growing up

Can't believe how fast my kids are growing up. Lydia is blossoming into a young woman. I've actually caught a young man at church looking at her. As a Mom, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Maybe we wont be getting those braces after all.....lol.

Trick or Treat?

It's that time of year again. Time to go candy begging door-to-door!

No, I really love Halloween. I have to say, I don't make home-made costumes like my Mom did when I was little, but I still get into it, nonetheless. We kept it simple this year, especially since we are in a new neighborhood, and Derek's parents were coming back for their mission on the 30th. Derek took the kids around neighborhood, while Whitney and I, passed out candy. There were some great costumes this year!

Lydia was an Indian maiden, Kate a dancer(go figure!) and Jake was Woody, from Toy Story. Of course they got way too much candy, and of course, I had to steal some from each bag :)

Times... they are a-changing

Well, since I have went Private on my blog, no one reads it anymore. Maybe I'm just boring everyone to death...lol..oh well.

Lots of changes in our household for October. After much consideration, I decided to get a job, to help out our family. Since moving here to Utah, money has been a little tight, and I'm slowly realizing how much things cost here. Derek is blessed to have a wonderful job that is 7days on/7 days off, which would afford him a second job if needed. He started to look to do some home health, and every place he called he there were no openings.
Fast forward 4 weeks, I am in Crisps grocery store in Salem, shopping, and I just happen to ask a lady at the customer service counter if they are hiring. She said they were, and asked me about my experience. I told her that I had worked at a bakery before as a closer, donut fryer, and cake decorator.
She asked me to fill out an application, and get back with her. I didn't realize I was talking to the owner at the time. I turned in my app the next day, and didn't hear from them for a week(we had been on vacation too.) I called the day after we got back, and she surprisingly told me over the phone that she wanted to hire me, pending my interview. Went in for my interview, and got the job. My shift doesn't interfere with my kids lives(they are still home in bed, ha!), and to tell you the truth- it's kinda nice to get out and be my own entity for a while.
True, it may not be a glamorous job, but I feel that Heavenly Father helped me to find this job. The hours work for me, and this was not an advertised job, so I think divine intervention totally played a part. Getting up at 4:30 am is rough some mornings, but luckily, it hasn't been too difficult.
Fast forward another week, Derek gets a call from a co-worker, who works opposite weeks-we will call him Paul- Paul is a contract worker for home-health, and his boss asks him if he knows of any PTs at the hospital, who are looking for work. Paul passes Derek's name onto his boss, Derek's makes calls, fills out paperwork, and gets hired. Woo-hoo.

Another change in the family- Steve and Curtis are living with us for a bit. Good thing we finished that bedroom downstairs. I was wondering why I felt prompted to finish it, and found most of the supplies (closet doors for free, Closetmaid rack system for 5$ at DI, floor moldings for very little)cheap and quickly.

The final change of the month-Derek's Mom and Dad are coming home from thier LDS mission tomorrow! They bought a house, and we have been busy getting it ready for them. Its been fun working together with all the siblings, but it has kept us very busy! I fall into bed now most nights from sheer exhaustion!

God's country

The kids had a couple of days off for school, so we decided to head on down to Hurricane, to visit the Cahoons.It was nice to just relax and not have an agenda to stick to. On Friday, we headed out towards Springdale, Utah to pick apples at an orchard, and to help the Cahoons take some family pictures for their Christmas cards. My girls enjoyed walking down the long rows, looking for the gala apples. We only found a few(it was late in the season)but we managed to make some very messy caramel apples, once we got home. The Cahoons had to head back home, and we headed onto Zions Natl Park.
I wasn't sure how much I would like the rock formations, since I'm kinda a tree and grass girl. I loved it! It was a nice cool day, and the best part-they had a tram that took you to the different areas, so you didn't completely wear yourself out, although Kate had a pretty hard time on some of the trails. It was really interesting to me to see that beautiful park, and I felt reverence for those creations. There was a couple sitting on the Tram discussing how Zion's Park was "too religious"- Some of the parks main attractions have biblical names. I really wanted to say something, but I have to be respectful of others beliefs.
I would love to go back without the children to do some of the more "difficult" trails.

More crafts...

I've been feeling pretty crafty lately. Maybe something in the Utah water? lol... Anyhow, I saw this paper craft on the Inspiring Creations blog @ http://lindseyscraftlist.blogspot.com/2010/08/paper-fan-flower-wreath.html

I knew I had most of the stuff on hand, and it's mostly paper folding, so how hard could it be? Turns out, it was really easy! Took a little time to fold all the paper fans, and glue them together, but the result looked nice. Here is my version.
I added a little crow, because I'm kinda into them right now.



