There is so much to blog about, but today, I have to post about some amazing recipes. Thanksgiving was great and I didn't gorge and I actually lost a pound. Then, yesterday, I made these incredible pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with my leftover pumpkin and I think I'm going to gain 5 pounds because I can't stop eating them!
I love pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and they are also one of Braden's favorites. But he likes the store bought ones because they are so soft. I've used about 4 different recipes, trying to mimic the store bought brand to no avail. The last ones I made were too cakey, though I still liked them. So I dug around all my recipes and found the first recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that I was ever given. No need to search any further. These were amazing, even with dairy free smart balance butter. Perfect soft, melt in your mouth goodness.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Dash ground cloves
2 cups flour
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350*F. Cream butter and sugars together. Add vanilla, eggs, and pumpkin. Beat well. Add dry ingredients and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
The second recipe is for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. I love oatmeal in the winter (yes it is actually 40 degrees right now in AZ) and it's a great way to warm the body in the morning. My girls LOVE it too and generally request it over any other breakfast. I actually love oatmeal all year round, but need certain things to put in it. No matter what, it needs brown sugar. But there are some extra jewels I love in it too. In the spring, I LOVE strawberries cut up in it. In the summer, I love fresh peaches. In the fall, I love raspberries, though even store bought frozen raspberries are great in it, so I can enjoy that year round. But the cheapest and most convenient is Braden's Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.
APPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL
1/2 cup quick oats
Approx. 1 cup water
1/4 applesauce
1-2 Tbs brown sugar, not packed
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Scoop oats into bowl with high sides. Add enough water to completely cover oats by 1/4 inch. Microwave for 2 minutes, watching so it does not boil over. Microwave an additional 15-30 seconds until the center of the oatmeal bubbles up and over itself, but not over the sides of the bowl. Remove from microwave and add remaining ingredients. Stir well.
We love to buy the huge cans of applesauce from Costco/Sams because it is dirt cheap, but we can't eat that much applesauce before it goes bad. So Braden discovered that you can separate it into individual containers (like sour cream or cottage cheese cartons) and freeze it! Then, just take it out, microwave on low power to defrost or put in a water bath or leave in your fridge to defrost it. It works great!
The third recipe is for Thanksgiving Bread Stuffing. I combined my mother in law's recipe and other recipes I found and I loved the end result. I used 2 loaves of store bought 100% whole wheat bread and 1 loaf of crusty french bread that was harder than a rock. I even cooked it in my CrockPot to free up oven space. It worked GREAT! It was done well before dinner was ready, but I just turned it off, left the lid on, and it was still perfect by dinner time.
THANKSGIVING BREAD STUFFING
2-3 loaves bread, cubed and dried (about 12 cups)
1 medium onion, diced (roughly 2 cups)
2 cups celery, diced
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 Tbs parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme (or 1/2 tsp ground thyme)
1/2 tsp marjoram
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4-6 cups chicken broth
Saute onion and celery in melted butter until tender. Add seasonings. Mix with bread cubes in large bowl. Spray CrockPot with cooking spray. Pour into CrockPot. Pour chicken broth over top just until moist and stir well. Bake on low 6-8 hours. Add more broth as necessary during cooking. Or, if you want to do it in a conventional oven: Pour bread cubes and onion/celery/seasoning mix into greased casserole dishes and pour chicken broth over top just until moist. Stir well. Bake at 375*F for 20-25 minutes.
I hope you can enjoy these recipes!
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Fun Blog to Follow
Check out this really cute blog! They're doing a giveaway for a sign made by my amazing friend, Jill, who is the most talented person I know. It ends tonight, but she does give aways often. Go to www.kellis-thisandthat.blogspot.com
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Black Hole that is Black Friday
First off, let me put this out there - I'm not Cheri. Yep, that's right, this is a post from Braden, since my blog has officially been retired. Besides, Cheri is asleep.
Let me tell you about my first Black Friday experience. It all started at work when I heard how excited a bunch of people were and how they were going to stand in line for 2 hours to get that new TV. I could've cared less. I don't like shopping, and I really don't like crowds of people shopping. I think I get it from my Dad who taught me how to get the best sales and avoid all the crowds at the same time...shop on Christmas Eve :)
But, then everything changed when I saw it. Plastered right there on the back of the Kohl's ad was a Belgian waffle maker. (Our's had just broken) And it wasn't just any waffle maker. It was one of those ones you flip over after 45 seconds. Like the ones the BYU had at the cafeteria at Deseret Towers. Those of you who have been there are now smiling.
So, I then combed a few more ads and found a few other things for good prices. I would mention them but then I wouldn't ever be able to let Cheri read her own blog again, at least not until next year.
