Lullabye books

I'm almost done with Mason's lullaby book.  I have 2 more pages to finish and fine tune some things or just let them be the way they are.  I was going to give them for Christmas but eh not gonna stress out so they will just be random gifts from me through out the year.  Here is a sneak peak of a few of the pages.  Mason's lullabye is from the Pooh Corner cd from Kenny Loggins.  Before I had Maryn I listened to that cd about a million times to memorize the songs off of it and each kid has had a lullabye that I sing to them at night that is just for them.  Most of the digital kits are from pickleberrypop.com by Ettes & Company.  Of course what makes these pages so cute is the little man that's in them.  This kid just makes me smile!

p.s.  After spell checking this I'm getting two different ways to spell lullabye...which one is correct
lullaby or lullabye????

book cover

No worries, be happy

Everything is good here.  I have a fight or flight response to a lot of things that happen in my life and the flight seems to dominate.  If the slightest thing happens and I think I offend someone or I'm in an uncomfortable situation my tendency is to flee, shut down and shut up.  Trust me, bouncing around for almost 3 years of singles wards gets exhausting.  I know I was vague in my last post but be assured that it has nothing to do with anyone that reads the blog or else I wouldn't have vented on it.  I just don't like being swept up in drama especially when your intentions was trying to help someone and it back fires big time.  Just makes me not want to say anything anymore and not talk.  Maybe I need to go with a Red Green philosophy and make good use of the duct tape for my mouth.  I hope everyone has a good New Years!!!  One more thing.  I totally forgot the funniest part of Thanksgiving.  Dad's new hat!!!  Enjoy!

And the bricks go back up

My husband teases me because he says I have a wall around me built up so high that not even the armed forces and all their weaponry can penetrate it.  I hate being put in situations where I feel like I need to get my bricks and mud back out after over a good amount of time a few bricks have been removed.  But thus again I go to the extreme and want to build that wall even higher.  I know this goes against everything I believe in but I still do it anyway then it takes twice as long to widdle those bricks away again.  Do other people do this or is this just me?  Makes me not want to open my mouth or talk with people ever again and just resort to talking to my kids and husband because at least they love me completely faults and all.  Just thinking/writing out loud.  Better go do something productive before I start feeling completely inadequate.

Highlights of the holidays

Instead of trying to play catch up I thought I would just show in a few pics of what we have been up to for the past 2 months.

Letters to Santa

 Finding Macey in the fridge at 6:00 in the morning trying to get her own milk.

Goofing around at Grandma and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving

 Playing our Annual Bingo game on Thanksgiving and getting loot

 Decorating the Christmas Tree...even Mason helped out

 My little Santa helpers

 

Mason monkeying around

 

Christmas morning...nice legs Uncle John.  Macey was so excited to get a new dress she put it on immediately.

 

And a big *sigh*

Nothing like being able to breathe after a huge month of rushing everywhere.  And I've been done with my Christmas Shopping since practically Black Friday.  Sure there is always those stocking stuffers and what not but the time has been going by too fast. 

Just got the kids situated and I'm in Clifton sitting by a fire just collecting my thoughts so I thought I would write down a few.  Even if they are sporadic and jumbled.  What I like about Clifton is time slows down.  It gives you a moment to breathe and to appreciate what really matters.  We live in a world of express everything.  Everything is done quick and we never get time to appreciate what is around us or the people that are in our life.  Time can be our biggest friend or our greatest enemy.  It is something that once it's gone we can never get back and something we always wish we had more of.  Time can never be sped up or slowed down.  You can't buy time even though metaphorically we try.  This past year I've really had to re evalute what I'm doing with my time.  Am I wasting it or am I making the most with the time that I have with my husband and children.  This has been a work in progress for me because I'm always thinking of what needs to get done and am not giving the time needed to my family that I should.  I'm there but not really there because my mind is elsewhere.  I don't want a day to go by that I miss letting them know how much I love them and not just telling them but showing them.  Even if it means putting off stuff for a little bit to spend some needed time with my kids.  This life is too short and passes to quickly for us to not enjoy, to be happy and savor every moment that is given to us.  I hope I can do just that is make the most of what has been given to me. 

