I’m still here…

I’ve been mostly posting updates on facebook recently.

Seriously, I can’t believe it’s been over 2 months since I last posted here!

Here’s a few updates:

Ashley was baptized as a new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! We’re so proud of her! I also found a beautiful white dress for her to wear so she would feel extra special!   

My Dad got married over spring break. He’s been going back ‘n forth between here and California and wherever his new wife needs to be. She just graduated with her Masters degree and is looking for a job in several states. So, we’re not sure where they will end up.

My Sister is moving to Colorado in a week. :( She needs some fresh new scenery and will be staying with one of her best friends, so I’m not too worried about her. Although I will miss her terribly.

We had a wonderful Easter and Ashley even learned to ride her bike (without training wheels)! That was a HUGE accomplishment for her. She has been terrified to get on her bike even though Ben was always holding on. We’re so proud of her! 

Ben has been in Taiwan for the past 3 weeks (for work). He’s coming home tonight! I’m so excited!!! We’ve been using skype for the first time to talk to each other. It was fun being able to see him while we talked. I think it kind of made it seem like he wasn’t so far away. He could also show me his hotel room and the view from his window. I took snapshots nearly every time we talked, which really wasn’t that much because of the 15 hour time difference. Sometimes he was being silly, so of course, I snapped those moments, usually without him knowing. haha Sorry babe, I just couldn’t resist sharing some of these pics. *Can you tell what was on the tv one night?

While he was gone, my friend from TX, Karyn, visited me for almost 2 weeks! We had so much fun together! We went to the gym nearly every day, visited the kids’ P.E. classes at school (it was parent P.E. week), shopped, went to bunko, rollerbladed, and swam lots!

We also had a relaxing Mother’s Day {considering Ben wasn’t here, Karyn’s kids were back in TX, and my Mom wasn’t here}! Here’s what we made for breakfast – Belgian waffles with strawberries & cool whip!

And the kids made some cute gifts at school for me!

M-Marvelous, O-Oh’ So Nice, T-Terrific, H-Heart, E-Extra, R-Reads to me (that last one took a minute to figure out) By Anson

“Dear Mom, Happy Mother’s Day! I love you and thank you for helping me with my homework. Thank you for making all these yummy meals. I also wish that every day was no school so that I can spend time with you everyday. I love you very much. Love, Ashley”

M-My Special Hero!, O-Often makes me Happy!, T-The very best Mom!, H-Hugs from you makes me feel loved!, E-Everlasting love!, R-Really amazing mother! by Felicia

Awww they just melt my heart ♥

Karyn also introduced me to a new food – Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah). It’s really good and good for you! I got a small package in the health food section at Fry’s (a grocery store). I made just one cup of dry Quinoa, it pretty much doubles in size when you cook it. When it was done cooking, we mixed in sautee’d onions & green peppers, then added some frozen peas and corn – you let it sit covered for a minute or two and they get cooked from the heat of the Quinoa. I had some leftover grilled chicken, so I threw that in there too. That was our dinner the other night. Nathaniel & Felicia love it, so do I! Since I posted about it on facebook, here’s a pic:

With everything that has been going on, I decided to take a little break from digital scrapbook designing. Hopefully, I can get some mojo and get back into it soon. I really love it, but I’ve needed a little break.

I can’t believe that school is almost over for my kids! Less than 2 weeks are left!!! Next week, Nathaniel & Felicia have an orchestra concert, history fair (they’ve been working hard on a history report and presentation), and their hip hop dance recital. Felicia also has to write a short speech and make a poster because she’s running for student council President! Elections are Wednesday! Way to shoot for the stars! Yearbooks have arrived and I’ll be busy handing out preordered ones next week and selling the rest of them before and after school. Then the last week, the kids will all have their class parties! They are so excited!

Ok, so that’s a little bit of what we’ve been up to, of course there’s more but then this post would never end. haa haa A couple more busy weeks, then SUMMER VACATION!!!!! YAY!!!

Ok, this has taken way toooooo long to type this up plus add all the pics (my comp kept freezing and wouldn’t let me add the pics for a while). I need to help get the house cleaned before Ben gets home tonight! :)

News & Spring is almost here!

I’ll start with the shocking news…

For those of you who haven’t heard yet, my Dad met someone online, they met and immediately became engaged. They have recently set the date for May 20th to get married. It’s been kind of difficult dealing with this. My sister and I have been trying to be happy for our Dad but it’s still too fast for us. But it’s what he wants, so there’s no changing his mind. She will be visiting here March 18-26th, so that’s when we’ll get to meet her.

Good News…

I finally removed the hangers, bagged, and donated all of my Mom’s clothes. It was 2 huge trash bags plus a bag for her shoes.

Fun news…

I shopped for bunko prizes last week. Then I hosted bunko at my house on Friday. It was a blast! And I got a cute prize (I really wanted to keep all of them)!

On to sweeter news…

My darling Ashley had her 8th birthday over the weekend. I can’t believe how quickly she is growing and changing. She has been wanting secret journals, so she received a couple of those. You know the kind that has a mini key with it? She thinks they are so cool. She also got a Moxie doll (like a Barbie doll but with changeable heads) and an iCarly notebook, but I forgot to buy some batteries, so she hasn’t used it yet. I think you have to use a passcode to get it open, then you can write your notes in it. My sister also found a gift & card that my Mom had bought for Ashley before she died. So, Christy was able to give that to her. It’s a necklace with a charm and inside is a mustard seed with a quote attached that reads, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Ashley was so excited!!! I love the one I got just like it when I was 8 from my Aunt Wendy. I still have it.

Enjoying breakfast (homemade Belgian waffles) with her BFF that spent the night. Playing a little xbox.Eating lunch after the makeover her sister gave her. her bday cake (rainbow chip with rainbow chip frosting) The whole gang! blowing out 8 candles. her Moxie doll. some wall scrapbook kits Ashley with Grandma and Grandpa Stradling              Ashley & me Ashley & Ben

And because Ashley turned 8, she will be getting baptized this Saturday. She is thrilled!

Decluttering news…

Ben & I helped the kids go thru their closets & dressers to gather all the clothes that don’t fit them. We filled 7 trash bags!!! {well 2 or 3 were already filled with baby/toddler clothes just waiting to be donated}. Ben dropped off ALL the clothing for donations yesterday! It really feels good to get all that stuff OUT of the house that we weren’t using. Now, if I can just get the computer room organized. Hmmmm. That’s for another day. LOL

* NEW * March Challenges are posted.

Head on over to the DSO Challenge Blog for some inspiration, plus you earn freebies!

Here's what you get FREE if you play along:

{remember my posting bonuses are coordinating}

FONT Challenge

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HAPPY SPRING and HAPPY SCRAPPING!

My Doppelganger and what’s for dinner?

On Facebook apparently it’s doppelganger week. {I don’t know who comes up with this stuff, but if I have nothing better to post, then yep, I copy and do it too. LOL}

What is a doppelganger? I’d heard that word before but didn’t know what it meant. It basically means someone who looks like YOU. So, you’re supposed to change your profile pic (on facebook) to someone famous that you’ve been told you look like.

In high school, my friends and I would sometimes watch Young and the Restless at a friends’ house while eating lunch. They told me that I looked like Heather Tom. Of course, I was thrilled because I think she’s really pretty. Well, that was back in high school though. hahaha

 

(I’m the one on the right, in case Heather Tom really is my twin and you couldn’t tell the difference. LOL) Who’s your doppelganger?

Ok so I was going to post this earlier in the week but just didn’t get around to it til now. My SIL Merrianne tagged me, so here goes.

We had Shepherd’s Pie for dinner on Sunday (and Monday) evening. Sorry Ben, yep, we had one of your faves while you were out of town. My Dad, Christy and the kids loved it!

Ok I know the pic looks a little messy but it’s the only one I got. We had green salad with it (I’m not including a pic – sorry. It was just lettuce, tomatoes, croutons and dressing). Here’s my recipe, you can cut it down a little if your family is smaller or you only want it to last one day.

Shepherd’s Pie

2lbs lean ground Beef

1 Onion, chopped

1-2 Garlic cloves, chopped or pressed

1 Green Pepper, chopped – optional

1 large can Tomato Soup

1 large bag Frozen Green Beans

5lbs or more Potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 stick Butter

1 cup Sour Cream

Milk, optional

Shredded Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground beef with onion, garlic and green pepper. Drain fat. Stir in tomato soup, let simmer for 5-10 min on MED LOW heat.

Cook green beans according to pkg directions. Drain.

Peel potatoes and boil (I cook them in the pressure cooker because it’s faster). Drain.

In a bowl combine butter, sour cream and cooked potatoes. Mash until all lumps are gone. If a little dry, add a little milk slowly.

In a baking dish, coat with non-stick cooking spray. Add meat mixture, green beans, then mashed potatoes. Top with shredded cheese. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

For dessert we had a coconut-banana cream pie. My Dad loves coconut cream pie and banana cream pie and has been saying that it would make a great combo pie. So, I tried it and it was delicious!!!

Here’s my recipe:

Coconut-Banana Cream Pie

1 1/4 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (I used store bought crumbs)

3 Tbsp. Sugar

1/3 cup Butter, melted

1 sm box Banana Cream Pudding

1 3/4 cup Milk

1 Banana, sliced then cut in half

1 sm box Coconut Cream Pudding

1 3/4 cup Milk

Cool Whip, optional

Shredded Coconut, optional

Combine crumbs and sugar in medium bowl. Stir in melted butter until thoroughly blended. Pack mixture firmly into 9-inch pie pan and press firmly to bottom and sides. Chill one hour before filling or bake in 350 degree oven for 8 minutes, cool & chill. (I usually bake it so it stays together better.) Set aside until ready to fill.

In medium bowl, add 1 3/4 cup milk and box of Banana cream pudding mix. Use wire whisk to blend for 1 minute. Stir in banana slices. Set in fridge for 5 minutes.

In medium bowl, add 1 3/4 cup milk and box of Coconut cream pudding mix. Use wire whisk to blend for 1 minute. Set in fridge for 5 minutes.

Pour banana cream pudding into graham cracker crust. Then top with coconut cream pudding. Refrigerate until serving.

*I wasn’t sure both puddings were going to fit in my pie crust so I didn’t add all the banana pudding on the bottom layer, once I saw there was room, I topped it with the rest of the banana pudding – that’s why you may see banana chunks on the top layer in my pic. You can do it however you want.

Optional: Add a dollop of cool whip and sprinkle a little bit of shredded coconut to each slice when serving.

It’s delicious! Way better than I even thought it would be!

I’m not good at tagging, so if you post what you had for dinner and recipes, please let me know so I can come check it out!!

Have a super duper fun weekend! Ben’s been out of town since Saturday (in Austin, TX) so I’m excited he’s coming home tonight! YAY!!!

Another Year Older & Wiser

hahaha yeah right! JUST OLDER! I finally found my FIRST white hair a few months ago! YIKES!!! Although, I have yet to see it grow back {of course I plucked it for safe keeping}.

Ok now I have finally caught up with my dear OLD hubby!

His birthday was the week of Thanksgiving and now mine.

I tease him that he’s OLD, but then a month and a half later – I “catch up!” LOL

By the way, do you like my new playlist? Enjoy it while you can because it will only play TODAY!

{maybe if I give enough hints – hubby will get that cake for me! I’ve already printed the $3 off coupon & will be placing it where he can easily find it. heee heee}

**I also want to add a BIG “THANK YOU” to all who have sent kind, loving emails, cards, meals and donations to my Mom’s Fund. My family and I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity!

♥((BIG HUGS))♥

My sister, brother, uncle and I spoke {I was so nervous and it took me days to prepare for it} at my Mom’s service and a dear family friend sang several songs {he is so amazing} and it was beautiful. I’m so grateful that my brother and his wife were able to be here. I wish they could’ve stayed longer, but they needed to get back to their kids. Can’t wait til they can visit again this summer!

HOORAY!!!

After 15 days, 2 surgeries, and a blood transfusion, my Mom is finally HOME from the hospital!

My Dad was able to bring her home last night around 5pm.

Thank you so much for all your prayers! They really helped her get well.

Now she can relax in her own home in her comfy chair and fuzzy blankets. My Dad has been an excellent nurse staying by her side most of the day every day she was in the hospital. But his job doesn't end there, he's got his work cut out for him making sure my Mom takes all her meds, gets to her doctor's appointments and follows all the doctor's orders. You're doing GREAT Dad, keep up the good work!!!

Here's to a speedy recovery, Mom! You are my hero and best friend!
♥ I LOVE YOU ♥

Have you heard of Fruitcake Lady?

oh. my. gosh. This lady is hilarious! Apparently this was on Jay Leno.

She reminds me of the “Shoebox” cards lady. You’ve gotta watch this (don’t forget to pause my playlist on the right first, so you can hear what she’s saying):

{warning – you may not want young ears around}

UPDATE: My Mom is doing very good! I saw her at the hospital last night for a little while. Her morphine has her making up funny stories and wanting to bust out of there & go home. LOL She was cracking us up as usual. It was good to finally see her much more awake and aware. She’s been in the hospital almost 2 weeks and majority of that time she has been in tons of pain, very uncomfortable, and unable to talk much or be herself. We can tell she’s feeling better because she’s suddenly worried about getting her Christmas shopping done and cleaning the house for the holidays. She really wants to eat – when she was able to eat, she just kept vomitting last week. They wouldn’t let her eat or drink yesterday. Hopefully today they will give her some liquids, then solids soon. She overheard some nurses talking about pizza in another room, and my Mom said if someone couldn’t get her at least some ice chips that she wanted to leap out of bed and hunt down the pizza and eat it all. hahahaa

She just had some x-rays this morning and now they’re waiting results.

Gotta go. I’m heading to my parents’ house to help get some cleaning done so my Mom can stop worrying. Plus my Brother’s coming in town tomorrow night, so we are ALL very excited to see him! Hope you have a safe flight, Spencer!!!

Shocking News & a little Hokey Pokey

For those who haven't heard yet, my Mom had been really sick all last week and my Dad finally took her to the ER last Thursday night because she couldn't hardly breathe and was coughing like crazy. Turns out she has pneumonia and they drained a LOT of icky yellow fluid out of her right lung and put her on antibiotics. So, with that she's feeling a little better now.

However, it doesn't end there. She has had a lump in her breast & hadn't seen a doctor about it. I have known about this for a while. My Dad and I have tried to convince her to get it checked out. She's so stubborn. Well, now that she's in the hospital, they have discovered she's in the advanced stages of breast cancer. It has spread to her lymph nodes in both armpits and may be in her right lung (or could be part of her infection).

They have done a full body scan, biopsy and bone scan. The bone scan results came back clear. YAY!!! A little bit of good news! Still waiting on the other results. She is optimistic and really likes her team of doctors. They want to start chemotherapy as soon as they get all the test results. She will be in the hospital a couple more days. We are all hanging in there and doing fine. We've all visited her a bunch of times, I even took the kids a couple times (we had to meet her in the lobby of her floor since the kids are under 12). She's excited to have her family near and enjoys receiving phone calls from friends and family.

We were still able to celebrate Father's Day this weekend. My Sister and I took my Dad to a movie of his choice. He chose UP in 3D. It was SO CUTE!!!! We all loved it :)

After the movie, we took the kids to McDonald's for a late lunch and then went to visit my Mom at the hospital again.

My sister, Dad, and ME

We always have a FUN time when we're with our Dad! He's an amazing Dad and he's always been there supporting and encouraging me! Thanks Dad - you're the BEST!!

The kids enjoyed shouting "Happy Father's Day!!!" to Ben several times Sunday morning!
They love their Dad so much!! Ben is such a wonderful father & husband!! We hit the jackpot with him :)

I also invited my Dad and sister over for dinner Sunday evening. We had a good time together. Then my Dad, Ben and I visited my Mom at the hospital (w/o the kids).

Oh my goodness! We were all laughing for hours! The nurses must've thought we were all nuts! We finally left around midnight. Under the circumstances, it's been a good weekend.

We all really appreciate all the warm thoughts and prayers everyone has been sending our way!

Now I've been doing laundry most of the day so we can pack. We're going to Utah for a few days for Ben's family reunion. It's more like a sibling reunion rather than huge extended family one. We're excited to see everyone. Not looking forward to the drive, but there's no way around that.

On to some more exciting news! Well exciting for me. I have finally finished a new kit!!! It's taken me a while, but I had fun creating this one.

HOKEY POKEY SAVE 25%

Somehow I got this silly song in my head, so that's how it got it's name:

You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out.
You put your right foot in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about!

You singing with me yet? hahaha
That song is fun and quirky, just like this kit!
There are lots of fun pattern papers with birdies, gems, glitter, strings, swirls and flowers to play with.
17 Papers and 52 Elements (not all shown)

Here's a better look at the pattern papers

And the Solid Papers

I took a little time {in between doing laundry} and made a layout with the kit!

I also used my Deck the Halls Alpha.
It's for the DSO Template Challenge.

These pics are from Easter this year. I just love their matching dresses and so do they! They look so beautiful! I can't believe how big they're getting.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!