December, a look back

I love Christmas. I love the month leading up to it with all the shopping, baking, parties, fun dates, etc. We did so much and I did not take pictures of it all. I am therefore going to just pick a few highlights. December 18th we had the Wilson Christmas! I love this day. Sometimes I like "away Christmas" better just so we can do our Wilson Christmas Day. We travel to each families house and spend just enough time eating something yummy that family has made. It's fun to see how each family decorates their house adn tree and eat something they have made. We started at 9 in the morning and after visiting each house, ended back at Gordon and Martha's house for stockings and the traditional Wilson Christmas breakfast for linner. It's good times, if a bit noisy and chaotic.
The Wednesday before Christmas my sister's family came down and spent the night at our house. That was an unexpected treat for the kids. They don't see their cousins too often so it's fun for them to get together.
Thursday night Ben and I went out on a date. We always try to go on a date in December. Usually we go to dinner and watch a movie but this year there wasn't a movie I was dying to see. We went out to Caruso's in Keizer and had a very yummy, romantic dinner. We then went to Keizer station for some Christmas shopping. It was a low key evening but one of our best dates.
Christmas Eve Ben had off this year. We went and saw Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! I loved this film. I thought it was better then then the first two. I cried. When we got home I started reading The Silver Chair, book 4 in Publication Order, to them. I have always wanted to read this series to them but they had never been interested. Ethan must be at a better age because he wanted me to and they are both loving it.
As I write some of the highlights of the month I am reminded just what an awesome month we had. We tried to drive home to our kids just how blessed we are. We have amazing friends, a house we love, plenty of food, and this time of year it is nice to remember that God sent his son to earth as a human. A roll I would not want to take on if I was God. He then died for our sins so we can spend eternity in His presence! What an amazing gift.

Bah-humbug

I was so proud of myself. In mid November I created adorable photocards on a website with pictures of my children playing in the snow. They said something like, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" I then waited patiently for them to arrive so I could address them and send them out to you all. Yesterday I checked my order because it seemed forever. They supposedly shipped it but there is no ship date. I contacted them but there was no response yet. So this year there will be no Christmas cards. I am a little bummed and then a bit relieved not to go running around looking for addresses. I did pay for them so I am hoping this company at least responds and gives me my money back!

So don't stop sending me cards because I didn't get you one this year. I meant to. It's the thought that counts, right?

Cookie help needed

I am looking for some yummy Christmas cookie recipes. I have made 4-5 different cookie recipes this week and the tried and trusted ones are great but the new ones I tried really were flops. I need a couple more great cookie recipes. Ones that scream CHRISTMAS. Please save me. O, and I need them like NOW. :)

PS They do not need to be gluten free. They are not for me.

Christmas tips from my friend Pam to you

I have a friend that wrote this up. It is sooo worth sharing.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

imaginary friends

I am watching Sunday's at Tiffinay's and I am loving this movie, laughing out loud. I wish I had read this book before I saw the movie. It reminds me of a Cecilia Ahern book that had imaginary friends. Anyway if you are looking for a good love movie this is it. So cute and good actors. Just what I needed today for a pick me up.

getting ready for some war

I bought Ben a "I love my Ducks" shirt for a stocking present but I think I am breaking it out early so he can wear it tomorrow. Need to be dressed appropriately for war.

amazing families

For awhile now I have been following two different blogs written by moms in the process of each adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. It is so amazing to read their stories. At this point both families are actually IN Ethiopia picking up their girls. One of the families has asked for prayer as their paper work has been moving slowly. And as you can imagine they are in the country now and need the paperwork to be finalized. I encourage you to read her blog an then pray for her, her family, and the Ethiopians working her case.

Adoption:Mission Possible

This is the other blog I am keeping up on. They are friends and are traveling together to the same orphanage to bring home their child. Both families are also from Oregon!
PATHS

A real Snow Day

Saturday the kids and I somehow convinced Ben to take us up to the snow. I love taking day trips as a family. We have such good times, lots of talking and laughing and fun snacks. We left early, about 8, and made it up the snow where we went to our usual spot, a parking lot. We then played for a couple hours. Ben and Alicia worked on an igloo while Ethan and I just played in the snow. Really I just like to sit and take in the beauty of it all and throw an occasional snow ball. Especially since if I tried to walk in the snow I would fall through all the way to my bottom. It was deep. I had to crawl everywhere. Maybe some snowshoes are needed in my future. Because I woud use them so often here in the valley.
We then headed into Sisters for lunch. We were recommended Three Creeks Brewery by a local and it was so yummy. I think we could eat at this restaurant every day and be happy. Then we drove on home. It was a great day. the snow was fresh and perfect for playing in. It was deep and plentiful. It did not rain on us as it has in years past. It actually snowed lightly throughout the day. I hope we can get in another snow day before winter is over. It was a great family day.

