Growing Up Gracefully

He Did It! He Did It! He Did It! Hurray!

2011-06-11T11:47:00.003-06:00

Nathan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Collins College! Woot!Woot! And now after working 2 years on his first feature-length film, he starts filming on July 30!

Here's a brief synopsis of TSOL (pronounced "soul"):
Shot in the scenic Sangre De Cristo Mountains, this movie is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young man fighting for his life-- and his mind. After awakening from a horrific airplane crash, Chuck finds himself stranded and alone in the mountains. His friends are dead and he has no food or water in which to sustain himself. Chuck begins a journey to find not only civilization but also himself. He battles multiple demons of the past-- the death of his mother, the unforgiveness of his father, and his own dying faith.
Through encounters with wild beasts to hallucinations of his dead friends, Chuck struggles, eventually discovering the meaning of life.

We are so excited about TSOL but right now we could really use your help! Please visit his Kickstarter site by clicking on the image below, watch the treatment to give you an idea of where and what the movie is about, and most importantly-- become a backer! It's only $10 to buy a signed dvd! Those of you who would post the video on your blog and facebook we would appreciate it SOOO much!

What I've Been Watching....

2011-04-19T15:42:00.000-06:00

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

You can watch it too! Click here :)

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say....

2011-03-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

Well, we all know how the saying goes. But I'm ignoring it for now. I am MAD! I am going to be a spoiled brat and say that I want my husband home for dinner! This is producing in me an alter-ego that looks and acts strikingly similar to this woman:

And I really can make myself look and sound just like her!

Oh Paul, why did you ever give us that standard of "being content in every situation..." If you hadn't said that, I'd be free and content to just sit and wallow in my self-pity, consoling myself with mashed oreos in milk. Sheesh, my belly is beginning to show the effects of 3 years of lonely weeknights :(

*Sigh,* Paul, how did you ever get through those difficult years in prison without chocolate?

What's For Dinner?

2011-02-16T11:31:00.001-07:00

In hopes of having an easier time discovering what to make for dinner (and b/c Nathan has the camera with all of my other blog fodder), I've decided to start doing some posts on "What's For Dinner?" That way, I can get
ummm-- "inspired."

Tonight's Dinner:
Sweet and Sour Chicken with Steamed Rice and Veggies

I make the sweet and sour sauce homemade using pineapple juice, brown sugar, a little red pepper, vinegar, and a little cornstarch. It is so easy and many times I have these ingredients already on hand. The worst part about this meal is cutting up the chicken in small pieces. I thought I would've have matured to the point that raw chicken doesn't bother me-- guess not.

Dinner with boys is never boring!

Haven't forgotten that I still haven't finished my "How We Make It Work" series. Coming soon!

Indian Outlaw...

2011-02-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

WANTED:

Don't be fooled by the angelic expression, this boy was guilty of a very smelly crime...

'Course he claimed innocent, but proof of his misdeeds still lingered on his fingers

and everyone knew it warn't chocolate we were smellin'

He pulled hard time for that crime,

sunlight filtering through the slats of the ol' jail cell where he lay.
As with all inmates, I did grant him one phone call...

"Mama, I'm in trouble..." he said.

Durned if he ain't the cutest little outlaw mama ever did see.

Suprise!

2011-02-07T12:02:00.001-07:00

When your toddler comes to you, brown-covered pointer finger outstretched-- do not, I repeat, DO NOT, smell it to see if it is chocolate.... it isn't.

The Poet and The Lynx

2011-02-07T11:45:00.001-07:00

Not a lot of time to post for the next couple of days. We are having Pastor's School right now and there is a couple staying at our house. Wow, Jentezen Franklin was on his game yesterday! What a message! Well, gotta go, but I thought I'd leave you with this short piece my husband did for a school project...

My Scent...

2011-02-04T13:21:00.001-07:00

Video: Directed by my husband, Nathan Phelps; Fragrance: Cashemere Mist by Donna Karan

What's yours?

How We Make It Work, Dressing...

2011-01-28T11:10:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I wasn't able to get that decorating post up in time... maybe Monday? Anyway, anyone who's visited this blog for any length of time knows how much I LOVE Goodwill and I love fashion! I would say that I definitely put thought and effort into my clothes-- I was raised to believe that it was important to look your best-- and to do so on a tight budget! If you look back in my posts labeled Dressing or even my "What To Wear When Expecting" Pregnancy posts, you will see a plethora of my Goodwill and yardsale steals. Turns out I'm not the only Southern gal who loves a good deal. Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam is doing a Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show today and I am linking up. I was kindof bummed because this isn't my best Goodwill outfit, but I didn't have time to take another picture! So here goes!

Shirt: Anne Taylor via Goodwill $1

Sweater: White House Black Market via Yardsale $1

Jeans: (not my fave :( ) JLo via Goodwill $1

Total Minus Shoes and Belt: $3!

Shoes and belt purchased retail-- 6.50 for belt and around 7 or 8 for the shoes. I love these strappy sandals, they remind me of the ones that Jennifer Grey wore on Dirty Dancing... Anyway, as you can see, you DO NOT have to pay alot for nice clothes. I love to buy a plain shirt and dress it up with a wide belt. I turned my friend onto this, she was really feeling down about her recent weight gain and couldn't believe when I showed her what a wide belt can do for the waist line! It really cinches it all in :)

Next in the series "How We Make It Work" will be hair and skin :)

Thanks to Jen for this opportunity to link up!

Trying to Clean The House...

2011-01-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

So that I can get a decorating post up! Tissues are everywhere!

How We Make It Work: Bills-- boring, boring, boring!

2011-01-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is kind-of a boring post, but I thought I'd save the dressing post for Friday so I can link to another blog, and I have yet to take any pictures of my decorating-- plus having 4 kids here, 2 of whom have the flu has not been conducive to a clean house!

Alright, let's get to it!
Vehicles:

Nathan and I both drive vehicles that are over a decade old. He has a Honda and I have a Toyota. We both paid $4000 for our vehicles many years ago and God has really blessed them with "long life" :) Seriously, God has blessed us with our vehicles and we always pray that He would continue to keep them going until we are in a position to afford new ones. In the past, when one of the vehicles has had mechanical problems, we've always been tempted to throw in the towel and buy a vehicle with payments. However, we've also known that the amount it cost to fix our old vehicle would be about the equivalent of 2-3 months worth of car payments. Which is why you can find me, wind blowing through my hair from the window that refuses to roll up, singing my own songs since my radio broke, happily payment free :) This month, we are finally selling my Camry for another used vehicle and I have to admit, I am super excited! However, not having a car payment has helped enable us to live off of a limited budget each month.

Old Faithful (and my messy garage!)

Utilities:
The only things that we may do a bit differently are no home phone-- only one cell phone, no cable-- rather the internet please!, and we utilize a payment equalizer on our bills. Basically, the equalizer ensures that despite the suffocating temps of an Arizona summer, our payments will remain the same all year long. We also make sure to use our major appliance only during off-peak hours; this makes a huge difference for Phoenix residents.

Insurance:

Auto- Because of the status of our vehicles, we haven't had a need to have comprehensive coverage on our vehicles. This saved us quite a bit, as did switching to Geico (much as I hated to do that to our local agency.) I am hoping that once our finances are a bit more steady, we will be able to switch back to our local office.

Health:

Nathan took advantage of two discounts his employer was offering. One was a tobacco-free incentive and the other was a health exam. By taking these two tests/questionnaires, we were able to save $100 from our health insurance premium each month.

Moral of this Story:

Can switching to Geico really save you 15% or more on car insurance?

Does a former Drill Sergeant make a terrible therapist?

I love that commercial!

Why I Have Forsaken Nail Varnish...

2011-01-25T21:29:00.001-07:00

...because I spent Friday night applying 3 coats of polish and one coat of sealer, only to spend Saturday night lamenting the wasted effort.

*I don't really call it "varnish," but I love it when other's do!

A Double-Edged Sword...

2011-01-24T14:26:00.001-07:00

This Scripture really spoke to me today...

“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar?

Did not your father eat and drink

And do justice and righteousness?

Then it was well with him.

“He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy;

Then it was well.

Is not that what it means to know Me?”

Declares the LORD.

How We Make It Work, Grocery Shopping...

2011-01-24T12:08:00.001-07:00

Groceries are expensive! This is always the area where we spend the most money. I try to stay away from convenience meals, mainly because they are gross so Nathan won't eat them, but also because they can be expensive. This month, I decided to buy a couple of "convenience foods" because Asher has the flu and I'll be doing a lot of babysitting once he gets better. On days when I babysit, it's nice to have something easy to prepare or else we may be eating PB&J sandwiches! I guess what I'm trying to say is that a convenient meal is better than eating out or no meal at all!

