Paint Colors

Of course pictures don't do justice, but here are some promised pictures. There aren't any of the girl's room because I didn't finish until yesterday and there are closet doors in their room, so you can't see the walls. Their room has one pink wall, it is the wall with the window. The other wall has all different size and colored polka dots on it. I was nervous, but I really like how their room turned out. Of course they do too.

This one is of the living room as if you were walking in the front door.

This is the opposite way, looking at the front door.
This is one of our bedroom, looking into the alcove/sitting area/office..whatever it is.
Another one of the bedroom, looking towards the alcove, from the bedroom door area.
This is the boys room. Just this window wall is done, but I think it is the only one of these that the color actually looks the same as in real life.

There you have it!

Top 5..well, I guess 9

I have to make a top 9 list of my favorite kitchen tools. I love being in my kitchen, and I LOVE useful things to help me. I got a new knife set for Christmas, and I have to say...WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING? Serioulsy...these bad boys are amazing! But, they don't make it on my top 9because a dull knife will work..as I have proven for the past 9 1/2 years. (1 being the most loved..shh don't tell number 9)

1. Kitchen Aid

It is literally my third arm we all wish for. It kneads my bred, mixes cookie batter, and whips cream. And it can do it all on its own!

2. Crock pot

This baby I use at least once a week, usually more. I am like my grandma and start dinner in the morning, but then I leave it and go on with my day. Even if I forget about it, it is fine. Then I take the dish out of the warmer, and it makes a pretty serving dish. (I have chicken in it right now for Chicken tortilla soup for dinner)

3. Tupperware carrot peeler

Because we have lefties in this family, and they are usually the ones who peel the carrots, this is essential. I have had it for several years and it is still sharp, takes just a little peel off, and has a lifetime guarantee.

4. Pampered Chef Garlic press

I am not into expensive tupperware and pampered chef items, but a few of them are really worth their money. This little guy really presses the meant of the garlic out and leaves the husk in it. I love it and use it ALL the time.

5. Stainless Steel hand washer

I hate the smells that stay on my hands when cooking (I think my hands have a problem and really absorb the smells) but this really does work!

6 IKEA flexible cutting boards

I love the flexible ones, but IKEA's are thick enough that when you cut things like celery, it cuts the strings too. (No this doesn't have to do with sharp knives) You know the board has to give a little....anyways. Love them, need to go get more (they do crack over time...just like me).

7. Blender

Need I say more? I go through these waaayyy to fast though. I have back ups in my basement...just had to replace the canister base.

8. Presto salad shooter

I think I am lazy because I grate cheese and carrots with this. It is really the only two things I use it for, and I am on my third one. ( I have two back ups in the basement) I don't use it tons, but the kids can use it now and it is easier than a hand grater for them.

9. Microwave timer

I hardly use the microwave, but the timer is an essential. I lose the little ones that stick on the fridge (What am I thinking, the kids lose it), so this one is loud, and easy to use, and always where I left it.

I couldn't limit it to 5, but 10 way too many...so 9 it is.

PS..The tread mill called my name, and VT and Mike's BB game so I never made it to the house yesterday. But TODAY!!

Painting

I spent almost 12 hours straight painting yesterday. I recruited two friends who helped most of the day.

We had three women...

8 children..

no bathroom..

no carpet to absorb the sound of 8 children..

5 gallons of paint...

7 blank walls..

.one return trip to the paint store for more paint...

and lots of chocolate chip cookies...

We got a lot done!

I went back with the kids after a potty and food break, and I got the girl's room and the edges to the ceiling in two other rooms done. So all that is left is the boy's room, and the polka dots in the girl's room.

Mike had to work until 7:30 so he missed out on ALL the fun!

I REALLY like how it turned out. I was really worried about the colors I chose, and how it would all tie together. I will take pictures and show it off.

The girl's room was a light shade of pink, but on the walls it is BRIGHT. Katie loves it and I am glad I only did one small wall with it. I think it will be great for their room, and awesome with the dots, but I am glad it is not my room.

So today I am spending doing dishes and laundry and house work that has piled up. Bread baking, kid kissing, book reading (to the kids) and all the other stuff that we missed out on yesterday.

But...knowing there is another room to do..I have ants in my pants. I think that the shower is calling my name, then loading up the chickadees and opening a can of paint, and painting that blank wall.

Calling

I was laughing all through sacrament meeting because we were informed that we were to meet with the bishop after sacrament meeting. I knew it was for Mike because the bishop and I were talking just last Sunday during my temple recommend interview that he was on a sabbtical.

After sacrament I went to Primary to help Bana with her first assignment...scripture. It is the first Article of Faith. She has been working on it all week and was really excited...until it was her turn..I gave the first Article of Faith...good thing I had worked on it all week.

