Happiness: By Julie

Only have time for a few pictures

2009-10-12T17:29:00.004-06:00

Little Chef

2009-03-13T10:16:00.004-06:00

Rhett is really growing up. He loves to help me in the kitchen. He calls it making. He is the best maker. He can even make his own sandwich without any help.

Cute little Cart

2009-03-13T10:12:00.002-06:00

My parents got me this cute little cart for Christmas. It is perfect to hold lots of my books. I love it. Thanks mom and dad.

I finally got Cabinet Pulls!

2009-03-13T09:58:00.004-06:00

For the first time in my married life, I finally have cabinet pulls! Thanks to my dad for putting them up. They really dress up those builder-basic cabinets. I really want to paint the cabinets a nice ivory, with maybe a stain or glaze over them. Richard is so against the idea, that it is most likely not to happen. With our house value in the dumper, the probability is that we will grow old and gray in this house. So maybe he will soften with time.

Okay, If you want to laugh your pants off . . .

2009-02-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Go read Michelle's latest blog post. Seriously!

Hello!

2009-02-06T16:21:00.002-07:00

So, I am the worst blogger ever, but if you want to see what I am up to, go check out my sister's blogs. On the sidebar, Val and Mikelle. They are much more organized and up to date than I am. You can even see pictures of me and my family. Thanks, Guys for enabling me to be such a slacker.

Kiva

2008-12-22T23:40:00.002-07:00

Richard and I saw a program about micro finance on PBS a few months back and we both were so touched that we knew we wanted to get involved. Now we help people in developing countries to build profitable business and care for their families needs. We use Kiva. Check it out at kiva.org This is from their website:

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website. By enabling people to connect with and make personal loans to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world, Kiva is revolutionizing the fight against global poverty. You can make a direct loan of as little as $25 to an entrepreneur to purchase business-related items such as sewing machines or livestock. This can dramatically improve the life of an entrepreneur and his/her family, empowering them to earn their way out of poverty.

Quirky Tag

2008-10-27T18:36:00.007-06:00

I hope I can do this tag before I have to do some real life stuff. It's supposed to be 6 quirky things about me, I'll see how far I can get. Here goes.

1. I am addicted to Masterpiece Theatre. I know, "geek alert" I record it every week. I adore DVR.

2. I wash my dishtowels/rags with bleach separate from any of the other laundry. That is the only household chore I am particular about.

3. I never, ever read jacket covers and I hate it when someone tells me too much about a book or a movie before I read/see it.

4. I have a passionate dislike for Hooters and won't even let my husband go through the drive through to get wings. He can't even buy Hooters brand frozen wings. I am that serious.

5. I look at my food carefully and watch my fork the whole way from plate to mouth.

6. I have never had acrylic nails. I think they look nice, I just can't. It would be like my fingers couldn't breath or something, and I'd be trapped cause I couldn't get them off.

How Cute are my Kids?

2008-10-18T15:12:00.004-06:00

Me and Rhett at the pumpkin patch. Freezin.

Landen agreed to be the astronaut after Braxton told him how cool it was.

Rhett was happy to be a pilot.

No time to Post

2008-09-04T01:01:00.013-06:00

So I'm beginning this post with this crazy photo from 2 summers ago when our local library had a princess and pirates party. Of course when I wanted to take a picture, the kids decide to attack the unsuspecting baby. I'm posting this to show how time flies and how wonderful all the little moments are in our life The rest of this is a summary of our entire summer not in chronological order at all, but hey I had a few minutes and it's all good stuff.

Education Week at BYI a treasured summer tradition. I will always remember 2008 as the year I brought my kids suitcase and left all my clothes with them in Boise. Yes, I survived 4 days all on borrowed clothes. Those 4T jeans shorts and t-shirts didn't cut it, especially not the Diego briefs. I have been a little frazzled this year, and this was the proof. I am so excited for some routine and quiet time.

What would summer be without Cub Scout Day Camp. This is my third year in a row, as leader, what will I do next summer? Braxton, ever difficult to impress, enjoys the alchemy lecture.

July 4th, at the Ross's, this year, I'm happy to report, we didn't blow up anything, or anyone.

In July I went to Kansas City for Usborne National Convention. I do love a girl trip, we had a blast.

I set a goal to become a supervisor, and by Aug. 1st I had promoted.

When Richard told me we were getting a boat, I'll admit, I was less than thrilled, but after just one Saturday out on the lake with my family, away from electronic devices (does a fish finder count?) I am a fan. We have a great time.

Here's baby Kensley, she was at the party too, just didn't make it into the group shot.

I just think it is so cool that you can have a great party with just your cousins and your siblings. They are a great bunch of kids.

Rhett, turns 3 this summer, yeah for the pool party. One word, adorable. I can see that he will always be my baby, and my advice is, if your youngest isn't a snuggler, you better have one more.

Landen, the coolest, most uninhibited kindergartner around. This kid has no hangups or fears, rejection, separation, performance anxiety, bring it on. This is one cool kid.

First Day

2008-09-04T00:48:00.002-06:00

We were all excited for the first day of school. Rhett packed up and walked over to school with the rest of us and after they were all settled in class, we walked home and he felt complete. He started pre-school this week and really loves it. I can't believe I am to the point where I have a few hours a week sans kids. I really need it. You can check out Rhett's first day on Nicole's Website. Poor fourth kid, I forgot to take his picture, I was just so excited to get to the mall. All is going well.

On a sad note. My best friend Lisa lost her mom this past weekend. We will be at the funeral this Saturday, sending love to the Perkes family. Life is just so fragile. Call someone you love today.

Puppy Love

2008-07-22T07:24:00.002-06:00

Anyone who knows me will find this very hard to believe, but we now have a family dog. He is an indoor dog, which I did not realize existed until I moved out of my home town. Where I grew up, all dogs were free, as in, they didn’t cost money to purchase. They were given to you by a neighbor trying to get rid of their puppies. They also were free to roam around the whole neighborhood. No one had fences, and dogs never came in the house. It took 13 years of begging and pouting for my husband and four sons to wear me thin enough to agree to get a dog. As I knew would happen, I am the one who gets up with the dog at the crack of dawn, I am the one setting his schedule, house training and feeding him. I even pick up 75% of the poop. The boys swore they would pick up all of the poop before we got the dog. As a result, the dog loves me best, and cries when I am gone. This morning Ollie and I were having our morning nap. He wakes up between 5 and 6, so we are ready for a nap at 7:30 when Richard leaves for work. Ollie was asleep on my lap and Richard bent down to kiss me good-bye. Ollie sprung from his sleep and went into a barking fit. So my new BFF is either jealous of my husband, or trying to protect me from his romantic advances. Isn’t he cute?

Crazy Food Storage Shortage

2008-05-27T17:00:00.003-06:00

I'm beginning to get a little concerned. Despite the fact that I have been Mormon my whole life and heard the council to get a years supply of food stored up, I have never really done it. Now things are going to heck in a hand basket and I'm really wishing I had been a little more obedient. I'm curious if other parts of the country are having such a shortage as we are here in Boise. We have had to disband our monthly dry pack canning in the ward because our cannery will only allow us to purchase 50lbs per person, per day. And they are usually out of things like wheat, and rice unless you wait in line for two hours before they open. I decided to add up the total cost for a family of 6, one year supply of only wheat, flour, rice, oatmeal, milk, sugar, salt, oil, beans. $2,200. I sure would like to put my economic stimulus check toward some dry goods, and do my part to stimulate the economy, I sure hope it works. Anybody want to go in on a wheat grinder?

