A Little Overdue

Trick or Treating with the cousins.

Avery and her dance class with her teacher, Erica.

an attempt at a group shot!

It has been a crazy month and blogging was the last thing on my to do list. Brian is still doing consulting with his previous company, but no insurance. So, in order to have insurance and no job prospects, I got a job about 3 weeks ago working full time graveyard shift at a long term care center on their pediatric floor. A lot of the children are vent/trach dependent, feeding tube patients. There are a lot of sad stories that I have pulled on my heart strings. It has been hard working nights, something I have never done, but Brian has been an excellent stay at home dad and letting me get enough sleep. I am grateful that I have an education to fall back on and help in the mean time.

I had the opportunity a couple of weekends ago to attend Time Out for Women, sponsored by Deseret Book. My mother in law and my two sister in laws and one of their friends all attended. It was Friday Night and all day Saturday. It was such an uplifting event. I am already planning on going to one next year. If you have the opportunity and time to go, I highly recommend it. Awesome music and inspirational speakers. Look for a blog in the future with some key points from some of the speakers.

One Door Closes

This week has been one of those weeks where you want to scream, cry, punch, kick, pray, laugh, cry, scream, pray! Have you ever had one of those weeks where your emotions are all over the place?

Monday, Brian was laid off from his job of almost 2 years. He was an accountant for an engineering firm here and they were making company wide lay offs, and he was the last one hired, the first one let go. The sucky thing was that he would be invested in their stocks in 2 weeks, his 2 year anniversary with their company. They still want him to be a contract employee, but of course with NO benefits!

I was in shock when he told me. I literally wanted to throw up! I am grateful for my sweet sisters, who listened to me scream and cry and let it all out. I was crying to Morgan about faith. How one can lose all faith in situations like this and in an economy like ours is now. I was throwing a major pity party.

I got off the phone with my sister and less than an hour later a staffing health care agency had called me and asked if I was working. (In September I placed my resume on career builder and applied to work for a company out of AZ that did local flu shot clinics. I got the job and was able to work 2 full Saturdays before they ran out of the vaccine.) I told him no and he asked if I would like to. I of course said yes and an hour later, after filling out paperwork and renewing my CPR BLS on-line and faxing everything back to him, I had a job! I worked Tuesday and Wed. and a local health dept. giving H1N1 vaccines to children 6 months to less than 4 yrs old. By the end of the day my head was killing me from all the screaming and crying. I was able to do a clinic today for half a day giving seasonal flu shots to a really fun company.

Brian, has been doing the stay at home dad thing. Taking Avery to dance, putting hair in poney tails, making dinner and doing dishes. We both have a new appreciation for what the other did before. I don't know how working moms do it! I have such a great respect for all of you that do it. I put in a load of laundry before I left this morning and went to work, went visiting teaching, went to the grocery store, came home and cooked dinner. I am exhausted! The girls have adjusted well, I miss them terribly, but glad that Brian at least can be home with them.

I know that the Lord has His hand in all of this. I know that He is aware of our trials and our needs. I know this will not be easy, but we will make it. I know that when one door closes, another one will open. In less than 2 hours after my husband gets laid off, I get a phone call for a job. I was immediately at peace. That doesn't mean that there aren't times of worry or panic on my part, but I had a load of bricks lifted off my shoulders. I am extremely grateful that I kept up with my nursing license, just in case! I am grateful for family who I know prays for one another's needs. I am grateful for sisters that are there for me and feel my pain in a time of trial and vice versa. I am grateful for friends who are supportive and loving. I am grateful for a hardworking husband that I know if needs be will go flip burgers to support and provide for his family. I know we will get through this, it is just another bump in the road. I have faith in that.

These are a few of my Favorie things...

Right now, these are a few of my favorite things, I thought I would share.


I am really enjoying this show! It is a feel good, make me laugh, sing a long show!

Aquafresh Isoactive whitening foaming toothpaste. I have a hard time finding a toothpaste that I feel that actually works in making my teeth and breath clean. Brian asked for me to pick the above up recently and for right now, I am sold. I like the foaming texture vs the cement pastey feel!

I love Philosophy and I really love their microdelivery peel. It is like a mini facial every time I use it.

I have battled with face, oil and acne, my whole life it seems. I went on Accutane in high school and was fortunate to not have to worry so much about the oil or acne for a long while. But it seems, that since having children, my face is one large pore. This product, Smashbox Photo Finish, makes my pores not as visible and my make-up glide on and last longer. It is so dry where I live and usually without using this my make-up looks like it is caked on. So, I love using this!

I am not a big lip stick wearer. I have a hard time finding the RIGHT color for my skin tone. I found a color that I loved that Clinique made and of course discontinued it. I found the above product and love that I can use one side for a more natural look or push both at the same time and get more of a "evening" look.

