Chandler placing his car at the starting line.

Chandler was so excited. He placed second out of the whole group. The kid who took first was the only one who could beat his gold bullet.

I had 1/2 and 1/2 just sitting in my fridge. It was St. Patricks Day, and the kids wanted dessert. What's a mom to do? I got out the handy dandy ice cream maker, and made some festive green vanilla flavored homemade icecream. Not too bad.

Morgan enjoying her ice cream

I made this shirt for Morgan to wear on St. Patricks Day, due to her shocking lack of green in her wardrobe. And GG had sent us all kinds of hair accessories which included some cute green ones for the occasion. Thanks GG!

Morgan loves to pose lately. A new development from her more shy days.

My three little Lucky Charms.

Morgan eating her green St. Patricks Day pancakes.

Chandler has been the biggest beneficiary of going to the pool regularly. We finally got him over his fear of the water this summer, and he now does a pretty good job of treading water. Just so long as you don't make him go all the way under. (ya, his baptism was very interesting in case you were wondering)

By far, the kids favorite part of our new membership with the Alaska Club is the pool. They would go everyday if I let them. So I have to limit the trips to only once or twice a week for the older boys. The nice part is though, that Morgan and I can go over after she's done at 1pm, and I still have time after we're done to get things done at home.

The kids love climbing the rock wall in the foyer of the Alaska Club.

Gabe is the Student of the Week this week, and this is the poster the rest of the class made for him. He has a very special friend (a girl!) who is in our ward, and wrote the cutest thing for to him. (complete with hearts). I loved seeing all the wonderful things Gabe's classmates had to say about my little guy.

Did I do any good in the world, today?

I have tons of pictures to post from the last week. (spring break, St. Patty's Day, lots of cool stuff) But until then, here's what I did today. (actually yesterday)

7am- woke up, got dressed for the gym, woke up kids, and hubby.
7:30- helped Morgan pick out the perfect pair of jeans to go with her St. Patty's Day shirt.
8am- made green pancakes for the kids in honor of the day. Cleaned up, frosted cupcakes for Matt to take to work, and put Gabe's Irish Kisses on a plate. (green meringue kisses to share as his something green to eat)
8:30-Sent boys off with Matt to drop them off at school, and I took Morgan. Then I had an appointment with a personal trainer as part of my joining a new gym.
10am- back at home, showered, and got ready for my 11am piano lessons.
11am- Piano lessons
noon- Piano lessons at homeschooler's house
1:15- pick up Morgan at bus stop, then stopped off at Grandma's to visit for a little while
2pm- back home. Cleaned up, did some laundry, and made some phone calls. Sat with Morgan on my lap watching Au Pair, while I worked on the laptop. (ironically, it was next to me on the floor, not on my lap, since my little princess occupied that space)
3pm- Piano lessons with a teenage boy. (very talented)
4pm- pick up boys at bus stop.
4:30- work on homework with boys, and did multiplication flashcards with the kids.
5:30pm- Left to go meet Matt at the gym. I worked out while the kids played, then we all jumped in the pool for an hour. The kids love the pool, and Matt and I loved being able to spend time with them as a family.
8pm- Late dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for the kids and Matt. (bad mom, I know) and a salad for me.
8:30pm- Kids all in bed, and I finally get to sit down and enjoy my DV-recording of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. (I love Melissa--the bachelor is an idiot!) AI- Micheal's song was classically country, Allison did good, that girl has mad pipes. I don't think Kris has any depth to his voice, (especially for a Garth Brooks song). Lil, did just OK. I HATED Adam's version of one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. Shame on him. Scott is just adorable. There's something so innocent about him. I don't like the song "Jolene" . Danny is amazing, but I agree, the verse was not as good as the chorus. GO ANOOP! Who knew a kid from India could sing a Willy Nelson song so well? Megan is great. Quirky, but good. I love the tone of her voice. She's just different and I like it. Matt was the best of the night. Amazing pianist!

Sorry if your not an AI fan. That probably really bored you. But we had a great day, and between influencing a few piano students to better themselves and their developing talents and spending quality time with my family, I think I did some good.
3pm-

Suffer the Little Children

Morgan and I invited cousin Clayton to go with us to the gym today to go swimming. This is the conversation I overheard on the way...

