mom 2 girls & and their dogs

Random Ramblings ahead~

2010-08-20T19:43:00.006-05:00

I am not a share-my-feelings-kind-of-girl, so, this post is a toughie to write.

But I had a thought the other night, while making my bed. I was climbing all over the bed trying to fit a down comforter into an IKEA duvet cover. usually I walk laps around the bed trying to get it to fit, this time i climbed and crawled all over the bed, and it was kinda fun. It got me thinking, why don't I do things the fun way? ever? Don't get me wrong, I can be fun, but it is rare. My default setting is definitely 'stick in the mud'. It hasn't always been. and that is what really got me thinking.

When did I become no fun?

It started when I was pregnant with Alayna. I was 19. before that I was a happy fun loving teenager. crazy in love and sure life was going to go exactly as I had planned for it to. ( some call it naive, I call it optimistic) anyway, I was young and pregnant and people judge, and believe me I felt it, and noticed the looks, (the ones from my tummy to my ring finger and back again)and it took a toll on me and my self esteem, a toll that is felt for a long time. Still felt. I really think it was at that point that fun went out the window. Nobody takes a teen mom seriously, and definitely not a fun loving happy teen mom. I became serious, It doesn't take me two hands to list the number of times that I got on the floor and played with Alayna. If I was too happy or fun or playful, people would think I didn't understand the responsibility, or thought of her as a doll I was playing dress up with.

Which was definitely not true.

I was and am very aware of the responsibility. I just am afraid that I have gone way too far to the side of the serious. I need to make room for fun.

I need to find the me, within who I think people expect me to be.

I was married for over 7 years, and not that long ago Mike {(ex)husband} said to me "I don't think you have ever been 100% comfortable being yourself around me".

That is so true and so sad.

How different could everything be? with Mike, with my girls? with everyone?

would I feel known? would I let people in? would I let my guard down?

So I am starting with this post. I am not saying I am just going to loosen up, I am going to let myself be me. just me. not who you or "they" want me to be. just me.

a few of you know who that is.

I am going to find her again.

Why??

2010-05-26T07:08:00.004-05:00

Why? why? why? .... I know we are not supposed to question, but why do these accidents happen? to loving mothers and fathers, who do everything in their power to protect and love their kids, why???

It absolutely breaks my heart to say that Benjamin passed to heaven last night. He is now eating marshmallows in Jesus' lap.

We all prayed hard for a miracle, now we need to pray just as hard for Ben's family {Dave, Steph, Gabe, Eli and baby Elise + extended family} While it is great comfort that little Ben is in heaven, that does not mean it doesn't hurt to be seperated, even with the promise of seeing him again....

Thank you for remembering them.

{Ben dressed as Theodore for Halloween 2009, his brothers were Alvin & Simon}

Keep 'em coming

2010-05-19T07:35:00.003-05:00

Little Ben Ricketts now has a caringbridge site. read, comment & pray....

please pray...

2010-05-17T07:35:00.003-05:00

I just learned that yesterday they found my friend Steph's 22 month old son not breathing with the cord from the blinds wrapped around his neck. He was airlifted and in critical condition, not breathing on his own, and they were monitoring brain activity.

The update from 4 hours ago said the last CT looked improved, and they are monitoring the swelling in his brain. Please pray for this little guy, his name is Ben.

spread the word.....

Westin~ism

2010-05-16T10:08:00.002-05:00

because I don't want whining to be at the top of my blog:

Westin has been "training" for a 1 mile fun run

~9:39 to be exact.

much to her dissaproval they postponed the run due to flooding on the trail. {until Aug 28!!!}

She was not AT ALL happy about this.

and as she was fuming to me, she said

"I just don't understand why they couldn't just make it a dose-athon...

then we could just run and swim."

Took me a second to catch up with her thought process {!!!!}

then I laughed for quite awhile.

she is 8.

might whine a minute

2010-05-16T09:45:00.002-05:00

ahhhh....the fighting... I am so tired of the fighting and arguing.

with the girls

amongst the girls (someday I will miss the sound, right?)

amongst the dogs

with the ex

with the adjustor and contractor

amongst the adjustor and contractor

and doing it by myself...

in other news, my brothers perfectly wonderful fiancee and I finished painting my fence yesterday.
related :: picket fences suck to paint.

Not to worry, I promise to be more cheerful in days to come.

picture run down

2010-05-15T08:21:00.013-05:00

Things are happening around here. Difficulties all over. Nothing I can do about them, but this being an adult thing is WAY overrated. Hmmm... it will all be ok. It has to.

anyway.... I shall distract myself with a picture show.... Here we go....

We had a hail storm. This is the storm that launched a zillion knocks on my door, and a huge headache for most of Cedar Falls.

I got a snazzy new camera. still difficult to get 3 dogs in 1 picture.

Josh & Stacy had a shower. It was alot fun, and the wedding is coming right up!

So there is a quick little run down for ya. more to come.

changes.

2010-04-26T21:25:00.003-05:00

I made some apperance changes to the blog. I really like it. I am hoping this prompts me to post more.

