Draper Temple Open House

So these posts are all out of order but we were able to go to the Draper Temple Open House the day before Micah's birthday. My kids were so excited that they could go, it warmed my soul. The photo of the temple isn't that great but it was from our bus as we were leaving the grounds and the other photo is from the church were they had refreshments and paintings of Christ all over. The spirit was so great, Emily even said," Mom I didn't want to leave." If you have never been to an LDS temple open house I highly recommend it, it reminded me why we do what we do everyday!

Valentine's Day Update

We have had internet issues lately so I have been unable to blog or catch up on facebook friends. I have a real addiction to communication. Maybe I never realized how blogging and now facebook, give me adult communication I don't always get during the day that I NEED. Don't get me wrong I love my random conversations with the little people, they can be very insightful but there is something about this new cybersocial situation that fills a need to communicate. I'm not sure it's healthy but I think it saves money on therapy!:)

So Valentine's Day we had a couple of basketball games in the morning. I tried to get up early and make a special breakfast for everyone but they just wanted cold cereal--note to self remember what is special to you may NOT or IS NOT special to others! So I could have slept in a little, owell.

Tim had taken me to the play the Curious Savage at the high school the night before as part of our 'celebration'. It was a very funny and touching play. Then Saturday, he took me to lunch at a favorite bakery/deli. We ordered some pastries that were amazing after our lunch, it was a great afternoon. I prefer to miss the dinner crowds by doing lunch.

We were going to make a really nice dinner for everyone but it didn't happen with our time restraints so we ordered pizza, one even came heart shaped. We had a delicious dinner anyway and we gave the kids some treat bags with their favorite candy in it--ie a bag of Skittles. We also handed out our love notes we had written to each other. I had a little mailbox and heart shaped cardstock to write on for each person. It turned out pretty good. Gwen and my mom made us sugar cookies and I made Valentine cupcakes but most of us were all too full after dinner to eat them.

The teenagers headed off to friends afterward. Tim and I watched Ever After once the little kids were in bed. I fell asleep not long into it--very romantic for Tim. So we stopped it and were done! It was still nice to spend time together in a relaxed way!

Happy Birthday Micah!!!

So 7 years ago today our 6th child, our 4th boy Micah was born. What I remember about that day is I dropped Emily off at Joyschool and ran to Wal-Mart with 2 year old Izak to get some onesies for the baby and a few other necessary baby items I'd overlooked. He wasn't due until the weekend, it was Wednesday. As soon as I started pushing the cart to the van I started having contractions. They didn't hurt but were strong. They were about 15 minutes apart so I wasn't too concerned. I called my mom and told her what was going on, she insisted on coming out. The weather changed and it started raining. Once my mom arrived I laid down and rested. When I got up the contractions had stopped. My mom said that I should go for walk and see if I could get them going again. I went for a long walk in the rain, neighbors saw me and guessed what I was doing. I came home a bit discouraged because the contractions were irregular now. Then after being home a little while they got a little stronger. I wasn't totally convinced I was in labor until a friend, Heather Francis stopped by and we were chatting and I told could be in labor. She said that I probably was. She quite convinced about it by the signs. I started to feel urgent not too long after she left and I called Tim. Once I called him it seemed like it intensified. My mom got my kids places and made them dinner while I tried to focus on relaxing while watching the Winter Olympics. Then I sat in a hot bath for awhile. After awhile that wasn't working, Tim said that it was time to go. I said, "NO!" I didn't think I was ready yet. I was in transition and TIm could tell. We left soon after on his and my mother's insistence. We got to the hospital at about 8:30-8:45 PM. It was painful but once they checked me I was an 8 or 9 so I pushed him out in the middle of one of Apollo Ohno's heats! He won, it was 9:15 PM. My sister walked in minutes later because she was on her way home from a class and went straight to the hospital when my told her I was there. My dad came over shortly after as well.
Micah has his own look, I thought he looked the most like Taran but still he has an olive skin tone and his almond shaped eyes but they are a pretty brown like Taran's. Micah was an interesting baby, intense and cute and funny too. He always had this mischievious look about him that has now manifested itself in his youth. He also is very caring about others, if he hears someone is ill or hurt he wants to take them something. He loves to draw and can do so for hours. He also likes his friends and legos, star wars, and sports. He can be very funny and clever. We love him very much and hope this year is a great one for him as he prepares to be baptized next year!

New Driver in our midst!

My oldest finally took his permit test, and passed! He turns 16 in April so we are a little behind. He isn't that interested in driving and we aren't exactly anxious for him to drive. But he hasn't a clue and he needs to practice. In Utah, you have to drive so many hours, I don't know how many, and have your learner's permit 6 months before you can get your license! I think it's a great idea. So how did I get here? I can't believe I have a kid old enough to drive . . . time really flies! The driving practice should age us quickly!

and I especially love ...

Tim! He is one of those people everyone likes. He is smart, funny and completely non-judgemental. He is musical, athletic and kind. He is an awesome dad and a fabulous husband! He works hard and he has integrity. He is very patriotic and fiercely loyal. I am so grateful we found each other. He is my best friend and the best person I know! So that's some of the reasons I love him!

JUST FOR FUN!

