10.27.2009
SYTYCD
Kathryn McCormick and Legacy Perez – Hip-Hop – Video
Pray for Noomer

Naomi wrote me last night! I miss her. She is doing okay, but struggling with being different, and understanding the language. Her feet are still swollen, and they are hurting her pretty bad. Please Pray for her!
Naomi we love you and are so proud of you! I told the kids how much you love them, and Mykelle said she loves you as many stars as there are in the whole world!
You can do anything Naomi, and I know you can get through this hard time! You are a strong woman!!
Love Us!
10.26.2009
Delicious Sugar Cookies
We also talked about Loving one another. Loving Everyone. Even people that are mean. (I find it hard to teach that to Mykelle, when I am also teaching her to stand up for herself as well)
I kept telling her "If someone is mean to you, don't be mean back. Just ignore them, and if they keep being mean, tell your teacher. If that doesn't work, tell your mom!"
Her response was "No one is mean to me. I have lots of friends!"
The good thing about Mykelle is that she tells me EVERYTHING! The bad thing is, she is also a stroyteller.
I think it is so important that my children learn to respect others when they are young. I hope they will continue to learn to always be the bigger person in life's situations.
Trey's perspective on our family night was like this...
Seth: "Trey we love everyone don't we!? Even people that smoke cigarettes."
Trey: "NO! We don't like people that smoke."
We tried so hard not to laugh as we corrected him. Kids are so cute. If you are wondering why we talk about smoking so much, it is because are kids bring it up a lot. They notice it out in public too.

*These sugar cookies are perfect if you like cookies that are soft and fluffy, and not too thick. I also have another recipe I love that mkaes really big and fluffy sugar cookies. This dough is also for being rolled out and using cookie cutters.
I got this recipe from All recipes a few years ago, and it was rated 4 ouf of 5 stars by over 1200 people. Those are good statistics! We think they are delicious!
1 1/2 cups buttered softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for one hour, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/2 to 1/2 inches thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 6-8 minutes. I made about 3 dozen sugar cookies.
I am super picky about sugar cookie frosting, but I found a recipe I liked last year, and have used it ever since.
Frosting
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup shortening
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
In large bowl, cream together sugar and shortening until smooth and stiff. Gradually mix in milk and vanilla with mixer. Add more milk to reach desired consistency.
10.23.2009
Homeade Macaroni and Cheese
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
9 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces cubed processed cheese food
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter; stir into the macaroni.
In a large bowl, combine the Muenster cheese, mild and sharp Cheddar cheeses, and Monterey Jack cheese; mix well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Add the half and half, 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture, cubed processed cheese food, and eggs to macaroni; mix together and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a lightly greased deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese mixture and 1 tablespoon of butter.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges; serve.
So this is the recipe, but I only had colby jack cheese, and velveeta, so I just used that for all the cheeses, and it was pretty much the best macaroni and cheese I have ever made! DELICIOUS!
Happiness
This week has been such a wonderful week! I know that I have been saying that a lot, but I really feel so happy! I am always afraid of saying these things out loud sometimes, because I am afraid it will change, or something will happen.
I could feel this happy, because a few times this month, I was so moody and snappy, I couldn't stand myself.
I could feel this happy because I saw the New Moon Trailer this week, and am so excited for my girl's night that will be coming up in November.
I could feel this happy because I love my husband so much, and think he is truly an amazing man.
I could feel this happy because I have the best friends, and they make my life so sweet.
I could feel this happy because I am carrying a child.
But really, I am just happy because I Love my life.
The bad days, the good days, the trials. All of it.
The days when Seth drives me nuts and so do my kids.
They don't matter. I never dwell on the bad moments. As soon as they come, they are gone.
Life is truly beautiful. My life is beautiful! I'm happy. And today is Friday!
It's my dad's birthday, and I am happy! I love my dad so much! We had some rough patches, this last year, but they are gone. Trials make you realize so much. You grow so much from them! I learned a lot about my dad. He is a great person. He would do anything for my family.


