*Labor Day with Friends*

Bryan wanted to host a get together with some of our friends this past Labor Day!  He orgainzed the meal - did most of the cooking - and made the phone calls to invite.

It was a beautiful day.  Rained at the end- but be had some good sunshine during the time we ate.

Oh and we played SKIPBO and Bryan still lost!  So did I!  Our friend Tori beat us all! Plus it was her birthday so I think it was only fair that she would get to win.

The kids enjoyed playing.

Flash Back Friday

13 years ago this weekend my friend Trica got married. I was one of her Bridesmades in her wedding. A month later I got married. Here is a picture of me and my Rainbow Girl friends. We had to get a group picture of our selves, since it had been years since we were all together.

Lt to right back- My sister (Jenny), Trica- bride

front: Anne, Amiee, and me.

~Brenda

Got to look!

A fellow Foster to Adopt Mother and Blogger is having a sale on her Cute Bella Bracelets! You just got to go look... they are sooo cute.

Check out her Blog here!

And GO check out her website to order these cute bracelets! The money she is raising is to help her son go to a special camp.

Wordless Wednesday- Week of Pictures

~Brenda

Moving Tips

My dear blogging friend Andrea, who I met through my dear Scrapbooking friend MaryRuth moved this weekend. She kept asking me for tips on how to move since our family just did it recently and her family was about to do it. I kept putting it off, Procrastination became my BEST FRIEND.

The whole moving experience was NO FUN and continues to haunt me. I have become paralized with fear that I can't sit down and really write about the tips...because I did everything wrong. The only good thing was having my Visiting Teachers watch the kids for me while we packed up everything the day before the big move, and then my friend Alyson watched the kids the day of the move. That was the only thing I did right.

So I am still not going to write up a list of tips, but instead give you the link to Andrea's cute list of tips she came up with. She moved this weekend and still had time to post a tips list. AMAZING!!!

YOU ROCK Andrea!!!

~Brenda

Much needed break.

Vacation with kids is hard.

Really hard with a 4 year old and 8month old in the same hotel room.

Driving 15+ hours with these same kids makes you need another vacation.

Your house selling in 4 days makes you need a vacation.

Calling rentals and waiting for call backs makes you need another vacation.

I am so glad that my friend Alyson agreed to take me away from my "Mommy Life" for 24 hours starting on Tuesday.

It was much needed.

Much appreciated.

Nope Greatly appreciated.

I talked her ears off. Her ears were bleeding because I talked and talked. And she still wants to be my friend...that makes me happy.

Our day started off looking at that one rental that I mentioned already. She thought it was very cute. *by the way I still have not gotten a call back from them if our credit check passed. Ugggg, I hate the waiting. I don't do Patience very well.*

We went and had lunch, and then stopped at Toys R Us and I got a really cute play phone for Ladybug so she will leave my phone alone. Hoping it will work.

We then went to a grocery store and got supplies to have fajitas. Then it was off to the resort, where she had reserved a really nice 2 bedroom apartment like place. It was right Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID. It was beautiful. Relaxing and fun. We talked like I mentioned. Well I talked. Alyson said yes, and shook her head a lot.

We then made dinner. And it was yummy. We then talked some more and I finally needed to head to bed. I did work on some of my pictures that I took from my vacation before heading to bed. Alyson told me she didn't get to sleep tell 2am because she wanted to finish her book she was reading. I think if I had not been talking so much she might have gotten that book finished say around 11pm or midnight. LOL

The morning was so relaxing. No kids jumping on me.... ahhhhhh! We just took a relaxing time sitting around having breakfast and talking more. When it was time to check out we headed to town and went window shopping at one of the malls, and then had Mexican for lunch. Since it was Cinco de mayo it only seem appropriate to have Mexican food.

Then it was time to head back to Spokane and I got a massage. Alyson is my Massage Therapist too. LOL Bryan met me at her work and I got to see the kids. It was great to see them. I missed them a lot. They didn't seem to really notice I was gone. LOL Bryan did good taking care of them.

