Temples

So we ordered our Rexburg Temple Open House tickets today. What a relief. My husband did it at work and he called to let me know that all of December is booked and the 1st week of January is gone too, So these tickets are going fast. I hope all of my friends around here will be able to commandeer some tickets-(if they haven't already)!! Our family is super excited. The last time we saw an Open House the kids were 6, 4 and 1. So they are due to see another one.!! It was a special experience before. Brynlee still remembers it and it had quite an impact on her and I hope it will on all the kids this time a round.

We have been really sick this week. So We're all feeling better now, what a relief. that sickness was horrible.

The Idaho Falls visitor's center is also opening up and today on Robert's Lunch we went and toured it. It was so weird, when we went in everyone knew him and came and talked to us. I guess it is strange for me because everywhere we have moved we have lived in relative amonimity. I think that has been somewhat comforting to us. And now we are settling in. I think it's different to know people and be known. It's kind of nice. I don't know that I have felt that in many places. (besides Royal) maybe I'm just ready for it now. At this point in my life.
The visitor's center was awesome. They have set up some new exhibits and they are beautiful as well as informative. I loved it. Also, they have tried some new things in this center that are going to be copied in the Oakland, CA visitor's center and a few others that are in other countries. So that was an interesting tidbit I learned. Anyway, I am just feeling blessed to live near a temple especially at this time of year when all the fun exhibits are up.

Brock

Our Holiday went perfectly, I think. It was a really good break. Robert had a blast with the kids and felt like he was able to reconnect with everyone. I loved the family time as well. We're gearing up for christmas, so that's on all our minds now. Sunday turned out being a little more eventful. Brock stuck a rock up his nose! Yep, AGAIN! You would think that the mint would have done him in, but oh no, we had to to the Urgent care and get it removed. HE came upstairs crying that his nose hurt. And Robert was trying to figure out what was wrong, but I knew immediatly, I just said "Brock, did you put something in there?" and he just nodded, said, "Yup, a wock" it took a minute for me to register that he meant a ROCK!! so we looked in there and you could see just not grab it. So I took him into Urgent care and they were quick and efficient and we weren't even late for church!! it didn't even seem to phase him much-too bad really, I was hoping he would be a little more traumatized so he won't do it again. I think we will be revisiting this again, hopefully not soon. When we got in the car to go home from the clinic he turned to me and said, mom can we have McDonald's? so I don't think he was bothered much. I hope your holiday went well and everyone enjoyed their time off. bye.

Gratitiude

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So in honor of the day I wanted to share my thankful list.

*I'm glad my husband has a steady job, doing something he loves.
*I am grateful for all of my children
*I am grateful that I have been tired, that means I am busy!
* I am grateful that I have family who loves me and family to visit with on This Holiday!
*I am grateful for the Gospel.
* I am grateful my kids have other good role models to look up to.
* I am grateful for the friends I have made in this area.
*I am grateful for a husband who takes me out and who doesn't mind me go out with my friends!
* I am grateful for the Changing weather!
*Most especially I am grateful for HUMOR in my life!! Without it I may be left with nothing!!

Have a wonderful Holiday!!

Technology

I have been listening to a talk radio show on the am station, and they were talking about how technology is killing our communication skills. At first as I was listening I wasn't so sure. But after hearing all the callers I think I agree, this is what some of the callers have pointed out.

* The new generations have grown up with talking on cell phone, email, blackberry, ect. So when the babyboomer generation dies and leaves all the CEO positions open, will the next generation have the people skills to take over the positions?
* Relationships with extended family are hurt because everyone uses their cell phone and so you call that one person direct. So if my in-laws always called my husband's cell phone and didn't have to call me, or deal with me at all on the phone, because they didn't call the house phone-would our relationship hurt?
* Because of email, and and texting, most people don't use letters and stationary like they used to. This translates into nothing is physically in our possesion to keep from that person. AKA: old letters in the basement from a high school sweetheart, not even missionary letters if they were emailed and not printed out. Letters while dating, notes from a fiance', all these great items that aren't saved.
There were many other great things pointed out on this program, these were just a few.
So my mind started thinking about the council from the Prophets to keep a daily journal. And I have never seriously considered this because I have not wanted others to read my really inner thoughts, (although having a blog might seem contrary to that thought! I don't put the really serious stuff down, some how it seems different to have a private journal.). But now I am rethinking that idea. I am worried that none of my grandchildren will really know me or understand my decisions. Because I never bothered to document anything of value. With our easily deleted world I may not leave a mark for others to get to learn of my life by. So I think I may have to pick up a journal to keep for myself. I think the time has come for me to figure out how to get it all out on paper! Does anyone have a thought or idea about this?

Holiday Spirit

I'm starting to get really excited for the holidays this year. It starting a little late-but I'm getting there! It's fun to plan the holiday menu. The great food is always a must. I'm going to the store to get all the 'stuff' today. Last year I didn't want to think about it -any of it. But this year I'm definitly game. I have been planning Christmas decorations already. We have some great fun coming with Thanksgiving. The kids are really excited for the company and the fun activities that come with the holiday. I'm glad Robert will be off the whole time, so that's cool. I enjoy just being with the kids, and going out for the fun stuff. We're taking the kids to the tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. I want them to go on the horse drawn carriage rides. As well as the Day after Thanksgiving shopping spree. That I am planning as well. Can't wait for it all.

link

Check out this link. I saw it on another blog, but thought it was interesting enough to want to post it to mine. It is pretty amazing!

