Weekend Update

Well it's coming to the close of the weekend and I thought I would update! Since there wasn't much response to my delicious brownie recipe, I'll shelf the recipes for awhile. LOL!
We've had a very nice quiet weekend. I think sometimes you need these types of weekends to regroup.
I had a nice meeting with my sister-n-law on Friday. After struggling with a lot of anger and resentment I felt it was time to give it to God. I did that on Wednesday and then called her and asked if we could get together and talk. This was big for me as I felt I had a reason to be upset with her and there are several reasons but my "righteous anger" wasn't doing my family or myself any good. We talked for over an hour, she apologized and I apologized for holding a grudge. We hugged and hopefully this will be a big step in moving forward in our relationship, Lord willing!
Yesterday I did a little bit of shopping by myself! How nice it is to shop without any kids or a husband asking, "Are you done yet?" I was able to get a few Christmas presents and some outfits for the kids for our family picture. All in all, I was very pleased with my purchases and everything was on sale, so Paul was pleased with that!
When I got home, Lauren was not feeling well. She's had a runny nose and cough for a few days but now she was really not feeling well. For those of you who know Lauren she was laying around, going in and out of sleep, definitely not herself. We went to dinner at Chuck-A-Rama for my mom's birthday and Lauren just layed on my lap the whole time. She wouldn't eat or drink and was complaining that her throat hurt. She was also running a fever. We went home and she fell asleep on the couch and we watched the movie "Dreamer" with the kids. A definite thumbs up family movie.
After a long night of Lauren not sleeping very well and running a fever, I took her to Urgent Care this morning. They did a throat culture and she has strep throat! So now I'm praying no one else in the family gets it. Both Andrew and I have had our tonsils removed but apparently you can still get it. So today has been pretty uneventful but I've been able to catch up on laundry and housework so that's a plus.
Looking forward to a busy and fun-filled week!

Yet Another Recipe

Ok to follow along in the footsteps of my friend Wild Potato, I have decided to post a very yummy recipe! This is super easy and delicious! For those of you who will be joining me next week for girl's night you will be getting a sampling of these!

Caramel Brownies

1 bag of caramels(kraft caramels are the only way to go!)

2/3 cup evaporated milk(DIVIDED)

1 box German chocolate cake mix

1 1/2 sticks of butter(melted)

Melt bag of caramels and 1/3 cup of evaporated milk on low heat. Remember to remove the caramels from the bag and wrapping, taking extra care not to eat any of the caramels!!! Set aside.

Mix together in a bowl the cake mix and 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Spread 1/2 of the batter on the bottom of a greased pan. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes.

Pour melted caramels over the top of the baked cake, pour the remaining batter over the top of the caramel(you will want to see the caramel). Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, cool before cutting.

Enjoy from one Chocolaholic to another!

Living in Idaho

I just have to say how much I enjoy living in Idaho! Having been born and raised in San Jose, California, I never thought I would get to the point of saying that. However, over the past year I have had a chance to meet some great people, see some wonderful seasons and enjoy an overall less stressful environment for my family. It's been great.

Several things have prompted my "enlightened" view of Idaho. First of all I love my home! We had a nice home in California and we worked really hard on it but I love this home! Maybe because after spending over a year remodeling in San Jose, we came to this brand new home, completely done, with fabulous upgrades! Of course that was one of the things I told my husband when we were looking for homes here, "I want a house that I don't have to do anything to!" I can be a little bossy that way. HA!

I also love my neighborhood. When we first moved here Hannah met a girl her age who instantly became a good friend. Then when they started school, Cassie ended up being in her class. How great was that. The Lord knew exactly what Hannah needed since she was having such a hard time with the move. All my neighbors are very friendly too. Last year 3 of us hosted a "Get to Know your Neighbors" Potluck. It was so great. Everyone around here waves and stops to talk. So unlike our neighborhood in California where everyone drives right into their garage and shuts the door. We had kids in our neighborhood but everyone was too busy with their lives to develop any relationships. Tragic! There is just an overall sense of "neighborhood" here. Right now our neighborhood is doing the whole "BOO" thing. A special treat along with a poem and a picture of a boo ghost is delivered to your doorstep anonomously. This year we got a little gift bag full of candy, a pumpkin potholder, a pumpkin candle and some stickers. So cute! You then make copies of the poem and ghost and you go and BOO 2 of your neighbors who don't have the ghost hanging in their window. The kids think this is just the best thing!

