Thought we were done??

Last weekend A had a high fever that turned into croup. It started Friday and by Wednesday she was finally feeling better.

Wednesday K seemed to shift from normal self, to getting sick self. I was really hoping she would be fine.... I was wrong. By Friday night, after a full day of playing, swimming and Pizza Hut she came down with the fever.

Having K sick, this sounds really bad, we would much rather have A sick.
When A is sick, you can only tell when the Tylenol wears off..... K on the other hand- cries ALL DAY. Not just whimpering.... tears, constantly.

But no worries, hopefully we are on the down hill....

Just another weekend with nothing to show but a messy house and cuddly pictures :)

Which one?

Preparing for Young Women's- Activity Days lesson for 10-11 year olds. Which wordle or handout would you use?

21 weeks

Well the bump is showing. I mostly wear hoodies these days, for comfort and hiding, but I figured this stage is ok for 1 photo or so.

But honestly this is my usual uniform.

Jeans and a hoodie.. this is the at home mommy me.

At least I can say, I get my girls pretty. Thats something right?

Secret

The Power of Early Preparation,  Ronald Errol Bartholomew, February 2011 Ensign

Dried Milk

Lesson Learned

Those of you who are seamstresses, STOP reading.

If you are still reading- consider your self warned... and please don't point and LAUGH at me next time we meet.

I had a idea...

* side track.... when I say that to Justin "I have a idea..." he braces for impact. Almost like I said
"WOW look we're having triplets...." He starts to sweat, his eyebrows go right into his hair line, and he turns slightly green.... oh.. for that reason alone, I look for ways to start my sentences with those words!

I had a idea..for a maternity shirt I own. It has never really fit that great, it was too long on my short torso and the arm holes were too small.
Ergo I tried to fix it. HAHAHA

To defend myself, I saw the idea on Homemade by Jill. Her's turned out cute, very unlike mine...

I also tried to fix the too small arm holes...

It may not look perfect (probably cause this idea came from my brain) , but to defend myself again..... it did the job.


End Verdict.... I have another shirt that is too long.... I'm gonna ask my mom.

Starting Spring Early

Spring Cleaning (for some) = total bummer.
 But- I really like it.
I get to go through things, and toss, organize or donate. It fills a odd need I have to sort.

I have intended to start with the baby clothes for some time.... considering we had 5 Tupperware bins and 1/2 a dresser full of 0-18 month clothing to sort.

After Christmas when we were trying to put everything away in the storage room, my husband mentioned once or twice the "ridiculous amounts of baby clothes".

Yesterday I concurred the baby clothes.

Thanks Kim and Lisa for telling me about these bags!

We went from 5 bins, to 2.25- Most of the small bin (in the finished photo) on the couch is Pioneer Clothing for adults.

AND the I could still fit things down the sides of the bin. In this bin, the sides are sandals & shorts that will fit A this summer!

AND I only used 3 of the 4 bags in the box.

AND I donated 2 large garbage bags stuffed full.

Wonder what I can do next?

Going Great

For Christmas I got Becky Higgins Project Life.

In short..... ME LOVES IT.

It has been going GRAND, and I am excited to add my own scrapbook pages in during the year!

I have also found the time and energy to start up scrapbooking again! I only started the end of 2008, and got all of 2008-2009 done, then NONE of 2010. So as I am doing project life for 2011, I am working on 2010 as well... here are a few pages I have been able to finish lately.

House Showing

Our house has been up For Sale, for almost a year.
When we first put it on the market, I thought for sure we would sell it fast...
not so much.

So here we are in January, one of the slowest months to sell apparently, and we have had 2 showing in 3 days to the same people! With, might I add, a sick-o child with croup. Poor A.

Being honest.... hopes are up. IF we did sell it soon, possession would be late spring.... new house would hopefully be built by end of November.... I know hopes are up.

I can't help my hopes.
Our realtor made promises, all of which were not kept.
I am sick of jumping to other people whim... mostly because I have NEVER gotten more then 2 hours notice for a showing.
I don't care if you don't like the color of my house.... paint it then.

But come on.... how could you NOT like this green?

Anywho.... wish us luck.

Another honest little fact....building with 3 little kids at home, will be a lot harder then doing it with 1 baby. In fact, the biggest downside factor is having no husband for a summer, with a newborn, while he builds our house. S-C-A-R-Y.

I am still really happy with this house plan...

but.... We are also thinking about a two level, Justin really like Mike and Amelia's new layout. If you've seen it. With 4 bedrooms on the second floor, a unfinished basement. 

Guess the finial decision will be made If when we sell the house.

Appetizers

Ok People.

Whats your go to appetizer?

