Pies and Friends

I am busy. Are you?

Thanksgiving is in 2 days. And my assignment is pies. I have never had an assignment before because we travel to Show Low every year and, well, it's hard to bring food 3 hours to the mountains. But pies, pies can travel just fine. And I am excited that I can claim part of this enormous meal as my contribution.

This week was busy. So I am getting some help from good old Costco. I went today and not tomorrow. You know why. And I got my two pumpkin pies and one pecan pie. I am not a big fan of pecan pie but it's favorite at the Adams' homestead. And tomorrow, first thing in the morning I am making my own cherry pie (for me and my father-in-law) and here's the best part: a pumpkin banana mousse pie. A pumpkin banana mousse pie. I said it again just so that you got it for sure. Yum. Thank you Ina Garten and Food Network for existing and having Dear Food Network Thanksgiving. I learned alot. ALOT. And I can't wait to have our family's annual "Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Thanksgiving Dinner". (I just named it that.) Because even though I don't cook a Thanksgiving dinner doesn't mean I don't buy a 20 pound turkey at 45 cents a pound and another 13 pound turkey--for later.

So I am really looking forward to trying out my newly acquired skills. Well, they're not exactly acquired yet, but it's all in my head and I can't wait to try them out. But I am also really looking forward to going to Show Low and feeling the cold air and enjoying time with family and watching movies all weekend and hopefully playing in the snow. Crossing fingers!


On another subject, last night I went to a get-together with some high school friends that I haven't seen since high school. I thought I would never see any of them again and I was okay with that. Not that I didn't like them, they were all really great people, I just wasn't very involved in high school, I had another life after the school bell rang and I preferred that one. But I went just for the heck of it and I had a GREAT time! It was so great to catch up on everyone's life since H.S. Where they went on the mish, who they married, what they do to make some money, what their children look like, all that. And of course I love any reason to show off my own kids. I seriously had such a great time. I stayed until 10'oclock and could've stayed longer just talking. So thank you Kendall for hosting, and thank you Chad for coming to visit and giving us reason to get together. Let's do it again soon, okay?

I'm off to the mountains for the rest of the week. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Really. Have a fantastic one.

Mwah.

I am joyful

My rose garden brings me joy.

The kids being in good moods bring me joy.

And batgirl, of course, brings me joy.

(yes, this is Paige.)

Shopping, Secrets, Goddesses, and being Forgetful

Okay, so here it is. This is one of my favorite authors. I love every book. And her latest is my all time favorite so far. Now may I forewarn you, there is a little bit of language in these books. So if that bothers you, you may not like these. It's not over the top or anything, it's occasional. This has kind of been me and my mom's dirty little secret because I didn't want to tell anyone I read books with swearing in it. The truth is out! Sorry mom, I just outed you too. And I watch some movies with swearing in it too! Not right now though, it's pretty much just Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, and Santa is Coming to Town. But anyway I love Sophie Kinsella, she keeps me entertained and reading into the night. Hope you guys enjoy her too!

(her non-Shopaholic books)

(and my very favorite, on my Christmas list this year by the way just in case you wanted to know.)

Another favorite author of mine is Emily Giffin. She is similair to Sophie Kinsella and I've liked all of her books too.

I don't like Vampires, I like Bex.

No, I am NOT going to see the Twilight movie. Just to let you know. In fact, I am a tad bit of an anti. I can't even bare to put a picture from the movie to go with this post.

A couple of years ago Amber told me I should read these great books that she borrowed from someone else with high recomendations. And at the time (before the massive obsession) I thought, sure, but not now since I am reading something else. Maybe later. Well I never got to reading them and then EVERYBODY was asking me "Have you read the Twilight books?" And very quickly it started to annoy me.


Then there was news that there was going to be a movie. Holy heck.


Now it's "Are you going to see the Twilight movie?" NO.

I'm sure it's a fine story and I can definitely appreciate a good love story. But I just don't even want to get obsessed. Because I'm sure I would and then I would turn into that crazy fan. And I have plenty of my own obsessions that keep me very busy. I just don't have time for any more. Sorry to disapoint.

