Twelve Years Old

Twelve short years ago we were given the biggest surprise ever.

You have been such a sweet blessing,

thanks for choosing us

and most of all Jaxon,

thanks for being

YOU.

Happy 12th Birthday!!

Sick Little Mama

This is what we've been doing all week....blah!!!




Joining up with Black and White Wednesday

On Faith {or lack thereof}

My week has been filled with many 'life lessons' that I know were put in my path for a reason.

It started out on Sunday with a great lesson in Relief Society. I was reminded that we all have insecurities at times but by caving into these doubts, we only digress. We need to stretch ourselves and practice faith in all things...even the little things like knowing Jaxon will be OK as he enters junior high next year or when he leaves on scout campouts.

As my week progressed, I came in contact with three different people who happened to confide in me some of their trials and insecurities. It was a real eye opener to me, I learned I need to seek out those who I can help in any small way, to be compassionate; you never know what someone's circumstances are or when you'll be in their shoes, and then there was that same old reminder of how important it is to be frugal...times are so uncertain!!

I don't know why it is we need to be reminded of these same lessons, but we do. I guess as humans we constantly have to check ourselves to keep us from veering off the beaten path.

Then I read a tragic story about a woman named Immaculee Ilibagiza. The book is called Left To Tell, in it she speaks of her horrific experience in 1994 during the Rwanda genocide. I am in awe of her strength, her courage, her ability to forgive, and most of all her faith in God. Her parents were also amazing examples of charity and how we should give until it hurts.

”I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare…If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,… they are too small.  There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.” -C.S. Lewis in  Mere Christianity

This always reminds me of my parents, who are so generous that they've always  lived a lot more frugally than they needed to because they're always helping family, friends and even strangers who are hurting financially. I love this about them, they don't even think twice, they just do it; it's what makes them happy.

Since I was a kid I've been the type who worries a lot, I still am. As an adult my anxiety has gotten even worse. Earlier this year I decided rather than getting on some 'I don't give a crap pills', or paying $85 out of pocket to sit on some guy's couch every week, I'd use natural ways to control my anxiety like deep breathing, daily exercise, meditation, healthy eating, turning off the news or violent shows, read books before bed etc.  It's all been very helpful, but even more than that, I've come to realize something...worrying is just a lack of faith. If we let fear and self-doubt rent space in our head  satan wins. Yes, we do need to be concerned about certain things however, if we prepare, pray, and then leave it in God's hands He will carry us.

St. Matthew 21:21
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have ^afaith, and ^bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

Joining up with Tuesday's Unwrapped

Dancing With The Stars

               It's that time again, time for Miss Sophia to put on her princess dress and work up a sweat..
                                                                     every Monday night.

She doesn't miss a beat, never 'sits one out',

follows along with the steps,

talk about skillz!

Her brother's don't have the heart to say no.

A girl after my own heart,

what did I ever do without her?

Photo Shoot {with a toddler}

behind the scenes...

                                                                   begging for candy

signing for more

pointing

reaching

looking

fish lips

bribery

all business

punky brewster

warming up

jimmy choos's

ignoring

ahhhh swinging

the money shot

the boys were a breeze

hundreds taken

we only needed one good one...

Hallelujah!!

Photos taken by my adorable and talented niece Samantha Pierson...thanks again Sam.

Pop over to Life With My Three Boybarians for Sweet Shot Tuesday.

In Our Darkest Hour...

Who knew I'd love reading Robinson Crusoe so much!?! Kade and I have been reading this fabulous classic by Daniel Defoe. Most of you probably read it in high school or college, but I didn't. I had a one track mind back then and it wasn't studying. I'm so grateful as an adult I learned the joy and satisfaction that comes by reading good books.

Robinson Crusoe has such rich language and  invaluable lessons on faith, our relationship with God, our desperate need for Him, gratitude, and making the best of whatever our circumstance. Its caused me to reflect back on the trials I've had in my life, and how I reacted to them; what struggles may lie ahead; and do I have the faith to endure all things in my darkest hour? 

As humans we become so busy and independent, wrapped up in our lives that we become slow to ask for God's help, waiting until our situation is dire, only to then plead and bargain if only He will deliver us from this trial. The storm clears, our 'resolutions' slowly fade away...a distant memory; we return to our old ways. 

Hopefully it doesn't take being stranded on an island all alone before we find ourselves on our knees, however for Robinson Crusoe, it did but once he let God in, great things happened and he was transformed.
I loved that the more he read his Bible and prayed, the more he realized the need for gratitude in all things, including the very lonely place that became his home for twenty-four years.

