More Then MOM

The Cruller

2012-02-13T08:12:00.001-05:00

The Cruller
Two years back I wrote a blog on my love of the French Cruller made by Dunkin Donuts.... it got noticed by a reporter from the Boston Globe and she contacted me! It is cool to have been noticed in this big world of blogs!
http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-12/metro/31049214_1_donuts-worker-dunkin-doughnuts

Insiteful

2012-01-24T11:49:00.001-05:00

"I don’t know much. But I know that each time I see something heartbreaking on the news, each time I encounter a problem outside, the answer to the problem is inside. The problem is AWAYS me and the solution is ALWAYS me. If I want my world to be less vicious, then I must become more gentle. If I want my children to embrace other children for who they are, to treat other children with the dignity and respect every child of God deserves, then I had better treat other adults the same way. And I better make sure that my children know beyond a shadow of a doubt that in God’s and their father’s and my eyes, they are okay. They are fine. They are loved as they are. Without a single unless. Because the kids who bully are those who are afraid that a secret part of themselves is not okay." http://momastery.com/blog/

Breakfast with Santa

2011-12-14T09:17:00.003-05:00

Bronwen Anna Past.... Present.... Future

2011-05-31T08:18:00.001-04:00

This is my genealogy blog: bronwenanna.blogspot.com

The Christmas Story by Kids

2010-12-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

I copied this from a friends blog and thought it was adorable! One of my favorite parts was a fairy came down and they flied there and the three amigos!

Laney's First Tap Recital

2010-12-21T09:15:00.003-05:00

Our bug has been dancing ten weeks and adores it! She was absolutely adorable!

Our Annual Tree cutting!

2010-12-09T09:47:00.011-05:00

This Past weekend we went and cut our Christmas Tree! It was a beautiful crisp day and the search was on!

Dawson was not exactly the most enthusiastic of participants.....

....... until he got the saw in his hands!

Laney was happy to observe!

Then Ashlyn took her turn! She is quite the tom boy!

Winter fun!

..... and a cute picture of me! (fortunately and unfortunately for us Kenneth was behind the lens most of the time...... soooo I do not have have any oh so adorable pics of my honey from our family excursion!)

A Year in status!

2010-12-09T09:43:00.002-05:00

I came across this nifty facebook app that takes status's you have posted for the year and turns them into a year in review! Below is mine and I was impressed!

First day of School

2010-09-08T08:23:00.003-04:00

Another year has started and it amazes me how much they have grown and matured over the summer!

"Legs"

2010-08-05T12:35:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to take this opportunity to let Ashlyn know how very proud I am of her... she maintains a busy schedule for a 9 year old because she is social, enthusiastic and a joiner, she helps constantly and is considerate of others. She has a passion for soccer and her U10 traveling soccer team was undefeated this season! Go Little Cats!

The Summer is getting away from me

2010-08-04T08:49:00.004-04:00

I can not believe is is August? I can not believe I am thinking about school shopping and prepartion? I can not believe fall soccer will be starting soon? Where did this summer go?
Our family has been super busy. It has been an eventful summer. Everyday we are busy busy!! Working, getting the kids to day camp, summer school, participating in the summer reading program at the library. Camping, a trip to the Syracuse Zoo, movies,local parades, an amazing visit from my sister in LA with the bear bear, swimming at my brother in laws and the local pool.... So the theme of the summer has been family.... which has been lovely!

Lions, Tiger and Bears... Oh wait that's a COYOTE, oh my!

2010-06-17T13:46:00.004-04:00

One of Kenneth's new toys is his field cam. FOr those of you who don't know what that is, it is a camera that goes up in the woods and takes pictures of whatever moves past it that is warmblooded. So anyway this is what Kenneth captured a few days back....

Where did my Little Man go??

2010-04-28T12:54:00.003-04:00

About a week ago I took this picture of my Little man Dawson. Who was this boy with the angles in his face and Justin Bieber hair cut. Where were the chubby cheeks, the face of a child?? When did he start to looklike this? When did he change? This does not just happen over night... I cried.... I realized that my baby, my first born was growing up. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming! But desperately sometimes wish that time would stand still so he could remain my little man always...

Hallelujah Cover by Derek Price

2010-04-20T07:52:00.000-04:00

A family of Fox's

2010-04-15T12:31:00.003-04:00

On Monday Kenneth and I were running around town doing our usual weeky errends when we ran across a family of Fox's. They were so beautiful and their mother protectively watched over her pup's from above. I wish I was able to get more pictures! We believe their were at least 4 pups and mama denning in this abandoned building!

Finding Balance

2010-03-09T08:30:00.003-05:00

Back in September I started working fulltime outside of the home after five years of being home. (Granted while I was home I ran a pretty successful daycare for two and a half years) I LOVE being back to work but I am having difficulty finding balance.
I used to make these amazing meals and my hubby pointed out to me the other evening that I have totally been slacking in this area. He's right I have been.... So my new goal to be be better pre-prepared and not running around like a mad mama when I get home trying to figure out what I can quickly cook.
Plus the kids are so busy with their own activities we seem to have to depend on others to help get them where they need to be. (Boy scouts, girl scouts, travelling soccer, general play dates, church activities,girls on the run, and whatever else may pop up). Also to coinside with this little narrative we seem to be missing alot of things that parents can participate in: Odyssy of the Mind competition, soccer games, Girls Scout ceremonies (these particular things were over the last month).
Finding family time in general is difficult. Thank goodness we manage to have dinner together most nights and family prayer.
Last but not least ME time. I am an artist and crafter and really want to find time to exercise. DO you think I have had any time to do anything.... nope not at all! Well thats not completely true.. I did take apart a pair of gray cotton palazzo shorts and am transforming them into a pretty cute skirt. It's all pinned ready to be sown, but yet again I have not had two second to run them throught the sowing machine!
So fellow followers any ideas? I could use some right about now!

Me being Honest

2010-01-28T13:54:00.003-05:00

Lately I have been thinking alot about being a mother. Realizing my strengths and weaknesses, beating up myself because of my weaknesses and crying myself silly because I know I have been wrong and sometimes say things that I wish I could take back. Things that no one deserves.... things that probably will stick forever. Finding I remind myself of someone I have long despised and finding I sometimes treat others in the same fashion that I once loathed.
So it's time to reassess and pull my self together and to strive for a better me... Wish me luck! Lots and lots of luck... and prayers... lots and lots of prayer!

Staph infections, Scarlett fever, Strep and Ear Infections

2010-01-22T10:43:00.003-05:00

Sounds pretty scary doesn't it! This was my past week. It all started a week ago when my little man was noticably sick for about 24 hours. About two days later he was completely covered in a rash. Now Dawson has sensitive skin and reacts funky to different things. So I assumed it was a reaction to the new shampoo. So I was dosing my poor boy with Benadryl.... So now its friday and I noticed he was having trouble putting on his coat.
So I asked him, "Dawson whats going on? Why can't you get your coat on?"
"Well mom i have these blisters on my one hand from the rash and they broke and are really sore."
"Little man can I see the them?"
"I guess, it's no big deal!"
So my son hands me his hand ever so carefully and I about had a heart attack. His fingers were swollen and blister broken and obviously infected. I pulled myself together because I was gonna lose it. "Oh my gosh!!! Dawson this is infected! Where is your dad? Bud we need to go to the ER!! (serious panic mode) My dear dear hubby has the same reaction. So we send the girls off to school and head to the emergency room.
I am feeling like the nurse must think we neglect this 10 year old little man. "Dawson do you know how serious this is? Buddy you need to tell us things. Good and bad, but seriously I want to know. (He's the type of child who doesn't want to bother you with anything....)
SO it turns out he has a staph infection. Two antibiotics and a day off from school, with a weekend home he was on the mend. Thankfully!!
Monday comes and our littlest is complaining of a sore throat. Dad's home with her because mom's at work...... "Babe, Laney's running a low grade temp..", "Oh man I hope everything is alright!" Tuesday morning comes and my blond blued eyes angel is pink and glassy eyed. Obvioulsy running a pretty hefty temp.... "Kenny, Laney has blotches on her shoulders.", "She's probably fine, you know how her skin is in the winter." (she needs to be heavily mousturized otherwise she gets chapped) Over the next forty five minutes I watch as her entire body is covered in what I thought had been Dawson's allergic reaction to shampoo. I wasn't going to mess around, so I made an appointment for this darling little girl. Our appointment comes and goes with a diagnosis of strep, scarlett fever and an ear infection...
Finally our children are on the mend and I pray that Ashlyn is spared!

2010-01-15T15:46:00.002-05:00

I was reading Anita's newest blog today and was so disappointed that I didn't get this award.... but being the wonderful person that she is I am number 11!

This is the Happy 101 award.

I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy and then pass this award on. Here are my 10 things (in no particular order):

* Tulips, lots and lots of tulips!
* The silly little daily songs and dances that Laney comes up with!
* Dawson's continued interest in learning everything he can possibly absorb, and his lack of common sense!
* Ashlyn's genuine concern for others
* My husband.... he makes me laugh and spoils me rotten!
* Naps on a Sunday afternoon.
* Colors
* Cool sheets and lots of covers.
* Warm balmy Sea air!
* Art.

Anyone and everyone who reads my blog is welcome to this snazzy little award!

I Was a Total Slacker!

2010-01-05T09:04:00.003-05:00

I was a total slacker when it came to photographing Christmas this year :(
I did get some pretty great pics when we went and got out lovely Christmas Tree and one pretty amazing one of it decorated on my phone (if I ciuld just figure out how to get it offof my phone... hmmm....)

Ashlyn's Letter to Santa

2009-12-08T10:32:00.002-05:00

Last evening Ashlyn brought Kenneth and I her letter to Santa written in a small book form of recycled drawing paper. It touched my heart and I would like to share it with everyone this holiday season. ( I will post it as she wrote it!)