Here's how it works:~The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me. My choice. For you!~This offer does have some restrictions and limitations.~
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year (anytime).
4. You have no clue what it is going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on how to properly wash your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure.
5. I reserve the right to do something completely strange.
~~~~The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same thing to the first 5 people who do the same on their blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me that they did, win a FABULOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!

**This is inspired by my friend Lisa. If I am one of the 5 on her blog I get something. I feel like it's a fun pay it forward thing!

and of course I love . . .

my extended family and my friends. I am enjoying Facebook this past week I joined and I have been able to reconnect with old friends I haven't seen in over 20 years!!!! What a hoot! Here are photos of my extended family and some of my local friends. I love these people they bless me often!!!

and I really love. . .

food. So I am not a foodie. I don't watch food shows, but I don't really watch anything! But I love a good hamburger and Mexican food. I also enjoy fancy food it's just not in my budget. I enjoy anything chocolate and find most baked goods irresistible! So in honor of my love of food I am sharing some winter soup favorites in case you need a little variety!

Cauliflower Soup by Chris Orton
1 head of cauliflower, broken into pieces
2 c water
1/2 c chopped onion
1/4 c butter
1/2 c flour
6 chicken bouillon cubes
2 c shredded cheese
2 c milk
Mix all ingredients and cook until tender. (I like to use a smart stick and puree the cauliflower in the pot once it's tender. It tastes like a creamy cheese soup.)

Potato Smoked Sausage Soup (cooks.com)
Saute 1 onion in 3-4 T butter, add 2 T Worcestershire sauce. Peel and dice 4 large potatoes, add to mixture above with 2-4 c water. Cover and cook slow. While potatoes are cooking, brown smoked sausage (2 large links in a package) after slicing the links. Add 1 can of evaporated milk to potato mixture. Add sausage to soup, cook 30-40 minutes.

Valentine Boxes

I thought I'd share what we did this year for our Valentine boxes. I think they turned out cute! Micah's is a monster who eats Valentines, Jabba, Izak's is a basketball hoop and Emily's is suppose to be a cake.

and I love even more . . .

Last night I was rubbing my sick little boy's back trying to help him get to sleep after a coughing fit. He did relax and go to sleep. It reminded me of when I was up all night with my oldest son when he was a baby with the croup. I laid on the floor next to his crib, the humidifier going and I was rocking him to sleep in his carseat in the crib. It worked but I had to lay there a long time. Do they know how much we love them? Do they even understand the many prayers said in their behalf? I doubt they will know until they are a parent themselves. But I love them no matter the silly, or painful things they do, I love them.

And because the experience of being a parent it makes me love my parents (bottom photo) and Tim's (other photo) even more! And they are great grandparents too!

and I also love. . .

I love this painting by the artist Greg Olsen. We have a book with this painting in it and we tell Gwen it's her with Jesus. She loves that. I didn't mean to write about the painting so much as to write how I love that I can pray and be comforted. Sometimes life makes me feel like I need to sit on His lap and be held and told, "you're okay. It's okay. I love you." I love that I can feel that way when I really need it. I hope you know He loves you too!

A new Giselle

Emily is in a musical theater group and they are putting on a version of the movie Enchanted but they also have Alvin and the Chipmunks and other characters in the musical. So last night she found out she got the part of Giselle! Last year they did a Little Mermaid with the Pirates of the Caribbean and she was Sebastion the crab. So she'll be practicing that day and night! I am excited for her, it's a big role. I hope she has fun.

and I love. . .

the mountains, sunsets, the ocean, the smell after it rains, Gwen's cute voice . . .to be continued.

Friday Fill In by Pikes Pickles, filled in by ME

1) My number one goal this weekend is to empty my IKEA bag hidden in my closet (read a previous post).


2) My favorite cookie is sugar especially with frosting.
3) I would like to visit with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Joseph Smith.

4) If I won a million dollars , and didn't have to worry about a budget I would buy a trip to Disneyland for all my husband's family and my family and have a reunion there!

5) People who read my blog would be surprised to know that I like super hero cartoons.

Things I love . . .

Since I found myself writing about gratitude in November why not love in February? I love it when my kids practice the piano, especially when I don't have to remind them. I love it when my kids are creative. I love it when my husband reads to my kids, it really makes him sexy! I love taking my kids to experience things like the dinosaur museum. Zane & Gwen can't wait to go back! These things give me that feeling of aww. I love my life.

Micah's King of the Jungle Poster

I know it's not an exciting post but he loved his poster. We actually have it on our wall in the kitchen since his birthday is in a couple of weeks.

Sharing the Love

Just thought I'd share my paper pieced heart for Valentine's Day I put on my mantle. It's simple but me. I don't do much more than that except I have a heart candy dish I try to keep full of conversation hearts but with 9 of us and friends it goes fast.

Great Website about Wasteful Government Spending

http://www.cagw.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11836&news_iv_ctrl=1025

If you are not concerned about the 'stimulus package' check out this website that is a watchdog for wasteful spending! It is very informative.

Ideas for inside winter fun!

I know when my kids haven't been able to sled or run around they drive each other crazy! Which drives me crazy! So we have some fun for inside--if you have stairs a sleeping bag slide is fun. They could do it for hours. Just don't do it yourself--adults just don't float down, you could lose some teeth or herniate a disc! We like to build tents to play in with the stuffed animals. There is also this foam stuff, Zane made this funky thing. We also have moon sand too. We go through a lot of paper from drawing and painting. Games, I taught Zane and Izak how to play chicken feet (dominoes)the other day. Zane likes to race down our halls which helps get the energy out too! So get creative and share what you do for fun inside when it's too stormy to be out!!!