What the hell have I done...

Have you ever had that moment of deep down wanting to do something.  But everything else in you says, "Eh, what are you thing?"

That happened to me this weekend.  Our family got a dog. 

My boys have wanted a dog for a long time, a really long time.  My husband was fine with getting a dog, but he goes to work every day, and travels quite often.  So the decision to get a dog was mine.  As I would be the one home with it all day long, and have to deal with it. 

Everyone knew that the whole decision making process was held in my hands alone.  AH, Power!!!

I like dogs, I like them alot.  We currently have a cat.  Cats are easy.  Even my very special needy cat is easy.  Dog are not easy.  Puppies are worse. 

I grew up with a German Shepherd named Suki.  He was hands down the best dog ever.  We got him when he was a couple of years old.  He was already housebroken and very well trained.  He was an amazing dog.  I have many good memories of Suki. 

Why should I deny my boys the same opportunity, simply because dogs are not easy? 

I broke down and agreed to get a puppy.  I wanted a puppy so that I could train him he way I think a dog should act.  I don't want to get a dog who has already learned bad behaviors. 

Our puppies name is Blu, he came with the name.  We thought of changing it, but no one could agree on a name, and the boys liked the name Blu, so it stays. 

Blu has been doing quite well in the potty training area, well I think he is... I don't have much to compare it to.  But accidents do happen.  And they do not make me happy.  I know it is party of puppies, part of growing up and learning.  I still don't like it. 

My youngest son is finally old enough to be potty trained, no more diapers, no accidents, no need for baby gates.  Now I find myself back in the potty training business, back at looking at baby gates, baby puppy toys. 

I have read and have been told that puppies will learn quite quickly if you consistantly work with them.  I hope this is true.  I really don't want my house to forever more smell like dog pee.  *sigh*

In a funk

Do you ever find yourself in a funk?  Right now I feel as if I am in a church funk.  What you don't know what that is?  Well I am happy for you. 

You may ask what qualifies as being in a church funk. 

Ever has those moment where you just aren't "feeling it".  You don't really want to go to church, for no good reason, you just don't feel like going?  You go to your lessons and you just aren't "feeling it"?  You come home and question why you went, feeling like you did not get anything out of it. 

Ever feel that way?  Well that is a funk. 

It is not that I have lost my testimony.  It is not that I don't believe.  It just feels like at this moment in time, I for what ever reason am having a hard time "feeling it". 

I know that I am the one lacking.  Maybe I am not listening well enough for the spirit, maybe I am ignoring what I hear.  It is hard to say.

What I do know is in times when you are in a funk the best solution is to plod along.  Go to church especially when you don't want to.  Listen to your meetings even when they are boring you to tears.  Be patient, this will pass.

From my own experience I have found that often times when I feel like I am in a funk, I will eventually learn something significant at the end of it all.  Something significant to me, to my personal progression.

At some point I will find myself enjoying church, find myself being touched by the spirit during a lesson.  Find myself wanting to improve myself.

For now I wait, I listen, I plod along...

I just want to buy the house...

We are trying (yes I say trying) to buy a house. And I have always heard stories about the crazy things that happen when buying or selling a house.  So we when started this adventure I was unsure of what to expect.

Yes we have owned a home before, but we built that house, and it seemed much much easier that time.

I am going with the theory that all the craziness is on the part of the seller.  It is just not possible that I would be crazy, right?  RIGHT?!?!

At this point in the game she is threatening to not sign the closing papers.  Our realator is shocked, she said she has never before had a seller refuse to sign closing papers.  It is normally the buyers who get cold feet and walk away. 

This is giving me much anxiety.  Way too much anxiety.  I just want to buy a house, move and try to get life back to normal.  Maybe that is too much to ask.

Back to school

Yesterday started the new school year.  My boys were so excited to be going back to school.  I kept telling them that school was way more fun than staying home with boring mom.  To which they agreed. 

Everyone came home from school happy as can be.  Which I think is always a huge relief to the parents. 

One more example in how I have been blessed with such great kids.

Happiness is a choice?!?!

I was just reading a friends blog.  She made a comment about making a choice to be happy. 

Choosing happiness?  Hummmmm

Sure there are times in my life where I have been happy, I have been sorrowful, made, filled with joy. 

But I guess I have not stopped to think that I indeed have the power to choose how I feel.  To take all those outside influences which shove their way into your emotional state, and cast them away.  Make a choice to be happy. 

I look back at my last two years here in Texas.  When we first got here, I was thinking this will be an adventure, something new, a good "growing experience".  I soon came to the conclusion that I was NUTS!  I had no idea what I was thinking, how in the world could I be happy in Texas. 