So please don't ask me anything about Twilight. I don't know, I don't want to know. And don't hate me because I'm anti. I don't hate you for wanting to marry Edward or be Bella. You just annoy me, that's all. Just kidding. Sort of.

Please enjoy the movie, you just can't talk to me about it.

Wanna know what my book obsession is? They're making a movie out of it too! I can't wait! (but I will not be getting t-shirts made for it. I don't love it that much.)

Here's the trailer.

A Masterpiece

She is MY masterpiece.

Old McDonald had a WHAT? Eee-i-Eee-i--WHOA!

A song by Peyton:

Me: "Old Mcdonald had a farm! Eee-i-eeei-i-oh! And on that farm he had a...."

Peyton: "Pig!"

and we finished that verse just how it is supposed to be sung.

Next verse:

Me: "Old Mcdonald had a farm! Eee-i-eeei-i-oh! And on that farm he had a...."

Peyton: "Dog transformer!"

Me: "Ee-i-ee-i-oh! With a woof woof her and a woof woof there, here a woof there a woof, everywhere a woof woof. Old Mcdonald had a farm ee-i-ee-i-oh! And on that farm he had a...."

Peyton: "Horse transformer with a gun!"

Me: "Ee-i-ee-i-oh! With a nay nay boom! And a nay nay boom! Here a nay, there a boom, everywhere a nay boom! Old Mcdonald had a farm ee-i-ee-i-oh! And on that farm he had a...."

Peyton: "Cow transformer with a really really big gun!"

And we sang the next 10 verses just like that only the weapon got bigger and badder with each one. Is he a boy or what?

Breakfast

This morning's breakfast was actually nice, we ate at the table together, which rarely happens. And ever since, our day has been going pretty good, much better than last week.

I also already have dinner made and put in the fridge, dishes put away in the dishwasher, rice crispie treats made and waiting to be eaten, the dog and the kids walked around the block, the dog and the kids all taking naps right now, and it's only 2 o'clock! Now it's some alone time and then off to work. Blah.

Hope you're having a good day too!

Elder Piercy---

If you are reading this, and I know you are, we're all glad that you are in Armenia safe. Overwhelmed? It'll be okay, we know how hard of a worker you are, you will be fine. It was cool to talk to you before you got to Armenia. I especially enjoyed hearing you speak your new language. And I was very touched when you told me you loved me too in that very foreign sounding language, and whatever else you said. How was your first full week on the mish? What foods are you eating? Are you freezing? How's your comp?

Things here are good. We are just doing some Christmas shopping lately and enjoying our new dog. Did I say enjoying? Well, sometimes we're enjoying her. She's a puppy and she is taking some work. Who knew! But she is really great with the kids, except for when she jumps on Paige and she freaks out. But other than that, she's great! And sometimes she pees inside the house, very rarely, but that kind of sucks. But other than that, she's great! And she barks when she's in her kennel at night unless she's in our room, along with Peyton who usually climbs into bed with us at 4 in the morning. You know what they say, 3's a crowd but 4's a party! Yeah right. But other than that, she's a great dog!

The kids are going strong. Peyton is showing more and more independance every week. He has a newly acquired attitude lately that drives me nuts. But then he tells me he "yuvs me so much" or "I didn't mean to Mom" or "I sorry Mom" and then it's okay. Paige is also showing more and more independance. She likes to run down the street all on her own or chase her brother down the street to the mailbox.

We are enjoying cooler weather, not cool enough, but nice. I sometimes have to try really hard to feel the holidays. But it's the same every year here in the valley, it's still disapointing every year though.

We are very proud of you and we all miss you very much. But we really can't wait for that weekly email from you. Oh yeah, what do you think of you blog? Do you approve? You can blame dad for the picture on your header. Just kidding Dad. Take care Michael, we love you.

It was one of THOSE days again....

You know what I'm talking about.

I don't think Josh really knows what I mean when I tell him that. But he does know that I am not happy on these days. It's kind of been this way all week. So it's harder on days like these to find joy in the journey. But I pulled out my camera and tried. Hard. So here is what brought me joy today.

*There are no pictures of Peyton because he has a stomache virus that is causing a very terrible, not so nice butt rash, as he calls it. He was not in the mood to be my photo subject. And by the way Dre--I really know EXACTLY what you went through with Kaydin. Wow. I mean seriously, it's a little out of control. When does it stop???

I couldn't wait for the General Conference talks to come out so I could read my favorite one again. I know I'm not the only one who feels like President Monson was talking to me. But since he talked about "tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled"----that was me! And I felt better about my house. Because although it's in disaray most of the time, it's the home where me and my children spend all of our day. So that has been my goal since I heard this talk and that is what my blog is all about: Finding Joy in the Journey

Stay tuned to find out what joys I am finding in my journey.

R U Ready?

I'm also ready for:

What are you ready for?

Zzzz

Is it normal for a dog to sleep so much? We haven't had Sirri for very long but she is the best dog. She didn't come trained but it sure seems like she was. She's great with the kids and they love her. And when we're not all outside playing with her she is laying in the same exact spot usually asleep. Will this change? Are they only good in the beginning? We have 10 days to return her to the shelter that we got her, is that when she shows us her real self? Let's hope this is it. We couldn't have picked out a better dog.

*On a side note here's a convo I had with Peyton on our way to Target:

Me: "So what do we need to get at Target today?"

P: "Ummm, shark food and crocadile food."

M: "Why do we need to get shark food and crocodile food?"

P: "Because it will make them feel better."

Unfortunately we did not find the shark food or the crocodile food. But we did find some Bumblebee tennis shoes that are really rockin.

We now have 2.5 children, isn't that the national average?

Our new puppy. Sirius, or Sirri for short. The kids love her. And by the way, she is a bribe to get Peyton to potty train. It's working so far.

A Saturday Evening

Ahhhhhh, clean freshly bathed children in clean freshly laundered pajamas on a Saturday night.

The hubby is gone at a football game.

The kids have been put to bed early.

I am all alone with my computer and the t.v.

And possibly a bowl of salsa and whole grain tortilla chips (because they're whole grain, it's okay to eat the whole bag in one sitting. Just to let you know.)

I sure do cherish the times with my husband and my children, but really, my alone time is priceless.

Hello Food Network. I love you.

Piggies

For goodness sakes, my dreams came true!

How cute are those?!

And they lasted most of the day too!

Like Mother Like Daughter

A scene from Swan Lake, The Dying Swan:

My 2 Cents

I voted today. And I feel good about what I chose to vote for. I left feeling very proud of myself for doing something so important. I even gave myself goosebumps!

After voting the kids and I went to the park to play because it was soooooo beautiful outside, I couldn't waste that perfect weather. And we all went swinging. Even me. It felt so good to swing. I don't remember the last time I swung so high. It felt so good I was giddy afterwards. But I still feel a little sick from it. I guess it was worth it.

So far we've had a pretty good day.

Dear Josh,

Sorry you went to bed alone last night, I really had to educate myself

on the oh so very important election tomorrow. I am very overwhelmed

but feel okay about my decisions. And yes, we are voting different

ways on one very important subject. But thanks for supporting me.

I stayed up a little longer and blogged, just a little bit. But

this one is for you. Enjoy. Couldn't you look at them

all day? I do, and they seriously get cuter and cuter.

Well, of course they do get their looks from

their dad.

Just a funny from Arizona

The story of this picture is one day last week Paige woke up and wanted to wear her snow hat. So she wore it all morning. Then I let her play outside for a little bit but it was actually a little chilly so I put a sweater on her (still in her jammies). So then Peyton wanted to go outside too and also wear his jacket and snow hat on top of his jammies. A couple of hours later I turned the air conditioning on.

Halloween '08

I was considering not writing anything about Halloween because the actual day was awful and I was stressed out and busy and things did not go well, in my opinion. I couldn't wait for the day to be over. But then we went trick or treating with the kids and they had such a great time. We were out for an hour and a half! Both kids walked the whole way except right at the end Paige decided she was done and just sat herself down on the sidewalk. It was pretty funny. We couldn't find her minnie mouse ears before we left so we just called her a ballerina since she was in a red tutu. And then of course when we got home, there they are in plain sight. Whatever though. The kids got tons of candy and it was nice to see all of the ward members doing the same thing as us!