Surgery!

There is not much to write this week. We have been stuck in the house and I am not sure if that is harder for Austin, Maryn, Ash or Me. Friday I was going stir crazy. I wanted to sit outside under a tree on some grass, but I live in vegas and my choice was sitting under a trampoline on some sharp rocks. Hmmmm. I didn't do it.

Austins surgery (for tonsils & adenoids) went well. The recovery I have decided is actually the hard part. He hasn't been eating very much because his cheeks hurt? I don't get it and he can't open his mouth wide enough for me to peek inside to take a look either. So I hate it because he looks sick, pale and has little energy. That's what happens when you don't eat. But hopefully he will get better, soon.

Morgan is our graceful one. We were at the springs preserve and she managed to fall off a two foot high brick wall, bruise her thumb and hand, and scrape the side of her leg. We like to call her grace!

Canning Extravaganza! oh and more!

I have canned and canned and canned. It has been great. I made pear butter and it said to use 6 cps of sugar. Well I just couldn't do that. That is just to much sugar so I put in 1 1/2 cps sugar. You would think that it would not be enough well let me tell you I should have put in maybe 1/4. It is so sweet, but it is also soooooo goood too. I am going to do it again but this time little or no sugar that is for sure. Then I dehydrated pears. Oh man, I don't need chocolate when those are around. I love em. I canned homemade salsa. I have to can some more we are going through it way to fast. I also canned tomato soup. My mother-in-law makes the most delicious homemade tomato soup and every year for my birthday that is was I ask for. But this year I wanted to try it so that I would not have to ask for it when I run out 6 mos. before my birthday. Mind you she doesn't care, and I know this, but I just wanted to try it. Mine is not like hers but still I did it. I made peach, boysenberry jam. MMMM. Is all I have to say. I tried to make fruit leather but I can't get it off the stupid wrap stuff I used. It just chaps my hide like nothing else. I love this type of stuff and now I just need my own orchard, and garden. Someday, until then I will just pretend.

Aden's foot is still bothering him. What to do? His expander is working because now he has quite a gap between his teeth. So now his big teeth can come in with ease. He tried out for both choir and instruments and made it into both. He is really excited and has to go to early morning practice on wed.'s. He is also class representative but is disappointed that he can not run for an office now. He is quite motivated and likes to be involved. I can tell he will keep us really busy but that is good. He is getting better at basketball. I am still screaming my head off at the games though.

Morgan is loving school. Her teacher is really great and she enjoys going. She loves to sing but can't try out for choir until she is in 4th grade. She has more homework than Aden and Austin combined. But she does it and does it fairly quickly so that is good.

Austin is preparing for surgery. He is trying to not be nervous. Heavens I am trying to not be nervous. The healing process it what worries me most. He will have to miss about 7 days of school. I think he is going to go nuts and I know he will drive me nuts in the process. He is constantly asking why. He doesn't mind obeying rules if he knows why it's important. That's good and it's hard. Sometimes I want to yell because I said so that's why.

Maryn is bored most of the day and wants to have a friend over all of the time. I feel bad but what do you do.

Ash just likes to do his own thing and will wander and play. He is talking a lot now and his favorite word is NO!

I have to run to choir so that is all for now.

what! No pictures!

I just can't seem to download pictures. It's just one more step so it's either blog or pictures I chose blog.

Aden is doing basketball. He loves it and works really hard. He has a great coach who teaches them and rides them hard but the encourages right after. He is great. His last game was intense, they were behind and kept making simple mistakes. But they were able to catch up and then they tied. In this league there is no overtime which we are grateful for I don't think I could have lasted another minute. I had a lady move away from me because I was yelling so much. On the way home Austin asked Aden if he could hear us, and why didn't he listen to us. Austin continued, "Mom was yelling a lot and Dad was yelling in his angry voice." Adam wasn't but it is hard to decipher his loud voice is sometimes his angry voice.

Morgan noticed at the end of sacrament meeting that she had on 2 different shoes. One was dark brown and the other black. I was cracking up which made her cry because she doesn't like anyone laughing at her. I tried to tell her I wasn't laughing at her just about the situation but she didn't get it. She wanted me to go home and get her the same shoes. I couldn't so she had to deal with it.

