Amazing

It's Jessica! I'm going to get in trouble for this,

But I don't really mind in this case.

This is a necessary post.

A while back, my mom said she wishes she was amazing.

I think that is possibly the silliest thing she could say.

Because she is amazing at everything.

She has taught me all that I know.

She an expert at the stuff that never comes easily to me.

Like common sense.

She can console a child {as shown}.

She can bake perfect cookies.

Without adding wheat flour instead of white.

And then she has the patience, to help me bake 200

chocolate cookies for me to hand out to my friends.

Plus, she can drive four kids everywhere they need to go, mostly on time.

When we're late, it's usually my fault.

And she can get us fast food when necessary.

Without almost taking out the side mirror of the car.

She can make goofy faces like this and look cute.

And she really shouldn't hide her age.

She will always be beautiful to me.

And I can't drizzle a cake like that...

That is pure talent.

Oh, and that sweatshirt she's wearing?

Everytime we go on vacation, Mom works really hard.

She packs the boys' stuff,

Checks to make sure Lauren and I don't overpack,

Makes sure Dad is taken care of,

And then remembers she has to include her stuff.

Then she organizes meals, finds hotels,

Gets maps ready incase Dad takes a detour...

My mom makes Christmas possible.

She bakes the food, teaches us to be helpful,

and decorates the house to teach us about Christ's birth.

She can smile and laugh when we are being a pain in the rear end.

She will sing along to songs with Lauren and I in the kitchen when we're doing dishes.

And even though I don't mention it,

I think that's really cool.
She dances with us too.

Did I mention she comes from a family of nine?

She doesn't get to see them very often.

I bet that's hard.

But she cuts her phone calls short to serve our family.

I am continually amazed at all that she can do.

And how far she can stretch.

If she was a superhero, she'd be elastigirl.

She volunteered to give her entire life to me,

Lauren,

Matthew,

Ben,

Dad.

And she always works her hardest in everything she does.

She spends all her time doing things for other people.

And she doesn't really complain all that much.

Just moves on to the next task at hand.

I love you Mom.

And I think you are truly amazing.

Prom 2010

Here is Jessica and Elizabeth at a church sponsored "prom."

All of the youth had a great time!

The theme was

"A Night in Paris"

Mowing...

I mowed the lawn today

It took me 2.5 hours

we have a huge yard

My legs hurt

our lawn is steep in some places

my ankles are green

my hands hurt from the hard grip

I am exhausted

I also have a very happy and appreciative husband

and that made it all worth it.

Minestrone Soup

My family absolutely loves this soup. Go try it if you want.

Ingredients
4 cups water
1 (14.5 oz.) can Diced Italian Tomatoes
1 cup Beef Broth
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 celery rib, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2 T onion, chopped
1 tp garlic, minced
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
½ T parsley
1 T sugar
½ lb. sausage, cooked
1 (15 oz.) can green beans
2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except for the pasta. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes. Add bowtie pasta and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with some crusty Italian bread and enjoy!

Yay for Craigs List!

I'm so proud of my first ever Craig's List purchase! Some of you may remember that my bread maker died a while ago. I took the advice of a friend and searched for one on Craig's List. I got this baby for $15. And yes, it works. I made rolls for Easter dinner with it.



I must admit that I'm so glad Brock was with me when I went to pick this machine up. It would have been a little scary had I been all alone. I was in an unfamiliar part of town...and who knows...the seller could have been a serial killer or something. Never go alone.

Sweet 16

Happy Birthday Jessica!



Just the other day you were my newborn baby girl.
Where has all of the time gone?



You are beautiful!





My brown-eyed girl!

I love you!

Easter!

When it's Easter time at our house you have to dye some eggs. (or hands)
The only rule I have is that if you dye the eggs, you also have to eat them. Well...it's Tuesday. There are about 10 more eggs to be eaten.We started with 24, so that's not too bad.