Floating the River Fun

We floated the river with the Richael family Saturday afternoon - it was totally spontaneous (on our part). I said "what the heck" the house chores can wait for another day! Our families had a blast together (in addition to the dinner and talent show later that evening - it was a full day).

Within a couple minutes of launching our rafts on the river, we made our first stop on shore. The kids saw a mini-beach and had to stop. After getting a feel for the water, Craig got brave enough to swim in the shallow water near the shore. Boy, it was chilly and breathtaking. From his brave stunt, some of us followed suit, including: Amanda, Olivia, and me.

The kids went back and forth on the boats. For some reason, they felt like they were being tortured if they were on our raft. I'm still trying to figure out how Jody allures them to her car and boat (is it all the treats - I know food talks).

Notice in the bottom left picture Jody is mostly dry. That was taken before our water fight. We used our oars to splash water back and forth. I think Jody leaned a little too far forward which caused her to plunge into the cold river. From there on, I knew she was out to get me.

Paul and I managed a little better than last year with our raft. We still need some training on paddling and maneuvering the small falls. Jody caught a picture of us stuck on the cement edge of the falls. We came right up to the drop off and realized we were in the wrong spot. Luckily our boat got free and we were safe.

I have to mention that Jody and Paul teamed up and got me to fall off the boat in the river. Vivian was not happy with Jody because of her helping push me into the river so she tried pushing Jody off the boat. Oh, Vivs, I'm glad you will stand up for me! After that "water battle" we were even so we took it easy after that. Except that we tried to de-boat Paul, which ended up backfiring on me and I did a backward flip into the river getting totally drenched!

Towards the end of our float, I noticed a man standing above the water in a tree as we were floating underneath him. I looked up and asked "Oh, hi. Are you going to jump?" Right then he did a cannon ball drop next to our boat getting us wet. Holy cow! After that we pulled ashore and watched him scare many other floaters that passed by him. It was fun anticipating which raft he would choose as his target.

Thanks for inviting us, Richaels - we had a great day with you!

Super Saturday Ideas Part 1

I am looking for some fun Super Saturday craft ideas. Here is what I have found so far. What do you think? Do you have any fun projects to share? I would love your feedback.

P.S. I just found clipmarks. I am still learning how to use it.

clipped from www.makeit-loveit.com

I just love these faux leather bows and flowers!

clipped from www.makeit-loveit.com

Aren't these satin flower headbands cute, too?

clipped from www.makeit-loveit.com

l love this glass etched Triffle dish. I one identical to this, except mine is plain. Now I am going to jazz it up with a cool design. Also I want to add my name to the bottom of my glass Pyrex baking dishes and then add a fun design to the sides. How cute!

clipped from notsoidlehands.blogspot.com

With a cute plate and a little chalkboard paint, you can custom create your own menu display.

clipped from www.polkadotchair.com

This denim scripture tote is adorable. I don't know if it would be too difficult for a Super Saturday class, but it sure looks cute.

clipped from www.splitcoaststampers.com

I think it would be fun to make an advent calendar. This one might be too involved. Have you seen any others that are still cute and simple?

Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

Great, timely video! It is just what I needed to hear this evening. I need to make a better effort to connect with my children, especially my teenager. Elder Hales reminds me that I need to listen as I would with a close friend and then listen some more. I like when he asked "Mother, Father, are you there?"

I thought we were doing well this evening. We just finished dinner and reading seven Book of Mormon pages around the table. Then we helped clean up the food and tried to enjoy some crystallized ice-cream (I don't what happened to it, but we ate it nevertheless). Then Paul and I excused ourselves for 30-40 minutes to visit a neighbor. When we came back the spirit in the house had been turned upside down and there was much contention, noise, and bullying. Oh, it can definitely be a discouraging moment to see them lower themselves to this behavior. Then I question my own effectiveness as a parent as I ask myself - "what am I doing wrong? how can I teach them to love one another?

