Enough with the tagging!!!

This is seriously my LAST one...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago...
1) Beginning my second year of teaching.
2) Enjoying my baby Livvy.
3) Learning how to sew.
4) Taking English classes to complete my English major for my teaching certification.
5) Shopping??

5 things on my "to-do" list today...
1) Cry
2) Run
3) Cook
4) Do my girl's hair
5) Kiss my husband

5 Snacks I enjoy...
1) Protein bars
2) Almonds
3) Chips and Salsa
4) Warm Oatmeal Cookies
5) Chocolate Cake

5 things I'd do if I were a millionaire...
1) Travel tons!
2) Pay off all of my debt
3) Spoil those I love
4) Stay home
5) Help other people

5 places I've lived...
1) Blackfoot
2) Pocatello
3) Rexburg
4) I know...it's depressing!
5) I've only lived in these places, but I've moved 15 times in 14 years??? (Not even counting Rexburg!)

5 jobs I've had...
1) Working mixing paint at Dad's store
2) Waitress ~ Homestead baby!
3) Loved working for The Cinnamon Tree
4) Gap and American Eagle
5) English/Art/Debate Teacher Cheerleading/NHS/Student Government Advisor

5 people I tag...
1) If you want to do this...feel free
2) 3) 4) 5)

What I've Been Making For the Feast

Here are recipes for all the things I'm making for the festivities:



Spinach Dip

1 cup REAL mayo

1 cup sour cream

1 package frozen spinach (I thaw and then wring out in paper towels)

1 package Knorr Vegetable Soup (dry mix, salad dressing aisle)

1 can water chestnuts, finely chopped



Serve in toasted, round bread bowl with toasted bread, crackers, or vegetables.



Mandarin Spinach Salad

1 large bag of Spinach (I used a med. bag and a bag of mixed baby lettuces)

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

1 to 2 small cans of mandarin oranges

2 to 3 baby green onions, sliced

2 boiled eggs, chopped



Dressing:

2 T. vegetable oil

2 T. sugar

1/2 tea. salt

2 T. apple cider vinegar

1 T. chopped (or dry) parsley



Top with:

1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans after you've done the following:

Put nuts in a pan on the stove with 2 T. of sugar on high heat. Stir constantly, just long enough for sugar to stick and caramelize on nuts. Remove immediately and cool on wax paper.

Add dressing just before serving.

Zucchini Squash Side Dish
4 med. zucchini
3 banana squash
1/2 bag of baby carrots

Steam all vegetables with salt until not quite done

Saute' 1/2 cup chopped onion w/ 6 T. butter

Add 1 3/4 cup Mrs. Cubbison's dry stuffing mix

Add 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup sour cream, mix

Add vegetables and spread in greased 9x13 glass dish

Sprinkle top with 1/2 cup dry stuffing mix

Bake at 350 degress for about 30 min.

Fudge
Boil for 8 min. :
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 can of evaporated milk

Pour boiled mixture over:
2 softened cubes of real butter
3 cups of milk chocolate chips
(1/2 cup nuts, optional)

mix well and add 1 tea. vanilla

Pour in greased 9x13 glass dish and refriderate

Teachers LOVE Breaks!

Did you know that teachers LOVE breaks? Yep, even more than the kids. In fact, we measure time by the coming of the next break. We do love kids and teaching, don't get me wrong, there isn't enough $$ or glory to be in this gig for anything less than the pure love of those knot heads, but we live for the breaks. And, when there is a break of any kind, I sleep in; the whole house does! Well, except Michael...poor guy. Anyway, I allow my girls to stay up WAY past their bedtime the night before the beginning of a break. This way, they sleep longer. I know, I know, I'm a GREAT mother. But, come on, sleeping in is bliss. And, I'd only had two and a half hours the night before, because generally before a break I also spend my time baking goodies to celebrate the break.

So, this morning Abby wandered in at 7 a.m. and cuddled up in my covers next to me and went back to sleep. (I've trained her well.) Liv had her cousin Maddie over to spend the night, and I could hear them at about 7:30, but they are old enough to fend for themselves, so I closed my eyes again. (I know, you are thinking about submitting my name for mother of the year at this point, right?)

