Building Blockers

Summer in Savannah

2011-07-20T20:00:00.000-05:00

We finally made it to Savannah. Jacob has been wanting to take me there since we were married 10 years ago. It was beautiful. I loved the tree lined cobblestone streets. They were just as beautiful as Jacob described. The best part was the bugs must have been on vacation too. He warned me about the big ones and I didn't see any.

We were able to stay in South Carolina with the Chadwick family. We had some extra driving but with the DVD player in the car we didn't mind all the money we saved. Plus being at a home instead of in a hotel was terrific.

We went to the beautiful Tybee Beach on Saturday. The ocean was so calming and as an added bonus some dolphins decided to give us a little show. They were about 20 feet away. The funny part was all the little fish that started coming close to us and jumping out of the water to try to get away from the dolphins. Landon was thrilled with the visitiors. And with body surfing the waves. Nolan was content building a sandcastle with me and letting the little wave crash on his legs. Jacob found us a couple sand dollars. It was amazing to see them still alive and their little green alge fingers moving around. After a few hours, we head to the Crab Shack. I'm not gonna lie... I was disappointed. I wanted some good crab and what I got was dry string cheese looking meat with no flavor. I hope they were just having a bad day cause I will never go back nor recommend it to others. Now the Sugar Shack down the road... Their Ice cream was delicious. A real treat to enjoy again and again. I will definately head there again.

Sunday we went to the Barnwell Branch and I looked forward to a relaxed vacation from Primary but that did not happen as planned. The Branch President asked me to "help". I got to do Singing Time. It wouldn't have been the same without being with the kids though. I was glad to be reminded of our Cumberland Branch. I miss it all the time.

Monday was the 4th of July so we headed to Savannah to River Street. We had fun walking along the cobblestone steets with all the shops lining the river. We got some salt water taffy. Jacob remember getting to watch them pull it as a child. We also enjoyed some shaved ice. It was a nice treat on such a hot day. The kids must have been having a good time cause they didn't complain. The parks in Savannah are so lovely. We enjoyed getting to look at all the houses too. They were beautiful. Really close together but the designs were amazing. We also got to witness a grandmother beating her child with her shoe too but that is another story itself that I never want to remember again. It made me really sad. So sad that I even dreamed about it. I can't believe people can treat a child that way. I am not talking about spanking. I am talking about losing it and beating a child. I can't believe I didn't stop it but I was speechless. (something that doesn't happen very often) If I had a do over, she would have been beating me with that shoe instead of him. Even after all that, we still enjoyed our time Forsyth Park. We even went and saw the home and store were Jacob remembers visiting his Grandmother. He had fond memories of their family vacations to Georgia. I hope we are building those same memories.

We went back to South Carolina for the Bamburg fireworks show. It was a wonderful evening. We were so close but still far enough away from people that we could enjoy ourselves. It seems that vacations are never long enough. We sure enjoyed getting away and being together. Next time, I want to head North! But first we have to wait long enough to forget the 11 hour drive or we might not ever go any where again. At least not by car.

Stake Activity Day Girls Royal Feast

2011-07-20T18:18:00.000-05:00

The stake hosted a Royal Feast for the Activity Day Girls. They learned about Feasting on the Words of Christ. I was asked to make a Castle Background. Here is what I came up with in a week.

I found a sheet at Goodwill that was the right shade of blue. Then using some fabric scraps that my Granny had saved I constructed a castle fit for a princess. I am glad it turned out ok. Kaelyn borrowed THE DRESS from Mallory and I did her hair and makeup. It is not everyday that Kaelyn gets to feel special but today was a fun girly day for her and the rest of the girls. I sure hope we get to use this back ground again someday for a birthday party. I am going to have to rely on my sisters and sister-in-laws to have a princess party. Kaelyn has decided she is too old and wants a "spa sleepover" for her next party.

Spring Break 2011

2011-05-02T10:59:00.000-05:00

The St.Louis Arch

Jaden Landon and Matthew wathcing movies and eating popcorn.

K,L,and N, ready to go!

Riding the Gorilla statue is something they remember doing last year too.

Granny Giving Scooter Rides.

Building the arch at the Children's Museum

Kaelyn and Nana At the Science Lab. Kaelyn got to do her fingerprints.

Nolan was totally freaked out by that dinosaur. He wouldn't take his eyes off of it.

Landon was not scared at all.... So he said!

For spring break, we hopped on my parents bus and headed to St. Louis. It was a perfect day to visit the Zoo and the Children's Science Museum. We had a great picnic lunch too. We wish Jacob could have been there. I think the highlight for the kids was getting to ride with Granny on her power scooter. We are so lucky to get to go with my family to do these fun adventures.

Our 10th anniversary!

2011-05-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

10 years... Has it really been that long? With the kids being older now we decided to head to Nashville for a weekend getaway. We stayed at the Hyatt Place in Brentwood. It was a great suite. We loaded our own mini bar with IBCs and Sunny D and other snack for when we got the munchies.

It was nice being just a couple again. We went to the movies and saw Just Go with it. We both enjoy some Adam Sandler when he is behaved. This one was a funny one and not over the top. Then we headed to the Temple. I enjoyed being there with Jacob again. It had been a while since we got to go together. We then had our traditional Date Night Roma Pizza. That place is the best! That next morning we were treated to a deluxe continental breakfast and did some shopping. We then went to visit Nathan and Karie Whitaker's new place. It was really great to see them again. On our way back to the interstate we found a Fat Mo's. (I notice that my highlights are mostly involving food.) Great Food. I think we met Fat Mo himself. He sure looked like the character on the billboard. I really enjoyed our anniversary. Nothing extravagant but a wonderful weekend with my best friend.

Easter Family Fun

2011-05-02T10:10:00.000-05:00

Easter is such a fun time. I love it because the weather is warming, the flowers are blooming, and we get to remember our Savior's triumph over death. My kids actually let us sleep till 8 this morning. That gave us plenty of time to hunt for Easter eggs and spend some time with Daddy before he left for Bishopric meetings. We enjoyed learning all about the Resurrection at church and the kids came home excited to tell us all they had talked about. Nolan's teacher, Sister Cash, sent home eggs filled with the Easter story. Nolan enjoyed teaching us the lesson that he learned in class. We then went to the Flake's for dinner and another egg hunt. This year every family made eggs for everyone else with their names on them. We personalized ours with stickers. Molly's was Super Egg with cape and all and we made Dad an anti IRS egg. He has been battleing with an audit for a while now. It was fun coming up with different ideas to suit everyones personality. That made even the adults and teenagers have to participate. We did a regular hunt too for the kiddos but they enjoyed finding their name, too.

Easter Morning Egg Hunt. Over 100 eggs hidden all over the house. That Easter Bunny must be tired!

Nolan found one of his eggs.

Beautiful Kaelyn Stopping to Strike a Pose.

Landon Showing off his last egg.

All of the cousins... for now!

Out of this World Baby Shower

2011-05-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

It is so much fun for me to party plan. Mandy had no input on what kind of a shower we gave her so as I was brainstorming with my sister Michele she mentioned that Mandy and Alex keep calling it an alien. A theme was born. This was our "out of this world" shower. Tammy made fun alien space ship balloons and Chelsea and my mom did the fruit and veggie trays. Mikayla made some cupcakes for my picks and everything turned out perfect. Michele's little rice krispie alien was too cute! We played a few games. One was a fun take on the "don't say baby" game. Tammy had some Mardi Grad headband with bobble things that looked like antennas. She put green balloons on them and who ever said baby had to wear them until they caught the next person saying baby. We made Mandy wear them the entire time. The next game was drawing a baby with your eyes closed. Most of the babies looked like aliens then each person wrote words of advice for Mandy. I am going to turn that into a Baby Alien Book. The last game was the most fun for me. I had each person send me a baby picture. I then took the pictures and altered them to make them look like aliens. Everyone had to guess who they were. Very FUNNY! Everything turned out great. Now Mandy can take the next few months and make sure she has everything ready for baby Weston.