{This and I just got a crazy cool new camera}

More to come......

2010-02-28T09:49:00.002-06:00

I don't personally know Beth but have been following her blog for two and a half years or so. Her blog is very real and yet very funny I would highly recomend checking it out....

AND I think it is great what her friends are doing for her. An on.line baby shower. very cool. We all could probably use a few more friends like the one's Beth has.

:::reminder:::

2010-02-09T16:35:00.006-06:00

please don't forget about Kate Mcrae...

today is the start of a horrible part this journey. 1 years worth of chemo in 6 days. 6 years old.

isolation. stem cell transplant. unimaginable for most of us.

It is not unimaginabe for her family, it is their real life....

Holly & Aaron wish they didn't have to imagine it, let alone watch their little Kate live it.

But they are living it.

With grace and strength.

With God's help.

Please don't forget-pray for them.

what I found in my kitchen...

2010-02-05T21:04:00.000-06:00

how cute is she?

true rottweiler video

2010-01-10T21:15:00.001-06:00

Meet Hale, he is a very mean rottweiler as you can tell from this video:

::be sure to watch all of it::

Speaking of Josh & Stacy's wedding

2009-11-13T21:54:00.003-06:00

Hey! You 4 readers of mine. check out Josh (my brother) & Stacy's wedding blog. Josh has been busying himself with it.

that's all.....

congratulations!

2009-10-27T07:51:00.000-05:00

So my brother,Josh, who I tend to like very much, usually, when he's not throwing things at me, like green beans and such, got engaged on Saturday. Stacy , his fiance (that's fun to write) we love and treat her as a member of this messed up family. (yes. she occasionally gets food thrown at her too--it's a rite of passage) The proposal was perfect and very Josh like. I was proud of him.

So congrats Josh & Stace, looking forward to the big day!
and lots of fun between now & the big day!

at Red Rock in Colorado. nice little Photo-op.

Hanging out in Colorado, aren't they a cute couple? I hate them for it. you should join me....

*this is Stace showing her enthusiasm for their new PS3. she was excited to loose him to the basement to yet another gaming system...oh, wait that is a grimace, maybe not excited???

Westin's new love

2009-10-10T10:41:00.000-05:00

hello again...

2009-09-20T21:14:00.002-05:00

I know I kinda fell off the face of the earth this summer. You 3 readers of mine, rest assured...I am here, and I am alive.

I am going to try to change the way I think about blogging. I've been thinking that I can only blog when I have something big or exciting to say. I am going to try to do more random, everyday blogging. and maybe get some bigger thoughts out there. we'll see. I'm not generally one to share deep big feelings, but we'll see.

So...here's to a new leaf, new school year, new me????

kate mcrae's mom & dad

2009-07-02T23:53:00.004-05:00

pray.pray.pray.

2009-07-02T22:15:00.011-05:00

Please pray for my friends daughter.
tumor. brain cancer. aggressive. 5 yrs. old.

I do not understand it.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Isn't it ironic??

2009-03-08T11:56:00.003-05:00

Last night at appoximately 1 am (that's 2am compliments of daylight saving. dangit!) I was laying in my king size bed alone (obviously) reading.....wait for it....

How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed.

rest assured the irony was not lost on me.

happy face

2009-03-08T11:51:00.003-05:00

I think Westin took this picture. She must have told a good joke before she snapped it.

movie quote

2009-02-10T22:24:00.004-06:00

My favorite movie quote*:

Kathleen Kelly: Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void.

*(well, honestly except for the cemetery scene in Steel Magnolias...."Half of Chic.a.Ping Parrish would give their eye teeth to take a whack at Wheezer...")

sad confession:

2009-01-31T22:52:00.005-06:00

No kids home tonight and what does this crazy party animal do?

Turn up the ipod and....vacuum, at 10pm.

Sad, but rather liberating, I must say!

Not Me! Monday

2009-01-26T06:32:00.005-06:00

I am jumping on the Not Me! Monday bandwagon, brought to us by MckMama and I'm pretty excited about the situation! I can think of all sorts of things I didn't do. In this week alone actually!

Let's start by saying it is not 10:43 pm on Sunday night and I do not have a 7 yr old who consistently has sleep issues on Sunday night therefore i am NOT letting her lay in my bed because she "doesn't want to waste sleep time reading a book." Who would let her get away with such a thing? Not this mom!

I also have absolutely never let my 11 yr. old play Animal Crossing for 3 hrs on a Saturday because she stayed up too late at a sleepover on Friday night and was a bit more than I wanted to wrangle with at that point in time....never done that.

At no point during this week let alone this day was there EVER 4 loads of laundry to fold, all in baskets, all at the same time. I did not let my 7 yr. old stay up a little past bedtime just so I would have company to pass the time.

I would never call my 7 yr old to ask if there was anything she wanted to take for treats for her half birthday that I could buy, because after a 9 hour day, skotcharoos were just too much work. what kind of lame-ass-mom would do that? a LAZY one that's who! not me! I did not get off the hook with brownies, from a box that required a mere 3 ingredients from my kitchen! I don't know who you take me for? but that woman is not me.