Got home and the house inspection was still taking place and unfortunately I got upset and my relaxing 24 hours were gone. It really was not a bad thing that they were still there. I just wanted to be home. It was raining and Ladybug was fussing in the car. I did end up meeting the lady who is buying our home and it was nice to meet her. She seems really nice. I feel she will love our house as much as we have. So that was good, but now I am even more worried about the rental. They still have not called.

And as I have been typing this blog post (started at 7:19pm and it is now 7:40pm) the phone has rang two times and when the machine picks up who ever is calling hangs up. Telemarketers. I can't stand them. Maybe we should get a new phone number when we move?

~Brenda

Double Date~Twilight

My friend Alyson and I got our husbands to go see the movie Twilight last night!

Bryan and I had a Date Night scheduled already when Alyson called me on Tuesday evening to ask if I wanted to go see Twilight with her the upcoming Wednesday night at the $1.00 (Garland) Theater. I told her that Bryan and I were already going out but if she could convince her husband to come along that I am sure Bryan would be interested in seeing the movie.

*Special note! My husband has read all 4 books! I have only read the first one (Twilight) and 1/2 of the second (New Moon). I thought he should see the movie so that he could compair the book to the movie and we could talk about it together.

Alyson called me back and said that her husband would go! So Bryan agreed as well.

I had a very busy day yesterday filled with things away from home. I don't know why all my stuff that I like and have to do falls on the same day of the week.

10:30am- 12pm Weekly Pre-School Playdate at friend Tami's Church Building. (More like 9:45am tell 1pm with all the driving to and back home) Wiped me out!!!

Tried to take a short nap, but it turned out more like just some quite time. Bryan worked late at his new part time job (Community Minded Enterprises ~CME) and was not able to come home before he had to go to his massage at 3:30pm-4:30pm.

When he got home at 4:45pm we tagged each other and I was off to an Activity Day Meeting from 5pm to 6pm. The girls were very energetic as usual, which is normal but exhausting to me. Cindee (the Activity Day Leader) and I were having a very difficult time keeping the girls (8-11 years old) focused to learn the song they will be singing and learning some chirography for the Father~Daughter Sock Hop in March. The girls were just to wound up! We got half way through what we wanted to accomplish, and it looks like we will have to have another meeting before the Sock Hop.

Right at 6pm I had to leave Cindee's home to get to my place before Shelby the babysitter arrived at 6:30pm and Bryan and I had to leave to meet up with Alyson and her husband. I got home t 6:15pm and ran in and got changed and everything ready for Shelby for the night.

Shelby arrived right on time and Bryan and I were off to go buy movie tickets for the movie before gabbing some Teriakii for dinner. The theater was packed but we got tickets ($1 each!) and then headed across the street for dinner. Had the yummest Teriaki chicken ever!!! YUM!

Alyson and her husband called us when they arrived and we headed into the theater. It was PACKED! I am glad we had bought the tickets before the crowed arrived.

It was a big theater and plenty of room for everyone but the seats were so short. I ended up not sitting next to Bryan! LOL In fact I sat next to Alyson during the movie. She sat next to her husband and Bryan sat next to Alyson's husband. So it was kind of like Bryan and Alyson's husband were on a Man DATE!!!! *giggles* It worked out fine. The reason I didn't sit next to Bryan was because the seats were so short and I could not see behind the guy sitting in front of me. His head was taking up the whole movie screen! (oh this brought back some fun memories with going to the movies with my friend Tricia when I made the comment once that I wanted to sit behind only oriental people because they were short and I could see the movie then. I know I was not politically correct and that it was really rude to make that statement, but I am short already and want to see the movie too. Tricia would joke with me all the time when we would go to a movie, and look around for short people to sit behind. Anyway...that is a whole different story)

We had a good time with our friends, and are planning on doing another double date very soon! Since both our husbands have Wednesdays off!

I think the movie "PUSH" is the next one we are planning on seeing.