Alien Cupcakes and Oreo Truffles

The Diaper Cake Space Ship

Mandy Opening her gifts.

Her Shower Guests

Michele's Rice Krispie Creation.

Heart Pizzas

2011-02-11T13:23:00.000-06:00

Kaelyn wanted pizza for lunch so this is what we came up with. We took some sandwich round and cut them into heart shapes. Then added some pizza sauce and cheese and topped them with little pepperoni hearts. Landon called them Love Pizzas. I call them YUMMY!

Valentine Smore Bites

2011-02-10T11:23:00.001-06:00

With all these snow days, I am hearing "I'm bored" a lot. So when I saw these Smore bites, I knew we had to try it. The kids love to play in Chocolate and I had a bag of these heart shaped marshmallows so after breakfast we got started. Here are her detailed directions http://www.crazydomestic.com/2011/02/every-holiday-my-mom-sends-my-kids.html The kids didn't want to completely cover the marshmallows so we just drizzled the chocolate on top. This kept them busy for over and hour and the only complaint I heard was that the chocolate was making a mess. That was solved when I told them when they were done they could lick it off.

Handy Husband

2011-01-23T11:18:00.000-06:00

I tease Jacob all the time that he is handy so I might keep him around. He out did himself for my birthday. He made me a bed. Not just any bed but my dream bed. It is like the Pottery Barn Farmhouse bed. He found the plans http://ana-white.com/. This lady is amazing. She takes those expensive furniture places and designs plans that us ordinary people can build like a DIY project. Ok not ordinary people but amazing people like Jacob. Now that I know he has this talent, I have tons of projects for him. My dad said he should of held out longer before he let me know how handy he was. I have always known he was great, this just comfirmed it. We have painted it white and I love it. Jacob also built Kaelyn one with storage under it. Kaelyn had fun helping him design and paint it. That one he came up with the plans all by himself. I told ya he was handy.

2011 Primary Organized (almost)

2011-01-01T14:39:00.001-06:00

There is something about a new year that gets me excited about being the Primary President. Maybe it is because I am excited about the new theme or because there are new children. (My baby is in Sunbeams this year) I think the reason for my excitment is hope. Hope for things to be better than they were the year before. Or hope that we might finally have all the callings filled (like that will ever happen) I think the biggest reason I love the new year is that I get to create all new forms and lists and things. Organizing puts me in a good mood. It makes me feel calm even if it is only that way on paper. I love to have things planned out even if it all falls apart, I feel almost ready to handle all the drama that Sunday brings. We have some great teachers in Primary and I only wish that others would except callings and feel the joy that comes from teaching these precious children on God. (Even if at times you wonder that they may be possesed by the devil) My checklist grows bigger every year but I think I am finally getting a handle on all of the Primary Responsibilities. It has only taken me 3 years. I wanted to share a few ideas just in case others need to try new ways of doing things. These are the things we are trying this year.
Choosing sticks

Primary Parent Handbook: It includes our sunday schedule, a list of the classes with teacher and room number, Explains the talk, scripture, spotlight, Faith in God Program, Activity day girls and Cub scout schedule, Note to parents, Our presidency Contact info, and the Theme for the year with mothly topics and songs that the children will be learning.

Our ward is near a military base and we get new members often so this is just a way to make sure we are keeping track of the new members and making sure we make them feel welcome.

Primary Spotlight We will be doing this during our Sharing time as a way to get to know the children in the ward better.

Substitute Information Sheet We use this is help encourage the Primary Teachers to find their own subs. All they have to do is fill out the form and ask someone to teach the next sunday. This helps the sub feel more at ease and aware of how Primary works.

Class Divisions This helps for that who are visiting or who do not come very often. We can ask what year they were born and find the right class for them. When you are running around trying to get subs and things it is nice to not have to think about this. We just refer to the chart and have no problems.

Sunday Agenda. This make sure we don't forget anything. It was embarrassing to forget the opening prayer one Sunday when the Stake Primary was visiting. Now we just follow the agenda and nothing is forgotten (Ok so we still forget stuff but this helps)

We have other things too but they have personal info on it so I can't include it. We have a Primary Callings Roster that includes all the Music Callings, Activity day Girls,and Cubscouts along with the Primary Teachers. It helps me know what callings to pray about. I keep a Calendar of Upcoming events with all Primary things scheduled. CSMP, Pine wood derby, Blue and Gold Banquet, Activity Day Girl Recognition Night, Priesthood Preview, Auxiliary Trainings, and Stake and General Conferences. Inside our teachers binders, along with the manuel, we have a list of the kids in the class with their birthday and phone number, a list of goals for the year, and a lesson schedule for the teachers to follow. I keep a master birthday list in my biner so that I can update it without going to the Ward Clerk everytime we have a new family move it. I just keep it in an excel file and it make it easy to pull infomation out when needed. I put together a list of all the Primary Workers too. We hope to do somethings special for them on the birthday week. I give a copy of all those kids turing 8 and 12 to the bishop and the counselor over primary. We have a Baptism Packet that we try to give to the children before they turn 8. It has a letter to the child and parents about what to expect, questions the children should know the answers to for the bishops interview, some fun activity pages, and a list of things to do for their baptism day including remember to bring white underwear! We also have a New sunbeams packet that is given to the nursery kids who are entering primary in January. We try to get those out in November so the parents can start preparing the children for the class change. We also have a new to Nursery letter to parents telling them when the child can start attending Nursery and some things to expect. It also has a questionare to help the nursery leader know things about the child. Likes and dislikes, Allergies and where the parent will be during nursery so the leader knows where to bring a child is there is a problem. These are some of the things that help to keep the primary running smoothly and it not take away too much time from my family.

Kaelyn's Baptism Day

2010-12-14T11:27:00.000-06:00

Jacob and Kaelyn following Jesus' example

It is amazing.One day, not very long ago, I set watching my husband hold this beautiful little baby girl knowing that she was perfect, straight from her Father in Heaven. Now what seems like only days later, I am watching that same man, slightly older but wiser, holding that same beautiful girl so perfect again because of her decision to be baptized. Kaelyn chose to be baptized and the ordinance was done on November 27th, 2010. She waited 2 months so that more of her family could be there to participate in her special day. Here are some pictures from that day.

Our Family

Nana and Papa Flake

Grandma Sue

Whitaker Family

Grandpa David and Grandma Debbie

Chadwick Family

Bishop Rees and Family

Jennifer, Paul, and Chesney

Kaelyn's Rainbow CTR Cake

Laboy Day Festivities

2010-09-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

We had lots of fun down in the hollar. We played in the creek. Camped on the coolest night of fall. (perfect)

Played with the Borowik's new corn hole boards. UK vs. BYU! Ate chili and made smores. And helped Labor by cleaning up sticks and rocks so Flake Lake can get a little closer to being completed. Jacob did his part by learning to drive the loader. He looks like a natural.

A perfect Labor Day celebration.

