Happily Forever After?

My new favorite quote

2010-05-05T09:39:00.004-06:00

"It's hard to wait around for something

that may never happen,

but it's even harder to walk away

knowing it's everything

you ever wanted."

i'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

2010-04-12T22:46:00.001-06:00

It's been a loooooooooooooooooonng time since I've been here, on my on blog. I didn't mean to take a break, but life did get all crazy there for a while. In a good way.

It feels good to be back here. Like coming back home after being gone for a while. When I saw my cute girl on my page it made me smile. I still love it. I will be posting again soon. : )

Did I Meniton?

2010-03-03T13:04:00.004-07:00

Heavenly Father really does hear AND answers our prayers. It truly is amazing. I'm seeing some mini-miracles in my life, all hopefully leading up to one very big, amazing, incredible miracle.

I know this works in the Lords time, not mine. But it is so good for my soul to see progress being made and little seeds being planted. Life is good, it truly is.

Marching In

2010-03-03T12:34:00.006-07:00

March is here. Hooray!!! Jump for joy! Hallelujah!!!

Yes, I'm a little bit excited about it. Winter has been WAY TOO long. February seemed to drag on and on and on and on...you get the idea.

So with March, comes a few of my favorite things, the first few glimpses that spring is right around the corner...FINALLY!

Sunshine (at least a little bit)

Little bits of grass starting to poke up in a few warm places.

Melted snow.

Baby animals...especially the calves. They are TOO dang cute when they are brand new.

Knowing that Spring Break is only a few short weeks away.

Driving with the window rolled down, a little {teeny} bit.

Happy March, Everyone!!!

P.S. This is the first year I have ever heard of Mustache March. Is that a new thing???

January 11th 2010

2010-01-11T21:07:00.004-07:00

Well, I'll be the first to admit that I was taken by complete surprise on Sunday when my hubby showed up for church again. (Not all, just part.) I honestly did not think he would. It's funny, even though I was pretty sure he wouldn't be there, my heart gave a little jump for joy when I saw him walk in. I know that he only comes to make me happy. But I have this hope that one day, he will hear something that will open that door to his heart and soften it just a little. The fact that he comes to church just to "make me happy" says a lot about this guy. I know there are at least 1000 other things he would rather be doing. But he is there. For me.

Today was a great day. My favorite kind of day, actually. I sent the kids off to school and I stayed in my jammies for hours with the radio blasting and cleaned! For a while I had the feather duster and the vacuum going at the same time. Multi-tasking...that's what I'm talking about! I feel like I actually accomplished something. YAY! I love to look around a see a sparkling clean house. It is an extension of me. When my house is clean, I feel clean...and happy. When my house is a dump, I feel...well, dumpy. And grumpy. And frumpy. (Well, you see how it works.)

Tomorrow I am going to make banana bread. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...doesn't that sound good? One thing I am grateful to my mother-in-law for is her banana bread recipe. Simple and delicious. My favorite! To have a clean house AND banana bread...what more could a girl ask for?

January 9th 2010

2010-01-09T21:50:00.003-07:00

It has been a busy-crazy week! The kids all had a rough week going back to school after a two week long Christmas break. We have had some major melt-downs, trouble going to sleep at night, trouble sleeping all night, nightmares, homework difficulties, school issues and some plain tired kids. And me. I've been exhausted all week. It's hard getting up at 6 when I like sleeping in til 8!

I was going to start my 5k training this week but not one time did I get my butt out there running. I thought maybe some motivation was in order. I bought me some new running shoes on Monday. They are still in the box! On Wednesday, I bought myself a cute little green ipod shuffle so that I can just clip it to my shirt and run my little heart out without worrying about my monster 30 gig ipod falling out of my pocket. The only time I have used it is while I was folding laundry. UGH! I keep chanting to myself, "It's OK! It's OK! I'll start Monday for sure!" I will. Really!! My sister started already and so did my daughter. I will NOT be left at that 1 mile marker gasping for air while they finish the 5k without me! It's time to get busy lady!

I feel semi-prepared for my YW lesson tomorrow. The subject is Spiritual Gifts. I won't lie, it's left me wondering what my "gifts" are. I know I have at least one. It says so in the lesson. Does it matter that I don't know what mine are? Will it make a difference in how I present this lesson? These are the questions I have been asking myself today. Maybe this a good thing. Maybe I will have to figure out what my gifts are and work to strengthen them. Maybe this is why I was called to teach this class. No doubt, I am learning WAY more than the girls are.

I just read an article called "How to dress 10 lbs lighter." Want to know whats funny? If I would just get down to business and train for the 5k I would BE 10 lbs lighter. HA HA....that seems ironic to me. Why doesn't that acknowledgement motivate me? Anyone???

Note to self; Do not forget to put hubby's dress shirt in the dryer. He probably won't show up for Sacrament Meeting tomorrow, but just in case he does, a nice, clean, wrinkle-free shirt would be great! He has no idea that I stress out over stuff like this, JUST IN CASE!!! He did show up last Sunday. Total surprise to me. It was great!!!! I don't want to get my hopes up for tomorrow. The disappointment hits me hard every time I do.

Speaking of hubby, he took Princess and went for a horse ride with the neighbor and some people from our ward today. There was a little bit of trouble loading one of our horses into the trailer to come home and I understand that Fudge got a little upset, said a few *choice* words in front of everyone who was there. (they were helping him try to get that stubborn mare into the trailer!) "Everyone" included some of our neighbors and our whole bishopric and our 14 year old daughter. Perhaps that was his way of saying "Quit asking me to help out with scouts!" Maybe...

From our family to yours...

2009-12-22T13:24:00.003-07:00

In four days from now, it won't matter if I ran to the store for the thousandth time to get that one last thing on so and so's list. It won't matter if the cookies had white frosting with green sprinkles or green frosting with colored sprinkles. Santa will like them either way. It won't matter if the house looked spotless and Christmas-y. What matters, it the time you spend with the people you love, and making sure they know how important they are to you. Whether that is with gifts, hugs or even just kind words. THAT is what matter's most.

Merry Christmas to all...

There are two kids in this picture that melt my heart. My very own beautiful Mary, holding her baby Jesus so gentle. And the most beautiful small angel in the red shirt, singing praise to the newborn king. Aren't they beautiful? They will never forget acting out the Nativity last year at our ward Christmas party. They did great. They even earned a standing ovation. Priceless. I just wish Fudge had been there to see them. Boy, did he miss out!

5 reasons why...

2009-12-15T21:17:00.009-07:00

I have been a blogger-slacker lately. These are not "good" reasons, but they are legit.

1. My car broke down. For a whole week! Yes, I had a back-up car to drive, that's not the point! I don't know why this makes me a blogger-slacker, except that it stresses me out!

2. A round of the dreaded stomach flu has been trudging its way through our house. First, one person gets it then 3 days later someone else gets it. Then, three days later some one else graces me with the opportunity to clean up even more vomit. And the pattern just seems to continue! Seriously, can you imagine anything more fun? (insert sarcasm!)

3. Piles and piles of laundry! (see #2)

4. Christmas shopping. I am a very unorganized shopper. I can go spend 2 hours at the mall and not buy one thing. What a waste of time! I just can't seem to match up what I find at stores with what I have pictured in my mind. I am not a happy Christmas shopper. It stresses me out. I don't like it! The silver lining at the mall, is the Hickory Farms stand. Have you tried their Peppermint Snow Mints? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....totally worth a wasted trip to the mall. The ride home with my creamy, delicious Snow Mints is my consolation prize for wasting time that I could be bloggin! (Uh-Oh...looks like I've gotten side tracked. Sorry!)

5- Christmas Decorating. I have been working on decorations for days. I *wish* I could tell you that my house is so decked out for the holidays, that you would be jealous. I wish I could tell you that it has taken me day after day of nonstop packing and unpacking of totes from the basement and my house looks like a glorious shrine to all things Christmas. It doesn't. Honestly, my house looks a little red neck. I have lights up on the house, but many of them are burned out. I have a tree up and decorated, but some of the branches won't light up. I have garland and Santa's and reindeer lining my entry way shelf, but one set of the lights blink and the others don't. It's one of those years where nothing seems to work right and I have spent too much time trying to fix it. I give up. They just get to come down in a few more weeks anyway, right?

So, there are all my excuses, I mean reasons, for being a slacker. Sorry, but it's just me!

Work Out Wednesday

2009-12-02T09:28:00.006-07:00

Work Out Wednesday, or W.O.W as I may refer to it. Clever, isn't it? I'm sure someone else out there has already come up with it, but it's new to me. I just thought of it this morning... as I was drying my hair. I noticed something jiggle-ee in the mirror. Imagine my shock and surprise when I realized that it was my flabby arm! Ahh! I'm too young for flabby arms! (Not really, but in my unrealistic world, I'm still 22!) After a few minutes of careful consideration, I did realized that I had a renewed motivation to exercise. Yay! It's been a few weeks since I have felt any pull towards my exercise equipment in the basement. The basement is a dreary place. Unfinished with a cold concrete floor. Not to mention the fact that we found a mouse down there. Ick!!!! It just creeps me out.

