home sick, and hadn't figured out how to keep me 3 bedroom house clean. (I had a tiny 3 bedroom apartment before and the house was way harder to take care of.)
I just don't see a light at the end of this tunnel.
I am sooooo tired I forget almost everything important.
I have a notepad to write everything down.
I forget to write it down on the notepad.
and when I do remember, the notepad gets lost and/or destroyed or I forgot to check my notepad or where i put it.
vicious cycle.
I got distracted.
Once again ,by life and my new weakness.
My boys DS's and a game called Touch Master 1 and 2.
If I have to sit on the couch and watch TV with Mikey, because he wants cuddle time, I can endure 30 minutes of the mind numbing repetition of cute little cartoon characters singing and being so happy, then I want to run from the room screaming.
I grab the DS and play. Everyone is happy.
It helps me relax at night and I usually fall asleep while playing it.
I guess I will try again tomorrow from something new and fabulous to say.
Maybe even inspiring.

Just a thought... I love spell check. I am grateful for the person who invented spell check. I am not a bad speller, mostly just punctuation. (I even had to use it on that very last word)

Winter Blues

2011-01-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

I am there.
That place I don't like to be.
I am not unhappy, but I am not excited to get out of bed every day.
I am not a morning person so that doesn't really say much.
I feel the depression creepy back.
Like this dark grey cloud looming over my head.
I constantly have to to tell it to go away.
I can try and blame the winter's gloomy days, but I can't.
I love the gloomy days, the over cast, grey days.
It makes me smile.
I love snuggling on the couch and watching a movie, or playing games with family.
Seriously, I could live in Forks, Washington and be totally happy.
I do hate what January brings.
Every 5 seconds on the TV you see a commercial or infomercial about weight loss and exercise.
It makes me depressed.
Worse than I already am!!!!!!!
I know I am fat!!!!
I have a mirror!!!!
I also have 6 kids and barely get a straight 3 hour "nap" at night.
I do have A LOT to do.
I know.
It still isn't a good enough excuse.
There is a lot I want to do with my family this year, but I don't see myself enjoying it as much, if I am this heavy.
I am done having babies and my baby should be sleeping through the night.
(he doesn't)
I know I need to get out there and just do something.
Anything.
The other night I danced for a good 15 minutes while I washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.
I know, I would have done it longer, but I ran out of dishes and kitchen to clean.
I wasn't even out of breath, which made me feel really good.
Eating healthy is also in issue.
I have no problem eating healthy, but fresh veggies and fruits are expensive.
I am still on a 3 furloughed, one income, family 0f 8, mostly boys, grocery budget.
I am choosing not to buy, really bad stuff, and I don't eat the half way bad stuff either.
My flaw is I bake for the boys, but eat half of it.
So I guess, I have decided to get on the stupid, weight loss band wagon.
Is it weird I wanna be able to run a marathon before I am 40?
that is my goal.
Now, stop laughing and and start praying.
I am gonna need all the help I can get.
there is no need to get all mushy and leave positive comments.
I hate those.
(man, I sound negative)
I think they are cheesy and ...I don't know... it just bugs me.
I have this feeling I will fail. And the guilt I will have from reading your comments with make it worse.
Wait until after I have lost the 1st 20lbs, then you can get mushy all over the place.
If anyone is out there and has a plan or and idea of what I could do, that is free, and something I can do in my house, that would be awesome...basically, I need a personal trainer to tell me what to do for free...just email me.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-05T15:47:00.000-08:00

It was good.

It was crazy busy.

It was exhausting.

It was totally worth it.

I miss that Christmas magic feeling.

This year we waited until after New Years Day to take down all the Christmas stuff.

Jeff asked me to keep it up a little while longer. (I was shocked too)

I will post about our Christmas morning on our private family blog.

But it was fabulous.

I got a new camera so hopefully, i will post more pictures.

I have no new recipes to share, or else I would.

I seriously was excited to post on my blog.

I had to come out to my Aunt Kathie's house to use her way faster computer to changed the ringback tones on my phone, change my blog stuff from Christmas to just plain winter stuff.

But now I have lost all momentum.

(plus I hate her keyboard, too high and ...I guess it is just not mine.)

I guess I will go back home and be a mom.

I left the kids home so I can do this with out being interrupted every 5 I seconds.

Jeff went back to work today.

So weird he has been off on workmans comp for almost 4 weeks. and 2 before that.

He is almost himself again. it was a nice vacation and with thoughts of saving up for a house looking like a possibility, he will be working as much overtime as he possibly can.

We will miss him.

I will post my real thoughts later today, from my very slow 4 year old computer.

Christmas Memories

2010-12-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

I thought I had a few minutes to sit here at my computer and blog for a minute, but I am feeling the guilt...Jeff is now cleaning my kitchen.
Which I would have done, and I know i should do, but how often to I blog. I will help him when I am done.
My kitchen is a mess, because I made home made rolls and cookies yesterday for a fun family activity and a Christmas memory for my family. One, I hope the boys will remember forever.
Last night we went to Santa Clara for "Night in Bethlehem" with some of the Scoville Clan.
It was wonderful.
(I tried to take pictures, but my camera is lame)
They had taken this church parking lot and turned it into Bethlehem.
With a census table when you first walk in, soldiers in full authentic uniform. (that was cool) They were in full character too. Shoving people out of the way and looking very grumpy.
They had a few Inn's for Mary and Joseph to travel to, by donkey. A real donkey.
They were turned away.
Just outside the City of Bethlehem they had Shepard's watching over real sheep.
They also had shops, hut like structure, like you have seen in any movie, selling things and letting the kids, my kids, make things at each shop. they had wool making, and coin making, and bead making, and all kinds of other shops, probably like 20 different places to do and look at things from the time of Christs birth.
It was sooo cool.
They also covered the entire ground with sand. It had been pressed down so much it was packed, but it looked so real.
Mary and Joesph moved from one Inn to the next and was given the "barn" as they called it.
They keep the doors closed for the first minute or so and opened the doors to see Mary and Joesph looking over a (real) baby. They talked for a minute and Mary sang a song. Then across the "town" the Angel appeared and shouted to the Shepard's that "Christ Child was born". They then ran across the "town" to the barn to see Baby Jesus. And then come the Kings, the 3 wise men....with their entourage...One came in on Camel, one came in on a bed being carried in by 4 strong men, and ..I cant remember how the last one came in....but they all had belly dancers and there was fire twirlers..
Which I think is my favorite part. I love how they really thought about it. the kings would not have traveled alone, they would have had their entourage to care of them, I am sure they did not cook their own meals. They were kings, right?
It ended very much like the story they have told for centuries. Then the program started over again. It took about 10 minutes to run the program, and then they started over. It was very well organized.
My mom went 2 years ago and it was different. The way they had told the story was different.
But, it was still great.
Now, the fact that there was a 15 minute long line just to get in, it was so crowded, that we could not take strollers, I still can't carry a kid around for long with my toe, my Mom had to carry Emma in fear of her being trampled by the "very in character" soldier.
I have to go back...
We, my family, traveled by caravan, accidentally meeting up with my sister Sarah and her husband on the road. Meeting my other sister, Aimee, there with family and her in-laws, we had a tail gate party with soups and homemade bread and corn bread.
Then we got in line. We decided that the older kids needs a buddy. They could not go off alone.
They did great, they stuck together, just not with us.
Which was really hard for me, but I need to let go. I need to let them go a little now, so I can really let go later. It is a work in progress.
We lost a few kids and towards the end, it got very confusing as to where to meet. I told my kids a different place, and each of my older kids were paired up with one of my sisters kids.
We found them all in the end. We had another tailgate party with cookies and water and packed up.
We had to stop for a "pee on the fence" break. (just to clarify, it was the boys who peed, and not me) We had to squeeze one of my kids back into our 7 passenger van, so we didn't have to drive all the way back to my parents house, just to get him.
I made a Christmas music CD for the van before we left, and I think we listened to it about 6 times.
My Christmas memories are different. We never did anything like that, but we did do other things.
Top 3 in my mind....
Seeing the Christmas lights at the Oakland temple in Oakland.
Doing a Progressive dinner with the Astle Clan.
Going to cut down our own Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm in Slough house and that it took hours...for my mom to decide which one, us kids singing a Christmas song to my mom at the top of our lungs just to drive her crazy and coming home to have Hot chocolate and toast.
I just hope that I am creating wonderful Christmas memories for my boys and my sweet baby girl.
I challenge any and all who read my blog....if any...to share a favorite Christmas memory on your blog if you have one. If not, share it with your family.

Oh I forgot to mention, that was the last year and night the church in Santa Clara was doing the "Night in Bethlehem"....
Soooo glad I didn't miss it.

Shopping, and shopping and shopping

2010-12-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year, my little ones do not have a regular schedule, they are missing their naps or having mini naps in the car, eating fries and nuggets for lunch because I am .....
SHOPPING!!!!!!
I am in now way saying I am not grateful for the money I do have and opportunity to be able to shop.
I am grateful.
But, this is the time of year I have to be sneaky, and savy and a budget-eer. (like a mouse-kteer, but taller and a penny pincher)
I have had the Santa talks, and the what do you want.
I have even had to explain that Santa, although magical and brilliant, he still has to be careful with his budget.
"if he spent a $300 for an xbox 360 elite on every little boy, he would run out of money and would have nothing for next year."
yes, I did.
I had to stress "only 4 things this year, and choose wisely"(3 from mom and dad and 1 from Santa)......
When they ask for something big on there list...."sorry, buddy, but I cant afford to get you and your brothers all a new DS, they are $145 a piece.
Yes, maybe I shouldn't say that to them.
and Yes, maybe I should just me more frugal and start saving money the January before Christmas, (a family of 8, never has that much to save) but I dont want them to think of Christmas as the time to get what ever you want.
Last year we did...
Something they want, something they need, something they wear something they read.
It was brilliant.
I didn't remember that until after I planned and made lists for Christmas.
But this year I have done pretty well. I have a few more things to get.
Today I am ordering some things online.
By a miracle, I got a little extra CASH and am going to have fun spending it.
It is very stressful to shop. You have to buy a certain item, with a certain budget and exactly the right time.
I hate it, but love it all at the same time.

As I get ready to go and shop, I have to keep in mind the families and other children of God who are less fortunate this year.
I am going to start a Helping the Homeless Service Project.
I am collecting back packs, and non perishable food items (like canned tuna and crackers, granola bars, bottled water, gum), and hygiene items. Just to leave in my car, to pass out instead of cash or change.
I want the boys to be able to be a part of it.
So much to do, and the days are running out...
Christmas is almost here.

Christmas Lights

2010-12-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

If you knew how many times we have had lights on this tree you would laugh...
okay, here it goes...
TWICE
The first time the boys put them on. And yes, It was a great effort, you could see who did it at each height.
The second time, my husband tried and failed. We had both females ends to the lights at the top and bottom of the tree. (we are still not sure how that happened)
So as I sit here in my living room, smelling my pot roast in the crock pot, listening to the boys watch "the Santa Clause" and Emma selfishly guide Mikey through the house all the while bossing him around, (yes, i am in for a treat with her), I am avoiding the unavoidable.
Jeff refuses to put the lights on the tree...again.
I have never in all of our 16 Christmases together, ever put the lights on the tree.
Jeff is sooo good at it, and I HATE doing it.
This year I have to do it.
I have to put these lights on the tree.
UGH....
I have already decided the day after Christmas I am going to get up early and go and by a Pre-lit Christmas tree.
You bet your holly jolly, I will be there when the doors open.
I am not sure what we will do with all of our lights we already have....
Anyone wanna guess how long it will take me?
Anyone wanna guess how long it will take me to get motivated to actually put the lights ont he tree?
Do we really need lights on the tree?
yes, we do.
*deep deep sigh*
I don't wanna do it.
I have soooooo many other things to do. I have cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and I don't know where this weird smell is coming from.
My house stinks!
Yes, I live in a house with boys, but something smells and dang I will have to re-scrub everything.
Okay, still avoiding the tree....
Okay, off i go...
wish me luck.
Hopefully I wont fall off the ladder.