Here is to a new year with countless possibilities.  I'll take the good with bad.  I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Piano Debut

I did it!  I'm so proud of myself.  You don't know how much courage it took for me to go play.  Singing...no sweat...that doesn't bother me doing that in front of people but playing the piano that's a different story.  I got the kids all situated, brother dropped off to the airport and I was on my way to Macey's.  I got there a few minutes early and I opened my car door and heard the piano music coming from the front of the store.  I shut the door and sat in the car for a second.  I was afraid of who was playing before me because what if they were really really good and I totally sucked!  I finally got the guts to walk in and walked around the store until her time was up.  Come to find out she was probably not more than 17.  If she could do it why am I so nervous?!?!

I sat down and began to play and everyone disappeared.  I had so much fun and the time went by super fast.  I think I only repeated 2 songs.  I could hear the guys bringing in the carts whistling to what I was playing.  And there were so many nice people that would compliment me as they walked pass.  The first lady that came by was hilarious.  She told me that I needed to crank up the volume cause it sounded great.  I was too afraid of playing too loud because of some of the rules Macey's has.  Another gal gave me a very nice compliment she said that she enjoyed listening to me while they shopped.  She felt like she was being treated to a wonderful concert.  Also, I made $5.34 in tips!  WOOHOO! 

I signed up for one more day.  So if anyone wants to visit for FHE I'm playing on Monday from 8:00 to 9:00.  I'm off too bed.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Christmas Music at Macey's

Sorry for the lack of pics.  To download from my camera the pictures seems like such a process(in reality it's not) but the few spare moments I have in the day end up being filled in very quickly.

I just wanted to write a quick note telling you something I'm nervous and excited about!  For the past three years I've been going to Macey's supermarket.  I love this store just for the fact that they are old fashioned, courteous and give treats to occupy the kids while shopping.  Every year after Thanksgiving our little market totes in this huge digital grand piano and people can sign up to play.  I've always wanted to do it but haven't had the confidence to sign up.  Well people, I finally got up the guts after three years to sign up.  I've been wanting to do this for so long and now I finally have the chance and I'm so nervous!!  I know there are millions of people better than me but I can fulfill my little side dream of being a Nordstrom's piano player just for a few hours during the week...just not as good but darn it I'm going to have fun!!!!  WISH ME LUCK!!!! 

New digital scrapbooking website

I am so stinkin' excited I can hardly contain myself.  There are few things that get me giddy and this is one of them.  A little bit of history...I happened to find somebody's blog through another friends blog and read a touching post from them and as I was looking at her blog noticed she had the most amazing scrapbook pages.  After a month I got up the guts to write her and ask her where she got her kits from.  There was a Zoo kit in particular that I was drooling over.  Didn't want her to think I was a cyber stalker or anything but I like to read things that are inspiring.  Soooooooo, she wrote me back and let me know the website she used.  I got depressed when I found out all the digital kits were linked to a specific program.  I called and probably in the future they were thinking re doing the paths so it was available for everyone.  The nice lady even offered me a $10 off coupon but I like my software I just want the kits.  I was 2 clicks away from breaking down and buying the thing when a thought came to mind maybe I should google the designer!  SUCCESS!!!!

There is an Australian based company called Pickleberrypop that was selling this particular designers digital drawings!!!  And they are having a sale to boot for the next 3 days!  Like I said, I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.  I was in a creative funk and after this a whole new bunch of ideas have popped up.  Hopefully I can get everything done for Christmas!!!  When I get some of my quiet books and wall hangings finished I'll show some samples.  Did I tell you that I'm really excited???

My thanks to Amanda Bawden for helping me to find my ways to these people!

When My Children Get Older...

     I hope they will still talk to me and tell me their problems.

     I hope they will still give me kisses and hugs and snuggle still.

     I hope they will tell me about their crushes and their first kiss.

When my kids get older...

     I hope that our house will be the party house where all of their friends come over to hang out.

