To Grandma Jeans' we go

In these last two weeks before school begins we are sure packing in alot. The last was our trip to see Grandma Jean. It was her birthday and we could not think of anything better then spending it with her and helping her at Kolob.

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Upon arrival, Drama Queen began teaching herself a song that Grandma has been working on for months. It was amazing how quickly she picked up the song.

Sweet- Boy making sure that Grandma's heart is alright and judging by the dial it is alright for the fun-filled week ahead.

So serious about her song, such a beauty she is becoming.

After the heart checking and the harp playing it is time to cool off in the pool. It was 105 when we reached our destination despite a down-pour earlier in the day. That was exciting, as we hydroplaned and went off the freeway backwards. Needless to say that mom drove like an old lady the rest of the trip, it took a good 25 minutes to stop shaking after that one. Another small miracle.

Swimming in the pool is the best thing that we can do in the heat.

Sweet-boy is so excited that he can swim under water and the whole length of the pool now, even the deep end with mom and sissy.

She is the only kid I know that makes a swim cap look good. The kids swam and swam and only came out for dinner and then went right back in till it was dark. They were having so much fun until the bats came out and started skimming the water and that freaked them out enough to get out for the night.

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Next day we headed up to Kolob and the cabin to finally do some burning. The ban to burn has finally been lifted and we had piles and piles of wood to get rid of.

The kids got good practice from our camping trip in gathering wood and were good helpers in keeping the flames high in the fire pit. I loved getting to play pyro and burn things. There was so much that at the end of the day we hardly made a dent.

Drama Queen made a game of chopping the twigs to size. It was hilarious to listen as she was the executioner and Sweet-boy was the voices of the accused. In the end no matter the plea all lost their heads and were burned. I know kind of twisted but if it kept them going and helping to get the work done then I am all for that.

We brought up some dinosaurs and the kids built a cave house for them with a bark roof. They both were so dirty and yet so happy to have spent the time with Grandma.

Happy Birthday Grandma Jean.

XOXOX

Spring Hollow

We headed up Logan Canyon to enjoy our favorite camping spot. We had been there before but as I am prone to do, last time I scoped out the best spot and that is where we were headed. It has the most shade and seclusion and with the river running right behind us, provided the best little hideaway for our camping adventure.

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We arrived and began setting up camp only to discover that the batteries on the trailer were dead, so we pulled the car around and gave them a good charging from the Explorer.

Finally the camp is all set, our new little home is all ready for camping. See the seclusion and the river, ah, it was a beautiful camp spot!
So with the kids out exploring we set about working on the pile of wood that we need for that night's fire. Notice the delight on Drama Queens' face. Although she did not want to be gathering wood, she is the best little gatherer I have seen and we never ran out of wood.

"Sweet-Boy" is in the river, big shocker.
Along the river we met a really nice family that was more then willing to let the kids experience Kayaking. So "Drama Queen" went out first and she picked it up like a pro.

Look at that determination. She really got the hang of it quickly.
What an accomplishment for her, all by herself.
Next, "Sweet-Boy" took a turn. Troy, whom we met up there, was more than willing to let him take the paddles and go for a ride.
Look at the little man, doing so good all by himself.
I know that this will be something that we will need for the future, fun for the kids and fun for the grown-ups as well.

Next day we prepared for the big hike of the day and some more exploring.

We let the kids pick the route for the hike and needless to say it was straight up and very hard on the adults. After a while we all decided that down was the way to go.

"Drama Queen" and I decided that we wanted to explore some more and took the hike that we should have gone on. It was easier and took us to the top of the mountain so we could look down the whole canyon. It was a great time together as she sang to me the whole time we hiked.

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This is when the scary part of the trip began.

The kids wanted to use the Bow Saw to cut the long pieces of wood. Something that I was not so sure was a good idea, but Dad supervised all cutting.

Even "Sweet-Boy" cut some logs. Again a big accomplishment for the kids on this trip.

As with every other camping trip we read a book together around the camp-fire. This time I picked this book since the movie is due out in a few months. It has been hugely entertaining and also has allowed me to use my long forgotten Dramatic talents to make the characters come to life. We are not quite through but have really enjoyed this tale. Definitely a good kids read.

And thus, our camping trip came to an end. It was really fun to escape the regular schedule of daily life and to have no obligations but to have fun and fun we did.

We're Back!!!!