Practical Saver: I subscribe to an online newsletter that tells me all of the best deals in my area and how to couple coupons with the deals to get these items for free or for just a few cents. This is a really good way to save money on food but it does require (at least for me!) a lot of time and preparation. I mentioned before that I haven't been utilizing this service since I have felt overwhelmed with other responsibilities. I'm thinking about starting back up this month just because it is so hard to miss out on those deals. Hmmm... sanity or savings? SAVINGS! Haha!

Price Matching: I almost always do price matching, at least for fruits and veggies. I save an enormous amount of money this way, often getting blueberries, strawberries, and pineapples for .99, romaine lettuce for less than a buck, and apples for around .69 a lb. I just grab my ads (usually 5 in all) circle the item on the ad, and write down than item and the price on a cheat sheet. I am amazed at how much produce I can get for so little utilizing this method of spending.

The 99 Cent Store: Lastly, I often shop at the 99 Cent Store-- not to be confused with the Dollar Tree! The 99 Cent Store has buyouts-- items stores are getting rid of. I get cookie dough (convenience, I know!), yogurt, and crackers for cheap! Occasionally, I will buy the boys lunchables for a treat. The lunchables I bought last time were a great deal considering that they were the large ones that included a drink, the meal, and a snack; these are normally twice the price I paid. I also buy my flour tortillas and enchilada sauce from there. You just never know what you will find at the 99 Cent Store! I once found those Vita-balls-- the vitamin gumballs-- and bought up the entire shelf for my sister who's children will only take vitamins that are chewy and wrapped in sugar and food coloring. Hey, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down-- right?

From the 99 Cent Store

(Athenos Yogurt was .25)

These are a few of the ways our family stretches our food budget. So, we aren't the greatest at saving, but we aren't the most frivolous either-- we do what works for us :) There are many more websites and blogs that know much more about this kind of thing than I do. If you would like more information, leave me a comment and I'll send you a link to one of those websites.

How We Make It Work, Entertainment Part 2...

2011-01-20T11:42:00.003-07:00

Club Sign Ups~ Another thing that Nathan and I utilize are e-clubs. Chuck-E-Cheese has a great program for the kids. They receive 20 free tokens on their birthday and on their half-birthdays. My kids love this and so do I. It's just enough tokens for them to stay busy for about an hour and then they can utilize the free toys such as the slide, dance camera, or watch the "band." We also love Dave and Buster's e-club. They frequently send both Nathan and I free $10 play cards. With $20 in play cards, again, its enough for about an hour of play time (at which point I am more than ready for some quiet time!)

Of course, all of the chain restaurants around here have their incentives for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We don't tend to use these as we don't eat out very often. However, one we do take advantage of is our Chick-fil-a. It has provided us with free dinner on many occasions! They often have all sorts of special days where food is free. We signed up for the program where they text us promotions. Money Saving Mom is constantly providing links to restaurants that are having special promotions-- many times these are fast food so we may or may not utilize these perks.

Culture Pass~ Our library offers Culture Passes to the local zoo and museums. You have to arrive early to secure your pass, but these are worth 4 free tickets to the museum of your choice. Of course the library also offers free movies, books, and story time for the kids. Hooray for the blessing of public libraries!

Museum~ Many museums offer a free day. This is something we are more likely to utilize on a date night paired with dinner out.

Game Night~ Often we will invite a family over for a night of games and appetizers. Both families bring their favorite snacks and games-- these are such fun! It's a night out without the costs of food and babysitters :)

Hiking a Volcano

The Great Outdoors~ Sometimes it's nice to get out of the concrete jungle and just *breathe*. We love to go hiking and exploring as a family. We pack a picnic and some extra clothes for the kids and go on a "venture," as Elon likes to call it. These are free and our favorite times to connect as a family and make some memories. No interruptions, no distractions, and no need to squelch the kids' boundless energy :)

One quick story:

On our 10th anniversary, the whole family loaded up to run to Chick-fil-a for their Cow Appreciation Day in which we dressed as cows to get a free combo meal. Although, one of us-- *ahem, Nathan* refused to wear his spots. So, we all ate for free on our 2 hour drive to the condo that our landlord had let us borrow for the weekend. On our way, our tire was low so we stopped at a gas station where the attendant graciously let us fill up-- for free. Upon our arrival, we were met by 2 of our landlord's friends who were to give us a tour of all the amenities that the club has to offer. Because we aren't members of the club, we were going to have to pay a fee to use the pool, billiards room, club house etc. However, these kind friends had already paid our fee giving us access to lots of fun! That afternoon, we ate appetizers at the club with a voucher we received upon purchasing our temporary club pass-- again, free! The next day, on our way to hike a volcano (dormant, of course!) we walked by the condo's neighboring fire house where they were having family day. Our kids got to explore the fire house and truck, learn what to do in an emergency, and crawl through a simulated smokey room. Then we all enjoyed a free lunch at the fire house! After spending 2 days at our "retreat," we returned home and decided to take a little time for just the two of us.

The night after our return, a friend babysat our kids (free!) for us to go to dinner and a museum. We decided to go early to a restaurant we love called Flo's where we dined on half-priced appetizers and drinks. There we ordered 4 different appetizers and rice (the rice is free!) Total bill including tip: less than $13. After eating, we headed to an art museum where it happened to be free day! We browsed around the art museum then left for Dunkin Donuts and a chocolate covered eclair. We finished up with a cuppa' joe and book browsing at Borders. Total cost for dinner, the museum, and dessert: $15!

Our whole anniversary weekend we again witnessed the Lord's unmerited favor and blessing on our family.

These are just some of the ways that our family "makes it work" when it comes to cheap thrills!

How We Make It Work, Entertainment Part 1...

2011-01-17T21:36:00.001-07:00

I Can't Tell You How To Budget....
Cuz I really stink at it!

Haha! I've never been so nervous to read my comments! I didn't think that putting our income on public display would make me feel so vulnerable! I guess that's why most people usually keep it private :) I went ahead and provided that info because I've often wondered about how much money the thrifty blogs are actually dealing with-- I'm nosey like that!

Before I begin, let me say that I am not very good at finances. I make a budget, follow it for a month, and then let it fall by the wayside. Majorly lacking in discipline! But there are some things that I do every month and I think they help quite a bit. In all honesty, sometimes we do have to pull from our savings account just to make it work. At this point in our lives, I'm ok with that. When Nathan finishes school in May, we are planning on moving to a cheaper home and living a bit more disciplined lives. With our hectic schedule I am just thankful to be sane, as the journey from here to crazy seems a short trip!

One other thing... in a previous post I mentioned I was drinking "hater-ade" and not reading some of the blogs that I normally enjoy. I want to clarify that this had nothing to do with their social status or material possessions. The thing that I was coveting was the PEACE. The slow-paced, my husband's home for dinner, my kids play with toys lifestyle :) THAT is the thing that I covet (shame on me!) Nathan sometimes gets nervous that he isn't providing me with enough. I always tell him that I am happy to bargain shop and look for creative ways to make it all work because it's just something I've always found to be a fun challenge. Furthermore, we already have so much and are RICH compared to most people (to the point that I sometimes feel guilty about it). Just wanted to make that clear :)

Oooookay! Sorry that was wordy but I'm just thinking and typing fast! On with the show!

Entertainment~

Ok, obviously with what we have left each month, there is very little left for entertainment. Here are some of the ways we still manage to have fun while living in the Big City.

1. Netflix, Redbox, and Hulu~ we don't subscribe to cable so all the movies and tv we watch are through one of these 3 mediums. Even if we did have the money, it KILLS me to pay $10 each to see a movie that I will probably walk away from saying, "Ehhh, it was a-ight."

2. Date Nights~ occasionally we will splurge to get a sitter, but on these occasions we keep the costs of our dates to a minimum. For our anniversary this year, our landlord let us use her condo in the mountains where we could swim, shoot pool, and just lounge. Since we had our kids along with us, we didn't get much time to ourselves so when we got back we hired a sitter. We usually pay our sitter $25 so instead of eating out we decided to take sparkling cider, crusty bread, and gourmet cheese out to a secluded spot in the mountains nearby. The beauty around us, along with some good music and a few candles gave us a much more romantic and enjoyable time than any fancy restaurant I've frequented. I even wore a dress! (For some reason I get a little frantic at restaurants. All the people, noise and distractions steal my ability to converse!)

The other day our sitter was in town and we really felt like we needed some time together so we went out and saw Tron in 3-D (ehhh, it was a-ight), ate at Panda Express, and topped off at Starbucks with a little book browsing on the side. It was fun, but we ended up spending more than I do on my wardrobe for the season!