Elder Hales counsels us to:
1- Spend time with them
2- Talk with them (ask them questions and then listen)
3- Do activities with them
4- Plan and take advantage of teaching moments
5- Let them feel your love
6 - Talk about their hopes, dreams, and love

Porter Attends a Baseball Game

Just a week ago, we were notified that Porter was one of three students from his school that won the opportunity (by his scores on a computer math game that he played this summer - apangea) to attend a local minor league baseball game. Come to find out, Allie was also one of the three students. So Paul/Porter and Craig/Allie attended the game together. They all four received free game tickets. And on top of that, the kids were given a free hot dog & soda, along with the chance to meet the team before the game and receive a free t-shirt. From that Porter came home with signatures on his Boy Scout baseball cap!

Also that night they had a few contest that the kids could play to win prizes. Porter won the hula hoop contest by wiggling his little hips. Paul said the whole crowd was chanting his name. For being the Hula Hoop winner he was given two more free tickets to a another game.

Two Desserts: One New & One Old

Last Sunday I made two desserts. One was an old favorite (Blue Ribbon Brownies) and the other was a new recipe called Strawberry-Lime Shortcake with Coconut Cream from the blog, Our Best Bites. Instead of shortcake, I used angel food cake and it turned out light and refreshing! It was a great combination with the strawberries, lime and coconut - three of my favorite ingredients. Check it out the recipe here.

Here is the post for these Blue Ribbon Brownies.

I'm looking forward to all the kids being in school. I realize that I don't like to experiment in the kitchen during the summer (it's way too hot and the kids are pulling me in a million directions). But I am ready to add some new recipes to my repertoire this coming fall and winter!

First Day of School

Porter is now a 6th grader! He wakes up bright and early at 5:30 am and scrambles to get off to the bus stop before 6:42 am. He is excited for school this year and will do great!

The girls are also excited about school this year. Olivia is a third grader and Vivian is a first grader. Can you believe it? Time sure flies.

I am happy to have three children back in school (as of Monday)! Now I am just waiting for Corbin, his school begins in two weeks. We just got back from the High School after paying registration fees, practicing opening a locker, getting an activity card with picture, and lots of waiting in line. When they are all in school, I can then establish a daily routine for myself. Lately it has been crazy!

Our Morning Schedule (so far)

5:30 am- Porter wakes up at and gets showered and ready (Corbin will be joining him shortly)
6:00 am - Wake up the girls (get dressed, make bed, hair)
6:15 am - Family Scripture study
6:30 am - Porter has 5 minutes to get out the door
Girls get chore done, backpacks ready by door, eat breakfast, brush teeth
7:00 am - Girls read
7:20 am - If they are all ready, they are free to play until the bus.
8:05 am - Leave for Bus (if we have time let the girls ride bikes around park before bus).

Menu

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. This is a pretty dull menu - but at least there is one, right? I know Paul will be grateful that there is food prepared and planned when I am out of town.

Week One
Tuesday - Grilled Steak, grilled potato wedges, watermelon, salad

Wednesday - BBQ Chicken Pizza, carrot and celery sticks, fruit smoothie

Thursday- Tacos, Spanish rice, chips

Friday- Breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, sausage/bacon)

Saturday- Potstickers, Brown rice, green beans

Sunday - (Crockpot) Roast Beef, Potatoes, carrots, rolls, salad


Week Two
Monday- Lasagna, bread, corn

Tuesday - ? Leftovers or Grilled Cheese and Soup

Wednesday - Chicken Nuggets, potatoes, corn

Thursday - Chili Verde, cornbread muffins

Friday - Hamburgers, fruit, veggie

Saturday - Frozen Pizza, veggie, juice

Sunday - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Brown rice, veggie (this dish can be frozen). I also love making brown rice ahead of time and freezing it. Then it's ready at a moments notice.

Time Out for Women: Infinite Hope

Time Out for Women is coming up. This is a great event where you can go and be spiritually uplifted and fed by powerful presenters and wonderful musicians. I have been several times in the past. I'm not sure that I am attending this upcoming one, but I wanted to share it with you.

If you sign up early with a group you get a great discount. Check out their website for more information, click here.

I discovered a link for the TOFW (Time Out for Women) Blog, which is full of insights on the presenters along with interesting articles. Here is the blog link. Below is an example of one of the blogs posts.