Corn Maze Craze!

The kids and I headed out to Greenbluff on Sunday after Sacrament meeting. I normally would not have gone to a Pumpkin Patch to spend money on a Sunday but my friend Alyson and her son planned the trip and every time I want to go to Siemer's Farm it is closed, so I decided we were going to go. But I had a hard time getting to the place by 1:30pm. I think it was more like 2:30pm when I finally found Alyson.

The traffic was awful. It felt like the whole city of Spokane was out in Greenbluff to get pumpkins, and the roads are so tiny out there, and parking is so limited. At one point I was stuck in a line of cars that were not moving, and Lady Bug decided to have a screaming fit because she was hungry! After listening to a screaming baby for 15 minutes in a car that can't move I was about to lose it. I finally managed to get out of the line of cars and decided to park at the farm down the road and walk. I was not sure if I would fine Alyson but I had promised Bug that we were going to the Pumpkin Patch and I figured he would have a meltdown if we didn't end up going, and since I drove all the way out there I might as well go in.

I loaded up the kids in the double stroller that my friend Susanna gave me. I LOVE this STROLLER!!!! It is perfect for the kids.

Here is a picture of the both of them sitting in the stroller.

I dressed Bug up in a Pumpkin outfit, and Bug in his Halloween T-Shirt for the day. They looked so cute.

Alyson actually found us when we walked up to the farm intrance. I was shocked that she found us. I was very releaved that she did because I knew that Bug would be upset not getting to see her son~ his buddy.

The boys had so much fun in the corn maze! Alyson enjoyed holding Lady Bug while we walked through the corn maze. Lady Bug kept giving me the eye as I was walking behind Alyson most of the time.

And then the boys got to go down the big slide.

The train ride was next on our list of things to do. Bug loved making silly faces.

Here is a family picture of me, Ladybug and Bug. I love this picture!

Lady Bug enjoying the train ride.

Here is a picture of the boys trowing bean bags in to the pig's mouth.

And right before we headed out to leave the boys got to bounce in the castle. Bug was so excited. He loves jumping!

Receipe Share

I had several friends bring me and my family some very yummy dinners after Lady Bug was born. It was such a great help to have the meals for us to eat and not have to worry about what we were going to have for dinner.

Thanks ladies!

Here is a recipe for the best Lasagna EVER!!!

Extra-Easy Lasagna
¾ pound ground beef
3 cups Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
6 UNCOOKED lasagna noodles
1 container (15oz.) cottage cheese [Large Tub] (about 2 cups)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz.)
¼ cup water

1. In 10-inch skillet over medium heat, cook beef until browned, stirring to separate meat. Spoon off fat. Add spaghetti sauce; heat through, stirring occasionally.

2. In 2-quart oblong baking dish, spread 1 ½ cups meat mixture. Top with three UNCOOKED lasagna noodles, half of the cottage cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.

3. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cheese. Slowly pour water around inside edges of baking dish. Cover tightly with foil.

4. Bake at 375º F. for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish each serving with salad greens and tomatoes, if desired.

Makes 8 main-dish servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 65 minutes
Stand time: 10 minutes

Award!!!

I got this award from my blogger friend Brenda at Welcome to Country Romance from the heart.

I was so surprised when she sent me a comment saying she had something for me at her blog.

Brenda and I have a lot in common, more than just our names. Her husband's name is Brian, and her sister married a Bryan. My sister's husband's name is Brian.

She also has a daughter who is pregnant and due very close to my due date. Small Small world.

What a happy surprise. I have been tying to think of who I wanted to pass the award on too.

Once an award is received, the rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blogs.

It was difficult to pick only seven, so I picked a total of 10 blogs. I have been visiting these 10 blogs for quite a while and I keep coming back for more.

In no particular order:

1. Renee's Blog: 2 yrs. old...Busy, Busy Little Bee- Renee' Blogs about her 2 year old very curious Adoptive Son. She and her hubby just bought a house about a year ago and she shares about the house repairs and what it is like to be a newly, Stay at Home Mommy. She has embraced her role and loves to make new meals for her family and post the recipes she likes.