I did not buy flooring at IKEA planning on my dad helping me install it, without checking with him. That has bad idea written all over it. Not one of my ideas. nope. not mine.

I just love this picture.

2009-01-25T09:23:00.004-06:00

she looks like such a teenager, doesn't she?

2009-01-21T22:24:00.004-06:00

I generally try to be a nice person, and I think I succeed. (I said generally, Josh)

But I saw this site and i think there is much more I and everyone can do every day. So from now on I am going to try harder, and see what happens.

slacker

2009-01-15T07:33:00.002-06:00

So...here is how this goes. I have a post in my head or have a good picture to share, and I sit down at the computer to post...and what happens??? Well, I log on, then that friendly little icon pops up that i have mail (translation...someone likes me!) so I have to check that, then possibly click on some links. (because sometimes it is sales that like me...especially IKEA) which leads me to other places on the web, then I think of what I've been meaning to search for on Etsy, then go to my Bloglines. then possibly a messenger conversation or two, then who knows what...but what we do know is that it IS NOT a post on my blog. I really need to work on thins! Maybe no e.mail checking until post-posting???

the challenge

2008-11-30T23:05:00.002-06:00

the challenge starts tomorrow...

*no i will not be sharing my actual weight...but i will be accountable to all who read. (hi mom, and Becky. And Lisa...that probably about covers you all) = )

excited!

2008-11-24T20:36:00.001-06:00

I am absolutely doing this! And I am really rather excited about it!

If anyone actually reads us...you should join the challenge!

what pictures???

2008-11-23T18:27:00.004-06:00

The rejects from

my attempt at Christmas card pictures....

joy

2008-11-23T18:24:00.003-06:00

a picture of happiness!

i fell off the blogging wagon

2008-11-07T22:19:00.003-06:00

please forgive me.

I have been childless for 2 nights. and let me tell you, you think of all the things you will get done when you have a minute to yourself and various other dreams, but when that minute to yourself comes...you don't know what to do. at least I don't. not for 2 nights. One night a week is good, get my bearings, miss 'em a bit, be ready to roll when they get back. 2 nights and I feel like my hands have been cut off. (that might be a bit dramatic....maybe)

I'm ready for their return now. I've even planned what we'll have for supper tomorrow night. (sad huh?)

Good Lord help all of you if I'm still blogging when college comes.

day three

2008-11-05T22:20:00.002-06:00

here I am am again. This really is a record people!

Made it to work on time again today. The girls were great this AM, I find that helps alot! AND after wok we ran errands (including grocery store) and had supper ready, eaten and dishes done by 6pm! That is huge. (in all honesty i have to admit I was off work at 2pm...but c'mon. still impressive right???)

I just signed up for my first coupon shop thingy. Holle--I know you are proud of me. (she is capable of making store actually pay her just for the pleasure of having her shop there) I signed up for 'The grocery game" now, all you readers (hi you 5) if you go and sign up, give props where they are due...right to me. you can get a free subscription if you refer 3 people. I'll keep you posted on the money I make from spending! (you ladies understand the logic I speak of)

Tomorrow and friday no school. YIPEE! (wouldn't it be sweet to be a kid again??) I'm observing that I apparently really like to use parenthesis. I've just learned this about myself. See, something good has already come from this everyday posting thing.

I'm still waiting for the deep thoughts to come spilling out like they do for all the "everyday bloggers" that I read. nothing yet. I can't talk too much about the divorce because the kids know this blog address. and that's not really my style, but that has kinda knocked the wind from my sails for a bit, so bear with me and i promise i will find less frivolous things to post about than my money saving schemes, but for now that's the best I got!

until tomorrow....

day two

2008-11-04T21:20:00.004-06:00

I'm on a roll people.

now, a newcomer to the group (what group you ask?! well, if you are reading this consider yourself part of the group) my friend Lisa has started a blog she needs some comments to "feel the love". Heck i need some comments for that reason too.

Big news. i got to work ontime today. even had time to drop off a utility payment and drive thru the credit union. good start to the day. I'll have to wait a few more days to officially declare it the new norm, but we are getting closer. Lord willing.

i'm gonna go watch the results come in.

~until tomorrow.

what i should do...

2008-11-03T22:18:00.003-06:00

I should make a promise to post every.single.day. for at least 2 weeks. I seem to think i need some good pictures or something very movingly philosophical to say.(which I rarely have). But I don't really need that. I just need to get my lazy butt off of other peoples blogs and put some effort into my own! can I get an AMEN????

So, Here ya have it! 2 weeks of posting everyday! remember. you asked for it!

There are some major changes afoot here in the 'used to be yellow house'. The girls and I are trying to find our new normal and a morning routine that gets me to work on time. (mental note: NOT checking blogspot in the AM would help with that goal!)

Then today the evil big dog chewed up the new home-phone-cell-phone. jerk. I'm not sure what the phone did to cause such a rumpus, but apparently something horrific judging from the results.

Ok, better not blow all of my news in one day.

until tomorrow. I promise.

a few August pictures pictures (2 months late)

2008-10-19T22:30:00.006-05:00

The girls in Colorado.

Alayna lovin' the view

Westin making a squirrel friend.

This is maybe my favorite picture in a long time. it was the first day of school. and I love it.

still alive

2008-10-10T22:04:00.002-05:00

I am still around....not to fear updates will be coming.

All-American summer!

2008-07-22T07:30:00.006-05:00

Getting ready:

Assembling snack mix:

And Finally....

The Lemonade Stand!

**Let me tell all you mom's of small-ish children (Holle!). You need to have a lemonade stand. It will renew your faith in man-kind! You would be surprised at all of the people who stop just because it's kids with a lemonade stand. It's pretty neat! **

And

an early morning push-up for good measure. (hey! It's summer!)

The haircut...

2008-07-06T08:36:00.002-05:00

Well, Moms' hair started falling out alot, so as any self respecting woman would do she cut it off. I'm pretty sure Josh and I are some of just a few people who can say they watched their MOM give herself ....

A MOWHAWK.

(we know! she's cool!)

my runner.

2008-07-06T08:28:00.003-05:00

On 4th of July morning Westin ran in the Jaycee's kids fun run. She got third, and even passed a boy! (not that it's all about winning, put passing someone sure feels nice!)

my gardens

2008-07-01T08:17:00.003-05:00

actually not just mine. mine & grandma connie's:

the sun garden....

the shade garden...

Josh's idea so people don't kill the grass by stepping on it when they come in the gate...

perhaps my favorite blog yet....

2008-06-20T22:07:00.001-05:00

There far too many good ideas on this one blog for me to even comprehend!

I love it!

Look at what the nice boys did.

2008-06-01T21:30:00.006-05:00

A BIG thank you to My Dad, My Grandpa Willie, My brother Josh, and Mike for putting up the fence! I really, really appreciate it!

Now, I'm going to paint it, I just need to decide on a color....suggestions anyone?

Spring is here.

2008-05-20T07:21:00.004-05:00

the view in front of our house....

that white tree...while beautiful for about 72 hours....everything is now coated in white petals.

YAHOO!!!YIPPEE!!!!WHOOPWHOOP!!!!

2008-04-02T17:25:00.002-05:00

you have to go here to see what i'm talking about!!!!!!!!

www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

spring pictures!!!

2008-03-28T08:44:00.002-05:00

outfits are compliments of g.ma Connie...thank you g.ma connie!

random newness

2008-03-17T07:41:00.006-05:00

We have daffodils! (in the stores...not out of the ground .yet.)

I found an area rug. Some may know the hunt that went into this find. I am so excited! (so excited, that YES! I took pictures of my rug!)

Happy March!

2008-03-02T08:56:00.000-06:00

fun, fun, fun!

2008-02-23T10:00:00.004-06:00

it hit the 20's here yesterday!

HEATWAVE!!!!

so, what do true blooded Iowan's do when the mercury rises above the teens??? WE GO SLEDDING!

So, we trekked down to Vinton to my granparents house, and had a blast! Grandpa Willie and I did alot of pushing, Grandma Susie did alot of cheering. The girls did alot of slipping and sledding.

We all did alot of laughing!

It was a great day! (finished it off with some Jolly Roger's Pizza, could it get ANY better?)

for becky...(and anyone interested)

2008-02-19T20:26:00.004-06:00

s'more cupcakes

this is what they are REALLY supposed to look like. (I didn't have the graham crackers)

I used just a good 'ol box of chocolate cake mix for the cupcakes. the REAL goodness is the frosting which is:

1/2-3/4 lb. (2 or 3 sticks) butter, room temperature,1 lb. (2 cups) confectioner's sugar,1/2 tsp. vanilla,16 oz. tub of marshmallow cream (I recommend Fluff)

Cream the butter (I love my Kitchenaid!) on high until it's light and fluffy. Add the confectioner's sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until fluffy each time. Beat in the vanilla until incorporated. Then dump in the Fluff and mix it up 'til it's all creamy. Transfer to pastry bag (if desired) and pipe onto cupcakes! (You can also cut the corner off a Ziploc bag and use that instead.)

Then sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. and top with a square (rectangle actually, I guess) of a Hershey's chocolate bar.

when trapped inside....

2008-02-18T08:43:00.003-06:00

I love the snow, i love snow storms. I DO NOT love felling trapped inside! Sooo I bake. This is what i did today. (they even got rave reviews from Josh)

2007-11-13T19:05:00.000-06:00

Two girls and their rottweiler.... a beautiful thing!

one for grandma connie...

2007-11-01T22:28:00.001-05:00

for the fun of it

2007-08-22T10:17:00.001-05:00

last year....

This year...

first day of school

2007-08-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

seriously, where did the summer go????? I cannot believe school is here already.

Alayna told me this morning she didn't mind the first day of school, it was all the days after it she didn't like.

