Be prepared for some making fun of people. This trip was so hilarious that I just can't help myself.
1. Make sure that your daughter can work a portable grill and cook a hot dog at 16 yo. And maybe her slacker boyfriend too. So that the people across the way (that would be us) aren't laughing so hard they are crying as she asks where to put the hot dog on the grill and then do you just close the lid and it actually cooks.
2. Don't chase your little dogs, that are suppose to be on leashes, right past my campsite with just your thin nightgown on. And please don't yell things like "Tater you come back right now. Tater come back or I am going to spank you!". It will result in me laughing loud and long at you. Sorry but it is true. Try leaving the little rodent at home where he belongs.
3. There are the campers, like us, who are there just for the weekend and pack accordingly. Then there are the CAMPERS who bring their entire mobile home with them, complete with 20 cases of beer and Corona.
4. Pay showers aren't that bad. They are the cleanest and nicest ones I have ever used at a campgrounds. especially a state park. And my kids can totally take a shower in 3 minutes, which costs 50 cents. They can't seem to do this at home for some reason. Idea forming right now.
5. We seriously need one of those canopy things, that set up real fast. Being stuck in a tent with all the kids for 2 hours, while it was raining, wasn't too much fun. Especially when we found a tiny leak that was right on some one's bed.
6. My fear of spiders is surpassed only be my fear of snakes. We saw them in the water, under rocks, and on the side of the hiking trail. I saw enough to last me another 30 years or so. But then we also had HUGE wolf spiders in the boys sleeping bags. I am surprised that I slept that night.
7. It pays to bring your own wood, because they charge an exorbitant price at the lodge office. We brought ours and will definitely do it again. One family actually had a load delivered to their site. How is that for roughing it.
8. This is such a good age to take the baby. She was so good. Slept a lot and didn't mind being carried around or laid on a pallet. When they get older they are so independent.
9. Bring extra clothes. It never fails that we wear dirty clothes the last day, because they lose track of what is clean and what isn't. Then it all gets shoved in with the wet swimming suits and makes them unwearable.
10. Take a shower in Off. It is so much easier than spraying it on 4 times a day. But we didn't find any ticks on any of the kids, so that was a blessing. We did get mosquito bites though. Go figure!
7.
Chaos is our middle name
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Baby fat
My 4 yo just told me that I have baby fat. I asked him where and he squeezed my legs and said "Right there Mom. You have a lot of it."
I guess it is back on the Wii Fit for me. I have kinda fallen of on that.
I guess it is back on the Wii Fit for me. I have kinda fallen of on that.
Thankful Thursday
So this is a few days late. But better late than never, like last week, right?
1. For a safe camping trip. Just minor scrapes. No bee stings like last time.
2. That our house was just fine when we came back.
3. For a working refrigerator. Living out of a ice chest, while camping, stinks. I am always ready to get back to the full size version when we get home.
4. That we fit all our stuff in the new ride and didn't have to cram it at our feet, like we normally do.
5. For a nice evening at the park last night and a nice visit with old friends, whose house just happens to back up to this nice park.
6. For money to pay bills and still have money to put in savings. We are so blessed to not go without.
7. That it is the weekend. Only one honey-do project and hopefully that will only take one afternoon.
8. A nap with the baby this afternoon. I haven't had one of those in a long time.
9. That we are all healthy and well. We haven't had the sniffles, stomach flu or anything else in quite awhile. I pray that we stay that way.
10. Mexican food. I love it! We are having it tonight with cilantro, fresh from our garden.
11. I have an extra this week. Having herbs, right outside my door, to pick whenever I want. I made a mayo-dill sauce the other night and the fresh dill was so tasty.
Happy Saturday everyone!!
1. For a safe camping trip. Just minor scrapes. No bee stings like last time.
2. That our house was just fine when we came back.
3. For a working refrigerator. Living out of a ice chest, while camping, stinks. I am always ready to get back to the full size version when we get home.
4. That we fit all our stuff in the new ride and didn't have to cram it at our feet, like we normally do.
5. For a nice evening at the park last night and a nice visit with old friends, whose house just happens to back up to this nice park.
6. For money to pay bills and still have money to put in savings. We are so blessed to not go without.
7. That it is the weekend. Only one honey-do project and hopefully that will only take one afternoon.
8. A nap with the baby this afternoon. I haven't had one of those in a long time.
9. That we are all healthy and well. We haven't had the sniffles, stomach flu or anything else in quite awhile. I pray that we stay that way.
