iCreate

2.28.2018

Chick-Fil-A

Last night was the Chick-Fil-A fundraiser for FRG. I think it turned out pretty good! I don't know yet how much we made, but I'm hopeful. I was greeting people as they came in and gave them a ticket for the drawings. It was funny that some people really didn't want me to talk to them as they were walking in! And then others were really friendly! haha.

And then I started calling out the numbers for the winning tickets. My voice carried through the crowd and they stopped talking to listen. Maybe I should have kept my talents hidden because now I've been told they want me to MC the Dining Out in September. LOL.

Jonny Love dressed up as the cow and most of the kids loved him. He even spent some time waving to the cars because he was too hot inside. hahaha.

There were a few people who came just especially because I had posted it on Facebook. Jim and Hartley from my parents ward, my dad's cousin Leesa, Sean and his boys, and Sam came right at the very end. So that was fun to be able to greet them right when they walked in and thank them for coming. And then Linda was one of the winners! How funny!

There was another older lady that came in alone. She bought some dinner and then was leaving and wanted to give me her ticket back. I told her we were going to do another drawing in about 3 minutes if she wanted to stick around. She said she could wait three minutes so she sat down to wait. And then I pulled her ticket out! We were laughing! It ended up being a pretty fun night, despite the fact that I basically ignored my kids for two hours...

2.26.2018

Lemon Herb Pasta

This pasta for dinner tonight was delicious!! Even the kids loved it! Perfect for Meatless Monday.

LEMON HERB PASTA

1-1.5 pounds pasta, cooked
1/2-3/4 cup butter, melted
5-6 TBL lemon juice (could even add a drop or two Lemon essential oil!)
2-3 TBL parsley flakes
2-3 drops Marjoram essential oil
1-1.5 tsp garlic salt
Toss all ingredients together; mix well and enjoy!

2.19.2018

SNOW!!!

The kids COULD NOT WAIT to get out and play in the snow this morning. So as soon as breakfast was over and they got all their snow gear on, they were gone. All this snow came last night/this morning and its the first big snow storm in awhile. Nora has been so sad (near to tears) that she hasn't gotten to build a snowman yet this year (and in my head I'm rolling my eyes because she's crying about a snowman...) but today's the day! What a President's Day gift to be able to stay home and play all day. They lasted about an hour and then of course had to come in for some hot chocolate. Mmmm.

2.18.2018

Look how tall I am!

Lexie wanted to measure herself this morning and got out the marker to add her line to our wall. All by herself. I had to get mad at her because writing on the wall is obviously against the rules, but under my breath, and when she wasn't looking, I giggle because it's hilarious and adorable and I love four year old handwriting.
She's really growing which is probably another reason why she loves seeing her growth so much. She asks a lot, "Let's see how tall I am!" and I usually say no because she asks SO much. I guess she got impatient and couldn't wait for me anymore...

lol

2.17.2018

Logan-ites Valentine's Dinner Date

As usual, we had such a fun time on our Valentine's date with our Logan friends! John got access from his friend to borrow their limo. So he and Jenny picked up Kyle and Shellyce, Brian and Rachel, and Sean and Jessie on the way down to Brandt and Val's. We opted to not ride in the limo to make is easier for babysitter drop off and pick up. That way we wouldn't have to be gone too long from leaving early or getting home late.

I'm glad Jessie and Val are a little better at taking pictures than I am. I just am always having too much fun talking or doing other things to remember to get out my phone to snap a pic.

The food was soon good. Like, completely amazing. Brandt cooked up some rib-eyes that our Friend Fund purchased. Amazing. He also made bacon wrapped shrimp. Oh my heavens, life changer. Sean and Jessie brought a green salad and asparagus, which was covered in butter and salt and parmesan cheese. So yeah, it was YUM. Shellie was supposed to make rolls, but she ended up having too busy of a day and couldn't make them so she just bought some. They were still surprisingly good.

Jenny's twice baked potatoes were TO DIE FOR. Probably the best I've ever had. And I've had a few!

The table setting was so pretty!

Awwww, for cute!

John and Jenny bought us all a keepsake glass.

And I really really wish I wouldn't thought to take a picture of the TWO cheesecakes I made! This picture of the Peanut Butter Cup Pie half eaten will have to do. I also made a New York Cheesecake and had either blueberry or strawberry topping. They turned out really good and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

We were going to play some games, but we ended up just talking too much. Even when we tried to play we couldn't stop talking..haha. Hopefully that didn't bother John or Kyle too much. They are the big game players! It's always a blast when we get together and I feel blessed to have such good friends!

