WW

On My Mind Monday (my Life is...)

Just going to start with a baby who thoroughly enjoys dinner time.
Then getting into the messy part.
This is what I have been living in for the past 6 weeks. It hasn't been this bad, this bulk of the mess started 2 weeks ago with the moving furniture.....
into the kitchen. I have been living in chaos for a few weeks.
Trent did take 2 days off last week, and made a huge dent in the project. Really, the only thing we have left is the south wall, then sanding and painting. And my favorite part, putting in new flooring. I'm hoping to have it all done by the end of April, so the week Trent took off will be vacation time, not remodeling time.
Then we get to start on the kitchen.

Feet

When I first got the diagnosis of DS, the nurses kept pointing out 4 of 6's feet. Saying, this is what DS feet look like. I couldn't for the life of me, see anything different in her perfect little toes, than my other kids feet. 1 of 6 has a cute little freckle on her big toe. 2 of 6 has what we call Flinstone feet. He never wore shoes to church because getting dress shoes on that kid was like getting me into skinny jeans. 3 of 6 has a huge gap between his big toe and second toe. Turns our that is what they say all kids with DS have. It's odd to me, that Her feet are the same as my other kids, yet, that is one of her defining features.

Wordless Wednesday

Favorite Things

Greatest thing EVER. Nutella. Why have I never tried you until now? Oh yeah, because now I'm hooked. On toast. On a banana? On toast with sliced strawberries. I was having on toast the other day and said, this taste a lot like those Ferrero Roche candies. Turns out it's made by the same people. Now if we could just get Reeses to bottle the peanut butter they put into the candies. Not the stuff already in the jar, that's not the same. But the actual stuff they put between 2 layers of chocolate.
So here's a recipe off Best Bites that uses nutella. It seems odd, but it really is the greatest desert. We've had it 3 times this week, and my kids still love it. I was surprised you could do that with a banana, and it would turn out so yummy. We used strawberries as a mix in last night for FHE.

On My Mind Monday

Yesterday was Down Syndrome Awareness Day.
How grateful I am for this little monkey. Of course I would say that about any of my kids. But, She is truly one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me.

Other things on my mind? Health care reform. Why does this just leave an icky feeling in my gut? Is it because I already have great health care.... don't mess with it? Is it because I have never seen the government run anything efficiently? We have dealt with WIC, and SSI in the past. Efficient is the very last word I would use to describe it. Is it because I have heard argument after argument against the government taking over health care, and none for it? SO I'm wondering how on earth this even got this far? I would love to hear your opinion if you like what is in the bill. If this is going to pass, I need to hear something positive......

Saturday

Today was supposed to be a day full of moving furniture down stairs so we could fix the living room. Instead we moved some thing down, then went outside.
She has been eating yellow chalk.
then we added a few neighbors and fed chickens. And burned our Christmas tree from last year and the weeds that were piling up.

While Trent went to his work to build a table for the TV when we move it down. Hopefully we can get the rest of the stuff moved before the day is done, so I can concentrate on bathing kids folding laundry and making dinner.

Free Recipe Friday.

Do you love muffins? I love muffins.
SO here are my brown sugar muffins.
They are one of my comfort foods. We had these at Easter growing up. That's the way I remember it.

Cream 1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg.
Add: 2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup nut (optional)

bake at 375 for 15 minutes/

no, not very good for you, but tasty. Isn't that true of most everything that tastes good?

And on another note. We are pulling everything out of the living room tomorrow. Including carpet. Hopefully having all of our living room furniture in the kitchen will make life uncomfortable enough that it goes quickly.

Dare I Say It.

I am going to just say it. I will put it out there. Then recoil as I get pelted with gasps.

