Emie's College Essay...

Emie had to write an essay a few weeks ago as if she were applying to a college.  This was what she wrote & I wanted to post it so I would remember it:
Emie Allen


Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

If you ask any child who their idol is, you can probably bet their answer would be 'mom' or 'dad'. As they get a bit older, their answer might change to a popular movie star, or sports star. But at my age right now, I've come to appreciate the simple answer young children give when they choose their idol. One of the people who has had a significant influence on me is my dad. It's taken me a while, but I've come to truly appreciate what a great example he is to me, how much he's taught me, and how much I can learn from him.

One of the best lessons I've learned from my dad is the oldie-but-goodie, 'honesty is the best policy' lesson. My dad's honesty and integrity is apparent in everything he does. Especially when it comes to business, it's easy to lie, steal, and cheat your way to get to the top. But I've noticed that customers of my dad's businesses appreciate well-run, honest business. His employees also respect and trust him because he has proven himself to be reliable. Another way he has taught that me honesty is always best is through my own experiences. Whenever I do something wrong, I can either confess, or try to lie. If I'm honest from the beginning, the punishment is always much less severe than if I'm caught lying. In every part of life, honesty is crucial; I'm glad I have a great example to look up to.

Working hard is something I can have issues with at times. So I'm glad I have an idol who is one of the hardest workers I know. My dad has always worked hard, whether it be in athletics, school, or career. In high school, my dad was first in state for his position on the football team. He also kept up his grades, despite being extremely busy. When he was in college, he'd work at night, along with his attending day classes, to support my mom and I. He's always been the breadwinner of the family, and has never let us down. Another thing that adds to his great work ethic is his ability to get the job done on time, without complaint. He works just as hard as all his employees do, which makes him a fair boss. From his success, I've learned that if you work hard at everything you do, you can accomplish anything.

Although it may sound like it, my dad really isn't an all-work-no-play kind of guy. On the contrary, my dad is one of the most fun dad's I know. I might be biased, but I don't know too many other dads who like to take their families to the lake, California, Mexico, on road trips, and many other activities just for the fun of it. My dad likes to have a good time, especially with our family. And, he has the best sense of humor, which I've had the privilege of inheriting. It's unique, and something we can enjoy together since not very many people quite get it. This small characteristic has taught me an invaluable lesson; never forget to laugh at yourself. Whenever I'm stressed about homework, friends, and everything else teenagers get stressed out about, I just remember to take things lightly, and enjoy life. After all, you shouldn't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive anyways!

If someone had asked me ten years ago who my idol was, I'm almost positive my answer would be the same as it is today, despite the time that has passed. That’s because my dad has always been there to support me, encourage me, and inspire me. I don't know where I'd be without my honest, hardworking, fun-loving dad. Because of him, I try to reach new heights, and be the best I can be. No matter what life decides to throw my way, I'll be able to handle it, because I have the best example to follow. And that’s all I can ask for.

Healthy Eats...

So we went to McDonalds today, and I have been on a diet (aren't I always kind-of on a diet--maybe that's part of the problem) so I'm trying to find a nice low calorie lunch.  I end up with this:

Good choice, right?  It's like 170 calories--which you get in one BITE of a Big Mac...  Anyways, I get the kids happy meals--and they eat a little bit, and go off to play.  I ate my little fruit and yogurt salad, which I finished in about 2 minutes, since it is like 5 apple wedges, 3 grapes, and a tablespoon of walnuts, with about 1/4 cup of yogurt.  Hmmm...WOW am I still hungry--(imagine that).  Meanwhile, Ashlie's happy meal box is staring at me because it has a whole box of THESE:

Seriously?  You guessed it, in about 5 more minutes, I had downed not one or two, but the whole freakin box (which was a small box--but still...).  Ashlie comes back from playing and says, "Where did all my fries go?"  I had thrown away the box, so I said--"I don't know--didn't you get any?"  She says, "Should I go tell them I didn't get my fries?"  I say, "Ummm...no, they probably just forgot--sometimes they do that...here--have a few of Jack's fries." 

I am evil--and tomorrow I will probably be up two pounds--I deserve it.

In Case You Haven't Heard...

The new store will be OPEN TODAY!  YAY! 
Check out the new pics & info at:
http://www.oldjerusalemtreasures.blogspot.com/
Now I really have to go to BED!  It's 2 a.m.!  LONG DAY!