10. Mexican food. I love it! We are having it tonight with cilantro, fresh from our garden.
11. I have an extra this week. Having herbs, right outside my door, to pick whenever I want. I made a mayo-dill sauce the other night and the fresh dill was so tasty.
Happy Saturday everyone!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
My husband rocks
I know I missed it last Friday but that was because we were camping.
So you can probably guess what this week will be. Family. Spending time with family. Putting up with our quirks. Taking a little girl on a LONG hike in the early morning hours. Not blinking an eye when I said I forgot the meat and driving back into town for some more. Doing all the driving on the trip. Helping get the baby to sleep or carrying her when she was fussy (which wasn't too much she was so good.) Helping cook over the fire. Building the fire, with lots of help from Son #1. Just spending time with us, away from all the hub-bub and busyness. Sitting around the fire, just me and him.
We love you!
So you can probably guess what this week will be. Family. Spending time with family. Putting up with our quirks. Taking a little girl on a LONG hike in the early morning hours. Not blinking an eye when I said I forgot the meat and driving back into town for some more. Doing all the driving on the trip. Helping get the baby to sleep or carrying her when she was fussy (which wasn't too much she was so good.) Helping cook over the fire. Building the fire, with lots of help from Son #1. Just spending time with us, away from all the hub-bub and busyness. Sitting around the fire, just me and him.
We love you!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Camping 2009 Edition
We had a good time camping over Memorial Day weekend. It was interesting, long, and exciting. I am feeling a top ten camping list coming on too. And just so you know I am NEVER owning a little dog EVER!!
We went to a local state park. When I say local I mean that it was at least 3 hours away. But the kids always travel great and the baby never cried. At least while we were traveling.
Brown Bear never caught a fish and that was what he wanted to do so bad. But we did catch mosquitoes and ticks. Oh and some poison ivy.
They went swimming 2 days that we were there, but the water was so cold that they only stayed in for a little bit each time. But when they were the only ones there the water, magically, became warmer and they stayed in for a long time. Swimming out to the pier and jumping off became so much fun.
We did quite a bit of hiking. ZK and Monkey went one morning and said they walked about 2 miles with no end in sight. When the grandparents came up we did more hiking around. We went to the cave but I couldn't reasonably get down there with the baby. So ZK and I stayed up top and everyone else went down. Then, when they were done, we did some more hiking. I am so out of shape that it was quite comical.
We ate good too. I always plan menus that are east to fix, but aren't just hamburgers and hot dogs. For instance I took onions, baby carrots, peppers, potatoes and hamburger meat. We made hobo meals the first night, pork chops and baked potatoes the next and then quesadillas. So we didn't have to take some many different ingredients.
But when the grandparents were there we had steak, potato salad, and baked beans. Followed by chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. YUMMY!! Brown Bear ate anything that was left for every meal. So we didn't have any leftovers to snack on.
The park had an amphitheatre and the girls put on a play for us several times. They did the Sound of Music. It was fun and precious to watch. The boys chased bugs, hunted worms, and just played.
We hope to go again in the fall when it is a little cooler. Although the weather wasn't too bad. It did rain one night and we played mind games while we sat it out in the tent. My brain hurt after that. Some of the kids played UNO too. I keep card games in the camping stuff for times like that.
All in all we had a good time and can't wait to do it again!
We went to a local state park. When I say local I mean that it was at least 3 hours away. But the kids always travel great and the baby never cried. At least while we were traveling.
Brown Bear never caught a fish and that was what he wanted to do so bad. But we did catch mosquitoes and ticks. Oh and some poison ivy.
They went swimming 2 days that we were there, but the water was so cold that they only stayed in for a little bit each time. But when they were the only ones there the water, magically, became warmer and they stayed in for a long time. Swimming out to the pier and jumping off became so much fun.
We did quite a bit of hiking. ZK and Monkey went one morning and said they walked about 2 miles with no end in sight. When the grandparents came up we did more hiking around. We went to the cave but I couldn't reasonably get down there with the baby. So ZK and I stayed up top and everyone else went down. Then, when they were done, we did some more hiking. I am so out of shape that it was quite comical.
We ate good too. I always plan menus that are east to fix, but aren't just hamburgers and hot dogs. For instance I took onions, baby carrots, peppers, potatoes and hamburger meat. We made hobo meals the first night, pork chops and baked potatoes the next and then quesadillas. So we didn't have to take some many different ingredients.
But when the grandparents were there we had steak, potato salad, and baked beans. Followed by chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. YUMMY!! Brown Bear ate anything that was left for every meal. So we didn't have any leftovers to snack on.
The park had an amphitheatre and the girls put on a play for us several times. They did the Sound of Music. It was fun and precious to watch. The boys chased bugs, hunted worms, and just played.
We hope to go again in the fall when it is a little cooler. Although the weather wasn't too bad. It did rain one night and we played mind games while we sat it out in the tent. My brain hurt after that. Some of the kids played UNO too. I keep card games in the camping stuff for times like that.
All in all we had a good time and can't wait to do it again!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Re-inventing the wheel
OK so maybe not the wheel, but do leftovers count. Since we have been on a quest for less waste, simpler life, leftovers have plagued me. I can only handle about one more meal of whatever and then it has to go. In ZK's lunch, in the trash, in the garbage disposal. It doesn't really matter to me. But that is being a very good steward either.
Recently I had a gallon bag of rice pilaf given to me. I am not super fond of rice pilaf. It is just to dry for me. But I didn't want to throw it out or just keep it until it was inedible. So I decided to try and come up with some different ways to use. First I used some of it in a chicken and rice soup. Then I made a Mexican dish by layering rice, beans, meat, cheese, and enchilada sauce. We serve it with chips and tortillas. It was so yummy! Then I used the leftovers to make a delicious taco soup. Finally I made a chicken dish with it.
It was a great way to use all of it up. It froze well in smaller portions and I just thawed them out as needed. It was also nice because I could thaw it out in the microwave if I forgot and it was ready in a jiffy.
I have tried a lot harder to use up our leftovers in different ways so that we are no longer wasting as much food as we used too. (not that we threw away a lot before. 8 people eat a LOT of fun.) ZK still gets some interesting lunches to use up those little bits that need to go, but now we have new-overs the next day or later in the week.
Do you have any suggestions on how to use up leftovers?
P.S. We were gone on a camping trip so I have lots of posts coming up. I just need to get to them. The next couple of weeks are busy too so posting will be a lot less.
Recently I had a gallon bag of rice pilaf given to me. I am not super fond of rice pilaf. It is just to dry for me. But I didn't want to throw it out or just keep it until it was inedible. So I decided to try and come up with some different ways to use. First I used some of it in a chicken and rice soup. Then I made a Mexican dish by layering rice, beans, meat, cheese, and enchilada sauce. We serve it with chips and tortillas. It was so yummy! Then I used the leftovers to make a delicious taco soup. Finally I made a chicken dish with it.
It was a great way to use all of it up. It froze well in smaller portions and I just thawed them out as needed. It was also nice because I could thaw it out in the microwave if I forgot and it was ready in a jiffy.
I have tried a lot harder to use up our leftovers in different ways so that we are no longer wasting as much food as we used too. (not that we threw away a lot before. 8 people eat a LOT of fun.) ZK still gets some interesting lunches to use up those little bits that need to go, but now we have new-overs the next day or later in the week.
Do you have any suggestions on how to use up leftovers?
P.S. We were gone on a camping trip so I have lots of posts coming up. I just need to get to them. The next couple of weeks are busy too so posting will be a lot less.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
New Blog
I added a new blog to my blogroll. She has been highlighted on Money Saving Mom several times.
I love to eat. I love to cook. I love simple recipes.
She covers all these bases. So what is not to like about this new blog?
Be sure you check out her High Five recipes. They are recipes that include only 5 ingredients.
Heavenly Homemakers.
I love to eat. I love to cook. I love simple recipes.
She covers all these bases. So what is not to like about this new blog?
Be sure you check out her High Five recipes. They are recipes that include only 5 ingredients.
Heavenly Homemakers.
Thankful for Oatmeal
Heard last night as Lion Cub was praying at bedtime.
"Thank you for Parrot so we can play the Wii. Thank you for oatmeal because it is good. But Monkey doesn't like it. I like it cuz it is good."
He already loves a frugal breakfast!!
"Thank you for Parrot so we can play the Wii. Thank you for oatmeal because it is good. But Monkey doesn't like it. I like it cuz it is good."
He already loves a frugal breakfast!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Library Programs
I think that I have mentioned that we have a new librarian and we love her. She has really implemented some neat programs.
