Snippets of a Family

2011-02-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have this hanging in my kitchen to help remind us all that really kindness matters. I should get one and hang it in my department at work. Ha Ha! I do believe that it is all the million and one small changes that bring about really BIG changes. So plant the seed of kindness today and see what happens.

Here is some red art from Lucas and by the way I love red! In fact I realized yesterday that February is half over and I haven't worn my red sweater. I've got to get that sucker out and wear it.

Here are the boys after opening Valentine's Day cards from Aunt Amy. How super fun is that to get personal mail. That is another love in our home and I have to say my family is sooooo super good like that. My parents are very loyal fans and continue to send packages, gifts, and encouraging notes. Wow! I feel so loved.

Week 3

2011-02-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Both of my children have fallen fast asleep without one trip off the bed and at 7:30 pm. That is right you heard me correct. No water needed, or bathroom breaks... I am a pig in poop right now. After the longest weekend turned week of illness that was not limited to fever, asthma attacks, and now with the latest diagnosis of an ear infection. Lucas won't be in school until next week. This leads me to my hypothesis x2:

Hypothesis #1: Is Lucas better behaved when he is not at school?

Hypothesis #2: Is the Total Transformation working on my children?

I think a double YES, but I will need to track and trend my results perhaps log it in an excel spreadsheet and get back with you. No not really.

If anyone has seen the late night commercials for the Total Transformation Program by James Lehman you should buy it!!! Maybe your kids are little and cute and that's okay still buy it. Keep it for later. My dad spent 2 weeks visiting with us over the Christmas break flew home and bought it for our family. What does that say about my parenting??? That is a rhetorical question. I took no offense and cried happy tears as I popped in the "jump start" dvd. I had hit my wall in parenting and was strung out. I know only in the second grade your thinking, but if you could only see him he could have a job on Broadway!

Please let me know if you have any parenting tips or recommend any good books, videos, etc ?

V-Day 2011

2011-02-14T14:14:00.007-07:00

I am praying that the dark cloud of illness will cross this little desert home very soon. It all started on Friday morning at a quarter till six when Lucas was down and out with the fever, chills, nausea, sneezing, coughing, and everything that goes with it. Minus the throw up, thank God! This cold has made its way to every family member and continues to remind me to be grateful for good health. We had a jam packed weekend and not one event took place. We missed two birthday parties, church (it was my weekend to lead my table of 2nd graders), and an ever anticipated date night that had group childcare provided on Friday evening. I had been planning all things red for our evening out. But a 102 fever put a STOP to it and I could not with integrity expose my kid to another without some serious guilt. I tried to reason that maybe he will be better by four and we could still go out. This did not happen; so I sadly put my bottom lip out and rented movies instead. By Saturday night it had spread from Lucas to me and then Brad. I had to make the dreaded sick call on Sunday to my boss. Little Reef then got it too! Last night I was up playing the sick nurse giving the proper medications to the proper patients. I like to think we are on the mend today or maybe that is just the Tylenol typing.

On a positive note I would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day and recommend the movie Gifted Hands the Ben Carson story. Brad and I read the book and thought the movie was just as inspiring.

XOXO

p.s.

I am looking forward to the sun shining, heat that warms me to the bone, and flip flop days.

pool floats, swim suits and trunks, big towels, fun in the sun, cold drinks, a great tan, big hats, snorkels, laughing, playing, and hanging with friends, grilling out, come on summer please just get here and stay

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer...

2011-01-31T11:05:00.004-07:00

I have been learning to crochet and am making a scarf. I taught myself from a tutorial online and it has been really fun. I think it may be a little grandma-ish bringing it with me everywhere I go, but I like to be productive. It is hard for me to sit still for very long and do nothing. This way I get to work on something while my friend folds laundry and we visit. Or Lucas reads aloud and while the boys play with Lego's on the living room floor. I want to finish the scarf and learn to make a sweater or a beanie hat for Reef. I am going to give the scarf to Lucas for his birthday this fall. I had the idea to pray over it from Edie at lifeingraceblog.com and so my prayer is that he who wears this will honor God and trust in Him with his entire life.

Pizza Night!!!

2011-01-13T23:44:00.005-07:00

In an effort to create a family tradition we have pizza once a week and if you ask me it's not a bad one. Everyone likes pizza and gets what they want. This is a meal where no one complains and best of all I don't have to cook! Does it get any better than this? I sure think not.

Brad makes the dough and it's great! Again no complaining I assure you it is all smiles from here.