Unfortunately, I had a great experience! I woke up at 3:30, had breakfast, got online and bought Phoenix Suns tickets to play their rival San Antonio Spurs. So, before leaving the house I had already got discounted tickets for my Dad and I. Then about 3:47 headed to Kohls, who opened at 4. They are 13 minutes away. But as I got closer I saw the line at Target and thought "am I really going to do this - is it worth it?" It was a long line. And then I had that moment of panic. Kohls wasn't where I thought it was supposed to be. If I had to waste time driving to another one there is no way there would be any waffle maker's left. AAAHHHH!...but there it was. Tucked away on the end, a dimlit sign, not attracting too much attention. It's amazing how full the parking lots are that early. As I walked from the end of the lot to the front the end of the line was just entereing the store. Perfect. I didn't have to wait at all. There was even a helpful employee who told me exactly where to go before I even got in. It was crazy how many people were walking around with boxes pilled high. Thank goodness I was there early, I mean, I was prepared to battle for my waffle maker, though I would rather not (Cheri may have told you we do waffles and a movie night since she and Taryn can't have cheese - so it was important). Grabbed mine, got one for my mother, and proceeded to the check out. Only 4 people in front of me. Then I made the rookie mistake and forgot to give her a coupon. So, we had to cancel it and start it all over. I apologize to those who were behind me, but the thing was $10 after a $10 mail-in rebate and I had a $10 coupon, so basically it was free.
At 4:22 I got back in my car and drove 5 minutes to Walmart who was opening at 5 (or at least their registers) This place was busier. I had to park further away and people had been in the store for awhile. There were people and carts everywhere. They just seemed to be tossing things in their cart as the walked on by. I figured maybe it's like that old show - Shop till you drop - and they just want to get their hands on everything and return whatever they really don't want later on. Luckily, I wasn't going after any big electronic items so there were still plenty of what I wanted. Grabbed them with a little maneuvering of the carts. Even had time to help a few ladies load a heavy item onto their carts. Then walker over to the check out lane and was 2nd in line. This was the only bad part of the morning - I had to wait 17 minutes for 5 o'clock to roll around. I had some pleasant conversation with some fellow members of the 4 am club and by 5:23 I was home again sipping some egg nog.
So, in just under 2 hours, I got Suns tickets, a rotating Belgian waffle maker, and some christmas gifts. Not too shabby. Now, I say all this is unfortunate because the experience wasn't that bad. It was quite pleasant and a little fun. Which is why I may be tempted to try it again next year.
Let me tell you about my first Black Friday experience. It all started at work when I heard how excited a bunch of people were and how they were going to stand in line for 2 hours to get that new TV. I could've cared less. I don't like shopping, and I really don't like crowds of people shopping. I think I get it from my Dad who taught me how to get the best sales and avoid all the crowds at the same time...shop on Christmas Eve :)
But, then everything changed when I saw it. Plastered right there on the back of the Kohl's ad was a Belgian waffle maker. (Our's had just broken) And it wasn't just any waffle maker. It was one of those ones you flip over after 45 seconds. Like the ones the BYU had at the cafeteria at Deseret Towers. Those of you who have been there are now smiling.
So, I then combed a few more ads and found a few other things for good prices. I would mention them but then I wouldn't ever be able to let Cheri read her own blog again, at least not until next year.
Unfortunately, I had a great experience! I woke up at 3:30, had breakfast, got online and bought Phoenix Suns tickets to play their rival San Antonio Spurs. So, before leaving the house I had already got discounted tickets for my Dad and I. Then about 3:47 headed to Kohls, who opened at 4. They are 13 minutes away. But as I got closer I saw the line at Target and thought "am I really going to do this - is it worth it?" It was a long line. And then I had that moment of panic. Kohls wasn't where I thought it was supposed to be. If I had to waste time driving to another one there is no way there would be any waffle maker's left. AAAHHHH!...but there it was. Tucked away on the end, a dimlit sign, not attracting too much attention. It's amazing how full the parking lots are that early. As I walked from the end of the lot to the front the end of the line was just entereing the store. Perfect. I didn't have to wait at all. There was even a helpful employee who told me exactly where to go before I even got in. It was crazy how many people were walking around with boxes pilled high. Thank goodness I was there early, I mean, I was prepared to battle for my waffle maker, though I would rather not (Cheri may have told you we do waffles and a movie night since she and Taryn can't have cheese - so it was important). Grabbed mine, got one for my mother, and proceeded to the check out. Only 4 people in front of me. Then I made the rookie mistake and forgot to give her a coupon. So, we had to cancel it and start it all over. I apologize to those who were behind me, but the thing was $10 after a $10 mail-in rebate and I had a $10 coupon, so basically it was free.
At 4:22 I got back in my car and drove 5 minutes to Walmart who was opening at 5 (or at least their registers) This place was busier. I had to park further away and people had been in the store for awhile. There were people and carts everywhere. They just seemed to be tossing things in their cart as the walked on by. I figured maybe it's like that old show - Shop till you drop - and they just want to get their hands on everything and return whatever they really don't want later on. Luckily, I wasn't going after any big electronic items so there were still plenty of what I wanted. Grabbed them with a little maneuvering of the carts. Even had time to help a few ladies load a heavy item onto their carts. Then walker over to the check out lane and was 2nd in line. This was the only bad part of the morning - I had to wait 17 minutes for 5 o'clock to roll around. I had some pleasant conversation with some fellow members of the 4 am club and by 5:23 I was home again sipping some egg nog.
So, in just under 2 hours, I got Suns tickets, a rotating Belgian waffle maker, and some christmas gifts. Not too shabby. Now, I say all this is unfortunate because the experience wasn't that bad. It was quite pleasant and a little fun. Which is why I may be tempted to try it again next year.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
You Have to Check This Out!
I have come across something that I think everyone with children will love. There is an AMAZING site that has been developed to help get kids organized with their chores and work responsibilities in their homes and families. Best part--it's FREE. It's called MyJobChartcom.
