Bracken Brood

Meet Guster!

2012-02-03T19:59:00.001-07:00

Yep! We've named our new little sidekick. 'J' came up with the name from one of our favorite TV comedies - 'Psych':

"GUSTER"

Or "Gus" for Short

Or "Gus-Gus" like on "Cinderella"

He is such a good boy. We are very happy with this playful, laid-back, affection-loving buddy!

Meet Guster - Online Slideshow Maker

We're Off-Track!

2012-02-03T18:01:00.002-07:00

So we are now off-track and since we will miss Valentines Day in school, 'C's class had their party on Thursday. I'm 'C's room mom and was in charge of organizing the stations and volunteers etc. Thankfully, when everyone shows up, my job is a cinch!

The volunteer in charge of treats had the kids make these adorable 'Bee-topped' cupcakes.

'B' has been singing/saying these cute rhymes from her preschool for weeks now; and I finally remembered to get them on film. I know she won't have this little voice forever so we gotta enjoy it while it lasts right?

And just because she's cute...

Goodbye Sookie. . . Sniff. . . Sniff

2012-01-23T14:29:00.008-07:00

As many of you know, My kitty Sookie has had litter box problems starting September-ish in 2010. She ended up having calcium oxalate stones that had to be surgically removed the following January. She did fine for an entire year after that but then around October this year she started having problems again. She had a urinary tract infection that we treated with Clovamox. Well, I had been very diligent with Vinegar, animal enzyme cleaners, baking soda - - you name it - I used it to try to get any and all residual smell and stains out of our carpet (mostly in our basement - yes - the brand new one we finished in Oct. in 2010.) She seemed to be doing fine, but started having trouble again the first week in January. She didn't seem to be urinating enough as seen in her litter box so I took her to the vet to get a urine analysis to be proactive - - well, it came back normal and so the next step would be blood tests to see if she has a kidney problem which is likely since she's already had stones and crystals in the past. But this would mean long-term health issues - add this to the fact that she is already overly anxious (probably was marking out of stress from the basement being done the first time, and then again this time when we had lots of company for the Holidays? In addition to medical issues? Who knows.) I came home from the vet and put her in my bathroom to quarantine her for a few days to see if she would use the litter box. She did - just fine....So we let her out. The next two days she peed again in the basement. 'J' said he felt the time had come to find her a new home. I knew he was right, but I was heartbroken.

'B' & 'C' followed Sookie around with the camera because they wanted to catch pictures of her to 'help them remember her and to put in their rooms.'

Bye Sookie - Online Slideshow Creator

So - despite how beautiful she is...Sookie has serious problems - probably medical AND behavioral since some of it is marking and some of it is just urinating on flat surfaces. I had planned on taking her to the Humane Society but found out from a program called C.A.W.S. (where I had applied to adopt another kitty after we made the decision for Sookie to go) that she might be euthanized if she wasn't adopted fast enough. I had asked them if they'd just give her to anyone or if they'd explain her issues, they said she'd go fast because she was a Purebred Ragdoll and they would tell them her problems so people knew what they were getting into. But, after talking to the lady from C.A.W.S., I felt I couldn't take that risk. Our regular vet couldn't help but the vet where we had her surgery done said they'd keep her there in their office and put her up for adoption and make sure she went to a home who could afford the costs of the ongoing problems. So last Thursday I took her there and said good-bye. What a heart-wrenching experience! I was a basket case though - - I was very attached to her and have had a lot of tears over it. I won't bore you with all the ups and downs of it all, but let's just say that it has been a rough weekend since dropping her off and saying good-bye. My mom and sister sent me a bouquet of flowers together to send their condolences because they knew how upset I was. Sookie was basically my 3rd baby since I got her when 'J' told me he was done having kids.

I pray Sookie will find a home with someone who can take on the cost of her ongoing health problems. I didn't take her to the Humane Society because I wasn't comfortable being responsible for the possibility of her being euthanized. So I paid the $35 required by the vet to do a Feline Leukemia test so they'd keep her there and put her up for adoption. At least I know she'll still have attention, food, water, a warm place to sleep and not be surrounded by tons of other cats since she is a 'fraidy-cat.' I think they'll probably do more testing too since they immediately liked her - (we're all sucker for gorgeous animals aren't we?) Maybe they'll be able to tell the next owner how serious her health issues are. I've had to just let go and know I did the best I could and ultimately had to do what is best for our family.

Friday, I rented a Rug Doctor Vacuum. OMG-osh! I found other places she'd peed in the basement I did't even know about - - I was surprised nobody could smell it! I can't believe how long it must have been going on to have vacuumed up what I did! (Poor 'J' to have this problem in our 'new' basement (only 1 year old) and to have 3 weepy females attached to the culprit!) It was very cathartic to watch the water from the vacuum turn clear after a couple rounds. (Trust me - I'd already used my Bissell wet-vac on these spots before. I'd used a black-light to find places on the baseboards she'd marked that can't be seen in daylight. I thought I'd got it all before!) But with this extra effort of really deep suction etc. I feel so much better that my house is cleaner & it was confirmation that I did the right thing.

I took my girls to a few shelters on Saturday (that was the only way they were able to accept that Sookie was being given away - to know they'd get a new kitty. I had to comfort them a lot too.) I hadn't planned on bringing home any new kitty right away; but we found an adorable Mackerel Tabby (11 months old) that was soooo friendly, affectionate and playful that I realized we needed the happy distraction. I drilled the shelter worker about his history and health etc. She told me he'd been neutered at only 9 weeks which means he never experienced the hormones of puberty that can create the territory marking problem, he was living with a boyfriend/girlfriend before which meant he wasn't a stray, and he was very healthy and had a clean bill of health. The girlfriend had mental health issues and just took off - and left the boyfriend with the kitty. He took him to the shelter. So we kept him in our bedroom all Saturday to help him feel safe and adjust. He warmed up to us really quickly. He used his litter box and ate and drank in a few hours and by the second day, he was comfortable with the girls too. Last night we let him roam throughout the rest of the top and main floors (I'm waiting till my basement floors dry perfectly before letting him explore down there). We're still deciding on a name - - but it has been a very nice distraction to have such a different cat in our home. 'J' told me I did a good job in finding a cat with a nice personality. It has been good. 'J' mentioned we might think about getting 2 cats for the time I go to work part-time when the girls are in school all day. I may eventually try and see if this new kitty will be OK with another kitty friend to keep him company since 'B' will start Kindergarten this coming Sept. and he's still pretty young and energetic. The lady at the shelter said he is so friendly with other cats and shows no aggression so there's a good chance we'll be able to add a friend in the future.

New Kitty - Online Slideshow Creator

Here is a video of some time spent with our new kitty:

'B' Turns 5!

2012-01-16T13:15:00.001-07:00

December 28th, our little 'B' turned 5 years old!

I wish time would slow down and let my little ones stay little longer!

'B' enjoyed a fun friend party and I followed her royal request to make a 'Barbie' Cake (not an easy task for me as you all well know! LOL)

She's got an adorable imagination and takes very good care of her 'kids.' She lets me know about her kids' activities, sleep overs, and other imaginary friends (i.e. a special bunny that only she can see). The white cotton is 'her bunny's bed.'

She begins Kindergarten in September and I am so grateful for the 7 more months ahead of us before that day arrives! I'm not ready to face the emotions of my 'baby' going to school every day! She sure loves her preschool experiences at Kinder Kottage as well as her dance class at C & C Ballet. 'B' has the best belly-laugh I've ever heard and she loves snuggling while you tickle her back. Her raspy voice is so endearing and she makes up her own bedtime songs nightly. I am so grateful God sent us this precious little girl and pray we can do right by her.

Happy Birthday Big Girl!!

The Holidays Past

2012-01-16T12:36:00.002-07:00

We enjoyed some special times with family this past Holiday season. We had some fun at my parents' place on Christmas Eve. I don't get to see my brothers and sisters very often, so to have us all together was a real treat! Our CA-sister and her family visited after C-mas and we enjoyed a full family gathering at our place as well as a New Year's sleep over with some of the cousins. It is so great to see cousins play together and to share in the Spirit of giving and remembering the Gift of Christ that allows these family relationships to endure forever. I finally got to meet my latest little nephew, Kade. These babies grow soo fast! It is hard to miss out on their tiny stages, but I'm so grateful we got the time together that we did enjoy. I enjoyed crocheting headbands and hats this year to keep my hosting nerves at bay while I waited for the events to finally arrive. I am glad there are things like that to keep us busy during cold, winter months. The biggest hit was the Xbox Kinect with the 'Just Dance' game. Everyone got in on the action so that made it a blast!