I just want my dad to know how much I love him.
Dad, I think you are a wonderful person.
You are strong.
You are loving.
You are caring.
You are Fun.
You are a hard worker.
You are generous.
And when I was child, I always thought you were mom's hero. Our hero. I love you with all my heart, and hope your day is wonderful! You and mom are great parents and grandparents. My kids couldn't ask for more love from a grandpa and grandma. For that, I am so grateful, and hope they have a wonderful relationship with you guys like this forever.
Happy Birthday Dad.
10.22.2009
Confession
Secrets
and here is another link for those of you that think pregnant bellies are beautiful. My favorites are the silhouette, and the mother earth!
http://belly-gallery-pregnancy.blogspot.com/
10.19.2009
Choices, Choices
I was deciding if I will have Trey and Mykelle share a room or not, and my sister in law gave me the idea of doing a beach themed room. Which once I saw the Island patchwork bedding on PB, I thought it was a great idea. Too good, because I have found so much stuff that would be sooo cute! Below is just Kasey bedding that I like for them. They will have bunk beds with a desk, so I wanted the bedding to match.

These are close to the stlye of bunk beds we like. I would love to get dark cherry bunk beds, but we already have a dresser and shelves that would go with a stlye like this.

Here are a few of the things I like if I were to do a beach themed room!




Island Patch work bedding from PB.

They have this sign in girl and boy colors.
I am OBSESSED with baskets and anything that I can use for organizing. Each of us all have our own laundry baskets, and when I saw these, I thought they would make the cutest laundry baskets.
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Land of nod had these cute baskets. Oh, how I love baskets!
And I just love these kid's suitcases.
Loves for October
2.Jordan Parkway
3. Hot Baths
4. Hostess white powdered Doughnuts
5. Homemade soup
6. Bath and Body works Japanese Cherry Blossom Scent
7. The cooler weather and fall leaves
8. Skinny jeans and High Heels ( Who knew I would ever like those.)
9. Clear skin. Almost.
10. Humidifier
11. Free Stuff from the Doctor's office.
12. My pregnancy Journal
13. Cold cereal
14. Cantaloupe with Salt
15. T-shirts that hide "The Bump" that looks like a gut.
16. Clorox Wipes
17. Arctic Circle's cheese breadsticks for $1.50
10.15.2009
Appointment One
I had my first appointment, and Seth came with me. We were like high schoolers laughing and being immature while we waited to meet our doctor for the first time! I had to get a pap smear, so I was warning Seth what they were going to do to me. I showed him the HUGE poky thing they insert and twist around inside me. He was so disgusted, but wouldn't stop laughing! I told him he couldn't watch. He did.
On the form there is a spot where you have to check if you are African American. I checked that spot.
When the doctor came in, she started laughing and told me that the nurse said she didn't know why we checked that space because there was nobody in that room that was black. ( I jokingly told Seth, it defiantly isn't you) I told her it happens to me ALL THE TIME. It really does. My doctor could tell I was half, so she thought it was hilarious.
She was great! I really liked her, and so did Seth. I really wanted a female doctor this time around. I also found out that she is pregnant as well, so we talked a lot!
She gave me an ultrasound, and it was so awesome. Baby didn't look like a sea horse, and it looked pretty big for being 11 weeks. Baby wouldn't stop moving. We could clearly see hands and feet. Baby kept putting it's hands right by it's face and kind of waving. She printed off a picture of the baby for both kids and me of course!
She said baby was defiantly bigger than what we had thought, so for now she changed my due date by 8 days.
So, my due date for now is officially April 24th.
And I am now about 13 weeks. I'll take a week ahead anytime.
I was choked up hearing the heartbeat. It is such a beautiful sound. It is also a relief. Knowing that the baby is really in there, and alive.
One Last Confession
I dislike commenting on others blogs unless they comment on mine. Call me petty. Call me whatever. I don't care. I'm just being honest.
10.14.2009
Confession
I have bought powdered doughnuts 2 days in a row. I eat all but 2 every time. At least I give my kids one right?
I also have another confession. I drank a coke while working out today! I know. Ridiculous. I know better. It just sounded SO good!
On a positive note..... My first Dr. appointment is tomorrow, and I am soooo EXCITED! I'll let you know all about it!
10.13.2009
A Fit Pregnancy

