Potatoes!

Jarons class has been learning about potatoes in school. As part of their studies, they went to the potatoe expo in Blackfoot. Today we went to a farmers field to glean potatoes. They will be donating them to the foodbank.
When I was about 12 I did this with a youth group. I remember the potatoes being few and far between. With this memory in mind, I decided to pick up all the potatoes (even the ones the size of my thumb.) I did manage to fill a bag (probably a hundred potatoes). I kept noticing that I was giving the kids bags constantly. The crazy thing was that they were getting full!...with BIG ones, too. Before long, bags were breaking, and I was running to help kids. Then I noticed these rows full of large potatoes. The kids were sitting by the row just loading them into the bags!
Once again memories from my youth come back to me wandering away from the group finding huge potatoe after potatoe. Then getting in trouble because I was digging where they had not been harvested yet. To myself I am thinking "Oh no, they are going to get in trouble." I then notice that it is not just the kids doing it, but all the adults as well!
I kept making comments like "Oh, looks like they missed a few, or You call this GLEANING? or do you really think it is okay to get THESE ones." **Okay, so I admit I am a paranoid dork!** But they all just laughed at me! As we were driving to the spud cellar, the thought occured to me.."I bet he left those out so it would be a little easier for the kids, afterall, they are going to the foodbank!"
After we took the kids back to school, Sean and I went back and got some for ourselves. And by then of course, they had all been harvested! I was right (eventually), that farmer was just being a really nice guy to us! So needless to say, I worked very hard for those potatoes...the first time out of stupidity, the second time because I really WAS gleaning! I am sore and tired, but so very greatful for the wonderful experience with Jaron and Sean, and for the blessing of those potatoes!

I was just looking at the couch

Last weekend we had friends over to hang out and play games. Emily was getting pretty grumpy, so we put on a Strawberry Shortcake show. After a while, Jaron came in (tired from running and playing outside.) He sat by Emily on the couch and started enjoying the show with Emily. About 5 minutes later, Jarons friend comes in. He looks at Jaron. Looks at the TV. Looks at Jaron again, and says "Are you watching Strawberry Shortcake!?!!!"
Jaron jumps up (super fast!) and said "No way! I was just looking at the couch!" We all bust a gut laughing. He still swears that he was looking at the couch! YA RIGHT, JARON!!! We still love you--Of course those are some of the things we love most about Jaron!
I am repeatedly amazed at how diffrent each child is. They each have their own strenghts and weakness, things you really love about them. I am so greatful for Sean, and for each of our beautiful kids. My greatest desire is to show them how special they are, and let each of them know how much I love them!

Sean Fishing with his bros

Sean just e-mailed me this photo of his fishing trip. He and his brothers went fishing on the Snake River this weekend. I am so excited for him. 11 years of marriage, and he has never done anything like this. (Too busy with work and kids!) They left on Friday morning at about 7am, and I am expecting him home tonight around midnight.

Apparently the fishing has been great, and the cookies I made were a hit! (Always good to know your cooking is appreciated!)

I have been blogging, and the kids have been playing gamecube and watching movies. For the grand finale, I think we will have a pizza for dinner. Kind of embarrasing to admit, but oh well, that's me!!

I feel so greatful for such a wonderful husband. I am so glad he got to do this. He is always so supportive of me. With that being said, I really do look forward to having him home tonight. :)

Up and running!

Okay, my new websites are up and running! Please check them out.
This is the shopping one: http://ihavebeengivenmuch.blogspot.com/
This is the excess exchange one: http://becaiseihavebeengivenmuch.blogspot.com/ Yes, I know I mispelled it!

So, I will need everyones tips to make them a success! Thanks for being such good friends, and so supportive of my crazy ideas!

What a slacker!

Man, I have been wanting to update my blog for a couple weeks.  Time has really gotten away from me.  On the positive note, I have been really involved with the kids, and keeping up the home, so that is a good thing.  We are all doing good.  The kids had parent teacher confrences today.  We are so lucky to have such great kids, and wonderful teachers who care about them.  Even Emily has such a wonderful time at preschool.  I feel so blessed.  I have been enjoying cooking and organizing our home.  I have also been plotting how to stock up my food storage.  I missed Smiths case food sale, but am anxiously awaiting Ridleys in about 2 weeks.  I am going to start 2 new blogs.  One will highlight all the sales and bargains I find.  The second will be like a sight where you can exchange stuff with eachother  ie.  "I have an extra shower curtain and 4- 4T dresses, and baby blankets, if you know anyone who needs them (free)"   or " am looking for a night stand for my kids room (free or really cheap)."  I think I could open it so people could just post on it themselves, or send me an e mail I could just cut and paste from.  Basically it would just be offering it to people before loading it to the DI.  Do you think these would be a good idea?

