Looking back.... 2007 in Review

Well it's hard to believe a year has passed.... It was an exciting one at that!!

Cassie Ahmann Passed away (Kid's good friend)
Bought a New Car
Boys & Girls Basketball went to District Playoff
Girls Softball went to District & Made to State Playoff
Jenn graduated from High School
Kevin flew down & took Kaitlyn to Senior Prom
Adrian & Elijah took swim lessons
Allison Ruffin was born
June Retreat!!!
Joseph & Holly were married
Amy & Justin were married

Eric turned 21
Kevin turned 17
Went to races in Seattle
Elijah turned 5
Elijah went to Kindercamp
Jenn turned 19
Elijah started Kindegarten
Adrian is in the 3rd Grade
Kevin is a Senior
Jenn started Big Bend
Jenn was baptized in the Mormon Church
Allison was baptized it the Catholic Church
Adrian expelled for pocket knife at school
Elijah gets glasses & needs to wear a patch
Victoria Pugh was born
November Retreat a great success
A very Thankful Thanksgiving
Adrian turned 9
A wonderful Christmas

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!!!

The day after Christmas is my most favorite day of the year!!! I don't even go shopping. For the last 5-6 yrs, I've used the day after Christmas to relax... Yep me.. Relax... I totally turn into a couch potato. This year I bought frozen waffles, frozen Kids Cuisines for lunch & Dinner... * I'm bad*!! At least they are getting fed... I don't do anything.. usually sit on couch, and watch chick flicks, while the kids play with all their new toys.

I love the day after Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Today I dropped off the little boys at their Great Grandma & Grandpa's house. They usually spend apx 4 or so hours on Christmas Day... I always get a knot in my stomach, wandering what would happened if the boys mom showed up. The Chandler's always assure me that they would call right a way...but would they???? Anyways, the spend time with them, my older kids go to their dad's and I go to my mom's and have a nice, quiet Prime - Rib Dinner (thanks Wilbur) with whomever can make it..... So after most of the hustle & bustle is over, it's nice to be able to relax, have a good meal, and visit with family... Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Christmas Eve......................

Yesterday I was able to finish most of my shopping.. I needed to run to Tricities early this a.m., I needed to get groceries for tonight & buy 3 more gifts... I went in with the attitude, I better be pleasant, not cranky or pushy, cuz I'm the one who waited till Christmas Eve to finish....
Now you aren't going to believe this but I'm not the only one who waits till the last minute... and you know what you also can come across some really good sales.... I was able to finish up, get home, open gifts with my kids, all my kids were there :) that is always such a great feeling to have them home!!! Then we went to my mom's, ate lots of snack foods, exchanged gifts & played games... We have such a good time... Didn't get home till midnight... Now that is what I call Christmas!! Santa was a tad tired, waiting for the kids to wind down so she could go to sleep... but I will say we all slept quite well....

December 23rd & I still have shopping to do......

Well, it didn't work out for me to go shopping yesterday.. so today I headed off bright and early.
Was going to go to Tricities & decided to detour thru Othello ... They only have a Walmart but decided to give it a shot.. Shopping list in hand... no kids hanging on me... and only 20,000 people to be there.... Well, #1 got there & believe it or not.. Not busy... great parking spot, and lots of room to breath.... I was so excited.. .I was able to get all of my gifts purchased or the items I needed to make them except for 3.. Tomorrow I will down & finish up... .I came home, wrapped gifts, made gifts, and had plenty of time to spare..... I'm not sure what it would be like to get it all done early.... I know one thing.. never a boring moment in my house the last week of Christmas!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!!!

Today is my brother Scotts 45th Birthday...

Happy Birthday Scott.... I wish you the best for another year!!!

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS!!!

A few years ago, I found this story on the internet... I loved it so much I made accordian fold books & scrapbooked it for gifts... During this time of year... we get so busy with all the hustle & bustle, all the commercialized things that are going on that we all have a tendancy to forget what it's really about or maybe I should say I have a tendency to forget.... I would love to share this with you & hope you enjoy it as much as I.... I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & hope your Holidays are the best.. Enjoy your time with your families.. We are all so truely blessed....

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . ."TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled.

What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Warden Cougars -vs- Kittitas Coyotes

Oh my gosh....WHAT A GAME!!!! 60-68 - Coyotes won in Dble OT.....

This was pretty much one of Kevins best games.....

He started the game off with a 3pt... Now I'm pretty sure this is the 1st 3 he has made during a game.... He plays with such emotion... I love watching him.... He had double digits in points, which you may be thinking what's so big about that but for him it is huge..... he's a good ball player but definately lacks confidence in his shooting usually even trys to shy away from it .... He made his free throws when they counted the most.. He took a charge & the offensive foul was called on the Coyotes in a very crucial time... And my most favorite thing about him his is attitude.... He has stayed positive 99.9% of the time this season... He plays with a smile (most of the time)... cheers on his teammates... He is such a good sport.....

Yeah, I know this is bragging, but I'm okay with it.... I'm so proud of him & so proud to be able to say "HE'S MY SON"!!!!!

