And the winner's are.....drumroll please.....

Congrats to the winners of the pay it forward giveaway. Mandi, Shari, and Abbie (you are quite the lucky girl these days:) I am planning on finding something cute to make, so it may be a month or so before I get it out. I will try to deliver it personally..that will give me a great excuse to come and see you all!! Thanks for playing along!!

Jordan's thought provoked question???

I am always pleased when I see that my children are learning, and listening to what I am trying to teach them. It makes me happy to see them figure things out on their own. You know, to actually be using that thing on the top of their shoulder's...
Jordan has had a minor cold the past week with the typical congestion, runny nose and cough. Last night as we were reading, he cleared his throat and then the question came up...
"Mom, does your nose lead to your mouth?"
As a nurse, very well educated in anatomy, I was pleased with his pondering's of the human body.
I said, "Ya"
Then he said, "Then I think I have been swallowing boogers!!"

Pay it Forward

This sounds like a really fun thing!!
Good luck!{The Rules}
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate pictures and comments! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along.Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope all of my friends and family had a great "LOVE" day, as we call it at our house. When Jordan asked why we celebrate Valentines day, we told him it was to share your love with those you love. Anyway, Mike surprised me Friday night, knowing I had to work on Valentines, and also to beat the Valentines crowd, with dinner at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. He also bought me these pretty flowers. He knows I hate to spend 40 bucks on roses for Valentines Day, I'd rather have a pair of shoes:)

I, once again, got this crazy idea to not only frost sugar cookies for Valentine's Day, but to dip strawberries as well. I dipped them in milk chocolate, striped with white chocolate, and also dipped them in white chocolate, striped with milk chocolate.

There were over 60 sugar cookies!

And, over 100 strawberries!!

They looked so cute individually wrapped in bags with bows. A great gift idea:)

Lexi's Valentine's Party

Lexi had a couple of friends over to frost Valentine sugar cookies.

We also made these cute Valentine bracelets, and magnets!

Ava was the sampler of the goods!

Mommy...Pretty!

Every marker has been removed from the house since Ava's last drawing episode. I had to make sure nothing like that ever happened again..EVER. Of course it was Sunday morning, when everyone was busy getting ready for church. I am in the bathroom finishing up with my hair when I hear a tiny little voice say, "mommy..pretty!" Without looking first, I thought she meant I looked pretty. WRONG. My first glance proved she was not talking about mommies Sunday best. She had found Lexi's make-up, and completely covered her lips and the surrounding area with HOT pink lipstick. Luckily, the clean-up on this one was much easier, and we were surprisingly not late for church.

Isn't she cute!!! (We are looking for a babysitter...any volunteers??)

Basketball

Jordan, taking a shot!

Jordan, # 10, doing a very fine job of trying to become open to receive a pass.

So here's the thing, I HATE basketball. I can be the happy, supportive, mom during soccer and baseball season. These sports are about skill, and practice, and doing your best to win the opposing team. However, I have recently learned that it doesn't matter how great you are at basketball..it is about the fouls!! It is a bunch of crazy boys fighting, literally, fighting over the ball. Fouling each other, nudging, tripping, shoving, whatever it takes. I thought I was a pretty patient and calm person, but let me tell you, I can SCREAM!! I get so frustrated at some of the things the ref's call on my son, but ignore it when its done TO my son!! It's like playing SOME of the rules SOME of the time...I am by nature a very consistent person. I end up with so much anxiety during the game, and when it is over, my stomach aches.

There is still 4 more weeks left in the season...any advice??

Lexi's Oatmeal Fudgies

Here is the recipe:

Oatmeal Fudgies

Crust & Sprinkle for top
1 c. shortening
2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
4 c. quick oats

Fudge layer:
12 oz. chocolate chips
1 can sweet and condensed milk
2 tbls. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix the first 8 ingredients. Save 1 1/2 cups of the mixture. Put the rest in a 9X13 pan. (greased) Press firmly. Melt chocolate chips, butter, milk, and vanilla on low heat or in the microwave. Pour over dough. Crumble the remaining 1 1/2 cups of batter over fudge layer. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Top will be golden brown. Eat and enjoy the low- cal dessert!!

You've got to be kidding me!!!

Just when I thought that my new year's resolution was going quite well, I had a day like today. I have found it quite simple each night to think of at least one thing each day to be grateful for. To recognize a blessing in my life...tonight, I was having a very difficult time coming up with something. It started with a FULL bowl of cocoa pebbles all over the floor, a screaming mom trying to get her kids out to the bus on time, laundry to do, meetings to go to, and when I finally had time to do something I wanted to do, which was to sew a simple rectangle table runner, for my kitchen table, THIS is what occurred!

The pictures only represent the damage that occurred to the child, not all of Lexi's WHITE furniture, (bed, dresser, bookshelf, and nightstand) which I could not bear to take pictures of due to the tears and sweat which occurred trying to get the marker off. I wish to forget that memory.

As I was thinking of all of the horrible things that had happened throughout the day, the thought came into my mind of all of the countless prayers I offered to have one more child. I truly am blessed to be Ava's mother, and who knows, she may be quite the artist someday!

It's a Girls Night

Last monday night, Jordan and Mike had a "boys night out" and went to the Utah Flash game. Of course, I didn't want the girls to feel left out, so we had our own "girls night." I know most moms and daughters would have done pedicures, manicures, and makeovers. Not this mom. This mother know's the value and importance of children aquiring good culinary skills...so, we made a baked good that will go straight to our hips and thighs!!

Lexi picked out the recipe she wanted and completed it all herself, with minimal guidance from mom:)

Ava waiting patiently until they were finished.

She mixed all of the ingredients together, and even melted the fudge layer on the stove.

Crumbling the crust on top of the fudge layer. (above)

Spreading the fudge layer on top of the crust. (left)

Lexi, showing off her prize "Oatmeal Fudgies"

For her first time cooking in the kitchen, she did a fabulous job. They tasted even better than they look, and only one tiny piece of eggshell had to be fished out of the batter! We had a great time together, and I hope this is something she will remember. I know I will:)