what a beautiful mess

Korea was a success! Dinner was a hit; definitely a keeper recipe.  So good in fact that I want to share it with everyone in the world....  or maybe just with everyone that reads my blog~ don't you feel special?!?!  Korean Barbeque Sauce  2 tablespoons sugar 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup   soy sauce 1/2 cup sake (or 1 tsp of chicken bouillon dissolved in 1 cup hot water) 2 tablespoons honey (we left it out) 1 teaspoon   sesame oil  (used peanut oil instead) 4 sliced spring onions or scallions ( chopped green onions) 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (we left it out) Mix up all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until the sugar has dissolved - you may want to heat slightly to help the process. She served the sauce with chicken, onions, red, green and yellow peppers on brown rice.  Oh. my. goodness. Delicious!! Emily did a fantastic job at making it. She also made Ho Dduk (korean pancakes) Th...

This is not normal.  But I at least had to have it documented for future reference.  Maybe tomorrow when they get on the computer, maybe after they all have been fighting,  they'll remember that they do like each other.  It's at least worth a shot. 

INTRODUCING  SATURDAY PIZZA GAME NIGHT! Because we need one more tradition in our life~ And since pizza is a favorite and games are a favorite, we thought "Why not combine the two?' So we did.  And it's been fantastic. We try to get creative with our toppings. Tonight it was garlic sauce, spinach, green onions, artichoke hearts,  Monterey jack cheese  and sun-dried tomato pizza.  It was delicious .  And we played telephone, down by the banks, alphabet- dessert edition and duck duck goose.  It was a nice break from the traditional charades~although we love that game also. Anybody want to join in the fun?  We've already converted some to Friday Nacho Movie night..... Weekends are the absolute best....

My sister Amy delivered her 5th child today.  All is well.  Baby is b.e.a.utiful! Welcome to the world Brooklyn Penny!!

I need a reminder today of all I have to be thankful for. So here's my list in no particular order: 1. I'm thankful for "72 Hour" kits that have just the thing you need right when you need it. 2. I'm thankful for pictures of sunshine drawn by my children. 3. I'm thankful for fish and that all my kids like to eat it. 4. I'm thankful for the new bread machine a sweet lady in my ward gave me. 5. I'm thankful that my children still need me to comfort them when they are scared (during my shower this morning, Joshy would not leave the bathroom until I was out; he's still scared) 6. I'm thankful for music and that my children love it and always ask to listen to it. It was 80's day in our house this evening. (80's music always reminds me of Stacie!) 7. I'm thankful for good books. 8. I'm thankful for "enlightening" blogs like this one  here   and this one  here.  9. I'm thankful for yoga. It calms and re...

Who's bright idea was it to let the kids watch Michael Jacksons "Thriller" video??  They got through 1 minute (maybe) of the video and I was  comforting 3 crying children who were to the point of hysterics.  They didn't even get to the zombie part.  Only the full moon.  And that was it.  Joshua was attached to our sides the rest of the night.  Anytime my hand was free, he was holding it.  It doesn't help that he thinks there's a knock-knock monster.  So anytime there's a knock, he gets a scared look and asks "what was that?". His fright (of everything) just plain tuckered him out and he fell asleep in Trevors arms.  With 4 scared-y cats here,  it's going to be a very loooong night.

I was reminded of my love of Shel Silverstein tonight as me and the kids read his book "A Light in the Attic". I tried reading it to them years ago and no one was interested. But to my surprise tonight as I was reading, Emily had a couple of them memorized! I had no idea she loved the book as much as I do. So we all read some and laughed a lot. Here's a couple of my favorite poems  from the book: How Many, How Much How many slams in an old screen door?        Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much  you give 'em.  Put Something In Draw a crazy picture,  Write a nutty poem, Sing a mumble-gumble song, Whistle through your comb.  Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before. The Little Boy and The Old Man Said the l...

Anna does not want me to put this on the blog. All the more reason to do so.  She didn't want to swallow her food so she decided to  cry about it and throw a real hissy fit.  Unfortunately, we all found it quite funny and she didn't like us laughing at her at all. Luckily though, she has such a great sense of humor that by  the time she sees this, she'll be laughing along with us.

These are the Christmas gifts I made for the girls this last year. If you are an avid Etsy shopper or a NieNie reader, you will recognize these. I know, you're probably thinking "what the heck are those?" Well, I don't know. All I know is that they're eclectic and cute and something I thought the girls would love. Which they do. I also made them each an owl pillow that you can see on Emilys bed. Those were fun and super easy to make. So anyway, Christmas on a budget. Nothing better. ***************************** Today has been a really good day. A few hiccups here and there. A few tears and time outs and an early bedtime and one small choking episode but other than that it's been a really good day.  I got to go out to lunch with my good friend Stephanie. I just love that girl. I hope she starts blogging again one day cause she is my favorite blog to read. (hint, hint stephanie!) And we had dinner at Scott and Jenees.  Have I mentioned lately how gla...

oh the luxury of laying on the couch all day....