Morgan: I talk to my daddy on the phone.
Clayton: yeah, I talk to my mommy all the time. You know how to talk to Jesus?
Morgan: (just sat there, looking at Clayton)
Clayton: you close your eyes, and bow your head, and then you whisper.
Morgan: (I watched her in the rear view mirror as she semi closed her eyes, and glanced over at Clayton)
Clayton: No, you have to close them all the way, and whisper what you want.
Morgan: (in a little sweet whisper) I want a poly pocket
Clayton: (also in a little whisper) I want a Diego Lego
Morgan: (not to be out prayed) I want a Diego Lego, and a Dora Lego.

I love kids, and the cute little things they say. The other day, we were at my Nephews Missionary Homecoming talk. I heard this little girl behind me ask her mom, "where's the Holy Ghost?" so casually, as if she were asking, "where's my shoes?"
Her mommy quietly whispered, "he's in your heart" To which the little girl replied, "what's he doing in there?" I couldn't help but smile.

A Day for Gratitude

My mom had an awesome post on her blog, and I thought I would also give it a try, to express what I am grateful for. I have been blessed in so many ways. I have a husband who cherishes me, and the covenants we made in the temple 10 years ago. I have 3 wonderful children, who came to us fairly easily, and they have all been healthy, happy kids. I have a house just big enough for our little family plus one large lab. I could go on and on. I know there are those who get sick of these too sweet, every things hunky dory posts. But let me tell you the reason I try to focus on these positives in my life.

I have a normal life. My husband does things that annoy the crap out of me, and I have a son who suffers from Aspurgers (cousin to Autism). We have struggled over the years to make ends meat. We have had friends steal from us, and have been taken advantage of. But all these things are blessings, and I'll tell you why. Because we have been given the strength to endure these trials. We have had to face them, and we have come away with lessons learned, and been better because of them.

So, you see, I am very blessed. I was raised with the knowledge that I am a child of God, who loves me, and my Savior died for me. For those who have similar trials, or ones that seem so insurmountable, know that you are not alone. I may not understand the hardships you are going through, because they are not mine to bear. But know that there is One, who does know, because He bore them for you. He has been through every heart ache, every disappointment, every trial you have every felt, He has felt it as well, because He paid the ultimate price for you. It has taken me a long time to realize that even though I like to be independent, and completely self reliant, I can't do it all on my own. It wasn't meant to be that way. We do need help, and its okay to ask for it.

Hats off to the Duggars

Have you seen this show? I am totally sucked into the story of this amazing family of now 18 kids. I can't even imagine. And the mom doesn't run around yelling at all the kids. She's calm, patient, and very loving. They live frugally, teaching their kids good values on saving money, learning to shop good deals, and saving for things you really want instead of paying with debt cards. I also love that they don't use the TV as a babysitter. Out of all the reality shows on TV nowadays, I would definitely recommend this one. I can't say I'm at all interested in having that many kids, but my hat is off to those who do, and do it well. Teaching them respect, love, and values that I think homes where there are only one or two kids are seriously missing. Look at the "octamom" and then look at the Duggars, and I think you'll be able to draw a sharp contrast in family values, and the importance of not only a home where there is a mom AND a dad, but manner in which they conduct themselves. I just love this cute family, with all their southern charm and little quirks.

Announcements! (no, not that kind)

I took the kids into town with Grandma and I today. We had errands to run, and I wanted to take the kids to the movies. The cheep theatre was playing "Inkheart". Before we hit the movies, we took the kids to China King Buffet. They loved it. Well, halfway through lunch, Morgan announces to me that she has to use the ladies room. So I get up and take her. On the way to the restrooms, is this half wall, that separates the buffet tables from the eating area. We finish in the bathroom, wash up, and head toward our tables. I'm just walkin' along, with Morgan behind me, and all of a sudden I hear this "Ooops, I forgot to wipe my butt!" And as I turn around to follow her, I see half the restaurant turn to look at me. They're all lookin' at me, because of the half wall, they can't see Morgan. And by then, she has ran back to the bathrooms anyway.