A Working Mother...

This past week was not a typical Spring Break for our family.  Instead of being on a beach somewhere, or at the pool, or on a vacation, Todd and I, and a few family members worked like crazy to try to get the new store set up and open.  My husband is not a man who enjoys waiting for things--we got the shipment of merchandise in last week, and he saw no reason we couldn't have it all ready to open this week.  Well, can I just tell you that we have never set up a retail store before, and it is so much more WORK than we expected!  We had to count each piece, give it a number, enter it into our computer system, sort each piece, group it with similar pieces to put on display, and then work on displaying it in a way that would be both easy to keep track of, as well as pleasing to the eye when you come into the store.  When you take into account that we have done this with well over 400 different items--with multiples of each-- (and we are not through yet)--this has taken a LOT of time!  Todd and I told our teenagers that this week would be a good opportunity to earn their girl's camp money, as well as work on a YW value project by doing household work, and babysitting during their spring break.  You can imagine how THRILLED they were at that!  You see, I have never been a working mother!  My children have had to babysit their brothers and sisters here and there, for an hour or two, but then we always come home & rescue them.  Rarely have I ever left them with the kids for more than a few hours at a time, and rarely have I left them with a chore list as long as the one they had this week!  This week--they truly got to see what it is like to be "MOM"! 

This week, Todd and I got up and excercised at 5:30, then left by 8 to go to the store, we rarely stopped working, except to eat a meal or two, then we would come home around 7.  Can I just say that my heart goes out to you working mothers?  I don't know how you do it and keep it all straight!  By the time we got home I was DEAD TIRED!  Not to mention that I haven't seen the kids all day, and boy did I just eat Jack up when I walked through the door!  That being said, I can't say that I could give my full time and attention to the kids either, since I still had to get dinner on the table, the kitchen cleaned, and laundry done.  We tried to do something fun with them each night, mostly to ease my guilt from being away all day, but as I sat at the table playing a board game, I was mostly in LA LA LAND, falling asleep as I tried to concentrate!  Most nights I fell asleep before 10 p.m.--and slept like a baby! 

Now, mothers who are reading this and saying, "WAIT, I AM A WORKING MOTHER," because you stay home with your kids--I am not making light of what you do--I have DONE that for the last 15 years!  I KNOW that you work hard, and your work is different than any other--and I believe more important than any other!  But can we at least give much needed PROPS to those mothers who do BOTH!  I just realized this week how hard it is to juggle work and home, and how heart wrenching it is to leave your babies in the care of others every single day.  I thought of my own mother, and sisters, who work for a living, and I am so proud of them for making it work for them, and managing to do the impossible!  I think that stay at home moms, and working mothers alike deserve SO much credit for making their families run!  You are AMAZING!

On another note, can I just say that all of the working this week was not all bad?  I rather enjoyed going into the store, where it was quiet, I could concentrate on a task and accomplish it without 1,000 distractions, I could listen to myself think, and not have kids talking over me all day!  Do you know that I didn't change a dirty diaper ALL WEEK?  That is amazing!  (Sorry Emie and Erin--I know you changed A LOT!)  The few times I had to go to the store to pick something up it only took a few minutes, and we didn't have any meltdowns at the register, or crying kids!  I talked to adults all day, and actually had intelligent conversations!  Most of all, it gave me a chance to do something different, not the same thing that I do every day.  Sometimes I feel like my life is like that movie "Groundhog Day"--different day--same CRAP!  It gets so mundane--so boring, that to get out once in awhile and be able to do something different and creative, where I could use my talents was very fun and exciting!  Maybe when Jack is older I will be able to use more of that side of myself, and actually get to do more of the things that make ME happy!
For now, I will remain a stay at home mom.  A week of being a working mother was enough for me to know that people in this house need me to be here--namely the little ones.  And even though the big ones don't need me as much anymore, I think that after this week, they do appreciate all of the little things that I do for them every day that they didn't particularly notice until I wasn't here for a week!   Thanks girls, for a job well done--and for taking good care of my babies & being nice to them!  You did a great job--and I love you! 

Sneak Peek...

