there are many times as a parent that we feel proud...the first steps, first words, good report cards, dance recitals, sporting events, etc.

and then there are those moments for me that warm my heart, not so much pride...but of a happy contentment. When my children are kind and helpful, when I watch them create, or dance around the house together, or play outside in the sprinkler being happy, when they do things that are difficult and come through the other side...
last night I got a text from a friend that was up a Girl's Camp,
"Anna bore a great and very emotional testimony, it was awesome."
that was an entire new feeling. I know there are NO guarantees in life, especially that your children will believe the things you do, or always make wise choices...however, in this moment I felt very pleased, absolutely wonderful. I truly love that girl.

Holy cow, these are tasty!!! trying not to eat the entire box by myself. Jake picked these out last week and we are our 5th box by now. addictive!
another addiction, kid's clothes a big sale EVERYWHERE, hanna, boden, garnet hill. I really need to stop!

new favorite recipe

This dip is SO tasty. I don't know if Captain Rodney's is available everywhere, I'm sure online someplace. I had this at Chris' work party and we all LOVED it. I being new to the area, am probably the last to try it but if you havent had it...you need to make it right away.

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

1 8 oz cream cheese, softened

3 scallions, chopped

6 Ritz crackers, crushed

8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

1/2 cup Captain Rodney's Boucan Glaze

Mix the first 4 ingredients and place in a greased small casserole dish.

Top with crackers and bake at 350 for 15 minutes

Remove from oven and top with bacon and glaze, put in oven for a minute or

two more. Serve with Fritos scoops and/or crackers.

It is going to be a LONG summer!

I really need some ideas...

for summer

activities to keep my kids occupied besides Wii, computer, T.V. but that does not require me to go out a ton with all the kids, sometimes I find it too overwhelming

and lunch ideas. Besides sandwiches/paninis/wraps

This morning didn't start out any differently than any other morning. I was a little more tired because Nolan had been hacking up a lung during the night. I kept on my same thread bare yoga pants that really shouldn't be worn out in public, and junky top to take the kids to school.
We get in the car and the LOW FUEL light dings. Again as usual I ignore this because I never fill up because habits of cheapness...$80!! I wait for Chris to do it, but he is out of town.
I go pick up the kids up the road and off we go, watching Alvin & the Chipmunks, the Squeakuel.
We are almost to the school when the car starts acting weird and getting jerky...I pull over to the side of the road and cannot believe that I have a car load of kids, am dressed inappropriately for any company and i ran out of gas!!!! The kids are getting crazy and I am pretty embarrassed because as much as I always let the low fuel light go on, I have never run out of gas before.

I call our friend, and she sends her husband with some gas, only it isn't enough because we are bone dry. He takes the little kids to school, gets more gas and comes back. I feel really retarded about now. I get my sassy middle schooler to school (which we had left EXTRA early because she needed to be there early today) and I fill up my tank at the gas station on the way home.

Something I LOVE about here is I can call anyone I know and ask for gas, or black beans, brown paper bags, picking up my kids from school and i know that they will. Not begrudgingly, or expecting anything in return. They are just NICE!! I am sure I have been around nice people before, but have never felt like I could just call them out of the blue for a big favor (except for my BFF Carol from Hershey!)

For the next three days of school, I will try to go out dressed with some better clothes, but my hair will be crazy. I will NEVER let my low gas light come on without filling up. I promise kids! And thank you to my wonderful friends for helping me out!

Before I leave my children, I pretty much freak out and worry about their well being and my safety and conjure up all kinds of crazy "what if"" scenarios in my head.

but once I am away, it is so liberating! and now that I am back I am thinking I could have gone for a few extra days and I am really tired because we didnt sleep much because it was Vegas.

we went to KA and Phantom and they were enjoyable (although this is a Vegas Phantom, but still good) and ATE A LOT!!! I went off the N o sugar wagon on the night of day 2 with some frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity and then some Key Lime pie from Grand Lux cafe (I had about 3 in Chicago so much better this time) and could NOT turn down a piece of wedding cake. At the rehearsal dinner I ate about 2 loaves of garlic bread. I LOVE bread!!

I wish I didnt get off my plan bc I didnt feel great after eating that stuff and am having a hard time now that I am back.

I got my first mani pedi, what took me so long??! other than the fact I never really had extra $ for it. and a fabulous massage/ time at canyon ranch spa.

We rented a convertible but were unable to use it most of the time due to crazy wind and stuff. The weather was odd.

the boys were out with Chris last night canoeing and are cranky pants, and I am too and you know when the momma ain't happy...I need to help EG with her George Ohr project. I really wish there werent so many things due and activities at the end of the year. It should be more relaxing.

I need some motivating words to do more grocery shopping! I despise it, but my kids are apparently starving, or so they lament. why is this italics??? blah blah. I need a few days of sleep. I will be good then, or a nap?!

oh and if I forget before Sunday, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !! to my mom and all you ladies!!