Maryn's birthday is today. She had a princess party a couple of Friday's ago. In the first 10 minutes one of the girls said this is the best party ever. Yeah that's right. We had fancy punch (sherbet and soda), pink popcorn, pink playdoh (that I made from scratch) and they added fine glitter to it. Then they decorated wands and crowns. After which they jumped, played, had cake, presents, then whoosh quick the party was over and they were all gone. We rushed out the door to the park to meet some friends and then when we got home, my head hit the pillow and I was in a mild coma for the rest of the night. Now she is four and hopefully she will learn to say her g's, c's, d's, s's, etc. Everything is a t so when she says I saw a kitty cat it comes out I taw a titty tat. It's great!

I made a great acorn squash. prepare a squash as normal, peel, core and dice up an apple into fairly small pieces. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Let it cook for 45 minutes. Then yummo, it tastes a lot like apple pie. My kids loved it too. Now I need to try to sweeten it with agave nectar or honey not sure which.

Well taw taw for now!

funny tid bits

Maryn calls a praying mantis a pretty mantis not because she thinks it's pretty she just thinks that is what it is called.

Austin was saying prayers and is trying to expand what he is praying for. So at dinner he blessed Grandma and Papa Moore's food and that it would make them healthy and strong. On another occasion he blessed Grandma and Papa marchant to sleep in their beds all night long. Papa marchant does need that help so hopefully it worked for them.

Aden got on braces and an expander (I'll post pictures when I am not to lazy to download them). His mouth hurts and he does an amazing sid the sloth (from ice age) impression. But now that he sounds funny, you can't get him to stop talking. I think like all kids he loves the attention.

Morgan's teacher has them pick words ie, honest, trustworthy, positive, etc. and they have to read the definition, discuss it and try to be that all week. Well as Morgan was arguing with me she said, "Mom, you are making it so hard for me to be a peacemaker!" Yep that was her word and it was the hardest word for her ever.

The Hiney Shot

So on our way home from church we pass a wal greens where they are advertising a shot. Aden says, "Mom, I don't get it. Why for the hiney shot do they do H1N1?" I couldn't help but crack up. "Because it is the H 1 N 1 shot not the Hini (hiney) shot." Ha Ha ha ha ha.

A quick update: (and by quick I mean really long so enjoy)

*Summer in a nutshell: =craziness! My sister with her six kids was here for a month so of course it was a party every night and day for a month. We, my sister and I, snuck in a camping trip. Two adults and 11 children. It was awesome, and we felt like the coolest mom's ever. It was so great. Then for the month of July we all headed to Cali to help get the yard ready for a wonderful wedding reception for my brother Logan and his wife Amanda. (It was a great wedding and the yard was awesome.) I was in heaven working outside everyday. It was such a bummer to come back to a place where the most yard work is trimming the front bush, yep I said bush singular. 15 minutes after arriving at a pool, rush to 5 different Urgent Cares to get his chin stiched up from a fight with the pavement (the pavement won). Just to learn that he can't swim at all with the stitches in. (Don't worry it was harder on Mom than it was on Austy). August we went to Williams AZ for a rain soaked, wake up to flash flood warnings, trees falling over nearly missing a vehicle because it was so soaked from the rain, quickly throw everything into a vehicle including kids (which isn't easy because camping you have so much stuff anyway), get the van stuck in the mud, get pulled out and cross the flooding river amongst cheers from all the cousins and families, cut the weekend short by a day, camping trip. It was insane! Good times, good memories, Great family, awesome kids.

*After a successful day and a half of homeschooling I realized I didn't like the program and wasn't prepared to teach 3 kids from my home. I couldn't eat, sleep, and breath it like I would need to.

* Signed the kids up for public school (got them some good teachers so they could get a good edumication)

*Started public school on Thursday of the first week of school.