Westin asked me if it was bad that she was excited for homework? I told her, More power to her!

the backpacks! (it's ALL about the backpacks!)

(westin is a rather small child...any backpack that can hold a folder is HUGE on her.)

Alayna B---4th grader.

Wessy---1st grader.

mini vacation!!!!

2007-08-22T09:53:00.000-05:00

Last week as a pre-school, pre-business opening trip we went to Rockford to meet up with a friend of Mike's (well, he's everyones friend really) from there we went to Madison for 1 day and then to Chicago, then back home. it was quick and fun, and provided some pretty good pics.

2007-08-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

Before & After.....

2007-08-09T22:35:00.000-05:00

Before:

After:

*I did some work on the inside too, but I need to wait for the "finishing touches" before I post them.

My baby is 6!!!

2007-08-09T22:25:00.001-05:00

Westin is officially 6 years old!

How crazy is that?????

How old does that make me feel???

*WAY! is the answer to both of the above questions!

random...catching up

2007-08-09T22:01:00.000-05:00

this summer we....

had our last day of school: (yes! I am THAT behind)

*** had a lemonade stand:

hung out with the dogs:

Flip Flop Summer Tour

2007-04-15T19:47:00.000-05:00

A whole crew of us (10 in all) rented a 12 passenger van and traveled to Des Moines Friday night to see Pat Green, Sugarland and, of course, Kenny Chesney! It was AWESOME. What is it about concerts that makes the music that much more meaningful, inspirational, cool....whatever you want to call...just that much more everything???

If any of you ever get a chance to go to a concert with my brother, I would highly recommend you do just that. You will NEVER see a happier individual in your life, than Josh at a Kenny Chesney concert.

Sea Port Village

2007-04-11T20:40:00.000-05:00

*Alayna had a bad cold.

*Westin did not.

finally...vacation pictures

2007-04-11T18:44:00.000-05:00

whatup dog????

2007-03-23T19:33:00.000-05:00

one last look

2007-02-28T22:04:00.000-06:00

one last picture for you all to see the house as it is. We are going to get new siding and new windows. I am so excited! I'm excited to be done with the decision making process and so excited to see how it will look. we are going with a clay color (get it??? we live on Clay st.--isn't that fun) and white trim, I won't know what to do with easy clean windows. Our windows now are original to the house (circa 1923)

I've decided that you know you are old when this stuff is what you look forward to.

ANOTHER winter storm coming at us. with ice and wind and all of that good stuff. I check the weather in Arizona every morning next Wednesday when we get there it is forecasted to be 88 degrees and "abundantly sunny" YA-HOO.

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-14T21:27:00.000-06:00

Oh my Good ness! I can't believe it. I don't know what changed, but I am FINALLY able to post!!!! HURRAY! now I need to think of something good to say.

I'll give you the readers digest version of my last 3 months:

*survived Christmas & New Years

*Mike quit his job Jan. 5

*Mike left to go to California to become an actor Jan 11(to try it for 6 months at least)

*Mike came home Feb. 2nd (maybe he does like us!)

*Hale tore a ligament in hig leg on Jan 17th required surgery and a fare amount of $$$$) but he is completely recovered!

*went to IKEA...that is all that needs to be said about that!

Look at that tree!!!!!

2006-12-10T22:51:00.000-06:00

I'm on a roll so we'll keep on a posting!

I just wanted everyone to be able to appreciates the sheer GINORMOUSNESS of our Christmas tree.

not as cool in the light but you can get a better feel for the size...BIG! I had to lopp off some of the top so the angel wouldn't break her neck.

Hale damage

2006-12-10T22:36:00.000-06:00

He looks so innocent doesn't he? A little decieving I must say. I am not kidding when I say he walks around with a 5lb. dumbell in his mouth as a chew toy. We take it away from him and no matter what we do with it he ALWAYS finds it!

Anyway...14 wks old 27lbs. (18lbs at 11wks) Mike and I thought we were being so smart. We put up a zip line in the back yard running from the back door frame to the clothes line so that Hale can play a little while he is outside (without us freezing) We can't train him on the underground fence until he is at least 6 mos. old...so in the meantime the zip line was up. He liked it for about 2 wks, then yesterday Alayna comes upstairs and says"uhh, you guys might want to come outside and see what Hale did." So I went and this is what I found...

He pulled the door frame off. So on to plan B.......

Luckily that cute thing really works for him!

and for dessert

2006-12-10T22:28:00.000-06:00

I couldn't leave you without dessert. This recipe is wonderful! and very easy...(you can do it Becky!--I have faith!!!) For those of you wondering YES I did take a picture of my bread pudding. I'm a dork like that.

BREAD PUDDING
3 cups bread cubes
4 cups scalded milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Butter an 8x8 inch glass baking dish. Soak bread in hot milk for five minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, salt, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into the baking dish.
Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place baking dish on towel inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake for 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

While pudding cools, combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a large saucepan. While stirring, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and stir 3 minutes more. Spoon over warm bread pudding.