Braden and I have discussed on numerous occasions how to effectively teach our girls to pitch in with chores and work. We want them to have daily responsibilities, but I find myself with other things that are top priority for me, so I'm not focusing on organizing their chores and getting them to do them. Often, they are so exhausted at night that it is better for everyone to put them to bed and then I'll clean up the toys. But I know that's not the best way to do it.
I love the way myjobchart.com is set up. All you need to do is register your family (each child gets their own user name and password) and then start assigning jobs. You can use their preset jobs, like make your bed or clear the table. Or you can enter custom ones if there are jobs that are specific to your family or aren't listed, like "dust the fake plants" or whatever. And you can assign the jobs for every day or specific days, morning or night, weekly, etc. Each job is also given a point value that you decide.
Once you have the jobs assigned, you can assign rewards that your kids can work to achieve. These can be simple like TV time or computer time, or special mommy/daddy time. OR you can choose specific rewards. Like right now, Keara is working towards going to a movie with Braden. So I could put that as one of her reward options. Or she really wants to some day go to Build-A-Bear. I could put that as one of her options too. Each reward "costs" a certain amount of points that can be achieved thru your kids doing their assigned jobs.
Now your kids can get to work. In the mornings, they can log onto their account and see what jobs they have in the morings (get dressed, make your bed, eat breakfast, pack your lunch, practice the piano, etc.) As they do them, they check them off. Depending on how you set it up, they may need to log in again after school and then again at night to make sure all their jobs are done. A really cool feature is that as each job is finished, you can choose to have an alert sent to you via email or even text. So daddy can be at work and get a text that Johnny finished his chores, so your kids are accountable for their work.
Once they've earned enough points, they can redeem them for their rewards. This also can teach your kids to set goals and save their points to get better rewards that cost more points.
Another really awesome feature is that if you go out of town, you can easily change your assigned jobs. Like maybe instead of "do your homework" you could change it to "write in your journal" or something else you want them to do. Or you could eliminate jobs that aren't pertinent while on vacation.
Anyway, that's a whole lotta jabber, but the point is, it is awesome. My cousin's family is an inspiration to us and they are the ones that told us about this. They love it! And it helps them keep their 6 kids organized. All of their kids use it, from the 11 year old (?) down to the 2 year old. All you gotta be able to do is point and click. Our girls aren't handy with a mouse, but this site is perfect for all kids who can use a computer.
I put a button/link on my sidebar that you can just click on to go to the site, or go to www.myjobchart.com. It's free to sign up and doesn't take much time to get everything organized for your kids. I hope someone out there finds this to be a wonderful tool for their family! Even if you don't use it but know someone who would love it, pass along a good thing.
And, no, I have no ulterior motives for promoting this site. I just think it rocks!
Braden and I have discussed on numerous occasions how to effectively teach our girls to pitch in with chores and work. We want them to have daily responsibilities, but I find myself with other things that are top priority for me, so I'm not focusing on organizing their chores and getting them to do them. Often, they are so exhausted at night that it is better for everyone to put them to bed and then I'll clean up the toys. But I know that's not the best way to do it.
I love the way myjobchart.com is set up. All you need to do is register your family (each child gets their own user name and password) and then start assigning jobs. You can use their preset jobs, like make your bed or clear the table. Or you can enter custom ones if there are jobs that are specific to your family or aren't listed, like "dust the fake plants" or whatever. And you can assign the jobs for every day or specific days, morning or night, weekly, etc. Each job is also given a point value that you decide.
Once you have the jobs assigned, you can assign rewards that your kids can work to achieve. These can be simple like TV time or computer time, or special mommy/daddy time. OR you can choose specific rewards. Like right now, Keara is working towards going to a movie with Braden. So I could put that as one of her reward options. Or she really wants to some day go to Build-A-Bear. I could put that as one of her options too. Each reward "costs" a certain amount of points that can be achieved thru your kids doing their assigned jobs.
Now your kids can get to work. In the mornings, they can log onto their account and see what jobs they have in the morings (get dressed, make your bed, eat breakfast, pack your lunch, practice the piano, etc.) As they do them, they check them off. Depending on how you set it up, they may need to log in again after school and then again at night to make sure all their jobs are done. A really cool feature is that as each job is finished, you can choose to have an alert sent to you via email or even text. So daddy can be at work and get a text that Johnny finished his chores, so your kids are accountable for their work.
Once they've earned enough points, they can redeem them for their rewards. This also can teach your kids to set goals and save their points to get better rewards that cost more points.
Another really awesome feature is that if you go out of town, you can easily change your assigned jobs. Like maybe instead of "do your homework" you could change it to "write in your journal" or something else you want them to do. Or you could eliminate jobs that aren't pertinent while on vacation.
Anyway, that's a whole lotta jabber, but the point is, it is awesome. My cousin's family is an inspiration to us and they are the ones that told us about this. They love it! And it helps them keep their 6 kids organized. All of their kids use it, from the 11 year old (?) down to the 2 year old. All you gotta be able to do is point and click. Our girls aren't handy with a mouse, but this site is perfect for all kids who can use a computer.
I put a button/link on my sidebar that you can just click on to go to the site, or go to www.myjobchart.com. It's free to sign up and doesn't take much time to get everything organized for your kids. I hope someone out there finds this to be a wonderful tool for their family! Even if you don't use it but know someone who would love it, pass along a good thing.