The Host

2008-05-21T23:55:00.003-06:00

Okay, I know all I ever talk about is books, but what can I say, they are my life. So I finished the new Stephenie Meyer (sadly, we are not related) "The Host." I loved it. The range of genres I enjoy nearly rivals the types of music I like. I am a huge fan of Sci-fi, and this one really delivered. I had no problem "buying" the premise of the book, and as usual, our BFF Steph, gave us captivating characters that make us laugh, and cry and fantasize. While Jared is no Edward, you can easily enjoy the chemistry in this novel. I also enjoyed the way the love triangle was resolved and unlike the "Twilight" books, we were not left hanging. I don't have an unquenchable thirst for a sequel. I do think this would make a fab movie even my husband would enjoy.

New Calling

2008-05-14T23:21:00.002-06:00

Well, if you thought I never blogged before now, it's about to get worse. I was just called as 1st counselor in the RS pres. Sadly, I can't even find my camera to upload the pictures from the pinewood derby or the blue and gold banquet. I am having a lot of fun and enjoying my work and family, so that's the 30 second update.

The new Sense and Sensibility

2008-04-24T02:27:00.002-06:00

Masterpiece has done it again! I loved the new Sense and Sensibility aired on PBS a few weeks ago. The actors had such chemistry. The sister bond was painfully realistic, and the tension between the lovers was crazy. I was more emotionally vested in this one than the Emma Thompson version, a must see if you missed it. It's available on Netflix, just look for the 2008 version.

I can't believe it

2008-04-24T01:50:00.002-06:00

I am actually posting, and it has been so long I really don't know where to start. I'm sure no one reads my blog anymore anyway, and I don't blame them, seriously, over a month without one post! It is 10 minutes to 2 am so I'll be brief and say that things are going great. We are all healthy and happy and business is good. Maybe next month I'll have time to download some pictures off my camera.

We had a nice visit to Blackfoot to wish Jake well as he leaves for his mission, and can I just say, he is one amazing guy. I got a little choked up when he got up to speak Sunday and was so witty and charming, cause he's my baby brother, and it really caught me off guard to see him as a total adult, even wearing his whites. He went to the MTC this morning, hope my mom and dad are holding up. They should be proud though they raised some really fab kids.

Trip to St. George

2008-03-17T20:34:00.009-06:00

Sadly, I have no time to blog anymore, so this will be a quick bunch of pictures from our trip to visit the Boulter's in St. George. We had a great time, the boys loved being together and Michelle and I had a great time. Blake was a saint watching the kids more than a little bit. The drive was way easier that I had imagined. It was a great trip. Landen and Rhett on the swings at the fab new park in St. George.
Korbin and Landen on the awesome playland. Note the cushiony "turf" easy on bare feet.
Ryker, Braxton and Brekkon quickly discover the dirt mountain, by the end they even had Rhett up there. Can you picture Michelle's washer after a load of clothes from seven very dirty little boys. Not pretty. I have never done so much laundry on a vacation before, if you could measure fun by the dirt level of the kids, they were off the charts.
Michelle and I doin biznas, we had a great time at her Usborne kick off party.
The boys on the playstation, only Rhett is missing from the frame, he is off to the right. It was a marvelous pack of boys.
Our hibachi chef.
Michelle and Julie, girls night at Samurai 21. I didn't get a picture of bookclub the next morning, but we discussed "Book of a Thousand Days," by Shannon Hale. Loved it.

2008-03-10T18:09:00.001-06:00

55 words

Speed test

Book of the Week

2008-02-16T15:25:00.002-07:00

My new favorite book of the week is: The Big Book of Fantasy Quests. It is 128 pages, and under $15! I got this one for my boys, but I adore it. The art is fantastic, and the quests are clever and fun.

I'm like a kid in a candy shop everytime a shipment of books comes. The kids love it too. We had two big boxes arrive Tuesday and I didn't open them right away. I went upstairs to tidy up, thank heavens I came back down quickly, my two boys 4 and 2 and their two cousins 5 and 2 each had their own steak knife and were sawing through the boxes. "We just really wanted to see the new books, Mom." Like mother like son.

No children or books were harmed in the story above.

Miss Austen Regrets

2008-02-05T02:03:00.000-07:00

I was a bitter sweet movie for me. In "Regrets" I really enjoyed how witty and fun loving Jane seemed. I loved catching glimpses of the places I visited last year when I was in England on my Jane Austen trip.

It was so sad that she could never find any man to truly love, and also heartbreaking for her to die so young. At the end of the movie when Cassandra is burning letters she quotes an actual letter she, Cassandra, wrote to Fanny describing her despair at the loss of her beloved sister. The letter is on display at Chawton Cottage in Alton. I have the great joy of being able to say that I visited there and read the letter myself. As I read that letter tears poured down my face thinking about how much I loved my own sisters and how much I would miss them. I stood in the hallway and copied on a receipt that was in my purse, "I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself." Could there be a more touching tribute?

The best part of the movie for me, was remembering my feelings from my visit to Jane's Home, truly a highlight of my life.

Tending Roses

2008-01-30T16:46:00.001-07:00

Our book club book for January was "Tending Roses" by Lisa Wingate. The best part of the book was the pearls of wisdom the Grandmother shared in her journal. Our favorite was, "The best times in my life were when the roses grew wild." We all realized that just because we might not have tons of personal time to explore our own interests and hobbies, this crazy, wild time when our children are little will be looked back on as the best time of our lives. Many of the girls were a little choked up during our touching discussion, and I think all of us were inspired to be better mothers.

Thanks to Shimber for choosing such a heartwarming book, and for her clever twist on pot pie, and the fantabulous almond shortbread.

My New Pet Project

2008-01-30T15:37:00.001-07:00

I am so excited about this wonderful Children's Book Company I have discovered. It is Usborn Books at Home. I am so in love with their books, I have become a consultant. It's two of my favorite things, books and my kids!

Richard was quick to point out my less than stellar success as both an Avon and Pampered Chef rep., but once I convinced him how excited I am to share these books, he became his usual supportive self. In true Richard style, he made sure I ordered the biggest and best start up kit they offered.

So . . . go check out my new website at http://www.juliesbooks.com/

My featured, favorite product of the day is the multiplication wrap ups. These are way cooler than boring old flash cards. It's like a game, you can race your kids, or as a whole family all while learning the multiplication facts. It is self correcting, and a little bit addictive.

FYI

2008-01-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Jake got his mission call to . . . . .drumroll please . . . . .

Houston, Texas

Do they let missionaries wear cowboy boots?

My New BFF, Dr. Oz

2008-01-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

So, funny thing. My mom got Val and I both Diet books for Christmas and Mikelle a cookbook. Hmmm, you know you have a good relationship with someone when they give you a diet book and you are happy, because they know you so well and that is just what you wanted.