Ya know, your off to a couples party- you need to bring a appy..... do you bring the same thing every time? Or do you branch out?
I bring one of the four following.... so if you bring something different feel free to share. I'm in a appetizer slump.

1. Potato Skins- rated (by me) 10 out of 5 stars.
                          Bake 8 potatoes, cut in half, scoop out insides. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle cheese and/or green onions.... pop back in the oven to melt cheese and serve with sour cream... yum.

image from Pioneer Women

2. Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos- some prep required. rated 4 out of 5 stars
                          Slice fresh Jalapenos in half length wise, fill with cream cheese, wrap a half piece of bacon around them, bake in oven for 1/2 hour or so. Crowd pleaser.

3. Cheese Ball-
prep required. rated 5 out of 5 stars.

                         1 brick cream cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup green onion, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp Cayenne, 1/4 cup sour cream, dash worchisrie sauce. Mix. Chill. Serve with crackers or veggies.

4. Mini Chipotle Chicken  Tacos-
                        zero prep. 4 out of 5 stars.
                        Buy the Mini taco's from Costco. Place in oven 25 mins, serve with sour cream.


                    

Friday Night Fever

Blog Book 2010 has finally been started! I am here at home this Saturday, poor A has a fever and has been sick to her stomach, so her and I are homebound. The Tylenol just kicked in, so I am seizing the moment to work on my Blurp to Book.

Poor little sister has had a high fever for 2 days now, although as soon as the Tylenol starts working she seems fine... ergo last nights-Friday washcloth photo.

Her fever spiked last night, right before our couples kniect party. So we gave her another medication dose, a ice cold water sippy cup and a cold washcloth. We could literally watch her fever die as she started to come back to her normal self.

So with her seeming to be fine, Aunt Dianne came over to watch the girls and we headed out for a break. The kniect (xbox 360 game of some sort) tournament was fun, we had a laughs and lots of food.

Lisa and Amelia may look like there doing fantastic, but they couldn't seem to win the rafting challenge! But they had a fun time trying!

Justin and I tried with the Dance competition of the night, he did great.... I cost our team the win! Oh well, I have never been known for my dancing skills! :)

Thanks Dianne for the much needed break...

here are some other fun photos from the night.

Reminder

Happy Days

Last couple of posts seem be missing info and pictures of my kiddos. So this post is what they have been up to.

First of all- baby #3 got their photo taken yesterday and everything looks healthy! YEAH for us. I had the technician check and then double check the kidneys and bladder. I know what baby A had was very very VERY rare, but it made me and Justin feel much better when all was checked.

We find out what gender baby #3 is, for sure, on Thursday.... but because some family members do NOT want to know what it is, I will not be posting it. If you want to know, email or face book me or Justin. Now...... family members.... this is NOT a promise that it will remain a secret. There are still 20 weeks, and therefore LOTS more POSTS. It still might slip, or gender colors may be made know.... but I will not full blown announce it....

We went swimming the other day. K and A love the big slide over the small slide, but poor A fell from the top of the stairs to the bottom.... twice in one night! Good thing there is a matt at the bottom! She is a trooper though- sure she cried for a bit but she went right on back!

Poor A has also been teething. She's was misrible all last week, but let me just say those tim bits sure seemed to help!

The girls sure love to color, they will sit and do it for at least 1/2 a hour!

Mommy has gotten over the fact that my girls are coloring children. I used to freak out when crayons or stickers were out, but now for the most part I just watch LIKE A HAWK during coloring time. 

The Larson's give out Chapters gift cards for birthday presents, so on Friday we took the girls to each pick their gift. The both looked forever (they love books) but each finally decided on a puzzle- their latest love.

Saturday was FREZZING and so we stayed inside all day- we even colored for a hour as a family!

Inspiration

As I internet stalk browse, I often save images that I want to use some day, or that I simple adore.
My folder is getting full, so I thought I would share a few with you!!!

Would this idea be fantastic in the babies new room? Use family, their birth, trains or doll photos, the options are endless. I wouldn't do a whole wall, but maybe 1/2 of one.

Or having it in your craft/sewing room, to keep track of inspiration, ideas, patterns, papers, photos, fabric scraps..... oh k working my self up into at  tizzy here.

I just ordered some owl fabric the other day, and then I came across this! 

What a adorable baby blanket eh? I was thinking doing a strip quilt or now a circle one!

Remember our wall unit we are planning on building? In the basement?

I love this simple look of this one, and the fact that 1/2 of it was build outside and brought in!

I have a long frame like this one, on my photo wall.... it's still blank. 

I just might do this.

Oh, sooo in love. Love. Oh LOVE.

I was actually going to do this with the kids today, but forgot to get glue whilst in Lethbidge.

