One of "Those" Days

So it's like 4:10 in the PM and I am still in my Jammies ( that's the P to J Jammies). I don't know why I went all white-suburban mom rapper on ya'll but yes one could come to the conclusion I have gone completely BONKERS. I feel like rapping bonkers but I'll spare you-all the pain.

I woke up this morning with a LIST. The big list. The get it all done today list OR ELSE list. We'll it's the or else I am now faced with. I can already imagine Dusty strolling in the door (covered in black.... coal is DISGUSTING.... I seriously have to clean my shower (like REALLY clean it) every 4 days (the end of his shift) because it is BLACK.
SICK.
Ummm where was I... Oh yeah so he's strolling in the door and trips immediately because in front of the door is a death trap. Not really for him but just the common death-trap variety. and as he is stumbling in up the stairs (which are clean) then he will meet utter chaos. (that's an exaggeration but it does make the story more dramatic). He will then look at me (in all my beauty) and realize (hopefully to himself) that his wife, mother of his two kids, is still in her pajamas and that (sniff sniff) supper is not being prepared and well (hopefully he really is silent at this point) what the HECK did she do all day???? I will chuckle to myself and think, it's just been "one of those days".

The new Spring Schedule

Hello all my long lost blogger buddies! It feels like I've been gone forever (not actually but just feeling wise). So I've been swamped lately and I'm seriously ready to just turn off my phone, close me eyes (so I don't have to see the MESS), put ear plugs in so I don't have to hear the oh so lovely children noises, and take a wee nap! I feel like I'm going from one thing to another the last couple of weeks. The couches (which I'm still dealing with), the house (which is still half-way through it's spring cleaning), the children (who LOVED being outside and now are cooped up again because of dear Mr. Winter who has decided to visit AGAIN), Dusty (who is also all fevered with spring), the bank (which comes with the territory of doing renovations unless of course you go with the good ol' save and then spend policy- which is what we've been doing but now are EXPLORING our options), quads (getting them all registered and whatnot), and signing Ellie up for some extra activities. Dusty and I decided when we had kids that they weren't going to do a million things. They got to pick one activity but we were going to try to keep our life SIMPLE. So much for that plan. I asked Ellie was she wanted to do ( I think you may have heard this story in a previous post) and she picked soccer. FINE. I'm okay with that. It runs from the beginning of May until the end of June. 8 weeks. WELL, we are planning on spending a fair amount of time out at the lake this year and both Dusty and I felt it was really important that she should take some swimming lessons BEFORE we go out there. SO now she's in swimming too which goes from the middle of my until the middle of June. So now my life looks like this

Monday- 4:30 Soccer, 7:00 Dinner, 8:00 FHE, 9:00 Bedtime
Tuesday- 10 am Swimming
Wednesday- 430 Soccer
Thursday
Friday- 10am Swimming
Saturday-
Sunday- Church

Looking at this schedule makes me seem like I'm whining but on my previous calendar I had NOTHING. So now I'm feeling busy. I also have to try to fit this schedule around Dusty's four on four off schedule plus our bi-monthly or monthly 2 day trip to Lethbridge. Hmmm.
Oh yah and I have to stay for soccer which is fine but LUCY is going to be a wild woman all she's going to want to do is be on the soccer field too plus I should of asked if I have to go in the pool. another Hmmm.

Good Morning!

This is what we woke up this morning.

Old McLucy Had a Farm.....

Lucy has a "farm" room and I couldn't find bedding that I loved so I picked up some fabric and wha-la. I love her blanket and it was super easy to do.

Lucys New Favorite Shirt

Do cattle drive?

My Mother-in-law got this book to read to the girls the last time we were down. It's HILARIOUS! I have caught myself a few times the last week muttering, "Sakes Alive!".