At about 8:45, I woke to Abby jumping on the bed yelling, "Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!.."

"What? WHAT?" I was a little out of sorts. I was so sleepy and my child would not stop yelling my name.

"Get up! Get up! GET UP!..." she demanded.

"Ten more minutes," I countered.

"Nope, WE ARE STARVING! PANCAKES! PANCAKES!"

I looked at the clock, and I felt guilty! I'd like to say I hopped right out of bed, but I didn't. I slowly crawled out of my cozy, warm, inviting bed to go tend to the task of making breakfast. I called my sister and her boys to come over for made-from-scratch pancakes. She arrived as her fully dressed, completely make-up on perfect self, chipper and real mom of the year material with her boys already bathed and dressed for the day. Well, actually Mitch was in his pajamas. He didn't want to get dressed and asked if Abby would be dressed. Sarah, knowing me, said, "She's probably not dressed." So, she conceded and let him come in his pj's. To their surprise, Abby WAS dressed! Only, she had fallen asleep in her clothes the night before! (Can you believe I admit these things to the general public?) However, this is a picture of the troops enjoying our pancake feast, complete with chocolate chips atop the pancakes. (They deserve a treat when they've waited hours for lazy mom to get her bottom out of bed!)

Those are some happy little pancake eaters! Mitch, Abby, Maddie, Olivia, and Brighton...the troops are fed and it's on with the day!

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving Break and All Through the House...

I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning making treats for my fellow educators and for Michael's office Monday night. Then, for some reason, I promised my good friend (who also happens to be a personal trainer) that I'd make it to 5 a.m. spinning. This means that I got two and a half hours of sleep. I don't function well when this happens. However, something hilarious happened that made my sleepy tidying up while things cooked well worth it. I found this in my "fancy" sink:

If you are thinking Abby...ding, ding, ding! You are right on! She told me that Ella Sophie, the baby formerly known as just plain Sofie, but who now has the last name of Sophie, who before that was the baby formerly known as BFB or Big Fat Baby (this doll weighs a ton!), needed a bath. I explained that Ella Sophie could only have sponge baths because real baths would ruin her. Abby countered that Ella was really dirty and could have an imaginary bath. I asked her what that meant, but honestly, I didn't focus on the answer because I was busy making dinner and treats and my mind was on a million other things, so long story short, I saw Abby toddling off with her beloved doll (handed down from Aunt Sarah)and that was that. It was LONG after I had tucked my Abby in that I found the scene above in our guest bath in what my girls call the "fancy" sink. My first thought was, "What in the world?" But, then I remembered the imaginary bath for dirty Ella Sophie. The next morning Abby was frantically searching for her baby when i remembered where she was. I took Abby in and when she saw her she got this look of panic on her little angel face and exclaimed, "That FairyFixx! She was babysitting! Ella Sophie could have drownded!" With that she lovingly scooped her baby out of the fancy sink and cradled and soothed her. I was in one of those "very big hurries," like every other morning and told Abby to grab her dolls clothes and head for the car. She was truly perplexed by this idea. "It's really cold out there Mom. Ella could catch a death of cold! I need to dress her and find her coat." What a child, I'm telling you, she keeps us on our toes! Needless to say, I was late for work. But, I came bearing treats ~ that must count for something?!

Saturday Snapshot: Sarah Jo

I'm feeling like writing little things about the people who mean the most in my life. It seems that all too often we don't share how we feel about these people, and it is important. I have a wonderful family, I LOVE them all so much. I have four brothers, but only one sister. Don't get me wrong...LOVE the brothers. But to all you girls out there who have sisters...there's something special, right?

My little sister, Sarah, used to drive me and my brothers kinda crazy. In fact, her nickname, Jo, was given to her because she was our little "Mama Jo," always trying to mother the BIG kids. She's always been a spitfire, and SaSsY~ inspiring another nickname, "Sassy Sarah."