This month has been really crazy with medical bills and other unexpected costs so tonight we will be keeping it simple. One of our favorite things to do is put Asher to bed early and banish (that sounds wicked doesn't it) Elon to his room with a movie and a snack. Then Nathan and I go into the living room, light some candles, and drink sparkling cider (or wine-- yuck!) while watching an old flick on Netflix. Tonight we will be drinking hot cocoa and eating cookies while watching the last of Lost. It is so relaxing and much more intimate than going out.

This post is getting so long! More on cheap thrills ;p tomorrow...

From the Bathroom...

2011-01-15T18:22:00.003-07:00

Elon: Mama, do you smell my poops in der?

Me (spoken from the living room): No Elon.

Elon: Yes you do! It smells awwwful!

Click on comic to enlarge

*I'll continue my posts on how we manage our income on Monday.

**Thanks to Baby Blues for this comic; my favorite comic strip (besides Calvin of course!)

How We Make It Work....

2011-01-14T05:00:00.001-07:00

Two and a half years ago, I lost my job and suddenly our income was split almost in half. Today, I thought that over the next few days, I'd like to a few posts on some of the ways that Nathan and I (with God's help of course!) make living on a tight budget work. Here are a list of the topics I'll cover:

~ Groceries
Practical Saver
Price Matching

~ Entertainment
Red box
Net Flix
Date Nights
Club Sign-Ups

~ Clothing
Thrifting
Accessories
Sales

~ Bills
Vehicles
Utilities
Insurance

~ Hair and Makeup
Haircuts
Cosmetics

~ Decorating
Furnishing
Accessorizing

It's not that I think I have anything to teach, but it's always fun to learn how others make it all work. Minus our rent and giving we live off of about $900-$1200 a month. Check back tomorrow to see how.

The Kids Are Napping...

2010-12-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

and I am eating kettle corn while watching this:

I'll letcha know what I think about this series.

Where I've Been...

2010-12-09T20:10:00.001-07:00

And pictures of perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked.
~Jane Austen

I haven't blogged in a while because I've become a cynical grouch as of late and I don't think anyone wants to read a negative post during "the most wonderful time of the yeeeaar!" To vent just a tad, if I read one more blog about another day in a picture perfect life I am going to go craaazy! See-- cynical. If I had a red sweater and hat I would look exactly like this guy:

Sorry to post such a negative update, but I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am, (Jane Austen). Hopefully, the holiday season will help me snap out of it. I do miss my bloggy friends though! I knew that if I were to begin blogging again I had to start somewhere and so here it is! Maybe a Christmas decor post on tomorrow will get me out of this rut!

New Mom's Secret...

2010-08-16T18:17:00.000-06:00

I am sure that after I shared how I bought a used potty at Goodwill, you probably thought that I couldn't sink much lower than that. And that is where you would be mistaken, my friends. Because this Saturday, Goodwill had it's half-off sale and I scored this chocolate brown and aqua Gottex tankini! Yes, it looks like my cheapness knows no bounds when I will put my rear where some other's rear has gone before. And I also bought, dare I say it, 4 used V*ctoria Secret bras! I have sunken to new depths and I don't care! Give me some detergent! give me some steaming hot water! I will give you a $100 bathing suit that doesn't make you resemble a 12 year old gymnast and $160 worth of bras that you didn't have to buy from a porn store (aka V*ctoria's Secret)!

Total Cost: $10

Now if I ever do stoop to buying used underwear, well that will be New Mom's Secret...

JK, I will go commando first!

Workin' In A Coal Mine, Goin' On Down Down....

2010-08-16T12:04:00.001-06:00

Working In A Coal Mine, Woops About To Slip Down!

Remember that song by the Judds?

I have spent all morning working in this house and there is still so much to do! Just sweeping, mopping, and getting me and the kids ready for the day takes all morning! It isn't that I mind the work, it's that I run out of energy half way through. Guess I'll take some of those sublingual b-12 drops my MIL gave me-- those things rock!

I had planned on heading to the gym, but at this point just the thought of pumping iron leaves me exhausted! There's still laundry to hang outside and fold, my carpets REALLY need to be vacuumed and I need to get the pizza dough started in the bread machine. How does a busy mom fit going to a gym into her day? Maybe I just need to be more organized?

bwahahahaha!!!

Tortillas and Sopapillas...

2010-08-13T13:43:00.000-06:00

These past couple of weeks, I have tried my hand at making a couple of new mexican breads. I didn't take pictures of the sopapillas, but let me assure you, they were puffy, chewy, and delicious! Sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and then drizzled with honey-- mmm, MMMM!

Nathan loved the tortillas; however, I thought that they were just a bit better than store-bought-- perhaps not enough to entice me to go through the mixing and rolling and grilling again. Next time I will try the refridgerated uncooked tortillas from the store and see how they stack up against my homemade.

I really don't enjoy cooking, but I love to experiment with baking. Cooking is a chore (how ungrateful I am when there are so many around the world who would LOVE to have a pantry full of good food to cook-- forgive me!) Baking on the other hand, is a relaxing way to make the house feel homey and cozy. It makes me nostalgic and my mind wanders to what it must've been like a long time ago, simpler times where a chocolate cake put everything to rights! Maybe that's why I love to have a chocolate cake on the counter :)

Anyway, try this recipe for sopapillas-- 15 minutes to ooey, gooey, sweet cinnamon satisfaction!

Real Sopapillas courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 quarts oil for frying

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and shortening. Stir in water; mix until dough is smooth. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. (many commenters stated that they didn't wait the whole 20 minutes.)

Roll out on floured board until 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 3 inch squares. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

The New 'Do...

2010-07-25T23:33:00.000-06:00

Sportin' the hawk. Now Nathan, Elon and I all have the same hairstyle :)

Thanks to my talented husband for the picture!

A Little Naughty...

2010-07-20T18:02:00.001-06:00

I just got finished painting my toenails black. A deep blue-black that I love. It just reminded me that while visiting NC a few months ago, my mom looks at my nails aghast and asks, "Are you wearing BLACK nail polish!" Umm, yes, yes I am... What in the world was that about and why is my older sister looking at me in horror? And then I remember-- I am not allowed to wear BLACK or CHERRY RED nail polish! Why? Because black is for s*t*n worshippers and red is for harlots of course! How funny that I forgot this unspoken "key" to nail polish colors :) So today, despite my mother's best efforts to raise a good girl, I am being a little rebel and loving my trendy black toes!

Elon Quotes...

2010-07-13T14:05:00.002-06:00

While hiking up a rather steep mountain,
"My batteries are dying, can you carry me?"

Upon being offered carrots for a snack,

"I don't like carrots mommy, carrots are for rabbits..."

Evidentally he doesn't like celery either because he just vomited it up on the living room floor!

Arriving back home from a trip to N.C.,

"I want to see my OWN daddy! Look mommy, it's my OWN daddy!"

Upon seeing pictures of his grandpa in NC,

"I have two grampas. My udder grampa is a cowboy!"

After I raised my voice at him for not listening,

"Mommy, don't talk to me like THAT! You don't talk to me like that! You have to say it like this..."

(begins to repeat what I've said in a much nicer tone.)

I just love that little guy! And not to neglect my other love, here are a few of Asher's Quotes:

First word: Night-Night

Second Word: Wow!

What a genius! I've got an Einstein on my hands, folks!

These boys sure do make their mamma proud!

Woo-Wee!

2010-07-02T12:00:00.000-06:00

I am so glad I took the time to mop my kitchen, living and dining areas last night and get those areas all picked up! My landlord decided to drop by with 10 minutes notice-- and I hadn't even brushed my teeth yet! Thankfully, the living areas of the house were clean and all I needed to do was shut the door to the guest bedroom (which is currently stuffed to the BRIM with laundry to be folded) and close my bed room door since the bed is stripped. Thank you Lord for the little things like not having to suffer humiliation in front of our kind landlord! If she would've called to say she were coming yesterday, I would've looked a little something like this poor guy:

She just invited Nathan, myself and the kids to go up to her condo in Flagstaff for a weekend! She is so generous, I think that I already wrote about how when I lost my job and our savings were used up, she dropped $300 off of our rent to make it work for us. We have since increased our payment by $100 while the Princess was here, and are tyring to maintain paying that amount for as long as we are able. I am very blessed to have a landlord who is considerate and generous! Blessings to her and her family!

What Became Of Our Little Princess...