Holidays - photo slideshow

I hope everyone enjoyed their Holiday Season and have had a great start to the New Year! Here we go 2012!!

Temple Square Lights

2011-12-14T17:47:00.002-07:00

I haven't been to see the lights at Temple Square since before 'C' was born, maybe before I was married! (Crazy I know!) So this year we finally took the girls. We rode Trax since there is a station here in Herriman now (So. Jordan technically). I think the train ride was more exciting for the girls than the actual downtown visit. 'C' and I were little crocheting buddies while 'B' squirmed on and off her seat the whole way. I was surprised how fast we went through the whole thing. I made sure we visited the statues and the Tabernacle as well as the Nativity Scene & Narration and the Visitor's Center...things I remembered from my youth. 'B' really liked the camels the Wise Men rode. I was disappointed we couldn't hear the narration that is usually played in the room with the Christus - - there were so many people and it was too loud - - it just wasn't the same as the quiet experience I remember from my first visit there.

I noticed that I remembered it taking longer and being bigger...I guess that's what happens when you grow up? The big trees that I remembered having lights didn't...maybe they've grown too tall? There were still lovely lights on trees everywhere, but it did seem less than I remembered. We didn't get many pictures because getting 'B' to smile for the camera once we got there was near impossible (see Christus picture) but I am so grateful for the feelings I had as I walked the lovely grounds of the temple 'J' and I were sealed in. The Tabernacle Choir music during the narration was heavenly and staring at the Salt Lake temple with it in the background as I held my daughter's hands, I felt so grateful to be on this earth at this time and to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love the Spirit of Christ, especially during Christmas! Hope you're enjoying your Holiday Season!

Winter Dance Recital

2011-12-03T19:15:00.001-07:00

Enjoy Watching Our Ballerinas!!

C's our graceful snowflake!

B's growing fast and so darn cute!

Thanksgiving Time

2011-11-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

We had a good snowstorm this month and the girls enjoyed putting on their snow gear and building their own 'snowman/pile' without mom's help 'cuz she was still sick. We also enjoyed making Thanksgiving candy-goodies with my mom a few days before the big feast. I am so grateful to have family close by and to share Thanksgiving with my parents, 2 of my brothers, and 1 of my sisters and her family. The Winter/Holiday Season is upon us!

Clarissa is learning to crochet - at the end of the slideshow you can see a chain she made this past weekend. She is so determined to learn - despite the frustration - I am very proud of her!

Thanksgiving 2011 - Free Slideshow Creator

Random...before the Holidays hit

2011-11-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Blog - flash slideshow

Late Halloween Post

2011-11-17T12:43:00.001-07:00

Halloween 2011 - flash slideshow

We've enjoyed some fun cousin time with the Allens this past October. Love you guys! It's fun to have these cuties in-state after so many years away.

Cute Quote

2011-11-14T16:03:00.002-07:00

Mommy: B, will you bring me that towel?

B: Here (hands Mommy the towel.)

Mommy: Thanks Baby Cake!

B: You can call me Princess Pumpkin if you want to. . .

Totally made me think of this:

Bracken Family Reunion

2011-10-20T00:01:00.002-06:00

I've been a family member of the Brackens for 12 years now and can say with great pride that I have finally experienced a trip to the Notorious Cabin in Kolob!! I loved every minute there (but only because others were slaving away making it feel like paradise for us while they were in he** behind the scenes cleaning, cooking, and organizing for 32 people!)

The quaking aspen trees are one of my all-time favorites, and the drive through parts of Zion's makes the trip a diverse and beautiful trip.

We are thankful to Jeremy & Beka for the new family pictures. I sure love this pack of people!

Thanks to Scott & Holly, the kiddos enjoyed time with the Sullivan's horses, Marty and Blacky. And thanks to Kaden and Brittney, the girls not only got to feed and pet them, but they got to ride them too! Thank you so much awesome cousins! The girls made some very fun memories thanks to you!

Kolob 9.2011 - flash slideshow

Picture Update (August-Sept.)

2011-10-19T21:53:00.028-06:00

Bike rides (look! finally no training wheels!)

at G-ma Braden's

'C' TURNS 7!

(Name collage for school)

(The doll (Sadie) was a hit!)

We went to Airbourne - a trampoline place

with her friends in lieu of a party.

The girls love to dance for us whenever

they can catch us sitting down.

Gardening with Daddy

We met Sully (Rebbecca & Kent's 8 week old 'puppy')

We met Kayla's 'Punny'

We met Baxter (Adam & Whit's puppy)

Quality Time with Aunt Whitney & Uncle Adam

'B' starts her 2nd Year of Preschool

Wild Outdoors

2011-08-31T20:38:00.001-06:00

So the girls & I went with my neighbor to the Ward Campout. It was their first time ever camping beyond their own backyard.

They loved roasting marshmallows, hiking to a waterfall, and making shadows on the tent with the flashlight. I'm excited to know that if I go with friends, I can still camp even when J isn't up for it. We had a lot of priesthood help and my neighbor and I were proud of ourselves from everyone telling us how impressed they were that we came alone.

Gotta Have a Summah!

2011-08-18T22:47:00.006-06:00

So here we are, mid-August already! C is at the end of the first week of her off-track break. Yep - C-track is weird like that. She goes to school for 3weeks and boom! is back home for 3 weeks. But this track matched B's Preschool track so we had to do it for this year. The advantage is we still get to enjoy summer sunshine!

Here are some slideshows of our Summah Fun!

SWIMMING PROGRESS!

BIKES & FIREWORKS!

LAGOON!

Allen & Crowder Cousin Fun!

Life is sweet~

Here is our lovely 2nd Grader.
(She insisted that I do rollers to curl her hair for her first day.
Reminds me of my good'ol roller days. Are the 80's really coming back? haha)

This sweetie pie starts her 2nd and final year of Preschool in Sept. after Labor Day.
She's an old pro at it now!

Summer, Summer, Summer

2011-07-08T01:04:00.001-06:00

WARNING - This is My Longest Post Ever!

During the last week of school Herriman Elementary had a Dance Festival. There was an accident right before it began. The school kids were still in the school with the parents waiting out on the field. We all had to move to make room for a life-flight helicopter to land and pick up a 4 year old little boy who'd been hit by an SUV. A brave woman got up on her folding chair and asked for a moment of silence in honor of the boy and his family and all involved and then she offered a prayer. It got us all choked up and really feeling concerned for his welfare as well as connected to those around us. You can see the news story/clip here.

After the helicopter left the kids were brought out and the Dance Festival continued.

C's class (not the teacher) voted on awards for each student. She was voted "Most Beautiful Girl" - - wow...now I have to make sure she knows that what is on the inside is much more important!

Her friend Brooklyn received "Best Artist."

With 'C' done with 1st grade and only 3 weeks to enjoy her Summer, we're running all over fitting in the summer fun at a frenzied pace.

We've enjoyed the Fort Herriman Days with their Parade & Carnival...

We enjoyed a fabulous visit from our Bracken-side. We went to the Zoo with G-ma & G-pa Bracken, The Barbers, and The Hathaways; then celebrated cousin Lily Bracken's 5th B-day!

The girls took Tumbling for one month before their swimming lessons...

Then for the 4th of July we enjoyed a neighbor BBQ and went to see Murray's Awesome Fireworks.

And don't forget Playgroup at the beautiful new Herriman City Rec. Ctr.!

We have until July 25th to soak in the sunshine before 2nd Grade begins again.

Hmmm..what else can we do...

Mommy-Time

2011-06-24T16:36:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite mommy-moments is reading to my girls - - I decided (as corny as it felt) to capture it since I know they won't always put up with me like this.

Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore

Let The Good Times Roll

2011-06-18T11:17:00.001-06:00

2 MORE WEEKS TILL SCHOOL IS OUT for C & the summer weather has FINALLY arrived!

Can't you just see their excitement?

They love the splash park and look forward to many more visits this summer.

C had an "Un-Birthday Party" at school and paid out of her earned 'money' to get her face painted.

Never Grow Up

2011-06-07T12:08:00.000-06:00

C had her dance recital last night and their first song is by Taylor Swift called, "Never Grow Up." That pretty much sums up how I feel!

We got our scanner working again so here are the school pictures for B that I didn't have when I posted the school programs, as well as C's dance pictures. Ahhh...these are the moments that remind you how dear these little ones are and how fast time flies! (Double click and you can see them full-sized)

Cute School Programs

2011-05-26T18:25:00.000-06:00

Twist of Fate - My daughters' programs were both on the same day and the same time this week. Thankfully my mom came and recorded 'B's' program so I could go and record 'C's'. These girls are seriously the cutest girls on the planet, and nope, I'm not biased at allll!

Rain, Rain Go Away

2011-05-19T13:35:00.003-06:00

I'm reminiscing about the lovely trip to Southern CA with Rachelle's family last month when we saw the sunshine since it is chilly and rainy here this week. But things are starting to bloom! Hooray for green! Northern CA was sure beautiful when we visited Rebbecca too!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

2011-04-03T22:46:00.000-06:00

"B" is going through the struggle of figuring out her own independence. She started asking me to turn on the bathroom light and 'wait for her' to go to the bathroom ever since "C" saw a spider a few weeks ago. I have been trying to wean her from my 'help' a lot this week. But she has started to ask me to start doing everything for her --- pick out her clothes, dress her, put her shoes on and off, make her bed --- I admit that since she still is 'my baby' I find myself giving in when I'm tired or we're on our way out the door. So when I try to hand the baton back to her, horrible tantrums ensue. She went from demanding I let her do EVERYTHING for herself to expecting me to treat her like an infant again. She has even said, "I want to be a baby again."

Today, she was demanding that I turn on the bathroom light for her and wait for her again. "J" was home and told her she could do it herself. So, I decided I'd better stick to my guns and NOT 'help.' Let's just say it turned into a 45 minute dilemma. She was screaming and refusing to 'go' forever! I finally took off her pants and underwear and sat her on the toilet and left because I was scared she would wet the floor the way she was 'doin' the dance.' But then, after she went she started the second battle for me to put her pants back on. I told her I knew she could do it, I was proud of her for going to the bathroom and she could put her pants on too. She screamed and fussed and I had to lock her in the bathroom until she pulled them up. "J" came downstairs (where she'd followed me from upstairs with her pants around her ankles) to see if she still had not gone to the bathroom. I told him, she had, but now she wouldn't pull up her own pants. We laughed when I asked, 'Have you ever seen a more stubborn soul in your life?' . . . (I won't answer that.)

"B" started saying, in a very heart-breaking tone, "I don't want to be in here forever!" I told her she didn't have to be, if she made the choice to pull up her pants I'd open the door. Silence . . . then more tears, then "Mommy! I don't want to be in here forever!" I had to just ignore and wait...and finally she called out, "I want to come out now." I opened the door and saw she'd 'made a good choice' - and I told her so. We cuddled for a long while afterwards. I think "C" went through this phase, and now she usually takes pride in her independence and competence. I think it has been a bit harder with "B" because we both are unsure about this whole 'growing up thing' for the baby of the family.

Next, "C" and I were talking about how she is my daughter and will grow up one day. We had just heard the song, "Teddy Bear Corner" on the radio. It talks about a dad sitting in his grown-up daughter's room taking time with memories when she was young, "pretty bows and dainty shoes," and "the times you'd come crying when you skinned your knee, I'd hold you, a minute or two..." Then it talks about the daughter coming to visit and she is holding the hand of a child of her own. "C" said, "That's kind of sad huh," I said, it is. She said, "It would be sad for you about me, huh." I said, "a little bit, yes, I'd be happy for you and yet I'd miss you too." Then she said, "It is like the water cycle, but it is our cycle. You have a baby, it grows up, and has it's own baby, and it grows up and has a baby. Like bears and cats have the same cycle and so does the water huh." I was very impressed that she remembered the water cycle term. She loved showing me the diagram and the process the week her teacher taught her, but that was a while ago. She's right --- we are in a cycle, and just like "B" is having cycles of independence and dependence, and I have cycles of wanting her to 'hurry and grow up' and then 'never grow up;' life will keep on keepin' on, and we'll all keep growing, whether we "want to be in here forever" or not.

Kick It!

2011-03-27T18:14:00.005-06:00

"The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn't move, kick it until it does." (Phil Woosnam Welsh soccer player and manager.)

'B' has had 3 games of soccer so far and she still likes to put on her jersey and socks...but I think she is running out of steam since the games are about 45 minutes long. I promise other parents were calling out to their kids too - but since I was holding the camera and filming you can hear me LOUD (sorry 'B'). I thought you'd like to see how it's going so far.

Here is a slideshow of the fun of the happy face of a girl able to go out and ride her bike the first time since the winter, St. Patrick's Day, Dr. Seuss' B-day at Preschool, new jackets, and last Saturday when 'B' had the croup but still had soccer pictures.

Green Guilt Goblin

2011-03-17T09:31:00.001-06:00

So last night I put on a fun Disney film, "The Gnome Mobile" that I grew up enjoying because it was the closest thing I had to a show about leprechauns. 'C' told me they made leprechaun traps at school and she wanted to make one at home. She gathered a few empty bottles and boxes because she had to make it just like they did at school, (with trash, and shiny things 'cuz they like shiny things). Well, once the show got rollin' she was too mesmerized to craft at the same time. When the show was over I told the girls it was time for jammies. She flipped out because she didn't have her trap made. I told her they had traps at school and that was fine. She argued with me how it was my fault she didn't have time and I told her she chose to not make it and watch at the same time. She was sooooo upset about the fact that she wouldn't catch any leprechauns without making a trap.

PAUSE BUTTON- This little darling is very sweet and adorable the way she believes anything and everything she hears. But I am concerned about her gullibility. A year or so ago, a neighbor girl told her there was a dead man in the field behind our house. 'C' came running inside soo upset and worried and wanted 'J' and I to go out side and see if it was true. I told her the neighbor was just making up stories. 'C' cried hard and said no, it is true! Well, needless to say, adding Santa Claus, Easter Bunnies, Tooth Fairies, flying Reindeer, Elves, and now Leprechauns to the mix I've worried about the fact that my little 6 year old takes everything too literally. She has a little girlfriend at school who tells her a new story every day. 'C' comes home and tells me, 'Jade saw 15 fairies in her room last night, Mom!' or 'Jade said she saw a gingerbread man in her yard!' Now she is certain that Jade is going to catch a leprechaun and she wants to too. One day when I was doing carpool and she told me about more fairies in Jade's room, a boy in our car said, 'she was just pretending.' 'C' said, no, she really saw them. Another girl in the car said, 'maybe she was dreaming about them.' and the boy said, 'maybe it was a drawing.' 'C' said, no, she was telling the truth! I want her to have an imagination, I want her to enjoy the world of pretend and creativity. But I know my daughter, she doesn't take to disappointment very well. When we spread the 'reindeer dust' for 'B's' preschool class this winter, she was convinced that even though the glitter was still on the snow the next morning, some of it was gone so a baby reindeer must have come and had some. Am I wrong to want her to know the difference between pretending and really living in a fantasy world? I love to read fantasy novels and watch fantasy movies! I am known for making up really awesome magical, fairy-tale stories when I was my siblings' babysitter. So don't think I am a kill-joy....I just feel fear that if my little 'C' doesn't learn the difference between pretend things she can't see, and real things I want her to have faith in that she can't see, that when she learns the truth about her fairy-tales that she might throw the baby out with the bath water. I think the graphics and movies these days are sooo realistic it is harder and harder to teach kids the difference between what is man-made, and what is truly Divine.

PLAY BUTTON - I told exploding 'C' to come close to me. I sat her down and held her hands and looked into those beautifully wet blue eyes and told her with all the love I could muster, "Honey, leprechauns are just pretend. They aren't real." "Noo! They ARE real!" "Honey, they are just pretend. It is OK to imagine and play, but you don't need to make a trap at bedtime because they aren't real." Then 'J' chimes in, they wouldn't do anything because there aren't any leprechauns to catch." 'C' runs off screaming, 'uh-uh! they are real!' She comes back in her jammies and lets me hold her while she just cries. I begin to feel the Green Guilt Goblin clutching my throat and heart and start questioning my gut decision to begin to loosen the grip fantasy had on her. After story-time and family prayer, we go to her room for snuggle-time. She tells me she wants to talk. I ask what about, and she said, 'you know, about what you said, that they aren't real.' I asked her how that made her feel. She said sad and angry. I said OK, and asked her why she was angry. She said 'because I wanted to believe.' I told her she still could. She said, 'but you said it wasn't real.' I asked her if I should have lied and said it was real? She said no. I asked her if I should have waited til she was older to tell her. And she nodded her head yes.

So all night long I was gobbled up inside by that awful Green Guilt Goblin and I just don't know what I think. I feel sad that I am responsible for pinching out her little belief in little green men. I guess hearing about others' feelings when they learned their parents had 'lied' to them about Santa Claus etc. got me thinking about my little 'C.' She is a very concrete thinker. She is very attached to rules and fairness and I want her to trust me. I think my little 'B' could take all this in stride, and understand the idea of pretending and having fun. I wasn't crushed when I learned Santa wasn't real. I jumped on the bandwagon to become one of his helpers just like my mom and loved knowing something the 'little kids' didn't know. But I've learned this far that my 'C' doesn't understand the difference between lying and pretending. I haven't told her not to believe in Santa or the tooth fairy, but man, I sure crushed this little fairy-tale didn't I! I guess when you combine a mess of trash and tape and glue with a school night at bedtime it will make mom's turn into fairy-tale crushers. Does anyone have a cure for the Green Guilt Goblin?

Happy St. Patrick's Day?

Game Time & Looking Back

2011-02-28T21:50:00.002-07:00

'B' has started indoor Soccer. She was so excited to start! I loved seeing her run around with other little kiddos learning how to 'not use hands' and kick it into the goal. The kids were all pretty clueless (except for the coach's kid who scored every point) and 'B' mostly brought up the rear and left the fighting for the ball to the others. This was her first game, but she got some good running and exercise in!

My awesome brother Adam and his darling wife Whitney babysat for us this weekend while we enjoyed a great date. It was nice to see them since they live in Logan right now. The girls enjoyed their first time with the game Twister! They kept the girls playin' till they dropped! Thanks you guys - you are making wonderful memories with our girls and they love telling us about Uncle Adam and Aunt Whitney!

Jared and I went to see Tron Legacy in 3D. I watched the original Tron with my brother Garrett and so this show was very nostalgic for me. I miss you Garrett! I can't believe on the 23rd of this month it has been 4 years without you. I enjoyed the fond memories of fun times together and remembering your vibrant personality and love of life! You would really have thought this new Tron show was cool!

My brother Garrett loved anything that was innovative, new and exciting. He loved to snowboard and did sweet tricks, he loved to do jumps and flips on the trampoline or crazy dives into swimming pools. He played HARD and he worked hard and he loved hard. He was 4 years younger than me and the oldest son. I can't wait to be reunited with him again someday.

(I was pregnant with 'B' here)

(Garrett meets 'B', the last time I saw him)

Love you Bro!

Life is strange the way things keep changing, and yet stay the same. I have learned to treasure my other siblings more because of losing Garrett. I am reminded to embrace life and joy and all that we can experience on earth whenever I remember my brother. I love my family and am enjoying raising my girls. I'm grateful to know to treasure time with family and not take life for granted.

'C' wanted bangs again - she is darling no matter what!

I was feeling ready for a big change in my life - - something to mix things up after such a long and dreary winter. So spiced things up with a drastic haircut! Jared said it is going to take some getting used to...hopefully he'll see the 'me' in it :)

I think I'll curl the ends more towards my face and give the top more lift - but this is what it looked like leaving the salon.

Can you believe I cut this much off? Whew! No looking back now!

Growth Means Change

2011-02-17T17:42:00.001-07:00

'C' has lost her 6th tooth! She was crying in bed on Valentines Day because she hadn't been able to get her loose tooth out (she's never had the nerve to pull her own but insists on trying every time) and she wanted it to come out on a 'special day'. So I tied floss on it and it almost came out then so I just yanked and poof - lost tooth. She screamed of course and there was blood of course, but she went to bed happy because she got to go back to school telling everyone her tooth came out on Valentines Day! She cracks me up. Her ever-changing smile is just one sign of her growing and changing little self. You can double click these to see a bigger version and really 'see' her new hole.

Another change and piece of growth is 'C's' piano playing. She is starting to see the fun in it and I am excited to see her continue to progress. It isn't easy being your own child's piano teacher, but I think it is something we'll both remember fondly. When I teach her all I know, I hope to see her continue on with a new teacher. Mommy's sure proud of you 'C'!

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T11:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Our Daddy really loves us!

Thanks to Jared, Sookie is still my reading buddy!

Hope your heart is full of love today!

Loves in Life (+ a new recipe)

2011-02-03T17:22:00.002-07:00

For Valentines Month I thought I'd mention a few of my loves in life.

I am happy to report that Sookie's bladder stones removal/surgery was a success and she hasn't sprayed all week long. She is eating and drinking and using her litter box, purring and playing and back to her loveable self. I don't think I realized how much I love my fluffy kitty until we faced losing her due to her behavior problems.

My cute friend Trish had a fun B-day party in January and we made vision boards. It felt good to find pictures of things that represent my goals, interests and personality. I helped 'C' make one too since she liked mine so much.

Scripture study, temple visits and reading are all big loves in my life. I also plan to get back into a bit of family history this month too.

I've also been playing around with crocheting a little bit and made my girls scarfs. They are so cute the way they like to wear them all day. I love these little darlings.

Let's not forget the love of my life - 'J' is the best Valentine a girl could ask for. He is my best friend and confidant, he is a wonderful dad, provider, partner, team-mate, and he takes care of the little things that make our world run smoother (i.e. filter changes, yard work, fix-its, joint-bed-time routine, trash day, etc.)

I hope you all have a wonderful "Loves Day" as 'B' calls it!~ Let's make Valentines Day a loves in life day!~ Here is a yummy recipe we enjoyed this week (maybe a new love?)

Cookie Sheet Eclairs

1 cube butter 1 large pudding mix (vanilla instant, made as directed

1 cup water 1 8-oz pkg cream cheese

1 cup flour 1 large container Cool Whip

6 eggs Hershey's chocolate syrup

Bring butter and water to a boil, then add flour all at once. Cook until mixture pulls away from pan. Take off heat and beat eggs in 1 at a time with an electric mixer. Spread on large cookie sheet. Bake 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Mix cream cheese until smooth, then add pudding. Spread this mixture onto cooled crust. Spread Cool Whip on top of this, then drizzle chocolate syrup randomly over entire dessert.

YUMM!

Christmas Eve Party 2010

2010-12-26T07:42:00.001-07:00

We played "minute to win it it" games as a family on Christmas Eve. It was soo much fun! Good memories! 'J' is a born winner - - he kept us in the lead til the end. Tanner won the final tie breaker.

Happy Birthday (Early) 'B'!

2010-12-19T18:51:00.004-07:00

So this is the first Birthday party I've done without a helper. I usually had my mom's help J's help and since I chose to do it on Friday instead of Saturday, I was on my own. But I'm happy to say it went well and I was able to handle 13 kids all by myself! 'B' is growing so fast and it is really fun to see her enjoy little friendships and start making her own memories. She wanted a friend party and so I chose to do it early to avoid the conflicts with families traveling soon after Christmas or New Year's. Plus, with my birthday in January, I wanted her to have it on her actual month. She had a little argument with Daddy this morning saying she is 4 now because she had her party. He tried to remind her that her real B-day is after Christmas, she knew that was true, but she's still 4. (So cute how their little brains work.) (Click on the pictures to see the larger size.)

Happy 4th Birthday B! You are a Joy!!

She wanted a Princess & the Frog Party

Some of the decorations (I like to keep it simple :)

Kiss the Frog Winner!

Hooray for Presents!

Gotta love movie time (Princess & The Frog)

'B' loved all her new presents, and with 6 boys on the guest list, you'd be impressed how well they did in picking out fun and exciting girl gifts! She is very thankful to all her sweet buddies!

We also made A Gingerbread House together this weekend.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

P.S. - Check out what a cute little morning buddy I have:

Festival of Trees & A Dance Recital

2010-12-14T18:57:00.005-07:00

The Winter Dance Recital was this past Saturday in Saratoga Springs. I am so glad to be at a studio only 3 minutes away from my house and to have both my girls at the same studio this year! Woo Hoo! It has really cut down the driving time and scheduling conflicts.

Enjoy the dance videos and Festival of Trees slide show. We are loving this Christmas Season, making ornaments and decorations together, singing carols, and the girls are doing jobs to earn money to buy one another a present this year. I am enjoying this year a lot because I can tell they are starting to understand the idea if giving, the Birth of Christ, and thanks to a FHE lesson I borrowed, they are practicing more gratitude.