Christmas Party

Last night was the Wilbur-Ellis Christmas Party for the Lower Basin Branches. It was held at Moses Pointe - which is a golf & country club. We had apx 86 people that attended. Heather
made the food arrangements, contacted most of our chemical reps and or fertilizer reps for door prizes, wrapped all 50 of the gifts, and managed to do it with a smile on her face..... I on the other hand, stood at the door and was a greeter (will look great on resume for Walmart) *lol* which allowed me to look important & got lots of credit that I didn't deserve.
The dinner was wonderful ( served a little strangely and quite slowly) but was delicious. You had the choice of primerib dinner, cedar planked halibut(I had) or Chicken Cordon Bleu....
After dinner we drew the tickets out of the fishbowl, called out the number, and asked the winning ticket holder ... right hand or left hand.... We had gag gifts of toilet paper, bag of candy, box of cookies, but barried in beneath was Gift Certificates.... It was funny to see everyone's faces as they opened their gifts.... and the best part was every employee got a gift :)
Thanks to Wilbur Ellis, our bosses & Heather for allowing us to have & for all the hard work involved in putting it on !!!

Winter Concert - 2008

Warden Elementary had their annual "Winter Concert" tonight. Dr. Huffman does the best job getting all those kids to sing, dance & perform... This year the theme was the "Nutcracker"...
The grades K-2 sang songs... while 3rd thru 5th performed the play. This was the first year for Elijah.... He came home & told me he needed to wear his tuxedo (suit from the wedding this summer) .. So I get him all dressed up & then I had to take pictures of him. He was posing like a male model... It was so funny. I was lucky to get him and Adrian's picture together.. Adrian didn't much care about this blessed event.
Now, my story doesn't even compare to that little boy over @ Multiple Hat's blog that couldn't keep his clothes on... but I did laugh so hard I cried. Elijah came in towards the end of his class. He was wearing his little suit, his shirt was untucked & down to his knees (not quite that bad) and he had his hands in his pockets. The whole time he was singing he looked to be pulling his underware down.. not sure if they were bunched.... if they were creeping or what.... but it was hilarious.... but he was able to still sway back & forth to the beat of the music. I've always thought that the kindegarten class is the absolute best part of all concerts... I love listening to the one who yells the words... or watching the one tell the other they aren't doing it correctly.and seeing all their concert attire they are so proud of.

Adrian's class was part of the play... it was an awesome production, very uneventful , but very well performed... Adrian's class sang during the play, a few of the 3rd graders were in it but he was a singer.... It was hard to get his picture.. he kept ducking back behind the kid beside him...
I love the "Don't take my pic stage"....

Thanks Dr. Huffman for doing such an awesome job!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas

One Holiday Movie I recently watched:
Polar Express

Last two holiday websites I visited:
I'm so bad... I haven't

Three favorite items of clothing:
My Grey Wilbur Sweatshirt
My Blue Wilbur Sweatshirt
A black vest I just got at Christopher Banks

Did I say my sweatshirts? *lol*

Four favorite things to eat:
Carne Asada
General Tsao's Chicken
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Seafood Cesear Salad

Five things I ate yesterday:
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Popcorn
Cheese Stick
Pepperoni
Chips
(Spent the evening at races in Tricities - real healthy dinner *lol*)

Six things I need to do today:
Laundry
Load Dishwasher
Make Cupcakes for Adrian's Birthday at school tomorrow
Work on Christmas Projects
Catch up on my blogging
Unpack from Tricities

Seven gifts I'd like to receive:
Christopher Banks Gift Card
Craftwarehouse Gift Card
Anything the kids make @ school
I'm having a tough time with this one..... I firmly believe Christmas is about giving not receiving

Eight ingredients my kitchen shouldn't be without during the holidays:
Flour
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Walnuts
Pecans
Marshmellow Creme
Poppyseeds
Cream Cheese

Nine Christmas Songs I like to hear:
Silver Bells
The Christmas Shoes - I bawl everytime I hear it
Jingle Bell Rock
Frosty
Old Time Christmas
Away in the Manger
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night

Ten Memorable Christmas Gifts:
Baby Alive ( I was 12 - long story)
Pearl Earrings
A special phone call at midnight - my 1st Christmas without my kids
A special necklace
Pearl Ring
Hope Chest when I was 18
Leavitt's Special Gifts
How excited Jeff's mom gets when she gets the homemade Christmas gift each year
The year Woody only wanted a "Towboy hat" and when he opened it started to cry
The 2nd year Billy & I were married & his daughters spent Christmas with us (1st time he had ever spent Christmas with them)


Eleven Favorite Christmas Traditions:
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
Threading Fruit Loops, Cranberries, Popcorn for the decorations
Baking
Christmas Eve at my parents - when my dad was alive he loved teasing the kids about
not having any gifts for them under the tree and how all the presents were for him
He always signed my mom's gifts "Skinny Claus" instead of Santa Claus...
Running around like a chicken with my head cut off the last few days as Annette sits by her
fireplace, enjoying her Christmas music & is bored out of her wits *lol*
Watching all the old time Christmas shows
Christmas Cookie Making with kids ( never are edible when we are done)
Christmas Day at Mom's
The day after Christmas - I do absolutely nothing but lie on the couch and watch chic flicks!!!
kids are lucky to get fed *lol*
Making Jeff's mom's Christmas gift & seeing if I can outdo the one I did the year before
Making my Christmas Cards