2010-07-01T17:01:00.001-06:00

After 4 months of caring for the Little Princess, she was removed from our home and placed in the temporary care of a more seasoned foster parent. Unfortunately, there were some extreme behaviors that we were not able to overcome. The effects of these behaviors on our children were so great that we could not continue providing care through the Princess's process of working through her issues. After a particularly alarming incident, I called the emergency line to get help and they decided that they could not allow the Princess to remain in our home because of the threat it posed to my own children-- and I agreed. Although I knew that without an immediate miracle her removal was inevitable, it was still difficult to come to terms with her loss. No one was aware that this little girl had the issues that she did, so as first time foster parents we received a big suprise! None-the-less, I know that God placed the Little Princess into our home for a season so that we could get some of His Word into her spirit. And the Word does not return void-- Amen!

Our family has grown as a result of our time with the Little Princess; Nathan and I have become closer, I think, and I am more patient with my own children, realizing that their little misdeeds are usually just that-- little. At this time, the Princess and her sister reside in a home without any other children. She is constantly in my prayers.

Fit and Fabulous Mommy Club Trailer Released!!!

2010-06-28T21:26:00.004-06:00

After spending an hour and 45 minutes busting my tail at the gym, I am now enjoying a healthy dinner of blueberry-pomegranate applesauce and flaming hot cheetos.... oh the hypocrisy! Today was my first day at the new gym, and I met a lovely middle-aged man who would not stop giving me "helpful suggestions" on how to do the exercises properly. Oh how I wish there were only women at this gym! Working out without worrying if someone is ogling you, or if your rear is in full moon phase, or if you look like a flushed cabbage patch kid while lifting would be wonderful!

After a 2 week hiatus, it's nice to get back to exercising-- something I never thought I'd admit! Check out the trailer for the documentary I just spent 3 months participating in! I really think this project changed my life! (And I promise I won't make this dinner a habit, Candice!)

My Day Today...

2010-06-25T17:39:00.000-06:00

Today Elon and I went to a pool party at a friend's house. The home actually belongs to her mother, and it is a beautiful multi-million dollar home complete with 6 foot crystal chandeliers, three graceful fountains, and a beautiful pool and jaccuzzi. As I drove around the neighborhood in my old clunker, I thought, "I'll bet the neighbors think I'm here to rob the place!" ;o) After swimming and lunch, we headed to my favorite store, 99 Cents Only, to pick up some produce. We got one plastic box of Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Greens and one box of Organic Spring Greens-- each only 99 cents! (Have I mentioned how much I love that store!) Now the kids are both napping, the very best part about going swimming!

Some of you may be wondering what became of the Little Princess. As you've probably already guessed, she is no longer with us. I would like to share about my foster care experience but am not quite sure how much I am able to tell without breaking confidentiality. I'm looking into this right now and plan to post more about our story in the next few days.

Just Returning...

2010-06-24T11:04:00.001-06:00

From a trip home to NC. Now there is laundry to wash, suitcases to empty, and groceries to buy. Now if I can just muster up the energy to get started! That three hour time difference is a doozy! (Not to mention traveling alone with a three year old and a one year old! Elon did wonderfully, but Asher, well-- that's a different story!)

Unfortunately, Elon, Asher and I all had a stomach virus for half of our time in NC. No matter, we still had a lot of fun and managed to squeeze in a trip to the coast! Sigh, one day on the beach is just never enough! I am so glad I was still able to eat with the virus, because one of the best things about the South is the food! And I definitely ate my share-- fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttermilk buscuits, hushpuppies, sweet potato casserole-- just to name a few! Oh I already wish I would've eaten more....

The Frontiersman's Daughter...

2010-06-09T20:59:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness! I have found the most wonderful new author! Her name is Laura Frantz, and her first book is called The Frontiersman's Daughter. I loved every minute of it! She is a newly published author, and she has another book just published called Courting Morrow Little. Can't wait to read it! She also has a blog, http://laurafrantz.blogspot.com/, where you can learn more about her experiences as an author. I commented there and she responded back! I feel like I just met a celebrity ya'll! Anyway, if you love historical romance novels then you will love this book. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Romance, Indians, War, Survival, and those fun little details about historical homemaking-- it's all in there! And kudos to Mrs. Frantz that it isn't your typical Christian romance! I get so tired of reading book where the main character "weeps" like 20 times. Who does that (I mean when we aren't having a visit by our Aunt Flo)?

GET THIS BOOK!

I Am Absolutely Loving This...

2010-05-31T10:59:00.003-06:00

The 1900 House

You can watch the other parts by going here:
The 1900 House and clicking on links in the sidebar.
Enjoy!

For My Mother...

2010-05-09T23:52:00.004-06:00

A little girl, asked where her home was, replied, "where mother is." ~Keith L. Brooks

(NC for me!)

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

(Thank you for being a sacrificial giver.)

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

(My mom taught me to be hardworking in the home.)

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh
(And beautiful)

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

(The truest gift I ever recieved.)

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck

(My mom is both but leans heavily to the latter!)

Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly. ~Ambrose Bierce

(And turtlenecks and socks and hats and mufflers... I happen to have a very cold-natured mom!)

Women's Liberation is just a lot of foolishness. It's the men who are discriminated against. They can't bear children. And no one's likely to do anything about that. ~Golda Meir

(Poor dads!)

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

(Never thought I'd find myself saying the same momisms as my mama so often!)

An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. ~Spanish Proverb

(Praise God for a Christian mom!)

She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn't take them along. ~Margaret Culkin Banning

(And she almost always took us along...)

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

(Thanks for thinking of me mom!)

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? ~Milton Berle

(My mama needs 20, two for every child and 4 for my dad!)

It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it. ~The Golden Girls

(Sorry daddy, and I guess that's why you didn't allow us to watch that show!)

Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own. ~Aristotle
(Luckily I look just like mine-- he has nothing to fear!)

My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

(And often her songs too, Sally Harper PTA!)

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

(How many times has my mom tried to relieve my heartache?)

Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease. ~Lisa Alther

(Multi-tasking is a gift! Still not sure how she kept the house so clean!)

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. ~Victor Hugo

(I remember sleeping in those arms through many a church service!)

Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that suppose to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing. ~Toni Morrison, Beloved, 1987

(Boy does my mom ever agree!)

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

~George Cooper

(And there will never be another like her!)

A mom forgives us all our faults, not to mention one or two we don't even have. ~Robert Brault

(*snicker*)

The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests. ~Author Unknown

Lord thank you for my mother. Just as my mother embraced her calling, please help me to remember the importance of my duty as mother to my own children. ~Amen

Creeeak...

2010-05-04T15:46:00.000-06:00

That's the sound of my body lowering itself onto the couch. Today's workout was INTENSE-- sprints, high-knees, lunges, step-ups, bear-crawls!!! It was a sort of punishment for being late and I think it worked-- I'll be on time tomorrow or I'll be faking sick! Already my biceps and triceps are beginning to show and my stomach has flattened-- a little. It seems that my abdominal muscles have been the hardest to improve. Not sure if it's b/c of my pregnancy with Asher or what but those crunches are CHALLENGING!

My little Asher is teething again and getting his incisors which is so funny because he only has three teeth on the bottom-- cute! Ash is always so content that I don't know what to do whenever he cries like a "normal" baby. What a day we had yesterday! Asher was grou-chy but at least the "Queen" didn't grace us with any tantrums. That is something for which to truly be thankful!

An incident involving my neighbor and the Queen Bee's tantrums left me seriously asking myself if I was doing the right thing by fostering. It was quite a scare for me and involved sending in an incident report to the case worker, adoption specialist, and crisis intervention specialist. It is at the point where we have had to contact the crisis intervention specialist twice and we've only had their phone number for 4 days! And this for intervention with a 5 year old! Certainly a humbling experience. Hmmm, more on this topic tomorrow as I need to stop blogging and take a nap while the gettin' is good!

Friends Don't Let Friends...

2010-05-03T14:23:00.000-06:00

Have a mat around the toilet. Because, well, pee drops there. And I know that I am much more likely to wipe a bare floor with a Chlorox Clean-Up wipe than to wash a rug every couple of days. And to think I saw someone selling a used one for $5 on the internet-- ewww!

And what about the rug that goes on top of the seat. What is the purpose of such a carpet anyhow?

Think of this as a sort-of public service announcement. So, if I ever visit your potty and you are the proud owner of a pee rug know that I will be sliding it to the side.

Documentary Filming...

2010-04-29T15:15:00.000-06:00

Some of you may know that I am currently involved in filming a documentary for the Fit and Fabulous Mommy Club. Basically, it is an amateur web series following the lives of 3 moms as we go from flab to fab. Or for me, from bones to fab. We work out 5-6 days a week with a lifestyle coach and on Saturdays we go for a mommy adventure. So far we have hiked a mountain, snowboarded, and went on a 20 mile bike ride. I am AFRAID of what our next adventure will be!