     I pray that I will have an amazing relationship with my daughters that they know they can count on me for   anything and everything and that they will trust me.

     I hope that my sons won't be embarrassed when I go to all their sporting events and is the mom that is shouting at the top of her lungs "THAT'S MY BOY"!

When my kids get older...

     I hope I will be the mother that God intends me to be for them that I will be able to help them through their trials and hardships because goodness knows there will be plenty to wade through and that I can still maintain a level of friendship with them but not lose their respect.

     I hope that I can teach them everything that they will need to have to make it in this world and to be good, honest and kind people.

     I hope that they will have the self esteem and confidence to do and be anything that they set their heart on and know that there is no limit to what they can do.

When my children get older I hope they can still except me for their mother...flaws and all.  And they know I want all the happiness in the world for them.

5 year old conversations

Have you ever listened to three 5 year olds trying to explain how chocolate chips are made.  Let me tell you it's the funniest thing I've ever heard.  Did you know that five year olds know everything?  Maryn had some buddies over.  Yes, she has mostly guy friends and very few gal friends.  They are good kids though.  We decided that we had to make chocolate chip cookies.  They were more than eager to help and the cookies turned out pretty good...except for the ones that I forgot about in the oven when I got distracted.  Good thing I at least shut the oven off so now they are dunking cookies.  I tell you I'm losing my mind.

Maryn said I know how they make chocolate chips and she was trying to explain the Curious George book she read about the chocolate factory.  One of the boys piped in and said yeah, they crumble chips on a table then cover the chips in chocolate then they package them up and give them to the store. So there you have it folks...that is how chocolate chips are made.  I was thinking to myself, chocolate covered potato chips...just doesn't sound that appetizing but then again you can dip a ritz cracker in mint flavored chocolate and it taste like a girl scout cookie so who knows!?!?

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!

Caramel Dipped Apples

For Family Home Evening two weeks ago we decided to make caramel apples.

Daddy had a rough week so wasn't there until the eating part which we'll take what we can get.  I bravely took on the task of trying to do it by myself.  The girls unwrapped all the caramels for me and every 2 seconds asked if they could eat them.  I think Macey even popped one in her mouth with the wrapper on.  After this Halloween a whole new world has opened up to her. 

Maryn dipped half of the apples and did a pretty good job.  And of course it wouldn't be fun just to look at them so the eating part took place before the caramel even set up.

Food Challenge: Brussel Sprouts

Yet again another food challenge!  And some good news.  All my Boise friends out there you have a Bountiful Basket location near you.  And of all places literally 2 minutes from where I used to live.  So not fair.  I know my dear Idaho friends from my old stomping grounds will be happy.  Those of you who want to dare to try new things or just like fruit and veggies this co-op is for you.  Especially this past week...we got a new fruit that I've never heard or seen before.  It's a funky little fruit called Fuyu.  It's kind of fun to say also...Fuyu!  The taste was rather good.  It was almost like I was tasting a cinnamon or brown sugar dusted fruit.  Just a hint though.  The inside texture was very nice.  If you want to learn something new this week google Fuyu.

So on to the food challenge for this week.  BRUSSEL SPROUTS!!!  Like I said in a earlier post it sounds disgusting but they are really not that bad.  Let me know in the comments what you end up making and post your creations on your blog...pics are lovely!  I'll be sure to check out what you come with especially if you post a comment to give me a heads up. I'll be sure to jump in on the action...complete with recipe.  You would die if you saw my recipe database.  Yes, I said database.  The recipes that end up making it into my folders are the lucky ones. My hubby just shakes his head at me. It makes me feel useful when people ask me if I have any recipes for certain foods.  I do the testing so people don't have to take a chance on a bad recipe and my dear friends around me get my experiments.  Mostly the dessert but I don't hear too much complaining.