Dear Santa,
I want alot of different things for Crismas. I am not going to tell you them all because I do not want to selfish. I want a coul pair of earings. Maybe some with fake dimonds in them that would make me extra happy! Maybe some from Dlairs from the mall. I love clairs, I also want anouther Tiger Beat Magazine with Justin Bieber in it. I love him so much. He is one of my friends on .........com. I have alot of friends on .........com. I want more though. I want a sell phone that you can go on the internet and one that can play moucic on it. Make sure your elves do not work to hard on me. I do not need alot for Crismas because my parents do so much for me I do not relize it. I want to make my parents to relize how much I care about what they do for me. I feal bad because I do not show them how much I realy care. Back to what I want for Crismas. The other thing I want for Crismas is some hair ties and kind of hairties. No pink hairties because I share my sisters pink hair ties with her. I like it when people share. It is fun to share because Crismas is not all about the presents. It is about haveing fun and having your hart in the right place and it is also anbout giving and helping others. Don't you think. I forgot to wish you a mary crismas and a happy new year. I hope you write back to me. I love to read letters. I hope I get what I want. If I do not I will still have the best crismas ever. I hope you have a good crismas too.

Love your friend,
Ashlyn

My Pre Thanksgiving Post

2009-11-25T12:45:00.004-05:00

There are so many many things that I am thankful for this year. My thoughts are so jumbled and my heart is full. First am formost I am so thankful for my sister Brianna and her other half Errick. They brought into this world a wonderful bundle of joy whom I desperately want to hold. But distance keeps us apart. But I am grateful for the healthy little one known as Khloe Marie! Welcome Khloe bear to this big big world!

I am also so grateful for my own family and the ways they teach me everyday. They help me to grow as a parent each and everyday and love me more on the days I stumble. They are amazing little beings whom I adore. Then there is my adoring husband who spoils me to bits and pieces.

Tomorrow we are having Thanksgiving at home for the very first time. I look forward to the gathering of our families and the visit from my grandparents. Finally starting the feel the holoday hussle and bussle and can't wait to enjoy each and every momment!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving all my friends near and far!

Laney loves to Cheer

2009-10-01T09:00:00.002-04:00

Laney loves to cheer and is super silly! The neweest one Ashlyn has taught her is : Are you ready to get down?
No Way! Are you ready to get down?
Okay We stomp our feet, boogie to the beat, turn around, touch the ground. Thats how "us" gets down!!!
She'll scream it, but when you ask her to do it quietly she will dramatically sing it. Which cracks me up!

.....and so it begins

2009-09-15T07:51:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe September is already here! So many changes our way. Our little Laney has entered school. It's a big deal! This child has been begging to go to school for two years. ( I guess that is what happens when you have two older siblings!) She loves it! That isn't even a big enough explanation about how she feels! She is lourishing, one week in and already she knows things!! (Not that she didn't know things... but you catch my drift!
Ashlyn made her first soccer goal of the season! GO ASHLYN! She was so modest about it but I was thrilled for her! SHe is also pee wee football cheerleading. She has a pretty full plate right now, but seem sto do better when she is busy busy busy!
Dawson to is playing soccer and adjusting calmly to the differences of fifth grade. Already he is super busy with work, but I have so worries because he is absolutely brilliant!
As for me I started working full time outside of the house for the first time in five years and am adoring it. I feel so much more organized and together! I feel whole! Plus being as Kenneth and I get to ride into work and home together. It gives us time to chat without little noses butting in! Kenny actually had an entire 8 hours to himself yesterday because I was working and the kids were in school. I honestly cannot remember the last time that has actually happened!
Life is good and I am so grateful for all that we have!

Our Camping Trip

2009-08-01T21:55:00.002-04:00

I wish I could report that our summer camping trip was a joyous occasion but unfortunately it was not. We had two fairly nice days and 5 cold, rainy, freeeeeezing days. Seriously I was cold and freeeeeezing for days. The kids seemed fine though. They really did not seem to mind the above obstacles ( I guess mom is a big baby when it comes to badddd weather and 25 MPH winds, BLAAAAAHHHHH). But honestly I was pretty miserable. I would definitely have to rate this my worst camping experience. The high lights for me were that the kids were happy and easily occupied, Kenneth catered to me because I was in such a foul mood and I finished a great book! I did get some great pics though!

"My" Michael Jackson Memories

2009-06-30T11:13:00.002-04:00

I have always associated songs with memories and because of this one of my favorite songs of Michael Jackson's was Billie Jean. I remember being about the age of six and living in Georgia after my parent's had split up. We lived in an apartment complex, a place I have fond an vivid memories of. This particular complex had a pool that my mom would take my brother and sister's to on the hot summer day's. I don't believe I had ever lived in a place where we had access to a pool everyday and I remember a hot summer day with Billie Jean in the air, at least it felt like it was in the air....(the reality was it was probably be being pumped through speakers) but to me it surrounded me with the excitement of the day. It has always been a fond memory and hearing that song brings it back to me every time.
Another memory I believe may have been the Christmas of that very same year. My Aunt Mary gave me a Michael Jackson barbie doll for Christmas. I remember my uncle's teasing my aunt mercilessly about getting this for me because they thought Michael Jackson was rediculious. They were boys of seventies rock! But I can see this barbie vividly. Trademark Michael jackson, black curly g-curls, red shimmering jacket with gold piping, black satan pants with red piping, silver socks and his trade mark glove. This doll is actually in my memory box minus his socks and shoes!

It's Been a long time

2009-05-22T11:06:00.002-04:00

With Spring here and the end of the school year approaching our schedules have been packed full. Sometimes overwhelmingly full!
Baseball season is in full swing and Dawson continues to improve and learn everyday. He hit his first double on Monday! I was proud he didn't think it was such a big deal. But he's wrong and we were impressed!
Ashlyn bridged from a Brownie to a Junior Girl Scout. She is so full of life and does things with such energy. She also has learned to ride her bicycycle. Which was a great acomplishment to her especially since we do not have any place for her to ride at home. Thankfully we have the van and her bike travels to the park with us for Dawson's baseball games.
Dawson and Ashlyn has there spring plays this past week and they were just darling. Dawson's class did a tribute to the Wizard of Oz and he played one of the Lollipop crew! Wish I had pictures to post but I just shot video that night. Ashlyn played a Monkey in her play and had her own couple of lines. I was impressed!
Laney is enjoying the joys of spring and all the flowers around her. SHe picks her "Dragon lion" Aka Dandelions and always is swiping my tulips and presenting them to me. No matter how many times I have asked her not to puck the tulips she still does! (it's hard to chastise her, because she presents them to me with just joy!).
Kenneth and I are busy, busy, busy but did manage to get a date night in the week before last. Which was so fun and long overdue!

Update,update

2009-04-10T21:35:00.003-04:00

Things have been super busy around here. I have been building my hair accessory business and etsy shop! Working any momment I have in our office assembling and creating hair accesories! So check out my shop at bronwenanna.etsy.com.

Dawson started baseball this past week and there is noticable improvement in his game! It is so great to see him excel! He thinks baseball is a little boring but her continues to play and get better.

Ashlyn decided not to play softball this year. But that's okay! She actually has signed up to do Girls on the Run. She will be training to run 5K in June!

Laney is anxiously awaiting to start school in September. She constantly is saying how big she is getting and asking to go to school. She's hysterical!

Last but not least Kenneth is assembling a new plane. It's his baby and he probably won't be flying it this year because he will be to afraid to! But he has other's to practice with!

A silly ranting about Dunkin Donuts

2009-03-11T12:25:00.003-04:00

The following definition I got off of wikipedia:

A traditional cruller (or twister) is a twisted, oblong, fried pastry made of dough somewhat like that of a cake doughnut, often topped with plain powdered sugar; powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon; or icing.

The name can also refer to the French cruller, a fluted, ring-shaped doughnut made from choux pastry with a light airy texture.

The name comes from early 19th century Dutch kruller, from krullen "to curl". Crullers are traditionally eaten in Germany and some other European countries on Shrove Tuesday, to use up fat before Lent.

Crullers are most commonly found in Canada, New England and the Mid-Atlantic and North Central states of the USA, but it is also common in California.

In 2003, the Dunkin' Donuts chain of doughnut shops stopped carrying traditional crullers, claiming that the hand-shaped treats were too labor-intensive, and couldn't be simulated with new machines for mixing doughnut batter.[1]

So here is my silly RANT. I was and still am a huge French Cruller fan, I was especially fond of the ones from Dunkin Donuts. It still irks me that I can not get one at Dunkin Donuts to this day, but that is a lie, a BIG FAT LIE!

Back in December Kenneth and I went to NYC and on route 17 in my home state of New Jersey we stopped at a rest area that had a Dunkin Donuts, and low and behold I was overjoyed to beable to buy a french cruller. What a treat! Now this was forgivable because New Jersey is my home state and it just gives me one more thing to add to the reasons why I love New Jersy List!

But yesterday, yes yesterday. My hubby called and said he had a special treat for me when he got home from work, and do you know what he presented me, A FRENCH CRULLER FROM DUNKIN DONUTS, which shamefully I devoured before kissing him! But since then I have grown more irritated...... this donut came from a Dunkin Donuts about forty minutes form my home. NOW WHY IS IT THAT THE LOCAL DUNKIN DONUTS (MIND YOU WE HAVE TWO) DOES NOT CARRY MY BELOVED CRULLER? and one not that far away does??? I have it in my mind right now to call and complain.....

