Walking In A Winter Wonder Land...

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went up near Rainier and cut down a Christmas Tree. It was so beautiful, peaceful, and a wonderful day for the 3 of us. We wish we could have had the rest of the family with us but we are so glad we went. It didn't take us long to find 2 trees that would work in our house. We hiked a while, ate lunch, drank hot chocolate then headed home.

Great Day Spent Together!

Now we just need to get the trees up, if only April would stop getting hurt.

I Love These Pictures!!!

We were in Escondido, CA this summer at the Lawrence Welk Condominiums, I think Ben and Laura were at a Padre game and we were baby sitting. The kids are playing in the shower.

They are just so stinkin' cute. In the top one Conner lookes like he is going to turn on the water I love the look on the Camerons face - but don't worry Jakob has his foot on Alexa ready to stand on her. Looks like on the 2nd one Alexa is going to the bathroom and Cameron is going to climb in Alexa's lunch bag. They had so much fun that night - being together in the shower.

I am sad to think that we will all be apart for Thanksgiving - that 3 of my children are in Rexburg. Thank goodness they have each other and Cori and Colin are there to take care of my boys - the good news is exciting. I just can't wait - Cori and Colin are risking their lives and coming for Christmas. The boys are coming home. We are so excited. It will be fun to all be together again. Crazy as always but fun. It will be good times - especially since Brian is heading off to Basic Training then AIT. Who knows what the future holds for our family. But for now I am excited for the Holidays and to see what trouble/fun/craziness my cute little grandkids get themselves into. Maybe this time we can get Baby B's in the picture.

The Miracle for Today

Is my family - we love them so much and are very grateful for who they have all become. They have all taken different paths but are all headed in the right direction. We are happy and proud of them. Maybe who ever reads this could count your blessings and look for your own miracles just for today.

Why Is Everything I Want So Expensive?

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/Bosch_Universal_Plus_Mixer_MUM6N10UC.aspx

Click on the this link and you can read about the above mixer.

I wish I could talk to someone who has one of these or something similar. I want one for Christmas - they are so expensive but I really want something to make bread and mix large batches of cookie dough. I have a Kitchen Aid but it only makes small batches. I don't want to knead bread by hand, it is to hard so I just don't do it. Is there anyone out there who reads this blog who has any experience with the Bosch mixers and could give me any input? This is the newest version - it sounds wonderful. I have always wanted a Bosch and hope this one would be a great one and last forever.

Where Did She Come From?

Now the above picture is so cute, my baby holding her sisters baby. Both so innocent and sweet, but wait...

It is interesting when I go through my pictures I find all of these strange things that randomly appear. My youngest seems to have an obsession with the Camera. Her Dad says we are not deleting them because we have to save them and show her boyfriends. Who knows when she does it - I think she is a Closet Movie Star!! (Side note - she does all of her own filming in case you couldn't tell!)

The reason I was looking through my pictures was because I wanted to find the grandkids in the shower this summer while we were on vacation - I got a little sidetracked when I spotted the above pictures. I'll save that for another time, this deserves the whole blog.

Miracle of the Day

Brian called and said that his truck had broken down and he had to leave it at work. This after we had helped him with a new Alternator and a new Battery just this week. He said it could cost as much as $1000.00 to get it fixed. He was pretty bummed. Dad's on a campout so I told him to go ahead I had Christmas Money that we could use to help get it fixed. Thanks to Colin who along with his Cute & Lovely Wife Cori has helped Brian out more than once, he helped him figure out that it was JUST A FUSE!!!! Brian called and said go ahead and go Christmas Shopping (thanks for the permission) I'm thinking the real miracle is Colin and Cori just happen to be living in Rexburg so they can help him on a regular basis - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

Ready or Not, Here We Go!!!!!

Brian reports to Basic Training - February 4th, 2008 at

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for 9 weeks.

Then he flys to...

Goodfellow Airforce Base in Texas for 13 weeks and 1 day of extensive Fire Fighter training . Below is a link to read about his training - intense is all I can say.

http://www.goodfellow.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123037221

I have had alot of hard things to overcome as a mother - this was the hardest by far. As for Brian - his dreams are coming true. We love him and pray for his success, safety, and well being. You go Brian - You Go!!!!