Mom is aware of my commitment to getting and staying healthy in 2008, so she got me the new Dr.Oz book "You on a Diet." I read it the week after Christmas and really loved it. I like that it is so scientific and not gimmicky. I think the advice is practical and sound. The focus is not really on how much you are eating so much as eating the right foods. The goal is to control your hunger so you don't feel deprived. Now, my scale bit the dust right around January 1, so I don't know if I have lost any weight following the program, but the focus of the book is really about waist size, not weight anyway. I do feel that my muffin top is beginning to loose its fluffiness.

The whole plan is available on the website including menu plans and shopping lists, so cool and helpful, but I still recommend reading the entire book (you knew I would) even if you just get it from the Library.

Here's a quick tip from the book, "1/2 tsp. of cinnamon each day has an insulin like effect, enhancing the satiety center in your brain while also reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels." Who knew that tons (1/2 tsp. is quite a bit in one dose) of cinnamon can make you feel satisfied. I've been putting it in my oatmeal each morning, but may start splitting it and doing 1/4 tsp. in my afternoon yogurt as well as morning oatmeal.

Check out http://www.realage.com/ for a fun test, cool tools and all the program info.

Meyer Family Top Ten of 2007

2008-01-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

10.Rhett turns two and develops a love for cars

9.Landen starts preschool and has his first crush.

8. Richard becomes the Automotive Sales Manager at the Idaho Statesman.

7. Julie starts working at the hospital as a baby photographer.

6.The family has a blast camping a few times this summer.

5. Richard gets a new motorcycle.

4. Ryker earns his bear in scouts. (this picture is of him as a wolf, but you get the idea.)

3. Julie goes to England with her girlfriends.

2.Two new baby cousins, Deakan in June . . . .

and Kensley in December!

1. Braxton is baptized this November.

From the Mouth of Babes

2007-12-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here is Landen age 2, already "cracking" us up, wearing Mr. Potato heads glasses.

Today after answering Landen's simple question three times, we have the following conversation:

"Landen, I know you understand what I am saying, you are a very smart boy."

"Mom I am very smart at talking, but not so smart at listening.

-I laugh out loud

"Mom, do I crap you up?"

"Yes, son you do."

Book Club

2007-12-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

I have been a little bit of a slacker, blogging about my book club. Here is a quick catch up, but I promise to devote a full post to all future meetings. If I can ever weasel the recipes out of there girls, I'll also post some of the fabulous menu items.

Dec. "The Giver" always a great discussion over Tortilla Soup and Corn Pudding
Nov. "The Thirteenth Tale" crazy fascinating book, delightful creamy potato soup and fancy green salad.
Oct. "I Capture the Castle" quirky family, a tiny bit sad, great stuffed bread loaf and another fabulous, fancy green salad.
Sept. "Jane Eyre" a classic must read even good the second time around, great Baked Potato Soup in a bread bowl. (I actually got the soup recipe) will post soon.
Aug. "The Princess Academy" fun easy read, Cucumber sandwiches and Strawberry Salad
July "Twilight" If you haven't read this yet, run out and get it. Lovely bacony tarts and chicken salad croissants.

True Confessions . . .

2007-12-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

I have an addiction problem. No sooner had I given up my Diet Coke habit, than my new addiction began to rear its ugly head. Yes, its a kid's computer game. I love U.B. Funkeys. I spend way to much time trying to get trophies and earning coin to decorate my pad. This new obsession combined with my inability to stay up late (due to the lack of caffeine-see Richard's blog for a handy solution to this) has really damaged my blogging productivity.

I share this with you not only for your support in overcoming my new habit, but if you need a great gift for kids age 5-16 the UB Funkey starter set is under $20 at Walmart. The add on funkeys are $5. Sadly we have all the common, available funkeys. If you know how to get your hands on a Glub, Sprout, or Wasabi before Christmas, please contact me immediately.

Christmas Time

2007-12-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

We are really feeling in the Christmas spirit this week because we have had so much snow. The kids had a great time making this Texas style snowman.

The kids get into the holiday spirit with a little holiday decor. When I told Landen he needed to wear a shirt, he said "Mom, today I am just going to wear a belly."

Baby Kensley

2007-12-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Baby Kensly arrived as perfect as can be last Tuesday afternoon. Baby and mother are both doing well. Follow the link to see pictures. The password is Ross
http://www.our365.com/webnursery/webnursery/Baby/BabyPageDirect.aspx?CID=0018137632

Farewell my Dear Friend

2007-11-26T01:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true. I have given up the juice. I have been dry since Nov. 11, 2007. Wish me luck in my constant battle with my addiction. The more people that know about my commitment, the less likely I will be to sneak a drink, because I will not want to appear weak and embarrass myself.

I knew I had to put a stop to things when I found myself at the door of the church, reaching for the handle with my free hand (the other being almost always occupied holding my 44 ounces of nectar.) Yes, I almost took my soda into sacrament meeting without realizing it! Now I have taken soda into the church building on several occasions, such as Super Saturday and Den Meetings, but I really had to get a grip.

This new development may effect my blogging and other late night computer activities, but I am going to try.

Braxton's Baptism

2007-11-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

Braxton was baptised this Saturday. It was a really great day, I was so proud of both Richard and Braxton. I can't believe that half my kids are past baptism age! Brax hates attention, he was a really good sport.

My Eclectic Taste

2007-11-20T23:51:00.000-07:00

Richard and I had such a fun time at the Evanescence concert tonight. The Statesman has a suite at the Quest Arena which makes it double fun to go to events. The lead singer really has an amazing voice, so powerful live, and she is an excellent pianist as well. Sick Puppies opened for them and they were real crowd pleasers. Afterwards I was thinking about all the types of music I enjoy and I enjoy such a diverse range of styles, I may be the most eclectic music lover I can think of. Here are some CD's I own:

Christian Contemporary

Classical

Lyrical Rock

Pop Rock

Country

New Age

Adult Contemporary or whatever category Joshie belongs

Retro/Disco whatever

Instrumental

I also like songs by U2, Nickleback, One Republic, The Killers, and Coldplay. Ah yes, and my American Idol

Statesman Halloween Decor

2007-11-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is a small glimpse of all the cool things they did at Richard's office on Halloween.

Don't you just love Professor Umbridge's office? Where did she find those great cat plates? These are some of the characters from the hall of portraits.

Moaning Myrtle

Lilly Potter

Harry and one of the Dementors unmasked.

For a good laugh

2007-11-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't checked out my husband's website lately, you really should. He has some really great health tips. http://churd.blogspot.com/

Halloween

2007-11-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Richard's whole office at the newspaper decorates the entire building every year on Halloween. Each department chooses a different theme and the decorate and dress up accordingly. They bring in kids from boys and girls club and all the employee kids to trick or treat. Well I must say that the advertising department ROCKS every year (well at least both years we have been living here.) This year they did Harry Potter! They really transformed the place. When you walked in it was the great hall set to dine with owl hanging from the ceiling. They had a Hogwarts Express with train tracks leading "yikes" to Azkaban! Richards team had set up an Azkaban spook alley and they all dressed up as Dementors. If you escaped safely you got to see the hall of portraits. It was so clever, they set up a screen in front of the salesmen cubicles that looked like a castle wall with picture frames and "windows" where they could look out, and pass out candy. They were all dressed as deceased wizards and witches, my fav was Lily Potter! There was also the hospital wing, and loads of famous witches and wizards milling about. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids! Alas, I was so enchanted that I left my camera in the car in the parking lot, but I am going to try to get a hold of some pictures somehow.