Bahh, merry humbug

2010-12-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

So I am in the mood for Christmas and then..... I really am not.
It has been a crazy few weeks.
Jeff got back from his trip with his dad and he worked 3 days of overtime on his last week of vacation, yes, I guess I am a mean wife and I made my husband work over time to cover the furloughs and to have a little left over for Christmas. I will be danged if my kids have to suffer and not have a nice, decent Christmas, just because Daddy went to help Grandpa and stupid whats-his-face Arnold and the stupid furloughs.
I am evil, lets move on.
Well, on Jeff's last day of vacation he came down with a raging fever and chills and he slept most of the day, I myself was sick too, his leg on his right shin began looking red and splotchy and his leg swelled up and was very hot and tender to the touch He went to the doctors on Monday.
Cellulitis.
It seems while he was working over time (to pay our bills), Jeff was working in a very infected, germ infested part of his work, I should tell you that, there was was a few other employees that were hospitalized. We got lucky. I give credit to the blessing he had.
His dad and my dad came over and gave him a priesthood blessing.
In the end, with vacation and being sick, except for the 3 days he worked over time, he didn't work his normal shift the whole month of November. He was on 3 different kinds of antibiotics and watched a lot of TV.
On top of all of this, I was sick too, 3 of our kids got sick too. and My 2 oldest boys had to work most of their Thanksgiving break just helping out.
Bonus, I got to read 4 books and we saved $80 on gas.
Then just as Jeff is getting better, I fracture my toe.
I dropped a ceramic serving patter on my toe. I have never seen a toe so purple, front and back. (I have pictures, I will post it later)
I did host a Turkey dinner with the Bigney Family. Then I made my Oreo Cookie Pie and homemade rolls for my mom's house on Thursday.
(I will post recipes soon)
I got up EARLY on Turkey day to get some Christmas presents and stayed up until 4 am on Thursday night/Friday morning. and up again early Saturday morning.
Our craft fair didn't go as well as planned, but thanks to my sister Sarah and her co-workers we are selling some stuff.
I need to figure out how to sell the rest of these hair pretties. It would take too long to take pictures and upload them on to here, I don't have that kind of time.
I don't even know why or how I am here blogging.
I have a MOUNTAIN of laundry to fold and put away (that's what happens when you are sick), then I have to do the dishes, which I never really got a break on, and then there is the whole house. I was able to get the Christmas decorations up, but not.
I have to take all the stuff off the tree and rehang the lights.... the boys did it crazy and it is driving me crazy.
I have all the Christmas presents decided and on a list, but now getting it shopped and funded????????? lol
So I hope your Christmas season starts off better than mine....
I am tired, stressed, in pain and busy, but merry.

Thankful Thursday - Lots of Thankfulness

2010-11-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

I logged on.
I scrolled down to see who has updated their blog and I read them. (sorry if I have not left a comment, my time online is few and precious)

but today I am grateful for a great many things....
(in randon order....)
1. I am grateful for Bloggers.
Yes, most of us complain and whine about the irritating things that happen from day to day. (mostly me)
Some of us use the blog world as a family or personal journal. (which I love)
Some of us, brag about our kids and how cute and smart and wonderful they are...(and you should!)
Some of us have profound things to share and help other readers not feel so alone in this crazy world.
Life is SOOOO very different from when I was a kid and I thought it was crazy then. I am so grateful for everyone of you bloggers out there.

2. I am thankful for music.
I am also thankful that I can put it on my blog.
I absolutely love music. I have said it before on a previous blog post how much I love music.
It makes me happy.
It just makes me happy. I love that it makes my kids happy. I am grateful that I can share my love of music with my kids.
I can not play, read or sing music, but I can listen to it. I love almost all music!!! (except Gangster rap)
It would take all of a post to describe my love for it, and I don't have time today.
It fills my heart and makes me smile.

3. I am grateful for family.
I love my family. They will always be the most important people in my life. I have THE best family.
No brothers or sisters will or ever could compare.
And don't get me started on my nieces and nephews!!!! (I am gonna cry.)
I have 17 nephews and 6 nieces!!!!!!!!!
I never ever thought I would be so in love with 20 boys all at the same time. (Jeff was counted in that number)
(don't bother arguing, cause you just wont win)
They too make me smile...and tear up a little.

4. My boys!!!!!
I know I shoulda put them first, but I am going in order of what I am remembering. I had a list in my head, and I was gonna put them first priority next Thursday, that and the fact they they were driving me crazy when I first started this blog post.
Each one of my boys is awesome.
Each one completely adorable.
Each one just as frustrating as the next.
And each one hold a piece of my heart.
They are messy and stinky and wonderful
They have really begun growing up to these wonderful young men. And I am not just saying that. If I had a million dollars for every teacher that has said...and I quote..."If only I had a room full of Nathan's in my class room", ..."Caleb's..." or "...Sam's... or ".....Matthew's"...and that would really mean I was 3 million rich as of today. Jeff went to 3 parent teacher conferences today and each teach said they same thing.
Nathan and Matthew have taken Mikey and are pushing him around the house in a little basket that usually holds Emma's precious play dishes. Jeff was on the phone and I sit here..(i did make Mikey and Emma lunch)...which is actually the reason I am adding the boys today...they stepped up and helped. and they never once complained.
Okay, maybe once or twice....
I am not sure what I would do if I didn't have the boys in my life.
4. facebook
I know, I know.... facebook.
But I am.
The friends I always wondered about and didn't know (or have the guts) to contact them and find out how they are... but they are on facebook.
I love the friends I have in Susanville. My second favorite place...(okay more like 3rd...Disneyland is 2nd)...in California. I love staying in contact with them though facebook. ( i wish they would stop bragging about the snow)
I am grateful my friends on facebook.
They have helped me and my self-esteem.

5. (and last one today)
The Awesome-ness that is Aunt Kathie
I have been hanging out with her alot in the last few months.
We like to do the same things, we like the same things and I am sorry, but we have so much fun.
I love hanging out with her. She is one of my top ten favorite people. She is #6 on my speed dial.
She never makes me feel bad about myself. She never makes fun of me when I am not so smart.
She is just awesome.
I am so glad I moved out here and that I am only 10 minutes away from her house.
(I am quite sure I drive her bonkers)
I am grateful she tolerates hanging out with me. :)

Thankful Thursday - My Hunny

2010-11-13T00:10:00.000-08:00

Jeff is the best guy.
My Hunny spent his vacation in North Carolina with his Dad, helping to fix their house.
We didn't go any place fancy or fun for his vacation.
I have my craft fair tomorrow (at Rosemont High school, stop by if you are in town) and Jeff has spent the rest of his vacation working overtime so we will have money for Christmas and helping me with the kids so I can finish up what I need to do for this craft fair.
Yes, I do have the best guy.
I am grateful for Jeff and the simple fact that I was lucky enough to be picked to be his wife.
I am grateful for everything he does for my family.
I am grateful for everything he does for his family.
I am grateful for the sacrifice me makes every time he walks through the doors at work. His life is on the line everyday.
I am grateful for the 6 beautiful children he has given me and that he is such a great dad.
I could go on and on....
I do have the best guy.

Thankful Thursday - Matthew and Mother-in-Law

2010-11-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

A new post I decided to start.
It is all thanks to this wonderful month of Thanksgiving.
But I also wanted to do it to help remind myself of the things I am truly grateful for.

I am grateful I have my son Matthew.
He is 14 almost 15 years old. (man, I feel old)
He is such a great kid.
He has ADD and something else, we are going to have him tested, if only to get a name for his unique yet frustrating thing he has.
He is so fabulous with little kids.
I can trust him to give Emma and Michael a bath. He doesn't complain and he loves it. I think he has more fun than they do.
He loves black...mostly clothes and not for any dark reason, just a phase.
Somedays, he makes me feel like a great mom.
I am grateful for the things he has taught me and for everything he is.

My Mother-in-law has been over twice this week.
I LIKE HER ALOT!!!!!
Which if you knew me 16 years ago, you would not believe me.
I do. She is wonderful.
Jeff left town Halloween night to join his Father in North Carolina, to help fix up the house they own out there. They have been renting it out for years....20+ years.
It has gotten so bad from the last renters they have to fix it up and sell it. (the previous renter was deployed and his wife did not take care of the place)
My mother-inlaw has been here FOLDING MY LAUNDRY.
Yes. She washed,dried and then folded it.
You should see the beautiful stacks of laundry sitting on my couch.
I dont even want to move it. It willnever be the same. It will never be as nice.
She has done my least favorite chore.Several times!!!!!
She graciously came over just to help me out.
Thanks Mom, I love you.
She knew I would be overwhelmed with out Jeff here. And she was right.
I am so grateful for her and my father-in-law. With out them, I would not have the husband I have, and the life and family that I do have.
Now, go back to your blog and post what you are grateful for.

Tasty Tuesday - Mini Cinnamon Ginger Sandwich Cookies

2010-11-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the Holidays.
I got this from a magazine called LDS Living. (I forget what issue.)
But they are soooo good.

Cinnamon Ginger Cookies
1 cup
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp light corn syrup
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 cup quick oats
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 ground cloves

Cream butter and sugar.
Add corn syrup and eggs.
Mix well.
Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix well.
Roll into teaspoon size balls.
Bake at 350 for 6 minutes or edges are brown.
Remove cookies from oven and use glass dipped in sugar and flatten cookies.
(spray bottom of glass with cooking spray and then dip in bowl of sugar.)
Let cookies cool one minute and then remove to a cooling rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
8oz cream cheese
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well and layer one cookie with desired frosting, top off with another cookie. They freeze well too! Enjoy. Trust me the smell in your kitchen alone when baking them is worth it.

Long Time Gone

2010-11-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time since I have posted.
Sorry, it has been a crazy few weeks.
I am still doing a craft fair with my awesome Aunt Kathie.
Ribbons and hair clips.
Very excited. I hope we sell them all.
I had my birthday.
Which was more than fabulous!
It started on Tuesday, Jeff let me go out with my Aunt Kathie and we had lunch and shopped.
And then Wednesday on my birthday, I got to sleep in. I got breakfast in bed. All my favorites too. I got to hang out with Jeff. (I insisted on doing the dishes, I can't believe I actually like to do the dishes now)
My mother-in-law came over to hang out. (My father-in-law is North Carolina fixing up a house they rent out).
She brought THE MOST FABULOUS CARMEL I have ever eaten.
What a treat!
Then my sister Carrie comes over to highlight my hair. (so bummed, we didn't have time for the Pink I wanted.
My mom came and picked me up for shopping and lunch.
Back home and Jeff dinner ready....pizza, my favorite, and then off to the movies with my mom and some gal pals.
Halloween Carnival at the church on Friday was the best I have ever been too.
LOVED IT! Kids had fun.
The day getting ready for it was CRAZY!
Saturday night was a trunk or treat at my mom's church building and it almost made me insane. I lost half of my kids in the first 15 minutes. I hate doing that stuff with out Jeff.
Be grateful your husbands have a 9 to 5 job ladies, mine works 2 to 10pm. (except for my fellow Correctional Officer Wives, I know you totally get it)
We went to my Mom's for a fun open house.
My mom decorates beyond normal. It is awesome. (see previous October Posts for pictures)
Sunday we had a blast. I woke up with a breast engorged...I know TMI, but I think it is infected....Then flu like symptoms. I feel fine today.
It was awful trying to get Jeff ready to go, feeling worst than sick, and getting ready for Halloween.
We carved our pumpkins and we decorated the front of the house with spider webs and bat lights. A light up skeleton too. The boys had fun with Jeff. I was mostly on the couch feeling awful.
As soon as we got home Saturday night I took the kids candy away. I went through it all and picked the stuff I know they won't eat and will be tried and thrown on the floor.
I set it aside for our Trick or Treaters.
I made 66 bags, each bag had a penny candy (tootsie roll-like) and a small candy bar or bubbles and a spider ring.
Then I opened a box of Halloween shaped pretzels (40 individual packs... 2 left and 2 eaten) plus some of our candy...we had about 110 trick or treaters.
I didn't take the boys because it was Sunday. I don't let them swim or play with friends on Sunday, so they knew trick or treating was not happening.
They didn't even complain.
They had so much fun passing out the candy.
I say, every 6 years or so, isn't gonna kill them to miss out on trick or treating.
It was a good day until Jeff had to leave. His mom took him to the airport where he will be gone in North Carolina helping his dad with the house.
I had to call for help. feeling as sick as I was, the boys being bad, my sister Carrie came to the rescue and helped get them to bed.
I feel much better today, except for the boob pain.
I let Matthew stay home in case I felt terrible. I guess he didn't need too.
I need to get back to work making those flower clips.
We will be at Rosemont High school for a craft fair on November 13th. Come and see our stuff...and buy some too. It is for a good cause..... the Bigney family Christmas Fund. lol

Tasty Tuesday - Carrot Cake

2010-10-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

*Edited*

Okay, It took a few days longer then I wanted, but I can finally get this recipe down.

This is a recipe from a book my wonderful mother-in-law gave me for a wedding present. I have used it several times. (both the recipe and book)
The Cream Cheese Frosting is a recipe form a friend from Susanville. Dana Draves. (AWESOME lady) She used it for her Homemade Oreo Cookies.

