Betty Crocker, Eat Your Heart Out

Once upon a time when I was first pregnant with Ryleigh, I had a craving. Never believed pregnancy cravings were real, but rather something prego women made up to just eat whatever they wanted, but soon found out that they are real and they are powerful. So I bought one of those ginormous m&m cookies that you can only get at the bakery and I ate it all and loved every bit of it. Loved it so much infact that I had to have another one. So being the good husband that he is, Tim set out to get me "Those yummy giant m&m cookies, ya know the kind from the bakery," I think I told him like five times, but to my utter dissapointment he brought me home keebler rainbow cookies in a package. They were not the same. Now it's been over 6 years since then, and I can honestly say that once you have had a craving while pregnant it sticks with you the rest of your life. Ain't that right Taco Bell? Also, red vine licorice tastes the same going down as it does coming back up.


My version of the Giant bakery m&m cookies


My daughter the narcaleptic (sp?) one moment she was sitting up eating and the next thing you know she dissapeared.

Halloween

Sweet Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch

We took a drive to Marble Falls Texas, where they have the cutest little farm, about an hour drive from Killeen. In the spring you can go and pick berries and in the fall they do a pumpkin patch. The kids got to take a hay ride through scare crow alley, paint a pumpkin, go through a corn maze and take a barrel ride. It was a lot of fun!

Why do they call it a tour anyway? it's not like your on vacation, but nevertheless Tim is gone on his "Tour," and I'm once again holding down the fort. I haven't been able to settle on a title to this post... "This sucks!" is about the only thing that really comes to mind but it's just is too passe. So until I can think of a something better It will remain blank, much like my stare as I ponder just how long a year really is.

We are doing fine though. Staying busy is the key. It doesn't seem like it's bothered the kids too much at all, they are still very little so I'm glad they are not super sad.

Whirlwind of Fun!

I know why they say "God Bless Texas." It's not so much a statement as it is a plea!
It's gotta start cooling off soon, right? But, just like anywhere, summer flew by and we were actually able to enjoy some of the main attractions found here while Tim was on his block leave.

Bowling with Grandma and Grandpa. Watch out Grandma is good!

It was a toss up between Waco Zoo and The David Keresh Compound ha ha. We chose the zoo.

Nasa space center. NO Problem here Houston!

Boardwalk fun at the Gulf of Mexico, It was sooooo HOT!!! But daddy managed to win the kids some Scooby Doos.

Fun at six flags!!

Emergency Room or Eventually Room

Last night I literally spent most of my night in the emergency room. Tegan was the malefactor this time around. He spent the whole day going potty. I wasn't too concerned just thinking that he had been drinking a lot more because it's been hot and he has a small bladder anyway. But I got really concerned when he couldn't even go 5 minutes without dramatically doing the pee-pee dance and bemoaning his uncontrollable urge. So off to the Carl R Darnall E.R. to pee in a cup, take a number and wait 5 hours. When our turn finally did come up around 4:30 am he was of course sleeping in my arms. They took his blood and I worried about the possibilities. But his urine tested clean for urinary tract infection and blood test came back negative for diabetes so I was relieved and ticked at the same time. Relieved he is not diabetic and doesn't have UTI but ticked that we spent the whole night there to find out my son is a spas. So now the only explanation they have for me is he has some anxiety over something and hence a "nervous bladder" I guess it is not that uncommon, lots of kids his age go through the nervous bladder phase and it eventually goes away. I think it may have something to do with Daddy leaving soon for Iraq. Poor little guy! There was one highlight in my experience at the E.R. I was listening to the people sharing our examining room that is separated by a curtain -you know how that is in the E.R. Anyway the Doctor was asking questions about this guys symptoms. He was throwing up and had constant diarrhea ever since eating Taco Bell for lunch (I was saddened to her this-Taco Bell is my most favorite) Still listening the Doctor continued her inquiry, "So the symptoms started after eating Taco bell and you haven't eaten anything since?" That was more of a statement then a question, because normally people don't eat when they are that sick...usually. Well the Doctor waiting to hear a yes but then he said "Well, we stopped by McDonald's on the way up here." The doctor said really?!, and then said "give your stomach a rest." I wanted to laugh so hard that was so funny especially at 4 in the morning.
Here is another thing that makes me laugh.