2. Jennie's Blog: A Little Bit of Us- Jennie blogs about the stuff she loves. About her husband and about her work and family. She shares "Sweets and Sours" posts from time to time and has a heart for a dear friend who has been stricken with a very serious illness and helped raise money for treatment for her dear friend.

3. Becky's Blog: Becky Wilson and Family- Becky's blog is about her family and all the fun stuff they are doing. Her husband recently graduated as a Doctor in Iowa! They took a family trip to Disney World. I met Becky when she and her husband were still living in Spokane. They were the apartment managers at the apartment complex we were renting from before we bought our home 4 years ago.

4. Jamie's Blog: Christensen Family- Jamie blogs about her kids and all the fun stuff her 5 kidlets are up too. Bug and her son Cam are best friends. They are only a month apart and have so much in common! She also makes all those really cool vinyl lettering that is so popular right now.

5. Tami's Blog: The Girls and Dad B.- Tami blogs about all the cute and fun things her three daughters are doing. I met Tami at an Adoption Conference back in 2004, and we have been close friends ever since. We have so many things in common that it is almost like we are twins separated at birth.

6. Andrea's Blog: Just-about-perfect- Andrea blogs around organizing with three little ones under foot. Her posts are so much fun to read, and the pictures that her oldest daughter takes and Andrea posts are priceless. Sometimes I feel like we are kindred spirits. We are hoping that one day we will meet face to face.

7. Alyson's Blog: Life as I know it- Alyson blogs about her 5 year old son (almost 6 years old) and all the fun activities he is doing. She is homeschooling him and enjoying all the stuff he is learning and the whole process of homeschooling. I get to see Alyson on a weekly basis as she is my massage therapyst. She inspires me about homeschooling and has been a huge help deciding what educational path I think we will be taking with Bug down the road.

8. Jenny's Blog: Tater Tot March- Jenny is my sister and started her blog up recently. I love the posts that she shares of her twin boys (my cutest nephews) and some of the other funny things that happen to her during the day. She is also a new Stay at Home Mommy learning how much work taking care of twin boys every day all day long can be, but loving it at the same time.

9. MaryRuth's Blog: Team Franks- MaryRuth blogs about her church calling, her favorite recipes, her job, scrapbooking, and the most recent wonderful news on becoming pregnant. We met on a scrapbooking website back in 2002 and found out that we lived in the same town, and became close friends. Both of us going through infertility brought is even closer. When I found out I was pregnant at the beginning of this year I was worried how to tell MaryRuth, but to my surprise she had happy news to share with me too. We are both finally pregnant and even though she lives in Texas now, we still stay in touch.

10. Kristen's Blog: Snips Snails and Pigtails-Kristen blogs about the adoption process of her foster to adopt daughter. She was born a few months before Bug was and had her from birth. Their situation was a very long process, and it was a very emotional roller coaster ride. I forget how I found her blog but I have been blessed to read her posts. When her daughter's adoption became finalized in either January or February, I cried! I remembered the day when we finally adopted our Son and how special it was and knew that her family was on cloud nine! Her daughter is the cutest little princess ever!

So there are my nominees for this award. I hope you go visit each of their blogs if you have not done so already.

Thanks again Brenda for the award! It is my first of many more I hope!
*smile*

I am sad to see my family go.

~VERY LONG POST~

I had such a great time with my sister and mom when they came to visit. I miss them both so much.

They arrived last Friday. It was about 9:45am when I checked their flight online for its status and learned that they were going to land at 10:10am. I still needed to dry my hair and drive to the airport. Luckily, we only live about 10 minutes from the airport.

I dried my hair, and Bug decided that he wanted to stay home with Daddy playing some game on the Internet. They were having so much fun. So I was off to the airport alone. I was a bit nervous that I would get lost, or not find the correct terminal, but our airport is really small. I parked in the perfect spot and fed the meter and headed inside. I did have to ask one lady who worked for United Airlines where JetExpress airlines flew into and she was nice and told me. By the time I got to the baggage claim area, I saw my mom. She came up to me and rubbed my belly and said "Hello" to her grand daughter. The luggage was quick to come out, and we were soon loaded up in the van and heading home.

Bug was so excited to see my mom. He said, "Grammy!!!" when they walked in the front door. She picked him up and gave him a big hug, and he asked her, "Where have you been?" He missed her a lot. My sister was greeted with a smile but no hugs because Bug needed to get use to her. At least he didn't scream or cry when he saw her. He soon warmed up to her when he realized that she was really SPIDER-MAN (Auntie Jen). When her super hero identity was revealed he was hooked.

I am Spider- Auntie!

Look at that Web action!!!

We had a light lunch and then Bryan and I had to head out for our Massages, so we left my mom and sister alone to take a nap and relax a bit, and get settled.

The massage was much needed! It had been two weeks and I was hurting. My upper and mid back were very tight. I have to laugh at what I must have looked like trying to get up on the massage table. I was struggling. I think I will have to bring a little stool for myself. LOL

When I got home I took my sister with me to see if I could find a Maternity Belt. We headed to the mall, and found one, and I bought it. Here is a picture that my sister took of us in the dressing room.

Being Pregos in the dressing room....GOOF BALLS!

I didn't notice that she had one of those tummy pillows under her shirt. I guess the matirnity stores have these in the dressing rooms to help you see what the shirt will look like when you put them on. My sister kept bumping the tummy pillow into me until I finally realized that she was wearing it, and then we got a good laugh. She wanted to take a picture of it and me wearing that stupid maturnity belt. I tried the belt the rest of the day (it is worn under my shirt * I just have it out in the picture) but it hurt more so I took it off. And returned it to the store.

Bug had so much fun with Grammy and Auntie Jenny that he didn't want to go to sleep that night. I think it was 9:45pm when he finally fell asleep. He was sleeping in his own bed in our room and I had to stay in the room with him to help him calm down. I was laying on my own bed, and Bryan came in at 10pm and found me asleep. It was sooooo hot!!! It took me a hard time falling back to sleep once I got my self ready for bed. The bed time routine for me. I still think my mom and sister are the ones who brought the heat with them from California.

The next morning we took it easy in the morning. We headed out for Lunch at Red Robin and had the yummiest meals! Bryan was able to come too. He was a huge help intertaining Bug while we ate, and talked. Then my sister wanted to go to Starbucks to get a yummy drink. Chocolatety Chip Frapatino. (forgive spelling and if I have the name wrong, I don't shop there and don't know all the correct names) I got a taste and it was very yummy. We dropped Bryan and Bug off at home and then we were off to the Baby Shower. It was such a HOT day!

My friend Alyson did a great job planning the party. Decorations, food and games/activites. It was fun. Here are some pictures that my sister took with her camera.

Me and my sister before heading to the Baby Shower.

One of the activities for the guests to do was decorate onesies for our little baby (A.K.A. BABY LADY BUG) Everyone did a great job. It was so fun to look at the end projects. And now each time when I put one on my little one I will be reminded of this special day and my friends and family who were there to celebrate with me.

The cake that Alyson got at Safeway! Ladybugs!!!! And since I already have the Snips and Sails and Puppy Dog Tails, I needed the Sugar, and Spice and Everything Nice. :)

Here are some of the gifts that my Mom and Sister gave to us.

My Mom made these bibs on her new sewing machine. Lady bugs!!!

Baby Lady Bug's first "RAG" Doll.~ From Grammy (my mom)

My Mom made this slip to go under the crocheted dress that my MIL made for Baby Lady Bug to wear at her Blessing. See here for the post of a picture of the Crocheted dress that my MIL made. Now both Grammy and Oma have made something that she will wear on her Special Day where her Father (Bryan) will get to bless her with name and all the other Blessings that Heavenly Father wants to place upon her. I can't wait tell this day! Bug's was very Special because we had just had him sealed to us as an eternal family a few hours before at the Temple and I still could feel the spirit so strongly.