The last Easter Post

Easter Morning was AWESOME this year. My kids were so excited. We hid eggs with the girls the night before, telling them that the trickier the hiding spot the bigger the gift you get from the Easter bunny. They were so funny to watch. Ellie hid and re-hid eggs just to make sure they were really tricky. The Easter bunny sure brought them a great haul. They got a couple outfits, books, games, sunglasses, and a wee bit of candy (that smart bunny!). It was a great morning. I know that this egg hiding thing will be a big hit for a few more years. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Dipity doo dah dipity day....

Cream Cilantro Dip/Dressing

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 of a bunch of cilantro, finely chopped

juice from half a lemon

1/4 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. coarse pepper

Combine all ingredients in a jar or serving dish and refrigerate.

Easter -Part 3

Easter Morning Before Church. The night before Dusty and I gave the girls their Easter dresses. Both Ellie and Lucy Loved them.

Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Dillon came to visit and have Easter dinner. It was a good time. We played cards and I got obliterated.

On a non-Easter note it's Dusty's Dad's big 5-0 today!!!

Hope the next 50 is smooth sailing!

Easy Lunch Idea

This is my kids FAVORITE lunch. (Dusty's too when he's home). IT is so easy I feel dumb putting it up.

Quesadilla

4-5 tortillas

1 can of re-fried beans

Cheese grated

Vegetables your kids or Husband will eat

canola oil

heat frying pan

put beans, vegetables, and cheese on one half of tortilla.

Fold in half

Brush oil on outside of tortilla

Put in pan and heat on both sides till crispy and melty and delicious.

Serve with Salsa and sour cream.

Colouring Eggs

Easter Sunday- Act 1

I had to speak on Easter Sunday. I had a couple requests for my talk so here it is....

Happy Easter!! Easter can mean so many different things to so many people. It can mean that an Easter Bunny came and delivered treats. It can mean coloring eggs and family dinners. It can signify the beginning of spring. BUT to the majority of the Christian world, Easter is the celebration of our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
JOHN 3:16,17
I cannot think of gift I’d rather have more!! I woke up this morning and laid out my own girls dresses. I reflected on the significance of today. I cannot even comprehend what it must have been like for Heavenly Father on Friday. He watched his son take the sins of man. He watched him selflessly sacrifice and He heard and knew of the hatred in mans heart as His Son did this for them. I looked at Ellie sleeping and tried for a moment to place myself there. How Father in Heaven must of looked at His eldest son, standing among his opposition so nobly and with purpose, to watch him face adversity showing such a depth of courage and understanding in truth. Today our Saviors tomb was found empty and the promise of everlasting life fulfilled. Today we rejoice. Today we covenanted to,
“willing[ly]… take upon [us] the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]; that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us].”
D&C 20:77
In our world and in our time we too must stand with courage, as our Savior did. Recently, President Monson recognized three areas in which we might show this courage[i].
1) The courage to refrain from judging others. I am going to expand this point to simply state. The courage to love one another.
2) The courage to be chaste and virtuous
3) The courage to stand firm in truth and righteousness.
Covenanting with Our Savior we WILLINGLY take upon us his name and commit to honoring the commandments.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye alove one another; as I have loved you, that ye also blove one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have alove one to another.”
JOHN 13:34, 35

Our Savior taught us love.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
JOHN 15:13
He taught us devotion by giving of himself. He taught us compassion by being compassionate. He taught us forgiveness by being forgiving. We promise to remember him. We bear witness to the greatest act of pure love. We are asked and we promise to love one another.
"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." – Anonymous
This quote reminded me of the talk President Erying gave in the October Conference about unity. He says, “I have heard [the message of unity] from EVERY prophet of God in my lifetime… they have always called for unity. The need for that gift to be granted to us and the challenge to maintain it will grow greater in the days ahead.” Unity does not come without love. We make the choice. Elder Ballard tells a story of the Saviors example in a talk titled, Women in Righteousness. I am just going to changed the statements so they can apply to everyone.
“When God asked who would come to earth to prepare a way for all mankind to be saved and strengthened and blessed, it was Jesus Christ who said, simply,
“Here am I, send me”
Abr. 3:27
Just as the Savior stepped forward to fulfill His divine responsibilities, we have the challenge and responsibility to do likewise. If you are wondering if you make a difference to the Lord, imagine the impact you make with the following:
“Father, if you need someone to be compassionate, devoted, and forgiving while serving my brothers and sisters, here I am send me.”
“Father, if you need some one with the courage to defend and help the spiritually or temporally weak, here I am send me.”
“Father, if you need someone with the strength and determination to stand up to the pressures of the world, here I am send me.”
“Father, If You need someone who will fix their eyes on eternity, here am I, send me.”

