Faith

Recently our life has been a bad country song...

our computer broke
our camera broke
Justin's truck broke
Justin's cell broke

Yeah sounds interesting eh?!

The hardest to deal with has been Justin's Truck. Justin is a contractor, he has been working in constructon  from the age of 15... almost 11 years! When we got engaged he started working for Martin Construction and things have been going rather well for 4 years. Well 3 years ago we had a small issue, his trusty Jimmy was not cutting it. So we started looking for another truck, we lucked out. Justin's boss, Dale, ended up getting a new truck and sold Justin his old truck for a song! So this 1991 truck lasted us three years, until, a couple weeks ago the transmission went. This was a major issue for Justin- Martin Construction has been doing weeping tile repairs lately and Justin had been pulling a trailer with a back hoe.... usually with the company truck, but it wasn't always available. So we, once again, started looking for a truck.

Once again we completely lucked out. My brother Mark had his 2006 ford 350F SD Lariat up for sale. Mark had put a large deposit on the truck, a low interest rate, and had super low monthly payments.... right at our budget in fact. We have been super lucky to buy this truck from Mark, the Truck is WAAAY bigger, expensive and BIGGER then we wanted but everything just fell into place.

I definitely feel like the Lord had a hand in this. Mark had his truck up for sale for quite a few months, even with some offers on it. Justin's truck has been going for about 6 months and just "happened" to go when Marks truck was for sale. Mark softened his heart and sold us the truck even though he wasn't quite ready to sell it.

As trials come, and we have faith and ask of God (Rev 3:20), I find it easier to find his hand in our lives. Ether 12:27

Circle Skirt

Do you blog stalk Made?!?!

*start now*

Dana put up a new TUTORIAL the other day and I found this Amy Butler fabric..... and K newest skirt was made!

I whipped this up tonight in about a hour and I think its ADORABLE! Thanks for the tutorial Dana.

She was so excited- all the photos I took are simi-blurry she was twirling like a maniac! 

These photos were taken before I hemmed it, the girls were getting in the tub so I slipped on for a few cute shots before it was finished! 

I am seriously considering making a diaper cover for her, she had it on for 5 mins and couldn't keep it down. Tomorrow I will make a Circle Skirt for A too, and a most likely 2 diaper covers!

Weekend Away

I had such a good time in Kalispell with my husband and friends. I don't even know where to start!

The drive down on Friday was beautiful. Unfortunately Logan's Pass was closed going south so we took the long way but  it was still a gorgeous drive!

We drove down with Mike and Amelia and laughed all the way down.







Honestly I don't think a play by play of the weekend is really needed so lets just highlight some fun times.

• Sizzler is a really yummy place to eat.
• Walmart in the states is WAY better, even if you do see a 69 year old male wearing a belly shirt with sweat pants and suspenders.
• My husband pretty-much picks my clothing... I can shop for everyone but me!!
• Target was slightly disappointing.... but they had some great PJ's for children.
• Men will "Hey babe" you even when you drive a mini-van.
• Joann's fabric sales, scrapbook sales and ribbon is enough to send me into frenzies
• Men CAN go till 8:00p.m. without supper, but they will be super annoyed waiting in Joann's parking lot for 2 hours. 
• Christmas is DONE for our children.
• Lets not even get started on the price of Cheese and Cream Cheese
• I LOVE tacos.
• Some random men wear inappropriate things to the pool
• Teenagers try to look down your shirt with your husband sitting next to you
• You will laugh until your stomach hurts spending a weekend with Friends.

We had a great time. See you next September Kalispell!

Share a Meal Monday!

Michelle is starting Share A Meal Monday over at Itz Mitz.

 I UBER LOVE new recipe ideas, so I am super excited to link up with her and see what other ladies serve at their dinner table!

This is a family Favorite and I am OFTEN asked for the recipe (three times today!).

Annie's Chicken

4-8 Chicken Breast

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 Can Milk

1 Brick CREAM CHEESE

1/4 Cup Butter

 1 Pkg Dry Italian Dressing Mix

Cook in Crockpot for 4-5 on High or 6-7 hours on Low. Stir a couple times whist cooking.

Serve on rice, noodles or potatoes.

eggs

 Thanks A for "helping" with the groceries. 