And, no, I have no ulterior motives for promoting this site. I just think it rocks!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
We All Love FREE
I just had a BLAST putting together some FREE Christmas presents. Okay, it really cost me $20 with the upload fees and shipping, but I ordered a photo calendar, custom return labels, 250 business cards, a custom T-shirt, and a photo flip book. All for $20! I would have done more (there's TONS available for free) but I need to go get the girls out of bed and I don't have many recent pics on my computer since the crash so things were getting redundantly redundant.
But check it out! Maybe it'll help you with your Christmas gifting...
Go to www.vistaprint.com/freewinter for all those free items.
Totally awesome is if you need business cards, you can get them FREE! I also put a widget on my side bar (at the top of the right hand column). Just click on the words "Save 25-50% off on custom printed products at VistaPrint. Order today!" and it'll take you into the site. Once you are there, on the left column of their site is an option for FREE products under HOLIDAY AND FAMILY. Click on that to take you inside. Or click on the banner that says there are "Celebrate the Season with Style". You'll find some other free products there.
But check it out! Maybe it'll help you with your Christmas gifting...
Go to www.vistaprint.com/freewinter for all those free items.
Totally awesome is if you need business cards, you can get them FREE! I also put a widget on my side bar (at the top of the right hand column). Just click on the words "Save 25-50% off on custom printed products at VistaPrint. Order today!" and it'll take you into the site. Once you are there, on the left column of their site is an option for FREE products under HOLIDAY AND FAMILY. Click on that to take you inside. Or click on the banner that says there are "Celebrate the Season with Style". You'll find some other free products there.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
We All Scream for Ice Cream!
The girls and I were exploring my nephew's favorite game site online (kneebouncers.com) and playing the alphabet game. We have no sound on our computer right now, so I was narrating for them.
M: F like Frog! G like Gorilla! H like Hat! I like Ice Cream!
K: Me too!
It took me a minute to get what she was saying...
M: F like Frog! G like Gorilla! H like Hat! I like Ice Cream!
K: Me too!
It took me a minute to get what she was saying...
Monday, November 16, 2009
Fish! Fresh Fish!
Anyone want a beautiful red betta fish? We've had our little beauty for a few months but I'm finding myself wanting to eliminate excess responsibilities. So I'd like to find our Big Red a new home that does NOT involve the toilet. I'll even give you his bowl, plant, and marbles...for free! Oh, he's free too.
I Heart Primary
A year ago, I was called to be the Primary Chorister in my ward. I was terrified. A few months earlier, I had been the Gospel Doctrine teacher but that was NOTHING compared to Primary. Sheer terror. I shook and struggled thru my first few weeks in there with those intimidating children. All 120+ of them...
Then, as the new year came and we were working on the songs for the year, I realized that I would have to lead them in the PRIMARY PROGRAM! Again, sheer terror. I dreaded the fall because that meant we'd have to do the program and I didn't think I could lead them.
But each week that passed, I realized that I LOVE PRIMARY!!!!! I don't ever want to leave it. I adore the children SO much and love their spirit, joy, enthusiasm, innocence, and craziness. I think I have the best calling in the world. It is definitely the most demanding Sunday calling I have ever had. There have been weeks that it is more like a work out than singing time. In the last month, we've doing singing time for almost 2 hours straight a few times which, admittedly, is exhausting. But I love it.
Yesterday was our program. That dreaded program. But about 2 months ago, I stopped being afraid of it. And last week, I didn't worry about it at all. Sunday morning came and I wasn't nervous. And the kids ROCKED! They sang better than ever, remembered their words, stood up and sat down together...they made me so proud!!
Then, the 3 oldest nursery classes got to come in for 10 minutes of singing time during Primary to practice being in there in preparation for them moving into Primary in January. So Keara got to come sing! She had been so excited about it for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, her class sat in the back of the room while the other 2 classes sat on the floor at the front. It was funny to see how shy she became. I hope next week will be more fun for her as she can be up at the front with her friends. I'm excited to have her come in for good in January.
I know I'll have other callings, but I think my heart will always be in Primary now.
Then, as the new year came and we were working on the songs for the year, I realized that I would have to lead them in the PRIMARY PROGRAM! Again, sheer terror. I dreaded the fall because that meant we'd have to do the program and I didn't think I could lead them.
But each week that passed, I realized that I LOVE PRIMARY!!!!! I don't ever want to leave it. I adore the children SO much and love their spirit, joy, enthusiasm, innocence, and craziness. I think I have the best calling in the world. It is definitely the most demanding Sunday calling I have ever had. There have been weeks that it is more like a work out than singing time. In the last month, we've doing singing time for almost 2 hours straight a few times which, admittedly, is exhausting. But I love it.
Yesterday was our program. That dreaded program. But about 2 months ago, I stopped being afraid of it. And last week, I didn't worry about it at all. Sunday morning came and I wasn't nervous. And the kids ROCKED! They sang better than ever, remembered their words, stood up and sat down together...they made me so proud!!
Then, the 3 oldest nursery classes got to come in for 10 minutes of singing time during Primary to practice being in there in preparation for them moving into Primary in January. So Keara got to come sing! She had been so excited about it for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, her class sat in the back of the room while the other 2 classes sat on the floor at the front. It was funny to see how shy she became. I hope next week will be more fun for her as she can be up at the front with her friends. I'm excited to have her come in for good in January.
I know I'll have other callings, but I think my heart will always be in Primary now.
Welcome Baby Tyce!
Braden's sister had her baby last week and we are so excited that he's here!!
It's going to be a rough road ahead for this little guy, but he seems so sweet spirited that he will shine thru it all!
It's going to be a rough road ahead for this little guy, but he seems so sweet spirited that he will shine thru it all!Not My Week Either
Last week was a pretty rotten week. After learning the very disappointing news of Braden not getting the job in MN, I found myself having panic attacks that got progressively worse thru the week. I suffered from panic attacks my whole life and they were the worst after 2001. In the last year, however, I have hardly had any. So it was a bit frustrating to not be able to shake them all week.
Friday, I found out that I had severely offended someone without meaning to or realizing it. The whole things stemmed from a grave misunderstanding on her part, but the offense was given just the same. I'm grateful to have had it brought to my attention, but it broke my heart that someone could think what she thought of me. I realized that as my tact has waned, I have probably offended many people who just swallow it and black list me, believing I intended to offend.
If anyone out there feels offended by my actions, let me apologize. To give offense, to demean, to belittle, to criticize is not something I want to do or try to do. If you feel judged by me, chances are good that I do NOT judge you. But if my words or actions led you to believe otherwise, I am so sorry. I hope to improve in this area and edify, not belittle, all those around me.
Friday, I found out that I had severely offended someone without meaning to or realizing it. The whole things stemmed from a grave misunderstanding on her part, but the offense was given just the same. I'm grateful to have had it brought to my attention, but it broke my heart that someone could think what she thought of me. I realized that as my tact has waned, I have probably offended many people who just swallow it and black list me, believing I intended to offend.
If anyone out there feels offended by my actions, let me apologize. To give offense, to demean, to belittle, to criticize is not something I want to do or try to do. If you feel judged by me, chances are good that I do NOT judge you. But if my words or actions led you to believe otherwise, I am so sorry. I hope to improve in this area and edify, not belittle, all those around me.
Taryn Had a Rough Week
I adore Taryn. Sometimes she challenges me, but we've had some really great days lately as we've slowed down and taken the time to run at her pace and communicate with her. She is such a delight. But last week was a rough week for T.
On Monday, she bit of the jeweled button that was the center of a flower hair clip. I was nursing A so I told her to go spit it out and give it to daddy. In her craziness, she swallowed in instead.
On Tuesday, we went to Walmart and had only been there 2 minutes when the girls wanted a drink at the drinking fountain. I pushed the cart next to the fountain for Keara to get a drink, but Taryn couldn't wait for her turn and tried to reach the fountain from the cart. Instead, she toppled over the edge and hit her head, first on the rim of the bottom of the cart, and then on the floor. She's a tough cookie, but skinned it pretty good and got a nasty bruise.
On Thursday, we went to the library with her cousins and she had a little runny nose and some sneezes, but nothing out of the ordinary for T when she has allergies.
On Friday, she woke up with more sneezes and drippings from her nose. Then she developed a cough, but no big deal. When she woke up from her nap, she came down and played and I heard her grunting like she needed to go to the bathroom. Then the screaming started. She screamed in pain for a good 10 minutes and then cried and cried and cried for the next hour and a half. When Braden got home, he asked, "What is wrong with this child?!" and urged me to take her in. I called our pediatrician and he said to keep an eye on her because it sounded like it could possibly be intussusception (where the intestines telescope into each other). Well, the screaming stopped for an hour and a half, but then it started again, for another hour and a half. I loaded her up in the car (then had to take her back out after she threw up, clean her up, and put her back in) and headed to the after hours pediatric urgent care center.
When we got there, however, they didn't even give me a chance to explain her abdominal issues. Instead, they picked up on her wheezing which had started in the last hour or so. After 2 breathing treatments and 2 x-rays (see pics...looks like torture to me!), they diagnosed her with pneumonia and sent us home with prescriptions for meds. That night was a really rough one for her, waking up every hour crying, doing 2 more breathing treatments, and trying to help her get comfortable.
On Monday, she bit of the jeweled button that was the center of a flower hair clip. I was nursing A so I told her to go spit it out and give it to daddy. In her craziness, she swallowed in instead.
On Tuesday, we went to Walmart and had only been there 2 minutes when the girls wanted a drink at the drinking fountain. I pushed the cart next to the fountain for Keara to get a drink, but Taryn couldn't wait for her turn and tried to reach the fountain from the cart. Instead, she toppled over the edge and hit her head, first on the rim of the bottom of the cart, and then on the floor. She's a tough cookie, but skinned it pretty good and got a nasty bruise.
On Thursday, we went to the library with her cousins and she had a little runny nose and some sneezes, but nothing out of the ordinary for T when she has allergies.
