A Good Day

I must say it has been a positively lovely morning for me. Why, you might ask...after all it is Monday...weekend is over...back to the grind. Actually I really like Mondays. Monday is usually my cleaning day & I love a clean house. Monday means we get back to our schedule & I love being on schedule. Monday means family night, which our kids LOVE & which always brings me back to what is most important. HOWEVER today is an unusual Monday.

This morning I got to hang out with one of my VERY bestest friends in the world...the divine Miss J...who has been my friend for over 20...yes 20....years. We got PEDICURES!! I love pedicures, but never get them because I can't justify the expense. However, today I had a gift card from my birthday (thanks R&C!!) and so I indulged. I even got a flower put on....oh frivolous me.

I am eating chocolate covered strawberries at this moment, which I received yesterday from a church friend...mmmmmmmmmm!

I steam cleaned the carpets over the weekend and so, even though I haven't done my usual Monday cleaning, my house still looks good.

My babies are napping peacefully and the house is absolutely still...minus the sound of my fingers tapping away on the keyboard.

The weather is still absolutely HEAVENLY, breezy & 75 degrees.....blissful!

I've even had a chance to read a chapter from my latest book club book, the ORIGINAL Phantom of the Opera while snuggling with little L as he fell asleep.

Just now my sweet friend Jenny O. dropped off the most darling little dress for Baby B that her little girl has grown out of. I'm so excited cuz Jenny has GREAT taste.

And all is right with the world.

Happy Monday!

Bursting

Her smile, so big it seems to be just bursting out of her with unbridled joy.

You know that feeling when your heart is so full, it feels like it is about to burst? That is how I feel when I see this face...bursting.

I have always loved this quote & I think it is appropriate for me today:

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body."

~Elizabeth Stone

So true. Love you B.

Happy Birthday Daddy

31 years ago today I was a birthday present for a very special person, my Dad. I was the first, you see, and born only 5 days before his birthday, talk about an awesome present! ;)

Through the years my Dad has taught me much about life...especially hard work, persistence, a positive attitude, faith, family and forgiveness.

Not to mention the joy of shoe shopping. ;)

I love you Dad, thank you for the example you are to me.

Happy Birthday!

P.S. As I prepared to write this post, I discovered that the only pictures I have of you are carving the turkey at Thanksgiving...which, as you can see, leave a little to be desired. heeheehee. Watch out, my camera & I will be on the prowl!!

Easter EGG-stravaganza

I love Easter. I love its meaning, I love that spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming & the world is reborn. New dresses, egg hunts & lots of family time, what more can you ask for.

One thing I really enjoy each Easter is coloring eggs with the kids. I love the great colors, I love watching my kids faces light up as they watch an ordinary white egg turn to pink, purple, blue and every color in between. Plus it is a great opportunity for picture time.

This year we hung out at grandma's house with the cousins & had a great time coloring eggs & ourselves in the process.

Group shot of my kiddos...don't you love how they all look my way???

Sweet cousin E's first Easter...

My bunny, little B...ain't she cute?!?!

Little cousin A always runs away when I point the camera his way, caught this one though. He & B look so much alike, they could be siblings...

Now we get down to business...

I LOVE this face!!!

Now, why does it seem like I always get a shot like this??? Hmmm, wonder if my kids ever get sick of being photographed?

Little A managed to color his toes too, and his face and his shirt, etc, etc, etc....hahaha, good times had by all.

Happy Easter!!

31 Things About Me

Soooo, yeah, it's my birthday...gosh they aren't quite the same as they used to be when I COULDN'T WAIT to get another year older. These days I'm happy if the kids are good & I don't have to cook...both of which are working out pretty well so far, minus B not feeling too well...but that is the life of a mom, right? Anyways, I thought I'd share a few tasty tidbits about myself, just in case you wanted to know. (I know you are on the edge of your seat, aren't you?) So without further adieu...31exciting insights into yours truly. (Betcha can't guess how old I am can you)...

1. My favorite color is green...pretty much all shades.

2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE photography...but you already knew that.