See you...

Justin and I are off on our WEEKEND AWAY to Kalispell!

This is the first time we (together) are leaving our children, for US.

We went to Martins Cove together in July, but that was as Leaders, a calling. It was great fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat, but it was FAR from a relaxing trip.

I am so excited- the girls are going to hang with Gramma Chipman and Uncle Mark and Geela for the weekend!

Tell you all about it Monday Morning!

Miss Emotional and Miss Independent

Time to talk kid. 


1. Miss Emotional aka K (3 year old)

    Before I had children, when I heard the word emotional I automatically would think- CRY BABY. Is that just me? I think of women who cry over everything...... so I USED to think that. Until K developed her emotional personality. Whatever K is feeling, she feels WHOLE HEARTILY. When she is happy, she is SO happy-last weekend, she wanted a bike so bad and when Grandma and Grandpa CHipman got her one for her birthday she was a ecstatic little girl! At the same time when K is angry she is a bear-when its time for Duck Tales to be turned off, or its time to wear boots not flip flops, she go into a rampage. Its rather ridiculous. When she is sad, you would think the world had ended.  I love K, and she is very emotional, so I am slowly learning how to help her deal with her emotions.I have found the best way to parent K- is to let "help/do" as much as possible. She wants to help with A, help with laundry, help choose which boots she can wear, and to help with turning off the T.V. I find when she makes the choice her emotions won't spike as high. Granted this doesn't always work so.... Any of you have an emotional child, please tell me your secret?


2. Miss Independent aka A (21 months)

    I used to think K was independent... Then I had REAL miss Independent. This 21 month old of mine could give anyone a run for their money. She will NOT allow help with many things. Including: carrying 2babys, 2 blankets, and 2 bottles up the stairs. She will scream in frustration all the way up, but will get even madder if you try and help. She will pick her bows and want her hair done at 7:00 am.... or do it herself. Under no circumstances are you allowed to touch her dinner plate, once it is in front of her- think twice about helping in anyway. For the most part I find her little independence adorable, BUT she is still only 21 months and SOME things are still done by me, and it drives her nuts. The best way to frustrate A is getting in the way when she wants to do it HERSELF. Once again... please all you with a Miss/Mr Independent, whats the best attitude for this age??

As of Late...

I go through phases.

Some weeks, I am mom.

Other weeks, I manage to be a mom AND a crafter.

This last week and this week....

wait for it....

I am a mom AND a crafter AND a cook

AND a house cleaner (this includes laundry!)!

It been crazy! Usually when I feel crafty the house is a disaster (ask Justin!)and we eat pancakes.

But this week I seem to have it all together... don't worry it wont last long!

Today we crafted at Amelia house, A always stays by me till she feels comfortable. Today I kept her happy with rolls of ribbon, whilst I made rosette headbands!

Then earlier this week I made some new looking flower headbands for the girls. K does wear them, but A is willing to let me take her photo!

It does help I gained a CRAFT ROOM last weekend.

The upstairs toy room disappeared and a craft room grew in its place! I was sick of the girls just dumping, and not playing.. so ALL the toys are downstairs and I LOVE IT!

Happy Crafting!

Happy 3rd Birthday K!!

K turns 3 today! She is such a sweet little girl, and a amazing big sister. Here are some fun facts about K:

• She LOVES her cousins. (Cousins can be anyone under the age of 12.)
• She thinks 7-11 is the drink store.
• She will share pretty much anything with her little sister A.
• She loves pickles, cheese string, rice, and raw hotdogs.
• She no longer naps instead she has quiet time on mommys bed with books and cartoons.
• When we read Scriptures and its her turn, she hears/repeats the funniest things.
• Right now her favorite show is Duck Tales.
• Favorite Movie The Little Mermaid.
• She likes to go next door "all myself" to visit Grandma Martin.
• She thinks Aunt Lisa's house is her second home.
• She goes potty "all myself"
• She loves to eat whatever Daddy eats
• She shares her emotions with everyone.. within yelling distance.
• She never wants "half" of anything.. unless A gets the other half.
• She will now wake up and go DOWNSTAIRS (daddy helps her find her way) to watch cartoons till Mommy wakes up
• She thinks Princess are the best
• A is her favorite play mate and they will spend hours playing together

On Saturday we had a little family Birthday party in High River at Grandma and Grandpa Chipman's house.