On Halloween I was finally able to coax Rhett into the Tin Man costume I made for Ryker when he was almost 3. I used the same strategy on them both. I convinced them it was a robot costume. I still need to get a good one of him with that hat on. It was really quite adorable.

"Diego's" Halloween party at pre-school the day before Halloween.

Carving pumpkins the Monday before Halloween.

The pumpkin patch the week before Halloween

Me and the boys, at the ward party three weeks before Halloween.

Hazel's Baby Shower

2007-10-23T14:14:00.001-06:00

Last Thursday we had a baby shower for little Hazel. It really was so much fun. Richard decided to expedite his painting project and painted my whole kitchen, dining and living rooms while I was at book club on Tuesday night. It is a really warm gold.

I had a lot of fun putting together a name that tune game in which all the titles had the word "baby" in them. I used napster to get all the songs, and only had to play one second of each song, one point of title and one point for artist. Poor Mikelle didn't win a prize try as she might.

The Cottage Dresses up for Halloween

2007-10-23T10:22:00.000-06:00

Val and I had fun making these front porch decorations this year. We scavenged the yard of an abandoned old house to find these dead twigs. I used the pot already on my porch and a jack o lantern I have had for years. The pumpkin lights were $2.50 at the dollar spot in Target. Total cost of this darling project $2.50!

Our garage is in the back of the house, so when we come home, it is all we see. Last year I found this cute idea in a magazine and it was worth a repeat this year. Next year think I will flank the door on both sides with some corn husks and pumpkins, maybe add a few bats. The fence is black duct tape and the animals are black foam sheet, cut into shapes. If you try this, be sure to cut the vertical tape at the door joints so the door can flex open easily.

New Halloween Tradition

2007-10-11T18:34:00.000-06:00

This was our family night project this week. I had to take a picture quick because the boys wanted to eat it the minute it was finished.

I found some really cute Halloween printables on http://www.familyfun.com/

Sept. Mavens tips

2007-10-08T22:27:00.000-06:00

Val-Mint 3 Musketeers and Candy Corn Hershey Kisses, two great new treats.
Jana-This weekend is the Kiddie Kart, huge garage sale of only kids stuff Sat at noon is 1/2 price. Cloverdale to Executive turn right, follow signs.
Julie- Certain Dry sweat eliminator and Hercules Hooks available at Walmart.
Ranell-Clean your microwave by boiling a glass of water to steam and loosen grime then wipe clean.
Tiffany-Put a hold on any book you like from any branch library and they will hold it at Ada County.
Christina-Fall bulbs! Now is the time until the ground freezes. Refrigerate bulbs for at least 2 weeks then plant away in the spring, if you forget. You can buy Skagit Valley tulips online. Don't buy squishy or brown bulbs and pass on the mold. If your water isn't on when they flower, please water or they will die fast.
Mikelle-If you wear your hair in a wet ponytail each day for more than two weeks, you probably need a haircut.
Rebecca-Tillamook Ice Cream is awesome, get it at WinCo. Udderly Chocolate is to die for.
Lisa-To motivate yourself, on a giant wall calender red X each day that you do your "goal." Don't break the chain!

Lillywood Cottage from the inside

2007-10-08T21:54:00.000-06:00

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and Richard has offered to paint the whole downstairs. I am so excited, because the only painting done in this house is all upstairs.

The kids bathroom was the first room I painted. I really do love these hooks. The orange washcloth is missing today, but you get the idea.

I drilled these frames and pulled the ribbon through. This is the second room I painted, chocolate brown . . . .

and red. This is the TV room, and Richards pride and joy, the 60 inch baby. I think I need to tone down the white built in, maybe with a wash, or paint it altogether. The trim and crown moulding in this room are white as well. Any suggestions?

I snatched up these tins from "Graples" and lucky for me because a few ladies I know have been looking for them for the past few months and sadly, no floral tins.

This is downstairs in the kitchen. I'm almost decided on a gold paint pulled from the stripe in the valance. I fell love with this wooden m from "The Red Dresser." I think I may have started a collection.

Then I found my new favorite M. It was in a set of four that spelled "HOME." For a month or so I begged the store owners to break up the set and sell me the M. You can imagine their reluctance as this would leave someone with "HOE." Finally they conceded, and smartly so, because my mom bought the O, leaving a much more polite "HE" or "EH." More to come after the big painting frenzy. . .

New and Fun

2007-10-01T21:24:00.000-06:00

This darling book was one of my favorite birthday presents this year, though it is hard to compete with my new Jane Austen action figure! I found this book on my birthday date with Richard (dinner, Barnes & Nobel.) It was in the bargain section and really a perfect steal for under $6.

I am full of excitement to try some of the recipes and ideas in the book. It is truly delightful. Autumn is my favorite season. I have an theory that everyone's favorite season is the one that their birthday falls in. Please feel free to support or undermine my theory whichever the case may be.

Now I am excited to check out all the sister books to this little treasure. www.susanbranch.com

2007-09-24T17:17:00.000-06:00

Your 80s Hunk Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's" Your 80s Hunk?

Thanks for this quick and funny quiz Megan!

2007-09-24T16:51:00.000-06:00

Today's bonus chore was to clean out the beater bar under the vacuum. Val and I have twin Dyson vacuums, hers is yellow and mine is purple. After using hers on cleaning Monday for a few weeks, I had to get my own. We love our vacuums and treat them with TLC.

My recipe today isn't a crock pot recipe, but it is almost as easy. I have these wonderful neighbors who have been to Thailand a bit. They are always making this amazing Thai food and bringing it over to share. Sadly, they are moving to Thailand within the month. So I'm going to have to start cooking my own "curries" as Becky Bloomwood would say. After last weeks super yummy dish, I asked them for the recipe and tonight will be my first time trying it on my own. If anyone is brave enough to visit "The Bangkok Emporium" (or your own local Asian specialty store) and look like a complete idiot asking for help choosing a fish sauce and locating the mouse poop peppers, here's a great recipe for you!

Gaang Kiaw Wann (Sweet Spicy red curry)

4 oz red curry paste (I'm using Maesri brand prik khing curry paste)
13 oz coconut milk
1 lb diced raw chicken breast
3 T sugar
1/4 c fish sauce
8 oz baby corn
4 oz water chestnuts
4 oz canned bamboo shoots
6 lime leaves
3-6 mouse poop peppers (new guinea peppers)
jasmine rice to serve with

Dice and smash the peppers with a mortar. In a large sauce pan bring to a boil milk and curry paste and pepper mash. Stir constantly and don't allow to scorch, blend very well. Add chicken sugar and fish sauce, boil 5 minutes covered. Mix well each time you add ingredients. Add vegetables and leaves and simmer at least 2 minutes. Serve with rice.

2007-09-23T23:03:00.001-06:00

My birthday outing with my sisters was really fun. We went to the Cheesecake Factory and I had the crazy carrot cake cheesecake. Then we just shopped and goofed around. Deakan was so adorable at the baby gap, I just had to get a picture. The funniest thing was that we parked at Dillards on one side of the mall and ended up at the Cheesecake Factory after the mall closed. We couldn't cut through the mall and we had to hike all the way around the whole mall parking lot in the dark. Val is "heavily burdened" and at one point I didn't think she was going to make it. The second funniest thing is that we decided to stop by Albertson's because their cereal was $1 a box. So we had like 50 boxes of cereal in the van afterward. We are such MOMS! Party on.