On Friday, she woke up with more sneezes and drippings from her nose. Then she developed a cough, but no big deal. When she woke up from her nap, she came down and played and I heard her grunting like she needed to go to the bathroom. Then the screaming started. She screamed in pain for a good 10 minutes and then cried and cried and cried for the next hour and a half. When Braden got home, he asked, "What is wrong with this child?!" and urged me to take her in. I called our pediatrician and he said to keep an eye on her because it sounded like it could possibly be intussusception (where the intestines telescope into each other). Well, the screaming stopped for an hour and a half, but then it started again, for another hour and a half. I loaded her up in the car (then had to take her back out after she threw up, clean her up, and put her back in) and headed to the after hours pediatric urgent care center. When we got there, however, they didn't even give me a chance to explain her abdominal issues. Instead, they picked up on her wheezing which had started in the last hour or so. After 2 breathing treatments and 2 x-rays (see pics...looks like torture to me!), they diagnosed her with pneumonia and sent us home with prescriptions for meds. That night was a really rough one for her, waking up every hour crying, doing 2 more breathing treatments, and trying to help her get comfortable.
Saturday was a relaxing day after so little sleep and by Sunday afternoon, she was acting a lot more like herself. I took her for follow up x-rays today and there's still no explanation for her screaming bouts on Friday, but at least we caught the pneumonia so we could get those breathing treatments. Otherwise, we would have spent Friday night at the urgent care instead of Friday evening.
This little girl is amazing!!! She sat so still, did her best at the doctor's office, even opened her mouth wide for them to see in. She amazes me when she acts so grown up.
I cut her hair this morning (a little too short in the front) and she looked so cute afterwards, I had to get a picture.
I cut her hair this morning (a little too short in the front) and she looked so cute afterwards, I had to get a picture. 
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Progressive
We're looking to switch to Progressive insurance after having Allstate for the last 5 years. We are so sick of Allstate. Does anyone out there have Progressive and can vouch for their service and quality? Any horror stories?
Taryn's Confusion
Taryn cracks us up. She talks so so much which is such a blessing for this little girl. But sometimes, she just can't make up her mind. Today I had the following conversation with her:
T: Mom, I want a drink.
M: Okay, let's go downstairs and get one.
T: I want juice.
M: Okay, we'll go get some juice.
T: I want cold water.
M: You want cold water instead of juice?
T: Yeah. I want milk.
M: You want milk? Or do you want cold water?
T: I want cold water. I want milk.
So we came downstairs and I pulled all 3 drink choices out of the fridge and asked her to point to which one she wanted.
T: points at the milk
M: You want milk? Are you sure?
T: Yes
M: Okay (as I tentatively hold up the milk carton)
T: points to the water
M: You want water? Or do you want milk?
T: points to the juice
M: Now you want juice?
T: Yeah, I want juice.
So she got juice and loved it. You can't guess wrong with her, though, for the fit she will throw will not be worth it.
T: Mom, I want a drink.
M: Okay, let's go downstairs and get one.
T: I want juice.
M: Okay, we'll go get some juice.
T: I want cold water.
M: You want cold water instead of juice?
T: Yeah. I want milk.
M: You want milk? Or do you want cold water?
T: I want cold water. I want milk.
So we came downstairs and I pulled all 3 drink choices out of the fridge and asked her to point to which one she wanted.
T: points at the milk
M: You want milk? Are you sure?
T: Yes
M: Okay (as I tentatively hold up the milk carton)
T: points to the water
M: You want water? Or do you want milk?
T: points to the juice
M: Now you want juice?
T: Yeah, I want juice.
So she got juice and loved it. You can't guess wrong with her, though, for the fit she will throw will not be worth it.
Friday, November 13, 2009
I'm a Mac...I'm a PC
We saw a great commercial on TV last night. One of those "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" commercials. You've seen them right? Where a hip looking young guy is talking with a nerdy, chubby older guy, discussing why a Mac is so much better than a PC. So the one last night went something like this:
"We have a new operating system, Windows 7. It will have none of the problems of Windows Vista. I promise."
The Mac guy says, "I've heard that before."
It then goes into a series of clips where the PC tells the Mac the same thing with every operating system they've had.
" Vista will have none of the problems Windows XP had"
"Windows XP will have none of the problems Windows 2003 had"
And so on. Well, after our computer crashed, we bought a new Dell (much to our chagrin). Its been one month and we've had the blue screen of death about a dozen times shutting down our computer. The sound doesn't work, the internet is slow, videos won't play well, the movie editing software isn't working, and the list goes on.
So I called in and almost had to laugh that the technical support guy said "Your computer is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7. It will take care of all the problems you are experiencing because of Windows Vista." Did I just step into a commercial?
If you have Windows Vista, go to www.win7.dell.com to see if your computer is "eligible" for the free update and maybe all your troubles will melt away too.
Or, you could go buy a Mac. Apparently they are problem free. But for now, I'm a PC.
"We have a new operating system, Windows 7. It will have none of the problems of Windows Vista. I promise."
The Mac guy says, "I've heard that before."
It then goes into a series of clips where the PC tells the Mac the same thing with every operating system they've had.
" Vista will have none of the problems Windows XP had"
"Windows XP will have none of the problems Windows 2003 had"
And so on. Well, after our computer crashed, we bought a new Dell (much to our chagrin). Its been one month and we've had the blue screen of death about a dozen times shutting down our computer. The sound doesn't work, the internet is slow, videos won't play well, the movie editing software isn't working, and the list goes on.
So I called in and almost had to laugh that the technical support guy said "Your computer is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7. It will take care of all the problems you are experiencing because of Windows Vista." Did I just step into a commercial?
If you have Windows Vista, go to www.win7.dell.com to see if your computer is "eligible" for the free update and maybe all your troubles will melt away too.