We so often think of the things we don't have, rather than basking in the blessings that surround us. Here is a passage that struck me:

      "I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition and less upon the dark side; and to

       consider what I enjoyed rather than what I wanted; and this gave me sometimes such secret

       comforts that I cannot express them; and which I take notice of here, to put those discontented

       people in my mind of it who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them because they

       see and covet something that He has not given them. All our discontents about what we want

       appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have."

We're not finished with the book yet, but obviously I'm a big fan.

Through our history studies the past three years, I'm so fascinated and humbled as I learn about the struggles of those who have come before us and I'm grateful for the many blessings, luxuries and conveniences we have in this modern day beause of them. The courageous people who lost their lives exploring, fighting, inventing and risking all they had to make this land what it is today. One can't help but see God's hand in all things.


Visit Tuesday's Unwrapped for more posts on gratitude.

Time Marches On...

                                                                   Jaxon fishing with Grandpa 2003

Soon Jaxon turns twelve,

next spring my dad turns seventy,

and so

time marches on...

without my permission.

Join Black and White Wednesday

Green Thumbs and Black Eyes...

                                              Or I guess I should say my 'not so green thumb'.

We planted a garden for the first time in our married life.

Its a square foot garden...

quite small.

It's been a long, hot, dry summer.

We did our best,
we fought a good fight,
but in the end...
few survived.

We were a little late getting started
and a little unprepared for scortching sun rays.
We weren't sure what would make it
and what wouldn't...
now we know.

The other day we were at the store
and Kade dropped (and broke)
a wooden giraffe.
The store manager told him
not to worry about it.
So as Kade said that day..."Live and learn".

I decided to move my herbs inside
since for the first time in my married life I have a big
kitchen window...the perfect fix.
Now for the cooler planting seasons...let's do this!

This weekend Soph took an elbow to the face

and ended up with a black eye.

She's small but she's scrappy.

With two older brothers and a wrestler for a father,

the girl loves to throw down!

{Other Happenings}

Kade's staff infection went away thanks to nurse Sophia. She made sure he took his meds on time 2x a day...for 10 days!

She also did ballet to the church hymns during sacrament meeting, and part of me wants to just let her dance!

I got asked out on a hot date...turns out we ended up watching college football at a sports bar that just happened to have 26 flat screens. Hmmm. It was fun though.

Jaxon turns twelve at the end of the month...my stomach hurts just thinking about it.

I finished reading Emma, I thought it was slow...but I'm a sucker for romance so all's well that ends well. I'm reading Robinson Crusoe with Kade. I really like it, I love that classics deliver good morals while building our vocabulary and stretching our reading abilities. It's a tough read for Kade but I know he can do it and he's actually enjoying the book too. He's becoming a great reader.

My good Nikon camera's not working, I'm crossing my fingers I can fix it.

On a brighter note: I realized the other day we'll be in New York the same week the Vikings are playing the Jets...I can't believe what a lucky coincidence that is, so looks like we're going to two Vikings games this year...I can't wait!!!

Join Darcy for Sweet Shot Tuesday
and Emily for Tuesday's Unwrapped

History Art Project and a Time Out

I may or may not have gotten a little controlling w/ the boys art projects the other day,

and I may or may not have been put in time out,

{i.e. layed out in the back yard w/ cucumbers on my eyes.}

I think they forgave me though because they did cut the cucumbers

and they did put on skirts kilts willingly...

 sort of.

Soph Turned 3...Seven Months Ago!

In the craziness that was February, I somehow failed to post Sophia's birthday pics.

We had a great day hanging out...just the five of us. We went to lunch at Red Robin, the Phoenix Zoo and then had cake and opened presents back at the house.

This adorable tutu was made by my friend Darci. You need to order one, she did a great job and was so fast getting it to me, and the best part is, her prices are so reasonable!! Soph LOVED it and wears it all the time.

The back is adorable, too bad I was so busy that morning I was a little wreckless with her hair...pay no attention to that crooked part, or the obnoxious pink bows!!  ; )

Sophia has changed our lives forever, we love her more than we can say! Thanks for taking great care of us all Little Mama.

The Time Has Come.

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Thursday, 09/09 at 7:30 PM CDT

Soph's Frilly Apron Tutorial

I decided since Soph cooks with me EVERY TIME I'm in the kitchen, it would be fun to make some cute aprons. I saw one I liked at Anthropolgie the other day, but it was $40 and I didn't think it was cute enough to pay $40 for, so I decided I'd just make one. It turned out way cuter and only cost me $11 for fabric (including the fabric for mine). If I'd have thought ahead, I would have printed a 40% off coupon before I left for Hobby Lobby and it would have been even less.

Let me warn you, I'm a ROOKIE. In other words, I don't know how to sew, and I HATE reading directions, so I decided to come up with my own pattern. Sure it took me longer than the typical seamstress, but I'm happy with the way it turned out and Soph loves it.

I will now attempt to retrace my steps for those of you on facebook who said you'd like to make one.

#1 Choose what your main fabric will be, then choose 3 other fabrics. Now that I'm looking at it, I'm laughing because I originally had 5 fabrics...like I said, I was winging it, so who knows what happened along the way !?! 

Note: the ties are just a fat green ribbon, so choose a ribbon or decide what fabric you'll use for your ties.

#2 You'll need piece of fabric to sew all the ruffles to, I just took one of Soph's old skirts and cut down the sides, so I had a front panel to work with. You may want to just use plain fabric because explaining to a three year old girl why you're cutting up her skirt isn't easy!! Kids are so funny about their "stuff".  I am also noticing in some of the pics, you can see the heart fabric, so it would be better to use a solid white.

#3 Cut fabric for ruffles.

Main Fabric = Cut 2 strips. First one should be 28 1/2" x 3" (allows 1/4 " for seams on each side of stitch),

Second one should be 25" x 3").

White Dots = Cut a strip, 28 1/2" x 3"

Pink Print = 25 " x 3"

Pink Dots  = 25" x 3"

I started by taking the strips and folding the bottom over about 1/4" and ironed it.

Then I sewed that down, then folded the ends 1/4" over and then sewed them. You should have 5 strips now ready to be sewn to your underneath skirt piece.

I started sewing the bottom ruffle first, I pinned the ends first then the middle and put a few more pleats in the center to make sure it was puckering evenly. This is SO imbarrassing, I have no idea how to explain it in proper 'sewing terms' so PLEASE don't laugh!! :)

At this point I decided I wanted a bodice piece since she's so tiny...

I took the main fabric and cut a piece 9"x 8".

I folded down the top 1/4" and ironed. then ironed the sides in, folding it down 1/4", and folded the top corners in just a bit at an agle and ironed. I clipped the little bit of excess fabric at the corners, then sewed around all three sides. **You may want to cut your ribbon and pin it to the bodice before you sew, or like me, you can do it later. Just make sure you allow enough room for your childs head to easily come through.

Then I had to make the top strip for the waist band. I cut about a 4"x 17" strip, folded it in half and ironed it, I sewed a seam and left the two ends raw for the time being. Remember, I'm retracing my steps, should have taken pics before moving ahead, but I didn't plan on doing a tutorial at the time. Silly blogger!!

Now cut the ribbon for the back tie. Just cut 2 pieces 25" long, pin to each end of waist band and iron the raw edge of waist band over so you can sew both at once. 

 Last but not least, hand sew on the buttons, they were an after thought, but luckily I had a few to match. I obviously didn't do real button holes because I don't know how used ribbon. :)

She loves it and doesn't want to take it off. She insists on cooking something...too bad I'm pooped! Let me know if you make one, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Also, if you have any questions, or notice I forgot a step just shoot me an email.

Now I have to make me one, I'll mix it up a bit w/ the fabric or just use totally different fabric (and come up w/ a different pattern) since I'm sick of this one already. I'm A.D.D. like that.

3 Bean Turkey Chili, Dino Park and a Picnic

We love this chili...it's not too spicy for the kids, yet hearty and healthy!

3 Bean Turkey Chili

Ingredients: 1 lb. ground turkey, 2 T. olive oil, 3 large cloves garlic, 1 large onion, 1 - 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, 1/4 c. tomato paste, 1/2 large chopped green pepper, 1 tsp. sugar, 1/2 large chopped red pepper, 1 1/4 tsp. ground cumin, 1 T. chopped oregano, 1 (15 oz. each) pinto, black and kidney beans (drained and rinsed) salt, pepper.

Directions: Warm 1 T. olive oil on skillet, brown ground turkey, season w/ salt, drain any fat and set aside. In a large pot, heat the other T. olive oil, brown diced onion and chopped garlic until soft (about 5 min.), add tomatoes, tomato paste, peppers, sugar, and spices, breaking up tomatoes w/ wooden spoon. Add reserved turkey and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer 30 min. stirring occasionally. Add beans, stir gently, simmer another 15 minutes.

* Chili freezes really well, double the recipe and freeze for another meal.

Now for the Dinosaur Museum, thanks Dan and Bonnie (Kimball's parent's) for treating us all to an afternoon at the Ogden, Utah Dinosaur Museum. It was a fun surprise to our family gathering, and the kids had a great time looking at all the fossils.

The picnic afterward was nice, the kids didn't even mind the scortching tempertures...they were having too much fun wrestling. As usual, all the girlies had fun chasing the older boys...and as usual, Jax and Kade loved every minute of it. Good times.