Jo and I are five and a half years apart. Growing up I got sick of her copying me, nagging me, wanting my attention and approval. But, somehow all that changed as she grew up. Now I copy her, nag her, and want her attention and approval. She is my best friend and my sister; what could be better?

We spend much of our days talking, planning, venting, shopping, mothering, lunching, etc. The phone usually rings in one of our homes first thing in the morning, and despite the fact that we talk many times again throughout the day, it usually rings in one of our homes just before bed too. Our husbands figured it was inevitable that we'd someday move in together! (In fact, my family DID move into Sarah's home for a few weeks this past summer while we finished the house!) To avoid having this happen (permanently), they were good enough to purchase adjoining lots for Sarah and me to build homes on side-by-side. It has been so fun. We take turns cooking meals, we raise our kids together, we share clothes...it's picking your neighbors at its best! I rely on her so much that a couple of weeks ago, when our world was tipped upside down, I felt truly lost without her.

Sarah has a million wonderful qualities. She is beautiful, determined, spunky, smart, sassy, and is the ultimate housewife. Her home is ALWAYS immaculate. Jo has some spirited boys who keep her on her toes, but she always puts them first and they are blessed to have such a fun mom who adores them. But, mostly, I just admire Sarah because she is loyal, honest, and willing to go the extra mile.

Jo ~ I love you!

Any of you who have sisters ~ or even friends who are like sisters ~ call 'em up and tell them they are amazing!

Christmas Bark

This is the yummiest treat for the holidays, and it is SUPER easy.
(I'll take a picture to post with this after I make some this weekend.)

Makes approx. 40 pieces

1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
12 oz. milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place crackers in one layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet
3. Melt butter and brown sugar in medium saucepan. Cook for 3 min., stirring constantly.
4. Pour butter-sugar mixture over the crackers. Spread evenly.
5. Bake for 15 min.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. When they start to melt, spread evenly over the entire layer of crackers.
7. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
8. Refrigerate 1 hour.
9. Remove from the refrigerator and crack into pieces.

(The pieces are prettier if they are diamond or triangle shaped, like bark ripped off a tree:)

It sounds crazy, but it is SO good!

The Material Girl's Husband

I have just about the best looking, ULTRA patient, SUPER husband a girl could ask for. He's seriously outnumbered by a house full of demanding, high maintenance girls, but he loves us anyway. He is a fantastic dad. He's a hard worker, has a killer smile, and is pretty dang funny. When I spend too much money, he tries to understand. When I'm mean and nasty, he's forgiving. When I can't take anymore, he gives me time off. When I feel fat, he says I'm hot. When I don't cook a meal, he orders pizza. Honest. The list could go on forever. Michael is the ONLY one that could put up with me, and I'm a lucky girl.

I'm just Abby!!

Abby's Aunt Haley starting calling her Abbylicious when she was just old enough to make life interesting. And, like a similar word coined by Beyonce, Abby is one of a kind. This can be good, bad, and even ugly, but we wouldn't trade her. While she does allow Haley, and a few others, to call her this name in jest, she doesn't mess around when it comes to her REAL name. Her full name is Abigail Elizabeth, but if you call her Abigail, expect a reprimand! She'll yell, "I'm just Abby!" This girl has determination galore! When she's happy, a chorus seems to ring out for the world to hear. She's fun, fUn, FUN! Even nutty. But, when she's not happy ~ well...that IS another story. This little sassy pants can sing, dance, act, and watch out Hannah Montana ~ cause we like to call her Abby Alabama! And though she may make me crazy on busy mornings when she'd like to try on five different pairs of shoes and whine because her socks aren't just right, her hugs are just about the best things in this world. Abby is always herself, and I think that's a pretty good thing to want to be.