'C' was put front and center at the start and I couldn't be more proud of our little dancing star. Unfortunately I missed recording the first part of her on stage because I was a mom-helper this year and sat with B's class. They performed just two songs ahead of C's and so I was still getting them settled in their seats when I realized 'C' was already up and dancing! Then, 'B' kept complaining that she couldn't see so when I lose the center while filming it is because I am fighting B's pulling against my camera arm. Needless to say, I decided to film 'C' doing the routine in her costume at home after leaving the yummy Frogurt place we tried out after the recital.

'B' looked adorable too and did more moves than I saw her do at the parent observation day; but she still isn't really 'into' dance as much as her sister. She has actually complained and said she doesn't want to go to dance off and on. I have decided since we are already paying for her preschool, and dance isn't cheap, we'd let her take a break in the Spring and try soccer with her Joy School buddies who are all starting soccer in April. My mother-in-law gave the girls a pink & silver soccer ball and soccer socks this year and 'B' has really warmed up to the idea.

I really enjoyed going to the Festival of Trees last year when we 'had to' for C's dance class. We are now with a new studio, Tiffany's Dance Co. (TDC), and they did not have us perform there. So I decided I wanted to go with my girls and my friends. I wasn't disappointed, the trees, gingerbread houses, quilts, and other boutique displays were a feast for the eyes and definitely got me in a crafting and gifting mood!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T18:14:00.002-07:00

We are so very blessed to have wonderful family to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with on both sides. This year we enjoyed a wonderful time in St. George on the Bracken side. The games were extra fun this year (Wits & Wages, and Pit were hits!) We met adorable baby Andrew (Alexa & Jeremiah's second son) and enjoyed seeing baby Grant (Laura & Brian's son) just two weeks apart from Andrew. The girls loved having cousins to play with, especially the Wii bowling game. They also enjoyed a sleep over at Alex & Lily house! 'J' and I braved the crowded Walmart at midnight for Black Friday deals and bought some great priced games for this year's Christmas Play Station 3 system. I practiced crocheting thanks to help from my sister-in-law Beka. It will be a nice thing to play with this winter. The girls helped put out some Christmas decorations at Grandma's house and ate goodies to their hearts content. After returning home to our safe house and well watched over kitty (thanks good neighbors), we slept and slept. Today we put out the Christmas tree and decorations. I bought the girls cute pink Christmas trees and decorations for their bedrooms. It was adorable to see how they each chose to decorate their trees. I am also enjoying new pillows, & a few new ornaments I found at Hobby Lobby a week or so ago. I think we are now ready for the Holiday Season!

Walkin' in A Winter Wonderland

2010-11-21T19:01:00.001-07:00

So winter has arrived!

Since we are indoors a lot now, Saturday I made a great recipe for play-dough we got from B's Preschool Teacher (see below). The girls had fun trying to copy my bird and nest with eggs. That was what I remember my mom making when I played with play-dough. It was fun.

Great Play-dough

Combine in saucepan: 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup salt, and 1 tsp. cream of tartar

Add and whisk until smooth over medium heat: 1 cup water, 1 Tbsp. oil, food coloring and 1 tsp. vanilla

Stir until vanilla is blended, then remove from heat and knead when cool (it really has to be cool or it is sticky). Store in a ziplock bag or an airtight container. It will last for months!

Saturday night it snowed! It was so pretty! We woke up to mounds of snow! After church, lunch, the home teacher, and choir, I joined the girls and we built a great Snow Lady. There is nothing cuter than little bundled up bodies don't you think? We were happy to come inside afterwards for some toast and hot chocolate.

We'll enjoy the snow this week and then we'll enjoy the warmer weather in St. George for Thanksgiving! Happy Holiday Beginnings!

Piano Update

2010-11-05T12:05:00.000-06:00

So maybe next time we'll have to be a little more polished before we pull out the camera - but you can see she is starting to learn some chords and some sharps and flats :)

Halloween 2010

2010-11-02T15:34:00.001-06:00

So it was a rainy holiday this year. We're happy we live in Utah where we can count on trick-or-treating on Saturday if Halloween falls on a Sunday...too bad it meant facing the chilly, windy, rainy night. At first the rain was coming down so hard we thought we would have to stay home. So I told the girls (who were crying and very distraught with the weather) to come knock on every door in the house and I would be wearing a different 'costume' behind each door - they could knock and say trick-or-treat and get candy from a different 'neighbor' at each door. They went with it and enjoyed seeing mom wear scarves or masks on her head or hats and messy hair etc. But then, the rain slowed down and the girls felt they could brave the wet weather if they brought their new mini-umbrellas. So this meant 'double' the candy this year! (Not really, they weren't up to going to as many houses as normal once they got outside, but I won't bring that to their attention.) Hope you all enjoyed your Halloween this year too!

Updates through Pictures

2010-10-29T09:32:00.000-06:00

We are waiting for Black Friday or another big sale for the TV and couch (and then I'll know what drapes for the entertainment room etc.)...and I still need to hang up my beach picture in the toy room (on the pink flip-flop I am holding up in one of the pics), but most everything else is done. We are loving it and it is just in time for the snow! So we have more room to run around since it is cold outside

Change of Seasons

2010-09-17T09:50:00.002-06:00

'C' is happily attending 1st Grade at Herriman Elementary and Brenna is enjoying her 'big girl' status as a Preschool student at Kinder Kottage. With dance class, volunteering, basement finishing underway, carpool, and playgroup I feel things are pretty full and good in our little world. Grandma Bracken sent some soccer socks and a ball for the girls - - they are having a lot of fun with this new way to play with Daddy.

'B' doesn't share her energetic side with many people so I thought I'd give a piece of our insdie world on video. I hope her voice never changes either - I get such a kick out of her unique little sound.

Halloween is just around the corner and we'll be off track too so we're looking forward to some fun days ahead. The weather has been perfect for the past few weeks and our walk to school each morning has been so nice. I sometimes wish this season could last longer instead of the snowy season; but we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Fading Out For A While

2010-07-11T22:40:00.010-06:00

We've enjoyed a week of swimming lessons and 'J' and I had a date of hiking in beautiful hills and mountains this week. The girls and I also played at the splash park with friends. It has been beautiful hot weather and so summer is really feeling nice. But I am not putting pictures up because for most of it I just enjoyed the moment and didn't have a camera with me.

I used Google Analytics for a while and it kept track of how many visits I had to my blog. I showed me recently that there were 12 visits on June 28th - - but did 12 people say hello and comment so I knew they had visited? No. Yes, we're all busy and so we just like to peek and run, but why do I blog if not to feel connected? I had a major picture post on the 4th of July, and anylytics said 13 people came...I have one comment. So where and who are these 13 people?
I recently read this online: "The accompanying article reports the results of a study of about 160 people in Pittsburgh conducted by a team of social scientists from Carnegie Mellon University. The researchers found people who'd never been online before, put computers in their homes, tracked their Net use and then used psychological questionnaires to discover how their online sojourns affected their psychological well-being. The project -- called HomeNet -- found some small but, its creators insist, statistically significant connection between hours spent online and participants' reported feelings of loneliness and depression.
In other words: The Net bums you out!" The article continued: "Based on these data, the researchers hypothesize that relationships maintained over long distances without face-to-face contact ultimately do not provide the kind of support and reciprocity that typically contribute to a sense of psychological security and happiness, like being available to baby-sit in a pinch for a friend, or to grab a cup of coffee.

"Our hypothesis is there are more cases where you're building shallow relationships, leading to an overall decline in feeling of connection to other people," Kraut said."

I started blogging to be able to keep in touch with family who live a ways away and to be able to keep track of our girls' goings on. But, I've been feeling lately that blogging is an unfruitful way of reaching out to others to feel closer. Lately, it seems that I don't get that feeling of connection as I'd hoped for. I think I feel closer with talking on the web cam or phone, or in person. I can send e-mails with pictures and then get one-on-one responses. I think that is what I need! I want to have an actual response when sharing my life with others.

The same thing goes for being on Facebook. After the initial seeing pictures of old friends and getting the 'catch-up' of family info., it just left me either nostalgic for having grown apart, or comparing to the careers or exciting vacations they were taking, or feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who I like but who I really never see. I'll use it for contacting people as needed or networking, but I'm getting off so it doesn't suck away my time.