Last night she had a program called "Altered Clothing". It was a blast. I took Lioness, Koala, and Boy Wonder (the boy I babysit) with me. They had so much fun picking everything out and deciding on what to do.
Did I mention that this is all free?
She had a transfer station, painting station, fabric station and sewing station. Very organized and very thorough. She puts a lot of thought into it and it shows.
So they made pillows, shopping bags, and pillowcases from old t-shirts. Lioness also made several bags. I forgot she also had a be-dazzler there too that Lioness spent a LOT of time at.
Last night she had a program called "Altered Clothing". It was a blast. I took Lioness, Koala, and Boy Wonder (the boy I babysit) with me. They had so much fun picking everything out and deciding on what to do.
Did I mention that this is all free?
She had a transfer station, painting station, fabric station and sewing station. Very organized and very thorough. She puts a lot of thought into it and it shows.
So they made pillows, shopping bags, and pillowcases from old t-shirts. Lioness also made several bags. I forgot she also had a be-dazzler there too that Lioness spent a LOT of time at.
Friday, May 15, 2009
My husband rocks
Friday again and time to brag on my husband.
We have been really clamping down on our spending. We went to the envelope system. Man is cramping my style. But several times when I wanted to spend on something he would have free alternatives. Like stopping at Starbuck's on the way home from Target. He suggested that we use the cappuccino mix (that was free to us) and add some cream we already had. Then I said I would just buy some formula for him to give to Koala tonight, but he sat up with me in the middle of the night so I could pump. (she drains it so fast during the day that I barely have anything to pump) Again a free alternative.
Also he has been scrounging and is making a mini-greenhouse with mostly free stuff. He is really turning our backyard into a mini grocery store.
He also suggested that we go to the library downtown (the BIG one) and hang out there with the kids, when our previous plans were rained out. Mostly free because parking costs. We also packed a picnic lunch and went to the Myriad Gardens.
Thanks for being a frugal man!!
Green Thumb
Here are some pictures of our things that are growing. Because we have had a lot of rain, everything looks so green and pretty. So I just had to share it with you.
Cilantro and some other herbs.
Hanging tomato plants
My flowers. I have no idea what kind.
Boysenberry
Our gorgeous blueberries
Cilantro and some other herbs.
Hanging tomato plants
My flowers. I have no idea what kind.
Boysenberry
Our gorgeous blueberries
Thankful Thursday
This is late but for a good reason. So I will just right into my short list.
1. ZK was off yesterday. We were suppose to go to a homeschool olympic day. But it was rained out. So we finished lots of little errands that have been bugging me. Then ZK worked on his hobby greenhouse idea. He is loving this. It was such a nice time to be together.
2. That tonight is BUNCO. Oh yeah baby!
3. Well I had another one but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
4. That we have had lots of rain. Next week is suppose to be so HOT!!
5. School is almost over.
6. Vacation is coming!!
7. Did I mention BUNCO? Girl's night out.
8. That we have running water.
9. Indoor plumbing.
10. Toilet paper. (I don't know why this is on my mind :0)
Happy Thursday!!
1. ZK was off yesterday. We were suppose to go to a homeschool olympic day. But it was rained out. So we finished lots of little errands that have been bugging me. Then ZK worked on his hobby greenhouse idea. He is loving this. It was such a nice time to be together.
2. That tonight is BUNCO. Oh yeah baby!
3. Well I had another one but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
4. That we have had lots of rain. Next week is suppose to be so HOT!!
5. School is almost over.
6. Vacation is coming!!
7. Did I mention BUNCO? Girl's night out.
8. That we have running water.
9. Indoor plumbing.
10. Toilet paper. (I don't know why this is on my mind :0)
Happy Thursday!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
3 Blog Meme
I was tagged be Only Sometimes Clever to do this. I need to get to this lest I get booted off her blogroll.
Three Blogs I Read Every Day Without Fail:
We are THAT Family
Only Sometimes Clever
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman
Three Blogs That Have Been on my Blogroll the Longest (to the Best of my Faulty Memory):
Shoot For Eternity (sorry no link)
Homeschool and Etc.
Dehaan's
Three Blogs on my Blogreader or RSS Feed That Aren’t (Yet) on my Blogroll:
I don't have any. If they are on my blogroll then they are on my feeder.