*A totally new respect for Homeschooling ladies

*Because of this, though, we have instituted some great things
1. Scripture study, complete with there own binders that I am very proud of. This is the only part of homeschooling I really enjoyed because I owned it and did what I wanted to do with it. The binders are way neat and studying has made a huge difference in our house. (We're not perfect yet so no translation to Heaven but hopefully we will be better than we were the day before)
2. Super Saturday Activities: I found we waste a lot of time on saturday's. There is no yard work here and so we do our inside chores then waste time. So I have instituted a super saturday activity where we can do science, art, history, cooking, etc. We can do as many as we want. It's not every saturday mind you but this helps me feel as though I am activily teaching my kids something. I am trying to do things they can't do in a classroom because of cost or preparation etc. They will also have a folder where they will do recording, writing, etc. of our activities.
3. I have realized that I am too easy on my kids. I read this book where it showed a paragraph that was written for 14 year olds to read. I could hardly understand it. I was amazed and thought, wow, yeah our kids are smart and they can handle and do more.
4. We also have a morning routine.
5. I am getting organized (I seriously have issues with organizational skills. I would say it is one of my weakest areas, that and consistancy)
6. We are reading more. We are reading as individuals, a family and to kids separately. We did it before but it wasn't consistant. The kids love it, even Aden who could have read a book in one day but waited patiently every night for Adam to read it aloud to him. Why is reading aloud good for kids? Read a book called the Read aloud hand book.
7. We have very little time for T.V. and electronics in general. In fact the rule now is that they don't come on during Monday through Thursday. I want my time to be spent doing better things, important things. Don't get me wrong this is how Adam relaxes and so it does suck me in but it's a bit less now.
8. I am finding the time, desire, energy to actually do the things I have talked about like setting, making, and keeping traditions. Like Fun, Friend Friday. Making things important, spotlighting a child when they accomplish good things.

I hope this lasts. I hope I can be better.

* Found a nice place to go camping 30 minutes away. Yeah! When will we squeeze it in? No idea. But knowing me I will figure out something. Nature is my friend and my peace.

*Went to Cedar City (where I learned that my blog is not updated often enough for someone who says he has no life, I think he lives vicariously through me so all summer he hasn't known what he's done) and helped clean out Cedar Builders. Wow what a huge building but I love working hard. We inventoried, stacked, counted, moved boxes, broke down boxes, broke down huge shelves, swept, ate popcorn. . . and at the end of the day Uncle Kirk decided to have an asthma attack. His first one. Grandma watched the kids, I was in Heaven again. I could work hard for a whole day and the only butt I had to wipe was my own. Yipppeee! Brought home blueberries, and boysenberries.

*Made peach boysenberry jam, lots of smoothies. And one of my favorite snacks, vanilla yogurt, cottage cheese, roasted almonds and frozen blueberries. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGood! I am waiting to get completely over a cold and I am making peach boysenberry cobbler. I can't wait.

* Took Austin and Ash to the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat). Ash is fine of course, why he gets so sick when he has a cold is beyond me. Austy however, has enlarged adenoids that cause dark circles around his eyes because there is not enough airflow to clear it up or something like that. It also causes him to not be able to breath through his nose making him a mouth breather or something of that sort. He has enlarged tonsils, and possibly something in his throat. (they are going to check it out when they put him under). Does he snore the ENT asks? I don't know I don't sleep with him and I have never really noticed. So I say no not really. Then Austin pipes up, "Morgan and Aden say I snore." Oh, I guess I should have consulted with the kids that actually sleep by him.

*Aden is getting some orthodontic work done to correct his bite, spread his mouth open so that all the teeth trying to come in will fit in his mouth. It's expensive but it is so worth it. The smile is everything for a face. I would spend a whole lot more if it meant straight teeth.

*Afternoon activities have started and I feel crazy just thinking about what on earth am I supposed to get the kids to this week. Yeah, I can't remember!

This is us, and i bet it sounds an awful lot like most of you and your crazy lives. We are livin' it up, and living each moment.

The best way to get money out of a cassette player

Yes I said cassette player. Our car being a 2001 still has that feature. I know you all wish you could have one too. Well Ashdon likes to play in the car and yes put money (change) into the cassette player. I wouldn't really care seeing that we don't own any cassettes anymore, yes I said anymore I am that old. However, it messes up the cd player, the time and the radio. So being the crafty person I am I had to get the money out. I tried tweezers, they aren't long enough and it is hard to pinch them. So I had to get creative. I tried tape, not tacky enough. So I resorted to kabob sticks, and a piece of marshmallow. It works awesome. So there is your tip of the day. Marshmallows get money out of cassette players.

Toys are way cool!