Its such a cute idea, and lately my girls are all about glue. So Lisa, Sheena, and Jen. Sorry we won't be doing this on Today, unless one of you's have water based glue!

I will never be this crafty. Above Metal Accents...... its toilet paper rolls. Yup.

I may MAKE PEOPLE, but not metal Accents from toilet rolls.

Homemade lip balm. Always wanted to try, with the activity girls i'm a thinking.

Mmm, we'll see.

Activity Days Raymond 5th Ward

On Saturday we attended a Stake Activity Days Activity... (say that three times fast!) and we had a fantastic time!The girls each brought a small stuffy and a picture of themselves and they all put together a packet of necessities for children in Peru. There was a fabulous presentation done by a Sister who goes to Peru every year to do service, and the girls were surprised and shocked learning how the children there live.

As Leaders Sister Crystal Quntion and I also had a great time, although I have to say after this activity I think Raymond 5th ward girls and their mothers are terrific!

For those of you who are not familiar with Activity Days- it is a program for the 8-11 year old girls in our church. As leaders we teach them about living the gospel, developing their talents, service, preparing for Young Women's, growing their testimonies and the Articles of Faith.


As we were there we were also talking to the other leaders about sharing our activity ideas, and what we do with our girls..

So..... here is our 6 month newsletter we sent out in January, and links or ideas I have jotted down in Pink under the themes for the leaders out there reading this.. ladies out there reading this, who are in activity days OR who have a good idea for us.... please share with us so we can grow as leaders!!


Hello Girls and Parents

Ready for another Exciting 6 months! We have some exciting things planned and we cant wait to begin!
We have found the new time to change to be effective so we will continue with every other Thursday 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Please Note: Unless noted otherwise all activities will be at Sister Moxley's.

Activity Dates:

Saturday January 15 @ 9:30- Stake Activity Day.
We have had no further information at this time, but we will be contacting you as soon as we hear something.

Thursday January 27- I am of Infinite Worth
                                   Read the book "You Are special" by Max Lucado and discussed how this story related to self-esteem. The girls filled out sheets "What I'm Good At" and listened to a story of a girl who let others tear down her self-esteem with their comments and actions (use dots as in the story). Discussed ways to prevent this from happening. Played the game "Jenga" to demonstrate that if we let others hurt us with their comments and action our self esteem will come crashing down just like the blocks of this game. Concluded with the idea that we are all responsible for our own happiness and we need to remember that we are daughters of God, created by Him in His image. Only you can choose how to feel about yourself. Jenga Idea from Sugardoodle. 

Handout a I am special sheet for the girls to remember who they are.

Thursday February 10- Plan of Salvation for the 8-9 year old
                                     Put together a FHE lesson for the girls to take home. Handouts to color and cut out onto card stock and scriptures to go along with each step (earth, premortal life, spirit world....ect)
                                    Learning about the Young Women's Theme 10-11 year old

                                   Handout the Young Women's theme on little cards and practice saying it, and memorizing it. Also talk about how the Young Women's theme and program was established by Sister Janice Kapp.
One group will make cookies while the other has their lesson?

Thursday February 17- Learning how to Lead Music
                                   I remember going to Young Women's and the first time I was asked to lead the music I was T.E.R.R.F.I.E.D. So I thought to start early. We will be printing out some of the children hymns and the part in the hymn book with leading pointers and talking about 2/2, 2/3 and 2/4 time. We will also talk about how important it is to participate in Young Women's or Primary when we are asked.
Maybe make music necklace pendants, if there is time?

Thursday March 3- Family History

                                  http://angbrimwil.blogspot.com/2009/10/activity-day-family-history.html

                                 found this fabulous link, can't wait to do it with the girls!

Thursday March 17- Happy Birthday Girls!
                                 we are going to celebrate everyone's birthdays at once! We are going to make mini pinatas (the girls are I mean) and homemade ice cream as shown here. We will also do some birthday party games if there is time.

Thursday March 31- Primary Service for Singing Time
                                I talked to the Primary Chorister ahead of time, and the girls are going to be given a song to teach to the primary children. They must first learn the song, really good to teach it, make some sort of visual aid and then present it in Primary.

Thursday April 14- Easter Activity
                               Another link. This lesson is a FHE Lesson, but we will adapt it for the girls, and hopefully it will be a spiritual experience for them.

Thursday May 5- Modesty Lesson

                             Play the game Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Talk about who we could and should be our Modest Role Models (women from the ward, celebrities, moms, older girls). We will use magazines/books and each girl will make a modest collage.

Thursday May 19- Summer CRAFT- INTERCHANGEABLE FLIP FLOPS
                              Last Year at the end of the summer I came across this craft. I knew the girls would D.I.E to do this. So each girl will be asked to bring a pair of flip flops and we will make them interchangeable!! We will start this with a lesson on walking in the Lords Footsteps. 

