Saturday, August 28, 2010

Siblings

"I think people that have a brother or sister don't realize how lucky they are. Sure, they fight a lot, but to know that there's always somebody there, somebody that's family."
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Cat O***, 1999


My oldest son has been lamenting the fact that he has brothers and sisters.  He has many friends that are only children or the only kid still at home.  He is pretty sure that if he didn't have these siblings that he would have a laptop!  Instead he gets a lot of silly, crazy memories to look back on!









Silly, crazy memories indeed!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

August 25th

Today is my birthday - woo hoo - break out the party hats and the streamers!
 
Really though, I have been reminiscing about my life.

In my growing up years, I was a "good girl".  I got good grades, didn't skip school, didn't party.  I guess I was a nerd!  Most of my friends went to my church and my school.  I spent a lot of time with my family.  I was a daddy's girl.  Really a daddy's girl - my mom and I fought from the time I was 13 until I turned 18 and realized she really did know a thing or two.  I started community college on my 18th birthday.

In my early 20's I tried to be the person that I thought my friends wanted me to be.  I partied, I drank, I smoked.  I bought a new car and moved out of my parents house just because I could.  I dropped out of college because I could work full time and make good money.  I dated a few guys, endured a few heart breaks.  But my 20's were also when I met Rick and then became his wife.

My 30's were spent learning to be a mom.  Four of my children were born in this decade of my life.  I started out trying to be the mom and wife the books, the magazines and the Internet said I should be.  Who could ever live up to those standards?  Definitely not me! During these years I really grew as a person.  I began to rely more on God working in me than me working in me (darn selfishness).

My 40's are now.   I am more in love with my husband than ever before.  I am more relaxed in my parenting.  I am not sweating the small stuff - I am meeting it head on.  I don't feel the need for approval from others.  I am who I am - take it or leave it.  I'm happy with the experiences I have had - good and bad.  They have made me unique!

And - I got the most amazing birthday gift today - a new nephew!  I got to meet him when he was just a few hours old and he is beautiful.  Congrats Robb and Sara and big sister Riley!

Baby Griffin

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Randomness

A little random rambling this morning!

  • My hubby is working lots and has had to be at work at 6:00 - 6:30am.  I really miss our time together in the morning before the kids get up!  But - I am so thankful for lots of work compared to last summer!
  • I had two barbecue bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers (from here) for breakfast this morning - and they were so good! (The recipe is from her cookbook)
  • Carson is turning over from his tummy to his back at least once a day.  The funny thing is that it startles him EVERY time he does it!
  • Today, the little boys and I are going to our favorite thrift shop to browse.  Tuesdays are 25% off!
  • Bryce is talking lots since the big kids are back to school.
  • I am looking forward to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe tomorrow with my mom and niece
  • Tomorrow is my birthday which I will share with a new niece or nephew.  My sister in law, Sara is scheduled for a C-Section tomorrow morning!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Twelve Years Ago Today...

I became a mom!

Happy Birthday Ross!  You are the first born in this wild and crazy group of kids!














Dad and I are so proud of the young man you have become and hope you have the best birthday ever!

Love you bunches!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Crafty Day



This is all it took to change my craft idea for the week.

I REALLY was looking for wool when I walked in the fabric and craft department at our nearest Wal Mart.  I saw this adorable craft  the other day, and wanted to try it in the worst way.  Only thing is, I do not have anything but striped wool in my fabric stash.  And I needed to make a stock up trip to Wal Mart anyway for deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, etc. 

No wool to buy, but guess what - they have quite the eye catching aisle of all things beads and jewelry findings.  Great, just what I need - a new hobby.  I have always been intimidated by jewelry making unless it is simply stringing pony beads on ribbon and tying them around a neck or wrist of one of my girls.  I have bought beads before with great ideas of things that never got made.  The last time I did this, my friend Laura made me a gorgeous necklace/bracelet/earring set using my beads and her great talent!  So I made the mistake of walking down the bead aisle.  I was almost completely to the end without putting anything in my cart when the above kit caught my eye.  All the beads and findings to make 6 pairs of earrings for $4.00 plus a set of 3 tools for $9.00.  Yep - in my cart they went.