3. I clip coupons & subscribe to CouponSense.

4. I watch VERY little TV, but my one guilty pleasure is Grey's Anatomy, however, since the writer's strike I've been enjoying American Idol.

5. My favorite thing about people is their EYES. The windows to the soul. It is my favorite thing to capture in photographs (second oddly enough is feet--especially baby feet). They tell so much about a person (their eyes that is, lol).

6. I very much ENJOY silence...I hear it soooooo rarely.

7. I will buy anything generic EXCEPT Tide, Downy & Bounce...there is NO substitute for CLEAN, FRESH smelling laundry.

8. I wish I had a better sense of style....sometimes I just feel dorky.

9. I have a bad habit of beginning projects & never finishing them...thus my new years resolution of "being a finisher"...its going....uhhhh....ok. :)

10. I LOVE bubble baths, especially when its cold outside, with a treat & a good book.

11. One of my favorite nights of the month is Book Club. I LOVE to read & I LOVE my book club girlfriends!! They are sooo fun.

12. My worst habit: Biting my nails, especially when I'm anxious. I hate that I do this.

13. I am VERY nonconfrontational. I hate to fight or hurt people's feelings.

14. I think scrapbooking is fun...I especially love the paper, but I can never find time to do it.

15. I waste most of the little free time I have on the computer, especially on photography boards and blogs or playing around in PhotoShop.

16. If I could afford to decorate my whole from Pottery Barn....I SOOOOOOOOO would.

17. There are few things more satisfying to me that a clean house, especially the refrigerator, kitchen sink & toilets...who knows why.

18. I LOVE date nights with my husband. I talk his ear off.

19. Someday I want to travel the world (& take lots of pictures of it).

20. I have a HUGE sweet tooth. Dangerously huge, especially for chocolate, so I was seriously excited when my kiddos brought these (hand picked I might add) into me this morning...

21. I love surprises, giving & receiving....lucky me my sweet hubby surprised me with a night out tonight! Thanks honey! I even got to have my favorite food which is...

22. LOBSTER. I LOVE lobster. I also love scallops & crab. Seafood ROCKS!!

23. I love just talking with my kids. They say the most hilarious, thought provoking & surprising things everyday.

24. I am a registered nurse, specializing in Labor & Delivery, although I haven't worked in 2 years. Someday I will go back.

25. I LOVED school, especially college.

26. I am obsessive about gift wrapping. I love cute wrap, matching ribbon & making matching handmade cards.

27. Although I only have it a few times a year, I LOVE Cherry Coke...mmmm had one today (for my birthday of course!)

28. I love color. I have NO white walls in my house. Ok, actually, the closets are still white.

29. I enjoy burning yummy smelling candles, especially Gold Canyon ones. My favorite scents are spicy ones like Cinnamon Vanilla.

30. I am astounded by beauty in the world every day, from the mountains to the clouds in the sky, to the color of the flowers, to my baby's smile, I notice.

31. I'm ok with being in my thirties. :)

Exploring Arizona--Part III

I've been away far too long! I'm finally getting around to posting about our most recent Arizona Adventure to Usery Park. Spring has sprung in the desert & with the GORGEOUS weather we've been having lately, we decided to enjoy the desert in bloom while we had the chance. We hiked the Merkle & Vista Trails at Usery Park with no mishaps and a good time had by all...even little B who fell asleep in the carrier...arms flailing & head bobbing. AND I took a zillion pictures as usual...

The Lovely Trail...

The kids...blazin' the trail....they were HARD to keep up with!

Our method of water storage/transportation...

The flowers were absolutely GLORIOUS!!!

Me & B...before she conked out...

L & I loved this COOL "green" rock...

Another awesome discovery...

My pretty Z, giving 2 seconds to the camera before she's off & running again...

We made it to the top! I was a little leery of balancing my fourth child (my camera) on the edge of a mountain cliff...so no family shot this time. Now get out there & enjoy the sunshine Arizonans...before it gets TOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!!

