Flag Football

I surprised Paul Thursday night by catching the last half of his flag football game (he is playing in a league right now) after the girls' ballet class.  Here is a side shot of my brother, Chad, (in red shirt with orange long-sleeve) and friend, Troy (in white hat).

They played a great game.  It was fun to watch.  Chad is a great quarterback - he can place that football just about anywhere with people on his tail.  And Paul can "run like a gazelle" (according to him) - he is so swift that he takes out the quarterback and runs and has these amazing pivot moves all over the field.  Way to go!  Troy is the unofficial coach - he would love to play but has a bad knee.  He comes faithfully to the games and gives them encouragement and advice. 

Paul has played every Saturday morning at a local high school field for the last few years.  They have tons of fun.  He won't give up his Saturday morning for anything - once he did for one of my volleyball games -but that's it!

Happy Birthday Paul

We had a great time celebrating Paul's birthday.  The night before Paul's birthday, Vivian told me that she didn't have school the next day -  that was a surprise to me.  I asked her why she doesn't have school (because I was not aware of this.)  She said that she doesn't have school because it's Dad's birthday and she was staying home to play with him.  She said she wanted more than two hours to be with him, she wanted ten hours!  She was so sweet - she gave Paul two $1 bills and an envelope full of change.

I enjoyed a lunch date with Paul.  I also made a rare office visit and helped him hang some vinyl lettering on his walls - it looks great (thanks Tara).

Paul then took us out for dinner to a Japanese Steak House where they cook your dinner in front of you.  It was a fun presentation and great food.  We then came home for a homemade Oreo Cheesecake.  We love you, Paul!  


FYI:  If you have a belated wish for Paul - contact him.  He doesn't read the comments left here.

Countdown to Midterm Elections

Get out there and vote next Tuesday and encourage everyone you know to the vote, this midterm is very important.  Your voice matters.

Home Again

Last night I flew in from Houston, Texas after spending the last 6 days with Tonya, my sister, and her family.  When I got home the kids were in bed, but waiting for a goodnight hug and kiss from mom.  I found this welcome home sign waiting for me.  They were happy to have me home, but I think Paul managed just fine with everything including the last week of soccer games and practices, ballet, meals, plus everything else including his own office work. Thank you sweetie.

On Monday I flew out in my comfortable workout capri pants, a couple layered t-shirts, and tennis shoes.  I told Paul that I wanted to be comfortable.  He was appalled that I would dress like that in public, but oh well I did anyway (I looked fine).  He said, "next time you will be wearing a Muumuu (which he does not find pleasing)!" 

So at one garage sale (we only hit a couple) we found a dress that I could substitute for a Muumuu.  On my return flight, I actually dressed nicer with high heels - no workout clothes on me (now I have sores on the back of each of my heels where the strap rubbed from all the airport walking - not a good idea, leave the heels packed)!  But before I met Paul at the pick-up curb, I made a quick detour to the restroom where I changed out of my clothes into the dress (shown below) with flip-flops.  While I was doing this, I heard over the intercom "if you see anyone with any suspicious activity please report them to security."  I felt like I was acting a little suspicious to totally change my outfit, but I was not reported.

I met Paul at the curb with a big smile.  His first comment was "nice dress, I like the colors."  I had to explain that I was actually playing a joke on him.  I guess the dress didn't pass as a Muumuu, it wasn't baggy enough.  Oh well, at least I tried.

Menu Monday

Wow, I came back from the Texas heat  to find it much cooler here.  Fall has arrived and the warm days are gone.  It's time to get back into soups, casseroles, homemade whole wheat bread, etc!


Monday - Tacos, seven layer dip/chips
Tuesday - Spaghetti, Rosemary bread (from Costo), edamame (from Costco - love this, too!)
Wednesday- Paul's Birthday Dinner - eat out!
Thursday- Crockpot stew, bread in bread maker
Friday- Ward Party/Dinner
Saturday- Pizza, salad (there is one left in the freezer from last week's pizza-a-thon)
Sunday- Glazed Ham, baked potato, salad, veggie, dessert (I need to try something new!)

