{Spider Spaghetti}

One of my favorite food blogs, The Brighton's Kitchen, had an awesome post about a new way to make spaghetti & I think the kids will just love it!

(photo found at The Brighton's Kitchen)

I just love it & I am going to try it sometime this week. I think the kids will really love it! What a neat twist on how to make spaghetti and it's super easy. If you would like to find out how to make this fun spaghetti just click HERE for the secret to make the pasta go thru the sausage as shown above.

{Weight Loss Weigh In: Begining}

I have decided that I am going to be having weekly weigh in's so that I can be accountable to me & my readers. I am trying to become a part of a blogging group being formed shortly to help raise accountability and I figured if I couldn't get in I would just do it here. Every Friday I am going to post my CURRENT weight, (scary I know, but it's a must for me). 

I am going to start walking everyday after I drop the boys off at school. I need to become more active and quit grazing through out the day. I also need to start planning out my meals better, not just for dinner but for the whole day. I want to start with 6 small "meals" (3 main meals & 3 snacks) through out the day. And I am going to be eating breakfast! This is huge and I know will make a big difference for me.

I am frustrated with my body, I am not as happy as I once was and not only have I not lost the 60 lbs gained after having Ruth but I gained another 11 lbs over the last 7 months due to the stress of miscarrying three times. I think my weight may have something to do with it. This is the heaviest I have ever been and I am tired of being tired and weighed down by my own body.

By no means was I skinny through out my life but when I married William and started our family I was happy and healthy at 234 pounds, most of my weight was muscle and I was content with who I was and how I looked. 

Now I am, (silent scream inserted here), the heaviest I have ever been, EVER, and I don't like it one bit! I am hoping that by the summer months I will have lost some of the weight and by the end I hope to have lost it all, (fingers crossed).

Now I am sure you are wondering just how much I weight I have to lose, well that's simple math I started out at 234 lbs and gained 60 lbs after Ruth and before I started trying for baby number 4, but don't forget I gained another 11 lbs due to stress of 3 miscarriages, which brings the grand total of weight to 305 lbs. That's right, I weigh 305 lbs!

Am I happy about how I have let myself go, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Can I change it? YES, with hard work and a lifestyle change I can. I am not going on a diet but working on improving my lifestyle to gain control of my body and get back to where I was most happy. 

Please note that I am not trying to be a skinny mini but to get to a weight were I am most comfortable with who I am and how I look. I hope you will join me on my weight loss journey. I will post about my trials and struggles throughout my process and post it every Friday.

So if you have forgotten my current weight & what I need to lose, just look below:

CURRENT WEIGHT: 305 pounds

HOW MUCH I WANT TO LOSE: 71 lbs 

{Flower Hairbands}

I created these super cute and super easy hairbands for Ruth...she loves them and enjoyed watching me make them from start to finish, she even blew out the candle for me after I created the petals. She then modeled them for me so that I could share them with you.


I made the flowers using the petal tutorial in the previous post and then went and bought some premade goody hair straps (non slip type) and sewed on a flower (the red & blue flowers are sewed on) but I also added a plain strap to Ruth's head and clipped one of the flower clips to it...it worked great! I am loving this craft project....guess what all my gal pals & girl family members are going to be getting for Christmas/Birthdays.


Enjoy! I know I did making them and watching Ruth "come alive" in front of the camera for me. She's quiet a character for sure.

{Kid friendly laptop}

(found on Journey into Unschooling)

I found an awesome blog called Journey into Unschooling. It contains lots of great information about a woman's journey home schooling her children and it contains fun projects for kids & adults to do. I can't wait to create this laptop shown above and delve farther into her fascinating blog.

I am seriously looking into home schooling my own kids. I am not happy with the school they are in, serious behavior issues have come about that were not present when we they were going to their old school, which I loved & really miss. 

I think that taking the time to teach them ourselves I know that they will get a great learning experience and we will be able to have field trips and great art projects to help bring home what they have learned. I am thinking that this will be a great experience for William and I as well. We will become closer and have more control over what behaviors they will be exposed to.

Besides, I want to get to know my kids and I can't really do that when they are gone all day long and come home cranky and crabby flinging attitude all over the place. I want there to be peace and more harmony in our home and with them going to this school, it's just not happening but with home schooling I think we will get more of a home life that we want and that would be more productive for the kids. I feel they are getting lost in that school and not getting the one on one attention that they deserve and need to thrive. 

They are truly starting to fall thru the cracks and the teachers are understaffed and overworked and have too many kids in their classes to do a good job. They don't know my kids, they are just 2 in a great ocean of kids. I know my kids learning style and what works and what doesn't and I feel like I am not being heard at this school. At least if I am teaching them I will be heard and so will they.

