YUM!!!

I was surfing around the Internet the other day and visited The Pioneer Woman's Blog, I visit her often. I never leave comments because usually there are already 200 or so comments, and I never have anything more clever than the first 200 people have to say... however, I do read. She's really fun to read and I'm loving reading her romance story about her and her husband "Marlboro Man".
Anyway, she is a very talented person, she does a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and has pictures to prove it all. She has a photography blog, a cooking blog and a confessions blog and a home and garden blog.
So the other day I wandered over to her cooking blog and took a look-see around and saw on the left hand side of her site is a list of the top 5 recipes that get requested at her house and saw this beautiful gem. (cue the sunrays and angel choir)

It looked so easy, and so yummy and it was #1 on her list... I just had to try it. OH MY GOSH, I am so glad I did! These are truly the yummiest desert I have had in such a long time. I could eat the whole pan myself! But then I would ruin my diet and feel guilty and then the guilt would take over me and then I would feel despair and make another batch to drown my guilt into, and thus would begin a vicious cycle to a 300 lb. Jen. No wonder it was #1 on her list!

You have to try them... really.


Today.

You probably have everything you need in your kitchen...


unless you are LDS... then you might have to run for a can of Mt. Dew (although someone used sprite and it worked too)... the caffeine cooks out of it....



right?


Oh and they are great with whipped cream.

Gina.... Use a Land Line

Pop Corn téléphone portable micro-ondes
Uploaded by sassiere

Ups and Downs

Ok, I'm not really mean enough to squirt lemons in people's eyes, but I can't say I haven't been tempted!
I'm rollercoasting this week. Things have been going really good. I'm liking my work I'm doing, I really enjoy it. I wish it didn't take up so much of my time tho'! I'm really thankful that Heavenly Father is blessing me with people who want me to do work for them. I have a session/wedding/job every week almost through October (only two weeks with nothing going on, and one of them I've reserved for my own family) and now I got a call today for November, and still working on a January bride. So I'm feeling really blessed in that area.
On the other hand, there are times, and they happen often where I wish I didn't have so much to do because the kids are asking to do this or that, and I tell them I can't because I have pictures I have to work on or someplace I have to go look at, or I have to get caught up on the house work that slid while I worked on pictures. I wish they were older and could help more with chores. I have them doing a couple of them, but it's not enough to really help, it's more to teach them to work and work together. I've had days where I just want to say, "I can't do this anymore! I want to quit!"
But then something happens, I get an awesome picture, or compliment and then I am loving it again.
I am feeling more comfortable with my style and enjoying editing more too. I just wish it didn't take so long!
This is my sister in law and her family, I shot them last week. She's also been really awesome about supporting me in my photography, and even hired me for her nephew's wedding last summer.

More Free Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

My New Pet

I got a new pony. Isn't she cute? If you click on the apple, it will bounce around, in effect catching her attention and she will chase it and eat it. Cute, huh?

Happy Birthday Jaeden!

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously
My own.
Never forget
For a single minute:
You didn't grow under my heart
But in it.
© Fleur Conkling Heyliger

Five years and two weeks ago Joel and I found out that our pregnancy had failed at 9 weeks along. We hadn't had much time to get used to the idea that we were pregnant again, but it was long enough to cause us great sorrow at the loss of our hopes and dreams for this little one. (Although I believe greatly, and found comfort, in the promise of modern revelation that our little ones who are lost will be ours again in the millennium, it's unclear if a little one lost so early in pregnancy had a spirit prepared for it. If there was, I believe that we will be reunited with that child again in our eternal family.)

Five years ago, today, Joel and I found out that we were going to be instant parents to a beautiful blond haired, blue eyed 5 pound 4 ounce bundle of pink joy. Jaeden. Jaeden came into our lives quite unexpectedly, and with the perfect timing of a miracle blessing.

Since the day she came home with us she has brought us nothing but joy. Her smile lights up the room. Her giggles play my heartstrings in sweet melody. Her snuggles warm even the deepest parts of my heart. She is cheerful, intelligent, has a great sense of humor, is caring, loving and sharing even to her siblings that are less than deserving of her sweet nature. She is pure joy to us. I feel so deeply blessed and honored that I get the privilege of being her mother. I never feel worthy of that blessing from any of my children and it touches me deeply that God has trusted these little souls to me, to us. I pray that I do a worthy job.

I also pray for all the unwanted babies in the world, that their lives will be spared and they will be given the blessing of being adopted into homes with parents who will love and cherish them.

Oh and Jaeden became a mommy today, on her very special birthday, to about a million of these...

Thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Gary.

Congratulations Jaeden! And Happy Birthday Sweetie!

I caught a bug!

It's not a ladybug, it's not a spider, it's not even a mosquito. It's a flubug. Ever heard of one of those? It looks like this...
Adoreable, isn't he? Oh yes, and he's so much fun. We sneeze together, and cough together. It's a regular old pitty party here. As cute as he is, I don't want to share him, so you can't come to our party, I'm not inviting you. Don't feel bad. Here, you can have my haunted leg for a while. That's much more cooler than catching a flubug.

Another Note:

Two weeks ago while we were at an Emergency Preparedness Fair, Joel and I were inside a Mobile Command Center, which is this huge bus like vehicle that the police use for a headquarters in times of emergency or SWAT stuff. It is a surveillance vehicle that doubles as a command center for the police to meet, make plans, rest, use the potty, etc.

Anyway, as we were going out, our Bishop and one of his counselors were coming in. We said hi, exchanged pleasantries and then as I was about to leave the Bishop says, "Oh by the way, we have a different calling in mind for you, instead of the bulletin." Oh yeah? He then asked me if I would be willing to be the second counselor in a new Primary Presidency. Aha. And if my husband would be willing to support me in such a huge calling. He said, "yes". I think he was inside screaming, "SCORE! Now I can finally get released from teaching those out of control 10-12 year olds!". But he did not let it show in his face. He has a great Poker face.

I had to ask if that was the weirdest place the Bishop's extended a calling. He said it was right up there on the list.

So as of this week I still have three callings because they didn't release me from the Enrichment Leader, or as a Primary Teacher, and they still have me doing the bulletin until someone else gets called for that.... so really that makes 4 callings.

Sorry, and a Cheer!

The really cool video in the post below this is aparently not working. So I'll give you a direct link....
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/salute-the-sky/814023390

I love when the local airports here have air shows, it's fun to see the planes all flying around. Being in a staduim for a military flyby would be so awesome!

SKOL, VIKINGS!
Skol Vikings! Let's win this game
Skol Vikings! Honor your name
Go get that first down
Then get a touchdown
Rock 'em, sock 'em, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! FIGHT!
Go Vikings, run out the score, you'll hear us yell for more!
V-I-K-I-N-G-S
Skol Vikings, let's go!

Our season has officially kicked off with the first of many pre-game games. I love football season. I love the games, the tailgating, the food, our once a year trip to see the Vikings play (will never again go to a Green Bay vs. Vikings game, big mistake). It's all so fun! And it's the first of the ushering in of Fall, my favorite season of the year. Apple orchards, leaves changing, weather cooling, back to school, food, harvests, sweaters.... I just LOVE IT!

Jake's home!

YAY!!!! I'm so happy!

Oh, and this is also really cool... but you have to scroll to the bottom of my blog and click on the teeny tiny pause button on my playlist, then scroll back up and watch it.... but it's soooo worth it!

WOOT WOOT!

Just one more night my oldest has to survive with the bears and cougars and such and he should be home by tomorrow night. I'm going to hug him so hard he's going to have trouble breathing!
I can't tell you how difficult it's been for me to have him gone. I think I wouldn't worry so much if the river my friend drowned in wasn't involved in his travel plans and also maybe if he was closer to the cities and not in such a remote area where it's a journey to get help.
Why do men/boys enjoy that kind of thing???
Only 3 more years of this and I can relax for a few years before the second son is in Scouts.

You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Today, a Special Treat is in Store for You!

Today you get to be treated to a 4th of July picture heaven...
Let the show begin!
On the 4th of July we took our children to Murphy's Landing, which is the site of one of Minnesota's earliest settlements. It's a great place to take the kids, and teach them about early settlement days, activities, chores and way of living. When we first got there we took a wagon ride down a dusty road to the town. We were first met in a huge red barn by a couple that were setting up some twine to be made into rope.

They gave each of our children and Joel a cross made of wood to stick into the middle of the twines.
The man at the end turned a crank which twisted the twines and turned them into a thick rope.
The kids all got a piece of that rope.

When we were in the barn we could hear some sheep in the back, so we went around the back to visit them.

After visiting the sheep we wandered down the road to the town.

We came to an old farmhouse

where an older couple were looking over the garden.

They also had some yummy berries growing!

There were lots of different buildings and homes with people (actors) going about their business. Some were baking. Some were doing chores, and let the kids help. Some were going about their professions such as the farmers or teacher or blacksmith. These are images I took along our tour.

Here are our children fenced up, Joyanna is mooing.

We visited a school where a teacher told the kids about how the classroom was organized.

And how the children were disciplined... not a bad idea, huh?

There was a building next door that had some old fashioned toys so we played for a couple of minutes. Joy saw someone she recognized.
Jacob made us pose like this. I swear.

This was the first time our kids got to play in a row of corn. When I was a kid, my dad's corn rows were the best hiding spot when playing hide and seek.

The kids got to try out some old-time toys.
When I was young we had some of these- way fun!





We also got to do some chores, the old fashioned way!

If you know me, you know I can't leave without a shot of chickens! :)

We also got to see how things were made. This first shot is a shot of an old-fashioned sewing kit for an old pedal sewing machine.

This lady taught us about spinning wool, and the different ways. This is Josh combing the wool.

This is a drop spindle.

And an old spinning wheel.

Some more toys.

We also came to a house where this guy was playing some fun banjo music and let the kids join in with his song.

Jake thought he was pretty cool that day...

Until we saw a parade... complete with the statue of liberty, flag children....

the town's baseball team...

And all the town's folk.

We really got into the spirit of Independence Day...

There was also a lady there with a rescued hawk.


Jaeden got tired of walking.

These are some neat things I saw at the blacksmith's shop.



Wouldn't this be awesome for a Valentine's Day card?

There was lots of beautiful nature around us as well.

It got to be a really hot afternoon...
But we couldn't leave before watching the baseball team play a couple of innings...

Boy the rules sure were different back then!

I think our children had a good time and learned a little bit about what there is to love about our country and our heritage.

And then we took the wagon back to our car.