April 11, 2016

 

I colored this during piano and violin lessons today.

 

This picture was taken a year ago, but I love this picture.

This boy has a little bit of devil in those angel eyes!

He kills me!!!

Love him to pieces!!!

 

 

 

This kid here is a tough cookie!!!

She got bathroom cleaner with bleach in her eye and she let us spray water on her eye ball for 10 minutes while she held it open.

She is fine. She just has a bit of a red eye and it is swollen a little bit.

 

And since we already had her on the counter washing her eye out, I decided to wash her hair and then I braided it.

 

Tried another new recipe tonight for dinner.

Meat ball sliders...they were a big hit with the girls and Joe even had a few. 

 

Recipe....

 

INGREDIENTS

 

Makes 12

1 lb ground beef
1 egg
½ Tbsp. kosher salt
½ Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
¼ cup grated parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped basil
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 cup marinara sauce
1 package dinner rolls, sheet of 12 rolls left intact (not pulled apart)
6 slices mozzarella cheese
4 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. chopped basil
2 Tbsp. grated parmesan

 

4. PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.

2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parmesan, and chopped basil until thoroughly mixed. Take a golf ball-sized amount of the beef mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the rest of the beef mixture, setting the meatballs aside on a plate.
3. Heat oil in a pan over high heat. Sear meatballs on one side for about one to two minutes, then flip. Cook for another one to two minutes, then remove the meatballs from the pan and drain any excess fat. Pour the marinara sauce into the pan and place the meatballs in the sauce. Cook for about eight to 10 minutes, flipping the meatballs in the sauce, until the sauce has reduced to a thick consistency. Remove from heat.
4. Cut the 4×3 sheet of dinner rolls in half lengthwise. Arrange the bottom half into a 9×13 baking pan. Place the meatballs evenly in a 4×3 grid, putting one on each roll. Layer the mozzarella evenly on top. Cover with the top half of the dinner rolls.
5. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic, basil, and parmesan, stirring until evenly mixed. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the top of the sliders. Bake for 20 minutes until the rolls are golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut into individual sandwiches, and serve!



April 10, 2016

I love this dress. I got it at Target. The kids were with me and Nadia saw this and had to have it. I think it is so cute on her.

 

Nadia got up in Sacrament and bore hers testimony. She said that she knows the gospel is true and that she knows that Joseph Smith was a true profit and that President Monson is the true profit today. She said that she knows the gospel is true. She also talked about being thankful for eternal families.

 

Today was a slow low key morning. We started getting ready for church around 11:30 and got there on time. In fact a little early and we got to socialize a bit before it started. We don't go to church as often as we should so we don't know anyone all that well. We pretty much know the neighbors right next door on both sides of us.

 

Raven got up and bore her testimony about eternal families and how thankful she is for a family that loves and protects her.

 

Quynsie talked about how she loves that her siblings look up to her and trust her enough to go to her when they are scared in the middle of the night.

 

It was really all so sweet. I try not to tell them no when they ask to go up there to bare their testimonies because that is where they build them and learn how to convey them to others. It is a learning experience that I don't want to squash. Nadia's was so sweet and far beyond her years. She is so good at speaking in front of others. She is fearless, that girl of ours.

 

April 09, 2016

 

 

 

This is how I spent my morning. I went grocery shopping and then came home and organized and put the groceries away. I think we have plenty in snacks and drinks. Don't worry, we also bough milk and fresh fruits as well, they are just in the fridge and I didn't take a picture of those.

 

Later in the afternoon, Nadia had her best friend Olivia over. She even stayed for dinner.

Joe fixed the sprinkler out front. I punctured the pipe last fall while putting a plant hanging thing in the ground.

 

I cooked an amazing dinner. It was so good.

 

Here is the recipe...

 

One Skillet BBQ Chicken and Potatoes

 

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

35 mins

 

Author: Garnish & Glaze

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ⅓ cup water
• 1.5 cup carrots, cut into 1 inches pieces
• 3-4 red potatoes, cut into 1 inches pieces
• 1.5 pounds chicken breast, cut into strips
• ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ cup KC masterpiece Hickory Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce
• Green onions, chopped
• Fresh Parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. When butter has melted, add the potatoes (try to have cut side down) and carrots. Add the water, cover, and cook for 7 minutes.
3. Remove the lid (don't stir yet!) and cook for 3 more minutes and then stir, trying to flip the potatoes. Push the vegetables aside and add the chicken. Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes and then flip the chicken and cook until no longer pink (about 5 minutes).
4. Stir in the garlic and barbecue sauce and let it simmer and stir for 3-5 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize the chicken and vegetables.
5. Garnish with parsley and green onions and serve.