Discouraged.  Well, that's just kinda depressing.  Let me lighten things up with a country song, as penned by Trevor just a few minutes ago: "You're sexy when you toot.  Sounds like a trumpet not a flute." I don't think he'll be winning any Grammys anytime soon.  Instead of discussing some of the more discouraging parts of the day,  lets discuss this amazingly adorable picture of Joshy. I was getting ready for the day and he comes running in asking if we had any cardboard.  That instantly made me suspicious.  Whenever I hear one of the kids ask for cardboard, I immediately think of HUGE  craft projects that take a LOT of time.  but...I replied that yes, I did have some cardboard  (I always do after a trip to the store-those dang soda boxes).  So we made him some Buzz Lightyear wings.  I think they turned out quite fantastic, don't you agree?  He even wore them to the library.  Bad, embarrassing trip to the libra...

And they got their calls! For FHE tonight the kids received letters calling them on a mission. Not really, of course. Meaning they will not be leaving home for the next couple of years. But they will have to research the area they were called to, prepare an authentic meal, give a lesson on one Gospel Principle, and learn to say Jesus Christ in the language of their country. And now, I present to you their calls: Annabelle was called to the Germany Berlin Mission.   Emily was called to the Korea Seoul Mission.  Stephen was called to the Mexico Villahermosa Mission. Joshua was called to the Australia Melbourne Mission.  Over the next month, for each FHE night, we will be hearing their presentations  and eating some (hopefully) yummy food.  Two weeks from today, it will be Emily's turn.  And maybe  it will teach them a little more about another country and will help to  strengthen their testimo...

 Emily Delight: Anna banana: Joshy: A very bright Steve-o: Us: ****************************************************** And Trevor made Crab Rangoons.  Deeeeeelicious.  I'm so glad he likes to cook..... And we had Asian Salad. And don't be all jealous and stuff, but we also had crazy cake with coconut frosting. I left a picture off cause I didn't wanna make you all crazy green with envy. But it was good. 

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer This book is just a tease!!! I want more. NOW! Seeing everything through Edwards eyes was good....and bad. I wasn't nearly as annoyed with Bella as I was in the first 2 books. She was surprisingly more real to me. And more relate-able and like-able. Maybe that's because Edward is so in love with her. The way he describes his love is the way every girl (at least this girl!) wants her lover to feel for her. Of course, I don't want "my man" to have a thirst for my death. Or blood, for that matter. And I guess that's what made it bad for me. I liked being in the dark a little more when it came to his sense of killing. The book started and he was apathetic to his life and everyone around him. Bella turns his whole world around and he becomes a killer again. I saw Edward as much more of a savage in Midnight Sun than I ever did before. But as I neared the end of the book, the last 2 or 3 chapters, I saw where the author was going ...

1. A nap in the middle of the day with Trevor. 2. Cafe Rio for lunch.  3. Grocery shopping together.  4. Not having to go outside at. all. if I don't want to.  5. I can put off folding the laundry for another day.  Seriously.  Is this Heaven?

It's actually going to be just one question and you can guess however many times you want cause I'll never know how many guesses it takes  you. Or you can never guess at all and just keep on reading...  Here we go: Can you guess what's wrong with this picture? Hints: It's not the TV screen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Conan O'Brien or Coco as I like to call him. It's not the letter "h" on the polka dot paper that's framed. Although it is way too little of an "h" and looks a little funny. Just a lone little H. It stands for Haslem.  It's not my magazine rack sitting off to the side that I found at D.I for really cheap. I love it but I don't really use it cause I can't see my mags. Okay, I'll tell you. Our TV sits in a cardboard box with packing tape holding it up. That's been it's home for the last 2 1/2 months since we moved here to IF. We can't find a TV stand in any store.  I lost the pie...

Some images are seared into my memory forever. This morning I was given another memory to add to my collection. It's nothing special to anyone else but for me, I will remember it forever. I hope.  My kids are my world. Once in a while, I get into moods where even I don't want to be around me. I was in one of those moods for a few hours last night. Self-pitying-loathing-bashing, all that good stuff. So I left to go to Target under the guise of having to get "ladies stuff". (which, unfortunately, partly explains the mood) I woke up to a brighter morning. It helps that it's a fairly warm morning, and the children were in a good mood. Of course, I had to struggle my way through the tattling, hitting, Stephen sitting on Joshy, and no one besides Joshua wanting to watch Timmy Time (a "baby" cartoon). But I made it and actually got out the door at a decent time.  I dropped the kids off with hugs and kisses and a big smile and as they walked to the doors of ...

with the New Years Resolutions~ I'm talking to our upstairs neighbor~ not necessarily to you who is reading this right now, unless you do the same thing as them.  Since right around January 1st, most nights at 8:30, we hear a "thump, thump" coming from the room right above ours. And it's loud. I'm sitting in the living room and I can still hear it. Apparently ( I haven't asked them or anything but I figure) they have decided to shed the pounds gained from the holidays by walking on their treadmill with very heavy steps.   Although it's better than the last time we heard a "thump, thump" from upstairs neighbors. (some of you may remember what it is I'm talking about; if you don't, trust me, you don't want to know.)  At least this is honest exercise. 