Card Making Madness

2010-09-04T12:07:00.000-05:00

I love to make cards. Any reason. Any season. I some times look for an excuse just to make a card. I love using my stash of scrapbooking supplies and coming up with something fun. I like to use sketches too. Just to get the creativity started. A lady in our ward is a Stampin Up demonstrator and she does a sketch every month. StampingwithJuanita if you want some ideas. My other favorites are http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/ and http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ Here are a few I made this past month.

Trusting Teachers

2010-08-13T22:11:00.000-05:00

I hope the teachers at MCES know that I left a piece of my heart with them today. My Landon is now in Kindergarten. He is thrilled. Me... Not so much. I had a moment today when I realized that my life will never be the same. Landon is growing up and I have to let go a little. I will never let go completely cause like I tell him...Even when he is bigger than me, he will always be my baby. Seeing him so excited to start school has helped me not be an emotional wreck. When Nolan and I came home, I asked him what he wanted to do now. He said "Let's clean the bathroom, Its disgusting!" That's my boy. But throughout the day he would go walking out of the room and come back and say "There's no one here, It's just me and you mommy." He missed Landon, too! Even if he just likes to pester him. I hope Landon is able to continue to love school. I have a feeling once he makes some friends, he will be able to put up with the boring parts just for those moments of fun at recess and gym. Now to make sure the girls stay away from my handsome little man. Landon does have one advantage... He has a big sister to watch out for him. From experience... Big Sisters don't let people mess with their little brothers. Kaelyn is a great big sister.

Car themed Primary Quarterly Activity

2010-08-11T15:03:00.002-05:00

I have had a lot of requests for the details of the Quarterly Activity we held back in June. We called it Highway to Heaven. Here is a overview of how it went.

Dealership Pick up their car/ customized it- Give Money & Explain Rules

Here the kids pick up their cars (small boxes with flap so they could keep their money, map, and drivers license in it). They got 5 primary bucks and a map. The Primary Bucks were for the concession stand at the end. If they acted up our police men could give them a ticket and they would have to pay a fine with the money. The map (created by my secretary ) was a way to keep track of which kids were in each group. Each station they went to the received a different color dot sticker. The policeman's job was also to put bug stickers on the cars for a later station. At the DMV we also had them decorate their car until we were ready to begin. We had crayons, markers, stickers etc there for them to use. After the opening prayer and song, we separated into groups of about 10 and sent them to the different stations

Station #1 Tire Shop A learning of Christ is a foundation of a testimony just like tires are the foundation of a car. You have to continually fill up you tires just like to have to continue to learn and build your testimony.

Station #2 Repair Shop Lights- Jesus is light of the world We had glow in the dark stickers to use as head lights. The missionaries taught this and used the scripture Matthew 5:16 to encourage the children to be a light to others and share their testimony.
*From this station to the next the kids got to pass through a tunnel to try out their newly charged head lights. (we set up the relief society room to look like a tunnel and put a black light in it to make the light really glow!)
Station #3 DMV Scriptures=Map Here they were taught about the scriptures being like a map and they were told a story from the friend After that, they had a driving obstacle course in order to get their drivers license. (My sister in law did these and they were fantastic.) The kids loved having a driver’s license with their picture on it.

Station #4 Car Wash Repentance/Atonement The counselor from the bishopric over primary taught this class and he talked about how sometime we make mistakes and our bright shiny car isn’t so new anymore but because of the atonement we can repent and be clean again. They then went to the carwash. (a blue sheet cut up and hung by the back doors) When they went through it they walked into a ton of bubbles in the back parking lot. My secretary bought a bubble machine and it did a great job. They left the car was and went straight to the drive in movie and were able to purchase things with the money left.

Drive In Movie/ Concession Stand Hot Dogs (precooked in crockpot)

Popcorn (bought big bag at Kroger and put into small brown bags)

Candy (mixed bag of candy)

Cookie (I made sugar cookies in car shape)

*We had parents bring Capri Suns and buns

To set up we made Posters to hang at each station door and then had road signs hung all around. (Speed limit, do not enter, stop sign , yield signs, etc.) We made these using poster board and clip art from the internet and the over head projector in the library ) We had traffic cones to keep the kids in the areas they were supposed to be in and a toy stop light for fun. If a class got finished before another one was ready to switch, they went to the gym to play red light green light. The DMV took a little extra time because it was packed of fun things to do. My secretary husband is into photography so he sent up a green room and took pictures of the kids as souvenirs.

They turned out fantastic! If you would like the invitations we sent out or a printable primary bucks or the road sign clip art we used, let me know. I would be happy to share.

Card Creations for June/July/August

2010-08-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

Back to School Teacher Gift

2010-08-09T11:28:00.000-05:00

Kaelyn is excited to be in third grade. She has the only male teacher in the entire school. The bad thing about having a man is that all my teacher gift ideas are too girly for a man so we came up with this. We took a Mr Goodbar and made a slipcover for it. Using all my school stickers and patterned papers made it easy. Nothing to girly and who doesn't love chocolate. Now if only he can get her to like math!

Primary - New Members

2010-08-09T08:17:00.000-05:00

We are in a ward that is near a military base. This always presents problems. Husbands deploy = wives go home for a long vacation Husbands come home = new training + new location We are always meeting new families and losing old friends. The hard part is that I am really bad with names. (not to mention all the callings I have to keep filled) On Sundays, it would be nice to be able to go and meet all the new families but I always have other things to do. As a way to help get to know the new families, I have come up with a welcome to Primary Packet. It will ask questions that should help us get to know the families and give us a way to make sure we don't let someone slip through the cracks without letting them know we are here for them. I hope this helps me be a little more organized on Sundays.

Summer Fun

2010-07-30T22:43:00.000-05:00

For the summer, I signed the kids up for the kids bowl free program. For around 5 bucks (for the shoe rentals) we can go bowling any day and bowl 2 games each. They love it. Today with it being so hot AGAIN, we decided to go. This time we invited Granny. She got to witness Kaelyn get 4 spares in a row and hear Landon squeal with delight when he got a strike. We love having Granny around. She has always been a special part of my life and now she has been given extra time to be able to make some memories with my kids too.

When we were leaving, Kaelyn was extremely excited because she bowled a 124. She was literally jumping for joy. When I told her to calm down before she hurt herself or me she said "I can't help it if I am good... That's just how I roll!" What a nut. I love that little girl.

A Barn Raising...

2010-07-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's not a barn but it looks like one. And it was definitely a raising. Thanks to my dad and his skills with the backhoe and Jacob for telling his boss we would buy it. Not bad for $400 bucks! This shed will be the starting point of my future garden. I have out grown my previous spot. I know it will be a much better spot for the garden but I think about all the time and sweat I have put in the current spot and I don't want to start over. I guess I should look at it as a way to get in shape. Gardening is the only form of exercise I don't despise. Plus it keeps the boys happy because they get to play in the dirt. I will have plenty of room for all my garden supplies and a small potting area. I hope someday to have it looking something like this. MAYBE!?!

OR This will work too.

Waiting for the slow down...

2010-06-08T08:35:00.000-05:00

Usually my life goes in cycles of slow and rather boring to really busy. Lately, it has been crazy busy and I don't see the end in site. Some of the things on my to do list keep me wishing I didn't have one. Things like painting the boys room, Plan Nolan 3rd birthday party, Summer Fun for the kids, Turn 30 (wow did I just admit to that), keep the garden weeded, Encourage Jacob to finish the patio, and teach the Relief Society Activity in 2 days. We did finally finish the Primary Quarterly Activity and that was a big check off my list. But to top all of this my Granny has had a massive heart attack and is in Critical Care not breathing on her own and it seems only medication is keeping her heart going. I am stressed to say the least. At least all of these things keep me busy so I don't dwell on my Granny 24/7. I hope she keeps fighting. She is the one person in my life that has always been there for me. Even if she didn't agree with what I was doing, she supported me because she loved me. And because she knew I would give her great grand babies someday :). I just keep praying she will pull through this and maybe take better care of herself. I did learn a few things from my Granny and growing a garden is one of them. She always had a garden when we were little. Now that she has bad health she doesn't do one anymore but she still has lots of wisdom that she has shares with me when she comes to visit.