I think he's got it mastered and if nursing school doesn't work out we could always open a pizzeria...

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-07T20:48:00.001-07:00

I have a few New Year's resolutions that I have made and learning how to sew is only one of them. I thought sewing was fun, but it is even more fun at midnight with Papa Bob... and some Champagne. My dad was visiting for the holidays and it was one of the best visits yet.

Just a few of the things that I will be doing over the next couple of months in my spare time.
Sewing
Learning to crochet
Painting the boy's room
Creating a chalkboard wall somewhere in my small place not sure where, but I'll find a spot.
Working out more...
Journaling
Going Organic... already happening.
Going unplugged... already done.
Reading
Relaxing
Ice Skating
Turning nothing into something
Shopping and finding good deals...
I have been drooling over the below sofa for practically my whole life. I looked it up again today after finding a nasty stain on my moldy sofa. I like this sofa, but cannot decide on the color. Red has been my all time favorite color forever, but I love white too... I have boys though and think this ~~could be~~ would be a nightmare. I am strangely drawn to the orange shade and feel like that is my first choice if I had to decide right this minute. Of course that is if I really buy one, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Sister-Hood Part 1

2010-12-28T22:04:00.001-07:00

I am so glad for the common thread that we share in sister-hood. Thank you for your smiles, post-call giddiness phone calls, and your never ending encouragement that it is never too late to start anything. Love you!!!

p.s. I wish you were here to laugh with me and dad.

p.s.s. He still constantly interrupts me and eavesdrops on my phone conversations. Somethings never change. Ha ha ha you gotta love it!!!

Golden Birthday!!!

2010-10-03T08:33:00.008-07:00

Wow! Lucas turned 8 today {well actually back on September 8th, but I'm a little behind} and from the look on his face he can hardly believe it too. We celebrated by cosmic bowling at the local alley and I must say it was a lot of fun.

Even Reef was able to knock down a few pins...

with daddy's help that is.

Chocolate on chocolate with Oreo cookies and sprinkles were on the menu.

Lucas smiled big and enjoyed being with his friends and family. I cannot even believe just how fast this year has gone that is number 7. Now we are onto new adventures together. Just to recap the year he lost a lot of teeth, finished 1st grade and began 2nd. His dad started nursing school and his little brother turned 2. Lucas received his first ever BB gun and went on a father and son camping trip.

May this year be as fun, exciting, and filled with energy as you are Lucas Pookas!

Love you,

Mom xoxo

Absolute Joy

2010-07-25T10:06:00.002-07:00

Summer in Arizona is really HOT! So we have been taking advantage of all the water works and yesterday we ended up splashing in the east valley. I am praising God for two boys and the absolute joy they bring to our family...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

FAMILY

2010-05-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

I just have to say one more thing. Brad has bought a dvd titled 'Homesteading for Beginners'. This morning I was learning how to pluck a chicken and how to properly remove the guts. Believe it or not there is a technique to this. I must say though I would rather live on a farm than a sailboat.

I will also leave you with a picture of our recent family day trip to the peach farm... I'll be back with more on this one soon. It was so much fun.

Just look how fuzzy they are!

Family Camping Trip

2010-05-30T14:05:00.003-07:00

So our little family went camping and I survived! I think the last time I went camping was in 2007 when we traveled up the coast of California and on into Oregon. It was a lot easier since we only had Lucas and he was pretty self sufficient at the time {he would have been turning 5 on our 3 week long trip} and really very helpful with setting up camp. This overnight camp out as it turned out was harder since we had wind, COLD temperatures, and diapers {no running water or plumbing... but I guess that is the JOY of camping} to contend with. I can laugh at it now; now that it is all over and I'm once again warm. Some highlights were that my tennis shoes ended up not making the trip and I sure could have used them. Then Reef started coughing this awful barky sort of cough right when we got to the lake, but hadn't yet found a good campsite. I also didn't realize or appreciate how hard it really is to come by a good campsite especially at 9 p.m. on a Friday night. You see Brad kept telling me "we need to go" and I was still puttering around the home {I never like to come home to a big mess} you ladies know how it is. Because of my lack of urgency or excitement we got up to the lake just as the sun was starting to set and all the good spots were taken. We almost camped at a few places, but they were so we windy we would have blown over and I'm not kidding. After looking a long time {3 hours... no joke} the hunt was over and we stopped. The good news was the burning band was lifted and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. we could start a fire... you see the wind was so blustery that you couldn't even burn before that. So I guess in a way it was good we were late. :) After setting up the tent we transferred the two sleepy heads into bed. We all crashed out and were awoken by the wind not too long later. It was so noisy I though we were going to lift off and fly. Or else one of the four rocks boulders that I had used to anchor the tent down with would lift up and knock me out for good. We all survived the night and woke up at "O" dark thirty as Brad says with both boys raring to go. "Dad... dad... mom wake up lets make a fire"... it was in the 50's and I had no tennis shoes only flip flops, oh AND no coat. Next time I will remember to make sure I bring these very important pieces. Brad was a good man and made a fire as my attempts were futile and I climbed back into my sleeping bag to warm up. I could go on and on, but what's that old saying 'a picture says a thousand words'... so here are a bunch of pictures.

