Gateway Swimming Pool

Every Saturday evening for the past few weeks we have spent some family time at the pool in our apt. complex. This pool is fairly small. It is probably about the size of a hotel pool. Which is perfect for us because it also means that it only goes four feet deep! We don't have to worry about Lily wandering over to the "deep" end.

We really enjoy our time there. It cools us off right before bedtime, and we get some much needed exercise in. My two babes took after their daddy and are true guppies. Most times we have to drag Lily kicking and screaming out of the pool. She could stay in there till she turned blue, and that still wouldn't be enough for her.

We had to go buy Lily a life vest after our first couple of times at the pool. That girl has no fear. She runs and jumps in the pool when Russ and I are not near. Even with her feet touching the ground she still is completely covered in water. We've talked to her about not jumping without an adult nearby but the temptation is just too strong. Therefore we got her the life vest.

I managed to get this "okay" photo of the three fish together.

Then I got this one. I can't decide if she is a heart breaker in this picture or if she is utterly hilarious. At least the picture turned out cute. Despite her face she was having a grand old time. She was a little upset too when we got out.

Puppy

About a week ago I stopped breastfeeding Allie during the day. She was just to squirmy and would never get enough milk. Reluctantly I switched over to a bottle during the day. When I remember I give her a sippy, but today I forgot. Since I've been doing this Allie does the funniest thing. First she will drink most of her bottle.

Before she finishes Lily and I will catch her interest. Not on purpose of course, but an 11 month old is interested in anything that moves. Allie will then proceed to crawl/stand/walk after us like this...

She'll leave it dangling there until she reaches us. It is the funniest thing I've ever seen. She looks like a little puppy chasing after us with a stick in her mouth. LOL!

Try-It-Tuesday: Beef Taco Skillet

I found the most amazing recipe for this week. I buy a Sunday paper each week for the coupons and the ads. Yes, I know, I'm a sinner. But I will not pay $9.00 for two days worth of paper to be delivered to my home, instead of $1.75 for one days worth. As I was perusing last weeks paper I came across this wonderful recipe. I tried it out and it was a winner!

Beef Taco Skillet

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 oz) Cambell's Tomato Soup
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
6 flour tortillas (6"), cut into 1" pieces
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used more...would you expect anything less of me?!)

Directions:
1. Cook beef in 10" skillet until well browned, stirring to break up meat. Pour off fat.
2. Stir in soup, salsa, water and tortillas. Heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 min. Stir. Top with cheese. Makes 4 servings. (Yeah right! Makes more than that!)

Creamy Mexican Fiesta: Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream with soup ( I chose this option!)
Ranchero Style: Use corn tortillas instead of lour tortillas and shredded Mexican cheese blend instead of Cheddar.

My Bestest Friend

Upon moving into our new ward, I met a great family. Mindy (the mom) has kinda taken me under her wing and we've become friends. She invited me to a playgroup. I enjoy going and talking to the woman their, and Lily enjoys playing with the kids. Now as I mentioned this family is in our ward. Lily happens to be the same age as Christopher (oldest child). That is TWICE a week that she sees Chrsitopher.

At playgroup I've noticed that those two hang out quite a bit. At church you usually see Christopher and Lily sitting next to each other. I just shrug my shoulders and figure that since Lily sees Christopher more than any other of the kids, she has kind of latched on to him. That was my attitude until today....

Mindy and her kids sat in front of us. Christopher was turned around watching Lily go about her coloring and such. Lily looked up and saw him, turned to me and said, "That's Christopher, my bestest friend." I kinda chuckled and looked at Christopher with a questioning look. He smiled, nodded his head, and said,"Yep that's me."

I know he could have been reaffirming the fact that he is Christopher, but the kid sees me twice a week as well. He knows I know his name. I really feel like he was agreeing with Lily that he was her bestest friend. He warms my heart to see my little girl making such good friends. Christopher is such a good influence on her because for the most part he is a very calm child. Lily needs a calming influence. I hope they can continue to be friends.

One question I keep asking myself though...why is Lily's bestest friend ALWAYS a boy?! ;)

Family Fun

Twice we were invited to go see Bishop Markham or "Dave" play his guitar with his band. Both times we couldn't make it because we needed to get things done. Then a few days ago we were invited again to go see his band play at the Civic Center in Lake Jackson. I was determined to go mainly because Lily needed some time to run around and be outdoors. Russ was hesitant to go since we had been so busy all day, but I overode him. :) We packed up our blankets and chairs, slathered on sunscreen, applied multiple layers of bug spray, and headed off.

While the band was still warming up and doing mike checks I snapped a few pictures. Lily was playing on the benches. Which brought on the giggles. She seems to get them a lot lately. I also made her where her cute purple hat because I just wasn't taking the time to do something with her fro. It actually looked cute, and like I had done it on purpose! :D

We had just got this hat for Allie. Isn't this the cutest picture ever? It makes me cry. My baby is growing up!

I wanted a cute pic of the girls with daddy but no, Lily was mesmerized by the band setting up, and REFUSED to look at the camera. Allie was playing "Climb the Daddy Mountain", so I settled with a picture of them together. Something is better than nothing, right?!

Right before the band started playing, Carolyn(Dave's wife) came over and talked to us. She pointed out a couple of other people from the ward who had made it. Russ saw the Meservy's, thanks to Carolyn, who he likes to talk to, and he took off. Lily spotted Melanie (Dave's six year old daughter) and took off to play with her.

I later joined Russ with the Meservy's and the Whipples, and Davis's joined us as well. Lily was in heaven of course because Christopher was now there to play with as well. The adults all had a good chat while the older kids ran around. Allie and her knew friend....Emma?...played on the blankets. The music by the bishop and his band was great. We enjoyed having something fun to get us out of the house.

What a start to the day!

Oh my has day started off poorly! It started with Russ's phone ringing at 5:35 am. It was Russ's carpool guy wondering where he was. Russ had slept in! He hurried and got ready in five minutes and ran out the door. With him being in such a hurry he accidentally closed the door harder than he meant too. Okay, he SLAMMED the puppy shut!

I of course rolled out of bed five minutes later because Allie had woke up from the slam of the door. Once that girl is awake, she is awake for awhile! For the next 45 minutes I attempted to sooth her to no avail. I decided that she could just cry in her bed, I was going back to sleep! By this time Lily had moved to my bed and was snoozing away, so I didn't have to worry about Allie waking her up. To my complete relief Allie whimpered for just a few seconds and fell asleep.

We got up at 8:30 which completely ruined my plans for being up and going on a walk by 8:00 by I HAD to get that extra hour of sleep or else I would have been a zombie. We got ready for the day and headed to the doctor.

We noticed yesterday that Allie's toe had some skin that was falling off it. The skin wasn't what you would call "natural" looking. Also, the skin underneath was red and inflamed and Allie wouldn't let me touch it. So we found a doctor that would except us. We haven't been to our doctors down here yet. The doctors office was a ZOO! I have never seen so many people at the doctors before. You usually see maybe 5 other parents with their kids and that is it. NOT HERE! There were AT LEAST 15 parents plus their kids. Then there was a sick side and a non sick side. Which side do I sit on? Allie wasn't REALLY sick, but I didn't want her or Lily to catch anything, but I didn't want to give anything either! AUGH!

I arrived 20 min early to do the paperwork...no big deal. But there wasn't ANYTHING for the kids to play with in the waiting area. NOTHING! So we waited...and waited...and waited...and waited....My appointment at 10:10 turned into an appointment at 10:45! Wow, I've never had to wait that long. Lily was excellent the whole time we waited though. When we got inside Allie got weighed. She is 19 lbs 3 oz. I seriously thought she would weigh more. Lily was already 20 lbs by this age.