Sisters at the Houston Temple

I got into Houston last night in time to visit with the kids before bed, play three rounds of Monopoly Deal (we each won a round - Tonya, Ryan and myself) and meet their new puppy, Roxie.  This morning Tonya and I attended the Houston Temple. It was a special treat.  I was here five years ago with Tara visiting Tonya and Ryan (she was pregnant with the twins at the time).

I forgot my camera so these pictures are from my cell phone.  I tried to take a picture of us.  Tonya is never thrilled about the camera-at-arm-length photo - but she looks great and look at my squinty eyes and face.  Yuck!  So the two ladies you can see in the background, came to the rescue and took this picture of us.

Tiffani and Tonya at the Houston Temple.  Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at Dickeys and took advantage of their $1.00 pork sandwich special and free ice cream cones - couldn't get better than that.

Fall Parade of Homes

I had the opportunity to see some of the homes during the Fall Parade of Homes the past couple Saturdays.  I love looking for, color, inspiration, and design ideas!

Above pictures top left and clockwise:  1- I like how they framed in the wall with stone and created a ledge by the window - it was very nice. 2- Cool shelf around top of bedroom.  3-Nice art niche.  4- I like the black, green and print in the family room.

 1- Beautiful kitchen cabinets with computer desk area.  2- TV room - I like the ladder holding the blankets. 3- They continued the stone work into the bathroom on the bathtub surround.

I wish you could a close up on the tile backsplash in the kitchen.  I like how they used a couple different sizes of tile, especially the small ones on a diagonal.  I also like the cabinet built-in inside the arched space.

This photo collage has my favorite two features of the whole parade.  The stovetop hood is gorgeous - it's all wood.  I love the curved lines.  I also love the arched doorway with double pocket doors opening into the office/library.  I am looking for small details like this since we are hoping to start building our home soon.

Notice the stone wall in the dining area - it was unique.  I also like how they made a ledge for shampoo by the bathtub - another idea I want to incorporate.  I also had to take a picture of the wheel chair ramp - not that we need one, but I am making this home wheel chair accessible on the main floor.

The girls went with me to a few homes.  Vivian found a home that she wanted to buy - probably because the bedroom was decorated to her liking.

The new "thing" is tile floors that look like wood - we saw it in several homes.  It looks nice but I wonder if it shows dirt easily.

Beautiful bathroom - I like the sinks, oil rubbed bronze fixtures, and the tile backsplash.  Tile is limitless - so many options it can be overwhelming!

This rock archway caught my eye!  I also thought the corner tub enclosure with chandelier was a nice touch.  Hummmm....I am thinking how to frame something above my tub.

Don't you love the detail of this ceiling?  We like the stained edge patio and the cutouts in the master shower.

A little touch of brick - it looks really but it really isnt' that thick, maybe only 1/2".

Who doesn't love tall molding or extra woodwork? 

I love the parade of homes - I always come away with a few good ideas that I want to implement.  You can tour the homes just for decorating ideas - the sky is the limit!

Menu Monday

Monday - Costa Vida Salad (I made it ahead and left it in the fridge)

Tuesday - Sunday - Pizza & anything easy. I bought four Papa Murphy pizzas, two frozen pizzas, pizza pockets along with corndogs, burritos, fruit, etc.  I know it has to be something quick and easy because Paul is holding down the fort while I am playing in Texas!  Thank you honey.

Do you think they will be sick of pizza when I get back? 

Halloween Paper Dolls & Printables

Marne, my sister-in-law, emailed me this cute link.  I just love these Halloween paper dolls.  Check them out here at Make it Crafty and Sassy.  This site also has many other cute Halloween printables, including:  tags, cards, just been booed signs, paper chains, and pendants.

Now I just need more ink for my printer!

I Want Your Money

 Take a look at this trailer for a new movie coming out.  Why are they not showing it in my state?    Here is the website for the movie, so you can check if it is coming to your area.  I guess I will have to watch it in the big state of Texas when I visit Tonya.

Paying the Price

Last night I made sugar cookie dough.  It's my favorite recipe because even the dough is so yummy! Before diving into the dough that I was going to chill in the refrigerator for baking cookies the following day, I had a thought "Tiffani, don't eat the dough because it contains raw eggs."  I thought oh that is a silly thought, because I have eaten dough my whole life without getting sick. So I had a generous sampling!