Now, I was not only embarrassed by her announcement that I'm sure half the restaurant thought had come from me, but also by the fact that she did not adhere to my rule about using a different term for her derriere. (the kids know I hate it when they say butt, and not something like tush, or bottom)

Frozen Cookie Dough

Okay, so I saw this idea on a really awesome blog a while ago, and today, I happened to have time when the kids came home from school to implement it. I made a batch of cookie dough, (this one is a chocolate peanut butter cookie) then I line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Then, using my handy dandy "Pampered Chef" cookie scoop (I don't know how I ever lived without those things) I scoop perfect little balls of dough out onto the pan. Then I slide it into the freezer, and wait till they are frozen. Then, I just put them in a gallon size bag. Why do this you ask? Well, my kids love fresh baked cookies. But my thighs do not. If I make a whole batch, I'm sitting there eating dough, and warm cookies with the kids. This way, I can pull out 4-5 balls for the kids to eat, bake them up, feed them to the kids, and I don't have tons of cookies sitting around my house tempting me. Genius, right? This is also great for those empty nesters, who want a little sweet treat now and then, but don't want to be left with too much sitting around.

This is the finished product. Really yummy chocolate peanut butter cookies any time the kids come home and want home made cookies!

storing

Once they're frozen, I put them in a gallon size bag, and label it with what kind of cookie dough is inside.

Here it is, resting nicely in my drawer freezer. I'm exited to add to this. Each of my kids likes different kinds of cookies, and I don't need dozens of cookies sitting around the house, so this works perfect for our family.

My little artist

Morgan is big into coloring lately. Thank goodness for those Mr. Clean magic erasers! They have been HER life savor. She likes to color everywhere. Couch, arms, legs, piano legs, my floor. You name it. And so far, (knock on wood) there has yet to be a mark I could not remove.

Gabe loves to sit and color with his sister. Its a great blessing as a mother, to have children get along. Gabe is definitely the peace maker of our family. He's our little Sam. (as in Nephi, Lemuel, and Sam?)

Lion, definately Lion

Check out the lovely present that mother nature left us for the Month of march!

Gabe digging one of his many snow caves that he likes to do whenever it snows a lot.

Let it Snow!

Morgan wading through the foot and a half of new snow in our front yard.

Butterly Kisses

This is my first attempt at chocolate sculpting. :) I piped these butterfly wings on wax paper, let them harden, then placed them on the cupcake, and added antennas. What do you think? I'd like to try some other things. I did bats last year for Halloween. But I really want something harder....like faces, or something.

Win a Cool Gift From Yours Truly

I saw this on both my sister-in-law's blog, and a good friend also, so I thought, why not. I don't know if all 5 people that read this blog will want something homemade from me, but here goes anyway.

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (But I won't make something horrible on purpose.)
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. That gives me a good nine months to get it done.
4. You have no clue what or when its going to be. Its all on my time. But I'll do my best to seek inspiration in what will be perfect for you, individually.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange (but don't expect my gift to be too strange because I am not good at coming up with strange things :).

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repeat this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
* Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!
**What you get from me, might not be so awesome, but it will be from me, so that's a plus, right?

Our little Peter Pan

This is a conversation I had with Gabe the other day while we were driving somewhere.

Gabe: What's after Kink? (elementary school)
Mom: Middle School
Gabe: Middle School, then I go to college?
Mom: Middle school, then high school, then you go to college and on a mission
Gabe: Mom, I don't wanna grow up.
Mom: How come?
Gabe: Cause its scary
Mom: What's scary about it?
Gabe: I'm scared of what you and dad did.
Mom: (now I'm scared....and I knew when I asked, that someday I might regret asking the following) What did we do?
Gabe: You know, when you got together and....
Mom: Got married? (please let him be talking about marriage)
Gabe: Ya, I'm scared of that.
Mom: Why? (I'm so dumb for asking these follow up questions)
Gabe: I'm scared of the asking part.
Mom: Your afraid to ask someone to marry you?
Gabe: ya
Mom: (sigh of relief) Well, you can ask your dad how scared he was when he asked me.