It's a BOY!!!

Today was my ultrasound...Our baby is healthy, with all fingers, toes and parts..Jarrod and the girls were able to be there for my appointment and are excited to know it is a BOY!!.

Brayden's Belated Party......

We had a little skate and Pizza party for Brayden. She was able to invite 2 friends. Ellie, Karina (not pictured) and of course all five of us! We went to pizza, skating and Cold Stone...We had a good time...

Welcome Triston Nicholas

My Nephew and his wife had a baby this weekend. He was born a few weeks early with some breathing difficulties. He is now out of NICU and doing well . He was born on January 26, 2008. Due to go home this afternoon.
Cute baby boy...I remember changing my nephew's diaper.. Boy I am getting old.....

THE DASH

Click This Link to View:
The Dash Movie - WTT

More Valentine's Stufff....

I had to steal these pictures from Caitlin's blog...They are so fun and I love Valentines...

Cute, Simple and Easy to Make Valentines

Found these cute ideas on familyfun.com. They have a ton a fun and easy ideas for the kids Valentine's exchange.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Card stock
Hole punch
Scissors
Pixy Stix
Stickers
Marker
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less
1. Cut a heart from card stock (ours are 3 1/2 inches wide and 3 1/2 inches tall). Punch 2 holes in the heart, one toward the upper right and one toward the lower left. Use markers to add a message. 2. Insert a Pixy Stix through one of the holes. Gently bend the card and slide the candy out through the other hole. 3. To make the arrow, sandwich 2 heart-shaped stickers (we got ours from Oriental Trading Company) over each end of the Pixy Stix.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Sticks of gum
Licorice strings
Construction paper
Scissors
Heart stickers
Tape
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place. 2. Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker. Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

choosing my own...

choosing my own...

I ran across this blog and thought it interesting. Read Comments and also go toStarting From Scratch and read her comments. I would like to see what you think, please share you opinions and ideas on this. I have 3 girls that I need to protect and me being a daughter whose mother was a victim of abuse, I know the after effects that last.

Easy Ways To Stay In Shape..

I received this in a email---thought I would share.....

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood,
the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully
and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised,
swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
'They'll be more important as you get older.
No matter how much you love your husband,
no matter how much you love the children you may have,
you are still going to need Sisters.
Remember to go places with them now and then;
do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women.
Women always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought.
Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world?
I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends each
year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand that her Mom really
knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up...
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you. A girl friend is
never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be
on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you,
pulling for you, intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.

Baby Butler!

The ingenious Baby Butler Hands-Free Bottle Holder is truly one-of-a-kind.
How does it work? The Baby Butler weighted pillow is simply placed over your shoulder. The thick Velcro strap on the other end securely holds any size bottle to your baby’s mouth.
Voila! You’re free to multi-task.

Binky

I found this little binky on another blog & on her blog she heard from friends that it actually works! The little wings close when it is dropped so it always stays clean.

Quote of the day!

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. -Yiddish Proverb

BFF Award

Thanks Laurie, For giving me this award. It sure has been fun getting to know you and your family.....Thanks for the kind words and emails......

Toothless smile!

Kaylor lost another tooth!! At this rate the tooth fairy is broke...

Future Baby Projects.....

Lots of baby showeres coming up......hmmm, what to do?

New Arrival!!!

After what felt like a very long day of waiting Abram Levi finally made his appearance at around 5:30 p.m. He weighed in a 8 lbs 12 oz and is 22" long...Big Bouncy Baby Boy. Yippee. Congratulations Austin, Kevin and Big Sister Baby Kate.....We can't wait to meet your little brother....

Book Club

Overview----

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? How much do parents really matter? What kind of impact did Roe v. Wade have on violent crime? These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He is a much heralded scholar who studies the stuff and riddles of everyday life -- from cheating and crime to sports and child rearing -- and whose conclusions regularly turn the conventional wisdom on its head. He usually begins with a mountain of data and a simple, unasked question. Some of these questions concern life-and-death issues; others have an admittedly freakish quality. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: freakonomics. Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and co-author Stephen J. Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives -- how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they set out to explore the hidden side of ... well, everything. The inner workings of a crack gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The myths of campaign finance. The telltale marks of a cheating schoolteacher. The secrets of the Ku Klux Klan. What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world, despite a surfeit of obfuscation, complication, and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and -- if the right questions are asked -- is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking. Steven Levitt, through devilishly clever and clear-eyed thinking, shows how to see through all the clutter. Freakonomics establishes this unconventional premise: If morality represents how we would like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work. It is true that readers of this book will be armed with enough riddles and stories to last a thousand cocktail parties. But Freakonomics can provide more than that. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.

Waiting.............

Today is the day, My sister-in-law is at the hospital and we are anxiously waiting the arrival of baby Abram.....I cannot wait to meet the little guy.....

Pottery Barn Valentines Items

Grandma Jammies and Snowmen

Every year Grandma Kerry makes the girls jammies for Christmas Eve....They are always super cute and cozy...The girls love them.....I Brayden and the dogs...This was her penguin snowman. I wish I took a picture when it was done it was really cute. The dogs had a blast in the snow..
Kaylor having a ball making the head for the large snowman...
Ashlynn making the torso....The snowman they made was huge.. It has been a couple of weeks and it has just within the last few days melted.

