Yes, I went to the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn. It's become sort of a tradition, although this was the first year I didn't throw the party beforehand. Me and my girlfriends figured out a trick last year and got stellar seats, so of course we did it again this year (I am so not telling)! Thanks Molly for almost getting into a fight with the crazies just to save our seats!
BD = Breaking Dawn
You better believe I screamed and chased this dude down the street so that I could get a picture of his hilarious shirt!
The movie was good, but in my opinion for an older audience. I can't believe we have to wait another year for the second part to come out!
Spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray for an easy cleanup! Place frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot and cover with sauce. Empty can of drained pineapple tidbits on top. Cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken with two forks while still in the crock pot so the chicken will be well coated with sauce. Serve over rice.
We also had petite whole green beans and Kings Hawaiian rolls with it!
As always, me and my mom had a blast at Time Out For Women! It is so fun to just get away and be spiritually fed! As you can see this years theme was Choose To Become. They had amazing speakers and music! I always jot down notes, and I just can't help but share them with you.
Sometimes life takes twists and turns we aren't planning. She says that having a mother heart is what's important, not necessarily giving birth. For example, she got married to her "Rusty Armor" who asked for a divorce 7 years into their marriage and right after her mom died at 49. She remarried later on a man who had adult children and spent their first Christmas at her new husbands, ex-wifes house to be together with his children. She has finally had 2 children of her own at a later age, but not before she was a 'mother' to many students.
Mary Ellen Edmunds - You Are REAL!
A seed turns out exactly like it should, just like we do.
No one can steal your identity or the fact that you are a child of God.
Find one part of your day that you can focus on making more holy. Her example was a friend who had 7 children, the last being twins which meant buckling 4 children into car seat! She decided she would change her attitude about it and make it more holy by placing each child in their seat, buckling them, then looking directly into their eyes and saying I love you. Shawni chose the after dinner routine. She turned on music (and video taped the change).
1 - Remember who your children really are.
- Between husband and wife go through a run down about once a month to see where each of your children are in each of the following areas: physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
2 - Remember who you are.
- Get away, even if it's to sit in your car.
- Involve yourself with other women.
3 - Remember who the Savior is.
D. Kelly Ogden - Be of Good Cheer
We are told at least 12 times in the scriptures to "be of good cheer."
Pray for what is the most important thing each day.
She did a neat experiment with a clicker. For an entire week she clicked for every negative thought she had, but then she found herself down. So the next week she clicked for all the positive things and her numbers were off the charts. She found reasons to click and found blessings.
She just topped the Christian Billboard Charts and she sang this awesome song!
Here are 2 quick (and I mean quick) clips of her skits that had us laughing.
And not that she performed this, but this is my favorite (hilarious) performance by her!
Follow baking directions on the package for the fish sticks. Brush one side of fish sticks with oil, cumin, and garlic powder mixture and place in oven. Once the fish is halfway through baking, turn fish and coat other side with mixture.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together mayo and lime juice. Add coleslaw; toss to coat. To serve, spoon some of the coleslaw mixture into each taco shell, then add fish sticks. Top with salsa or pico de gallo.
We serve this with rice and/or beans as a side.
***We have recently changed this recipe slightly! Instead of salsa or pico de gallo, we use a can of Rotel (because we have it in our food storage and use it for everything). We add 1 tbls of the juice to the mayo and lime mixture for the coleslaw. Then we top the taco with the chunky stuff. It adds kick, which we love!
It began Friday with a handful of friends who joined me for a craft-a-thon from 10am-10pm. There was lots of chatting, and a little bit of crafting. We were lucky enough to use the church so we could each spread out on our own 8ft table. Ned's Krazy Sub was brought in for lunch and of course we had a bunch of treats to snack on throughout the day. For dinner we went to my beloved Gecko Grill who closed the next day after 12 years, sigh. Even though I planned a bunch of projects, I only completed a new church bag for myself, but catching up with girlfriends was the best! I love my girlies and they spoiled me with hoards of fabric and generous gift cards!
Saturday:
I forgot to mention that our friends from Utah drove down with their 3 kids (a 3 year old & 18 month old twins) to surprise me for my birthday! I feel so special! My mom made us all biscuits and gravy (my fave) and we "tried" to watch general conference. We didn't get up and moving till about 2 in the afternoon. We decided to get a pizza and go have a picnic on temple grounds. We rushed back so the boys could get to priesthood in time and they could see their friends (who live here too). Their friends joined us for my birthday dinner at Olive Garden along with my mom and Tim. I was spoiled with a shopping spree, pedicure, dinner, hotel stay, and Time Out For Women tickets from my mom to enjoy in November! And Phil scored major brownie points by getting me a Kindle along with 30 coupons that can be used 30 times (like back tickles, foot rubs, fabric and scrapbooking supplies). I was also informed that I have more in store next weekend! Wow!
Sunday:
Again we "tried" to watch conference, but I think we'll just have to watch it on DVR or read it when it comes out. We had another relaxing day and didn't get ready until about 3! We headed over to my grandmas house to have a nacho bar and celebrate with cake! Our friends 3 year old helped decorate it and blow out the candles. Too cute, right?! We chatted it up with family, then headed home to play some games since it was our friends last night. After a blessing over a sick and coughing little boy, we headed to bed in the wee hours.
All in all, turning 30 didn't kill me and I'm looking forward to doing everything on my 30 List! Thanks to everyone for making this birthday so memorable!
