Of all the blogs in all the world, you walk into mine.

So the strangest thing happened yesterday. And you know its gotta be strange if I'M calling it strange. After all, I do blow up casserole dishes.

There I was, minding my little cubby hole in the blogoshpere, just like many other blogging drones, when someone from the next floor up who has a corner office, stopped by to visit little ole' me and actually liked my blog!

I know right, what is this world coming to? Better get that year supply of chocolate in FAST!

Then she went ahead and gave me THIS super flattering shout-out on her blog.

My evil plan to take over the Blogospehere is working! Soon I will rule ALL! Bwa hahahahahahaha.......... ahem, uh, awkward... I mean, I was truly humbled by her sweet praise.

So check out Alexes over at One Cluttered Brain! After all, she does have a corner office.


And now I have a matter of urgent business. The matter of my sanity is on the line here.

Ready?

"Hot snot we're back in business!"

Okay, could someone PLEASE tell me what movie that is from? It's driving me crazy!!

No no, you don't understand, it really is. It all started last night as I was casually trying to think of something to write today (because I'm REALLY bad at blogging ahead to stay on top of it. Kind of like my cleaning... hmmmm... doh, I don't have time to dive into the psychology of that) and that dang phrase kept coming to my head. I couldn't concentrate on anything else!

And then, during the six times I had to get up with kids last night, every time I tried to fall asleep, it was there, taunting me. Just like that open bag of chocolate chips in my pantry.

Excuse me a sec.

Huuuummmm.... I-will-not-eat-the-chocolate-chips-because-I-need-them-to-make-cookies-for-the-missionaries-tonight.... Huuuummmm......

Whew, that was close!

Umm... why are you looking at the screen so strangely?

So, about that movie phrase? Can anyone save me?

What? Oh cut me some slack here. I've had four kids in about that many years and you know what they say pregnancy does to your brain cells so, a little respect for the mentally challenged would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

And now, I must run to the store. I am out of milk, cheese, and a few other items neseccary to cooking for the missionaries dinner tonight.

Like a casserole pan.

Don't worry, they're servants of the Lord! They will be safe.

I hope.

Not convinced? Fine. Here's a cute picture to make you feel better.

I have no idea what it has to do with this post but hey, I think its cute anyway.

*sigh* I do wish I could figure what movie that phrase is from before I leave. You know how dangerous it is for moms to think and drive!
 



*Update: (nervous laughter) Okay then, I am heartily ashamed to admit that it never once crossed my mind to google it. Just think, I could have got a whole extra hour of sleep and you could have avoided reading this whole post. Thanks Katie! Sweet relief....

Hey, we ALL make mistakes! Err... right?

Shoulder Devil: Don't listen to him. He's trying to lead you down the path of righteousness -- I'm trying to lead you down the path that ROCKS! Listen up, big guy. I got 3 good reasons why you should just walk away. Number 1: Look at that guy [referring to the Shoulder Angel] -- he's got that sissy, stringy music thing.
Shoulder Angel: We've been through this. It's a harp, and you know it.
Devil: Oh, right. That's a harp, and that's a dress.
Angel: Robe!
Devil: Reason Number 2: Look what I can do! [does a one-armed handstand] Ha ha!
Kronk: But what does that have to do with me?
Angel: No, no -- he's got a point.

Have you ever seen the movie, "Emperor's New Groove"?  I must admit, it's a favorite of mine.

And Kronk? Well, he's my hero. 

I have conversations like the one above a lot with my shoulder angel. Oh, if you don't have one I would highly encourage you to apply for one. The application fee is $50, payable to Serene.  

Anyway, my conversations are usually about blogging. Should I blog it? Or should I NOT blog it?

