Finding a Smile

New Friday posts: Finding a Smile. My attempt to make note of things that have made me smile during the week (and I think might make you smile, too). Not to be confused with "They Make Me Laugh," although some of these could be there too.

Because my brain isn't back to fully functioning yet, here's what I can remember. The things that made me smile:


1. Racing to pick up Kaycee from pre-school after getting Clay from kindergarten (their release times are 5 mins apart, but I have a 10 min trip). I'm almost there, yet there seems to be something slowing EVERYONE down. I glance ahead to the front car and notice a very slow lane change. Great. Because I'm such an awesome driver, I maneuver myself to the front so I can continue on my way. Whoa. Hold up. What is that? A little pug running down the busy street, like a drunk driver swerving through both southbound lanes. (Have you ever noticed with pugs, it looks like they're always smiling?) So here he is just doing his own thing, happy as a clam, while a significant street is getting more and more backed up. I slow down and make sure I can see this little dog as I now, slowly try and pass him. Oh to run free in the streets!

2. This is a constant battle at our house: getting the kids to clean up after themselves, especially their room - the one room 4 kids choose to stay in (no one wants to move to the bedroom downstairs). So as you can imagine, envy sets in when one child has picked up all their belongings and is out. KC comes in my room: her tattling voice

KC: "Mom, Rylee still has stuff out."

Me: "Rylee said she was finished."

KC: "Whull, I can see her book."

She pauses and looks up to the ceiling. "And...her thing-a-ma-jig." oh yeah?


3. Clay in his room getting scolded for punching one of his sisters.

Ryan (with fists in the air) " you wanna go to blows with ME? And-"

Clay interrupts "Is that a gun store? Can I go with you?"

I ruined the opportunity to discipline. I laughed for a good 5 minutes.

4. So, in the the last "They Make Me Laugh," when I mentioned that Clay spotted Twist, The kids pulled it out last night to play. Apparently, when at Goodwill making sure it had all it's parts, I overlooked the main playing component....the board. I bought a board game that has no board. Lovely. Sometimes you just have to let go and laugh at yourself.

5. Speaking of laughing at one's self, I was changing Olivia's diaper at the end of our bed, when Rylee came into the room. She went to flop on our bed, but didn't entirely make it. She had under estimated the distance to the bed and I believe her shoulders hit the bed just right bouncing her right off the bed, landing on the floor. It was so funny to hear her laugh so hard at herself. (and she's okay.)

6. KC was standing by the dishwasher when I scraped my hand along the top. "Are you okay, Mom? That sure hurts." Aww.

Make -Over Fun for Everyone & My Sister is Famous!

Well, this one didn't go over so well. Unless... she was going for the smokey- eyes look...hmm...

Anyway, I attended a Mary Kay party a few weeks ago and learned that they have virtual makeovers on the computer! I didn't try it until last week, but I had a great time! I had Clay take a close-up of me sans make-up and uploaded it. (They do ask you to create log in info and ask for your email address, but I haven't seen anything in my mailbox, yet.) You can go through all the colors they offer of everything and then have hairstyles you can try too. Ryan and the kids had a good time dolling me all up - a bit overboard, if I do say so.
Give it a try here - it's free!

Also, for all you BYU Alumni out there. My sister is famous! Check out pg. 14 of the newest BYU Magazine. My sister, Micki! She's the fudge maker. If you've purchased any fudge from the BYU bookstore in about the last 8 years, it was made by her!

WAY TO GO MICKS! So fun to see you in the magazine!

Changing Phases?

Saturday, we pulled out the big guns. We went through every inch of the kids' room. Through the closet, under beds and through each drawer. It took FOREVER! I guess going through all of the kids clothes upstairs, Ryan was inspired to go through the 5 tubs of clothes downstairs. You know, the clothes that are set aside that don't fit the next child yet (and you end up not even pulling out again because you forgot you had them...) you know. Well, when it came to our baby boy clothes, I finally gave up. I just dropped off the tub of ALL our baby boy clothes AND our baby girl clothes to two friends in the ward who just had and are having a baby soon. I should feel liberated right? I just de-cluttered and freed up some of the basement... In reality, I'm pretty sad. Did I make it worse by hanging on to them so long? We pulled out tiny little outfits that Clay would wear and teeny little dresses that have made it through from Rylee down to Olivia. People ask me all the time if I'm "done." When I was pregnant, I was pretty sure I was finished. Now, I don't know how to answer. But, did giving all my baby clothes away, just answer that? Maybe that's why it's been so tough. And, not that having done that completely rules out any more, but it makes my heart ache a little. Am I crazy?

a S.I.M.P.L.E crock pot recipe

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

2-4 chicken breasts (boneless)
3/4 c. chicken broth
1 c. salsa
1 can corn drained
1 can black beans drained
1 pkg Taco seasoning
1/2 c. sour cream
1 c. grated cheese

1. Place chicken breasts in crock pot. Add taco seasoning, broth, salsa, corn and black beans.
2. Cook on low for 5 hours ( I use frozen chicken and cook on high for 5 hours)
3. After 5 hours, I pull the chicken out and shred it, then add the sour cream and cheese.
4. Serve over rice.

This is a huge hit at our house. We are chicken and rice people! The chicken is so tender, it's delicious. Thanks to my friend, Lorianne for the recipe - even Clay likes it!

They Make Me Laugh - pt 3

Disease & Pestilence has swept through our house yet again. Coughs, congestion and ear infections first came through right before Christmas and Olivia got the least of it (thank goodness!). However, this time around, it started with Dad. It slowly tricked to one child and then raged on like wildfire. Unfortunately, Olivia has the worst of it - poor thing. She is so congested and her coughs sound so painful. She's been so unusually fussy that I know she feels awful. I took her in to her ped yesterday and there's not much to do for her. I purchased new humidifiers Saturday night and we've been 'snuffing' her nose (you know the blue bulb things) . Our dr. said that RSV usually peaks around the 4th or 5th day. We're going on day #4. I sure hope she gets better soon (along with all the others) because it's miserable. I can't wait to have my smiley, happy baby back! Like this:

Despite being sick, the kids continue to make me laugh. I wish I were better at remembering their funniness but here are a couple things that have made me laugh:

1. The other day Kaycee was asking me what my real name was. Me: Honey? KC: no your real name? Me: (my real name?) Marie? KC: no, mom. What's your REAL name? Me: KC, my real name is Honey. KC: oh.

2. Gma and Gpa H received the game Phase 10 Twist. We've really enjoyed the game and have told some friends of ours about it. We were at Goodwill the other day and Clay spots Twist. I untaped the sides to make sure it had all the pieces. Sure enough it did. Score! We get home and Clay is so excited to tell Dad. "Hey dad, guess what? I had my eagle eyes on at the store - only for a little bit, and I found Twist!"


3. Last Sunday, the kids were talking about their primary classes and how they all had advanced in CTR class numbers. Clay had teased KC that she wasn't in CTR 5, but was in CTR 100! KC hadn't seemed to notice until a few moments after. She was sitting right next to me and quietly said "Wow. Clay thinks I'm really smart!"

I love it!

Keepin' it REAL

I can't believe I'm doing this, but this week has kicked my butt!! And, it's not that I've been extraordinarily busy either. My house has gone to pot!

And, it's not like it doesn't happen very often, but my house easily (and I mean easily!) can turn to this. I almost want to list all the excuses along with each picture, but I won't. I vow every time that when my house is like this (especially when someone stops by and I am COMPLETELY mortified!), that I will be better.

My kitchen. Only after a day and a half.

But you know, life happens. My messes may not be the same as your messes, and you all very well may be grossed out, but here I am, putting myself out there -keepin' it REAL! (and hoping this insanity - of posting these pics, gets my rear in gear!)

This one takes the cake. The kids' closet. So much for these storage cubes.

Are you kidding me?!

Apparently, these are the kinds of squirrels we have living in our yard and I'm sure this is exactly what they do when we're not looking. Not only are they fighting with each other, they are stealing and ruining our Christmas lights! I'm dead serious. Much research has gone into figuring out why they're doing this (their incisor teeth continually grow and so they gnaw on things like this - still doesn't explain the stealing), but it is so disappointing. This is the first time we've hung Christmas lights outside and it looked fabulous - I loved the extra light and the fun feeling of Christmas exploding from our house. Just to make it more sad too, I never got a picture of the house all lit up either!
This is what these little Christmas-spoilers have done! The day after we hung the lights:

The whole light bulb and socket are gone!
(Luckily Ryan was able to remedy this fairly easily, but come on!)

Later we find strand after strand not working. Because of this:

Then this:

And, this:

They took the plug!! The actual plug!!

For a few weeks now, this is all we've had. Of the 1oo ft of lights - 5 stinkin' lights!

What nerds!