The funny thing was that I wouldn't allow the kids to taste the dough.  I said "you might get sick because it has raw eggs."  It's not like there wasn't enough dough to share because I doubled the batch.  (Well at least they aren't experiencing what I am because they heeded my counsel.  But why didn't I listen to the thoughts that came to my mind?)

So this morning I wake up with a queasy stomach.  I still attend my Pilates class and then come home because I don't think I can take anymore with my stomach churning.  I haven't done much since except soak in the tub and lay in bed.  Oh, that darn cookie dough.  I don't think I got it as bad as it could have been.  But I definitely have the bodily symptoms of a stomach revolting against something bad, plus I have yucky, rotten egg burps (yeah, I know  - you probably all want to stay away from me).

The lessons I learned: 1)- stay away from raw eggs (can I really do that?) and 2)- listen to the still small voice, even when you think it is silly.

Menu Monday

I know this is late in coming!  Three out of four children are out of school this week so I haven't made the time to blog consistently.

Monday - Zuppa Tuscana Soup, rolls (When I saw kale at the grocery store, I had to make this soup that night for dinner - I love it!)

Tuesday - French Bread Pizza, Fresh Peach Smoothie, veggies

Wednesday- Shrimp Pepper Lemon Linguini (trying for the first time), Roasted Garlic Artisan bread, veggie

Thursday - Cashew Chicken, Fried Rice, edamame

Friday - Garden Patch Chowder, rolls (maybe in bread bowls if I get ambitious)

Saturday - Crock pot Pork Sandwiches,  veggies, salad

Sunday - Left overs 

No Dogs Allowed

Paul mentioned to a past ward member that if she ever needed a dog sitter for a weekend, that he would love to have the opportunity.  Well his wish came true and now we are watching a dog for not just a weekend but three weeks!  I was furious when I found out this news because it was never discussed with me.  And I am the only one home during the day, so I am its primary caregiver. Urghh..... 

We were told that this little guy was potty trained and never had accidents.  However within seconds of him arriving at our home, he had already lifted his leg and marked his spot.  This wasn't the first accident - there have been many others.  I think I am now counting on my second hand.  What am I doing wrong?

I am glad that most of the kids are out of school this week so that they can take care of him and love him up.  He gets extremely bored with me and I'm in and out of the house a lot.  The girls especially love him.  But he has also found a fondness with Corbin, his new sleeping buddy.  On the other hand, Porter does not like the dog one bit.  In fact, he asked me today" how many more days will he be here?"  He prefers Smokey, the cat, to this little dog.  He says that dogs smell.  

I have had a talk with Paul and told him very clearly that he is never to offer this service again!  We have had dogs in the past.  And this experience just reaffirms why we don't have our own dog right now!

Paul is not happy about my complaining - oh, well!

No School

The kids are out of school yesterday and today....so that means a busy mom and no time for blogging!  Yesterday the girls were busy with swimming at the YMCA, playing with friends and then on top of all that fun, they had ballet class.  Porter also enjoyed time at the Y - he exercised for an hour and then played in the youth activity center for three hours!  Later both boys had soccer practice.

I

While the girls were gone, I glass etched a design on my trifle bowl with some funky branches and a bird.  This was my first time ever using a Cricut (not mine, it was borrowed).  I was pretty happy with myself!

Today the kids played in the youth activity center while I attended Group Power (a weight lifting class with very loud music - I don't like the volume) with Tisha.  After class Tisha and I played tennis behind the Y.  We played next to some older gentlemen who never made a peep.  On the other hand, I was very noisy with all my sound effects!  I made sounds when I made good hits and sounds when I missed - we were a wild bunch!  Much less control with the ball than the men.  But we had a lot of fun playing and look forward to our next match.

 Porter chose a Rubik's Cube - I remember these when I was in the third grade.

 Olivia bought this giant Mad Libs plus candy.

Vivian bought this game - we used to this a long time ago in the white brick house.  Does anyone remember that?  Plus she bought candy but I think it's eaten.

Here is Corbin's newest gadget! 

And his new CTR ring!

