Slip or Slide?

Today Lydia was wearing her slip under her white dress.  Maren saw it and asked what it was.  Lydia explained that it was her slip.  Lydia was on her way upstairs to change her clothes and Maren reminded her, "Don't forget to take off your slide!"

Halloween

 

The Annual "Go to Daddy's Work to Trick or Treat" was today.    The girls look forward to it every year!   We count down to the day.   This year, I made Curtis dress up as well....Lucky guy.

My Cousin works with Curtis.  These are his cute girls with our fairies!

We even had an Elvis sighting!

Bandaid

Lydia had a "I Voted" sticker and put it on her leg.   She was pretending it was a Band-aid.   Lydia was ready to take her Band-aid off and Maren told her not to.  She explained, the doctor said she needed it because she had blood in there and it would splat on the floor!

My Hair

This morning, as Lydia was getting her hair done she told me, "Mom, your hair looks like Frankenstein."    I had already gotten ready for the day.   Maybe I shouldn't go out in public today!? 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Maren!!

We celebrated with some family yesterday for Maren's birthday.  Here are some pictures, including the personalized pink cupcakes with purple frosting and I Love Maren badges!

Halloween Sneak Peek...

Today, the girls got to wear their costumes to Dance Class.   My girls prefer to be the same thing as the other every year....This year they are Fairies!

This is the Man I married.

So, Curtis came home early on Thursday to say that he came home to paint and proceeded to take things off the walls.   He painted Thursday until Saturday night.  I was shocked!  I know how much he hates painting.   What started as a kitchen/dining room/ family room paint job became a kitchen/dining room/ family room/accent wall/living room/up the stairs/in the hall paint job!   I definitely felt loved that he would spend his days off to paint my home!!!

So, this is the man I married-   I married a man that paints the house and has his girls come running inside to say, "Daddy, we were digging outside and we think we found a dinosaur bone!   We need your help to get it out!!"   So, he puts down the brush and roller and heads outside to help his girls with their "dinosaur bone" also known as really hard dirt clod.

I married a man who when his girls ask to help paint, he gives them a brush and let's them take a turn, even if it slows him down and adds a little extra work and cleanup.

I married a man who  while up on a tall ladder was greeted by his girls panicking that there was a bug on their huge sunflowers (they were drying out so that we could harvest the seeds).   He climbs down to go "save" the sunflowers (the flowers he classifies as "weeds" anyway) for his girls.  He came inside to inform me that it was a tiny black & white garden spider on a black and white sunflower seed and he had no idea how they even saw it! 

I married a man who taught me this weekend what it means to be a good father- to stop no matter what job you are doing- to be a parent who creates memories and, as a result,  is adored by his girls!

I love you, Curtis (and so do your girls)!

Pirates

Tonight we stopped by Maverik to pick up a Redbox movie.  While Kami was getting the movie, the rest of us sat in the car and waited (yeah, I'm a great husband).  A biker dude walked past our minivan decked out from top to bottom in black leather, with a red bandanna wrapped around his head and several days' growth of whiskers.  He stopped right in front of the van and gruffly whipped out a cigarette, which dangled from his lower lip while he fumbled through his pockets looking for a lighter.  Lydia's eyes went wide as she stared at him.  After a few moments, she asked me, without looking away, "Dad, are there real pirates in the world?"

Cute Girls

A sweet friend gave us all her baby boy clothes and we were sorting through them the other day.  Lydia said, "Mom, here are some more All-Overs."   It took me a minute to figure it out...she meant Overalls!!!  Too cute!

We were at a "Night of Music" last night in the chapel.  I had Maren on my lap and put my hand on Curtis' leg.  About 5 seconds later, Maren took my hand and put it back around her waist.  Jealousy?

Maren and I stopped at the park to play for a minute after we dropped Lydia off at school today.   There is usually an orange cat in the park.  Maren was pretty concerned that it was lost.  She said, "Mom, who belongs to this cat?  Where he live?"   

When we have Scripture Study each night, we read the verse to the girls and they repeat the words.  For several nights Maren has been singing them!   Psalms?

We were playing Barbies as a family before bed.  Curtis was the dad, I was the mom, Lydia was the baby and Maren, the big sister.   Curtis and I asked our children what their names were.   Maren replied: "I am Lina.  And pointing to the baby, that is Lena."   So, we thought it quite fitting to change a vowel and name the mom Luna!   A little confusing.  :)

Less than a month later...

Yesterday Lydia was acting lethargic and upon taking her temperature of 103.1 we realized that she was sick AGAIN!   It hasn't even been a month since her last bout of strep and she has it again.   She hasn't even started kindergarten!  Poor thing! 
While she was not feeling well, Maren wanted to make her sister comfortable.  She went up to Lydia's room to get her favorite blanket, princess pillow, and her Webkinz cat, Princess Sparkles.  She came down the stairs to announce, "I got everyfing she loves!"   What a sweet sister!  Then, after Lydia was situated on the couch, Maren said apologetically, "Lydia, I am sorry that my princess shoes don't have Ariel."   Maren's favorite tennis shoes have Disney princesses on them: Aurora, Cinderella, and Belle.   But, Lydia's favorite at the moment is Ariel.  So, Maren was sorry she didn't have Ariel on her shoes for Lydia.   What 2 year old do you know thinks like that!?!?! 