2007-09-17T19:13:00.000-06:00

So I love Mondays. I didn't used to, but lately, they are one of my favorite days. I work weekends now, and I really like my job at the hospital taking pictures of the newborns, but now, Mondays seem like sort of a break. I think the real reason I like Monday so much is that it is my most structured day of the week.

Starting about last March, my sister and I decided to clean our houses together. My husband was on the verge of hiring a cleaning service, but I really didn't want to spend our money that way. He agreed to pay me the amount the service had quoted if I promised to keep the house to his standards (and that is a topic for another post.) I am not a very organized person and I knew I had to get some sort of a routine going. I don't remember how we (Val and I)thought of the brilliant idea to work together, but now we call it Team Cleaning. As soon as the kids are off to school Monday morning we start at her house or mine. At our own house we clean all the bathrooms and do all the moping, at our sisters house we do all the vacuuming and dusting. We somehow manage to get both houses sparkling before lunch. Between houses we do a Maverick run for sodas and return any stray library books to the library across the street.

We have also started a bonus chore. We alternate weeks choosing a household job that we are really itching to tackle that is not part of our normal schedule. Today I chose "clean out, wipe down and organize under our kitchen sinks." We do the bonus chore any time before the next week, but I think it works best for me to do it Monday during the baby's nap.

We are often tired after cleaning day so we have started throwing a recipe in the crock-pot before we start. Today I made a Hobo Stew that was so, so easy and all my boys (except my carb-a-tarian) loved it.

We don't do extra activities or have friends over after school on Monday. It is just family night. My kids really like to play board and card games, and it is the one night of the week we have dessert.

My Mondays are very domestic and family oriented, just like me.

This is a good new website I just stumbled across http://organizedhome.com

Hobo Stew

2 C. Barbecue Sauce (we love Jack Daniel's Original #7 Recipe)

4 polish sausages

1 lb Italian style frozen meatballs

2 c. frozen corn

1 c. chopped onion

1c. sliced mushrooms

6 diced potatoes

1 c. baby carrots

Simmer in the Crock Pot for 8 hours on low.

This is not the real stew I made, my camera battery finally died, but you get the idea.

Fall Fun

2007-09-10T21:34:00.000-06:00

I have finally decided to post some pictures of my house. Now that school is in session, I have finished some things I wanted to share.

After much thought and indecision, the name of my house instantly stuck me. I live on Lillywood Drive. It was so simple and fitting, I'm surprised I didn't realize it sooner. She is now formally and publicly christened "Lillywood Cottage."

Everyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for fall decor. My favorite thing to get out is always my fall table setting. This picture is a little washed out, but the pumpkins in the centerpiece and on the napkin rings are sparkly and I just love them. I also found some beaded candle rings in fall colors that I added to the chandelier. You can sort of see my coffee table and a few other harvest touches around my main living area. I am always glad I use a lot of green in my decor because it goes so nicely with every season and holiday decor.

There is no formal dining room in this house, but as you can see, the dining area is visible from the front door, so at least everyone can see how cute it is the minute they walk in the house.

Here is the piano all decked out for fall. You see it right when you come into the house. The entryway is to the right, you can see the stairs go up behind the piano. I know, I really need to paint this space a "real color" but you know how long it takes me to decide on that sort of thing. I simply can't be rushed. I did go hog wild on my upstairs paint. I'll post soon!

Landen Goes To Preschool

2007-09-10T21:27:00.001-06:00

Landen was so excited to experience preschool this year. I taught out of our home last year, so this was his first time at "real school." Of course he loves it and can't wait to go back. Rhett really wanted to go as well, but we have been enjoying our few mornings a week together. Last Thursday morning I bought the final supplies for a project I have been thinking about for at least 6 months. I can't wait to get it done and show y'all. Maybe during preschool this week?

Here is Landen and Ms. Kathy

Grobanites Unite!

2007-09-10T21:12:00.000-06:00

We had such a wonderful time at the Josh Groban concert. He was so amazing, and sounded, if possible, better than on the CD's. I hope I wasn't so exuberant that I annoyed my companions, but they seemed to be into it too. We all really wanted to get the pink T-shirts that said "You are loved," but they were like $50 and the hoodies were $80. We just couldn't bring ourselves to do it, so to show our true colors as Grobanites, T made us all van vinyl! It is great to see our three vans cruising the streets of Boise. We are so, so cool. Don't you think?

I hope she gets rich and famous

2007-08-28T12:50:00.000-06:00

Ranell emailed me the ebay posting this mom did. It is quite funny. I am actually surprised she has time to blog. This is an article about her, on her way to becoming rich and famous.
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/28/Features/EBay_listing_a_bid_fo.shtml
Her blog is mom2my6pack.blogspot

Twilight

2007-08-25T16:13:00.000-06:00

I am posting this quite a bit after the fact, but nevertheless, it may be news to some. We have started a very fabulous book club here in Boise. Our first meeting was at the lovely home of T.(who may wish to remain anonymous) We discussed "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. Surprise, surprise we all loved the book and proceeded to cast our favorite actors for the hopefully soon to be produced movie.

T. made some delicious little tarts that we all wanted the recipe for, however she refuses to read my blog, so the said recipe may remain an unsolved mystery.

Second surprise, I didn't take any pictures. I have decided to post a random picture from my small store of existing pictures for any blog post that I don't actually have a picture for. It is quite sad, I know. This is me at the Grotto of the first proposal from "Pride and Prejudice." It is actually Stourhead Estate Gardens in Wiltshire, UK. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-stourhead/

Yes, yes

2007-08-25T16:09:00.000-06:00

I went back to my original template after weeks of trying to "find" myself. I have admitted I am not computer savy enough to make my blog look the way I want it.

Does this template make me look thinner?

Babies

2007-08-24T14:13:00.000-06:00

Newborn Baby Rhett

It's babies all over the place around here, between baby Deakan and Val's soon to be baby (Tessa?) and my new job at the hospital. I thought I'd share this Celebrity baby name match I whipped up for a baby shower tomorrow. Answers posted in the comments.

Match the Celebrities with their baby's names.

Celebs

A-Courtney Cox
B-Cher
C-Nicholas Cage
D-Erykah Badu
E-Tony Braxton
F-Richard Gere
G-Teri Hatcher
H-Kate Hudson
I-Helen Hunt
J-Gweneth Paltrow
K-Brangelina
L-Sylvester Stalone
M-Demi Moore
N-Jamie Oliver (chef)
O-Kelly Ripa

Babies
1-Seven Sirius
2-Emerson Rose
3-Elijah Blue
4-Shiloh
5-Ryder Russell
6-Coco Riley
7-Moses
8-Rumer Glenn
9-Poppy Honey
10-Sage Moonblood
11-Kal-el
12-Homer James Jigme
13-Joaquin
14-Denim Cole
15-Makena'lei Gordon

Bonus: Which 37-year-old actor just announced that he and his wife are expecting their 5th child. This “Batman” star married a schoolteacher in 1997. Their four other children are Lily 7, Chip 6, Charlie 4, and Finlay 16 months.