 

 

April 08, 2016

 

 

More karate equipment came in the mail today. I was insistent that Nadia have her own head gear.

 



April 07, 2016

 

Carson slept until a little after 9 this morning. He slept for 12 hours. He still does not sound so good. His cough is horrible and he is ornery.

 

I think I am getting whatever it was that was going around again!

 

Somebody please help me...

Joe thinks that Carson should be allowed to play video games for 30 minutes a day.

I say he shouldn't get any time because he is rude and ornery after he plays.

The therapist says no video games...

Carson did not play them for 2 weeks. He got to play a few days ago and he was disrespectful so he hasn't played again until today. I set the timer for 30 minutes. He got off when it beeped then he asked a little while later if he could play more. I said no and now he is in his room crying. So far he hasn't gotten physical with anyone yet but the day isn't over either...

UPDATE...

Carson did not like what we were having for dinner so he sat there and screamed at me, would not listen to me and slammed the front door in my face because I didn't want him to go outside because he is sick.

See!!! I told you the day wasn't over yet.

 What should we do about this problem of us as parents not agreeing?

 

Although we did have a small victory earlier...

That's a new one... Carson came in to talk to me and said that "When i was outside on the trampoline with my sisters i told them that it isn't fair that they get more time on video games than I do and then Nadia told me it's because I'm not very nice after I play them and it made me realize my actions." I said well change the behavior then and we wouldn't have a problem.

Now if he would just learn from that conversation and grow from it.

 

Conversation with Raven and Carson...

Raven : mom can we adopt an elephant
Me: no
Carson : but they don't have fur
Bwhaha

 

Got an update on my grandpa this evening. I called my grandma and asked her how he was today and she said good, that they were back home in Beaver. He will be in the hospital there for a little while doing rehab, but at least my grandma can go home and sleep in her own bed and take care of the things she needs to.

This has been a much better experience than when he had knee replacement. During those surgeries, he had a heart attack. This time he is stable and doing really well.



April 06, 2016

 

My grandpa is doing ok. They had him up and walking yesterday, just hours after the emergency surgery. They put a rod from his hip to his knee in. He is lucky that it did not break a little bit higher.

My parents were down there yesterday and said that he was doing ok.

I was on the phone with my mom yesterday and she said that when they got him up to walk, he yelled out "oh shit".

Nadia and Quynsie were sitting there and heard grammy say it and they both said, "I have never heard grandpa swear, but grandma's favorite word is 'S word'".

I laughed so hard.

 

Nadi Nadia helped mom cook enchilada's for dinner last night.

 

This poor boy is so sick. He never lets me hold him like this anymore and he allowed me to hold him 3 times like this yesterday. He is not feeling much better today. He is ornery and hasn't eaten much and his cough is horrible.

 

Nadia gave me a good foot massage last night. My feet have been swelling really bad and they hurt oh so bad.

 

Today is our niece Des' 15th birthday.

 

 

This girl finally got her wish and I caved and finally died (bleached) her hair. She has been asking me to do it for a few weeks now and I have been so busy that I have not had time to do it until today.

 

 

Nadia got in on the action.

 

 

Raven got a few red streaks, but you can't really see them that well. I ran out of bleach on the other two and I would have rather used it on Raven's because her hair is so dark and does not take color very well.

The impressive part is that she let me style it.

 

 

 

 

We went out to the Ranch today to get some cinder block for our shed. Our truck has been giving us some issues so we also took the van just incase we needed it. I would hate to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere without cell phone service. The dry dirt was so thick that it stuck to the car. I had to take a picture before I sprayed more water on it to clean it. I had to see.

 

A new recipe. Ham, turkey, Swiss and cheddar cheese sandwiches. You use pizza dough, layer the meat and cheese then you roll up, cut into 12 sections and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Loved this...the girls loved it as well. Carson, well, he doesn't like much of anything when it comes to food unless it is junk food.

 

We will see how Carson is feeling in the morning and I might take him to the doctor.



April 04, 2016

 

 

This is how I spent 2 hours of my afternoon...I took my mom to the hospital to meet my dad there. He dropped a sink on his arm at work.

As we were leaving the hospital we got a phone call from my grandma and she said that my grandpa fell and broke his hip and they were waiting to transport him to St. George.

I want more than anything to go down there, but I have 4 kids and it is spring break and I need to figure out how to make it work. My parents and brother are on their way down there right now. Hopefully we will be able to get an update in the morning and then I will make a decision as to when to go down.