Or, you could go buy a Mac. Apparently they are problem free. But for now, I'm a PC.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Allergy Free
I have an idea. But I think I'll need some help.
I want to start a blog about allergies, to give information and real life experiences to readers. I know that when I found out about Ts allergies, I started searching the web for information and read other people's blogs about their experiences.
The help I need is this:
1. Part of what I want to do is provide recipes and eventually organize a cookbook that is easily separated by what allergens each recipe does not contain. So someone with a milk allergy can easily find all recipes that are dairy free, etc. So, if you have any great recipes that do not contain one or more of the top 5 allergens (dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, peanut) and would like to share, pass it along!
2. Do you have any questions about allergies that you would like answered? What intrigues you or do you want more information about? I'd like to get a feel for what readers would be looking for, besides what I know I was looking for.
If you want to help me out, email me (bradenandcheri[at]gmail[dot]com) or comment. Thanks
I want to start a blog about allergies, to give information and real life experiences to readers. I know that when I found out about Ts allergies, I started searching the web for information and read other people's blogs about their experiences.
The help I need is this:
1. Part of what I want to do is provide recipes and eventually organize a cookbook that is easily separated by what allergens each recipe does not contain. So someone with a milk allergy can easily find all recipes that are dairy free, etc. So, if you have any great recipes that do not contain one or more of the top 5 allergens (dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, peanut) and would like to share, pass it along!
2. Do you have any questions about allergies that you would like answered? What intrigues you or do you want more information about? I'd like to get a feel for what readers would be looking for, besides what I know I was looking for.
If you want to help me out, email me (bradenandcheri[at]gmail[dot]com) or comment. Thanks
Monday, November 9, 2009
Disappointment
A couple weeks ago, Braden saw a listing for a job opening with U o P in Minnesota. He had been searching for jobs with U o P there for the last year and this was the first opening that he could apply for (or wanted to apply for). So he applied, got an interview, had a background check done, and found out today that he did NOT get the job. They decided to go with someone internal who already lives there.We are SO disappointed. We were hoping and praying for this opportunity SO much. And now that it didn't come thru and knowing how rarely job openings are posted for MN, we feel trapped here again. Its not a secret that we do not like living in Arizona and are dying to get out of here. Braden will still search for jobs in MN since that is where we want to be and as soon as we can, we'll go.
So if any one out there has an "in" with U o P in MN, give us a hand! (Why with U o P? Because he is just starting his masters program and needs to stay with the company to get the employee discount.)
Someday, Minnesota, we will be there...
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Gone Swimming
A couple weeks ago, I was putting Avery's carseat in the car when it caught my cell phone and broke off the antenna. So I went to Walmart and bought a new GoPhone for $30. Braden liked it better than the GoPhone I bought him last Christmas so we switched. Last night, as I was about to walk out the door to go to the temple, Taryn decided to throw my "new" GoPhone into the fish's bowl. Now it doesn't work. Any suggestions before I go out and buy ANOTHER GoPhone?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
You Know You Live in Arizona If...
...you have the following conversation with your 3 year old...I opened the door to go outside and...
K: What are you doing mom?
M: Darn, I was hoping it was cold outside, but its warm.
K: I like warm.
M: I don't. Not in October. It's supposed to be cold. Oh wait! It's November. It is DEFINITELY not supposed to be warm in November. Its almost Christmas. It should be snowing. Would you like to live somewhere where it snowed?
K: Yes.
M: But it would be really cold.
K: We could bring sweaters.
M: We'd actually need coats. Do you know what coats are?
K: No.
And its true. She doesn't know what a coat is.
Halloween 2009
Like everyone out there, we carved a pumpkin this year. Just one. There's little point in carving multiple pumpkins in AZ because if you put it outside, it will be dead by morning (oooh...an inadvertant movie quote).
The girls thought the process was fascinating, especially Keara who has read Franklin's Pumpkin over and over this month. She was excited to scoop out the seeds, just like Franklin.
When it was all finished, we tried it out. Then blew out the candle and put it on the bar, thinking we could avoid the dead pumpkin in a day curse of Arizona.
Yeah, it didn't work. Sure, it lasted a couple days, but after 2 days, it was already SUPER moldy and getting soft. On Monday morning, we came down for breakfast and Keara asked "What happened to our pumpkin!?!" I was checking my email so I didn't come in right away to see what she was talking about. When I did, I found a totally sunken pumpkin that had leaked nasty pumpkin juice ALL over the counter!!! It was disgusting. So we threw it out. Thank goodness Monday is trash day...
Keara's first Halloween, she was a black cat. CUTE! Her second Halloween, we dressed up as Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles. She wore her leopard print swim suit. ADORABLE! Last year, we were in Chicago for Halloween and she was a sailor with her cousin, Carter. My sister was Olive Oyl, my brother in law was Popeye, nephew Addison was Swee' Pea, and Taryn was a can of spinach! LOVED IT!
The girls thought the process was fascinating, especially Keara who has read Franklin's Pumpkin over and over this month. She was excited to scoop out the seeds, just like Franklin.
When it was all finished, we tried it out. Then blew out the candle and put it on the bar, thinking we could avoid the dead pumpkin in a day curse of Arizona.