My New Job

2007-08-20T18:59:00.000-06:00

I applied for a job on a whim, and lo and behold I was hired. I will be taking pictures of newborn babies at the hospital downtown a few mornings a week. I think it will be fun, and maybe help me to save up for another vacation. I'm certain it will be more pleasant than the paper route I did last year. My first day of training is Friday, so hopefully I get to posting the details over the weekend.

I have a very busy and fun week planned. Richard and the guys are going salmon fishing in the ocean for a week, so it is going to be a total girls week. Mom is coming to stay with me and its going to be crafty and girly all week. I am trying to talk Val into borrowing Tiffany's karaoke again. We has such a blast with it at her Birthday late-over. (another time I was having too much fun to take a picture) Maybe some chick flicks, any suggestions? Me, Val and Tiff are going to the Josh Groban concert tomorrow. Sooooo, Excited!!!

August Maven's Tips

2007-08-20T18:51:00.000-06:00

Another Maven's has come and gone without me taking any pictures. I have had my camera in my purse for three months now. It really is sad.

Julie – the book "The Parenting Breakthrough" by Merrilee Browne Boyack is great for teaching your kids how to be independent adults

Becca – http://www.yourheart.com/ gives you the skinny on cool, cute shops in Salt Lake City

Mikelle – If you have greasy hair and don't have time to wash it, you can freshen it up by using baby powder (or special hair powder) on the roots to absorb the extra oil

Niki – 1. pouring Coke into your toilet will get rid of hard water stains, 2. adding baking soda OR vinegar to a load of laundry that's gotten that musty smell from sitting in the washer too long and running it through a rinse cycle will take the smell out

Nicole – 1. the book "The Peacegiver" is about forgiveness and is really good, 2. coupons plus rebates from Rite Aid and Walgreens gives you really good deals on cleaning supplies

Shimber – Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons don't expire, so don't throw them away (even if they have expiration dates on them!)

Jennifer – baby shampoo works great to remove eye make-up and WD-40 gets pen off of hard surfaces

Michelle – 1. Monday, August 20, is family day at the fair where there's no smoking or alcohol allowed. Also, you can buy a pass for $15 that includes admission plus all the rides.
2. Paying an extra $10/month on your mortgage helps you pay it off two years sooner.

RaNell – http://www.kidsinmind.com/ is an awesome website for movie ratings. It gives descriptions of what kinds of sex, violence, and/or language is in each movie out there.

Jennifer – baby shampoo works great to remove eye make-up and WD-40 gets pen off of hard surfaces

I'm back on the treadmill!

2007-08-13T11:34:00.000-06:00

I'd rather die without back fat, thank you!

After a hideously long hiatus from regular exercise, I'm back on the wagon. My brother Joe agreed to meet me at the gym at 7 in the mornings to work out. I really need to feel that someone is counting on me to let them in to our neighborhood gym. This is why it doesn't work for me to workout with my neighbors. They have their own key ;-)
I have completed a full week of regular exercise and feel a little stiff, but triumphant. The side bonus to this is that my kids are really late sleepers, so when I come home at 8 the house is quiet and I can read my scriptures while I eat my cereal. See how I have maximized my habit development here? Now if I could just figure out how to incorporate flossing to the new routine, I'll be "practically perfect in every way."

June Mavens

2007-08-08T14:11:00.000-06:00

Ahh, the wonders of Vinegar!

TOP TIP! Valerie – Freeze leftover soy sauce or other packets for mini ice packs for kids boo – boos. Put left over dryer sheets under car seats for a fresher car experience.

Jennifer – Vinegar removes hard water, disinfects, cleans windows, cleans out naughty mouths and can be used to rewash stale laundry.

Shimber – to keep lettuce fresh put a paper towel in with the lettuce in a Ziploc bag. Fabric softener also gets the onion smell off of hands.

Ranell – Her favorite cleaner for laundry / carpet stains is “Awesome” from the dollar store.

Amber – Put Vicks on the bottom of children’s feet and cover with socks to keep kids from coughing in the night. Also use newspaper for cleaning windows.

Mikelle – Direct Buy, saves you money if you’re building or remodeling.

Becca – Swiffer duster!

Jana – Schedule a private party at Graples and you don’t have to fight for stuff.

Susan – Monster sale at Childrens Place, and 75% off Toys R Us Online.

Julie – Her friends amazing web site http://www.executivehomemaker.com/ & free newspaper rolls for cleaning or packing from Julie.

Which Housewife are you?

2007-08-04T02:39:00.001-06:00

This is a fun little quiz. I have taken it 3 times and the questions vary, but I always end up Lynette. I originally took this quiz with 3 other girls. One was a Bree, one a Susan, and one a Gabrielle. We thought about making t shirts, but never were that ambitious. http://abc.go.com/primetime/desperate/quiz/index.html

Four Favorites

2007-08-04T00:33:00.000-06:00

I can't sleep tonight, which is good for my blog because I never seem to have time to do fun little ditties like this. So here we go . . .

Four Jobs I've had:
Farm Labor, Potato Harvest (I did this four year in a row, 5 weeks in the fall, all through high school and didn't work the rest of the year) CRAZY, in a sick way.

Nanny in Pacific Palisades California. One 3 year old boy whose mother didn't work and they had a maid. This was the summer before college and when I met Richard.
Travel Agent, thought I would love it. Ended up hating it, as I did all jobs except the best job of "mom."
Loan Processor for Trans coastal Mortgage

Four Movies I watch over and over:

Pride and Prejudice
Princess Bride
Far and Away
The Notebook

Four Places I have Lived:
Fairfield, Montana
Blackfoot, Idaho
Denver, Colorado
Fort Worth, Texas

Four TV shows I watch:

Lost
So You Think You can Dance
Desperate Housewives
The Office

Four Places I've been on Vacation:

Yellowstone National Park, the family vacation, almost every year
Los Angeles, my first real vacation, age 16, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and my first real Broadway play "Phantom."
Lake Tahoe, Valentine's weekend, ski getaway with hubby
England, what more can I say, this was my dream vacation.

Four Favorite Foods:

Soup

Sandwiches

Diet Coke (is this technically a food)

Four Websites I visit:

http://www.executivehomemaker.com/
http://www.familyfun.com/
http://www.myfamily.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/

Four Places I'd Rather be right now:

Asleep

Fort Worth at a girls night

At the spa getting a massage, my back is killing me!

At a sleepover at Chatsworth house with my BFF what's her face.

Valerie's Big Day

2007-08-03T18:29:00.000-06:00

So my birthday tribute is a few days late, but still heartfelt. My lil' sis just turned 30. She was having a little bit of a hard time during the few weeks previous to the big event. The good news is that on the eve of the big day she was watching a TLC program about a paraplegic, pregnant woman who was on bed rest, flat on her back the whole pregnancy. :-( Suddenly being 30 and gorgeous with 3 1/2 super cool, zany kids, a terrific husband and the home of her dreams, didn't seem that much of a hardship :-) We celebrated the day as the tres sisters with mani/pedi's and lunch out sans kids (of course little Deakan tagged along and was a perfect gentlemen.) Our own Mr. Ross acquired the most wicked chocolate cake I have ever encountered, and we finished the day with a round of Rumicub which the birthday girl fittingly won. Good times, I'm glad I was with her to enjoy it.

