Motherhood

Oh how I loved THIS TALK from General Conference. It reminded me of my role as a mother. And encouraged me to refocus on this role, and work on some areas of improvement. As I'm pondering these thoughts, thinking of the divinity of my calling as mother, in comes Hallie with her pants around her ankles "I need wiped Mommy". As I was saying...

He referenced author "Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11)."

Hallie just said "I love helping clean up the living room mom!" And now she's playing with her sister in that pokey kind of way. Laila smiles and chuckles with her big belly, and hair that is slowly growing, but has produced one little curl over her ear. She's grabbing Hallie's hair and in response Hallie said "Can I get a little help here?". These are my children, right now. And off I go, to spend some time with my quickly aging children. Take the time to share what your children are doing RIGHT NOW.

Applesauce-Oatmeal Cookies

This is for Alexis and Sarah - per their request! I think Gwenda asked, too!

1/3 C butter or margerine, softened
2/3 C packed brown sugar
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1 1/4 C all purpose flour (I used 1/2 cup of whole wheat and 3/4 cup white flour)
1 1/4 C rolled oats

Beat butter for 30 sec on high speed.

Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda, Beat till combined.

Beat in egg and applesauce till combined.

Beat in as much flour as you can, stir in the rolled oats.

rounded teaspons, 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes, Yields about 2 dozen


I doubled this recipe... and had plenty for a weeks worth of after school snacks. They were YUMMY, very soft, cookies... and not too bad for ya! And I LOVE recipes, that contain basically everything from my pantry!!

30, Flirty and Fabulous!

Today IS the day. I've arrived!!

I was dreading this day for a few months now, it's here, it's at a close, and I made it! Thanks to several GREAT friends.

It started by two of my friends Sally and Sue (names have been changed to protect the innocent). They just HAD to be the VERY FIRST to wish me a Happy Birthday. I was sound asleep in the comfort of my own bed when at 11:47 p.m. I'm awoken to two women's voices singing Happy Birthday and throwing stones at my window. I knew exactly who it was, but wasn't sure what to do with these two crazies... eventually they left our window and we could hear them at the back door. Josh set the car alarm off from the bedroom, I couldn't believe that would work! I guess it was good timing, because it was right when Sue had leaned against the car. ANYWAY they brought me this incredibly distasteful cake, so if you're easily offended don't look on!! Either in good taste or not, it broke the ice for turning thirty, when I realized that these two, who are WAY older than me are out in the middle of the night with obscene cakes still having fun, I should have no worries turning thirty. The joke is a little inside joke, the board on the cake says "Have a hanging birthday!" O.k. so I've been a little upset about the droopy factor if you know what I mean! :)



















This morning I went to the Y, did my 30 minutes of heart improving exercise, I did take it easy, I opted for the elliptical instead of the treadmill, I mean hey, it's my birthday!

Then I came home and talked to a sister or two that called, my dad and stepmom, and a neighbor stopped by with these two framed pictures, so nice of her! Then Hallie and I went shopping, and got lost in TJMaxx for a couple of hours, I LOVE that store!! You never know what you'll find! We came home and picked up a bit, another neighbor brought over a casserole, I love elderly neighbors, they are so kind and thoughtful! A few more friends called, another dropped off a GREAT gift, so thoughtful, thanks Linds, you rock!

Josh and the kids got me an IPOD!! Sweet, I'm so in love already. I am picturing myself running miles and miles with that good friend. It came with apple stickers, and I told Josh, SWEET, I can do a scrapbook page about my new friend! We then went and enjoyed dinner, i only ate half the portion. (I hear your metabolism starts a decline when you hit thirty) We then took the kids swimming at the Y, I did a few laps, it felt great to hang with the family!

Then at the end of the night, my friend Sonia gave me my last and final gift of the night, which sums today up PERFECTLY. Just read the quote on the pillow!

Thanks to all those that called and emailed, there is NOTHING like being remembered.

Love you all!

Spring is Here.

We walked to the park on Friday night, and it felt so good to take the kids outside and enjoy the weather. It also brings lawn mowing season...

The After School Snack

My kids live for the after school snack. These are some applesauce and oatmeal cookies that turned out so yummy!! Enjoy.

One of my Favorite Layouts!

You know I lost another contest, but hey, I'm having fun scrapping and that's all that counts. Here's a layout I did for the contest that I LOVE. I had to share it, it's been stowed away for a few months now, and I can finally share it! Aren't Josh's grandparents so cute!

By the way, I'm the newest Young Women's Secretary! A lateral move, and it should be fun!