So, I am going to dust off the old treadmill, dig out my running shoes and start the COUCH POTATO TO 5K program, again! I've started it twice already and never made it past week 2. But I really, really want to do it. I would feel so amazing and powerful. And probably very satisfied with myself if I could finish it.

If anyone has any work out tips or pointers for me, I'm all ears!

Princess's Pringles

2009-12-01T21:48:00.008-07:00

We had a quick road trip over Thanksgiving weekend. You know, on a 9 hour car ride with your family you bond. Really, really bond. It was great. Really. We laughed, we cried, we sat in silence for hours. Talk about F.U.N.!!!

During our trip, I was reminded of the quick humor that Princess has always possessed. She was in the back snacking on some original Pringles and out of the blue, to no one in particular, she speaks;

"Dear Makers of Pringles,

Now that I am grown, I am having trouble fitting my hand into the cylinder container to reach these tasty little chips. Please get back to me as soon as possible and let me know how you will remedy this problem.

Yours always,

Princess "

Isn't she just so clever? I wonder how long she had been thinking it before she said it? LOL

I love that girl! She always is helping me find humor in every day things.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We were very blessed to get to spend the holiday with Fudge's family. The WHOLE family was there...AND coherent. Seriously! It was awesome!

Sharing the Thankfulness (Is that even a word?)

2009-11-21T14:28:00.002-07:00

This morning, I asked my kids what they were thankful for this year. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I am sharing their answers with the blogging world.

11 Year old Chip: I am thankful that Dad has a job. And duct tape, and for staples. Can we get some titanium, magnetized staples from Peru?

7 Year old Kit: Macaroni and Cheese!

5 Year old Angel: I'm thankful for my family. Look mom, I wrote a note for Kit. It says;

Kit,

I hat you kuz you stenk

Heart, Angel

(Isn't that the sweetest thing!?!?!?) Angel is a bit of an Angel-brat!

Princess didn't give me an answer, she was sleeping. She had a slumber party last night and got 2 hours of sleep. Realizing that she gets to go babysit the neighbors kids tonight, we thought it best to let her rest. For the sake of the neighbors! But I know she is thankful for fingers, because it would be so hard to text with her toes.

Today, I am thankful for my nice warm pellet stove. It is keeping our house so warm and cozy while the cold, howling wind is bringing in the next storm. Let it snow!!!

Being a Mom

2009-11-17T08:54:00.003-07:00

Last night, as I was tucking in my sweet beautiful Kit-Kat, (for the third time) she asked me, "Mommy, why do you kiss me so many times?"
I just smiled while my heart wanted to explode. "Because I love you so very, very much," was all I could reply.

Being a Mom is the BEST!

Families are Fabulous!

2009-11-14T22:07:00.010-07:00

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is SO delightful. And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

That pretty much sums up this weekend. It was snowing and blowing and freezing! Saturday, I did manage to escape for an hour with my neighbor. She has taken me under her wing and shown me how to shop... WITH COUPONS!!! We went to Walgreen's and I spent $36. I also SAVED $36...IN COUPONS!! ! How cool is that?!?! And yes, it was stuff I will actually use. Like toilet paper, water bottles, Progresso soup, cough drops, etc. It feels awesome to know I actually got a GREAT deal at the store. I think I'm hooked on COUPONS! But that's a good thing. We are going into winter not knowing what is in store with Fudge's job. Being in construction, we just don't know! Fudge has an amazing work ethic. He has had his own business since 1999 and has put his heart and soul, and even his blood, sweat and tears into it. His business has grown and stayed consistently busy but this economy has been scary for small construction businesses. Saving and scrimping where I can on groceries and household items will surely help us make it through this winter if work becomes scarce.

Anyway, back to the weather. This storm has put me in the mood for Christmas! We played some Christmas music, got some Christmas lights ready to hang, and even started making a list. (Yep...THE list!). I don't want to skip over Thanksgiving (because I really do have so many things to be thankful for) but the snow coming down does it to me every time! There is just something about looking out the window to see a fresh layer of fluffy white stuff covering the earth. It is beautiful...and something about it is even peaceful.

The best part of the weekend, though, was getting to see my brother who lives one state away. Him, his wife and 2 year old son came to Utah to visit. I haven't seen them since grandmas 97Th birthday celebration 7 months ago. There was such a wonderfully nostalgic feeling to sit and visit and feel like no time has gone by since our last visit. Families are such a wonderful blessing. Sometimes I wonder if I'm short-changing my kids buy not giving them more siblings. (4 is enough, right?) Even though they fight and argue and generally don't get along most of the time, they will realize what a truly great gift brothers and sisters are one day. I know it took me a long time to come to that realization. Now that my brothers and sisters are spread out over a distance of 600 miles, I relish every moment that I get to spend with them and their children. I'm so grateful to my Father in Heaven that he invented families.