.......... and the snow glistened

2009-03-04T13:50:00.002-05:00

This morning I lost someone dear to me. My grandma Marie joined our Father in heaven. Granted technically she is my step grandma, but honestly I have never thought her of anything and other then my grandma. Granted the relationship I have with my step dad is less then ideal. I have always loved his mother. She was the most amazing women. A mother of fourteen, a farmer's wife. My grandma was strong and loving. She loved each and every one of us wholely, never discrimating, always telling us how much she loved us. I sware every family event she attended I am sure she went around to everyone and made sure they knew they were loved. She moved non stop, always smiling, always moving forward and had such a great will to live. To have life. She fought hard and survived through some pretty tough times. Granted her health was not great but each and every time she was determined to come home.
Last evening after my mom had called to say that grandma had taken a turn for the worse. I quickly called a friend to come and sit with my sleeping babies. Kenneth and I trudged out into the cold air to go to the hospital. It was time to say goodbye. When I arrived at the hospital I could not bare to go in until my mom and brothers and sisters had arrived. I struggled with my mind and heart. My mind was whirring , what was I going to tell my grandma? Soon my mom arrived and Kenneth and I went in to see her. My body shaking as I walked the hall, my heart breaking seeing her hooked to life support so that we could have the opportunity to say goodbye. I couldn't bare to say goodbye just yet.
I went to sit beside her and looked at this women. This women who did not resemble my grandma. I closed my eyes and in my mind I could see her bustling around as I wanted to remember her always.
Time was ticking away and it was now after 1AM. Tons of family had been arriving over the last few hours and I was ready to say goodbye. Feeling stronger and content. I again walked the hall to her room and leaned down close to her ear and whispered how much she meant to me and I loved her and knew it was time for her to return to her father in heaven. I had been scared to touch her because I had been told her body was cool to the touch, and she was a wonderful warm hearted person. Honestly I could never remember a time where my grandma ever felt remotely cool. But as I leaned close to her ear whispering I could feel the warmth on her face. I kissed her cheek touched her head and rugged her hair and said goodbye.
Leaving the hospital the air was crisp and cold. Snow was barely falling, but it sparkled like glitter. I will never forget how much it glistened.

Ashlyn's Baptism

2009-02-17T20:30:00.003-05:00

On Sunday Ashlyn was finally baptized. We had to cancel two previous times do to the fact that she was sick one Sunday and horrible winter weather the next. I was so proud of her. The pictures show basically the mood of the whole thing. My wacky children, (Hmmm Hmmm, Laney, but I am not pointing any fingers!;), and the lack of reverance. But I guess that is what to expect with some young families, at least that is what someone told me. Probably trying to make me feel better about the distractions.
But all in all it was wonderful to see my little girl being baptized by her daddy. I am so grateful to have the priesthood in my home and the blessings it brings to us! Plus Ashlyn's friend Lexie was there with her.

While it was cold outside.........

2009-02-11T13:30:00.007-05:00

This past weekend we left the cold behind us and went to Lake George. Wait........... Lake George in the winter......... you may be saying to yourself how in the heck did they leave the cold hehind them in Lake George NY in February. It's quite simple actually........... We went to the indoor water park at the Great Escape. It was an incredibly warm relaxing, suprizingly inexpensive 24 hours. The park was not overly huge, nut that was so great because it gave Dawson and Ashlyn some freedom to do a little roaming without mom and dad hovering over them and worrying to much about their whereabouts. Lines were short so up and down the slides we went. Relaxing on the lazy river was a highlight for me! I got to hold my sweety's hand while our tubes floated side by side. I generally am not a huge water park fan, but honestly I adore this place!
The lodge was beautiful. The people who worked there were friendly and helpful! Looney Tune charectors were just about around every turn ready and willing to hug and interact and act silly for our children. Laney especially enjoyed story hour at bedtime with Tweety! SO our little getaway was a complete success!

Dawson turned 10

2009-02-05T09:07:00.002-05:00

It is hard to believe that my little man, my first born is ten years old. He has been in this world a whole decade. I think back on the time that has passed and remember him as this sweet chubby blond baby smiling and giggling. Sleeping endless hours and so smart. I remember how young I was, too young probably. But the things that this guy has taught me, taught us. He is kind and compassionate, loves his sisters. He is so patient with them even when they are driving me mad!
He is so appreciative of everything he has. He has a love of books, Bionacles, and Bakugan's. The three B's! Dawson is the type of child that when he likes something he sticks with it. He doesn't flit all over the place. I remember his first love being Toy Story. He loved Woody, Woody went everywhere with him. Then he moved on to Thomas the Train, Power Rangers, and Pokemon. He has always had a love of stuffed animals. When he was eight he loved care bears. I remember him coming home one day because some of his buddies thought it was weird that he loved Care Bears. Dawson didn't care what they thought, he loved them and that was that. I will tell you a little secret though, he carries a blue beanie baby rabbit he named Diamond in his backback to this very day. I think he has been carrying him around for two years!

The theme of his birthday party this coming Saturday is Gremlins. Gremlins are his new obsession. He loves the movie! So his buddies are coming over on saturday to have a Gremlins marathon. What he doesn't know is I actually purchased the movies for him (the wonders of the internet). I am hoping that they get here in time, otherwise to the video store I will go.

Valentine Shout Out

2009-01-31T11:58:00.002-05:00

I wanted to post a link to a dear old friend of mine who is so very very talented and he is being recognized by the New York Times. With Valentines Day around the corner I am always looking for artistic and different from the norm and this design of his is exactly that! I love Valentines Day! I love February! Check out this link and buy buy buy!
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/01/30/fashion/0201-PULS_4.html

Fun in dysfunctional familes

2009-01-28T11:12:00.002-05:00

I am plugging a blog my friend Clarissa posted on her blog: http://thefunindysfunctionalfamilies.blogspot.com

Check it out and feel free to comment! She has a desire to write a book about families and is looking for input!

Easily.............

2009-01-28T10:55:00.002-05:00

EASILY………………. Aggravated, agitated, on edge, annoyed, stressed, every little thing making my body tense and my mind race. I hate days like these. Granted I rarely feel like this but today for some reason I honestly could just lock myself in the closet with a good book and not think of one other thing. Of course today of all days I have hampers full of laundry, school closed due to the impending snow, and an absolutey no desire to prepare any meals . I just want to turn the music way up and dance through the house and throw everyone else out in the snow. But being mom I have to do every possible thing to push these feelings aside to take care of those I love. I will smile or at least attempt to and do my very best to be attentive! I guess it's time to break out candy land and encourage Dawson to turn off the video games, and start boiling eggs for egg salad, and dance around the house with my darling little ones!

WFMW : Removing that icky snow salt from your clothes

2009-01-21T11:54:00.004-05:00

Winter weather is here, which also means the roads are being salted and we all are trudging right in it's slushy ickiness. Our pants and shoes are showing signs of that winter salt and I know the secret in getting rid of these unslightly stains! So are you ready............ it's really so simple. One tablespoon of white vinager to one cup of warm water and a tooth brush. Scrub away!

"I am Big." "I a girl!"

2009-01-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

The past few days whenever I try to help Laney with something. She says to me "Mommy I a girl!", meaning she is able to do it herself. After she said this to me half a dozen times in one day I said at one point, "Laney Bug I know you are a big girl." and she answered me, looking rather annoyed "Mommy I am big and I a girl, not a big girl." Hmmm... I wonder how her three year old mind differentiates the two statements.

Hmmm Hmmm good (hit recipe for me this holiday season)

2009-01-02T15:20:00.002-05:00

Sweet potato casserole. I know what you are all thinking not another recipe full of marshmellows and nuts (yuck!). Seriously I have never been a huge fan of sweet potato's unless they are served in their true form. But this recipe iincredible and I was complimented dozens and dozens of times about how yummy it was. Enjoy!

3 Cups Sweet potato (I used fresh, but you can use a 40 oz can if you so choose)
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup condensed milk
2/3 Cup butter melted
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Cup Coconut
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup flour

* I mixed this up up in my food processor. It made the potato's super creamy!
Add the two eggs, potato, sugar, condensed milk, 1/3 Cup of the melted butter, and vanilla. Send it for a whirl!
Pour ingrediants into an 8 in. sq. pan.
mix coconut, brown sugar and remaining butter. Spread over the potato mixture.
Bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees

Update, update!

2008-12-30T12:12:00.002-05:00

There is so much to blog about that I haven't an idea where to start. Christmas was so wonderful! The kids were thrilled with their gifts from Santa. I to was especially thrilled with the wonderful gifts from my dear dear hubby Kenneth. I got a beautiful strand of green pearls! They are gorgeous! I have always wanted pearls! Plus Kenneth got me the new Ancestry program for recording my genealogy! Whoo Hooo!
My grandparents came to visit and were here from Tuesday to Friday! We had a wonderful visit! My grandfather repaired my dishwasher and my bathroom door! Plus deep cleaned my stove! (they should come around more ofton J/K!) My Grandma gave me the most thoughtful gift. Recently we had been talking about The Lonely Doll Books (if you haven't read them, you should! All little girls should have them.) But anyways when I was in fifth grade my mom got me a porcelin doll for Christmas. She reminded me of Edith and from then on that is who she was. When we had the fire in our home a few years back she was badly damaged and went to dolly heaven. So my grandma braught me a new doll. I truely appreciated the sentiment. It really meant alot to me!
We also got to visit with Dylan (finally home from Iraq and waiting for his final orders to beable to leave the military) and his girlfriend Samantha. I am so grateful he is home to stay!
Then on Friday we went and spent the entire weekend with my mother in law and Kenneth's brothers and sister. Granted we weren't far but it was nice to be together for the holiday!
So all in all we had a wonderful holiday!

Ashlyn passing along good cheer for the season

2008-12-18T13:40:00.003-05:00

I was so very impressed with Ashlyn last evening. Her Girl Scout Troop volunteered at a local nursing home last evening. It amazes me how caring she is with older people and children under the age of four. She is gentle and caring and encouraging! She makes me so so proud! It was wonderful watching her help this wonderful souls! She smiled brightly and Iknew her heart was as warm as theirs. She gave them joy, attention, and love! My daughter impressed me! She amazed me because she can beso strong willed, moody, and has quite the little mouth on her! She can make me want to pull my hair out, but in the next instant admire her!

WFMW: Our Anniversary Tradition

2008-12-17T12:39:00.003-05:00

Kenneth and I were married on December 19, 1998, which obviously is right in the middle of the Christmas season. It took us severl years to figure out a way that we would commemorate this special time of year for us. Four years ago we came up with the idea of getting an ornament that would mean something to us. Initially we wanted to purchase them on our anniversary, but that was really hard. We felt pressured to find something that meant something to us. So the last two years we look just about everywhere starting the beginning of December. Above are some of the ornaments that mean something to us.

The dancing bride and groom were actually the topper on our wedding cake!

The Mr. and Mrs. Claus was the first ornament purchased for this tradition.

The couple of birds were year number two .

The third year is not pictured because it was not photographing well, but it's bride and groom smore! So cute!

This years ornament will be posted on Christmas Eve, so be sure to check back!

