It said what??!

Eric was having an Elder's Quorum Wii Party at our house tonight, so the kids and I hung out at Shannon's house. This was written in the wrapper of a piece of chocolate that I had. I believe it was Dove Dark Chocolate. Now, what to do with this...suggestions?

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school for Rion. He was so excited for the summer, but will miss his teacher, Mrs. Remick. She is going to be going to the new school - Lakevue Elementary - next year, along with most of the other teachers at his school. I suppose that is part of life. As a thank you, he helped me make some homemade Honey Wheat Bread for her. This is one of the best homemade wheat bread recipes I have ever had! Very Yummy! I will have to remember to add the recipe later.

Since this was the last day of school, Rion came home with his report card. What a smart kid! He had most "meets expectations" and a handful of "exceeds expectations". We are so proud of him! I hope he continues with his love of learning all through high school!

Exciting Day

There are two things that happened today that were TOTALLY exciting.

The first, for those of you who don't read my sister-in-law's site, Angie and I found a website (okay, it was actually Angie, not me...I was just on the phone with her at the time) that has a free download that will turn your blog into a book. Yes, that's right, a book. It's free up until you want them to send your book to you, then you have to pay a minimum of $12.95. But still...it's a book of all your thoughts, feelings, and best of all pictures, that you've been jotting down for who knows how long. Just plain awesome! Here is the link - http://www.blurb.com/learn_more/flip/

Left to Right - Top: Me, Angela - Bottom: Jackie, Amie

The 2nd thing, one of my best friends in the whole world has finally been sucked into the blogging community! Yay for Amie! And this after she vowed only a month ago that she was still only going to maintain her Myspace account. Tee hee hee. I am so excited to get to watch her family grow up since I can't watch in person. Now, if only CA and ID can get smooshed closer together...hmmm...I'm going to have to think about that one. Love ya Amie!

Proud, but still a ways to go...

I was SO proud of myself today. Many of you know that Hailey and I certainly have our moments...meaning that we don't always get along. We are both very stubborn and want what we want, when we want it, and it usually clashes with the other person. Well, today I had a break through. It was one of those days where I wanted her to clean her room, and she instantly had a meltdown, crying that it would just take too long and that she wanted a lollipop first. Under normal circumstances, this is when my temper reaches boiling point really fast because this is the reaction I get every time I ask her to clean her room. However, knowing this was going to occur, I was ready. I stayed very calm, called her over to me, and very rationally explained that if she would just hurry and clean her room (saving her closet for tomorrow), she may then have a lollipop PROVIDED she stayed in control of her emotions. WOW! I can't believe it worked!

So, here's where the WAS comes into play with the first sentence of this post. Several hours later when Rion was home, after an hour of off and on arguing, Chase crying, kids saying they were hungry, kids taking forever and whining while putting the dishes away, and me trying to make dinner, I was done. My boiling point was finally reached. I have a little ways to go when it comes to patience with my children, which oddly enough seems to be the only thing I don't have patience with. But, I'm trying, and that's what counts, right?

Prayers with Thought

Last night at the dinner table, Hailey was giving the blessing on the food. During her prayer, she said, "Please bless that we will have great opportunity to help each other..." Ahh! I don't know where she learned that phrase, but may we all truly have opportunities every day to give service to others!

Memorial Day

Here are some photos of our Memorial Day Picnic at the Vadnais' home. Here's to the men and women that are fighting and have fought for our country!

Chase was having so much fun on the trampoline.

Ah, nap time!

Hailey and Lexie played indoors with the barbie house.

The boys were playing video games most of the time.

And the big boys had enough watching...it was their turn for some fun!

Bikes

Over the passed couple of weeks, Rion has been attempting to teach Hailey how to ride a "two wheel bike", as Hailey puts it. It has been quite cute. Well, on Saturday, with just a little bit of Eric's help, she finally got it! She was so excited! (Check out her knee pads!)

Eric took her for a ride around the various streets in the subdivision. I didn't realize he could ride a bike several sizes too small!

...and then, of course, Chase had to join in the fun too!

Food Storage - May 25th-31st - Week 4

Can you believe May is almost over? This is our final week for May items. I hope everyone has been doing well. If you were unable to get any of these food storage items this month, don't panice and go get everything. Just start fresh with this week's list.


Week 4

Garden seeds: corn, carrots, green beans, broccoli, peas, onions, tomatoes, squash, zucchini. Buy a shovel.


Personally, I think this week's list should come earlier in the year, especially since most of us already have our gardens in. It would be easy to just purchase these seeds at the same time. Some stores may not have many more of these items, but do your best. Follow the directions for storage on the back of the packets. If there are other seeds that are not listed that you like, purchase those as well.

Decisions

I know this seems funny, but I am having such a hard time deciding how I want my blog to look. When I changed it last night, I thought the background looked awesome. But this morning it was only okay. I guess everyone will just have to suffer with a "change of scenery" as I try to find my style!

Nursery Rhyme

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

With marionberry starts...

...and bush bean sprouts...

...and burpless cucumbers...


...and honey sweet corn all in a row!

Okay, so it doesn't rhyme! Oh well. I am so proud of my garden! I planted it about a week ago, and look at what has already popped up! Now, the marionberry bush I transplanted over a month ago, but it's nice to see that it hasn't died. I also have carrots planted, and they are starting to pop up, but the sprouts are so tiny that it was hard to take a picture. In the right hand corner of the garden I planted some pre-grown early girl tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and another type of smaller tomato that is a more like a grape tomato, and also some cilantro. The cilantro looks a little sad, but it's the first time I've planted herbs - it will take a little getting used to. I can't wait until harvest time!

Our Happy Family

The Girls

The Boys

It's a sleepy day...

9:30 am

2:15 pm

Car Wash

Kids love to wash cars!

That is, unless they get soap in their eyes.

The Heat is On!

Yesterday was the hottest day of year so far in the Treasure Valley. It hit 91 degrees, and since the average over the past month has been around 60 degrees, it was quite warm. Time to break out the boat! We left the house around 11:00 with Josh and Kael Black. Kael was a little afraid of the water, but eventually got used to the tube.

Chase even had fun pointing at all the water as it went wizzing by!

Rion wanted to try his hand a something a little more difficult than tubing. So, Eric taught him his first lesson in knee boarding.

After being towed by Eric manually for a little while, we gradually worked him up to "full speed" and with the rope attached to the tower. I can guarantee he'll want to do this again!

Hailey didn't get to go knee boarding, but she did help Daddy drive the boat.

And at the end of it all...nap time!

Today, Rion was practicing just holding on to the rope and pulling himself up. Chase even wanted a turn.

Food Storage - May 18-24 - Week 3

It's Sunday! Here is the next installment of our striving to be obedient and be prepared.


Week 3

Jell-O gelatin, pudding mixes. Check the local cannery for bulk pudding and dry-pack a can of it.


Pretty self explanatory, and CAN very inexpensive! I find that I buy more of the small boxes of generic sugar free jello than the the regular stuff. It tastes the same, yet doesn't get my kids all wired with sugar, and here it's less than $.40 a box at Walmart. I have not tried the cannery's pudding mix, so if anyone can fill us in on its taste, it would be greatly appreciated. Have fun!

Funny Quote of the Day

On the way home from church, Hailey says (very seriously) to Rion, "Rion, how do you make armpit farts? My armpits are sweaty, and I can't do it."

Flying Manta Ray

Well, since our vacation plans for the summer have changed recently, we are kicking the idea around of purchasing this fun little thing. Let me know what you all think!

Silly Me!

I just have to share this because it was a definite "blonde" moment for me.

I was locking up the house for the night, making my usual rounds. Typically, when I lock the door to the garage, I open it, make sure the door going outside is locked, then close it and lock the door. Tonight, I decided I to open the door, twist the lock, then make my quick check of the door leading outside, then just shut the door and be done. This was my mistake. Instead of following that pattern of thought, as I was scanning the garage, I decided to flip the switch on the sprinkler system back to "on" instead of "manual". You guessed...I locked myself in the garage.

Lucky for me, I had my cell phone in my pocket, so I called Eric's phone since he was upstairs getting ready for bed. Knowing that he was going to make fun of me and NOT open the door for me very quickly if I told him the truth, I told him that there was something in the garage that he "just had to see," but I wasn't going to tell him what it was. When he got to the door, he was teasing me, asking me what I would do if he locked me in instead. When "locked" the door, he actually unlocked the door for me. So I walked through the door and told him thanks for letting me in. Boy, you should have seen the look on his face!

Food Storage - May 11-17 - Week 2

I almost didn't post this tonight, with it being Mother's Day and all of the festivities that come with it. It's wind down time, though, so I thought I would just throw this week's food list on really fast .


Week 2

Dry soups and soup mixes or make your own from dehydrated veggies. Boxes of crackers, saltines, graham, etc.


Personally speaking, I buy the generic brand of crackers because of the expense. Some generics do taste better than others. Since this is my own personal blog, I can say that I buy most of the generic crackers from WinCo, such as Wheat Thins, Triscuits, saltines, etc. Most of these are typically right around $1, though with the wheat shortage, you may find that prices are starting to rise. Check dollar stores as well. As for dry soup mixes...I'm really terrible with these. I have had the same Cheddar Broccoli dry soup mix since I moved into my house...in December 2006. Once again, it's important to buy things you know you'll eat. There is no sense in purchasing things for your food storage that is going to be thrown away eventually. Just food for thought.

Busted

As I was finishing getting ready for the day, I realized I hadn't seen Chase for a few minutes. It was too quiet for comfort. A quick search of the house revealed the following...

Chase had moved a chair up to the counter and had found the cake!

Guitar Hero

We did it...we broke down and bought Guitar Hero for the Wii. Up until the middle of last week, Eric shunned the idea, until he saw this YouTube video...

Upon seeing this video, he commented that he could how that would be addicting. Then two days later, while on our way to Costco, he officially caved. He is having SOOO much fun!


Initially, he thought it would be fine sitting down and playing, but soon realized it's more fun to stand up and really get into the music.

I don't have a picture of it, but he is even trying to perfect his "signature kick" while he plays. He sure knows how to make me laugh! I guess I should point out that the kids are having fun playing this game as well, though, not as much as daddy!

Preparation List - May 4th-May 10th - Week 1

Getting back to things we need to purchase, here is this week's food storage list.


Week 1

Grains: wheat, rye, triticale, bran, corn, barley, cracked wheat, millet. Flour: wheat & white. Get a hand grinder.


If you get these things in bulk, be sure you have airtight ways to store the excess. Either purchase #10 cans and seal them, or find a way you can freeze it. For long term storage, whole grain wheat is simply the longest lasting item, but requires a wheat grider of some kind. Wheat takes a while for the body to get used to processing, so be sure to start now in small quantities to get your family used to eating it. The last thing you want to do is start using your wheat during a crisis and then end up with a very constipated family on top of dealing with the crisis! (Sorry for the visual, but it's true.)

Good luck, and be proud of yourself for beginning your food storage, even if you are only financially able to purchase one or two things.