Yeah, it didn't work. Sure, it lasted a couple days, but after 2 days, it was already SUPER moldy and getting soft. On Monday morning, we came down for breakfast and Keara asked "What happened to our pumpkin!?!" I was checking my email so I didn't come in right away to see what she was talking about. When I did, I found a totally sunken pumpkin that had leaked nasty pumpkin juice ALL over the counter!!! It was disgusting. So we threw it out. Thank goodness Monday is trash day...Keara's first Halloween, she was a black cat. CUTE! Her second Halloween, we dressed up as Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles. She wore her leopard print swim suit. ADORABLE! Last year, we were in Chicago for Halloween and she was a sailor with her cousin, Carter. My sister was Olive Oyl, my brother in law was Popeye, nephew Addison was Swee' Pea, and Taryn was a can of spinach! LOVED IT!
But this year, the girls turned heads. Especially Avery who looked so darling! The girls were princesses (or ballerinas, depending on who was looking at them). I love their skirts and they felt beautiful.
Friday night, we took them to my uncle's Halloween party. It was SO cold (60 degrees...but after being over 100 just 10 days before, it was FREEZING!) but they had a good time. The next morning, we went to the AJ library for a scavenger hunt throughout the library. They had a great time, especially playing on the playground equipment that is (semi) inside the library.
Friday night, we took them to my uncle's Halloween party. It was SO cold (60 degrees...but after being over 100 just 10 days before, it was FREEZING!) but they had a good time. The next morning, we went to the AJ library for a scavenger hunt throughout the library. They had a great time, especially playing on the playground equipment that is (semi) inside the library.
Thank goodness there wasn't sand. However, that night, we went to my aunt's ward Halloween festival and trick-or-treated in her neighborhood. There, the girls played and played in the sand and got filthy. Oh well.
It was fun to trick or treat like it was growing up. A lot of the houses in the neighborhood had great decorations, music playing, and one family even puts on a production every year. It was amazing how many people came to the neighborhood just to see it.
Taryn didn't quite appreciate not being able to eat her candy right when she got it (or at all, since she couldn't eat any of it) but she had no problem talking to strangers and charming everyone she met. Keara was all business and loved the whole experience. I'm sure next year will be even more fun.
Aunt Diane!
We LOVED seeing Braden's Aunt Diane on Friday night at her granddaughter's wedding reception. She and her husband are serving as directors of the Oakland Visitor's Center. We LOVE them and miss them SO much. She got to meet Avery for the first time.
Sisters, Sisters!...and More of Avery
I love having girls. Let me start with that. I tell my girls all the time that the greatest gift they have been given is sisters. I consider it one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love sisters!!! (I love my brothers too, but this post is about sisters...)
I guess we're starting with pictures of Avery because that's how they loaded, then we'll get back to sisters.
It finally got cool enough for sweaters (meaning it was in the 60s and 70s for a couple days...we're back to the 80s and 90s now) and I LOVE kids in hoodies! Plus this baby is just so darn cute anyway.
She's started smiling, but its a lot harder to catch it on camera than to pull it out of her all day long. She just smiles up a storm! And I love it.
The other day, K & T and I made a snack. I thought I was pretty creative coming up with it, but my sister says its on the Golden Grahams box...darn. Anyway, we made indoor S'mores by making Golden Graham treats (like Rice Krispie treats) and drizzling melted chocolate chips on the top. They were yummy!
The girls thought so too...
I loved this moment. Keara got out of the bathtub and got my towel on. But Taryn followed shortly behind and found herself towel-less. So Keara wrapped her up in her towel to help her stay warm.
We don't get many pictures of Taryn and Avery together because I'm usually too busy saving Avery from Taryn to grab a camera and take pictures. But this day, Taryn was so happy to be able to be with Avery without us taking Avery away. Thank you for not sitting on her, Taryn!
I'm sure they were sharing their deepest thoughts...
...and then had a good laugh about it.
I do love these girls. And I love that they have sisters. You'll thank me when you're older, girls, I'm sure. Maybe a lot older, but you'll thank me none the less.
I guess we're starting with pictures of Avery because that's how they loaded, then we'll get back to sisters.
It finally got cool enough for sweaters (meaning it was in the 60s and 70s for a couple days...we're back to the 80s and 90s now) and I LOVE kids in hoodies! Plus this baby is just so darn cute anyway.
She's started smiling, but its a lot harder to catch it on camera than to pull it out of her all day long. She just smiles up a storm! And I love it.
The other day, K & T and I made a snack. I thought I was pretty creative coming up with it, but my sister says its on the Golden Grahams box...darn. Anyway, we made indoor S'mores by making Golden Graham treats (like Rice Krispie treats) and drizzling melted chocolate chips on the top. They were yummy!
The girls thought so too...
I loved this moment. Keara got out of the bathtub and got my towel on. But Taryn followed shortly behind and found herself towel-less. So Keara wrapped her up in her towel to help her stay warm. 
We don't get many pictures of Taryn and Avery together because I'm usually too busy saving Avery from Taryn to grab a camera and take pictures. But this day, Taryn was so happy to be able to be with Avery without us taking Avery away. Thank you for not sitting on her, Taryn!
I'm sure they were sharing their deepest thoughts...
...and then had a good laugh about it.
I do love these girls. And I love that they have sisters. You'll thank me when you're older, girls, I'm sure. Maybe a lot older, but you'll thank me none the less.
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