Speaking of fattening desserts...I'm not waiting until the first of the year to make a new year resolution to start exercising.  I've been really exhausted from lack of sleep from buddy but my husband has been faithful about exercising every night so I'm going to faithfully join him.  I've been hit and miss with the exercise and I'm tired of being sore every new time I exercise.  Matt said (not in these exact words) if I get back what I had way back in the day he'll take me to Mexico!!!  Of course he would promise something like that because he doesn't think I'll do it.  Well I'm here to prove him wrong and claim my trip!!!  Better start saving honey!!! 

Always Be Prepared

Anytime we go out of town I have a habit of always packing extra clothes, diapers, underoos, coats in excess.  I've gotten better over the years but I still always pack a little extra than I'm supposed to.  Even if we're only going to be gone for the weekend.  You just never know when your kids might decide to dive through the mud or raid the Halloween candy and have sucker slime all down there shirt or one of them decides to wet the bed or one of the kids has a major blow out or the service man that is doing preventative maintenance work on your car decides to not connect the hose correctly on the van and all the transmission fluid runs out when you're still in Clifton Idaho 45 miles away from any form of civilization.  So ya never know when the extra stuff packed may come in handy.  Maryn is bummed that she couldn't go to school but they are having fun having an extra day with Grandma and Grandpa and being completely spoiled.  We're just waiting for our Matty in shining armor to come rescue us after work but until then I'll continue to watch the snow flurries and listen to the cows mooing across the road because they miss their babies.

Holiday Season

November officially marks the holiday season where people are rushing around like mad trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone.  Here is one of my favorite clips for the season!!!  Enjoy and happy holiday shopping everyone.

Dorothy and Leopards and Mermaids, OH MY!

It felt like Halloween lasted this whole last week and it was fun.  On Tuesday our Young Women and Men put on a Halloween Carnival.  Matt has been a good sport this week and took the kids to the carnival while I played volleyball.  I came in for the last little bit and snuck some cookies.  I stole this next pic from Meg!  Thank you...I don't have many pictures with my boy.

On Friday, the kids were invited to Matt's work to go trick or treating.  His company went all out and had the whole place decorated.  You can just imagine what engineers can come up with.  Something that was cool when you walked through one of the halls there was a projected image of a haunted house on the wall and we were in front of it.  They had placed a webcam so you could actually be in the haunted house picture.  Also, the service department did a spook alley and I have to say it's better than anything I've ever paid for and I've been to a lot.  I think the service guys went easy on me because I had Macey with me and after the first guy grabbed my leg Macey was screaming hysterically from a skeleton.  I thought the guy following me with the knife in his head was scarier than that but that didn't even phase Macey. 

Then on Saturday night Matt took the kids out with our good friends and ended up collecting kids and people on the way so there was a mob by the end of the night while us girls stayed warm in the house with the younger kiddos.  Kids from the neighborhood scored with candy from our house because there were 3 people dishing out candy.  Thank you to everyone that stopped by for cookies and cocoa.  We had a lot of fun.  I think we might make an annual thing out of this.  I have some ideas for next year to make things easier and maybe decorating the garage and having it outside.  Weather was definitely not on our side this year.  All in all it was a ton of fun!!!

Sorry for the blurry photos.  Found little finger prints on the lens of the camera.  That's not easy to get off either.

Cookies and Cocoa

Hey all you locals...if you happened to be in the neighborhood trick or treating tonight stop by for some cocoa, cider and cookies after your done to warm up.  First come first served while supplies last!  We're saying about 6:30ish so we'll see ya if we see ya.  Happy Halloween!

Deb 

Can't get enough of this little boy

I love my children.  All of them but for some reason I just can't get enough of this little boy.  He makes me grin from ear to ear.  As you can tell he has become a finger sucker.  I've never had a child do this before.  He thinks it's a game when I take his fingers out of his mouth.  He also has learned to shake his head back in forth.  The other day in the store a lady was making eyes at baby guy and he started shaking his head back and forth and made the lady laugh so hard.  I'm not the only one...Maryn and Macey are totally in love with this little guy.  They fight as to who gets to sit by him.  My little tank is well over 20 lbs now and needs a wardrobe overhaul.  I was only stocked up to about 9 months and he clearly is growing out of those clothes.  He has successfully found his feet and has mastered the art of raspberry blowing.  We love our little man!