Twelve fun Childhood Christmas Memories:

Waking up early Christmas Morning & my Daddy trying to be the grinch & telling us to go
back to bed & then all of a sudden Yell at us to get our butts up ....
Christmas Eve at my parents - hors de vours, games, exchanging gifts
I sneaked one Christmas & looked at the presents... the absolute worst Christmas ever!!!!!
My mom baking all sorts of cookies & candy.... I remember thinking she was nuts!!!
Decorating our tree
Dad taking us to the 5 & Dime store ( down by Chico's) and giving us each $5 or so & spending hours looking for gifts for mom, dad & my brothers...
Watching all the old time Christmas shows even as a teenager & driving my brothers nuts
Driving home from my Grandma's and singing Christmas Carols in the car as a family
Going to Grandma's, having dinner, & afterwards all of us sitting around the piano singing
Christmas Carols
Going to church with Grandma Jackson
My first Christmas away from my parents - thinking that Jeff's family was absolute nuts cuz they didn't celeberate Christmas the way we did.... Who ever would have thought everyone has their own traditions & ways of doing things *lol*


Janey Paney, this was fun but darn you made me think :)

Happy 9th Birthday Adrian

Saturday, Adrian turned 9 yrs old... So hard to believe....

He wanted a skateboarding cake... I'm so creative... since I couldn't scrapbook it, I'm terrible at frosting it ... so I just let them pick out things that would work for a cake topper & we go with it.. He got his skateboard cake & I didn't get a headache.

NINE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU:

1) You are creative - I love how you can take any piece of paper, box, paperclip, rubberband & come up with some cool project

2) You are so artistic - I love your drawings, they are so detailed oriented, your colors are so precise

3) I love your laugh - Somedays I don't hear it as much as I would like but when I do it makes me smile all over

4) You are so analytical - I know at times this drives me crazy but the times it doesn't its so funny to see you take a subject and analyze why or why not it should be that way...

5) I love that every morning when we are getting ready that you always tell me that you love me!!

6) I love how far you have come & that you haven't given up. You are a fighter & I know that

you will survive.

7) I love watching you play with Lego's . You have so many patience when it comes to building... I look at those blocks & get flustered .. You can spend hours & I love seeing what each & every outcome is...

8) I love when your eyes sparkle. Some days are few and far between but when they do ... it makes me feel so happy for you.

9) I love that I was blessed enough to have been able to be your mom. How many kids can say that my Grandma is my mom *lol* Adrian, I love you so much & I'm so proud of you...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

Head on over to Overwhelmed's blog & get a few more recipes...

Bavarian Apple Torte
2000 Annual Recipes
From Taste of Home Books

¾ cup butter or Margarine, softened

½ cup sugar
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

¼ cup sugar
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

Topping:
3 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples

½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine first four ingredients. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Pour over the crust. Combine topping ingredients; spoon over filling. Bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes or until the center is set. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator. Cut into wedges with a serrated knife.

Yield: 12-14 servings

Editors Note: Even a tight-fitting springform pan may leak. To prevent drips, place pan on a baking sheet in the oven.

This is the one of my most favorite desserts.... I only make it for special occassions cuz I literally could eat the whole thing!!!

BASKETBALL ......

Friday night Warden played Zillah. Actually, we expected to get beaten pretty bad but the kids played so well... In the beginning of the 4th qtr it was 24 -26. We ended up losing by a total of 6 points but it was a very close game. I had a friend of mine tell me how bad his kids hated to lose & how they didn't take it very well.... Losing was bad!!! Well, I told him..... Someone always has to lose... and if the kids played hard, gave it all they got, and still had fun .. then it was a good game..... he thought I was nuts *lol*

Kevin had a great game... Had several points, lots of rebounds, a few steals & 4 fouls *lol*

He played hard, played good & had fun!!!

Maybe next time we will get em'

Moses Lake Ag Parade......

Friday night was the Ag Parade, downtown Moses Lake. Wilbur-Ellis opted to put a truck/trailer in.

In the past we've always won or atleast placed but normally put in a piece of our machinery all lit up. This year the truck pulled a trailer full of hay bales, Mrs. Santa, and a group of kids.

Heather & I argued over who got blogging rights to this wonderful event. The one who has the pics in her possession *Heather* or the one who dressed up as Mrs. Santa and rode the float *ME*..... Well, we will both win... I'm posting first, and only have the pics Jenn took of me and the boys at the house.. So I'm expecting Heather to post the actuall parade pics.... I will say it was so much fun!!! The kids had a blast. We didn't win, place, or get honorable mention but we had fun!!!
It was really fun yelling Merry Christmas to the crowd and picking out a child you knew or even an adult and use their name... The little kids were in awe.
Jenn was in the crowd ... I yelled out "MERRY CHRISTMAS JENNIFER WHITAKER.... HAVE YOU BEEN A GOOD GIRL THIS YEAR?"... she said the people around her kept laughing & saying... "Do you know Mrs. Santa?"... have you been good?"... she finally told them if anyone knew if she was good or bad it would be Mrs. Santa cuz that was her mom.... *lol*



Thanks Roldan, Rick, and all the guys in the shop for your hard work & to Wilbur-Ellis for allowing us to do this....