I also read in June's Ensign the following: "Rebecca Renfroe, from Idaho, USA, used to blog and read others’ blogs almost daily. Her mind was always in “compose” mode—mentally writing a blog about what she did with her children instead of just doing things with them. She realized there had to be a balance.

She says, “The Spirit helped me to recognize that having a blog was not the problem—devoting too much of my time and energy to it was. I had literally been giving portions of my life away: trading away quality time with my children and my husband, trading away time for serious, in-depth study of the scriptures, and even trading away hours of sleep that affected my ability to serve others, to be sensitive to the Spirit, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Sister Renfroe learned not to let good things get in the way of better things, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled: “Just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. … Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best."

I had the same 'mentally writing a blog' in the beginning of blogging as well as lost hours of sleep, so now I want to make sure I spend my time just being with my family instead of hurrying off to blog about it or staying up late to make updates. So, it has been fun while it lasted, but I won't be spending the same time making digital scrapbook headers or blog-backgrounds and slide-shows...it just takes so much time to then not really 'hear back'. This means I may not be on other blogs as much either. So, be sure to add me to your e-mail list in your settings so I'm notified when you have a new post because I do like to see cute pictures of my friends and family!

I miss you all so maybe we can have a fun phone chat soon.....maybe any of you who have been lurking can give me a call so we can actually connect! Loves to you all!!

God Bless America!

2010-07-04T22:04:00.004-06:00

This is such a marvelous time of year! I have had such a fun week. Wednesday, 'J' took me miniature golfing at Mulligans--which I haven't done in years. Friday we had our first family campout. We decided to try out our new tent and sleeping bags in the backyard. 'J' was such a trooper! He got whopped in the mouth from a tent pole that didn't want to stick and he got stung in the foot by some invisible/mean bug...all while putting up the tent with me! But he pressed on and we all survived the entire night in our awesome tent! We had story-time and movie-time (gotta love extension cords) and I enjoyed earplugs to block out the sound of the wind whapping the tent around. Boy the ground is HARD! And it has been a long time since I woke up at 4:45 AM! Up at the crack of dawn I guess....We're definitely going to be getting/using air mattresses next time. But I loved seeing the stars through the roof's screen and feeling like a little girl again when I was sleeping in my backyard with my siblings.

Then on Saturday we had a neighborhood breakfast (this is an annual event but we've never gone as a whole family before.) I loved watching the kids play red-rover! It was a little too rough for 'C' after the first round, but 'B' was safe (I think the kids just knew she'd cry if they took advantage of her small size so she just stood in the line and watched.)

Then we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ and seeing Fireworks at the Murray Park. 'J'ared and I used to go see park fireworks before we had kids; but we haven't been since they came...until this year! The kids played on the hill for the entire 'waiting till dark' time and it reminded me of my favorite cousins and how we spent many 4th of July weekends together. I loved hearing the squeals of delight and thrills of my girls with their friends as they watched fireworks in the sky for the first time (not just from their bedroom windows.) Holidays really are made for kids, aren't they? And for adults to relish watching their kids enjoy them!

This is one advantage of living in Utah - - where the Sabbath is protected and I can see fireworks on the 3rd of July on Saturday!
I am especially thankful for the freedoms of our country that allowed a place for Joseph Smith to restore the Gospel and in turn allowed me to learn the truth of the Resurrection so I can find peace in knowing I will see my brother Garrett again. He loved the 4th of July and seeing boys play with snaps etc. I remember his love of life and the fun he brought to our family. I love America, not only for the liberty my family enjoys thanks to lives sacrificed in battle, but I love America for being the country God prepared to allow the Restoration of His true Church, which has blessed my life forever. I can now visit temples across this beautiful state and remember what life is all about! God Bless America!

Movie Reviews

2010-07-02T18:21:00.001-06:00

So...I went to the "Eclipse" Premier thanks to my awesome cousin Tara. I hated the ending of the 4th book and so I haven't really been 'into' the movies. But I have to say, they are getting better each time so this 3rd one was better than the rest. It is not kid-friendly, and I don't know if I'd want my daughters going to it even as teens, but I think it was a fun night-out as married women with my friends. I got to see an old high school friend after about 8 years, and a dear neighbor came with me too so I enjoyed myself. It was extra funny to hear all the ladies in the audience whoop and holler in competition for 'team Edward' vs. 'team Jacob.'

But, for all those who are NOT Twilight fans, I have to recommend two shows I can stand behind 100%! They are both PG and are based on real-life people; which always makes me more interested in the characters.

If you haven't seen Miss Potter or Young Victoria yet - - Go get 'em from Red Box, you'll love 'em!!

Fort Herriman Days

2010-06-28T11:57:00.000-06:00

I love living in a town small enough to have a parade and carnival...it makes summer feel officially here!

Quotes I Like

2010-06-25T16:06:00.002-06:00

Always when judging

Who people are,

Remember to footnote

The words "So far."

~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author unknown, variation of an excerpt from "The Serenity Prayer" by Reinhold Neibuhr

Never confuse thoughtlessness with malice. ~Robert Charles Whitehead

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them? ~Abraham Lincoln

Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. ~Kathryn Carpenter

It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards. ~Baltasar Gracian

B's Recital 6.2010

2010-06-19T16:33:00.001-06:00

She's too much!! I love this little angel - -and even more than usual as she got 'lost' for a bit after her # and my heart nearly popped out of my chest from anxiety - but she is safe and well and we're so proud of her!

Dancing With the Stars

2010-06-12T22:24:00.001-06:00

This is one of the brightest stars in my life. (Do all moms of dancers choke up at recitals?)

She did the same # at the Riverton Arts Festival - - I can't get enough of it!

Little Graduate!

2010-06-10T08:42:00.002-06:00

The year is done! Today is C's last day of Kindergarten!! My baby is growing up way too fast! They had a fun dance festival where each class performed dances from the different decades. Her class did the Hokey Pokey. Then they had her graduation ceremony. I love this bright-eyed, smarty-pants, beauty of mine! I'm grateful we'll have a summer together before she has to become a 'big-kid' and go to school all day for First Grade!

Time for Family

2010-05-30T00:09:00.000-06:00

It is so nice when everyone gets along! Not only does everyone have fun, but moms and dads can 'chill', chat, and relax! Awwww...the perfect way to recover from a busy and eventful wedding-weekend.

A Wedding Weekend

2010-05-30T00:06:00.000-06:00

Adam & Whitney's sealing was beautiful. It reminded me of my own wedding day. I love being in the temple on such special occasions! Their wedding dinner was a lot of fun and full of wonderful memories. Congratulations you two! We wish you the happiest and brightest of futures!

End of Joy School

2010-05-29T23:58:00.003-06:00

Awwww...lil B's 'Joy School' / 'Play Group on Wednesdays' ended this week. We have really enjoyed it on so many levels! It has helped 'B' learn to make friends and socialize a little more, it allows mommy a social outlet each week, and it has also provided both fun stuff for the kids to look forward to (i.e. stories, songs, crafts, games, field-trips) and parenting support for mommy too! We'll Miss You Joy School! (Happily, we know we'll keep the friends we made with or without you.)

What More Can Be Said?

2010-05-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

It is May 24th. We woke up to this:

(poor tomatoes, poor cow, poor leaves....)

What more can be said?

New Color

2010-05-24T08:58:00.000-06:00

I was tired of my ends being lighter than my roots:

So, here is the current new color. (Thanks Clairol: Dark Auburn # 112.) I may choose to lighten it soon when I go in for the cut.

Help me pick a new hairstyle!

2010-05-20T20:18:00.000-06:00

Hi Friends! I'm hoping I can break through my decision-paralysis with some helpful input! I feel like I'm just plain tired of anything I've ever done with my hair...Well, I take that back. I'm tired of doing the work to get some of my favorite hair-dos now that I'm a mom.
I want to look good with minimal effort. I am hoping to grow my hair out a little longer for the few years I have left where 'long' is OK. But with my darn waves I can't just go all-natural; and straightening and diffusing is so much work and damages it a lot!

Let's review my hair of the past:

I tried an online makeover and here were some interesting options:

Can you see why I can't commit? MAN - hairstyles really SAY a lot about a person - or at least I think they try to...and maybe I just dont' know what I want to say.