I would love to say I came right home and made those 6 pairs of earrings that afternoon.  I talked myself out of it that first day, but not the next.  Thursday was a quiet stay at home day.  The kind of day that screams for me to do something crafty and creative instead of laundry and cleaning.  And, I was successful!  I made 2 pairs of earrings before I had to clean up and get to that laundry and cleaning.  I will probably not make the other 4 pair of earrings like the package suggests.  Two of the pairs are a little too cheap looking (think plastic rings), so I will save the findings for another project - after I make another trip to the bead aisle.

Here is what the kit looks like:

Instructions

Beads and findings

And the finished product:


I would definitely suggest the kit if you are looking for a simple way to get into jewelry making.  I am really  happy with the results.  As a matter of fact, I plan on giving one of these pairs to my sister in law for her birthday on Sunday.

Oh and those cute hair clips - I will get to those eventually.  As soon as I get that wool!









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Monday, August 16, 2010

Peacefulness

Today is the first day of school.

Okay - I did cry a little - but just a little.  I didn't think the AT&T technician was up for a weepy customer this morning.  (DSL went out on Saturday morning - obviously fixed now - yay)

But I am loving the peace and quiet.  Bryce has talked more today than he has in a month.  I went out to the garden and didn't hear screaming coming from the house.  I straightened the house this morning and it still looks good.  And I had a lovely visit from my mom - who loved on her two grandbabies that aren't in school. 

Hope you have a peaceful Monday!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Back to School Time

We are in the midst of back to school preparation. 

We considered homeschooling the kids this fall, but decided after much prayer that this probably isn't the best year to start.  So, we have been getting ready by buying school supplies, new backpacks and lunch boxes, a few new clothes, getting haircuts and filling out ALL.THOSE.FORMS.  You know which ones I mean, right?  Health and personal history, buzz book, PTO volunteer, OTC medication, etc., etc.  Between my three school age kiddos we have 14 forms to fill out this week.  School starts Monday and will bring another slew of forms I am sure!

So, this week has been crazy and chaotic.  We have had a transition day at the middle school and meet the teacher at the elementary school.  The weather has been too hot to send the kids out to play.  Today is our "take it easy and relax day".  We are all still in our pj's at 10:40, breakfast was eaten at 10:00.  Lunch will probably be a treat of Little Caesar's $5.00 Hot N Ready pizza eaten at an "indoor" picnic since it is soooo hot outside.  Maybe watch a movie this afternoon.  Just a day to relax and enjoy one another.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Jalapeno Popper Dip

We have been so busy getting ready for Carson's baptism and back to school, that I realized I haven't posted a new recipe for a while.  This is my favorite dip recipe and is great served with tortilla chips, pita chips or toasted bread rounds.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

2 8 ounce pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 4 ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
2 Tablespoons canned, diced jalapeno peppers
1 cup cheese - I have used Parmesan, Italian blend and cheddar - all are delicious

Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.  Stir in chiles, jalapeno peppers and cheese.  Pour mixture into microwave safe dish.  Microwave on high until hot and bubbly, about 3 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Best Day of Their Lives!

That is what our three oldest have said about our trip this week to Six Flags.

They didn't care that it was hot, they didn't care that they didn't go to the arcade and play, they didn't care that we didn't ride very many rides.

What they loved:

Riding the Log Flume two times in a row to get soaking wet
Ross riding the roller coasters (his favorite) with dad
Riding Thunder River and getting soaking wet
Gigantic turkey legs
Souveniers
Riding the Tidal Wave and getting soaking wet
B.o.b. in concert (Rap artist - not dads favorite)
Riding the Colossus ferris wheel at sunset
Glow in the Park Parade
Being one of the LAST cars in the parking lot

We arrived at the park around 2:00pm and left the parking lot a little after 10:00pm.  It was a fun day despite the heat, with little whining from any of us!  It was fun to see our kids having so much fun with each other and looking out for one another. 

A few pics from our day:

l-r: Bryce and Lily in Bugs Bunny Nat'l Park; Rick and Ross on Tony Hawks Big Spin; Bryce looking out from the top of the ferris wheel; Ross and Bryce getting wet; Haley, Lily and Bryce resting and rehydrating; Haley pretending to give Bryce and Lily a ride!
  

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Family Day

Today is the day that our kids have been looking forward to for the entire summer.

Today we are going to Six Flags.

Today the temps are supposed to reach 100 degrees with heat indexes of 110-115 degrees.

Today we must be crazy.

Will post pics tomorrow after we recover!