I also love the change of seasons here! We don't have that in California. It's either hot or not hot! When we moved here our dear friends gave us a going away party. Every single person dressed in white since we were coming to a state where it always snows! Now I have to admit it is cold but it's not the tundra people! I think we had 4 snowfalls last winter that were melted by that day or the next. I just love seeing all the gorgeous colors of all the seasons.

And finally I have met so many great people here. It helped that I had 2 wonderful friends and their families move here from California at the same time but I've been able to establish some other really great relationships too. Through Mops, scrapbooking, church and my kids activities I have met some fun people I can call friends! How great is that. The Lord is always gracious and knows exactly what we need!

Although I miss friends and family in California tremendously, I welcome this change in my life. I feel Paul and I definitely made the right decision for us and our family and the Lord has blessed our obedience ten-fold!

Nice guys finish last

"Nice guys finish last" although a cliche, very true! Have you ever done something with the very best intentions only to have it backfire in your face? Have you ever known from the beginning that you shouldn't do it because your gut was telling you it would never work out but you did it because that's just the kind of person you are? Did you ever have your very sincere, generous actions turn into something ugly and insulting?

This very thing is what has happened to Paul and I. Through very sincere, gracious acts on our parts we have become the bad guys in our situation with his family. Now I know what you're thinking, "consider the source" and I have and I know that I really shouldn't care what they say or think about Paul and I but I have to say that it does bother me. Because now we are no longer focusing on the matter at hand but it has come to personal attacks. Mine and my husband's character and integrity are both being attacked. It just baffles my mind.

So, considering my mood and attitude about this the Lord knew what I needed. Today in my bible study I came across 2 Corinthians 4:17 which says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." It doesn't matter how our actions are perceived here on earth, the Lord knows our hearts and our rewards are ultimately in heaven! How relieving to know that nice guys don't finish last there!

Good Times

Ok, so I know my previous post was me venting about my pre-teen daughter and I greatly appreciate the advice and empathy but I'm needing to vent a little more again!(I promise all my entries won't be like this.)

I have had a pretty crappy week. The worst part about it is that I've had to relinquish control of my schedule to unforseen circumstances! I hate relinquishing control! My entire week has been spent dealing with the house that has suddenly been dropped in mine and Paul's lap and that we are trying to sell. So all week I have been painting and cleaning in order to make the house presentable. We have replaced carpet, linoleum, baseboard, paint, electric outlets and several other things. My husband has tried, to no avail, to get the awful smell out of the garage. It is a mixture of dog urine(they had 2 dogs in the garage) and cigarette smoke(they didn't smoke in the house, only in the garage) He has powerwashed the floor several times, as well as plugged in air fresheners and nothing is working. Is it wrong to tell our realtor not to take any perspective buyers into the garage?! So, I didn't make it to bible study this week and I was mentally & physically exhausted by last night that I didn't make it to scrap either! I really wanted to scrapbook with friends, I needed the break.

Today was a better day. We started off by going over to the house to vacuum the new carpet and put electrical plates back on and do some yard work. Then we went to Hannah's last game cheering! After the game we headed over to Linder Farms Pumpkin Patch! This is the best pumpkin patch. We went there last year and loved it. First of all the most expensive pumpkin is only $4.00 and that's if it's over 20 lbs. Plus they have jumphouses, a corn maze, a hay maze, several tractor rides and food! We spent almost 2 hours there. We ended up with 6 pumpkins and some fabulous gourds that were only 25 cents each(one looks just like a swan) After the pumpkin patch we went out to dinner and then I came home hoping to go scrapbook tonight. My husband was going to take my in-laws home and then come home. Instead, he decided to go to Lowe's to spend more money and get more stuff for the house. By the time he got home I was more than burnt out and layed on the couch with Lauren until she fell asleep. Now it's 10pm and I decided to vent! I would much rather be with friends scrapbooking. You all have so much fun wherever you go and I'm just missing out! I'm hoping to join you all for bagels on Monday before I meet Paul to execute our wills! Good Times!

