Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spring Break Extra Curricular Activities



Finally getting around to updating you all with the latest
happenings for spring break last week. The kids had a 
blast at the carnival around town. We hit up two different
ones. I forgot my camera and cell phone on the first trip
and was bummed I couldn't snap some pics. But happy
that I didn't forget my camera/cell this time. 

All week we practiced reading, doing homework and 
putting in a bunch of hours watching Netflix, doing Zumba
workouts on the Wii and spring cleaning the rooms and 
kitchen..well the whole house. We also made pumpkin and
red velvet whoopie pies with cream cheese frosting/filling
and whipped cream. So yummy! We decided to make use 
of the canned pumpkin we had in the pantry and so glad 
we did. The red velvet whoopie pies went so fast! We did
get a shot of the pumpkin/cream cheese whoopie pies. 


How did your spring break go? I'd love to hear all about it!

    








Loni finally getting off. He was the only one 
on this ride. I wish the operator could've waited
for more kids or people to get on. But he was a
good sport.


Monday, March 28, 2011

First Sunday in Our New Ward




Yesterday we finally made it in to church to meet
up with our new bishopric and ward members. It 
was also a fast Sunday since we're going to have 
General Conference next weekend. During sacram
ent meeting after announcements were made, every
one was given a chance to stand up and give their
testimony and I wanted to get up but have this 
terrible fear of standing in front of people and talking.

So I decided what the heck..just get up and do it 
and introduce yourself and the family while you're
at it. So I did..most of the people who were bearing
their testimonies before mine, were talking about 
their family trials and tribulations and how the gospel
has helped them get through those hard times. 

I got up and introduced myself and the rest of our 
family and explained that we have our share of trials
and tribulations are currently working through them
with bible/scripture study every night and daily prayer.
I felt so much better after I bore my testimony.

So after Gospel & Doctrine class, I headed over to 
Relief Society eager to learn and take in the lesson. 
I think I've been spiritually starving and needed to be
fed. I met so many wonderful sisters who not only 
care and help one another. I too, am excited about 
getting to help out with one of their many projects 
for the upcoming month.  One of them is 1000 Quilts
for Japan. 

They're collecting 1000 quilts, blankets and comforters
for the earthquake and tsunami survivors. Many of 
them suffering from the cold and sleeping on floors of 
shelters without a blanket for comfort. 
  • Donate a homemade or purchased quilt,comforter or blanket. It can be twin,double or queen size. No thin or old blankets please. 
  • Tell your friends, family and co-workers about this great opportunity for service. 
  • Invite your facebook friends to participate. 
  • Andy and Bax on Grand Ave and Sgt. Gators in Boring has wool blankets for $25. Stores such as Kohls, JCPenney's, Walmart and Target carry comforters.
  • Attach a note of encouragement to your item letting the recipient know you care. 
  • Place your item in a plastic bag.

They also asked the sisters to head over after church 
to another sister's home to do more quilting there so 
that they may finish the quilts before the April 1st dead
line. I really want to go but will be able to make it for 
the Tuesday night gathering. I'm excited to learn how
to quilt. I've been wanting to learn for so long and now
my chance to learn it will  be this week:)


They also have a Humanitarian Project going as well
until April 9th..collecting 100 pairs of new socks, 25
 New Wash Cloths, 25 New Hand Towels and were
asked to place the donations in the box at the RS table. 

They also showed us how to can a day food supply
per person for emergencies. They used a tiny can 
opener to open the can with. The lady said that they
used it in the army and you can hang it on your key
chain. I forgot to ask her where you can buy them.
I think I'd like to buy alot to have on hand. Sorry 
the picture isin't perfect. I used the cell phone camera
on this one. 


I think that's a wonderful idea. Here's what they had
in there. 
  • Nature Valley Granola Bar
  • 1 pack of Ramen noodles
  • 1 plastic cup
  • 3 plastic spoons
  • 2 juice boxes
  • 1 pack of fruit snacks
  • 1 envelope of hot chocolate mix
  • 1 envelope of Cider mix
  • 1 bag of dried fruits or snack mix

 You can do it the way you want to. This is what
they just had on hand to put in theirs. Some people
use backpacks instead of the can. I think I'd do 
both, label the top of the can so that I can rotate
and use it before the expiration dates. 




Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Settling into a new home

You are probably wondering about the big spaces between posts. Well, we were nearing the end of our lease at our apartment and decided to just hurry and find a rental home we can move to temporarily for a year. We found a 3 bdrm, 2 bath home in Gresham that's got lots of room for all of us and then some! Good news is..I lost 9 pounds within 5 days of moving,loading,unpacking and no eating or drinking after 6pm. Then I'll drink my 3 liters of cold tap water along with my prenatal vitamins upon rising in the morning. (no, I'm not prego..just trying to grow my hair) The kids love the new place and are excited to have their own rooms.