HAIIIYAHH!

After church today as we we changing out of our church clothes, Jaron walks into our closet and flexes his muscles at Sean. Then he said "Dad, can I see your muscles?" Sean obliged. Then while Sean was ironing his shirt, he and Jaron started talking about the resurrection. Sean told him that our bodies would be made perfect, that missing limbs would be replaced, and that we would not have disease or sickness.
Here is the conversation:

Jaron asked: Will we be strong?
Sean said: Yes.
Jaron: Is Jesus strong?
Sean: Oh, yes.
Jaron: Does Jesus know kung fu?
Sean: What?
Jaron: Does Jesus know kung fu?
Sean: Jaron, do you think that Jesus needs to know kung fu?
Jaron: Yes, because if bad guys tried to beat him up he could (imagine the jump, sound, and hand jestures etc.) "HAIIIYAHH!"

Yep! Thats my boy!

I want to try "it!"

Last night we had a fantastic enrichment night. It was on ways to use your food storage. It really showed me that you should be learning how to use it, incase you ever have to, and also that it can save you quite a bit of money just on your regular groceries. I think about how many time I have to borrow an egg, or a little sugar, or oil or something, and I think that would be so nice to have some less expensive, less space required, easy to store items so I would never run out.
I also think it will take some time to adjust to the new ways, and also help the old body to get use to the new food. We sampled whole wheat pancakes, taquitos, spanish rice, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, crepes, chili, and angel food cake! It was wonderful, but I was running to the bathroom all night, I am just not use to that much wheat!
I think you could easily do wheat flour, eggs, and milk (in cooking--Sean warned me to not even try to give it to him to drink!) Due to the lunch preparation tips (ie. bagging snacks, making and freezing sandwiches ahead of time etc) I can already tell that I am saving money, and a lot of headache and time! Another thing they demonstrated for us was to make our own mixes ie. cookies, pancakes, instant oatmeal. I am totally going to try this!
First step: organize food storage to see what I have.
Second step: Assemble some recipes to try.
Third step: Hang on to your hats, it may be a crazy ride.
I will keep you posted along the way, and will share any great tips I find. If you have some good tips for me, let me know!

PS--Anne was feeling ill last night, and asked if I would make the angel food cake for her. She brought me everything, and it was really easy. During the presentation Cami said "We had other people bring some stuff, and they are going to tell us about it." So I was sweating it, and sure enough I needed to comment on it! I only did it, because it could be great blog material! Anne, you owe me BIG time!

You better be my friend, or I will beat you up

So today was Emily's first official day of preschool. She is loving it! I drive Emily and Caleb to preschool, and Anne picks up. As I was taking them to school this morning, it was so fun to hear their conversation.

Out of the clear blue Emily says "**** is the meanest girl in the whole world!" I said "Oh, that is not true, she is a nice girl. If you hear people say mean thing you need to say 'that is not true, she is my friend, don't talk that way about her' You guys need to be good friends with everyone! I expect you to be nice today, okay?"

Emily: "But what if they are mean to me and hit me?"

mom: Then you tell them "stop that, I don't like that!"

Emily: "Then I will say, 'You better be my friend, or I will beat you up!"

Somehow, I think I have missed something important as I have taught her!LOL

Inquiring minds want to know: Yes, she did wear her bows today, and yes she pulled them out the moment she walked in the door!

When the moms are away, the dads will play!!

Today was the stake "sisters in white" temple day. After much encouragement, I drove up there with Anne and Jen Rhodehouse. We had fun visiting, and went to Johny Carinos for lunch afterwards. The temple was beautiful. It is so wonderful to be there. It has been too long, and I have missed it.

While we were there, Sean and Jason took the kids to explore the lava tubes. You can see the fun they had on the video. I feel so lucky to be Seans wife. He is so good to me.

The mom-terague

Last night I went to the Blackfoot Fair with some of the girls. We had a bug in our bonnets and decided to make this video. This one is of me and Kim Hardy. (Anne, Cami and Claudette did "I will survive."

We had lots of good food (scone nuggets with a big scoop of honey butter), walked thru the buildings, made the video and caught the hypnotist show. (The girl sitting in front of us was pretending to be hypnotized until she realized he wasn't going to put her on stage.)

Every girl needs to let down her hair and be a part of the momterague!!

Emily is off to Preschool!!

Preschool starts on Monday, but today they had an open house. Doesn't she look adorable!!

Okay, I need you all in on this one: 1- Girls MUST have their hair either curled or in barretts for school, and 2- (perhaps the most important) In order to go to preschool, big girls MUST sleep in thier own bed!! If we can accomplish that we will be one happy family!