The Charons

Riley came running into the kitchen and yelled, "look Mom, I'm Mr. Potato head!" How do you not love this little boy!

Yes... today is Sunday, but I didn't get a picture of the kiddies, sorry. However, I did get a picture of a "bug" keagan made last week. She had 1/2 days for parent teacher conferences, so she grabbed riley and off they went. They explored our whole little area, then she brought back leaves, twigs and all sorts of things and wanted to make a bug, so we did just that. Here is the cute little "bug"

This is what I found last night when I went to put my two little girls to bed:




Keagan is wearing my glasses and her hat, and little Maddy is wearing Keagan's glasses... bunch o' thugs! Love em!

I think in life it is so easy to feel hopeless, to let the dark, angry feelings take over our lives. Sometime, sooner or later you have to make the decision that you will continue to have Hope, even when it hurts.

Hope. We all need it.

Watch THIS video.

This is the group that hiked into Havasupai, AZ It's one of the edges of the Grand Canyon. We hiked 13 miles in, and 13 miles out, all within 24 hours!

The falls. They are BEAUTIFUL!


David throwing Riley up when he was just a little tyke (yes he liked it, don't call CPS on us)


This is my favorite picture of Keagan (this is on her 5th birthday)

I know I have introduced you to Trisha, my PPCM friend. But I don't think I told you how I met her. Here it goes: Last May the website Sew, Mama, Sew did a giveaway (Rustic Raspberry was in the giveaway) There were SO many talented people that signed up to give something away, you get the point. Anyhoo.. I found this one site that was giving away a beautiful Red scarf. The Maker (Wendy) was giving it away to raise money for her friend Trisha that had PPCM. Here is the original post.

So Wendy gave Trisha my number and game over... we have been friends ever since. I must say Trisha is a much better friend and supporter than I. For instance, on my birthday she sent me the most beautiful sunflowers from flowers.com. For her birthday I went onto the see's candy website and ordered her a small box, which I found out a few days ago NEVER was delivered (I didn't buy the "heat" packaging...whatever) Well Trisha again has made my day. I never won that scarf on Sew, Mama, Sew, so she arranged to have Wendy, her friend make me another one. Here it is, beautiful and I will wear and love it!


Trisha. Thank you. Thank you for being such a great support for me during this rough patch. I truly love you!

Barb

My friend Jamie sent this to me, and I thought it was hilarious!

In our house we have a "routine" in place. (well most mornings that is) When I wake up I head upstairs to the girls room, and this is what I see:




Keagan is reading to Maddy inside her "Princess" netting, and how does Maddy get there you ask? That is the cutest part of all. When Maddy wakes up and peeks those little eye balls over the side of the crib Keagan jumps out of bed and goes and gets her. And not only reads to her, but also changes her diaper. What a girl!

Love those two little girls!

Sunday, Sunday.

I have decided that every week I want to take a picture of my little ones. They grow up so fast, and I don't want to miss a minute, so today we all managed to match (Mormon Mom extraordinaire... don't be jealous) I think the pictures turned out cute. I love my little family.







Riley broke his nose!! (Don't worry we cleaned the blood before we snapped the pictures, you can thank me later!)

I (of course) missed the moment of impact, I was downstairs doing my motherly duties A.K.A the laundry, when I heard a crash, then a big inhale, so I rushed up the stairs to find LARGE amounts of blood coming out of everywhere. By the time I got him cleaned up and looked at David got home. We called friends (who are doctors) and they told us not to even go to the Emergency Room, they would just say ice it and check back with a ear, nose and throat Dr. So that is the plan. I will take him in tomorrow. His nose is still VERY swollen, and he as two beautiful shiners. Crazy little guy! Here are the photos of day 1, 2 and 3. Enjoy!


Day 1

Day 2

Day 3


They've been CREAMED!

Riley discovered a can of 'whipped cream' in the fridge and brought it to me and asked if I could squirt some in his mouth. For those of you who know me, know that I HATE canned whipped cream, so I saw an opportunity to use it up and throw it away, so I took it. All the kids including Maddy loved it!