Anyway the doctor came in took one look at her toe and declared it was a good thing we had come in. Apparently she has cellulitis. If we had waited longer he would have had to lance it and possibly put her in the hospital. I am so glad I listened to Russ that I should take her in! I had thought the doctor was going to think I was a psycho mother for bringing in a baby because some skin had fallen off! Comes to find out the WHOLE FAMILY has to be medicated. We each get to use a cream on our nose. Lily and Allie get "special soap" to take a bath in. Then Allie gets yucky antibiotics. Nothing like making sure the thing is dead! :)

I swung by CVS to get the prescriptions filled. I had Allie in the cart but not buckled because those things are NOT meant to really be used. I mean they are usually too tight and sit across the kids chest. Can you say UNCOMFORTABLE? Anyway, while I was giving the pharmacy tech the prescription and insurance I hear a tremendous crash, and two kids crying LOUDLY! I turn around and Lily is trapped underneath the cart and Allie is laying face first on Lily's head. Apparently Lily tried to pull herself up on the area where you push and because it got top heavy it fell over on her. Allie was fine. She landed on a great big sister cushion. She was a little scared though. Lily....she didn't fair as well.

The three pharmacy people all came running out of their are to help pull the girls together. One tried to help Lily stand, but Lily couldn't put weight on one of her legs. It was already swelling up pretty big, and a bruise was forming. We sat her up on a table, and one of the techs looked her over. I think she might have been a nurse too...not sure, but she seemed to know what she was looking for. She told me Lily had probably bruised the muscle. All I could think of was, "Oh great, I've got to go back to the ZOO(Dr's office)again?!" The tech gave Lily a lollipop and helped me put her in the cart. After about 10 mins of waiting for the prescription some of the swelling had gone down, and Lily said it felt a bit better. I got her out to walk on it. She did okay but limped a little. The bruise hasn't gotten any bigger than it started out as, so were thinking she just got smacked a good one, but no damage done.

What a way to start the day eh?!

Spoiled Again!

Becky, my sister, sent Allie, Lily, and I a package. Boy were we spoiled! I got my fabric, and a few workbooks to help Lily start on some kindergarten skills. Lily got LOTS of Clifford books and coloring book. Allie got a Little People book to look at. Thanks Aunt Becky!

I made it!

Phew! I made it! I went six days living at my house without my husband. This is HUGE accomplishment for me. In the past if Russ has had to go anywhere I would jump in the car and go to my parents house. Well, that isn't quite possible now. I won't lie, it wasn't fun or easy. But I got through it. I spent a lot of nights up late on the computer so that when I went to bed I would be exhausted and instantly fall asleep. That way I didn't have to worry myself over stupid things like, "Is someone going to break in my house"

Other than the nights it really didn't feel like anything was different. Russ is gone so much already what was a few more hours?! I'm going to be getting used to this since Russ will be traveling a lot in the next year. I don't look forward to it, but I don't dread it as much now.

On Friday, Lily, Allie, and I made Russ a big "Welcome Home" sign. Lily did most of the coloring, Allie helped by crumpling/ripping the paper, and I tried to help Lily make it readable! :) Russ thought it was cute. He got home around 8:00. I LOVED watching the girls reactions when he walked through the door. Lily ran over to him, gave him a big hug, and showed him the poster on the door. OBVIOUSLY he had missed it when he walked in the front door ;D Allie had been standing up against our coffee table facing the door when Russ came in. She squealed with delight and cruised as fast she could around that table, tried to take a step, fell, and crawled like lightening to her daddy. My girls are daddy girls through and through.

Russ of course couldn't go on a trip without bringing us all something home. (Even if I did have to hint that it would be a good idea!) He brought home this puzzle for Allie, which she is batty over! Whenever we plop it on the floor she takes a dive for it. Lily got some rain boots, something we had been thinking she needed so she can splash around in our HUGE puddles we get. Lastly, I got a spoon. I THINK I have at least half of the US by now!

We are so glad our daddy is home!

MY CAR!!!!

Hi Ho Silver has been a wonderful car for us. We bought him for $7000 with 70000 miles on him. He's made it through daily commutes, his floors being flooded, drinks and food spilled all over him, MANY trips to Utah, a few trips to California, and one VERY LONG road trip to Texas. He is still kicking with over 130,000 miles on him. WE LOVE YOU HI HO SILVER! But when Lily came down with her rash, and Russ had Hi Ho Silver at work with him over an hour away, we knew it was time to add a new car to the family. It just wasn't realistic for me to be without a car most days. We had been toying with the idea for some time as to what kind of a car we would like to get. I knew I wanted a car that the family could "grow into". I just didn't want to get a car almost payed off to realize that it no longer fit us. This lead us to think of looking at smaller SUV's and minivans. I REALLY wanted a Honda Pilot. Then we tried one out at the dealer, and I discovered I REALLY didn't want it that much. Too much $$$$ and not enough room. We did know though that we wanted to stick with the brands of Honda or Toyota. So we looked some more..... The salesman brought us over one that I felt good about. Russ drove it and said it was good. But I wasn't ready to commit to anything because the girls needed naps, lunch, and I wanted to look elsewhere. I'm a "shop around" kind of girl.

The sales guy wouldn't let us go that easy though. He brought over his boss to give us a quote. I said no thank you to the quote. He lowered it again. I said no thank you. Then the guy got a little forceful and said we weren't showing "commitment" I got forceful back and said, "my kids are more important than this car, and I'm leaving." He dropped the price A LOT. Less than we thought we would ever see for what we were getting. I looked at Russ, he looked at me, and we put a down payment down. I'm still steaming that the guy got our business when he was so rude. But I really don't think we would have got as good of a deal elsewhere.

You are probably wondering what we bought huh?! Here's a hint....

What?! That isn't good enough? Okay fine! Here is MY CAR!!! I say mine because well, Russ drives it to church, and occasionally to the store. Hi Ho Silver is his car now. Okay drum roll......

Yep that pretty blue Toyota Sienna minivan is all mine! It has two bench seats, a HUGE trunk, bucket seats in front, a SIX-disc CD changer, and then the normal stuff. It rides really smooth and is soooooo quite. Hi Ho Silver was starting to get a little loud in his old age. I'm still getting used to taking wider corners, but as of yet I haven't hit anything :D We have committed to NOT making anymore big purchases for awhile. Two in a month is enough for us! My goal now is to pick a suitable name...I've been kicking around Blue Beauty, but I just don't know.

Mr. Fix-it Fixes the Chair

One of the things that got broken in the move was our glider chair. This chair is absolutely a must in our house. The girls love to be rocked, cuddled, and read to each night before bedtime. I'm not sure how the moving company did this but thye cracked this area where the back of the chair is connected to the bottom of the chair. See the picture...it makes more senseWe tried to use it just ONE night, but the problem quickly escalated to this. The dang thing was completely falling apart! The arm rests had both come loose now. The whole chair wobbled dangerously everytime you sit down in it. Russ declared he could fix it to last until our next child comes along. Then he PROMISED we could get a new one then. I agreed because I REALLY didn't want to spend any money until we got our first paycheck. We went to wal-mart and bought a few nuts and bolts. To my complete surprise Russ was able to fix the thing, just using glue, two bolts, two washers, and two nuts. Isn't my husband a GREAT fix-it man? Oh, and since I was being such a good sport about things, Russ added a FEW minor adjustments. Check out the finished product!

Hehehehe! I had you going good! Russ actually wanted me to do a post like this. We REALLY did try to fix the chair when we discovered the crack. The nuts and bolts held for ONE night and then the whole armrest thing happened. I was done by then. We went straight to a furniture store and bought this beauty. It is a little darker than I would have wanted, and it isn't exactly meant for the kids bedroom, but it is wonderful. When we get a house and new couches this will move out to our living room and we'll get a real rocking chair.

For now the glider is sitting unused in our front room. We can't get rid of it until the moving company does an assessment. Which I'm hoping will be soon. We only have four or five boxes to go throught to check for damages, then we can file our claim, and get rid of ALL the junk they broke. It will be a happy day!

Number 7 & 8

Allie's tooth number seven, which is the on the bottom right second tooth over, came in last week. Tooth number eight appears to be on its way too! I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about weening this one early. She BITES a lot! We are trying to hold out, but I just don't know if I can.

Cancer...

What a horrible, stupid word! A guy in our Idaho ward died from brain cancer about two weeks ago. He left behind a 2 month old daughter and wife. This man was an example to everyone. He always smiled, even when you knew he was in terrible pain. Russ knew him much better than I did, but I still couldn't help but like this guy. Whenever I saw him and his wife, my heart lurched. I felt so bad for them and what they had to go through. I always prayed that I would never have to go through that trial.

Last week I received the awful news that a close family member had cancer. I cried...HARD! I prayed...A LOT! Then I waited. I hoped that this cancer would be small and operable. Today I found out more. The cancer is a very rare form called Ewing's Sarcoma. As far as can be deciphered it has not spread. Chemo and radiation will be the next step. More details will be determined on Friday.

I cried...again. I heard the stupid song, "Live like you were dying" on the way to playgroup. I almost broke the stupid radio because I poked it so hard to change the channel. All I can do is wait and hope for the best....and cry.

***For those of you wondering the person I talk about is not Russ, me, or my children***
***Also, if you do know the person I am talking about, please do not use their name in the comment section. I would like to keep this as private as possible for them. I just needed somewhere to vent.***
***Lastly if you ARE the person this about, PLEASE don't be mad at me when you read this!***

Goals for Myself

• No Dr. Pepper
• No fast food lunches/snacks
• Exercise twice a day
• Start tomorrow :D
• Repeat to self "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"
  

My Mother's Day

Mother's Day came early for me this year. Russ was had to leave for North Carolina this morning, so he surprised me on Friday with a present. He saw this beautiful Orchid and thought I would like it. Of course I did! Now if I can just keep it alive...House plants are difficult for me.

Aren't those blossoms amazing?!

We had packed Russ up last night so he wouldn't have to rush this morning. Around 9:00 his ride showed up, which was kind of early. Russ grabbed his suitcase and work laptop and headed out the door. I started getting the kids ready for church. At about 10:30 I got a panicked call from Russ telling me that he had grabbed the wrong suitcase. He had a suitcase full of SUITCASES! We tried to come up with a solution, but there really wasn't one. He would just have to break down and buy a few new clothes. Eeek!

The rest of my day went better. Church went really well. Today was the first time I got to see Lily sing in Sacrament. It was so fun! She was a little confused as to why she had to go up to the front, but I shoved her out into the isle, and she ran right up. She then proceeded to sing AND sign most of the words to "I Love You Mother, I Do" That girls has an uncanny long term memory! I ALMOST started crying, but I held it back. It would have just confused Lily who still thinks you only cry when you are sad.

The girls were good in primary. My first week carrying on my secretary duties went okay as well. We came home, and I cooked us a nice little dinner. The girls went to bed on time, and now I am enjoying myself with some computer time. The only thing that would have made it better is if my husband could have been home.

Okay seriously!

I just wrote the milestone post, and then went to sit down with Allie and play. That silly girl stood up and took FOUR steps towards me. BY HERSELF! My baby is learning to walk! Slow down girl! Only one new milestone per hour! ;)

Milestone Alert!

Today while at the park I was pushing Lily on the swings. Some dear sisters in my stake were watching Allie on her blanket. When I finished with Lily I turned around in time to see Allie push herself into a standing position. I couldn't believe that she had gotten up and standing without using anthing to pull herself up on! Throughout the rest of playgroup she did this multiple times. She always clapped her hands and smiled once she got up. Allie amazes me with all the growth she has been doing lately. It seemed like she has just been so content at the stage she is in until just a few days ago. Now she just can't stop learning new things. I miss my baby, but still love my infant/toddler.

Try-It-Tuesday

I've been severly slacking on my Try-It-Tuesday recipes. I don't have a good reason other than I kept forgetting to post things. But I just couldn't forget this week! I've been having a craving for good salsa since I went to a quaint little Mexican Restaurant for mine and Russ's anniversary. I have a really good recipe for chunky salsa, but I wanted the smooth stuff. I then remembered that I had a recipe for what Prudence Pennywise declares to be "authentic" tasting salsa. I decided to give it a whirl. OH BOY! It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I hope you find a little time this week to try it out.

Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa

1/4 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 hot chile pepper, such as serrano
1 (14 ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup cilantro, leaves and soft stems
juice of one lime
sea salt, to taste

Place the ingredients in the bowl of a blender or food process in the order listed. Process until smooth, or chunky, depending on preference. This salsa tastes best within the first two days it is made. After that, you can use it in cooked recipes for up to a week.

I doubled this and it made about two cereal bowls worth. Also, I used ALL of the serrano pepper and it wasn't hot at all!

Fold your arms and bow your head

Lily is fabulous about reminding us to say our prayer over dinner. She isn't so fabulous about waiting for all of us to be ready. A few days ago I was still dishing up mine and Russ's food when I realized Lily had started the prayer without us. I turned around and folded my arms. By chance I looked over at Allie and was completely blown away! Allie had stopped eating and folded her arms. She was looking back and forth between Russ and I with this very satisfied look on her face. I nudged Russ and he just grinned.

At first I just chalked this up to pure chance. Allie just happened to cross her arms when we were praying. No biggie....until....Sunday. We had gone to church and we had folded our arms for the Sacrament prayer. I looked over at Allie as I felt her move. My little smarty pants was folding her arms again AND bowing her head! I thought it was fluke again until I heard the people behind us whispering,"Look! She's folding her arms."

Since then I've asked Allie several times to fold her arms. Sometimes she will do it, others not so much. But I've come to the conclusion that she KNOWS she is supposed to do it because everyone else is doing it. I can't believe she has picked this up at such a young age!

A Day at the Park

Our new apartment complex has a really nice playground. There used to be two, but a tree smashed the other one to smitherines last year. At least that is what we were told. I decided to try and take the girls to this little park at least once a week. Today was the first day I tried. They had a blast! I actually let Lily hold Allie going down the slide. Allie loved this, but probably not as much as Lily did. Also, I let Allie wonder around on part of it. She thought it was so funny, and kept laughing. Lily played hard as usual. I captured a few cute pictures of the day.

Lily and Allie on the slide.

Lily learned at playgroup going UP slides is more fun than going DOWN slides.

Are you serious mom? You gotta take ANOTHER picture?

Lily is in the stage of "Look at me mom". This is what I found the first time she called to me.

Then she had to pose all cutsie for the camera. This girl {LOVES} the camera!

I'm sad this turned out so crappy, but she still looks cute on that slide.

Laughing, having a good time.

While at the park I had been making the girls drink water every so often. I mean it was 90 degrees out and that didn't include the humidity factor! But when we got home the girls still drank, and drank, and drank. I had to take Lily's water bottle away from her because she had drank half of it, and was starting on the next half. I was afraid she would get sick. Allie polished her whole sipp off, but that is nothing unusual.

We had such a fun time,we'll definately be going back soon!

Three things about Me

Elena had this on her blog awhile ago. I thought it was fun, and like Elena I though that it would be GREAT to have in my blog book.

THREE NAMES I GO BY-
1. Jewelle
2. Jewels
3. Mommy

THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE-
1. Ticket Office Usher/Ticket Salesperson
2. Plumbing Secretary
3. 5th grade teacher
4. Stay At Home Mom

THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED-
1. Rexburg/Idaho Falls, ID
2. Midway, Utah
3. Lake Jackson, Texas

THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH-
1. LOST
2. Biggest Loser
3. Dancing with the Stars

THREE OF THE COOLEST PLACES I'VE BEEN-
1. Washington DC
2. Zion Canyon
3. Darby Wind Caves

THREE PLACES I'VE BEEN- (but never want to go again)
1. Gringos in Rexburg
2. Underneath my apartment in Idaho Falls
3. Kerrville, Texas

THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO-
1. St. Croix
2. Washington DC when I'm not in a hurry!
3. Hawaii

THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS-
1. Spaghetti
2. Salsa and chips
3. Cheese Enchiladas topped with tomatea sauce (from a Mexican restaurant, I haven't found a good recipe for homemade ones yet!)

THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO-
1. My own house
2. Going to Disneyland/DisneyWorld with my family
3. Having ONE WHOLE DAY to myself without the kids.

THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED-
1. I have never had ANY pets. Although, I would like to claim my brothers dog Buddy as mine because he really has been a "family" dog even if Alan paid for him.

I tag anyone who would like to reminisce a little about themselves!

Primary Secretary

Thursday evening we got a surprise visit from the Bishop. That was the THIRD unannounced visitor this week. By this time I was over the embarrassment of my house. I also decided that I needed to make sure and give out our phone number a little more readily! Anyway, we chatted with Bishop Markham for awhile. Then he extended me a calling. I was sure it was going to be nursery. I was sure that I hadn't learned my lesson the Lord thought I needed to learn there. I was pleasantly surprised when that WASN'T my calling.

I was called to be the Primary Secretary. Here is the kicker though. The lady that I was slightly irrated with last week for calling Lily "determined" and "creative" at the primary activity last week is the primary president. Hmmm....am I being chastised for mean thoughts? Maybe....But really, I was delighted to get this calling. I wasn't teaching, so I was happy. You would think that because my degree is in teaching I wouldn't mind teaching primary, but I do. I FEAR it. I worry that I just won't know enough, or be spiritual enough to teach those dear children what they NEED to know! So again it was a sigh of relief when that WASN'T my calling.

Today, I didn't really do much in primary. Most of my time I spent giving Lily smiles. She was very upset that I was in the room AND she couldn't sit on my lap. Why is it NOW that she gets separation anxiety? Before she could always care less where I was when she was in primary. Hmph! I did do the role, and some "mail." But that was it. I do however fear that I may be getting a second "unofficial" calling of either primary pianist or primary chorister. Our primary has neither. Apparently the presidency fills in for that. Since I know how to lead music and play music I think I'll probably get to do one or the other.

Over all I am grateful for this calling, albeit a little scared of it. I don't know what I am going to do with Allie while Russ is gone on his business trips. I am worried that Lily won't stop crying for me. But I am pleased to be doing what I know the Lord has called me to do.

Oh, and a side note both the Bishop and the Primary President emphasized multiple times to me that they had felt VERY strongly that I needed to be in this position. I hope when I am released from this position in the future I will know why they both felt so strongly about me being the secretary.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Growing up I "helped" my mom make jam almost ever summer. I use the term "helped" very loosely because all I would usually do is give the strawberries a stir every once in awhile. Russ LOVES my moms strawberry jam. I never had to worry about having a supply of it for him. I would just always grab some out of mom's freezer whenever we visited. Then we moved. Hmph! I figured I better start making my own "stash" of jam.

I bought some strawberries, freezer jars, and a pectin package. (I already had sugar) I cut up the strawberries and made Russell smoosh them. This was for him, and I wanted him to decide how smooshed he wanted them. After awhile I took over because he got put on baby duty when Allie woke up. I didn't need those little fingers in my jam. A short while later I was done! It was soooooo easy! I guess you can't really mess up freezer jam, but I did think it would be a little harder than it was. Here are some BEAUTIFUL pictures of my jam.

This one is my favorite because my jam looks all mysterious and delicious in the dark! ;)

Even though I'm not a fan of jam, I tasted it and it was pretty darn good!

What is that?!

I looked over at Allie tonight as she was chowing down on her dinner, and I did a double take. What was that coming out her nose? Can you tell?

Lets zoom in a little. Yep that is an avocado piece! It stayed there until she finished her meal. How does she get these things to stick on her nose in such humorous ways?!

Uncle Alan's Package

Uncle Al told us to watch for a package in the mail. It took awhile for it to get here, and it was pretty beat up, but oh what wonderful things inside! The girls each got a fleece blanket. Also, a new outfit for both of them. Both of the girls have been DESPERATE for shorts. Uncle Al's package came in just the nick of time. Thanks Uncle Al!

Here are the girls in their new outfits.