Taco Soup

2006-12-09T10:14:00.000-06:00

My cousin Becky had a blog that is WAY better than my and being the overachiever she is she keeps coming up with these fun little blog-game type things. I am supposed to post a good soup recipe and her blog links here so her people can see it....I'm telling you she is in the advanced blogging club, ALPHA, National Honor Society or whatever your high school called the smart people...she is in that club! Anyway, Here is my Souper (ha-get it?) good recipe!

(Hint: I made it by the recipe to the letter the first time, now I change it up a little every time..sometimes spicy, sometimes not)

SLOW COOKER TACO SOUP

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
DIRECTIONS
In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef until browned over medium heat. Drain, and set aside.
Place the ground beef, onion, chili beans, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, green chile peppers and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on Low setting for 8 hours.

and for those of you on weight watchers like me:

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 363
Total Fat: 16.3g
Cholesterol: 48mg
Sodium: 1395mg
Total Carbs: 38.2g
Dietary Fiber: 8.7g
Protein: 18.1g

pumpkin farm

2006-11-29T21:52:00.000-06:00

so, yes I know we are now well into the Christmas season, but I am a "slacker-blogger" so bettr late than never! The girls and I went out to Heritage Farms for their "Kirby Kangaroo" pumpkin party thing. Let me say it was SO cold! The girls loved it but there was cocoa to be had once we got home!

monkey's

2006-10-27T22:24:00.000-05:00

I found these two little monkey's in our neighbors lilac tree. Bob, the neighbor just recently told them that they are more than welcome to climb the tree whenever they want to, as long as it is ok with Mike and I. Well, little did Bob know...he was my excuse to keep both of their feet firmly on the ground. I just told them that it wasn't our tree and Bob probably didn't want people climbing in his tree.

There goes that excuse.

Here is the funny thig: I very clearly remember climbing up into some VERY high trees with Josh when we were little. I don't know how my mom didn't have a heart attack. I'm no good at all at that whole "let life happen,,,they'll learn" thing.
I shall work on that!

Heeeere's Hale!

2006-10-23T22:29:00.000-05:00

We have added another to our brood...

His name is Hale. He is a 6wk old Rottweiler. (and the cutest thing I have seen in a long time)

He seems to be adjusting well, but we have had him for all of 6 hours. I expect alot of whining tonight.

And this is what I found on Saturday when I walked into the living room...

They were watching cartons, and that dog (zoeie) is just silly enough that she stayed there for a good hour. It was pretty funny. Westin was quite proud.

*and to all of those who were praying for/worrying about Mike, his surgery went well, they had some problems with his bloodpressure in the recovery room, it got up to 156/122. which is very high for him. Dr. Davis also found some adhesions around the gallbladder that he also removed, which he wasn't expecting. but no big deal, maybe a little more pain. Other than that it went well. The liver looked Ok and Dr. Davis did not feel the need to perform a biopsy.

They will recheck his liver enzymes in about 6 weeks, and hopefully the gallbladder took care of the problem. We'll see. If not, I'm not sure what the next step would be. I'll keep you posted! Thank you for thinking of us.

For those who don't know him...

2006-09-20T22:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you guys who read this have ever met Mike... so if you haven't here he is...

Pretty foxy guy huh???? ;-) Lucky Me.

We have had a long few days around here. Westin tested positive for Strep on Saturday and as of yesterday(Tuesday) she was still running a fever of 103.3. I took her back to the Dr. who gave a shot of antibiotics (in her thigh!!!--Ouch!) and ordered lab work. Westin, however did not agree with any of these decisions. Her exact words were "Mommy, that Dr. just wants to hurt me!" Dr. Pamulapati told her she was breaking her heart. It was all very dramatic and sad.Poor little thing. The shot worked. Her fever broke and she went to school today. Just in time. She has a birthday party tomorrow at Chuck E. Cheese for a friend from school.

Alayna's big news is that her class gets to participate in an "Museum school" thing where they go to the Grout museum all next week and have school like they did in the old days. She is so excited. Instead of a spelling test they will have a spelling bee, etc. They even get to dress the part. Mike, being the AWESOME dad that he is, is going to help on Tuesday. I'm sad for me yet proud of him to say that He has been on more field trips than me.

Baking with Wes.

2006-08-25T23:09:00.000-05:00

So... anyone who knows me knows I don't like messes. Those people will appreciate this posting.

I know that baking with children is beneficial to them and a good learning experience and blah, blah, blah....you can call me a bad parent but I will say out loud what all of us mom's think....."Is the mess really worth it?"

Judging by these pictures the mess was worth it on this day.

But don't get any ideas about the future, it's a day to day thing.

Here it is...

2006-08-23T22:13:00.000-05:00

YEAH! The new school is open!!!

Well, here it is Westin's first day of kindergarten. Last night they opened the school up so that everyone could go and tour and find their rooms. This helped the girls and especially me sleep better.

Westin had a blast and happily said she would go back tomorrow!