First we are back and running on the computer front and I dare admit that I was really missing all my bloggy friends!!!

What a funny thing that I look forward to seeing what others are up to each and every day. Is that a sign that there is something seriously lacking in my life? I have no answer for that except this un-planned-down-time gave me time to think about this, YES, I will say it out loud- OBSESSION that I have with the blogging world. I mean, me, going to the Library, waiting for at least 20 minutes for a computer to come free so that I can check my e-mail and then see what has happened in the blogging world without me there.

Was I missed?

Did anyone notice that I was gone?

I am so glad to see that there were some that noticed and YES, I Purelled everyone when we came out the door. But it also made me see that the ones that have been missing me were right in front of me all along. I have two amazing kids (how they came to be is another amazing miracle of a story). Kids that a very loving Heavenly Father knew that I needed in my life to make me complete! So how much time have I really spent with them this summer? Did I spend my time wisely, making memories and not waste it coming up with the most clever post, one that would surely get me noticed by other bloggers, something that the SITS would want to immediately comment about, something that I could use as a potential second money maker. This is where I went wrong......

So dear reader, I will be blogging less, you might hear from me in the comment area less, but it is not something that you have done, rather it is an awakening that I have had within myself. I need balance, the right balance of time dedicated to those that are right in front of me, those that need me right now. So that in ten years from now, I will not turn around from blogging and realize that my kids do not want to spend time with me, they have moved on, that my husband has become a gourmet cook and no longer needs me to feed the empty belly, that I have lost all that time that will never be again.

So even though we are back, we are back with a new perspective and a greater appreciation for the small glitches that prove to be the greatest learning moments, if one just takes the time to learn.

Computer Withdrawl

It has been some time since my last post. It is not intended, believe me I love blogging. We have moved furniture around that required the unplugging of the computer. However like all things technologically minded it requires help in working again. So I am at the mercy of the man to get it fixed. So bear with me while we are experiencing technical difficulties.

***I am posting from the library, something that I detest!!!

The Memory Game

Memories...

Some of you who haunt my blog, I have known for a long time, some I have known for a while and some are from the blogshpere of friends. But we have a memory, a story that rings of our time together, so this we embark on the memory game. There are rules, as almost everything in

life has rules and here are the rules for this game:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!


2. 
   
   Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

This should be fun! So here we go......

Try-It-Tuesday

I know that it is almost Wednesday but I did have a Try-It-Tuesday item. The picture really does it no justice, plus it is blury and I ate the subject matter last night for dinner so a do-over is impossible. This is the Man's favorite steak dish and boy is it wonderful!!!

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Get your best Australian accent going and come with me down under for good eats mate.

Steak Dunigan

The fixings:

4 rib-eye steaks ( I prefer these to sirloin just because they taste better and are not as dry after cooking)

1 TBL Olive Oil

1/3 cup diced onions

1/2 lb sliced fresh mushrooms

1 tsp chopped jalapeno pepper (too much and it is really spicy)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp Oregano (fresh or dried)

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained

2 TBL chopped fresh Cilantro

First get all the ingredients ready to go cause this is cooking in a rush.

Broil or grill the steaks as desired. While steaks are cooking, in a fry pan cook diced onion in the oil over medium heat-cook 2 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, jalapeno pepper, salt and oregano -cook 5 minutes. Add in chopped green chilies and cook 2 minutes. Stir in fresh cilantro and when to temperature take off heat and place in serving bowl. Top each steak with 1/3 cup sauce and enjoy.

This is really a Mommy and Daddy meal since my kids only like the steak part, but it really is a good one for impressing the boss or whoever you need to impress with your cooking skills.

A Road Map to Where?

Do you ever feel that life would be so much simpler if there was a specific map, a plan that you were destined to follow, a way to ensure that you reached your destination as planned? For the last year I have felt adrift, lost in my life, not really

certain that the road that our family is taking is the best one for it.

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We have moved several times in our 13 years - at last count we have had seven different addresses in 2 different states. We move, and at times I feel like I have gypsy blood running through me, calling me to places that have yet to be discovered. Our last home we were in for 4 years, by far the longest, it was hard to go and leave friends that were more then that - they were family. We moved to be closer to my husbands job so we would see him more. Two months after the move he got transferred back to where we had just moved from. Now he commutes 2 hours a day, just in the opposite direction.

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At times like that you wonder what was it all for?

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I have been asking that question this whole year.

What was it we were supposed to learn?

Was there someone we were meant to meet?

What, and why are a daily mantra.

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Why do I talk about this?

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I guess at times I really wish that there was a definite plan to follow, I want someone other than me to make the really big decisions. I want to know that everything is going to work out just right, with everyone being healthy and happy and sane, especially me.

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But that is where my compass fails me........It will not tell me what to do, or what decision will bring less trauma. It can only tell me which way North is on the road that I choose to trod, the rocks, the trees and the sky are up to me to see and explore.

Twin Falls or bust......and a surprise visitor

Before we begin with all the fun of our latest trip, an update.......

Guess who came a calling? Yes, it was Snakey.

Why is it that every time I am mowing the lawn in my bare feet that he decides to come out of hiding? If you want to read about our first meeting of Snakey, click here.

Needles to say that the kids were so happy to see him again. I was less then amused and very wary that he might have brought more friends home with him. Okay now on with the fun!!

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So we began our journey all spiffy in our Sunday best.

We were cruising along at a good rate and suddenly the car is leaning to the right and there is a loud, thud,thud thud sound. I look to "the man" and say "I think we are in trouble!" So we pull over and get out to see our front tire smoking and completely thrashed.

I pride myself on being a car-gal, but I have never changed a tire, nor had one disintegrate on me like that, so needless to say I was a little shaken. We told the kids to stay put, I think they heard us, but they were deep in a movie. Thank goodness for in-car DVD players. So "the man" and I begin to get the spare and change the tire.

I would like to thank Idaho State Police for their kind consideration of at least changing lanes before they passed us. I am glad that it was not just me on the road cause I might still be there waiting for their assistance.

Tire changed, shredded tire secured under the tailgate and we once again start for our destination. I was so glad that we had left early and that we had been making good time, because that little episode took it all. But we arrived in time to clean up and get settled before our tour of the temple.

It was truly amazing to behold. I love Temples, their beauty, their serenity and what made today the most beautiful was I got to share it with my children. To walk with them, and talk about our beliefs, to see their amazement and wonder and for them to see where our family unit really began. It is what I hope is the beginning of our family going to the Temple together.

We posed for pictures outside with our dear friends whom we met there. Then we headed off to feed the hungry troops and on to the next adventure of the day, Shoshone Falls.

This was truly amazing as the water level was still high so the falls were at their best, plenty of water rushing over them. We drove to the beach area away from the falls and spent the day swimming, rock jumping and enjoying just being together.

It was another great day!!!

Where we are today.....

Early this morning we snatched the kids from bed and dressed in our finest

we begin our trek to Twin Falls, Idaho to attend one of the many open houses being held prior to the dedication of this sacred building.

We are meeting our dear friends there and then spending the day

re-newing our friendship and exploring Twin Falls.

Would your kids hire you?

I had a job interview this morning, one that I hope that I am the obvious candidate for. But, as I was preparing to leave, perusing my resume and getting myself in the mind set of I am perfect in every way and why shouldn't you hire me, Drama Queen asked me what I was doing. I explained all that you go through to get a job, what a resume was and why we go interview. She looked at me for a while and asked if she could interview me. Thinking that this would be fun, I agreed.

1. Are you a good cook?

I am not good at many things but in cooking I think I can hold my own. I do on occasion burn things and after I make something once I rarely need the recipe again and I always approximate amounts which makes Grandma crazy.

She nods and smiles so I think that I answered correctly, next.....

2. Do you enjoy spending time with your kids?

I love spending time with my kids and since you are my first I love that we have had 4 years of memories where it was just you and me.

Again I get the nod so I think that I am still in the running for the job as parent.

Last question......

3. What makes you think that you are a good parent?

What?! Is that a question that I really need to answer, I mean I have been doing this for ten years and I think that maybe I have figured out a few things in that time. But she did ask.....so I take a breath and tell her the truth.

When I was single, I really did not want to get married and I never thought that I would be a mother. But then I met your dad and after we got married I wanted nothing more then to have a baby. So we had you and I was so scared that I was going to ruin you that I cried all the time. Then you were born and from that first moment that I held you I fell in love. I knew that no matter how bad I was at being a mom, that I wanted to try because I loved you. It has not always been easy and we still have moments where we both think that I have no idea what I am doing, but I still love you and want to try.