Here is our little garden. I enjoy working in it because it makes me exercise without the mundane repetitions. I love seeing results too. The kids love helping with planing and weeding and then they love eating. We are growing Corn, Indian Corn, Romaine and Iceburg Lettuce, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Okra, Carrots, Cucumbers, Watermelon, Cantelope, Pumpkins (big and small), Green Beans, Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, Soybeans, Squash: Spaghetti, Yellow, Roly Poly, Zucchini and Cherry and Big Boy Tomatoes. We didn't have much luck with Peppers last year so I will try again next year. Maybe then I will not be Primary President and might have some time to do a better garden.

Bye Bye Junk Drawer

2010-04-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

I hate not being able to find something when I need it. Or having to stop what I am doing to get something for someone because I can't explain where it is. This drawer has been a problem for me. Too many little things that didn't have a home. Not anymore. I already had one of the organizers but I had not designated a specific place for each thing. Now every thing has a home and everyone can find it. And hopefully put it back when they are done!

Linking To:

Card Crazy

2010-04-16T17:24:00.000-05:00

I actually finished everything on my to do list yesterday, so I decided to make some cards. My sister is getting married, a sister-in-law had and baby, a freind is dealing with grief and with this many people in my family, I always have birthday cards to make. Here are a few of them.

Making Paper Flowers

2010-04-08T16:33:00.000-05:00

For the Relief Society Birthday dinner tonight, I am making a centerpiece for one of the tables. The only direction I got was "Spring?" so I am going to make mine go along with the invite I received in the mail is was simple black and white with the Theme... Past, Present, Future. To keep with the spring thing, I wanted to make some paper flowers. First I wanted it to be chic so I made my own paper using Microsoft Word. Just typed Past Present Future and mixed it up a bit to give it a nice background.

I printed 3 white and 2 black pages. The white flower I cut at 2 1/2 inch strips.

I folded them accordian style about 1/2 inch apart. This let me make 3 white flowers. I had to glue 2 strips together to make them fit into a circle. I used hot glue to glue the center circle on.

The black flowers were easeir. It took one strip for each flower. I cut them at 1 1/2 inch strips and folded them at 1/4 inch.

A FREE centerpiece. Using nothing more that my some cheap cardstock and my printer. Gotta love the glue gun too!

Science Fair Project = Check

2010-03-10T21:50:00.002-06:00

We put the finishing touches on Kaelyn's project tonight. It makes me so happy to see her excited about something. She loved to paint the tree and use the slicer to cut the headings. She is just like me. Look how neat and clean it is. I give her an A+ but I don't think it is for a grade. I think there is a prize involved. She worked way to hard for just a grade. I am sure there will be some projects with more scientific difficulty but she is young and this was her idea. Who am I to get in the way of Science? I enjoyed getting to see her creativity and I look forward to working with her on many more projects.

Update: Kaelyn got FIRST PLACE in the 2nd grade. She received a huge blue ribbon and 50 bucks. Now that is some motivation.

I actually won somthing... And it is useful too!

2010-03-06T21:10:00.000-06:00

If you want to find a really great blog to help you get organized check out Joy from JustOrganizeYourself One of her challenges was to clean your room so I got off my rear and went and did it. My room wasn't horrible but I hadn't de cluttered in a while. I did my detailed cleaning list and even cleaned the light which we call the lady bug grave yard. Those stupid things like to get up there and die. I changed out some of the pictures and it felt like I had a new room. I went back to thank her by leaving her a comment. I didn't think anything about the giveaway because I seriously NEVER win anything. A few day later... I see MY NAME on her site.

It was a big day for me. One of my favorite blogs and she now knows my name. Come to find out she is the Primary President in her ward too. Now I can't blame Primary when I am disorganized. If she can do, it I can too. At least in theory right? I love to organize things and I am starting to rub off on my kids. Landon and Nolan love to tell people their room is all cleaned up. I like seeing my kids take pride in their rooms. Kaelyn is a list maker like me. She love to check things off. Her bedroom cleaning list was one of the best ideas I have ever found. I hope you find her site as useful as I have. There are just some great sister out there. It was a JOY to find her. (sorry I had to do it)

What recession?

2010-02-25T13:25:00.001-06:00

I laugh when people talk about a recession. Why? Because like a country song I have heard says... We are so poor that we can't tell. That is not true because Poor to me is when you can't afford the basic things in life. We are beyond blessed. We have never needed anything. Wanted yes but there is a big difference between a want and a need. I love the quote by Gordon B. Hinckley~ Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." If everyone implemented that saying in their life we would not have the economic meltdown we are having right now. Mortgage madness would not exist if people bought homes that they could afford. Credit card debt would be minimal if people only bought what they needed and paid with money that they had not what they hoped to have in the future. Jacob and I have officially paid off all our debt (except the house). That included Jacob school and all those ~~stupid~~ tools he had to have. As Dave Ramsey says: "Live like no one else so late you can LiVe like no one else!" I hope that people wake up. It does not take more than one income to support a family. It takes a plan. In our case a detailed plan but we are happy and that is part of the "Real Plan".

John Deere Cake

2010-02-19T13:42:00.000-06:00

Little Molly is growing up. I can't believe my little sister is 17. I have been married more than half her life. Yes, I am getting old. We wanted to get to see her but with Nolan not 100% we didn't want to go out to eat with them. So we made her a cake... Not just any cake... A John Deere Cake. Nolan could hardly stand waiting to tell her. As soon as we walked in the door he ran to her and said " We got John Deers for you". I sure hope Molly knows how much we love her. Happy 17th Molly!

Party Ideas...

2010-02-10T19:53:00.000-06:00

With Nolan's birthday party a few months away, I started looking for ideas. I came across this blog and it is wonderful. She is even having a giveaway. If you are looking for ideas visit http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/
If you want to enter the give away go here http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway.html
I know in my family we have lots of birthdays !

Zone #2 The Kitchen

2010-02-03T14:05:00.000-06:00

It feels like Monday... mabye because Kaelyn went to school for the first time this week. We love snow days but don't get much done when we have them. Who wants to clean inside when you can play in the snow? Needless to say the house is a mess. SO much laundry from the layers and layers of wet clothes. I finished that up yesterday so today I could get back to my routine. I like to clean in Zones. It is a habit I picked up when I tried flylady. I do things a little different than her but she got me started. This week is Zone #2 The Kitchen. During Zone work I do detailed cleaning. Things I don't do during my Morning, Afternoon, or Evening Routines. These are things like Cleaning out the refrigerator, Emptying the cabinets and wiping down the shelves, Cleaning the oven, Cleaning the stove hood vent thing... You know the yucky stuff. At least it gets done once a month this way instead of who knows when. I tend to procrastinate so this system works as a checklist for me. I even made myself a checklist for the cabinets, drawers, and shelves. That way I don't miss anything and I feel like I have gotten something done. So when Jacob says what have you done all day I can show him my checklist. He might not notice that the oven is sparkling so he dosen't always see what I have been up to that day. I take a few things off the Zone list each day and add to my to do list. That way I am getting things done without burning out or letting the rest of my house get destroyed by the boys. Now to motivate my self to clean the oven. I hate that job. Even though I wipe up spills as they happen it always seems to have stuck on crud. At least cleaning is one block I have under control. Now to work on getting the kids some chores that are more challenging. Kaelyn can do all her chores is about 10 min. Time to divide up some of my chores and train her. Wish me luck!