{Sweet Flowers}

Yup, I did it, went out and got fabric to make these super cute and deceptively easy flowers! I can't wait to make more!

{Grosgrain Give-a-way}

I love seeing all the fun and handmade items on a fun blog called Grosgrain. There are also give-a-ways and there is one being hosted right now on the blog.

(photo from Grosgrain's website)

They are going to be giving away a sweet doll called "Lil' Mim" created by  The Handmaden a sweet shop on etsy. If you would like to enter just click HERE for more details.

{Petal Power}

(image from MaryJanes & Galoshes)

I love searching out new and fun craft projects and from now on I will try to post some of my favorites here because I just don't want to forget about them.

I found a fun tutorial on MaryJanes and Galoshes about how to make adorable petals that you can use to create fun and exciting hair & other accessories.

I can see these fun petals as cute flower hair clips for my daughter, myself or even for gifts. I can also see them as broaches, fun accessory for a hair band and many other fun projects that need a fun and frilly accessory!

I think I am going to make the poppy style flower because I have some fun beads & bobbles to create the center, but there is also a rose/peony tutorial as well as a cute clutch that you can use the petals for.

Now I just have to get out there and find some fabric so I can get started on this fun project!

{Valentine Swap}

Angie over at American Homemaker had her 600th post and celebrated by hosting a Valentine Swap. She paired up the bloggers that entered and I was paired up with Debbie, who by the way is living in England! I was super excited to get to know her better. I found out she liked pink and so I went with that as my theme for what I sent her and it seemed appropriate considering this was a Valentines Swap. 

This morning I was rudely awaken by the mail man BANGING on my front door.  I was annoyed because I had a serious migraine and was trying to sleep it off before I had to run any errands, but soon my annoyance changed to delight as he was holding Debbie's package! I was so excited to open it but rested a bit more before grabbing my box opener and ripping into it's contents.

Inside was an array of lovlies, one of which was a multi layered tag with the instructions for each item, below is what she wrote, (by the way her handwriting is so elegant):

This was the first tag:

My family motto is

"Share the love."

1 Nephi 11:22 - "And I answered him, saying Yeah, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things."

This scripture has motivated me to this choice of items in this swap, especially after our emails & reading your blog! I hope you enjoy them & are happy with my choices.

Debs xx

The second tag:

Aroma

A snugly romantic cuddle....no TV, just each other.

A gorgeous aroma.

The aroma was a sweet smelling vanilla, I just adore vanilla!

The next tag:

Bath Bombs

Take time out- spoil yourself - spend the whole time thinking of "Him"

The bath fizzers are shea butter and I know they will get used alot as I love taking baths!

The next tag read: 

Diary & Pen

Secure your date nights---keep & enjoy each one.

The next one read:

The Frame

Photo of your both together...

lovey - dovey style!

and the next:

The Tin

Remember all the sweetness you each stand for.

The tin was filled with all sorts of yummy sweetness!

The last tag read:

The book

Record all your valentine days together.

Seriously how sweet was that! Such thought and kindness and it forever endeared her even further into my heart and I just know we will be good friends. I hope one day to meet her. 

{Got Stress}

(image found on the web using the image search "stress")

My friend Carol was inspired to write the poem below "Get Taped" while trying to find some ways to help relieve stress via the internet. She found the article entitled "Five Ways to Reduce Stress" in the LDS magazine "Liahona" and was inspired to write her poem. She shared it with her friends on facebook and I am so glad she did because it's a great poem and full of useful information to help relieve stress. I am always looking for ways to relieve stress.

I know I have stressers in my own life and it's always a great to have many ways to help relieve stress and this is a good reminder of how to relieve the many stresses in our lives.

Enjoy!

Get Taped

Carol Louise © 2010

When life just gets you down

And you don't know what to do

Here's something that I've found

To help you make it through

This tip will help you mend

The stress to have escaped

And put your woes to end

It is simple...Just get TAPED

T- Take a break

A - Aske for help

P - Prioritize

E - Eliminate nonessential

D - Do it: just do what needs to be done and do it

These are but just five ways

To help you with your stress

T'will lighten up your days

And help clean up your mess

and onto the article that inspired the poem:

Five ways to Reduce Stress

by Paula J. Lewis

article found in the Sept. 2000 Liahona

Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? Ask our Father in Heaven for help, and consider these approaches to reducing stress.

1. Prioritize. If you feel you are trying to do too much, examine what you are doing. Some activities are less important than others and require less time and attention. Decide what is best for you to do, then focus on those priorities. Separate the essential from the nonessential. Essentials include rest, nutritious food, prayer, exercise, Church callings and attendance, and scripture study. Other priorities depend on your own circumstances.

2. Take a break. Another way to relieve stress is to take a break from your normal routine. Such a break could be a half-hour nap, a walk, or a family activity.

3. Ask for help. If you need help from others, ask for it. One overburdened mother prayed for guidance, discussed her feelings with her husband, and then presented her concerns during a family council. The family decided to divide up many of the evening chores. As they worked together, the mother began to feel better and the family grew closer.

In another family, the birth of a disabled baby quickly overwhelmed the parents’ resources. But with the daily help of Relief Society sisters, the parents were able to manage their responsibilities.

4. Eliminate nonessentials. Another way to deal with stress is to eliminate some items from your to-do list. One year our local school could not find enough volunteers to

hold an elaborate holiday carnival. When the event had to be canceled, parents planned small, manageable parties instead.

5. Do it. There will be times when, through prayer, we realize the best option is just to do what needs to be done. At such times, we need to remember that those who “put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions” (Alma 36:3).

As we attempt to do what is best, always praying for confirmation, Heavenly Father will help us resolve our concerns. With His help, we can use our time and talents wisely, bring balance into our lives, and find joy in the many tasks before us.

{Cats}

Toby & Sorry sleeping, or are they?

{I won!}

Lisa at "a whimsical bohemian" created an awesome way for bloggers across the world to get to know other bloggers by creating One World One Heart giveaway event. I participated last year by contributing in the giveaway. This year I couldn't participate with a giveaway of my own but still got to see so many fun and exciting blogs & enter their giveaways. I hope to participate next year. This years theme was "Magic Carpet Ride" and I really did enjoy the many places I found flying on that proverbial carpet ride.

Well the event has ended and guess what? I actually won a few giveaways. I was excited because last year I didn't win and expected the same this year, so you can imagine my shock when I opened my email and saw 3 emails entitled "OWOH Giveaway Winner".

Yasmin told me I won a beautiful set of handcrafted note card, while Kristina told me I had won her handmade red & pink heart blanket and Mallory told me I had won one of her beautiful hand made glass heart pendants. It feels like Christmas all over again.

I am really glad that I was able to travel to so many wonderful blogs. I hope to do the same again next year and be a stop along the way for others.

(image found here on the internet)

As a side note, I hope everyone had a great valentines day. I know I did. We spent the day watching "Farscape" and hanging out with the kids. Our romantic dinner consisted of cup 'o noodle and chocodiles. The kids loved it and it was nice not to have to clean up tons of dishes.

Today was the last day of the 4 day weekend for the kids, tomorrow they go back to school. It was sure nice having them home all this time. I am actually going to miss having them home all day. I think my perspective is changing and the little things just don't bother me like they used to and their fighting doesn't drive me nuts like it did.

Perhaps I am just growing up, (yeah right), or maturing, (not likely), but at least, for now things are running smoother and I am not getting as stressed out as often when it comes to the kids behavior. It could also be that I am getting better sleep now that they are all moved upstairs with us and I am not worrying about a fire breaking out and them being trapped in the basement, (that could be it).

{Teriyaki Chicken}

I made some yummy Teriyaki Chicken for dinner tonight. Below is the recipe I found somewhere on the internet. It's fast and easy and oh so yummy!

I am so sorry I have been neglecting my blog and obviously I have failed the challenge to write on my blog everyday of February. I do have a good excuse, I have been wrestling with a nasty little head cold and it was getting the best of me, but not to worry I did rally and kick it's butt.


(that's right, I said butt on my blog - a teacher told Sam that butt was a bad word, I don't think it is but I told him not to say it at school. For what it's worth, Sam called a classmate who was being mean to him "A BUTT". I have heard worse come out of the other kids mouths at school. But I digress....on to my apology...)

Valentine's day is coming up, (as in tomorrow), and I am planning to do NOTHING but hang out with my kids and hubby. We are going to take it easy and just relax & watch movies all day long. It's going to be a great valentine's day.










I snagged a picture of the cats sleeping in the rocking recliner, they kinda looked like a heart, ya know since valentines is coming up all I see is hearts...well am I right, do they look like a heart?

I  figured out why Sam has been having anger issues lately, (screams, yells, balls his fists and gets overly mad & starts getting violent and saying "how no one loves him"), it's because he was imitating his favorite super hero "The Hulk". When I figured that out Sam and I had a long talk about the appropriate ways to handle his anger and how he needs to emulate other supers who don't get violent when getting mad and how words will help resolve the issues. It seems to have worked because no outburst of violence today. Amazing how a small change in behavior changes how a day goes.

On to the recipe:

Teriyaki Chicken

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp pepper

12 chicken thighs with skin removed (or any meat you want with or without the skin)

Whisk together all ingredients (except chicken of course), and cook in a saucepan over medium heat till thick and bubbly. Place chicken thighs in a greased 9x13" glass pan. Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. 

Bake at 400° for 45-60 minutes, turning chicken every 15 minutes.

{Kids & my Find}

I had a great day today, even though I was still hacking up my lung and Sam faked being sick to come home early only to throw a mini melt down after I got Aaron from school, but it was still a good day because I went out in search of a dresser for William & I's room. I wanted something with character and a mirror, something timeless and yet sophisticated and did I mention I wanted it to have curves!

Well guess what! I found exactly what I was looking for at the local St. Vincent's second hand store. It's a cool store and they had exactly what I wanted. See the curves! 

(sorry about the bad product photography, I am better at people then things)

I am going to paint it black and change the color of the handles to more of a pewter so that it fits better into what I want my room to look like. I can't wait to go out and get the paint!

I finally got a few pictures of Sam and his two missing teeth and of course I got pictures of ALL the kids acting silly and dramatic. They sure are growing fast. I can't believe it's been eight years since we brought Aaron home from the hospital, it seem just like yesterday. Now I have three growing kids and for each one it seems like just a moment ago I was bringing each home from the hospital. My, how time flies!

{Boring}

Nothing fancy happened today, still hacking up a lung and ran a few errands. I should have stayed home, I was exhausted after all my running today. I did however pick up William's valentine's present. So it was still a productive if exhausting day.

I did get to spend time with my family and that is not boring. It was the same ol' stuff but it was really rewarding today.

Made dinner and the kids went off to bed while I watched "Gamer" with William. Life is good and full of wonder. So yeah, today was boring to some but full of fun and life for me, even while hacking up a perfectly good lung.

{Lost tooth}

Sam lost one of his bottom baby teeth on Thursday while he was at school. It's a tooth he's been working on for almost a month. The reason I bring this up is because while Ruth was working on a valentine project around eight tonight Sam comes up stairs and his mouth is bloody, his hands are bloody and he looks at me and points to a half pulled top front tooth and says he can't get it out. I wanted to chuckle at the situation because he looked like he had chewed down on something living the way the blood was smeared around his mouth and hands, ya know zombie like. (sick I know, but that's what came to my mind first)

I asked if he wanted me to get it the rest of the way out and he shook his head yes and so of course I twisted and yanked. I told him that he needed to let his teeth fall out on their own and not FORCE the pulling of his last baby teeth. (the reason I said this last part was because he knows if he loses his teeth, daddy will buy them from him, for a great price!)

The kids got their valentines done today for all the grandparents. Going to mail them out on Monday. I am still sick with this darn head cold but it appears to be getting better, well sort of. I am still stuffy but not as dizzy and it doesn't hurt to have my glasses on, so that's progress, right?

I have glitter everywhere and little foam heart stickers plastered all over the table. Good thing I am not worried about the finish on the table. I knew crafts would take place there. I really hope that I am feeling 100% on Monday. I need to get the last tax form to the people who do my taxes then we can get our tax refund.

Well, going to bed. Hope to feel a bit better tomorrow. I hope to get some pictures of Sam's new smile tomorrow as well.

{Sick 'n' Tired}

My head is so stuffy and with my glasses on my nose my eyes feel as though they are going to bug out. I was feeling so icky today that I wasn't even able to drive the kids to school, which they loved because they got to play video games with daddy, while I slept.

I have been feeling so BLAH and can't seem to eat much of anything because everything tastes icky because of this darn head cold. The only thing that calms my tummy is sprite or seven up. I'm not a big pop drinker but become one when I get sick as it soothes my tummy. 

Tomorrow the kids are going to work on making valentines for the grandparents, I hope I feel up to the mess tomorrow. I am sure it will be fine if they don't fight too bad. I am sure they will enjoy doing it as much as the grandparents will love receiving the fun valentines handmade by their grandkids!

Well, I haven't died and don't think I will but I sure am tired and hating being sick. I hope it doesn't last much longer. Going to bed to rest up for tomorrow's fun with the kids. If it's not too cold we will go to the park too, depends on how hubby & I feel. We are both worn due to this icky bug, although hubby got it less then I do.

{I'm dying}

That's right, you read right, I AM DYING! not literally but I sure feel like it. I have a head cold that is just kicking my butt & even though I am happy Aunt Flow is visiting, it sucks that I am sick on top of it.