Jeff asked me to make this for the other officers he works with and I decided it would be easier for him to take cup cakes and a bowl of frosting to frost the cakes them selves.
I ran out of cup cake papers for my cupcake tin, but this recipe probable makes 36 cupcakes if not more.
I made 24 mini cupcakes, 12 cupcakes, a small 8x8 pan of cake mix, and 3 heart shapes mini cakes.
This is the moistest carrot cake I have ever eaten.
Just thinking about this makes my mouth water. I wish I had some of the stuff for this recipe, I would make it right now, and take a picture of it for this blog.

Carrot Cake

Mix together:
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
*set aside

Cream together:
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped nuts (recipe calls for only 1/2 a cup, but I like more)
1 small can crushed pineapple (8 1/2 oz.)

Combine dry ingredients with creamed ingredients and Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes in a 9x13 pan.
Ice with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 8 oz bar cream cheese; softened
1 cube butter: soften
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon( I added that)

Cream together and frost cooled cake or cupcakes
Enjoy...I know I will.

It takes Magic

2010-10-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

I finally got my Internet up and running again. ( I was late on my payment...did I mention I was sick and tired?)
I have been sick with a annoying head/sinus cold and the only thing I wanted to do was sleep. or veg on the Internet.
Since I am a mom and not allowed to do either... I suffered through the last 2 days as....
a mom.
You aren't allowed to be sick when you are a mom, and I know I have complained about this before. So I am annoyed with my self that I am complaining again.

I sat down to look at a cousin's blog and I decided to catch up on every ones blog too.
As I read the posts I got jealous and sad.
I don't have what they have to keep my blog going anymore.
I don't have the magic.
It has to be magic.
And It is not the just the blogs I am talking about.
They have lives, they do stuff. I dont.
I sleep, I cook, and clean, and cook and clean, and then cook and then clean and thend sleep. (I do homework and laundry too.)
I have 2 blogs, I don't blog on either. (so don't worry, you aren't missing out on anything.)
I don't have the time, or the "want" to make the time anymore.
I have mentioned this earlier on a blog post that I LOVE blogs, but I just don't have time.
I am here again, as I listen to the music of my blog, blogging away, complaining about not having time and wondering where you all get your time to blog or even sit at the computer.
YOU MUST BE MAGIC!
Well, share this magic you have! don't be selfish or rude.
Sooo not fair.
I really don't have much to Blog about.
I have 6 kids, and I have a house to keep clean, a husband to keep happy, family to spend my time with, and an obsession with making girly hair clips from flowers and ribbons. (I blame my aunt Kathie,and plus we decided to take our talents and "hair pretties" to a craft fair and try and sell them for some scrapbook supply money..well that is why I want the money, thank you Arnold for taking my fun money from my hubby's check)
My house is far from clean today and it is no where near the organized clean I want it to be.
I know, I have made time to blog, so why am I not cleaning/organizing?
Besides, the fact that it is 12:49 am and every little or big person I have given birth to or for is asleep....this is the only time I can blog.
Did I mention I have 6 kids and a husband?
....so I is tired.
I will sum up.
My house is messy, but clean.
I am busy.
My kids are still alive.
My husband is happy.
Isn't that all that matters?
Now share your magic trick!
how do you do it?

Hello, My name is Katie

2010-10-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am almost 37 years old.
I love sleeping, but do not sleep much.
I am a very creative person.
I always thought I was shy, but I learned I am just afraid.
I hate to talk on the phone. (except for 3 people, you know who you are)
I love shopping for food and things, except clothes. (especially when our budget is large and I can buy things to bake many recipes)
I love to bake. (that is why I am 100+ lbs over weight)
I would rather be at home than anywhere else.
I am a mother of 6 kids. 5 boys and 1 girl. (but not in that order)
I like helping people.
I really like having a clean kitchen, and I don't mind doing it myself.
I hate folding laundry. (that's why there are 4 loads in my family room right now just waiting to be put away)
I love hanging out with Jeff.
I married Jeff 16 years ago.
I think Jeff is awesome. (most of the time...what? He's a boy)
I LOVE the color pink. (but my kitchen is red and yellow, with chickens)
I love to read, but never have time anymore.
I think my boys are the cutest boys ever.
I think my Emma girl is the prettiest little girl ever born.
I hate doing yard work and will probably never have a garden.
I need to find out where my 2 little kids are right at this very moment, but I am not ready to stop blogging.
I challenged myself to read the Book of Mormon before my 37th birthday and I am in Helaman. ( I have 21 days to finish it.)
I am not impressed with most of the movies out there today. (not even the Twilight movies...don't get me wrong, I like them, but I have yet to buy New Moon and I haven't watched my Twilight DVD in over a year)
I often put my foot in my mouth and hurt peoples feelings.
I hate hurting anyone.
I often wallow in worry and self pity when I unintentionally and accidentally hurt someone. (I am there now)
I am avoiding the mess in Emma and Michael's room.
And the mess and Caleb and Sam's room.
And the mess in Matthew and Nathan's room.
I LOVE having my room clean. (yes, it is clean)
I hate making my bed.
I have to think of something for dinner tonight.
I hate the furloughs my husbands paycheck suffers
I miss my extra $500's in my grocery budget. (I have 6 kids to feed)
I have a screaming 1 year old hanging on my computer desk, begging for a nap...or a drink of water. (that cry means a lot of different things)
I am jealous of anyone skinny...or smart...or organized.
I regret all the times I skipped pre-algebra in high school.
I have to go now. (the screaming is getting louder)
I have a head ache.

Busy me

2010-09-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

Well, really I am just sitting at the table most of my days making hair pretties!
ANother addiction that has taken over my life.
I am being creative ...so that is good.
I am still doing my motherly and wifely duties....so that is good too.
My poor family though.
I hardly see much of my sisters any more.
I am hanging out with my awesome aunt Kathie ALOT.

We had 2 birthdays. Emma is potty trained.
Mikey is totally walking.
and Nathan is doing better in school.
Sammy is still loud and Matthew is Matthew.
All is swell.

so sad

2010-09-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

before i tell you why, i have to tell you that it is silly.
And I totally understand if you think I am a brat.
'Cause I ususally am.

MY CELL PHONE BROKE!
okay, now I can still use it as a phone.
But if anyone knows me, I am a texting girl all the way.
I can't text.
I can't look at texts, I can't set any settings on my phone.
I am like frozen in time.
I have a ton of things to do today, but I need to figure out what to do next.
Do i order a new phone?
Do I take mine into a verizon store to dee if they can fix it?
Do I use Jeff and he gets a new phone?
I just bought 2 ring tones.
SUper sad. I loved my phone.
I am a super fast text-er on that phone.

a funny thing

2010-09-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

It is funny now.
To me, I do not feel the need to blog.
I honestly didn't think it would happen to me.
But it did.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this blogging world, I just don't think what mundane things that are going on in my life are that interesting enough to put on my blog anymore.
Really, my life is boring.
Jeff gets up with Matthew who is now in seminary and gets him off to that at 5:45am. He gets rest of the boys up, and started and I get up and finish getting them off to school.
Then we go back to bed IF Mikey and Emma are still sleeping. (hoping to change that to exercising)
We eat and hang out, do laundry, run errands and then unless it is a Monday or Tuesday, he goes to work. (Sunday we attempt to go to church)
I hang out with Emma and Mike and my Aunt Kathie, and then the boys get home.
I do a lot of talking loud saying things like...." Do you have Homework?" or "Do your chores before you play outside?" ...or... "No video games, unless your room is clean" ( I really stuck to my guns on that one, and they haven't played in weeks, because they don't want to clean their rooms...I still make them)
I clean a lot.
No, really A LOT!
I cook dinner, Homework, more chores, and cleaning, get ready for the next day and off to bed for the boys.
There are a lot of funny things that happen in between, but honestly, the house keeping and the lack of sleep, and I believe, all the fumes from the cleaning supplies, I forget almost everything.
All kidding aside, My life is great.
We are DIRT POOR, but we have each other, a place to live, family close by, friends and food to eat. What more could I ask for? (actually, a few more things wouldn't hurt)
I love my kids.
Mikey is THE most adorable little baby boy I have ever seen.
No, I am not kidding.
His face smile is contagious. He makes me so very happy.
Emma is so funny. So cute. and so........ 3.
the boys are boys.
Gross. Gross. And Gross. But funny a lot of the time.
Except for the fighting, they don't tell you that.
They fight A LOT!
But it is usually over and they are hugging and saying sorry before mom can make them hug and kiss in the front yard.
They are less frustrating ..... I wonder why....
See, my life is boring, not really blog worthy.
Don't worry, I will be here in a few days to bore you some more.
Are you kidding, me not blog?
That would be like the sun not being yellow?
So weird.

Flash Back Friday - Day dreaming

2010-09-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

I only post this picture to try and remember what it was like to be cold.
And at the time of this picture, all I wanted was to be warm.
I am not of fan today, I really dont like this weather......
This hot, gross sweaty, make you all kinds of cranky, freakin' Sacramento weather.

I do miss the snow.

The cold, white, and wet perfection, I wish I had some of right now.....

......in a cup with some snow cone flavor on top.

cherry, pineapple and lime.

Yummy.

Tasty Tuesday - Pasta Bake

2010-08-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

This recipe I got from my sister-in-law Karin.
I have tweaked and added a few things to it.
So easy too.

Katie's Pasta Bake
1 lbs ground beef or Italian sausage
1 can/jar Spaghetti Sauce
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 whole carrot finely diced
4 cups shredded cheese
4 cups uncooked penne pasta (bow tie works too and is fun for kids)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Brown ground beef or sausage.
Drain grease and add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, carrots and seasonings.
Stir until blended and add brown sugar and mix well.
Let it come to a boil and reduce to medium heat until pasta is cooked.
Cook pasta for 8 minutes and NO MORE . (The pasta will cook more in the oven)
Drain noodles.
In a large bowl, add noodles and 2 cups cheese. mix well.
Add 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish.
Spread sauce on the bottom of casserole dish.
Measure 1 1/2 cups of sauce and set aside.
Add the the rest of the sauce to the pasta in the bowl.
Mix well and add to the casserole dish.
Spread remaining sauce over pasta.
Spread 2 cups of cheese over the top and cover with foil.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

We had it last night for dinner.
It was quick and easy.
And Super mom here snuck in some veggies. Hee hee
It is my easy version of Lasagna.
I hope you like it.

Feeling Guilty

2010-08-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Guilty.
I have nothing new to say.
Okay, so I have nothing new to say that wouldnt bored you to death.
The boys have been in school for 11 days.
Yay ME!
I already hate homework and so do they.
I went to meet the very awesome Monica. (MY wonderful and Awesome friend from Susanville.)
Jeff and I, with the 2 little ones, met her in Modesto to go to lunch for her birthday. We went to Olive Garden. Our favorite place!!!!!!!
(her birthday was technically the next day but I could only go when Jeff was off)
We had a great time, and I, the ONE who never gets anything different, never tries anything new....tried something different.
I usually get the Alfredo with grilled chicken, but that day I got a Portobello sauce and linguine with chicken. It was sooooo good.(i don't like their red sauces)
So much FUN!
She gave us a box of gently used and much needed clothes that her son out grew. (thanks Monica)
We are just trying to get into the new routine of School and homework. I am not sure what I would do if they had a sport.
They need that, but at the same time, they need to spend most of their time on homework and reading.
Just a fact.
I guess that makes me a bad mom. ( I get grief about it from many)
Jeff's truck is breaking down, again.
Big surprise, since it is like a 100 years old. (only 25) but it just needs new everything.
I feel like I am soooooo tired.
Good thing is, I am too tired and too busy to be depressed. (No need for more meds, I guess.)
I am also having fun with my Aunt Kathie, who is more like a big sister than and Aunt.
She is so much fun to hang out with.
We have been covering notebooks, (see a few previous posts)
We also have been playing a card game called Hand and Foot. We have to convince 2 more people to join in, since it is a four player kind of game.
And we are getting ready to scrapbook and make hair clips... well I am.
I am obsessed.
I have also been so obsessed with having a clean house.
Weird, I know.
I can't sit still for long.
I need to have everyone constantly cleaning up their chores, which isn't good for them, because they stopped helping....they got tired of it....
The whole, mom thing has really gotten bad.
and I mean Mom thing, as in ME being their mom.
I think they forgot, unless they need something other then what they can get into without asking, that I am their Mom and I have authority.
They all think because it is there they are entitled to have it.
They WILL NOT listen if they have it in their mind they don't want to.
They made me cry yesterday.
I am cleaning my house for a visit from a dear friend, and I wanted just clothes put away. Their clothes.
They had no more room, I thought we just had to many clothes.
I was wrong.
They didn't want to pick up the blankets and towels and either removed them from their room or put them on their beds, so they decided to stuff it in their drawers. (which explains why they are broken)
BLANKETS AND TOWELS in thier drawers!!!!!!
I found wet and dirty jeans too.
I hit the roof. No one was safe from Mom's wrath. (Poor Emma and Mikey.)
I had to take the time to go through every drawer. And they did have too many clothes. (I have to get rid of more clothes)
I ended up calling my Mom. She is usually the voice of reason, when it gets that bad.
Unless you have 4 boys that are ages 14 to 7, then you will never understand completely.
She just said frankly..."boys don't like to clean. They DO NOT see the point"
And that is when I understood.
It clicked.
t made perfect sense.
I never saw it from their side of the brain.
I was almost instantly not furious.
I did also pray.
Mostly for forgiveness, but also for the fact that if they didn't get some divine intervention, they would not survive the rest of the day.
I have to find a way to teach them to clean and be responsible people, with out it being horrible.... you know what I mean.
Horrible for me.
Heh, heh, hee hee!
Jeff and I worked our fannies off this morning. (I should clean like that every day, it was a work out)
I am thinking of doing it 3 times a week.
There was nothing for the boys to do after school, but play.
See, my super awesome friend Reagan was here from Susanville. She stopped on her way to Fresno with her adorable kids.
We went to Mountain Mikes Pizza. (kinda embarrassed about that, it wasn't very good.)
And then we got back just in time for my kids to get out of school.
They played, we visited.
It really made me want to cry.
Just seeing her.
I miss my Susanville life.
I love my life here, but I miss that part of my life. I think it like when I got married. I missed my single life and the freedom's I had and the safety I had in living with my parents.
I miss the safety of that little town. the people there.
It was really fun.
She is hoping to come back on her way back to Susanville and we are gonna get our Crafty on and make hair bows and flower clips.
Not much is going on.
We are Fighting the homework battle 4 nights a week.
Matthew started Seminary at 6:05 am. Yuck! (like Sunday school/church for our youth in the AM before school...helps keep them grounded)
Boys are driving me crazy.
Michael is almost walking.
Emma is almost completely potty trained.
My house is almost organized. (not really, but i want it too be)
My husband is happy.
I am tired. (big surprise)
We are good.
I am feeling guilty for sticking you with the same post for over a week.
Sorry about that,.
Obviously, I am busy.