Reef was getting scolded by Brad for throwing Lucas' butterfly/fishing net into the water. It sunk even after we tried to save it, but we did managed to get the diaper ha ha... we found out they float a lot longer. Reef wasn't the best fisherman. From the sounds of his high pitched screams I deduced that he didn't much care for being cooped up on the boat. Our four hour boat rental was returned in under just an hour. They don't rent nanny's at the dock {I asked :)} unfortunately. Lucas did get to enjoy catching little minnows {off the side of this pier} with his newly purchased butterfly/fishing net {thanks to his dad} and he even tried to sell them. As for me and Reef we went back to the van to rest up.

I have never been so happy in my whole life to come home. There truly is no place like home.

You might say he was a bit on the sour side.

Recipes

2010-05-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

French toast anyone?

I REALLY like french toast. I love to slather it with peanut butter, syrup, and dust it with powdered sugar. Next to every plate should be a cup of hot coffee and strawberries. So I thought I would share my recipe. When I make this it goes really fast so I would advise making at least a double batch.

2 eggs slightly beaten

2/3 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash {or lots} nutmeg & cinnamon

1 teaspoon powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter

French bread, sliced sort of thick {I even use day old bread and it is really yummy}

Peanut butter

Powdered sugar

Maple syrup

Mix egg, milk, spices and sugar in shallow pan. Preheat skillet add butter. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture then place in hot skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side or until bread is nicely browned. Slather with peanut butter, maple syrup, and dust with powdered sugar. Remember you can also freeze this and make another time for an easy breakfast.

In other news I am still trying to meet my May monthly goals... I have been hitting the gym and today laid by the pool reading {it is 90 outside today} and I'm building my summer base. I will finish "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin this evening before going to bed. I think I started reading it back in October... golly jeepers have I been busy.

Speaking of reading... I ran across these old pictures of the boys reading one Saturday morning. It is a good reminder that we as parents can be the catalysts in our children's lives and encourage them to read instead of watching TV and playing video games. This website gives statistics on what happens when we lack the skills of reading and comprehension. It is shocking to me! http://www.readfaster.com/education_stats.asp#readingstatistics

If your kids told you they didn't like brushing their teeth... you would tell them too bad... do it anyway... because it's good for you! So is reading for the brain!

Boys and Books

2010-05-04T20:45:00.001-07:00

Wash me!

This dirty toaster and meat thermometer tell a funny story. I was doing dishes not long ago when I discovered the meat thermometer in the kitchen sink. Interesting I thought since I hadn't used it in a very long time. Then I asked aloud "who used the meat thermometer"? "Brad did you use it"? to which he replied "no". Then Lucas piped in and said that he had placed it in the toaster to see how hot it could get. He also said that he held it the entire time {I'm still not so sure of that as he claims he felt no shock}. All I know is that he was unloading the dishwasher and got a little side tracked with his science experiment. He now knows not to put anything, but bread in the toaster. Ha ha you gotta love it though.

And this is my stack of books that I hope to eventually finish. I want to read everything and I just can't seem to find the quiet time that is necessary for this past time. I didn't even add all my magazines or newspaper articles that I have yet to read. My mom and dad have sent me so many good articles over the years, but my favorites are about the couples who have been married for 50 or even 75 years. I absolutely love to read about their life stories of how they made it through the hard times and how many kids they had. I save them for when I need a little inspiration or encouragement, because they usually have some fun humor as well. They are a truly priceless to me.

So off to read!

April where have you gone?

2010-05-03T18:25:00.001-07:00

Here are the pictures of the grass we grew in egg shells for Easter decorations as copied from www.flythroughourwindow.com . The boys had fun doing it, but beware of where the seeds may land. I have grass growing in random places now.