The kids were such pains today, I think because I am sick they think they can get away with the bad behavior, they can't but they sure tried today.

Anywho...just wanted to let you know "I'm Dying and if you need me just call the morgue."

{Hip, Hip, Hurray!}

Hip, Hip, Hurray, Today was a great day!!!!!

See all that whining and finally "Aunt Flow" is visiting!!! Who ever thunk that I would want to have my visit from Aunt Flow, but it just means that things are starting to get back into place so Hubby and I can start trying again for baby #4.

Hobby Lobby now has a store close to me!!! I picked up too much stuff, but at a really great 50% off because of their Grand Opening! How psyched am I!

Thank you Jenkins Appliance for giving me back my portable dishwasher! Oh, how I missed my dishwasher. It truly is a beautiful appliance and one I am glad that is back WORKING in my kitchen!

Although after all my running around, paying bills, getting crafts we don't really need (but make the days cooped up in the house more bareable), getting groceries and spending a long, exhausting but enjoyable day with my hubby...I'm tired but oh so happy!

Aunt Flow's visit made me so happy, I actually cheered OUT LOUD when she came! Can you believe it! I am enjoying the hum of my dishwasher, cleaning my many dirty dishes from the past two days. You have no idea how happy the hum makes me feel, how calm it makes me feel.

I am so happy to have my 1/2 priced crafts, not only did I get more beads but Ruth wanted glitter & cards & foam hearts to make valentines to send out to the grandparents, did I mention the glitter! Oh, how the glitter will flow and make everything oober sparkly, (Ruth's idea & a darn good one too!).

Footloose is just starting on Lifetime. If you haven't seen it, you just gotta! My foot, not to mention my whole body, can't help but move to the beat of wonderful music. Did I mention that I know all the words to all the songs!

The cats are eye balling me, hoping I will pull out the lazer light. They are so addicted, addicted just like a drug addict is to getting their next hit.  Their eyes get all wide and they start to twitch, it's sad & HILARIOUSLY funny!

I accomplished alot today, not everything on my long list, but most of it and it doesn't bother me that it all didn't get done, but most did and that is just great! The rest can wait until tomorrow.

{At least I know...sort of}

I got the test results back, defiantly not pregnant. When I asked about why I hadn't started my menstrual cycle, (aka Auntie Flow), they said it could be because I didn't ovulate, could be because I am just late, (which by the way never happens to me),  that I will be ovulating soon and if I don't start I will need to have another blood pregnancy test...It's giving me a headache.

So along with this pregnancy stuff we are trying to get our insurance crap straitened out. Tricare told us to not to get the medicaid (that William qualified for) because it would interfere with their insurance and now they say he needs to have it or else they will drop him from Tricare...I am tired of them screwing stuff up and giving out misinformation. So we went back to the Social Security office to tell them to go ahead and charge us for the medicaid insurance because we need to keep tricare and they want us to have medicaid now...it's all so emotionally draining.

William can't go to his physical therapy appointments until the insurance thing is straitened out and everyone is calling saying tricare is denying the claims and I know it will all be fixed but it's so annoying and frustrating and A REALLY BIG MIGRAINE!


I have a package to get out today and I don't know where the closest post office is and the internet really isn't very helpful in finding the information. I know there is one here but I just can't find it. I know it seems such a small thing but right now on top of everything else it's become a huge stresser...well it was until I saw a electronic sign that said the following:

"Honk if you love Jesus!

Text while driving if you want to meet him."

I loved it and it really brightened my mood. I never did find the post office but I will drive out to one I know where it's at when it's time to pick up the kids - it's far away but at least my package will get shipped out.

Anywho, gotta go check on Ruth, it's been so quiet downstairs I wonder what mess I will find when I get down there.

{Challenge}

My blogger friend, Debbie, put out a challenge on her blog to blog everyday during the month of February. I decided it was a good challenge and needed to do the same. So, here I am blogging....I hope it doesn't get to boring for you.

Today I went to get a more indepth blood test done to find out if I really am pregnant or just super late getting "Auntie Flow's" visit. I decided to buy and pee on a  fancy digital "clear blue" pregnancy test this afternoon. It said "NOT PREGNANT".

I find out my blood results tomorrow, hopefully that will clear things up for me. I just want to know one way or another if I am or am not pregnant. I hate the not knowing! I have never had such conflicting results. I mean my body is telling me "Hey, your pregnant - nausea and all" but the pee tests say "Hell YES, wait HELL NO,  your not pregnant! Geez, get a life already!" Yes, I am crazy and insane and I DO hear voices!

At least this will be all cleared up tomorrow... I hope!