On The Lake

*Arrow Point Resort on Lake Coeur d'Alene

I heard it is supposed to snow up there over the weekend, so hopefully we don't get too much dumped on us. I'll be thinking of all of you while I'm sleeping in, swimming and soaking in the hot tub, eating yummy food, shopping, and relaxing.

Later friends!

Don't save the Drama for this Mama

Last night as I was literally walking out the door with the kids to head to the Blue and Gold Banquet, Kendle starts freaking out and yelling that her tooth fell out. [One of her top middle teeth has been loose for weeks and weeks.] She was half-crying, half-laughing with triumph that the darn thing finally came out on it's own. I was already running late, so we gave her mouth a quick rinse, grabbed some tissue to blot at the blood with and ran out the door.

A while later while I'm setting up and decorating at the Blue and Gold she runs up to me and is crying again with blood dribbling down her chin. Low and behold, her other middle top tooth is now really, really loose and looks like it is about to come out. It was sitting at a horribly awkward [almost comical] angle and I kept telling her she looked like she had "hill billy" teeth.

After we got home really late, she was so tired but so excited to show Riley her lost tooth and the other one that was about ready to come out. I think exhaustion and anxiety kicked in on turbo-boost because she just started crying hysterically that she wanted us to pull the loose one out, but every time we got near it she'd scream. I wiggled it a little and gave it a little pull, but I do not think it was quite ready to come out, I just felt bad thinking about sending her to school with her crazy hill billy teeth the next day.

I finally got her calmed down and in bed, and got her some more tissues for her tooth. These were her main worries:

a.) That it would come out while she was sleeping and she would swallow it.

b.) That if the other tooth did come out, she wouldn't be able to talk at school.

c.)That she wasn't going to be able to eat.

Kendle is such a worry wart [ya, I know she gets that from me] and I have to really reason with her to get her little mind to stop being in distress.

Luckily the tooth fairy remembered to pay her visit last night, or there would have been even more drama.

Sheesh......

Journal Thoughts

*For Today February 23, 2009*

Outside my window...
It's dark and drizzly. We've been having some wet days. Yesterday morning it poured down rain, which would have been nice if I didn't have to go out in my church clothes and high heels and carry a heavy toddler through a parking lot of puddles.

I am thinking...
About everything I need to get done today. I have a few more things to pick up for the Blue and Gold Banquet tomorrow night. I'm also thinking that I feel a sore throat coming on and I can't get sick this week. What to do for FHE tonight?

I am thankful for...
Blessings and a Heavenly Father who watches over his children. This weekend some of my younger cousins (Mitch, Parker, and Megan) were involved in a bad car accident over by Othello. I'm so very thankful they are all OK.

From the kitchen...
I'm thinking of making chicken enchiladas for dinner tonight. I haven't made them in a long time and they are one of Riley's favorites (and mine). I think I've got all of the ingredients on hand. Yummy.

I am wearing...
Pj's. I am so tired this morning. I was hoping I could get Kendle off to the bus and then sneak back to bed for a little bit until Morgan woke up, but he heard the hustle and bustle going on today and woke up a little earlier than normal.

I am going...
To straighten up the house and then do some quick shopping. Don't think I'll get a workout in today, maybe this afternoon when I put Morgan down for nap.

I am reading...

Still working on Edgar Sawtelle, but I've been distracted by all of the magazines I've been getting in the mail. I love all of the spring articles and ideas that start popping up this time of year. I love Better Homes and Gardens and Real Simple.

I am hoping...
That I can be really organized this week. We have a lot going on and I hate the feeling of things being chaotic and crazy. We're leaving Friday morning for our trip, so by Thursday night I need to have everything done and ready to go, including bags packed up for the kids to go stay with grandma and grandpa.

I am hearing...
Dora the Explorer. Morgan will come running when he hears the theme song. I don't know what it is about that show that sucks kids in the way it does but they all love it.

Around the house...
I need to go gather up all of the "randoms" that have made their way into the family room over the weekend - like one of Morgan's stray socks, pages of the newspaper, blankets, books etc...Little by little it starts looking like a lost and found.

One of my favorite things...
Every week in school, Kendle writes a new story that her teacher helps them make into a little book. They illustrate them and it is quite cute. They bring them home, we as parents read them and write little comments on the back, and then send them back to school. I love them - Kendle comes up with some really funny things and draws some great pictures. We really get a kick out of reading what comes out of her six year old imagination.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Shopping, Blue and Gold Banquet, packing, finish my book so I can take books back to library, hopefully work out almost every day. Get to bed early.

