Twenty-Three Years of Us

I’m so grateful for Friday date nights, for laughing with you, and for the life we’ve created. I love you more every single day. 💕

Because I am not good with words, I have asked ChatGPT to write a whimsical poem about us. I thought it was so cute, I might do it again next year.

“I Didn’t Plan on Buying Holiday Decor… Then I Met Phyllis”

Jae and I went to Goodwill yesterday. I had no intentions of buying holiday decor, but then I met Phyllis...

Who is Phyllis?  She is the star of the show, Phyllis the witch (I named her Phyllis—she just looks like a Phyllis). I love the turkeys, pumpkin, and bunny rabbit. The candle holder is so pretty; I can’t decide whether to paint it or leave it as is. I thought it would be fun to make those ghost candles and put them in for Halloween.

Oh—and the “Thankful” sign! I started decorating for Christmas in November last year, and my boys were not having it. So this year, I’m planning to add white and gold turkeys and pumpkins to my Christmas decor for the month of November, along with the white "Thankful" sign.

  I found more stuff at Hobby Lobby that I can't wait to buy too!

But again… the true star of the show is Phyllis.

Why would anyone get rid of Phyllis?

I Bought a New Book

 

I bought a new book.  Amazon Prime deals have been this week.  I need to back up and say (in case you didn't know) that I love home decor.  I found a new show that I love.  Fixer to Fabulous w/Dave and Jenny Marrs.  I love their style and I love their values.  Jenny wrote a book.  "House + Love = Home."  The book is a couple of years old.  This week on Amazon the book was on sell for $9.70 (normally $30).  So I snagged it and received the book today.  I haven't even started the 1st chapter and I already love the book.  It resonates with me.  If you know me, you know my favorite place to be is home with my favorite humans.  Some of my favorite quotes so far... 

"Seeking beauty is an intentional choice..." 

"We can choose to give a foothold to shame... or we can throw open the door and fill the table with friends and serve take-out pizza on paper plates." "...home should feel like a warm blanket wrapped around you in the night, the place where you can feel safe and held and loved regardless of the dark world outside the window.  Home is the place you are always excited to return to, even after an amazing adventure someplace new.  Home beckons the soul."

"...a home should be a reflection of the family that lives there..."

"in your home, you should be surrounded by the people and things you love.  Your people should feel welcome and safe.  There should be intentional spaces carved out for the ones you cherish..."

I cant wait to discover more inspiration I continue reading.

Family time

 You know when you have good kids when they are adults and teenagers and want you to hang out with them.  I had a great evening going to Game Stop, Ross, and Target with all 3 of my kids.  I love them.

 We have been switiching our flour to Kamut flour.  Our family loves the taste of it, and i think it is so much better for you.  I made these cookies today.  

Peanut butter cookies. These are a favorite recipe of ours. It was easy to just replace the white flour with Kamut. I doubled the recipe so instead of 3 cups of all purpose flour we used 2 1/4 cups of white Kamut flour. So delicious. We shared with friends at church. #peanutbuttercookies#eatdessertfirst #cookies #kamut #foodnanny  #homemade #mysweetlife #myhomesweethome\

 Wow.  It's been 8 years since I have posted anything on my blog.  A lot has happened.  We moved 8 years ago this August.  A lot has changed. I haven't been on here for years.  It has been so fun reading through this.

I usually just post on IG.  My IG account. @Making_my_happy_life.  Here is today's post:

I went and made a ministering visit tonight so I didn’t eat with the family. I loved the sweet and sour chicken and had a tiny bit but with making cookies today I needed to keep my dinner light (you can’t make cookies and not eat them). So this is dinner and it’s pretty good. If you know me you know I love tortillas but they can be high in points. So Joseph Lavish bread has become a staple. One whole is just 2 points. Then cooking an egg and butternut squash, both zero points. I spray with zero point Parkey butter spray. Don’t forget my favorite Kinders “The Blend!” 

A late night snack too.  Edamame w/flaked salt.  zero points. 

This is a 2 point meal and it’s pretty good. Btw, I have lost 34 lbs so far. Pretty good for someone who is turning 55 years old in 2 months. 

#weightwatchers # wwpoints @weightwatchers

Thought of the Day

I am friends with a gal on FB who posted about some famous Christian lady that she basically thinks is a "wolf in sheeps clothing."  I guess other people feel the same way.  Well apparently other people are bashing this gal for saying how she feels.  I don't know this lady, but I just wanted to share some short thoughts on being a Christian.  I also commented this same thing on her post.  Not sure how she feels about my thoughts, as I am a Latter-day Saint (LDS a.k.a Mormon).

• We all interpret scripture differently but we are all followers of Jesus Christ. My definition of a Christian is being a disciple of Jesus Christ. If we claim to be His disciple we should have Christlike love towards everyone even despite differences we all have the same end goal in mind. In my church we have a song that the children learn when they are young. The song is my favorite song and I try to keep it in my heart.
  