NYC and the other events of this past weekend

2008-12-16T14:46:00.005-05:00

Derek and Casey at Rockefeller Center
Kenneth and I in Rockefeller Center. It was a cold day but al the walking we did kept us warm!

The Bryant Park tree
The green M&M. She's my favorite!

Kenneth and I in front of the tree in Rockefeller Center
A cute french restaurant that Steve made reservations for us at. I kind of felt like a celebrity because when we went there, there were a lot of people waiting for tables and I told the host that we had reservations for two an dhe stated they did not make reservations for two, then I told him who we were and he went to out back and then seated us. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere good! We wereserved quickly and the waitress was friendly!

Even though I am not catholic I have always enjoyed the candles people light ofr their loved ones. I honestly do not know alot about why it's done, but receive a certain comfort from it. It reminds me of my Great Grandmother Marie and the masses I would attend with her as a child while visitting with her.

The Nativity at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. If you look you will notice that the baby Jesus is not in his Manger. We were told he is placed there on Christmas day. I think that is just beautiful! Saint Patrick's Cathedral

We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city and walking all over Midtown. Honestly we did not get much shopping done but we saw everything. I can't believe it has taken us so long to get down there together. All in all the trip was a success!

Now the not so great news. Kenneth and I and our kids got into an accident with the van on Sunday. Thanksfully no one was hurt, but it looks like our van is not in as good of shape as it appeared. So it looks like we may be looking for a new vehicle. Ahhhh! Not really what I want to be doing nine days before Christmas.

My Great Grandmother's Christmas Cactus

2008-12-12T16:33:00.002-05:00

I love my Christmas Cactus! It really has alot of sentimental value to me. I look forward to it's first bloom! It's a highlight of the season for me. You may be asking yourself why is this beautiful pink flowering cactus important to me?

Kenneth and I were married on December 19, 1998. At the time my mom was the sole owner of this wonderious little plant! Mom was telling me that year of how her Grandmother's cactus generally bloomed just after Thanksgiving, but on this particular year it had yet to bloom. But you know what? It had it's first open bloom on the very day Kenneth and I were married. I like to think that my Great Grandma Marie had something to do with this sole bloom. As you know plants grow and I inheritted a cutting from that very cactus. So as I said before I look forward to the first bloom of the season. It reminds of my Great Grandmothe and the memories I have of her home in Colts Neck New Jersey.

On a side note I didn't get my first bloom till February last year because my wonderful hubby beheaded my cactus while dusting, but with some TLC I was able to nurse it back to good health and it continues to take off!

D.O.G. Pet Boutique: LA's hottest doggie boutique

2008-12-11T14:34:00.003-05:00

I am plugging D.O.G. because they are an awesome store, plus my dear sister Brianna is an employee of theirs. D.O.G Pet Boutique will be featured in a very special segment on E! News Thursday night. The star D.O.G of the movie Marley and Me came in to their Los Angeles store to do some holiday shopping for a very special friend/co-star Jennifer Aniston. Now you are able to purchase the great gifts Marley picked out for Jennifer Aniston's two pups! Make sure to tune in Thursday night on E! News 7PM & 11PM ET/PT. You can also view and buy from them on their website. http://dogpetboutique.com

On the bright side

2008-12-10T22:42:00.003-05:00

This article was posted in todays daily local newspaper. The green print is my son and I was so proud of him this evening! He presented his power point presentation on the charity he chose to support (UNICEF). I am so impresssed by the students and how much they learned. It is so important that they learn about helping others. After telling Dawson how wonderful his presentation was, his response to me was "I almost peed my pants". Aww the words out of a nine year olds mouth. Nerves, my little man was nervous. But honestly I was impressed that he was ably to present in front of all of his classmates and their families. :

On the Bright Side: Students encourage charity supportBy Mark BoshnackStaff Writer
You can make a difference.
That is something that fourth-grade Milford Central School teacher Priscilla Heath wanted her students to learn this year, along with their regular curriculum.
The results will be on display tonight when parents and family are invited to "Give a Little Bit" at 6 p.m. in Room 118.
The project, in its first year, had students pick their favorite charities and prepare PowerPoint presentations encouraging people to donate their spare change.
Students have decorated milk jugs to hold the donations, which will be collected until students return to school in January, Heath said.
One of the things students learn during the year is to write a persuasive paper, said Heath, who is in her third year teaching at Milford. But she wanted something more for her students.
"I wanted to let them know they could make a difference at such a young age," she said.
Students employed not only their reading and writing skills, but learned about interviewing and Internet research, she said.
One of those presenting will be 9-year-old Katie Gale.
"I love horses," she said in explaining why she chose the Guide Horse Foundation.
It trains miniature horses to help people with disabilities, Gale explained. The
animals have long life spans and good memories, she said.
Joshua Schecter, 9, chose Heifer International because it helps people around the world by providing animals as a source of income and food.
Veronica Sanchez, 10, chose Mothers Against Drunk Driving because it seeks to stop needless accidents, she said.
The donation buckets will be in the hall during the presentations, so people can donate in confidence, Heath said.
Other causes covered and their student fundraisers are: SPCA _ Dustin Williams; Canine Partners for Life _ Daniel Banks; Feed the Children _ Nathan Bennett and Dylan Green; Animal Protection Institute _ Quintin Carroll; Make A Wish Foundation _ Serena Chase; Meals on Wheels _ Elijah Eggleston; Toys for Tots _ Rileigh Griffiths; Wildlife Conservation Society _ Keenan Holliday; Ronald McDonald House _ Victoria Munro; UNICEF _ Dawson Price; American Red Cross_- Danielle Ashe.
More information about donating to "Give a Little Bit" is available on the school's website at www.milfordcentral.org by logging into Heath's page and going to charity event.

WFMW : A Christmas Tradition

2008-12-10T13:41:00.005-05:00

A tradition in our family is to read A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas. I remember my mom reading it to us as a child. I am not exactly sure how the tradition started, but I do know that my father's father came to the United States as a small child from Wales and my brother's name is Dylan Thomas. But whatever the reason, it's a way I like to ring in the holiday season! So buy it or borrow it from your local library!

Pomegranite Chocolate chunk cookies

2008-12-09T20:40:00.014-05:00

I am finally feeling the holidays upon us. I was busy baking these cookies I got off of http://coconutlime.blogspot.com/. When I read her post this morning I was intrigued with todays post and made some improvisations to the recipe with what I had in my cabinet. I didn't have enough brown sugar so I used half brown and half white. I also did not have any chocolate chunks or chips, but I did have a great big hershey kiss in my fridge from Ashlyn. Laney and Dawson loved them, but Kenneth and Ashlyn weren't crazy about the pomegranite texture.

Silly Lady Bug Poses

2008-12-09T10:45:00.002-05:00

Isn't she adorable! She begged for me to take her picture over and over as she made the silliest faces! She is quite the comedian like her daddy!

Santa Train

2008-12-08T22:14:00.002-05:00

This past weekend we took the kids to see Santa come off of the train. It was fun, but bitter, bitter cold. They actually had a parade that travelled approximately two short blocks. But beingt that it was so cold we followed in the family van. Hot chocolate and our shy girls asking Santa what they wanted. It was adorable Ashlyn grinning ang giggling, never actually getting around to ask for anything and Laney clinging to me and shyly asking for lipstick. "Lots of colored nummy lipstick." Then my little man hanging with his friends. Nine years old and already finding independace. Why do they ever have to grow? I love them how they are. I cherish these momments.

Bean Balls

2008-12-02T20:25:00.004-05:00

I have always had a thing for creating patterns. So this is the perfect project for me. I can use dried beans which are so inexpensive considering how far they will actually go. Plus the patterns are endless. They can be hung on your christmas tree or the trendy thing to do is just set them in a bowl on a table. Regardless I enjoy them!

If you are my sister in law Kymm don't look or your present for Christmas will no longer be a surprize!

2008-12-02T20:07:00.004-05:00

Above is a wreath I made for my sister in law for Christmas. I always joke with Kymm that her home has always reminded me of a vacational rental. But recently she purchased this beautiful basket filled with buttons. I was impressed with her purchase and thought it was one of the most creative things she has ever purchased. So I made the above wreath by sowing buttons and winding jute. It definetly needs a bow or something. I was thinking of one made with burlap, accented with buttons? I am pretty sure she is going to love it. I had so much fun making it and can't wait to do another!

Giving props to my dear friends Dorothy

2008-12-02T20:01:00.002-05:00

Pictured above are some beautiful banners Dorothy did for Christmas this year. She is so talented and I was and am impressed!

Ashlyn's Birthday Party

2008-11-26T09:28:00.004-05:00

Ashlyn and my nephew Anthony celebrating their birthdays together!

Ashlyn and one of her bestfriends Lexie Did you notice the front of the cake. Little fingers or should I say several fingers were in it!

Dawson ( my blond little man!) with his Cousin Anthony

Ashlyn the two Lexies and Dawson!

The whole crew of them!

Aren't they the cutest group!

Ashlyn's cake, unfortunately I am not a cake decorator. So in place of the normal decor I added shimmer blush and lip gloss as an accent!

One of the layers predecorated. This cake was incredible, it is called a buttermilk lemon curd cake! (The cookbook I got the recipe out of is Baking American Style) It was delicious! I used a different lemon curd recipe then the one in the book because I have a favorite recipe of my own!

1 stick of unsalted butter

3/4 cup od sugar

3 tablespoons of grated lemon zest

1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice

pinch of salt

6 eggs yolks

Melt the butter in a heavy sauce pan over medium heat, whisk in sugar, zest, lemon juice and salt. Whisk in the yolks till smooth! Cook the mixture stirring constantly till mixture thickens. Do not allow it to boil! Let cool!

The cake had lemon curd in the center and was frosted in a combination of heavy cream and lemon curd. Yummmm!

Ashlyn had a really great 8th birthday party and is excited to be baptized in two weeks! We combined her party with her cousin Anthony's since the family was getting together and Kenneth's dad leaves in his RV in just a couple of weeks!

She loved all her gifts, ranging from crafts to girly girl crush hair extensions and a Hannah Montana temporary hair color kit. Oh I can't forget to plug her new Jonas Brothers CD. It wasn't bad and it's been playing in the family van the last few days!