Anyhow, the other 2 girls in my group have a goal to lose weight, while mine is to gain 10 lbs. of muscle. I believe I've gained about 3lbs. so far. Thought you might be interested in our meal plan, so here it is (with a few adaptions for me omitted).

Breakfast:
Protein Shake and Hot Cereal (made from oatmeal and grapenuts)
or
3 Egg Whites and One Whole Egg and Hot Cereal

Mid Morning Snack:
1 Shake and 1 Small Red Apple
or
1/2 c Fat Free Yogurt with 1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder and 1/4c Granola

Lunch:
Tuna Seasoned w/ Lemon Pepper, One Slice Ezekiel Bread, and 1c Steamed Broccoli
or
4oz of Grilled All White Meat Chicken, 1c Fresh Spinach with Fat Free Dressing, and 1c of Yam

Mid Afternoon Snack:
Raw Carrot Sticks, Peppers, Snack Peas, and a Tuna Pack
or
Power Crunch Bar

Dinner:
4oz. Grilled Salmon, 1c Green Beans Steamed
or
Turkey Burger made with all white meat, 2c Spinach Cooked with Olive Oil and Garlic

Late Evening Snack:
Protein Shake and 12 Raw Almonds
or
1/2 c Fat Free Cottage Cheese and 4 Strawberries

Date Night...

2010-04-27T15:43:00.001-06:00

Saturday night, Nathan and I decided to have a stay-at-home date night. We put the kids to bed early and grabbed food from my favorite, Chili's. (Nathan had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, I had the Triple Dipper with Southwest Eggrolls, !YUM-YUM! and we shared the bottomless chips and salsa. I LOVE their chips and salsa...) Anyhow, we lit some candles, curled up on the couch, and watched this movie from the "watch instantly" option on Netflix*:

This is the cutest movie and Nathan and I HIGHLY recommend it. I loved the female lead, Leslie Caron, and of course you can't go wrong with Cary Grant-- he is just a natural in any role. For dessert we indulged on homemade chocolate lava cake and sipped sparkling cider. It was so relaxing not having to worry about getting dressed-up to go to a noisy restaurant or having to wonder whether Asher was crying with the babysitter. We plan on having another at-home date night real soon!

* I included the trailer here; however, I recommend not watching it as it spoils quite a bit of the plot.

There Was A Crooked Man and He Walked A Crooked Mile...

2010-04-25T23:43:00.001-06:00

My last bike looked almost exactly like one of these:

So this weekend I went from not having ridden a bike for 20 years, to riding a bike 20 miles with ONE stop for rest and one itty bitty tiny bottle of water. My husband still can't understand what I'm griping about. 20 miles to him = no big deal. 20 miles to me = child birth.

Can some one help me un-crook my legs? The seem to be stuck at a 90 degree angle...

Homeschooler vs. Homeschooled

2010-04-24T19:40:00.000-06:00

Since Nathan was homeschooled I had to post this.

Rewards a.k.a. Bribery...

2010-04-14T15:37:00.000-06:00

Just kidding about the title of course ;)

I realize that I haven't posted in a while, but I just had to get on blogger for a few minutes today to share this wonderful freebie!

This past weekend, we took a road trip to "Begas" as Elon calls it, to visit family and for Nathan to attend the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention. We stayed with Great Grandma Ginny in her beautiful new home and also got to visit and have a delicious Mexican dinner with Nathan's uncle (thanks Dave!) Anyhow, I had been promising the kids for weeks that we were going to see the pirates at Treasure Island. I had no clue that the Sirens and Pirates show is completely inappropriate for children (or adults for that matter!) until we got to Treasure Island and began to watch the previews. So much the better when the show was canceled due to weather! Elon didn't really understand why we couldn't see the pirates I had been dangling over his head like a carrot everytime I needed him to do something/not do something. (Did I ever mention that I am not above using bribery as a motivator?) All of this to say that I had a couple of dissappointed little kids. So what do you do when your plans are spoiled and you have a whole afternoon of vacation time avalable? Chuck E. Cheese of course!

While downloading a coupon on their website I came across this little gem. It is a link to downloadable charts such as "Making Your Bed," "Potty Training," and "Magical Manners" that can be filled out by mom or dad and exchanged for 10 free tokens! Awesome!

I've been working with the princess especially on her manners, and for Elon I think we'll do the getting dressed chart. (He thinks it's the funnest thing to run away or go limp while I'm trying to dress him, grrrr!) So cool of Chuck E. Cheese to provide our kids with these rewards-- can't wait to get started with the charts!

The Queen Bee...

2010-03-09T13:23:00.004-07:00

So I found out that the little princess isn't really a princess... she's actually more of a queen-- DRAMA queen that is! I love her to death but she really is quite theatrical. According to my girlfriends this is a normal characteristic in little girls. Nathan is wondering what we'll do when we have our own girl? I have to say, as many times as I've complained about my boys' hyperactivity and their "busyness"-- it is a blessing that they are so "simple." {And by that I don't mean simple-minded!} Simple as in this is the first time we have heard the statement: "you-hurt-my-feelings-and-I'm-not-your-friend" followed by enormous tears, crossed arms, and a bit of sulking. This from the princess. Simple as in not as many complicated emotions to worry about provoking to tears.

Now that the appointments are waning, we are all getting adjusted to normal life again. It is so hard to ever feel truly secure though, when you know that at any moment they might come and take our girl away. May our time with her be filled with the fullness of God and steeped in His Spirit. I want her to take more than new clothes with her when she leaves, I want her to have a relationship with the Living God!

I want to do more photo posts but photography takes a lot of time {for me anyway} so for now I'll just be giving quick updates with no pictures. Well, gotta go catch a quick nap while there is still time! ~bye

The BEST EVER Way to Serve Leftover Mashed Potatoes...

2010-03-03T21:04:00.003-07:00

Yesterday we had mashed potatoes with crock pot chicken for dinner. I'm not a big leftover fan, so I was trying to find a way to make them taste different. "Mexican" food is always welcome! I made chicken enchiladas with the leftover chicken, but what to do with the mashed potatoes??? Well, on Valentine's day I ate the most delicious mp ever at Abuelos and I've tried to recreate that here. It was so good I was dipping my fingers into the pot and licking them clean!

{This is not an exact recipe!} Add to the leftover mashed potatoes: sharp cheddar, garlic, and diced green chilis to taste. Put in a few dollops of sour cream and you will have achieved mashed potato nirvana...

Cackle Cackle... A Little Naughty...

2010-03-01T21:41:00.002-07:00

A friend sent this to me and I could not stop laughing!

When your husband does something that makes you angry don't give in to the temptation to argue and fight.
Just count to ten, remain calm and after he goes to bed, super-glue his flip flops
to the floor.

I could watch this one over and over.... OH wait a minute...I have!!!

Heh, heh--Nathan always wears flip-flops... I may have to use this one.

Dirt Digging Conversations...

2010-02-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

The Little Princess: "JESUS! Jesus gave us WORMS down here!"

So glad she's remembering what she learns at church-- Jesus gives us good gifts :)

The Little Princess...

2010-02-21T15:36:00.006-07:00

On Thursday night I received a call to pick up the Little Princess from a nearby police station. Curly brown hair with blond streaks, she came only with the clothes on her back and a blanket and bear she had received from the station. Stamped upon my "forever memory" is a picture of Nathan framed by the doorway and holding a little girl with a tousled mane of unruly curls, blue blanket trailing.

I am so thankful to be a part of this little girl's life, even if only for a short while. She is the Little Princess because at night whenever she is scared, I tell her that God is going to give her "princess dreams." I pray that when she leaves my home she will remember that God has made her royalty. May her days be as beautiful and blessed as her "princess dreams."

~But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.~

1 Peter 2:9

What I've Been Watching...

2010-02-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Because it's a wholesome show and because she has cute style!

Click here to watch season one.

Get Your Face On Party...

2010-02-18T14:17:00.009-07:00

I thought this would be a fun one. Beth is hosting a before and after makeover party. I think makeovers are so fun that I decided to link up :)

Before: {my three year old took this candid photo}
Sometimes I even scare myself...

After (sorry I don't have a clearer picture):

Muuuch better!

And a happier but more grainy, me:

Cleanser and Moisturizer: Cetaphil

Foundation: Mary Kay Cream foundation (heavy coverage for the pictures)

Eyeliner: Mary Kay Black Eyeliner Crayon (winged out on the upper and smudged, smudged, smudged! I also lined my water line.)