Something I want to remember...

Last night I taught Morgan how to say "I love you". I was trying to teach it to him in sign language, but he kind of did his own thing. He points to his eye, then folds his arms, then shouts "you". It was the most adorable thing ever. He has been such a fun guy lately. He is talking a lot more now and just plays and laughs all of the time. He likes to come snuggle with me at night while I'm relaxing on the couch.

Have a great Monday!

For journal ideas visit the simple womans daybook.blogspot.com

A Good Way to Start a Friday Morning...

Since Riley is going to be gone at a coaches training in Seattle all weekend, he thought he'd take Kendle out for some donuts this morning before school. She was so excited. [It's so fun for girls to do things with their dads like this every once in a while. She'd been having a hard couple of days, so it was exactly what she needed.] Kendle was up even earlier than normal this morning because she did NOT want to miss going. Even better, Riley came back home after dropping her off at school and brought me a delicious donut as well.

Awwww shucks...... nothing speaks to my heart like a yummy donut.

Random Music Sampler

I've been tagged a few times now to do this, so here's the rules. [I'm not tagging anyone else, but feel free to play along if you'd like.]

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, ipod, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

4. Tag at least 10 friends (make me #11 so I can see your results).

5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.

6. Have Fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? Sleep (Meiko)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? White Dress (Christophe Beck)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I Wanna Love Somebody Like You (Keith Urban)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Hello, Goodbye (The Beatles)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? Popsicle Toes (Diana Krall)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Gettin' Up (Q-Tip)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Bella's Lullaby (Carter Burwell)

WHAT IS 2 + 2? Love, Love, Love (Tristan Prettyman)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Teardrops On My Guitar (Taylor Swift)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? The Best Is Yet to Come (Michael Buble)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Taking Chances (Celine Dion)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Float On (Modest Mouse)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Leave the Pieces (The Wreckers)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Dreaming With a Broken Heart (John Mayer)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? Just For Now (Imogen Heap)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Vienna (Billy Joel)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? For Your Love (Marching Band)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Take It From Me (The Weepies)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Constellations (Jack Johnson)

*Birthday Girl*

I want to give a big shout out to my little sis who is turning 19 today!

I can still remember the day she was born - I was in the fourth grade and I couldn't have been more excited to be getting a little sister of my very own. She was the cutest, chubbiest little baby with big old dark brown eyes and curly dark hair. She was such a fun little thing to be around.

Fast forward 19 years and she's all grown up (almost). Tamra is such a fun little sister to have. We can laugh at the same stupid jokes and movies until we have tears in our eyes. She has an interesting mind, very creative and unique. We like a lot of the same things, but also have totally different tastes on others and that's OK. It keeps things from getting boring. She's very goal oriented which is something I greatly admire - if she sets her mind on doing something she's going to see it through until it happens.

Here are some more fun facts about Tamra, I took these from her 25 random facts page on Facebook so imagine her writing this:

*I absolutely hate scary movies. I don't understand why people like to be scared. It's not meant to be fun. It's meant to be scary. That's how people have heart attacks.

*Growing up, it was an unwritten rule that if you didn't beat me to the mashed potatoes...there wouldn't be much left. I always strategically sat/stood next to them so right after prayer was over I could go in for the kill. I always won.

* If I ate Chinese food one day, and Mexican food the next, and then Chinese again, and Mexican again....every single day...I would be happy.

* I looove to dance and I don't even care if I look like a fool...'cause I will do it anyways. I love to krump.

* It's rare that I care what people think about me. And I'm not just one of those people that says that to try to be cool...remember 'cause I hate when people try too hard. I just really don't feel like wasting the energy to be the way people think I should be. It's not worth it.

*When I was little I hit my head a lot, stepped on the same nail twice, fell off a swing set and cut my bum open on a screw, fell off the trampoline a time or two, crashed my bike over and over and over again, and shaved my tongue...just a few of many spazzy injuries. My family said I had Exploding Syndrome...where I would just explode and lose control of my body and whack into stuff. They also thought I was going to have some sort of brain damage...and I turned out just fine :)

* Mayonnaise just isn't right. It just shouldn't exist. Condiments freak me out.

* I'm honest, but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. I don't like to confront people because I think it's rude. If someone asks me what I think, I will tell them. If I know someone said something mean about someone, but it's unimportant, I wont tell them because I wouldn't want someone to tell me if someone said something mean about me. Stuff like that hurts peoples feelings, and I'm not really into that.