The Three Newest Blogs Added to My Blogroll and/or Blogreader (or that need to be added):
We are THAT family
A Hope and A Future
Down To Earth
Three Bloggers Who I Wish Wrote More Often:
Moms are for everyone
Mrs. Troop
Ramblings and Randomness
If You’re Interested in ________ , You Should Read These Three Blogs:
crockpotting- A Year of Crockpotting
I can't think of any other ones
If you are mentioned in it you are tagged!
Three Blogs I Read Every Day Without Fail:
We are THAT Family
Only Sometimes Clever
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman
Three Blogs That Have Been on my Blogroll the Longest (to the Best of my Faulty Memory):
Shoot For Eternity (sorry no link)
Homeschool and Etc.
Dehaan's
Three Blogs on my Blogreader or RSS Feed That Aren’t (Yet) on my Blogroll:
I don't have any. If they are on my blogroll then they are on my feeder.
The Three Newest Blogs Added to My Blogroll and/or Blogreader (or that need to be added):
We are THAT family
A Hope and A Future
Down To Earth
Three Bloggers Who I Wish Wrote More Often:
Moms are for everyone
Mrs. Troop
Ramblings and Randomness
If You’re Interested in ________ , You Should Read These Three Blogs:
crockpotting- A Year of Crockpotting
I can't think of any other ones
If you are mentioned in it you are tagged!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day in pictures
Feet after pedicures
Getting my ears pierced
Getting Monkey's ears pierced
Monkey getting her first pedicure
Great-grandma getting her first pedicure too!
BTW My brother made lunch for all of us. It was little personal pizzas, fruit salad, fruit and dip, cottage cheese, and of course dessert. LOTS of desserts. Lemon tart, peach pie, strawberry ice cream and angel food cake. YUMMY!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Party Central
I added this picture of the kids because of Lioness' face as she is eating that HUGE hot dog.
Parrot and her grandpa
Great-grandma, grandma, and Koala
Filthy children. But they had so much fun!
Pop star guitar cakeSo Saturday we had a party at our house. But first we went to the Armed Forces Day parade. Did I take a single picture? Of course not! Were my nephew and kids photogenic? Absolutely!! Anyway it was fun and setting in the rain was even more fun. So just imagine the kids running wildly to catch all the candy. Lots of sirens and loud motorcycles. It really is fun!
Later we had the family over for Monkey's birthday. Again lots of fun. It did stop raining so the kids were able to play outside. They always have a blast playing together and get along famously. Very seldom is there fights or whining about each other.
Lots of good food too! Nathan's hot dogs, smoked ribs that were falling off the bone, potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, baked beans, and cake. Yeah I was stuffed after all of that. I wish that I had ate more ribs, but every one else wanted them too.
Every time we have family over it reminds me how blessed I am. We all get along most of the time. And if we get mad it doesn't last long. We all support each other and try to be there for each other. To have that much family around is something lots of people don't have. Thank you Lord for my family!
Friday, May 8, 2009
My husband rocks
This week has been a busy week for us and so is next week. All the school activites will be winding down.
ZK always comes to all of them. Sometimes that is a real sacrifice, let me tell you. Especially a 4 hour long band concert. But he still comes.
Also he is dedicated to providing for us. With a garden, job and making sacrifices to makes sure we always have what we need and some of what we want.
We went over the budget together and it was a little disheartening. We (OK, me) were spending a little more in certain areas than we had planned. So we came up with some ways to reduce those bills.
Also he went with us to the store last night. I think it was good so he could see what prices are and such, but also he helped load all the groceries, pushed the baby and the cart, and helped put all the groceries up. So nice!
Way to rock, Honey!!
ZK always comes to all of them. Sometimes that is a real sacrifice, let me tell you. Especially a 4 hour long band concert. But he still comes.
Also he is dedicated to providing for us. With a garden, job and making sacrifices to makes sure we always have what we need and some of what we want.
We went over the budget together and it was a little disheartening. We (OK, me) were spending a little more in certain areas than we had planned. So we came up with some ways to reduce those bills.
Also he went with us to the store last night. I think it was good so he could see what prices are and such, but also he helped load all the groceries, pushed the baby and the cart, and helped put all the groceries up. So nice!
Way to rock, Honey!!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Wow another week has gone by. I thought that I would just add everyday to the list, but this week just flew by and so here is my abbreviated version.
1. That Baby J came through another surgery with flying colors. She is already home from the hospital.
2. My aunt is here and teaching the girls how to crochet. They are so excited and she is very patient.
3. I have a camera that takes video so I can record this for future generations. I also meant to do it with ZK's grandma and that never happened and I am so sad. So I am doing it this time.