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Casserole Edition

I found this recipe on the internet. It is wonderful... Kevin absolutely loves it.. As for the little boys... it's a Mac & Cheese night when we have this *lol*

Almond Chicken Casserole

2 c. cooked chopped chicken
1 c. uncooked rice
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 tbsp chopped pimentos ( I did not use)
1/2 c. sliced almonds
2 c. chicken broth
3 tbsp. soy sauce ( I did not add to recipe, we added it to each individual serving)

Mix all ingredients, pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

These Hints are from the one who posted on the internet.

* A few helpful hints: I've never been able to add more rice than the one cup, even with adding more water it always seems to turn out dry. It isn't nesecary to add the pimento; it just adds a little colour. I like this casserole best if the soy sauce is added later with each serving. A double batch of the Almond Chicken Casserole bakes up great in a big roaster and makes two meals for us.

Jump over to Overwhelmed with Joy's blog & get more great recipes.

I Miss The Days When..................

Do you ever wander why the times have to change so drastically???? I remember back when I was a little girl, that on t.v. nudity meant.. they were wrapped in a towel and bare from the shoulder down. That if a swear word was said you pretty much heard everyone say "Did they say what I thought they said?" You didn't have to worry about trying to expain to your kids what was happening or not happening... The actual shows & commercials left much more to the imagination...... Well not anymore..... I get so appalled when you are sitting down watching a show with your family & all of a sudden a commercial comes on advertising how wonderful it would be for you and your husband to be able to share intemacy for 36 hours.... OH MY GOSH!!!!! 1st of all 36 hours????? and that's not even the words they use ... You are probably wandering where I'm going with this... But today as I sat at work actually working... the radio was in the background playing... some song just finished and all of a sudden they start broadcasting the 36 hour erection pill again!!!! WHAT THE HECK???? They actually used the word erection... I've had to type it 4 different times... cuz I keep erasing it due to improperness.. Isn't anything private/secrative anymore.... I actually stopped working and started shaking my head... No wander the world is the way it is... They don't seem to mind that our children are listening or watching this crap on t.v. / radio but don't you dare let them use the words "UNDER GOD" in the Pledge of Allegiance, say a prayer in school, or say Merry Christmas.
I still haven't converted from calling my thongs(shoes) flip-flops. I know I've used this line before but" I sure miss the days when a coke was a coke, a screw was a screw"..... You wander why this world is so messed up????

It's officially Bleacher Butt Time!!!

Kevin played his first game tonight. It was a jamboree at Moses Lake High School. The boys played well, considering they went up against schools that were from bigger leagues.

Kevin played excellent. Last year he played mainly on j.v. team with just a tad bit of Varsity time & I mean a very tad bit..... Out of the 2 short games (not complete games) he had 10 steals & I'm not sure on the points but they were there too... He did such a great job....

Can't wait for the season to officially start...

Sunday... Christmas Craft Day

Sunday, I spent the day making Christmas crafts.. I made a 3rd grade survival tin for Adrian's teacher, a Kindegarten survival tin for Elijah's, a card tin for a lady that I work with & some gift card holders, and finished my mom's Journal Jar & Journal. Here are a few pics....

This is my favorite.... both sides on the inside will hold a gift card. I made 2 different pocket pages. I just loved this old time looking paper.

I didn't like this one when I first did it... But the more I looked at it the more it grew on me.

I really liked this snow paper I used. I have the hardest times matching papers...

I will post the tins, when I get them completed...

What kind of crafts are you making???

The Wall.........................

In my parent's house there is one wall that every grandchild has been measured on since 1988. I think Eric was about 2. Well, my mom painted apx. 2 months ago.. the kids were devastated thinking that she was going to paint over it... She took a roll of paper & transferred all those pencil markings with the dates and the names over. On Thanksgiving day, she had to roll it out so the kids could all get updated. It's so funny the little things you do that you don't really think matter...

Wii Fun

Nick had purchased a Wii for the boys a few weeks ago. We decided to take it my mom's for Thanksgiving. This thing is amazing... It has lots of games on it but I think what makes it better than the rest is that it's interactive. You actually roll the ball, swing the bat, swing the raquet. But the best part of all is sittin on the sidelines watching.... If you want a good laugh don't play just volunteer to watch... We had bowling tournaments, tennis tournaments, baseball games. They actually only turned it off a couple times and that was to check scores of the football games and then it was turned right back on... The pictures don't do it justice but it was hilarious...

Now my mom, who is now 71 likes to have fun... Once dinner was done, she was ready for her first wii experience and oh what an experience it was... She played several games but the best game for us all and it is the simplest is "THE COW RACES".... that's right... You are racing your opponent on a cow.... trying to knock over the cactus's in a row, jump the hurdles. Now you hold the romote in your hand length wise.. you turn it towards the tv for speed, and lift it in a jumping motion to clear the hurdles... the problem is you get so involved you actually are actually crouched down, leaning left and right, and jumping to clear the hurdles... Now mom decided to add in a hurry up voice" GO LITTLE BROWN COW.. RUN BROWN COW... FASTER!!!)

THE DAY AFTER......

Today, I sit back and reflected on yesterday...... The next few posts may be rather long, but I'm writing it as my journal, so I won't forget the hilights of the day. I will say & my kids even agreed that that was one of the best Thanksgiving's we've had in a long time. The only negative thing was Pat (my nephew) lives in Seattle and had to work so he wasn't able to come over. He was missed!!

Dave & his wife, Dolly had a baby girl, (Alyson), 5 months ago. Dave's boys are Pat who is 20 & Travis, who just turned 18. Travis loves his sister & is no way jealous of her but he spent the day heckling as if he was... I seriously laughed so hard I cried.....

It started off as soon as Dave, and Dolly got there, we were all fussin over Alyson. I hadn't seen her in several weeks & she had grown so much... I was taking pictures, my mom grabbed her camera, and started shooting pictures... and Travis says .... "Here we go again... Alyson...Alyson...Alyson..." We all started laughing. Well come to find out the last time he was over mom told Travis she had taken lots of pictures of him when he was her age... So Travis says ok Grandma let me see em'... Mom goes confidently back to her albums, pulls them out..and can't find one picture of Travis.... She than goes to another album and fails again.... She finally gave up grabbed her camera & snapped his picture... When she handed it to him on Thanksgiving day.... he said oh thanks grandma, the only picture you take of me & Alyson is in its.... We all busted out laughing.... Dave was holding Alyson & handed her to Dolly, Travis all of a sudden, sits down on his dad... and says "See he's my daddy, he still loves me..." Travis is bigger than Dave.... OH MY GOSH!!!!

We go to sit down to eat & Dolly sits Allyson close to her to feed her babyfood.... Travis starts again.... "This is it.. I had to be 18 to sit at the grown up table & look she's only 5 months & she's already here. Alyson..Alyson...Alyson.... The kid kept us in stitches.

Dave was going to watch my boys the other night, and the plans fell thru. Elijah was so dissapointed. Well Dave was telling us that he had made a rope and was going to teach the boys to tie knots. Travis goes What? Tie knots.... You gave me a rope told me to go outside & I couldn't come in till I had learned... What's up with this..... Next you'll be takin fishin & hunting... Now I'm replaced by the boys too..... As I said, we laughed in good fun at him most of the day.... Now look at this picture... and tell me he doesn't like his baby sister!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

There are times, being a single mom that you tend to get a little down.. have the little "Whoa is me, Pitty Party... But I have so many things to be THANKFUL for.

First and farmost, our heavenly father. He is always by my side whether it's helping to lead the way, walking beside me, or carrying me thru the tough times.

My kids- I'm one of the luckiest mom's in the world... I have 5 great kids, all with unique personalities & characteristics. Even though they don't always see eye to eye, they are each
other's best friend. Not only are they there for one another but they are always there for me.

My family - We don't get to spend alot of time together but we are always there for one another if need be.

My friends - Growing up I was shy (yep me... I was shy) I didn't have lots of friends but had 1 or 2 good friends. Until now, I didnot know what a best friend really was.

Annette- I'm so glad we have each other. Sometimes all's we need is the sounding post. You are always there and you understand.. we've had some great times & I know there are more to come.... Thank you!!!

Heather- Wow, who ever thought we could work so close together & become such good friends. I love that we can harass each other but yet are always there if one needs the other.
Thanks!!

Jane - You are like no other. I've never met such a wonderful person that can find good in
anything you see. You have a way about you that is so soothing... Thank you for being my friend :)

Deb - I don't even know where to begin... To think I was only going to scrap a calendar *lol*
From the first trip we took together, our friendship has just flourished. We laugh together, cry together, roomed together (luv those p.j's were they new???) and you've never judged me.
Thank you so much!!

My scrappin friends & bloggin friends - who ever would have thought that a piece of paper, scissors, tabs & computer could bring so many people together & make them friends. Thank you for sharing your daily escapades and families with me.......

I'm so thankful for my job and the people I work with. We are like one big family.. Always there for one and another. Being a single mom, they have been so supportive of me and my family. They allow me time to go to my kid's activities, I'm able to stay home if I need to , and work with the best fence post ever *lol* Thank you !!

Last but not least the soldiers and their families. As we sit around our table eating our homemade dinners, stuffing are faces with salads & desserts. The men and women of our country that are serving in the armed forces are away from their families, eating out of a mess haul, sleeping in fox holes / tents. You have given your life for my freedom. THANK YOU!!!!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...

A Trip To Dr. Warner's.......

Today, Adrian & I headed off to see Dr. Warner. I was hoping that the problem that he was having in school & at home were the way that I'd been administering his meds, but after talking with his teacher, I decided I better get him in.

Dr. Warner has been my doctor since I found out I was pregnant with Eric. He is such a wonderful man. He always takes time with you as a patient & never pushes thru like he doesn't have time. He is so easy to talk to... Adrian & Elijah both had different doctors. So after the adoption was final, one of the 1st things I did was switch them over. He was so good with both of them.. After each visit & before we leave, he always does a magic trick for the boys, and that is how they get stickers from him. He has them pick out a book( the special book ), then he drops his pad on the floor & as they pick it up for him he slides the stickers under the book. When the boys give him back his pad he continues the trick. He sets the book on his stool ... turns it around 3 times & does abracadabra & takes his hands and does the magic gestitures.. and every time the stickers appear. It's hilarious. Adrian being the analytical one is bound and determined to figure it out. He has told Adrian several times that he has learned this trick from Dr. School. *lol* Well, as soon as we get in the room & Marla leaves Adrian hops down & starts trying... I wish I would have had my camera... he was turning the stool, he was chanting the chant front wards and backwards and doing the hand gestures.... it was hilarious. Never could figure it out....