These are just a few reasons why we love Tamra. We think she's an A++++++++++

Happy Birthday!

Wednesday

Urban dictionary gives these definitions for hump day:

"The middle of a work week (Wednesday); used in the context of climbing a proverbial hill to get through a tough week. The absolute BEST day of the week, the day of maximum hope that maybe, you might make it out of this week alive. It is called hump day because it is often referred as the ''hump'' of the week because it's two more days til Friday"

*I just worked out

*I'm exhausted

*My house is a wreck

*I don't feel like cleaning it

*I'm starving

*I'm on a quasi-diet and I'm craving all the stuff I shouldn't eat

*I need to go grocery shopping

*Grocery shopping is the last thing I want to do

*Want to go take a nap and have the house clean itself and dinner magically appear tonight

*I have a new 8 pound nephew named Dalton

*Woke up yesterday with a really bad kink in my neck that won't go away

*Kendle has a play date after school (yay!)

*Morgan is singing along to the Spongebob theme song and smashing crackers into the carpet

*Really looking forward to next weekend away!

Journal Thoughts

*For Today February 17th, 2009*


Outside my window...
The sun is shining. It has been really pretty the last few days. The kids have been wanting to spend more time outside (which is fine with me). Morgan has figured out that he really likes to swing.

I am thinking...
About vacation rental houses at the coast for Thanksgiving this year. Once you've looked at dozens they start to all blend together. We have such a big family that we have to find a huge house.

I am thankful for...
A good night's rest. Sunday night I was so tired that I kept falling asleep on the couch and I ended up going to sleep at 8:00 pm and slept until 8:00 am. It was a miracle. I felt so much better.

From the kitchen...
I'm trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight so I can get that going early today. I've been going through a phase where nothing sounds good to make and I haven't been planning a menu like I usually try to do.

I am wearing...
Workout clothes, sweatshirt, and crazy pony tail. I just got Morgan out of the bath tub and he got my socks all wet, so I'll have to get some new ones.

I am going...
To pick up the house, workout, fold some laundry, go through the mail pile, and play with Morgan. *Write up a menu for the rest of the week's dinners.

I am reading...
Still on "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". It is kind of a slow read, but good. I just have not had the time to sit down and read for more than five minutes at a time, and I've been too tired at night to read before I go to bed much.

I am hoping...
This nice weather sticks around for more than a few days. I'd love to start taking Morgan on some walks and spend time outside more.

I am hearing...
Planes flying over our house. After hearing about that terrible plane crash in Buffalo, New York it has made me even more aware and apprehensive about how close we live to the airport here. Sometimes those planes fly so low over our this part of town.

Around the house...
It looks like there was a wild party here last night. I think Morgan has pulled out every single toy that he owns and then some.

One of my favorite things...
Driving in the car when my kids are sound asleep. On our way back from my parents house yesterday afternoon, the kids just crashed and slept the whole way home. It makes the drive go by so fast. I love the quiet and I can actually listen to music for once.

I'm looking forward to...
Getting out of town for a few days for our anniversary at the end of the month. A few days of rest and relaxation are always good.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A few meetings, shopping, a possible girls night. My sister-in-law Dori is scheduled to be induced tonight, so hopefully we will get to meet our new nephew soon.

Here is a thought I am sharing with you...

*picture via Real Simple

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

Kendle's Valentine's party on Wednesday was really fun. The girls had a great time decorating cookies, making Valentine's, putting on a fashion show and just being plain silly.


















One funny moment was when all of the girls had to open the front door and yell "Hi Bridger!" (multiple times) to a little boy from their school who was playing hockey across the street with the neighbor boy. Yep, the talking about boys is already starting!

This year, Kendle's teacher asked them to make their Valentine holder at home. So we looked through lots of cute ideas and worked on finishing it up last night. Kendle was so excited to take her Valentine box and her Valentine's to school today. We used this template and a Kleenex box, and it turned out really cute. I even added a little glitter just for Kendle because she kept asking for some. For her Valentine cards we made some little bears out of craft foam that said "You're Beary Special" and stuck a chocolate heart to each one. Can you tell Kendle likes Teddy Bears? I hope she has fun in her class today.

We are excited to go to our Ward's Valentine Dinner tonight where we will be treated to a 4 course authentic Mexican dinner by some great ladies in our ward who I hear can really cook. Sounds yummy to me. It will be fun to have a chance to visit with people I don't normally get a chance to see on busy Sundays. My parents are coming up to babysit for us and the kids are quite excited about spending an evening with grandma and grandpa.

Tomorrow night we are opting to not go to a busy restaurant and get take out instead and then go to a movie we've been wanting to see. It should be fun and relaxing which is what I've been needing.

I hope everyone has a fun weekend with their sweethearts. Hurray for no school on Monday!

Yummies

What I love about February:

I am on sugar cookie overload - help I need an intervention! Why do sugar cookies have to be so darn addicting?

Pretty Things

If you'd like a chance to win some beautiful spring colored goodies, head over to Jan's blog.

She is being very generous with this giveaway, so go take a peek and leave her a comment!

FHE Fun

Since February is the month that we think of hearts and love, we had kind of a themed Family Home Evening lesson and activity last night. I used this scripture chase activity and it was really fun. I had no idea that the word "heart" appears in over 1000 scriptures. We talked about why it's important to show love to others and be kind, starting with our own family. I had a small chocolate heart that I gave to everyone after we were done.

After that we did a quick little activity of making each person in our family a simple little mailbox/note holder:

We hung them up on our pantry door where we can see them all of the time. The purpose is to leave each other little notes (or treats ) when we see them doing something nice - or just because. Kendle was excited to see that she already had a little note waiting in hers this morning. We didn't have a lot of time to decorate these, but you could make them with hearts and other things for Valentine's Day if you wanted. It was super simple, just one piece of construction paper per person, a glue stick, a marker, and stickers or whatever else you might have on hand. It will be interesting to see who gets something in their mailbox next.

*Harry Potter party was fun, we munched on treats and popcorn and Kendle kept pointing out all of the things she remembered from the book. Her eyes got VERY big at the end of the movie when things start to get a little creepy, especially the part where Professor Quirrell takes off his turban and Voldemort's face is on the back of his head. I thought her eyes would pop out of her head. Riley and I were trying to not to laugh. We all had a good time, even Morgan got a kick out of some parts of the movie - he liked the music and the owls, oh yeah and about ten pieces of licorice!

Journaling

*For Today February 9th*

Outside My Window...
It's cold and a bit frosty. Drab and grey. February is an interesting month for weather around here. You never know what you are going to get.

I am thinking...
About Kendle. I just sent her off to school and it is always a very tense time in the morning. We're always rushing to get her out the door and she is not the easiest little girl to help get ready for school. She is so particular about how things have to be. Socks have to have seams perfectly straight, no tags touching her, etc...by the time I get her on her way to the bus I am exhausted. Funny thing is even though we tend to bicker a bit with each other as soon as she opens that door and hops down the front step she's all smiles and waving as she makes her way down the street. My happy little girl returns.

I am thankful for...
Parents that instilled good old traditional values in me while I was growing up. I feel like as a parent now of my own children, I have my feet firmly planted where they need to be. Even when you don't think your children are listening to you they are. I'm sure that's how my parents felt while they were trying to give me advice and teach me things when I was younger. But like they say, plant a seed and watch it grow....

From the kitchen...
I've got to stop making cookies. I hosted a meeting at my house last night and so I made some cookies. I don't think my working out will be productive until I can get all of the sweets out of my house. Out of sight, out of mind. It was nice to wake up to my sparkling clean kitchen this morning though.

I am wearing...
Pj's. Comfy, warm, and tempting me to not change into work-out clothes.

I am going...
To have an easy relaxing day. My house is clean, laundry is mostly done, I don't have to do sharing time this week, and I don't have anything pressing on my schedule for today. I LOVE days like this. Tonight after a short FHE lesson we are going to have our Harry Potter party for Kendle since we finished the 1st book last week. We're going to watch "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", drink some "butter beer", eat some "licorice wands" and have a fun time.

I am reading...
Last week I started reading "The Shack" and I couldn't finish it. It was way too far out for me. I might have to go back and read the ending, but it just got too weird for me. Sorry if that offends anyone else who liked it. I usually try and stick it out, even if I'm not really into a book because I can't stand the thought of not finishing something I started but this was an exception. Now I'm a few chapters into "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" and am really liking it. I can tell it is going to be an interesting book.

I am hoping...
Riley's ankle recovery keeps improving. He goes to physical therapy three or four times a week and he feels like it is getting stronger. He still won't be able to run for about 4 or 5 more months, but we're hoping by summer it is almost back to "normal". It's funny how running doesn't sound that fun until you can't do it for a while. I think he is going to be bummed come soccer season when he can't do more while he's coaching. I can see a big improvement though just looking at his ankle, but we shall see how things go.

I am hearing...
The "Snuggy" infomercial on TV. It must be on every other commercial, either that or the "ShamWow".

Around the house...
I did a lot of cleaning over the weekend, so the house is in great shape. I even wiped down the piano to get all of the pesky little finger and hand prints off. They'll probably all be back by the end of the day though. We'd really like to do some repainting and new flooring in our kitchen/family room. I'm terrible at making a decision on colors and types of flooring though. We've been looking for months and I just can't make up my mind.

One of my favorite things...
I love, love, love Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Lotion. Every time I wear it people ask me what perfume I'm wearing. I've used it for about six or seven years and I hope it never gets discontinued.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
I have a presidency meeting tomorrow afternoon, Kendle's party on Wednesday afternoon, adult Ward party on Friday night, and Valentine's Day on Saturday. It should be a fun and typically busy week. I need to make a bunch of heart shaped sugar cookies, and there I go with the cookies again......

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

*picture via Real Simple

Hurray it's Friday!

*Some of our plans for today and tomorrow*

Today:
Tidy up the house
Work on primary "stuff"
Do more pesky laundry that keeps miraculously appearing
Read my new books from the library (the ones I've been waiting like five months for)
Go out to dinner with our family and my parents
Have fun!

Tomorrow:
Sleep in (wishful thinking)
Fix something yummy for breakfast
Tidy up the house (is there a pattern here?)
Sign Kendle up for Tee-Ball
Make a mini-grocery store run
Help Kendle plan some fun things for her Valentine party
Get ready for Sunday
Relax!

*Kendle and I finished reading the first Harry Potter book together last night. I promised her we'd have a Harry Potter family party/movie night when we finished it. It was really fun doing that together and I can't wait to get started on the second book with her. I love the way her little mind works things out and asks questions about things that are happening in the story. I'm fairly certain she will get a kick out of Dobby the house- elf in book 2.

Fun Valentine's Day Ideas

I have been having a crazy busy week so today I wanted to post some fun things. I've been seeing so many adorable Valentine's Day craft ideas out there - it is crazy how creative people are! I'm getting inspired to do something fun like these. I thought I'd share some of my favorite's:


*This MP3 Valentine is so cool:

Use a box of candy conversation hearts, some scrapbook paper, string, two mini peanut butter cups, and this printout. I think it's genius. You can find the full instructions at Family Fun. They also have a ton of more valentine's crafts you can print out here.

*Printable Cards:

I have seen so many cute FREE printable cards for the kids to use out there. I think these creative folks are pretty generous with their talents. Kendle would love these particular cards because one of her favorite Beatles songs is "All You Need is Love". So cute:

You can click here to download your free template. She also has a zebra and a sweetheart card template that are equally fun. Glue them to the front of a box of candy hearts and you have instant Valentine goodness. All these are found at Bunny Cakes.

*Candy Cane Hearts:

If you have leftover candy canes from Christmas (or if you're like me you have a whole box of mini candy canes leftover) this is a super great idea to get rid of some of those. You only need those little lollipop sticks to go with this.

Place candy canes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Remember to leave enough room for the sticks. Bake at 300 degrees for ABOUT 5 minutes. All ovens are different so watch closely until you decide the right time for your oven. Bake until you just see the candy cane melt. Place a stick in the candy canes. Pinch candy canes around the stick. The candy canes and pan will be hot so be very careful.

Once completely cool you can wrap them up and you have cute treats! Thanks to Skip to My Lou for this cute idea.

*Flower Arrangement:

I thought this Valentine's Day flower arrangement from Martha Stewart was gorgeous! I love the addition of the red hots, I am a bit partial to the color red after all:

Also, these folding envelope hearts are just what I was looking for to use as invitations:

*Here's an idea I had:

Take an extra picture frame or buy an inexpensive one (a shadow box would be neat as well) and fill it with special keepsakes and mementos from your husband. I've saved letters that Riley wrote to me while we were dating, little cards that have come with flowers he's bought me, movie stubs, concert tickets, pictures - whatever might be special to the two of you. Arrange them in an attractive way in a frame and then display it in your home. Your kids would probably think it is neat to look at some of those things too and it could be a good reminder of all of the special times you've had.

