Family Photo Shoot

Here is a sneak peak for my sister in law.  Her inlaws graciously asked me to take their annual family picture this year.  It's my first family photo shoot that isn't my own family.  I hope they like them, I think they came out pretty good!  :)

My Scarecrow

We just planted grass a couple weeks ago, and I have enlisted the boys help to keep the birds away.  Today Dr. D showed me this:

It's his "Scarecrow face".  He is going to stand outside and make that face to scare the birds away.  But, he said, it would be a lot easier if I could just get him a scary mask...   :)

my nemesis

Laundry is not my best thing.  (understatement)  I feel like its out of control most of the time.  Like today, for example.  I could literally do at least 10 loads in my super-capacity machine in an attempt to get "caught up".  10.  loads.  Now, imagine my joy when I find 2 more loads of donation clothes that my little girls took outside in order to have a yard sale (that I said they couldn't have) which were rained on for 2 days and are now soaking and need to be washed.  
Just what I needed today.  :)

So, HOW HOW HOW do you stay caught up on laundry?  My biggest problem is kids putting clean clothes into the hampers.  We have one hamper per bedroom for the kids, and they are OVERFLOWING DAILY.  I know they aren't wearing that many clothes.  Suggestions?  Anyone?

He cares

I was just sitting and scanning through the newest New Era, an LDS church magazine designed for teenagers.  Nothing was really catching my attention, just kind of flipping through it to see what was in there.  Good articles, but nothing really hit me until I turned a page and there was a few pages about General Conference.  Common questions youth (and anyone, for that matter) come across everyday, and the answers to those questions straight from General Conference talks.

Questions like, "What do i do if I feel lonely or unimportant?"
"Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
"How can I receive personal revelation?"

I started crying.  Just like that-from feeling nothing to crying in a matter of a second.  I guess the Spirit hit me suddenly and I couldn't contain it.
I had been pondering just minutes earlier about my lack of personal devotional this morning.  I had forgotten to take the time to say my personal prayers, or to study in the scriptures.  My mind had wandered into the question, does it really matter?  Does it matter if I missed something as small as saying my prayers or reading the scriptures?  I got the distinct impression during this "moment" with the New Era that God loves me and He wants me to make the effort to do these things because HE wants to know ME.
He wants ME to know HIM.  I want this, too.

I LOVE our church magazines!  Do you?

Chicken Tortellini Soup

I came across this recipe online, I can't remember where to give credit, which is sad cuz this is AWESOME!!!  The whole fam loved this one.  Give it a try, and let me know if you do!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil

4 large chicken Breasts
1 large onion
2-3 stalks celery chopped
2-3 carrots chopped
1 clove garlic mined
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. sage
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1 c. beef broth
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 small pkg. tortellini
grated parmesan

Saute chicken pieces in olive oil and brown. Add celery, onions, and carrots. Cook till soft. Return chicken to pan; add garlic, spices, tomatoes, broths, and tomato sauce. Simmer 1 hour. Meanwhile, cook tortellini in boiling water. Rinse and drain. Add tortellini to soup. Cook 3-5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Makes 6-8 large servings.

Halloween 2011

This was our first Halloween in this house, and I must say it was a little different than our past years.  For one, we didn't carve any pumpkins!  This is the first year I EVER remember not doing that.  But know what?  It was ok.  I barely thought of it on Halloween and almost got some but just didn't.  We all survived.  :)
Secondly, DH didn't go all out on decorating the outside of our house.  I'm not sure why, but he wasn't into it.  And I was ok with that. :)  We dolled up the inside, and that was good enough for me.
Thirdly, the kids ran off without getting their pictures taken for the most part, so I don't have everyone's picture.  Just the littles.  I guess that will have to do this year.
Fourthly, this was the first year I can remember that we didn't go down our old street.  Even when we didn't live there, we always went there.  The reason we didn't is a cross between being too busy and too laid back.  That hardly makes sense, does it?  I guess what I mean is that we wanted to stay laid back so to prevent too much busy-ness we stayed home.   That sound better?
Lastly, we had many friends come drop by just to visit.  It was so nice!  We have great neighbors.

Without further ado, I present Aang, the Last Airbender:

No, it isn't a bald cap, it's the real deal.  AWESOME!

And our little garden gnome:

Peace out, man.  Here's to my little hippie.  Love, peace and tenderness rules!!  :)