When Baby Lady Bug is blessed we are hoping that both my Mom and Bryan's Parents can be there, but we will have to see how things pan out with timing of things and cost of things.

My mom made this beautiful Quilt for Baby Lady Bug! My mom does such good work. I love each quilt that she has made for me and now my kidlets. She made one for the Foster Baby Boy we had last year. I could not pass it along with him when he was removed from our home, and keep it in a box that helps me to remember him.

The cutest outfit my sister gave to Baby Lady Bug. Look at those Bike Shorts!!! So Sporty! She also gave Baby Lady Bug a cute Minnie Mouse stuffed animal in a pink dress, and some jammies that are from the Disney Store. Unfortunately, my eyes are closed in the pictures and I look really weird in the pictures. Since I author of this blog I get to approve the pictures shared, and I just look so bad in those pictures that I can't get myself to share them. *smiles* :P

My friend Alyson gave me this cute baby calendar to help me document all the important things about Baby Lady Bug for each month after she is born.

Here are the guests at my shower. Everyone must have known the colors I have picked out for Baby Lady Bug's room. Green and Pink.

L-R Front row: Natalie, Dana, Alyson, Wendy. Back row: My mom, Kristi, Me, My sister (Jenny), Rebecca, Tami.

When the shower was done we went and bought some supplies to make Brats (spelling) for dinner. They are kind of like Sausage Hot Dogs. My sister made them and we ate them outside on the patio furniture. It was such a nice evening. Hot but so nice. I was so tired after all the activities of the day.

When we came inside Bug was running around and fell and hurt his knee on a stray metal cookie cutter. It some how got down in the living room. I had seen it in with his toys earlier that morning but got distracted and forgot to pick it up. I must have had some idea that he was going to get hurt from it. I wish that I had just picked it up when I first saw it. Unfortunately he fell on it and cut his knee. Don't think it needs stitches, but it was bleeding pretty good. I got kind of woosie from looking at it. We cleaned it up and bandaged it up and then it was time for him to get to bed. So I spent another evening in my bedroom trying to help him to calm down and fall asleep. It didn't take as long as the night before.

Sunday we headed to lunch at TGIF~ worse service and FOOD ever! Very disappointing. We then went to Wal-Mart and Target looking for a window cover thingie for my sister's car. She and her family are driving to Disneyland for a fun time, and the opportunity to meet up with a blogger friend. We had no luck finding the window cover thingie. :(

We also went to Starbucks again and got some yummy drinks. I got a vanilla bean frapochino. (spelling) It was very yummy.

When we got home my sister and mom went wild in Baby Lady Bug's room. I have not had to much energy at decorating the room. It has been hard on me~ kind of depressing really, so I was grateful for their help. I had a really cute boarder that I wanted to put up. My mom suggested putting the left over lady bug wall decorations on the boarder. It turned out so cute. My sister and mom also changed around the crib and the curtains in the window. I don't have a picture of the window curtains yet, but I will once I finish sewing on a panel. Just a side note, the curtains I have were my curtains when I was a baby. My mom made them for my bedroom. I love the idea of having them for my little girl.

Here are a few pictures of the finished room.

The dresser will be in front of the window so that is why you don't see a dresser.

My sister took this picture of Bryan, Bug and a very HOT prego me on Monday morning. My feet have swelled up so much from the heat. *pout* I guess my sister has another blogging friend who has the same couch as us.

Bug had hurt his knee again. He keeps wanting to take off the bandage off and he had been crying just before this picture was taken. The wound is looking much better today and I think it will heal up fine.

I took my sister and mom to the airport at 4pm on Monday so they could catch their flight home.

It was so good to see them. I miss them. I hope they had a good time, even though it was so HOT here this weekend.

I am tired!!! So I am going to close this post for now. I hope you have enjoyed the up date.