 

Before all of this happened, I got a few more boxes unpacked in my craft room, I made dinner and had it in the fridge waiting to go in the oven and I made blueberry pastry's. I was being all Betty Crocker and miss homemaker...LOL

 

This is what the pastry's are supposed to look like. Ours didn't turn out so well, but it was ok for our first try.

 

And this is what was for dinner. Ravioli lasagna...It turned out better than I thought.

Today was a day of try something new.

 

Oh and I hung a make shift clothes line until we are able to put up a more permanent one up this will do. I just hate using the dryer during the summer. The dryer heats the house up way to much.

 

I did this as well...

 

I have created monsters. My kids are not much of a French fry fans and today I made me some fries and was dipping them in cottage cheese. Quynsie and Nadia love it. I can't cook the fries fast enough.

See I told you I was all Betty Crocker today.

 

Yesterday Nadia got rid of all of these clothes. She is fearless. I have a hard time letting things go and she was like nope don't want that, nope I don't want that either.

 

Yesterday was also General Conference and this is President Monson. He is the president of our Church. I love this picture of him.

 

 

Things Nadia says...

 

It just got real up in here... We are going to die from jam starvation. We didn't bottle jam last summer because of just moving and we only have 24 pints left. We will be lucky if that makes it to the end of summer.

 

Now that the tree is gone, we have this amazing view from our front porch.

 

Raven helping dad fix the truck on Saturday.

 

 

Carson graduated to the next size of bikes. He has a big boy bike like his sisters have big girl bikes.

 

Trying to organize our house and see what we have on hand so that I can start getting ready for summer and stock up on things that I know the kids will want to eat the most of. I am big on food storage, but since we moved, we have stunk at doing food storage.

 

So our weekend was pretty busy...

Now for Spring Break...

Therapy...

Trying to decided when to go to St. George...

Kids wanting to play with friends...

Work on more organizing and de-junking...

And on...

and on...

and on...

Story of my life...

Our life may not be all that exciting, but at least my kids are happy (most of the time).

 

 



April 1, 2016

Happy April Fools Day

 

OMG!!! I just got the best laugh ever...One of my friends posted this on facebook and I laughed so hard that I had tears going down my face.

 

To the fat HEIFER who thought it was ok to send my husband a picture of herself in a bikini...I know who you are! Get a life and find your own man! And just so others know what a piece of work you are I'm posting the picture you sent in my comments for everyone else to see!

The best comment so far on facebook is from my sister:
Oh my gosh! I thought wtf! I was like no don't post her picture you're better than that. Totally thought it was real for a minute! Best April fools ever! Hahahaha

 

 

This is the I'm not amused looks even after they got the real thing. Then Nadia called her friend and said I have to tell you something that really made me upset.

 

 

 

And the scavenger hunt is ready

 

 

March 31, 2016

 

Last nights activity for young women's is a stake family history night and Quynsie refusing to go. Can you imagine what is going through her head? My genealogy is complicated. I'm adopted so how does this family genealogy thing work? Which part do I belong to?

Yes she belongs to us in every way. She is adopted and sealed to us but it doesn't mean that this subject isn't a touchy and uncomfortable one for an adopted teenager.

 

This morning while trying to get ready and out the door, Carson was being a handful and wouldn't get dressed. Out of frustration I said, "Stop pissing me off and get ready to go." Carson then said, "I'm not trying to piss you off, my brain just won't let me stop."

 

Tonight Carson continued on his potty mouth track. Quynsie was chasing him and when she caught up with him, he said, "Oh damn!"

I really need to watch my potty mouth because this boy is starting to get one of his own.

Nothing like being smacked in the face with your own mistakes as a parent.

 

Had a few minutes to kill between Carson's therapy appointment and Raven's doctor appointment so I went to Target. I have always wanted a pair of pants like these.

 

Raven has a raging ear infection again. And her ADHD meds are staying the same.

We are going to be doing genetic testing on Carson in a couple of weeks so that we can see if there is a medication that will better help him than the one that he is on currently.

 

Raven told me in the car today that she wants to hire an attorney because she wants to sue sickness. I said, me too babe, me too!

 

On the way to therapy this morning Carson hasn't stopped talking since we got in the car. We were getting on the freeway and he says something about an egg extravaganza and then he went from that to saying he is going to keep his bad dreams to himself and then he said that he is now friends with Allen and then he said raven you don't want to be enemy's with a kid in your class... Mom why did you take the long way. Oh wait we are almost there oh we are here... Holy moly kid take a breath would you.

 

Mac and Cheese casserole with green beans is what was for dinner tonight.

 

I just have to say I hope that Nadia and her best friend Olivia always continue to give each other hugs as they part ways at the end of the school day. It is the cutest thing ever.