Well, the end result was to up our meds a tad... taking both pills within an hour of each other beginning at 5:00 a.m. Thank goodness he can fall right back to sleep. He's hoping that he will have enough in his system by the time school starts & hoping it will be wore off by bed time so we aren't up till wee hours in the morning... Only time will tell....

Favorite Ingredient - Friday

This is a simple muffin recipe but my kids love it. They are so easy, moist and so good. I make them alot for breakfast & normally not to many left.

1 box White Cake Mix - Make the cake mix as directed. Scoop into mini muffin tins that have been sprayed with a non-sticking spray. Cook as directed and as soon as they get out, dip just the tops into melted butter & then into a cinnamon / sugar mixture (3 TBLS. Sugar & 1 Tsp Cinnamon).


I hope you enjoy this recipe, go over to Overwhelme with Joy's - Favorite Ingredient's Friday for more good Muffin Recipes.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

The past 4 nights have been a little interesting around our house. Every morning I get up wandering what I'm gonna find. Adrian is having some insomnia going on. He goes to bed
about 9:30 p.m. but I'm not sure what time he's been falling asleep... Monday night I woke up at 11:30 and he was playing the WII. I walked out he looked at me and said... "Hmmm probably not supposed to be playing this..." I replied probably not... He then walks over to me hands me the control & says "hmmm suppose this means I'm grounded." I just looked up at him and said... I think you better get to bed...... Tuesday night he goes to bed & when I wake him up he hands me some oragami paper lanterns that has made in the middle of the night & proudly says "Mom, look what I made!!!" It was very cool.... then I looked up and saw his bed... there were papers, scissors, tape and any other thing he possibly could use for his projects....... Wednesday night he lies down with his book to read and when I wake up in the a.m. he's in Elijah's bed and I ask him Adrian why are you over here... He politely says ... "Oh my bed is a mess.".... OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He had taken all the water out of the box and neatly lined them up on the dresser.... He cut all the plastic up, all the box up there were thumb tacks, scissors, pencil shavings all over the floor, markers, tape, computer banner paper..... He said I couldn't sleep I made some projects......... I'm very grateful that he's not destructing things but a little tired of the mess... You may be wandering "Where is his mother....?" Well you see, I don't have insomnia, I hit the bed & I'm out... I'm seriously thinking about drinking some coffee late at night so I can keep up with this kid... Tonight, I'm going to suggest Legos... He loves his legos,.
His teacher & I have seen some other signs of him sliding backwards, so we are off to the doctor to see what we need to do.... I feel so bad for him. If they could bottle the energy of a child with ADD or ADHD and sell it.. We would be millionares.

NOVEMBER RETREAT 2007

DAY 3 - RETREAT

I slept till about 6:30 a.m., jumped up and headed down to scrap... The pressure is on today is the last day... The time goes by so...so.. fast. The night before Jane & Deb had told us that they thought about not having the retreats anymore, but decided if they could get at least 30 women for November & 20 for June they would continue. I think you could of hear a pin drop except there were sniffles & tears. As I walked in that morning, I thought these 2 women have brought 30 women from 30 different backgrounds, 30 different up bringings, 30 different income status, 30 different beliefs, thru them into a room with one thing in common & made them friends!!! I still get teary eyed thinking about it.... They are truely amazing!!!

Well we scrapped, took pictures, had lunch, scrapped, took more pictures and then packed up and said our good-byes for another year. Each year you make more friends & get closer to the ones you already know.

Jane & Deb, you have no idea how you have touched so many lives. You both give up so much to put these together. The time away from your families, the stress of making sure every fairy gift is covered, the food is edible, sleeping arrangements, I could go on forever.... As I sat & listened to the women tell of what they have gone thru to make sure they get this weekend to spent with you, the friends we have made, the ideas we have shared, you've made it all happen . Being a single mom, I don't get much me time but you have given this oppurtunity to me, to us and I just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!

DAY 2 - SCRAP RETREAT

This is my disclosure - The retreat blogs may be long but I'm doing this so I can remember
things when I scrap my pics - so hang in there with me :) Thanks

