Thanksgiving Day

I can not even begin to explain how excited that I am it is finally Thanksgiving Day.  For some reason, having the end of the year full of holiday cheer is just great for me.  I really need that time to reflect on my many blessings and on why I do indeed need to be grateful for all that I have.  In talking to the girls about Thanksgiving, I told them we would be watching the parade on TV in the morning.  They weren't really sure what that was since most years we have been traveling in or somewhere other than our house and unable to watch.  I am VERY proud to say that we will get to see it this year!  WOOHOO!   Why I get so over-excited about some huge balloons and quick entertainment?  It's because of all the stinking AWESOME warm and fuzzies that overtake my body just thinking about the season!  Life really is good (even though I argue that point the other 10 months of the year).

  I have made a big change recently that I was pretty reluctant to make.  I quit the YMCA because I wasn't able to get there enough and I couldn't take part in the classes that I enjoyed.  My resolution?  I will be taking a more active role in my fitness and overall well-being.  I will get up in the morning to exercise before the hubby goes to work.  I will read my scriptures, ready the lunch for #1, get everyone dressed and fed to start our day, and most of all - get to bed EARLY.  That is right..... I will be aiming for 9 hours of sleep each night (obviously not tonight since it is already 1am) so I can wake rested and ready to go.  I know it is a bit much to bite off at this point, but I am going to use baby steps.  Anyway... getting to the THANKFUL part of this story anytime soon!?  Yeah, really.  Ok, so I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to be able to be a better homemaker and use my time more wisely.  I look forward to more time spent playing games with my children and teaching them the things they need to know.  I see the gym membership as a small sacrifice for the BIG change that will take part in our family - for the better. 

What's for........... DESSERT???

Ever been one of the poor souls that walk by the YW room on Sunday to see a bunch of teenage girls enjoying goodies?  Well, I have FINALLY taken the time to write down some of the recipes for those creations on my recipe blog.  Check it out.  I need to add a lot more and post my yummy spanish rice recipe that I found on allrecipes for last night's dinner. Check it out! Please ignore how long it has been since it has been updated, I have a lot of work to do to keep up with that blog.  I will do my best, and I am trying to do better about posting pictures with the post.  I do not like cook books that don't have pictures in them.... so I am not expecting you to! Feel free to send some of your favorite recipes so that I can try them and post them (with credit to you of course) on the blog.  Thanks!

Duel for Monday night dinner

 VS




Like the crazy people that we are, we decided to attempt a dinner at golden corral last night as part of our FHE.  It was going to be free for the hubby, plus.... we all could eat as much as we wanted.  Naturally, I cut back on what I ate that day to leave PLENTY O ROOM for the night's smorgasbord.  We attempted two different golden corrals only to find their lines way too long for children ready to eat.  After weighing our options, we decided on cracker barrel (because I hadn't ever been).  My thoughts on my first visit there?   DO NOT go there if you are ready to eat at a buffet!  By golly I think we scarfed up most of the girls fries (oh, and their kids meals were bigger portions than our adult meals) that they played "too full" to eat.

Hmm.... letter to the company?  I think so!
           Dear Golden Corral
    Why do you have a DAY to honor military members?  Most of them end up standing outside in the cold for an hour or so - for what?  To save 10.95???  Seriously?!  I think that allowing military members the weekend of Veteran's Day to redeem their free meal.  Perhaps creating an online coupon that can be printed after registering so that not every military member in town is eating free for a weekend.  My family was hoping to have a nice evening out at one of your restaurants, but were unable to stand in the lengthy lines at your business and eventually forced to give business to another competitor.   Every year, competitors praise your "military dinner" promotion because it gives them MORE customers.

