Finally

So I had post ready for weeks now and they would not post, finally got a few posted but forgot to change the date. Anyway see the two post below. Now that blogspot finally likes me hopefully I will get more posted.

Girls

Well I should have posted this a year ago.... when I took the picture of Madalyn. But here are all my girls about the same age... or at least in the same shirt :)

(these loaded youngest to older)

Beauty Queens

Getting a ride home from one of their uncles!! Uncle Danny loves his neices and nephews a ton! Not sure which day but he picked them up from school.... they thought they were beauty queens and waved at everybody :)

Miss us?

I have been thinking about posting for about 6 months now... but if I do that is a lot to catch up on :) So I just never posted anything :) I think I will try to start it again... adding recipes I have tried, crafts I really like... and hopefully tried lol, and some stuff my girls do.

Since my last post though a few things did happen:
Maylee started & finished Kindergarten
Mia started & finished 2nd grade
Mike started & finished his 3rd year of Construction Management (yeah one more to go, party!)
Mike turned 30
Marcia turned 30
Maylee turned 6
Mia turned 8
- and got baptized and got her ears pierced
Madalyn turned 2
Mike and Marcia celebrated 9 years of marriage :)
Yes in that order, well the start not the finished part lol
Maybe pictures will follow, but don't count on it.
The next posts will hopefully be fun of pictures :)

Today makes 8

8 years of wonderful fun, adventures and love with the love of my life!

Happy Anniversary Mike!

Baby Shower

I decided I was going to make some stuff for the baby shower I had went too. I did enjoy making it and made it feel more personal then just buying something.

I made a wipe cover w/ matching burp cloth

And I also made another burp cloth and leg warmers... it was fun :)

Still have candy canes?

I had come across a link where you bake the candy canes in the shape of a heart.. we tried that.. and well they break easy.

So I found this link:

http://www.pleasant-home.com/2010/01/quick-and-easy-valentines-treats.html

What a fun idea.. and way easy.

We are making them for V-day gifts... though Mia will be making something else for class since you can't bring homemade stuff :(

This is how ours turned out... more to make in the next couple of days :)

(it posted funny.. the pictures are first)

Who likes to sew?

sewings

I think I found the apron I want... does anybody want to make it for me?  Maybe one of these I will try myself :)  Until then... one of my resolutions is to learn how to sew... be on the look out for things I make throughout the year :)

Quoted from http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2006/09/sew_heather_sew.html:

HELLOmynameisHeather

Sew, Heather, Sew!

Let the deluge begin… For that “Come hither, while I bake us some cookies” look, how about a sexy halter apron? Here’s a pattern I have in the works. And, remarkably, it looks fantastic on a variety of body types, so I won't have to grade the pattern -- yay!

I’m amassing a number of designs before hunting out a printer. However, I’m not up to waiting until they’re printed before sharing. All I do these days is eat, sleep, sew and change diapers. Throw in a number of trips around the world to Elijah’s school and a bit of blogging and you’ve got a pretty accurate view of my life, at least for the next few weeks (prepping for Quilt Market).

You see, my fabric is in. My fabric is in! I’ll post the whole stack this week. Meanwhile, cheer me on, “Sew, Heather, sew!”

Mike is here

Hello, I am now going to get started into this new blog thing. Lets see if I can do this or if any one even cares of what I have something to say.

Mia 1st grade

Mia is now in first grade! Here is a picture of her on her way to her first day of school...

*** check back later for updates on everything else***

Do you read this blog?

If so please comment? Just want a way to see who and how many people actually read this. I am running out of time to do things and if I don't have any readers than this blog will be put on hold.

Thanks

Tried new recipes... just pictures

OK so I tried a few things... zucchini bread, chocolate (candy bar (different candy bar in each layer)) cake (HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH (my nephew)) his b-day was in June and the girls and I made a cake and had dinner for his and his parents :)

July 4th-Pictures

More pictures... river...friends

Finally pictures- Camping

Here are a few... some of them playing... and sleeping. We also got a new tent and net tent this year and got to use them! Our tent ranges from 6' to 8' tall.. two rooms so nice to be able to actually move around! (oh it also has a hedged door which makes it really nice, especially for the girls).

More to come...

Camping

We are off camping.. we will be at Two Rivers State Park. Here is the link for more details:
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=175
We are just using our tent (got a new one) and are so excited to go. I will have my camera so I will post pictures when we are back :)

Your welcome to stop by if you want to get out :) Just give us a call and we will tell you the exact site we are at (call the cell or the home line.. both will get to us).

Have a great weekend everybody!

