4 Square anyone

Last night our stake had this big disaster preparedness project. Everyone got a letter in the mail with instructions to open it yesterday at 5pm. We were also counseled to make sure our 72 hr. kits were up to date and that we had plenty of water. I guess that this stake does this every year with a different "disaster". When we opened our letter we learned that there had been an earthquake and that we had to shut off the water to our house. We were then suppose to text our home teachers how much water we had, and if we had a way to purify water. I'm happy to report that we had 75 gallons of water, and thanks to Landon's dad, a family sized water purifier! Anyway, we texted in our info, and that was it. It was sort of a let down. The kids were all wound up about it, and we thought there was going to be more to it. Oh well, at least our 72 hr. kits and water supply are up to date.

After that as part of FHE, we all went to the park and played 4 square. I haven't played that in forever!! They have them on the playground at school, and all of my kids have been playing it at recess. We had a blast. (of course I wasn't smart enough to take my camera so no pics)

This morning, all 3 of my kids at different times asked if we could go to the park and play again tonight. It's so nice to be able to enjoy each other. Even though we are all very competitive, and I waited the whole time for a fight to break out, it never did. We really did have fun together. We are definitely a closer bunch after living in WA for almost a year.

Love notes

Landon has this whiteboard that he uses when he does CPR training. The kids love to draw on it. So when we unpacked it last week, we put it up for them in the loft. Whitley has started writing little notes to us before she goes to school. This is the one that was posted today. Every time I pass it I think about her. She is such an awesome presence in our home.

I HATE HOMEWORK

I usually try to post about the good, or funny or exciting things that happen around here. But every once in a while, things are just so frustrating, that you have to vent. And hopefully by writing these things down, you'll learn from them.

It's been a long, frustrating week with school. It started out with Colton not finishing his work at school. So he brought it home, but then wasn't sure what he was even suppose to do. So he got even further behind, and was forgetting to bring stuff home, and take stuff in. He has been grounded all week, and playing catch up. I'm hoping by the time he gets home today, he'll be all caught up! He's so smart, I don't know why he does this to himself. He has such a nonchalant temperament, that sometimes he needs me to light a fire under his rear!

Whitley, my little self starter, has been a breeze (as usual). My only complaint with her is that she is doing so well that they put her in the excelling classes, which means more and harder homework. Which I don't have time to help her do because I'm trying to stay on Colton and help him catch-UGH

Now then, onto little miss Kennedy. She brings a folder home every day with either a green, yellow, or red dot, depending on her behavior. Green means you had a great day. Yellow means you had a pretty good day. You had to be reminded of a few things, but did okay. Red means you had a bad day. You had to be reminded of things several times, and had to miss recess. Back to Monday. She comes home and opens her back pack and says that she's forgotten her folder. She must have left it had school. I don't think anything of it. The next morning, I was putting her lunch in her backpack, and low and behold, there's her folder. I open it up to find a red dot!! Are you kidding? She completely lied to me, because she knew she'd be busted! Unfortunately she took a pretty good butt chewing before she left for school (have I mentioned I'm in the running for mother of the year). When she got home yesterday, she had a yellow dot! WHAT!!! After the talk we'd had that morning??? She lost her privilege to watch any tv, and was sent straight to her room. She bawled in there for some time. After about an hour, she came down the stairs with this note she had made.

(Dear Mom and Dad I am sorry. I will never get a yellow or a red dot. I promise. From Kennedy)

Landon made her put it up on the fridge so she wouldn't forget the promise she'd made. Last night, she came in to Landon and I and said "mom, no offense, but could you please use your nice voice when you talk to me about my red dots next time?" Of course I'm biting off my tongue trying not to laugh, and I gently explained that a yellow dot gets my nice voice, but a red dot gets my loud, not so nice voice.

Now then, today she came home with a green dot. Colton came home and is completely caught up. Now maybe we can get back to a lighter tone around here. Because we all know when mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

AHHH, I already feel better, just venting it out!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Cinna-Bun Pull-Aparts

Do you know what I love about the weekend? I have the chance to try out all of the yummy breakfast recipes that I come across. There's never time during the week for them. So here's what we had for breakfast this morning. It takes a while, but was so worth it. I think next time I'll thaw the rolls in the fridge the night before!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Cinna-Bun Pull-Aparts
20 Rhodes Bake and Serve Rolls, thawed

1 lb. light brown sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter

4 Tbsp. cinnamon sugar (found in your grocer's spice aisle), or just mix a little cinnamon and sugar to equal 4 Tbsp like I did

8 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)

Instructions: In a bowl, combine cream cheese with 1/4 cup brown sugar and combine well with spatula. Cover and place in refrigerator.Lightly coat bottom of bundt pan with cooking spray.Melt butter, then add remaining brown sugar and stir well. Bring to a light boil to caramelize then pour 1/3 of the butter/brown sugar mix across bottom of bundt pan.Remove cream cheese mix from refrigerator. Take one roll at a time into your hands and pull outward on sides to increase size slightly. Place approximately 1 Tbsp. of the cream cheese mixture into middle of roll. Fold dough around the mixture, pinch closed, then roll into a tight ball. Evenly place 8 balls across bottom of bundt pan. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. of sugar/cinnamon. Pour second 1/3 of the brown sugar/butter mixture over 8 buns. Repeat process with remaining 12 dough balls for second layer. First the dough balls, 2 Tbsp. sugar/cinnamon and finally the remaining butter/brown sugar mix.Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour then bake for 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees F. You may need to lay a piece of foil over top of pan after 40-45 minutes if buns start looking well done.Remove from oven then immediately turn over onto large plate. Remove bundt pan. Serve warm or room temperature.

Pretzel Twist anyone?

I started a yoga class last week and it's kickin' my rear! I've wanted to take yoga classes for a while, but my only experience with yoga was right after I had Kennedy, and let's just say it wasn't pretty. So when my neighbor asked if I wanted to go with her I was a little hesitant, but I'm trying to make friends, ya know. The class was way harder than I thought it would be, but what a great workout. I was sweatin' bullets by the time I got through. The class is twice a week, and I figure it will be a good thing to do in between my running days. Now hot yoga is a whole different ballgame, from what I hear. I'll have to wait until I can touch my toes before I try that one.

Annie??

Just waking up!
Can I just say that I love my girls hair when I put them in rollers! Of course, it's raining today (more on that later) so it will be flat by noon, but still she started off strong!

Book of Mormon

So I started this womens study group of the Book Of Mormon last week. They did this in my ward in AZ, but I never went. Anyway, last week was the first class, and I left there feeling so excited and energized about it. If possible, today's class was even better. There are about 30 women, reading scriptures, and discussing the lesson, and it's so interesting to hear their thoughts and feelings. Many times they are completely different from what I was thinking, and I think that's what I love about it. I'm learning so much more than when I'm at home in my own head. My testimony of the gospel and especially the Book of Mormon is stronger just after two short classes. If you have the chance to go to one of these classes, take advantage of it.

Matcha Green Tea

When my father-in-law was here, he introduced me to the matcha green tea smoothie. He is very into organic things, and the health benefits we get from certain foods. I thought he was nuts when he ordered this, and then I tasted it. It's green and funky and delicious. It's has a vanilla flavor to me.
We tried them at both Jamba Juice and a place here called Emerald City (maybe they're other places too). I like the one at Emerald City better, but the Jamba Juice on wasn't bad. So, if you're headed for a smoothie, try the matcha green tea. Yummy and Healthy-BONUS!

Sisterly love

Every once in a while, I catch my girls actually being nice to each other. Today they were taking turns reading a Curious George book.
These two are like fire and ice, so these moments are precious!

All About Me (Kennedy)

This is a journal post, as well as a post for the grandparents (you've been warned). This is an "All About Me" packet that I got at Kennedy's curriculum night. I hope you can read it, plus I've interpreted things for you underneath.(I am a Kid I am 6 years old I am in the first grade)
(I can ride my skateboard I can play games I can run fast I can swim I can build blocks I can play with me toys My hair is red My eyes are blue My body is 4 inches tall)
(I live in a house I live in Arizona I have 4 people in my family I have 1 brother and 1 sister I have 1 pet)
(I am Special My name in Kennedy I have Dog at my House My favorite food is cookie I want to be a horserider)

Cast off

Hallelujah!!! It's gone. Kennedy finally got her cast off today. That thing was really starting to stink! Landon and I were talking the other day though, and we realized that she had never, not one time, complained about wearing it. It never itched or hurt or anything. It really didn't slow her down. I'm just glad it's gone, and she took a nice soak in the tub tonight to get all that stink off!

Back in the Saddle Again

Ahhh, tonight I finally feel like we're living our normal lives. It's hectic, and sometimes stressful, but it's familiar. After school the kids finished up their homework, played outside with the neighborhood kids, and then we had diner. After diner, Landon took Colton, Whitley and Ellery (our neighbor) over to the church for activity days, and scouts. Kennedy and I headed in the opposite direction to the school for 1st grade curriculum night.

I love that the kids can be involved in their activities easier here, and that the programs are running smoothly. I've already been added to emails lists, so I will always be "in the know". Something we didn't have in the Moe Hole. I never knew if,when or where they were having scouts or anything else for that matter. It's been very frustrating. But tonight, tonight felt good. Crazy, but good. I think Redmond is going to work for us.

Deer Crossing

Here's a new Experience. I was on my way to meet Landon for lunch today, and I came around the corner, and this doe was strolling across the street. She didn't hurry when she saw me, and once she got to the other side of the street, she stopped and turned around and looked at me. I grabbed my phone, and snapped this shot real quick. I've seen the signs that say watch for deer, and thought, "ya right, like a deer's going to come across this street". Boy was I wrong!

Lessons learned

Can I just say how grateful I am for the gospel! For the organization of the church. I have never really given much thought to it before this year, but it has really saved me. We went to our new ward today. I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean, we haven't moved around alot (at least not until this year) and so we're never the "new" family. When we moved to Moses Lake, there were several people that went out of there way to come up and meet us, and introduce themselves, and make sure we felt welcome, and I was so grateful for that. But that was Moses Lake, and "we're not in Kansas anymore!" I was hoping for something similar today, but not being in a small town, I wasn't holding my breath. Once again, I was so surprised and happy at the members of this ward. So many people wanting to meet us, saying how glad they were to have us there, and coming over to sit by me in RS. The primary president practically toured the building with us getting our kids where they needed to be. We've already been invited to dinner at some people's house, and I don't even remember meeting her! It was definitely a lesson to me. I was never the one to make sure that the "new" people felt welcome. I wasn't rude, but just figured that there were plenty of other people that would do it. I sure hope that I'll be one of the first people to welcome someone new, and make them feel comfortable. I know that made all of difference for us today.

I sure am learning alot of lessons up here. Makes me ponder the kind of person I was in AZ. I guess I was too comfortable, and the Lord wanted me to learn a few things, hopefully make me a better person. Lesson learned!

First day of school at Rosa Parks

Today was the kids first day of school at their new school Rosa Parks Elementary. We walked to school for the first time ever! Tomorrow they want to ride their bikes. They were all a little nervous, but definitely ready. Kennedy has Ms. McGuire (1st grade)
Whitley has Mr. Anderson (4th grade)
and Colton has Mr. Brekke. (6th grade)
Once they got home, they were all so happy. They loved their teachers, and had all made some friends. The first thing Colton said to me when they came home was "can we please stay at this school all year long?" It broke my heart. I don't want them to feel unstable! I promised him that we would be here throughout the school year, and that the next time we moved it would be back home to AZ. (Now let's just hope I can make that happen). Anyway, I'm glad we're past that hurdle, and everyone survived. Now all we have left to do is go to church here. Can't wait to see what our new ward is like.

14 years!

Today is Landon and mine 14th wedding anniversary. We're celebrating by unpacking more boxes, and running to Costco. Hopefully by this weekend we can at least go out for a nice dinner. I love you babe, and can't wait to see what the next 14 years have in store!