P.S. Another sweet picture by THE Kayla Evans :)

Livvy Lu

This beautiful girl is my
Livvy Lu. She could be the sweetest girl on the planet...serious. I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom, she truly is an inspiration. Don't get me wrong, like all kids, she has some things that make her unique. Like the drama ~ OH THE DRAMA! (Who knows where she gets that...wink, wink.) However, through all of her little dramatic highs and lows, I still often think to myself, "I'm so lucky to be her mom. I'm so blessed that she was sent to us." She is an artist, an author, an actress, a singer, and is learning to play the violin! On top of all of those things, this girl has a sensitive, kind heart. Liv just expects the best of people and trusts that they will do the right thing because...well...it's the right thing! She makes friends easily and loves to laugh. What would we do without her? There would be more quiet and less drama, but life wouldn't be nearly as much fun!

P.S. This awesome picture was taken by the fabulous Kayla Evans. Check her out: www.kaylaevansphoto.com

Faith

It's like we've lost a week of our lives. In so many ways it was the longest week ever, dragging by as sadness and shock consumed our hearts and minds. But today, it seems impossible that a whole week has passed. We are so grateful to have the viewing and funeral behind us. It was a privilege to honor Haizer's life and to know how many loved him as so many shared their grief with our family. However, it is obviously not something you envision having to do for someone so young. I was so proud of Michael this week. He is an amazing husband, dad, son, brother, and friend. I am so blessed to be part of his family, and of this community.

Now it begins. The impossible task of getting on with life. It will be bittersweet. For me, and so many others, the day to day will be much the same as it was before. My days didn't always include a call, a hug, a smile from our Haizer. But, I knew he was out there living his life and knowing that he's gone will cross my mind many times a day forever. Yet, for others like my sweet husband, JB, his sisters, Kait, Zac, and his dear mom ~ every day will be different. Every day will lack that constant. My heart aches for this reality. My prayers will include them as they learn to navigate their lives without their brother, husband, friend, son...please include them in your prayers.

Luckily, we believe in something bigger. They say these times will make or break one's faith. I'd like to tell you that after this last week it is clear that is really all any of us have. Faith. I've come to see that there are so many who claim to have the truth, the facts. These sources seek to destroy faith and family. To destroy one's eternal blessings. There are not answers for all questions, there are not constants, to live means someday having to die. It's all about faith, the ability to believe in the face of "fact."

Haizer

I couldn't just go on without saying something about our loss. It is profound and real. No one ever thinks that they will become a statistic ~ especially twice. Not one that lists college graduates or multiple births, but the really tragic kind that no one really wants to look up. If you know me, you'll know my circumstance, if not...just remember that it only takes one pebble to send multiple ripples into a pond and individual choices reach many people.

I really just want to express the love and gratitude I feel for my community. Especially for close friends and family, but the little place I've always called home is full of heartfelt kindness and support. Sometimes life gets crazy and the world can make one cynical. However, we are so blessed to have the support system we have. Our family has been showered with support and love and for that we are so grateful. Everyone wants to do something; yet, they know there is nothing that can really be done. But, know that when we think we aren't hungry ~ food has materialized and we eat. When we think we are alone, someone reaches out. When we are busy making arrangements or too overcome, the caller id and voice mail keep track of your attempts to show concern. When we answer the door without make up or a shower...we are met with smiles and hugs anyway. And so it will continue until we will need to get back to the routine of our lives. And, unfortunately, little moments will make it even more clear how the life of one individual can impact so many others.

The past few days have been some of the longest of my life. There are so many questions that will never have answers. The wound is deep right now, but it will begin to heal. And, after awhile we will be left with more scars. There is also grief that will have no end, but it will dull in time. There is despair...and hope. There is faith, and it will carry us through.

Thank you.

Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that seemed so real that you woke up and went about the day thinking it was reality? Sure you have. Dreams are CrAzY! They can alter our moods or our decisions. I had a dream about a good friend having a terrible accident last night and it seemed so real that I woke up sobbing. It seemed so devastating that I couldn't shake that feeling of loss or panic nearly all day! Said friend called me during my lunch hour and I shared the crazy dream with her and it really did sound funny. She laughed and laughed, but even as I realized how silly it all was, how it didn't fit in a real world situation, I was still in an altered mood due to the reality it presented at the time.

Well, here's wishing for SwEeT dReAmS tonight...I need a calm, relaxed mood to tackle the weekend marathon that will be the first debate tournament of the year!

Sweets and Sweeties

Halloween...what a holiday! A day to pretend and eat candy ~ no wonder kids of ALL ages love it! My girls were rockers this Halloween. Olivia put together her own original costume consisting of odds and ends she had purchased or found over the last two months in preparation to be a punk rocker. In the picture, you'll see that she equates attitude with rocker. Abby opted for something very original (Sarcasm)...Hannah Montana. I'm sure no one else even thought of this option. :) It was quite the ordeal. Like I had posted earlier, we had purchased two Hannah wigs because Claire's had them two for $10. Abby had insisted that she wear the larger, but I admit more Hannah, wig. I got her ready first, which now I realize was a huge mistake. She is VERY particular about her clothing, most days it involved a dilemma involving her socks and shoes. Anyway, to make a long story shorter...this time it was wig related and she ripped the wig off about 10 min. before we were to walk out the door and then cried most of her make up down her face because the long hair was on her neck. I was pretty mad, but in an effort to salvage the night, I calmly agreed to put the other wig on (which was what I had wanted to do all along!). In the meantime, Olivia had decided that she wanted to try fake eyelashes. Well, they hurt her eyes and then she cried her make up off. THE DRAMA!! My girls do not lack drama, I'm not sure where they get that. Hmmmmmm, I wonder... Anyway, after reapplying make up, a new wig, and some apologies, we were out the door. NOT! Abby then insisted I put the wig in a ponytail to keep it off of her shoulders. Okay, I have to say that I love my children, but I was about to explode! We were late, had missed trunk or treat altogether, and I was ready to just send them to bed without candy. I sat Miss Abbylicious down and explained that one more demand would, in fact, ruin the fun of Halloween. I would pull the wig into a ponytail, but then I was done with the fits and complaints. She could choose to deal with the costume she chose or go as Abby. She chose Hannah...one ponytail later we were out the door. FINALLY! We went to my aunts for chili and snacks first, then to my brother's, my sister's, and then to the school carnival for an hour (I won a sweet prize in the drawing!) where we saw a magic show, played games, won candy and prizes, and last we went to my parent's house. Michael's family had already done the whole treat exchange earlier in the day. The girls were in much better spirits (get it? spirits?) once we left the house and actually got going.
I guess I really make Abby out to sound like a pretty naughty girl. She just has some really "independant" moments and apparently loves time out or limited TV time...but the rest of the time she is a ton of fun and smiles. Liv is pretty even tempered, but is all about the drama! Anyway, I love them TONS and would never change them...much.

Oh, yeah ~ I was a witch. I took a few self-portraits, which is rare for me, but I thought I'd better for the girls:


















I've been following the nienie dialogues and the fact that she'd take pictures of herself to share has inspired me to try to be more willing to be in photos for the sake of my kids.


The night before Halloween, I stayed up until 2am making yummy treats. I've put the recipe on my recipe blog, so hit the recipe box link to find the BEST ever recipe for my mom's sugar cookies and yummy frosting. My kids and I were in the venture together, but then they lost interest, but it was fun while it lasted!



Happy Halloween until next year!

WARNING! ALERT! (Sarcasm will be involved...)

Did you know that when you look at a Victoria's Secret magazine and find something to order ~ get this ~ the body is NOT included!? I mean, what are those people thinking? Those little lacy things won't look that good on MY body!!! Maybe they should include a disclaimer; WARNING: The sexy attire featured on the buxom, but too thin babes in this catalog will look very different on the average non-supermodel. I was so disappointed to learn this and thought it very important to share this revelation with all of you. :)

I can't very well survive on whatever little sustenance it takes to actually look like those babes, nor have I mastered Photo Shop:). So, for the time being...I will continue to try to hit the gym and eat only half a pint of Ben & Jerry's at a time! Oh yeah, and stick to sweats and t-shirts at bedtime...