My goal this pregnancy, like Trey's, is to stay active and fit. I didn't stress fitness the first trimester as it was my goal to survive. Ha. I barely had any energy the first 10 weeks. There was NO WAY I could do anything extra besides the basics. I only cleaned once every two weeks, and I am a clean FREAK!
Today I had my first protein shake in 3 months. the thought of it before now was so gross. I made fruit smoothies for the family this morning, and added protein to it. It was pretty good too!
I have been walking everyday, and working out at the park or at home.
I am not a big believer in not eating what I want. I don't think that is any way to live. I do believe in eating everything in moderation. Although the ladies at bunko may disagree since I ate 3 pumpkin bars on Thursday night! but you know what? I didn't care at all. And still don't. I don't get too out of control though!
I don't ever weigh myself either. I only go by the way my clothes fit, and the way I feel about myself.
I don't weigh myself when I am pregnant either. I take note of my weight at the beginning, and at the end. I think pregnancy is so beautiful, and I don't ever want to feel like I did with Mykelle. I was 19, and I gained so much weight throughout the pregnancy, that for a little while I was so depressed with what it had done to my young body. I worried about every stretch mark I got on my hips, and cried when I saw how fat my legs were. Really though, it comes off. Eventually. Everything that happens is worth it! And if you can't fix it, you get a boob job! Ha Ha. Just teasin'!
Being fit gives you more energy, and makes you feel so much better! I hope the next 7 months I have this same attitude! If not, remind me of this post!
10.12.2009
I .heart. Mondays
I also have some super cute pictures of Kel to post. David took some yesterday, but they are not ready yet! My daughter wants to be on America's next top model. sigh. She seriously loves taking pictures!
Life is beautiful
This is what Trey was doing while we were waiting to go get our pictures done.
Mykelle and I were watching America's next top model, so this is what she wanted to do! She is so good at making up her own poses! It is so funny! She is also holding her FAVORITE stuffed animal for this week. Unicorn.
Mykelle and I. And just for the record, she does NOT like to be called Kel anymore. That is not her name!
UPDATE:
We didn't end up having family night last night, because Seth was still working on the roof at his mom's. He is such a hard worker. I am lucky.
Monday was great though. I was mostly in a good mood, but I find myself being snappy. With my children, and with Seth. I am always apologizing for being short tempered, and impatient. I hate that. I am not like that normally, and I don't like the way I feel during and after the fact. In the moment, I am telling myself to calm down, but can't. It is just little things here and there, but still. Thank goodness Seth is so sweet, and just ignores me. Or he says, "What did I do?" and my kids still tell me all day "Mom, you are the best mom!" Mykelle even told me last night that she loved me so much (when I was apologizing for getting upset) She told me she thought I was the best mom, after I snapped at her and Trey for spilling milk all over my bed during story time.
We were reading "You are mine". A really good children's book by Max Lucado. How can you stay upset when you are reading such a great book?
It is so amazing the unconditional love my children have for me. No matter what.
Kind of like our Savior, who loves us unconditionally NO MATTER WHAT! Now, that is an incredible feeling!
I just wonder when they will stop feeling that way about me. I know it will happen. Even if it is ten, fifteen years down the road. It's okay though. I think it is a normal feeling for teenagers.
I will embrace the love for the time being. Until one day, they hate me for not letting them stay out past midnight. If even that late.
I have heard so many times that you need to treat your family better than you treat your friends, or others. I think this is true, but it isn't true in my own relationships with my family all the time. Sad. I have much more patience with my preschool classes then with my own kids sometimes, and it really isn't fair. I still could never raise my voice and be upset with somebody Else's child. Even if I wanted too!
I do think it is so important to apologize as a parent when you do something wrong. Let's face it, we make mistakes all the time! Our children will respect us so much more if we can admit to our faults. And I do. Too often this month.
So, for my family night with the kids, we talked about the WORD OF WISDOM. Which my kids have down pat. Even Trey, who is only 3 let me remind you!
Mykelle always likes to remind me "Mom, remember when you used to drink coffee?"
I always tell her " Yes, and wasn't I still a good person?"
I don't ever want my children to be judgemental of others. She is so good about it too!
She tells everyone "Even if you cigarette, you are still a good person inside.You are just making a bad choice!"
She calls smoking, cigaretting. It is so funny.
She also likes to tell everyone that drinking coffee is bad, but they are still so nice, and then she says "My mom used to make a bad choice too. She really liked to drink coffee."
And I did.
You all know I stopped so I could return to the temple. (Our church believes that you should not drink coffee. For me, it is the fact that coffee is addictive, and we are told not to have any addictions. Everyone has their own opinions on it, but I'm not going there!)
It has been so wonderful to go back each week/month. It is the most peaceful feeling to enter into the temple. It is indescribable. The peace and joy you feel there, can't be felt in the outside world, but it does make a difference in each one of my days. They are HAPPIER, MORE JOYFUL, AND PEACEFUL.
I have not had a desire to drink coffee in over a year. I still love the smell, but the desire is gone.
To finish off our family night, we went to the Pet Store and looked and touched all the animals. My kids were so happy.
Sorry this is all over the place. Seth says my blog is really good, but all over the place. I can't help it. So much goes through my mind when I am writing.
P.S. I finished "My sister's Keeper". Surprising ending! Beautiful book!
10.10.2009
Udder Covers for FREE
I bought the CARSON one, so if you are with me a lot, don't get that one! Ha. Just kidding!
Here is the link http://www.uddercovers.com/ In the shopping cart, enter "onefree" for the promo code!
I just got one, so I know it works!!!!
10.08.2009
Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Something funny:
10.07.2009
Apple Crisp
I came across this blog while looking for recipes for Couscous! It is a great blog for healthy recipes and all different types of food!
http://www.greenlitebites.com/
I will update this post later with a DELICIOUS recipe for apple Crisp. I'm making it for dessert again tonight because it is sooo good.
and NO, unfortunately, it is not healthy. It does contain apples and oatmeal though, so that counts for something right!?
*Update
APPLE CRISP
6 Granny Smith Apples
8 Graham crackers coarsley chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup Quick Oats
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine or butter
Vanilla Ice cream. NOT OPTIONAL
Peel, Core, and slice apples. Cut apples slices in half, and place them in a deep dish.
Chop graham crackers. Add to a seperate dish. Add brown sugar, oats, flour, and cinnamon. Melt butter and add to dry ingredients. Mix well.
Sprinkle crumb mixture over apples.
Cook at 375 for 30-45 minutes
I'm sorry I don't have a picture. Trust me though, it's delicious!
10.05.2009
Workout in the Park
I walked on the walkway 1 1/2 miles to the park, and then when we got to the park, I worked out on all the equipment while my babies played.
If you are trying to fit in a workout, and want to entertain your kids, this is the way to do it!
I used the bench for step-ups, and jumps, and I also used it to do seated squats, and tricep dips.
You can use the bars to do pull ups, and do your push ups where ever you want.
You can also do lunges, side kicks, leg extensions, I could go on and on. I was sweating, and so hot by the time I was done working out, that I didn't wear my jacket the 1 1/2 miles back to my car. It was such a great workout today.
THE BEAUTIFUL BUMP
This is officially my first baby bump picture, and I love it because we took it as a family during our family night.
We had such a great night as a family as well. We had a Halloween themed family night, so I made the kids little goodie bags before dinner. Trey was dancing. He was so happy.
They were so EXCITED! I swear it was like Christmas. I think it is officially one of my favorite holidays. Well, it is 2nd to Christmas.
I got them a little Halloween stuffed animal, the mugs, and a little treat. My kids are crazy for stuffed animals, so they were so happy.
I made Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner. Always a big hit at our house. It was so good.
After dinner, we made a Halloween Count down with ghosts. We made 31 ghosts, and each day we will hide a ghost somewhere in the house, and they have to find it. Each ghost has how many days left until Halloween written on it.We then put it on our tree in the kitchen, so they can always see it. The kids had so much fun decorating the ghost's faces. After we finished making them, we had to catch up 5 days that we missed, so Seth hid them around the house. Trey tried so hard to find them before Mykelle, but she found most of them!
After all that, we painted pumpkins. Seth was trying to take over my pumpkin with his "Perfectionism"... is that even a word? I wasn't having that though. So after calling him a loser (nicely.) and telling him to leave my stuff alone, he helped the kids instead. Ha. I'll post the final product tomorrow. It is sweet!
We ended the night with hot cocoa in skull mugs. We really enjoyed the night! It was a great time, A GREAT DAY.
I love these beautiful people so much. They make my life complete.
10.04.2009
My Sister's Keeper
This is another picture of that day, that I love of Candice. I loved her red tights. I remember her on this day. Candice, I know how much you love mushy stuff on my blog, so I just wanted to tell you I think you are such an idiot, and I love you so much. :)
10.03.2009
Wish List
Found these @ Milan Maternity.

I also found several things I will be buying @ Shabby Apple. I am in love with all the sophisticated dresses. I love all their clothes, really.