Today the girls were playing with their Bristle Blocks and toy people.   Curtis is the parents.   Lydia is the kids.   Maren was given the choice of being: an animal, the sun, or the moon.   She chose to be the dog.

Our 24th of July: Plan B

Well, for the 24th, we were anticipating a weekend visit from some friends from Las Vegas. That was how it was going to be UNTIL Lydia developed a temperature on Friday afternoon. Since it was Pioneer Day on Saturday, all the doctors were either booked or out of the office already. I waited for the after hours clinic and took her in. (The temperature is a concern considering she is on 2 antibiotics right now already and still has an abdominal incision from surgery 3 weeks prior.) So, we found out that Sweet Lydia had Strep Throat. So, 2 hours later, after being to the doctor and the pharmacy, we came home to call our friends and family who were going to be celebrating with us....We canceled the barbecue, parade, and fireworks plan and our friends got a hotel room so they didn't get strep! BUMMER.

Well, since Lydia was not to be around other people for 30 hours, I decided we would make the most of it as we were at home as a family. So, I continued with the barbecue plans, just smaller scale....Potato Salad (a favorite of Lydia's), watermelon (Maren LOVES it), baked beans, grilled hot dogs, barbecued corn on the cob with green chile butter. And we ate outside(the girls' favorite!) Curtis and I were just sitting around the picnic table after dinner and enjoying not doing anything in the heat when Lydia said, "I think we need to relax by doing some fireworks or something." Curtis and I looked at each other and said, "I thought we were relaxing!"

So, we got out some "Pops" and let the girls at it. I broke out the Popsicles to cool us down. Then, we convinced the girls that it would be more pleasant outside and a little darker for fireworks if we went in for baths and pjs first. So, they did cooperate and it was back outside for fireworks (Mind you, it is not dark outside, but they were just as thrilled). We started with Sparklers...a little nerve racking for parents worried their little ones will burn their hands again. The girls enjoyed it and Maren even worked her magic on me! She used her "magic wand" to make me a beautiful PINK ball gown and said, "I think the glass slippers are the perfect touch!" We did all the fireworks amongst giggles, wahoos, clapping, and rolling in the grass.

So, Plan B wasn't so bad, but we missed all our family and friends!

A Prayer

Today, I was touched by my young girl's faith. She was praying to bless others and said, "And please bless those that need jobs or other help that they can pray and talk to Heavenly Father."

Her faith and love strengthens mine!

A Brother

So, this is nothing new---the girls want a brother. They remind us regularly. And No, this is NOT an announcement. We were visiting about it at dinner the other night. Curtis said, "If you had a brother, what would we name him?" Curtis was suggesting all sorts of ridiculous names. This is what Lydia said to that: "Poindexter Porter does NOT sound good." He asked her what she suggested....."Fred Porter." He offered her other suggestions, but she would say, "I think Fred will be fine."

Time Out

Lydia said that Maren hit her hard in the chest. So, this is how the interaction went when I talked to Maren:

"Maren, did you hit Lydia?"
"No."
"What happened Maren?"
"I punched her. (Maren smiles)"

FHE Music

For Family Home Evening tonight, Maren said she wanted to choose the music. The opening song she chose was the "Word World" Theme Song. So, Curtis said that was fine and then we would sing a Primary Song following. Curtis said, "Ok everyone, sing..."And he began singing "Welcome to a place where words come alive. Let's build a word..." He was the only one who remembered how it started! :) What a good daddy. Then we sang "Follow the Prophet." Maren disapproved.

A Bad Day in Perspective

Well, I woke this morning in good spirits, only to find out that the rest of my household woke in bad moods. It doesn't take long for that to become frustrating. Anyhow, the day got a little better mid morning, but got worse again after lunch. I survived....didn't spank a one of them! ;) To end a bad day, I got a text from someone in tune....to tell me they loved me. Thank you! It is a good way to end a bad day.

My family is such a blessing in my life. My little two-year-old was a messenger to me tonight. She chose her bedtime story, Did I Ever Tell you How Lucky You Are, by Dr. Seuss. I have felt so blessed lately, but had forgotten today.

"When I was quite young and quite small for my size,
I met an old man in the Desert of Drize.
And he sand me a song I will never forget.
At least, well, I haven't forgotten it yet.

"He sat in a terribly prickly place.
But he sang with a sunnny sweet smile on his face:
When you think things are bad,
when you feel sour and blue,
when you start to get mad...
you should do what I do!

"Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you're really quite lucky!
Some people are much more...
oh, ever so much more...
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!

"...It's a troublesome world. All the people who're in it
are troubled with troubles almost every minute.
You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot,
for the places and people you're lucky you're not!

"...That's why I say, "Duckie,
Don't grumble! Don't stew!
Some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much- much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!"