Overall though I really have no idea what happened to the month of April and I'm in complete shock that it's May already. So much went on... we made it through Easter, celebrated our nine year Anniversary, birthday's, and daily life as we know it.
I hope to blog more often this month and get back to taking pictures once again.

My goals for this month are as follows...
~Use my gym pass that I pay for every month.
~Bake some lunch-box cookies & freeze them before it heats up and I have to crank my AC up in order to bake.
~Pull out my grilling recipes and start meal planning.
~Complete one book out of the four books that I'm currently reading.

This should be fun!

Fried Green Tomatoes

2010-03-28T17:08:00.001-07:00

This as I understand is primarily a southern dish and as I researched recipes I read that some people like to deep fry pickles. Yuck! That just sounds so disgusting and like fair food to me. So if tomatoes don't sound gross then give it a try and let me know how they turn out. I do realize that it isn't tomato season everywhere in the USA, but maybe this will inspire you to plant some tomato plants or ponder the thought of a garden.

Here are my green tomatoes that I bought at the farmers market and for the first time in my life I made fried green tomatoes. I had never eaton them and had always wanted to try. I think they turned out pretty good for a first timer.

5 tomatoes sliced up sort of thick.

Corn Meal

Janes Crazy Mixed up salt

Flour

Eggs

Milk

Pepper

Just mix the dry ingredients together and in a separate bowl mix the eggs and milk. I made sure I had the oil nice and hot before placing the tomatoes in the pan. Dipping the tomatoes into the wet then dry and then into the hot oil. They are really greasy so I recommend a strainer or paper towels or both. But they are quite tasty dipped in ranch dressing and it was fun to try something new.

It really is a different picture of health in comparison to the first photo when they're freshly picked.

Just remember everything in moderation... bon appetite!

P.S. I think these ingredients would taste really yummy on fried chicken and maybe trade the milk out for buttermilk. I'll let you know if I try it.

No greater job & with an eternal paycheck!

2010-03-22T15:41:00.001-07:00

A wise person once said, "the best inheritance parents can give their children is their time each day."

Relationships are more important than anything this world has to offer me. It is the snippets in life that we share that really matter the most. Haircuts on the patio, playing with all of our toys in the living room, and all the day to day life things that WE do TOGETHER.

As we live life, somedays don't go as we may have planned, but we try to end up with smiles on our faces.

Who would want to miss this sunshiny moment...

The following is the account of my day... thus far.

So the alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and no matter how much sleep I get it doesn't seem like enough. I start the coffee and in a short while the transformation is completed. I have gone from feathers to... I don't know something a little more people friendly. Off to work I go and not without changing the Reefster who happened to soak through his diaper and onto his sheets.... and those sheets need to be changed before the sitter lays him down for a nap... so I sing to the radio and drink my coffee as I fly down the boulevard. I clock in just in the nick of time and quickly examine my job and the duties that lie ahead. After finally making it to my desk I get a phone call that Lucas isn't feeling well. He wants to stay home from school because he feels like he's going to "throw up". Are you kidding me is what I think! Not sure if he just doesn't want to attend school or is he REALLY sick. I talk to him and tell him he needs to get ready to go. I attend an impromptu meeting with my manager and when I get back to my desk the phone is buzzing. "Lucas is throwing up and he is asking for you to come home" are the words that come from my sitter. I'm thinking oh no, last Monday I had to call out and now this... I call Brad and he reminds me that the children come first and that I need to go home. I drive like a mad woman, get home to find Lucas on his bead with barf bucket in hand and Reef playing. The babysitter makes like a bandit leaving her coat behind and I don't blame her. I spend the next few minutes disinfecting the place and serving up Sprite to the Lucas Pooh. Just as the cleaning frenzy comes to an end I hear "mom what's for lunch"... several hours later Lucas can't get enough to eat and feels "normal". Amazing how God can make the little things or so they may seem so big and important. Being home with my two boys on a sunny day is the BEST!

The most stunning thing to me is that when I was leaving I checked off just one more thing on my list and quickly met with a coworker... I spouted out a rhetorical question "how much more flexible can they be with me" to which she said "maybe someone of a higher power has a different plan for you" implying quitting and working for my kids at home. Interesting that she would say that to me, because moments later I would experience feelings of failure and defeat as I left work early and things unfinished. It is not surprising though that the enemy attacks us, but it is how we fight back that is the most important. I prayed on my way home for direction and understanding of what to do. And by the time I was home and in my comfy clothes tending to my little ones I felt like this was right where I needed to be!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T08:09:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the entire town at the park. I saved this post for the actual day and today is it... so don't forget to wear green or you may just get pinched.

