A Day In The Life.

Oh yeah. I have a blog. I must have forgotten! It's been a little busy here. For some reason. So here is last week...

Monday...I just realized this was last Sunday. But you wouldn't know that. Except that I just told you. But Monday was a school day and we made candy cane popcorn and then took it to our neighbors and friends and then went to Daniel's parents house for a special Christmas get together FHE while his sister was here from Colorado. Good day.

Tuesday...Here is the popcorn we made on Monday and passed out on Monday. It's Tuesday. I know. Short day for the kids with their sing along at school. Isaac had an orthodontist appointment and doesn't have to wear his retainer anymore. He wants to blow it up.
Wednesday...No school, no work. Daniel started his vacation through the end of the year. It's like Saturday everyday. We had Christmas caroling at a local assisted living center with our cub scouts. Then we all got warm clothes on to go to SL to Temple Square and dinner. My kids are wearing snowsuits and boots and gloves. It was below freezing and snowing. The baby dressed in only a sweatshirt with her little legs hanging out uncovered almost sent this mommy over the edge!!! We were glad the gates to the temple were open so we could walk all the way around it. Then we had dinner at Applebees. We were starving and cranky. Daniel likes to blame it on my Portuguese heritage. Whatever! The kids told us what they want to order for dinner next year!

Thursday...Christmas Eve! We went to my mom and dad's for festivities, nativities, gifts and dinner. Abbie (my mom) gives all the grandkids jammies. Aren't they cute?? Since we always seem to go camping in the freezing cold, I figure these will become camping jammies!

Thursday...Christmas morning! The hooligans woke up waaaaaayy too early. But we got up and went wild. This was a good Christmas! I suppose I should do a post about Christmas. Or something.

Saturday...My mom was getting rid of some stuff and this cool Tic Tac Toe with snowmen was MINE! My kids love to just sit and play! We had our Christmas Party with Daniel's family. We did tons of humanitarian stuff. This might just start a tradition. Good day!

Sunday...After church Ruthie wanted to bake with her new gift. So we did. It really didn't turn out so great. We couldn't frost the cakes. But she had fun eating the crumbly mess!

Another week is already underway. I promise to get the next one up quicker!

Maybe.

Make A Meal.

Okay. It's not really a "meal", but it will help your meal be more better! Ha! Do you make bacon on Christmas morning? Yes? Well, this will help with mess, clean up and so you can get everything else made.

Bacon!

On a jelly roll pan, or cookie sheet, place tin foil, shiny side up. Then put a cooling rack in the pan. Lay your bacon all over the pan. I guess you should lay it uniformly so it will all fit. I really hope you read through this first and saw that you need to preheat your oven to 450! Do it now if you haven't already. Then place the pan in the oven and let it cook. You can then make eggs, pancakes, waffles, o.j., etc, while the bacon is cooking. When it's done, (about 20 minutes) put bacon on a papertowel lined plate and serve. All you gotta do is fold up the foil and throw it away and just put the pan and cooling rack in the dishwasher. You don't have to scrub or wipe off the grease from the stove top!

YAY!

Have a Merry Christmas
and may all your bacon be yummy and your stove top be grease free!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

My kids would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Go Here so they can!

You won't be disappointed!

And I thought I Was Okay.

But apparently I wasn't. I have been keeping busy and have had many little reminders that we are on the right path leading to the rest of our family. I have an incredible family and we are all healthy and happy. We do lots of fun things and have just put baby stuff out of mind. At least that was the plan until after Christmas.

Last night we went to Daniel's parents' house for a special FHE while his sister Lisa was here from Colorado. It was so nice. We were late because Daniel has a super long commute and had to eat dinner, so we missed the piano performances. But we got to visit and watch a beautiful DVD that Daniel's sister Shelba and her hubby made for their parents' 50th anniversary. Which was a little while ago. It was amazing!

Then we got to visit with Santa (grandpa). And, of course, I had forgotten my camera. Duh! But as we were getting ready to leave, Daniel's sister Jennifer asked how I was. And she was asking sincerely and with her heart. So I told her it was hard and then I cried. I have had people ask me before how the adoption is going. While I have answered, and guarded my heart, they sometimes would be easily distracted by something far more interesting than me. So I continue to guard my heart. But a genuine interest breaks down that wall and I let my emotions go. I don't do it very often. But Jennifer's pure interest in ME did it. We talked for a few minutes more until I really needed to go. I cried on the way home and when Daniel was cuddling me, I told him that I had thought that I was okay. But I'm not. Well, I am. But I'm not. I know it doesn't make sense. But I get it. And that's what matters.

On a happier note, Daniel's sister Marylynne gave us some corn nuts. Oh the memories. Corn nuts. We used to walk to the Quick Stop when we were kids and buy cheap treats. Like Lemon Heads, Boston Baked Beans and Sixlets. Yummy. For like .10 cents a box. (I feel so old) I remember wanting to get corn nuts. My dad would get them and I thought they were awesome. I tell ya, I always felt a little skanky buying corn nuts. I have no idea why! Seriously. To me, it almost felt like a sin to buy them. Weird, I know. But last night...I got some corn nuts. I still feel a little skanky. But I am eating them. Just don't ask me about them at church!

A Day In The Life.

Monday...Sam and Ruthie got their school box lids and swords and...um...fought. Then Ruthie actually got hit with a sword. This is Sam. Ruthie was on the couch crying. Do you ever have the urge to say "I told you so"?

Tuesday...I made some popcorn with candy cane flavored Kisses. It was yummy. Very sweet, but very yummy. I love all the yummy Kiss flavors. Halloween. Christmas.
Wednesday...The neighbor treat giving begins. I guess I should get started. That's on tomorrow's schedule.

Thursday...Cookie dough. Need I say more?

Friday...The kids did some snow night manuevers. On Saturday. On Friday, Daniel and I went to dinner and the temple. It took many trys, but we finally got a sitter and enjoyed our date night.

Saturday...Fog. Lots of fog. I went to an Activity Day activity to help. The leader will be having twins this week. I went to a baptism where a brother and sister were baptized after being taught by the missionaries. They were so bright and shiney!! Then a presidency meeting. It's the end of the year and there is lots to organize! Sam went to a birthday party, for which he was a little late. Mom needs a bigger calendar to look at!

Sunday...Church and choir and cute Primary kids. Tonight we had roast, mashed potatoes (from our garden), gravy and beans for dinner. Then we went into Ogden to see the displays. We saw Teacher Vickie, Sam and Ruthie's preschool teacher. We seriously can't wait until she will be preschool teacher to James or Mary or Sarajune. Then we came home for hot chocolate and watched the Grinch. The cartoon.

We have a busy week ahead. We'll see how the picture taking goes.

Have a very merry Christmas!

Blog?

What blog? Hey! Remember me? I think my bloggy bone got broke again. Or something.

Are you ready for Christmas?

I think I am. Just a few food items left to buy.

I have found it amazing that since I sent out Christmas cards (after many many years of "forgetting") that I have heard from many people who I have missed. Thanks to you all for reciprocating!

I also have realized that I don't have correct addresses for people. Oh well. What's a girl to do?

Ruthie is doing well. She just had sporadic tummy aches on Monday and since is only in pain when she is asked. Ha! So I don't think it was her appendix. But we keep an eye on her.

Did you know that bloggy isn't a word? It's highlighted on my spellcheck a majig. But I don't care.

I'll try to keep my eyes and ears open for a fun bloggy post. But don't quote me on that. I'm struggling with what to make for dinner tonight.

Any suggestions?

A Day In The Life.

Monday...This is the tree box from the tree that finally died last Christmas. It was brought upstairs for some reason and the kiddos made a slide out of it. Ruthie and Sammy started naming the slide positions. The Possum. The Lightening. The Stairs. The I Love You Side Slide. I think Sam is doing The Possum here. They crack me up.

And please don't mock my bare walls. We are planning to paint soon. Then I will dress my poor walls!

Tuesday...Ruthie's Chicken Noodle Soup was happy today.
Wednesday...Spaghetti for dinner. This plate was just a little worried is all.

Thursday...Isaac took some tape and made a little girl on the banister. He shaved her head several times and then put the "hair" back on. Funny guy.

Friday...Well, this isn't Friday. It's a Saturday picture. But at least there is a picture. Right? Mom got to go to the girl doctor. Oh joy. We also had our Ward Christmas party. So fun!

Saturday... Seriously? You want to know about my Saturday? Well, since you asked...

Ruthie and I had a 7 am hair appointment and the alarm kept going off and Daniel kept hitting snooze and thinking he didn't want to wake me up.

We woke up at 6:45...not enough time. So I called my sister in law Shelba and she was very kind and said to come at 8:30. The kids were now up because I panicked out loud.

We got to our appointment and got beautified and then took my nephew home all in a raging snow storm.

I had 45 minutes to take a shower, eat something and get dressed for a baptism. At least my hair looked good. The baptism was wonderful!

It went long and I had a presidency meeting that my counselor and I were planning to be early for so we could start getting some stuff done. Yeah right. We left the baptism right when our meeting was scheduled. Meeting went great. Got stuff done. My hair looked good.

Got home and we only had 10 minutes to get to the train station to get to SL to have dinner and see the lights at temple square. No one was ready. So we decided to drive.

We drove and stopped along the way to have dinner. Then decided to miss all the traffic backed up on the freeway. Ha! It was worse where we decided to go. And we just went around in circles. So we headed to Layton to see the lights there. And then got home early enough that I could get laundry done and sharing time prepared and didn't have time to clean the house! At least my hair looked good!

Daniel dragged the kiddos across the parking lot. Fun!

Sunday...Daniel, Ruthie and Sam built a snowman on Saturday while I was running here and there. We had gotten a snowman making kit from a neighbor so our snowman was awesome!

His head was off when we left for church on Sunday morning. Darn.

All day poor Ruthie's tummy was hurting. My rule is...unless you are exploding out one end or the other, you must go to church!...when we got home, she was doubling up in pain. We did a little research on Medmd and decided to just take her in. I took her at the peril of missing choir practice and being harassed! and was glad I did. The doc was concerned that she may be developing appendicitis. We are just watching her now. Her pain is still general. If it gets really intense and/or she has a fever, I have been told to just take her to the ER. So far the pain has subsided and only hits her every once in a while and isn't too bad. Sooo....

Daniel took the boys to grandma and grandpa's house to play and visit!

Oh! And my hair looked good!

Hope your week was awesome!

Remember Christmas is coming...the goose is getting fat!

Have a terrific week!

Cute Christmas Giveaway!

You want something cute for Christmas?

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You will not be disappointed!

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Just A Thought.

As I sat on the table in the exam room covered only with a large paper towel waiting for my OB/GYN who I have been seeing for over 10 years now and who helped me get my cute boys into the world in one piece and who told me that if I had another baby Daniel's second wife would be raising my boys and who let another doctor deliver my first born while he jumped out of a helicopter with skis on his feet to celebrate his 50th birthday and who has told me that I will always have something to complain about when I come in and who shakes his head and snickers under his breath whenever he walks into a room with me sitting on the table with nothing but a large paper towel to cover me, it occured to me that he has never seen me with my clothes on.

Hmmmm....

Just a thought.

Thoughtful Thursday.

This is what happened last night...

Daniel and I were in bed for the night. I had a sudden urge to kiss him. So I did. Well, I tried. But the blanket was over his face. So he moved it (quickly) and I really kissed him. Not just through the blanket. He said something about it being really late and he was half asleep and if he had known he wouldn't have taken melatonin. Whatever. I was just kissing him goodnight. So
he says, "talk dirty to me." Snort! Snicker! Oh my! So I did. This is my dirty talk...

"Hey baby...did you see how awfully scummfully filthy the laundry room floor was when you came in tonight?...(reach out and rub his elbow insides)...and if you think that's dirty, you should look at the toilets...I did wipe the outsides down with Clorox wipes, but the bowls!! Oh baby!...(snuggle up to his neck and breath on it)...and the walls in the family room...I may put off painting just a few more weeks so we can really enjoy the dirty...(kiss his ear)...I can't tell you how many times I've picked up used Q-tips from the bathroom floor...earwax...sexy!...(kiss his cheek and really get going)...now, let's talk about the garage..."

Yep. He fell asleep pretty fast.

And I need to put toilet bowl cleaner on my shopping list.

Cute Quips

Yesterday after school, Ruthie was looking at her cookies from the cookie party Sunday night. She picked up this little heart cookie and said, "Mommy, take a picture of me and my cookie." So I did. Then she said, "Now you can put it on your blog!" So here it is.

Last night at dinner, Ruthie wanted seconds and when I put the food on her plate she said, "Thanks mom. You're a light saber."

This morning, Ruthie asked if she could watch Madeline. As I was putting it in, she said she wants to have an orphanage someday. She wants to have lots of babies who she will feed, and dress and play with. Then their mommies and daddies can come and get them. This is a drawing of what her orphanage will look like. It will have enough rooms for 6 babies, an office for her to do her orphanage work and a big play room. The lines going to each window are stairs that lead to the babies' rooms. The middle window is her office. I love the large flowers and the bright sun! Her orphanage will be a happy place!

A Day In The Life.

Monday...Isaac was excited to get 30 minutes of Wii time for fulfilling a task at school. Yippee! Tuesday...My new frames came! Since Ruthie had to get glasses, I figured it was a good time to update mine. And our dad left town for the week!

Wednesday...Advent making day. The kids spelled their names with the dominoes.
Thursday...Our dad has been gone for 2 days now. Boo hoo. The kids made snowmen and volcanoes with the dough that I made more cinnamon rolls with. Yum.

Friday...Do you ever get to Friday and realize you've been wearing the same shirt, sweat shirt, jeans and slippers every day that week? Well, I was going to lunch with my friend Crissy, so at least I washed them Friday morning. Besides, I still needed to wear them again on Saturday. Daniel got home tonight! Yay!

Saturday..Ruthie's new glasses!!! Yay! Isn't she so cute?! Her glasses rock and she loves them. We also got a new Christmas tree and decorated.

Sunday...Abbie's Annual Christmas Cookie Party. That's Abbie with all the cousins. We had lots of sugar hyped fun!

Bring on the Christmas time cheer! Oh, and have a great week!

Smell? What Smell?

So last night when the kids and I got home from Old McDonald's, we could smell the yuck in the laundry room. Or kitchen. I'm just not sure... I have been searching for days!! I washed all the rags and kitchen towels. That helped. But then the smell came back. I always take garbage out and even searched the underbellies of the kitchen sink. Who knows? So today I remedied the problem. I baked!

You see these? I just whipped up a batch of yeast dough. Then put butter, sugar and cinnamon in each cup and then 3 little balls of dough in each cup. Then I put more butter, sugar and cinnamon on top. Then I baked them.

There was so much butter that it all overflowed into the oven. So I really can't smell the gross stuff anymore. When they came out, I put icing on top. Ruthie and her friend, Jonathon, thought they were yummers!! "You are a really good cook, mom!" was one of the comments.
Actually I just got this off of one of the things on my Google reader. Have you ever gone to Pioneer Woman? Oh...the chocolate sheet cake and now these, I love her.

This obviously wasn't my first. Or my second. But I won't say any more than that.

But I can't smell the grossness anymore. I may have to bake something every day.

But Daniel will be home tomorrow night. Then I'll put him to work.

Bored?

I think I must be. All over my Google reader, I keep seeing Advent Calendars. Must be something about the beginning of December. So I thought, hmm, I could make that one! Really. Plus Daniel is out of town. I'm bored.

So I went to the basement and got some felt. And then I started just doing this... Then I started doing this...You know, sewing little pockets. Then I made all the 1s. They were the easiest. Except for the holly. Then, amazingly, I made all the other numbers. I just did tons of 0s and cut a little around them to make the 3s 6s 8s and 9s. So, you know. At least I know what they are. So I'm officially advented! Our 1 was getting "Night At The Museum 2" and watching it for movie night and 2 was going to McDonalds for dinner. I need to get some papers in the rest of this week. Then, because I have nosey kiddos, I will only be putting in the rest a few days at a time. That's called smart parenting! In case you were wondering.

Now I wish Daniel would come home so he can figure out what died in the laundry room!

Oh, and I need a dowel and ribbon so I can hang the thing!