I know some of you might be sick of me talking about the new store--but I just went in this week to take pictures of some of the pieces of olive wood, and you just have to click over to the blog to see them!  They are amazing!  Can't wait until you can come see them in person--only a week or two now!  So CLOSE!  YAY!
Old Jerusalem Treasures

Change...

I'm not one who's very good at change.  In fact, I stink at it.  I rather enjoy things staying the same, so I can deal with them.  I like to have the same routine--take the laundry for instance...I do 8 loads a week, (usually on Monday) darks, followed by colors, followed by whites, followed by towels.  I never change the order--I never mix it up.  It works for me, it's comfortable, it's my routine.  Todd is the opposite--as spouses sometimes tend to be.  (I don't know why that is, I guess to balance a marriage out?)  He LOVES change...he thrives on it.  He gets bored with the same old thing, and wants to try new things.  He is constantly thinking of new ideas, new ways to challenge himself, new things he wants to do or try.  Sometimes in our marriage, this presents a challenge.  The last few years the change has been regular and constant.  We sold our business--one we worked for 10 years to build, moved to a new house, in a new ward, in a new school district--which ruffled everyone's feathers a bit, traveled--a LOT, to places we have always wanted to go, and spent WAY more time together than anytime in the last 16 years of marriage.  Now, with our new business, comes another change--and can I tell you that the craziness of starting a new business is starting to hit our family?  HARD.  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind.  Signing the lease, getting the store set up and remodeled, trying to deal with shipments, and inventory, and getting a computer system, and phone lines, and decorating, and paint, and shelves, and mirrors, and glass, and banners, and signs, and on and on.  Todd has been so excited and so busy that we have hardly seen him much of the last few weeks!  While I am so excited for this new opportunity, it has also caused more than a little fear and trepidation, and stress over here.  You see, we have done this all before.  I know what it takes to start a new business, and get it up and running, and make it profitable.  It takes WORK--and BLOOD-- and SWEAT--and more than a few TEARS (most of them shed my ME)!  It takes long hours, and late nights, and sacrifice, from both of us to make it work.  Most of all it takes dedication--and can I tell you how dedicated my husband is when he sets his mind to something?  He is an amazingly hard worker--and when he sets a goal, there is no stopping him, he will work as much and as hard as he needs to in order to reach it.  I love that about him--it's one of the reasons I married him, he has a fire, and a determination to accomplish great things.  So why has it been so hard the last few weeks?  One word.  CHANGE.  Our life is changing, once again.  There will be a new routine, a new schedule, a new focus.  For some, this might come easily--but for me, it is hard.  I tend to fight it--and I have been--trust me.  I have been frustrated, and stressed out, and on edge.  I have been hard to deal with, and stubborn, and impatient.  I am just struggling to find my place amongst these changes once again, and my poor husband has to deal with my craziness--along with everything else on his plate.  The worst thing is, I have made him feel like I am mad at him (which I have been for various reasons--some of which were legit--), but most of all, I am going crazy because I feel like I am going to be losing him for awhile.  Not in a literal sense of course, but I have rather enjoyed having him around the last year.  He is sure fun to be with.   He is my favorite workout buddy, (even at 5 a.m.), he is my favorite person to eat lunch with, he is my favorite person to watch You Tube videos of Jim Gaffigan or Brian Regan with, he is so patient with me and the kids, he loves to do dishes (no really, he does them all the time), he is so much better than I am at getting the kids to do things, like read scriptures or pray (you already know from a few posts ago that no one in this house listens to me when I say things), he is even my favorite skiing buddy.  He is my favorite person to diet with (mostly because we sabotage eachother all the time--and that is the best kind of diet), and my favorite person to talk politics with (because he loves to play devil's advocate--just to drive me crazy) but he usually agrees with me in the end (so he doesn't have to endure endless hours of debate, and so we can stay married).  He is the funnest person to talk to, because still to this day after 16 years of marriage I CANNOT tell when he is telling the truth--or messing with me.  He can still fool me, and get me all fired up about something--(like politics...).  He knows what I like, and what makes me happy, and will bring home a Sonic soda, or chocolate, or onion rings at just the right time, on just the right day.  Most of all he can look past my faults (and there are too many to list here...) and love me in spite of me being me.  He is an amazing father, and an amazing husband, and my best friend.  I'm not sure how I ever got so lucky to have him in my life--but I am grateful every day.  And I will miss him.  This change will be hard to get used to at first, like all changes are--but life will go on, and I will establish a new routine, and it will be OK--it will just take some getting used to.  Todd, I want you to know that I will be behind you, and you will always have my support--even when it's hard.  I can't promise you I won't be difficult--because I have always been difficult--but let's face it, you love me that way, it keeps you on your toes.  And who knows, someday I might enjoy all of this change as much as you do--maybe I'll even find a way to get better at it.  Hmmm...Monday, maybe I'll wash the whites first--just to mix things up.   Yikes...