With Adam's new job. . . Oh wait I don't think I have mentioned that. Adam got a new job. YEAH!! He now works for Farmers as a claims adjuster. He really likes it, although I think he is ready to be done training and out adjusting. I am ready for him to have his company car because one car stinks. Although some friends of ours have been really helpful. There son hurt his foot so could not drive for a while and they let us borrow his car and then they have a scooter that we are currently borrowing. Adam drives it to work and everyday I am grateful to see him walk in the door. The license plate was lost/stolen not sure which so we are waiting for a replacement one. Adam did have an incident on it though. Some guy pulled out in front of him and he swerved so that he would not hit him, the scooter slid from under him, and road rash was received. Luckily Adam was okay, and the scooter is okay too. I am happy that Adam likes his job though, that makes a lot of difference. Now hopefully we can transfer in about 18 months out of las vegas. Don't get me wrong I love where I live, the weather, the people but there are no trees and no grass. I need that! So anyways, one of his toys is a lap top. So right now I am in the car (which is why I have the time) posting on the lap top. He got a lot of cool little toys and loves them.



This is going to be a long post because frankly I have 2 1/2 hours to kill. Sorry no pictures but I will on the next one.



Aden was a part of Battle of the books. It was a neat opportunity. He was a part of a team where they would read 5 books then the librians made questions and they would battle it out like Jeapordy. He was the team leader. I think those opportunities are really good to help them learn and grow. He did really good and could remember a lot. I was really impressed. He never ceases to amaze me by the things he does. I want him to learn to be a good leader because I think leaders, good leaders, are hard to come by these days.



Morgan is an exellent helper. I had to help out with the school fair for 1/2 hour, Adam and Aden were at Battle of the books so what does one do when they have kids that want to play games and I can't do it. Ask a friend to help no let an 8 year old push a stroller around with 2 kids in it and Austin on the loose. She was amazing. Not once did she come looking for me, they had played games and even got their nails painted. They had used all of their tickets so they were just watching the games. I was floored and impressed and so happy. She is so responsible when necessary. I give the kids a lot of responsibility out of necessity and they rise to the occasion and I see a glimpse of the future. Them as competent adults and then they are bickering and fighting again. Back to reality.



Austin - why is it that when he goes to take a shower he will cover himself running down the hall to the bathroom and then not 2 minutes later he will say mom watch me and he's jumping up and down dancing buck naked. That happens on a regular occurance. He is changing, get your head out of the gutters, I've moved on to new topics. His personality . .

This is where lap tops and wireless is not cool. It lost the rest of my post so I'm done now. Sorry to leave you all hanging.

Just Us!

So we have discovered a fun new game. I actually played this with my uncle Larry but there was no fancy packaging and no written up directions just dice. But it was always so much fun. The game is called Farkle. It's easy enough for the kids to play and for the older one it works a bit on their math skills. Austin is the best at it. I've always thought he would be the rich kid in our family and here is why. First of all he could be a friend with a rock and that rock would love him back. That is just how he is. He loves everyone and anyone. He is just personable and will always have a lot of friends who are willing to do things for him. Second of all he has a ton of luck. Really he should be dead I think his luck is what keeps him alive (actually I know it's not luck and I don' t need a lecture on what it really is). Thirdly, he takes risks because he doesn't think of the consequences or the consequences aren't enough to deter him from what he wants. That is why he will be rich. Anyways, those attributes work well in this game Farkle. He will roll winning combinations that gain him a lot of points. I think out of the three times we played he's won twice and he cried the one time he lost. I don't think he actually thought he could lose it's just not how he thinks.

So Ashdon loves milk of course only in his sippy from Christmas though. He will drink it and play with his hair. It's a comfort thing. But he always wants milk. I've never had a kid like that and I love it because now he mostly sleeps through the night which is great for me. Now if I could only get Maryn to do that too. . . Now that would be something. Ash loves to jump on the trampoline and for 15 months he does a great job. And he hasn't fallen off which is good. His first word was candy at least it sounded an awful lot like candy and he was pointing at it too. Then of course he says Da and Ma. He can also mimic a lot especially pointing his finger. He found out that he has a hole in his nose that his finger fits into just so nicely. He goes in pretty deep too, it looks painful.

Maryn loves to have friends over. In fact her best friend is a boy named colston (spelling may be off). They are the cutest together and get a long so well. I love it. She is constantly asking for friends over. And when she's home all day everyday half of each day with just ash she gets a bit board. I'm going to have to go to play groups again. Yesterday she asked, "Mom, can I have some lmoads?" I said, "What is that!" And then she whispers, " Um, some candy." I think it's funny she's trying to spell things.

