Pick Me! Pick Me!

Julia aka crazymama is having another super giveaway! Check out her site! crazymamaof6


The latest giveaway is this Super cute vinyl lettering America sign. Don'tcha love it?

The giveaway is sponsored by Creations by Belle. They have some really cute things. I think one of my favorites is the Halloween one I'm the good witch! I love Halloween!! They have some super cute religious sayings too.

Here is her website so you can check it out too! creations by belle

MMM...Trashy Goodness!

OK~ most of my good friends and family already know this about my family but I am going to let you in on our little secret for those of you who don't know this....My family tends to be a bit of spam sucking trailer trash! It's true I swear.Not only do we acknowledge this but we embrace our trashy side. Ok, hell~we OWN it!

Now that you know that about us can you guess what one of my families all time favorite dinners is?

Hmm is it Tacos? Umm, No!

Is it Pizza? Nope, Definitely not trashy enough......













Is it Beans and Weenies? Ok, sleazier, but not the favorite.....

Is it Hamburger Helper??? You are on the right track, Oh yes,
a favorite meal but not THE favorite.....






Sooooo What is it?? What is the favorite meal?? Tuna burgers my friends, yes Tuna burgers..
I was making up my menu for the upcoming week and was asking the kids what meals they were in the mood for. Homemade mac n cheese? Enchiladas? Chicken potpie? Nope, They wanted Kraft Macaroni and cheese(offensive!)corn dogs, beans and weenies, and oh,oh, please,please,please mom, can't we please have tuna burgers? You never make us tuna burgers.

Ok, So I did today and you would have thought I made a 5 star meal. The oohs and ahhhs were impressive! SUPER!

See~ The spam sucking trailer trash?...We OWN it!


Ok, Now you all didn't think I was going to share with you how much we love tuna burgers and not give you the recipe...So here it is if you are feeling like embracing your trashy side too!

First, mix some tuna, mayo, and mustard together. Add some pepper, and season salt.

Now this is where you can go a little butt wild with your creative side....Add whatever your family likes in their tuna..Maybe chopped eggs, green onions, celery, relish etc...go for it!!

Second step, set your oven on broil.Take some hamburger buns, split them in half and butter the insides of them. Place them on a cookie sheet and put the cookie sheet in the oven.

Step three, once the buns are lightly browned take them out of the oven and put a scoop of tuna on the buns. Put some shredded cheese on top of the tuna. Place back under the broiler until cheese melts. Voila...Yes, a bit sleazy but~

MMMMM Trashy Goodness! Come on~ You know you're curious!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 24

This week I am Grateful For~Amazing Fathers!

Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine attributes of our Father in Heaven~James E Faust

I love Today because it gives me a chance to reflect on how blessed I am to be surrounded by amazing men in my life. How could I not choose my father,father in law, and husband as my blessing today?

My father is a man who lives his life with Joy, Kindness, Integrity, and Spirituality. He has been such a great example to me of how to live a rightous, happy life. One of the greatest gifts that he gave me was being a rightous preisthood holder. I always knew I could come to him for a father's blessing.He is a wonderful father, husband, and grandfather. My kids love him so much. What a blessing to have the kind of grandparents that my children have.I love his example to others. The only real argument I can ever remember him having with my mother was once when he sprayed her with a hose! Man was she ticked off! I am sure there were others, but what I remember most is how he treated her with such love and respect. You can tell she means the world to him. I had always known I wanted to find a man that would love and appriciate me as much as my father loved my mother. I knew that I wanted a husband that would emulate some of his wonderful qualities.

Well, lucky me! I found just that! My husband is a Kind,Loyal,Funny,Dedicated man. He is someone who not only loves me but makes sure that I know how much he loves me! What a great example for our children! He is the best father. The girls look so forward to him coming home. They know they can talk him into going swimming with him or he will read a book to them. When I am frustrated with him, I tell him so and not always so kindly. He hears what I have to say, and he tries so hard to change whatever is bothering me. He is always willing to try to be a better father, a better husband. He may not be perfect but to our family he is the perfect daddy. I love that he tries to help our family draw closer to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to be better~ to strive to live a more rightous life.He pushes us to be better~even when we don't want to! I am blessed Heavenly Father sent him to me. Our children are blessed to have such a wonderful father!