Sisters...

I found some pictures today while I was putting them on disks.  These two try to pretend like they can't stand each other--but I know there's some LOVE here!  Ummm...I also think they were having a photo session in a public restroom...yuck!  HA!  I sure love these girls!

Star of the Week...

Last week Josh was the Star of the Week for his 1st grade class! He got to take their class pet, Toto home and spend the week doing fun things with him. Thank goodness he is only a stuffed dog! This was the scrapbook page we made for his class scrapbook of all the things Josh and Toto did together. It was a wild week for little Toto! Good job Josh! We love you!

Getting to the Temple..

Sometimes do you feel like when you really need to go to the temple it seems like there are always obstacles thrown in your way? Well, yesterday was one of those days. We knew we needed to make it to the temple before 6 in order to get a session in, it's always so crowded on Fridays, so we were ready to leave by 4:30, and thought it would be an early night. Then, we got a call from Emie, saying she and her friends needed a ride home from track. Okay, no problem. Todd was on his way out the door to pick them up when he got another call from our friend Trasi. Her car was broken down a few miles from our house, and she needed us to tow her car home. We told her to hang tight, and we would be there as soon as we picked up Emie. We could tow her car home (she lives right by the temple), and still make it to the session by 6. Well, Emie's track usually gets out at 4:30--but wouldn't you know it, they kept them until 5 yesterday. So Todd got home around 5:15, and we finally made it over to help Trasi at 5:30. We get her car all hooked up, and start to tow it, pull out onto Val Vista about 5:45, only to realize that there was a huge traffic jam, and Val Vista was backed up all the way from Baseline down past Southern. We needed to get to Broadway. So we went 5 mph for a few miles until we were almost to Southern, got stopped at a little side street light--and BAM--the tow strap breaks. Poor Trasi got a little whiplash since Todd's truck is jacked up and she was in her car driving it and it took a little plunge back down to the ground. So Todd and I drive onto the little side street, I take the wheel, and he gets out and pushes Trasi's car down the street a few blocks where we had to leave it. I couldn't help but laugh as I snapped this picture...isn't this just the best getting to the temple picture you've ever seen!The good news is, we still made it to the temple, barely making the 6:30 session. We left Trasi's car there until we got out, and we went and got David at 9:30 to help us tow it back to her house. Then, we barely made it to 5 Guys right before 10 when they close--to get some delicious burgers and fries! YUM! All in all, an awesome night! Thanks sweetie, you're the BEST! And, SO strong--good thing we've been working out!

Validation...

Update: I was talking to my sister in law about this post--and she told me about this little short film she had seen on You Tube called Validation. I think it's not just mothers who want to be validated--it's everyone. When was the last time you sincerely complimented someone? When was the last time you really listened to what they had to say? When was the last time you made someone smile? This little film was 15 minutes--but I think they said a lot in that amount of time! Loved it!

Wikipedia defines Validation this way:
In psychology and human communication, validation is the reciprocated communication of respect which communicates that the other's opinions are acknowledged, respected, heard, and (regardless whether or not the listener actually agrees with the content), they are being treated with genuine respect as a legitimate expression of their feelings, rather than marginalized or dismissed.

Sometimes, as a mother, a little validation can go a LONG way. Just because I became a mother doesn't mean my brain fell out of my head. A little respect, a little appreciation, and a little validation--is that too much for a mother to ask?

Funny...

We saw this driving down the road, and I just had to take a picture. It's a single wide trailer welded onto a school bus--a homemade RV! AWESOME!

My Baby is TWO--(it's official now!)

