Where is the Cooler Weather?

Where is the cooler weather? Well, at least 100 or under would be nice. I feel like that is not asking much.

We had family night last night, after we jumped in the car for some ice cream at McDonald's. The kids get a kick out of it so we don't need anything fancy. Well, Ben and I were chatting, the kids were playing. I notice a lady with books everywhere, note cards, pens, ect. I kinda felt bad we were sitting right by her, but it is a public place.

Anyhow, we were talking about getting Master's degrees and Abby walks up. We told her that is important to do well in school so you can do what you want when you grow up. I asked her what she wanted to do? Nurse, teacher, ect... Well, the lady behind overheard and she put her two cents in.

"Well, I've been a teacher and now I am studying to be a nurse." Wow! She went on to say that she got her Master's in Education too. I thought to myself why do this, but I guess she wasn't into teaching anymore.

As we talked more, I learned that she was almost done in Feb. and she has three small kids(7,6 and 2). She is in the accelerated program for Nursing too which is none stop. She comes to Mcd's because that is where she can study without being around her kids for concentration.

I thought more about her and her dedication to what she wanted to do. She looked even older than I and she was moving on to do something else amongst her crazy life that she was in with her kids and her husband that isn't making enough mula!

Needless to say, I felt a little lazy.. Like get up and do something! Everyone is different and such, but I also felt inspired! I know that if I put my mind to something I truly wanted to do or accomplish even with regular life going--I KNOW I COULD DO IT!

Plagued with a Sick Tooth

I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED TOOTH (WISDOM THAT CAME TO HAUNT ME--NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO BE) PAIN LIKE THIS AND I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO AGAIN. IT IS SOOO MY FAULT. I'VE WAITED TOO LONG TO GET IT OUT AND NOW IS THROBBING, SOAR, ACHING AND JUST ANNOYING TOO. IT IS GIVING ME HEADACHES AND I COULDN'T SLEEP LAST NIGHT. NOT FUN WHEN YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THREE KIDS ALL DAY LONG!

LUCKILY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IT WILL ALL BE OVER AND BACK TO NORMAL LIFE. HOPEFULLY! THANKS TO MODERN ANTIBIOTICS, TYLENOL AND WARM SALT WATER--IT WILL HOPEFULLY FEEL BETTER SOON IN THE MEAN TIME.

Darn Trees!

Well, Ben and I have been in a war with our front trees! While they do seem to add to the desert beauty around our home, they are the pain in our sides!

Last night Ben was out there trimming away! I sat out there in a chair to support and chat. We started after the kids were in bed. It was cooler out and we had a 'big probe light' to see! I actually felt a cool breeze at 8:30 at night! Imagine it! Ohhhh so sweet!

It was comical to watch Ben trim because for years now we still don't have the right tool. We even borrowed a tree trimmer, but it had a dull blade as well. Just our luck. On ladder and blade in hand, he kept going and going. The trees (we have two) kept 'growing' or so it seemed. There was just a lot of branches which have endless 'sharp' daggers (inside joke with ben and I) that like to attach themselves to your arms, hands, legs, clothes, bottom of shoes, it goes on and on. We always have battle scars at the end of it.

Two hours later the trees look 'magnificent' only to grow more in a short time for another round of battle scars to come!

So Darn those Trees!
LoL
Jen

A neW WorlD of BlOgGinG

ok, so this world of blogging has opened up an Extraordinary DoOR that includes: creativeness, outlets, a look into others 'living life' that I can be inspired by and learn from, a way to laugh, cry, connect with other 'mommy's' and appreciate the simpleness of 'life', and to bring together a world that seems so big and yet so small!

To all fellow blogger's, I thank you!

**I grabbed this off a fellow blogger' s site because I loved it! thank you kelle (check her out) .

I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit.
-Dawna Markova

Nakedness

Why do boys like to be naked? It is a weird phenomenon. I have two boys 7 and 2 and both like to be naked! I have the sweetest neighbors who are from Florida, retired and I am sure have seen these boys naked several times! I know for sure because I've come running out after them and there is my cute neighbor watering her plants and my little one having a conversation with no bottoms on like it is no BIg DeAL!

This post belongs to 'The Red Dress Club'-- loved what it said: (www.thereddressclub.blogspot.com)

Last week for our Red Writing Hood meme, Ericka asked us to write a fantasy story with the theme of forgiveness.

Judging from the lack of link-ups (five!), my guess is this was an area with which most of us didn't feel comfortable. Myself included, as I started and stopped, started and stopped, and ultimately didn't finish.

That's right. I gave up.

I haven't the first clue how to write fantasy. I went and visited all of you who did participate and I was so impressed by all the different directions you took.

I just really didn't know how to come up with something for my own post.

Fantasy? Is so not in my comfort zone. I don't read it (although some of my favorite childhood books are fantasy: James and the Giant Peach, Net to Catch War, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, even the Wizard of Oz).

But as an adult, I don't have any familiarity. I have no clue what makes a good fantasy book.

I didn't push myself. I gave it a good go, but in the end, I let it go.

I'm not proud of that. I think it's really important, as writers, for us to push ourselves. To challenge ourselves and try new things. Maybe it will even inspire us to go in new and unexplored directions within our own (more comfortable) writing.