2007-08-03T18:17:00.000-06:00

One of the reasons I haven't been posting much lately is because I have been out having so much fun. Richard and I went to see Arsenic and Old Lace at the Shakespeare Festival. Didn't think Arsenic was a Shakespeare play? Well you were right ;-) They mix in a few modern plays to lure in the more low brow crowd. I had really wanted to see "The Tempest," but it wouldn't have been Richard's cup of tea. We both really enjoyed Arsenic and even laughed out loud. They did a fabulous job of it, and the venue is just beautiful with the mountains in the background. Before the show started we had a light sprinkling of rain that cooled things down beautifully and made for a pleasant night. If you live near or are ever in Boise please check this out, we can't wait to go again. http://www.idahoshakespeare.org/

American Idol Concert!

2007-08-03T17:54:00.000-06:00

Richard surprised me with tickets to the American Idol Concert. It was so much better than I had anticipated. Blake was so, so awesome in such a cool way. Richard and I both agreed that he stole the show. Jordan, Lakisha, and Melinda were very good as well. Chris Richardson was very enjoyable. I liked him better "in person" than on TV. I would totally recommend this concert, and can't wait for Blake's CD to be out. You can check out clips at http://www.poptarts.com/americanidolslivetour/#home

We survived the Fourth of July!

2007-07-23T23:15:00.000-06:00

I don't have any pictures of this yet, but it was too good to wait. We had an incident with an illegal cannon at an undisclosed location. The missionaries caught most of the action on tape and posted it to youtube. The kid at the end clapping and screaming "that was awesome" is my son Ryker. Captain Safety was not pleased. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GCTIhhfCLM

My Texas Star

2007-07-17T22:47:00.000-06:00

This photo from the past is my Texas Star, Ryker in the First Grade. Brings a smile to your face.

Happiness Found

2007-07-17T22:30:00.000-06:00

I haven't been posting much lately, cause, well, the title of my blog is Happiness, and I have been struggling a tiny bit lately. I have been very sad and worried about a few good friends lately and worried about my dad's cancer. I have decided that this isn't the whole cause of my blues though. For the first time in my life, I don't have something big to look forward to. Since I can remember, I have always been excited about the next big thing in my life; graduation, college, marriage, babies, new houses, big move, my one big trip ;-) Right now, I just don't have much in the works. I am making a good effort to live in the now, and appreciate my awesome life.

Yesterday, I basically stabbed my little sis in the back and told her that I really needed to go to Education Week at BYI. Last year I promised her that if she watched my kids so I could go, I would watch her kids this year so she could go. I feel like a complete heel. She had to really scramble to find people to leave her kids with, and my dear husband is doing a lot of the watching, both her kids and mine (7 total!) I owe them both big time, but I know this is just what I need to lift my spirits out of the dump. A major bonus perk is the I get to see Katri and Michelle. I'm sure to have tons of great stuff to blog by the weekend. Happiness found!

Fun Find

2007-07-02T02:19:00.000-06:00

I found these "Meyer" lotion and soaps at the dollar spot in Target. I couldn't resist loading up on Lemon, Lime and Orange.

Katrina's Visit

2007-07-02T02:07:00.001-06:00

It was so fun to have Katrina and the girls here for a visit. Tuesday we went for a girls movie night and saw 1408. It was a crazy, scary movie, but I enjoyed going out so much. Harry totally ignored us in the above picture.

We took the kids swimming and to the Discovery Center. It was just so great to stay up late talking and catching up, the kids got along great and it was fun to see how much the girls had grown.

Cub Scout Day Camp

2007-07-02T00:24:00.000-06:00

So, crazy week. I can't believe how little time I have had for computer fun. But I will say, I got a lot more tan and exercise in without it.

Wed. and Thurs. were full days at camp and hovering at about 100 degrees. We had a blast with the water bottle rockets. I really want to make a few of the launchers for our own family. The boys qualified in BB gun and bow and arrows both days. On day two they had to pass an obstacle course to become pony express riders. It was so clever. At one point they had to ride through a hail storm, which was me pelting them with soaked splash balls. I was so stiff the next day it was pitiful. I think we need to work more water fights into the summer schedule.

Thanks to the girls who watched my littles while I took my biggs to day camp. I know it was a special sacrifice for the out of town guests.

The Joys of Summer

2007-06-23T14:48:00.000-06:00

I am so happy that all my kids made it home from the pool today alive. We went after lunch and other than the friend I was with, we were the only ones there. Because the kids were so easy to see, I let my guard down. I noticed Landen had taken off his water wings and Ryker was using them. I had just told Landen he was not to jump into the pool without wings. I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story. He did pretty good holding his breath and not gulping in water, but my throat is raw from screaming at his brothers to help him up. Luckily he was only in 4 ft of water and Brax finally grabbed him. Is there a Mom out there who hasn't had this experience? You could go insane playing the what-if game. I think I'm going to make a life jacket mandatory for that kid. I'm still a little shaky, I think I'm going to go get a big Diet Coke.

To register for a CPR course go to www.redcross.org

2007-06-21T13:40:00.000-06:00

This is the digital Julie. Her book is over in the gazebo waiting for her. To see what she is reading, go visit http://www.goodreads.com/ To make your own meez go to http://www.meez.com/ my username is julieomeyer, if you want the free coinz

Benevolent Creator

2007-06-19T00:32:00.000-06:00

Katri's blog led me to this fun website http://personaldna.com/

I guess I am more creative than I thought. While I can't deny, being pegged a "benevolent creator" is flattering, it does seem a tad sacrilegious. I have always felt like more of a copier than a creator. Oh well, I guess I should start making some things. I do think that benevolent is a true description of my personality. At least that is what I aspire to be. To see a description of my DNA go to http://personaldna.com/report.php?k=sfusvwAuESgYsUd-HO-CDCAE-8ac7&u=c0ccd274cf58

2007-06-16T22:20:00.000-06:00

Last night was the first ever meeting of the Boise Mavens. It was such a nice evening and great to get to know so many new people. I hosted, and we played Friendship Bingo and ate Tuxedo Brownies while we shared our tips. My mom was a guest Maven and a great one at that, she won the prize for top tip. Again, I am berating myself for not taking a picture, so to honor the original Texas Mavens, we have a picture of them. Boise girls, please remind me next month to take your picture!

The Original Texas Mavens June 2007 Boise Maven’s Tips

Julie- Hangs all laundry except socks, undies and pjs (which go in canvas totes for each kid) directly out of the dryer eliminating piles of clean clothes to fold and put away.

Barbara-Decorate your kids bedroom door on their birthday. Ideas include; listing characteristics they have that year, and attaching X number of treats to correspond with their age. Make sure to take a picture of them by their door for great memories.

Christina-Makes bathroom cleanup easy by storing shower cleaner in the shower and giving it a quick spritz each day and keeping baby wipes near the toilet for quick cleanup anytime. Having a swiffer vac handy to the bathroom will tackle any hair issues.

Valerie-Pancake on a stick is a new breakfast hit at her house. Located near the corndogs at Wal-Mart, the kids love to dip them in syrup.

Amber-Red Dresser is having barn sales in Star this summer. Check out their website at http://www.thereddresserboise.com/

Mikelle-Costco photo center does all photos 1 hour and had great photo greeting cards for all occasions; 50 for $15.

