Saturday, April 28, 2007

Brrr...it's hot outside

Today I jumped into the pool for the first time this year. The kids have tougher skin and have been in it several times already. The thermometer read 80 degrees. I am sure that the lake water in Wyoming and North Dakota probably wasn't 80 degrees when we would swim growing up, but it sure felt cold today. I jumped in, waited a few minutes, got back out, waited a few minutes and then jumped back in again. It was officially too cold for me. The outside air temp was right around 100 today, but the water was too Cold! :-)
We have officially been upgraded living in Buckeye. The local Lowe's opened it's doors this week. We went this afternoon and spent 3 hours looking around. We came home with a plethora of lovely things to add to our home. House plant, outside hanging planters, a nice big outdoor umbrella, nobs for the cabinet doors in the kitchen and some other odds and ends that we needed. I really suck at gardening and could use all the help I can get, but I will try with these couple of plants before I dive in head first. The kids did great thanks to the Frogger game I downloaded onto my cell phone. They took turns playing sitting in the carts. It was a fun family day. The next two weekends Bill is camping with the boys for father-son and then the scouts, so I am going to work on finishing up some painting projects and organizing things that I have been working on. I found some really good info on turning my wooden stamps into acrylic mount, so I am going to work on that in the next couple of weeks.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Easter Clothes!




Here are the kids in their Easter Clothes. I forgot on Easter Sunday to get a good picture of them.

Running into 30


Well, I hit my 30th year running on Thursday. On Wednesday (on the way home from taking the kids to school) I got a flat tire. Thanks to a friend's husband who happened to be home, I got the tire changed out. So Thursday morning, I took James to pre-school, went to breakfast with a friend and then as soon as he was done we zoomed into town to Costco to get new front tires. Costco rocks and it only took an hour to get 2 new tires, plus I got some essentials while I was there (scrapbook paper and new pillows for the couch in the loft). We zoomed back home in enough time for me to get a quick 15 minute cat nap before we left go get the kids from school. Just as we were leaving the doorbell rang and it was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Bill's mom and dad. (Yellow and white daisy's in a dark blue vase...perfect to sit on the kitchen table!) I picked the kids up from school and we raced up to Peoria to have our follow up appointement with Grant's ENT doc. Everything is fine, he is sleeping well, and there are no problems. In fact he gets more Stage 4 sleep than average. Dr. Bridges decided that is not worth taking out his adnoids at this point. He thinks the bigger he gets the small they will get. He also thinks he will out grow all of his other night time issues. I don't want to put Grant through any procedures just because, so for now we will just continue with the path we are on. After the doctor appointement we raced back into Avondale and met Bill at Claimjumper for dinner. It was really good and I meant to take my camera to have a photo of the occasion, but once again I forgot. :-) We then raced home to put the kids into bed. Then on Friday morning, I got up and took the kids to school and then took James over to Amber's house. She had gotten a babysitter for her 3 and James and the two of us headed over to Mesa to the Temple. We did a session and then went to the best scrapbook store ever (where I ONLY spent $26.) and met Bill for lunch at a nice mexican resturant. After that we went home and I tidied up the house, picked up the kids from school and I got ready for my friends to come over to scrapbook. (Or as James so elequently put it: "Is your scrapbook team coming over tonight mom?) Apperently I am on a team. Billie then wanted to know were the coach and the judges were. :-) On Saturday, we cleaned out the garage and put all the little piles of things away. Sunday, we took the kids on a nice little bike ride and then went to church. It was such a great birthday weekend. I love all my friends and family who took the time to call and wish me a happy birthday. I guess turning 30 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Plus I have 10 years to be 29 again! :-)

Monday, April 16, 2007

What is it with April?

I can't help but to ponder life this morning as I am glued to the news of the tragedy in Virginia. It seems every couple of years around my birthday that tragedy strikes. Waco, Oklahoma Bombing, Columbine now this. I marvel at the emotions I have been through in just a few short days. On Friday I was in the temple with my mom enjoying the peace and solice and feeling how much Heavenly Father loves me, and then today I feel sad and angry at how someone can take so many lives so thoughtlessly. I am so grateful that I know that I have a God who loves me and who care for me when I ponder the tragedy of the world. I cannot imagine my life any other way. I cannot imagine getting through the trials of my life any other way.
On a happier note, I was so happy and excited to be at my niece Kiley's Baptism. She is such a grown up amazing girl. I know she was nervous that her dad would drop her, but he didn't. :-) I look at my 8 almost 9 year old and think it is so amazing that they can really grow up in one year. I spent some time with the kids and Jess after the big event and Jess reminded Kiley, you are 8 now and you have to be accountable. Isn't that a wonderful thing to be able to say. But I know that Grant really takes that to heart. I see him watching his friends to see if they are making the right decision and making good choices. He can tell the difference. I know it! Thanks mom and dad and thanks Lin and Jess for having me this weekend. I loved every minute of it and I miss you guys! :-)
In light of another tragedy, hug your kids and your spouse and your family. Life is too short to be mad or carry a grudge. Love you ALL!

Monday, April 9, 2007

Easter Sunday




We had a quiet Easter Sunday. The kids were up early to see their baskets. The easter bunny brought them each a movie and a new pair of jammies. The jammies were much needed. I baked on Saturday night making ham and cheese quiche and cinnamon rolls. I decided that the kids could just brunch-it all day and I could have a day off from meals. We added mixed fruit and the easter eggs for a nice well rounded meal. In Primary sunday night (we go to primary from 4-6pm so that qualifies as night right?) The president made the Easter Tomb cookies for Sharing time. It was so cute. There weren't too many kids there but the ones who were loved it. I had seen it before but hadn't ever done it. We may have to make that a tradition. Here is the recipe if anyone wants it.




EASTER TOMB COOKIES




Begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300*F.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!
Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!
Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!


I have a short week this week before I fly to Utah for Miss Kiley's Baptism. I can't wait to go be there for her. I decided that I didn't really want to chance it and fly on Friday the 13th, so I am leaving Thursday morning. Bill is such a dear to handle the kids and dropping and picking them up from school. Lots to do this week. See some of you soon! :-)






Saturday, April 7, 2007

Grandpa's Tractor

My friend bought the Choo Choo set from Close to My Heart. I just had to use them. I had/have all these cute pictures of the kids riding with Grandpa S on his tractor at Christmas time. I love the way Billie's page turned out so cute and girly with the tractors on it. The kids had so much fun riding around the barnyard with Grandpa. I keep looking at that scenery in UT. What the heck are we doing living down here in the desert. Hmmm.... Anyone hiring Engineers in Logan? LOL!
Anyway, Bill was gone to a scout/YM leadership training campout last night and today. I scrapbooked most of the day yesterday while the kids were out of school. We got up early today and went to the grocery store to get good for Easter Brunch tomorrow. (Since we don't have church until 3 PM I decided that we would have brunch: cinnamon rolls, ham & cheese quiche, easter eggs, and fresh fruit. YUMMY!) We were leaving the grocery store at 8:15 am and the lines were already getting long and crazy. I am glad that I didn't wait til later. Then we got home ate breakfast and I scrapbooked for a little while longer while I started laundry. See I can multi task when I scrapbook. :-) This after noon I have been cleaning. The dog is mad at me b/c she is stuck outside while I wash her beds. I am fixing on going out and giving her a bath in the grass. Then she will have a nice clean bed to lay down on. I figure we will probably dye easter eggs this evening when Bill gets home.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Wonderful Weekend

We have had such a laid back weekend. We got our taxes back and don't owe anything this year. YEAH! (Not that we have had to pay for about 3 years though.) Bill has been working on the shed plans for the back yard, so hopefully we can get going with that before the heat gets to bad. Our grass is filling in and the trees seam to be taking this time. (We had to have the landscaper replace 3 of them.) The afternoons/evenings have been so nice, I am loving going outside afterschool watching the kids play reading and enjoying our yard. I can't wait to add some flowers or something that I can't kill to add some more green to the cynderblock fence. I did not inherit the gardening bug. I don't do well and seem to kill everything that I plant. Anyway, our Church's conference was on this weekend so we were able to hang out in comfy clothes, watch it on TV and be together as a family. I was grateful for the messages of the simplicity of the gospel priniciples. Especially in the Saturday morning session. Prayer, forgivemess, family home evening. I was talking to my friend this morning and we were talking about how overwhelming it can be to think of all the things that Heavenly Father askes of us. I told her that I am going to really strive to get back to the basics. Another great thing I love about watching conference is the projects that I can work on. I finished 2 projects that have been piling up in my "craft bins" for a long time. I am trying to tie up all the loose ends of unfinished projects before I start school this summer. The online classes that I want to take start on May 14th. That gives me a little more than a month to get them wrapped up.