The Law of chastity has eternal consequences. “Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
ALMA 39:5
Murder, denying the holy Ghost, THEN failure to live the law of chastity. Those who are chaste are morally clean in their thoughts, words, and actions. The law of chastity is black and white. The topical guide on the church’s website gives us the following council,
Decide now to be chaste. “Being decisive, being focused, committing ourselves to the fulfillment of a dream, greatly increases our chance for success.”
-Anonyms
Control our thoughts. “Everything, even our eternal destiny, begins with a thought. Pure thoughts lead to pure acts, pure acts lead to pure habits, pure habits lead to pure character, and pure character leads to eternal life. 1 Thoughts may seem like little things, but in reality they are crucial to our eternal salvation.”
Sheldon F. Child, “Words of Jesus: Chastity,” Ensign, Jan 2003, 44

Stay away from pornography. “Satan is out to destroy us, and he knows that it can all begin with a simple thought. He will use every method and medium to rob us of that greatest of all gifts—eternal life. It is so very important to keep our minds sweet and pure—to read books that edify, listen to music that uplifts, and treasure up in our minds those things that will lead us to Christ. As the Savior explained,

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.
Matt. 6:21



By treasuring that which is pure and uplifting, our thoughts and our hearts become pure.”

Sheldon F. Child, “Words of Jesus: Chastity,” Ensign, Jan 2003, 44

In the topical guide it gives two more pieces of council;
1) If we are single and dating, always treat our date with respect.
2) If we are married, be faithful to our spouse in our thoughts, words, and actions.
I would like to combine them to read;
Be respectful for all others in our thoughts, words, and actions.
In Dallin H. Oaks article, “Reverent and Clean,” he says,
“Indecent and vulgar expressions pollute the air around us. Relations that are sacred between husband and wife are branded with coarse expressions that degrade what is intimate in marriage and make commonplace what is forbidden outside it Members of the Church, young or old, should never allow profane or vulgar words to pass their lips. The language we use projects the images of our hearts, and our hearts should be pure. As the Savior taught:
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Sometimes we can remove ourselves from language that is profane or vulgar. If this is not possible, we can at least register an objection so that others cannot conclude that our silence means approval or acquiescence.
Our thirteenth article of faith commits us to seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” The language of Latter-day Saints should be reverent and clean”. AND RESPECTFUL.

We mustn’t waiver. President Monson’s third and final plea, is to stand firm in truth and righteousness. Eleanor Roosevelt said,
“So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating effect.”
In Priesthood session of the April 2009 Conference, President Monson directed our men to
1. Study diligently.
2. Pray fervently.
3. Live righteously.
Three very basic principals and yet, President Monson has taught that the "teaching of fundamentals is urgent. That we might better understand our task and our opportunity" In the closing remarks, “until we meet again”, we are left with the following messages from President Monson.
“I remind you that the messages will be printed in next month's Ensign and Liahona magazines. I urge you to study the messages and to ponder their teachings and then to apply them in your life.”
My brothers and sisters, may we strive to live closer to the Lord. May we remember to "pray always lest [we] enter into temptation. To you parents, express your love to your children. Pray for them that they may be able to withstand the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and testimony. Pray that they may pursue lives of goodness and of service to others.
We have built temples throughout the world and will continue to do so. To you who are worthy and able to attend the temple, I would admonish you to go often. The temple is a place where we can find peace. There we receive a renewed dedication to the gospel and a strengthened resolve to keep the commandments.”
May we not let the “passive sins, such as apathy and laziness” prevent us from standing firm in truth and righteousness. Standing firm gives us the strength and courage to continue to fight the battle against the evils of the world, just as our Savior did. I know there was purpose in Christ’s sacrifice for us. My hope and prayer is that we continue that journey showing love for our fellow brethren, defending virtue and honor, standing firm in truth and righteousness. May we “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places”, is my prayer in the name of thy beloved son and my savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Oh so Dilicious Dinner