I wasn't the best photographer on his birthday, but my hubbygot spoiled! Lots of books, new mountain bike + accessories (after his other was stolen), a new cell phone, money from family, and art supplies (the only thing I did get pictures of him opening). He has begged me forever to buy a canvas and paint to just see what he could create, so I indulged him! I love this guy, even if he rocks bed head like nobodies business (in his defense he had just woken up)!
Melt candy corn in the microwave stirring every 20-30 seconds. Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Let cool in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Line a cooking sheet with parchment paper and place a cooling rack on top. Form balls from the candy corn and peanut butter mixture. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 15 second increments. Dip balls in chocolate and let set on the cooling rack allowing the excess chocolate to drip through onto the paper. Place in the fridge until hardened. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
We ran away to St. George last weekend for roughly 36 hours! It was short and sweet, but the weather was oh so worth it! It was overcast and about 80 degrees the entire time (sure beats 110). We were able to see my cousin and his family, go to a little swap meet where my hubby bought me 2 cute necklaces and earrings, see Grease at Tuacahn, and spend time with Phil's parents and one of his brothers and his family swimming, playing games, and relaxing. We had a great time!
I am a flop flop lovin' gal and cracks are just inevitable...until I was introduced to these booties! I can't believe the difference one night makes! I lather my feet with lotion, slip these booties on (not gonna lie, it feels weird), and the next morning my feet are practically doing a happy dance! Soft and no cracks!
Once upon a time I had this ambitious idea. I knew I was struggling with the thought of turning 30. It not only sounds old to say I am out of my 20's, but some days I feel like I have nothing to show for it {i.e. no kids, no home, no career}. I figured if I thought of 30 things that I wanted to do and accomplish before I turned 30, then I'd be all right with my inevitable birthday. So I started with an enthusiastic banner for myself! 30 before 30 was my catchphrase!
Then the obvious happened. I was super excited, but the list became more of a chore than something I wanted to accomplish. Then I felt guilty, then I wanted to give up. I laid awake one night {annoyed at myself} when all of a sudden I had an "ah ha" moment! Why in the world do I have to do it before my 30th birthday?! I am going about this list like I am about to die. Instead I decided to CELEBRATE my 30th year by doing 30 things while I am 30 to prove to myself that 30 can be great. So I jumped out of bed at 2:27 am and fixed my inspirational banner to reflect my new catchphrase. 30 while 30!
I am happy to report that this does make me look forward to being 30! I know all you nosey people want to know what's on my list...but I won't be sharing it until my birthday because in an odd way, it is a gift to myself! So stay tuned because October 1st the list will be up! I will use my blog to journal items as they happen so you can see them get crossed off {plus it makes me accountable}!
I ran into the library today to get a book I had on hold and return a movie. I decided to quickly browse through the cookbook section in my efforts to eat better. I saw an intriguing book that I figured I understood the concept of, so I grabbed it. When I got home I started looking through the book and an hour later I am in LOVE! It was exactly what I thought it was about...and so much more!
I am totally trying these awesome recipes because making anything healthier, whether I am being "sneaky" or not, is better than what I'm {not} doing right now!
Spread (unbroken) pretzels out onto a cookie sheet (do NOT line with foil). Unwrap Hugs and place one on top of each pretzel. Bake at 200 degrees for 8-10 minutes (or until Hugs are melted). Quickly place 2 M&M's on each Hug. Stick the pan into your freezer for about 30 minutes to harden. Keep refrigerated.
This was photographed in February, hence the Valentine colors. My favorite is at Christmas time when Hershey's has their peppermint kisses! They are so yummy, and topped with red and green M&M's it looks so festive. P.S. I've tried the mini M&M's and I think I like the regular ones better.
I don't talk about my miscarriage from 2005 {like ever} on my blog {although I have opened up to people in conversation}. Take this with a grain of salt because really, it's just a {5 minute} pity party I'm throwing myself.
If I had have carried that baby to full term, that child would have started kindergarten today. It's bitter sweet of course. I had quite a few friends who had children around the time I was supposed to be due {June 10th}. It's fun to see their milestones and today was no exception with all the cute "first day of school" pictures.
I ended up going to lunch and shopping with my mom this afternoon because I just needed to be off the internet {you know Facebook and Blogger}. I am okay, really. No tears, I promise!
Someday I may have the courage to share my {short but sweet} story. For now, thanks for letting me throw my pity party.
This meal originated because I was out of my usual Costco/Sams Club uncooked tortillas. We loved it so much, that now it is how we serve our fajitas!
1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
1/2 green bell pepper, julienned
1/2 onion, sliced
2 tbls oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 bag fajita meet (see picture below)
1 can Original Rotel
angel hair pasta
Cook pasta according to directions. Saute bell peppers and onions in oil. Add meat for the last 5 minutes. Add Rotel. Drain water from pasta and add to fajitas. Mix well.
This meat can be found at your local grocery store but you get more bang for your buck at Costco/Sams Club.
I snagged this fabric a while back because it totally reminded me of my cousin Dakin and how much I miss her (she lives in England now). I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it. I followed THIS cool tutorial that I've been dying to try and although my first attempt isn't perfect (sorry Dakin), I am glad I made it!
I've mentioned a few times how I LOVE getting involved with Craft Hope! Well for family night (FHE) a few weeks ago, I used one of their projects to teach a lesson about charity. We sang "Love One Another" and read the definition of charity in the bible dictionary. Then we found Russia on the map and we played a numbers guessing game about the statistics Craft Hope had on their website. Then we made these bracelets for the orphans. It was a simple activity, but a fun way to make a small difference.