Homesick for Heaven by Deanne Flynn

"One of my most poignant childhood memories was talking late into the night with my mother one evening, sharing with her my sincere desire to feel our Savior’s love at one of the loneliest points of my life. “I’m just so homesick for heaven,” I told her quite emotionally, as if it were possible for her to simply get me on the next shuttle there.

She listened empathetically and comforted me the way she always did, but I soon realized that my need to feel Christ’s arms around me, and that my intense longing to be physically close to my Father in Heaven, wouldn’t completely leave while I was here on earth. In fact, I still have very similar feelings during various times in my life.

I don’t know why I was so surprised when my eternally sunny five-year-old daughter told me matter-of-factly not long ago, “Mom, I’m really homesick for heaven today.” I hadn’t heard those words uttered since my own childhood and they certainly spoke to my soul. I guess we are kindred spirits, Elizabeth and I.

No doubt, we all experience a longing for our heavenly home – inwardly sensing that we’re strangers here – being so far away from our true and most natural setting with God. It’s not hard to imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for our first parents when they were cut off from His presence and sent into this lone and dreary world to fend for themselves.

Today, like Adam and Eve, we’re each doing our best to “fend” and to remain faithful during our mortal sojourn. And even though we’re physically separated from our Eternal Father and His Son, we are gratefully each given a heavenly lifeline through prayer -- as well as the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us while we’re away.

So, when life seems unbearably lonely and you feel like a stranger at the address printed on your bills – remember you’re probably just a little bit “homesick for heaven.” If you endure this earthly mission well, you’ll be there soon enough.

I’m sure they’ll leave the light on until you get there"…

Mom's New Shoes - at a Steal!

I found this short video on my camera that Vivian captured in the morning before church. She is showcasing my great find from Payless Shoe Store - they were a bargain at $6.50! Gotta love a great deal and a cute shoe!

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls in Oregon

Stopping at Multnomah Falls is always a must on our way to the coast. The scenery is breathtaking and it's a much needed break before our last push to the coast. The kids enjoyed the .2 mile hike to the footbridge which looks over the falls, it was short and sweet.

For more information about Multnomah Falls and the history of the foot bridge, click here.


This was a cool visual that displays the fish eggs at day 0 (birth) and all the way up to 150 days.

Forgiveness

This is a powerful video on forgiveness. I watched it this morning before church and had a tough time applying my makeup after all of my tears.

The Frog Hunt

Paul took the kids frog hunting Saturday afternoon. Look at the two bullfrogs they brought home. The kids named them Pork & Beans (Pork is pictured on the right and Beans is on the left - The name Beans comes from the movie Cheaper By the Dozen).

Here they are wading through the water with their nets. I guess they are hard to catch. The frogs hide like alligators with their eyes just peeking above the surface of the water.

Oh, I just loved holding them, especially Pork. This morning I took him into the girls room for their wake-up call. Olivia opened her eyes and then reached over to pet him on the head.

The boys had a great time catching the frogs and were especially filthy when they got home!

Pork is enjoying some time in the backyard. Just for your information, Paul and Porter are on their way to return them to their original home. They will be happy to be back with their friends, even though they were good sports for us!

Porter Chooses an Instrument

Yesterday Porter and I went a music store to find an instrument, for his first year in band. After trying the saxophone, the clarinet, the flute, the trumpet and the trombone, he chose the flute! I know that is probably not a popular male choice, but I let him decide. We bought his first music book and signed a rental agreement for the flute. We are now ready for band!

Happy Birthday Chad

Last night we surprised Chad, my brother, with a birthday cake & ice cream, probably the only pink cake he has ever had (cherry flavored frosting)! We (our family, Tisha, David, Tara, Neils, and Gage) all sang to him and then the reward for the kids to brush their teeth was to give Uncle Chad birthday spanks. Oh, they ran off all excited to brush their teeth.

He gave them a choice of 5 soft spanks or 1 really hard spank - all my kids went for the hard spank. Chad said they were harder than he was expecting, even little Vivian gave him a mighty one.

Happy Birthday Chad, we love you!