So after helping her, I mean doing it for her, I headed to the bishops office. I asked the slacker in the hall, I mean the umm, helper in the hall if Mike was in the office, he said "yes", so I said "Good, I'll go teach my class" Then someone else said "You need to be in there" So they knocked on the door, and I was granted passage. Long story short...

Mr. and Mrs. Mike both have new callings.

I still have my old one.

He said they have been praying about it for a long time and finally got our names. We reminded him that we are moving soon, and he said we will use you up before you go. In my heart I hope that doesn't mean we are staying here, I had finally resigned myself to really moving.

...and my heart is breaking just for you, just for you

...and these tears I'm crying are for you just for you....

Mike fell asleep helping Savannah go to sleep. She had a rough day, but she did earn 5 smiley faces on her Kudos chart. She was in the process of having a rough evening watching Super Nanny so, he decided that it was bed time. The two oldest watched that (the deal is if they ever start acting like the kids on it, we don't watch anymore) then I let them watch 1/2 of Shark Tank with me (I'm a great mom, I know) then I sent them to bed.

By 9 the hose was quiet and instead of going to bed, I decided to watch the 20/20 special Earthquake in Haiti.

It broke my heart, and I sat there, by myself in the quiet crying for these little babies, older children, young adults, mommies and daddies, Grandmas and Grandpas. Their world literally came crashing around them.

What are you going to do to help?

I am frustrated that supplies are sitting on the tarmack, and they have no food or clean water. But I am not going to get into that.

600 miles from the US border.

Over 50,000 people have died...but aren't they the lucky ones?

You can go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/haiti-earthquake-help-victims/story?id=9547030 and see what you can do to help.

Or you can also go here http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,6392-1-3260-1,00.htm

I think we will do something from here since I won't have to worry if it is going to the right place.

http://give.lds.org/emergencyresponse

...tell me what you want

What do you think of this baby?

Does it make you want to grab a knife, soft butter and dig in?

Or maybe some spinach artichoke dip,

or homemade strawberry jam.....

Mamacita was reminicing about a certain kind of bread, and I took it as a challenge.

I found the recipe for this beauty and who cares about taste, isn't it beautiful. Doesn't it make you want to make some. It is a sort of sour dough...but guess how you cook it..In a dutch oven! I am serious. I can now make use of the little dutch oven that I don't use very much because it is too small to make a dinner for the family in. So basically, this is great for camping!

It has a hard crust with holey inside, and a delicous taste

Mamacita is getting a loaf tomorrow when Gary heads home. Do you think she will share? It might pass the test, and might not, but it is a keeper for me.

Goals

Last night for FHE we wrote down our goals. It is a family tradition, and since we were out of town for New Years, and last week I was sick, we got to it this week. I warned them all last week to be thinking of what goals they want to set. It was fun to see what they came up with. My list from last year was an embarasment I didn't do very good. I am hopeful about this year, and I know I can accomplish them.

1. Get out of bed each day.

2.Brush teeth morning and night...

no I'm kidding, they are real goals

But I am so nice and and love to share too much information, I am going to share SOME with you. Who am I kidding Mike and the kids don't read this, they will never know...hint hint.

So One of Mike's was, you'll never guess coming from a workaholic..

Take the family on a family vacation!! I am serious. This is a sensitive subject in the family and we have decided that I can take the kids on trips and leave him home to work. So when he said this, I tried not to let my jaw drop to the floor, and nicely wrote it down. We will have to see where to. I am okay with camping, but we already do that, so I bet it is something different.

I'll share two of mine. one is learn to set better at volleyball. The other one is be in a 5K (this is an unaccomplished one from last year.) Jeffrey and Katie decided to do this one with me, so I am really excited about it.

Katie's is go to church without complaining. Yes, we are already dealing with this with a 7 year old. I think 11 o'clock church will help this one.

Jeffrey's are always funny. Last year he had one..Open doors for elderly and girls. He is really good at it now. So this year one is..Help mom clean the house.

Savannah's is to write her name.... i'll add legibly.

Parley's are (i'll share all of his since I helped him write them) Sit through sacrament meeting. This has only happened once and that was the week I was sitting on the stand for the Primary Program, and he had 4 adults to entertain him, and no siblings to compete with. Bana was sitting with someone else...that is what happens when I am on the stand.:) His next one is..no night nursing. I am not sure if we are ready to do a complete weaning, but I do need to sleep at night. Have I mentioned that before? And his last one is....Potty trained! I am so excited....My number one least favorite thing about being a mommy. But at least it is better than the other option...peeyew!