Mr. Patience

AKA: Mikey

A couple of weeks ago we were able to go to Zack's parent's cabin for a small break before school started up again.

We had a very relaxing time. I cooked, cooked, and cooked some more (Aaaah, food. How do I love thee?).

Zack took the kids for rides on the ATVs. Zacky rode the ATV over and over again, and Tommy drove one for the first time. Shhhh, don't tell.

Scotty played with his cars and colored. Yes, we drove 2 solid hours to have him stay inside and play with his cars. Oh well, he was happy which means I was happy.

Emily sat on the pot 75% of the time. Yep, she's still enjoying the potty training issues. It seems we have had a set back. We were done too, dang it!

Sorry, I digress.

I have never seen a boy have as much patience as Mikey did while we were there. He would, for several hours straight, stand and watch for hummingbirds to come and visit with him. He would become a frozen statue and that's not too typical of a young boy, but for one with ADD? That's unheard of. He is in LOVE with birds.

Gotta Go Big Time!

Should I take this as a hint that we keep our A/C on too low? Scotty has even been seen wearing his winter coat around the house this summer.


Later the same day:


All because of these guys: Big Time Rush

Notice the winter clothing?

He does everything just like they do...remember when I threw out his birthday cake because he didn't want to do his chores? (I had forgotten an ingredient, but he didn't know) I had hoped for buckets of tears, but all he said was, "That is so not cool mom!". I think he may be growing up a little too fast. His favorite is Logan, 2nd from the right. Scotty jams to their theme song several times a day and awesome at it...someday, maybe I'll put a video of it on here.

Hey! Hey! Listen to your heart, now!
Hey! Hey! Don't you feel the rush?
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!

I made it!

I think that this is the first time, in many years, that I have been able to wait until after July to yearn for hot cocoa, sweater weather, and Christmas movies.


Oh, bummer...I just looked at the date at the bottom of my computer. Drat, I really thought I had made it. Oh well, there's always next year. I guess I should use this time wisely since I do have a few things to do before the most amazing time of the year arrives.

I need to get the sprinklers repaired (3rd time's the charm, right?)

I need to visit Logan at least one more time

I need to enjoy the fruits of my labors from the garden - finally

I need to soak up her blog on a daily basis - it's therapy for me

I need to decide on what Emily and I will be for Halloween - so little time

Oh, and I need to mention, for journal's sake, about our sprinklers/driveway problems... much, much more than a nightmare. Maybe someday, I'll find some humor in it to blog about it, heck, we even have the explosion on camera, but for now - it will just be 'the experience that shall not be named'.

Oops!

We just got back from a great family reunion. Whenever I say that to people, they always look at me like I'm crazy. Really, the Church family reunions are always a blast. This year, we stayed at Zack's parent's cabin for a few days. We played softball, went swimming (until Scotty choked and threw up in the pool), had devotionals, a talent show, a trip to the Vernal temple, ATV rides, and did so much more.
However....I feel that I did one thing too many. I accidentally goosed my 16 year old nephew, Nate. I was mortified. I thought he was Zack and this was why:

A Christmas Story...in June?

Two different people, same line...
1983:
Ralphie


2010:
Mikey

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!!!

At least the X-rays showed no internal BB's. His eye is huge! This pic doesn't do justice. Needless to say, his brother has lost his BB gun for at least forever and I need a nap.

Igor...

I nearly cried...

This past week I have been attempting to make homemade jellies and jams. Not so much to save money, but to learn the art. I made strawberry freezer jam, pomegranate jelly, and Orange-berry jam (raspberries, blueberries, and tiny bits of oranges). At first I was a little afraid to try my new concoctions, but when I tasted the orange-berry, I nearly cried - it was that good. I love this stuff. It's my new favorite and it tastes so incredibly fresh. Mmmmm-mmmmm.

If you'd like the recipe, I'd be happy to share it. It was from A Taste of Home magazine.

Also, I have discovered that I am entirely too anti-social recently. I don't even like to go down a row at a grocery store if other people are in the way. I'm pathetic - this is a cry for help, so if I drop by out of the blue, it's just me doing my therapy to get out of this funk I am in.

Apparently, the devil visits heaven...

Many of you know that I have been trying to shed some very unwanted weight. I have lost 21 pounds since January 1st and I only have 12 to 15 more to go.

It has been much easier than I thought it would be. I just make better food choices and try to run at least every other day. Having said that...

I do struggle with the food choices. Easter has not been an easy time for me. Three words: Cadbury Creme Eggs. Actually, my biggest weakness is ice cream. In a waffle cone. Which is kind of weird...I hardly ever remember eating it very much as a child & teenager.

We recently went to Disneyland as a family and we stopped to get some ice cream. I had their Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Swirl in a wonderfully fresh waffle cone. I just about cried, it was so good. Unfortunately, Emily wasn't too entertained by hers so I had to eat most of it - Dang it! Sad to say, they do not sell it locally. Though this particular flavor is my favorite, just about any cookie dough ice cream will make me swoon.

Another flavor that constantly taunts me is the Aggie's Bull Tracks ice cream up at the Utah State Creamery. In a fresh waffle cone, of course.

Oh, and then there's Moose Tracks, Peanut Butter Cup, Butter Pecan, Burnt Almond Fudge, ......

I knew this post would be tough, but I'm dyin' for that ice cream!!!

(In a fresh waffle cone!)

Missionary Dinners - Round Two!

We finally are back on track with our Missionary dinners. If you don't know what these are, just click here for an earlier post and here for all of the fun that followed. Good times - especially for poor Mikey.
Anyway, tonight Zachary was called to the Cape Verde Praia LDS Mission. He had to be able to find it on a map as well as learn how to say, "My name is Elder Church" in Portuguese (the native language).
I prepared North African Meatballs and couscous with dates for our meal.


It was actually quite yummy and all but the two youngest liked it. I know Scotty will warm up to it as soon as he realizes that I am serious about him missing out on his dessert unless...

Mikey is next and he will be "sent" to the Jerusalem, Israel Mission - we can always hope there will be one someday. Our meal will consist of Hummus with pitas, something else I haven't figured out yet, and these for dessert.


A friend of mine lives in Jerusalem and she sent me a few very yummy looking recipes. I am so excited!

Lovin' it!

Could today be any prettier? Well, only in one of two ways: If there was a blizzard outside (can't get enough snow!) or if the grass was green and the trees were blossoming! The only down side to the latter option is that it means the summer of pure torturous heat was coming next. In the mean time, I'll enjoy this gorgeous sun and go for a run. Didn't mean to rhyme folks! Oh, and it looks like we'll be blessed with another day like this tomorrow and most of next week, then the snow can come back.

Joseph and Jessica

One of my younger brothers got married on Friday. It was beautiful. I only brought the camera to the reception and I unfortunately only took one picture. Typical...
Anyway, I just am so excited about how Emily's hair turned out. I had never tried anything like this before and I was so tickled that it worked. First, the pics of her hair (and extreme cuteness) and then the last picture is of me and our kids with a few of my brothers. The one I am standing closest to was the one who got married.











It was so nice to have nearly all of my siblings (8 out of 10) together again. We sure missed the others though. Congratulations to Joseph and Jessica!