WFMW: Kenneth's Grandma's Cranberry Sauce

2008-11-26T09:15:00.004-05:00

I figured I would share a staple recipe that has been my job the last three Thanksgivings for Thanksgiving at Laurie's. I love this recipe becuase it is simple and delicious!

2 cups fresh Cranberries
1 Orange (zested and squeezed)
2/3 cups sugar
a handful of walnuts slightly crushed

Add the first three incredients to a thick pot and heat on medium till your house smells incredible and the cranberries have popped. Add walnuts. Serve warm or cool!

The Mother Letter Project

2008-11-21T11:47:00.002-05:00

Below is an exerpt from a blog of a blog I read:
Motherletter.blogspot.com

.......................As you may already know, I am creating Christmas for my wife this year and this is the site devoted to her present. Simply stated, I am collecting a series of “open letters” from mothers, to mothers. I am asking you to share your stories—no matter how raw or difficult. Share you concerns or worries—no matter how foolish they may seem. Share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it. I will compile all of the letters in a Christmas book for both my wife AND YOU. If you share a letter before Christmas you will receive a copy of the Mother Letters. Submit your letter by leaving a comment here, or email you letter to motherletter@gmail.com.

I think this is the absolute sweetest thing I have ever heard and am so impressed by this gentlemans creativity and love for his wife. I just emailed my letter and encourage you all to do the same!

Paint Fest!

2008-11-20T11:59:00.004-05:00

Painting to music!

Getting ready for the holidays!

Finished product! She was so proud!

Our girls painting pottery that is being auctioned off for charity at a Chili Fest Laney Bug painting the Mayor!

Edible paint!

Ashlyn's edible cookie for her dad!
I love watching them work, a look of concentration!
Blowing paint! I think this was one of Dawson's favorite things to do!

Laney blowing paint!

This past weekend I took the kids to a local Paintfest and McDonald's Playland! It was a lovely afternoon of classes and fun! We were joined by my friend Dorothy and her darling kids (their not pictured because I wanted to get permission before I plastered them on the internet). We had such a great time! It was nice to beable to sit and chat with another adult!

I will go and do.........

2008-11-13T13:36:00.003-05:00

I just found out that our wonderful Young Women's president and her little family will soon be leaving us. My heart is hurting and my tummies a jumble of nerves. I will miss them dearly and can't help but feel some sadness. Thank you Clarissa for all you have done for me! I will miss that sweet faced baby girl of yours!
I am nervous because I am first councelor is the Young Women's presidency and get so nervous when I know a change is upon us. I will go and do what my Heavenly Father wants of me but I hope and pray it is still in the Young Women's organization. I love these girls so much and want to beable to help them in any way that I possibly can. I have grown so much in the last year from the many blessings I have received in this calling.

I am feeling a sense of peace as I write this. My nerves are quieting and heart is open.

My heart is Soupy Happy!!!

2008-11-12T14:30:00.003-05:00

Laney Bug comes bounding out of her bedroom brightly smiling yelling, "Mom, Mom!", and I replied smiling right back at her "What my little Laney Bug?!?!", "Mom my heart is soupy Happy!" My three year old warmed my heart and made my day! I cherish being able to work from home and am grateful for these momments where I watch in wonder her and learn am important lesson from a three year old. So cherish and find those momments that make you "Soupy Happy"!

Clocks that Chime and Tick

2008-11-11T09:34:00.003-05:00

Kenneth told me of this beautiful memory last evening of him as a child. (mostly he swears he doesn't remember being a child, but I think it's him trying to be all tough and manly, I guess being nostalgic isn't manly!) But anyways he asked me last evening if I knew how how much he loved clocks. Especially ones that ticked and chimed? I think having the clock his dad gave him made him nostalgic. He proceeded to tell me a story of him as a child. His parents would make a huge deal out of Christmas. Kenneth swears he must have been the oldest child in his class who still believed in Santa because his parents created such magic for them. Most Christmas Eves they would stay the night at their Grandma Price's. Kenneth loved doing this. He would lay in bed at night listening to the clock tick and chime in anticipation of Christmas morning and the wonder it would bring. I love this story and wanted others to feel the magic of it also.

Our Dads

2008-11-10T13:36:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday Kenneth's dad stopped in for a visit. It was nice to see him because he does not normally come around unless invited. That may sound harsh but it is a true statement. What was even more unusual was during Ken's visit my dad called. Stop the presses, MY DAD CALLED. HOLY MOLEY! I think the last time we spoke was early this past year when I had called him and I can honestly say I have no idea when he called me last. If you know anything about my dad he doesn't exist, well thats not true, he exists just not in our lives. It's always been that way since I was a small child. It was nice to hear from him and I love him no matter what. Like I said to him I am probably the most tolerant of his behavior. It saddens me that he doesn't know my children, my beautiful beautiful children and his grandchildren. But those are his choices.
So as I have been emotionally rambling I wanted to mention a little about Ken's visit. Honestly it was so nice! Ken brought Kenneth his fathers WWII flag and a wind up mantle clock. I thought that this was a wonderful gift to my husband and I know it meant alot to Kenneth. I truely appreciate gifts like these, seeing as I am a Genealogy fanatic!

I think they have enough candy to last till Easter!

2008-11-01T20:56:00.002-04:00

They always have taken the cutest Halloween pics!

Princess Snow White with the blondie blond hair

I personally think Ashlyn's Zombie pirate costume reminds me of Sweeney Todd.

They are toooooo CUTE and they are ours!

The kids really enjoyed trick or treatingt this yearand I am so grateful that it wasn't freezing or raining! I loved how Laney would say "Trick or treat, another house I want to trick or treat at another house, one more PLEEEESE!" My social bee Ashlyn seemed to know everyone who passed! Plus Dawson was so clever with his tank costume. He rigged it so that his Halloween bag was on the end on the tanks gun on the inside, so all the people who handed out treats got to send them down the gun tube. He actually got more candy because people thought it was clever and wanted to do it again. Pretty nifty trick I might add!

I think they have enough candy to last till Easter!

Trunk or Treating and my otherwise CRAZY day!!!

2008-10-29T22:13:00.004-04:00

Halloween carnival fun: Check!

Halloween BINGO!

Pin the face on the Pumpkin!

A Smile on my face: Check

Fake eyelashes: Check

Laney's as Snow White: Check

Dawson as a Tank: Check

Ashlyn as a Pirate zombie: Check

Mini Play-doe for Trunk or Treating: Check

Homemade Donuts: Sorry I don't get a check in this area. I'd like to thank Entemeans (the spelling I believe is way off) for their wonderfully chocolate glazed donuts!

Jello: I also don't get a check in this area. Seriously my brain has been so fried that even with the boxes sitting on the counter it still got forgotten!

............and yes the snow is still here and my fingers are cold!

Dawson still home from school, but feeling better by this evening!! (A definite plus for my day)

Peace and quiet at this very momment! (another definite plus!)

Watching my hubby sleep peacefully on the chaise. (heartwarmingly sweet)

WFMW : Crock Pots and Bread Machines

2008-10-29T09:15:00.003-04:00

So I have become an avid blog reader and came across this woderful blog: rocksinmydryer.typepad.com . She has this Works For Me Wednesday and basically it is a "blog carnival" . The idea is that on Wednesday you post a little tip you've learned on any (G-rated) topic--anything that has "worked for you" in making your life easier. You post a link back to her WFMW post, and enter your link in the "Mr. Linky" form at the bottom of the post.
So this is my first submission!
I adore my bread machine! Besides it being so easy, your house smells incredible, plus you can make some of the most amazing desserts!
I also adore my crock pot! I cannot get enough crock pot recipes! It makes life so much simpler! Things can get pretty hectic after school and it's nice to know that dinner has been cooking away, fresh bread will be served and my family will be happy and full!

Honestly........ SNOW, snow, Snow and more Snow

2008-10-28T14:25:00.003-04:00

It has been snowing all day. This isn't the Arctic, it's Upstate New York! They have cancelled all after school activities, which means my home will unexpectantly become a wild house, and my poor little man has come home from school with a 102 temp... and to think I was planning on crafting and making Donuts today........ I guess tomorrow's another day!

Seriously did I really wake up to this

2008-10-28T09:37:00.002-04:00

I honestly can not believe i woke up to snow this very morning, and to think that last night I dreamed that we hadn't had any snow and it was Christmas. Hmmmm.... wishful thinking! BUt honestly it is not even Halloween yet. EVEN AT THIS VERY MOMMENT I see flurries out my window! AHHHHH.................

Pumpkin Painitng and Apple Baking

2008-10-25T19:51:00.003-04:00

Pumpkin Painting

Look at how intensily he concentrates!
My patient Little Man!!!

My entry for the Apple baking contest: Apple Cranberry Cobbler

My sweet sweet Hubby made this beautiful apple pie for the contest! He learned last weekend how to make them and he's made three in a week!

Even though neither of us won, we were still winners because we made them together the night before! It was like a mini baking date! I really enjoyed the time together!

Playing with my web cam

2008-10-23T21:22:00.002-04:00

Me!!

Me!! Ben and Jackie (above me, they are my after school rugrats!) Laney (to my right), Dawson (above Laney in the blue), Ashlyn (closest to the lens)

The other day we were playing and being silly with the web cam and I promised the kids I would post them on my blog!

A Bird in a Nest

2008-10-21T22:08:00.002-04:00

Today Kenneth and I went on an excursion out and about town. We visitted the town Kenneth grew up in, not that it's far or anything but we normally only go there to see family. Kenneth's mom gave me a gift certificate this past February for my birthday to a beautiful little flower shop by the name of Lifescapes. The men who own the shop deal with more then fresh flowers. They actually make the most beautiful dried arrangements. Ranging from the usual wreaths (not to say that their wreaths are anything but usual), to some really different amazing pieces. An example of that is the beautiful bird's nest pictured above. I absolutely fell in love with it the second I saw it. I have asked them to make Kenneth and I a couples ornament for our tenth anniversay in December. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

My First Genealogy outing

2008-10-20T16:50:00.003-04:00

As most of you who follow my blog early this year I became completely and utterly involved in Genealogy! It has become a serious passion for me. So yesterday afternoon I went on my first outing. It's intersting how my immediate family has only lived in this area of upstate New York give or take 15 years. (I grew up primarily in NJ)

The past few weeks I have been focusing on the clark side of my family which falls on my mom's side and come to find out my great grandmother's uncle was married to his wife at a beautiful old church about twenty minutes from my home. It's so strange that a I am finding direct descendants so close to where we presently reside and what was even cooler is that this church is actually located not to far from Kenneth's grandmother's old home. I wonder if our families crossed paths............. I was really excited to go there on such a beautiful fall afternoon!