Well, I'm thinking my shoulder devil won again because in the name of keeping things real, here I go.

~~~

Oh ya, today was the day! I'm on top of it all! I'm in control! I'm Super Mom!

I like to think of myself as on over-all cautious, careful person. And despite the many exquisite messes I have posted on here, I do watch over my kids with care. 

I confidently placed my small pot of water on the back burner. Turning the heat up to high, I walk away from the stove to change over the laundry. After all, it does take a few minutes for water to start boiling.

As I started to walk back to the kitchen, I heard a loud explosion! 

Wondering what in the world was left out that the kids could have possibly destroyed, I ran the few remaining steps to the kitchen.

To my relief, no kids were in sight. But to my utter dismay, there on my stove top, exploded into a gazillion little shards of glass, sat what was remaining of my casserole dish.

Yup, you guessed it. I had accidentally turned on the wrong burner! And the cool glass dish that held last night's leftover's, well, the corner of it had been resting peacefully on the wrong burner that I had only moments before, turned up to high heat.

You're only lucky enough to have a picture because the camera happened to be sitting on the counter. 

Ker-pow!

Glass EVERYWHERE! Shot into the living room, over into the dining room, under the stove, covering my counter tops... it was a real mess.

And in that moment I had a flash-back to many years ago. My friend Sara Lyn and I were hungry. I have no idea what time of night it was but I pulled out a casserole dish FULL of my favorite chicken that my mom had made earlier that day.

Thinking I was a complete genius, I purposely placed it on a burner and turned it on, completely sure it was going to be an easy way to warm up the chicken.

You should have seen it. I went to move the pan a little and when I did, right then and there with me and my poor friend standing nearby, the pan exploded, spewing glass and chicken EVERYWHERE.

It took forever to clean up! And a lot of courage to tell my mom I just exploded a perfectly good pan of chicken.

I'm starting to think it takes real talent to be able to blow up more than one glass dish. Should I add it to my resume?

So there I stood, looking over my de ja' vue. Now, you've never seen a mommy's mad cleaning skills until you see her clean something up in a hurry that might hurt her kids. Even I was impressed with how quickly I could sweep the floor five times, vacuum the living room and the kitchen, wipe down all the counters and mop the floor.

Without ever cutting myself.

Oh ya, mad skills.

Now my house smells like burnt... something. And as I sit here writing about it, I can honestly say, so does my hair.

So much for being on top of things.

And right now, it's snowing.

Oh ya, the rest of spring break is going to be awesome.

I can tell. 

 

This message is brought to you by the "Someone Will Always Be Dumber Than You Foundation" where we pride ourselves on making you feel better about yourself.

Just barely overheard.

(Sorry if you're one of those people who hate it when bloggers post more than once in a day.)

Dinner was going to be ready in a few minutes.

I pulled Joseph (who just turned four) out of the pantry for the third time, telling him that dinner was almost ready and no matter how much he begged, I was not going to make macaroni and cheese for him.

Having a complete hunger meltdown, the following conversation took place. Remember, he has a lisp.

Joseph: *crying* Fine! I will be seventeen and I will die!

Me: Uh... why will you die?

Joseph: *sniffing* Because I will be sixteen and died and be around here!

Me: But why will you die?


Joseph: *exasperated* Because I will be seventeen!

By now he's looking at me like I've gone daft for not completely understanding.

Me: But why?

Joesph: No, peoples just put nails in Jesus and he died! And that wasn't very nice, huh. I don't want to be dead.

Okay then. I'm just going to blame it on the Primary teachers and their Easter lessons.

He then starts licking a head band that was sitting on the counter.

Joseph: *mischievous laughter* I will make this all slobbery! Heeheeheeheehee!

Me: Okay, that was gross. Well, dinner is ready!

Joseph: I don't like your food. It tastes disgusting!

Once everyone was seated I handed Savannah her plate. She then wrinkled up her nose and told me it smelled like throw-up.

See if I make Chicken Alfredo Lasagna ever again!

I guess now would be a really, really bad time to go into how rewarding motherhood can be....

It's all about the distractions today.

Do you ever wake up and feel disorganized, dysfunctional and disoriented?

Yea, that's me today. Not that I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning reading or anything... *cough* I mean, pish, not me! I would never be so reckless. Never!

Nor would I EVER eat an oreo madness brownie for breakfast!

Or pick in the hot fudge jar.

Well, the first day of spring break for my little kindergartner and she is already bored out of her mind, asking what we are going to do today. But the weather is yucky again so, the park is out. It's looking like it will have to be a creative day where I encourage my offspring to annihilate the house through fort building and craft making.

My dad is also starting his first round of chemo therapy today since it's his spring break too. He's a college economics professor. So I'm feeling a little on edge and I would be personally grateful if you all would say a prayer on his behalf. We are hoping his body responds okay to the chemo.