I know that Tony is the kind gentle man he is today because of his wonderful parents. I can see so much of his personality comes from his father. His competitive side, his sense of humor, his work ethic, his sense of family....I could go on and on. I have found Wally to be so funny,kind, patient(especially around all the screaming lil ones!)and so welcoming.It is so fun when Wally comes to visit.The kids love it! It is so great that they are able to spend such quality time with him. He is so good with them. I crack up at the similarites between Tony and his father.They both have a fierce competitive side. It is always funny to hear the results of the latest golf game(competition) they played.I think they could tell you who won the game they played in 1986.Both would claim it was them.I am so grateful for the influence of his father that has helped to shape the man that I love so much.I know that Wally's example of being a great father is what helped Tony to becoming the wonderful one that he is!

So, Today I am so thankful for all the amazing men in my life. The best fathers, grandfathers, husbands,and friends. Thank You! Happy Fathers Day!

I Guess It's Goodbye!

Since we've moved here I held onto some weird hope that somehow we'd be able to transfer back to Frederick. Tony's work is opening a rocky mountain region and the regional office was to be located in Denver. We sold our house back to his work, and it had not sold in the year that we had been here. Every so often, I would go online and look at our house, take the virtual tour, and wish maybe we would be able to go back and buy it. Reality would set in and I thought probably not, then I would be depressed for a day or two. I am so weird, but I loved that home. Strange things like I had a set of bookcases built in with cupboards. I had these baskets I bought and put in them it. It was such a great place to hide kiddie toys! I chose the carpet color cause it was beautiful and you couldn't see any stains. nothing! I had the island expanded to fit extra kids at the counter when I was cooking. I built this home for my family. For my kids to grow up here.For Tony and I to grow old in. The spiral staircase,I'd imagine Rachelle on prom night coming down it.The video shows how awesome the stairs were! Hmm I think I was way too emotionally attached to this home! My mother in law has reminded me it was only a house and I can create a home anywhere... Well, tonight I went online to look at my home and found it has sold finally!! I feel a little sick about it. So,I suppose this is a good thing. No more imagining I am going back. Time for reality.Time to make my house feel like a home. We're where we are supposed to be for now! Strange too...I can't find any of my pictures of our old home except for these. Hmm, maybe a blessing so I can't dwell on it anymore. I'm movin on.......

The Joys of Being a Parent!

Ok, so last night,got home late and Grace woke up and was hysterical. Had to bring her to bed with me.Once she was asleep and I was settled, it was now 1 am. Yikes.I was so tired. Maybe I'd be able to sleep in.
Nope, silly me Ethan woke up at 6:30.Crazy since he got to bed after 10. Oh well. I was hoping to get a nap a little later. So at 11:30 I go lay down with him for a nap and Rachelle calls me to come pick her up from her friends house.Dang~there goes my nap!
So, once I get her Zach and Rachelle are complaining we have nothing in the house that looks good to eat, so of course I have to go to Taco Bell and get them some food. I give in and go get some food.
After a little while, I get a call from Hannah. She needs me to go pick her up at her friends house now. Ughh ok.
I get Hannah, get home and Rachelle now tells me I have to take her to the movie.Oh and by the way Zach is going to the movies too, another theater of course and I need to drive him.One more thing the movie she wants to see is rated R but only for violence so I need to buy the ticket for her. WHAT??? UH NO!!!After a nice lengthy argument of her telling me how unfair as parents we are Zach chimes in. I guess I am a unreasonable parent who doesn't let my kids do anything!
Anyhow I took them both to different theaters. Dropped them off was told when to pick them up and told I was also giving a few kids rides home too. Rachelle as she is getting out of the car (for a rated pg13 movie)with tears in her eyes tells me "this is going to suck" and slams the door.
Nice EH?
I hate what a mean mom I am! Like I said ~ Oh the joys of being a parent!

Smart Habit Saturday ~Week 3

JUNE HABIT~Wash and Fold 2 Loads of Laundry a Day!

When we have practiced good actions awhile, they become easy; when they are easy, we take pleasure in them; when they please us, we do them frequently; and then, by frequency of act, they grow into a habit. John Tillotson

Week 3~ Progress at last!

Well this week has been great. Not only did I do 2 loads of laundry a day but on a few ambitious days I actually did 4! It seems once I got going, it was easier to just continue!
Sherry was asking me why I was doing Smart Habit Saturday instead of flylady, and I thought I'd mention it here too. I love, love flylady. It is a site that helps you get organized.The women on flylady are just as domestically challenged as I am!I do use flylady quite a bit, but lately I have been kind of down, and needed a kick in the butt to get going again.Flylady has alot of the same concepts as SHS. I only do SHS because it holds my feet to the fire. Ya know? There is nothing like public humiliation to shame me into action! Plus it's working...Yeaah.
Oh, and good news~I can actually see the floor of my laundry room now. Oh yeah~ progress is SWEET!

I THINK I'VE ENTERED HELL!!

About a month ago, Tony was laying on the floor in our room with the baby and Grace. They had pillows on the floor and Grace and Ethan had fallen asleep.I put Ethan in his crib, and put covers on Tony and Grace thinking she could just sleep there tonight so she doesn't end up in my bed. About an hour later, Tony yells and scares the living crap out of me. I jump up and turn on the light to see what was wrong. He lifts his pillow and sees a SCORPION!! It had just stung him. UGGH...My baby had been lying there, and so was Grace!! Well, Tony got up and went to look for something to kill it. When he came back, it was gone-and we couldn't find it anywhere. We looked for about an hour, and still couldn't find it. So now I have a lovely pet living in my room UUGHHH..

Since moving here we have found scorpions on a monthly basis. At first I would call Tony at work and threaten his life if he didn't come home immediately and kill it. Since then, Zach has gotten brave and done the killing for me.

We have found 4 scorpions in the past two months, so I bit the bullet and called a pest control.

$75 later and a promise we would be pest free, we have had two more...the latest being found today by Hannah.Poor Hannah- she cried and cried. It scared her so much. She was cleaning(Go Hannah!) and found it under a shoe box. I was pissed with having another one in my house and Hannah losing her motivation to finish her job! Crap!

When Tony's work called and told us we had to move, only 8 months after we built our dream home, I was devastated.I knew we weren't really being given the option of staying or not, so we did what we had to do, and sucked it up.We moved to Arizona.

Now I can deal with the ugly desert landscape, I can deal with a 12 year old house that is run down and has ugly carpet, I can deal with not having alot of friends here, and I can even deal with the disgusting heat (I will just hole up in my house for a few months) HOWEVER...I CANNOT DEAL WITH THIS SICK SCORPION PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I've entered HELL!!

So, how do you make peace with a situation that is driving you mad? Can I be happy here eventually?

The pic is today's nasty little bugger!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan Turns 1!
I can still remember the sinking feeling in my gut when I found out I was pregnant with Ethan.I wasn't feeling well and I decided on a whim to buy a pregnancy test. I was 99.9 percent certain I wasn't pregnant, but thought I sure feel sick like I am, so I will just check to be sure.When the stick started to turn color, I felt the blood rush out of my head. I got dizzy and had to sit immediately so I wouldn't pass out! I just couldn't believe it! I took 4 more pregnancy tests and was shocked each time I got a positive result.
Tony was thrilled we were going to have another baby. I was angry with him. I thought no way could I endure another 9 months of torture, throwing up, IVs, Medicine, Crazy hormones, etc...I called the missionaries in our ward and asked them to come over immediately. When they arrived I explained I needed a blessing...I was pregnant, and didn't think I could handle it. I was a mess.After receiving a blessing, I felt pure peace. It was a gift. I knew this baby was supposed to be ours.
Ethan came into our lives on June 9th weighing in at 7lbs, 9 oz. He was beautiful! I couldn't stop staring at him. He looked so different from my other babies. He looked so much like his daddy and I loved that!I would stare at him for hours. I couldn't put him down. I even slept with him in my bed! I felt such a feeling of gratitude for my Heavenly Father for bringing this sweet boy into my life.
That feeling has remained and has grown stronger. Ethan is such a joy to me and his daddy. To his brothers and sisters.
I think he has the sweetest personality. He cries only when he is tired, needs to be changed, or wants to be picked up.I don't know how I was blessed to have such a good baby! He is so, so good! The absolute happiest baby!
I will eternally be grateful that he is a part of our forever family! Happy Birthday my little angel!

