Funnel Cakes Anyone?

The kids recently had 2 snow days. They were so happy that school was cancelled. Rather than just make pancakes to celebrate the occasion, I made funnel cakes. They were sinfully delicious and pretty easy to make. I was pretty proud of myself, as I had never made them before. I actually washed out a nearly empty ketchup bottle, and filled it with the batter. It was so fun to squeeze the squiggly drizzle into the hot oil and let it fry. All of you reading this blog should try it sometime. Don't forget to sift powdered sugar on top!

Sugar Cookies

The other night I was running around with Lauren. She wanted to get some Valentine candy for her friends. While I took her to the store, Jessica was going to make some sugar cookie dough. She wanted to make heart shaped cookies for her friends. I really didn't want her to make cookies. Why couldn't she just do the easy thing and get some candy. Ugh! So off I went with Lauren, while Jessica made the dough.

When I got home I asked Jessica how the sugar cookie dough turned out. She said, "it's really sugary!" I looked at the dough and immediately thought that she must have used brown sugar. Ugh! Then, I noticed the whole wheat flour on the counter. OH NO! Oh yes...she used whole wheat flour in sugar cookies. Yuck! Upon further questioning, she also used granulated sugar. The recipe very clearly said "p. sugar."(I guess it really wasn't that clear.)

I was not happy at all. What else could I do? I baked the very brown sugar cookies. My family ate them and they really weren't too bad. As for Jessica's friends, they got a new batch of cookies made with white flour and powdered sugar. Yeah, this is what happens when I am trying to please all of my children. It just causes me more work sometimes. Poor Jess, I really over-reacted and hurt her feelings. She is learning from her mistakes. I know that she will never use whole wheat flour in cookies again!

Happy Birthday to Me...

I think this is a hilarious picture of me blowing out my birthday candles. It's my "top of the head shot." My family gave me a great party. I am officially one year older. Brock always tries to make things so special for me. He loves to buy me gifts for each of the six senses. Something to smell, touch, see, hear, and taste. The only item I lacked was something to "see." Brock told me to go buy a framed print to hang on the wall. Thank you Brock and kids!

New Favorite Song

I just heard the greatest song over the weekend! The only problem is that it hasn't been recorded yet. I was searching through youtube to find Kara DioGuardi, new American Idol judge. She is a great song writer and awesome vocalist. If you want to hear my new favorite song go to this link. Let me know what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a1lfnjqC4I

I just love Kara's passion and confidence when she sings. I wish I could write and play the guitar! Go listen to this song. The title is "Terrified."

Life is Good...at last

It has been so great to have time to take care of my home again! I was able to quit my job at the lab, due to Brock getting a position there. He is now a project manager at Microbac Laboratories. So far, he is swamped! He is also learning a lot and going through all of the pains of starting a new job. It takes time...and it is getting better. It did not make sense for both of us to be working there. The commute, time, gas, too far from the kids. Anyway, I will continue to substitute teach and clean a clean house for a great lady on Friday's. (yeah, you read that right, the house is already clean.)

This may sound crazy, but I just love that I am able to get our laundry under control, iron Brock's shirts, scour the bathroom, and get a little more sleep in the mornings. I also love that I can pick up the boys from school, help them with homework, read with Ben, and make dinner. I felt so out of control when I was working. Not to mention, I was really grumpy and tired. I really do love being home. This is something that I took for granted for so long.

We had such a great Sunday afternoon. We went to church from 9-12. I took a nap, we watched "The Music Man" and "Oklahoma." (we love musicals.) Dinner was yummy, and I just made peanut butter cookies. I love to make cookies! Really, desserts in general. That is my weakness.

I don't feel like posting pictures right now. I will later. I do want to thank my sweet friends who left Jessica such positive advice on her post. I do wish she would slow down. She is 14 going on 30 sometimes. She looks up to so many of you good mothers and wants what you have. Thank you for your great examples.

I'm Venting... sort of

Hey, it's Jessica. Today is a snow day so I'm out of school, and this post was going to come out sooner or later.
I just want to say that looking at all the adorable families my cousins, aunts, etc. have makes me want my own family SO badly!!! I'm probably being selfish and spending too much time fussing over this, but I am really not liking being patient at the moment.
Maybe I'm just feeling like this because there will be five new baby cousins in my extended family this year, and also probably because my cousin and best friend on my mom's side, Brittany, is getting married in April. Oh don't get me wrong, I'm totally thrilled for Brittany, and all of you who are in the throws of motherhood.
I just really want to be older, married, having babies... the ultimate goal I suppose. I guess I'm just really being selfish right now more than anything. So, I apologize.
Is this normal though? Did any of you feel impatient to grow up when you were a teenager? Am I being crazy??? I just get this incredibly intense desire to have a baby of my own whenever I see pictures of you mommies holding your infants. Do I need advice? Should I even share this with all of you?
I know that I need to enjoy being a teenager and being in High School. It's not that I don't enjoy this time of my life. I just don't care about the normal things most girls my age get so caught up in. I could care less if I don't have a super-expensive designer purse, or if I don't get a date to a dance. I don't like flipping through fashion magazines that tell me what I need to be happy. I know that happiness comes from doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do, and He definitely wants me to be sealed in the temple someday and to have children. I'm just really not loving the whole waiting/growing process before that day.
Sorry, I'm sure none of you have the time to read all this. But if you have any words of wisdom, I'm all ears!!! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!!!

Matthew turned 10 on January 12th. He is such a good kid that I thought I would create a post just for him. He is having a birthday party with friends this Friday, so we really didn't do much on his birthday. We did give him lots of hugs and spanks. Actually, we took everyone to Krispy Kreme! Did you all know that they give a free donut for every "A" on your report card? Well, my kids do not let me forget this. So between, Matthew and Benjamin, we got a dozen free donuts. It was fun letting those warm, glazed donuts melt in our mouths!

This Friday we are taking Matthew and 5 friends to see a hockey game. It just so happens that on Friday night the theme for the game is "Star Wars Night!" Matthew loves anything Star Wars. The Star Wars Legion (crazed fans dressed in costumes) are going to come and interact with the crowd and put on a light saber show. The boys are so excited. I'm even excited. I'll take some pictures and post them.

We love Matthew and remember the day he arrived. He weighed 9 lbs. My biggest baby! It was a great event because he was our first boy. I remember that my epidural wore off toward the end of his delivery. He's the only baby that I really "felt" myself give birth to. WOW! I thought I was going to die. Brock looked at me and said, "you're really going to have to do this." I could have punched him. We are so blessed to have Matthew sent to us. He is a hard worker, a loyal friend, and fun to play games with. Happy 10th birthday bud!