We heard the pipers play and they were really a good group. They even did one that sounded just like Amazing Grace which is one of my most favorite hymns of all times. I know the first and last verse by heart and have sung my boys to sleep with it many times. So I was so excited to hear it for the first time in my life by bag pipe...

I thought the tattoo went well with the pleated kilt and knee socks... so I got as close as one could without looking too ridiculous. But to document life through the lens one must be a shameless photographer and I have learned this from my dad who should really open a gallery with all of his life's work...

The fountain is turned green twice (noon and five), but unfortunately I missed it... I guess I was preoccupied with all the people we ran into and maybe today I can get a picture when they'll do it again.

Brad and his sister Tia got a good hug in!

It ended up being a really nice day full of family & friends, music, and fun. The kids came home exhausted which made for a goodnights sleep. Yeah for us!

And everyone was filled with happy smiles. ~Please ignore the restrooms in the back and try to focus on the little boy in green.~ Happy St. Paddy's Day to y'all!

Stay tuned I will be posting a recipe soon and it will be simple ~I hope~, but a tasty one. I will give you a hint. It is green and I picked them up at the farmers market yesterday.

A Make a Difference Mom-day!

2010-03-15T19:08:00.001-07:00

Well, if your ever wondering what to get your kids for Christmas worry no more. Just start saving your Costco boxes and then wrap them up and put them under the tree. Lucas was all up in the art supply box this morning and has added glue to the mix. I was in a coffee coma on the couch when I saw him nearly dripping it on the floor...

Later Reef was trying to assist in a clean up and overheard me say we need paper towels. Ugh... so after nap it was time to get outside and hit the playground, the extension of our backyard patio. For all of you with backyards and big trees I am so jealous!

Off we headed over to the park for a jog/razor ride around it. A nice way to burn off some energy and what a beautiful day it turned out to be. Of course the neighbor boy was around so he came too! Reef was great and played hard when we got to little kids side.

They all had fun on the big yellow airplane and played really well together. Sometimes three is a charm...

and here is the fantastic fountain in all its glory. It goes off every hour on the hour for 15 minutes and on St. Patrick's Day they always dye it green!

So I had to get a picture of the cousins... we just happened to run into them. Laken and Lucas are 3 weeks apart and they are both missing their very first front tooth. How cute!!!

Hours have gone...

Dinner and showers have all past now and soon the boys are going off to bed and I won't have to say "no more sound effects" for a least a couple more hours. Today Lucas has been giving us lessons on how to sound more like an elephant, but I say all of this to remind myself to enjoy my kids, the sunshine, and just leave the mess behind. I mean come on isn't there always something to clean. This was such a fun day... and it's only just a snippet!

Lighting up!

2010-03-15T10:17:00.001-07:00

Good morning! It is a new week and normally I would be at the hospital today, but my babysitter called out last night saying she was ill. Thank goodness I have a flexible boss who let me clock in and work for 4.5 hours. I got home way past my bedtime and this morning came too soon, but nothing a cup of the bean can't smooth over. I don't know if anyone else struggles with being a Christian in the year 2010, but I sure do. I don't want to lose touch with reality and become this totally weird person, but... I feel like I shouldn't keep my faith in my coat pocket in the back of my closet. It is a struggle to live in the world, but not be of the world. How are we supposed to behave? Is it okay to drink wine or beer? What if I slip up and say a swear word. The list goes on and on... ugh... I am just so glad I'm not living in the Old Testament days or I would have been stoned to death a long time ago.

So all of this to say we had a really encouraging sermon yesterday and we are studying the book of Daniel. In chapter 5 we learned about what happens when you ignore God for to long... He won't have it! It really spoke to me about how we are living in a anti-God culture (filled with "open mindedness" and "tolerance"), but we are called to live righteously and stand up boldly for Him. The pastor used the analogy that we are all little drops of water in this ocean of a culture, but when many come together we can make a wave... and not walk around disgruntled about this present world, but do right, have mercy, and walk humbly.

Micah 6:8 "No, O people, the Lord has told you

what is good,

and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God."

~New Living Translation

May we shine like lights in this world today and remember we have Jesus on our side. Besides as one once reminded me we know the ending!

I found this quote interesting...