52 Blessings Project~ Week 23

This week I am grateful for~Date Night!
Tony is pretty good at taking me out every Friday or Saturday night for a date night.
I was having a bit of a hard day on Thursday, so Tony came home early from work, and told me to hurry and get ready. He was taking me out on a date. We went to eat at the Havana Cafe. It's a Cuban restaurant that's food is almost as good as mama's! Afterward we went to see a movie. It was so much fun going out. Boy, do I have a good man!
I love date nights. It is such a good opportunity to talk about everything. The kids, our home,our relationship,stress, finances, etc... He helps me put things into perspective.
We talk,we laugh, and we reconnect. I remember all of the reasons we fell in love in the first place. For that I am very grateful!!

Birthday Fun!

To celebrate Bailey's birthday we went
to Amazing Jake's. We got our food and sat down in the movie room. Too exciting...it was playing The Litttle Mermaid...Bailey's favorite movie and the theme of her party......cool. After eating we headed out to the fun rides and games. Bailey's favorite ride was the frog hopper. She and Hannah rode it about 5 times. Hannah, Bailey, and Grace went on the teacups together. Hannah had the teacups spinning so fast Grace was unable to keep her head up! We were all screaming at Hannah trying to get her attention but she just ignored us! The guy operating the ride finally jumped on the ride as it was moving and pulled Grace off!She couldn't walk for about 5 minutes. Poor Grace! However, now that we are home she will tell you her favorite ride of the evening was the teacups. She will then tell you "but I don't want to ride it no more" Yep, Grace-I bet you don't!

Happy Birthday Bailey

Bailey Turns 4!!
Tuesday was Bailey's birthday!I can't believe my sweet little girl is 4 already.
Bailey, Bailey~It seems like only yesterday I was bringing you home from the hospital. Time has just flown by. Remember when we called you Bailey Bouche? It's from the movie Waterboy. In the movie his mother would say "you the devil bobby bouche,you are the devil" It seemed to fit for you during the terrible twos. Looking back, I think Oh No..Did I stop to enjoy that time enough? You are growing up so fast. I need to take it all in.
I love your personality. I love your sweet mothering side. You are so loving to your brothers and sisters.It is so fun to see you and grace holding hands as you walk everywhere, to see you trying to carry your baby brother who probably outweighs you by a good 5-10 lbs already.I love your strong will. I thought it might be the death of me as we have had power struggles but I have learned to embrace that side of you.
You have brought so much joy into my life and I am eternally grateful you are a part of our family! I hope you had a happy, happy birthday Bailey and I love you so much!

Smart Habit Saturday ~Week 2

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an art, but a habit. ~Aristotle

June Habit-wash and fold 2 loads of laundry a day

Ok, from feedback that I've heard from a few,shall we say perfectionists, it is horrifying to you that my habit for the month is to only wash and fold two loads of laundry a day.Unfortunately I am not a domestic diva, and I never will be. However I do love a clean house just like the rest of us, so I am working slowly here, and am hoping that each habit will help me to establish daily routines and help me achieve more peace in my life. Isn't that what we are all after my friends?

Anywhoo, I am embarrassed to admit after all of that -I did no laundry on Monday, and no laundry yesterday. I was gone most of the day, and it was just too crazy! Yikes. However, some laundry is still better than no laundry done,and I shall continue on this journey....Baby steps...

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