Our Vacation...(in great detail) AWESOME!

2010-08-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

Irish Beach, California

I smile just thinking about our vacation.
It wasn't much of a laid back, hardly work kind of vacation.(the cleaning and the packing and the unpacking and the more cleaning)
But it was sooo good!
I don't believe that doing dishes and cooking for family ON VACATION is a chore.
I LOVE IT!
So if you ever want to go camping and don't want to do your dishes, invite me along, because I love doing dishes while camping. And cooking!
Call it the pioneer part of me.
I love heating the water and washing , rinsing and drying the dishes. Even the little plastic forks and spoons. I love it...makes me wanna go camping.
Sorry, got off track.
Friday, I was half way done with the packing. Just had to cook and freeze somethings for dinners and dessert. (I made taco meat and cookie dough, and I would do that for camping too)
I had to wash and fold and put away a ton of Laundry, clean my whole house.
I HATE a messy house after vacation.
The boys were not as helpful with the actual work part, but they played with Michael and Emma. Which helped a ton!
Jeff decided to not work on Saturday so he could help me, but somehow.......anyway.....long story short, Sunday morning at 4 am I went to bed.

After I put together their goodies bags for the road trip.
But everything was done, so we just had to load coolers and people and leave.
You would think.
We over slept and got up at 7:30.
I pack way different than Jeff. They say men are more logical...well....Not that Jeff isn't, it is just that I am too. When it comes to packing and fitting everything in.
Another part of my pioneer side, i think.
Got everything loaded on 30 minutes later .

We were an half and hour late to meet Jeff's parents
See we have a car than doesn't fit all of us. Yes, we still have it.

there is this thing in California called FURLOUGHS, and it has killed us.
(Sooooooo glad we did not purchase another car)
So we had to meet up with them on the way and put one of our smaller children (Caleb)in the back seat of their truck. (it was so awesome of them to offer, I am not sure how long the boys would have sat back there and without killing each other.)
We met at a farmers market and picked up some (we splurged) pistachio's and some banana chips for Jeff.
Off we went.
After 4 hours+...and one stop at Mc Donalds,we made it to the beach house.
LOVED IT!
Lots of space for the kids to run around out side. big kitchen. 3 rooms very nice. 2 bathrooms.
Unload, unpack, and relaxed (for 5 minutes) and off to the beach....well first to the store. (4.99 for a 6 pack of Pepsi) If I didn't need celery for dinner (chicken salad sandwiches, I will post the recipe tuesday) I would have not gone at all.
Since we planned $ for this stupid store, it was all good.
The beach was VERY COLD and VERY over cast.....and VERY awesome.
I often wonder about people who live their whole lives with out seeing the ocean.
It is very sad.
It is my 3rd favorite place to be....(Jeff and the kids is first...Not telling my 2nd) Jeff and I talk about retiring there. It would be nice.
The kids loved it.

Emma loved to dig, boys looked for lizards and sand crabs, and Mikey ate sand.

I just smooshed my toes in the sand and took a deep breath.
Back home to do dinner and get kids off to bed, dessert and then adults played Hand and FOOT!!!!
Girls against boys! Boys ruled....that night.
We all slept in, Jeff made eggs and bacon, we were just slow paced and lazy, packed up for the beach and off we went.
Mikey fell asleep in the car on the 'less than 5 minute drive' to the beach parking lot. (private security card to get in...no crowding= AWESOME!)
So I decided I would hang back in the car and let him sleep. I had my book, and MP3 player. I would suffer.
NOT!
I had my book, no kids, the waves crashing in the background and some beach snacks.(I forgot the pringles and amazing fruit Biz)
I was not sad at all. He woke up after 2 hours and we went down to the family. Mikey ate sand. He loved it.
Did I mention before that it was over cast when we got there...?
yeah. It was again on Monday. And Cold.
I did not pack my kids or myself, for cold.
Last time we were there it was HOT HOT HOT!
We just bundled up under blankets and unused towels. (no swimming it was so cold)
Back up to the house for dinner,(we stuffed ourselves with potato salad, BBQed tri tip steaks, chicken, burgers, and hot dogs) an awesome Family Home Evening lesson from Grandma, Smores out side, because the grill was still warm from dinner.

Another game of HAND AND FOOT!
GIRLS RULED that night!!!!!
Tuesday was a little tiny bit warmer, but still cool.
We decided, okay, it was me, I decide to do a pirate day and got the boys a whole bag of pirate stuff. A hat, and eyepatch, tattoo's, gun, dagger, and compass.
Jeff's dad and Jeff left early to the beach to bury the treasure for our treasure hunt.
Jeff's dad is so awesome. He put together a map and clues.
We put on our tattoo's and off to the beach again we went.

Guess who fell asleep? Guess who had to stay behind? Guess who wasn't sad?

I did miss the Treasure Hunt. But Jeff took some great pictures.(see other blog for more pictures) We stayed a very long time avoiding the late dinner and not wanting to go back to the beach house to pack up for our trip home.

But not before going to look for some cool stuff.
This family collects rocks and shells. This is Mom and dad searching for cool rocks and shells. The best place to find stuff is around this Giant rock.
I came prepared and got the boys a Small 5x5 box with a lid that they could put stuff in. If it didn't fit in, it didn't get to come home.
We had a Shell and Rock Collection Competition. I was the judge, because I didn't collect anything. I even made some instant trophy's out of tin cans, paper bags, some shells I bought and some scrapbook sticky dots. That was fun.

Caleb won.

Everyone got a trophy.
We played our last game of Hand and Foot.

Girls ruled once again.
It was sad leaving the beach house Wednesday morning.

On our way out we stopped at the Point Area Lighthouse.

(the same light house used in the movie "Forever Young" with Mel Gibson)

It costs $1 per kids and $7.50 per adult to climb to the top of the light house and go inside the musem. I went the last time, so I didn't miss not going. Jeff and the boys made it all the way to the top. It was such a beauitful view from the lighthouse.

It is a tradition we come every time.

The whole weekend was just so much fun!

I hope we get that same beach house next year.
We did have the best time.
Not everyone can say they like/love their in laws.
But can say with my whole heart, that I truly do. I love them.
They are such a great example of the gospel and I love just being around them.
I have really gotten to know my mother in law more over the last few years, and we have a lot in common.
I can not wait for next year!!!!!
We had a good ride home. We got lost once, but we made it back into Sacramento in enough time (7:30pm) to get the boys fed and off to bed. Since School started the next day, I ran over to Kohl's and dropped almost $300 for shoes and clothes. (they had to have something new for the first day of school, right?) I shopped the sales. Not one shirt was over $9.99 and the shoes "Tony Hawk Vans", and Matthew's vans we not more than $35. (regular priced was $50 and $60 a pair) (Times the shoes by 4. four boys = expensive)
I had to hit Walmart for underwear and socks and some school supples. Snack food for lunches. I didn't get home to unpack or go to bed until after midnight.
I was exhausted and needed another vacation.
But I got it done. I wont get everything from the trip put away for weeks, but it will be worth it.
It was worth all the worry, planning, time wasted, work, lost sleep and money.
I would do it every other month if I could. Even if the beach was cold.
Thanks Mom and dad for a fabulous vacation.

Journal Books

2010-08-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

These books were so much fun and cost me all of 25 cents plus tax. I used the scrapbook supplies on hand and even used a couple of Swaps from years ago.

Mine (obviously)
Emma
I decided to use mostly rub-ons, because if she wanted to draw in it, she wouldn't pick at any of the "extra" embellishments that I would normally put on.
I am gonna write in it some of the things she says and funny stuff she does.

I made this for Sammy at first, but I found different paper that suited Sammy more, so I gave this one to Michael.

Matthew, love black and anything rock and roll.

Nathan like music and green.

Caleb liked this and bugged me for 2 days over this one.

(it's cowboys)

Robots for Sammy.

he loved it.

I am hoping to catch some Art from these guys. they draw all the time and I would love to have it all in one book.

And it is way fun.

I will help anyone who wants to do one.

Just let me know.

Quite frankly....

2010-08-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am so much to say and soooooooo little time.
I should be getting dressed this Saturday morning, but I have been trying to go as long as I can in my night gown. Because If I get dressed it means I have to get going.
I want to avoid the day and just sleep through it. Not depressed or anything just plain ol' tired.
In the last 2 weeks I have only gotten about 5 days of sleep.
I am living on 4 to 5 hours or less a night. (more less)
I know it is mostly my fault and is all for purely selfish reasons.
I like my peace and quiet.
Michael, that sweet baby that he is, took a nap at 8:30pm. He probably would have slept longer if it were not for a loud child that was over for a sleepover yelling down the hallway.
Mikey stayed up until 1am. I crawled into bed, after my late night shower, (it helps me relax) at 2 am.
My sister was bringing over a nephew for me to watch at 8am and that was after Jeff left for an over time shift at 5am.
For the last week...Mikey has been a good baby and is sleeping in his crib all night long. Now, if I got to bed at a decent hour I could get more sleep, giving more energy to do more things, making me happy that I get a lot of things done.
That would be normal.
Now I am not sure if you noticed, I am not your normal woman of these modern days. I hate to do things like everyone else.
I decided last week to make this journals. (i took pictures, posting them later) for my kids. It started out just one for the beach trip. I stole the idea from my awesome Aunt Kathie who made a "Bride" Journal for her soon to be daughter-in-law.
We have been several times to the beach with Jeff's parents, but for some reason I thought it would be nice to get our feelings of being with family and the time we spent together from everyone, not jsut me....and get it on paper.
I covered the book, which started a whole new trend . I had to make them for my kids. I knew they would write in their journals, mostly just drawing, but I love what they draw.
Then I decided to make little goodies bags they would get each day we were at the beach. (no I didn't take pictures...not every day) I decorated a bag for each day and I put something to eat like a rice crispy treat, some sunglasses, mini binoculars, and a note pad and pen.(that was the first day) they loved it and it kept them busy in the car as we traveled up to the beach.
So off tract..... but doing all this and getting organized for the beach, having my Awesome friend Monica here for a few days, and helping my aunt cover the journals she did for other family members..... I developed a pattern of staying up late.
So ........back to Mikey.....
(if sleeping from 1am to 8 am is sleeping all night.)
He went back to sleep until 10ish. so i did get a bit of sleeping in.
My sister texted and said no nephew.
So I am just tired. I have no energy to get going on anything.
I need to get going, but.....
we will see.
I am not quite ready to start my Saturday.
I am gonna try and post about our FABULOUS beach trip.
and post pictures.
Quite frankly....it may never happen.

frustrated!