Day 2-
I woke up early on Friday a.m. - the headache was pretty much gone. I was still a little squeamish from it but was bound and determined not to give into it. I had a lot of ground to make up. After breakfast, Deb, I, Alyson, & Heather took a walk down around the bend. It was beautiful. A great way to start off the day. We spent most of the time explaining to Alyson that a Schmuck that will take out the garbage with out being asked, open the door, and say "Enjoy yourself at a retreat" is probably worth hanging on to... We kept telling her that at our age we wish our husbands were still a little schmucky *lol*. We also were sharing our stories on speed control on the freeway & how each have used our minds to get out of the ticket.... I now know why Alyson doesn't wear turtle necks *lol*... We had a great walk & lots of laughs... We eventually started scrappin.... and a scrappin we did... It's so fun to see everyone's pages, cards, projects. You get so many great ideas.... Now with all that scrappin we do, we still find time to have fun... Ditty Jane makes sure we all co-mingle.... The thought of ditty's scared me.. but they really do help you get to know the women that sits 20 chairs away. During lunch we share stories of the past or present... trying not to choke due to the hysterical laughing has become quite a chore. Traci, Anita, Sonia and I were sitting eating lunch and we'd been discussing the previous retreat. The horses that were miandering about were the discussion. Sonia was sharing that her & Bill (lodge owner) had quite the discussion on them last year.. She preceeded to tell us all about them. One of us asked what type of horse they were & she blurted out they were ATV horses... Oh my gosh... we all started laughing... ATV horses... well she couldn't quite remember what they were called but she thought that was close...... Then we had another discussion, I believe on drugs and Sonia starts talking about crack... Pretty soon Traci blurts out "Do you know everything." Sonia replies... I watch cops.... So the big joke was. just ask Sonia... she knows everything about ATV horses & crack cuz she watches cops... Okay you might have needed to be there but it was funny!! That night Tiffany & Alyson challenged Heather & I to a game of ping-pong... Now that was funny!!! We were slamming each other, telling each other we were going to take the other one out, fighting with each other cuz Heather needs to stay on her side of the white line .. Since I'm telling the stories, I will say I think Heather & I won *lol*. And then my bestest friend Alyson gave me a little pink & white striped gift.. now when I say little I mean litte. We all had a good laugh & NO I still haven't tried it on :)
I ended up getting about 20 or so pages done... stayed up to 3:30 a.m. , had a great day!!!

DJ'S SCRAPPIN' RETREAT OR BUST - (Day 1)

Thursday morning I met Heather at 5:30 a.m. at our office ( yes, we were totally packed, dressed & on the road by 5:30 a.m.)... We made a quick stop for the Diet Coke at McDonald's and the quick Latte at Starbuck's and we were off... Heather took the lead & I followed somewhat closely behind her. You see she has a little bit of pull with those people that drive cars that have those red & blue flashing lights *lol*. I swear she was doing 80... and I being the safe driver that I am... I just couldn't keep up. *lol* We stopped in Ellensburg to refresh & I even made the comment .. Now look I don't have the same pull with the man that drives the car with the flashing lights that you do... We both started to laugh & in the very next breath said.. "Nick texted me & I wrote him back saying".... and she busted out laughing... Oh now the truth be known you couldn't keep up cuz you were texting.. I started laughing and said well yeah texting at 80 miles an hour would be dangerous.. We both busted out laughing... We jump back in our cars and are off... It was a beautiful drive... the leaves on the tree's had changed colors, the sky was blue, it was awesome.... We pull off the freeway and hit the road to the lodge... We are both so excited that little stretch of gravel road went forever. We pull in & wow.. we are first. It'so beautiful. The lodge is just beautifully perched in the mountain setting. We were meeting Janey Paney & Deb there to help set up. I give Deb a quick call & she's just rounding the bend... Her & Jane pulled up together... We all jump in & begin unloading. Most of us scaled back this year due to the 2 flight of stairs hike we must make to get to the scrap room. Now as for Deb & Tiffany, I"m not sure. They actually had to send their clothes up later cuz there was no room iin the explorer *lol*..... With us all pitching in it didn't take long, we had tables up, sitting arrangements made, opening fairy gifts handed out & were ready to set up our own space. I was thinking that 4 yrs ago was our very 1st retreat. I remember how nerveous we all were the first year, being in a room with 30 women, only knowing a few. This year it was so awesome. We all were anticipating who was coming... the new things we'd learn.... the laughs we'd share and the pages we'd complete. I actually got 10 pages scrapped the 1st day... I felt terrible I quit early due to the migraine I had been fighting . I even missed out on the Christmas exchange we were doing, but felt if I could kick it than the next 2 days I'd make up for it....

Favorite Ingredient Fridays.......

I think Heather & I have decided to switch over our Recipe Wednesday Favorite Ingredient Fridays at Overwhelmed with Joy's Blog.... We are such joiners *lol*... There are always such
awesome recipes on here..... Today is Favorite Cookie... I may have posted on my blog before, so I'm going to apologize in case I have... These are the best Peanut Butter Cookies, I've ever tasted and one of the only cookie recipes on my computer *lol* .....

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

½ CUP BUTTER
1 CUP PEANUT BUTTER
¾ CUP SUGAR
½ CUP PACKED BROWN SUGAR
1 tsp. VANILLA
1 EGG
1 TBLS MILK
1 ¼ CUP FLOUR
¾ tsp. BAKING SODA
½ tsp. BAKING POWDER
¼ tsp. SALT

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in
large bowl. Add egg & milk. Beat until well blended. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt. Add to creamed mixture & mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons
onto un-greased cookie sheet. Flatten dough in crisscross pattern using a fork dipped in
sugar. Bake for 8-10 mins. or until they turn light golden brown. Cool for 2 mins. on baking sheet. Makes apx. 3 dozen.

Trick Or Treat.......................