God is, even though the whole world deny him. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained. Mohandas Gandhi

Friday Night Franks

2010-03-11T23:24:00.001-07:00

I should say with life rushing past me I did NOT want to forget this post. Since our current schedules now allow us; my man and me have started having Friday night family night with our boys. In hopes that all the hustle and bustle of the chaotic work/school week will be calmed by a night of fun and togetherness. I highly recommend dedicating a night once a week to just you and yours without too many interruptions...

So again please forgive me... this post is way out of sequence with real life, but I just had to put it on anyways.

Here is proof we were all together and the perma smile is because we had so many retakes... poor Reef kept getting his head cut off, but this is as good as it gets. Oh, and we only have two biological children, but the neighbor boy is working his way into my heart little by little. He seems to appear on the door step just at the right time and Lucas is wild happy that he gets to join us. I'm quite sure he'll be bringing me adoption papers any day now.

This is where it begins and it is near perfect outside... the sun is going to set, the sky is open, and later the stars will twinkle. To get here you drive for a few miles down gravel and it reminds me of my childhood. My gammie had a gravel driveway that we used to ride big wheels down at lightning speed...

Once you walk inside there are picnic tables, fire pits, food, and singing! The boys played horse shoes, tag, ate franks, and roasted marshmallows! My favorite thing was that it's all the perks of camping, but without all the work! You get the luxury of coming home to sleep in your own bed and that is true luxury these days.

Beware: When giving two boys pokers, a fire pit, and a dose of pure sugar... code word s'mores that all bets are off!

Reef played peek a boo, danced to the music, and was all smiles! What a relaxing time it was...

Now I will introduce you to the wonderful Stephanie Kniffin kniffinmusic.com pictured above. She is a singer songwriter, and guitar playing performer. It is amazing to me how she/people can get up in front of others and sing like birds. I love music! I love how it can move me to my near core, give me chicken skin, and take me so far back to places in time. Thank you to all of those out there who brave the stage and do it with such grace and elegance... consider it a gift from God!

Here is her cd titled "little things" which I'm sure she would happily mail out to anyone who may be interested in ordering. She has a soothing sound and can play a rugged guitar so if your interested please check out her website listed above.

The folks that work there wear all the cowboy gear which I really liked. I'm just sorry I didn't wear my Tony Lamas, but I'll save them for shopping at Costco... I'm what you might call an urban cowgirl with big dreams of being discovered by the Pro-Rodeo Circuit... you never know, but more likely I will be a sailor. ~As a side note Brad has been looking at boats again and remember... we live in the desert!

On our way home we howled at the moon and laughed our heads off! Just trying to burn off the confectioners sugar high.

I think you can appreciate silence a little better after a drive home with some rowdy boys or at least one. Lucas is off the wall and Lord help me with him. I sincerely covet your prayers.

Though may we all be reminded today that it is not only alright to be different, but fantastic!

...I am sooo off to bed now... I woke up at 0500 a.m. and I need my sleep.

Recipe: Mom's Cinnamon Rolls

2010-03-09T13:05:00.001-07:00

As promised here is the recipe for the treats... I have been crazy busy and finding myself saying things like "please don't use the fridge door as a drinking fountain" and "don't do flips on the couch" and "use your indoor voice we have neighbors upstairs and lots of tile now"... maybe that explains why they listed there place just this past week...

So here goes!

Scald 2 cups of milk in saucepan on medium heat (I use a candy thermometer 150 degrees). In a bowl put 2 cups warm water (not hot because it will kill the yeast) 2/3 cup sugar and 2 pkg yeast (I use fast rising).

When milk comes to a scald temperature remove pan from heat and add 2/3 cup Crisco or half margarine and 4 tsp. salt. ~As a side note I have a thing with buying name brand items particularly if they are going to last long in the cupboard. I cannot stand to gaze at generic labels... weird this may be, but I don't care. I prefer bright and colorful! ~

In a clean bowl whip up 4 eggs and when the yeast is foaming and milk is warm (I cool my milk mixture 45 minutes before combining), mix 3 mixtures together. Add NO more than 12 cups of flour. Just add a little flour at a time.

Mix and then knead by hand until it forms a ball and is not gooey. After you can handle it and it doesn't stick to your hands or surface... lightly butter large bowl and also butter dough ball. Cover with large towel and place it in the oven with light on until it raises to double in size. Punch down. Repeat placing in oven-let rise again. Punch down.
While all is rising. In pans spray with Pam (or use butter/Crisco... that's what I do... I know can you say heart attack) and put brown sugar in pans.