2010-08-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

soooo much to do.
so little time.
and up until today soooo little help.
I am just not sure I will survive.

while I pack for vacation...did I mention this is a house so we can cook our own meals? (we cant afford to eat out)
Yes, i have to plan food and pack it.
Been planned for weeks, just have to pack it.
And pack 8 people, and potty train emma.
She is ready.
Unexpected money issues and waiting until we leave to get some fresh ingredients...is just pushing me over the edge.
wish me luck!

Still Busy

2010-08-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am so busy.
I also hate my computer.
I don't have time to wait for it to do what it does to get ready for me.
I am getting ready for our one and only vacation this year.
We are headed to the beach with Jeff's parents. They rented a house.
I was keeping it a secret from the boys, but I need help from them to get ready.
I have lists.
I have list for my lists.
I am trying to slowly work on everything so I am not slammed on Saturday.
So excited.
It is almost 8 PM and I have not made dinner..... again.
I am still fighting depression.
I refuse to be depressed, but I am really sensitive.
I broke a door last night and shamefully used a few colorful swear words at Jeff because I spilled my ice water on the couch.
I decided to cool off and go for a drive.
(I didn't mention Mikey had woken up and was just screaming and would not calm down and go back to sleep)
I was hoping for words of comfort from Jeff and a hug. (when will men learn, sometimes we just want a hug)
But he made a rude comment and I left.
I killed to birds with one stone.
I hit Wendy's for some comfort food...a Wendy's chocolate frosty and fries...(yes I got some for Jeff)
and I got Mikey back to sleep, which he proceeded to sleep all night!
Now the door doesn't close all the way unless you make it shut.
Oh well, I admit it...I have a temper sometimes.
I wont go into to the mundane reason for my complaining to Jeff for a hug and got a fight out of it instead.
He texted me and said he was sorry.
I m doing good.
But I am just so stinkin' busy.

Busy Me.

2010-07-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

I really want to blog.

I do think about it.

But my family and creative needs come first.

I am planning menu's and grocery lists.

I am planning activities and a list of things needed for our beach trip.

I am making a few things for our beach trip, too. (hush on that, the boys still don't know)

So I am busy.

I am fine.

Good really, it feels great to be busy creating things.

I am almost obsessed.

I don't want to stop.

My laundry is building up in my garage but I can't stop.

Don't worry, my children are well fed and clean....their clothes aren't.... but we have winter clothes right?

Off to be creative and other motherly things.

Busy, busy, busy me.

lots o' bloggin'

2010-07-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

I blogged .
Like 5 times.
So scroll down.
You will like it.

Tasty Tuesday - Ice Cream Sandwich Tower Cake

2010-07-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

I feel bad I haven't done a recipe in a while.
I know I made something the other day was soooooo good, but I forgot. It was a few weeks ago, so I know that idea is gone for good.
But this was Nathan's Birthday and I didn't make a cake. It was payday and shopping for stuff and bill time all at the same time, I ran out of time to bake his birthday cake.
So during Nathan's birthday sleepover I pulled out the box of ice cream sandwiches and..... Ding! (that is the sound of a light bulb moment)
It took less than 5 minutes to make and clean up.
Best part is that Nathan loved it.
I still owe him a real cake.

Ice Cream Sandwich Tower Cake

10 ice cream sandwiches or more (optional)

1 plate

handful of imagination

Well, if the pictures don't show you how to put it together, than maybe you need to practice with some wood blocks. lol

We used the Wal-Mart brand "birthday cake" ice cream sandwiches. You can use more or less and the flavor is optional. Any favor will work.

Broken tip of a Toe and 4 Stitches

2010-07-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is Sammy.
He broke the tip of his toe.
He was doing a kind thing.
He was using our 40+ lbs solid wood bench to barricade Baby Mikey from going into the kitchen. (just like mom does)
He dropped the bench on his toe.
At least 6 tbsp of blood puddled on the floor. I had just put on my night gown to cool off and relax the rest of the day. (it was already a long day, church alone with the kids was the hardest)
As soon as I saw the puddle, we are talking 6 inches around in diameter kind of puddle, I knew it was going to be an even longer day with a trip to the ER.
The boys pick up Sammy and carry him to the kitchen table, (better light) we are all trying to get a good look at it and Mikey slips and bumps his head in the puddle of blood, nice.
Nathan to the rescue.
We get a wet wash cloth, more like clean rag, and cover Sammy's toe. He is wailing and screaming.
Forgetting I am a grown up, (I just call her when ever I am in a panic) I called my mom. I had Mikey. Taking Mikey to the ER. Not fun. She can't help, but really, I didn't need her. I can do this.
I didn't call Jeff at work because he had only 2 hours left on his shift. I can do this.
I can do this.
After I changed my clothes and got Sammy to stop screaming the "most horrible sound in the world" ...it wasn't a cry, it was...... horrible. *shudders*
I tell Matt to take his meds. (for A.D.D.) I load up Michael, Sammy and Nathan and we head out. I mass texted the family to give the the 411, in case I needed any one's help.
I get to the Kaiser ER in Roseville, (which is really nice by the way). the screaming stopped as soon as he found out he got to sit in this cool looking metal "wheelchair like" chair. Registered and got into a room, they threw away his blood filled rag and took a look.
they were nice enough to not say much...at all. I knew it was bad. it looked like it was torn. He was gonna lose the nail.
I took a picture of Sammy in the hospital bed and sent it to Jeff. (he would get it after work)
Nathan played with Mikey in the waiting room. Luckily it had carpet so Mikey didn't have to sit in the little pink stroller we had the whole time. He hated that thing. And luckily my purse still had stuff from church in it too.
Poor thing, I have the pictures on my phone. They are more graphic and way grosser. I might edit this blog post and add the pictures, Not sure yet.
He had to be held down for the numbing shots , 6 at first another one when he got his stitches.
He was bribed with a happy meal, a strawberry milk shake, $1 per shot and stitch and no chores for the week.
He was happy about all of it.
In the end, he got 7 shots, 4 stitches, 3 x-rays, a happy meal with soda, a strawberry milkshake, and a pair of crutches for a broken toe.
Yep, he smashed it good.
The fact that he got $11 and a pair of crutches made it all a little easier.
He milked it for the rest of the week.
He will use his $11 to go and see the "Air Bender" movie. Even though I was the one that took him in, he still choose Dad to take him to the movie.
Goober.

Framed

2010-07-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

I made this frame for my in-laws.

They are some of my favorite people.

I love to spend time with them.

My mother -in-law likes the beach. ALOT.

What do you think?

Will she like it?

Playing with Things

2010-07-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with my favorite things.

SCRAPBOOK STUFF!

But but in NOT your normal scrapbook way.

I have been having the best time with my sister-in-law Jami.

We both have only one girl.

(Me forever, just one girl, and her...well if she can talk my brother into another baby, maybe 2 someday. lol)

We have been making these clips.

For the girls hair.

Flowers and ribbon.

It is so much fun. I am using my supply of scrapbook stuff, and it is kinda freakin' me out....but at the same time I feel so good, being so creative.

I would LOVE to teach anyone how to do it.

Or even play along with someone else. My nights are good, if you don't mind loud boys playing video games in the back ground. (Jeff works until 10pm.)

So if you want to, come on over....all though calling me or texting me is probably a better idea first.

Check it out:

Do you really read it?

2010-07-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Do you really read my blog?
If you do, can you please leave a comment.
It can be anonymous.
I am just curious.

I blogged...

2010-07-22T02:51:00.000-07:00

...on my private family blog.
I tried to blog on this one, but my computer is stupid and slow, I have 6 kids and I am a crazy lady most of the day.
I will try tomorrow.

Tomorrow

2010-07-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow... I will have more time.
Tomorrow... I will be able to blog and both blogs.
Tomorrow... I hope.

internet down

2010-07-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

you have no idea how i have suffered .

funny thing about money..... when you don't have enough, you cant pay enough of the bill.

so.... as you can see, i thought i paid enough to keep us online until the 15th.... obviously i was wrong.

i am using my dad's computer.

i hope to have myself back online soon.

but like i said... funny thing about money.

flashback friday:one year ago...today

2010-07-02T14:29:00.001-07:00

Or something about this time....

We were at Eagle Lake, Susanville Ca.

I miss those "lake Days".

I miss hanging with friends.

I know, you need to be careful what you wish for, and I wished to move home and be with my family.

I am sooooo happy to be here.

I hate that I can't have both worlds.

I REALLY miss feeling so independent.

I really miss that small town feel.

I really miss that ward of interesting and kooky, yet awesome loving people.

I miss that family.

I miss my card nights with Jeff and our friends.

I miss late nights at the casino getting fries and pie.

I miss the girl birthday dinners. (Mazatlan or Happy Garden or Black bear diner baby!)

I miss getting ready for Twilight movies with my peeps.

It didn't even go and see the new one yet.

Nope, Not even to the midnight showing!!!!!!

It just isn't the same with out, Jenae and Monica, and Kim....or Reagan...Jaquelle, Tricia, Dana...Ashley.. the whole group of girls.

I miss my Scrapbook nights with the girls.

I miss the trips to Reno for supplies. It was like a once a month standing date with Jeff.

I miss that everything and everyone was 5 minutes away.

I miss the whole town.

I miss my old life I had a year ago.

I do love 23 of the most adorable boys I can have in my presence to to hug and kiss their cheeks and 4 of the funniest but sweetest little girls within 20 minutes.

I love that I can get a hug from my mom in the same 20 minutes and I love that I can see 5 of the best sisters I have ever had any time I want. I do like my brothers too.

I am happy to be home, but sad to be away from it too.

Does that make sense?

It is summer and all I want to do is load up the kids and head to Eagle Lake.

Would I move back to Susanville?

Yes, I would.

Just say when.

I know.... I will just take turns... A few years there and then a few years here and then a few years there. we will just go back and forth......

Do you think Jeff and my mom will go for it....?

nahh, i don't think so either.

16 years

2010-06-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

Time has flown by.

I never thought I would be where I am 16 years ago.

I hoped we would be happy, we are.

I hoped we would lived in a nice home, we do.

I hoped we would have 6 kids, we do.

I hoped we would have a car we could count on and not break down, so far so good. (although it doesn't fit us)

I hoped Jeff would have a great job and we would have enough money for our needs....Okay so he has a pretty good job, but it is not enough....

I guess 4 out of five ain't bad.

For our anniversary, I was sick.

We have this freaky unintentional tradition of having a crappy anniversary.

Last year, Jeff was at Scout Camp with Jeff.

This year was good.

I felt terrible all day, but I was treated like a queen.

Breakfast in bed, hours of Phase 10 with Jeff, Dinner with no kids and a romantic movie. (Valentines Day...cute, we liked it)

I still really like him and I still really think he is cute.

I love hanging out with him.

I look forward to doing many more things with him.

He is my best friend.

I could not think of any other person I would want to spend eternity with.

I love you Jeff,

I look forward to another 16 years and more...

Dog Sick and Scout Camp

2010-06-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

Yep, I have been sick.
Sick like a dog sick.
Panting and drooling like a dog sick.
I haven't slept well for a week. Michael has been sick and then all the boys had a sore throat and then I got it. (Jeff feels like he is getting it so there goes another few days of getting nothing done but babying a sick hubby)
I felt like I couldn't breathe.
On top of all that....
I have scout camp.
2 boys to get ready.
2 bags of stuff, 2 flashlights to buy. 2 knives, 2 compasses, 2 more of everything.....
I am glad they get to go together. I would worry about my tenderhearted Nathan.
I am not worried ....okay, i am worried, but it is less now.
I have 2 very excited, wont stop playing with their knives and hats, and flashlights to get ready.
and I have 2 boys that have to make the most disgusting room clean before they go.
They have to clean it so we can find everything to pack.
They are making me yell and lose my voice.
They are making my sick head hurt more.
They are 2 boys I am gonna miss so much.
They are also mad at me for cutting all their hair off.
Jeff said no more summer Mohawk, so I tried to do a buzz cut and they wiggled.
Bye bye hair.(Michael cried at the strangers)
My ears hurt and I have to yell at them.
I have 2 other boys who are so sad the older brothers are going to be gone.....NOT!
I already moved the bi9g boys TV fromt heir room (their room was that gross) to the younger brothers room.
And we have made plans to go to the $3 movies and to a sprinkler park and have a sleep over.
Jeff is being more wonderful then ever.
I am looking forward to not having anything to to do.
I wanna lay around like a dog.
Like a dog that sleeps and sleeps and sleeps.......

Double Tasty Tuesday posted

2010-06-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

I didn't post one last week.
I started it, but was overwhelmed with life and saved it.
I forgot to finish it until today. It is a few post down, but it is there.

Tasty Tuesday - Katie's Oven Rice

2010-06-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Now, I understand it is summer and NO ONE wants to turn on their ovens.
But I really like this stuff and think it is worth the heat.