Families are Fabulous!

Nothing But Air

2009-11-04T09:11:00.005-07:00

I'm not sure who this guy is, but he has been buzzing the skies around our house quite often lately. I keep wondering what that must feel like.

SOARING...with nothing holding you back.

Mmmmm...Pumpkin Pancakes, Anyone?

2009-11-02T11:35:00.008-07:00

I love trying new recipes and finding the ones that are keepers. Not just keepers, but the ones I want to pass down to future generations. This is one of those recipes! I changed a few minor ingredients and came up with a family favorite!

My family loves pumpkin goodies. We make pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin rolls and pumpkin bars but PUMPKIN PANCAKES are the favorite! Not too heavy, not too sweet. Just enough cinnamon and cloves in them that they smell DIVINE when they cook. By the time you put some butter and REAL maple syrup on them, they melt in your mouth. It's almost like eating dessert for breakfast. They make a perfect breakfast on Thanksgiving, and they are perfect for Christmas brunch. Good enough to serve to guests, but they are easy enough for a normal weekday, too.

Sundae's Pumpkin Pancakes or Waffles

1 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 cup milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 egg

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add in wet ingredients. Mix well and cook on hot griddle or in hot waffle iron. Serves 4.

*I usually triple the recipe and freeze the left overs for a quick breakfast a day or two later.

To All Of You With Kids

2009-10-30T18:17:00.008-06:00

I just heard it on the radio, so it MUST be true!

The Toys R Us Big Toy Book is on its way!

It will be in Sunday's (Nov. 1st) paper. I know you all know what that means...Right?

Wish lists from all your little sweetie pies will start mysteriously appearing on your pillows, on the dryer, in the fridge, in your purse, on the toilet seat, taped to the computer monitor, in the pantry...etc. Hey, if your lucky, you might even get one in the mail.

I'm sure before the end of the day every item in that book will be circled...and re-circled.

Let the craziness begin!

It's Beautiful!!!

2009-10-25T21:47:00.003-06:00

See my new blog design? Isn't it AMAZING?!?!?

Thank You, Leelou!

I LOVE it!!!

10 Things...

2009-10-21T08:42:00.001-06:00

Ten things I'm happy about today:

1. All the kids are at school. No one is home sick. Yay!

2. The sun is shining! After the storm clouds rolled through yesterday, the sun shine feels SO good!

3. I have no P.T.A. obligations today!

4. I'm getting my new blog background SOON! It looks amazing! (I'm So excited...and I just can't hide it...)

5. "Date" night was last night. Even thought it only consisted of a trip to the chiropractor for Fudge, I did talk him into dinner at Cafe Rio on the way home. Mmmmm...It was Goooooood!

6. Today is Wednesday! Early out for the kids. It's nice to have them home by 3 instead of 4 O'clock.

7. I get to go to Young Women's tonight!

8. I have renewed my commitment to better myself. President Hinckley said it there are three things you can do to better yourself and your situation. They are daily prayer, daily scripture study and (the big one I am working hard on) having a cheerful countenance. Smile... and just be cheerful!

9. Halloween is coming! I LOVE taking the kids around Trick-r-treating! They have so much fun. I love watching their excitement as they go door to door in their cute little costumes.

10. Christmas is right around the corner! I can't wait to put up the decorations, bake the cookies, wrap the presents, celebrate the birth of our Savior. If you have ever been to Temple Square during the holidays and seen the lights....you will understand my excitement. It is the most beautiful scene... I can't wait!

I'm No Doctor...

2009-10-20T08:52:00.001-06:00

A couple of days ago our horse, Paint, (original, I know) got sick. She had colic. In a horse, this means that she had a tummy ache. This is usually brought on by a change in feed and seems to be worse in the Fall months. When a horse has colic, they want to lay down and roll around to ease the tummy ache. This can be very dangerous, so you walk the horse. You walk and walk and walk to keep the horse from laying down and rolling, and to help ease the anxiety of the poor horse, too.

To make a long story short, we walked and walked and walked this horse. Princess and I would take turns leading her around and around hoping that she would get thru the colic quickly. After 2 and 1/2 hours, Paint was doing worse, so we called for back up. Our WONDERFUL neighbor's, who are avid horse people, came to the rescue. They knew exactly what to do. With out one moment of hesitation, they came over and gave Paint two shots, one for the pain, and a tranquilizer to relax her. We had to keep close watch on her for a few hours afterwards, but she is now fine and colic free.

So, Why am I telliing you this story? Well...

This morning, Kit was very hard to get up. She was tired and grumpy. She was whining and basically just having a bad day. Sitting up to the counter for breakfast, she just kept on stirring her oatmeal and not wanting to eat. I was trying to "encourage" her to hurry up so she could get ready for school and she said, "I can't hurry! I think I have colic!" I look at her with a quizzical look on my face. She says, "My tummy hurts and I just want to roll around."

Sure enough, 30 seconds later she threw up.

For now, Kit is laying in bed reading Froggy Goes To School and acting just fine. She's even asked for a glass of Sprite and some applesauce. I would take a seven year old with "colic" over a horse with colic any day! Interestingly enough, out of all four of my children, Kit was the only colic-y baby I had.

Initiation Into My New Calling

2009-10-19T11:05:00.000-06:00

So, yesterday was my first official Sunday in Young Women's. I am the new Mia Maid advisor. Why I was asked to this calling, I do not know! It scares me more than a little. Princess is in the Mia Maids. All she keeps saying is, "Why??? I don't want you there." Gee...that makes me feel so loved and good about being there! Personally, I think she is actually thrilled! She just won't admit it because she is a highly emotional, control freak who thinks she knows everything. Yes, she's 14. Need I say more???

Anyway... I thought maybe my first couple of weeks of being in Young Women's would be more of a chance for me to observe. I was hoping to get to sit in the back row and just kinda watch what goes on and get "comfortable" there. Boy, was I wrong! When Young Women's started, I found out that we all got to sing in sacrament meeting...that very day! (Insert heart failure here)

I wanted to find a way to kindly decline. I mean, seriously! It was my first day in YW! I thought of about 50 different excuses why I shouldn't have to go up there and sing with them. But when I stepped out of my fear for a second and looked around, NO ONE else was complaining. Not one of the Young Women in our ward was whining about it or even saying anything negative. In fact, some of them were actually excited about it! It took me only one second more to realize that if these beautiful girls weren't complaining about it, neither was I. I am supposed to be the leader, after all. But look who taught who a great lesson today?

So, halfway thru sacrament meeting, I got up there on that stand, with all the other young women and leaders in our ward and we sang the most beautiful song. And we felt the most beautiful spirit. I think I am officially initiated in now.

I'm here!

2009-10-14T16:51:00.000-06:00

I know I have been neglecting my blog lately. I just can't seem to do everything that I think I should. I've been stressing out and when I stress, I seem to go around in circles and NOTHING gets done. Not my blog, not my laundry, not even my hair. It's awful! It has been pony-tails day after day and I'm getting sick of em!

But I am finally seeing my way out of this cycle I've been in. The PTA is getting less demanding. Hunting season is almost over, the camping is done for the year. Even the chiropractor visits are getting farther apart. (Did I mention that the kids and hubby were in a small auto accident that resulted in ALL of them having whiplash and neck issues?) No sports, no music lessons, no obligations for awhile. Time to focus on my blog! I am very excited to get a new background. It will be up soon and IT IS AWESOME! Just wait until you see it! ;)

Anyway...this is just my way of saying, be on the lookout! I WILL be posting much more regularly! YAY! And I'm hoping to get many, many more followers! So tell your friends!

~Sundae

Cute Bag Story

2009-09-29T10:20:00.000-06:00

Since I'm having a totally crazy, hectic, insanely busy week, (If you have ever been PTA president you *might* know what I'm talking about) I am just going to share a cute little story that made me chuckle.

Yesterday, my sweet little Angel was getting ready for kindergarten. She decided that instead of taking her blue Cinderella back pack, she was going to take this adorable little pink-flowered bag that her Aunt Jo made for her. She put her home work folder inside it and away she went, skipping happily to the bus stop.

After school, however, she throws the cute little pink-flowered bag down and runs screaming to her room, "I'm NEVER taking that dumb bag to school again!!!" and slams her bedroom door. I go in to find out why she is never taking it to school again. She looked at me with a tear in her eye and a sad little frown-ie face and says, "All the girls in my class told me that it was CUTE!"

Um, isn't that a GOOD thing???

FHE Flop

2009-09-22T10:09:00.000-06:00

I came up with this great idea, with the help of my sister. See, I struggle to have FHE every week. It is sooooooooooooo hard! (ok, that's me whining!) It's hard for many different reasons. One, because Fudge doesn't participate with us and I get tired of the weird looks he sends my way when I talk about gospel things. Second, and most important, I am bad at planning things! I put it off untill the last minute, then I always find and excuse not to do it.

SO, after talking to my sister, I thought I'd do Waffle Night every Monday. Yummy home made waffles with all kinds of toppings. I had visions of delicious waffles piled high with fresh berries, banana's and whip cream. Throw in a cup of togetherness and add a sprinkle or two of spirituality, and Waa-Laa! FHE!!!

This is how it went:

ME: Kids, dinner is ready. We're having waffles!

PRINCESS: Ewww! I hate waffles!

ME: What??? No you don't!

PRINCESS: Yes, I do!

CHIP: Cool, Can I have hers?

KIT: I LOVE waffles! Yay!!!

PRINCESS: Fine, have waffles. I just won't eat. I'll get on Facebook and tell all my friends how bad I have it because you won't fix me dinner!

ANGEL: I want ketchup on mine!

FUDGE: Why did you make waffles?

ME: Because home made waffles are good and I was hoping that we could all sit down together and eat a good meal.

FUDGE: Oooooo kaaayyyyyyyyyyyy....

KIT: Can I have more?

ANGEL: Pass the ketchup!

So....was it worth it? I don't know. It was a lot of work for it to back fire. I guess next week I'll try again, but this time, maybe I'll try pizza!

Beyond Oatmeal

2009-09-16T21:38:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here flipping through a catalog for Seagull Book and I see a book called 'Beyond Oatmeal.' Why this catches my attention, I do NOT know. But after reading the little description I am Laughing, laughing, laughing. Want to know why? This is what it says:

(and I AM quoting this!)

"Do you find yourself wondering if there is more to breakfast than just oatmeal? Forget your childhood recollections of lumpy, gooey oatmeal for breakfast! Let the sweet warm aroma from the kitchen wake you up each morning with Beyond Oatmeal: 101 Breakfast Recipes. Let these 101 mouth-watering recipes fill your stomach with delicious food and your souls with fond memories. Yes, there is more to breakfast than just oatmeal-much more!"
So, I'm confused. I want to know how this recipe book will "let the sweet warm aroma from the kitchen wake you up each morning." Does this cook book fix breakfast for you before you get up in the morning? Does it come with a personal chef who cooks breakfast for you? Don't you already have to be awake to fix the breakfast???

Heck yeah! This is totally worth the $4.99 if you don't have to make your own breakfast.

Oh...wait. I've got it! Maybe this is a book for teenage children to get for their mothers, or husbands to get for their wives. I don't know about your house, but I'm the only one who cooks breakfast at my house.

If you are interested, there is a beautiful picture on the cover of the book of a delicious looking waffle with berries, whipping cream and what looks like a perfect little mint sprig. Yummy! (click here to see for yourself!)

It's all good!

2009-09-15T21:28:00.000-06:00

Speaking of yesterday's post, all I'm going to say is, It's all good. Maybe this is the change I was foreseeing a couple of weeks ago. Maybe? We'll see. I'm still trying to figure out a few things before anything is final. Wow...I feel scared...and hopeful. And anxious. And did I mention scared? All at the same time. It's a mixture of feelings, swirled around all together until they almost combine into one, but not quite.

Aaaccckkkk!!!

2009-09-14T21:52:00.000-06:00

I'm giving myself a panic attack. I got the phone call. The one that always make me nervous. It's one of those calls I don't get often. The bishop. He wants to meet with me. Tomorrow evening. AAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure what this means, but I am *trying* not to freak out too much. (Trying IS the key word there!) Maybe he just wants to check up on me?

I don't know why I get so uptight about it. I have nothing to hide. After a session of self-psycho-analyzing myself, I came to this conclusion. I think it's because I'm actually scared of church callings. Yep, you heard me right. I'm a big scared-E-cat!

So, we will just have to wait and see. In the mean time, I just keep repeating; It's all good! It's all good! It's all good!

A Conversation With A Princess

2009-09-09T09:17:00.001-06:00

Princess and I were in the kitchen bottling some peaches when it happened. THE conversation I had been dreading since the day she was born. I knew it would come up one day. I knew I would be honest with her. I never tried to keep it a secret, but I wanted her to be ready to hear it when it came up.

We were talking about a friend of mine who is expecting a baby. Her oldest is 14, the same age as Princess. This friend, Nikki, is only 30. Princess was talking about how weird it seemed that that Nikki had a baby when she was 16. This leads into THE question. The one I always knew would come someday. "Mom, did you sleep with anyone before you were married?"

At this moment, my mind went in about 30 different directions. Why did she want to know? Could I be honest? Why did I make that choice so many years ago? Was she ready to know the truth? Is it in her best interest for me to tell her?

I quickly said a silent prayer to my Father in Heaven to give me guidance and I knew that I had to be truthful with her.

This was honestly, THE hardest moment in my life so far. To tell my 14 year old that her father and I had made a bad decision before we were married. I decided to tell her all of it, so there were no secrets.