Love is... Service

2010-02-01T21:29:00.002-06:00

It was my turn to do the lesson for FHE tonight. Since we decorated for Valentine's Day, I thought a lesson on love would be appropriate. I found a lesson on Service that I really liked. It was a sharing time but I took part of it to make my lesson about how serving others is showing love to them. I explained how Christ was our greatest example of service. I loved how it explained that even though he was The Master... He still served. I also cut out felt heart and put everyone's initials on them. I encouraged everyone to do a service for someone and leave a heart. When the person finds the heart they return the heart to that person and they give the person a hug. I don't know if the boys get it but Kaelyn sure did. She has already used all three of her hearts and got one hug from Jacob for taking his shoes to his closet. Just like it says in Mosiah 2:17 when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your god. I know that by helping my children serve each other, it will hopefully bring love and joy into our home. HOPEFULLY!

Nolan was the treat. So after dinner, we made these Heart Shaped Krispies. He made a mess but he loves to help. I enjoy having him get so excited to be my Kitchen Kid.

Meet the Blocker's.... in Snow family form.

2010-02-01T16:04:00.000-06:00

I am officially worn out. It started with a snowman. Then Kaelyn had worked really hard to roll one up so it needed a body....and a head... then we needed to make one for each of our family. That snow is HEAVY. Good thing I could pick it up with my legs or there would be a lot of big round balls outside. I guess it was worth it to see the look on the kids face when we got to add eyes and a nose to it. Kaelyn even added a pokey face to Jacob. We have enjoyed the snow and having Kealyn home from school. The snow plows just went by so I think there might be school tomorrow. Maybe the kids tired themselves out so they will go to bed early tonight. I know I will.

A White Tennessee

2010-01-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

We do not get snow like this every year but we sure made the most of it. The best part of it all was that it happened on a Friday so Jacob could be home with us to play in it. The kids enjoyed watching him roll down the hill toward the pond. I think he even scared him self. It is a pretty steep hill. Then we headed for my parents for some tubing Flake style. They hook tubes behide the truck and pull 5-10 at a time. Even the little kids get a turn. They have so much fun. I love the snow. It just makes everything so Beautiful! Even my little family looks better in the snow. j/k. Oh Yea... And I found out my little sister Mandy is getting married. It was just one of those overall great days.

Photo Frame and End Tables

2010-01-29T11:43:00.002-06:00

I love before and afters. Jacob dosen't see the point in buying something just so you can change it. I see it as a chance to get something cheap and make it look like something you would pay a lot for. Like this picture frame. I like the picture in side the picture look but hate that mat.

So I turned it into this. Perfect for Valentines day. I can change the mat anytime I need to. So cute and crafty. Plus it only cost $1.49 at goodwill.

Now for the end tables I got for $15. Yep, Two! They are a little worn but I like that look. I am thinking black and sanding the edges to give them a pottery barn type look.

Pine wood derby treat

2010-01-29T11:26:00.001-06:00

I saw this fun idea at theidearoom for a treat for the boys who participated in the pine wood derby. Someone in their pack had made these so I used the idea and made them a little cooler. (At least I think they were cool) The boys seemed to enjoy them but they were expensive to make. I should have found some cheap twinkies! Anyway there were lots of upset people cause only the 16 boys that participated got one. Even some of the dads tried to take the extras. Without asking I might add! Come on people. If I give one to you, I would have to give one to everyone. I knew that my kids would love to have one of the 3 extras. After all, they had to watch me make them and tell them that they couldn't have one because they were for the cub scouts. I get a little ticked off when people think it is their right to have something. Sometimes life is not fair. I just wish that parents acted a little more like grown-ups sometimes. Maybe then their kids would act better too.

Fun with Uncle Phillip

2010-01-18T21:08:00.000-06:00

My kids love when Phillip (Jacob's brother) comes over. He has no problem getting down on the floor and playing with them. He comes up with lots of fun games like having Landon walk on the celing like Spiderman and flying Nolan around like Superman. He and Kaelyn even played a couple games of H.O.R.S.E. I sure hope he figures out what is important in life or at least what he wants out of it. For now, we will just enjoy him and the fun he brings to the family!

Priesthood Preview

2010-01-09T09:31:00.002-06:00

One of my goals as Primary President was to start doing the Priesthood Preview again. It had been a long time in our ward so I felt I had to push to get it done. The instruction suggested to have it in November but we finally got it done last Sunday. We held it directly after the meetings so that most of the boys and their parents would still be there. We had the families bring brownies and we provided Rootbeer Floats. It turned out really good. The 2nd counselor of the Bishopric took care of the program and he bore a great testimony of how the Priesthood has blessed his life. He encouraged the boys to prepare so they can honor the Priesthood when the time comes for them to recieve it. I was incharge of the invitations so I searched for ideas... I wanted it to be something unique and fun for the boys. My husband reminded me over and over that they were boys and that I should not do anything girly. I found these on Martha Stewart and loved the idea. I only had to make 7 so it didn't take very long. I think they turned out swell.

So much for the 1-3 inches...

2010-01-07T15:36:00.002-06:00

We only got a dusting of snow but we made the most of it. Here in TN, they cancel schools just to be safe sometimes. This was one of those days... The roads are fine but it could have been much worse. As soon as it stopped snowing for a bit, we bundeled up.... (this took about 30 minutes itself) The kids enjoyed throwing snowballs at me and making a few snow angels. Then they headed for the trampoline. It was covered with snow. They jumped, flipped, and slid till they were frozen. I had to run back in the house for a change of gloves. The cloth ones just absore to much water. We have backups though. My goal for the next year is to find new snow clothes. Kaelyn has no snow boots and her jumper is to short. I told her I could chop off some of her longs legs but she didn't think that was a good idea. Landon and Nolan need some better gloves too. Some that do not get wet so fast. Then we can have some real snow ball fights. I look forward to a real snow fall. I want to tackle that hill in the pasture. I haven't made a fool of my self on a tube in years. Unless you count getting pulled behind the Halvorsens boat. It is to cold to think about that right now though. After the kids were turning red from cold, we headed inside for a cup of Warm Chocolate with Marshmallows. I can't think of a better way to have spent the day.

Let it Snow ....

2010-01-06T13:55:00.000-06:00

I know some of you are sick of snow already but we have only had flurries. My kids are dying to get to play in it. We want to go tubing down our big hill. Hopefully the pond will be frozen so we don't have to worry about stopping. We really want to build a big snowman. My boys don't remember building the last one. We also just put out all the Winter decorations. We keep the snowmen and snowflakes put away until after Christmas. That way the house doesn't seem so bare without all the Chirstmas decor. I guess my kids will have their pjs on inside out and backwards, be doing a snow dance, and have a spoon under their pillow. I don't really know where those traditions came from but if it helps bring some of the beautiful white stuff, I will have to do it too.