I am seriously considering homeschooling.
Okay there. It's out.
I have taken quite a few things into account. Like class sizes being up to 35 kids per class room. I will be doing the majority of the teaching anyway. Like struggling with where to put 4 of 6 next year. Maybe because none of the 2 options are right. Like wanting to keep my kids from the profanity immorality, vulgarity that my kids are hit with every day. Like, none of the teachers 1 of 6 has had in the past 4 years have impressed me. even a little.
The cons. 2 of 6 and 3 of 6 are thriving. 3 of 6 loves learning and school. 2 of 6 is excelling in all areas. But can't he do that at home? Home ALL day EVERY day. Can I do that?
I know the arguments against homeschooling. I do. I have made some of those very same arguments. But, if home schooling is right for my family, I think I am willing to find out.

On My Mind Monday

I had an idea for On My Mind Monday. I was reading my home page on Saturday that profiled the 10 most expensive counties in the US. Most of which are in VA and other areas surrounding the nations capitol. Does anyone else think this is odd? Maybe more than odd, it is wrong.
I was told by a few family members, 2 of whom work for the government in different capacities, that government employees are supposed to be paid the median income of the area. Keep this in mind as I continue with my ramblings.
Trent and I were talking about unemployment benefits and how grateful we were (as were many other I'm sure) that they had extended them, so that families weren't completely destitute in these hard times with the continuing recession. But, where does this money come from. Those of us that are still paying taxes. No, I do not have a problem paying taxes. I was wondering why more effort wasn't being paid to creating new jobs that weren't government. I mean, it's nice that we are building new roads on the government dollar. And it is creating new jobs, and keeping people employed, but how is the government paying their employees wages? What about politicians? Who pays their wages?
Is it necessary to make more than 110k a year. To someone like me, even that is extreme. And on a side note, are all these people immoral? We have had a few politicians in the news recently who have been caught doing some less than commendable activities. For that much money, money paid by the people they represent, shouldn't they be held to a higher standard? Have more accountability for their actions? Or even SOME accountability? These people are proving to be no better than the celebrities we see on TV.
Anyway. My soap box for today. I had more, but I will spare you.
Oh, Trent solution to bring the economy back? Have more kids. I mean really, what is the most expensive thing in your life right now? Who is going to be spending their money in a few years. What happens if we stop having kids, or less kids? Lees humans to make 'goods' for. Less people to pay taxes to pay the politicians?????

Saturday is a Special Day

It's the day we get ready for Sunday.
I am dying to get out and round up the weeds. Plant trees. Do a burn of raked weeds and leaves. But, like every Saturday, it's cold and wet. Last year we never got a jump start on our yard because it rained every Saturday for 2 months. This year, Although I hope for rain and lots of it, I need at least 2 dry SAturdays. I need to start running outside too, and Saturdays are really the only day I can do that, but I don't mind running in the cold and rain.

Lesson Learned

I have learned over the years, that growth comes when you are at a low in your life. I have learned that you are teachable when you are not prideful.
As some of you know, I am training to run my first 1/2 marathon in April. This has been hard. Finding time to run my weekly long run, has been the least of my struggle. BUT, one of the greatest things about running, is the time it gives to look inward. To be quiet with my thoughts. When I am inside on my treadmill, I read. I stick solely to my Ensign.
When I'm running and reading I frequently think 'Oh that was so good, I need to blog about that.' Then I move to the next article and think the same thing. By the time I am done and showered, the though is gone. But not this time. I have been thinking a lot about my impact on others. Whether it's positive, or negative. (hence the post from yesterday) Then I ran across an article Called 'Nobody's Perfect'. But since I can't find this particular article on line to link you to, I will tell you about it. Or, it's on page 6 if you want to read it yourself. This girl talks about wanting to be like Nephi. Faithful,deeply spiritual..... 'or at least beginning to p0ssess even a portion of his excellence'.
She says. 'One day I was having a mini crisis, caused by feelings of inadequacy. I had such goals and I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I expressed this to my father and he picked up the Book of Mormon and opened to 2 Nephi 4 and began reading verse 17. It reads. "Oh wretched man that I am!". This girl was amazed that someone like Nephi would call himself. "wretched" She says "If he was wretched, what did that make me"? On to verse 28 "Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin" She says 'It felt to me as though the dark clouds in my mind had parted and cleared away to reveal warmth and splendor'.
So to sum up she says "I understood that just because I had weakness didn't mean I was incapable of becoming like Nephi. Recognizing my weakness brought me closer to the caliber of Nephi. Nephi was great because as well as being obedient and faithful he was humble and willing to admit his faults.
This months issue had so many articles that are pertinent to my life right now. I have poured over every word. Felt the warmth of His love for me, and the security that He knows who I am, and what my struggles are. Even better that that, He will help me.
Last. I loved this article too. If you're a mom, give it a read.

