Baby's Got a New Trick.

We have finally gotten there. After putting 5 of 5 down for a nap, and her screaming for 15 minutes, I went in and found her standing. Stuck. Oh, fun,. One of my least favorite things.
Her other new trick, she sings and dances. To a mom, there is nothing more entertaining. Her dad taught her.

She has also mastered the walker. She has only had it a month, but she cruises. Really, it's almost a run, forward, back, she's got it.

On my list today, I am preparing for company. I put it off until today because as all of you with older kids know, all that is done, will be undone. It's not Murphy's Law, it's Coolwhip Law.

Wish me luck this week, I may not post again until Monday.

On My Mind Monday

As my "on my mind Monday" I'd like to reissue a challenge given by Elder Bednar in the most recent conference. Being Thanksgiving week, I would like to challenge you, to change the wording or the prayers you offer, to include only words of gratitude. Maybe on Friday, or next Monday, let us in on how it may have affected you. The hyperlink is linked to the talk he gave on the subject.

Economus Stimulus

I have official completed stimulating the economy.
As parents, husband is building the kids a club house. Santa will bring them a toy, and they'll get some under ware and some stocking stuff. All that's left is drawing a name of a sibling to buy a gift for. we used to let them get something for every sibling, then we let the boys get their sisters something and vise versa. Now there are just too many of them. We will just pick names.
And since i loath shopping in the holiday season, I'd rather enjoy a peaceful calm holiday season, i get done BEFORE Thanksgiving. Totally worth not getting the sale.

Free recipe Friday

For today, I am going to post a recipe I have been promising my sister. I think I have posted it before, but it's really good, and easy.
Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu
Enough chicken breast to feed your family. (I never measure anything)
1 can cream mush/chicken/asparagus soup (or the cream soup recipe I posted last month) mixed with 1 cup milk.
Pour a little on bottom of crockpot, just enough to evenly coat. layer chicken breast then layer some Swiss cheese and a slab (that's a technical term) of ham.
Do as many layers as will fit, depending on how many are eating...
Top with stuffing packet, and remaining soup/ milk. Cook on high for 4 hrs, or low for 6. Really yummy.

Favorite things
Favorite APPLE- I love the golden Delicious to eat, and the Johnathan to bottle
favorite BOOK- east of Eden
favorite Car- I want a Pilot, but I love my Quest
favorite Dessert- Anything Lemon
favorite Escape- I run
favorite Food- Potato anything
favorite Game- I love to put together puzzles, and crochet
favorite Home- The house I grew up in, and the first home we owned
favorite Ice Cream- cookie dough
favorite Joke- why did they not let the blonds march in the parade......? (I'm not going to finish, it's not nice)
favorite Kool aid flavor- don't like the stuff, but the clear ones I will let my kids drink
favorite color Lipstick- none
favorite flavor Milk- banana
favorite Nighttime activity (what do you do when kids go to bed) Getting into my own bed
favorite Odor- anything peach, or the Mexican restaurant next door when the start their kitchen at 10 am
favorite Perfect day- Kids home and playing nice. Or getting in the car and just driving with the family.
favorite Quilt- I have one Husbands GMA made us that I need to get vacuum sealed or something to protect is. Or, I need to use it more.
favorite Relaxation- A puzzle and a cup of Pero
favorite Sunday activity- nap time
favorite potato Topping- butter, chili, sour cream broccoli, cheese, any of these together or alone
favorite Utah spot-Horse shoe springs
favorite Vacation- Anywhere that takes a few days to drive to.
favorite Web site- utahrealestate.com
favorite Xtra curricular activity- I enjoy softball and running
favorite time of Year- winter
favorite Zoo animal- the birds.