Katie's Oven Rice

3 cups medium grain dry rice
1 can cream of chicken soup; condensed
1 can cream of celery; condensed
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 cube melted butter
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Mix all ingredients together.
Pour into lightly greased 13x 9 inch casserole dish cover with foil.
Make sure rice on bottom is spread evenly. (I picked out the big chunks of chicken and celery from both cream soups. boys hate it...lol)
Cook 45 minutes at 400.
Stir and recover with foil.

Let sit 30 minutes.

Enjoy.

It goes great with.....
Hillshire farms Beef Sausage
Meatloaf balls
Meat Ring
Chicken (almost any kind)

My boys kill the pan and not much is left over.
I added the cream of celery and they have no idea.

You know what?

2010-06-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

I like me.
I like me and I don't care if you don't.
I like my blog.
I don't care if you don't.
I am a good person.
I am weird, but I like weird.
I like being different.
I have this thing about following the crowd. (I didn't wanna read Twilight 'cause
everyone was doing it;but I am soooo glad I caved and read them)
I hate when people try to convince me to do this or that. (subtle hints and not so subtle)
I am not stupid by the way, I may be slower than most and I may be extremely forgetful, but I am not stupid.
I just wanna do things in my own time, from my own decision.
Why am I saying this now?
There is no good or bad reason or thing that happened to make me come on my blog and announce it.
Although it does feel good to say it outloud.
I have been on this not so sturdy fence for months...no years....about me and who likes me and who doesn't, and why don't they like me. Why it matters if they do or don't ?
I used to HATE it when people don't like me (or know the truth of things about me)
Just the thought of someone maybe not liking me or maybe thinking or hearing bad things about me.....used to just set me flying of the wrong edge of the fence.
But I have finally, after MANY PRAYERS, "seen the light"...
I like me.
The me in my brain.
(Me on the outside has a little work to do, like i said before, i will get to it when I am ready, in my own time)
But I feel like now I have hit that part that I needed to get to, that somethin'....that final "light bulb moment"...
I like me.
I am in NO WAY saying that I am perfect.
I have too many flaws to record on the blog and it will defeat the whole purpose of this whole entire revelation I am having.

I am not saying...Poof....I have completely healed on the inside...
No freakin' way. That is too easy and so false.
so I guess i should say I am healing.

For too long time, I have been listening to voices in my head.
(I warned you I was weird)
2 voices....one good and one bad.
I have never believed the good.
"the bad is easier to believe" ...quoted from Vivian in the movie Pretty Woman.
and it is so true....for me.
I am quite sure I am the only one in this blog world who will ever know what I am really talking about.
I think I realized what sparked this revelation.
My family.
My sweet and very beautiful baby girl turned three.
She was the whole reason I started the blog thing in the first place which took me forever to finally cave to....(another "not following the crowd" thing)
If you think I am weird.... you are still reading my blog......lol
back to my revelation....
Emma turned 3....my family came for her party.
(I am going to cry now.)
I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY.
You can argue all you want, but the facts are the facts.
I DO have the best family.
I have a crush on 24 boys.
I can name them all, but these are the young men (plus Jeff) in my family.
Bigney and Scoville.
Monday was awesome, I got the best of both worlds.
My good friend from Susanville, Monica, came for a visit with her adorable family and with her there and my family, I could have died happy... right then and there.
I love them so.
If they like me enough to come, that should be good enough for me.
Am I right?
Seriously, you're still reading, so you have now joined the weird club.
but you know what?
I like weird.

Tasty Tuesday - Meatballs (from Scratch)

2010-06-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

They are really meatloaf balls, it sounds weird.
I was trying to figure out a way to cook meatloaf with out it taking so long.
So I thought, smaller cooks faster.

MeatLoaf Balls

2 lbs of ground hamburger 80/20
1/4 onion; finely chopped
1 or 2 cloves of garlic; minced
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup panko crumbs
1/4 ketchup
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients well.
Use a Large cookie/cupcake scoop or use a 1/4 to 1/3 cup measuring cup.
Mold into ball. Place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
Cover with desired sauce.
cook 400 for 45 minutes.
You can make smaller balls, just lower the bake time.

I made a mushroom sauce to go over the meat balls.
But I am gonna try spahgetti sauce next.

Mushroom Sauce
2 can Cream of mushroom soup
(Next time I am adding) 1 cup sliced mushroom
2 tbsp dried onion soup mix
2 cup beef broth

2 cups hot water
(next time adding)1 package dry gravy mix on

mix well

cook on stove until boils
mix well and pour over meatballs.

this can be served with oven rice, wide egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.

by the way, I am never buying frozen meatballs again.

Typical Day

2010-06-02T13:56:00.001-07:00

Yes, I do clean.
I can't sleep if it is looking like a bomb blew up.
It just looks like this after the boys get off to school.
I am actually looking forward to summer.

Tasty Tuesday - Katie's Potato Salad

2010-06-01T19:57:00.001-07:00

I just made this for Memorial Day.
We BBQ'd with the in-laws and had a fabulous time.
I am sure every one's Potato Salad is not much different.
I just wanna get this down somewhere.

Katie's Potato Salad

5 lbs yellow Yukon Gold potatoes: boiled, skin on
3/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1 large dill pickle; diced
4 green onions, sliced
6 to 7 hard boiled eggs diced
4 tbsp. mustard
1 1/2 tsp onion salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
dash on garlic salt

Peel potatoes and cut into bite size pieces.
Add to large bowl.
Cut pickle, onion and egg. Mix up and set aside.
In smaller bowl , mix, Mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, mustard, onion salt, garlic salt, and salt and pepper.
Add to potato mix and mix very well.
Enjoy.

I like the this best.
My mom make a great potato salad with more Miracle Whip and sweet pickle relish and NO ONIONS.
My Mother in Law uses NO Miracle Whip, but must have onions and dill pickles.
I liked them both and have made my own recipe from both.
For me, I love to eat this room temp and as a side to anything from the BBQ grill.

Flashback Friday - First family Picture

2010-05-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

I should post this on my other family blog (and I might anyway), but i just realized this
was our first family picture.

This was Easter 1996.
Matthew was just a few months old.
A new Dad.
A new Mom.
A new little family.
And oh man, were we new at this stuff.
I mean we were still getting used to being married to each other.
I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
Matthew was such a sweet baby.
He can be sweet now. It comes and goes. He is a teenager.
Whoa, I am a mom of a teenager. (It hits me hard sometimes)
Yes, yes, he was a teenager a year ago too, yes, but he is finally acting like one.
Would I trade this time? yes.
And no, there are so many things he needs to know and I know how to talk to him and explain it.
He is our first teenager and our trial teenager too.
Sounds terrible I know, but we have MANY years of this to deal with teenagers and I need to know what I am doing.
I have 5 missionaries I have to raise.
Yes, Emma could go on a mission too, but let's face it, she is a knock out now, when she is of age to go on a mission, I think she will be snatched up by a return missionary instead.
Being a mother is the hardest thing to do but easiest thing to give my heart too.
Excuse me, I have to go chase down 3 boys to clean their rooms and get ready for guests tomorrow.
Goobers.

Tasty Tuesday - Rookie Cookie

2010-05-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, I tried out a recipe yesterday to post......and I hated it.
Well only half of it.
It was a dessert cookie bar recipe. And I only like the crust part and only in moderation. (I will be trying the crust part of the recipe again next week for a recipe I am inventing)
But I am not a fan, so I am not sharing it here.
I feel so jipped.
I wasted all those ingredients.
I hate that.
Especially when we are so broke.
But the boys ate it, which is not saying much since they will eat almost anything that is sweet.
I had to post a recipe.
Instead I am giving you a link.
This blog is amazing. It makes my recipes look like garbage.
It is called ROOKIE COOKIE. (click on the word Rookie Cookie for the direct link)
She is funny and has some great recipes.
Right HERE is the recipe Index if you just want to look at those and not her other blog stuff.
If you check her out, let me know what recipe you are going to try out and let me know if it is good.
I wanna try the Over Night Cinnamon Rolls...OR..The Greatest Guacamole Ever ...OR....A Sunny Thursday...OR...pretty much everything.
I am so impressed with this Blog she is going over to the right side among my list of favorite bloggers.

Sick

2010-05-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

I am sicker than a dog.
Which does not mean I get time off from Mom duties, it just means I feel like crap while I do everything I normally do.
The Joys of Motherhood are never ending.

Flash Back Friday - Call Me Mom

2010-05-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

(since it is still May, more mom stuff...I am a theme person, get over it)

I have 6 beautiful, awesome creatures that call me mom.

(I can't believe I am going to post this picture)

This first time I was pregnant with my Matthew, I was nervous.

I had babysat for years, and I was a nanny to a baby, but this was my own.

24 hours 7 days a week, never a break.

(Oh come on, Even on vacation or "breaks" we think about our babies)

I went to my Moms A LOT. I called her for advice A LOT.

I got the hang of it eventually.

kinda.

I am still learning.

And I still go to my Moms and call her A LOT!

These are the 6 reasons I get up every day.

These are the 6 reason I have to just endure until the end of the day.

These are the 6 reasons I have to love myself.

These are the 6 reasons I have to believe in myself.

These are the 6 reasons I have live righteously.

I love these 6 wonderful reasons.

Matthew 6 months and 14 years

Nathan 6 months and 11 years

Caleb 6 months and 9 years

Samuel 6 months and 7 years

Emma 6 months and 2 years

Michael 6 months and 7 months

Oh man, my reasons are so stinkin' cute!

Tasty Tuesday - Linda's Lovely Lemon Bars

2010-05-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Trust me.
These are lovely.
They melt in your mouth and have now become my very favoritest dessert.
And they are so easy to make.
I will never, ever, ever buy the box at the store.

Linda's Lovely Lemon Bars
Crust:
1 cup Margarine (softened)
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well and pat into 13x9 inch cake pan. (Mix will be crumbly at first)
Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes (18 minutes is good)
In a bowl beat
4 eggs
Add: (slowly until well mixed)
2 cups sugar
8 tbsp flour
1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is recommended)
Pour on top of hot crust and bake for 25 minutes.
Sprinkle top with Powdered sugar.
Let cool completely.
(it is very good warm, too.)

I don't have to tell you to enjoy because I know you will.
You can thank me later.

I did get permission from My mother-in-law Linda Bigney to put this recipe on the blog. I got the recipe from her. A cook book she gave me when I got married.

Flash Back Friday - Before I was a Mom

2010-05-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

This is a pictures of me at 20 and I was at a Young Adult Dance....before I was a mom.

Not too long after this picture was taken I met Jeff and my life changed.
I was not able to do all the things I liked to do before.
I sometimes think back to those days.
The simple life.... no, it was not simple.
I have come up with a list of things I do and do not miss about my life before I was a mom.
Before I was a mom...I miss:

getting my nails done
sleeping until noon and sleeping all night.
freedom to go to the movies if I wanted
being skinny
My clothes, with out food or baby barf
being pretty
being self-confident
my car
trips to the beach
naps on Sunday after church
hanging out with friends
reading books all day
mom cooking
sitting through church...ALL OF CHURCH
going to dances
going to the bathroom alone
shopping at the mall

Before I was a mom, I don't miss:

feeling lonely
shopping at the mall
worrying about will I ever get married and have kids
looking at babies and dreaming of someday.....
working a job
going to dances

Okay, that is all I could think of... mostly because I am a mom now and I am too busy to ponder anymore...lol

There are more things I am sure. I do miss my single un-mothered life. But I would miss out on so much more.

I would miss Michael's "George Clooney's" half smile.... and Sammy's shy but happy grin when I tell him I am so proud of him.... Or Caleb's laugh...Or Nathan's goofy dances he does when he is happy...Or Matthew's "I'm taller than you Mom!" Or Emma's sweet funny conversations.

I am so grateful my heavenly Father thought I would make a good Mom. I have serious doubts I am doing well at all. But I will keep trying.

It really isn't that hard, they are easy to love.

My Mother's Day

2010-05-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Well, how do I begin?
I made sure many days before Sunday that I had all the right ingredients for myMother's day breakfast in bed breakfast. My favorite sausage and Orange/Pineapple juice.
And then the best gift ever happend ... Jeff got over time.
Jeff got to work an extra shift from 10:30 pm Saturday night to 6:30 Sunday morning.
(One less thing to worry about next month.)

Matthew and Nathan coughed all night and Michael got a runny nose.

I couldn't sleep with out Jeff (weird, I know) so I was up all night too.

I figured church was not going to happen.