We also had a Super Saturday craft day at church last week. We made some really cute cards. Thought I would share a few with you.


Sorry the pictures arent very clear. Been having some camera issues. Can't wait till I get my new one next week!

heirloom tomatoes

I just love tomatoes. Derek hates them with a passion, but to me, nothing tastes as good as a home grown tomato. Last night we went to Di and Steve's house for ice cream sundaes. All of the boys headed to the Priesthood session of Conference, while we sat around and gabbed. The Reich's have a good-sized garden, and earlier this Spring we helped a bit preparing their beds. They have been nice enough to share several zucchinis and tomatoes with us. Last night Di gave us several types of heirloom tomatoes and tomatillos to take home. Cant wait to use them on pizza tonight and the tomatillos will make great salsa later this week. Can't wait until next year, so we can have our own garden again.

Halloween Fun

When I was a kid, Halloween was a huge thing in our family. I can remember deciding weeks before, what our costumes would be. My mom often sewed them for us. My sister was a tube of Crest toothpaste one year.

Anyways, I've always had a fondness for Halloween. A great excuse to get dressed up, and eat candy. What more could you want? It figures I would marry someone who didn't celebrate Halloween as a child. For a few years I didn't push the subject, but as Lydia got older, she wanted to trick-or-treat like her friends. We started out slow, going to church trunk-or-treats, then progressed to full blown neighborhood candy-begging. Derek is still not into Halloween, but will go to parties with us, etc.

This year, I wanted to do a Halloween countdown calendar, and saw this really cute idea on Studio 5. I knew I had most of the supplies( mostly scrapping stuff). Each day has a treat or money, inside of the little pocket. It was really fun to make. I think I may de-string the pockets, and laminate them, so I can reuse it next year.

return to the old ways

I can remember as a child watching my Mom slave away in the hot kitchen, "putting up" enough tomatoes for a small army. I often wondered by she did this. I was usually in charge of grabbing the tomatoes out of the ice water, peeling, and placing the tomatoes in jars. I got excited when my Mom got out the Squeezo-Strainer machine. I knew we would be making tomato juice that day. That machine was so cool, separating the tomato pulp, from the juice. I personally never touched the stuff, but my Dad often enjoyed a glass with his morning breakfast.

I can remember the first time I canned without my Mom. I was living in Conway, and Holly Bell and I, both had newborns. Somehow we got it into our heads, that we wanted to make Peach jam. Not sure where we got the notion. I think maybe we had made a trip to Collins Round Mountain Orchard to pick peaches and nectarines. Anyhow, we had no idea what to do, so we got online, researched, and headed off to Kroger to buy jars and a water bath. It was quite comical. We made a huge mess, but at the end of the day, were really happy to see those little jars lined up on the counter. It was such a feeling of accomplishment. It made me think back to a time when you could not go to the store, and just pick something off the shelf. Gardening and canning, was vital to your livelihood. You could not survive the winters if you had not "put up" during the summer months.

I know church leaders behave encouraged us to self-sufficient. I think canning is one of these areas I could improve in. Derek and the kids were able to head to Genola this week and pick some produce from the Ewells Family garden. I was so surprised when they came back with a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes, a huge bag of fresh green beans, Yukon gold potatoes, and onions, from the garden. This is the first year we haven't had some sort of garden, so I was grateful. I spent a couple of days making a game plan for canning, locating jars, and a water bath. I was able to put up 12 quarts of tomatoes. I already used a quart last night to make Spanish rice. Yum! I'm proud to report, the potatoes have already been eaten(gosh they were good!) and the onions are drying on the back porch. Hopefully next Spring we will get our garden beds cleaned out, and have our own little garden haven :)

getting to know you..

Since the bigs have gone back to school, I have a shadow. It seems Jacob does not like to be alone. I can't walk out out of the room, without him asking me where I am going. He is always asking what I am doing, and wanting to help. I have discovered that he likes to help put the silverware away, and loves having Mommy reading him a story(the girls normally do) So, Jake and I are getting know each other better, and really enjoying it.

more changes

Well, here it is September 1st. Where did the time go? Was it just 9 months ago we arrived with all our belongings, stuffed to the gills, in our Uhaul truck? What a move that was. Of course it wasn't our only move of the year(you know how we are)
We bought a house, and have been busy making it our own. Derek has been a huge help in finishing one of the bedrooms downstairs. He amazes me at how he just learns how to do these things. I wouldn't know the first thing about hanging closet doors, or putting up trim moulding!