4. The rain. The burn ban has been lifted (I think) and I am very happy about that.
5. Strawberry plants, that we thought were gone, are starting to grow.
6. Flowers that a kind friend brought by today. They attract Monarchs and are so pretty.
7. Going over the budget with ZK and being on the same page on how to reduce certain expenses.
8. Unexpected offer of a gymnastics gym for Jenna's party. It rained all day and they were going to be miserable at the park. A dear friend offered her gym, at no charge, and it was so much fun.
9. That we are all healthy and not showing any signs of the Heiny Flu or the Swine Flu or H1N1 or whatever they are calling it these days. (I just added because I am tired of hearing about it every where I turn!)
10. That I have the brain power to type this. At least on most days. I am so very blessed!!
Happy Thursday everyone~
1. That Baby J came through another surgery with flying colors. She is already home from the hospital.
2. My aunt is here and teaching the girls how to crochet. They are so excited and she is very patient.
3. I have a camera that takes video so I can record this for future generations. I also meant to do it with ZK's grandma and that never happened and I am so sad. So I am doing it this time.
4. The rain. The burn ban has been lifted (I think) and I am very happy about that.
5. Strawberry plants, that we thought were gone, are starting to grow.
6. Flowers that a kind friend brought by today. They attract Monarchs and are so pretty.
7. Going over the budget with ZK and being on the same page on how to reduce certain expenses.
8. Unexpected offer of a gymnastics gym for Jenna's party. It rained all day and they were going to be miserable at the park. A dear friend offered her gym, at no charge, and it was so much fun.
9. That we are all healthy and not showing any signs of the Heiny Flu or the Swine Flu or H1N1 or whatever they are calling it these days. (I just added because I am tired of hearing about it every where I turn!)
10. That I have the brain power to type this. At least on most days. I am so very blessed!!
Happy Thursday everyone~
Monday, May 4, 2009
Why??
Why.....
is it so funny when your 4 yo says "jazooka lion" meaning big lion?
do you run out of gas for the lawnmower on the last swipe around?
do you cry when everyone else cries and you have no idea why?
do you get so excited to find new ways to save money?
does your cat all the sudden decide that under the table is his new litter box?
does your little boy find ALL of the puddles before he climbs into the clean car?
do you wonder "what the...?" when your 6 yo tells you that what is in her head is classified (ok I even died laughing)?
does it feel so right and give you warm fuzzies when you spend the evening cuddling with your kids?
do babies have the sweetest necks ever?
am I blessed with such wonderful friends?
does anyone even read this stuff?
is it so funny when your 4 yo says "jazooka lion" meaning big lion?
do you run out of gas for the lawnmower on the last swipe around?
do you cry when everyone else cries and you have no idea why?
do you get so excited to find new ways to save money?
does your cat all the sudden decide that under the table is his new litter box?
does your little boy find ALL of the puddles before he climbs into the clean car?
do you wonder "what the...?" when your 6 yo tells you that what is in her head is classified (ok I even died laughing)?
does it feel so right and give you warm fuzzies when you spend the evening cuddling with your kids?
do babies have the sweetest necks ever?
am I blessed with such wonderful friends?
does anyone even read this stuff?
KarateTournament Round 2
Brown Bear and ZK went to a karate tournament last weekend. I know I am a little late getting this out, but we have been busy and I have been working out the rest of my body, instead of just my fingers.
Anyway. This is the second tournament he has been too. He placed fifth this year and sixth last year. Apparently that is pretty good, but I wouldn't know because I have never been to see him participate.
He really enjoys it though. The facility is about 90 minutes away from us. But it is the only place in the state to test for this particular style of karate. There are several of them that go together every year.
He did get a trophy this year and he is so proud of it. He has shown it to everyone that has come by the house. He wants to place in the grand champion division. So hopefully next year.
Sidenote: The guy in the front talking is Denny, the one that runs the whole shebang. He is a 3 time world champion. Also a phenomanal speaker and missionary. He has had his share of sorrow too (daughter died in a care accident. he held her for 6 hours at the hospital while she was dying). I am glad we are part of this program just because of him. But there are lots of other reasons too. He and another lady make all the trophies by hand.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Humble Pie
I have been wanting a Wii Fit since we bought the Wii at Christmas. So we decided the next time I found one that I would by it. An early Mother's Day present. Or birthday. Whatever!
After I got home with it the kids could hardly wait for us to open it and set it all up. The kids all set up their profiles first. They all fell well within the healthy range. Their Mii's were adjusted accordingly. Then I jumped up there, all anxious to see how I would rank.
After doing a couple of the tests, it was fairly obvious I wasn't going to do as well as the kids, but I was still hopeful that I would fall within the healthy (the high side of healthy). Then came the moment of reckoning. You step on the board and the bar slowly inches up. And up. And up. It finally stopped in the over weight section. #@!#!#@#What!!??
Nothing is more humbling than watching the very thin Mii, that you spent hours creating, turn into a plumb blob that pats her belly and is somewhat heavy in the hips. OK so a LOT heavy in the hips. I wanted to cry. But it certainly motivated me to start doing the workouts.
I have done them just about every day for 2 weeks. My stomach hurts and my legs hurt and my pride hurts, but I have lost some weight and all that baby flab is starting to tone some. I can tell that I am getting better balance from all those Yoga moves and strength training exercises.
The other humbling thing is that I thought that I would just jump right in. WRONG!! I could barely go the 3 minutes in the hula-hoop. I have unlocked the duration one (10 minutes) and there it site because I know I can't even come close to making it. The kids just jump on it and have no trouble. It has been a great outlet for the rainy days that we have been having.
So if you are hungry and want some humble pie, you know just how to get it. It washes down well with a shot of ibuprofen.
After I got home with it the kids could hardly wait for us to open it and set it all up. The kids all set up their profiles first. They all fell well within the healthy range. Their Mii's were adjusted accordingly. Then I jumped up there, all anxious to see how I would rank.
After doing a couple of the tests, it was fairly obvious I wasn't going to do as well as the kids, but I was still hopeful that I would fall within the healthy (the high side of healthy). Then came the moment of reckoning. You step on the board and the bar slowly inches up. And up. And up. It finally stopped in the over weight section. #@!#!#@#What!!??
Nothing is more humbling than watching the very thin Mii, that you spent hours creating, turn into a plumb blob that pats her belly and is somewhat heavy in the hips. OK so a LOT heavy in the hips. I wanted to cry. But it certainly motivated me to start doing the workouts.
I have done them just about every day for 2 weeks. My stomach hurts and my legs hurt and my pride hurts, but I have lost some weight and all that baby flab is starting to tone some. I can tell that I am getting better balance from all those Yoga moves and strength training exercises.
The other humbling thing is that I thought that I would just jump right in. WRONG!! I could barely go the 3 minutes in the hula-hoop. I have unlocked the duration one (10 minutes) and there it site because I know I can't even come close to making it. The kids just jump on it and have no trouble. It has been a great outlet for the rainy days that we have been having.
So if you are hungry and want some humble pie, you know just how to get it. It washes down well with a shot of ibuprofen.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
To paint or not to paint....
After
Before
Before
I just recovered my cedar chest. It lightened up the top, but I really want to lighten up the wood. It is so dark. One of my friends said not to paint it and she is probably right. But my answer to everything is to paint it.
She suggested a stain. What do you guys think? Do I try to strip it? Will it ruin the cedar? My grandpa said it is solid cedar (he bought it for me). Would it make any difference?
Here are some before and after pics. I bought the fabric at a garage sale for 50 cents!! I had enough to make a curtain for the back window too. I still have some leftover and am not sure what to do with it. Any thoughts?
Friday, May 1, 2009
My husband rocks
Sometimes I am a little lost without the prompts. It isn't that my husband doesn't rock, it is that I have a terrible memory.
So without further adieu, here is why he rocks this week. He is so excited to see me and the kids when he gets home from work. The kids literally throw themselves into his arms and love on him. He makes sure that he says "Hi " to each one and me before he relaxes or composts (yes composting is taking over his life!). He asks them about their day and listens while they ramble on. He looks at their accomplishments too.
They love him so much so he must be doing something right!
Way to rock!!
So without further adieu, here is why he rocks this week. He is so excited to see me and the kids when he gets home from work. The kids literally throw themselves into his arms and love on him. He makes sure that he says "Hi " to each one and me before he relaxes or composts (yes composting is taking over his life!). He asks them about their day and listens while they ramble on. He looks at their accomplishments too.
They love him so much so he must be doing something right!
Way to rock!!
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