Rimmel Lash Flirt Mascara in Very Black is now my essential mascara.

It has gotten cold now and have busted out the hot chocolate. You can not go wrong with Dulce De Leche Caramel Stephen's Hot Chocolate. Love it!

A friend that is also a foodie, introduced me to this awesome salad dressing! It is Brianna's Saucy Ginger Mandarin Dressing. It is sad, but I plan my meals around this dressing just so I can eat it over and over again. Avery, if I let her, would eat salads all day long with this dressing. My kids love it, too! That is HUGE in my book.

Now that I have shared some of my favorites, share with me (blog) some of your favorites! I would love to know what you are loving right now!

Final Pics from Texas Trip: Part X

These are the last of the Texas trip pics. We had a great time and enjoyed every bit of it. Brian was able to fly down a couple of days before we left so he could help drive back. There was no way I was going to be able to do it on my own. Two hours in to the trip and Delaney screaming 98% of that time, Brian asked if this is how it was on the way to Texas. I could tell he was not looking forward to what was to come. Avery did pretty well, Delaney was a different story. She hated every minute of it and nothing we could do would help.

Only in K-town will you find a sign like this! Mom took us to dinner here the night before we left for some good Country Fried Steaks. The dinner was great, the service...ahh, not so much. While we were waiting for our food to come out we asked our waitress if we could get some crackers for the girls to snack on b/c they were getting a little impatient waiting. The waitress had the nerve to respond with, "Why, they are just going to end up all over the floor. Your food will be out in a moment." We were shocked. Yah, they might end up on the floor, but we are paying customers. I guess that doesn't count for much anymore.

Thank you Papa and Gramma for all the fun! Avery still says that Gramma is sad because we left Texas. I am glad my girls were able to make special memories and spend quality time with their grandparents.

Inspired

Sunday, Avery and Delaney, were both sick with colds and I needed to be at church to take care of Enrichment duties, so Brian stayed home with them. I sat by a friend whose husband travels a lot and I was able to actually LISTEN to the talks and feel of the Spirit. It also happened to be Ward Conference and we had the privilege to hear from the Bishop.

He told a story about when his children were a lot younger there was a mission president that just returned and he really wanted to be able to listen to their talks but their youngest son was just very disruptive. He had to take him out in the hall way at least 4 times and Bishop had said that he didn't have the opportunity to hear anything that was said and was disappointed. He said that he felt he would of gotten more out of staying at home and reading his scriptures than fighting with his son all during sacrament. He asked himself why he even bothered coming.

The bishop goes on to talk about how he talked to an older man in the ward and told him about how hard it was dealing with young kids and feeling of the Spirit. The man responded with this:

"I have eaten thousands of meals that my wife has cooked in the many years we have been married. I know I was present for those meals, but I couldn't tell you the menu of meals that I ate. I know I ate them and I was strengthened because of those meals or I would be dead."



I NEEDED to hear that talk. I know that our Bishop was inspired to share that story for me. I am sure many of you have heard me say, "Why do I even bother?" I spend the majority of my meetings in the hallway trying to keep my child quiet or doing laps in the over heated building. I realize now that, I might not remember anything that I heard from that meeting, but it is important to just be present! I WILL be strengthened for being there.


Also, I loved our lesson in Relief Society Sunday on "How Glorious Are Faithful, Just, and True Friends."

There was something that I just loved in that lesson that I haven't been able to get out of my head since. I thought I would share it and maybe you will love it too.

Joseph Smith was quoted as saying the following about Emma after she visited him in jail, "undaunted, firm, and unwavering—unchangeable, affectionate Emma! "

I love that quote and hope that one day my husband can say the same about me.

I also wanted to share a few quotes that I loved about being a friend:

“I don’t care what a man’s character is; if he’s my friend—a true friend, I will be a friend to him, ...... helping him out of his difficulties."

“Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism’; [it is designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars and contentions to cease and men to become friends and brothers. …

“… Friendship is like Brother [Theodore] Turley in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence.”

“That friendship which intelligent beings would accept as sincere must arise from love, and that love grow out of virtue, ........ Hence the saying of Jesus, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

Slap Yo Momma Good!

*picture from Pioneer Woman

Pioneer Woman's Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

1 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter, cut into bits

5-6 c. peeled, sliced fresh peaches

Juice and grated zest of 1/2 lemon

2 Tbs. maple syrup (the real stuff)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until mixture is the consistency of coarse meal. Place peaches in 9-inch square baking pan. Gently mix in lemon juice, rind and maple syrup. Top with crumb mixture. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20-30 minutes more or until top is crisp and brown. You might want to broil for a couple minutes to ensure good color. Serve warm with maple cream sauce.