Eyeshadow: Ulta Holiday Blockbuster kit-- skin tone color all over, silver in the crease, black in the outer "v" and along the lower lashes

Mascara: Maybelline Stilleto lots and lots of mascara

Eyelashes curled

Cheeks: Loreal HIP creme blush rubbed onto the apples of my cheeks

Contour: {for photos} a brown eyeshadow brushed lightly in the area below the cheekbone to create definition

Lips: Dollar Tree cheapo nude liner over entire lip, clear loreal gloss on top

This is more makeup than I normally wear but I was preparing for a photoshoot wear my husband wanted a dark {I call it my "drugged out look} theme. If you'd like to see the short video that my husband was using this picture for, click on the photo below. Be sure to turn up your speakers!

A Walk To The Neighborhood Park...

2010-02-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

A balmy 72 degree breeze blows my hair and tickles my cheeks.

Elegant bougainvillea with vibrant fuchsia petals delights my eyes.

The bubbling giggles of little boys soaring on swings is music to my ears.

Freshly squeezed lemonade is refreshingly tart and sweet on my lips...

The simple pleasures of being a stay at home mom.

Elon's Sweet Reminder...

2010-02-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Fresh Citrus...

2010-02-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

From the neighbor's trees. This is the way God intended fruit to taste.

$2 for a grocery sack full means I will be back for more.

Valentine Reflections...

2010-02-14T23:04:00.005-07:00

A moonlit walk in fancy red shoes...

Dinner and dessert for just the grown-ups.

A sweet note, a thoughtful gift...

Hoping your Valentine's was as sweet as mine.

Fear and Foster Care

2010-01-08T13:07:00.004-07:00

I just spoke with the founder of the adoption agency with which I am licensed. I explained to her that due to the nature of our *lives*, we are only able to provide foster care to children aged 3-5. We are actually licensed for care up to age 17. I have this enormous measure of guilt because I feel like I am letting everyone down. I realize that my age constraints limit my "sphere" drastically, as there are many more older children in foster care than younger and I ?imagine? that I can hear the disappointment in her voice as I explain our situation. Not only do I really respect this lady and wish for her approval (revealing how shallow I am!) but more importantly I feel horrible for the older children that don't have homes. But really-- can I handle an older child *practically* on my own? Honestly, my fear is that I can't even handle a preschooler! Hope beckons me to step out, while fear arrests my foot in mid-air. Is there any other choice but to jump and pray I land on both feet?

Sepia?

2009-12-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

My Boys...

2009-12-15T19:52:00.003-07:00

Poor guy is a little under the weather. He's teething, I'm going to miss that gummy smile!

My little mischief maker-- he has a zest for life! Getting so big-- and already learning his "role" as big brother-- he loves bossing Asher!

Santa's Cutest Little Christmas Elf...

2009-12-14T22:48:00.004-07:00

Christmas Decor...

2009-12-14T15:43:00.008-07:00

Can I just say how proud of myself I am for fixing my camera. I took apart all the little screws and put it back together again with only one spare part left! Unfortunately, that didn't work. Then I grabbed the camera and banged it a few times-- that worked :) Now, if only I could figure out what to do with that "spare" part...

Well I prob'ly shouldn't have looked at Thrifty Decor Chick's blog before posting my holiday decor... it puts mine to shame! Oh well, I still like mine too :)

Pretty Much The Best Gingersnap Ever...

2009-12-02T20:51:00.004-07:00

Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies-- Allrecipes.com

Ingredients
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.Sift the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture to blend evenly, and sift a second time into another bowl.

3.Place the shortening into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually beat in the white sugar. Beat in the egg, and dark molasses. Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the shortening mixture; stir to thoroughly blend. Sift in the remaining flour mixture, and mix together until a soft dough forms. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1 inch diameter balls between your hands. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

4.Bake in preheated oven until the tops are rounded and slightly cracked, about 10 minutes. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.

Made these for the out-of-towners. They raved about these cookies! You MUST sift twice, it makes all the difference in the texture. Oh, and I added cloves and extra cinnamon; I like mine spicy. These are delish!

Thanksgiving...

2009-12-02T08:42:00.003-07:00

Was spent with Katheryn and her family. They sweetly asked us to join them again this year. Elon especially enjoyed the fun of swing sets, fire pits, and a trampoline. We ate our share of turkey, stuffing and caramel pecan pie with whipping cream (made by Katheryn-- and yes, it is as good as it sounds!) Katheryn lives in a beautiful house with panoramic views of the mountains-- it's very peaceful.

After relaxing for awhile, we returned home to our out of town guests. They had been dining with family, and we all spent the next few days chatting and cooking delicious meals. Nathan made a delicious maple sesame glazed trout for his friends. The 24" trout was hooked by his dad at a Colorado mountain lake. Then yesterday at the Christmas party (which went great btw, I actually got everything done! Totally worth the extra work :) I ate FIVE chocolate chip scones! I think I may have gained a couple of pounds over this holiday!

The $2 Dress...

2009-12-02T08:24:00.005-07:00

I got this dress from the yardsale of a lady who works for Cache. She was exactly my size-- score!!!

Here's a little better angle:

A Par-tay!

2009-11-30T19:56:00.002-07:00

Just a minute to spare while I'm boiling eggs and decking the halls for our MOPS Christmas Party. I always volunteer to host and then I always get majorly stressed and question "why in the world did I sign up for this?" Trying to refocus my energy and my heart reminding myself of the emphasis that the Scripture places on hospitality and the knowledge that "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!"

Fall Fun... Pumpkin Spice Play-Dough

2009-11-23T10:17:00.004-07:00

Elon had so much fun making this recipe I found on Jolanthe's blog. It smells delicious too!

New Diet...

2009-11-20T14:05:00.004-07:00

I have been trying to put Elon on a new diet of no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial food coloring. I wish we could afford for all of us to go completely organic but that is just not an option right now. Imagine my delight when I came across this at the 99 Cent Store:

Quaker All Natural Oatmeal

Back to Nature Vanilla Wafers individually bagged

Back to Nature Mini Chocolate Chunk Cookies individually bagged

Colby Cheese Wheat Thins (Not necessarily healthy, but better than chips! These are for Nathan and I.)

I was so happy to be able to have this quick snack food to put in Elon's "munch-box" when we don't have homemade available. And all for 99 cents each! These are things that I wouldn't normally buy simply because of the cost. At 99 cents I bought several of each. I later went back and bought several boxes of Back to Nature Sesame Tarragon Crackers. Back to Nature doesn't put any artificial coloring or sweeteners and they don't use hydrogenated oils. Gotta love that, even if you aren't particularly health-conscious (I'm not).

Accessorizing The Dollar Dress...

2009-11-17T23:29:00.009-07:00

Before:

After:

Colorado Shoot...

2009-11-15T23:59:00.007-07:00

This past week was spent in Colorado visiting Nathan's family. His parents sent for us in exchange for taking Ola's senior portraits. A beneficial arrangement for all! We had so much fun crafting, 4-wheeling, and gazing at the beautiful mountains-- we weren't ready to leave. Elon had his first memorable experience with "ice" (a.k.a. snow) and fell in love with his grandpa's workshop, including a real, working back-hoe ;) He is definitely a country-boy!

Nathan took the pictures, and I helped find the backgrounds, applied the make-up, coached the poses (why can I do it for everyone but myself?), and acted as court jester to gain some smiles. (hmmm... sounds like I 'm trying to steal a little of his reflcected glory;p) Anyway, I think they turned out beautifully...

My Fave!

Feelings of Rejection-- A Valuable Lesson

2009-11-04T07:54:00.006-07:00

Last night I learned a very valuable lesson. Nathan came home from work and began to get ready for the next work day, as he always does. We had planned to watch Survivor, but the garbage disposal wasn't working properly and it took about 20 minutes for him to check that, so we didn't have time to watch the show. Nathan usually has about an hour and fifteen minutes at home before he needs to go to bed. He divides up this time between getting ready for the next day and spending time with Elon and myself, and sometimes Asher if he's awake.

Well, yesterday was a particularly stressful day for Nathan, and after he found out about the disposal, he was irritated and just wanted to let his mind veg on a videogame. {He did spend some time with Elon.} As he's sitting playing the game, all I could think about was "what about me?" So I asked Nathan, "If you have thirty minutes, and you choose to use them to play a game, how does that make me feel loved?" He chose the game. So I went outside to spend time with God and talk to Him about my hurt. And do you know what God showed me? Nothing to do with Nathan and myself, but something very significant about my relationship with God.

