Thanks to Mariah for the tag! Here I go with seven little known facts about me...
1. I barely move when I sleep and I am a bit obsessive when it comes to having the bedsheets smooth. Unfortunately, A is somewhat of a crazy sleeper. I have been known to get up in the middle of the night to pull the bottom of the sheet down so it's tucked under the mattress again.
2. I LOVE to bake--cookies, cakes, and pastries. However, I do not love to cook in general. I really could do without making dinner for the rest of my life.
3. I hate scary movies. Hated them when I was younger and still do. I had nightmares from watching "Young Sherlock Holmes" at my 12th birthday party that lasted for at least a year.
4. I have a freakishly good memory, especially when it comes to names, faces, and numbers. My childhood friend (and still-to-this-day friend) Melinda told me that she expects me to remember our childhood.
5. When I was a toddler, I could turn my feet almost all the way around. I had to wear special shoes that had a brace to turn my feet out at the right ankle. I still walk (and run) somewhat weird.
6. I check to make sure all the doors in the house are locked like three times every night. And when we leave to go somewhere, I check to make sure the garage door is down several times. There may have been a few road trips when I called my friend Gail to have her check as well...
7. I have quite possibly the best college friends ever. We still keep in touch with a yahoo groups site and had our first reunion this past March. They're wonderful and hilarious women and I love them with all my heart!
I won't tag anyone else, since pretty much everyone I know has already been tagged! :)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Mosquitoes for Lunch
H: Mom, can I have three mosquitoes for lunch?
Me: You mean taquitos?
H: Oh, yeah. Caticos.
Ten minutes later...
H: Is it time to have those... what are they called again?
Me: Taquitos.
T (chiming in): Yeah, taciticos.
The mosquitoes were delicious.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Full of Thanks
I think it's a natural thing this time of year (and especially this week) to do a cataloging of sorts about all the things we're thankful for. So... here's my list of "thankful fors":
1. the ability to work from home. Beyond the normal benefits of being able to be at home with my kids, I am shielded from a lot of the normal day-to-day drama of working in an office. I just work away in my little bubble. It's nice.
2. a house that's already decorated for Christmas and a gift list that's almost completed. Having my shopping already nearly done by this time always helps me relax a little and actually enjoy the season.
3. children who try to be better. Things haven't been great with the kids lately (as evidenced by the canceling of a recent holiday) but I know they are trying to be better. And when A and I try harder to be more patient, it's reflected in the kids' behavior.
4. a husband who understands me. We've been married for eight and a half years, but it's always nice to know that he still totally gets me--the silly things that make me laugh, the neuroses about a clean house that make me clean the bathrooms on a Friday night, and the little things that help me be a happier wife and mom.
5. and most importantly, the gospel and its refining influence in my life.
1. the ability to work from home. Beyond the normal benefits of being able to be at home with my kids, I am shielded from a lot of the normal day-to-day drama of working in an office. I just work away in my little bubble. It's nice.
2. a house that's already decorated for Christmas and a gift list that's almost completed. Having my shopping already nearly done by this time always helps me relax a little and actually enjoy the season.
3. children who try to be better. Things haven't been great with the kids lately (as evidenced by the canceling of a recent holiday) but I know they are trying to be better. And when A and I try harder to be more patient, it's reflected in the kids' behavior.
4. a husband who understands me. We've been married for eight and a half years, but it's always nice to know that he still totally gets me--the silly things that make me laugh, the neuroses about a clean house that make me clean the bathrooms on a Friday night, and the little things that help me be a happier wife and mom.
5. and most importantly, the gospel and its refining influence in my life.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Pumpkin Cake Roll
Another fabulous holiday recipe to share! I have to thank my friend Gail for this one. I've always been intimidated by roll recipes. Rolling up a cake, putting in filling, and somehow have it not completely fall apart? Yeah, right! I never got over my nervousness, until this recipe came along. She made it for our family and it was SO good that I knew I had to make it. And surprisingly, not that hard!
Cake
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup nuts, if desired
Filling
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pkg cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
4 tbls. butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
Beat eggs on high speed for five minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Combine flour and remaining dry ingredients. Fold in pumpkin mixture. Spread into 15 x 10 pan lined with wax paper. Top with nuts. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool slightly. Loosen edges with a knife, then turn onto thin towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. (I laid the towel out on the counter, took the cake out of the pan and flipped it onto the towel, and then pulled off the waxed paper.) Roll towel and cake together. Combine all filling ingredients and beat until fluffy. Unroll cake and spread filling over cake and roll. Chill.
Cover and store in refrigerator for up to three days. Keeps well in freezer for one week. Serves 14-16.
Cake
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup nuts, if desired
Filling
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pkg cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
4 tbls. butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
Beat eggs on high speed for five minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Combine flour and remaining dry ingredients. Fold in pumpkin mixture. Spread into 15 x 10 pan lined with wax paper. Top with nuts. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool slightly. Loosen edges with a knife, then turn onto thin towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. (I laid the towel out on the counter, took the cake out of the pan and flipped it onto the towel, and then pulled off the waxed paper.) Roll towel and cake together. Combine all filling ingredients and beat until fluffy. Unroll cake and spread filling over cake and roll. Chill.
Cover and store in refrigerator for up to three days. Keeps well in freezer for one week. Serves 14-16.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Christmas is coming...
Yes, I know the date today is November 9. And, yes, the temperature outside is a balmy 60 degrees. But that doesn't mean I'm not already in the throes of the Christmas spirit. (I also love Thanksgiving. I do. But I just really love Christmas.)
I've always loved Christmas, but it's become even more pronounced as I've gotten older. I love buying the perfect gifts for loved ones, watching my children squeal with delight on Christmas morning (and remembering staying up all night Christmas Eve with my little sister when I was young), attending parties and special programs at church, and even believing in the big man in red. I told my husband a few years ago that I believe in Santa again. It's just more fun to believe, don't you think?
I've already planned when I'll decorate my house for the holidays: Saturday, November 17. I will, however, leave my pumpkins and Autumn wreath up outside the house, so my neighbors will not think I'm crazy (or crazier than they already do). But inside, it will be Christmastime! Then, on the day after Thanksgiving, I'll do the decorations outside.
One of the cheesy radio stations here is already playing Christmas tunes around the clock. While A is not a fan of the Christmas tunes until December, the kids and I are already having a great time when it's just us in the car. I was panicked earlier this week when I thought I'd lost my Carpenters' Christmas Portrait CD, but phew, I found it today and will commence listening to it when I pick up S from school today.
More than all of the decorations, treats, presents, and fun stuff, I just love how the whole season feels. No matter what's going on the rest of the year, when Christmas rolls around, it feels like there are endless possibilities to grow, be joyful, and celebrate the blessings we have and the gift of a baby born so long ago.
I've always loved Christmas, but it's become even more pronounced as I've gotten older. I love buying the perfect gifts for loved ones, watching my children squeal with delight on Christmas morning (and remembering staying up all night Christmas Eve with my little sister when I was young), attending parties and special programs at church, and even believing in the big man in red. I told my husband a few years ago that I believe in Santa again. It's just more fun to believe, don't you think?
I've already planned when I'll decorate my house for the holidays: Saturday, November 17. I will, however, leave my pumpkins and Autumn wreath up outside the house, so my neighbors will not think I'm crazy (or crazier than they already do). But inside, it will be Christmastime! Then, on the day after Thanksgiving, I'll do the decorations outside.
One of the cheesy radio stations here is already playing Christmas tunes around the clock. While A is not a fan of the Christmas tunes until December, the kids and I are already having a great time when it's just us in the car. I was panicked earlier this week when I thought I'd lost my Carpenters' Christmas Portrait CD, but phew, I found it today and will commence listening to it when I pick up S from school today.
More than all of the decorations, treats, presents, and fun stuff, I just love how the whole season feels. No matter what's going on the rest of the year, when Christmas rolls around, it feels like there are endless possibilities to grow, be joyful, and celebrate the blessings we have and the gift of a baby born so long ago.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Randomness
A few random photos...
We celebrated S's birthday with family yesterday and she got even more presents to add to her already huge pile.