Since my schedule is packed full of dragon slaying, lion wrestling, castle building, macaroni jewelry making, super hero face painting and princess wrestling, I figured I would take a day off from talking about us and give a little shout-out to a new e-friend. Talking about other people takes my mind off me, myself, and my own distractions. Not like BAD talk or gossip, ickity ick! No no, good talk!

His name is Braden Bell, and he's a writer. An amazing one. I would know, he let me read one of his books that isn't published yet. I couldn't put it down, I read the whole thing straight through. It is definitely a book series I'm going to add to my collection someday and I can't wait until it gets published!

Anyway, right now he has a book coming out called, "The Road Show". I know many of you out there are avid readers so I highly encourage to click right HERE to find out what his book is about. On his blog HERE he also added links where you can read exerts from it.

I just read THIS sneak peek about one of his characters. I think there are many young mothers out there who can relate. He is also having a giveaway for a signed copy of his book HERE.

There, I'm feeling better already!

Okay okay, one more thing real quick!

Since today is March 29th, that leaves only 3 more days, including today, for the sale price on tickets to the CBC (casual bloggers conference)! See that cute little button there on the side of my blog, the one with the big green, errr, fruit? Click it quick and snatch a ticket! I got an email over a week ago saying they have less than a hundred tickets left so I would hurry.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have four children... ummm, I mean yapping puppies trying to lick my feet as I sit here, telling me in human talk that they, the puppies, need a snack.

And then, I'm pulling out the big blankets for a grand fortress.

Oreo Madness! Hmm, that's strange, my pants feel tighter.

In case you are new around here, I've started posting a recipe every Sunday. Feel caught up? Awesome.

Before we get started, I would just like to state that I am in no way, shape, or form responsible for any weight gained as a result of reading this post.

I am completely innocent. Blame the links. Blame the internet. Blame the chocolate. But please don't throw rocks at my house tomorrow morning when you step on the scale. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Okay, so it all started when my friend Joanne posted this recipe saying she couldn't wait to make it.

Well when I saw the pictures, neither could I!

So I went out, bought all the ingredients, and yesterday we made it! Yea, go me! Super Brownie Baker! Mega Mommy power!...

*cough* Err... who's writing this post anyway? Weirdo.

As I was saying, I made the recipe yesterday. I even took the following pictures for documentation.

I've got your undivided attention now, don't I!

But honestly, the recipe was kind of a flop. So, from the bottom of my loving little heart, secretly hoping that the original poster of this recipe won't read this and blow my car up, I would like to say in the kindest way possible, DON'T MAKE IT!!

The caramel in the middle was hard, the oreo was stuck to the bottom of the paper which you had to peel away, and the brownie mix was barely cooked. Basically you're eating hot, uncooked brownie mix.

Not that that is a problem for me neseccarily but my kids nor my husband didn't appreciate it very much. And I know probably grosses some of you out there reading this.

Sooooooooo, that being said, I modified the recipe and it turned out oodles better!!

So with further ado, I present for your thorough enjoyment and just in time for swim suit season:

Oreo Madness

Ingredients

20 Oreo Cookies; coursely chopped

Caramel square candies

Brownie mix (either your own or your favorite box mix)

Hot fudge

Whip Cream

Start by lining your cupcake tins with baking cups. Make brownie mix and stir in coursely chopped oreos. Next, cut a caramel square in half to place inside each baking cup.

Pour brownie/oreo mix over caramel squares until about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 25 minutes. Cool slightly then lather in whip cream and hot fudge topping.


I'm sure it would be okay to toss a few oreo crumbs on top as well.

Eat warm and thoroughly enjoy. Makes about 14 chocolate yumminesses. (I totally should have written the dictionary. Just think of all the cool words we could be saying, like yumminesses!)  

And now, I never want to see this recipe again. I ate WAY too much hot fudge out of the jar.

Real men change diapers.

James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, Bruce Wayne, Edward Cullen, Jack Bauer... pish, sissies. Those aren't men.

If you are under the mistaken impression that having abs I could wash my laundry on makes a real man, allow me to correct your very incorrect line of thinking.

Real men face people tougher than anyone holding a gun, while being only half their size.

 

 Real mean wear holes in their jeans from being on the floor to fight the imaginary bad guys.

Real men give horsey rides and start tickle fights, yet understand it is best for his life expectancy to avoid tickling the mommy.

 

Real men know how to change diapers and make bottles. 

Real men know that postpartum means they're going to be buying extra large, extra absorbent, overnight feminine pads... all alone.

 

Real men know the lyrics to bedtime songs, read books, and have special voices for each character.

Real men bear the marks of war in the form of snot covered shoulders and tear soaked shirts.