He crawled into bed for at least an hour of sleep before the boys woke up eager to make mom breakfast in bed.
The eggs they made looked yummy but tasted burnt, and the sausage looked black but tasted okay.
The Orange juice was perfect.
The flowers and homemade cards were wonderful.
Jeff getting back into bed and left me having to deal with the mess the boys made with breakfast, that part pretty much sucked.
Jeff slept until noon and then I had to drive him to work. (he left his lights on his ttruck and left him with a dead battery) So I sorta volunteered.....
It gave me a few minutes alone. That was a nice present.
I hung out with the boys watching movies and cat napped while Michael napped.
Dinner was Sloppy Joe's. (next weeks recipe)
It is what I wanted.
Boys to bed, more time alone in the car to get Jeff and another sleepless night with a sick Mikey.
Jeff told me because I didn't get my "queen for a day" on Mother's day, I could sleep in on Monday.
Mike had a 6 month check up, which we were an hour late for (only because I remembered it wrong) and so there was not sleeping in for me.
Nap? no, we had to clean up and cook dinner for the In-laws.
It was our gift, along with these very pretty Coral colored roses, for Mother's day to my mother in law.
We had a great time and a delicious dinner and dessert. (i made lemon bars from scratch)
I started to have back pain on Monday night, but hoped it would get better, I was just tired.
Tuesday morning rolled around and it did not go away. I did get to be lazy and I don't think I left the house.
Tuesday night was the worst. I went to bed hoping the pain in my back would get better, but it only got worse.
I could barely breathe. I could not take a deep breath or yawn. I felt like I was getting stabbed in the back every time I took a breath.
I took my very last vicodin left over from when I had Michael. I was saving it up for some serious pain. It helped relax me enough to get some sleep, but then the pain was so bad, we called the advice nurse at Kaiser. (our hospital)
I actually hoped they said, go to the ER, it hurt that bad.I hate going to the ER or doctor's for me.
As jeff was talkign to the guy, I was nursing Michael, and I fell asleep. I could not do that before.
Of course my body would decide to behave as we are on the phone with the advice nurse.
He told me to take some Tylenol ( i had been taking motrin) and to use an ice pack and find a comfortable spot. Try to rest.
I did. I don't think I slept that much in along time.
I think I was exhausted from the pain. I still don't know what it was, and I am still in pain, but not as much.
It still hurts to take a deep breath.
Like I can't fill my lungs with air. I can only go so far before it hurts. and my chest is starting to hurt and I cough almost everytime I take a breath.
I am going to bed early tonight, and gonna try and get more rest. I believe it is my only cure.
I was gonna but Mikey just fell asleep.....
Jeff was awesome. He helped me all night with Michael. He did all the lifting and even hung out on the couch while I slept.
I didn't ask for anything but flowers for mother's day.
Jeff did clean out my car and wash it too. (but the was more for him them me...lol)
He cleaned and cleaned on Tuesday.
He is such a great guy.
I look forward to spoiling him on father's day.
my mother's day was low key and nice.
I look forward to a nap next year.
My favorite part was Sammy's prideful smile after making sausage and and eggs.
And his shy smile after giving me coupons for "helping mom" and "hugs".
So cute.

Tasty Tuesday - Oatmeal Fudge Bars

2010-05-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say I had a picture.
but they got eaten before i could take a picture.
SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD!

OATMEAL FUDGE BARS

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup margarine
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups quick oats
2 1/2 cups flour
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream Brown sugar, margarine, eggs and vanilla together.
Add Flour, oats, baking soda and salt.
Mix well.
Press 3/4 for the dough in to a 13x9 inch casserole dish and set side the remaining dough.
In a sauce pan mix and melt sweetened condensed milk and milk chocolate chips.
Add the walnuts.
Pour over dough and crumble remaining dough on top.
Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

I love bar cookies.
This was a favorite.
I might just make it again today.

For the Record

2010-05-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have to say a few things.
Just to make sure it is said out loud. (and fully understood)

After I found out I was having a boy last May, I had the biggest temper tantrum ever. Yes, I am embarrassed I did it.
It was wrong to say it out loud, so publicly. (at the time, I thought my true friends would understand and most of them did)
The whole thing.... I was more upset over the dreams I had of having to girls and all the things involved with it...shattered......Sister Tea parties and all things girlie.
Lately I have had a few people remark "I am so glad you finally like having Michael"
Seriously?
I got over that a LONG time ago.
And for someone to think I still had issues of it doesn't really know me that well.
I absolutely adore that little boy. He is feisty, smart and funny. (He makes himself laugh)

So for the record.... I have never been more in love with having another boy.

One more for the record.... I have never thought of my self as a great mom.
I never will. I have self esteem issues. (if you haven't already noticed)
My kids are not perfect. ...have I ever thought so?
I love them.
I just try to get through the day, Go to bed and try again not to fail the next day.

For the record.....
Gossip is just bad. Never believe it unless you hear it straight from the horses mouth. Try not to believe the very worst in people. You might miss out on a life long friendship.
I try to give EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. Maybe too much.
And no I don't give a flying flip if you don't want to be my friend. Here, there or on Facebook.
My real friends, like me for me.
The good, the bad, and the really ugly.
No I am not perfect, I mess up a lot.

I feel like I have said this before........

Tasty Tuesday - White Sauce Chicken Enchilada's and Spanish Rice

2010-05-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

I know it is Thursday, but I didn't get pictures (Jeff did it for me), until late that day, and it being Jeff's day off I try not to spend much time on the computer. (unless he is busy with his own thing)
So Yesterday came and went like a flash. I hate those days, I feel like I missed something.
Okay excuses over, here i go.

I LOVE this recipe.
I will never make the red sauce kind ever again. (unless Jeff asks me too.)
I got part of this recipe from a romance book. I know, kinda funny, but she added recipes in her book.
I added my own touches. I hope you try it and like it.

Katie's White Sauce Chicken Enchilada's

Pre-heat oven 375

4 boneless/skinless chicken breast; cooked and diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery
½ cup milk
1 half onion; diced
½ can Jalapeño pepper juice
4 pieces of canned Jalapeño peppers; finely chopped
1 one cup sour cream
12 soft taco size flour tortilla or 24 white corn taco size tortillas (corn tortillas slightly cooked in oil)
4 cups shredded cheese - Monterey jack and cheddar
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion salt
1 tsp garlic salt

Cut up chicken into small bite size pieces. Place in a bowl and set aside
Mix cream of chicken soup, Jalapeño pepper juice and finely diced pieces, milk and sour cream, pepper, garlic and onion salt together.
In a bowl with chicken add 1 cup of sauce. Mix well.
Add 1 cup sauce to bottom of 13x9 casserole pan.
Hold tortilla in palm of hand, add to the middle of the tortilla 2 table spoons of chicken. Add desired amount of cheese.
Roll up tortilla and place in casserole dish open side down.
Repeat last step to all tortillas.
Pour remaining sauce over the top of the Enchiladas
Add desired amount of cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes

I make a Spanish rice to go with it.

Katie's Spanish Rice (from scratch) This makes A LOT!
1/2 cup oil
3 cups rice
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 onion; diced
1 to 2 cloves of garlic; diced
½ can Jalapeño pepper juice
2 pieces of canned jalapeno peppers whole
1 tsp salt
4 cups cup water

In large pot, heat oil.
Add onion and garlic. Cook until they just start to turn golden.
Add rice. This part you have to stir a lot. (this is when I heat my corn tortilla's)
When rice is light brown and white (no longer opaque) and when rice starts to pop or jump....Add water, tomato sauce, salt, peppers and pepper juice.
Bring it to a boil and cover with lid and turn to low.
Cook 15 to 20 minutes.
Try not to lift lid for at least 15 minutes.

Serve.

My Aunt Kathie taught me how to do it and it took me years to perfect it.
So if it doesnt turn out the first time, try again.
I hope you like my recipes.
I am gonna learn how to make refried beans next.

Minutes

2010-05-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

I only have a few minutes to blog.
I keep hearing this word that is totally driving me crazy.
And I have been close to tears all day.
I know it is mostly because I am so tired.
I know, I complain a lot about being tired, but It is true.
I AM SO FREAKIN' TIRED!
NAPS, you ask?
I have a 2year old , who doesn't take naps, and if she did it would not be at the same time as the baby.
GO TO BED EARLY, you ask?
I have a husband who works late and by the time we go to bed, it is late....after midnight. (i like to hang out with him, so sue me....and get your head out of the gutter, I am too tired for that)
WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE, you ask?
I have one wonderful and amazing, yet completely exhausting, frustrating, demanding, full time, 24/7, never EVER, EVER, EVER getting a break or vacation kind of Job.
I am a Mom.
(there's that word again)
Mom.
Mommy.
Mamma.
On my most tired, stressed filled, already feeling guilty kind of days... I do not like to hear that word.
Today is one of those days.
Boys Bad... I mean so bad, i just want to cry and quit my job.
I was having an already stressed, Mikey crying, Jeff gone, needing a nap kind of day.
See.... more guilt has crept in.
I LOVE my kids. I am thinking a break would be nice.
A day of not having to do a dang thing, but nap, and read, watch movies, shopping and playing.
Isn't that what mother's day is for? (Jeff has to work)
Maybe when I am old. And a Grandma....
Well, my mom doesn't get a break, and if I am going be like her when I grow up...
...Okay....well, it was a nice dream.

Flash Back Friday - Me

2010-04-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Mother's day is coming up.
It's not a favorite holiday.
I mean I totally enjoy it and I am glad it is there.
But I can't say I look forward to it...yet.
(It is usually disappointing.)
But, I so am glad I am a mother.

This is a picture of me on my 10th birthday.
I was getting a Cabbage patch new born baby.
It was a boy. (I think it is funny, I didn't even have girl baby dolls)
His name was Christopher Michael.
I was thrilled.
I loved playing with dolls.
Even at age 10.
Playing the roll of Mommy.

I was holding my sweet Michael last night and just looking at his sweet sleeping face on my chest, i got all teary eyed and warm fussy all over.
It made me miss him.
Yes, he was right there, but I almost wanted him to be awake with his big happy smile. He has the best smile.
I thought of my other boys and guilt hit me.
Earlier that night, I realized my boys don't hug me before bed anymore. No kisses good night. Nothing.
I made them hug me. They seemed to love it. I held on a little longer than usual.
They are so big now.
Where did the time go?
How did I miss it?
I didn't miss anything, obviously, I was there. I was just being the Mom.
The one busy.
The one who did almost everything.
The one making sure they were fed and clean and loved.
I was the one who remembered their favorite things. I was the one who encouraged them to try.
I was the one who pushed for homework, chores and clean rooms to get done. Not for my sanity, so they could learn.
I was the one who loved them even when they were rotten stinky boys.
It all feels like a blur.
Where was I when they were growing up? I was here, but I feel like I missed it.
How is that possible?
I think about the day I became a real mom.
December 19th, 1995.
Matthew was so little . Too early and so tiny.
I was so happy. Just happy.
Finally, doing my dream job. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was just so happy.
I look at that picture and a few more from birthday and Christmases when I was little, and I think I got baby for each one. (up until I was 10)
It makes me remember that all I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a Mom.
I knew that I wanted to get married and just be a mom.
My Mom was and still is an AMAZING mother. I remember I wanted to do what she did. I wanted to be a Mom just like here.
Some days I REALLY hate my job. (you know, you've been here), because some days it is harder than others.
But I truly love my job.
The good, the bad and the ugly of it all.
I am getting better at it. I have entered teenage world. Matthew is a little behind on things a teenage boy would do. (Especially with girls, and no I am not sad about that part at all)
I have so very much time in this job left.
I have forever.
I have forever to get it just right.
I realized that the joys and wonders of motherhood are plain as day to most of you all, But I am slow learner and it takes me a little bit longer to figure things out.
I also have this memory thing (not just from motherhood, just born that way), I tend to forget a great many things, even the simple wonders of motherhood.
I am gonna try harder.
Good thing I am a scrapbooker, or nothing would ever be remembered.
Feel free to make fun of my hair in the photo, I know I will.

Tasty Tuesday - Chicken in a Biscuit

2010-04-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

I love this recipe. it is SUPER EASY!
My mom made it when we lived at her house.
She got it from my AWESOME sister-in-law Jami.

Aunt Jami’s Chicken in a Biscuit

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 bar of cream cheese softened
3 tubes of crescent rolls

Bake chicken and cut into small pieces
In a bowl, add chicken, cream cheese, and ONLY 3 TABLESPOONS OF ONION MIX!
Mix well.
Unroll each crescent roll and add 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture. Roll up crescent roll like a little package. See the pictures below.

(it DOES NOT have to be perfect or pretty)
Place on a greased cookies sheet
Follow Crescent roll directions on baking.

Great with potatoes or rice and chicken gravy.

Enjoy.

Busy girl

2010-04-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

I guess it is a good thing I have been busy.
If your are not busy, it means you have time to wallow in the imperfections of your life.
(and I have A LOT and I do wallow)

We had the best time Friday night with friends.
Saturday I had another great day with my sisters.
and then Sunday we had a baby blessing.
My sister Sarah and her husband blessed their adorable sweet baby Sawyer.
After ward, my brother Shane invited us over to their house for a spur of the moment dinner. Almost my whole family was there. It was great.
We had all of the new babies there.
From left to right - Michael, Annabella, Cannon and the newest baby....Sawyer.