Well, with all the changes in our life the past 9 months, it also makes me reflect on the years we spent in Arkansas, doing the same thing...living our lives. How I miss Arkansas. The past 2 weeks in a new Ward have been unbearable. I feel like such an outsider, looking in. Now, I must remind myself that about 5 months ago, I felt the same way in Cambridge Ward. Time wore on, and I started to feel more comfortable, and then of course, we move. I still see people from the old Ward, friends, my cello teacher, book club buddies, but it's just not the same.

Here in Utah, people live in their own little cocoons. I really believe that they don't feel the need to make friends, because they have grown up here, and already have friends, and their families, to occupy their time. Don't even get me started on how rude they can be- professed Christ-like Mormons. People cutting you off in traffic, giving you snide looks because they disapprove of something you are doing, going to yard sales, and having people ripping stuff out of your hands, or cutting in front of you, or taking something you already have your hand on. What are there Barbarians here? I miss my Southern hospitality. I know I sound a bit jaded, but these are just my observations.

Derek already has a calling-poor guy-Assistant Scout Master-never mind he is the
2nd assistant, and the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. It's good for him, keeps him young.

I'm very fortunate to live near Derek's family, don't get me wrong. His parents will be returning from their mission in Poland, at the end of next month, so that will be nice for the kids to get re-acquainted with them again.

Just like the 80's sitcom says: You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have, The Facts of Life. Hmm... feeling the need to watch Nick at Night..lol

Pizza, it's whats for lunch...

I found a bakery in Salt Lake that specializes in Gluten-Free breads, called Charlotte's Bakery. They have a pretty good variety of breads, cupcakes, and other desserts, like pies! Yum.
Last week I picked up the some of their foccacia bread, and have been making pizzas ever since! Derek's brother Damon gave me some fresh Basil from his garden, and it's perfect topping for them.

Back to school 2010

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Snapped some photos before the kiddos headed off to school this morning. My kids are growing fast. Of course Jake had to be in the pictures too. I love this time of year with all the new supplies, backpacks, and uniforms. Kinda makes me wish I was going back :)

Lydia the pre-teen

When did this happen? My child is 12! Offically in the Young Women's Program now. I'm feeling quite old! She decided she wanted a sleep-over party for her birthday. I hate to say, it was way easier thatn a traditional party. We watched movies, had pizza and smores, made cut picture frames, and stayed up way to late. Two of the girls didnt go to sleep until 2am! Here's a few pictures...

Kate is 6!

For Kate's birthday we had a small princess party, with her neighborhood freinds. They had so much fun dressing as thier favorite Disney Princess. I'm not sure what happened to Kate, she changed into a regular dress right before the party... Katie W.
Paisley N. and Cali P. attended.

We started out the party by making Princess cards, and then cut our princess cakes
courtesy of Walmart- Belle, Tiana, and one Barbie-bakery gave us an extra because they lost our original order) We also played a couple of games, put the crown on the princess(like pin-the-tail)and to finish up, a pinata down in the basement. Those girls can move, when there is candy involved....lol

slip-n-slide

It's getting hot in here....

Yesterday was the first day we approached 100 degrees. We have mostly been inside packing, but sometimes you just need to take a break. Our neighbors had a slip-n-slide, and invited the kids over to cool off. The kids enjoyed getting wet, and took breaks on the warm side walk to warm up. Jacob kept drinking from the fountains on the slide. So cute!

5th of July?

Since the 4th was on a Sunday this year, we decided to wait until Monday to shoot off our fireworks.
Randy, Dara, Shea, Ashton, and Sidney, came down from South Jordan, and we made a total mess of the street. The White's brought this huge package of Fireworks from Costco. I almost felt guilty shooting off the fireworks on our newly paved street. The smoke bombs left big colored marks on the pavement. We started around 8:30,
and didn't finish until after 10:30. I'm sure the neighbors were real happy with us!

We had a blast-literally! My ears are still ringing....lol

Happy 5th!

Eclipse!

My Jacob lolipop!

a kiss for Jacob
My nephew imitating Bella's constant blank stare.

Not sure how this never got posted, but here it is over 1 month later. Thanks to my friend Cindy, we got invited to a Eclipse Premier Party @ The District in Draper on opening night. I had a blast with my niece Whitney and nephew Curtis, yucking it up, Twilight style.

My friend Cindy was in charge of the Pre-party where we got "glittered" like Edward, got tribal tatoos like Jacob, and were able to "pose" with our favorite characters. Even got a glam T-shirt for the occasion.

After seeing the movie, I have to say I'm not team Jacob anymore. I am team "Charlie".. Now I know what your thinking, there is no mass appeal with him, but I just love his character and his "Super" line in the movie. Besides who are we kidding, what more attractive than a man with a steady job...lol