Real men do things to make their kids happy.

Like playing the princess while in a public place.

I'd like to see James Bond do that!

Why I ate Oreos for breakfast.

I turned off the computer just after 1:30 AM this morning. Which you already know if you read my last post.

Sleep. Beautiful, precious, intoxicating sleep......... *snort* huh? What was that noise?

Grabbing the crowbar I keep under my pillow, I pried open my eyelids.

Huh? What the... why in the name of Cadbury and Sees are all the stinking lights on!? 

Oh do I dare look at the clock? Well, I guess someone's gotta do it.

4:01 AM!? What in blue blazes is going on around here?

Flopping out of bed and flailing my way to the door like a drunk fish out of water, I find Jacob, my soon-to-be three year old son, (if he makes it that long) calmly sitting in the bathroom, playing with the water in the sink.

Are. You. Kidding. Me.

Don't let him fool you! He's a monster in disguise! Whatever you do, do NOT look directly into his eyes!! The cuteness is too much to bare.

I snatch him up an put him back in his crib. At that moment I would have sold my kidney for a crib lid.

Turning off his bedroom light, the bathroom light, the hallway light, and the living room light, I manage to flop back into bed.

.........zzzzzz, snort, huh? What time is it? 4:15AM!?

Oh blast. Not again! 

Now I was getting, you know, the "m" word. (psstt... I was getting mad. Shhh, don't tell anyone!)

This time I leaped out of bed, sailing over the pile of decorative pillows that lay on the floor, marched out with clenched teeth, grabbed the little monster, and tossed him back in bed, uttering all sorts of sore bottom threats if he emerged from his cage again.

As I headed back to my bed, I tuned off his bedroom light, the bathroom light, the hallway light and the living room light.

I plunked myself back into bed and hid under the covers.

A few minutes later I emerged from the covers for some air.

This time I think I actually growled when I saw all the lights on again.

At this point Luke realized that Jacob's life was in danger and got out of bed and sweetly scooped him up and sleep on the couch with him.

Luke actually sleeps out there a lot.

Huh? No! Not because he's always in trouble. Sheesh! What kind of a wife do you think I am?

He sleeps there a lot because sometimes his knees bother him or the bedroom gets too hot. Or maybe I just smell and he won't tell me. In any case, he does sleep on the couch fairly often.

Ahhh.... finally. Peace at last.....zzzzzz, *snort* huh?

(wwaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!)

*Groan*

Glancing at the clock which is now laughing at me as it brightly beams the numbers 5:03AM in my direction, I swan dive out of bed and make my way to the girl's room.

Alayna was soaked. Fine.

Bottle = quiet. 

Wipes and diapers = cleanliness. 

Clean jammies and blankets = warmth. 

Happy baby = happy mommy.

This time I rolled back into bed, determined to stay there forever.

........... beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep WHACK!

I loathe alarm clocks.

zzzzzz........ (insert cell phone ringing here)

*sigh* Oh well, time to get up. All the kids are up and running around anyway and Savannah has to go to school in 15 minutes.

By now my head weighed about 500 pounds. Rolling to the edge of my bed, I peel my 628.5 pound carcass from the sheets and fumble along my day.

And now you know why I ate Oreos for breakfast.

Huh? Oh no... don't do it, don't do it!

DON'T LOOK DIRECTLY INTO HIS EYES!!!

Oh nuts.

Okay, now you're just fighting dirty. 

Fine Jacob, I forgive you for waking me up at 4AM this morning. But next time keep the baby pictures put away. 

You have an unfair cuteness advantage.

You know I can't resist.

One of THOSE days.

Honestly, I can't belive I'm sitting here at 1:24AM writing on my blog.

Well, I mean I CAN believe it, it just seems morally wrong, you know? Because anyone with young kids would be out of their minds to be blogging at such an insane hour.

I guess that makes it official then. I've lost my mind.

If you happen to find it, please attach some chocolate and a hundred dollar bill before you send it back.

Thank you.

Since yesterday started an hour ago I suppose I should refer to it as such.

Yesterday was one of THOSE days. You know... THOSE days.

The day had barely begun when I just lost it at my two year old. Sure he was screaming and kicking, sure I didn't want him to wake the baby, but still! I was miffed. So much so that I actually sat back, completely stunned at myself. I really was too. Where had that come from?

Weird. I'm usually capable of a teeny bit more self-control. Geez, who's the adult around here anyway?

As the day continued on, and the weather became even more cold and wet than it already was, so did everyone's attitudes.

It will one day be said in heaven that I was strong. So very, very strong.

I did NOT give in to the over-powering urge to duck tape my children together, or to invest in muzzles, or to put a lock on the outside of their bedroom door, or to go sit in the corner and suck my thumb.

No indeed. I was strong.

I settled for a mattress sandwich trap instead.

Okay okay fine, not really! Their situation was completely self-inflicted.

I just left them there for a while.

Now where was I? Oh yes, emphasizing that fact that I was strong.

Well I was, at least right up until we finished with parent-teacher conference, (Savannah is doing awesome in school BTW) and unloaded the kids from the car.  That's when I flew the coop with screeching tires and burning rubber as I fled the house and made my way to a girl's night out.