VOTE: Bangs? No Bangs? Curly? Straight? Medium? Long (keep growing)? Really Short? Give it more red? More blond? I'm expecting detailed comments...XOXOXO

Pasta Salad with Salmon and Peas

2010-05-20T09:13:00.000-06:00

From So Easy by Ellie Krieger
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:

2/3 cup plain Greek-style nonfat yogurt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon minced fresh dill, or 2 teaspoons dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (14-ounce) can wild red salmon, drained, skinned and boned, and cut into chunks
1 10-ounce package frozen peas, defrosted
1/2 pound bowtie or corkscrew pasta, cooked according to package directions and cooled
2 scallions (white and green parts), minced (about 1/4 cup)
8 cups chopped red leaf lettuce

Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, mayonnaise, lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk to incorporate.
Add the salmon, peas, pasta, and scallions and toss to incorporate.
To serve, mound 2 cups of the lettuce onto each plate and scoop about 1 3/4 cups of the pasta salad on top.

The Jubilant # 1 Best Seller

2010-05-08T18:12:00.000-06:00

I finished a beautiful book today called: "Living, Loving & Learning" by Leo F. Buscaglia, Ph.D.

Wise, funny, strange, loveable Leo said:
"I'm certain that as long as you leave your life in the hands of other people, you'll never live. You have to take responsibility for choosing and defining your own life."

"Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. "

"Choose you. Stop hating yourself. Stop running yourself down. Put your arms around yourself and say, 'You know, you're all right! You may be losing your hair, but you're all I've got!' When you make peace with your weakness, you've made it! They're not big, they're just a small part of you."

"Don't brood. Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever."

"Starting tomorrow, it's going to be different. And then make it so, because it only happens in actions."

"Choose the way of life. Choose the way of love. Choose the way of caring. Choose the way of hope. Choose the way of belief in tomorrow. Choose the way of trusting. Choose the way of goodness. It's up to you. It's your choice."

SO - - These words were uplifting don't you think? I also adore everything in these pictures - they are from my yard, my home, my heart, my fridge - - and I soaked them in, kissed them, tasted them, saw them, and loved them today. I'm alive - - I'm trying to love - - and I'm learning. Thanks Leo Buscaglia! (And thanks Lynda for sharing the book)

Please feel free to send a picture or a note of things you've loved and lived today!

Snowy Zoo Day

2010-04-28T14:13:00.000-06:00

Plexiglass windows, a camera with a dying battery, a phone camera, crowds of excited kindergarteners, and falling snow make documenting a trip to the zoo very fuzzy, bumpy, and sporadic. Nonetheless, we braved the cacophony of our large group on the bus, the wet roads and long trip to spend 45 minutes racing through the Hogle Zoo to find as many animals as we could squeeze into our limited time slot and then gulp down our home-packed lunches before reloading onto the bus to return home with new excitement of comparing animal sitings with other travelers. All-in-all I'm glad I could go and share in the adventure despite the cold weather and chaos.

New Point of View

2010-04-14T23:11:00.003-06:00

I have 5 Posts about my Cali Trip - that's right - 5. So after you read this big 'ol thing, remember to keep reading as there are 4 more I've already posted. But hey, if you haven't had a vacation lately, you'll enjoy a little trip by proxy won't you?

I left Herriman, Utah with a bit of a growl. I was annoyed at the snow in April. I was fed up with the same-'ol-routine. I wanted some fun and sunshine. I missed my sister. I wondered if the grass was really greener in Sunny Cal-i-for-ni-a.

They don't have as many mountains, but their hills are mighty purdy...

And if you really feel homesick for a mountain - my sister found a neighborhood where you can have the best of both worlds. She's about 45 minutes from the beach, and can you see the mountain? This is in her neighborhood.

They have wind in Corona like we have wind in Herriman.

But we don't have these beauties nearby...

Nor do our streets say Coast Hwy, or Beach Cities...

I was so excited to see flowers - this is what Spring is Supposed to look like!

I get giddy when I see the ocean don't you?

So far, Cali is definitely GREENer.

We played at the park and went to the beach...

And after a week away from my sweetheart, after I had some sort of allergy that made my eyes puffy, after I realized why I only have 2 kids and not 4, we drove back to St. George to break up the trip and stay with "G-ma & G-pa Bracken".

And somehow, coming back through Utah I had a new point of view. Gone were the mushy browns and absent greens. Gone were the gray skies and the annoying snow. Lo and behold, what beautiful, majestic mountains we have...all along the way!

Home Sweet Home.

I'm grateful for the break with routine that renewed my appreciation for the beauty around me, for the home I live in, the family I have, the life that is my own. I guess I'll stay put and be grateful for the 'moisture' that keeps our mountains snow-capped and picturesque.
(And yes, it is easier to say that knowing it is getting warmer here every day...)

We came to meet Chase!

2010-04-14T22:27:00.001-06:00

My sister Rachelle's baby boy was born November 22nd! He is now 4 + months old and until now, I had not met him yet! UGH! So, add up my desperation for sunshine and a need to meet a new nephew and you've got yourself a trip to California!

We love you Chase-a-base-a!

Easter in California

2010-04-14T22:15:00.001-06:00

Egg Hunting is much more fun with cousins than doing it at the park with hundreds of strangers

Dying Eggs in between General Conference Sessions

Keeping kids entertained during and between General Conference can be quite the trick, but these little friends enjoyed duck-duck-goose, memory game, eating in a fort, and simply sharing their imaginations together.

Photo Shoots

2010-04-14T21:43:00.001-06:00

My sister Rachelle is getting really good at using her camera and Photoshop. She's so good that she is starting a home business and already booking lots of sittings. I was privileged to have her do two photo shoots for us! I know I already can't afford her because I love every picture . . .but thankfully she used us as models so this time it was free! Come check out her great work at her site.

She dressed 'C' up and did her hair. 'C' loved it of course because she looked like 'a teenager.' But I wasn't sure how to feel about it because she did look much older...sigh...she's still my baby you know....

These two gems are the joy of my heart. What a treasure these pictures are!

A fun way to say good-bye

2010-04-01T08:23:00.001-06:00

So, with the ever-falling snow and persistent winter weather. . .I decided to leave town in time to spend Easter with my sister in California instead of waiting until after Conference Weekend. But that meant that 'J' wouldn't get to have the Easter fun with the girls. So, last night after dinner we colored our eggs with him for a fun way to say good-bye.

We'll miss you Daddy & Sookie . . .but we won't miss the cold!! Stay tuned for happy vacationing pictures!

Happy Ever After

2010-04-01T08:17:00.000-06:00

This wedding was back on March 20th but I hadn't moved the pics to my computer yet. CONGRATULATIONS again to my dear cousin LaRene and her new prince charming, Dustin!

Mormonia

2010-03-31T10:02:00.001-06:00

My awesome husband shared this cool site with me. I thought this evaluation of people on Facebook was very interesting. Check out this cool site about How to split up the US!!!

What Is Blogging For?

2010-03-29T18:09:00.001-06:00

(I borrowed this song from Billy Gilman)

What Is Blogging For?

I've been looking at blog posts
And how they change with the times
And lately all I've been seeing are pictures
That are posted without reason or rhyme.

Maybe it's me who's gone crazy
'Cause I can't understand why
Other bloggers keep posting at random
Without comments to make it worthwhile.

So what's the glory in blogging?
Doesn't anyone ever come and visit anymore?
And if followers never comment ever
Tell me, what is blogging for?

I've been re-reading my old posts
And they say what's on my mind
And it's not that I don't have much to say
It's that I don't get feedback at all.

So am I a love-hungry blogger
Trying my best to be read?
I'd rather blog for myself and not others,
But I can't help noticing my blog is dead.

So what's the glory in blogging?
Doesn't anybody ever come visit anymore?
And if followers never comment ever
Tell me, what is blogging for. . .

That's Deep

2010-03-19T15:21:00.003-06:00

I just finished reading "Five Classics" by Truman G. Madsen. I found it very thought provoking. Here are two great quotes I've chosen to share:

"The difference is that I have had some experiences that you haven't had. And that means that actually you are not about to leave the Church as you say. You have never really been in it!....No, the Church's flowing powers have not really been in you, whatever the geography of your Sunday afternoons."

(This quote follows a series of questions he'd asked a person who was choosing to 'leave the Church.' It made me stop and think! I hope to keep seeking the source of the 'Church's flowing powers' so they can really be 'in' me too!)

