Dinner Help!

So, I hate cooking....big time! But I am hugely feeling the need to up my abilities! My family is sick to death of my limited menu! So, please please please post your family favorites. Remember, baby steps: Something that requires limited ingredients/ limited time! We're talking like 30 min prep MAX! PLEASE HELP!!!

Just digging out...

I realize what it must feel like to be buried alive. Because I've feel like I'm just digging my way out. But my outlook is good. I told my good friend tonight that this week I finally feel like I'm on the surface again. This has been a really hard pregnancy for me so far, emotionally and physically! And I've been a gigantic boob about it! I've neglected family, friends and just about everyone/everything except my need to be miserable! So I'm hugely sorry to everyone! But I realized Sunday as I sat in Sacrament meeting that I felt 'good' again. I was instantly thankful. Thankful to realize that we all experience our little funks, where we are buried over our heads grasping for air. I immediately reflected about other times in my life where I've felt this way, and how that particular challenge seemed so small to me now, but that I was so incredibly aware and appreciative for the lessons learned. Thank you to my Father, who patiently pushes my buttons and waits for me to grow up! May my husband be as patient while he waits....

'AMEN'...already!

Tonight when I tucked Eli in he was super snuggly and extra tired. I said, 'okay bud, lets say our prayers.' He informed me he didn't need to pray tonight. Of course I explained that we pray every night so we thank Heavenly Father for all he gives us...So, mid-speech he starts in with his kind of annoyed little voice, "Heavenly Father....amen." So I tried to prompt him along a little...'I'm thankful for...' to which he said "AMEN!" I'm thankful for my family..."AMEN" I'm thankful for the gospel..."AMEN"...........please bless us to be safe...AMEN. Finally I opened my eyes trying not to giggle and he raised his eyebrows and smiled and said, "AMEN, okay mom?"

Yep...he's stinking hilarious! More kisses, and I conceded!

Ah-ha-ha-HALELULAH!!!!

So, I totally forgot the before and after....well, not the after! But you can't appreciate it unless you remember my old table and nasty chairs...

the material feels and looks like suede, but its PLASTIC-sort of...so it will stay cleaner!

Thank heavens: project one is done! Now I confess, the worst of this project was entirely my mom's! She slaved for me...and I'm eternally grateful. This table turned out 100x better than I ever dreamed...I love it way more today than the day we bought it! And the best part...its still my reminder of grandma. Nate wanted to replace the table...I couldn't bare the thought...so mom went to work...and work and work! But, about 6 weeks later, its done...I finished the chairs today and I think it turned out so good. Its not perfect, but lets face it, who cares??? Its awesome...so here's to my mom, the best mom ever!(Did I mention she also rug shampooed my basement and on her hands and knees sniffed out Eli's potty-traps and enzymed them for me last week?)Yep, she's my favorite...and I'm super super super in love with my new table. I might actually be pleasant tonight!

First Day of School

Here are Kolbe and Avery...

Kolbe looking so big...

Okay...try to take a picture of Eli when he's just smiling. It doesn't happen.

Miss Thing

Wanted her hair curly again...the first day of school every year she has me braid it! She's so funny.

I had mixed emotions today. I have been so completely exhausted this month...that I've not been as fun as my kids deserve. And I've been seriously anxious and excited for school to start. But I must admit, watching Avery hang her huge backpack on her cubby this morning was HARD! And the worst of it...she was not even a little apprehensive! She tipped her head and smiled funny and said, 'well, I gotta make some new friends today!' Then she sat on the carpet for circle time and scootched her way forward until she was right between some kids. She's gonna be great! Kenna is always tough to leave, because she hates change. She looks like she might burst into tears at any moment! When her teacher was talking to her she would just sort of stare...she'll be fine, I know, but the other two were all smiles! Kolbester looked SO handsome and big today. He was completely confident, and made sure to double up on his morning shower of AXE spray for the ladies! Love this kid...Poor Eli walked away from the school sort of dejected...and said, "but where's Bo-Bee mom?" It will be tough on him...but fun to have some one on one time with him. He's big into playing games, so I think that might be my newest time killer! Nate took the day off, he says to take kids to school. But he was like tapping his watch the whole time...and now he's golfing...so we know what his REAL plans were!

Better get my tape done so I can be ready when he gets home...

Lewis and Clark Caverns

A not so impressed Kolbe!

Ghost stories

This is Avery's "scary story face" Pretty freaky huh?

Eli petitioning for another marshmellow.

We took a quick overnight camp trip to Lewis and Clark Caverns yesterday. I think its one of my favorite places in the world...we camped at the base of the caverns in a fun place that had a huge playground for kids, running water and SOAP. We got there late so we quickly started a fire and set up camp. We played, explored in the dark, and then of course did the s'mores! Then it was scary story time. The kids were hungry, so the scarier/ funnier their story, the more we 'paid' them in pretzels! It was a solid half an hour of giggles! Then all was quiet until 7:30, which for us is a pleasant break! We packed up and headed up to the Caverns. About five minutes into the tour Eli started whining that he needed to go potty...'SO BAD mommy!' I'm sure you know what happened with that! When we got to the part where there is a steep set of stairs, kind of exposed on both sides, Kolbe freaked! He turned around and I thought he might require carrying out! He was sobbing....and I was snorting I was giggling so hard. We managed to convince him to keep walking, and I think he liked some of it! Avery was most impressed...she said "this is AWESOME!" at least 100 times. I cracked my head a few times on the stinking rock...yeah...'keep your head down' is important information! It was about 2 hours long, 2 miles long...there were tears, giggles, screams, and I think all of us enjoyed it. A quick picnic lunch and we headed home. Thank heavens for DVD players(and REDBOX)...now onto laundry and baths!

I loved our little...very quick...family get away!

Exhausted

I feel completely and utterly exhausted on every possible level. The trek was an amazing experience, one I think a thousand times more intense and meaningful than I thought it would be. Its amazing to me what experiences/thoughts Heavenly Father provides us in preparation for things yet to come. So many things came to mind in the month before trek, and so many things were remembered as we trekked. That is a blog in itself, one that will have to wait for pictures to be developed! But I can't recover...emotionally, physically, and spiritually, I'm cooked! I cannot remember another time where I've ever felt so drained. And while I know its the tired talking...its so easy to be discouraged and overwhelmed right now! When does persistence pay off? When will routine return? When will sleep be my friend? Does Avery really hate me? I love my life. I love being a mom. I love my goood husband; he's the most devoted, loyal and dedicated man I know. I love my family. I love my siblings. I love my parents. My church. My life. But it still feels tired and complicated today. Perhaps I'd better lay down when Eli does today...