Roll 1/2 of dough on LIGHTLY floured surface, butter and sprinkle with sugar & cinnamon, raisins or dried cranberries. Just be creative! Roll up, cut, put in pans. Return to oven and let rise once more (not very long this time). Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. You can drizzle icing on top if you wish.

WARNING: Do not double this recipe, but you can cut it in 1/2. Also be sure and allow yourself several hours to complete this... it is not recommended to start making this at 6:30 p.m. unless you are a serious night owl with no small owlets!

mmm.... just typing this makes me want to bake some up!

Happy March!!!

2010-03-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

I thought I would share this picture today and maybe it will send some cheer your way. Believe it or not it has been down right dreary here... I find myself stomping through deep puddles and unloading groceries in the pouring rain. After talking with my dad he reminded me that the daffodils were in bloom back home and so off I trotted to the local Safeway. I enjoyed mine for a day or two until the pollen got the better of me... I think it's wise to keep them outside or don't be so greedy and buy three bunches like I did...

Peace and Quiet who could ask for anything more...

2010-02-26T13:47:00.001-07:00

I feel rather introspective today and I feel like God has such a hold of me. I don't know what I would do without my faith and what life would be like. I feel like I have a full tank of happiness... maybe it's because Reef is napping and Lucas is at school. The quiet hum of the fridge and keystrokes is all I hear...
Silence should not be taken for granted! Or maybe it is that the routine I am currently in is better than I could have ever imagined. Transformation and change don't come easily for me. At all! I just cannot stress enough how God has molded me over the last year and though I don't know what the future holds, I feel a sense of peace and like I can rest easy today. Jeremiah comes to mind...
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Friday Night Lights

2010-02-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

I was so motivated by anneoverbeek.blogspot.com and her ability to transform with paint that I just had to get going. So in October I began priming and painting our master bathroom, which led to the entire place. I had Brad take off the ugly gold fixtures and he replaced them with brushed oil. It was such a transformation that the carpet had to go! It was originally a plush white that had turned African safari and looked like a brown giraffe with a lot of spots. Brad took to removing the kitchen tile and the red dust settled for days. I have never seen anything quite like it.

In error the wrong tile was laid and when I came home all I could say was "oh no this isn't right". It was corrected and in the end we are very happy with our new look. No more Bissell and harsh chemicals needed to clean up the stain... when a spill occurs it is easily wiped up. However, if you have ever lived through a remodel you know that one change leads to another... So by Friday night the kitchen lights were completed and I am thrilled. They are so much better than the can lighting we had before. I was down to only two lights and now all three work. They look fabulous and did I mention they are on a dimmer switch. The nest is looking so much better after a little fluffing here and there.

The kitchen floor when we began was solid white 12 x 12 tiles with a dirty gray grout. It was worn, chipped, and showed a lot of imperfections.

The demolition process done by my man took about eight hours and had the neighbors stopping in to offer their thoughts. One of the men told Brad it did his heart good to see him work so hard and then he brought him a beer. Others came by to ask how we could stand to live like this... like I said it was no quick process... check out those guns!

This is the tile we ended up with and I simply love it! It is called Oxide Black and was a big change, but after living on the concrete forever I knew I could go dark. It has chocolate brown in it and we chose a dark brown grout to pull the color. The tile is 20 x 20 and it is kind of swirly looking.

The lights have a dimmer switch as I said and were only $19.98 a piece from Lowes. I am enjoying them and all the light they produce. It's much better light when retrieving items from the pantry...

you can see the door handle isn't gold and we still need to finish putting up the base boards.

But for now I will kick up my feet, cook, and laugh with my boys!

One long day

2010-02-17T20:37:00.001-07:00

So here's the long and short... I forgot to put Lucas' money from the Tooth Fairy under his pillow. So he woke up disappointed and I felt terrible. When he told me I was already driving to work and I just let him know how I forgot. Upon arriving at work a suggestion was made that the Tooth Fairy doesn't work on President's Day. How clever, but he didn't by it. I'm not really sure why it even matters anyway since he knows that Santa Clause isn't real.

He looks so much like my cousin Joel in this picture!

Then I found my missing coffee tumbler that I got Brad for Christmas (I've been using it though) on another woman's desk, but she wouldn't give it back. The story is really long and kind of funny in the Office TV show sense. Ask me someday and I'll tell you in person it will make you want to laugh then scratch your head. I couldn't find any pictures to represent the tumbler at Christmas, but I did find these two handsome fellers!!!

I love Lucas' freckles...

and check out Reef's toes. These are some things we share freckles and goofy toes.