                                                        sincerely,
                                                           A Navy Wife

disclaimer: logos borrowed from their respective websites. also, opinion expressed in this blog is that of the author and not an official statement from either restaurant.

more grateful for's

#9.  Hot Chocolate made with warm milk (favorite)
#10.  Alone moments (no, I didn't get one today, just reminiscing)
#11.  the idea of yard sales
#12.  My grandparents (both sets) - they are the most wonderful people that I know and I want my children to be able to know them.
#13.  warm, cozy blankets accompanied by GREAT books
#14. friends

Happy Veterans Day!

I am sending out a HUGE thank you to all of those who have served in the US military at any point throughout this country's history.  It is because of you that we have the freedoms that our forefather's wished us to have.  ( (Today) I am choosing to ignore the fact that the majority of this country's citizens are voluntarily giving up a lot of those rights)  Thanks to all the military members, (old and new) there is at least someone fighting for what is right.   Please, in honoring our military members, do not forget to also honor those families that go through many struggles to share their loved one(s) with this country.  It is most definitely not an easy task and many important milestones/anniversaries/birthdays are missed regularly to ensure your freedom.   As you sit down with your loved one every night for dinner, remember that someone is without their loved one tonight in order to defend our freedoms.  Everyday, there is a servicemember missing the birth of their child, 1st birthday, or anniversary. Each holiday season there are empty plates at the dinner table for Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Many miss the 1st day of school for their eldest child just to defend our country and our freedoms.  It is because of these remarkable people that you have the opportunity to be with your loved ones each and every day and to have them at every important day in your lives.  As long as there are ones willing to serve,  the rest of the country will be spared in having to protect their families and belongings on their own, or being forced to serve in the military themselves. 

THANK YOU VETERANS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL!!  AS WELL AS ALL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL!! 

Oh, and you're welcome for sharing my husband with all of you and going through a lot of important holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries (to name a few) without him.

Thanksgiving

#6.  Thankful for time with family
#7.  LOVE indoor plumbing (hot showers, flushing toilets, etc)
#8.  Thankful for phones, webcams (modern technology)

Contagious

I distinctly remember telling my husband yesterday that I was sick and that he probably shouldn't kiss me.  So, what does he do?  He says, "That's ok, I'll be alright."   Then imagine my surprise when he wakes up today and then later complains of a sore throat and achy body?!  Yup, I told him!  Sometimes boys are so silly. 

Next Project....

Ugly Dolls.  I want to make one for my little man and found a fleece throw at the thrift store today for $1.99 that I am going to use for the body.  Any ideas on how to stuff that thing without having a funny seam somewhere (proof of where I stuffed it)?   I think that these things are the PERFECT gift for little boys.  All the ward has to do now is supply the boys for me to make them for (that is if they turn out cute - the dolls, not the babies).   =)

Thankful List

Ok... since I am apparently, TRULY awful at updating this, I will play catch up with my Thankful list.

2.  Grateful that my children have their health, while I am sick.
 (makes things a little easier)
3.  Grateful that I have a husband who likes loves me and finds me attractive.
4.  Grateful my family supports me with crafting
5.  Grateful to have a roof over my head and a steady paycheck (not mine... my husband's)

Give Thanks

I really love this time of year.  I know that we most definitely should always be thankful, but it is easier to think that way when Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  The same goes for Christmas and the wonderful spirit that accompanies the last month of the year.   I would love it if we had these two holidays all year long - but I will settle for just trying to live these holidays in my heart year round. 

I would like to take a moment to say one thing that I am thankful for in my life.  I am going to try to do this each time that I post (since I am horrible about posting everyday).  

#1.  I am thankful for the scriptures and the Atonement. 

Happy Halloween

 #1 with her costume.  I am SO happy she was happy with it.  Even though it wasn't perfect by any means.

 #2 In her fairy outfit.  She decided she wanted her hair done like Fawn.  Well... you know how it goes.  =)

#3 in his Chicken Little outfit.  No hat with the red rooster stuff.  If you look close at his bum, you can see his rooster feathers on his outfit.  TOO CUTE!  Love him up!

All Hallows Eve

Want to know one of the best things about being LDS?  

   Having trunk or treat on a non-Sunday no matter what day Halloween falls on! 

Alas.... tonight will be a Tri-Ward Trunk or Treat for our little munchkins.  Since we have an awesome Activities Chair - You Rock TARA! - we will be having a little carnival for the children as well. All homemade of course.... lots of really fun games for the children to enjoy before packing it up and taking it outside for the children to make their rounds "Trunk or Treating".  Clue:  Some people will decorate the trunks of their cars in the parking lot and then have the children come by for candy.   Bottom Line:  No need to worry about the candy in that bag, it's all safe AND no one will be darting out across streets or getting lost, they are all in the parking lot! 

Tonight's line up, you ask?  

#1 - Tinkerbell - her outfit isn't perfect, but the best I could find since I am a HUGE procrastinator.  It will be dark green velvet, with lime-green wings.   Go figure.  

#2 - Fairy - she wasn't too particular about which fairy, so she will just be your average one tonight.  

#3 - Since I got all of the stuff from the thrift store.... YESTERDAY.... I found this really cute "Chicken Little" costume in little man's size.  Not really thinking I will figure out the head part.  

All of my children will be missing accessories to their ensembles and will look incomplete.   My opinion ?   OH WELL!   I vow every year once trunk or treat is over to make the cutest costumes ever.... and each year, I let it slip away from me.  Maybe we will try again for next year.  Any ideas?

Hard

There is a saying that says, "there is a time and a season for all things".  (not a direct quote... cut me some slack, I talk to children 5 and under day in and day out!)  Unfortunately, this "season" of my life seems to be one void of joy and happiness.  Every day that passes,  I am more certain that I was not cut out to be a mother....or any form of nurturer.  Shocking?!  I know, right!?  Honestly, I don't really think it is all that shocking.  Why? 

 *Most of my career as a "mother" I have gone it alone.  Yeah, sure, there was a paycheck coming in from the other side of the world.... but in the grand scheme of things... what I really needed was help.  The Lord blessed me in many ways with some amazing friends to help me along the journey of the "single parent".  But, the first sea tour in the military for us has left me severely damaged.

* I have an obsession with wanting a nice, respectable looking home.  I envy those with the talent of interior decorating.  I pretty much don't have a gift in that area.

* It is that obsession that drives me over the edge when I get to add another task to my housework list instead of maybe for once having some time to make something for the house.  We don't have much, but I am trying with what we do have.

* Laundry piles, that get chucked around in other bins (or closets) to be folded another day.  Ever wonder why we never have pressed shirts/pants?  Yeah... if I don't have time to fold, you can bet I haven't dusted off the iron in YEARS.

*  We own a dog that is not potty trained, and maimes herself if we stick her in a kennel - as well as pottying in the kennel creating HOURS of work to scrub and clean.  I can't own a nice rug - because she'll ruin it!

* I believe that I should be given the kind of children that behave as I did as a child, which according to my parents was great!  My childrens CONSTANT misbehavior is very bothersome.  Lots of time in their room. 

Is there hope for me?  I feel that I lack friends because I am the mother to the children with the leash, whining and running away in the store,  teach bad things to sweet - angelic children,  and who can never sit still when we go out to eat.  Will there ever be a season of "happiness"?   I am honestly buried in housework, punishments, dog doo, laundry,  depression, and extra weight.   Could really really use a vacation - to a place where there are no children.

FOUR

My #2 turned 4 today.  I can not believe it!  Definitely seems less than 4 years that I was in the hospital waiting to meet her, with my sweet husband desperately trying to reach me.  It was truly a blessing that he was able to figure out where I was and talk to me not quite 2 hours after I gave birth to her.  She is my blossom amidst adversity.  Being born on Friday the 13th,  her superstitious mother would think she has a hard life ahead of her.  I am amazed to see her rise above any trials thrown her way.  Not only does she have one of the greatest smiles, she has one of the purest hearts I have ever had the blessing of being around.  There are many more life lessons that I am sure she will teach me.  We are very grateful to have her in our family.  Happy Birthday!! 

Beauty and the Beast

Tuesday was the most recent debut for one of my all-time favorite Disney Classics.  For those of you who do not know, Disney has this awesome thing they do each time they release a new movie.  You simply visit their website and click on special promotions.  I am also a Disney Movie Club member, so I think that may help a little.  Anyway... I paid $13.99 for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of Beauty and the Beast.  Wanna know how I did it?  First, I went to BJ's.  They had $4 knocked off the regular price ($27.99) which put me at $23.99.  Then I used my $10 off the combo pack in addition for a grand total of $13.99.  That is an even better price than buying just the DVD!   Dork that I am, I just LOVE getting a deal, don't you?

Nook App

I realize I am VERY behind the times.  However, my husband and I have been eying the nook as of late.  Who knows?  Maybe he will even get it for Christmas...... right Santa?!  Anyway.... they have an app available for your pc so that you can enjoy having a book ready to read without it taking up valuable space in your home (and without having a nook..... yet).  Those military families out there know what I am talking about.  Anytime you move (which in the military is supposed to be VERY OFTEN yet in my case is HARDLY EVER) there is a weight limit.  Anything that goes above that comes out of your paycheck.   That is right, we have to pay for it.  I don't know about you, but I would rather spend that valuable weight on household items (beds, tables, kitchen ware, etc) than on books, and plenty of them.  I have had to try to find places to stash books to keep down on the amount of bookshelf space we need.  If all goes well, we may just have an extensive ebook library instead of taking up space (and weight) to correspond with our love of books.   Come to think of it... books seem to be my only friends these days.   Maybe it is because you ignore them when you aren't reading them, instead of them ignoring you.  Interesting.....

Ward Campout

We headed to the ward campout friday night.  Got there about dark, set up our tents (we got a small 2 man tent for the girls to sleep in - worked out beautifully) and visited with the others that attended.  Overall it was fun interesting, but boy did we realize what a mistake it was for the dog to come along.  My hubby really wanted to bring her... help her have outside time...blah blah.  Except she barked and woke up the baby, (yup...he was asleep already) and then continued to growl for about half an hour or so.  Baby slept with us for half the night and because my hubby just wanted to pack a long sleeve t-shirt (and no layers/pjs to keep him warm in the 50 some degrees it was that night...) he FROZE and kept trying to snuggle up to me.  Since I am a really awesome wife though, i had a change of underwear and shorts and multiple shirts for the next morning. Yeah, I realize I am complaining a little bit.  The campout experience this year (first year with my hubby) was kinda hard for me.  In more ways than what I wrote.  I have a lot of changing/growing to do I guess.   Oh yeah, sorry, no pictures to share.

Living the Doldrums

So, yet ANOTHER day to notch on the calendar as a rainy one.  Pretty much ALL last week was full of rain, to only give us a break for about 48 hours.  Honestly, if #1's school is closed for the THIRD school day in a row.... I think I am going to scream.   Oh yeah, did I mention that rainy day = dog not wanting to go out = "accidents" on the fake wood floor = mopping, AGAIN. 

yucky day

Today it is raining.  Yucky rain. I know that it keeps plants growing and all that jazz, but really!?? I do not like those rainy days, I do not like them Sam I am. Apparently, this is supposed to go on for most of the week. Ugh. Although all of this was supposed to start Saturday night and it didn't until yesterday afternoon. Maybe there will be a few days without so much "wet". Here's to hoping. Really trying to find the motivation to get up and start cleaning - instead of wanting to read a book blog.

New Book (series)

I have finally decided to give in and read the Hunger Games series. Honestly I am a bit apprehensive about it and probably still will be as I hit page 100. I was finally able to finish the other book I was reading to make way for this series. I am grateful that I have some friends with the books to lend out! I will review it once I am finished with the series for any of you who are still holding out.

FINALLY FINISHED THE SERIES!  You'll just have to read 'em.