I especially like to share what we have done for FHE during the week.  Last night it was Stephens turn.  He spent all Sunday getting ready by drawing pictures of each person in our family. And so as our activity after his lesson on temples,  we got to color in another persons picture and write a note to them.  In no particular order,  our Masterpieces: (colored by Emily)  (colored by Stephen)  (colored by moi)  (colored by Trevor)   (colored by Annabelle) (colored by Joshua)  And then we had some herseys kisses and went to bed. 

obviously....  Trevor made Split-Pea Soup.  He's evolving from eating only white food  to eating and cooking a whole rainbow of colors. Hopefully, Joshy will come around eventually, also.  (BTW, since the picts are so big, you can see my stained table. I do wipe it off/sanitize it before we eat but since it serves as our eating/drawing/art/ homework table,  its a little worn out and needs a new painting. I guess what I'm saying is just ignore the black marks under Joshuas roll; it's a clean stain.)

Every time I sit at the computer, these little guys are staring at me.  I found them at Goodwill a long time ago and I love them.  Trevor does not feel my affinity for them. They may creep him out a little bit but he deals. I should name them.  Actually, I'll make Josh name them for me; he's better at that than I am.  ******************************************  Did you know I'm kind of whiny?  ( I know you know, Mom~lol) It's going to be one of my revolutions this year.  I just decided that.  Now I have to write it down.  At one time, I noticed that I made excuses a lot instead of owning up to my mistakes.  I now try really hard to not give excuses.  If I'm late, I try to just say I'm sorry instead of  blaming my children for taking a long time to put on their shoes,  or my baby having a messy diaper (I can't use that one anymore anyway). So what I'm saying is that maybe if I put my mind to it, I can be better at not wh...

What I have been waiting oh-so-patiently for, for months, is finally happening:  It's blossoming~ be still my heart .  There are 7 flowers on that pretty little stem~  This was my mothers day gift this past year and I do believe it is  my favorite mothers day gift yet! (hint, hint~ I want another one)

Jenna's Famous Potatoes.  I remember when she would make them for Sunday dinner and I would drizzle ranch all over them.  We had them the other night and now I am having them for lunch.  I don't drizzle them with ranch though,  cause really, that should be forbidden in all States.  It would exceed the fat content limitation on anyones diet.  Did I just say diet?  I hate that word.  It makes me think of New Years Revolutions (as Anna calls them)  which they really do end up becoming Revolutions ~  a war against my mind of what I can and what I can't do.  Like so far this year, one of my revolutions was to go to bed by 10 and wake up by 6.  10 comes around and I'm in bed but I'm also usually chatting with Trevor,  reading or doing something or other fantastic like that until around 11 or so.  And then 6 comes around and I get up and feel dizzy until 7.  I got up at 7:10 today.  I have failed.  B...

When I checked on the girls last night before me and Trevor went to bed, this is what I heard~ I thought it was so funny!  The video is dark but make sure you can hear it.....

Can I never go to the store without spending more money than I thought?  And Emily always gets it in her lap.... That's what happens when you ride shotgun. She doesn't care and she looks so cute too.

Oh, how I wish my mascara could make my eyelashes look like this.... The eyebrows and chubby cheeks I'd pass on, however. Although they're adorable (and acceptable) on Joshy.

January  Who doesn't love a good New Years kiss? and add in a visit to Salt Lake and you have a great month...  February  A Gold All-Around meet for Annabelle and Emilys crazy eyes plus a beautiful smile March  Joshua getting potty trained and Emilys 5k run.  The run was a blast and potty training seems to still be going on.  We won't be done till he stops peeing in his face. April  Miss Emily turned 9!!! And we dyed some eggs.  May We visited some graves and Stephen turned 6.  June  Sun bathing beauties in St. George and a HUGE family photo at Bear Lake.  The bench broke right after this picture was taken.  July  Our sweet Annabelle got baptized by her daddy. And we had lots of family come  visit her on this special day which was also her birthday! And we played with fire.  August  We took Grandma hiking at our favorite hiking spot in Boise and sang "The Ants go marching". and our house got painted....