We went on a short vacation over the weekend with friends and H went under the water for the first time. That might not seem like a big accomplishment, but since he told me recently that he didn't want to get baptized (in three and a half years) because that would mean going under the water, it was a BIG deal.
And as usual, T fell asleep in a random spot today, this time on the carpet at the top of the stairs. He refuses to let me take him to his room for a nap, but he'll frequently find his own way there. He's just a wee bit independent.
We celebrated S's birthday with family yesterday and she got even more presents to add to her already huge pile.
We went on a short vacation over the weekend with friends and H went under the water for the first time. That might not seem like a big accomplishment, but since he told me recently that he didn't want to get baptized (in three and a half years) because that would mean going under the water, it was a BIG deal.
And as usual, T fell asleep in a random spot today, this time on the carpet at the top of the stairs. He refuses to let me take him to his room for a nap, but he'll frequently find his own way there. He's just a wee bit independent.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Halloween update
Since I'm sure you all were anxiously awaiting the results of our Halloween experiment, here goes...
It was an interesting week (and by interesting I mean frustrating and sob-inducing). The kids did well for about two days with their jobs, and then things started to fall apart. They were barely able to go to the ward trunk-or-treat. They were somewhat good in church on Sunday (after a huge speech from us), but H just couldn't keep it up. I kept reminding him about what we had talked about and encouraging him, but it didn't make a bit of difference. So finally on Monday afternoon, I gave up and told him he was out of chances and wouldn't get to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. I felt SO bad (and still do) but I was just so tired of giving him all the chances in the world and none of it making any difference. The only reason that S got to go (cause she hasn't exactly been a joy to be around the last week) is that she's in school all day and frankly has less time to get in trouble. And she does seem to snap out of the whining just a bit faster than H. T is sometimes the worst offender, but let's face it, he wouldn't "get it" even if we did take away the privilege.
I think I got a teeny, tiny insight this week into how Heavenly Father feels. I honestly felt like we have been doing everything we can, being patient, and trying different tactics--and it's so frustrating that it hasn't been working AT ALL. I think Heavenly Father must get so sad when we screw up again and again, after all He does to try and help us. I did wonder if I should keep giving H more chances but there comes a point as a parent when you just have to stick to the consequences you put in place. Anyway, we've decided to keep going with the jobs and having them earn the right to do things: even normal things like going to the grocery store (my kids love this) and going to Grandma's house for Sunday dinner. It could be a long holiday season...
On that note, here are a few Halloween pictures. :) T was supposed to be Darth Vader, but when he saw H in his ninja costume, he wanted to be one as well. He does have the right moves for it...
It was an interesting week (and by interesting I mean frustrating and sob-inducing). The kids did well for about two days with their jobs, and then things started to fall apart. They were barely able to go to the ward trunk-or-treat. They were somewhat good in church on Sunday (after a huge speech from us), but H just couldn't keep it up. I kept reminding him about what we had talked about and encouraging him, but it didn't make a bit of difference. So finally on Monday afternoon, I gave up and told him he was out of chances and wouldn't get to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. I felt SO bad (and still do) but I was just so tired of giving him all the chances in the world and none of it making any difference. The only reason that S got to go (cause she hasn't exactly been a joy to be around the last week) is that she's in school all day and frankly has less time to get in trouble. And she does seem to snap out of the whining just a bit faster than H. T is sometimes the worst offender, but let's face it, he wouldn't "get it" even if we did take away the privilege.
I think I got a teeny, tiny insight this week into how Heavenly Father feels. I honestly felt like we have been doing everything we can, being patient, and trying different tactics--and it's so frustrating that it hasn't been working AT ALL. I think Heavenly Father must get so sad when we screw up again and again, after all He does to try and help us. I did wonder if I should keep giving H more chances but there comes a point as a parent when you just have to stick to the consequences you put in place. Anyway, we've decided to keep going with the jobs and having them earn the right to do things: even normal things like going to the grocery store (my kids love this) and going to Grandma's house for Sunday dinner. It could be a long holiday season...
On that note, here are a few Halloween pictures. :) T was supposed to be Darth Vader, but when he saw H in his ninja costume, he wanted to be one as well. He does have the right moves for it...
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