She wanted a princess party, so thanks Dawn, K got a beautiful princess cake. It was amazing. Thank you Dawn!

She was super spoiled and had tons of fun. We had the party in High River so that different family members could celebrate with us. Krista, Karla, Sherliyn and Grandma Moxley were able to attend, along with Mark, Laura and Gramma and Grandpa Chipman.

K was so excited she got tons of presents: a strider bike and helmet, stroller and playpen, books, Lego's, pop up dress up, hockey stick, light up flower, chapters gift card, boots, beanbags, and 2 more babies!

The party was very relaxed and the kids all played downstairs for hours. Thanks for coming everyone!

Nursery Prints

Yes- I like being crafty and BLOGS are great places for inspirations. Like SYTYC and Be Different Act Normal and I am Momma Hear Me Roar.

So when I saw Baby Tracks on Cheri blog, I fell in LOVE!

I needed a new baby, Eenter Ffion, frames from Ikea and scrapbook paper. I was originally going to surprise Lisa with them, but in the end I needed her help with hand and foot prints, AND we were able to use the same colors in the nursery.

They turned out WAY cute, and they look fabulous in the Ffion's room! We also used them for decorations at Ffion's baby shower. Thanks for the post Cheri!

Cupcakes 101

I enjoy baking.

I don't eat it. Flour is yucky.

But Justin LOVES eating baking.

Enter Oreo Cupcakes.

Choclolate Cake Mix. Add 1 cup Sour Cream to mixture.

Cover bottom of cupcake with batter. Place Oreo in cupcake.

Cover with Batter. Cook.

Ice with Oreo Icing.

Yum.

Suprize Baby Shower!

The Baby Shower went Great! Lisa was surprised, everyone showed up with the food they were assigned, the decorations went fine, and baby Ffion was a dream!

Lisa and Ffion came in from grocery shopping and still managed to look fantastic for their big night! We were super lucky that everyone managed to get in the house and out of site before they pulled into the garage.

Many of Lisa's friends and family showed up to support her, I think she had a great time.

Special Thanks to Aunt Michell for assisting with the surprise, and to Tekarra who planned some great games, to Dianne who helped decorate and prepare for guests and to Richard who arraigned for Lisa to be out!

Although I will say one thing... I think I am done planning surprise baby showers! It was WAY to stressful- even though it all went fantastic.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 4th Anniversary to my loverly husband Justin!

Yesterday we celebrated with dinner at the Keg! We topped off the evening with a diaper sale, and eyebrow wax (just me)!

Sounds romantic eh!

 But our romantic time comes next weekend when we go to Kalispell! Two nights with no children, friends, shopping and sleep! Oh bring on NEXT WEEKEND!

Thanks

Take this post as it is.... a sincere Thanks.

Yesterday in the mail Justin got a Thank you card:

We wanted to say thank you very much for all you did for us in working on our home this summer.
The basement is not leaking and we LOVE the bathroom!

The gift certificate is for you and your wife, for all the long hours you worked.
Leaving early in the morning and getting home late at night.
Enjoy and Thank you.
Craig and Sharla Nelson


This was so LOVELY to receive. I know the card is mostly for Justin, but knowing that this Lady recognized and appreciated Justin's LONG hours away from our home really touched me.

Justin LOVES what he does, and some times the hours are really long and it can be hard. I'm not complaining I am just so THANKFUL that his family was recognized!
I sent Sharla a Thank you card expressing my appreciation for her kind words.

Baby Blessing

Baby Ffion was Blessed on Sunday followed by a L-A-R-G-E family dinner.

Now I realize that most of you who read my blog are friends or family and know what a Baby Blessing is.. but I have been attempting to add a few spiritual touches in my blog for various reasons.

So as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints *Justin has blessed both K and A,and we have had the privilege of watching many other families bless their beautiful babies.

*The term "blessings" is used in two different ways in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a broad traditional sense as used in many cultures, the word applies to all good things that come in a person's life-the wonders of nature, the joys of family, the benefits of liberty and education-anything and everything that enriches life. Such blessings are often pointed to as a manifestation of God's love for his children. Latter-day Saint writings are interspersed with this usage. In more specific terminology, blessings refer to ordinances performed under priesthood authority.