Easter is a delicious holiday. I've decided that it's my top favorite holiday. There is no stress, spring is coming, AND the sky's the limit when it comes to food selection. This year I hosted a party on Thursday (the Last supper) and then Easter dinner on Sunday and then again on Monday afternoon I had a left over lunch. IT was great.

SUNDAY DINNER MENU

Garlic Rosemary Bread

Home-made dill and chicken soup

Creamy Cilantro dip

Deviled Eggs (my MIL brought them)

Spring Salad (another MIL dish)

Cucumber, Tomato, dill salad

Ham

Lemon Pound Cake

It was a mighty fine dinner. I didn't take any pictures AGAIN but I should have. I HIGHLY recommend the soup. It was a huge pot perfect for a party and it filled the house with the best aroma.

Chicken and Dill Soup

1 fryer chicken

2 lbs of carrots

1 bunch of celery

2 small sweet potatoes

1 onion

4 tablespoon of fresh dill

1 table spoon of garlic

2 tablespoons of fresh Parsley

Salt

Pepper

OXO chicken soup base

Place frozen or fresh chicken in pot and cover with cold water.

Bring to a boil and continue to cook at boil for 1 hour, scooping chicken foam off top.

Add vegetables and herbs.

Continue cooking over medium-low heat for 3 hours.

Turn off heat and let it sit for 1 hour.

With a slotted spoon, transfer chicken, bones, and vegetables to a large bowl.

Discard bones and celery.

Set a large strainer over another soup pot.

Strain the broth, removing any remaining solids.

Set aside the cooked chicken.

Press some of the cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, and parsnips through the strainer into the soup.

Scrape mashed vegetables from the bottom of the strainer and add to the soup

Strain the soup a second time.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice some of the cooked carrots into 1/2-inch pieces and return to the soup.

Add Chicken.

Allow soup to cool, then refrigerate.

Skim fat from top of soup.

OR

just scoop as much of the fat out with a spoon if you want to serve right away.

Add more seasoning (herbs whatever) when you are warming it to serve.

The Last Supper

Our Family but together a last supper to commemorate the last supper Christ shared with his apostles. The girls had a great time and the food was fantastic. We didn't make unleavened bread but I made Challah instead. Here are the recipes and pictures (the not so great pictures but you'll get the idea).

Challah

1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg+ 3 yokes+ 1 egg white
2 teaspoons salt
4-6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of honey

1 tablespoon of water

In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water.

Beat in honey, oil, 1 eggs and yokes, and salt.

Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens.

Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed.

Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/4 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.
Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board.

Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky.

Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle.

Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together.

Grease two baking trays and place finished braid or round on each.

Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Beat the remaining egg white, honey, and water, and brush a generous amount over each braid.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 20 minutes.

Cover with tin foil to keep from browning too much.

Bake an additional 20 minutes.

Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom.

Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

Honey Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon orange zest
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup white sugar
1 cup honey
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and orange rind.

Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs one at a time.

Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated.

Stir in the walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then cut into diamond shapes.

Pour honey syrup over the cake.
For the Honey Syrup:

In a saucepan, combine honey, 1 cup sugar and water.

Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes.

Stir in lemon juice, bring to a boil

cook for 2 minutes.

Beef Skewers (the picture is in the very back)

2 lbs of stew meat

12 mushrooms

2 small onions

1 tablespoon garlic

1 sticks rosemary

4 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

seasoning salt

coarse pepper

Make marinade out of garlic, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

(These are the amounts I used but you can vary the amounts to your tastes)

Let meat sit in it over night in the fridge.