Keagan

Riley

Maddy

Hey... for those of you in my ward, we are having a craft day, Yipee! I have set up a blog so you can see the crafts (aren't you lucky!) If you want to do any or all just leave a comment under the ones you want with your contact information.

So click HERE to see all the cute cute projects!


P.S. I am NOT holding onto projects for more than a month (that means you Mika :-))

9 months has come and gone and here are the list of things that are on my mind.


9 months and...

my heart EF rate is 30-35 (your EF rate is probably 70)
my baby is getting big and it makes me sad
I still cry
I wish I could rewind the last 8
I am finally getting the fact I have no control over nor do I understand people who hold grudges
I love my husband MORE today than ever
I want more babies, I just do, and I am so sad about it
The chest pain is starting to ease up

I am officially in the worst shape I have ever been (yuck)
we still live in Flag and LOVE it
I've made great new friends
I have re-connected with old friends that I missed
I am alive, and that is something all by itself.

Thanks for being around these last 9 months to support me, and here is to 9 more. One last thing. Watch this video. I love it, reminds me there is a Heavenly Father who loves me, and there are still things that 'need to be done in this city'

Here are some more Pics of my 'Miss Maddy' at 9 months old.

WANTED: your recipes.

(sing this song to the tune of 'we are family')

I need recipes.
I've got all the ingredients I need
I want recipes
to bake something yummy you see.

ya, ok... kind of a far cry from poetic, but it's true. I NEED new recipes for dinner. So, if you think you've got one I would like please let me know. I will give you one of mine for one of yours, or whatever.

Thanks friends!

Barb

(I promise I won't attempt to sing via keyboard if you send me your recipes :-))

So today (Saturday) I accomplished # 1,3,4,5 and 6 will be checked off later tonight, we are picking up a sitter at 3, Yipee! Impressed? Oh yes! I even have pics to prove it....


Before: yummy huh!


After: you can get the recipe HERE

Before: disaster



After: Pretty good, not GREAT, but better. What's that saying? Good, Better, Best.



and because you have been such a good audience, I will give you an extra treat.... a picture of my new hair cut. I don't post pics of me too often because my skin looks funny with my heart meds, but here it is.


ok, now go throw up. See you tomorrow!

I feel a little lost today. Maybe it's the weather, or the hour + I spent at the Dr. office or maybe... who knows. Tomorrow will be better. It's a Saturday, who doesn't love a Saturday, right?! Maybe if I set some goals, I am a goal oriented person. So here are the goals for tomorrow:

1. Bake a "new" cookie recipe
2. Clean the house (David usually helps with this, vacuuming is like running a marathon with my heart)
3. Make chore charts with Keagan, I have decided that if I have her help me with what her responsibilities should be she can't get mad when I ask her to do them (wish me luck with this one)
4. Grocery shop (my favorite thing to do!!!) No, really, it is.
5. Organize Kitchen (this may be a little ambitious)
6. Go on a date with David (we have let this slip, and it's been awhile...any volunteers for babysitters?)

I think I feel a little better even just having a "plan" set for tomorrow. Wish me luck. Here are some cute pic's of the kids this afternoon. A package of "zoo-pals plates" has entertained them for an hour now, bless their hearts. It's cardboard for Christmas kids :-)



**Changed my background, what do ya think?**

My dear David,

I love you! We make a great team and you mean the world to me. I was lucky to have found you, and 8 years ago this month we got engaged! The best 8 years so far! Lets hope we have LOTS more like them, we'll maybe not like the last year :-) You are a Wonderful Daddy, a great leader and my best friend.

I love you!

Barb

Here in Flag a few friends are doing a JOY school. Hey, you only have 1 week of pain to 4 weeks off, and the best part...IT'S FREE! So here is Riley heading off to the first day. Yippee!!




He's such a shrimp it looks like his back-pack is eating him! What a cutie

To celebrate my 200th post I decided to make cookies. (not really for the post :0) You know Barb is getting back to Barb when the baking starts.



Want the recipe? Go HERE

On Sunday I made Cinnamon rolls, and no, not the kind that pop out of a cardboard tube, but the real-deal! And the saddest part of it all... Keagan wanted the other ones! Sniff, sniff. I think I should make breakfast a little more often before my kids get a false sense of home-made.




Today's cookies: