Freebie from Oprah and Snapfish!!!

If you go to Oprah.com and click on "Peter's Clutter Crew" there is a link to Snapfish and you can order a FREE 20 page photo book. Just upload your favorite photos and they will make a book for you. I think you still have to pay shipping costs, but that's it. But I think the offer is only good for the next 48 hours. I'm going to check it out--you should, too!

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

It's starting to get cold here. But I can't complain--we had such a nice fall that I hope I'm ready for the winter hibernation to begin. Here is our favorite chicken noodle soup recipe-it's delicious! (and it makes a ton, so you can feed an army or freeze some for later)

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
5 small chicken breasts
12 cups water
12 bouillon cubes
1 large onion, chopped
8 stalks celery
3 cups sliced carrots
1/2 cup butter (I use 1/4 and it's still really creamy)
1/2 cup flour
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 cups milk
1/2 t. garlic salt
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. pepper
1 t. parsley
3/4 to 1 bag (16 oz.) noodles

Combine chicken, water, bouillon cubes, onion, celery and carrots. Simmer for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and chop, then return to mixture. Add noodles and boil until al dente. In a sauce pan melt butter, and add flour to make a paste. Add a little water to paste then slowly add paste into chicken and vegetables stirring constantly. Add cream of chicken soup and milk. After thickened add seasonings.

I survived my 11 mile run...

I've been training for a marathon (to be run on Jan. 17th in Milwaukee) and today was my 11 mile run. So this morning I drove to my halfway point, planted my delicious homemade powerbar and water bottle, and drove home to start. It was pretty cold (30's), but it felt great once I got going. I was at about the 6.5 mile mark when I saw a van coming towards me. I ran onto the shoulder before I realized it was MY van. Yes, Tyler loaded up all the kids and came to find me, honking the horn, flashing the lights and cheering just to give me some moral support. I love my husband--he rocks! So, Ty hopped out of the van in running gear and started running with me.

Long story short, Ty ended up running the last 4.5 miles with me (I was so proud of him!) and Tyler just followed us all the way in the van. Grant fell asleep in his carseat, and Shayla and Garrett were unbuckled and running all over the van like it was a party (and watching cartoons on Tyler's phone). It was by far my funnest run yet. I just wish I had a picture to post :)

Actually, I'll just post a picture of Grant. Later when we had lunch we were watching Sports Bloopers on TV, and I was blocking his view. So this is a picture of him leaning out so he could see around his mom's big head :)

Playing Catch-up...

So I forgot I had a blog for a while, and thought I'd finally post some pictures again! Here is starting in September and catching up through October. Enjoy! Shayla's first day of Kindergarten. So grown up!

Garrett and Grant manning the garage sale food stand. Garrett sold a lot of bananas/apples--he's quite the persuasive salesman.

Tyler biked 100 miles in the Jessie James bike race. What an accomplishment!

Garrett and Grant trying to catch a grasshopper hiding under the van.
Partners in crime.

Garrett's first day of Joy School! (this is my 5th consecutive year teaching co-op preschool and I love it! It's a good thing, because as soon as Garrett is done, Grant will be up...maybe I'll open my own preschool someday :)

This happy, fiesty boy loves to throw everything! Notice the tomato stains on his shirt--he loved to pick fresh tomatoes from the garden and eat them when no one was looking.

Happy 32nd, Lani!

On the hayride at the apple orchard--kindergarten field trip

Shayla at the orchard

Enjoying a nature center with cousins--a weekend of conference fun, too

Grant LOVED feeding and grabbing the goat

Apple picking with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jack--what a fun visit!

Ty finished up a fun season of flag football--his favorite sport so far.

Tyler and his Dad painted and fixed everything in the house during Tyler's week off--
I love my new house!!!

Dad and Ty painting and bonding

The Fab Four

Garrett's field trip to the grocery store--lots of fun and samples for all!

Reading time for the Grants

Happy 32nd b-day, Tyler!!!

Garrett (Peter Pan) with his preschool buddies on Halloween

Vampire Ty, Queen of Hearts Shayla, Ninja Garrett and Bam-bam Grant

This was the best pic we could get of the kids. Grant was not happy, but cheered up when he started trick-or-treating and saw his candy stash grow. It was a warm night--no jackets for the kids and they loved every minute of it.
Happy Halloween!