*One year for Valentine's Day Riley and I stayed up really late the night before blowing up tons and tons of red and pink balloons that we put in Kendle's room while she was sleeping. When she woke up in the morning she was surrounded by balloons and a "Happy Valentine's Day" sign was on her door. She thought that was the coolest thing and was so surprised. She still talks about that one.

I love Valentine's Day - I think it is just one of the most fun holidays and a chance to make everyone in your family feel special.

Happy Birthday Riley!

If Riley could have any wish come true when he blew out his birthday candles these would probably be his top five:

• Go back to the Atlantis Resort where we stayed on our Bahamas trip and golf with the VIP's.
• Have his ankle be healed 100% so he can golf, run, hunt, and slide tackle his soccer players to his hearts content.
• Be back in high school for one more Friday night football game.
• Speed everywhere he drives without ever getting a ticket.
• A house in the country with his own private pond for hunting.

Happy 28th Riley, you are such an old man!

Journal Day

*For Today February 2, 2009*

Outside my window...
I just sent Kendle off to school and the sky is looking pretty drab and gray. There might be a small chance of some sunshine peeking through some clouds today. One nice thing is that it has not been as cold the last few days. Today is Groundhogs Day, and that groundhog saw his shadow and ran back in his hole. Will we have 6 more weeks of winter? I think Al Gore would have a few choice words for that groundhog.

I am thinking...
How nice it would be to go back to bed or get a good nap in later today. Morgan has been so sick all weekend with a bad cough that has been keeping us up at night. You know you're kids are really sick when they get excited and smile to take their medicine and go run and get you the little nose suction thing-a-ma-bob to get all the gunk out of their nose. Or maybe that's just my child.

I am thankful for...
My extended family. Saturday my grandmother turned 80, and we were able to go visit her for a few hours and see some aunts, uncles, and cousins that were in town. They are all great people who would do anything to help you and are a really fun bunch. I think it's amazing that Kendle loves going to my grandparents house as much as I did when I was her age. I feel so blessed that she is able to know my grandparents and have a relationship with them that I hope she will remember for the rest of her life.

From the kitchen...
I have a plethora of brownies and cookies left over from this weekend. I need to get them out of my house pronto. One of my favorite cookie recipes that is so easy:

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
1 Box Devils Food Cake Mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine (one stick)
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips (or peanut butter chips)

Mix all ingredients together, chill in the fridge until firm. Roll into balls and place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 8-10 minutes.

They are scrumptious! Hence, the reason why I need to get them out of my house.

I am wearing...
Warm up pants and a sweatshirt. I am not a person who gets really dressed up every day unless I'm going somewhere. Which I might be later, but I need to work out this morning.

I am creating...
Some invitations for Kendle's Valentine's party and for a meeting at my house this coming Sunday. I'm not very good at these things, and I'll probably just break down and go buy something.

I am going...
To try and get started on our taxes this week. It is one of my least favorite things to do. It pretty much just makes me rehash the sickening reality of exactly how much money is taken out of Riley's checks every month. We always say we will do something fun with our tax returns and we never do. It ends up going to new tires or something practical like that, only because I am a worry wart. If it was up to Riley we'd fly off to some exotic vacation for a week.

I am reading...
I just finished another book by Richard Paul Evans titled "Grace". It was a very touching story about a girl who runs away from her home because of abuse and meets a kind boy who lets her stay in his clubhouse in the field behind his family's home. The ending was really sad though.

I am hoping...
To get lots of laundry done today so I don't have to do it the rest of the week. That would be a good thing.

I am hearing...
The dryer going and Riley getting ready for work. Morgan is just starting to stir in his crib. I can't believe he slept through all of the hustle and bustle this morning.

Around the house...
I have days where I want to take every last thing out of my house and start over. Too much clutter and stuff starts to make me feel claustrophobic. We need another bookshelf as ours is overflowing. We are ready for a bigger house.

One of my favorite things...
Strawberry Lemonade. I bought some more Country Time strawberry lemonade mix over the weekend and sliced up some strawberries and lemons and froze them. I can pull some out any time I want to make a yummy drink and they taste so good. Like a little taste of summer.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Kendle is attending a birthday party for a friend tonight, Riley's birthday is tomorrow night, I have lots of planning for primary and scouts, and I need to work on my sharing time for this Sunday. I'm going to work out every day this week. I'm probably forgetting something.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

*picture via Real Simple