Sunday was Jack's second birthday--Sunday birthdays are pretty uneventful! We made waffles for breakfast after church, which he slept through, (it's all he can do to make it through nursery). Then for dinner we were invited to go eat at David and Jessica's so he had some cousins to have cake & ice cream with. It was lots of fun! He got a little bike for his birthday, since he won't stay off of Ashlie's bike--but wouldn't you know it, he is about 2 inches from reaching the pedals--ugh! These darn boys of mine are too SMALL! Check out the cake we found at Walmart at 11:00 on Saturday night! It was too perfect! I was afraid that our lack of planning would leave us with a crappy cake--until I saw this beauty! Loved it!








Things we LOVE about Jack Jack right now:
1. He LOVES to talk--ALL THE TIME! He is a boy after my own heart! He loves the sound of his own voice!
2. He has the best laugh--I love to listen to him giggle.
3. He has the best mean look--it cracks me up every time when he glares at me when he's mad. It's hard to take him seriously--until he starts screaming at the top of his lungs!
4. He is a CLIMBER! This is good and bad--GOOD when he can climb out of his bed in the morning or after his naps--BAD when he can climb out of his bed in the middle of the night or when he doesn't want to take a nap!
5. Jack LOVES his sisters! They are all smitten by him, and he is SO stinkin spoiled around this house. He has them wrapped around his little finger!
6. Jack is a Daddy's boy (well, as close as any of my kids have gotten anyway). He LOVES his dad, and they have a special bond since Todd has gotten to spend much more time with this last baby than he did with the first few!
7. He LOVES to RUN! It's hard to slow these boys down--even for a minute!
8. He is CLEAN--he still loves to take 2 or even 3 showers a day. If ANYONE in this house is in the shower, Jack will strip off his clothes and jump in with them--whether they want him or not!
9. Jack is loving watching movies in the car now--which makes all of the errands with a two year old almost bearable. Too bad we don't have movies playing in shopping carts or strollers or well, just about everywhere!
10. He is the BEST TERRIBLE TWO YEAR OLD we know! We love you Jack Jack--Happy Birthday Buddy!

More Freezer Recipies...

Crockpot Enchiladas
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans
1 can (15 oz.) tomatoes w/ gr. chiles
1 can olives sliced'
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 packet enchilada sauce mix
1 c. water
1 c. cheddar cheese
1 c. mozzarella cheese
6 flour tortillas--6 in.
Cooking day: Fry hamburger w/ onion. Add ingredients down to the water. Heat and stir. Cool & pour into freezer bag. Put cheese into quart size freezer bag. Put both bags into another bag, label, and freeze. You can either have the tortillas on hand--or put them into the bag as well.
To Serve: Thaw. Put 1/2 c. beef mixture in bottom of crockpot. Repeat the following layers 6 times:
tortilla
3/4 c. beef mixture
cheese
Cook on low for 5-7 hours.

Italian Meatloaf
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 egg
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 t. oregano
1 t. garlic salt
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 T. grated parmesan cheese
Cooking day: Combine ingredients except for cheeses & mix well. Pat beef mixture into 14 X 8 rectangle on waxed paper. Sprinkle with cheeses and roll up jelly roll style. Seal the edges. Use the waxed paper to transfer meatloaf into a freezer bag. Freeze in the loaf pan of your choice until frozen.
To Serve: Transfer meatloaf from freezer bag to loaf pan. Thaw completely. Cook at 350 for 1 hour or until done, draining liquid off the meatloaf every 20 minutes.

Ziploc Chicken (couldn't be easier!)
4-5 boneless chicken breasts
1 c. BBQ sauce any type
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
12 oz. Coca Cola
Cooking day: Combine sauce ingredients, stir. Pour over chicken in freezer bag, label & seal.
To Serve: Thaw. Pour into crock pot & cook on low 6-8 hours or until tender. Shred chicken & add back to sauce. Serve on buns with additional BBQ sauce as needed.

Baked Chicken Dijon (this one was yummy!)
6 chicken breasts
2 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 c. butter
1 t. garlic minced
2 T. fresh parsley, minced
1/3 parmesan cheese grated
1 1/2 c. Panko bread crumbs (oriental section--or by the regular bread crumbs)
Cooking day: Melt butter in skillet. Add the garlic & simmer for 5 min. Blend in mustard, stirring well. Let cool enough to touch, but not solidify. While mixture cools, mix parsley, cheese, and bread crumbs. When the butter is cooled, whip it vigorously with a fork or whisk until the mixture thickens. Dip chicken into butter, then coat with crumbs. Place on cookie sheet to freeze, then put into bags, or freeze in disposable baking dishes.
To Serve: Bake chicken in baking dish and bake at 400 for 30 mins. to an hour until done. Top with finely shredded parmesan cheese, and dijon mayonnaise--(1 part Dijon to 2 parts Mayo).