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Last night I took the boys out Trick or Treating.... Or what I call trick or treating..... We hit 7 houses ( grandparents & only people we knew) and Jenn took them to the church to Trunk or Treat and they ended up with 2 big bowls of candy..... I only let them eat a few pieces. I must be getting old, I am getting old...As I was driving thru town and all those kids were out walking... I was remembering back when I was a kid... We would go out till 10:00 or later...by ourselves with pillowcases and eat as much as we could without getting sick.... I actually started feeling like the grinch *lol* They don't know the difference so there's no harm.... They got tons & had a good time....

Grandpa & Grandma Chandler

Kevin, Grandma Ruffin & Boys

Colton, Elijah, Adrian, Brieden (old daycare buddies)

Adrian, Jenn, Elijah

ODE TO THE SCRAPBOOKER

Annette is not able to attend the retreat next week. We are so going to miss her. The other day she was feeling a tad blue and she wrote Heather & I this poem.





ODE TO THE SCRAPBOOK RETREAT
by Annette Kalous


Oh how I wish to be at the retreat,
with new little socks on my feet.

To be sittin and scrappin
all the while visiting and chattin.

To be munchin on snacks & goodies
with all the women in their sweats with hoodies.

Trying hard not to peek or look
at all the great layouts being placed in their Books.

Sharing good meals and laughter together
with friends that you hope will last forever.

So get your pictures, paper & glue
And don’t worry about me sittin here being blue.

I wish you both a good and relaxing time
While I’m at home workin on mine.

So just remember when you’re scrappin
all night long,


That being there without me is just plain WRONG.



Annette, we will miss you!!!!!

Preperations take lots of time..............

Several of us bloggers are headed on a scrapbookretreat next Thursday. It is always so much fun but for some the fun doesn't actually start till after we are there and unwind for about an hour. It is so much work preparing to go, and I don't mean getting our stuff together, I mean arranging our families. Yes, most are able to walk away knowing they are well taken care of with their dads... but if it wasn't for us mom's making sure that daycare was handled, dinners lined out, laundry done before we leave, what would the dad's do ??? I usually am so busy with preperations for the kids, I end up throwing in my stuff & it takes forever for me to figure out what I'm going to work on. Deb & Jayne have always told us to prepare... Put the paper, pictures, embellishments, anything that you can with those pictures and then when you get there you can just start cuttn & pastn... Well, I can say it never has happened for me. Our good friend Cynthia however does do it & she got 80 pages done... WOW!!!!! Well, I decided to try it... It has been a challenge... Deb, Heather, Annette, have listened to me whine... How do you do this... If I'm going to go this far I should just do the layouts..... Well, I started on them last Saturday.... I've gotten 30 bags ready... I'm so excited.... I'm hoping to eliminate my huge paper file.. and my 6 sticker books.... Now for my house... I have no kitchen table, no counter space, no end tables, & there are boxes stacked. As for eating, the kids have been eating on the coffee table, if it's not in use holding up sticker books, or they are growing acustomed to the floor. In fact Elijah got up the other morning and stated to me in a stern voice..."Mom, you didn't pick up your mess last night. If we have to pick up ours why don't you have to pick up yours?" In a very calm voice I came up with the best answer for this logical question... and it was "BECAUSE I'M THE MOM!!!".....

Well, I'm counting the days.... So Cynthia, I'm hoping to give you a run for your money *lol*....

Pictures!!!!!!

Deb's daughter Alyson was so kind to take my boys pictures.... I will tell you these pictures brought tears to my eyes.... I'm so lucky & so blessed to have these boys and to have friends that would do this for me....

He's not that innocent... trust me!!

He looks so happy..... YEAH!!!!

I can't believe he is a senior.....

It's Face Lift Time......

Be patient... I'm tired of the old blog but may take some time to update the new one!!!!

And the scale sang.......

Well, I've offically been doing weight watchers for 4 weeks today. I realized I hadn't posted last week... The scale did say "BACK UP ... Get away from the scale... you cheated....~!!!" I actually had gained 1 lb... not good.... but it was time to get back in the groove.. So I started back on my ww schedule..... and then I added a little bit of my own diet remedy into it.... It's called stress!!! I don't recommend it but it works.... I jumped on the scale this a.m. & I've lost a total of 6.5 lbs....
YEAH!!!!! Now see if I was only 110 lbs that few extra pounds I lost from stress would not be good. but since I've got a few more than that to lose... I feel it's okay *lol* This week I'm going to try & stay on WW & hopefully minimize some of the stress that we all so love and hopefully still will be able to lose... Till next Monday.....

Homecoming Dance.......

Saturday was Warden's Homecoming Dance. Kevin and his girlfriend Whitley went together..
The dance attire is jeans & Homecoming T-shirt (that actually is the ticket into the dance). I wasn't particularly fond of them this year. They had Smokey The Bear on them & it stated "Not even Smokey The Bear can put out our fire!!!"
However, I totally failed as a mom this weekend... Being that I was under the weather on Saturday I asked Kevin if he would mind not stopping by on the way to the dance.. I wasn't up to taking pictures. Sorry Kev!!!

They went to Inca's for dinner, bowling for a while, & then to the dance.... One more Senior item checked off the list... His last homecoming dance ........ Where has the time gone....

BLOGGER CATCH UP .......

I have been down for the past few days, so I actually have an excuse for playing blogg catch up today, Jayne & Heather *lol*.