Homemaking

I ordered a case of apples from Bountiful Baskets and then I got an additional 10 lbs of apples in my baskets.  I needed to do something with them.

Well, this is what I did- apple butter (turned into more work than I anticipated) and pie filling. 

 Gratefully, they all sealed. I think the best part was that Joey helped me do most of it and he was a great helper.  I wish I had a picture of him helping.  He is always ready to help. 

 I had a sister at church today ask me for some parenting advice.  I wish I could have given her the perfect answer but I did tell her a few things that I have tired.  Most importantly, I tried to encourage her and let her know that she is not the only mom that has faced that challenge with her son.

 But, this interaction caused me to think about my stage of life.  I just turned 33.  I have been married for 11 and a half years.  I have 4 kids- boys and girls.  I am the Relief Society President.  This caused me to think about how other people see me.  I was flattered that she felt I might possess the wisdom she needed.  It  also caused me to question if I am living up to all I should and need to be? I do know that I have a great desire to be that person and I know that my Heavenly Father knows my heart and knows better than I, what I am capable of becoming.  I will trust in Him and pray.

I do know one thing- this girl is adorable! And, my kids are not clean eaters! Really, is there anything cuter than green beans in the hair and ear?!

"One year older and wiser too..."

Yes you have seen this cake before -  well actually, same recipe different cake.

Peter made my Homemade (labor intensive) German Chocolate cake a day early.  I am working on my birthday so we had cake on Sunday night. 

 Coconut, chocolate, pecans....a piece of heaven!

 As you can kind of see from this picture, I cut my hear about 2 weeks ago- I am really liking it.

Check out that blaze! 33! Jon counted the candles. 

In honor of this double three birthday, I am going to record 3 good and 3 bad things about me. 

Since this is from my point of view, it really may be skewed.

First, the bad or not so good.

1. I am not the most patient or rational person when I am sleep deprived. 

Unfortunately this is once a week after I work.  I try really hard to remember that it is not anyone's fault that I am so tired and they should not be punished for my sleepiness.  Or, sometimes I am really easy going when I am tired and that is not always so good. I really am trying to work on this: patience and love even when I am tired.

2. My tongue gets me in trouble.

For the few of you who read this blog, you probably already know this and sadly have probably suffered from my harsh words.  I do try to hold my tongue and I believe I am better than I used to be.  But, there are still times or situations that something is said or done (or I try to fill in for awkward silence) and I just have to open my mouth.  Some things I  have said to people they have likely forgotten but I remember how awkward they were and regret them.  And, I know that too often in my life I have hurt people's feelings.  To those of you reading this and that has been the case, I am sorry.  I am trying to remember that words can leave a deeper impact than action.

3. The ones I love the most are not always the ones I treat the best.

I am too hard on my kids.  I expect a great deal from them and I find myself reminding myself that they are kids and so they will act like kids and that is okay.  Peter is amazing and does so very much for our family.  I need to be better about loving, thanking, encouraging, and respecting him.  As for my extended family, I am trying to be better about keeping in touch with them and letting them know how much they mean to me. 

Now for the good or getting better.

1. I am better than I think I am.  (I agree. Pete)

I recently had an empowering experience.  I learned that I was better at something than I thought I was simply because I tried doing it a different way than usual.  I did not realize just how insecure I had been until I did this.  This has made me feel so much better about myself.  I suggest you try this!

2. I have a strong desire and commitment to grow in the gospel.

I love the gospel.  It is my source of peace and strength.  I love to talk about what I believe and to fill my time with living the gospel and fulfilling assignments.  I know I can be better about many aspects of the gospel but there is no doubt that I know the church is true.  And, I would say that pretty much anyone who knows me and knows that I am LDS has no doubt that I love and live the gospel.

3. I want to be a better person.

I recognize that I have many areas that I can be better and I am trying to work on them.  I want to be a person that can go to bed each night without regrets for things I have said, done or felt.  I am thankful for the atonement that allows me to work on being a better person.  I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who knows what I can become and believes that I can become that person. 

It really is hard to believe that another year has passed but it has.  I am looking forward to this coming year and the endless possibilities that it holds. 

St. Patrick's Day

We started our day with a ward pancake breakfast.  Yes, there were green pancakes and I took some green sprinkles for the kiddos.  It was really yummy.

Joey on Friday night went on and on about how at 12:01 am, we all needed to have green on so we would not get pinched.  He and Jon wore green pajamas to bed to be safe- silly kids!

 We spent the rest of the day doing things around the house.  It was a really nice day. 

Here we are at the end of the day enjoying some green food!

 Even Lily ate some broccoli/apple combo food.  She had as much fun trying to eat the pouch.

 Thank you Costco for the Shamrock shaped ravioli.  I made the alfredo sauce green but it ended up a bit lumpy but it was oh so good!

 Wearing green!

Jon fell asleep about 10 minutes after I took the picture of all of the kids so that might be why he looks so grouchy! He had been sick all week and Saturday was the first day he felt somewhat normal.

I hope everyone ate and wore something green on the great green day!

Houston

We left Friday right after school and headed to Houston to attend Henry Larsen's baptism.  He and his family our old friends from Las Vegas and we love that we live close enough to attend such great events like baptisms. The kids were thrilled when we got to the hotel early enough to swim for a bit.

Our camera takes pictures really slowly but I somehow managed to capture this great action shot of Jon's CANNON BALL!!!

Arabella strikes a pose.

Peter is making that odd face because Jon had just splashed Lily again after being asked not to multiple times.  Lily enjoyed the water but was not so sure of the splashing- it was her first swimming trip.

 This good looking boy is getting so big.  He has decided he wants to have a part in his hair and so he is growing it out so he can "comb it over".  

 After the baptism we had some time before a luncheon and so we took the kids to the temple.  I love how this building looks like an old courthouse- at least to me.  It has these beautiful stained glass windows.

 Oh the flowers- loved them!

 This picture will shortly be featured as the header for our blog!

 Her smile and eyelashes just melt my heart!

 Arabella took this picture of the windows inside the distributions center.  They were just lovely!

The weather was great and we had the chance to catch up with some old friends.  It was a very well spent weekend! (Other than Sasha barking all night long causing the neighbor to call the police who sent animal control- oh joy!)

Lily will just kick and kick her feet! I love it and I tried to capture it while we were at the pool.  She was a bit tired so she was not going crazy like she always does but I still love it! Enjoy!