I would have done anything to pack up and move back home.  Home = Utah, Home = Riverton, Home = Happiness.  You know, HOME, the place where I moved to when I was eight years old, HOME that place that has twisted it's way into my heart in such a way that leaving was painful.  HOME, where everyone has the same unique accent, where they understand the joys of odd things like fry sauce.  HOME, where the culture might be a bit odd, but familiar and enjoyable none the less.

But along the way, my intense desire to move back home began to fade.  I started to have strange thoughts and feelings that maybe, just maybe, I could stay in Texas for a little while, a short while.  And somehow be okay with that.  Maybe not happy with Texas, but okay with it.

Then comes this idea that I can choose to be happy.  Happy in Texas.  Happy where ever life leads.  It is within my abilities to make this happen in my life.  Which will also be reflected in my childrens lives. 

For someone who does not deal with change well, this is something I need to embrace.  Let go of outside influences and make a choice within myself, a choice of happiness.

baked "fried" chicken

This looks really good.  I would like to give it a try.  Posting it here so I will not loose it.  :-)



Baked Fried Chicken}
I am pretty sure that I have discovered the KFC secret recipe! It is DEAD ON! It is also baked...not fried and there isn't any skin! So you get to enjoy the taste of the seasoning, instead of pulling it off because of the slimy skin!

This is super easy and you are TOTALLY going to love it!

Place thawed chicken breast tenderloin strips in a bowl of milk. Let soak for 20-30 min.

Mix in a Gallon Size Ziploc or Large Bowl:
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 T Season All
3/4 tsp Pepper
1 c. Flour
2 tsp. Paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 1/2 stick of butter into a few pieces and place in a 9x13 pan. Melt butter in pre-heated oven.

Spread melted butter around the bottom of the pan. Lightly spray the pan, if needed, to make sure that there are no dry spots.

Shake excess milk off of chicken and completely coat each piece with the seasoning mix. You can either shake the chicken in the bag, until coated, or dip each piece in the bowl until coated.
Place each piece of chicken in the pan.

Cook for 20 min. Turn each piece of chicken and continue cooking for 20 more minutes, or until cooked through.

Chicken Crescent Rolls

Chicken Crescent Rolls

2 cans of low fat refrigerator crescents
1 can of healthy low sodium cream of chicken soup (26oz)
1 cup fat free cheddar cheese
2 boneless skinless chicken breast

I boil my chicken breast then shred, roll out each individual crescent, place about a Tbsp of shredded chicken in center and roll it up.

Bake on 350 for about 5 minutes until just starting to turn golden. Pour Cream of chicken over the top bake an additional 10 min top with cheddar cheese and bake for 10 more minutes

Solitude

Solitude
by: G.L. Walles

Silence slowly engulfs me
  An errie stillness fills the air
Silence which magnifies sound
  Increasing the intensity of thought
Silence surging through my entire being
  Emotion now becomes real
Silence which screams of truth
  For lies do not entertain my mind
Silence where each move is noted
  Each breath revives my soul
Silence which creates peace
  The annoyance of the world is gone
Silence which brings happiness, despair
  In time it will make me whole

I am a Mom

I Am A Mom

 

I am a diaper bag totting, snack dispensing, rule maker.

I am a toy room cleaning, bathroom scrubbing, dishes doer.

In my hands alone I carry the almighty power of the feared "Because I said!"

I have powers to heal "owies" with a single kiss, I am keeper of coveted character bandaids.

Possessor of knowledge, I know when you have not finished homework, chores, and other such evils.

I am maker if dinners: both hated and loved.

I am a lunch bag packing, back pack gathering machine!

I am a helper of homework, cub scouts and chores.

I am a scout shirt wearing, project advising, "stay on task" teller.

I hold the secrets to mystical things such as origami jumping frogs and paper ninja throwing stars.

I relish in quiet still moments, that short live paradise called bed time.

I have but two weaknesses: the dreaded small Lego's lying in wait to be stepped upon in darkened hallways

AND

Laundry - my nemesis.  I vow to one day thwart you.... one day.

Because I AM A MOM!!!

Why did you have children?

There are some people which you come in contact with, and after a very short period of time you find yourself questioning why they ever decided to have children.  And not in the ha-ha-funny sort of questioning, but the down right serious, this person should not have offspring sort of way.

I know a lady, and acquaintance of mine who I feel this way about.

She recently had a baby, her third.  I happen to see her one day, and commented that I really like this brand new baby stage/age.  They are just so tiny and cuddly.  Sure they keep you up at night, but there is something just so sweet about a brand new baby.

She response was, "Not me!  I hate this age!  In fact I really don't like little kids at all until they are about four years old."  Okay so those might not be the exact words she said, but pretty darn close.

I was taken aback.  Two of her three children are under four years of age.  So what she is saying is that she really just does not like them.  And as I thought about this, I realized that she really does not like them, and you can tell by the way she treats them.  Even the child older than four, she just does not treat very well.  No she is not abusive, they are cared for, feed all that stuff.  But she has an air about her that these little humans who she called children are just a nuisance to her. 

She recently made a comment about how she had the chance to be away from all three of he children for a short time, and how wonderful it was, and how she had forgotten how much she enjoyed being alone.

Now I understand this, I completely and totally understand this.  Being the mother of three it seems as if I cannot even use the restroom alone.  We have all been there.  But I love my boys, I cherish my boys.  I do not like to be away from them.  I WANT them with me!!  I enjoy their company, their silliness.  Yes there are times when it just gets super crazy and I crave a quiet moment, or a little "alone time".  But on a whole I like them to be with me. 

As your children grow they do become more fun, simply because they are able to do more things.  You can play a board game with them.  After a while you can play a board game that you actually like with them.  :-) 

But children are little for such a short amount of time, it is a shame that anyone would not savor every second of that time. 

I often find myself wondering why people who do not like children keep having children.  If I had had my first son, and realized that I really did not like babies or little children.  That I found that I honestly preferred older children, teenagers.  I think I would not have any more children.  Why would I put myself and the future children through such hell. 

My basic rant today is that some people just should not have children!

Herd of Elephants

Anthony's friend knocked on the door a bit ago.  Asked if he could play.  Sure, why not, that is what kids do, they play, right??  At least he is not watching TV.

This boy's name is Michael.  He is a fairly new friend to Anthony.  He was introduced to Anthony by his other friend Max. 

**Funny side note about Max and Michael.  Max brought Michael by to introduce him to Anthony.  Declaring that Michael was Max's personal body guard.  Max proceeds to tell Anthony that he has been feeling bullied and that Max's parents have asked Michael to walk home from school, and make sure no one messes with Max.  No do I believe Max's story, not a chance.  Max is quite the character.

At first Max and Michael would cover to play, and the house would get super loud and annoying, but they were having fun and all was well. 

Lately Michael has been coming over without Max.  Not sure what happened to Max, but again, they are having fun and all is well.

But the last several times Michael has come over he has had several little girls in tow.  They are his little sisters, or one of them is his sister and the others are her friends.  I don't know.

Today, Michael had three little girls in tow.  I thought, what the heck is going on here?

They go upstairs and play wii for a while, and then I hear stomping, yelling, running, and all sorts of commotion.  It sounds like a herd of elephants are upstairs running around. 

I asked Anthony what in the world they were doing, he said they were playing with one of the big bouncy balls that we have.  Which makes perfect sense, but holy cow are they loud. 

After all of todays craziness and so many kids here, I am sorely tempted to not allow this many kids over to play.  Tell Michael that he needs to leave his sisters and her friends home. 

**A crazy Michael side note.  There was one day that Michael came over to play and Anthony was not able to play that day.  So he told Michael, no I cannot play.  Michael then asks Anthony if he could jump on the trampoline (along with the girls) by himself.  I was very proud when Anthony had the sense to tell him no. 

Payback

It has happened.  I am being paid back for all of my childhood miss-adventures. 

When I was young my siblings and I would take the cushion off of the couch, it was one of those cushions where the seat part and the back part are connected.  It also had a fabric material on one side and on the flip side it was like a vinyl material. 

We would pile tons of pillows and blankets at the bottom of the stairs, take the cushion to the top of the stairs, but the vinyl side down, sit on one part of the cushion and wrap the other end up over our knees and onto our lap. Scoot forward to the top of the stairs, slide down the stairs on the cushion and crash into/onto the pillows. 

Sure we would occasionally overshoot the pillows and land hard but who cares, it was fun.  Not just fun, but super fun.  And not just super fun, but it was FORBIDDEN fun.  That is right, we were not allowed to participate in this wonderful activity.  But of course we did anyway.

I just found my son and some of his friends sliding down the stairs in a big plastic bin that we use for toys.  It had a pillow in the bottom to sit on. 

I took the bin away from some little girl who is up playing with them, and gave her a "you better be frightened stare" and said NO!!!!  I then turned to Anthony, handed him the bin and said "NO!!!!"  And told him to put the bin away. 

I think all of the children present were thoroughly frightened.  They better be.  If it happens again, they will understand how mean I can really be. 

A gal can dream, right?

I want to build this house!  I found the plans for it many years ago and saved them.  Sure I would make a few modifications to it, but I really like the floor plan. 

Sure it is ridiculously large.  And not one really needs a house this big, and yes it would be horrible to clean.  But I still want it!  No I don't think it will ever actually happen, so let me have my dreams.

Hunger Strike!

My youngest son Dylan has been on a lunch time hunger strike for a while now.  I ask him what he would like for lunch, and he always tells me he does not want lunch, and will not eat. I just could not figure it out.

Then one day when I asked him what he would like to eat for lunch he told me that he did not want to take a nap. 

Nap??? Who said anything about a nap.  I am talking sandwiches here. 

But it makes perfect sense.  We eat lunch, then he takes a nap.  He obviously does not think he needs to take naps any more.  And thinks that if he can avoid lunch, then he can avoid his nap.  Nope does not work that way my friend.  You still take a nap, even if you don't eat lunch. 

I have tried letting him stay up and not take a nap, but his behavior later in the day proves that he still needs a nap.  So the hunger strike continues.

Stalker

Last night my sister and I were on FB chatting.  We talked about FB stalking.  Now don't go rolling your eyes, everyone does it.  Maybe they will not admit to it, but everyone does it. 

I am not talking about creepy stalking.  I am talking about the scenario where you see someone on FB that you knew in High School for from a previous job many years ago.  You are interested to see what they are up to, but maybe don't necessarily feel the need to be "friends" with them.  So you just take a look.

See that is not creepy right??

Beef Stew

I love beef stew.  I have had some wonderful stews over the years, and many more mediocre stews.  Unfortunately all of the stews I have attempted to make have fallen in the mediocre category.  They just don't seem to have that really good flavor that I think stew should have.

I saw this recipe, which looks good.  I have not tried it yet, but would like to. 

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups water
• 2 heaping teaspoons beef demi-glace (or beef Swanson Flavor Boost)
• 4 medium to large red skinned potatoes, washed & diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled & sliced
• 1 stalk celery, diced

 

Instructions

Shake the beef stew meat in a resealable plastic bag with the flour & seasoning salt until evenly coated. Heat the olive oil in a skillet; add the floured stew meat to the pan & brown on all sides. Remove using a slotted spoon or tongs & place into the bottom of a slow cooker. Season with pepper.

Saute the diced onion in the same hot skillet for 2 minutes. Don't worry about cleaning it out in between - that's added flavor! Transfer the onions into the slow cooker as well. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, water, & beef demi glace (or Swanson Flavor Boost) and whisk until mixed, making sure you scrape up any browned bits in the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat & set aside.

Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, & bay leaves to the slowcooker. Now, pour the broth/Worcestershire mixture in the crockpot as well. Cover; cook on low for 8 hours. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

fun cup idea

My friends little boy is having a spider man birthday party.  She posted this picture, showing an awesome idea for a drink cup.  Small mason jar, with a ring, and a decorated cup cake paper, in this case spider man. 

A few reasons why I miss Utah

I miss Utah.  It has been almost two years since we moved from Utah to San Antonio.  Granted the longer I am away from Utah the easier it gets, but there are still many things I miss, and don't know that I will ever not miss.

-Family
-Friends
-Mountains (real mountains)
-Fry Sauce!
-Real Springs and Falls
-Leaves changing colors
-LDS book stores (yes this seems silly)
-Dry climate
-camping in the mountains
-picnics/cookouts in the mountains

There are many more reasons why, but this is all for now.

Crockpot Italian Chicken

I saw this recipe on my sister in laws Facebook page, and it looks super good.  I really want to try it.


Crockpot Italian Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 packet Zesty Italian dressing seasoning
1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
Cook on low for 4 hours. If sauce is too thick, add a little milk.
Serve over pasta. 

4 generation photo idea

I have seen this photo idea in several different places in the last couple of months, and love the idea.  Would love to re-create this.  So I am posting it here, so I can find the reference when I need it.  This is just a picture I saw, I have no idea who these people are.  :-)

Tires - yuck

Today I took the van to Walmart to get my tire fixed.  We had picked up a rather large nail/screw in the tire, and it was loosing air.  So we needed to get it fixed.

We had finished our shopping, and the van had just been finished, perfect timing. 

Dylan and I were standing in line, waiting our turn to check out.  Dylan was wiggly as normal, looking around at the tires and such.

I looked over at him and he had two fingers in his mouth, and a very odd look on his face.  This is the conversation which followed:

Me: Dylan what is wrong?  Why do you have your fingers in your mouth?
Dylan: I licked a tire.
Me:  You licked a tire?!?!?!?!
Dylan: nods
Me: Was it yucky?
Dylan: nods again
Me:  Well lets not do that again.
Dylan:  Okay.

Oh boy!!!  Yes Dylan is 3, and yes he is a bit crazy.  But licking a tire? 

Evil OCD desicion

So I am a bit OCD, my sister sent this picture to me.  I can hardly stand to look at it.

Potato Soup

Potato Soup

 

 

Ingredients:
... 2 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, sliced into small bite sized pieces
1/2 regular package uncooked bacon, finely diced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 bunch celery, diced
8 cups milk
4 cups water
4 chicken bullion cubes (use a cup of the hot potato water to dissolve, then use the cup of hot water in place of one of the above cups of water)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup salted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/4 bunch freshly chopped parsley
1 cup whipping cream
***For garnish:***
Shredded cheese
fried bacon bits
chopped green onions

Directions:
In large pot, boil potatoes in water 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon fat and place on paper towel over plate to drain more. Add onion and celery to bacon pan over medium-high heat until celery is tender, about 5 minutes. To the large potato pan, add milk, water, bullion, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture is very hot, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Do not let mixture boil. In small, heavy saucepan melt butter. Add flour and mix well. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture bubbles, stirring 2 to 3 minutes to make a roux. While constantly stirring soup, add roux slowly until soup is thick and creamy, about 4 minutes. Stir in parsley, reserved potatoes, and cream. Garnish with cheese, bacon bits, onions or all three. Serve hot!

Crock Pot Sesame Chicken

CROCK POT SESAME CHICKEN

 

 

1 1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
...

2 tablespoons dried onion
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Put chicken into crock pot.
Combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, and garlic. Pour over chicken.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened.
Cut chicken into bite size pieces and return to crock pot - can leave chicken in and simmer on low or serve.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Rubber Band Gun

 This afternoon I was searching for a cub scout idea, and this craft idea popped up as a search result.  Not what I was looking for, but it looks really fun.  I might just need to try to make some of these. Here are the instructions and a link for the site:

http://www.runnerduck.com/toy_gun.htm 

The Gun;
Draw the gun pattern you can find at www.runnerduck.com/images/toy_gun_handle.gif onto a piece of 1/2" to 3/4" wood.
Using a scroll saw, band saw or jigsaw cut out the pattern.
Sand all the edges smooth.
Drill a 1" hole for the trigger.
Cut a 5/8" piece of dowel 8" long. I tapered one end to match the handle.
Cut a small notch in the front of the dowel for the rubber band to rest in. 
Drill two holes in the handle, glue and screw the dowel onto the handle.
Drill two holes in the clothespin, glue and screw it to the handle.




The Target;
Cut a 1/2 piece of plywood 4" X 10".
Drill a 5/8" hole in the center of each end.
Cut two 5/8" pieces of dowel 6" long. Drill a small hole big enough for a clothes hanger wire 1/2" down from the top in each dowel.
Glue the dowels into the plywood. Run a wire through the holes with small clothespins and beads for spacing.
Bend the wire on both ends to hold in place.
Cut your targets out of paper. We have some already for you at www.runnerduck.com/images/target.gif.


(I could not get the picture of the target to post.  If you click on the link at the top of this post, it should direct you to the original page, and the full instructions with all the pictures)

Injustice served

My oldest son Anthony has developed a very strong sense of what is fair and just in this world.  At times is he way off base, and just overly emotional.  Other times he is quite justified in his outrage.

A few days ago Anthony found himself in a situation where he felt injustice was served.  And he was right!

It was a group project.  Those in charge were simply ill prepared.  Anthony found himself amongst the group who were left out of this project do to the lack of materials. 

Anthony was very upset, there were tears involved.  His feelings were hurt.  He did not understand. 

This is a very hard lesson to learn at such a tender age.  Life is not always fair.  There are times when bad things will happen to you, with no fault of your own.  A very hard lesson indeed!

Comments, questions and lenthy exhortations

Ages ago when I was in High School, I had an English teacher who after teaching a concept would ask the class, "Does anyone have any comments, questions or lengthy exhortations?"

Even as a teenager I loved this phrase.  It is so unique. 

To this day whenever I hear someone ask if anyone has any comments, in my head I have to finish the whole phrase.  ...questions or lengthy exhortations.  Sure maybe that is an OCD thing on my part.  But that is the way it work.

I have been thinking of writing a blog for a little while, a blog about my comments, questions and lengthy exhortations.  No it will not be earth shattering, thought provoking, or deeply profound.  Just me rambling on about what ever is on my mind.