Primary Chair Covers... Check

2010-01-05T12:56:00.002-06:00

I love it when I finally get to check something off my to do list. I have been working on these chair covers for 2 months now. Lots of measuring, cutting, sewing, ironing, printing, and more ironing... but look at those results. Chair covers that look fresh and bright... Just like my outlook on this year's Primary Program. The new 2010 Program Outline is full of wonderful, detailed ideas to teach the children about their Savior Jesus Christ and the certainty that He lives. He is real and loves them. I know the chair covers are not a vital part of the Primary Program but they will help us get the kids in the right rows so that we can teach them the doctrine that their Heavenly Father wants them to learn. I love the Primary children and the opportunity I have to share my testimony with them. Primary is a great place to be.

My Blessed Family...

2009-12-29T11:20:00.002-06:00

I love when you can feel the spirit of christmas and not the greed that is usually what you feel. We had a simple Christmas this year. We are trying to be smarter and more frugal. We were blessed with a Christmas bonus from Jacob's employers and he was able to get a fantastic Laptop to replace the Mac. (once you have one it is hard to go back) The rest of the money was gone with one fill up of the propane tank. We wanted the kids to have a great Christmas memory so we decided to do more things for Christmas than buying more gifts. We did TONS of baking... peanut butter cup cookies, buckeyes, mexican wedding cakes, and sugar cookies cutouts of stars that we decorated and sprinkled. Plus tons of mini cupcakes. We spent lots of time with family and went to the Riverwalk and Opryland Hotel to see the light. We focused Family Home Evenings on Christ and the joys of giving not receiving. The kids were amazing. They loved the few presents they got. It showed me that we are not failing as parents. They are still grateful for things they receive. I see all to often kids who expect great things from their parents and are not grateful for them. I plan to make this a new tradition. Simplicity. Just as the first Christmas was simple and sacred, I hope our Christmases can continue to be about the Savior and the spirit of the season.

Presidency Meetings

2009-12-17T08:55:00.002-06:00

It dosen't matter how far in advance I plan these things, I am always setting here a few minutes before my counselors get here to put together the agenda and the copies of things I need for them. With it being the end of 09 and the beginning of the new year, there are tons of things to go over and talk about changing. I hope next year can be better than the last. I am so grateful to have teachers. Almost fully staffed. And to have such good people to work with. I ~~wouldn't~~ couldn't do it without them. Here is my checklist for 2010. I am making good progress but I don't think I will ever finish before the new year. At least I have all the forms and schedules done. Now to figure out if we are going to split it, which teachers are teaching what classes, and who is doing sharing time on what day. That is where I hope my counselors can help.

Great Holiday Reading...

2009-12-11T22:57:00.003-06:00

I just finished The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. Jacob calls me a dork but I love to read. I don't find many books that are worthy of my time though. I find myself starting books that come highly recommended then find it to be inappropriarate.

Most of the time it is swearing that bothers me... the last book I started Everyone is Beautiful had the "f" word twice in the first 15 pages. People...you are writers. Can't you come up with words other than those? My dad always said that people who swear are just too dumb to think of something better to say.

Sometimes the book just lacks character. I mean if it dosen't make me feel good about reading it then I don't feel it is a good use of time. I want books that make me want to be a better person.

The Christmas Sweater is just such a book. I could relate to its messages many times. I learned things about Glenn Beck that I didn't know either. I knew he was a memeber of my church but had no idea some of the things about his past. I admire him ever more now. This book not only brought the Christmas spirit, but a spirit of gratefulness and appreciation for my Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth was just a stepping stone toward his sacred purpose. To give us second chances. I am so grateful for the second chance that I was given and for family and friends that were there to lead me back to where my Father in Heaven wanted me to be.

Potty Chart Magnet Board

2009-12-09T13:58:00.000-06:00

2 down... 1 to go. Yes, I am talking about potty training. Kaelyn was easy. She just wanted to be like Chandler (the little girl I nannied for), so when Chandler went Kaelyn went and it pretty much just happened. With Landon, I bought him a pack of Lightening McQueen Underwear and told him that Lightening didn't want to have pee or poop on him so he better go in the potty. It worked for the most part and Landon was potty trained in about 2 weeks. Nolan, however, is being difficult. He found a balloon from Landon's birthday party and brought it to me and said "Mommy, this says big boys don't go on the potty". Stubbon huh? I wonder where he gets it. Now Kaelyn use to hold it until I put a new pull up on her because she wanted to watch the magic flowers disappear but that was my fault. I will never use pull ups again. They are great for night time accidents but not for during the day. They are too much fun as Kaelyn discovered. I am trying this magnet board. Nolan likes to put magnets on thing. I found the idea on ModEcoKids.com I wanted to make mine different so I pulled out the scrapbook paper and Microsoft Paint to make the title and circles. I put a thin sheet of metal behind the paper and Ta Da ... A Potty Chart Magnet Board. When he fills it up he, gets to pick a treat from the prize box. So Far so good. Santa is bringing him some cool big boy underwear so that should keep his motivation going. At least that is what I am praying for. I am done with diapers!

Staying ahead of "What's for dinner?"

2009-12-08T08:15:00.006-06:00

I hate the question of what's for dinner... It really annoys me. I have been working or trying to work all day then to have Jacob or the kids remind me of another chore I have gets under my skin. That is why I started doing the weekly meal plan. Don't get me wrong, they still ask but now all I have to do it tell them to check the board or the fridge. (Where ever I have decided to keep it that week) I made up a blank menu in word and print one out every week. Ususally on Sunday after the madness of church. That is when I can think again. To stare at a blank menu was usually unproductive so I can up with themes for each day. I found the idea in the "Family Fun" magazine. We have Mama Mia Monday (Italian), Taco Tuesday (mexican), What's in this Wednesday (Casserole or One dish meal), That's my Favorite Thursday (Switch off cooking everyone's favorite meal), Foreign or Fishy Friday (stir Fry or Fish), Simple Saturday (anything like sloppy joes), and Souper Sunday (usually a soup or stew in the crockpot). It helps me to get my ideas flowing. Then I just write the menu out and make sure we have the grocery list filled out and ready for the week on Monday. I keep the pantry stocked with the basics so most of the groceries are fresh produce, speciality things that I don't keep on hand, and restocking the things I have used the week before. When I read this it makes me sound like a really organized person. I'm not. I try to be but this is just the plan. Things come up... I have to go to church because we don't have an activity days leader... or dinner at the parents.. or being sick and not feeling like cooking so Jacob grabs pizza. I just take the plan for that day and make it the following week. Most things keep for at least a week in the fridge. Sometimes I don't make the menu plan for the week and I have to pay for it by hearing those annoying words..."What't for dinner?" This is just one of those building blocks that help to hold everything else up.

The Flake Family

2009-12-03T08:31:00.004-06:00

When I tell people that I am the oldest of 12 kids they always look at me like I am lying. Or they act like my mom was crazy. We tease that she gave us all her brain but she is one of the greatest people I know. Who else could put up with my dad? I love my family. Even with all the problems and frustrations. We are not the perfect LDS family but we are trying. Jacob and I moved to be closer to my family about 4 years ago. We wanted to be close so that our kids could be near their Nana and Papa and their aunts and uncles. Kaelyn is 7 and her uncle is 9. They are only a grade apart in school but they just act like cousins. It really messes people up when they realize Jaden is the Uncle. We enjoy getting to do the little things that we missed out on when we lived in Nashville. Little trips to the park, Sunday dinners on occasion, Birthdays, and even watching my sisters playing football. Yes, my little sister Monika is feared on the football field. Those little boys who don't want to play with girls, change their mind once they get hit. They want her on their team! Mandy started the whole football playing thing. Now Molly and Monika have followed. We are all fairly athletic. And competitive. It makes for some intresting games of "Gotcha" and Family Ping Pong. Christmas is always fun too. Just imagine little piles of presents for 14 people around the living room. My parents have always done great jobs finding presents. We learned early on that Goodwill and Thrift stores have amazing things. I actually prefer presents that I know are not new. Then it is like you have found this awesome deal that someone else is missing out on. Anyone can get a present from the store but to find a treasure makes it special. I am excited for Christmas because I get to see my sisters who are at school and working in Utah and in Virginia. We will all be together again. Time for a new family photo. This is the latest one and it is missing 2 nephews and a sister in law. Things are always changing but that is what I love about BIG FAMILIES!

Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

2009-12-01T16:17:00.004-06:00

It is amazing to me every year the number of ornaments we have. I remember Jacob and I looking at our first tree and wondering why we even got one. We had 11 ornaments. All from Jacob's mom who had put a box of his ornaments together. My mom still has my ornaments and she refuses to give them up. I guess having to put up with me as I grew up earned her a right to want to reminise the good memories of my childhood. Now I honestly don't know where we would put them. My kids have filled this tree with woulderful memories and the oldest is only 7. We might have to get rid of ornaments that my Granny gave me just to help fill up our pathetic first few Christmas tree. I love setting up the tree. We bought this tree at Sears at an after christmas sale and LOVE IT. Prelit and fake are the way to go. It cost us less that the real one each year and no fuss with the lights. Jacob has funny memories his dad messing with the lights for hours. I love our mismatched, ornaments clumped on the bottom, fuss free Christmas tree.

Beyond Blessed...

2009-11-26T07:04:00.004-06:00

I am feeling so blessed... I have a wonderful family, the best job in the world (being a wife and mom), a knowledge that this life has a purpose and that I am a beloved daughter of a Father in Heaven who knows me and wants me to return to live with him again someday. What more could I possibly want? I am so thankful to be part of a big family. I hate that everyone can not be home for Thanksgiving but it will make Christmas even more special. I also am Thankful for this time of year cause I get to put out all of my fun little decorations. Now to go gobble till I wobble and scrapbook till I'm sick of it. Told you I am beyond blessed!

Chore no more...

2009-11-25T13:09:00.006-06:00

I have always hated having to bark commands at my kids to get them to clean their room. It was like a chore for me. I don't need any more chores. I guess I never taught them to break down the job into smaller pieces so that it wasn't so hard. That is how I do everything. Smaller jobs help me see progress. And it is fun to check things off. If I look at the huge mess, I get overwhelmed. I discovered an awesome blog called MeckMom. The aritcle I loved was titled Help your kids clean their own room. She had these little chore charts and they were exactly what my kids needed.
I have never seen Kaelyn actually clean her room without being asked. She enjoys being able to clean and move the pieces to the done column. After I inspect, she can take them off the board completely. If she takes something out, she has to put the picture for it on the TO DO column so she remember to put it away. Very simple but it is making a HUGE difference. If I see something in her room that needs to be done, I find the square and put it on the TO DO column. Then I don't have to nag her about it. Jacob ask me how much time I wasted putting these boards together... If I am teaching my children to be responsible for themselves then it can't be a waste of time. By the way... It only took me a couple hours. That included the laminating or should I say contact papering.

The joys of boys... or just Nolan.

2009-11-25T05:42:00.007-06:00

I tease that when Nolan gets his first place, even if it is while he is on his mission, I am going to go and do all the things that he has done here and make him clean it up...Things like knocking over a paint can and when it starts to pour out, walk through it and rub it on every piece of furniture you can.Then walk through the house so there are little foot prints everywhere OR dump out all the contents of my purse and rip up all the receipts. OR write on the couch more time than I care to remember. OR spill some cereal on the floor and instead of telling mommy so she can pick them up...CRUNCH them. OR sneak some raisins and dump them in the cup holder and all over the couch. Then smear them in. OR POKER ANYONE? Nolan decided to dump the checkers and use the poker chips as checker pieces. I guess they were more colorful. I love Nolan so much but if he wants to see his 18th birthday, he better stop being so sneaky. Or I have to keep him in eye sight at all times. He is a cuttie though.

Food Storage

2009-11-21T10:41:00.005-06:00

With wise wisdom passed on to us by leaders of the church, the need for being prepared is now starting to show itself. People being out of work...weird food contaminations like peanut butter... and just an overall unease about the ecomony driving price up and down, I am so glad to have a food storage system that works for my family. I am not saying that I have a years supply like it has been advised because I am broke and food cost a lot if you have to buy it in #10 cans or if you have to can it yourself. I have a good 3 months supply and am constantly adding to it. I soon hope to have 4 months then 5 and so on. Slow and steady. But my wonderful hubby built me some shelves that help. Nothing fancy but so needed. Maybe someday I can convince him to build a self rotating system like this one...

Until then I will enjoy the storage system that I have and work on buliding up a bigger supply because I fear the worst is yet to come! (yes I have always been a pessimist.)

Family Home Evening Board

2009-11-16T16:38:00.004-06:00

Since it is Monday, I thought I would share what we do to keep track of who has what part of family home evening. I made this board about a year ago and it has helped. We use the sheet protector to write something to remind us what we learned and to help us remember to try and do it. The kids love to check and see what assignment is theirs. They usually complain unless they have treat or activity. Kaelyn is doing great choosing her own lesson from the Friend. I help the boys and who ever has treat gets to help me make it. They love that one on one time. I have not made it yet but I am going to put together a year plan. Nothing detailed but a general topic for each month and then more specific plan for each week. We will do this in December to plan for 2010. Each person can help choose what we do and it will give everyone an idea of what to pick for activity and song. The yearly outline will go on the clipboard. I hope all of you take the time to do Family Home Evening. I know in this busy world it is hard but they grow up so fast and if we don't teach them who know what they will learn from others. It is worth the effort. President Gordon B. Hinckley said this..."I hope, my brothers and sisters, that you are having your family home evenings with your children. You cannot afford to postpone this. The days, the months, and the years pass so quickly, and before long it will be too late. " I hope by putting forth the effort to have FHE my kids know that I think our family is worth it. Just one more building block for their future.

No more piles of Laundry...

2009-11-13T09:09:00.005-06:00

I no longer have to hear Jacob ask if he has any clean socks. I have found a system that almost works perfectly. Everyone has a bucket (just a dish pan from walmart) that as I fold the clothes I put them into. I then ring the bell and the kids come running. "CLOTHES TIME!"...Landon always screams. Even little Nolan comes and get his bucket. They take them upstair and put them away. Yes...all of Nolans clothes are in the same drawer but I put them in the right place when I pick out his clothes for the next day. It is his effort that I love. Then the bring the bucket back down and put it back in their spot. Now if I can just get Jacob to put his clothes away daily. Yes, I have to do a load a day. Whites I do every three days or so. When ever I have a full load. I love not having piles of clothes to put away. It also shows Kaelyn that if she wants to change into 3 outfits everyday she is going to have a lot of clothes to put away. She also dosen't throw her dress up clothes in there just to avoid hanging them up. It is helping make my job of Laundry duty a little easier.Check out those antique irons...My sister-in-law Tammy got them for me. LOVE THEM! Now I have to finish by painting,getting the cabinet hung, and the hanging rod in place. One block at a time right?