After moving in we had to wait for a week to get our internet installed by Qwest. So after the internet got hooked, our trusty computer just broke down. So now I have to use the wii to access the internet. That is why there is no pictures.

how is your week coming along?

Friday, February 25, 2011


Thank goodness it's Friday, Aloha Friday at An Island Life..her
question for the day is, "Salty or Sweet?" My answer was "both".
I'm mainly a sucker for sweet stuff!! My question for you today
is "What are your plans for R & R today?" (rest and relaxation!)

My Answer
I love winding down after a busy day by catching up on my
blogging or reading one of my review books. I painted my nails
a peacock blue and my daughter wanted a glittery red. Now I'm
currently reading Sealing The Deal by Dr. Diana Kirschner. Want to
win a copy of Sealing The Deal? Enter here for your chance to win.
Have a great weekend folks:)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

School's Out Due To Snow Today....



So on Tuesday my neighbor upstairs told me that there is a snow storm
coming in on Wednesday through Saturday. We finally got our refund 
and decide to go hit the clearance sections at Target, Old Navy and TJ
Maxx for the kids and ended up coming home with a boat load of 
winter clothing for them. Most of them were 70% off! Gloves were .44c
each at Fred Meyer. Thank goodness we did all that yesterday and 
now the kids can keep warm outside today. They were in need of new
winter clothes and I'm so glad that I finally got that part taken care of. 

It doesn't really show..but the snow is still falling in this picture.

The kids woke up early this morning when they heard me watching
the news and the announcement of school closures. After that, no one
wanted to go back to bed. The kids headed straight for the Wii and 
wanted to start up on the new Wii Zumba Workout we got on Friday.

Now that's a whole other post!



Saturday, February 12, 2011

Dealing With Bad Manners,Temper Tantrums & Fights



by
Eileen Spinelli
ISBN: 978-0807563793
Hardcover: 32 pages


All week I've been frustrated about the constant fighting, screaming
and bickering going on between the children these past few weeks
and happened to see this book at the local library yesterday about
Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class by Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by
Anne Kennedy. So I grabbed it and knew this would be the first
thing I would be reading to the younger two. 

Although Loni thinks he's too grown up for these books, I think 
he would learn a thing or two after hearing me read it. 

Yesterday was a busy day, so I got the chance to read it to them
this morning along with some other books on how to teach your 
children good manners. Don't get me wrong I teach my kids and
talk to them constantly, yet somehow I think it goes in one ear 
and out the other. 

The kids did like the book and I'm noticing more peace and quiet
in the house today. Thank goodness, let's hope that this lasts for 
the remainder of the weekend and on to next week. :) Now on to
the teaching them good manners and proper etiquette book! 


Elbow Off the Table, Napkin in the Lap, No Video
Games During Dinner
(The Modern Guide to Teaching Children Good Manners)
by
Carol McD. Wallace

Softcover: 258 Pages
ISBN: 031214122-x
Publisher: ST. Martin's Griffin 
Language: English

The kids enjoyed this book as well and started telling me the 
other's mistakes and what they needed to improve on. I learned 
a couple of things on here myself. It's a really useful book on raising
well mannered kids. Do you have any tips on what you do at home
with your children? 



Interested in RAW FOOD DIET....



Last night I came across Food Matters on Netflix in the Documentary
Section and found the answers to my eating problems!! I watched in 
amazement at what was under my nose the entire time. My cousin was
trying to tell me about it and I guess I wasn't listening or didn't want
to listen at the time. She told me to come and spend a week with her
in California and I would see the results. After watching Food Matters
I was sold on the idea of the Raw Food Diet. This clip from the 
documentary where David's talking about drinking water just sealed 
the deal for me. I really want to see changes in my family's eating 
habits and I know everything starts with me since I am the one preparing
the meals at home. I think I didn't want to start it because I loved junk
food too much. 

Now I realize I'm like some ticking time bomb that's ready to go off,
if I don't change the way I eat and be more responsible. I've been 
searching online for some great raw food recipes to start out with 
and excited about starting..yes, today! My son started cringing  when
I started talking about making vegetable juices at home, but I think 
they'll like it sooner or later:) My friend Kate always talks about 
making stuffed peppers or something like that and I'm thinking that
would be something awesome to start the kids out with.

Are you or someone you know on a raw food diet? How is it 
working out for you and your family? I'd love to hear from you!