 


After getting showered and ready for the day, all four children and I loaded up and went to Taco Bell for lunch.  Then we headed over to Deseret Book where the kids used their $10 credit (each) that they earned from the summer Book of Mormon reading challenge.  It seemed like it took forever for figure out how to spend every penny!  Then we braved Costco!  It was so crowded it felt like the day before Christmas.  Corbin used all his hard earned money to buy a new 8G Ipod Touch - much nicer than my little  Craigslist Ipod Nano!

Then after grabbing a couple Redbox movies and dropping three kids off at home, Vivian and I made a run to Kohl's and the bank.  With a $10 card that Kohl's sent me in the mail, I was able to get this necklace absolutely FREE!  The necklace was 50% off $20, so that made it exactly $10.  So minus my $10 coupon, it was free with no sales tax either!

So it looks like we all survived the two days of NO SCHOOL - but how am I going to do next week when three of my four children are on Fall Break and out of school the entire week?  I have some activities planned, thanks to Jody!  After that I will flee to Texas to play with Tonya :-)

Book of Mormon Challenge Celebration

Our family took the Bishop's challenge to finish reading the Book of Mormon (531 pages) by October 1st.  We finished just in time so I thought it was appropriate that we celebrate with a family favorite, chocolate fondue! Since then we have started the Book of Mormon over again.  I wish we would have kept track of how many times we have read it with the children, it has been several times.

I know that this book is true and that is was written by way of commandment from God.  I find great comfort and strength in its teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that He loves me and wants me to return home to Him with my family.  Through  the countless examples in the book, I know that the only way back to Him is by being faithful to the covenants in which I have made.  I am grateful for this additional testimony of Christ from many prophets of old and I look forward for His return!

I love this powerful testimony from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - I hope everyone watches this video clip. Here is the link to his entire address titled "Safety for the Soul" given Oct. 2009 at General Conference.

Do you want to read it for yourself?  Click here to order your free copy of the Book of Mormon.

One Nation Under Whom?

Be patient this is a lot of information to download.

Picture of left:  8/28 Restoring Honor Rally                                                   Picture on right:  One Nation Working Together Rally

They claim that there were more people at their rally than on August 29th - which is probably true since Glenn's rally was on 8/28!

Wow, this is such a stark contrast from the experience I had on 8/28.  Those dang evil conservatives that want to protect this great country and return to the core values that bring us to God.

Darlene Nipper is Deputy Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (in the above clip) says:  “Diversity is our greatest strength. Our youth…be they bisexual, straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, questioning, immigrant or other…”  ---What?  That is so twisted.

But, as Gateway Pundit points out, the image they use to advertise the “One Nation Working Together” rally is actually a cropped Reuters photo taken on August 28 during the “Restoring Honor” rally hosted by Glenn Beck, seen here:

 Restoring Honor Rally Photo

Here is a link to a great article of someone who attended the "One Nation" march - click here.   He explains the colored t-shirts and their representation along with his experience of talking with dozens of people in attendance at this event.

The Blaze survey of mainstream media reports finds a good deal of skepticism about such claims.

Let’s check a few (you can click on the links for the direct source):

The New York Times:Noting that they began planning their rally in April, organizers said they were not responding to a march organized by Glenn Beck, which drew enormous crowds to the front of the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28. But they acknowledged that their hope was to draw an even larger crowd to Saturday’s event.
Significant areas of the National Mall that had been filled during Mr. Beck’s rally were empty. In a broadcast on Thursday, Mr. Beck criticized the liberals’ march, saying his supporters paid their own way to drive to Washington, while labor unions chartered hundreds of buses to ferry demonstrators to Saturday’s rally.

Associated Press:Organizers claimed they had as many participants as Beck’s rally. But Saturday‘s crowds were less dense and didn’t reach as far to the edges as they did during Beck’s rally. The National Park Service stopped providing official crowd estimates in the 1990s.

Politico:Organizers said they were expecting more than 100,000 to attend the rally. Thousands of people packed the area around the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but based on an unscientific estimate there were significantly fewer people than when Fox News’ Glenn Beck hosted the conservative “Restoring Honor” rally there Aug. 28. At that rally, attendees were forced to stand shoulder to shoulder the entire length of the Reflecting Pool.

ABC:The crowd was large, but seemed smaller than the crowd at the Beck rally. Nevertheless, Schultz announced that he was told the crowd was bigger than at Restore Honor. The U.S. Park Police did not release an official estimate.