Just a simple photo

I tried like mad to get a photo of Macey and Mason together and this is how it kind of went...

I don't think I ever did get a picture of them looking at the camera "normal".  It was pretty funny when buddy guy was trying to eat Macey's hand off.  Do you like the food stain on her sleeve?

Apple Leather

Matt ended up going up to Clifton with just the girls this weekend.  My body is still rebelling against me from not getting enough sleep.  I'd rather not talk about it so I'm pretending that all is well in the world of health.  I have to get well enough by this weekend because I'm teaching a truffle class.  Can't disappoint the Relief Society in bringing chocolate goodness to everyone.  Anyway, Matt and the girls had fun this weekend and came home with tons and tons of apples and plums.  Also, Matt borrowed his moms food dryer.  I've always wanted to use a dryer before and now I get my chance.  Except I need your help.  Does anyone have any trusted fruit leather recipes or tips on how to dry fruit???  My little mind is open and if you need to e-mail me anything let me know and I'll send you my address.  Gotta do this quick though apples don't last forever...might have to make some apple betty this week I just hope I have the blasted energy to get everything done I need to. 

Knight in Shining Armor

So, I realized I left my last post saying THIS DAY STINKS...and for those you who read that when you check back I decided I better write another post so that's not the first thing ya see anymore.  Last week was kind of a rough week it ended in buddy guy getting a cold and me getting mastitis yesterday because he couldn't eat very well.  I told Matt it was his turn to get sick next.  I'm still dealing with my stuff naturally of course (thank you Beth for stuffing my head full of knowledge in how to get rid of it without drugs I will forever be thankful). 

Matty came home yesterday and my fever spiked and I can't remember much after he came home but he swooped in fed the kids, did the dishes, cleaned the house, did a part of my shopping that I couldn't do.  I really really tried to push myself but it's so hard when you get an infection from nursing.  Only those who have had them before can truly understand.  I could tell Matty was frustrated...who wouldn't be after working 10 hours then coming home and having to do my responsibilities.  I'd be pretty rattled too. 

Needless to say my fever broke around midnight...isn't it great waking up in a pool of sweat.  And I had the most outrageous dreams...in my dream I was taking part in a group of scientists watching and observing King Kong in this huge house that was in a tree and someone thought it would be cool to release him and he went bonkers.  He was trying to crush everything so he was banging on the ceiling and trying to tip the house out of the tree.  So, they gave everyone a sedative so it wouldn't be too bad when he killed us except I could still hear and visualize everything that was going on but couldn't wake up.  Crazy thing is I've had this dream before. 

This week Matty gets the Knight in Shining Armor award for coming to my rescue.  He even has a white car so I guess that counts as his horse.  Aren't I a lucky girl?!?! 

THIS DAY STINKS

This day has absolutely been rotten.  I'm tired of having sick kids.  I'm tired of cleaning up puke and bodily excrement.  I'm tired of  not getting sleep.  I'm tired of being tired.  One can not run on an hour and half of sleep and expect to be sane!!!!

Where's the love???  

I'm sure not feeling it right now.  I gotta get back to screaming moaning kids.  Please tell me your worst day and make me feel better.  We've had more worse days than this but I'm delirious.  I could sure use a good story right now!  This is when it really bites not having family around.

Sweet Macey Face

Happy Birthday Macey!!  I'm so sorry baby girl you're sick today.  Out of all the days to be sick it had to fall on your birthday.  Mommy is contemplating moving your birthday to tomorrow so you can enjoy your cream cheese frosted cake and actually play with your new toys.  I can't wait to see the look on your face when you see what Daddy picked out for you.

Macey is our explorer.  She has an obsession with touching everything in her sight, especially her brother.  She's known as Macey the Detroyer, Macers, Face, Mace and CC.  She has big brown eyes that will melt your heart and a cheeky smile that you know she's getting into something.  We love our Macers...life is a roller coaster ride everyday with that girl but we wouldn't change it.  We love you Mace!