Why...

This morning Caleb asked me why dragons were called dragons. I told him I didn't know. He said, "I think it's because they DRAG their tails." I thought that was pretty creative thinking. :O)

Can You Help Me Out?

I am looking for a new dentist. I would rather have one that specializes in children. Any suggestions?

Cooking Slump

That's what I'm in. I feel like I make the same meals over and over again. I have no creativity and not a large budget, so I end up making my easy "go to" meals. I'm sure there are a lot of you out there that have the same problem. The thing is...your "go to" meals may be different from mine. I would love to have some easy but tasty recipes, if you are willing to share.

Here is one of my family's favorites. It is a crock pot recipe and SO easy.

Put 3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot.

Mix 1 can of cream of chicken soup with 1/3 cup of milk and pour over chicken.

Mix 1 box of stove top stuffing with 1 cup of water and pour that on the top.

Cook on low for apx 6 hours.

(I will cook it for 6-8 hours if I am using frozen chicken.)

Pass the Tissue

As of today, my baby is registered for kindergarten. Where did the last 4 and a half years go? I have been excited at the thought of both of my kids being in school. Excited about the small amount of "me time" that would allow. I'm still excited, but I have to admit that it tugs at my heart a bit. I'm looking forward to this next "phase" of our lives. Along with the sadness, it brings a lot of possibility. My babies aren't babies anymore. Can't wait to see what's to come!

Lock Me Up and Throw Away the Key

Yesterday I had the privilege of going with Makenzie on a school field trip. It was to the Museum and the Old Idaho Penitentiary. We had a great time. This is a field trip that I remember going on when I was the same age as her. Most 4th grade classes take this trip while studying Idaho History. It was a crazy feeling to be seeing all of it again, but with my own child. I have to say that I think I may have enjoyed it more than the kids. I took SO MANY pictures and I learned so much. It was very interesting. I'm sure as a 4th grade child I didn't pay that much attention. It was nice to go back. Here are just a few of my many pics:



Makenzie locked up in maximum security.

Makenzie and Alex.
















This was a drawing done inside one of the solitary confinement cells. Our tour guide said it wasn't uncommon for the inmates to refer to this as "home".

She's just too stinking cute!

Gotta Say...

Subway's "Southern Style Chicken and Dumpling" soup is my FAVORITE!!!! Any time I go to WalMart I have to go in the Subway to see if they are serving it that day. They don't have it all that often, so it doesn't even matter if I am hungry. If they have it, I get it! And a bowl is only $1.80! Got some today...Makes me HAPPY!

Beautiful Weather

This past weekend was so great. Saturday was spent cleaning the house and doing yard work. This is our first spring in our house. Scott has had lots of plans for the yard and was excited for the warm weather so he could get started. It's already looking great!

Sunday we had a BBQ at my parent's house. They live right across the street from a small neighborhood park. With the weather being so nice we couldn't pass up some play time. We tossed the football around for a while and tried to play with a large frisbee, but the wind made that almost impossible. Hard to believe that on Monday we woke up to snow on the ground and by Sunday we were in shorts and tank tops. So nice. Later we played Canasta and had some birthday cake in honor of my Mom's birthday. (Thanks Amy for the awesome cake!)

This is Scott's last week at B of A. He has a bad case of "short-timer's disease". He is so excited to start his new job. Hang in there, Babe! You're so close!

My Mother, My Friend

Today is my Mom's birthday. How do you put into words all the feelings you have for a person? Mom, I want you to know how special you are. You are strong, godly, loving, sensitive, helpful, encouraging, trustworthy, supportive, and much, much more. You have taught me so much throughout my lifetime and I am still learning from you. Thank you for all you have sacrificed for us. Thank you for being you. I am proud to call you Mom. I am honored to call you Friend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

So Proud

I have to take a moment to brag on my man. This weekend he was offered a job with a different company. This new job is a better fit for him than what he has been doing for the past year. He is a great worker and I am thankful that he works so hard to provide for our family. Congratulations, Babe! I knew you could do it. You are amazing and I am so proud of you. I love you!

Good Times

Yesterday I got to spend the day with my baby sister, Aleana. We just made a few stops to do some things I had been putting off all week then we went to lunch. Aleana has a 2-year old who is going through the "terrible two's", and is feeling a bit discouraged. I just wanted to take a second to tell her how great she is. Aleana, you are a fantastic mom! What you are going through is normal, and trust me...it passes! (Remember, you and Mom held my hand through Caleb's. ;O) You have a beautiful, precious baby girl who we all love and adore. It is normal for them to test us and try our patience. You just keep doing what you are doing and stay strong. And remember that you are not in this alone. You have us behind you, supporting you. WE LOVE YOU!

Ok, sorry for that "public display of affection" (hehe). On to the rest of my day:

Yesterday afternoon I had the dreaded tasks of taking Caleb to the doctor for his shots. He will be starting Kindergarten this fall. I have been reading about other parent's experiences with this the past few weeks. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck. He was a trooper though. I chose not to tell him ahead of time. I know my son, and that would have been a huge mistake. He was excited to go to the doctor. When we were waiting alone in the room, I explained to him that he was going to have to get a few shots. I told him how they did it and where they would do it on him. He listened carefully and when I was done he said, "That's ok mom". He is so brave. He was supposed to get 5 shots, but they were out of one so we have to go back next week. Great. The nurses did the first 2 at the same time and he just kind of flinched and said oww! When they stuck 3 and 4 in he whimpered a little bit and his eyes teared up, but he never cried. I was so proud of how brave he was. He told me when it was all over that he liked getting "checked up" but that wasn't very nice of them to "shoot me". Too cute!

We spent the evening at my parent's house last night. Had some dinner and then played Canasta. Isn't it funny how some things remind you so much of something in your childhood? That is Canasta for me. When I was 12 we lived in a little town in Oregon. We lived on a 60 acre piece of land that was 1 mile up a dirt road on the side of a mountain. There was not much to do, so when we tired of sliding down the tall hills of dirt, or running through the "woods" (which later always turned out to be more poison oak than anything else), my mom taught all of us how to play the card game Canasta. We would sit in the living room at an old card table, near the fireplace, playing for hours. I can still picture it all so clearly. I'm so thankful to have those memories.

Am I weird? I think so.

I don't know why, but when I have gone grocery shopping I can't wait for Scott to get home so I can show him all the good stuff I bought. I actually have to take him to the fridge, freezer, and pantry...open each door, and make sure he SEES all the stuff I bought. I don't know why I do it. I think part of it is because a lot of the stuff I buy, I buy special for him. Maybe it's because it's the closest I will ever come to being the "hunter" bringing food home for my family. I just get so excited about the stuff I bought and I want him to be excited too. He is so sweet to humor me each time. He will walk through with me and let me point out all the things I am excited to show him. I'm such a dork!

Another thing about grocery shopping...I can never figure out what to eat after I have gone shopping. There is so much to choose from. I want to eat a little bit of everything. I am bad at being decisive anyway, but when there are SO MANY choices, I'm doomed!

So, there you have it. I am a grocery weirdo.

Sweet 16

Today one of my step-daughter's has hit a milestone in her life. Today is her sixteenth birthday. I just wanted to let her know how very proud I am of her. She is an amazing person. As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She always puts others first and would do anything to help anyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMILLE!!

I hope your day is all that you have wished it to be. I love you very much!