Misunderstood

Ever have one of those days/weeks/months... where you keep saying things wrong? After it comes out, the conversation is over, you realize it wasn't taken the way you meant it. Or one of those days where your child does something you have asked them not to do 4 times that day, or has their 5th poop accident that day and you just react, then think. Then regret. Then apologize. And still feel rotten. Or say an unkind word to someone, then realize you didn't really mean it, so you call and apologize, but know it's still out there and if it left a yucky feeling in your heart, it probably did theirs too. What I'm saying is that even on my good days, I am less than perfect. But, I do realize these things about myself. And I am constantly trying to be better, calmer, more patient, less critical. Which is in my opinion why we are here. So please excuse my foot, sometimes feet in my mouth. My blunders, my quick to anger moments. I will try to be less judgmental, and more compassionate. In short, try to treat others, they way I'd like to be treated.

Did You Feel That Bite?

I have felt relatively unscathed by the economy. Luckily so. I have felt grateful that my husband has a job that (knock on wood) is secure. We have a home that we bought for pretty cheap, and I learned long ago to live on a tight budget. All of these things have cultivated a feeling a security in our lives.
Just recently how every we have felt the tightening of the economy. It started a few years ago with a refinance to a 15 yr mortgage. We were initially looking for a decrease in payment. But after seeing a 15 yr rate, our payments would only go up 80 a month, we decided it was the right thing to do. Seeing as our first 3 kids are 12 and 20 months apart, we could have 3 on missions together or in college at the same time, or all getting married at the same time. OR all of them doing all of those things together. It would be wise to have the house paid off.
The second bite came when we got out tax assessment in the mail. Our property value dropped 25k but our taxes increased to add 76 dollars a month to our mortgage.
The 3rd came in the form of a bill called 'police fee' a one time payment of 174.00.
And last but not least (knock on wood) there will probably be no cost of living increase this year. Although, I am not complaining. We didn't expect one. All of these thing rolled into one year, has made it so even our little family has felt the bite of the bad economy.
In these times, I am truly grateful Trent is employed. I am grateful my only challenge is to cut back a little more. My heart aches for those who have no source of income and those who have lost a home. My goal this year is to add to our food storage, and reach my goal of a 1 year supply. So, if anything does happen, we will be able to feed our family. I am also going to teach myself to follow a pattern better so I am able to sew anything I may need to. And to also teach my kids, so they will be able to be self sufficient.
I do think hard times are a good thing. I think when you get comfortable, you stop growing. Trails are learning experiences, meant to bless us, and make us better individuals.

WW

Redo

I redid the pink and blue rooms this weekend. Kayla my sister came up and helped paint this weekend.

Before pictures of the kids rooms
Here is the finished product. I priced putting up new curtains and it would have been 80 for both rooms. SO, I just bought the material and made them for 40. The color didn't come out quite right on camera, it's more of a green, but I love it.

I really loved this material, I told 1 of 6 I didn't care what color she picked, as long as it matched the paisley.
Each picture the color looks different.
And the boys room is a camel color. It's called bleached wheat. But it's much tamer than the 'binkey blue' they picked out last time.


Now I need to redo the bedspreads.