A priesthood blessing may be given only by those who have been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. In the Church, most boys at the age of twelve have the Aaronic Priesthood conferred upon them and are ordained to the office of deacon. At age fourteen, they are usually ordained teachers, and at age sixteen, priests. If the priesthood bearer continues to show faithfulness and worthiness, then at age eighteen, or anytime thereafter, he may receive the Melchizedek Priesthood with ordination to the priesthood office of elder. An elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to perform most priesthood functions in the Church, including giving priesthood blessings.

 

When babies are just a few weeks old, they are usually given a priesthood blessing for the special purpose of conferring a name by which the baby will be known and bestowing promises based on spiritual impressions regarding the baby's future life. A quality of prophecy attends this process. If a baby's father is a worthy holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood, he will usually pronounce the blessing, but it may be given by a grandfather, a family friend, or any other qualified priesthood holder chosen by the baby's parents. Babies are usually blessed in the presence of the congregation at a fast and testimony meeting. However, the blessing may be given at other times and places, such as in a hospital or home, if there is a special need. Ffion was blessed at home because her Grandparent were over from Whales.

So on Sunday Lisa and Richard blessed baby Ffion Lillian Clarice Worsey. It was a beautiful blessing done by her father Richard, with Ffions Grandpa Martin and many of her Uncles in the circle.

Parent Preschool

The girls and I attend a Parent Preschool here in Raymond. Its done by the Parent Link Center and its a fantastic program!

We attend Monday afternoons from 1-3:15p.m, our little "class" starts with playtime, with mommy's and children. We play for about 45 mins then we do circle time. Circle time has singing, counting, a story and interactive play with mommy. AND THEN the children go to their little class and Mommy's go into a SEPARATE class!

Me LOVES it!

There are many different things I enjoy:

1. We get out of the house! This is really important as the winter months are coming!
2. The girls are learning to socialize with others who are not in our "circle" of friends.
3. The Link center has some great resources- books, helpers, faculty, other moms, handouts, lectures....and so on.
4. I LOVE other moms solutions. When they share what is working or NOT working for their children.
5. All the classes I have been able to take for FREE! Like Baby Massage, Coping with Toddler Behaviour, Baby and Me and Parent Preschool.
6. Messy Play- Ok honestly.... I really DISLIKE this aspect... but I do LIKE the fact that they do it THERE and not at the house. Otherwise my children wouldn't know what paint was!

The list could go on and on!

But today I heard something I want to remember and do! We were discussing about how we sometimes tend to blame our children.

A example was shared of a mother who always use the term "we". So instead of saying "no sorry we can't meet today, K is being a little monster" she would say "We aren't very happy today, we feel like just staying home."

Now I have heard of this before- but ya know when a light bulb goes off?!

Oh... I need to do that.

So that's my uplifting parental advice I got today! Hopefully this week I will be applying it!

Canning AppleSauce!

The other day Dianne called me and asked if I could help pick Crap Apples. She sprained her ankle quading a couple days before, so her and Grandma needed some one who could climb the ladder to pick the apples.

I was fine with helping out, my girls loved it! A would try and pick the apples while Dianne was pulling on the tree, so she would screech in frustration because the apples wouldn't hold still. Oh the joys of childhood!

After we picked enough to get started, I traded my heavy lifting skills for some apple sauce and apple butter! We canned all afternoon, the girls were actually rather well behaved.

I really enjoy Canning. It makes me feel all growed up inside. A contributing Mother, like those from years gone by!

Now if I can only convince Justin to let me have a GARDEN!

I UBER LOVE this photo of A playing in the canning box. This photo says so many things.

I was going to can the next day too, But we had a incident. So Thank you to Dianne and Grandma for still giving me some apple sauce! 

Look out for me next year.. I'm going to be canning up a storm!

Ffion Worsey!

Congratulations to Lisa and Richard Worsey!

Ffion Lillin Clairce Worsey!

Yesterday they had their 5th daughter!

Ffion was born at 2:45 p.m. September 10 coming in at 6lbs 12 oz!