"Agnosticism is a kind of crutch. It is a perennial postponement of decision, and it assumes that postponement is safer than commitment. Atheism is a pair of iron braces. It claims to know more than can be known. Someone has said that atheists don't find God for the same reason that bank robbers don't find policemen. They work very hard to avoid Him. But through the Doctrine and Covenants is the admonition, "Seek and ye shall find." The implication is, don't seek, and you likely won't find. "

As we prepare to go 'hunting' on Easter in a couple weeks, I hope we can also 'hunt' for the truth, despite the bunnies and candies and eggs, so that we can find Him and really be in His Church, and have Him really be in us.

Easter's Almost Here!

2010-03-19T13:25:00.000-06:00

What's in your Easter Basket this year?

Through My Daughter's Eyes

2010-03-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

Gifts of her heart to each member of the family. . .

Moody Weather

2010-03-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

The first day of March looked like this:

Then, by the end of the day the snow had melted away. Today was sunny for a few hours and now it is raining:

I suppose Mother Earth can't be expected to be any different than other mothers - with all the ups and downs of life and the FEELINGS it brings - who can blame us for our moody weather? Just give us a minute and we'll change our minds. But when we shine, we really SHINE!!

(This was taken last May, I am holding on to it to help me believe I will see GREEN and SUNSHINE again soon!)

Cute Moments

2010-02-28T18:39:00.001-07:00

We've enjoyed the Olympics this year - Especially watching our own figure skaters! (taken with J's Google Phone Camera)

We also can't get enough of this little voice:

Happy Valentines Day 2010

2010-02-14T20:40:00.001-07:00

Ahhh...Love Day...

Despite my really sore back (I threw it out a couple of days ago and it is bein' a slow healer), today was very nice. 'J' gave us adorable bears and chocolates and the girls enjoyed the lipstick and books I gave them and the girls enjoyed their sweet surprise from G-ma & G-pa Braden (they played with the bubbles on the porch as long as possible). We enjoyed some good food and my Primary lesson went well (gotta love lessons where you get to see pics of each child's family and hear them talk about it), and 'C' and I enjoyed playing "Littlest Pet Shop Monopoly" for 2+ hours, and then 'B' left a surprise for what a 'girly-girl left on her own' will come up with to do (I knew she had been too quiet for too long)....

I am glad 'J' and I both are laid back about this holiday - - it seems to bring a peaceful contentment that I enjoy each year. Hope you felt loved and enjoyed your loved ones today!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

P.S. If you wanna try the "Eat Your Heart Out" Jello-Hearts I tried this year, here's the recipe from Family Fun Magazine:

This lovely dessert is easily assembled by chilling layers of gelatin and condensed milk. Even sweeter, it's low-fat.

Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
3 (3-ounce) packages of red flavored gelatin

2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes of unflavored gelatin

Instructions

Dissolve one package of flavored gelatin in 3/4 cup boiling water. Add 3/4 cup cold water, then pour the mixture into a 9- by 13-inch glass pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Stir together 1/2 cup boiling water and the condensed milk. In a separate bowl, dissolve all the unflavored gelatin in ½ cup cold water for 1 to 2 minutes. Thoroughly mix in 3/4 cup boiling water, then combine this mixture with the milk and let it cool. Add half the mixture to the pan of red gelatin, pouring it over a spatula to slow the stream, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Continue alternating layers — gelatin mix, the remaining milk mix, the final gelatin mix — chilling each for 20 to 30 minutes to set it. Create individual servings with a heart-shaped biscuit or cookie cutter.

Joy School V-Day Party

2010-02-11T23:19:00.003-07:00

'B' enjoyed a Valentines Party with her Joy School group this week. I'm just happy to get out of my house in the winter and chat with other moms. It is a win-win situation!

And since this IS the month of Love. . .

I LOVE THIS KITTY of mine!

Family Events

2010-02-11T23:00:00.001-07:00

My dear sister Rebbecca and her husband Kent live in Vancouver, WA where he is in the Coast Guard. They are expecting their 3rd baby and hope to be transferred to CA soon. I had not seen them since C-mas of 2008!!! I was in the hospital room with them when their baby Kayla was born . . .but it has been over a year! It is criminal to not see your family for that long!

Happily. . .they came for a visit this past weekend!! Our girls played their hearts out! Juliana fit right in because she loves to dress-up and dance! Kayla was also immediately adored because she is one of THEE Cutest babies on the planet.

Sadly. . .Kent broke his elbow at the local skate park.

Hopefully. . .they still had enough fun to come again soon!

We love you guys! Thanks for the memories - - let's make more again SOON!

NEXT:

My brother Adam got engaged! He brought his darling fiance Whitney to meet Rebbecca & Kent and share their big news this past Sunday. I am soo happy for them! Whitney is so darling and fun. She is going to make a really cool aunt for all the kiddos and we're happy to have her join the fam!

Milestones!

2010-02-06T12:08:00.001-07:00

This sweet angel is officially Potty-Trained!! She's gone a full 3 weeks without an accident! I'm so proud of her! She has been working hard. Hooray 'B'!

'C' has lost her 2nd tooth!! She has mixed emotions about this event and is not quite ready to give up the tooth to the Tooth Fairy just yet.

Sookie is now 10 lbs. and much more affectionate than she was a year ago. She turns 2 on February 29th...We're sure glad she's part of our family!

Chicken Paella with Sausage and Olives

2010-02-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

Chicken Paella with Sausage and Olives

adapted from Ellie Krieger's So Easy

serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

3 oz. chorizo sausage, casing removed, chopped

1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup uncooked long grain white rice

1 large ripe tomato, chopped

1/4 cup chopped green olives

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of ground turmeric

small pinch of saffron threads

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet or a medium-large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides (not necessarily cooked through), about 4 minutes. Transfer chicken and chorizo to a plate.

2. Add remaining oil to pan. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, about one minute. Return chicken and chorizo to the pot and add broth, peas, rice, tomato, olives, salt, pepper, turmeric, and saffron. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to oven.

3. Cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

(My kids didn't like the green Spanish pimento-stuffed olives so those can be omitted; but Jared enjoyed them.)

Chicken-Mushroom Quesadillas

2010-01-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

From Jared's Birthday Gift to me, the Ellie Krieger cookbook.
Cook Time: 16 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
8 ounces white button mushrooms, (about 3 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast (1 breast half)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups baby spinach leaves, sliced into ribbons
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 (10-inch) whole-grain flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese mix or Cheddar
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook until the mushroom water is evaporated and they begin to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add chicken, cumin, chili powder and oregano and stir until all spices are incorporated. Add spinach, salt and pepper and cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Lay 1 tortilla on a flat work surface and sprinkle with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Spoon 1/2 chicken and vegetable mixture on top of cheese, then top with an additional 1/4 cup cheese. Top with another flour tortilla. Heat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray over medium heat. Carefully place 1 quesadilla in pan and cook 3 minutes. Using a large spatula, gently flip quesadilla and cook an additional 3 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with second quesadilla. Slice each quesadilla into quarters. Place 2 quarters on a plate with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 2 tablespoons salsa.

Yum! Clarissa said I could make this one again. . .

Beds, Beautiful Beds!

2010-01-23T15:39:00.001-07:00

We've had the two twin mattresses in our basement for almost 6 months but had not found beds with natural wood (most were white) that I felt were affordable, sturdy and cute enough...until now!! I love how giggly and excited my girls were as 'J' assembled these beds. He is our hero (again) after spending 7+ hours building these babies!!

THANKS DADDY! WE LOVE OUR NEW BEDS!!

Chasing Happiness

2010-01-22T14:44:00.002-07:00

I read a post about happiness that I'd like you to weigh in on.

The author wrote: "In point of fact, a person's fixation on the pursuit of happiness, may actually backfire! You may also recall from reading my previous posts that the world-renown psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, referred to this phenomenon as "paradoxical intention." And while it may appear to be counter-intuitive, Dr. Frankl observed the following about the human quest for both happiness and success:

"Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it."

I really don't like this. . .I'd like to think I have some power towards experiencing happiness. But lately, it seems that this may in fact be true! When I am trying to perfect the balance of my daily schedule or critique my current production I am unhappy. Yet when I'm just in the moment of eating with my family, driving on a road with the sun shining, exercising to music that is upbeat; I have had fleeting feelings of happiness. I want to grab this happiness feeling and hold it inside all the time. But I have learned from years as an idealist that this expectation is bound to disappoint me.

What do you think? Can we only encourage and arrange potential circumstances for happiness to bloom (such as living by eternal principles) and just accept that happiness comes and goes? Does it come more often when we're not chasing it?