Lemonade Marinade
6 chicken breasts
1/3 c. worcestershire sauce
3/4 c. frozen lemonade concentrate
1 t. celery seed
1 t. seasoned salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 t. minced garlic
Cooking day: Mix marinade ingredients & pour over chicken in bag. Label & seal.
To serve: Thaw completely. Cook on grill, basting with marinade every 5 minutes.

Asian Pork Roast
3 lbs. boneless pork loin, or pork roast
5-6 whole cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 c. orange juice
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 tsp. lemon juice
Cooking Day: Put roast in bag, pour marinade ingredients over roast, or put them in a separate quart size bag. Label & freeze.
To Serve: Thaw completely. Put roast in crock pot & pour sauce over the top. Cook on low 8-10 hours or until tender. Shred & serve over rice.

Crock Pot Saucy Pork Chops
6 boneless pork chops
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 t. dried parsley
Cooking day: Combine sauce mix & pour over pork chops in freezer bag. Seal, label & freeze.
To Serve: Pour thawed mixture into crock pot & cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice or pasta.

Citrus Herb Pork Loin (this one is our favorite! & super easy!)
1 boneless pork loin roast
1 jar orange marmalade
1 c. water
1 t. thyme
1 t. rosemary
1 t. basil
1 t. oregano
1 t. sage
1 t. savory
1 T. minced garlic
Fresh orange or lemon slices (if desired)
Cooking Day: Sprinkle roast with garlic salt & put in freezer bag. Mix together all the other ingredients & put in separate quart size freezer bag. Put both bags into gallon size bag, label & freeze.
To Serve: Thaw. Put roast into crock pot & pour sauce over roast. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs. or until tender. Serve over rice.

You would be surprised at how yummy these are coming out of the freezer--you can really take almost any of your favorite recipes, double them and freeze one for later. Marinades are great because the meat really takes on the flavor when it's thawing all day in the marinade & they are a breeze to whip together, pour over the meat & freeze on cooking day. I use marinades all the time during the summer because I love to grill during the summer. The only thing to be careful of is rice doesn't freeze well, and pasta tends to get mushy when you freeze it, so you only cook it halfway if you have a pasta recipe. You can also google freezer recipes & there are a ton of them online! Happy cooking! Look for some of my other favorites HERE, or HERE.

Crazy Week...

This week I decided to try to get organized...a recipe for disaster! Seriously, I know that you all know people who are organized, and have things all together, and their house runs smoothly, and their kids all have jobs, and it's like living with June Cleaver--let's just say that I'm about as far from having June Cleaver as a mother as you can get! (Do you remember Roseanne? I'm probably closer to her...sad huh?) First of all, a few weeks ago I let my cleaning ladies go. I have had them helping me off and on for a few years now, and they were seriously my favorite people in the world--I might have even loved them more than my own children...no, seriously. They did the jobs that I did NOT want to do--especially TOILETS, UGH. And they never complained, or whined like my children do when I need their help. Lately, though, I've come to the realization that I am not having my children help enough around the house, and I need to teach them to work more, and do less for them. Plus, we are trying to cut some spending & save our money not knowing how this new business will go (scary...starting over...). This is hard for me--I am a control freak. If something isn't done right--I will do it over, and they know that. Half the time they do it wrong on purpose, or do a crappy job, just so I will do it for them. I see this all the time with the older kids, and it's driving me crazy. The other thing is how they will just leave things EVERYWHERE...like I find one kids shirt on the counter by the sink, shoes right by the refrigerator door, and yesterday Emie seriously pulled a pair of Josh's underwear out of the drawer we keep the towels in in the kitchen. SERIOUSLY?? They were clean ones, but still. My kids just leave things wherever they want. Yesterday I put the following note on a chalkboard in my kitchen:
Dear family,
Clean up after yourselves, I am NOT your maid.
Love,
Mom
Today, I came home to this note, written by Erin:

Charming, huh? Our maids??? Little ingrate...
So as if that wasn't enough, I have also been slacking on dinner over here. Dinner is always insane at this house. We're running to games, or mutual, or pack meeting, or wherever, and it's always like 5:00 before I start thinking about dinner. By then it's always easier, and sometimes cheaper (ummm...Sonic 1.49 Wacky Pack Wed.) to just go buy something. So I decided that this week I'd put some freezer meals together, and at least have some dinners to eat the next few weeks. I always forget how CRAZY cooking day is when you want to finish 30 dinners--you'd think I would remember, since I blogged about it HERE (notice how this was almost exactly a year ago...funny!), but somehow, I always just remember the convenience of HAVING the dinners, and forget about the CHAOS that ensues when I'm cooking them. I picked 5 chicken, 5 beef, and 5 pork dinners, and doubled them to make 30 meals. It did take some time on Tuesday shopping and preparing, and 10 hours to actually finish them on Wednesday--since I was distracted like 30 different times, but they are DONE! Aren't they pretty? Okay, they might look gross to you--but these were a labor of LOVE! YAY!



Here's what I made:
Crockpot Enchiladas, Italian Meatloaf, Sloppy Joes, Delicious Pot Roast, Beef Stroganoff, Baked Chicken Dijon, Cashew Chicken, Ziploc Chicken, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Noodle Soup, Asian Pork Roast, Teriyaki Pork Chops, Citrus Herb Pork Loin, Crock Pot Pork Chops.
Then I just rotate through them so we mix it up each week. We really use only about 5 meals a week, so they will last for 5-6 weeks. That was worth the work. Now if only I could be more organized and do this more than 2-3 times a year! I have had people ask for recipies, so you can find some of them by clicking HERE, or HERE, or HERE--and I will post some more recipies tomorrow--but tonight I am TIRED! We are still getting up at 5 a.m.--and I am so exhausted--but I am getting STRONG! I can even do 1 pull up--that's right 1! Hey, that's more than I could do 6 weeks ago! This gym is kicking our butt--the workout Wed. was 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit ups, 100 squats. You had to finish one before moving on to another. Oh, man! I have never been so sore in my life--OUCH! Maybe if I was going to bed earlier and not blogging at 11:48 it would be easier to get my big butt out of bed in the morning! Another day...blah.

TERRIBLE TWO!!...

Can I just tell you that I forgot (again) how TERRIBLE two actually is? I don't know why I don't remember, but each time I get to another 2 year old, I can't believe how rotten they really are. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the baby stage, which tells you why I have 6 kids--they are SO precious, and needy, and smell so good, and I just can't help but want to hold and cuddle them. This stage--from about 2-4, I could just give them away. I am no good at dealing with tantrums, and screaming fits, and the freakouts. My nerves just can't handle it, and patience is NOT my best virtue. So Jack was a little pill last week for our photo shoot--and he just drove me crazy. He was done after about 10 minutes, and just wanted to GO. There was no reasoning, no making him happy, even though we were all trying to bribe him with treats and what not (at least when they turn 3 or 4 that works a little better). He was just DONE. So I took some of my own pictures on the way home from the photo session--in the car--while he was FREAKING out! I know it's mean, but these kids need to know what I had to put up with when they were ALL 2 years old. WOW--you're all lucky we kept you around & didn't just give you away. I swear two year olds are possessed with a demon sometimes! Check out this pathetic little boy--(not even a tear in his eye!)what happened to my SWEET BABY??? Then, on Wednesday, (the next night), he was in full blown tantrum stage again while I was trying to do dishes and clean the kitchen. He wanted me to hold him, but I was almost done, so he walked out of the kitchen crying, and I figured he was downstairs playing with Josh. About 20 minutes later, I was trying to round all the kids up to read scriptures and it was eerily quiet. Josh and Abby came up from downstairs, and I asked them where Jack was...ummm...they hadn't seen him. Ashlie had fallen asleep on the bean bag in the family room, and Todd and the girls were at mutual. Josh, Abby and I began looking around for Jack. After searching the house, all the rooms, and all the closets, and yelling for him--he was NOWHERE to be found! At this point, I start freaking out myself! We checked all the bedrooms again and I started walking the streets outside, thinking maybe he escaped again? Todd and the girls got home and started looking as well. So Todd goes into our room, and pulls back the covers on our bed and finally found him--asleep under the covers. Poor little guy had given up on me, comforted himself & fell asleep! I swear I had walked by my bed 20 times & not seen so much as a lump--but Jack IS a little guy! OY! I was so relieved and we really were happy to find him! We still love this boy--even if he is TERRIBLE TWO!