So, today, even though I was wishing we all stayed in bed, I am so thankful for the blessings Heavenly Father has given me. I really don't have anything to complain about. I have a good life, home, family, everything I need and more. And if bad days consist of a four-year-old who throws a fit because her hair needs to be straighter today and lays on the couch in her underwear refusing to get dressed to go to dance class....well then...I need a reminder from my two-year- old,

"Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you're really quite lucky!
Some people are much more...
oh, ever so much more...
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!"

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I have tried MANY whole wheat bread recipes always end up disappointed. One would be too heavy, others too bland or too salty.  I am happy to say that I have found a recipe that I LOVE!!!!  In my experimenting I have had much better results using my own ground hard white wheat, rather than store-bought wheat flour. It is MUCH better and lighter when you use your freshly ground white wheat!!! I like to grind mine at the finest setting.

This is easy and delicious and is done from start to finish in under 2 hours!  Enjoy!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

3 cups whole wheat flour*
1 T vital wheat gluten
5 tsp. yeast
2 1/2 cups warm water

In a large mixing bowl (preferably a KitchenAid), add the 3 cups flour, wheat gluten, and yeast. Stir. Add in warm water and stir until combined. Let sit for 10 minutes.

1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
1 1/2 T lemon juice
1 T salt
3 1/2-4 cups whole wheat flour*

Mix the oil, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture after the 10 minutes. Mix until combined. Add in the additional flour and mix. Now knead the dough for 10 minutes with the dough hook. When it is done divide the dough into two loaves. Make sure they are even. Shape them into loaf form. Place the dough into 2 loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After the loaves have risen, bake them for 30 minutes. They should be golden brown. Let cool before slicing, if you can wait:) You can freeze one of the loaves if you wish.

NOTE:I have tried it with both store-bought wheat flour and my own ground wheat flour. It is MUCH better and lighter with your freshly ground white wheat!!! I like to grind mine at the finest setting.

BTW, I found this recipe at: twopeasandtheirpod.com.

My goal

My goal is to keep more current on he blog.   Here's to you--my two faithful followers--my favorite sister, Katie, and my mostly sister, Darah!

Today, we were doing chores and Lydia asked if we could teach Maren how to empty the trash instead of her.   She doesn't want to have to wash her hands after doing the job!  :)

Here are a few cute experiences I have wanted to blog since October.

Maren---  She is so little, seems too little to say things like, "Holy Cow!"   It is a favorite expression she has.

Lydia-- We were leaving church on a wet day and she went outside to walk in all the slush puddles.  She told me, "I love slush!  It makes such a beautiful sound!"

Maren-- She has an imagination just like her sister!  I love it!  We have been trying to potty train her, so she spends plenty of time on the toilet.  She said to me one day, "You want to see my cattapillar?"  I said "Sure.  Where is it?"   "In my packpack."   She had the toilet seat forward laying on her back.  She turned to get it out of the little button knobby on one side of the seat and put out her hand for me to pet him!   

Maren--Curtis grew some delicious, humongous banana squash(es).  They were as big as the girls.   Anyhow, he was slicing one up to share with some neighbors and it was quite difficult because of the tough skin.  Maren told him, "Faster, dad! Faster!  Faster!"

Lydia--Lydia said she had some dinosaur bones one day.  I asked her where she got them.  She said that dinosaur bones come from the clouds!

Maren-- Daddy often has to be a horse, carriage, dog,... anything the girls dream!   One day Lydia was riding on his back while he was on all fours.   Maren was walking along side him and  said, "C'mon Boy!"

Maren--She loves stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Are you My Mother(aka Muder)?, Green Eggs and Ham,  Baby Face, and Go, Dog, Go.   One day she was playing by herself and this is what I heard,
(a conversation between a Little People Person and a Little People Dog)
Person: "Hello."  
Dog: "Hello. Do you like my tail?"
Person: "No. Do you like my ta...uh shirt?"

You will understand if you read Go, Dog, Go.

Maren requested a green Snow White cake for her birthday.  So, we made a simple round cake with green frosting.   Then, we let Lydia's Snow White Barbie sit on top of the "hill."  Maren loved it!   She helped me make it.  It was a princess cake mix that had decals and purple and pink sprinkles.   So, when it was time to have cake for her birthday dinner, she went around the whole table as people were eating saying, "You like my cake?  You like my cake?"  What a kind hostess- making sure all her guests were enjoying the cake she made!  


Maren-- It was a few weeks before Christmas.  Maren never could tell us what she was going to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.   One Saturday morning she came into my room and said, "I want a green bird for Christmas.  I tell Santa that."   Curtis walked in the room and I said, "Maren, why don't you tell Daddy what you want for Christmas?"  So, she told him.  He asked more questions "What kind?" 
"A green one?" 
"What does the bird do?"
"You push a button and it says, 'Tweet,Tweet.'"
Can I tell you how relieved I was?!?  I did not want another animal in my house!   Thank you, Santa, for the green bird that says "tweet, tweet."



That's all for now!