Lisa was in labor for 4.5 hours and everything went perfectly! I am sure Lisa will blog about Ffions birth and what not, so I wont tell the whole thing.

She sure looks alot like Aylish, her nose and little face, she is absolutely adorable!

Precious one,

So small, So sweet

Dancing in on Angle's feet,

Straight from Heaven's brightest Star

What a miracle you are!

Once again Congratulations Worsey's!

(A More Real) Love Story

The second part of this TRUE LOVE STORY is my day today!

This was fanastic! :)

Teething/Apple

I don't like it. Teething. period.

Poor baby A is getting 2 3 of her Incisors. Its 9:30a.m. and she has stopped crying twice.

 Once for chocolate milk and once to reach over and smack K.

Its been fun.

I do feel bad for my ALMOST 2 year old.

Life seems to have bit her on the butt this week.

On another note....

After spending just under $1000 trying to fix our computer in the last 6 months... the computer is still not working right. Yesterday it shut off 4 times in the middle of working on Activity Days-(just now it shut off 2 times trying to type this sentence!! AHHH).

Yesterday we went out and bought a Apple Computer. It should arrive next week. I am EXCITED. But I would be more excited if we could have bought it with cash. Oh well.... See you soon MAC LOVERS!

Tylonal Migrane= Horrible Horrible HORRIBLE Day

Today's plan was to make Applesauce. Got up and ready early, and left the house at 8:45a.m. I stopped at Lynette's to drop off something and we got to talking. Not unusual for us, we visited and the girls were in the van. I saw them get out and play in the front yard, that was fine... but then I couldn't see them....

I go out and they are in the van eating...... Tylenol Extra Strength Migraine Relief!

Ok... I admit a little panic set in. Lynette and I rushed to the hospital, Lynette was kind enough to count the pills while I was registering the girls and she went out to the van to fine any that fell out of the bottle.

Out of 120 tabs we found 115. I had just bought the bottle and had taken 3. So we were missing 2, K  (age 2) told me she ate one and A (age 1) ate one too. I still really worried about A, last year she had surgery on her left kidney, removing 1/3 of her kidney. We have been told to monitor what type of medicine she ingests and watch the kidney. So I was mostly worried about that at this point.

Next step: Make the girls drink charcoal. Yum. So Lynette and Dianne (who had arrived at the hospital to help) help K drink her charcoal. She drank it so well... cause she wanted the sticker at the end. She was such a good girl, she just kept drinking for that sticker! A on the other hand.... not so good. I got maybe 2 -5 sips down her... charcoal was getting EVERYWHERE and then Justin arrived. He managed to get A to drink the rest.

So the Dr. says only SOME barf up this disgusting charcoal, and to come back in 4 hours for blood work. Just to make sure everything was fine. So we head home to bath and clean the girls, dropped off Lynette and Dianne, who I cant thank enough for being there! THANK YOU. Lynette and Dr. Smith did make me feel better, saying both their kids had done this.

After their bath K is running around feeling fine... So Justin is laying on our bed holding poor A who is whimpering... then out of no where... major charcoal barf. It was disgusting... it got everywhere.

If any of have dealt with this you know that this STAINS.. MAJOR BAD!

It was everywhere. It has been quite the day... Definitely in the top 3 most stressful day of the year!

Elbow Falls

Saturday the Moxley family headed out to Elbow Falls.

We intended to meet at 10:00am, but we all miss-judged how far away it was.

No one arrived till 10:30 and we still didn't even start to the falls till 11:00.

So we walked to the falls took some family pictures and stopped for lunch. The kids started to play in the water while the dads ran back for the lunches.... K got a little to excited and walked right into the river.

 Her pants got soaked and ended up walking around in her underpants UNTIL... I realized something.

On our way to the Falls we had to stop and get drinks at superstore and I saw pajamas for $2!! WHAT pajamas are NEVER on sale! So I got 3 pairs for A and 1 pair for K! So K spend the rest of the day in her pajamas pants. She even posed in her pajamas.... she is so adorable!

The girls LOVE playing with their cousins. It's nice that the younger grandchildren are getting old enough to play together, the kids spend a lot of time running around this little circle with trees in the middle.