Monday, Jeff snagged an overtime and I was the early bird. It has been a while since I had to do that.

I am super tired and have some sort of sinus thing going on. I know, I should see a doctor, but I don't wanna.

And you can't make me. hee hee.

Tasty Tuesday - Katie's Breakfast Casserole

2010-04-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

I made this for Easter morning brunch.
It was so good.
I kinda just made this up. I remember reading parts of this from other recipes.
The cheese sauce is something my Mom has been making for years.
I just decided to try them together.

Katie’s Breakfast Casserole with Cheese Sauce

Preheat oven to 375

12 eggs
4 boiled, peeled and diced red potatoes (I browned the potatoes in a skillet with some oil to get them crispy, totally optional)
2 cups shredded cheese
I package bacon; cooked and crumbled or Ham cubed
3 whole green onions; sliced (optional)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp onion salt
½ tsp pepper

In a bowl crack open eggs and beat eggs.
Add 1 cup cheese, Bacon or ham, onions, salt, pepper, and onion salt and mix well.
In a 13x9 casserole dish add potatoes.
Pour egg mixture over potatoes.
Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over top.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes (test it with a fork to make sure it is done int he middle)

* you can add red peppers for more color

Cheese Sauce

½ cube margarine
½ cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 ½ cups shredded cheese
1 ½ cup

In a medium pot melt butter.
Add flour and mix into a smooth paste.
Add 1 ½ cups milk
Use wire whisk and stir until a nice thick consistancy. (add more milk if it is too thick)
Add cheese and mix until cheese is melted Salt and pepper to taste
Pour over each serving.

(you can add some chillies to give it a different flavor)

Please let me know if you try it and like it.

Enjoy.

EXCITED!!!!

2010-04-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

I love to see the Temple

2010-04-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

I am mormon.

I love to go to the Temple.

I have a Testimony of the Temple.

I love the loving and peacful feeling I get when I enter through the doors.

It feels like home.

I know with all my heart I will be with my family forever because of the Temple.

Here is a great video about why us Mormons build Temples that I found, it is on Youtube.

I found the link on a friends blog, and it was HERE (scroll down a bit)

I hope you enjoy.

If you wanna learn more about being mormon go HERE.

Tasty Tuesday: Root beer Float Cupcakes

2010-04-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

We made this for my Sammy's Birthday.

Root beer Float Cupcakes. Sounds weird, but they were good.

They all loved it!

I got the Root beer frosting from a friend's blog.
(Her name is Danielle. She is awesome.)

Cupcakes -

Butter Cake Cake mix

Follow directions on the box and add 1 small box of vanilla instant pudding.

Bake as directed on box.

After cupcakes are cool, get a can of whipped cream. Insert whipping cream into the middle of cupcake.

Be careful not to fill too much, it will explode...okay more like burst out the sides and top.

Make Root beer frosting.

ROOT BEER FROSTING
Ingredients
½ cup of butter, softened
½ teaspoon of root beer concentrate
16 ounces of powdered sugar sifted
¼ cup of milk

DIRECTIONS
1. Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add root beer concentrate mix well.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar beating until well blended after each addition and frequently scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.

3. Add milk, beat until light and fluffy. If frosting is too thick to spread, gradually beat in additional milk. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Re-whip before using.

To finish cupcakes:

Layer a good amount of frosting on top of cupcake.

Add a little bit more (or a lot) of whipping cream to the top.

And enjoy.

REMEMBER: it is whipped cream so refridgerate!!!!!

(I got the root beer flavoring at my Super Wal-mart.

Danielle said the Winco in Reno has it too.)

(is that better Lisa? hee hee)

Old Blogs

2010-04-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday night I couldn't think of blogging about anything good.
I was helping /assisting the boys on the massive cleaning of thier rooms.
Matthew horrible teenage attitude cost his the door to his bedroom. (you must know it was a last straw that had been buildong up for a few weeks, it wasn't just a spur of the moment thing...which by the way I LOVE!)
I had such a headache at the end of it all.
I didn't want to rant about how horrible and discusting it was. I wanted to spare you that rant... you are welcome.
So I had to sit and do something while each boy was given an assignment in their rooms and Emma was hogging the TV with Max and Ruby, and Michael was sleeping....
So I decided to look at some past posts.
It was fun.
I forgot how much I posted.
So I decided I am going to go back to those days of posting more than once a week.
"Tasty Tuesdays" and "Flashback fridays".
Adding "Summing it up Sunday's".
I know 3 posts in one week. Maybe more.... Maybe a "Artsy fartsy Thursday". I will aim to make something crafty.
I miss scrapbooking and card making. I just dont have time theses days.
(uh, I wonder why?)
So I am going to post a recipe in a few minutes.
You dont have to read my blog.
I like it when you do, and i love it when you leave a comment.
I know it takes a little extra time, I hate leaving them myself. But if you leave a comment, I will leave one on your blog, too.

I blogged

2010-04-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

I blogged big time on my private blog.
Email me, if you want to be invited and are not.
LOTS of pictures.

Blog Crazy

2010-04-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have been changing the title of my Blog a lot lately.
I haven't found the title I really love.
I liked changing it for the different holidays and to match the background, but i am not happy with it.
I asked for help a few weeks ago but no one is helping. (sorry Nancy, she helped me)
I have been trying to blog and just be in a good mood.
I am doing well.
I have mentioned before depression and it is on going.
It comes and goes.
It has been "going" for a while, but every now and then, the voices in my head just tell me I am crap.
Things like...."I am stupid"... "No one likes me, it is all fake and they are just trying to be nice".... "I am a horrible mother"....sometimes worse.....
Some days I can ignore it and some days.... I guess the days I am more tired it is worse.
Today is a good day.
Jeff has a job interview in Susanville soon.
For a Firecamp job. (which just means, he would babysit, level one prisoners that help with the fires in California, instead of babysitting them at an actually prison) it would be good financially, but he would be gone.
He it is in Trinity River.....like Redding-ish. He is really excited. I am not.
I want him to be happy. It would probably help with his blood pressure.
It also would mean another move....we will honor our contract and stay here until next December 28th, but Jeff would have to live in both places. Leaving me a single parent.
I am not excited about that. I don't think I do a good job now, I am terrified how I will ruin them when he is not here.
Think good thoughts.
The interview is on April 19th. I am planning on going with him.
The 4 oldest boys will stay here and Grandma Susi will get the boys off to school. Jeff wants to stay over night, but we can't afford a hotel or even a motel, but I don't have the nerve to ask some of our friends if we can stay at their house. Silly, I know.
I miss Susanville so much.
I am so excited to go back...for a visit. I am not sure I could live there again.
Nah, I could.
Tonight I am making cupcakes for Sammy"s birthday. He will be 7 tomorrow. I am making Rootbeer frosting.
(Emma go away)
she is wanting attention, and she has been patient until now....
I guess i am done.
I forgot why I started this post.
Oh yeah, I need a blog title that really says.... me.
Any ideas?

Blog happy

2010-04-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been helping my Aunt Kathie with her blog.... ALMOST EVERY DAY and it has been so much fun. check it out.

Easter edited with pictures

2010-04-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

*Edited with pictures*

Jeff came home on Saturday after a run to the store for me with a dozen pink roses.

They didn't fit in my Easter basket.

He was so cute too.... "they were only 5 bucks" he kept saying...

If you know meI hate spending a lot money on flowers. They have beautiful yet inexpensive flowers out there. you just have to look. I loved them.

They were the perfect pale pink that are my all time favorite.

The big family Easter celebration was yesterday.
We made plans to have Easter Dinner at my brother Shane's house,since his house is the biggest house in the family.
We planned to have the Easter egg hunt after dinner.
My sister and I made ties for our boys, my idea, but she really went for it and bought a pattern and figured how to make them. Way easier than it looks.
Emma looked like a princess or on of those little girls in the dress ads.
She was beautiful and I am not just saying it because she is mine.
I love having a girl.
One of my favorite memories of Easter growing up was getting a new dress. I always just felt so pretty. Grandma Susi picked this one out.
After the big Easter thing at my brothers we colored Easter eggs at home. There were only to big spills. but 5 dozen eggs with beautifully colored.

I was being the super mom and decided to make GIANT size sugar cookies in the shape of Easter Eggs and decorate them with cute little flowers and there names pipped on in frosting. Besides, being the Easter Bunny, and cleaning up, and taking care of Michael.
3:33am rolled around and I couldn't fall asleep. I even took a shower to help me relax.
So many things to ponder i guess and I was in so much pain from being on my feet all day.
I missed most of LDS Semi-Annual General Conference that was on BYU, but recorded it for Jeff. I am hoping to get caught up on it this week.
I had a fun conversation about what Easter is all about with the boys. I was so happy to know what they do know and I was happy to share my testimony of it.
I am grateful that Jesus Christ died for me, I am so grateful He lives and loves me.

I made some eatra cookies for the Bigney cousins. and some for my neice Morgan's birthday. She got butterflies. It was so much fun. I want a decorating kit for Mother's day.

Spring Break

2010-03-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

Starting today, it is spring break.
EEkkkkkk!
Well, as soon as they get home from school.
Sammy didn't get to go to school. He was throwing up last night.
Between Emma and Sammy throwing up, I didn't not sleep well.
And I was gonna start a new schedule.
So instead of wasting hours in the morning sleeping in with my husband, we were gonna get up and get things done.
Yeah, I was too tired from the barf twins and Michael.
I actually just got off topic. funny.
Spring break is here.
Easter is in less than 10 days.
What am I going to do with the boys?
I am so glad we have a trampoline and the Wii. (and 2 TV's)
Last year I would have planned a trip home, Jeff would have had to take time off, we would have had to set some money aside and Jeff would have had to work Overtime.
This year is sooooo totally different.
This year we have 3 furloughs instead of one. Jeff is not able to get overtime.
We are really poor this year.
Jeff and I did the math.
He has had like 36 furlough days.
He has had to work 36 times with OUT PAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you add it up. It is like $9000 in back pay.(take home)
We are looking forward to the day the furloughs will be gone.
I talk about it a lot, but look at that number.......... $9000 we would have had!!!!!!!!!
I know life would be easier if we had that $9000 back.
So I need ideas on how to make this a fun Spring break and Easter with no money.
Okay, maybe $20?
I am sure I can scrape up a little more $$$$.
Okay, so here is your task... I need really in expensive ideas for 6 kids for 10 days.
okay, go now....reply, leave a comment.....go on.....

Help

2010-03-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

I want a new title for my blog.
"Confessions of a.....?"
Spring/Easter themed.
I can't think of anything and it is making me crazy.
Please help me think of something.

So mad!

2010-03-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

I am mad at my husband.
He thought it would speed up our computer to disable some tool bars and disable a bunch of other things.
Well, I just wasted a precious hour of my life, (not putting my sweet baby to sleep)
trying to fix it.
It took five-ever, but I got it fixed.
I love my blog, and I take special care of it and the music player.
I COULD NOT LOOK AT IT OR LISTEN TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He makes me crazy.
He does not get on the computer as much as I do, even less now, since I don't get on much anymore anyway.
I have a bigger house, one more kid and this weird thing happening in my mind.... I WANT TO CLEAN!
I told you it was weird.
I would rather spend my time cleaning and playing with my babies than be on this computer.
I blame my medication Zoloft for this weird behavior I am experiencing.

Michael turned 6 months today.
He had his first Cheeto. (yes,I am a terrible mother)
He can almost sit up by himself, and a few days ago he slept through the night. ( hasn't since)
I was sick and didn't get to sleep, but that is my life.

Not much else to say.
Jeff fixed his truck, but to do that he moved about 20 boxes from the garage to my living room so he could pull his truck into the garage to work on it in case it rained.
He never had to pull it in, he fixed it before it rained.... but I still have the boxes in my living room.
I am ready for them to be moved out.
I attempted to make curtains for my kitchen on Saturday, but I am not that good at the math part of sewing so, with 6 kids running around mom's house and people in and out, we didn't get it done. Cut but not sewn.
I am hoping to get everything tucked back into the garage and curtains up next week.
The boys have spring break then, and I am actually looking forward to it.
Any suggestions on things we can do besides sleep overs that are free?
Don't even get me started on this Heathcare Bill.
I don't get it, I am upset at why I didn't get a voice in on the matter.
"That is all I can say about it"
Oh, and I really still hate Arnold.
That is all I have time for blogging today.
I know, I bored you with nothing of real importance.
Come back again, if you are having a hard time falling asleep.
I will bore you again, so badly, you will fall asleep.