Soak skewers for 20 minutes while chopping up mushrooms and onions.

Skewer beef, mushroom, and onion.

Repeat until full.

Cook on grill or BBQ for 10 minutes rotating sides.

serve with tatzkiki.

An Easter Celebrating Soccer Mom

Easter weekend is going to be pretty busy in our house!! Last night we hosted a last supper. We had another couple and their kids come over. We cooked food that Jesus would have eaten. I didn't make unleavened bread like he would of been eating because of passover but I did a Jewish honey bread. We also had figs, dates, almonds, hard boiled eggs, honey cake, and skewers. I didn't use lamb but I think the kids got the idea. We also served grape juice. It was a big hit with my kids. It will definitely be a family tradition. I was looking for something "meaningful" but that we could keep doing with our kids year after year. This seriously was our answer. Every year can be a little different with the same principal. When they're older they'll be able to study the story more in depth and gain a broader understanding than the story we told last night. I loved it.

The spread (the picture isn't that great but the food looked a lot better in real life)

Yesterday I dropped off Ellie's registration into soccer. So it's official she'll be our little soccer superstar!! I asked her if she wanted to do dance or gymnastics or swimming or soccer. Every time we got the same, very enthusiastic answer. Soccer it is! Dusty keeps bugging me that we'll have to buy a mini-van but I don't think even being a soccer mom will get me in one of those!

Ellie in her soccer "uniform".

A Moral Story

My upstairs furniture broke. The frame broke AND it got a rip in it. I was sorta bummed but then I realized I got suckered into buying an extended warranty on the blasted stuff. I called the furniture place and they were awesome to deal with. On the phone they just asked me what was wrong and then they explained the options and that the best plan was to just come in and pick out new furniture and they'd replace the whole set. OK. I can totally handle that. I get new furniture!!!! Exciting, right??? NO because then I looked at my original sales receipt only to realize I was SUPER-D-DUPERTY cheap when I bought furniture and they had a big sale and I bought one and got the other 50% off. So now I get to go in and replace my furniture with worse stuff. SUCK!
The moral of the story..... don't be so cheap the first time around, especially if you're going to get suckered in with an "extended" warranty!!!

(I'm sure there is a better moral but at the moment I'm just going to be bitter!)

Lovely

Isn't SPRING lovely?? Today I went outside and wore a t-shirt and was comfortable. Today I am putting away my boots. My feet are craving flip-flops. Today the flies are buzzing and the birds are chirping. Today I can hear water gushing into the street drains (um clearly can't remember what they're really called). It's just so lovely. Dusty has 12 days off starting tomorrow. I can't wait. I know we really should do some more reno's but all I want to do is go and play :)

OH that silly Luce!

I have been waiting to be able to put Lucy's hair in a pony tail.

I love my baby so much. It makes me kind of sad to see that she's not so babyish anymore.

I walked into her room and she was just laying in her change table pretending to sleep!

Fixin' her bear.

I asked her what an Ostrich says..... Quiet bird I think I'll remember that one!

Riding Midge... I think we might have to upgrade to a lab or something.

Craft Group

There is a craft group at the church I attend and I was in charge of the March craft. I decided to do the wall hanging craft. It was a really great day and I had so much fun. It was nice to visit and be busy with things at the same time. I'm already looking forward to next month. Here are some pictures of the day.

Dusty came to cut the lathe and drill the holes for us!! Such a good guy!

Mrs. R and some of the beautiful children hanging out waiting for the glue to dry!

Some of the peeps standing around the table crafting.

Mrs. S and her beautiful finished project. She was one of the only ones I could sucker into standing for a picture!!



This is a picture I did using a solid piece of wood instead of the lathe. It's on a chunky piece of wood and I framed it is sisal twine. I'm going to put little hooks on the bottom so Lucy can use it as a coat hanger in her room.