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

Babies

So I was talking to a friend today about pregnancy. The differences of when you are pregnant with your first and when it's -say your fifth! In the beginning everything is so exciting and new, it's like oh, look my boobs are sore. And I think, I'm getting morning sick, Wow this is really happening! Other things like, Yippee- I get to buy my first maternity pants, how EXCITING!! Well by the fifth its like, I realize this ends in a baby, and I'm happy about that, BUT this middle stuff kinda sucks, as well as by the time Alexa was born you really get how LONG the pregnancy lasts. The phrases turn into things like, oh crap, I'm into maternity pants already, I hope they still fit by the end! and this morning sickness really sucks! And don't touch me husband I feel rotten. :-) Don't get me wrong. The BABY part is the best. It's the pregnancy I'm referring to. The last 2 pregnancy's have really been rotten for me. So by the last one, I was really leary on how all this would be on my family. Having the other kids was hard because I just really wanted to go to bed all the time but couldn't. I still had responsibilities. But I love 'em all now. It's just funny how perspective changes things. First pregnancies-and the next few, are still exciting , they're new, and fun. Like an adventure, but things change and the perspective changes. You now have other children to care for and it changes the focus from just your pregnancy to the precious babies already born. And how the new one will fit into the family. The worries change from, "is it going to be a good baby" and " I wonder what they'll look like?" to " I hope the others accept the new baby, and will I adjust to more children? I hope that I can find sleep somewhere!" It's such an experience that I could not have fathomed how it would have turned out at the beginning of my 'story'. But I am excited to see how the end of my story will turn out- in 50 years or so-I hope!!

Too Funny

Many of you know that we have a siamese cat named King Henry. He's a really good cat, the kids love him and he puts up with their shinanigans.Tonight I was getting ready to make dinner and I could hear the cat moewing, I thought he was outside and wanted in. So I ignored it. Well Brock comes walking into the kitchen and he opens the potholder drawer and out pops the cat!! He didn't look upset in the slightest, he just meandered off! I couldn't believe it. I checked my drawer and the towells and potholders were quite warm, I think he had been in there quite awhile. I don't know what to think of this cat sometimes!!

Harried Day

So our plumbing seems to be on the fritz. The Kitchen sink is backed up and the upstairs toilet is also backed up. It's driving me crazy to go downstairs to go to the bathroom. Sounds lazy doesn't it? Also, going into the bathroom for water to cook with is getting old. I hope Robert can get it fixed tonight! On a different note, the River City Weekly (that's the paper that the kids have their route through) sent a letter today saying they are no longer paying carriers to deliver their paper. So, as of today they don't have a job. Well it was good while it lasted!

On an up note, My husband was informed today that he was picked out of the company to go to Boston in the spring for a conference. All expense paid. So exciting!! I am so proud of him. The total cost of just the conference is $1500.00 so it's not something we probably would have done! He's excited and I can't wait to hear about his trip. TFL!

Dinner

Here's what we had for dinner tonight. It was great. I tried a new recipe, I think it's a keeper. So I am here to share.

Chicken Drum metes

I bought 1 bag of the prefrozen kind. You don't have to buy that kind, you could use unfrozen ones. Thaw them out. Brush with olive oil, and salt & pepper.

Bake for 30 minutes at 500 degrees.

When they have cooked for 15 minutes, make your sauce.

Sauce

3/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 TBSP brown sugar
pinch of ginger
fresh garlic to taste
Half way through cooking time, turn over the chicken. This makes a crispy coating on the chicken that is divine.
Simmer to 1/2 cup. It should be syrupy. Add 1 TBSP butter. Next, coat chicken with sauce. They are fantastic. Great for party food.

We also ate green salad with home made croutons. (The BEST) The dressing was a Balsamic vinaigrette. It was also fantastic.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 cup olive oil
1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 pinches of salt
fresh garlic to taste. (I use 2 cloves minced)
Blend in a blender or food processor.
This is AWESOME!!!

We had sweet corn and celery with ranch dressing. The meal was a hit and it was all done in about 30 minutes. It truly was quick and easy. I think we may be adding this to our menus, permanently!

Stake Conference was today. I loved it. The sessions were awesome. I haven't been this excited over conference (stake) in awhile. I really felt like the Brethren new what I needed to hear. That's all for now. Take care.

Halloween

We've had lots of sickness this week , but we made it (successfully) through HAlloween. Sorry-no fun pics of us in our getup. But we all had fun. Brynlee was a Genie, Jade was Aowen (from LOrd of the Rings) She was the Horse princess, Ian was Superman and Brock was Spiderman. THey all made a haul!! Robert was sick and now he is feeling alot better. We are going out with friends tonight so gotta go. I just wanted to give a report.