Shimber-The 41-cent forever stamp will always be valid even when postage increases in the future. Paul’s Market has a good supply. Edwards’s theatre has free summer movies
http://www.regalcinemas.com/freefamilyflicks/ and for free diapers at Target print out a coupon here (they even take multiple coupons) www.luvs.com/en_US/images/BearHugStretch/TY014_Luvs_webcoupon_July.pdf

Rebecca-If you think you may want both milk and water, but can’t decide, choose the water first because a little water in a glass of milk, not so bad, but a little milk in a glass of water, not so good :-)

Niki-www.allrecipes.com has great recipes with ratings and auto changes the ingredient depending on your number of servings.

Michelle-Her mom used a growth chart made of pellon fabric which is easy to write on and traveled with the family wherever they moved. When the kids grew up, she copied one for each of them and now their kids can compare growth with mom, aunts and uncles.

Let's Organize!

2007-06-12T19:57:00.000-06:00

Laurie's fab closet post inspired me to tackle a project that has been simmering since I moved into this house a year ago. My crazy, awful desk, which is in the kitchen and slightly visible from the front door. We had guests at our home over Memorial Day weekend, and Richard made a subtle jab about the state of my desk once every 52 minutes the entire time they were here. Now it is a little "joke" between us. Well not anymore! Alas, unprofessional blogger that I am, I failed to take a before shot. It't probably best not to let the public see what it looked like before. Someone was sure to turn me for the show "Clean Sweep."

Lake Cascade

2007-06-10T22:06:00.000-06:00

Camp Out

2007-06-10T21:41:00.000-06:00

This weekend we had our first family camp out of the season. It was extra fun because we went with our good friends The Bell family; Shimber, Jeff and their two sweet girls. We camped at Cascade Lake in the Boise National Forest. It was a beautiful two hour drive up the canyon. We had traditional "ronie wiest" and smores. Jeff and Shimber introduced us to a fun new campfire treat. They wrap breadstick dough around a wooden dowel and cook it over the fire. Then you fill the hollow center with honey butter. It is really yummy. You just have to make sure the end is sealed really tight so your honey butter doesn't leak out.

It had been 11 years since I had been in a real pine tree forest, and I had forgotten how beautiful it is. I had also forgotten how bone-chilling, freezing camping in Idaho can be. For the past 10 years we have been camping in Texas where you sleep in your bare skivvies on top of your sleeping bag. If you were really lucky, your camp site would have electric hookup and you could rig an extension cord to a box fan to circulate some air through your tent. We were a little unprepared for mountain camping. This weekend it got down to the low 30's overnight! The Bells saved the day by loaning us 3 extra sleeping bags and we made it through the night in relative comfort.

We had fun cooking a big old breakfast and taking a nice family bike ride. The kids didn't have much luck catching tadpoles in the lake, but Landen did dive off the dock fully clothed. Thank heavens for life jackets, I made him paddle himself back to the dock and didn't have to do a heroic save in the freezing water. We intended to drive a short way to let the kids do some fishing, but within 5 minutes of driving, 4 of the six total kids were sound asleep. We figured we had worn them out enough for one trip. Good times, good memories. I regret only that we had so much fun I forgot to snap even one picture. My camera sat on the seat of the van the whole trip.

Happy Birthday Hunee

2007-06-05T16:48:00.000-06:00

Landen asked me the other day, "Mom, what's my name?" I patiently answered that his name was Landen. He said, "No Mom, you know like Rhett is baby and dad is Honey." Well Landen is now Sweetheart, but today is dedicated to my Hunee, who is having a Birthday today. He is an awesome dad and a wonderful husband. We have been together 13 years and I have loved them all. Thanks for another great year. I think I'll call his mom and thank her for raising up such a great guy to be my husband. I'm off to frost a cake!

Baby on Day Two

2007-06-04T14:11:00.000-06:00

Isn't it amazing how babies change daily when they are newborns. This photo is from yesterday and even today he looks different. Mom and baby are home from the hospital and doing well. Mikelle is a natural mom, calm and beautiful even though she is still a real estate agent with four listing, all of which she and her husband own. This includes that house they are living in currently. BTW did I mention they are framing up her new house this week. She really is amazing.

The Happy Family

2007-06-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

Deakan Jay Richeson

2007-06-02T21:54:00.000-06:00

While my family was strolling along the lava beds, Mikelle was in hard labor. Deakan was born at 3:38 PM today, weighing 7 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long. Mikelle and Ben did a beautiful job with this sweet little guy. The whole family is so excited to welcome him.

Craters of the Moon

2007-06-02T21:46:00.000-06:00

On the way home today we decided to take the scenic route home and stop by Craters of the Moon. It is a National Monument and Preserve. We used to go to out there for field trips in grade school. Richard and the boys had never been, so we made a quick pit stop. We will have to stop again and take more time to go through all the caves, but you can't blame me for rushing home to meet my new nephew.

Eagle Court of Honor

2007-06-02T21:30:00.000-06:00

Friday night was Jake's Eagle Court of Honor. For his eagle project Jake computerized the entire Moreland Elementary school library, so books can now be found using various computer search methods. It was a great project, and Friday was a really nice evening. Mom had a dinner out on the lawn before the ceremony. My husband Richard is a huge scouter gave a wonderful speech about how much being an eagle has changed his life. When Richard went into boot camp for the Marine Corp, they gave him an automatic rank and pay increase because he was an eagle. After the ceremony, a guy came up to me and said he always thought that was an urban legend, but it's true. One touching moment was when Jake honored my other brother Joe with the mentor pin. Jake was doing a good job handling so much honor in one weekend.

BIG Family Weekend

2007-06-02T21:19:00.000-06:00

My little brother Jake graduated from High School on Thursday. Richard and I took the boys to my hometown of Blackfoot, where my parents still live. It was really great to be there at my old high school, Snake River High, and watch my baby brother graduate. He is so tall and scholarly and handsome. I was really proud of him. Me, Mom, Jake, Joe and Dad.

2007-05-30T19:36:00.000-06:00

Me and the girls at the beautiful garden of Chawton Cottage, Jane Austen's House.

Gardening?

2007-05-30T14:18:00.000-06:00

One of the things that I loved about England was the beautiful gardens. I was so inspired that I thought I'd give it a go. Now, I am not a gardener, so I have been starting small. I planted two big pots on my front doorstep with a variety of fun stuff, English ivy included. I planted some little pretties in my front flower bed and planted one tea rose and one lilac in my side yard. It helps that the HOA does all the mowing, edging, fertilizing and watering. I just concentrate on babying my flowers. Yes, baby steps.

still on my mind

2007-05-29T15:09:00.000-06:00

I have been back from my trip to England for three weeks now. Memories of the trip, things I learned and ideas I was inspired with still pop into my mind all day long. It was my first overseas trip and I am sure it will influence me forever. I didn't realize that traveling to a new place would affect me in so many ways.

Our Sisterly Adventure had five key characters, Julie, Katri, Rochelle, Katrina and baby Knightley. Three action packed days in London were informative and exciting. Four days exploring the English countryside were enchanting. The company was delightful, the mansions stunning, the people charming, the food fair, the baby adorable; all together a rare and gratifying experience. It was easy to feel ourselves, "completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy."