A Reason For Crappy.

I recently got home from the doctor.

When I got out of bed this morning and all my leg muscles were extremely painful, Daniel made an appointment for me.

I've been feeling yucky for a while now and now we may know why.

A medicine I have been taking may have started taking its toll.

I am waiting for blood work results to see what the damage is.

At least I know it's not all in my head!

A Thought For Thursday.

Ummm...

I complain a lot.

But Daniel still thinks I'm awesome.

And super cute.

So I do it a lot.

A LOT!

So here's my thought...

**********

Can you die from a Diet Pepper overdose?

Can you die from a lack of Diet Pepper?

*****

I really don't have any complaints to share with you right now.

And I can't really think of anything to say.

So anyway....

What's going on in your life?

Cats?

I hate cats.

They are evil.

Let me tell you why.

When I was in high school I loved Stephen King.

Spoooky.

I know.

I was in the middle of Pet Semetary.

I was sitting on my bed in my room and reading about the dead cat.

It had been raining outside.

Thunder storm.

So my window was open.

It was one of those windows that opens out from the middle.

Like a door.

It was dark and there was a ledge of roof right outside my door-like window.

I looked up at a spoooky part in the book.

What did I see in my window?

Right next to my screen?

An EVIL CAT!

I hate cats.

They are evil.

They are the spawn of Satan himself.

Good night.

A Day In The Life.

*Slacker Style*

But I'm okay with it.

And you should be too.

Monday...President's day. We finally got to spend the afternoon with our cousins. Pizza, root beer, bread sticks, valentine cookies, Legos, Bionicles, movies, playing school and lots of talk. Oh, and a little diet pepper never hurt anyone. Right?!

Tuesday...I went into Isaac's class to do my Chinese New Year presentation. Many of the kids have heard me do this in the past. I was amazed at what they remembered and what new information they had to share. I need to study up on Chinese culture a little better!
Wednesday...50% off frames at Kohls (thanks for the tip Kim). So I got our pictures framed for $40. I need to replace the picture of Ruthie. She's pale for some reason. And after getting them on the wall, the precious moment of Daniel and me ended up looking a lot like my big boo-tay sitting on a bench. (At least I have a boo-tay, right?!)
Thursday...Sam's class' turn for the CNY presentation. This was only some of those guys' second time hearing it. One boy loves samurais. But sadly, I didn't have any information about samurais.

Friday...Ruthie's 100th day of Kindergarten. We made an environmentally friendly necklace out of water bottle lids. Hehe. Daniel and I got a sitter and went to dinner and the temple. Luckily for us all of Bountiful's patrons were there, too. We had to stand in line in the hall around the chapel. It was a long, but really good night.

Saturday...Is a blur. There was breakfast, lunch, dishes, laundry, vacuuming, dinner, showers, in-time bed times. Beyond that I have nothing to say.

Sunday...Oh yeah. Saturday we hung the pictures on the wall. Notice the gap wider that the sky between the pics and the couch? Yep. Big gap. But you see the switch plate there? I just can't move that. So I leave the gap. But I was thinking. What if I were to get a stuffed cat and put that in the back of the couch to fill the gap? Sounds good to me. Except for the fact that cats are the spawn of Satan himself. Evil. So I'm kidding. I'll just have a gap wider than the sky right there.

There are some Sundays when my patience wears thin in Primary. Luckily no one got hurt. And sharing time went okay. I think.

Then a meeting for leaders Sunday night.

I really don't enjoy wearing a dress!

Yes. I know. Sounds like a bad attitude!

Some day I may actually take a picture every day and then put the post up on Sunday.

Imagine that!

Make A Meal.

This is a recipe that will actually Make Any Meal wonderful!

Breadsticks

1 package yeast (or 2 1/2 tsp yeast from a jar)

1 1/3 cup warm water

3 1/2-4 cups flour

3 Tbls oil

1 Tbls honey

1 tsp salt

melted butter

garlic salt

parmesan cheese

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 cup flour, oil, honey and salt. Beat until smooth. Add remaining flour. Let rise for about 45 minutes. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut breadsticks with a pizza cutter (about 1 1/2"x6") Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.

Remove from oven and top with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan. I use the canned parmesan and use 1 part garlic salt to 1 part parmesan.

Mmmmmmmmmmm..........

You can even just put cinnamon sugar on the butter if you want dessert.

This recipe came from my sister Laurie at our Christmas recipe exchange.

Our Pet Armadillos.

On Saturday night, we had the Missionaries over for dinner. One of the Elders is from Texas. As we were sitting down for dinner, I had the Elders sit facing the back door. The Elder from Texas says, "You have armadillos!" Yes we do. Cool.

They really don't get out much. They mostly burrow in the winter. It's cold here. Did you know that armadillos have fur on their bellies?
My armadillos like to eat all the grubs and ants and other insects in the backyard. They also tear up the backyard grass when they burrow. Darn armadillos. Meets Arnie, Alice and Andy, our 3 armadillos.

Wait! Just kidding. These are just old sunflowers that we left out last summer to feed the birds. Sorry Elder, no pet armadillos here!

But I sure thought the whole idea was fun!

Just Checking.

I've never had to “check” myself when someone announces she's pregnant. Never had to force a smile now and then cry later. I have always been happy for her. At least it wasn't me. Because, you know, pregnancy is my mortal enemy.

But lately, I've had to check myself. I've had to force a smile now, and then break down and cry later. It's not that I'm not happy for a pregnancy. It's not that I want to be pregnant. It's simple really. She has a due date. A day when her baby will be in her arms. She can hear her baby's heartbeat. She can see little toes and little fingers. She has an end date to shoot for. She knows.

And that's where my heartache is right now. I don't have a due date. I don't hear a heartbeat. I don't see little toes and little fingers. I just don't know.

Now I've had well meaners say, “But at least you don't have to do all the work.” Ouch. Really. I would gladly do all the work and more to get my family here. But it's just not possible for me to physically do it. I have to wait. Not knowing. Not seeing. Not hearing. Just waiting.

Waiting hurts a whole lot.

So when I look like I've been crying. When I snap at meaningless things. When you wonder what my problem is. Please be patient. Please know that my heart is trying. I really am happy for all the babies that will come soon. I really am. And so my heart is really trying. But my heart is hurting. A lot. And there isn't really anything anyone can say or do that will help. Please understand that.

I find Joy each day with my family. I love what I do and who I am surrounded by. But I have to put extra protection around my heart just to survive. Just to breathe. I stay close to what I already have and love it that much more. I rejoice for what I have. I have a lot. And I look forward to having my heart whole again.

A Day In The Life.

Monday...We played Twister for our FHEactivity. This is the moment when Ruthie said, "Hey, your butt!" So lady like.

Tuesday...I got all our pictures back for another section of family room wall. I just need to get frames and get them up.
Wednesday...I love how spaghetti sauce looks when I add the cottage cheese. So pretty!

Thursday...I got one frame for the big family picture. I realize that it's floating, too. When I get the other pictures up, I'll fix it.

Friday...I went to help in Ruthie's class for the Valentine party. I have come to the conclusion that valentine's day is very close in candy content to halloween. Except that there are more suckers. Which means more sucker sticks. We are now throwing away any candy that comes into the house. Except for the chocolate. That goes into my room for safe keeping.

Saturday...Another bountiful baskets take home. Look at the corn on the cob! Mmmm..

We had the Elders over for dinner. They were so much fun! My kids asked them questions about being a missionary and we learned a lot.

Sunday...These are my birthday jammies from Daniel. But because they came late, they became valentine jammies. I got them on Friday night because I had a really crappy week. Really. Crappy. Now I know that I look like a giant cupcake. But seriously, who doesn't love a giant cupcake?! Sunday was also Chinese New Year. It's the year of the Tiger. We really need a Tiger in the family!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year!

A Thought For Thursday.

You all know by now that I can be preachy and somewhat dramatic. ...Right? Yep. I thought so. But I thought this was worth saying...

*******

"Never pour boiling water on your finger!"

*********

Cause I'm warning you...It hurts. Like heck! Does heck hurt? Well, if it does, this is what it feels like.

At least Sam enjoyed 3 servings of spaghetti. It almost makes it worth it.

Almost.

Okay.

Not really.

I'm gonna go put my finger in cold water again!

A Day In The Life.

Monday...Left early after dropping boys off at school to get my DL renewed. In 35 minutes I had it done. How's that for service. Then I went to lunch with my friend Holly. Yay! Holly's gonna have a baby! See the little gray dog? That's Food. The brown one is Bowl. It was Food's birthday on Monday. So our FHE treat was cake. For Food's birthday. He's 1. Imagination.

Tuesday...Got all of February Visiting Teaching done on the second day of the month! I had budgeted for my clock. Then I saw the Kohl's ad and saw that all the clocks were 40% off. So I hightailed it to Kohl's for my clock. Then I realized that purses were marked down. Hah! I found a beautiful Vera Wang purse. But $100 on clearance is just too steep. So I got a cheaper purse. And with the clock and purse, I only spent $100 of the $140 I had budgeted. How's that for thrift?!
Wednesday...So I took the rest of my cash to Tai Pan and got some vases...buy 1 get one free. So I chose 3. I can't have an even number of vases on the mantel. That would be mantel faux pas. Seriously. Then I saw the framed cross stitch that says "Don't Postpone Joy" So $40 later I have my mantel set. Except I still need a stand for the frame. Parent teacher conferences at school! Yay Kids!

Thursday...Conga Bars for after school treat. The only thing wrong with them was that I didn't put near enough chocolate chips in. Darn.

Friday...My birthday. Daniel worked from home and I went with my friend Crissy, who shares the same birthday, to get ice cream. When I got home Daniel had these flowers waiting for me. The arrangement is called Hugs and Kisses. Awwe! Daniel took me to dinner and then to see The Blind Side. Oh my goodness gracious! We haven't been to a movie is so super long. But this was totally worth going to see. I loved the mom's reaction to the rich expensive salad ladies. When one said what a great thing she was doing for that boy. Leigh Ann said he was doing so many great things for them. I feel the same way about my kids.

Saturday...Early Valentine's Day pizza. Why? Our dad loves us.

Sunday...We had our first football game watch. It just happened to be the Super Bowl. Sam chose to root for the Saints. You know, since we're Latter Day Saints. That last touchdown had all of us screaming and cheering. I think the Saints just gained some trusty followers. We had lots of treats and Ruthie had the best seat in the house.

Have a super fun week!

Flashback Friday.

Here it is. THE flashback. 39 years ago a wonderful thing hapened.

ME.

Yep, a flashback to February 5, 1971. That really can't be as long ago as it sounds. Really!

But it's true. I'm 39 today. One more year in my 30's.

Then the mammograms will start!

A Thought For Thursday.

I started this week thinking about this post. What could I possibly have a thought on? I have no earthly idea. I have no thoughts this week. Hah!

But some things started to come to mind, but didn't stick. Until just a minute ago. I was just reading scriptures and came to Doctrine and Covenants 93:40.

...

"But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth"

...

What a beautiful thought. To bring up our children in light and truth.

And believe it or not, there are many who do not.

Our children are in our care for only a short time. It's time now to teach them truths, teach them light, teach them the things necessary to survive. Both physically and spiritually in this life.

So there you go!

Our Letter.

Dear Birth Mom,

I know that sounds impersonal...birth mom. But it is a title you should wear proudly. You are already held in high esteem at our house. We can't wait to know your name. Then our letter will be complete.

We can't even begin to imagine what you have been experiencing and feeling in the past months. But we can probably describe what we have felt, in just a few words, and find that you have felt these same things in your own way. Grief, loss, sadness, heartache, loneliness, anger, resentment, uncontrollable tears, confusion, peace, comfort, lifted, and in a way, beginning to heal. Your choice doesn't come because of the grief and anger and confusion. It comes from the peace and comfort you have received. Peace and comfort that we have prayed you would have.

Through these extremes in feelings and emotions, we have both come to the same conclusion. Adoption. The word alone can conjure up feelings of fear, sadness, loneliness, heartache and loss. But when done in the right spirit, it can bring feelings of hope, peace, comfort and joy. I hope that prayer and counsel from those who love you have led you to this selfless and valiant choice.

As a family, we have felt a void where another little body should be. But we have to depend on someone else, you, to provide that body. The Spirit that will fill that body will be a valiant one and one who will be coming to this life with a special purpose. The first purpose is to bring us together. I can't tell you how much we are looking forward to meeting you. To having you in our lives and to provide a home and mommy and daddy for your baby. We look forward to knowing you. The birth mother to our little one.

In January, 2009, Daniel and I felt very strongly that someone would be born and we needed to be ready. That led us to action. We got all our paperwork done and turned in. Then we had our classes required by LDSFS. When we had the birth parent panel, I felt so many emotions. How could we not love someone, you, who will give life to such a precious baby? We began to love you, to pray for you that day. Our prayer for you has evolved. We hope you have felt the power behind our prayers, our family's prayers and the prayers of so many others in your behalf. Peace, love, hope. Even though this is a scary time, we hope you have felt those feelings of comfort.

So now that we are at this point, we need to look to the future. What will happen once this precious baby is placed? Considering how much we already love you, the huge section of our hearts that you hold, We can't imagine our lives without you in it. We hope we can work to build a relationship based on love, trust and friendship. And of course, having a beautiful baby in common is a wonderful blessing.

You continue to be in our hearts, in our prayers and on our minds every day. We love you. We hope you will grow to love us. We pray that Heavenly Father will continue to bless you and that you will feel an extra portion of the Spirit in your life each day.

With much love,
Jennie and Daniel

Finding Joy.

So did you see my new Joy button over there to the side?! It's so cute! Thanks Leelou blogs

for creating it for me!

I am finding joy every day. Most times I find it with my kids. But then again, most times I find it with my husband. And then again, most times I find it in my scriptures. Alright, I find it most times in just about anything that just makes me happy.

I thought I would share some of my joy with you when applicable.

This moment of joy happened last week and I actually got a picture of it.

I was cleaning up the kitchen getting stuff ready for dinner. All of a sudden I realized my kids were all sitting at the table. Isaac and Sam were talking Bionicle/Transformer talk and Ruthie was playing the little keyboard and singing at the top of her lungs. It went something like this...

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I just watched and listened and found some pretty awesome JOY!

Remember to find Joy everyday!

A Day In The Life.

Monday...Isaac's class went skiing for a field trip. So that's mostly what you're gonna see this week. I didn't take many pictures for some reason. But Isaac and his dad has FUN!!

Tuesday...More ski pictures. Sam went to Mathaletes again and had tons of fun!

Wednesday...Another piano lesson. The kids are earning points with the time they practice toward a party at the end of March.

Thursday...Isaac earned his Snow Ski belt loop for cubs with the field trip. He also had been working really hard on his Bear and an arrow point and a chess belt loop. Pack meeting Thursday night was jammed packed with tons of awards for all the boys. After Pack meeting, Ruthie and mom high tailed it out to Aunt Shelba's for haircuts!

Friday...Ruthie played the Kung Fu thingy on Wii Fit and the boys (and Daniel at one point)were all gathered around her doing the moves. Daniel and I went to dinner and the temple for a date night.

Saturday...Pick up from Bountiful Baskets and then Ruthie and mom were off to Abbie's Wild Tea Party. We had so much fun with our cousins and read Where The Wild Things Are. One of our favorites.

Sunday...Mom and Ruthie at the Tea Party. Ruthie got to be a Reverence Child in Primary. So cool! Another week down...

Have a Great Week!

And the Movie quoted a couple of posts ago is Time Bandits. Quoting Vincent and Pansy!