Unusual Happiness

Top five things that makes me happy lately! In no particular order: 1. I am doing more laundry. 2. I am doing more dishes, because I am cooking more. 3. The alarm is going off at 5:25 am. 4. I don't have a car 5. Muddy boots. Why would any of these things make anyone happy you might ask. Well they all have one thing in common..... Tim is home!!! I know it was only 3 1/2 weeks of seperation but it still stunk and I'm glad he is home for a couple months. Check out these other things that makes me happy. How'd she do that?

Ryleigh's Birthday

Ryleigh turned six today! Of course like any other birthday involving my children, memories of their life came flooding into my mind. From the first moments I held her in my arms; I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much love, to when she was learning to talk and everything was "ruff ruff," and "da da". Then last year when she stepped up onto the school bus for the first time. It makes me think of that quote, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."-Elizabeth stone

So Ryleigh wants kittens so bad and she gets them as part of her birthday and so obviously she would want a kitty b-day cake right? No, she wants a puppy dog cake. Huh? Well okay.

Then it was off to the pool.
Trouble.

OH THE HORROR!

Don't be alamed it's not blood. No it's something much worse. IT'S FINGERNAIL POLISH AHHHHHH!!!!!!! Isn't she lovely? This girl is a whole different ball of wax, take these pictures for instance.

She has a fetish with sucking on her shirt sleeve. I guess it's like how some kids get attached to a blanket or thumb sucking. So I was hoping that she would grow out of it and she still might but instead of getting better it's gotten progressively worse. Next photo.

Now what is this! She has gone from one arm sleeve to lifting her whole shirt up to get her fix.

No holds barred. Honestly, do I need to worry?

Fwadam's Fwanfretion

Yesterday I took the kids on an exciting trip to Hobby Lobby. They didn't have as much fun as I had. I could have spent all day in there just day dreaming but Ryleigh insisted that it was not fun. I did end up getting jars for earning privilege marbles and stickers for decorating. Then I dropped and broke two jars when I got home. Curse! So far it's going well. Just like the token jar idea I stole off of justorganizeyourself.blogspot, the kids earn marbles by doing chores and learning stuff (ie-articles of faith, sight words, abc's, being reverent in church and good at stores etc.) Then everything costs such as; chocolate milk, snacks, fighting, complaining, playing with friends, watching tv, dollar store trips, etc. This morning Ryleigh started out with 30 marbles and now is down to 5 or so and Tegan's the same. So they are going to learn real quick to start saving their marbles for what they really want. Now I am going to have to put them to work so they can buy more privileges. Ha ha. Ryleigh is up the the 6th Article of Faith and Tegan is on the 4th. I love it when he says the 2nd Article of Faith. His speech impediments or what every it is, cracks me up. P.S. Look for bigfoot in the background. Ha Ha Thats not nice.

Relief Society Conference

I was able to attend a Relief Society Conference yesterday. And it was a relief, they had babysitters for all the kids and a lunch for the ladies and the special guest speaker was Brad Wilcox, I had know idea who he was so if you don't either here is a small biography link.

http://deseretbook.com/auth/48/Brad_Wilcox

It was very good.

Then I went to Kate Bee's house and hung out for a little while and I had Kate cut Ryleigh's hair. It looks so much better and healthier. Yay for people with skills!
Thanks again Kate!

Kate then told me about a really great blog that I will also post.

http://justorganizeyourself.blogspot.com/

Now who couldn't use a little more organiztion?



Before Ry's haircut


After SO CUTE! Notice how happy she is with her kitty. That is because her cat ran away and to be honest I was a little happy about it, but she was the saddest little girl. So recognizing the teaching moment, we knelt and had a prayer for her kitty and low and behold kitty comes back the next day. HA HA



This is just another "after" shot- after the resistance band shot back and hit Tegan in the forehead that is.

Those Summer Days

Tim has now been at JRTC for 4 days and I'm holding down the fort (ha ha that takes on a whole new meaning when you actually live on a fort). So far so good, I am working on getting the kids into a routine and the first half of the day is great! I get up around 6 and try to workout before the kids get up and when they eventually wonder out, around 8, we eat breakfast then I tell them that we need to get thier wiggles out (this is because I try to read scriptures with them and I want them worn out enough to listen, it works pretty good). So we each take a turn choosing an exercise to do. Ideas about what we should do from a 4 and a 5 year old gets pretty interesting. Activities range from normal run of the mill jumping jacks to hoping on one leg around the furniture. Of course Kenna thinks that she should have a say but she doesn't talk so she ends of throwing a tantrum on the floor and so do we, because thats the exercise she has chosen and we are good sports. (Ryleigh and Tegan actually think that is the funnest and can't wait till she freaks out so they can copy her) I am sure I look rediculous but it's somewhat liberating because sometimes that is exactly how I feel too.

We then read scriptures and then it's time for chores; make beds, unload/load dishwasher, pick up rooms etc...usually they end up following me from room to room but they are getting better about it, especially Ryleigh ever since I told her that she could whine and complain all she wants but only in the "complaining room", which is her room of course and I have been showering her with complements and praise when she isn't complaining, heck she even gets to put a marble in the jar.

After chores, (which is really never ending, but you gotta stop somewhere)I take turns with Ryleigh and Tegan on things they need to be working on. For Ryliegh that's sight words (it, up, said, go, two, the, three, four, etc.) written on note cards. For Tegan its letter recognition and PBSkids.org at his request.

We then will go on a bike ride or jump on the tramp (if it's not too hot, I think I need to re-arrange my schedule and put it first thing in the morning either that or wait till November.

That takes us up to about lunch time. After that I am ready for bed (Ha Ha) I actually don't know what to do after that so I need to get them into some activities, because if they are idle for too long thats when bickering starts and my temper flares.

We did end up going to the Library that is on post today. I don't know what it is about going places and doing things that are on post that intimidates me so bad. I almost decided not to go because I have this fear of everything being militant in the military - If we are not quiet enough are the librarians going to drop us and make us do push-ups? I know it's dumb and it turned out to be like any other library, infact, the librarian was very nice and helpful. So the scary, nazi, library award goes to the Larson-Sant Library. Sorry Prestonites.

We did end up going on a bike ride this evening because it was not as hot as usual and Ry and Tegan found a turtle on the sidewalk. It was almost the same size as the giant cockroach I saw scurry across the ground in the storage shed. YIKES! Quite the range of wildlife they got here.




Subject A
Don't let the cuteness disctract you from the fineprint on the shirt, "little Miss Firecracker" is an understatement.


The measures I have taken to confine said "Firecracker". see subject A above



Yet another device for containment gone bad. Notice what was left behind in the keyhole. Yup, its half the key.

Ryleigh's Graduation Day

Ryleigh graduated kindergarten today. They had a cute program where the kids sang a song to the tune of "New York, New York." Something like "start spreading the news we're leaving today, We want to be a part of it 1st grade, 1st grade." It was pretty cute.

Odd, I don't remember graduating Kindergarten. It reminds me of that line in "The Incredibles" where Mr. Incredible says "They keep coming up with new ways to celebrate mediocrity," or something like that.

Ryleigh also recieved the citizenship award for the month of May. It is a "highly coveted" prize where we, the parents, have the great honor of eating lunch with the awardee on Friday. Except I don't think Ryleigh is too excited about it. She said last night when I was tucking her in, "But my friends will see you."

I didn't know parent embarrasment started at 5 years old.

LOST IS OVER!

I don't know what Tim is going to do with himself now that lost is over. All I can say is that it left me confused and irratated, with a little bit of dissapointment sprinkled on the top. I guess you could say I was at a loss with lost. Anyone with me on that?

I know, how bout a piece of "Old Fashioned Donut Cake"

Cake:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 small pkgs. coconut pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk

Mix and pour into a greased and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar bundt pan.
Bake at 350 for 20 min
and then 325 for 35-40 more

before taking it out of the pan poke holes in it and pour cocout cream (may not use a whole can) Let it sit in fridge.

invert pan and sprinkle top of cake with powdered sugar

cut and serve with a dollop of whip cream, mini choco chips and toasted coconut.


I would have posted a picture but there is none left.

Screamin Deal!

I think that getting a great deal on something is one of my top 5 favorite things in the whole wide world. It's like eating chocolate without getting fat, or like when all the kids unexpectedly take a nap at the same time, or finding money in a jacket pocket that you forgot about (I especially love that one). So yesterday Tim and I picked up a solid oak entertainment center that we found on Craig's list for a screaming deal. The family is PCS-ing (permanent change of duty station) and didn't want to take it with them. So they sold it to us for a fraction of what they got it for.

Kitty Cats

Oh boy, here we go again. Ryleigh loves kittens and when I said "When we move to Texas we can get you a new kitty," I have to follow through. So off to PetSmart on Saturday to find her a kitty, but hello, I've got Tim with me and so not only do we bring home one, OH NO, we bring home two.




We also made Chicken Cordon Bleu on Sunday and had some friends over. I don't know if it was the bacon wrapped chicken or because it was fast sunday and I was starving but kiss the cook! That was good!

a bit of a novice

Can somebody tell me how I make my blog template blend in with my background. I'm at a loss and my skills are at a minimal.

Also, I'm having difficulty with is my third. We are in potty training mode, let me rephrase that; I am in potty training mode and candy bribing is not working. Although, I think that I just have not been consistant enough because I am putting her in diapers whenever I have to go anywhere and that has been a lot, especially the past 2 weeks. I think that once I get Ryleigh home for the summer I will be able to concentrate more on the little stinker.

Another thing that we are trying is the "Be good kids and we will put a marble in the jar, and when it's full we will give you a million dollars...or go to Chuckie Cheeses." Funny thing about kids, they chose Chuckie Cheesie over the mill so PHEW! cause I don't know what I would have done. Oh, and you better believe that he (or she) that giveth marbles can taketh marbles away.

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

First Impressions

Here are some little known facts about army life and Fort Hood Texas

1. The stop lights are horizontal, not vertical. It can be a bit distracting at first, and one can't help but be a bit perplexed by it, but honking horns will wake you from your quizzical daze and soon you will realize green still means go.

2. Almost everyone drives nice cars; BMWs, Mercedes, Cadillacs, the list goes on. Tim says it's because a lot of people are young and single and they get their signing bonus and what better way to spend it than on a brand new car I guess.

3. You know those emaculate yards everyone in Cache Valley has; there is no such thing here.

Everyone has weeds so I fit right in. you do still have to mow your weeds but I think that even that is mainly for something they call chiggers (not being racist) or fire ants, sounds pleasant huh.

4. Milk is expensive, $3.68 a gallon at Wal-mart, but luckily it is $2.60 on post.

5. Gas is cheaper, $2.30 a gallon.

6. They don't have Atwoods Ranch Dressing, What am I supposed to do? It seriously is the best ranch ever. I think I can order it though.

7. If you go and try to do anything on post be ready to spend half your day in a line, I went to get a perscription at the pharmacy and I had to take a number just like at the DMV and there was so many people waiting. It made me think of geneology work.

8. It's Hot! and it's really not the hot hot season yet. Another reason I'm so grateful that I am on post. Electricity is paid for, unless you go over your allowance then you pay the difference. I heard from people living off post their electricity bill could easily be $400.00 big ones. ouch!

9. I am not in "zion" anymore and I miss my culture. Although, I haven't been to church yet and can't wait to go and be with people that have my same beliefs. I really took that for granted. You know whats funny about that though, it says in my patriarchal blessing that as I associate with peers in my age group that may not be as valiant and that do things that are improper and below standard, that I would have the strength and testimony to withstand their temptations. I always read that and thought how funny that was, because I have always had great friends and never really been around people that didn't have my same values,... up until now. Weird.

This will be good for me, I need to study the missionary handbook because opportunities to share the gospel are everywhere.

10. Lower altitude = easier workouts. Higher temperature = more persperation.

a few pics of the house, living room

dining room from kitchen

Kitchen from dining room

fenced back yard YES!

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