Thursday June 2- Summer Fun
                           Not 100% sure about this one yet. I am due to have a baby around here so, we might do a nature walk or bike ride and talk about the things HF made for us.

Thursday June 16- Fathers Celebration.... date may change.

                          Father Daughter Car WASH!! We will meet at the Church and have each dad bring a car or truck and the girls and their dad will wash and bond, and then we will have Root Beer Floats to finish off the semester!

We will stick with this for now and as we get closer to Summer activities may change to reflect the weather.

Girls PLEASE BRING YOUR BINDERS TO EVERY ACTIVITY.

Remember to work on your Articles of Faith at home.
Sister Moxley and Sister Quinton

Girl names

As I post this, I'm thinking to myself.... I don't really care if you hate these names, but for some reason I am still wanting to know what you think about them.

I go for my ultrasound on Wednesday and we are finding out.
We already have decided on a Boy name, but we NEVER have YET to agree on a girl name.

As we were discussingbaby names, I asked K (3) if she could say different names we are thinking and she says to me "I can't say those names, but I can say Princess Jasmine!"

So here are four names in the running.
(No middle names yet, it depends which first name we I pick)

Emmersyn
Old English, meaning "son of emry"
41 girls named emmersyn in alberta 2009


Cosette
French, meaning "victory of people"
2 girls named Cosette in alberta 2009


Geela
Geila, meaning "joy"
0 girls in alberta 2009


Kora
Old English- Cora but with a "K", meaning "maiden"
20 with a "C", 3 with a "K" in alberta 2009


So, what do you think?
I know some of you reading this are thinking I am OCD crazy about names. I know.

One of my 2011 Goals

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles

Matt 5:16

Mosiah 5:7

One of my goals this year is to get more out of my scripture study. SAHM out there I am sure can relate. I usually open my scriptures during nap time, or else while the girls are playing, most likely I am rushed or just trying to get in the time. 

So this year I came up with some steps to help myself get more out of them. I cant change the circumstances, I am still a SAHM mom with 2 little girls and another baby on the way, but I can change a few things.

• I started a scripture journal. In the limited time I do have, I want to remember the impressions I receive, or be able to look back at what I am studying and remember my thought flow if I do get interrupted. I especially like this step because I always read something and want to remember it, and next time I need it, I only vaguely have a recollection.
• Each day I study something different. This is mostly so I don't get bogged down, I love reading and to be honest sometimes my latest book garbed my attention first. So each day I focus on: Sunday School lesson, Relief Society lesson, 2 days in my Book of Mormon, one day on the topic of my choice and finally a ensign article.  The quote at the start of this post is my topic of choice today, I thought it was to great not to share with you!
• Prayer and Ponder. I want to remember to pray about what I am reading. This helps bring inspiration and comfort as I go about my day to day.

It being only January 14, I am doing rather well. I have to remind myself some days that goals are meant to help us grow, and can be uncomfortable and not always fun. Somedays I just want to read a verse and be done, but I can already feel the change in me and my family as I strive to become better.

If you want to see a inspirational scripture journal look here!

Basement Bathroom again.

Do you remember this post?
and then how bout that one?

I am happy to announce the Basement bathroom posts are almost history!!

Monday this week was super cold so Justin spent the day working on it. Its about time considering its been untouched for months. 

Everything even WORKS!!

I am just happy he decided to finish it up, heres to hopeing the last of the tiling and the mirror and baseboards and the towel racks will be done soon.

Finishing up the counter top he made.

The sink installed

Celebrating! 

To Family. To Friends. To Justin.

"Saying sorry doesn’t mean there isn’t guilt and forgiving doesn’t mean the pain is gone"


Being almost 20 weeks pregnant, I need to get something off my chest. My family and husband know this, but I should tell them more often. Not sure if my friends know this.... they will now.


When I am pregnant..... I don't cry constantly, I don't drown my sorrows in sugar... instead....

I tend to be mean.

I know, its really sad. For my first 2 pregnancies I had no filter what-so-ever.... so I only saw family and stayed away from others. I said what I wanted and everyone had to just deal with it.


My third pregnancy I have a filter that works 2/3 of the time. SO there are days when I am mean, and I see myself doing it, and as I'm doing it I am apologizing in my head.

SO if lately I have hurt your feelings, or was mean to you.... I really don't mean it. 
I do feel bad for saying it, but that doesn't seem to stop me. 


So family, friends and mostly Justin and my girls I have been mean to you lately.... I am sorry. 


At least I am nicer in the second half of pregnancy, and I do still want friends (even though right now its hard to tell).


Love ya.