NPR:Economic anxieties and fears that the nation was headed in the wrong direction were picked up by reporters who talked with some of the estimated 175,000, who attended according to organizers.  Of course, attendees at Saturday’s “One Nation Working Together” event had a different analysis of the causes of the nation’s problem than those who attended the much larger Beck rally.

Washington Post:

More than 400 groups endorsed the “One Nation Working Together” rally, which organizers said drew a crowd of 175,000 people – about what they expected. Beck has estimated that 500,000 people came to his gathering. There are no official counts of crowds on the Mall, and the National Park Service no longer provides such estimates.

 I don't really care about the size of the crowd.  But it is the lie that really gets to me.  Let's tell the truth!

Pictures from the 10/2/10 Rally

 Look at their signs and pamphlets.

Unbelievable!

 Look at the garbage left behind.

 Look at these comparisons of the grounds after these three events.

 I love this picture and sign.  We are one nation under God!  

It is troubling to see what is going on.  I will not stand for the continual lies and deceit.  I thought this counter rally was a total disgrace to the experience I had on 8/28 at the Restoring Honor Rally.  You can watch both rallies for yourself and judge what is truth and what do I want to stand for.  They are both archived at cspan.org.  One Nation Rally click here and Restoring Honor Rally click here.

Where do I find strength?

I love these passages of scripture because they give me strength and courage to move forward in the cause of righteousness.

The scriptures say that we know that "all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.  But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

"And I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me---the fountain of all righteousness."

Christ taught "if ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." 

Menu Monday

 I don't feel like cooking this week - what should I do? The answer: Simplify or just show up at your home during dinner time!

Monday - Chili Verde and bread from breadmaker

Tuesday - Hawaiian Haystacks (yes, third week in a row - it's easy)

Wednesday -   Spaghetti (Homemade sauce), salad, bread

Thursday - Quesadillas, veggie, smoothie
Friday - Pizza (homemade), edamame, ?
Saturday - leftovers or frozen burritos (yes, I'm feeling lazy)
Sunday - French Dip Sandwiches, veggie tray, salad with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Breakfasts: (I didn't get to these last week)

Texan Cinnamon Rolls

Eggs Benedict with Blender Hollandaise sauce

I made the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and they were great!  I cut the recipe in half to make it more manageable.  I also added two eggs to the mix.  The kids loved them.   Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins, recipe here.

Continue in Patience

This short video has a powerful lesson of patience.  I especially like the marshmallow experiment.  Does anyone have a four year old to test?  

President Uchtdorf says, "Patience means staying with something until the end, it means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings.  The work of patience boils down to this - keep the commandments, trust in God, our Heavenly Father, serve Him with meekness and Christ-like love, exercise faith and hope in the Savior, and never give up."

Interesting Info: The Marshmallow Test got its name from an experiment at Stanford University in the 1960s on 4-year-old nursery school pupils. Researchers told children that they could have one thing they really wanted right away – a marshmallow, or a candy or a cookie, for example – but if they could wait while the researcher left the room and came back about 15 minutes later, they could have two. 

It was designed to test self-control. The researchers, led by psychologist Walter Mischel, found only about 30 per cent of more than 600 children tested could hold out.That's as far as it went until the early 1980s, when Mischel followed up and discovered the children who had been able to wait for two marshmallows were also doing better academically. 

Jonah Lehrer, in a recent New Yorker magazine article, reports those children who waited 15 minutes averaged 210 points higher – more than 10 per cent – on college entrance exams than did those who could wait only 30 seconds.Collectively, the brain skills needed to wait for marshmallows are known as "executive function" or, more broadly, as "self-regulation." They include inhibiting impulses, sustaining attention, planning, prioritizing, and finding and carrying out strategies to stick to your plan. In kid-friendly language, it means you can "rise to the challenge."

Quiz: What Should You be for Halloween?

I found this quiz at Martha Stewart's website, click here. You answer 7 easy questions and then it tells you what you should be for Halloween! It takes the guess work right out of it. Here is what my results were:

You are undoubtedly Medusa

Always on the run, you need an easy-to-make costume this year. Forget intricate getups that take time and cost a lot of money, and focus on a quick but creative disguise like this Medusa costume.