Morgan is doing great in school. She went to a birthday party at Build a Bear and boy was she excited. She has a bunny now I can't remember it's name. But who'd a thought that a silly bunny would become the world. It has and that's fine. Today she pretended to be pregnant with this huge balloon. I hate to tell her that if she takes after me she will probably look just like that.

Aden is a reading machine. I think in 3 weeks he has read 12 books and not just little books, books that are for 5th and up and have at least 400 pages. We were reading the Charlie Bone series and he would try to beat me to finish it. I think it would tick him off when he would ask me what page I was on and I would say oh I'm done. So instead of us fighting over one copy (we were both reading them at the same time) he checked them out at the school library. I think we need to get Aden another hobby. He doesn't think he needs another hobby and I'm not opposed to this one it's just good to be well rounded. Side kid (or note): Austin was at the library with a friend and Austin started reading his book. His friend was so amazed that Austin being the same age as he was could just start reading right then and read the whole book. That's right Austin can read. He does a really good job and we are proud of him. Back to Aden. He is a stinker literally he stinks just kidding he's sitting here reading this while I'm typing so I just had to put something weird in here. I like Aden's age it's fun to actually talk and laugh and things make sense.

Anyways, that's us in a nut shell for this last week.

Where to begin. . .

Let's just say life is crazy and I just haven't wanted to blog. But tonight I guess I feel the need to play catch up through pictures and one liners. We'll see what happens. First and for most Morgan is getting baptized. Wow I can't believe it. She is so wonderful and making such great decisions. If you would like to come you are more than welcome. We can always find places for everyone to stay.

So after Christmas we went to my parents house. My whole family was there and it was a lot of fun. I miss that we can't see each other as often as we would like but we make the most of the time we have. So I got to rake leaves and use the blower. I was so sad when it started to rain and I couldn't do the front yard. Some of you think I'm joking but I love love love the outdoors. I am a sun worshiper and an outside junkie. I love working outside. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed grass and trees and gardens. Someday? I hope! I Pray!

So anyways while I was outside working my sister suggested we have some fun with the blower and this is the result. I laughed so hard it was so great.




I hope you laughed as much as I did. It still cracks me up. That's a piece of candy flying out of her mouth. Her little sister was happily picking up all of the candy from her siblings that was on the ground. Below is our Christmas Jammies from Grandma Marchant. They are the cutest.

This was Ashdon's favorite present. I swear he was molesting the sippy cup and would scream at anyone who would touch it.
Grandpa and Grandma Moore with all of their grandkids. It was a full house but a fun one.


Well this is a quick recap of our holidays and our life. I can't seem to remember anything unless I have a picture. So maybe next week I'll actually have a good one with a good story or two.

November

Our first rain and its rare so we always play in it and take pictures. It was cold hence the coats.


At the first of November Adam and Aden went hunting so I got to go to Blythe to pick up my mom and visit Grandma. I love it out there. The open spaces, the memories, and Grandma of course.

If you ever wonder why on earth someone would live in Blythe take a look below.

It was so fun. We played games, chatted and the kids roamed outside unattended and are still alive. So apparently I don't like Thanksgiving. I didn't take a single picture of the event or even our trip to Cedar City. We spent Thanksgiving day with some wonderful friends. There was way to much food but it was soooo good. Then my friend and I dared the black friday. It was interesting. As we left walmart two men were being arrested. Yeah life in Vegas. Also a funny thing there was a line incredibly long for some very cheap Blue ray players. Well I get to Cedar and go to walmart on Saturday and there is a pallet full of these players at the same low price. Note to self next time just go to Cedar and don't get up at 4 in the morning.

Jalepeno Popper dip

You have to try this. I would just like to say I got a simple dip recipe and Adam and I made it better. So i dare you to try this and not like it.

2 (8 oz) pkg Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
1 cp mayonnaise
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 cps shredded colby jack cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Bacon 2 slices, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir together the cream cheese, cheese, and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Cook the bacon, remove leave the pan with the grease add chilies, and jalapenos cook for 2 minutes on medium heat add the bacon stir and let sit on low for 2 more minutes. Stir into the mayonnaise mixture. Pour mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the oven, until the dip is heated through. Serve with crackers, pita chips, bread.