Earlier today I also did a fundraiser for FRG. Since we aren't drilling in February, is was really nice or Wendy to let me make lunch for her unit. It was a bit of a headache to get enough soups, but it ended up turning out really good! Since the soups and rolls were donated and FRG only purchased drinks and salads, the profit was definitely there! It made it more worth all the effort when you can actually see some money coming in to the account!

And now, TO SLEEP!

9.06.2016

10 Years!

We had an amazing weekend celebrating our 10th anniversary!! Shelly, one of Corey's co-workers, has an incredible cabin up at Deer Valley in Park City. They let us stay there for minimal money. So sweet of them. The views were amazing. The weather was perfect. The company was on point. I loved it all.

We got there Thursday evening after doing sealings at the Salt Lake Temple. We got sushi takeout and ate it up there. Corey and I love cooking together and don't ever get to do that anymore. So we cooked all our meals together (except for the sushi! Haha!), hung out in the hot tub every night, took long baths every morning, slept in, went on walks. It was amazing. Both nights it sprinkled while we were in the hot tub. That was cool! Sunday morning, we came down to pick up the kids and took them back with us. Since Monday was Labor Day and there was no school, we were able to have a quick little family stay-cation. Three days just me and Corey plus two days with the kids---amazing! I keep using that word but that's what it really was! A gigantic thank you to my mom and dad and our good friends Kaitlyn and Kelly who watched our kids for us.

I took a lot videos for a change which was fun. Here's the pics I took.

Sushi on the balcony outside the master suite.

Hot tub magic. 😍

Eggs Benedict for breakfast! Yum-o!!

A little walk with amazing views behind us.

Chicken Fajitas for dinner. Oh-so-good.

Super easy mini pizzas for lunch.

I took lots of pictures of food... Shrimp Bisque. A new one for us!

And the family is here! Look at the table! And those amazing windows!

Another walk. And a chasing game.

Cute girls playing on the rocks outside.

Rock climbing on the house. Of course Corey would do this.

Nathan taking a stab at it.

Movie night! We watched The Princess Bride, had Oreos, popcorn, and root beer.

Again, the views!!

Dad playing outside with the kiddos.

Forcing the kids to watch our wedding video. Nathan: When is this going to be over? Lexie: I don't wanna watch this! Nathan: This is so long.

And one little tuckered out girl. When we play, we play!!

8.06.2016

Leaves

I might be turning into Grandma Perry. I just vacuumed up leaves in the front yard. 😂

That big tree in the background offers so much shade and I love that. But those little leaves are a bugger. I tried to be all chill about them. But eventually they just started annoying me too much!

11.26.2015

Gratitude post day 26

I would like to say on this special Thanksgiving holiday that I am profoundly grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. None of this would be possible or worth anything if it wasn't for him. I would be lost and desolate with no purpose or value or worth. All that we do on earth would mean nothing because we would never make it back to our Heavenly Father. I could never fully express in words my feelings because in my vocabulary they do not exist. But I can try to show through my actions. I definitely fall short, but my Father in Heaven knows my heart and my struggles and my efforts. All I can do try my best, and keep trying to improve. <3<3<3

11.25.2015

Gratitude post day 25

Today I feel super grateful!

-I'm grateful for new days, new starts, redos, try agains, and love along the way.

-I'm grateful for prophetic influences that guide disciples of Christ along the straight and narrow path.

-I'm grateful for happy and productive days and little helpers along the way.

-I'm grateful for yummy smelling pies in my kitchen right now.

11.24.2015

Gratitude post

I've had a hard time being grateful the last few days. Lexie has been sick and trying my patience.

Day 22: I am thankful for my Grandma Perry. She is 90 years old now. My grandpa has been gone now for 12 years. Part of me hopes that her body will let go so she can be with him again. Part of me wants her to stay here because of how much she means to all of us.

Day 23: I'm thankful for naps and Netflix.

Day 24: I'm thankful for leftovers.

11.21.2015

Gratitude catch up

The last few days have been a little busy for me... *excuses excuses*

Day 19: I am grateful for inspired leaders on the ward, stake, and general level. We are all trying to do our best and the Lord recognizes and blesses our efforts.

Day 20: I am so so so grateful I get to be a stay at home mom. I am a much better mom this way.

Day 21: To go along with the previous, I'm grateful that my kids enjoy being home, with me, with each other. Of course there are times when we don't get along, but for the most part our home is a happy and loving one.

11.19.2015

Gratitude post day 18

Today I feel grateful for making new goals and challenging myself a little bit out of my comfort zone. It makes you grow. :)

11.17.2015

Gratitude post day 17

Today I feel quite grateful that I can provide food for my family. It's not just any food either. I try really hard (some days it's only semi-hard, I'll be honest) to feed my family really good-for-you food. Our financial priorities have put the health of our family in the forefront and I'm grateful we can do that.