Me, You & a Whole Lotta Poo

"Ahh, the joys of motherhood. At times I find it absolutely unbelievable that I have been changing diapers for nearly 6 years straight. Since we are on "the 2 year plan" we have always had a new baby before the older child gets fully potty trained. (happily at the present time I am only changing ONE behind). Most days I don't even notice it, most days it is just part of the routine...so much a habit that it becomes almost like breathing...ok maybe not THAT routine.

But today has been one of those messy, crazy diapers days that remind me of how many 100s of diapers I have changed over the years. Poor little B has had a bit of the stomach flu since yesterday. Luckily she seems to be on the mend today...but not without a few, ahem, minor mishaps. We went through the first outfit by about 9 am...bye bye cute pink pants, hello jeans & off to L's allergist appointment. Since she IS getting better, we had no more problems until I went to grab her from her crib after nap time. We needed to be at the bus stop pretty much at that moment to pick up Z, but HELLO, we weren't going anywhere. Thankfully Aunt H who lives only minutes away was able to pick up Z before the bus driver got too nervous....(they don't let the little Pre-K kids off the bus until a family member is there to pick them up.)

So being the good little mommy I am, I allowed little B to roam around in her birthday suit for awhile. (There is nothing better than air for those poor little red bottoms don't ya know). Yipes, that lasted all of 15 minutes...and then she was into the tub & I was pulling out the steam cleaner. Oh, B I'm sooooo glad you are feeling better. For both our sakes.

Tag I'm It--Part III

Betcha thought I forgot all about this, right? Nope, I actually don't forget very many things (my husband will likely disagree with me), they just fester in the back of my mind, driving me crazy until I get them done--probably one of the reasons why my resolution for the year is to BE A FINISHER....but I digress.

So here is recipe #3...Lemon Chicken. Not something I make all that often, not because we don't love it, we REALLY do (it happens to be one of Rob's all time favorites), but because, frankly it is a pain in the you know what to make. Just too many ingredients. I'm not usually one for a fancy recipe with difficult to pronounce ingredients & long lists of instructions to follow...I leave that to other more talented chefs in my family....you know who you are. Anyways, truly the ingredients are not obscure, it is not HARD, it just has tiny little bits of LOTS of different things & simply takes a little more time than I usually spend on dinner. But it is actually worth it cuz it is soooooooo yummy.

Marinade

1 T. oil

2 T. cornstarch

1 egg

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. white pepper

Batter

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. water

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. oil

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Sauce (I usually double this cuz we like LOTS of sauce)

1/4 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. honey

3 T. lemon juice

2 T. corn syrup

2 T. vinegar

1 T. oil

1 T. ketchup

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. salt

dash white pepper

So here's what you do....I recommend doing the prep early & just frying the chicken close to dinner time to speed up the process. Marinade 1-2 pounds chicken in above marinade recipe while you prepare the batter & sauce. I like to trim the chicken well & tenderize it, making it nice & thin so that it will cook quickly. Next prepare the batter in a shallow dish. Third, throw all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan & bring it to a boil. Then thicken the sauce with cornstarch & water and turn it down to low until you are ready to serve. Right before dinner, remove the chicken from the marinade, dip in the batter & fry in canola oil. Drain chicken on a paper towel, cut it up & serve over rice with the lemon sauce drizzled over the top. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmm!

How I Spent My Extra Day

More time! Isn't that what we all long for? Extra hours in each day....well this year we get 24! Gotta love leap year.

So I took the opportunity to spend part of this extra day with my baby girl. We did her one year portraits which I've been procrastinating a bit, but promising myself I'd get done this month...you see I'm a bit of a perfectionist (surprise, surprise) & I want them to turn out just right. But I did it! Yeah! We had so much fun & I took WAY to many pictures, but I was really pleased with the results. Here are a few of my favorites...I had a hard time narrowing down which ones to post. I am VERY biased after all. She's just so darn cute!

This is classic B...total cheeseball!

Can you say..."I'm DONE!" LOL! Thanks for putting up with me sweet little B. Now I just have to figure out which one to print & hang....any votes?