I told her that her dad and I got married at 18 because I was pregnant. "With who?" she asked. "I don't know." I said. "I had a miscarriage one week after our wedding." The look on her face was confusion, mixed with surprise. "You mean, I could have an older brother or sister in heaven? I'm NOT the oldest?" she asked. I think for a minute she actually had an identity crisis. I wasn't sure what to say. I told her what I've always believed in my heart. I said, " I actually think that the baby we lost was you. You just weren't ready to leave heaven yet. Maybe Heavenly Father knew you needed a little more time to prepare for life on this earth."

She took it really well. She asked me some questions and I gave her some answers. I told her that I have always regreted my decision not to wait until marriage. I told her how hard it was to tell my parents that I was pregnant at 18. I told her how my mom cried for a week and how my dad couldn't even look at me for days. I told her how devastating it was to let my parents down like that. I told her how much it hurt me to not be married in the temple, to not have our family sealed together for eternity. I told her how important it was that she planned for a temple marriage and not to let anything get in the way of that dream.

She reassured me that she planned on having a temple marriage and that I didn't need to worry. I told her that I always planned on a temple marriage, too. If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. I told her to always pray and never let anything get in the way of her relationship with her Heavenly Father.

I think it went pretty well. This conversation was hard, but I know that it was important. She knows that the Gospel is important to me. She knows that I want Fudge to come to church with us. She knows how much I want our family to be sealed in the temple. I hope and pray that she can learn from my mistakes. If anything comes out of this, I hope it's that my children will be stronger and learn from my mistakes.

Tomorrow is Sunday

2009-09-05T20:41:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's Sunday tomorrow. It has been a few weeks since the kids and I have been to church. It seems like we have been out of town, sick, or had a family party or something that has kept us away. I am really excited to go. It is therapy, in a way, for my spiritual side. I need church. I crave church. I feel strength when I sit in Relief Society. I feel inspiration during Sunday School. I feel completed as I listen through Sacrament meeting.

The kids, on the other hand, still struggle to go. We start the battle Saturday evening, when I mention bathing AND washing their hair! They know that means church the next day. (Yes, we wash hair more than once a week, it's just that that is when they start the argument!)

Princess doesn't mind. I think she likes to go as much as I do. She is the 1st counselor in her Mia Maid class and she likes the feeling of responsibility. She has a very strong testimony and is my #1 supporter!

Chip asks at least once if he really has to go, and once he gets his YES for an answer, gives in and tries to have a good attitude about it. He doesn't exactly enjoy primary or sacrament meeting, but he sits through it pretty good.

Kit Kat and Angel are my biggest challenges! They both whine, then they cry. Then they yell and scream that they are NOT going, then finally succumb to their fate. Kit will whine and ask why she can't stay home like daddy. Then she will finally go get ready for church with a sullen face.

Angel will bawl and carry on for an hour, at least. I will fight her, I will try to console her, I will try to bribe her. NOTHING works. Finally she will agree to get ready, if she can wear jeans and not a dress! She hates dresses! When she sees me ready to walk out the door Sunday morning, she will finally settle with a skirt. (Her red/black/gold plaid Christmas skirt) and a long sleeved red shirt. She will put on her thick, leopard print tights and her black shoes. She will grab her My Twinn baby doll and out the door we head. Already 15 minutes late.

Better late then never, Right?

It Hurts A Little

2009-09-02T22:43:00.000-06:00

Fudge and I had a tense conversation yesterday. We were in a little bit of an argument about a lot of stuff that amounts to nothing. But that is when all the feelings emerge. I cannot contain them! Mostly it's the resentment I have against him for not going to church and all that. I have never told him that I resent that. I guess I am an open book to read, he's the one who brought it up. I won't bore you with too much detail. What it came down to was this. Fudge told me that he is sorry that he can't go to church for me. He can't/won't be a follower and he doesn't know if he ever will be able to accept it. (Insert the sound of my heart breaking...again) I don't know what he heard at this precise moment except for my silence on the other end of the line, but then he said, Maybe it's just not my time...I don't know.

There was also something in there about him not being able to make me happy and I would be better off with someone who could give me what I wanted. Sheesh! Nothing like fighting for the woman you love!

This is so hard. It's one of those days where I question my own spiritual strength. Am I really strong enough to do this alone until the day he is ready to do it with me? I think I am...Yesterday I knew I was.

My soul is in need some serious soothing..I've been listening to Paul Cardall all morning. It always seems to do the trick.

Change?

2009-09-02T09:26:00.000-06:00

I feel a change coming on.

I'm not sure if it is the signs of Autumn peeking around the corner or if it is due to the kids all going to school and me finding myself alone. I'm not sad to be alone, nor am I scared. I actually find it quite nice. Comforting, even, to have 3 hours a day to focus on me. But I am feeling like it's time for a change. Not a change in furniture, not a change of hair color...something deeper, more personal. Maybe it's the start of a new chapter in my life. Maybe it's just something simple that I wont even recognize at first. I don't know. I just feel....a change coming on.

All About Us

2009-08-29T15:19:00.000-06:00

I am hoping to get many, many of you to come back and keep reading about us day after day, week after week. I feel like I have a lot to say and in turn, I hope to get a lot of support from you, my fellow bloggers, strangers and friends alike.

Due to the fact that this is a new blog and you haven't had the opportunity to get to know us yet, let me introduce my family to you.

First there is me. Sundae. I love to bake breads, cakes, cookies, treats, pies, etc. I love the way the house smells when there is something yummy in the oven. I also love to sew. I am not great at it, but I have made skirts, aprons, jammies and a few quilts. It's so fun to see a project come together! It makes me feel full filled. I am an LDS mom trying my best to raise my kids in an LDS environment. I want them to know and love the Gospel like I do. I believe in hard work, honesty and always, ALWAYS trying your best. Failure in not an option. My biggest hold up is that my hunky hubby, Fudge, (because what is a sundae without hot fudge?) is inactive in the church. He grew up in an inactive family and religion has never been a priority to him. I know in my heart that one day that will change.

Fudge is a farm boy at heart. He loves to be on his Big Green Tractor and spends as much time there as possible. He raises cows, pigs and lots of hay. Did I mention that farming is just his hobby? He also has his own construction business and is an avid hunter. I don't see much of him throughout September and October. He is a great dad and tries to always make time for the family.

Our oldest child, Princess, is 14, She is very beautiful, creative and good at everything she does. She is a perfectionist and is always keeping everyone in line. She likes to scrap book, write stories, bake, ride horses and text. She is an honor student and pretty much thinks she is a princess and everyone should do what she wants, when she wants it. She hasn't realized that the world doesn't revolve around her...yet.

Our only son, Chip, is 11. He is a smart, funny boy who likes to make people laugh. He draws great cartoons and is a walking encyclopedia. He is forever keeping us informed on things we never knew we wanted to know. His vocabulary is WAY bigger than mine and I often have to look up words he is using to see what they mean. He is a history buff and I *think* he has an photographic memory. This kid doesn't forget anything!

Our next child, daughter Kit Kat, is 7. She is a tiny, spunky little thing. She is a people pleaser and a peace maker. She likes to do her own thing and is happy if you let her. She is my least snuggliest kid so when you do get a hug or a kiss from her, it's pretty special. She is very athletic and loves gymnastics but hates dance class. She is part tom boy, part pop star. She loves animals and Littlest Pet Shop toys.

The baby of the family is Angel. She is 5 and not always and angel. She was, however, an Angel of a Baby! She slept all night from the beginning and only cried if she got really hungry. She has been a great way to end our family. She is smart, funny and very emotional. There is nothing that she can't do. She likes to boss everyone around and has her mom and her daddy wrapped around her finger. She doesn't cry when she gets shots but she does when she has to go to school. Go figure!

Mmmmmmmm...

2009-08-28T20:24:00.000-06:00

Oh man don't these little carton pics of cake and cookies look good? What??? They don't??? Well...they do to ME! Yes, you heard me right! As of 14 days ago I quit eating refined sugar. You know, the white yummy stuff that EVERYTHING good is made out of these days. I have been doing good so far, but today, it hit. That 'gotta have it, oh man do I NEED it, give me some darn sugar' craving. *sigh* I'm not ready to cave in yet. Guess I'll go eat some more broccoli.

P.S. Not sure if this is worth it. I do feel a little better, but my family will tell ya, I AM GRUMPY!

Starting Out

2009-08-26T10:45:00.000-06:00

My husband and I have been married for 16 years. We were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony under a big apple tree. We were young, just 18. It seems very surreal to look back and think that one day, we were at our high school graduation, and only 2 weeks later we were getting married. Me, in a borrowed wedding dress with a big puffy veil. Him, looking so handsome in his new black Wranglers, white shirt and leather vest. He had on a new cowboy hat for the occasion. Everyone thought we were crazy. Nobody thought we would make it. Two 18 year old kids growing up too fast. Yet...here we are...16 years later.

I grew up in a nice home with a great family. We went to church every Sunday and we had Family Home Evening every Monday. I know the power and comfort in a father's blessing. I know the strength that having the priesthood in your home brings to your family. My whole life I've dreamed about being married in the temple, sealed to my true love for eternity. I still dream of it, long for it. Being sealed to my husband and children is my deepest desire. I know that one day we will get there. We will make it to the temple. I have faith...lots of it.