_____________

Miracle For The Day

When Brian signed up he was told that there was no room for him in the Fire Fighting Training Course. They only take 6 per year and it was full. The computer declined his request. A phone call was made but still no results. Then someone dropped out at the last minute.

He was in. A dream, an answered prayer, and a miracle.

I Really Want to Get Juicy!

I am in love, with a new perfume that is. Juicy Couture! Oh my goodness is smells so good. It is Oprah's New Favorite Scent of the Year, and I can see why. It is so expensive but it is wonderful. Yesterday I sprayed myself good with the colonge and rubbed lotion on my hands and elbows and oh my what a scented day I had. Lots of comments wondering what was that perfume I was wearing. I felt sorry for my friend, here I was sampling her expensive perfume, didn't care though - she offered and I took her up on it. If you get a chance to get to Nordstroms go check it out. I'm thinking that I really want it - hmmm what can I sell?

Miracle of the Day

It's a miracle in itself that I made it through last night. The preparation that it took to teach the class that I had to was very much over whelming. I kept praying that I would make it through. Guess What?

I did and today is a wonderful day. Hope your is also.

Whitnee Casserole

Last night as I was putting together Whitnee Casserole, I started to reminisce. When my oldest was in the 5th grade, for Mother's day the class made a little recipe book. It is the cutest little thing - Spiral Bound with a hand colored butterfly, flower and a pretty yellow sun on the cover. It says My Mother's Cook Book. On the inside cover is says; "May 15, 1990, I dedicate this book to the person that is always there, My Mom." It is full of a bunch of recipes that the kids collected from home. I have always saved it because it is precious to me. But just as important it has "Whitnee Casserole" in it. That wasn't the original name, it is Beef Casserole, but it was submitted by my daughters friend Whitnee Sacks, so therefore the name Whitnee Casserole. It's not that exciting of a dish but for some reason most of my kids really liked it. I think it was my number 2 who didn't like it because it had olives in it. She thinks olives taste like batteries. Go figure!

When I think about that time in my life - I can't believe it is 2007 - it seems like yesterday. At that time we were living in California, I had 5 little kids, the oldest in the 5th grade, one in 3rd grade, one in Kindergarten, a 4 year old and a 4 1/2 month old. Whew how did I do it. Some of the kids friends who appear in my memories - were, Danielle, Shelley, Cori, Bo, and AJ. With Pam Landon across the street and the McEldowneys on the corner we some how survived. As a matter of fact - those were the magical days. I really think we had alot of fun. At least I have good memories, and I hope they do also.

As for the Casserole, we had it for dinner last night. My youngest came home from school with one of her "Scrubs" today, she asked him if he wanted some Whitnee Casserole, he said what is that, the reply was "it is so bomb, just try it." Why is it called Whitnee Casserole, "I don't know it just is!" He loved it. Maybe I should pull out my little "My Mother's Cook Book", and give him the recipe.

My question is "I wonder what happened to Whitnee?"

Whitnee Casserole

1 medium onion

1 pound of ground beef

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 can Niblets Corn

1 cup Black Olives sliced

2 cups of uncooked noodles

1 cup grated cheese

Brown meat, add onion, tomato sauce, olives, corn and spices. Let simmer while noodles cook. Cook noodles until tender. Drain then mix all ingredients together except cheese. Place in casserole dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and cook another 10 minutes.

Donated by "Whitnee Sacks"

Is It Possible?

My question is, is it possible to be scared to death, worried, sad, and proud at the same time. Only a mother can know what it feels like to have a child who wants to join the military. My first thought is - NO NO NO, then I realize that it is not my choice. It has been his dream for as long as I can remember. Our country needs men like him. Hard working, honest, spiritual, brave, and willing to serve. So why is it so hard? He is doing everything right, everything we have asked of him - even though sometimes it has been hard for him. But he did it. Is it possible to find miracles in all of this? Perhaps the $351.51 check he lost last October that just magically appeared in the car when he was out of money. Or the high score he got on the Military Practice Test that told him - He could do this. What about the job he is eligible for that is only available for 6 men a year. Maybe the fact he can stay in school and still serve. So with my heart beating so hard and my mind going crazy and my stomach in knots and with as much support as I can muster - I tell him Follow Your Dream Son, You Can Do It - Just Believe!!