Tonight I made Minestrone Soup for dinner with my little helper/destroyer.

I'm also trying out this Mason Jar Salad thing with my homemade Honey Mustard dressing.

We are very, very blessed.

11.16.2015

Gratitude post day ....what??

I'm doing HORRIBLE at my gratitude posts this year. I think about it, but then come bedtime I've forgotten and just go to sleep.

Here are 8 things I'm thankful for and I'm recommitting to a daily gratitude post.

1. My little buddy Nathan. Look how handsome he is!! Oh, my heart. He is kind, sweet, thoughtful, helpful, smart, and determined. He loves the piano, reading, math, sports, friends, Dad, camping, chapping wood, coloring, and doing anything creative. I think his mind has to create something everyday.

He has been going through a bit of a 'scared' phase for the last couple of months. I will admit, it's a little annoying and definitely trying my patience. He won't go anywhere in the house by himself. He has to stay by me. He won't go in his room to get his jammies or make his bed or do his homework unless someone is with him. Or the garage. Or take the garbage out. Or play in the backyard. He's been introduced to 'scary things' from friends at school which have made his imagination go wild. We've talked a lot about it, prayed a lot, diffused and applied essential oils, Dad gave him a blessing, prayed some more. Today, he went in his room alone and did his reading. I didn't say anything or bring it up because I didn't want to jinx it. And then tonight he was actually ok with kneeling right next to his bed (which he was scared of) to say prayers. And he was totally fine with it.

2. I'm grateful for scriptures. My scripture reading has improved so much over the last year and I can really feel a difference. It's easier to listen to the spirit and it's easier to pray more often when I read the scriptures daily. Here is a picture of our 'Ponderizing' wall in the kitchen where as a family we have picked a scripture each week to talk about, read over, and mostly memorize. The kids included. Even Nora has memorized almost all of these scriptures. We added a new one tonight, but I took this picture a couple of days ago.

3. I'm grateful for the country we live it. It's a little scary right now. I feel like our leaders are faltering and losing direction. But it's still a great land that I love dearly. And it's this way because of people in the past who have sacrificed so much, even their lives, to protect it and uphold it's standards. I feel great pride in my heart for the military.

4. I'm grateful for temples. I'm grateful for a place that is so close to heaven and peaceful. I try to have my home feel like that and I do think that a lot of the time it does. But there are days that the spirit is driven out. Like tonight when I yelled at Nathan. And Nora. And Lexie, all at different times and all for different reasons. I really really try not to yell. Yelling for me is raising my voice to loudly, but today I did.

5. So, I'm grateful for repentance. I take my job and calling as a mother very seriously. I'm not saying that others don't, I'm just saying that this is really important to me. I really try to be my best. My best is not someone else's best, it's just my best. And while I know that I am a better mom now than I was 3 years ago, there are many things that I am working to improve. And always will be. I'm not perfect in anything I do.

6. I am grateful for the new friends we have made in our new area. They are great people. Very loving and giving and generous. I'm excited to continue to get to know them better.

7. I'm grateful for homemade yummy food. I love cooking. Most of the time.

8. I'm grateful everyday for essential oils. They are a great tool that I use in my family on a daily basis. They have given us the power to take control of our health in a very natural and safe way.

Here's a couple of pictures from the last few days...

I went to wake up Lexie from her nap and her room looked like THIS (when I put her down, there wasn't anything on the floor), and she's asleep in the middle of the room. It was funny to me.

Here is the 1 year anniversary picture of Lexie's hand. This has been the most traumatic and heart wrenching experience I have gone through. I have struggled with guilt, anger, sadness, discouragement, and finally acceptance. In the end, I learned that I had a CHOICE. Faith or despair. I decided to let light back into my heart.

11.08.2015

Gratitude post day 8

Today I feel grateful for my calling. I love the Primary. I love these children. I have a desire to help them know how much they are loved by our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I want them to be able to recognize what the Spirit feels like. I want them to know that no matter what they see or hear from others, They Are Loved. Also, I love Sundays.

My parents and Grandma Perry came over for birthday tonight. Parker is in Arizona for the weekend so we FaceTimed him. Both of the girls were so excited about the new Frozen books and Lexie loves clothes and shoes. She pulled them out and said "Ee pants! Ee shirt!" With a grin and her eyebrows raised. She blew out the candles tonight like a boss. She didn't want to wait until the song was over! I'm so grateful that my parents have always supported me in all that I do.

I didn't get any pictures of Grandma Perry. :( She played with Lexie and her new doll a little. I love that woman. I'm grateful for the selfless service she has taught me.