Pay it forward!

Spreading Sunshine (from Ashley)

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Made with tons of love just for you! It might be a fun sewing project, a sweet letter to you from me, or some yummy goodies, you might be surprised what you get! Give it a try! The catch? You must re -post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment, win a lovely little treat for themselves! Have Fun! Ready........Set............Go!

Love Poems

My kids asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told them that I would love for each of them to write me a poem or a song. Benjamin went right to work. He presented me with this poem:

Roses are red.
You are The best MOM ever.
You smell like roses.
And I love you

How sweet is that! I'm so glad to still have one child young enough to write such a cute little poem.

Matthew also wrote me a poem not long ago. It wasn't for my birthday. I think he wrote it to apologize to me. Here it is:

MOM
by Matthew Stoner

Mom is the best
When she stays home and rests
When I'm in trouble
She is there by the double.
I am happy I have a mom like this!
Because I wouldn't want one that would go amiss

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.