Amish Friendship Bread

I got a starter from a really great friend. I've never done this but had been hoping I'd get to. It was so much fun and the kids had a great time squishing the ziplock bag full of goo. When the time came to bake it on Monday I decided to change the recipe up a bit. Instead of vanilla pudding I put in chocolate. I also added a cup of coconut and a cup of walnuts and a 1/2 cup of pecans. It was okay. I'm not a huge fan of loaves and such but I took it with me visiting friends and they said it was good. So there you have it.

Amish Friendship Bread

This is more than a recipe - it's a way of thinking. In our hi-tech world almost everything comes prepackaged and designed for instant gratification. So where does a recipe that takes ten days to make fit in? Maybe it's a touch stone to our past - to those days not so very long ago when everything we did took time and where a bread that took 10 days to make was not as extraordinary as it seems today.

The Recipe

Important Note: Don't use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.
day 1:
Do nothing with the starter.
days 2-5:
Stir with a wooden spoon.
day 6:
Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon.
days 7-9:
Stir with a wooden spoon.
Day 10:
Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers (ziplock bags). Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends.

To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.
1 cup oil

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla
In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:
2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 - (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup nuts
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour

Family Time

The last set Dusty had off was so much fun. We didn't have to rush around to do anything but we did a ton of stuff. On Monday we had to go to the church ( I was in charge of the craft this month) and we were going to a friends house for dinner. I had to make my Amish Friendship bread so I got up in the morning to do that. I figured I'd take it to dinner but as I looked in my fridge I realized I had no milk so we all loaded up in the truck and went to the local grocers for some milk. When we got home I baked the cake and Dusty diligently stood watch in the kitchen to stop little stomping feet. I bake a lot and I love to bake cakes and I have NEVER had a cake fall. I believed it could happen but I figured you'd have to be TRYING to make it fall. Well, clearly I haven't baked with two tiny people wrestling in the kitchen!! Early this week I baked a triple layer chocolate cake and it totally fell so because this cake was leaving our home Dusty was put in charge of monitoring children. He did a great job. The cake did fine. As soon as it come out of the oven we were off to the church. The craft went so well. I was so surprised to see how many people came! Everybodys pictures turned out so cute. The kids had a great time playing. It was so funny listening to them. They were all in the primary room playing "primary". It was so cute. Most of the kids there were sunbeams and younger so I was surprised at how well they all pretended together. After the craft we went for dinner and it was delicious. I NEVER make lasagna and I don't know why (maybe it's cause I'm the worlds worst lasagna baker) but it always tastes so good. It was a nice evening and the kids were wiped so it was a pleasant QUIET drive home.
Tuesday Dusty and the girls had a movie day while I went out to do my visiting teaching. I LOVE going. It feels so good to get it done and it's so nice being able to go and visit and talk about really uplifting positive things. I absolutely love the sisters I get to visit and my visiting teaching companions are amazing. I'm feel so lucky. Sometimes I think I go away feeling more lifted then the other sisters do. One of the ladies we teach is growing a garden and has started it in her living room. She's has such a remarkable gift of being "self-sufficient". If we ever had to go "off the grid" I would totally want to be in the same vicinity of this woman. She would not only survive but thrive in such an environment. Amazing.
Wednesday our whole family packed up and went to wal-mart. Ellie had been asking for a couple weeks to go to wal-mart and it was so much fun. Normally when we go it's a get the things done that need to be done trip but this one was so much fun. WE just wandered around for a couple hours. Then Dusty and I got to do "mission impossible" I had to get all our Easter stuff but the kids were there so we dodged each other for about an hour while I got all their stuff.
I am so pumped for Easter this year!!! We're planning on decorating eggs on Sunday after church then hiding them all over the house for the Easter bunny to find. The better the girls hide them the better the gift they get. It'll be really fun. We decided to do the Easter bunny thing on Monday and on Sunday we would celebrate a more reverent religious Easter. I like this idea so much and it'll work out great (until the kids start school but I'll cross that bridge when it comes).
There are so many great things ahead of us this month and I'm so happy it's April and that spring is on it's way!!!