hint hint

He is trying to enjoy the last week before he gets braces.  He is set to get them Feb 3rd and we are expecting to have them on for 20-24 months. 

FYI- they cost just as much as a boob job.  Just sayin. 

Ms. Conkey

Savannah has been asked to read to the kids in kindergarten and she loved it.  She looks like a pro.  I'm so proud of her and all her hard work. 

my nemisis

I have tried unsuccessfully for over 5 years to make homemade bread.  I have only been successful and that was because Brandy Sims was there watching me step by step.

I'm gonna try it again with this recipe and see how it goes.

recipe makes 2 loaves- double it for 5

2C water
1/4 c butter

microwave for a couple minutes so that the butter is melted and the water is hot-let sit for a while to cool slightly while you prepare the yeast and flour mixtures

1c warm water- not scalding, but really warm
1T yeast
1T sugar

Sprinkle yeast over warm water and sugar over the yeast.  Give it a good mix and let it set for a few minutes.

In large bowl mix 6 cups flour, 1t salt

add hot water mixture and the yeast mixture.  Make sure your butter water is not too hot so that it doesn't scald the yeast.  You may need a little more flour.  Mix in mixer. cover it up and let it rise for about 1/2 hour or so. 

HINT- keep your house as warm as possible when making bread it helps!

when it is done, spread a small amount of shortening on your counter-top- do not use flour. Fold and kneed it and shape it into your loaves.  grease your pans and put your bread in.  cover the pans and let it rise for about another half and hour.  Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 30 minutes.  When done, spread with butter over top of bread.  let it sit in loaf pan for 10 minutes and then flip and bread should slip out. 

Sounds easy enough, but we will see.  I am bound and determined to figure it out. 

she would be 5

Just because she isn't here in person, doesn't mean she is far from my thoughts.  December 2 would have been her birthday, she would have been 5 already. 

I never got to see her, and I think its for the best, but I do know she was perfectly formed.  She probably looked a lot like this.  I'm glad this mom thought to take pics and I'm glad she had the courage to share her story. 

http://www.lifesitenews.com/our-son-lived-only-minutes-after-birth-but-has-touched-thousands.html

in over my head

This is only the second week of classes and I have been sitting here at the computer since 12:30 this afternoon.  Here's how the day has gone

do some reading, then get milk for someone, read some more, change a diaper, read some more, make a snack, study some more, change the game on the Wii. 

Start an assignment, get a glass of water for someone, work on assignment, change a diaper, wipe a butt, unload the dish washer, reload dishwasher, work some more on assignment.  check on kids, clean up another mess, change the Wii game again, get fish out to thaw.

Complete assignment and then run out the door to pick up kids from school, get them a snack after school, start next assignment.  Answer the phone, find an ipod for someone, change another diaper, do more schoolwork, take Savannah to friends house to play, more school work, go to chiropractor because all this sitting at a computer is really giving me a headache and making my back hurt.  Read more of my assignment, start dinner. 

Finish dinner, finish assignment.  Bath time, homework for kids, reading with kids, spelling words, go over assignments before I submit them, make chocolate milk, take notes for tomorrow's assignments.

Now I have to do the dishes, get the kids in bed, take a Tylenol pm, finish my assigned scripture reading for my Book of Mormon class. 

Did I mention I haven't showered today? 

Week 2!!!

Did I mention I am still figuring out the time management part of this? 

2014- my year

I have so much to look forward to this year.  I am so excited.

I start my BYU-I online classes next week.  I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  I am really excited to take the Book of Mormon class.  I have read it many times, but I'm ready to actually learn how to study it. 

I have been going to the chiropractor and I am ready for a year with less headaches. 

I am starting a clean eating cleanse tomorrow and will hopefully rid my body of the toxins I have eaten and will start to feel better and just maybe kick start my metabolism into actually shedding a pound or two.

I am ready to have my kids see me do homework.  I know it sounds weird, but I want them to understand that learning is a lifetime job, not just something you do when you're a kid.  I want to sit next to them and study and set that example for them.

I am still going to the gym and I am hoping to learn to prioritize my time and energy better.

It's gonna be a great year.