Hormones are Raging!!!!!

"People who say nothing is impossible, don't have teenagers." I agree with this statement 100%! While my oldest daughter is not a teenager yet(she likes to remind me that she is a pre-teen)she definitely has the attitude and hormones of a teenager!

It seems that lately the hormones are raging! One minute she will be fine and 5 minutes later she is freaking out. For example, the other day she was getting ready to go to cheer practice. She asked me 5 times if I thought what she was wearing looked okay and if it matched and 5 times I told her it looked fine. Then while we were in the bathroom I see her checking herself out in the mirror and I could literally watch the hormonal build-up overflow. She proceeded to tell me that it didn't match and that it might look ok if it wasn't for the little teeny tiny butterfly in the left hand corner that made her look like she was five! WHAAAAAAT!?!? She then proceeded to have a complete meltdown. This is just an example of many episodes we have had lately.

So I ask, where is that sweet, demure, compliant little girl that never gave me any trouble? I'll tell you...she is in the throes of pre-teen angst! The problem is I don't know how to handle it. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was there myself and yet when she's having her melt-downs I look at her in utter disbelief. I'm not ready for this! I'm not ready for the hormonal ups and downs, the shaving of the legs, the 3 underarm hairs!(yes she counted them) and the impending visit from Aunt Flo! I was sure that I would never have to go through being a mom of a pre-teen/teenager. I was certain the second coming of Christ would come before that!

So here's what I have learned so far. It is impossible to say the right thing to your pre-teen/teenager. You just have to empathize with them regardless of how ridiculous their breakdown is and during the teen years you will spend a lot of time on your knees asking the Lord for guidance!!!

Randomness

So, I think I've made you wait long enough. I know the anticipation is killing you! The untrue weird things are #2 and #3. I believe Darcie and Na got it correct. I was surprised to see how many of you had family members who do the wierd food thing. My brother does this and I've always thought it was a little strange. He not only eats his food one item at a time but if they are on his plate they can't be touching! The pencil thing was an idea I got from Darcie that I exaggerated a little(thanks Darcie!)

As for my long awaited posting, things have been a little hectic in my house. First I wasn't feeling so well last Friday and I missed out on scrapbook night which sounded like a lot of fun, even with 28 kids! Plus there were presents and chocolate, what more do you need? Thanks for the stickers Karri.

On Sunday night Paul and I went out to dinner for his birthday with some very good friends. When we moved here a year ago we had two sets of friends move at the same time we did. We've been friends with them for 12 years. I met Nancy when I was working at Lucky's and we became quick friends. She introduced me to her sister Bonnie and we hit it off right away. I just love these gals. They are like sisters to me. I would be their much younger sister!LOL! Anyway, we've been there through many life experiences, weddings, births of children, trials in our marriage and many other things. I cherish their friendship deeply and feel so blessed that we live close by!

Monday was Paul's 36th birthday so we celebrated! I've known my husband for 17 years. We've been married 12(next month) but we met when I was 16 and we were both working for Long's Drug Store. I'm so proud of the man, husband and father he has become.

As for the last couple of days, I've been over at the house we purchased for my sister-n-law and her family that they moved out of. We are now having to put it on the market and we need to get it ready for show. So I've been painting since they painted two rooms coral and watermelon pink!!! Who uses those colors?! Anyway please join me in praying for a quick sale! It will be hard to carry 2 mortgages for too long.

5 Weird Things

So, I was tagged to list 5 weird things about me. As so many of you know(i've seen the posts) this has taken me a while! After 3 days I was only able to come up with 3 so here's what I'm going to do. Three of these things are true and two are not. It will be up to you to decide which weird behaviors I hold dear!

1. I have a love for pens. I love a new pen! I have been known to even take pens that don't belong to me. When Paul and I sign documents at the title company, I always collect all the pens that are on the table. In fact after witnessing me collecting all the pens our realtor asked if I wanted his, of course!!! I played bunco with some friends and was told that I was supposed to leave the pen at the table when I switched tables...WHAT?! The pen goes with!

2. I have certain food issues. When I am eating breakfast, lunch or dinner and I have several items on my plate, I have to finish one item completely before I can go to the next and eat that. For example, if I am having chicken, vegetables and mashed potatoes, I will eat all of the potatoes before I go on to the next side. There is no particular order but there is definitely no food mixing.

3. I hardly ever use pencils to write with(hence my pen fetish) but if I do I have to use a wooden #2 pencil. I'm assuming this stems from all the tests you take as a kid when you have to fill in the little bubble and they insisted you had a #2 pencil, couldn't be a #1 or #3(is there such a thing?) So you can imagine how appalled I was when they came out with mechanical pencils!

4. I think I'm a little OCD. I have some issues when it comes to leaving the house after I have ironed or curled my hair. Before I leave the house I will check repeatedly to make sure I have unplugged the unit. It doesn't matter if I just checked it a second ago, I'll walk back in just to make sure I can see the cord dangling. This can be quite tiresome when I'm downstairs and have to run upstairs just to check again!

5. Often times when I am laying down and trying to relax, I will rub my foot back and forth. It's very calming for me. I know that is a little strange, but I've been doing it since I was a kid. I remember one time laying on my aunt's couch and they thought I was asleep(which I wasn't) and they were all laughing at the way my foot was moving, as if I was some freak! Go figure!

Ok, so that's it! Remember 3 are true and 2 are made up. Can you guess which ones ?

Enough with the smack!!!

Ok, since I'm not going to be able to see this day out without posting an entry for my friends I will share with you about my weekend.
My mom and I left Friday morning to drive to Salt Lake to see Beth Moore at the E Center. For those of you who don't know who Beth Moore is she is an inspirational writer and bible study writer. She is awesome and I have done 3 of her studies.
The drive was about 5 hours but it flew by, it always does when I'm with my mom! We have the best time. We can talk about anything and everything. She is my best friend! She makes me laugh and cry sometimes because I'm laughing so hard. The conference was Friday night and Saturday morning. Worth every penny! It was great to get away and spend time worshipping the Lord.

After the conference on Saturday, we went downtown to see the Salt Lake Temple. It covers 35 acres of downtown Salt Lake City. I have to say they had the most beautiful flowers growing inside the square. My mom and I took several pictures of the flowers. Just gorgeous!

Drove home on Sunday and went to dinner at Cracker Barrel with my in-laws for my mother in laws birthday. After the weekend I had I was able to go with all of my in-laws and had a really good time. Who knows I may be seeing them more than I thought since it looks like they're not moving! Don't ask!

Goodbyes will be hard

Goodbyes are going to be hard!! Without going into a lot of details my sister-n-law and her family are moving back to California next week. Despite my very strong feelings regarding this entire situation, I'm now starting to grieve over not seeing her children. My children are also sharing in this. Lauren's best friend is Jane's daughter Madison. Not a day goes by when Lauren doesn't bring up Maddie's name. She adores her. They are only 9 months apart and have been very close. She will be devastated to not be able to go to Grandma's and play with Maddie or go to the park with Maddie. Then there is my niece Sara. Since moving here to Idaho, I have seen a change in Sara. A very positive change. She's dressing a lot more modest and she's hanging around with good girls at school. She's actually a pleasure to be around. Now she's going to be taken back to California to go to school with friends who are in gangs and be a full-time babysitter for her little sister and brother. My heart just aches for all 3 of these kids. Isn't it unfortunate that children are the ones that suffer when the parents make selfish and stupid decisions!

Ok, here it is, I've succumbed to the peer pressure(you know who you are!) and I have my own blog. Now I can vent and receive smack from my dear friends! Good times!