How many times have I done the exact same thing to God and never apologized, asked forgiveness, repented??? Too many to count. Feelings of rejection are nothing new to Him, His own Son was despised and rejected by the very ones that He loved and came to save. And now, I continue to do the same thing, daily choosing to make time for the things that I enjoy, when God is wanting me to just spend time with Him. As I sat pondering ways that I can reject Nathan as payback, I realized the irony. My Great and Mighty Father allows me to come back to Him, time and time again, after one of my self-engrossed periods. He doesn't snub His nose at me, rejecting me in return for rejecting Him. Instead He opens His arms wide and listens as I pour out my heart to Him. God help me to have this same attitude with my husband, whom I know loves me, occassionally despite his actions.
What a revelation. As I began to apologize to God, I asked Him to really write this lesson on my heart so that I never forget what it means to forsake spending time with Him.

*Thanks to Allposters for the Monet

So Thankful For...

2009-10-26T21:59:00.004-07:00

MOPS! Not only has it introduced me to several wonderful friends, but I love knowing that I have a safe place to leave Elon for a couple of hours while I have fun with my friends :) Elon loves it too which makes me even more grateful.

MOPS!!!

Asher Finds a Teething Toy...

2009-10-22T16:19:00.005-06:00

More Fall Fun...

2009-10-22T15:06:00.011-06:00

Elon is vacuuming right now with a stick vac. What a great way to release some energy! We just returned from Bible Study and now it's almost time for he and Asher to take a nap-- hopefully me too! It's finally getting cooler out {at least it hasn't been in the 90's the last couple of days} so we were finally able to wear pants today {that wordage makes it sound like we were n*ked before}. I don't know about you, but when winter seems long I'm ready to wear skirts and flip-flops and when summer is nearing it's end I am always anxious to trade tanks and shorts for sweater and jeans! The grass is always greener...

Since it's cooling again, it's time for some more fall fun! I know what you're thinking... "Does all fun have to do with eating?" ummm yep, perdy much! Elon really enjoyed helping me dip and eat these caramel apples.

Sporting his "Junior Baker" apron.

Carefully dipping his first apple.

The look on his face when he finds out we have to let them cool first.

Struggling to get a big bite!

Maybe if he uses his hands...

Pure gooey satisfaction!

This was my first experience with caramel apples. I found that even though I dipped mine in caramel, chocolate and nuts, I still enjoy candy apples better. Elon seems to enjoy both equally ;P

One Word Pretty Much Says It All...

2009-10-19T22:55:00.007-06:00

HELP!!!

ironic then, that I added a cartoon...

Crusty the Clown...

2009-10-17T19:23:00.004-06:00

I am supposed to be celebrating my 29th tonight with friends. Instead, I am here with a soggy bowl of cereal, nurturing a 3 year old with a very crusty nose. Methinks he has swine flu-- yuck. For some reason, Elon isn't the type who is lethargic when he is sick. Instead, he just walks around aimlessly getting away with what he can since he is sick {which fact he is very quick to remind me}! I am so thankful that God gave me Elon to care for, that this illness is temporary ... and that Nathan is home tonight to help!

{Actually, Nathan is making me a special Mexican dinner tonight-- my cuisine of choice. Isn't he sweet! I did eat a soggy bowl of cereal though, and that fit into my sob-story much better than homemade Mexican food ;}

Up To My Earlobes...

2009-10-16T11:30:00.003-06:00

in laundry. Washing, Drying, Folding, Sorting, Storing... this takes a lot of time! Seems like there are about a million teeny, tiny baby pieces! I got out all of the winter stuff when it appeared to be cooling down, but now it's in the 90's again :( Not time to put away the tanks and shorts quite yet! Come on Autumn, it's October already!!!

So thankful I don't have to do it like this poor lady!

Hoping To Make This Mine...

2009-10-12T13:39:00.004-06:00

Apostrophe Wool Coat, Sears.com $89.99

Today Was The Big Day...

2009-10-09T17:22:00.004-06:00

After weeks of anticipation, today was the day for Elon's preschool prescreening. His pediatrician suggested the screening because Elon has not yet learned to answer questions. Honestly, I am more *concerned* with his energy level than whether or not he says "yes." That kid is a bundle of energy!

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. On the one hand, I would love for him to be able to attend preschool, but on the other, I would worry about him and miss him so much! I would also like to know if there is anything going on developmentally that I should be aware of, but on the other hand, I am reluctant to have him "diagnosed" at the age of three. His church/Bible Study/MOPS teachers are having a bit of a hard time with his behavior and sometimes this makes me wish that I did have a "diagnosis" to be able to excuse him with, but that very thing is also my biggest fear. If there is something going on then I don't want to use the diagnosis as an excuse for bad behavior; I can already foresee that a "diagnosis" would make it very confusing to determine what behaviors actually merit a true consequence. Or maybe this is all just a way of taking the blame for his behaviors off of my parenting and placing them on a condition?

To sum it up, they basically said that he needed to go for further tests in the area of speech. In every other area he was just fine. As far as his energy level, they said that they would know more about that after his second series of tests.

Before I get any crazy comments, let me just say that I realize 3 years old is too young to be diagnosing a child with a behavior/conduct disorder. I also want to say that I will not be putting Elon on medication even if it were suggested-- but his pediatrician would never suggest that. Nor am I worried that Elon doesn't answer questions, I do believe that this will come in time. However, his pediatrician recommended the screening based on her own observations and if there is anything going on, I'd like to find out so that I can start focusing on those areas immediately. And if Elon can gain anything by preschool, I hope that he will be accepted into the program. If not, I am happy to have my baby with me all day!

Harvest Party Cupcakes...

2009-10-07T09:57:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we went to a Harvest Party at a friend from MOPS house. Her home is a gorgeous 4100 square foot spread, with a lush backyard, playroom, bounce house, fort, and view of the golf course. {And can I just mention that it is PAID FOR!} Anyway, to the point, the kids had lots of fun playing and crafting. Elon and I brought cupcakes and toppings for the kids to decorate like this:

Thanks to brightideas.com for the photo!

Because I didn't have large marshmallows, the kids could choose between mini-marshmallows, sixlets {remeber those? love em!}, after-dinner mints, or raisins for eyes. The hair is chocolate sprinkles and the legs are pull n' peel twizzlers {black pull n' peels are even cuter but I couldn't find em'}

These came out really cute! Most of the kids actually chose to do mini-muffins which are super-cute as well. Give this recipe a try, it's easy and the boys just love making "bugs."

The Quintessential Chocolate-Chip Cookie...

2009-10-06T14:43:00.008-06:00

Something about Autumn makes me want to bake. There is nothing better than sitting in front of an open window with a nubby blanket thrown over my legs, a book in one hand and a chocolate chip cookie in the other. {Ummm yeah, that was before I had kids... now it's Elon jumping up and down demanding another "chocwate-chip coookie" while standing under a fort using my blanket while I'm trying to nurse Asher while trying to hold a book in one hand while shoving a chocolate chip cookie in my mouth with the other hand which he's trying to grab and eat-- the cookie, not my hand!} Anyway, back to my warm fuzzy thoughts about Autumn bliss... ah yes, the quintessential chocolate-chip cookie... lately I've been munching on these:

I find that chocolate-chip cookies eliminate stress rather effectively. When I bite into a warm, chewy cookie the cares of life melt away like chocolate chips on my tongue. All of sudden the room is clean, Elon is quietly looking at books, and all is at peace in the world. Yikes! Judging by the looks of this messy room I may need to eat a dozen right now!

In case you missed the link above, this is a really good recipe for chocolate-chip cookies; it uses vanilla pudding to keep the cookies soft. So what's your favorite chocolate-chip cookie recipe?

Award-Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies from Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
2.In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3.Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.

Elon's Learning Corner...

2009-10-01T16:03:00.003-06:00

The bookshelf pictured in the previous post is one I discovered in my neighbor's trash. While digging through the 6 x 8ft pile of trash I am so thankful for the cloak of darkness surrounding me! How unfortunate that the owner of said trash comes out of his house at just the right moment to find me dumpster-diving! Oh well, items on the sidewalk are open game, right, and hey, at this point in my life, their is really no room for pride! I snagged two little kids that were walking the neighborhood to help me load it the shelf into my car. At first I thought one was an adult, but after she came up and I saw the scared expression on her face, I realized my mistake. As she struggles to help me heave the shelf into my already overloaded trunk, I hypocritically think to myself, "her parents really need to teach her not to go up to stranger's cars!"

The bookshelf serves its purpose well and after a good scrub and a few nails, I found it to be in really great condition. The shelf holds Elon's alphabet, number, color and animal books, flashcards, manipulatives and puzzles. It also holds his children's bibles and memory verse cards and any bible story books we have. Each day, Elon and I go over a Bible story, memory verse, our colors, numbers and alphabet. At first I thought none of it was sticking, but when he busted out in song the other day, "abcdefg," I realized that it's working! He has also been talking about Jesus and God lately, something he had never before mentioned-- so it looks like this little bit of schooling is well worth the effort!

I'll try to post the other learning corner tomorrow.

Splsh, Splsh...

2009-09-30T18:37:00.002-06:00

My favorite is this one, I love how tiny Asher looks in comparison to the bathtub.

Glimpses of My Home: Elon's Learning Corner, Part 1...

2009-09-30T12:01:00.002-06:00

For Family...

2009-09-30T10:54:00.002-06:00

Asher has the prettiest blue/grey eyes-- just like Nathan's. I'm hoping they don't turn. He loves the tub, unfortunately, I don't have time to allow him to indulge in the endless splish-splashing that Elon was able to enjoy. I give Asher maybe 2 minutes to splash and a 2 minute scrub and then it's lotion and powder and lots and lots of kisses! Who can resist a Johnson & Johnson powder fresh baby?

Just For Fun...

2009-09-30T10:15:00.002-06:00

Asher's Baby Dedication...

2009-09-29T09:48:00.003-06:00

... upon which Asher gets invited to play golf with Pastor Tommy Barnett...

Asher, may you be blessed with children, may you be acceptable to your brethren, you will dip your foot in oil. Your shoes shall be iron and brass; and as your days, so shall your strength be.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee, Asher. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

-Amen

Seriously, Does Everything Have To Be A Gun?

2009-09-29T09:12:00.004-06:00

Lisa Props...

2009-09-28T11:09:00.005-06:00

Thanks so much to Lisa and her husband for designing my header. For some really beautiful photography, check out Lisa's blog Lisa Michele Photography--the blog or you can go to her photography website and swoon over the precious babies pictured. I WISH I lived near Lisa so she could photograph Elon and Asher. She and her uber-talented husband are so artistic. Thanks guys!

Glimpses of My Home: Extra Bedroom...

2009-09-28T09:59:00.007-06:00

I've been wanting to take some pictures of my home for a while, and since I will be changing this room in a couple of days, I thought I'd post it now while it's still put together. The second pic is a little cock-eyed b/c I couldn't have you seeing my no make-up, uncombed-hair reflection!

If you're like me and you're really ~~nosey~~ interested in how others decorate, here are some other home tours.

Marie

Emma

Every Pregnant Woman's Greatest Fear ;)

2009-09-25T10:34:00.003-06:00

Anyone seen this?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32999499/ns/today-parenting_and_family/?GT1=43001

Beautiful Elon...

2009-09-24T14:12:00.001-06:00

Fall Fun...

2009-09-23T11:29:00.002-06:00

We got out the pumpkin and bat cookie cutters from the dollar tree for a more interesting lunch. Elon loved it and now every meal he wants a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

My Sweet Blessing...

2009-09-22T04:00:00.002-06:00

Window Gazing

Asher's Thumb

Asher Eyes

Asher Smiles

Found This Little Guy In The Hall...

2009-09-21T10:30:00.004-06:00

"Dat's Da Mama Dinosaur," he says.

What could've given him that idea ;p

What To Do....

2009-09-21T10:12:00.003-06:00

when your child is supposed to be napping but instead is doing this???

Elon's Birthday Gift From Daddy...

2009-09-17T21:47:00.001-06:00

Happy 3rd Birthday, My Precious One!

29 Is Oh So Fine!

2009-09-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, Nathand turned 29! Oh My Gosh-- that is almost 30! Yikes! I remember when my mom was 30 and that was old!!! Right now, I'm seeing an older man... hee,hee; next month I'll catch up with him again. To celebrate his birthday, we ate at Chili's where I got to compare the recipe below with Chili's Spinach-Artichoke Dip and I gotta tell ya, the recipe below is pretty darn close! We also devoured some chocolate molten lava cake. When Nathan declared he should've only ate a fourth of the rich dessert, I looked at him like he had two heads-- I could've eaten the whole of it by myself! What a waste, he should've told me while he was still eating ;) Unfortunately, Elon was misbehaving so badly we actually had to box up all of our food and eat it at home. {Even spankings weren't helping! I know some of you have been there!} But it was nice to lay in bed eating our cake and watching an old black-and-white. Here's to many more birthdays along side you, Nathan; for I've discovered you look even better with age ;)

Photoshoot...

2009-09-16T11:36:00.005-06:00

3 Months!

Cute Hair Poking Out!

Those Eyes!

Long Mohawk, Skinny Legs!

Baby Zane Sleeps

Three Moms

Chili's Spinach-Artichoke Dip

2009-09-15T13:28:00.008-06:00

Don't know about you, but I love me some Chili's Spinach and Artichoke Dip. So creamy, so spinachy, soooo good! A few nights ago, I realized I needed a quick appetizer for a MOPS meeting-- what's a girl to do? Why, turn to trusty ol' Allrecipes.com of course! I found this recipe for spinach-artichoke dip and as it turned out, I had most of the ingredients on hand. Happily, Elizabeth had just given me a jar of Alfredo sauce and I had picked up the LAST jar of marinated artichoke hearts from the 99 Cents Only store a few days before {love that store!}.
I was so pleased with the results; it tastes almost exactly like the dip served at Chili's-- only Nathan said it tasted even better! I may never spend $7 bucks for a tiny bowl of spinach dip again!

*I did not have the mozzerella cheese; I found it wasn't necessary, but if you like, go ahead and add it and let me know what you think! Oh, and I prefer mine served with warm, crusty bread instead of the tortilla chips they serve at Chili's.

**Photos courtesy of chili's.com and 99 cents only.com

Yet Another Reason To Hate Pork :)

2009-09-06T17:09:00.002-06:00

My poor little bro contracted swine flu while working at the hospital! And of course, he ended up passing it to his girlfriend. Did anyone read this?

This Morning...

2009-09-01T09:17:00.003-06:00

I awoke so TIRED! I woke up so many times last night, twice for Elon, twice for Asher, and once for Nathan. After each time, sleep came slowly; thoughts and worries crowded my mind for so long that this morning I felt I hadn't slept at all! So 7:00am came early this morning, and when I actually crawled out of bed I looked and felt like I was on a hangover. I mumbled a quick goodbye to Nathan along with a light peck on the cheek, then stood to wave goodbye with Elon from the garage. I am so glad that even though I was tired that I was at least civil because when I came into the kitchen to make Elon some Apples and Cinnamon oatmeal, I saw a note hanging from the vent-a-hood. It was a note from Nathan saying how much he appreciated my hardwork and how much he loves me. My spirits soared! All of a sudden the day seems much, much brighter! God knows just what we need when we need it most, and sometimes He even uses our husbands to deliver the gift :)

Spending My Time, Spending My Money...

2009-08-25T11:59:00.003-06:00

I'm here at Chic-fi-a, utilizing their free wi-fi while Elon plays in the toddler area. We had a coupon for a free chicken biscuit so I jumped on the opportunity to get out of the house (and indulge in one of their DEE-licious biscuits!) So I get to the register, coupon in hand and begin to place my order. Then it hits me, I have no money. Hmmmm, debit card? nope, lost it a month ago.... hmmm, credit cards, errr... took those out so I wouldn't use em. A rather embarrasing moment. So I order my one chicken biscuit for the two of us, politely explaining that I seem to have forgotten my debit card. I then march to the car, Elon, Asher and I, and begin ripping up carpets, checking trunks and under seats to try to find some money! I've also forgotten my diaper bag, but I did remember my computer bag, but it's empty and hasn't been used in about a year, no chance of finding money there. The car turns up empty, so I return empty handed to watch Elon devour "our" chicken biscuit. Maybe I'll just check my computer bag-- just in case. Squeeel! 40 dollars! Yippee! I am now happily savouring the crumbs from a very yummy chicken biscuit!

Another fortitous moment-- I forgot the diaper bag with Elon and Asher's extra clothing, but I did temember to grab a pair of swimming trunks for Elon, in case we went to the splash pad. Turns out Elon made a splash all on his own... yep, he peed his pants. Thank goodness for those extra swim trunks!

The Sun'll Come Out, Tomorrow...

2009-08-24T22:32:00.003-06:00

Today I am having "one of those days..." A day where you find yourself continually looking at the clock to see when it will end, a day when you find yourself wondering what exactly is the purpose of your life, a day when you are ANGRY AT YOUR HUSBAND FOR MAKING YOU MOVE TO A CONCRETE JUNGLE TO RAISE BOYS WITH NO COMPANIONSHIP!!! Maybe it's hormones, maybe it's readjusting to the long days and nights of solitude, maybe it's just lack of sleep? I'm not sure. But it is definetly one of THOSE days...

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

-Isaiah 40:31

Lovin' This...

2009-08-22T20:01:00.003-06:00