The Talk I presented at church this past Sunday

2008-10-18T21:03:00.003-04:00

Below is the talk I gave at church this past Sunday. I have thought about putting myself out there and posting it on my blog and today while I was with the Young Women, Clarissa encouraged me to post it. So here it is. Enjoy! Basically I wrote what I spoke word for word because I get so nervous!
First off I wanted to thank Brother Harry for giving me the opportunity to speak to you
today. This is a terrifying yet humbling experience and I am so grateful for the
opportunity to grow and to try and conquer some fears. So please, please bare with me!
I was asked to speak on service but more importantly giving ourselves over to perform
service.
I have contemplated over the last few weeks as to what messages my father in heaven
wanted me to share with you today. I thought about who was the best example I could t
think of, and it was obvious, the Savior is the best example of service. Even though He
came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. In Luke 22
verse 27 He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" Jesus Christ suffered in
Gethsemane and died on the cross so that we could live with our father in heaven again
someday. This has got to be the greatest gift of service performed to all mankind. It is the
greatest example of pure love. In Moroni 7:47 it says “Charity is the pure love of Christ.”
I know this to be true with my entire being.
I yet again contemplated the acts of service we all perform. Big and small. Some of the t
things I wish to share today are examples of these great blessings. I thought of the
missionaries here in our branch and across the entire world. The service they provide to
all the brothers and sisters in this world. How they help people to find the truth and to
help us all reach our divine potential of having eternal lives. The sacrifice and time they
give to the church and to our father in heaven is such a great and powerful act of service.
Putting aside the things of this world and serving wholeheartedly, with such great faith. I
am grateful for there example everyday. In Mosiah 18:8-9 the prophet Alma explained to
a group of converts who wanted to be baptized that to “come into the fold of God” it
included a willingness to give meaningful service—to “bear one another’s burdens, that
they may be light,” to “mourn with those that mourn,” and to “comfort those that stand in
need of comfort”. The second example of service is one that is new to my own life.
Granted I have been in the relief society for a number of years and I am ashamed to admit
that I have not been the best example when it comes to being a visiting teacher. The
thoughts of the sisters I have been assigned to are there but I had done little to check on
them and see if they needed anything. I am so very grateful for our Relief Society
President, Sister Hollist and for her assignment of my visiting teacher companion. I am
so grateful to Tina and the example she has been to me these past two months. I hope to
be of service to the sisters assigned to me and of course also to those who aren’t.
In True To the Faith it states:
The Savior invites you to give of yourself in the service of others. Your opportunities to
do so are limitless. Each day, look for ways to gladden hearts, to say kind words, to
perform labors for others that they cannot do for themselves, to share the gospel. Be
receptive to the whisperings of the Spirit, prompting you to serve. You will find that the
true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others.

The third example I thought of was the service that we provide to our ancestors as Latter
Day Saints. This one in particular I hold near and dear to my heart. I was inspired earlier
this year to work on my families Genealogy and have been so blessed with my many
discoveries. It helps me to keep in the front of my mind how important it is to remain
temple worthy so that I am able to perform these sacred ordinances for our ancestors.
Kenneth and I had the opportunity a few short weeks ago to a attend the temple and I am
so grateful for that particular trip and the spiritual experience I had because I followed the
promptings of the holy ghost. I know on that day I was able to provide necessary work to
those who I know with my whole had been waiting for it to be done. Again I would like
to quote Dalon H oaks he stated: One’s such higher reason for service is the hope of an
eternal reward. This hope—the expectation of enjoying the fruits of our labors—is one of
the most powerful sources of motivation. As a reason for service, it necessarily involves
faith in God and in the fulfillment of his prophecies. The scriptures are rich in promises
of eternal rewards. For example, in a revelation given in D&C 14:7 through the Prophet Joseph Smith in June of 1829, the Lord said: “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” I know this to be
true and am grateful that I am able to assist my ancestors and those whom have passed.
The fourth act of service we all provide is to our families. It is so important to be aware
of their needs and to think of ways we can be of service to them. President Uchtdorf
stated during our Relief Society conference that all we needed to perform service was to
have a loving and caring heart. A loving and caring heart. How simple a statement for
such a divine gift. There are so many things in this world that try very hard to harden our
hearts and to have us grow away from our father in heaven. It is our job as children of our
heavenly father to do our best to have loving and caring hearts. Dalon H Oaks said that
Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the love that Christ has for the children of men and
that the children of men should have for one another. It is the highest, noblest, and
strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul.

The Savior used a parable in Matthew 25:34-36 to teach the importance of service. In the
parable, He told of His return to the earth in His glory and of separating the righteous
from the wicked. To the righteous in this parable He says: "Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was
hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and
ye took me in naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and
ye came unto me" Numerous scriptures teach that our Heavenly Father knows our thoughts and the intents of our heart. The prophet Moroni taught that if our works are to be credited for good, they must be done for the right reasons. If a man “offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God,
except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. Think again of the last part
of this scripture, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. Can you
imagine doing all things for the good of men and not at all for the benefit of ourselves.
To be completely unselfish.
The next two scriptures I would like to reference to I believe are seminary scriptures. The
first is found in Mosiah 2:17 King Benjamin stated And behold, I tell you these things that
ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow
beings ye are only in the service of your God and the second is found in Matthew 25:40
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me. It is the will of our father in heaven that we serve one
another. David O. McKay stated that true Christianity is love in action. There is no better
way to manifest love for god then to show an unselfish idea for ones fellow man. He goes
on to say that with faith and with kindness your hearts will be filled with the desire to
serve all mankind. The spirit of the gospel comes from service performed for the good of others. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 9: verses 6-7 it says “Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver.”
Obviously there are so many other ways we all provide service. Wheather it’s in our
communities or through the church. All acts of service are important and they help us to
draw closer to our father in heaven. They help us keep things in perspective and give joy
to our hearts.
In closing I would like to reference a talk by Dalon H Oaks, he stated that People serve
one another for different reasons, and some reasons are better than others. Perhaps none
of us serves in every capacity all the time for only a single reason. Since we are imperfect
beings, most of us probably serve for a combination of reasons, and the combinations may
be different from time to time as we grow spiritually. But we should all strive to serve for
the reasons that are highest and best. I am so grateful for this knowledge and I know that
as I have grown spiritually my desire to give and serve others has increased. I am so very
grateful for this church and the knowledge I have of it’s truthfulness. I am grateful for the
calling I have to serve our Young Women. I am so very blessed with knowing them and
the knowledge I have gained in serving them. They inspire me and help me to hold true to
the path I am on. I am so grateful to the service they provide to their fellow Young
Women and the great example they set as daughters of our Heavenly Father.

Working on a fear

2008-10-16T12:29:00.002-04:00

So this past Sunday I spoke in church. This is a major major accomplishment for me because the last time I was asked to speak I think I literally had a panic attack. I have never ever had a panic attack and I can almost positively say on that particular day I did. I was so very very proud of myself and the gratification I received in my own self for successfully speaking.

I was so terrified, emotional, fulfilled and definitely accomplished. I know that in the last year I have set some goals and have relyed on my Heavenly Father to help me work through them. I am so grateful for the love and support I feel from him on a regular basis and know how very blessed I am.

Now I have one more major goal that I won't speak of because I need not jinx myself! Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Laney Bug and Kenneth

2008-10-13T20:36:00.002-04:00

On Saturday we celebrated Laney's 3rd birthday and Kenneth's 32nd! Laney's party was princess themed and she certainly acted like the little princess! Check out the above princess poses if you don't believe me! I made a dark chocolate cake with black raspberry jam and chocolate moose filling, covered in whipped cream! It was to die for! She loved opening her presents and all the attention she received. We had a really great time!

I made Kenneth a pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling! My hubby loves pumpkin! I also gave him the beautiful roses pictured above. They are incredibly beautiful!

So all in all we had a wonderful day!

Inspired by the change in the season

2008-10-08T21:58:00.003-04:00

So as you may have noticed the lists of blogs I have been reading is growing. I am so inspired by these women and their craftiness. I have found about a gazillion projects that I want to complete and expand on. Now all's I need to do is prioritize!
I am also lovin this time of year so much. I pulled out my crock pot and have used it twice in the last week. I also have been using the bread machine Laurie gave me for christmas. Dawson is lovong that because he is such a bread eater. The boy won't touch noodles, rice and most forms of potato, bu can't seem to get enough of bread.
I also baked a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip bars. They were so yummy! I seem to always get inspired to cook when the weather starts to change. Then again I can run the oven without boiling everyone out of the house now!
Last but not least I have been cleaning my office. It has become so disorganized, plus since I am basically closing my daycare in November there are alot of things to donate and sell.

Feeling Crafty

2008-10-03T13:22:00.002-04:00

I was feeling crafty yesterday and came up with this fun little pattern for a doll. It was a ton of fun, but not without some hassles! I defintely will need to increase the size of my pattern to make this project a little more hand friendly! Laney loved watching my little project unfold and has claimed the dolly as her own!

Update to being a Soccer Mom

2008-09-24T11:53:00.002-04:00

So I decided before the game on this past saturday I would see how the day played out before I possibly spoke to this coach about how unhappy I was last Saturday. So it turned out she was especially friendly to me and Dawosn, definitely an extra effort was being made on her part. So I believe she realized she had stepped over the line and was making a sincere effort to rectify the situation.

Dawson's game went awesome! They beat an Oneonta team who crushed them last year. It is so amazing how this team has come together! Ashlyn's team did not win this past week, but the game was close 5-4. My kids are turning into quite the little soccer players! I am so proud of them!

Being a Soccer mom

2008-09-17T14:18:00.002-04:00

So I have been stewing the last few days over an incident that happened at Dawson's soccer game on Saturday. So, Dawson was waiting to play in the game and quarter after quarter was going by ( he did play about twominutes during the second quarter).......... So anyways one of the assistant coaches told him after yet again not playing him during the third quarter that he would go in next. So the fourth quarter begins and yet again she desn't put him in. So he's really upset and crying on the bench. So at this point I am slightly irritated, well more then slightly. (this league is for fun, everyone should be playing, especially since her son practically played the whole game) So anyways I go up to the assistant coach and ask her why she isn't playing Dawson and she says he doesn't want to play. In my mind I am like, are you kidding me I have watched him ask you every quarter........). I nicely explain that he does want to play and is really upset. So she goes over to him and tells him to take off his sweatshirt if he wants to play. So he is trying to pull himself togeether and she's like "if you don't take off your sweatshirt now you can forget it and this this is your last chance."" Then her next comment is quit crying like a baby and be a big boy. " I was seriously boiling, it took everything in me to walk away and turn my back to pull myself together. So, tonight is practice and I wonder if I should say something or just let it go? I have a hard time not being confrontational in situations like these....

Pretty please with flowers and Santa

2008-09-17T14:13:00.002-04:00

Laney says the cleverest things! Last evening she had the whole family cracking up on the way home from the grocery store. Laney wanted her daddy to turn the van light on for the twelvth time and it was starting to get kind of old and out her mouth comes. " Pretty please with flowers and Santa!" Honestly how could you refuse such sweetness!

Breaking my babies hearts........

2008-09-14T23:20:00.002-04:00

Kenneth and I had to make the heartbreaking decision of finding homes for our two beautiful kittens because all of a sudden I had a progessively worsening allergy to them. The kids have known for a week or more that I have been really uncomfortable and they knew there weren't alot of choices, especially good choices regarding keeping Sabastian and Spider. So my dear friend Dorothy took both of them. I was so greatful that they will still be together because they play and sleep together.
But it was so heartbreaking watching my tough little man crying so hysterically and Ashlyn looking at me so sadly with red watery eyes. It absolutely broke my heart. Laney was sad to but she's only two and seemed to be okay with the fact that they were now going to be with her friend Gwenny.
Dawson and Ashlyn both know that they will beable to visit with them and I am grateful for that. Though it doesn't lessen their heartbreak.

Lazy Kittens

2008-08-25T10:57:00.003-04:00

I believe that our kittens Spider and Sabastian are the laziest kitties ever! I swear they sleep all of the time (especially Spider)! They are such cuddle bugs!

A Rock.......

2008-08-25T10:43:00.002-04:00

So in early June Kenneth's mom asked me to paint a rock one of the nurses she works with found. I believe her neice found it and they thought it looked like a horsed head, and it did. Actually I thought it reminded me more of a cows head! So anyways I procrastinated. Kenneth's mom called several times about it. So I figured I better get my butt moving on it. I was kind of nervous about doing it because has been such along time since I was creative! So heres the finished product!

Pageant Day

2008-08-01T13:23:00.002-04:00

Ashlyn entered the Miss Otsego County pageant a couple of days ago! She was really excited about it! Her dad went around with her on the scooter collecting money from sponsors so that she could enter. The day of the pageant she was really excited and vey nervous! The night before she practiced her walk and her smile and seemd at ease. Even five minutes before she was supposed to go out in her casual wear sh seemed good! But the momment she was supposed to go on stage she was terrified! So she had a minor meltdown and I explained to her that she didn't have to do anything that she did not want to do. But she was determined and pulled herself together. So I did have to have walk out with her but she did do it. She still had to walk for the dress part of the competition. So she quickly changed and took her place in line. She did walk out this time by herself nerves and all, smiled a shy smile and was obviously terribly nervous. But in the end she placed 4th and her friend Lexie who is pictured with her placed 2nd. I was so proud of her and her accopmlishment! She's a great example in perseverance!

Our New Editions

2008-08-01T13:11:00.002-04:00

So for months Kenneh and I have been promising the kids kittens if they do all the things they are supoosed to be doing. It was more of an incentive for the girls since it seems to be harder for them to do what they are asked! so Laney is primarily potty trained and staying in her own bed most nights and Ashlyn has been trying really hard to pick up after herself without being asked to many times.
So meet Sabastion the fuzzy gray kitty and spider the gray and black tabby! Ashlyn has especially been responsibly feednig and cleaning the litter box. This is a huge accomplishment, believe me!

Our Vacation

2008-07-24T10:34:00.003-04:00

So Kenneth and I took our wonderfully beautiful family to the Adirondacks for our family vaca this summer. To be perfectly honest we had a wonderful time! It was great to beable to let the kids be free to be free. They were so relaxed and better behaved then I have seen them in the past few months.

The water was warm even if the last couple of days were on the cool side. We beat the rain, which I am so grateful for! A trip mid week to the Enchanted Forest Water Safari was alot of fun. Dawson went down a water slide they call KillaMajara. Seriously scary! He also forgot the cross his legs and ended up with a major weggie. He loved it anyways!

Basically we relaxed on the beach most days and spent ample by the fire. Evenings were spent with family playing games and just giggling over tales of our pasts. It really was alot of fun!

Kenneth and his brother Derek climbed Owl's head mountain early one morning and came back with some fun pics of their comedic antics.

We were also able to see some free shows that were presented by the Adirondacks theatre arts camp. Kymm and I went and watched a performance of RENT. It was so good, these kids were really talented! Unfortunately one of the guys did not have an ideal voice for one of the parts! But all in all I was really impressed. We also took the kids to see a presentation of High school musical. This performance was alright. The kid who played Troy was not convincing and was not a good singer. Ashly would crunch up her face every time he would start to sing!

Getting back in the swing of things

2008-07-23T13:02:00.003-04:00

So the last couple of weeks have been busy busy busy. I ave a gazillion things to blog about and now am just finding the time to post some things.
First and foremost I want to congratulate my friend Jay and his wife Thalia (hopefully I spelled that correctly!) on their new bundle of joy! Welcome to this crazy wonderful world Ryker!

Secondly Kenneth is now able to fly solo. For those of you who do not know Kenneth has been flying gas powered relot control airplanes and is now able to fly on his own. Who knew there were so many rules and regs to beable to fly a remote control airplane! Kenneth loves it and I love him, so I am so excited for him!

Thirdly keep my brother and his battalion in your prayers as he is in Iraq!

Fourthly keep your eyes out for blogs on our vacation and you can view pics on my myspace or facebook!

My Weekend away

2008-07-03T14:32:00.002-04:00

It was so wonderful to beable to get away and visit with Natalie. Finally true adults, with several of the same memories and life experiences. Having brutally honest conversations about several things that for some reason or another we have kept hidden from one another. I wonder why that is? Possibly the fear of being judged by one another, which honestly is the lamest excuse I can think of because there is absolutely no reason for it. Nat is my best friend through and through. Who better to talk to then that particular person besides your spouse.
I enjoyed spending time with her family. I especially enjoyed seeing Nat's grandma. Though I had been reluctant to go there in fear of Laney breaking something in her beautiful not so kid friendly home! But our visit was a success and I am so grateful to have gone.
I look forward to seeing Nat and her wonderfully spunky little girls! I just hope that we don't alllow to much time to pass before we visit again!
I adore her and honestly don't know what I would ever do without her!

Purple permanent marker and the amazing blanket Ghost

2008-06-13T13:27:00.003-04:00

To the top of this snazzy little blog be have the amazing blanket ghost. Now this ghost only appears at bedtime and regularly scheduled naps! Laney seems to believe that if she can't see us she must be invisable.So she ever so quietly sneaks out of her bed and will stand in the center of whatever room you may be in. I quess another reason she may be invisable is because Kenneth and I try to ignore the fact that she is standing there in hopes that she will return to bed. We are not that lucky though!
And to the right we have the permanent purple marker monster.

The other day when I stupidly assumed that Laney was sleeping like she was supposed to be she was actually turning herself into a beautiful
piece of art work. Of course I do not keep permanent markers lying about, but it just so happens that her wonderful big sis had one in her back pack. Which being the 7 year old that she is she did not put it up, and Laney being the wonderfully curious two year old that she is went through her sisters bag, thus creating our memory to our right!

I am Super Duper excited

2008-06-03T12:29:00.002-04:00

So at the end of the month Laney and I will be spending time with Natalie and her two girls on our old stomping grounds. I am so excited! Back on Manito where things are so different but all the memories are the same. My grandparents old home at the end of the cul de sac. A place that holds so many many memories for me. It will be weird to walk by it and not just beable to open the front door and go in to my old room. It's a little sad. I loved that home, it was my home. The place that always felt right to me.
It's unbelievabe how quickly all the wonderful memories that come to the front of my mind from our old home. I have known Nat since we were 4 years old. No matter where my family was as soon as Nat and I were back together it was as if we were never apart. I amso grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful best friend. A constant in my life that was so needed at different times! I adore her!

My first Tulip of the season

2008-05-09T12:30:00.003-04:00

So last week I was inspecting my ever growing flowers and came across two lone Tulips at the top of our property next to the road. Kenneth put alot of my bulbs in, in the fall and kind of put them randomly in this particular area. But they were and are so so beautiful. So I took a quick pic and later uploaded it and noticed the pieces of blacktop in the pic. Kenneth suggested I remove the black top and retake the pic but something about this particular arrangement has touched me in some strange way. Without getting all literal and poetic about my own particular thoughts and the meanings and realizations it brung to my heart. I wondered if others see the beauty to?

Finding my passion and running with it.........

2008-05-05T07:55:00.002-04:00

So over the years I have been interested in lots of different things. Things that I like to do but are not necessarily passionate about. But in the beginning of February I statred working on my family history. Besides finding out that I am really good at. I know I am gloating, but I am really good at it.
I also seem to have a knack for research! But then agai I kind of knew that. I remember being in high school and the best part of any assignment for me was researching it and finding really cool and unusual things that other people wouldn't necessarily have thought of to include in any given project!
So anyways I literally have a passion. I have found what I want to do with my life. Granted I do love running my daycare. But geneology keeps my mind moving and literally consumes just about every spare momment I have.
I have looked into taking online courses for certification and filled out a grant application for financial aid and am praying that everything goes the way I am hoping! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thinking........

2008-04-17T09:52:00.003-04:00

So life has been crazy busy between my family and daycare and hobbies and my calling with the Young Women at church and a hobby I can't seem to get enough of. Jugglying it all is sometimes a struggle, but I am grateful for the challenges.
Right now I am struggling with a commitment I made to myself regarding a class on the Old Testament. I had been faithfully doing my reading and homework till about six weeks ago and now am struggling to even complete my reading. I have intensely been working on geneology and family history. It absorbs just about every spare second I have. So I am forced to choose between the two and have been choosing the latter. I am comfortable with my decision in most respects but am struggling with the example I am setting for the other Young Women taking the class. I am not exactly sure how to address the situation.

Miss Independant

2008-03-24T11:45:00.003-04:00

So my oh so adorable laneybug thinks she can do everything for herself since she's been potty training, and when I say everything I mean everything. To the right is a prime example. On a daily basis she goes into the refrigerator (up to, or more then ten times a da). Honestly, no joke, I am not exaggerating! So anyways, she decided she wanted chocolate milk. The puddle to the right is her version of chocolate milk, minus the milk of course! Plus her aim isn't half bad, seeing as how she managed to fill the entire cup til it was overflowing with chocolate.
To top the situation off she was so proud of herself! I couldn't help but giggle and snap a couple of pics of her mischief!

wait... did I mention they were 7 and 8?!?!

2008-03-19T16:30:00.003-04:00

I just had the most fascinating interesting slightly but barely worrisome experience. So the story starts with my 7 year old daughter running over to me because her 8 year old boy friend (meaning boy that is a friend) was upset and covering his eyes (standing in a typical teenager boy stance, you know the one boys do when they are not receiving the answer they thought they were going to receive). So anyways my 7 year old says, "mom, sosos upset with me because I don't him as a boyfriend, only as a friend." My first thought was what?!? and how in the heck did this conversation even start........ so my 7 year old starts to cry because she does like him and doesn't want there to be a misunderstanding, and being the boy that he is he hides in the bathroom and then in Dawsons room because he is also upset, but not acting in the same way as her. She then runs to her room, crys on her bed so that he can hear her and after not receiving a reaction, throws herself on her brothers bed in another fit of tears as he writes a note the computer apoligizing for upsetting her and then they are friends again in a matter of minutes. It was the craziest experience in the world for me. I felt like I was dealing with teenagers............ wait, did I mention that they are 7 and 8!

Butterfly Conservatory

2008-03-13T08:58:00.004-04:00

After church on Sunday we took the kids, courtiously of their great grandmas Christmas present

to the Butterfly Conservatory. My first thoughts entering this wonderious place was how beautiful it was. It was a magical place of free flying butterfly's and birds. Turtles who crossed your path and huge iguanas and camelions around every corner. The kids loved being so close to these amazing creatures and were courtious of their environment. I have to admit I was a little nervous knowing everything was free to roam, because childrens hands tend to roam also. But they were so good. Laney loved the fish and the turtles! She loved the butterfly's if they weren't flying to close to her. She said she was scared of them when they would get to close. We really had a nice afternoon hanging as a family, enjoying the beauty but not necessarily the warmth. I didn't think about how warm it would actually be in there! But all the same it was a memorable afternoon.

A Few Momments of Peace

2008-02-28T13:56:00.002-05:00

Sleeping infants and toddlers offer me a few precious momments to reflect on the quiet. The snow still white from the most recent fall. I love seeing it in the trees and the peaceful feeling I get from it's purity. Fresh fallen snow has always broughten me a sense of peace and a reflection on how winter can truely be beautiful at times.
I look forward to the upcoming weeks and the crocuses that will soon be peaking out of the snow, and to the time when I can get my hands back into the dirt! But for now I will enjoy the quiet and the rest of my day!I look forward to the moonlight sparkling on the still white snow and pray for a clear crisp night of peace and love with those I love!

Sick, sick and still sick post birthday and Winter Weekend

2008-02-19T10:02:00.005-05:00

So obviously from my above title you know I have been sick. I have the most annoying hacky cold. (I am so grateful for the fact that Kenneth had yesterday off, since I slept most of the day away.)

So to recap this past weekend I should start with friday. Clarissa, Becky and I took our young women to winter weekend. Which all in all was really lacking in joyious events for myself on friday do to the fact that I was getting sick. It probably did not help that I didn't get to bed till 1am.

Now this brings us to saturday and my 30th birthday. Which I might add I wasn't entirely looking forward to anyway. I have no idea why I am having issues with the fact that I am 30, but I am. Butr since there is nothing I can do about it I'm done complaining! The girls had a morning of mini classes, which included Clarissa's dance class. I might add that I had alot of fun watching all these young men and women learning some swing. They really seemed to enjoy themselves.

We all then participated in a food drive. (I had the opportunity to stay back and rest, which really didn't happen. It was hard trying to find a comfortable place to relax. So I gave up and started helping set up for all of the goods that were being brought back) We received so much that was donated to the local foodbank. It is really nice to beable to give back to the community. I am sure it warmed everyones heart in the cold weather they tromped through during their collecting.

So anyways I didn't get home till after 10pm. But I came home to candlelight, soft R&B and rose pedals and a hot bath. I was so grateful to Kenneth for all that he did for me considering how I was feeling. Unfortunately Sunday morning I woke up feeling worse then I had the two previous days and this basically was the theme of the next two days. Fortunately I am at least able to function today. Coughing and hacking, constantly blowing my nose, but functioning. Which I am grateful for. I didn't want to have to close my daycare again today!

Orange roses and Valentines

2008-02-15T14:04:00.003-05:00

So I am not a traditionalist when it comes to roses. I have little use for the classifications of colors and their supposed meanings! I love all colors, dayly my favorite changes. I think it has something to do with the artistic side of me. I believe all colors emit love. Sure I love a red rose, but I don't have to have them on Valentines day. In all honestly I don't need flowers at all. But I desire them, and love the colors they bring into my life. Kenneth has always given me flowers. Every flower he has ever given me are locked in my mind. I their their beauty and the love they represent.

Now I know I have been talking all about "me", like i said I adore Valentines day. But Kenneth and our children love it also. I think it's exciting when they come running in the door all high on sugar and excited about the little gifts and cards they received. I secretly purchased carnations from the french club to give to Dawson and Ashlyn with a little note of love. They were so excited to receive them.

Dawson was a little embarassed to receive them, but I know he loved them all the same. He doesn't like to be the center of attention with everyone looking at him. He's oblivious to the little girls who gawk and fawn all over him! Honestly I am thrilled he's not one of those crazy boys chasing all the girls. It's nice that he's 9 years old and still is and wants to be a little boy! (It's scary to me how quickly these days children feel the need to be all grown up)

Ashlyn was just as excited to give her valentines. (We purchased valentines from Friendly's for easter seals.) She on the other hand loves to be in the spotlight and was sure to tell every child who received a valentine how they would get a free icecream cone at Friendly's.

Kenneth brought home helium filled balloons for the kids. A butterfly for Ashlyn, Transformers for Dawson and an Elmo birthday balloon for Laney. (she loved that her balloon had Elmo on it. It's not Kenneth's fault the only one they had said happy birthday, and she's 2 so she had absolutely no idea anyways).

Valentines Day!

2008-02-15T13:27:00.004-05:00

So your probably wondering, "who posts pictures of carnations, carnations aren't anything special!" Well carnations are special especially when given to me by two of my daycare children. Valentines day is a really important day to me. Sure it's gotten to be pretty commercial! But you see, my birthday is two days after Valentines day, and who doesn't love some extra attention every now and then. I really am a sucker when it comes to this particular holiday. I love giving and receiving to and from those who are important to me. I am sure you are all thinking this is what happens on Christmas too. But you see Christmas for me is a more spiritual time . Valentines day is the day I love to be spoiled on. Honestly people you cannot tell me you do not love to be spoiled every now and again!

We look like a crazy bunch!

2008-02-11T12:12:00.001-05:00

As I said before we look like a crazy bunch! Seriously we took about ten of the same shot and they all are somewhat weird! (Kenneth was behind the lens and Chris was in his usual spot of late, asleep on the couch). So this past week Dawson turned 9 years old. That is so crazy to me. My, I mean our little man is 9. Where did the time go? It seems just like yesterday I was pregnant living in what Bonnie called the "love shack" with my beloved Kenneth sicker then I believe anyone has ever been pregnant. At least that is what it felt like to me. But it all was so worth it because I have the most amazing intelligent little man in the world!

Obviously from the pic above I was not blessed with my mothers amazing cake decorating abilities. But I am creative with ingredients and it so good and definitely not on my diet plan! Dawson really seemed to have a great birthday and enjoyed all of his gifts. Late in January I had asked him what he wanted for his birthday? I was completely in awe of him when he asked for scriptures. My nine year old son wanted scriptures for his birthday. Either he totally knows already how to manipulate the gift giving system or was completely sincere. I believe the latter though! I guess it means that Kenneth and I are doing something right. (Even though sometimes it feels like we are completely screwing up!)
But when I look at my children and see how amazing they are, and how compassionate, friendly and accepting of others they are I realize that they really are learning. Obvioulsy they aren't completely perfect, even though I like to think they are. Everyday life brings new challenges, but then so many blessings to! I know someone is watching us and helping to guide through this life. I am so grateful for that!

All in a days work

2008-02-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share the beautiful flowers Kenneth got for me. He always knows how to make me smile when I am having a particularaly stressful day. He just really means alot to me.

This week as gone fairly quickly. I had a new family start with me today. Their little girl is 9 months old and a peanut. Laney loves her and I think is a little overwhelming to her. But I am sure they will get used to one another fairly quickly. I have her big brother after school today and am feeling excited and full of wonder of him. He is high functioning autistic among other things. So he may be a little bit of a challenge, but one I am looking forward to. I know that Dawson and Ashlyn will be a great help to me in helping him feel welcome!