With that she smiled and told me that I was gonna do great at my interview.

And with the knowledge that I had aced the really hard interview I drove off to nail the next one. If I get the job great, but knowing that in my daughters mind, I am the right choice for her mom was really the best news that I got all day!

So, do you think that your kids would hire you?

What to do today?

Do you ever wake up and think "what am I going to do with the kids today", and come up empty? That was the dilemma that I was faced with today and then the phone rang. It was my dear friend wanting to play with me for the day. What a wonderful surprise!!!

Buddies that do not get to see each other enough.

Yep this is the beginning of all the toys coming out of the

closet to get played with, but it's all good.

"Drama Queen" was less then thrilled with the whole day, not exactly what she wanted to do, (remember that we are dealing with a tween here and she had other plans).

As a finale to the day, no one is immune from the wet sand box play. So after swimming and getting wet, if you visit you have to get dry clothes on and then get wet again in the sand box.

It was such a fun day and I am so glad that my crazy fun friend, whom I did not get a picture with, drove all that way to spend her day with us!!!

Traffic and why I am home alone

It is 11:30 pm and I am home alone. Why am I telling you this.......because "the man" has tried to get home, but he cannot. This is what is stopping him from getting home. The only freeway route to our home was blocked today by this monstrosity during coming home, end of the work day traffic and they are still getting things cleaned up.

What a mess!!!!

Try-It-Tuesday

It is time again for the Try-It-Tuesday recipe.

Today is "The Man's" personal favorite - Stroganoff.

It is so easy and so yummy and anything over noodles my kids love.

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Stroganoff

The fixing's:

1LB ground beef, browned and drained

1 pkg fresh mushrooms sliced (can omit if you do not like fungus)

1/2 cup chopped green onions (the kids hate onions, so I finely dice some and brown them with the meat to hide it)

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 1/2 cans of water

1 1/2 tsp Beef Bouillon

1 pint sour cream

1 pkg Wide Egg Noodles

Brown the meat with the onion if chopped up fine, if using the green onion will add later.

Add the soup, water, seasoning and bring to a boil , then simmer till half of the water is gone, almost a gravy consistency. Bring water to a boil for the noodles and get then cooking.

When the noodles are aldente and not quite done, add the sour cream. Heat must be on lowest setting, we just want to bring the sour cream to temperature not heat it too high or it tastes and looks awful. This is when you can add the green onions, again this is optional.

Stir meat mixture to ensure that sour cream is completely incorporated, drain noodles and serve separately or mixed together. My family likes it apart so they can control the sauce amount.

Served with green beans, fresh fruit and french bread and you have a really wholesome, easy dinner.

For more great Try-It-Tuesday recipes click here and go to the comments.

Monday Sadness

I have missed alot.

After my all nighter, I realized that I needed to take a break, re-acquaint myself with the family and spend some time in natural light. This is what I missed, I suddenly received comments from people that found me here under the "Saucy Blog" section. What an honor that someone like me could make it to the big leagues, and I missed it. But thanks for visiting my fellow SITS sisters.

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Today, I have the day off from being a mom.

I love being a mom, it is something that I knew I would struggle with, (I am not the nurturing type and my pregnancies were something out of the movie ALIEN). But from that first moment I saw my kids, I vowed that I would do anything for them. And as Grandma says, I do!!!

But thankfully I also get a day to remember what it feels like to keep a thought in my head, to only have to make one breakfast and what it feels like to wake up on my own and not with a face in mine asking if I am awake yet?

It is heavenly but it is also sad too.

What do I do with myself, my time and above all it is so quiet. No yelling, no lists of chores to be done, no deep sighs from me, just me and the chiming clock on the wall. I find myself talking to the computer screen, the laundry, the air and I wonder am I going insane or have I lost the ability to be alone? I also ponder what it will be like in 4 weeks when my little ones' head out the door for another year of learning? This is the first year that both will be gone all day and with that knowledge I am a little sad. I have dreamt of this day for so long and now that it is on the horizon I am sad. It is such a turning point where you are not the center of your children's lives, that they do not need you all the time anymore, that they are growing up. That realization is a hard one to take..........and so on this sunny Monday, there is a small cloud over my world. Ten years has gone so fast, but I knew that this would come and yet I guess deep down I wished that it wouldn't. Where has all the time gone.........?