Kids Morning List

2009-11-12T08:09:00.003-06:00

Is there a husband out there that dosen't think their wife nags to much? Not mine so in order to stop some of the nagging around here we came up with some morning lists. The kids have to get everything on their list done before they can do any video games, TV, or toys. I always had to ask Kaelyn 10 times if she had brushed her hair and teeth yet.Now I just say get your list done. She pretty much has hers memorized now but Landon still checks it everyday. I here him in the office..."Huggles...Check...Eat Breakfast... check...Brush Teeth...Check...Do I have to make my bed?" I only have to say... Everything on the list. No more nagging, no more following the kids around to make sure everything gets done. If I do find that they haven't done something they lose free time. I know I am horrible but it is so nice to see that it is working. Even Nolan does most of his list. I have to help make his bed and brush his teeth but I enjoy helping. If you want peace in the morning, Try making a Morning List and make the kids check it.

My Morning Routine

2009-11-11T09:42:00.011-06:00

Sometimes when I say I have a morning, afternoon, and evening routine, people look at me like I am an organized freak. NOT SO! If I was organized, I wouldn't need those routines. I use the morning routine to get my day started on the right path. If I don't have something to direct me, I find I do nothing. My sister tells me that she can't do a routine cause it gives no room for the spur of the moment things that come up. I think it is the opposite. Because I have my routine, I am ready when those things happen. Like having my Granny come over and setting to chit chat for a hour or so. When I am done visiting, I can get right back to where I left off. No stress, No wandering trying to figure out what to do next. My morning routine has been redrafted more time than I can remember. I became intrested in a morning routine in High School. I never put it down on paper but I had a magazine article that I tore out of my moms magazine...Sorry Mom.

It did its job for a high school girl, but when I got married, things changed. When I had a baby, things changed. Now that I have 3 kids and one in school, I have had to change it again. This is my current routine:

Morning Routine
Rise and Shine
a. Make your bed as soon as you get out of it
b. Wake the kids: Get them started on their morning routine
c. Gather Dirty Clothes from upstairs bin
d. Start a load of laundry
Kitchen
a. Start breakfast.
b. Put dishes away.
c. Feed the family (including yourself).
Bathroom
a. Go into the bathroom.
b. Brush Teeth
c. Shower and clean the bathroom while you are in there.
d. Fix your hair and face.
e. Get dressed shoes and all.
Think About Your Day
a. Check your calendar.
b. Make your list of what you are going to do today
c. Thaw something for dinner.
d. Put laundry in dryer.
e. Hit the hotspots. If you did your B.B.R. there will not be any.
Now Think About Yourself
a. Pray and Read scriptures.
b. Exercise.
c. Now reward yourself with some computer time. Check your e-mail.Blog.
d. Find time for a little scrapbooking, reading, card making, etc.

I enjoy having routines. It is all part of the building process. One Block at a time!

My To-Do-List

2009-11-09T22:28:00.005-06:00

You would think that a to-do-list would get smaller as I check things off and complete projects, but as I do the things on my list, I find more things that need to be done so I write them down...At the rate I am going I will be completing my projects about the time my kids start to finish school. By then, I will have new ones.I love my list though. It keeps me focused and actively working on something. When I don't have a list, I wander around the house pretty much accomplishing nothing. I LOVE the song by Hilary Weeks that she did for Time Out for Women here in Nashville. She pretty much sums up my day. Have a listen below. I have a master to do list that I write all those random things that come up that I want to do or NEED to do. Then when I prepare my weekly to do list, I add some of the projects from that master list. I try to do one that I have been avoiding. Right now it is finishing cutting in the paint along the trim in the Laundry room. I try to do the things that involve work in the same Zone that I am working on. Zones come from flylady.net. I learned from fly lady but now have my own system. The sad part about all this organizing... I ususally have nothing to show for all the work that I have done through out the day. At least Jacob has spent enough time watching the kids to know why!

About Nolan

2009-11-07T19:32:00.002-06:00

Nolan is my 2.5 year old. He is my destruct-0. If I am in the kitchen, he is pulling all the board games out in the living room. If I am on the computer, he is smashing cereal in the kitchen. I joke that when he grows and has his own house (even if it is his first apartment) I am going to do all these things to him. My family would not be complete without him though. He is very dramatic and has the best facial expressions. Some of the things he says crack me up. If he has done something that was scary like going to fast down the slide he says (with huge eyes and mouth) "That was cool." Nolan like to pester everyone. He is a lot like his daddy. They know just how to bug people. Landon gets beat up all the time. Nolan just laughs. I am sure glad that Landon dosen't fight back cause I don't know what Nolan would do if provoked. I tease that he has anger issues cause he will squeeze his fists together and shake. He does this even when he is not mad. Don't know what it is all about but it makes me laugh. He is starting to relize that if he acts good he gets things quicker. Like if he wants juice or milk, he comes to me and says "Mommy, I please can have some juice. That was nice." He tells me that he is being nice. Most of the time it works though. It is hard to keep folding clothes or goofing on the computer when he is being so cute. I just wish he would stop growing so fast.

About Landon

2009-11-06T13:09:00.003-06:00

Landon is 5. He is my video game junkie. If I don't set a timer, he will play all day. He enjoys cars, truck, spiderman, batman, and all that other boy stuff. He hasn't started enjoying sports yet but he likes to kick the soccer ball around with his dad. He enjoys helping me in the garden. In order to get him to do the important things like brushing his teeth, eating breakfast, and getting dressed, we started a to do list that he must do before he can play video games. It is amazing that I don't have to nag him anymore. When he asks to play the xbox, I just ask him if he has finished his list and when the answer is not yet he know what my answer is. I only get to have Landon at home one more year. He starts kindergarten next fall. He can spell his name write most of it and is actually intrested in learning for the first time. He will set down with me to work on "school" when Nolan is taking a rest. This is his "mommy time" and he seems to love it. I know I do. He is so funny when he learns something new. It is all he talks about for days. I sure enjoy that little boy!

About Kaelyn

2009-11-03T19:32:00.005-06:00

Kaelyn is 7 years old . She enjoys talking on the phone, listening and singing Hannah Montana, collecting Littlest Pet Shop animals, and pretending to be a little diva. She has 4 pets now. 2 bunnies named flip flop and patches and 2 birds named blue bell and sunshine. She is in 2nd grade and is doing great in school. Last year, she got in trouble quite a bit for talking but now she is one of the best in the class. She has a great teacher who makes class fun. She is very helpful around the house if only I could get her to keep her room clean. She needs help in that area often. But I can't always blame it on her... Her brothers help make messes. I never thought I would have a girly girl but Kaelyn is just that. She likes dressing up, putting on make up and worrying about what she is going to wear. I am not looking forward to her growing up but I think I will just have Jacob buy a gun to keep the boys away. Or I could just lock her in her room and never let her out! I love her very much and hope she know that she is a choice daughter of Heavenly Father. Maybe I can help her grow to be a Young Woman who knows who she is and what she stand for. That is my goal at least.

Blocker family

2009-11-02T08:56:00.005-06:00

I love being a mom. I find my family to be my greatest joy. I have a wonderful husband who works hard so that I can stay home with our kids. Jacob and I have decided that our children are more important to us than having two incomes. Of course, we have lots of wants and wishes that we can't afford but never anything that we actually need. I know We have been blessed by our Father in Heaven who requires us to put our families first. I have a quote that I like to read sometimes when I feel I might be struggling... President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these little ones.
Take care of your little ones, welcome them into your homes and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. "They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried. Never forget that" This is why I have called my blog "Building Blockers." I feel it is my calling here on this earth to build my family to be righteous followers of Christ and to help them become everything that their Father in Heaven wants them to be. At least, I'm trying.