On the Fence...

We were talking about this story tonight while we were reading scriptures. I love the message that this story gives my teenagers. We don't have the luxury of taking our time to sit on the fence. The time to choose sides is today--NOW! You are either on the Lord's side or on Satan's--each choice we make in our lives brings us closer to one side or the other--and sooner or later your time is up. If you haven't heard this story, it's a good one!

Sitting On The Fence

There was an incredibly large group of people assembled. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side of the group stood another man, Satan. Separating them, running through the group was a fence.

The scene set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one, each having made up his or her mind, each went to either Jesus or Satan.

This kept going, and eventually Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowds, as did Satan. But one man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and just sat down on it. Then Jesus and his people left and disappeared. So too did Satan and his people.

And the man on the fence sat alone.

As this man sat there, Satan came back, and appeared to be looking for something that he’d lost. The man said, “Have you lost something?” Satan looked straight at him and replied, “No, there you are. Come with me.”
“But,” said the man, “I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor Him.
“That’s okay,” said Satan. “I own the fence.”

“No man can serve two masters."

We were reading tonight in Alma, about missionary work, and how Alma and his brethren were persecuted time after time by the people they were trying to save, trying to love. But they never gave up--they kept trying, and had faith that God would help them and protect them. I was telling the girls that there will be times in their lives that people will persecute them, or make fun of their beliefs. There will be people who say that when you keep the commandments, and do the right things that you are a "goody goody", or that all of the rules are stupid & church is a waste of time. Will it always be easy to live the gospel? No. It is tempting in these situations to sit on the fence. To not be TOO good, but not that bad either. Sometimes if we sit on the fence, people will leave us alone, we don't attract much attention that way. But, I told them, your place in this world is NOT on the fence. The prophet has challenged us time after time to take our place, to stand up, to do what's right--even in the face of mocking or persecution. We are to be a light to the world! It wasn't easy for Alma either, or for Abinadi, or for Nephi, or for Joseph Smith, or for our Savior. Each of our heroes in the scriptures endured persecution, and stood up for what they believed. One of my favorite scriptures is, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, but as for ME and MY HOUSE--we will serve the Lord!" Our challenge in these last days is to get off the fence, and stand for right. If we won't do it--who will???

Highland Jr. High Softball!...

The girls just finished up their softball season--Erin on the 7th grade team, and Emie on the 8th. It was awesome that they had all of their games the same days--but kind of hard to watch because they were at the same time too! The girls were awesome & we were so proud of them for trying out & making the team! Emie's team did well, and knocked off a higher seed in the first round of tournaments, but lost in the second round. Erin's team won the 7th grade championship, beating Desert Ridge 8-3 in a super close, exciting game! Awesome job girls! We love you!

Introducing...Old Jerusalem Treasures!

So we have been working on a new business idea with Todd's parents, who just returned last week from their mission in Jerusalem. A few months ago, Bob floated the idea of starting up an olive wood business, and selling olive wood and other products that are made in Israel, specifically in Bethlehem. While they were over there, they absolutely fell in love with the people and the culture of Israel, and wanted to bring some of that back home so that people here could experience part of what it means to visit the Holy Land. Most people will never have the opportunity to visit that place, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a piece of it in your home. We jumped at the idea, and have been working on ideas for locations, and inventory since then. This week, we settled on a store front located in the Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa, a few minutes from our house. We are getting started remodeling the space, and hope to be up and running before Easter time. We are new to the retail business, and have plenty to learn, but are very excited to offer some products that are very hard to find here in America. Wish us luck...because we are diving in head first! If you're in the mall in the next few weeks, stop in and say HI! We are two doors down from Wetzel's Pretzels--(YUM!)--on the Dillards side of the mall. I will give the website and blog information later, but in the meantime, here are some before photos, so you can keep track of our progress...














The only problem??? THIS is not good for our diet--but it sure is YUMMY!