Baby Hope

Baby Hope is doing very well, she did not seem to experience to bad of of withdrawals from the drug use her mother did. She is thriving and happy. I am so glad I get to snuggle her during my work day....Her parents have only visited her 3 times in the 6 weeks that she has been alive. The good news is that her grandparents are trying to do everything they can in order to take care of her. My boss would love to adopt her, but Social Service does everything they can to have a biological family member gain custody of her. She will be with us for the months to come...So glad to have this sweet angel, safe and thriving.....

poppytalkhandmade

Visit Poppytalk Handmade for a cornucopia of valentine gifts.

poppytalkhandmade

Valentines Ideas from Everythings Pink.

click on above link......

Heart Sachets...

These would make great little scented sachets. Simple --Just draw your own pattern and fill with lavender or cinnamon or your favorite fragrant. Give this as a special valentines. This might even make a great Visit Teaching gift.

18 weeks

I am 18 weeks pregnant!! Sometimes It is still hard for me to believe, that we are going to have another baby.....I cannot wait until my Doctor's Appt. on Jan.30. It will be the babies anatomy scan, the day we find out if we are having a boy or a girl, and if everything is okay....I am really excited and nervous....I hope all is well. We have 3 girls. What do you think I am having?

Easy and Cute Valentines Treat!!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Cooking spray
3 tablespoons margarine
6 cups mini (or 60 regular-size) marshmallows
Red food coloring
9 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Plastic bags, yarn
1. To begin, lightly coat a 10- by 15-inch baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside.

2. Melt the margarine in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows, stirring them continuously until they melt. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in drops of red food coloring until the color receives a thumbs-up from the chef.

3. Add the Rice Krispies, stirring until they are evenly coated with marshmallow. Spoon the mixture onto the baking sheet.

4. With waxed paper (or lightly buttered hands), smooth out the mixture, spreading it to an even thickness.

5. Cut out hearts with the cookie cutter. Place each heart in a clear plastic bag, tie on a yarn bow, and they're ready for giving. Makes seven 5-inch hearts.

Left Over Candy Canes

Use your left over candy canes from Christmas and make this adorable card.

Unity

"In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts.
Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness."
Topics: marriage, unity
(Spencer W. Kimball, "The Importance of Celestial Marriage," Ensign, Oct. 1979, 3)

Yummy Childhood treat!

I used to make this when I was a child. Martha Stewart always reminds me of fun things that I did when I was a kid.......I think the girls and I will make this warm concoction...

Stir 1 quart apple cider and 1/4 cup hard cinnamon candies in a medium saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until heated through and candies have melted completely, about 8 minutes. Serve warm.

Fabric Envelopes

These are so cute. You can make a them really special out of scraps of material. I think the fabric envelopes would add a special touch for that someone extra special......

CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO: Making Baby Things with 3 yards of Flannel

We have alot of babies due in our ward. Here are some cute idea's that I just may have to do for baby shower gifts.....

CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO: Making Baby Things with 3 yards of Flannel

White and Black Bean Ranchero Chicken Chili

I ran across this recipe on Jenny's Picky Palate. I really want to make this.. Yum....

White and Black Bean Ranchero Chicken Chili with Cilantro Crema

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ medium white onion, finely chopped

2 Anaheim chilies, finely chopped (or 4oz can diced green chilies)

5 cloves fresh garlic, minced

3 14oz cans chicken broth

2 15oz cans great northern white beans, drained

1 15 oz can black beans, drained

2 heaping Cups shredded cooked chicken breast

2 heaping Tablespoons ground cumin

2 Teaspoons dried Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix (Hidden Valley)

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper
½ Cup sour cream

¼ Cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

1. Place olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Saute onions and chilies until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic for 1 minute. Stir in broth, beans, chicken, cumin, salt and pepper. Simmer on med-low for 20 minutes.
2. Place sour cream and cilantro leaves into a food processor or blender. Process until well combined. Serve chili with a dollop of Cilantro Crema on top. Enjoy!

Valentines!

I know we are still in the month of January, however I love February. I love Valentines. I love making valentines and the treats and decorations for this month. Last year we made the above for the girls classes. They turned out cute. This idea is from Martha Stewart.

Heart-and-Lollipop Flowers

With just a little TLC, colorful hearts flourish as the petals of a new flower variety --one with a lollipop center and stem.

1. Use card stock to make a half-heart template about 3 inches high and 1 1/4 inches wide. Fold a 12-by-3 1/2-inch piece of construction paper in half vertically, and trace four half-hearts along the fold.
2. Cut out hearts; unfold.
3. Stack hearts; punch a hole 1/4 inch up from bottom. Position petals to form a flower, making sure holes line up. Secure by applying glue around holes; let dry. Write name on a petal. Insert lollipop. We also added floral tape to the stem(stick of the lollipop) with eliminated the need for glue and was adorable...