Happiness

I came across this article this morning and thought I would share it. I don't think it is amazing.. but yet another reminder :)

Happiness: 3 amazing tips from the world's oldest case study

user
by Yeah Dave (David Romanelli), on Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:29pm PDT

We’ve all heard countless studies, articles and TV interviews on happiness. But the other day I stumbled upon something that is just now being revealed to the media for the first time.* It's a 72 year old study that began all the way back in 1937 when 268 Harvard University sophomores were asked to participate in a study measuring “a formula-some mix of love, work, and adaptation-for a good life.” And while many of those who were college sophomores in 1937 are now dying or in their fading twilight, this study continues to be diligently maintained to this very day.

And never before has science been able to report such fascinating and thoroughly time-tested results on happiness. Following are 3 powerful lessons from this study.

1. Have a Healthy Outlet

So many of the people in this study seemed to have all their ducks in a row. In their prime years in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they were making big money in powerful careers. They had beautiful families and lived in idyllic neighborhoods. Oddly enough, later in life, many of these fortunate people ended up breaking down mentally and physically. Why? If one didn’t have a healthy outlet for their fears, nerves, and struggles, it was only a matter of time before repressed demons erupted to the surface. The happiest people in this study had a healthy outlet. They were altruistic or had a rich sense of humor. They funneled their issues into sport, “their lust into courtship.”

It’s something important to consider. As the study proves, a human being can get away with sustaining daily nerves, fears, and doubts for a number of years. But ultimately, such a nervous nelly will crack. If you haven’t already, develop an outlet…find a sport, commit to helping others, lighten up, and laugh more often. A wise one said, "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."

2. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

This study, as reported in Atlantic Magazine, was summed up beautifully by the journalist Joshua Shenk: “Herein lies the key to a good life--not rules to follow, nor problems to avoid-- but an engaged humility, an earnest acceptance of life’s pains and promises.”

In other words, one can only carry the burden of a big ego and lots of pride for so long before your proverbial knees will buckle. Don’t take life too seriously. We all have weaknesses. Do you really want to battle your dark side year after year? Or might it just be time to lay down your arms, take a deep breath, and enjoy life. It’s shorter than you think.

3. Happiness Must be Shared

The other night I was watching the movie adaptation of Into the Wild, the true story of Chris McCandless (see above photo which is a self-portrait found undeveloped in McCandless's camera after his death). Fed up with the rat race, McCandless graduated college in the early 1990's, left his worried parents in the dust, sold all his belongings, and ventured deep into the Alaskan wilderness. Before dying of starvation, he seemed to regret his isolationist ways and wrote these last words in his journal, “Happiness only real when shared.” According to the 72 year old study, McCandless was spot on. In the study, those who spent too much alone time ultimately struggled. The happiest subjects in the study were those who sustained meaningful, healthy relationships with friends and family. One can never give enough hugs, say enough "I love you's," and send enough "I miss you's."

As I emphasize in my book and to my own crazy self each and every day: Livin' the good life is not fancy trips, and expensive jewels, and high brow country clubs. Rather, livin' the good life is livin' the moment!

*This study was reported in the media for the first time by ATLANTIC MAGAZINE, June 2009by David Romanelli (www.yeahdave.com)I invite you to check out my book, Yeah Dave's Guide to Livin' the Moment, by visiting here.

Meal Planning

So I have tried and never finished any of my meal plans... and today I decided to get out recipes and search online and find a few more meals to use. But I found way to many to choose from and need your help!! I am going to list them all and reply back with your top favorites (how every many you want to put down) and I will use them to finish up this months meal plan. I am just putting main dishes down but if you want to add more to it... more power to you. I just must be hungry because everything sounds good.

1. Chicken, Alfredo
2. Spaghetti n meatballs
3. Hamburgers
4. BBQ Pork Strips
5. Pork Loins
6. Chicken n dumplings
7. Chicken pot pie
8. Steak
9. Chicken cordon bleu
10. Pizza
11. Chicken noodle soup
12. Roast
13. Rib lets
14. Meatloaf
15. Burritos
16. Meatloaf sandwiches
17. Pork on a stick- grilled
18. fried chicken
19. Steak/potato kabobs
20. Tuna Casserole
21.ham/cheese stacks (layered in tortilla shells)
22. potato soup
23. sloppy Joe's
24. shepherds pie
25. chicken rice casserole
26. pasta kabobs (cheese ravioli/meatballs) grilled

OK that is it for dinners. If you want to see my lunch, breakfast, snack or drink ideas I can share those too. And I will always take your ideas too...

Thanks for your help!

(oh i will post more later on what we have been up too)

Pic of Madalyn- 2-1/2 weeks old

Madalyn

Some pictures... the beginning