It was just what I needed. Free pizza and fun company.

Upon my return (Okay, honestly, I don't know what is up with my weird writing language tonight. "upon my return"? Of course, it IS after one in the morning. I'm going to blame it on that) Luke informed me that Savannah had a little accident with Jacob's head and knocked out her other loose tooth.

Oh dang, I almost forgot, the tooth fairy! Errr... I mean.... I just KNEW there was a reason I am up so late!

Totally planned it this way. *cough* That's right. Absolutely.

And as much as I appreciated everyone's spectacular feedback for the tooth fairy HERE, I think I'll have to stick with the 50 cents, just divided up into more coins. Because right now, she's all about quantity, not quality.

They'll be plenty of time for that when she gets older and understands the true value of money.

Right after I give the tooth fairy directions to her pillow, I'm going to bed. Because in a few hours, I'm going to REALLY regret staying up this late.

Of Motherhood and Crafting

Once upon a time, I thought having an art degree and working from home to bring an extra buck now and then was an air-tight master plan. It would be cake! You know, chocolate fudge cake with chocolate fudge frosting smothered in hot fudge sauce kind of cake.

But children know how to infiltrate air-tight plans.

It's their special gift.

In the world of drawing that involves lead-filled pencils, toxic pastels, and delicate sheets of paper, or that of the bookbinding world which involves scalpels, glue, needles, and very expensive sheets of delicate paper, I have discovered that instead of it being chocolate cake, it is really over-cooked yellow cake with lima bean frosting.

Needless to say, I hardly get to do them anymore.

Enter the world of crafting. 

I look at the many blogs out there, drooling over the cute things talented women create in their "spare time". 

So what do I do? I tell myself, "Self, if that mommy can make all those cute things, well, by-golly, I can too! Even if her kids do go to school all day or still take naps. Pish, so what? I'll even sign up for a craft fair! That ought-a do it!"

I'm a slow life learner. But I am learning quickly that motherhood and crafting go together like ice cream and ketchup.

Peanut butter and brussel sprouts.

Cookies and cat food.

Alayna and graham crackers.

Of course, the craft fair is three and a half weeks away, plenty of time to dust off all the graham crackers from my fabric flower hair bows.

You don't think anyone will mind, do you?

The Conqueror or The Conquered?

It was to be Batman's proudest moment.

He was going to show the world that he was just as brave and strong as the average, everyday female.

But not everyone can wield the power of the mighty curling iron.

It takes skill, cunning, bravery, and hours upon hours of hot, grueling practice, usually with a member of the male species looking over your shoulder who taps his feet and impatiently asks, "are you ready yet?"  

This is just the first level of difficulty.

Once you have mastered the skill of selective hearing, you must then learn focus. 

This is done by learning to deal with mini people clinging to your legs, screaming your name, and even biting your toes in an attempt to divide your focus. 

If they are successful and you burn your neck, you will bear the mark of your failure as you venture forth only to hear people snicker behind your back as the word "hicky" is whispered.

Indeed, this is an art that takes years to master. 

But even then the curling iron is only as good as the the hands that use it in combination with the hairspray that turns your smooth counter top into a rough surface upon which you can sharpen your kitchen knives.

All this is done in an effort to conquer the hairy enemy.

 

Batman put of a good fight alright. He gave it his all. He tried and he tried. 

But in the end, the one solid truth that has ultimate power in the dividing force between the conqueror and the conquered stood between him and ultimate victory.

He is male. 

For woman alone has the power and skill to wield the mighty curling iron.

No children were injured in the creating of this post. The curling iron was off. Do no call social services. You will only end up looking foolish.

Mission Yellow Sun - Status: Complete

She ran for her room.

Panic was setting in, her breathing was shallow and constricted, her eyes wild and crazed with fear and betrayal!

Dashing through the entrance she quickly closed the door, glancing around the room to make sure she was alone. She crept softly to her computer and started tapping on the keys with ferocious speed.

Dear Sunshine, 

AAAAHHHHHHH! Where the heck did you go?! 

Don't leeeaaavvvveee!!!!!! How could you DO THIS TO ME!! 

It was a cruel, cruel joke to come along, shining forth in all your happiness and glory for a meager couple of days, only to snatch away your warmth and sunshine, leaving in a hurry like some convict in fear of a female police officer. 

You've trapped me in the house with four incredibly grumpy kids who just want to play outside on their bikes and jump on the trampoline!

Have you no shame? How dare you. How dare you!

You are messing with the mental stability of my family!

Savannah keeps asking to get her ears pierced. I wasn't prepared for this!

Joseph had been walking around with this purse casually slung over his shoulder.

Jacob is like a broken record, permanently stuck on screech mode!

And Alayna? Alayna thinks she needs a bra already!

I blame you for this. Next time you show your yellow face, it better be to stay.

Or else.... something... something very bad will... happen. Err... yea! Yea that's right! Something very bad!

Disappointed in you,
 



Sitting back with a huge sigh of relief to have completed her mission, she put on a big smile, opened the door and bravely stepped forth to meet the firing squad, refusing the blindfold as a sign of her bravery.

Little Green Men and Florentine Pasta

In honor of St. Patrick's day that came and went uncelebrated on my blog, I figured I had better explain myself.

I always have in my head all the cute ideas I'm going to do with and for my kids for every holiday. 

But sometimes, well, it just doesn't happen. 

Okay, so maybe LOTS of times... *sigh* fine, MOST of the time it doesn't happen. But the word "sometimes" makes me sound like I actually do cool things once in a while.

The biggest thing I remember doing as a kid for St. Patty's day was making leprechaun traps. 

In the event that you happen to know something I don't (such as where to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow) and are wondering; no, I never did catch one. *sniff* But I did manage to capture lots of chocolate. I believe I am psychologically damaged from this.

And that is why I eat so much chocolate.

In any case it took us until the night of St. Patty's day to get the trap made. Savannah was worried that "they" wouldn't come back the next day since the holiday was over. But I told her I had left a note and they were indeed going to come back to our house.

 

So we baited our trap with fake gold. (aka construction paper circles)

It was a pretty fancy cage (aka a shoebox) decorated by this little model herself.

I would just like to state for public record, to be etched in stone for all eternity, that I did NOT in any way, shape, or form, teach my daughter to pose like that.

By the way, she's asking to get her ear's pierced. *gasp*

The next morning, it was clear that the leprechaun had escaped, leaving a trail of chocolate gold coins behind.

Maybe next year Savannah!

If you want to see one seriously cool leprechaun escape trick, check out the one The Kooky Queen almost caught HERE! It's pretty sweet.

And now, the moment you've all been reading for, this week's recipe!

Okay, so I wouldn't put this one in my personal top 10  favorite dinners list, but it still quite good.

Florentine Pasta Toss

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta

1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves (or I just buy a bunch and use those, it's cheaper than the pre-bagged kind)

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped oinion

1 tsp olive oil

 2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 jar (16 ounces creamy alfredo sauce
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions in large pot. Drain pasta and return to pot; add spinach. Cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, dice bell pepper and chop onion. Heat oil over medium heat until hot. Press garlic into pan. Add pepper and onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.

Add vegetables to the pot, stir in Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese; mix well.

Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste!

The Alfredo cream/taste is very light. If you would like it to be more creamy or have a stronger Alfredo flavor, I would recommend adding more sauce.

Be sure to come back next Sunday. I'm going to post a killer (for your hips anyway) dessert recipe.

Until then, wait in mouth watering anticipation. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!

Because there's a chance...

...that one day Jacob will bring home a girl that I just don't like,

I need to be ready and armed with lots of blackmail.

I'm not above such things.

Everything is connected

(Imagine that title being said as if you were telling a scary story by the campfire. Oooohhhhhh.....)


When my cell phone alarm went off at 1:30am this morning, I was ready to take a hammer to it just to let it know how I really felt about it.

Knowing if I pushed the off button, Luke and I would probably not get up so I pushed snooze instead and instantly fell back asleep with it still in my hand.

Ten minutes later, the dang thing went off again.

I would have given anything to be able to throw my cell phone out the window.

Somewhere between 1:40 and 2:00, I managed to slip on some clothes while Luke got ready to go.

At 2:00 I muttered under my breath at my brother, who would not answer or return my phone calls, as I dialed my neighbor's number. I was going to ask him to sleep at our house so I didn't have to bother anyone, but my neighbor offered to help when I couldn't get a hold of him.

We didn't even say hi once we got on the line. I simply stated, "This is one ungodly hour." She chuckled and said she was on her way over.

The guilt weighed heavily on me as she sat down on our couch and I wished again I had been able to get a hold of my brother.

Luke drove across town to the shuttle that would take him all the way down to the Salt Lake airport, we kissed goodbye and I told him to be careful on his business trip. Three days as a single mom isn't bad, I know that. But it still stinks.

Once I got home, I thanked my neighbor profusely (I think I'll owe her for life) and climbed back into bed, resetting the alarm for 7am. That would give me four more hours of sleep!

But when it went off, it was like a movie scene. I swung my hand over and hit the snooze button so hard I knocked it of the table. Opps... I mean, take that! And, serves you right!

I had a splitting headache but it was time to start the day.