Needless to say Alayna was very excited to finally have Westin at her school! After seeing the school last night she kept telling Wes that school was going to be so fun. Westin finally said "I know, I know, You've said that like 20 times!" It was kind of funny. Both girls wanted us to just drop them off so that Alayna could walk Westin to her class. It was sweet, but a no-go. I wasn't letting go any sooner than I had to and somehow those 2 minutes seemed rather pivotal.

Goodbye Grandma Char.

2006-08-18T22:09:00.001-05:00

Today was a very sad day for all of us. Mike's mother passed away this morning at 2:38am. The cancer was just too much. She fought a brave battle and lived to the fullest to the very end. We are very sad for ourselves but very happy for her, as she is no longer in pain.

Alayna & Westin are taking things in stride. Westin asks questions with the brutal honesty of a 5 yr. old and Alayna is just kind of taking it all in. It's hard for them, but they also know it is good for her. Westin is sure that Grandma Char is up in heaven playing with peanut (deceased hamster) and then taking Gunerr(Josh's Rottweiler in heaven) for a walk.

Mike is doing as well as a son can when losing his mother. He is being wonderful with the girls and making sure they know that whatever they need, no matter what, he is here for them. The next few days are going to be very hard on us all, but we will get through. Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. They are much appreciated.

For those who would like to know...

VISITATION---Monday August 21 from 4-8pm at The Dahl-VanHove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls.
SERVICE---Tuesday August 22 10:30am at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls.

"When I die, she said, I'm coming back as a tree with deep roots & I'll wave
my leaves at the children every morning on their way to school & whisper
tree songs at night in their dreams.

Trees with deep roots know about the
things that children need". ~Brian Andeas "Deep Roots"

4 Things you may not know about me...

2006-08-08T22:38:00.000-05:00

My cousin tagged me, so here we go.......

4 Jobs I have had in my Life.....
Chuck E. Cheese (Yes I was really Chuck)
Nurse Aide
Medical receptionist
Pharmacy Technician

4 Movies I would watch over and over......
Bad Boys 2 (I love Will Smith)
Hope Floats
When A Man Loves A Woman
Nothing to Lose

4 Places I have lived.....
Vinton
Marshalltown
Cedar Falls
Mustang, Oklahoma

4 TV Shows I love to watch........
Friends
Mad about You (I love it!!!)
Nip/Tuck (I know I'm not proud of it)
Miami Ink

4 Places I have been on Vacation......
Colorado
California (A LONG time ago)
Don't really travel much. I have great vacation ideas though

4 Websites I visit Daily.....
Blogs
Allrecipes.com
Storypeople.com
My yahoo page

4 of my favorite foods.........
Tacos
Meatloaf (I really do like it!)
Spaghetti
BBQ Ribs

4 places I would like to be right now.......
A bed & breakfast in Vermont
A dude ranch with my kids (I just think it would be fun)
anyplace with my family
COLORADO!

OK, I tag Holle and Josh....go!

With neighbors like these...

2006-07-10T17:44:00.000-05:00

So, we have a little war going on with our neoghbors, Joe and Emily. Our weapon? A rather sizeable orange cone. It all started while they were on vacation. Somehow this orange cone appeared in front of their van. It stayed there for a few days after they returned, We joked about it and one night put it on the roof of their van. Joe shimmied up and got it off. We all laughed about it and apparently war was waged. Joe laid low for awhile, Mike and I joked that he must be plotting something good. We thought maybe we would wake up some morning with the cone lying in bed between us. We were close.... I got home from the pool one day last week and found this......

This picture doesn't do justice to just how steep the pitch of our roof is. I believe Joe may have risked life and limb for retaliation definitely raised the bar. Now the question is what do we do in return?

If you have any suggestions e-mail them to me. Joe and Emily read this, and I don't want them to see what's coming.

4th of July...

2006-07-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share some 4thof July pics:

We love the pool!

2006-07-07T08:02:00.000-05:00

The girls were so excited!!!! They "taught" themselves to swim. They are doing great they go all the way under to get stuff off the bottom of the pool. We bought them some goggles, which apparently are like spinach to popeye. They are so happy. "It makes the pool so much funner!"

Alayna is concerned, she wonders why, it seems "the 4 year old get all the talent? They can push off and kick and everything just like she can, but they're so much smaller!" It was pretty high drama.

Synchronized swimmers in the family????

I suck at blogging.

2006-06-27T22:36:00.000-05:00

HOW CUTE ARE THEY??????

Am I not the worst blogger in the history of bloggers?

Here's what's new...

Raina had to go back to the pound. She became too aggressive and possessive for me to take on with two kids, and not knowing her back ground. We will look for a baby, baby rottweiler puppy that we can raise our way from the get go. They are easier to train when 20 lbs. Than 65lbs.

Peanut our hamster died. It was horribly traumatic for Westin and myself. Alayna took it like a champ. Wes cried and cried. I told her that he was in animal heaven having a good ,ol time, and in all her 4 yr. old seriousness she said " I don't know if he'll make it there mom, he is in a bag in the garbage can." Apparently brutal honesty is Mike's parenting method of choice.

On Monday I start working one 12 hr. day a week and every other saturday. It will be so nice to be home with the girls more. In the fall then I will be working 9-3 M-F except Wed. when I will be off at 2. The girls get out early on Wed. I will no longer work weekend either. Nice huh?

This is Westin's new use for twister.

Meet Raina.

2006-06-12T22:40:00.000-05:00

So, Mike and my mom decided they were going to surprise me with a black pug puppy to name Raisin. Anyone who knows me knows that I've ALWAYS wanted a black pug. Well, turns out that was just in theory. Once it became a reality, I did my research. Pugs sound like they are high maintence. I'm not sure I'm responsible enough for all that work. Kids I can do. A pug? Not so sure. The whole eye care thing kinda freaked me out and the snorting and they can't be outside in the heat. I don't know how many of you have seen my brothers new dog? I'm here to tell you anything less tan 50lbs. doesn't have a prayer. So, I decided we needed to go to the pound to see what was there before we went and paid good money for a specially made dog. So, my hopes aren't up real high, I'm kinda just out there for the sake of my guilty soul. So we're walking through nothing really catching our eye. UNTIL...the last kennel on the left.There she is... Meet Raina....Our new to us 10 month old rottweiler. She is a great dog! We brought her home tonight, all she wanted to do is sleep with the girls. (we're mean, we won't let her) We walked to the Western Home to visit my grandparents and she did great. Her and Zoeie get along well. We actually took Zoeie out to the pound to check that out before we got her.They both are so easy going.

Moral of the story...We love Rottweilers in theory and reality!

All the girls!

2006-05-22T22:50:00.000-05:00

My best friend has two girls, Rory(in orange), who will be
3 in August and Soren(in stripes) who just turned 1.

The conversations these four children have are hilarious! Westin is a little mom to Soren. It is a riot. In this picture Westin was a little upset that she had to go to bed when "the girls" were still at our house.

And no, that hand is not growing out of nowhere, Holle is holding Soren, but knew this picture was going on the blog and she's a chicken, so she would rather appear grossly deformed than voluntarily have her picture taken.

So, we're on our 4 hour drive to our cousins on Friday, my mom forgets her purse at the last restaurant we ate at. Westin has a serious problem with this. She is reprimanding "Grandma Connie" in the sternest voice a 4 yr. old can muster. I hear things about how it is her job to remind grandma to take things and various overly dramatic statements, then with a completely straight face, and no humorous inflection in her voice at all Westin says to "grandma Connie..."Now, are you picking up what I'm laying down?" Someone tell me, what do you say to that????
(tears of laughter are all she got from me)

Happy Alayna

2006-05-17T21:56:00.000-05:00

I just love this picture of Alayna. She loves being out at my best friends parents' farm.

She looks so content and check out those fingernails, a country girl through & through...

Harley mama

2006-05-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

This is Westin's version of dressing up. Something about it just screams Biker Babe.

She is just proud as can be though!

Results...

2006-05-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

I promised a picture of the results of the braids. Here it is. They think it's the coolest thing in the world. Funny.

I love my sister!

2006-05-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

I love my Sister!

Tonight we did the age-old, take a bath, throw on your pajamas lightning fast, so mom can braid your still soaking wet hair so it can be "crimped" for school tomorrow! (anyone who is a girl or has girls is familiar with this routine) I will take a picture of the finished product tomorrow.

A little snippet of the information I got from Westin yesterday... "I'm sure that I will have boys around me all the time in a little while because I'll be so cute." I asked her if she meant when she was older? she said "yeah, when I'm 5." Dear Lord Almighty. Self-esteem is NOT AN ISSUE with her!! I'm curious to hear her version of what people think of her hair. She is one funny kid.

Alayna found her talent today! She told me as soon as she got in the car, that she apparently (her word) is an excellent drawer of dolphins. and "the funny thing is I didn't even know I knew how to draw dolphins" When Westin got in the car they had a very in-depth discussion about talents and Alayna said some people never find their talents and she "just felt so lucky to have found hers so early." The stuff you hear in kids' conversations if you pay attention is Great!

Have a good day everyone. Braid results tomorrow....

Their shining moment......

2006-05-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

These are some pictures from a wedding we all were in on New Years Eve. A good frieand of ours got married, and the wedding was gorgeous! Westin was a flower girl (one of 3) and Alayna was the bell-ringer. She walked in right in front of Sukey (the bride) and rang a crystal bell. She did so good. Her cheeks didn't even turn red. Westin danced it up at the reception, Alayna did too, but she is a little lower key than Wes. Both had a blast.

2006-05-06T23:39:00.000-05:00

I'm trying my hand at this blogging thing....we'll see.

Today we were a bunch of busy bunnies. The girls were in a fashion show this morning which the did marvelously!!! Look out Cindy Crawford! Then we went to Mom's /Grandma Connie/s and spent the day playing with the dogs (the girls) and baking a pie (me). We then grilled out at Josh's. A good time was had by all. (Except Mike, he had to work all day. Yuck!)

Signing off on another good day.....sara