Think about the times you tried new things in your life. Not with writing, but with anything. A new food, for instance. You were a little nervous, maybe, but once you tasted it? AAAAAAH! New doors opened.

Get over the intimidation factor. Because what's the harm? You're not getting graded. You won't get fired. So what if it sucks? What if you hated that food you tried?

At least you gave it a shot. And now you know: it's not for you.

But you won't know for sure until you try.

Celebrating Sundays!

It is another Sunday and we celebrate with Dessert! I made a classic from the Hill side. A mint chocolate chip/Oreo pie! Most liked it. This happens to be my favorite flavor ice cream too, but it isn't Abby's! Mental note: to remember that! The boys dug in and we have left overs for tomorrow! hee..

p.s. I wish I had a better camera, but it is the best it can do. But you get the picture!:) lol

Another note: I've also tried out two recipes this week from my 'food blogs' I now follow.. I made the Mango Salsa Chicken and Rice then I made the 'chocolate marshmallow cookies for some friends in need of cheering up and celebrating too! (two different set of friends of ours by the way) It has helped me tap into my more 'creative' side! Hopefully, I can keep it up.

I made a fab meatloaf tonight! I even like my own.. I loved meatloaf growing up too!

Enjoy your day!

Why Can't I eat Everything?

Why can't I do everything? I want to ......? Well, sometimes! I also say, Why can't I eat everything?
I really do love food, but I have a interesting relationship with food. It is my dearest friend and my truest enemy!

It gives me energy each and every day, it provide vitamins and also just is yummy!

Flip side:

If I get too into my 'dearest friend' it will scoop me up into a nice plump, rich and gooeey ice cream sundae with a cherry on top--Now I don't know if I'd want that!

Oh the tug and pull! Which one wins! Neither somewhere in the middle is the best way to be!

The end...

just a note!

Trying out my 'favorite' blogs recipes! Yeah... We had the one the other night--Wonderful!
Makes life much more interesting!
J

Lake....

Uncle Ryan held Benji for a 'cat' nap on our way to the marina for 'a cool treat'! It was so sweet!:) Didn't know Ryan could be soo sweet! hee..

I wanted to share these fun Lake Pics! Tyler and Abby both got up on the 'ski board' over Labor Day Weekend! It looks like Ty's bathing suit was falling off, but it didn't! Thanks to Ben and Uncle Mike, Ryan and Dad(in the boat) for helping them have success!

Celebrating Sundays!

I've decided to 'Celebrate Sundays'! They are special days in our family, of course so why NoT!
How am I going to do this you might ask? Well, 'DEssErT'! I love 'food' and 'cooking' channels, creative ways to cook and now it is my turn to experiment a little.

I just decided today after attending church so here it is! Chocolate Cake was on the menu after dinner tonight! I am not a cake person, but this all I had ingredients for today.. So, I decided to infuse the cake with a filling-- 'chocolate pudding'!

I baked the cake, let it cool then used a dropper and filled the cake with pudding 'that was thick enough for a pie'! (by poking in from the top)Frosted it with dark chocolate frosting and topped for decor a 'broken twix bar'! I had to get a little creative! Then I stuck it in the fridge to chill!

After dinner, all the kids and hubby dug in! Kids usually don't even finish cake or cupcakes, but tonight they loved it! Yeah, Success! The pudding moistened the cake which made it go down easier!
Next time, I will take pics of the yummy delights on SunDays!

Food..

To the right of this post are my recent findings of yummy and interesting 'food' blogs. Food is something I am interested in so here are some. I am sure it will grow over time as I discover the 'artists' within the cooking!

**And lately 'people' and 'who they are' inspire me and give me hope in human kind which is sometimes hard to do in this world. Because of recent events in my life, I am learning to pay attention to what I need or want in this life a few moments out of my day! It keeps me grounded and fills my so called cup! So, I hope all of you out there find things that interest you and fill your 'cup' too!

A Nice Friday

Its a cooler day today! Thank Heaven! I was able to vacuum out my van with not too much 'sweat' dripping off my forehead! hee..:)

Debug!

You know how things drive you crazy! Like 'bug' you--well certain things BUG me so I am trying to 'debug' so that I don't carry it with me! Hard thing to do...... For example, my trees in the front yard--overgrown, desert trees, prickly and annoying! I have to be reminded everyday to and from the car!

One day those trees won't BUG me--hopefully!

Love My Friends

I have many friends! All shapes and sizes.. hee.. Friends play a crucial part in my life. They can be old, new and in between! All important in my life. Love them and very glad to have them! You all know who you are!:)

Labor Day Weekend!

We were planning on anything special this weekend, but it ended up being fun and Busy!
Saturday we took a day trip up to Horton Springs just north of Payson to get out of the heat! The kids played in the creek and we took a little hike.
Sunday went to church of course and had Jodie and Amy and the boys over for dinner. We watched Minute to Win it (few recorded episodes) and the kids played! A fun night for sure!
Monday we went on the boat! Tyler and Abby both tried the ski board out! They both got up and it was so fun to watch and see their excitement. Both of them wanted to do it several times! We swam and floated and jumped off some rocks! Good times with everyone!

Now back to everyday!:)