Quicker than snot

We were watching "Tyler, a real hero" today (documentary about high school football star who became a parapeligic after a car accident...), and a rival described Tyler as "quicker than snot" on the football field. We were all laughing about the lovely description (the movie was made in 1994--was that a popular expression back then??!!). Anyway, a few minutes later, Garrett was still chuckling to himself and said, "Wasn't that funny when that guy said he was faster than a booger?" Man, I love this kid!

a perfect summer day...

So, I stole Angie's idea about letting each of the kids call the shots one day this week, and it has been a fun week so far. Today Ty picked going to Willow River State Park and picnicking and swimming in the river. It was a gorgeous day, the water was freezing and the kids were braver than their mom. I've got some cute pictures, but my computer hasn't been working, so those will have to come later.

Ty was swimming laps until he met some buddies and starting trying to catch minnows (unsuccessful) the rest of the time. Shayla and Garrett swam, played in the sand and then played on the playground, while Grant swam and then tried to set a new world record for putting disgusting objects in his mouth (rocks, sand, goose poop, cigarette butts...you get the picture). I've discovered that I've mellowed a bit as a parent from 1st to 4th child, and it's okay. Expectations shift from "don't let the baby put anything dirty in his mouth" to "try not to let him swallow it, and if he does, try not to get too grossed out by it and pray for the best." It's not entirely a bad thing, right?!

All in all, it was a perfect summer day--I couldn't ask for more. Tomorrow is Garrett's day--picnic in the canyon followed by obstacle course in the tennis courts. Should be entertaining.

Hope

So I just gave a talk on Sunday about hope. I love that topic. And I think I needed it. I read so many wonderful scriptures/talks about hope, and wanted to share a few of my favorites, because we all could use a little more hope in our lives, right?

So we all hope things every day. Sometimes those hopes are fulfilled, and our hope grows stronger. But sometimes those hopes fall apart, and we end up a wee bit discouraged. What then? Elder Neal A. Maxwell differentiates between these two different types of hope. He calls our daily hopes "proximate" hopes, and our hope through our Savior "Ultimate" hope. He said, "Life's disappointments often represent the debris of our failed, proximate hopes. Instead, however, I speak of the crucial need for ultimate hope. Ultimate hope is a different matter. It is tied to Jesus and the blessings of the great Atonement, blessings resulting in the universal Resurrection and the precious opportunity provided thereby for us to practice emancipating repentance, making possible what the scriptures call a "perfect brightness of hope" (2 Nephi 31:20)"

Okay, so what about timing? I happen to know that things don't always work out the way I plan them. Sometimes we have to wait a really long time for something good that we want right now. Does that mean that Heavenly Father has forgotten about us? Neal A Maxwell said, "When we are unduly impatient with an omniscient God's timing, we really are suggesting that we know what is best. Stronge, isn't it--we who wear wristwatches seek to counsel Him who oversees cosmic clocks and calendars." Ouch. That humbled me to the dirt.

So what does a life full of hope look like?

“Real hope keeps us “anxiously engaged” in good causes even when these appear to be losing causes on the mortal scoreboard (see D&C 58:27). Likewise, real hope is much more than wishful musing. It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine. Hope is serene, not giddy, eager without being naïve, and pleasantly steady without being smug. Hope is realistic anticipation which takes the form of a determination—not only to survive adversity but, moreover, to “endure…well” to the end (D&C 121:8).” --Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Hope is not the wishy-washy word it might appear to be. It is full of power when it is centered in our Savior. His promises are sure. He will never let us down. Never give up hope. Ultimate hope. Work and pray and do all that you can, but then trust it to the Lord's hands. There is no better place for us to be. All is well. Tudo bem.

Breakfast in Bed

I woke up this morning to my cute husband and kids bringing me breakfast in bed. Is it my birthday? Anniversary? Nope. Just because. Blueberry pancakes, eggs, and homemade blueberry yogurt. I can't think of a better way to start the day--thanks, love!

About me...