I just wanted to get on here and vent a little. Also I wanted to post some really cute pictures of us making cookies together. Reef is wearing my apron that I wore when learning to cook and bake. It came to me that it could also double as a cape.

What a good helper and did I mention that he's going through the no pants are necessary stage.

This was the outcome and they tasted good. They were flat because your supposed to make the cookies with peanut butter dough, but we tried the chocolate chip recipe instead. Tasty they were and brought tears to a certain someone when he was cut off after scarfing down two.

p.s. Since I'm so behind on this blog a day and night have passed. And I'm happy to report my coffee tumbler has been given back to me and as one friend said "guilt is a beautiful thing..." and another said "there's only one word for that BAZAAR".

It has returned virtually unharmed, is getting a hot bath in the d/w tonight and I will learn from my mistakes and keep a better eye... oh poor tumbler having to be in the hands of a stranger.

As for Lucas the Tooth Fairy flew by with a $5.00 bill and now he is simply ACHING to go to Target!

Thanksgiving in February

2010-02-15T20:02:00.001-07:00

The weekend is history. I won't complain though since I am grateful to have a job given the economic plight that so many are in. Working in the medical field has really made me thankful for my health, because disease knows no boundaries and attacks like a thief in the night. Whomever coined the phrase "when you have your health you have everything" knew what they were talking about. Just today a coworker told me of her relative Olive. She is a four year old who recently suffered a stroke and the doctors have now identified a brain tumor. It is located right in the center of her brain. Can you even imagine what painful news to hear. Please pray for this precious life she could use it. And may I/we be reminded not to take advantage of our health.
So I will give thanks for my health and for our family day trip to Saguaro Lake and let me tell you that it was 72 degrees here! Crazy I know coming from the Pacific Northwest! This is how I can bear living so far from all of the people I love.

I have to tell you though boys can be hard to photograph especially when there is mud involved.

Lucas was having a blast and he came prepared with swim trunks... too cold for me.

Reef on the other hand... not so much, but we improvised.

So he had to take off his pants

and play in the water.

They did find a clam shell of some sort and it was teeny tiny itty bitty. Over all we had a really fun time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

I will take my happy thoughts and direct them towards a man who will be just one of my Valentine's today. This man has loved over the years in the best way he could. He is a loyal man, he is a man who has provided well for his family, and he instilled a work ethic that is way beyond this generation. His sense of thrift has taught me to thrive on my own. His quirky stories, sense of humor, and deep love of family history have all contributed to who I am today.

Perhaps though when he accepted the Lord at the age of 21 while serving his country, that is what would mold me the most. While no one is perfect and I find this true this morning too! I am reminded of God's immeasurable love, faithfulness, and forgiveness of all my imperfections. I am grateful to my father who very human in many ways has loved me so much. I am thankful today for this Valentine!

Tape anyone???

2010-02-13T09:26:00.001-07:00

Not sure if anyone else struggles to find tape when they need it, but in our home it is gold. Lucas uses it for his many projects and creations that he makes. I find it holds everything together in the boys room. So when he came asking for MY tape (it is in the forbidden cupboard)... he had run out not surprisingly so. I took a few snap shots. He started out only

needing a small piece...

So I made him measure for me and I asked him are you sure it's only a piece?

Then he came clean...

and managed to walk away with four. Did I mention he is a lawyer in training, but I make a pretty good judge. Today it was only tape though and he won!

Breakfast is served

2010-02-13T08:36:00.001-07:00

Ham Cheese and Spinach Strata recipe that is so easy to make and yummy to eat. Big thank you to Darby! www.flythroughourwindow.com My son Lucas says after just having it for breakfast that "come to think of it that's pretty good".
I doubled this and froze one... I love to fill my freezer with good food then pull it out at a later date.

Hometown History

2010-02-12T21:51:00.001-07:00

2010-02-12T21:31:00.002-07:00

What's cooking?
Well, in my studio over the last few months I have made a lot of tasty recipes and hope to share them all over time.

Mom's Cinnamon Rolls were almost ready to go into the oven. I started making these at 6:30 p.m. and wasn't finished until just before midnight. So I guess I misjudged the time a little, but after the birds went to sleep it was ever so quiet. What can I say I love to bake and create food from scratch.

They were so good!

I froze some, fed the neighbor, and of course we ate them too! But I thought I should add that we don't just eat Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast, lunch, and dessert. We eat healthy cereals...

Notice the frown on the little Reefster. I'm pretty sure he would rather be eating Mom's Cinnamon Rolls.

Recipe to be posted later.