Come on and Celebrate!

We had so much fun over the 4th of July. It was nice to relax, catch up with family and friends and most of all eat YUMMY YUMMY food!!! We spent the day with my family and then came back to Blackfoot and enjoyed a concert performed by the community of Blackfoot--KUDOS to them because it was really enjoyable! It made me really appreciate those who are fighting for my freedoms! After the concert we set off fireworks and then came home and listened to everyone else set off fireworks---all the way into the next morning. Lucky-I know! The next day we just hung out as a family.

One highlight of the weekend was Caleb got his first haircut---he is only 3 months old, but he needed it!

Favorite Recipe Tag

So here is my favorite recipe tag: Although it is only a tag I think I will start posting a recipe every week because it is fun and I like to try new things:

Pasta Salad:

12 oz. bag bow tie pasta
12 oz. box radiatore pasta
20 oz. can pineapple tidbits
2 cups chopped celery
4 green onions, sliced
1 pkg. craisins
1 cup cashews or almonds
1 cup grapes, sliced
4 cups chicken breast, cooked, cooled and diced
1 cup mayo (Do not use Miracle whip)
16 oz. bottle of Coleslaw dressing

Directions:
Cook pasta, rinse with cool water and let cool. Mix with other ingredients.

Variations: (You can play around with these ingredients omiting some and adding others)
*Add coconut
*Replace the green onion with red onion.
*Add cilantro
*Add corn
*Add green or red pepper
*Use Cool whip instead of Coleslaw dressing

Have fun and I hope you enjoy!

I tag Adrienne, Daynna, and Tracy!

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

Today has been a day from Hades...up until now, because it is nap time and my babies are sleeping! YAY! But I have to say, through all the screaming and whining I find laughter. This afternoon I think Emily and Mom both needed some fresh air so we set out to mow the back yard. There were so many stinkin' bugs though!! But we accomplished the task and came in for lunch. It didn't take long before I found Emily upstairs in her highchair asleep. She is my sweet little princess...most of the time. And luckily...even though my swing is out of batteries Caleb is asleep as well. That is after several minutes of me rocking it by hand. Oh how we are so spoiled with new technology!

I have to tell everyone of my accomplishment maybe because I am so proud of myself. This past week I finished The Book of Mormon all the way through (even the Isaiah chapters). This is the first time I have read it cover to cover and understood it. I read the Family BOM for most of it becasue it gives explanations at the bottom. Hence, why I got through the Isahiah chapters. I am now starting on the Doctrine and Covenants and hope to be done by the end of the year. 6 Months my be a long time for most people, but having 2 kids has taken a toll on my body and sometime sleep overwhelms me and I just can't keep my eyes open enough to think let alone read. Anyway now I have told everyone so I hope to stick with it.

Update:

No move to Pennsylvania. I am somewhat disappoineted and somewhat relieved. We feel that would like to live there someday, maybe next time around.

Also tonight as a family we attended a concert of a 22 year old Blackfoot graduate named Daniel Curran and I just have to say how wonderful it was. He is a tenor soloist and did a beautiful job!! I am glad we took out 2 hours of our night to be in attendance his performances. Emily even enjoyed it for the most part and Caleb slept for the whole 2nd half.

Anyway that is that and I am going off to bed now.--;-}

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

We have had a busy, stressful, fun, emotional week. Ben recently interview for a job in Pennsylvania and we haven't heard if he is hired. It has been an emotional rollercoaster to me. In the past week I have spent more time in meditation and prayer than ever before. I have faith that we will do the right thing and the Lord will help me and my little family be happy...that is what the gospel is all about isn't it! So that is the stressful, emotional part of the week and then comes the fun. IT IS FINALLY FEELING LIKE SUMMER!!! We are literally soaking up the sun! For the past 2 days we have put our sunblock on and started outside. We have pulled weeds, worked in our garden (which is like 4 ft by 2 ft) and ran through the sprinkler. It is funny how something so small like the smell of fresh air or the site of water can renew my spirits and make the grey skies blue again.

Some more fun that has happened is today I had a Scentsy party (http://www.scentsy.com/amberwilliams) it was so much fun! Thank you to all of you who came. It was fun to mingle and eat lots of chocolate!! If anyone still wants to order, my party doesn't close until Tuesaday. Thanks Amber for being such a great consultant!!

Here are some pictures of us outside:

My Bad!

So yesterday I learned that these signs are truly there for a reason!! We decided to go swimming at the Blackfoot swimming pool, which by the way can be pretty scary. I loved it when I was little but it has really gone down hill over the years. Anyway so after Ben, Emily, Caleb and I got into the pool the first thing Emily says is she has to go potty. I was holding Caleb so Ben volunteered. After a few minutes he came back and once again we get settled in and Emily said I have to go poop. We didn't want to chance it so I decided it was my turn to take her...total mistake! I get out and head for the bathroom. As I started into the bathroom I saw the clerks give me a strange look. I didn't know why so I kept walking. After about 2 seconds of turning the corner to the bathroom I then realized why the strange looks...there was a middle aged man standing there NAKED showering. My first thought was "why is there a naked man in the women's restroom??" Then came my second thought "Holy Crap I AM IN THE MENS RESTROOM" without making a scene I slowly turned around hoping naked guy didn't see me and hoping Emily didn't see naked guy. I got to the final destination and walked slowly back to the pool. I tried to keep my composure but as soon as I saw Ben I started laughing uncontrollably. I was so embarrassed! So lesson learned pay close attention to the restroom signs, they are there for a reason especially at pools!!! Questions I have though...#1 don't men have anything to hide?? I would never walk around a women's restroom naked. #2 Why in the heck didn't the clerks say anything to me??? Ugh!

Pictures

Here are the new pictures I had taken, they turned out cute!

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Family Pics

http://jjhphotography.blogspot.com/

Check out some new family pics (minus Ben since the pics are for him).

Thanks Jen you did an awesome job!!!!!!

Busy as a Bee can be...

Today was a busy day...(well a busy day compared to my normal day). This morning the kids and I went and had one of my friends take some pictures of us. I thought this would be a fun gift to give Ben for Father's day. She was excellent and VERY patient. I can't wait to see them, and will pst them as soon as I get them. After that we came home for awhile and ventured out in the rain to go to lunch with some friends. It was fun to get out and socialize with adults. When we came home Emily was sad and decided to pout in her bed so to make her mad I whipped out my camera. She was in her bed being mad. I worked at it and even got a little smile out of Miss Cranky. Unfortunatley it returned when I told her she was staying put to take a nap. Oh what a punishment!!! Then I was getting ready to feed Caleb and he decided to be a poser so I snapped a few shots of him as well. Mr laid back vs. Miss Cranky!!!

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Celebrate Good Times

This weekend was an eventful one for me. On Saturday it was my 26th birthday. Ben said "you're over the hump and on you're way to being 30" YIKES!! I had a great birthday! Ben took me to Johnny Carinos for lunch and then we went and bought me a new jogging/bike stroller. After that we came home and went on a bike ride, ate cake and watched movies together. It was fun. My kids of course always make my birthday more fun. Emily kept saying "Mom, happy!" That was good enough for me!

On Sunday it was Mother's Day of course and we celebrated it at my Mom and Dad house. We had a BBQ and all of my family was there. I am grateful to be a Mom. It can be challenging, frustrating, maddening and many other things all at the same time. And then one second later it can be so sweet, rewarding, and joyful. For example, the other night Emily was being naughty and I wasmaking her sit on my lap and talk to me then she made this funny noise that made me laugh and I couldn't stop laughing. Everytime we looked at each other we would laugh more. She is one of my best friends, even though we butt heads sometimes and she is only 2. then there is Caleb who is just so cuddly and cute. Today I was talking to my sister and he was just grinning at me because he thought I was talking to him. I am glad he thought that because I love his smiles!!! I love being a Mommy! And I also love and respect the Moms in my life. My mom and sister are 2 of my very best friends. They cheer me up when I am sad and also make me laugh so hard I cry! They are great examples to me and make me want to be a better person. I am also so thankful for Ben's mom!! She is beyind wonderful!! After I had Caleb she stayed and helped me. She never complained even though I am sure there were times when she wanted to! She was more help than I could ever ask for and I just love her so much!!

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Me, Mom, Amber (my sister)

Grandma Empey, Mom, Amber and Caleb

Having some Mother's Day fun...baseball!!

Dad