Okay, my s-i-l Emily W. tagged me a long time ago, and I'm finally posting the answers. This is my first time ever responding--it was kind of fun :)

4 Things you may not know about me:
*I am allergic to the sun. Okay, not really, but I do sneeze twice every time walk outside into the bright sun. My kids do the same thing, so it is pretty funny when we all walk out of the grocery store together.

*I have a therapist, and have had one since I was 5. Growing up, his name was Kimball. Now his name is Everett. When i am happy, sad, mad, angry, joyful, etc. (you get the picture), I like to spend time with him. He just sits in my front room, ready and waiting whenever I find a moment. It makes my heart sing. (Can you guess what he is?)

*Tyler was my first kiss--over the altar. Just kidding--we were 16, but he was my first :)

*I am a bargain-a-holic-shopper. I LOVE finding a good deal. Maybe that is why Tyler thinks I am addicted to garage sales. I'm not. I know I could quit any day of the week...if I wanted to.

4 Places I Go Over and Over:
*The YMCA. I love Zumba (a latin-dance exercise class), Body Pump and running (well, I don't really love running, but I do it). I love that they have child care, so my kids can play with their friends while I exercise. It's good for all of us.

*Aldi--the best little grocery store in the world! It cut our grocery bill in half--love it!

*Church--I'm so glad we only live a mile from our chapel.

*Library--we know most of the librarians by name--they are so friendly, and we love books and movies!

4 People Who Email Me:
*Congressman Ron Kind-I like to give him my input on the happenings in the state of Wisconsin--yeah, we're pretty tight.

*My mom

*Kristina, my sis

*Dictionary.reference.com--I love getting the word of the day.

4 of My Favorite Foods:
*Bueno candy bars--hazelnut, chocolate wafer heaven. I got hooked on them in Portugal--Tyler found them in Puerto Rico and surprised me with it--yum! He's a good man.

*shishkabobs

*coconut shrimp

* Cheesecake with wild berry sauce (and Schwann's ice cream)

4 Places I'd love to be at:
*Swimming with dolphins in the ocean

*The Azore Islands (in the Atlantic--it was part of my mission--it's gorgeous there)

*outside in the backyard with my kids

*Curled up in a comfy chair with a good book

4 Movies I Watch Over and Over ( I love these movies, but I don't really watch movies over and over again--it seems redundant)
*The Sound of Music

*A Beautiful Mind

*Anne of Green Gables

*Gone With the Wind

The Dominican Republic

Tyler's parents own a condo on the beach in the Dominican, and we were blessed to spend a week there, just the two of us. We each finished our books (Manhunt and Pope Joan--both excellent), snorkeled (Tyler did SCUBA), had lots of beach/pool time, ate delicious fresh seafood, went dancing (the Bachata!), horseback riding, and met wonderful new friends. We are already dreaming about our next trip down. Enjoy the photos! These motorcycles were the main mode of transportation. The man in the red shirt is holding a baby, covered by the white blanket. Who knew a family of four could get around on a motorcycle! We are truly blessed living in the U.S.
This is an elementary school--K-5, I believe
Our friends, Coco and Pedro (with the gun). He was the night guard. Tyler and I went on a walk our first night, and he popped out of the darkness and escorted us, showing us all around the grounds. Coco was the one who took us dancing.
Rincon Beach

Diving in--Cascada de Limon
The frog dive
Outhouse
The waves would wash up over our feet--my all-time favorite reading spot
Our lunch on the beach--lobster and fish--delish!
horseback ride to the waterfall
Cascada de Limon!
The beach in front of the condo--locals loved to swim there--
notice the huge cruise ship in the distance.
Gorgeous view of the ocean at the house of some friends we met at the beach
Random building
Banca's were found every few blocks--they sold lottery tickets
Carmen teaching me how to dance the "Bachata"
Coco teaching me how to dance
Tyler and I showing the locals how the gringos dance--yeah, we were REALLY good!
Gas was $6/gal., so they really knew how to pack a truck
My view when Tyler went SCUBA diving.
Tyler heading out on the boat to SCUBA--
he saw a lobster, stingray and lots of neat fish and coral.

Octopus caught in the ocean by the condo

Carmen and Joselina prepared a delicious dinner of lobster and octopus for us. The octopus was a bit chewy, but the flavor was great. The pool by the beach
Ahhhhh, we had such a great visit.