~~~~~~~~~~

I had heard a few strange noises over the last couple of days, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out where it was coming from!

Once the music started up again this afternoon, I was able to track its source to a package that had been sitting on my countertop for the last two days. It was for my brother from my mom.

Okay then, that was weird.

So I called up my mom and asked her what in the world she had sent?

"Oh, that's Abraham's new cell phone! His other one died."

So, all the strange noises I was hearing had been from me dialing my brother's phone and him not answering because it was sitting on my counter!

Go figure.

I guess I can't give him a hard time for not answering my phone calls now. He even got out of "sleeping on the couch duty" and he didn't even know it.

Lucky guy.

Just barely overheard. Of course, it was hard to miss.

Luke is working late tonight. Bleh.

There was a Relief Society Meeting tonight.

Thankfully, baby sitting was provided! So I loaded up the four monkeys, went to the activity, had fun, then gathered up the now super-dee-duper (I'm a mom of little children so talking like that comes naturally) hyper kids.

As we walked out of the church doors, I told them to brace themselves for the cold! It had been a nice day and they were still in their short sleeve shirts.

As I was tackling the buckles to one of the four car seats, I hear Savannah yell behind me as she danced around, "I'm not cold mommy! I'm warm with the Holy Ghost!"

Since I was in round two of Mommy VS Car Seat, I didn't respond.

After a moment, Savannah, thinking I didn't hear shouts, "Mommy! MOOOMMMMYYY!!! I'm NOT cold because I am full and warm with the Holy Ghost! OKAY!?"

You know you're a Mormon when....

Just because, so there.

Because I woke up a bit grouchy today, 

(I declare moms are allowed to sometimes)

and it came with a bit of writer's block, 

(every blogger has a day or two like this)

because I'm an honest sort of gal, 

(I don't always bring sunshine and rainbows. I can't be perfect ALL the time)

because I just want to read, craft, and clean today, 

(*gasp* call 911, I WANT to clean?)

because she makes me happy, 

(she doesn't know how to talk back yet)

I thought I'd show off her cuteness. 

(because we brown-eyed girls like to show that we are full of chocolate)

And, just in case you are wondering about that big bump on her forehead, well, that's not a bump from falling. It's actually a screw that has popped out a bit since her surgery.

But since they are suppose to dissolve after a year, there's nothing to do but wait for it to go away!

Kind of crazy, huh.