Maple Cream Sauce

1 1/2 c. whipping cream

5 Tbs. maple sugar

3 Tbs. light corn syrup

Combine all ingredients in heavy sauce pan; cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly until thickened and reduced by 1/3, approximately 20 minutes. Chill. Drizzle generously over peach crisp.

Texas Trip: Part IX

Grandma H. took us to a wonderful little place in Ingram, Texas called Queen B's English Tea Room. It was such a fun girly day. You get to pick out a antiquish hat, gloves, or fur to wear while you enjoy High Tea. The little girls got a little princess platter with a sandwich cut in the shape of a crown and apple juice in a little tea set. Holly, Mom and I enjoyed yummy sandwiches and pastries. Thank you for taking us Mom, it was a great day!

Texas Trip: Part VIII

Included are some pictures of Avery's 3rd birthday party at her Grandma and Grandpa's. My battery died at the beginning, so I only have a few pictures. There is also a really cute video of the cousins performing at my parent's ward talent show. Avery loved it!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I'm not a witch, I'm your wife!

I Love my husband because...

I woke up yesterday with a horrible, sickening migraine
the kind you just want to sleep in a cold dark room with the lights off and sleep,
Of course my girls didn't get the memo
and screamed in high-pitched whiny tones..
ALL morning long.
I finally popped some pills, of the legal form
which I hardly ever take medicine
and of course Tylenol was not helping my head from wanting to blow up
I felt like I was going to either faint or die.
I finally sucked it up and called Brian, mainly to get sympathy for the fact the girls just.wern't.getting.it, that mommy
needed Delaney to stop climbing on top of the table for the 100th time that morning
needed Avery to stop wanting to watch a different movie every 5 minutes
and stop trying on every article of clothing she owned!
Brian, of course, being the loving husband and daddy that he is,
or for his own selfish reasons....??
said he would be home at lunch time.
He stopped and bought me some Ibuprofen, because let's face it. Tylenol doesn't do anything for migraines or any pain for that matter
and lunch
and found me in bed, still in my pajamas
with a WHOLE box of Fruity Cheerios on the floor per my lovely 18 month old.
Super daddy had arrived!
He brought me in some ibuprofen with a caffeinated beverage, to help with the headache of course.
He fed the girls, cleaned them up, put them to bed.
Vaccuumed up said box of cheerios!
Made a grocery list and went to the grocery store..gasp, I know!
Carried in 170 dollars worth of groceries and put them ALL away.
Changed diapers and entertained the girls, while
I stayed in bed.
Pulled Delaney off of the table, chairs and couches for a total of 1,456 times
Cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes
He cooked dinner and didn't burn it, in fact it tasted great
Fed the girls and served me dinner in bed
Got the girls cleaned up and did the dinner dishes
Got the girls in their pajamas and tucked into bed
Tucked me into bed and rubbed my back until I fell asleep.
This is one of the many reasons I love my husband!

Texas Trip: Part VI

We spent most of our time in Kerrville in some type of water! We have some friends that have a house down in Hunt on the Guadalupe River and they were kind enough to let us spend a lot of our time out there. It was so relaxing.

Grandma took us to an inflatable playground called Up-N-Jacks! Avery had a blast. She has no fear. She was enjoying herself so much that towards the end of time there, I noticed she didn't have her socks or her leggings on. I asked her where her clothes were and she told me she took them off. Grandma took her to investigate where she had put them and come to find out she had wet her pants and decided just to take off the wet things and keep on going! I was so embarrassed. Luckily, the owner was really understanding. Avery, of course, decided to relieve herself in the middle of one of the inflatable toys!

Thank you, Holly! She was such a big help to Avery. Luckily, she was under the 100 lb weight requirement and could get on the jumps! :)

Texas Trip: Part V

One of our favorite things we did when we were in Texas was going to Sea World. It was a H-O-T day, 112 with the heat index. You can see the heat in the girls' cheeks. I was surprised with how well they did, I think I complained and moaned more than they did! Grandma bought the girls a huge stuffed Shamu and a baby Shamu after we watched the "Shamu Rocks Texas" spectacular. Avery carries that thing around ALL day long. She is currently sleeping with it. It takes up half her bed.

By the way, I know my mom is going to make a comment about how horrible she looks in these pics...but they were too cute to not post! She is one of the best looking grandmas around!

Refreshing!

Grandma and Avery riding the Shamu roller coaster! She loved it and I think this was the 2nd or 3rd ride!

Sitting in the splash zone...the FIRST time we went to the Shamu show!

The albino snake just hanging out on the grass!

Avery loved the dolphins! She now says after she toots, "I tooted like a dolphin!" Whatever that means! I personally have not heard a dolphin toot, have you?