Tis The Season to Defunk

After an excellent Night of Excellence, I feel good. I say that, because it's been a little while since i have said that, and meant it. I'm not sure what it was, all i can describe it as, is a funk. You know, that "something doesn't feel quiet right, what is wrong with me" Not a depression by any means, just and "off" something. I'm getting my bearings and ready for this season. I know it has something to do the holidays. The fact that every year the season extend a week. Every year the ads get earlier and earlier. Thanksgiving becomes this day we eat in between Halloween and Christmas.
I heard on the news yesterday that we won't get out of this recession unless everyone goes out and spends more than they did last year. I'm sorry, but that is just not true. We will get out of this recession when we quit spending what we don't have and get our debt to income ratio back in check. Don't try and make me feel bad about not giving my kids what every one else has. It's all the "predictions" that are a major part of the problem. Thank goodness gas is back under 2$. 1.85 last time I filled up. I has been 5 years since I have seen that.
I am so grateful that we have a couple of really amazing families in our ward, with kids the same age as mine, that have the same mind set that I have. My kids don't come home from their house and say, "well, they have a cell phone, and a Nintendo DS"
Sorry, I tend to rant.
Anyway, I'm excited about company for Thanksgiving. After 4 kids, company just got hard. And sometimes not worth the head ache. Clean your house before, then 2 days later, it needs to be cleaned again. And honestly, It's not fun preparing, but it's fun when they are here, and that makes it worth it.
Thank you to all the girls and leaders and the 2 others that came and sang with us, for making last night.
And last..... I need your thoughts on caffeine. I am having this debate with a friend about whether or not you should consume and under what circumstances. I grew up in a home where my parents drank Coke. My husband did not. What is your thought on coffee, energy drinks, Diet Coke or tea. Why you do or don't drink it.

Power of Prayer

I have been thinking about prayer a lot lately. Maybe because that was the topic for my lesson on Sunday. Foolishly, I picked that topic thinking that it was what the girls needed to hear. Maybe so, but more likely, it was for me.
I liken life to a family vacation. I love my home . I am comfortable here. I feel loved, and secure and happy here. So it was in heaven. I felt loved and secure and happy there. The thought of a vacation sounds alright. It would be fun. An adventure. I would probably benefit from it, learn a few things, and it may be a little hard. Juggling travel and accommodations for food and shelter. Such is life. But what makes the trip worth while, and easier, the thought of home still being there. And a family waiting for me. And the best part about it, I can talk to my Father any time.
we were sent here with that. I'm sure that soften the transition from life there, to life here. I'm sure we promised to call often. As maybe a child that goes away to college. I think we were sad when we realized we would have a veil cover our eyes.
Do you think He is happy when he hears from us? Do you think He enjoys a "thank-you" for the gifts he sent? Do you think He is grateful when we come to him for advise when we feel troubled? I Know that He does. I KNOW that he hears us. I have been given that surety after a trying time. I know that He is aware of the things that I struggle with . And He knows that I am capable of overcoming the things that I struggle with. And when I need help, all I need to do is ask.
I am so grateful for prayer. And I am grateful that He wants to hear from me. And when my prayers become less than they should be, He finds away to bring me back to where I belong.

On My Mind Monday 20

1. I had ice cream for breakfast. (don't tell the kids)
2. 5 of 5 is sick. Yucky nose, grumpy disposition, hoarse cry.
3. 3 of 5 woke her up on purpose so he could play with her at 6:30 in the morn.
4. I can't believe Stamps baby is almost 1. Same day as Burbidge and Richardson's bday.
5. I need to get floors done for FHE company tonight.
6. Just did floors and bathrooms on Saturday. Give me one Sunday, and it is all destroyed. I walked in the house last night after dinner with the in-laws, and every room was a mess. from bedrooms to the kitchen. sigh.
7.Night of Excellence dinner is shortly approaching. This will be my second one. I am starting to think about New Beginnings now. This will be my 3rd one.
8. Still kicking my self for missing the food Fun and Training.
9. I can't believe it's 10. I think I will start the floors.
10. Have a wonderful Monday. I LOVE Mondays.