  The first verse goes,
  
  "I'm trying to be like Jesus;
  I'm following in his ways.
  I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say...
  
  Chorus
  "Love one another as Jesus loves you.
  Try to show kindness in all that you do.
  Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
  For these are the things Jesus taught."

Anyway, just my thoughts.  

My Daughter

I just have to brag out about my Jaedyn Belle this morning.  She turned 8 in January.  When my children turn 8 we have them start doing Fast Sunday's with us.  Now that church starts at 1 pm it is really hard to fast so long.  About 30 minutes ago she told me she was hungry.  I told her since she fasted through breakfast that she could go ahead and eat lunch if she wanted.  She told me no, she wants to fast.  So proud of that girl and the choices she makes!  When she was baptized she was just giddy with excitement.  When she came out of the water she was so excited she wanted to do it again.  I love that girl and the example she is!

Preston's Prayers

I love to hear Preston's prayers.  He tells stories in his prayers.  As it should be.  Kyle is flying home from Chicago right now.  Preston said prayers for dinner tonight.  He was going on naming each one of us saying that he loves us and he comes to Kyle and says, "I love dad..."  then he pauses and says, "but I miss dad."  So sweet and so real.

He misses his dad everyday while he is at work.  He will ask me, "Is dad driving?" (a.k.a. "Is dad on his way home from work.")  Today we tried to explain that no he is not driving but he is in an airplane in the sky coming home.  He was not quite sure how to understand this. 

Cerreta Chocolate Factory

We went to the Chocolate Factory in Glendale. The kids had a lot of fun. I wanted to come home and watch "I Love Lucy" after watching the candy go down the conveyer belt. After they got to make Chocolate Pizzas.

Since I don't like chocolate, the kids were a little concerned about me walking through with the nasty chocolate smell.  I joked with them that I might have to wear a mask.  I didn't and I survived. 

Happy Valentines to my SWEET family.  It sure has been a fun school year so far.

Homeschool Perks: Fun Night of Learning

The kids and I stayed up past the I bedtime last night.  We had a lot if fun while they were learning Science and they didn't even know it.  I got to teach them about the Creation and how Science goes along with it.  The different parts of Science.  Drew learned that there is a Science called Zoology and was very excited about that.  Then we started talking about Galileo and the pendulum and how it works.  We watched a bunch of cool YouTube videos showing pendulums and some how started watching videos about experiments with eggs.  Fun night and they didn't even realize they were learning.  

The "Human"

Preston wanted me to go to the "human" to get tortillas today. I told him I would go to the store to get some. No, he wants tortillas from the "human." lol! We have a tortilla lady here in Buckeye. I haven't bought some from her for a while. So I called our "Human" tortilla lady to order tortillas to have for tomorrow.

Article about the homeschooling family in Germany

http://www.christianpost.com/news/supreme-court-orders-obama-admin-to-respond-to-romeike-homeschoolers-petition-109532/http://www.christianpost.com/news/supreme-court-orders-obama-admin-to-respond-to-romeike-homeschoolers-petition-109532/http://www.christianpost.com/news/supreme-court-orders-obama-admin-to-respond-to-romeike-homeschoolers-petition-109532/

Quotes from my 2 1/2 year old

"What the craps?"  "Oh craps!"

Redhead Quotes.

"Of course, part of the problem with redheads is that there aren't enough of them. They make up just two percent of the population. So they're pretty extraordinary. Redheads are too numerous to be ignored, too rare to be accepted." Grant McCracken

"I love being a redhead. It's a rare thing, so I think there's a bond between redheads." Laura Prepon

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead." Lucille Ball

"If you want trouble... find yourself a redhead."

"You'd find it easier to be bad than good if you had red hair," said Anne reproachfully. "People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is." -Anne to Marilla in Anne of Green Gables

"Blondes are noticed but redheads are never forgotten."-Unknown

"Please just call me red-headed and forgive me."-Anne to Gilbert in Anne's House of Dreams

"Nobody who has known a redhead can say that redheads are tame. Even shy redheads have a burning spark of adventure inside them. Opinionated, hotheaded, logical, loyal, friendly, reserved, whatever the redheads' personality, you can bet they'll have SCADS of it!"-Review of The Redhead Encyclopedia

"I do believe my redheadedness plays a huge part in who I am. If I were a blonde or brunette, I would be an entirely different person."

"We redheads are a minority, we tend to notice each other - you know, and notice our identity."-Juliann Moore, actress

"All throughout history, from Reuben to Robbins, redheads have been recognized as a rare breed. Blondes may have more fun, brunettes may be brainier, but when it comes down to raw energy, creativity, and personality ... you just can't beat a redhead well, you can, but beware ... she'll probably beat you back!"-Redheads Unlimited

"While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats."-Mark Twain

"Ruadh gu brath!"Scots gaelic for "Red heads forever!"

"It's not the hair that turns men on, it's the spirit that redheads exude."


"When a fellow has a home and a dear, little, red-haired wife in it what more need he ask of life?"-Gilbert in Anne's House of Dreams

"Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but it takes a real man to handle a redhead."

"Out of the ash I rise with my red hair, and eat men like air." -Sylvia Plath

"I used to hate my red hair, but now I love the attention I get with it. I think that very smart, daring men love red hair, and I love that in a man."

"Redheads have been nicknamed demons by my associates and I because of what they can do to the human heart. Best thing that's hit the Earth, ever. Never had too much luck with them though. Advice is accepted...."

"The attraction to redheads is a lot like being addicted to drugs."


"Redheaded people are highly intelligent. They have many admiers, and marry young." - unnamed London scientist


**thanks to another Red for the quotes!**

Bucket List

 I am soooo excited to have my kiddo's home for the summer.  We have some fun stuff planned.  We decided to make a "Bucket List" of activities to do.  I am sure we will add some and not do some.  I can't wait for them to be home!                                         

1.    Interview grandparents w/video camera. ) - Friend March 2012 


2.    Interview each child w/video camera. – 5000 days project www.twobrothersthemovie.com
 
3.    Fair

4.    Fly a Kite

5.    Go fishing

6.    Geocaching up North

7.    Grand Canyon

8.    Read stories to the kids (Boxcar Series)

9.    Play on the swingset

10.   Sleep at GramC’s and Grandpa’s

11.   Sleep at Grammy and Grandpa’s

12.   Treasure Hunt

13.   Go Swimming (A Lot)

14.   Have sleepovers

15.   Library

16.   Buckeye activities

17.   Movie Theater

18.   Hikes

19.   Ride bikes

20.  Go for walks

21.   Wii tournaments 

22.  Fifty Nifty United States

23.  Camp in backyard.

24.  Roast Marshmallows

25.  Read books!

Homemade Hamburger Buns (Bread Machine)

I am making homemade hamburger buns today. It was sooooo easy (I like easy). We will see how they taste at dinner tonight. Cooking is not my favorite thing to do but when you are trying to pinch penny's you find yourself cooking from scratch more. I guess it is teaching me to be more self-sufficient which is a good thing and, I think, kind of cool.

Anyway, I got the recipe (and picture) from this website, food.com. The recipe had 5 stars, I don't like to get a recipe unless it has 4 1/2 to 5 stars. The big test is to see how my family likes it.

Note: They loved the homemade buns. After I cooked them, I sliced them in half and put them under the broiler to crisp them up a bit. We are trying to eat healthier so I didn't butter them (on a weekend though I might butter them first and add a bit of honey and then put it under the broiler). YUM!

Who am I?

Who I am...

I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a friend. I am proud to be a mom. I love my husband and my children passionately and I am a stay at home mom and I LOVE it!! I am easy going. I am generally a happy person. I believe in God. I am grateful for the atonement, because I have certainly needed it throughout my life. I am grateful for a a church that excepts imperfect people, because I am so far from being perfect. I believe that we are here on this earth to be tested and tried and to learn and grow. I believe families can be together forever. I believe marriage should be between a husband and wife. I am conservative. Sometimes I like to listen to Rush, Hannity, and Beck. I have strong beliefs and I know others have different beliefs and that is OK. I don't like confrontation, but sometimes I say things before I think. Thank goodness for forgiving family and friends. I come from a family of farmers. My father was a pig farmer. I eat meat, some of my family hunts and they eat the meat they hunt. I have friends that don't believe the same way or live the same way I do and that is their choice but I don't think they are bad people. I am grateful that we all have freedom to choose how and what we believe. Sometimes I will post things that other people disagree with, in fact I have family that disagree with my thoughts too, but we still love each other and get along and like each other despite our thoughts. I am grateful and proud to be an American. Thank goodness for freedom of speech and freedom to go to church where and when we want to. I thank my Heavenly Father every Sunday that my family lives in a land where we are able to worship where we want. I try to read my scriptures and pray daily. I am trying to teach my children to do the same. I am trying to raise them with conservative values. I want them to grow up reading the Book of Mormon, The Bible and the other standard works. I want them to read other good books, and to read the classics. I want them to grow up learning about our past so they know how to live in the future.

I try to believe in the best of others. I don't like gossip. I try not to gossip and tend to stay away from people who do. I try not to judge, I don't have that right. We all make mistakes, none of us are perfect. We are all just trying to live the best life each of us knows how.

These are just my ramblings, This is who I am.

Power of Moms - Deliberate mom and wife.

Thankful

I just read a post on FB that made me sad and grateful at the same time. Sad for that person and at the same time I feel so blessed.

I am so grateful to have a husband that loves and adores me. Even despite my silly weaknesses. He loves me. I am grateful to have a husband who is my best friend. I am grateful that we would rather spend time with each other then anyone else. I am grateful that I have that love for him in return.

I am grateful for my simple life. I am thankful for my children who love me and who think that I am "the best mom ever!" I am grateful to have the Gospel in my life and I am grateful for my Savior.

I am truely blessed!