Eye Witness

to a hit and run, in a parking lot. That's what I was today, along with two other people. But no one waited but me, I called the police reported the driver and then everyone took off!! I, holding Laila, stood there in the parking lot waiting for the police to come, so that the poor driver of the Saturn, was notified of who exactly hit their car. While the police checked the vehicle they discovered the driver was 90 years old!!! He had backed into the car, and then just took off!! I was waving at him, and I know he AND his wife saw me, but did not stop!! And they both jerked forward, so I know he could at least FEEL the collision! The policeman (woman) said I can't write a ticket to a hit and run for a 90 year old man... Oh must be nice. Definitely reminds me of Fried Green Tomatoes, "I'm older, and I've got more insurance." What was more funny is the other eye witness was asked by the old man where the library was, so they were able to find the car right away!!! One reason why I'm particularly irritated with this, is that, my poor sister in high school, fell victim to a hit and run, never found the person that did it, and ended up costing her money. SO moral of the story. If you see something, call the police, report it. Take the time to help someone out. And with that, Old Geiser man with no morals, totally lucked out, too, he wasn't ticketed for a hit and run. You never know.

Tidbits

1. Missionaries for dinner, We feed them = they feed us. Great message on giving our all to the service of the Lord.

2. Spring = Fresh Produce on it's way, YUMMY!! (strawberries with angel food cake for dessert, oh and chocolate redi-whip)

3. Very Bad Rabbits = Not so many strawberry plants left...

4. 3 Job interviews = 2 job offers, and hopefully more to come!

5. 1 hour 45 minutes = 1 lawn mowed.

6. 1 fussy baby = not so much sleep for mom or baby

7. 3.2 Miles ran this morning = 1 5K and sore legs!!

8. Thursday = OFFICE night!!

9. 13 Comments = 65 sit-ups from the post about dancing!!! I am feeling it! Did you think I was joking??

10. 1 visit from the bishopric = one new calling for one of us... you'll have to wait till Sunday!

Hope you had a good Thursday, we sure were busy!

Job Interview Number Two

Josh is interviewing here today. This company is one we're definitely interested in... Please send good vibes his way. And he has another interview on Thursday.

Oh we are getting so close!

Dancing the Night Away

This is what Josh and I did, on Friday night!! SO MUCH FUN!! Our church sponsored this super fun date night with a live band, and beautiful decorations. By far, the most beautifully decorated church of all time. I mean they decorated the bathrooms, the walls, the ceilings... the theme was "An Enchanted Evening". The walls looked like stone walls, with lanterns, candles on the tables, just beautiful!! The live band The Citations was super fun, and pretty good. I LOVE to dance and forgot how much, until that music started playing, I had such a blast, by myself. Josh doesn't dance too much, but we still had a great time. He told a member of the bishopric that I had been drinking. Sweet, no primary president for me... No, I seriously was the only person that danced most of the night, it was great, and the company was even better! Josh, looked amazing, and we carpooled, EIGHT of us in one van. It was a great time. We laughed and talked, and danced. It was a much needed night. I felt like I was in college again, the night ended with some great ice cream. Needless to say the Fort Meade North crowd, rocked the night! Maybe 30 won't be so bad! Here's a quick picture of my night, with an added bonus of my shoes for my sistahs!!

Making Money... Kind of.

What a sweet book!! This is so worth it's weight in Gold. After reading the book, I bought 4 boxes of cereal for 12 cents each. It's true. Isn't that insane?? I'm on way to saving BIG money on groceries, and it really isn't that complicated. SWEET... Good luck on your grocery shopping!! I'll keep you posted on my latest savings!

PLEASE VOTE FOR BROOKE!!!

so amazing, and yet, bottom three last week?!? VOTE!!

Laila at Nine Months

Sitting up FINALLY! :) And her first discovery of grass.

More Evidence, the training wheels gone. long gone.

Hallie

Does not like missing out on the attention. It's the middle child syndrom, and I understand it perfectly. The baby gets all the attention cause she's cute and little, and learning so much. The oldest gets all the attention for learning their tricks, too. Stuck in the middle is no fun. Here's a picture of her riding her bike, heaven forbid I leave her out!

Y i love the Y.

1. FREE child care.

2. TWO HOURS of FREE child care.

3. Discounts for classes for kids.

4. FREE classes for me.

5. Whirlpool

6. Regular Pool

7. Miss Tina takes care of my kids.

8. I get to shower without worrying about kids!!

9. It has a weight room, cardio room, gym, indoor and outdoor track, and a very sweet gymnastics center.

10. Miss Amy teaches Hallie gymnastics.

11. Did I mention FREE childcare??

12. The membership is ridiculously low.

I just got home for a great workout, I've worked out 12 times in 17 days. And I'm feeling great. I must be 28!!