Sadly before we left for the day I realized my camera's battery was dead. I charged it while we finished getting everything together but that was only 5 minutes. I got some pictures but my battery died before they finished the igloo. I am so sad as it actually turned out and looked really cool. In one of the pictures you can see the blocks around Alicia. That is the base of the igloo.

Alicia just loves me taking her picture!

Found!!

I am so excited. This morning my boy was looking in the couches for a Nintendo DS game and found something I had misplaced a month ago! I had looked everywhere, I thought, and had given up. Thought I must have thrown them out with the garbage. I have been using the spare keys to the van but they do not have a house key and I am afraid of losing them and having no key. :) I have been feeling pretty bad about losing them and now am so happy.

Happy Sunday for me!

Acapulco, Mexico

The kids' school is selling raffle tickets again this year with winner being chosen at the auction in March. This year instead of 500 tickets they are only selling 300 and the winner will find themselves on their way to Mexico! With only 300 tickets being sold your chances of winning are really good, tickets are $20.00 each.

If you are interested in purchasing a ticket for a real chance at winning a Mexican vacation you can check out the resort here and then give me (or Alicia and Ethan) a call or email. The place looks amazing!

Winner will enjoy 7 nights in Acapulco and $1000 cash will also be awarded.

I think these would make great Christmas gifts or a great find in someones stocking!

P.S. We have a brochure about the resort you can add to the ticket to make the present better to look at. :)

I want snow, I want snow, I want snow.

That's it.

Garlic Jim's

My hubby spoiled me today. He got a text from Garlic Jim's that they had a buy one pizza get one free today. So he bought me two gluten free pizzas. I divided the slices up and froze them. When we have pizza night, most Fridays, I take my packets out of the freezer and reheat them on my pampered chef stoneware. It tastes almost as good as fresh. Well, at least close enough to cure that craving I have for pizza.

I love my hubby.

12 Days of Christmas

I have been trying to finish up my Christmas shopping and got to thinking about the 12 days of Christmas. People were talking about how they buy small things for their husbands starting December 13 and ending on Christmas. I thought this would be a nice way to show Ben some extra attention and decided to look up the origin of 12 days of Christmas. I may be the only one who really didn't know the meaning of this but I found that is actually a religious tradition. Also, I didn't know that it actually starts on Christmas and ends January 5, the day of Epiphany. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. Now I am unsure how or if I want to take part in this. Will be mulling this one over. Maybe I will just use my ideas for his stocking.

background

I am going to have this background up for one week. I know not all of you want to see this every time you check my blog but I am very excited for the latest movie to come out this week. I am a Harry Potter fan, sue me.

I have been working in Christmas presents the last few days. Even have a few wrapped and put up. Last year we did 3 presents, like baby Jesus. This year we are doing something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read. It's been fun to think of something in each category. I told the fam this morning that they need to get me something in each category too. I am truly a comedian. Anyway, after the laughter faded away I said they could pick one category and I would fill in the other gifts. Again, I should be paid for the things I say.

A girl can dream.

This is what I want for Christmas.

That and pots.

And amazon money for my Kindle.




Goodness now that I sit here I can think of many things I want. :)

And the thing I have wanted for years but know I may be 90 before I can afford:

for love of my sister

Occasionally I am creative. But not very often. I mean if you need someone to come do some graffiti on your school or church I may be able to do that. This is not true of my mom and sister though. They are artists. Not sure why I missed out on this gene and instead got the kidney stone gene but that is another story. Anyway, my sister just opened up a store at etsy. She has just a couple items out right now but I want you to go check her out, bookmark her, send her link to everyone you love, Oh and buy from her. :) Think stocking stuffers.


Want to know what this? Go check it out.
godizlife's store

fall

I love the fall. I love the colors on the trees. The sounds the leaves make. I love the weather-blue skies and cooler days. I love back to school routines. And I love that it seems to usher in THE Holidays. I am so ready for them. Good food, lots of family and friends, buying presents, Christmas music, Christmas programs. It is all so much fun.

So you can imagine what an avid reader does on a fall day that seems to be ushering THE Holidays in. Yep, searching Amazon for some good Christmas books. I like to collect a good 10 and then read them over the next 2 months. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know a few of you also like Christmas books so hopefully we can all help each other.

love my kids

This week has been no picnic for my kids. A mom who does nothing, absolutely nothing, but lie on a couch is not fun. But they have behaved and they have stepped up. Of course my mother in law has helped some with that. They have loved spending extra time at her house. Right now they are making a fort in the living room and having a grand time. It is so nice to have kids that are old enough and responsible enough to get their own lunch, find things to do by themselves, bring me things. I am so proud of my kiddos.

elbow grease

Our dishwasher is broken. A few days ago I heard sounds so I opened it up and there was a fire. I quickly closed the door and steam came out of every crack. I tried to turn it off but that wasn't working. Every time we opened the door the water would whip around the room. It would have been quite humorous if it wasn't very annoying. Ben was able to have the circuit turned off and then shut it off. It smelled so bad and even now terrible burnt smells can be found wafting through the kitchen. I don't want to buy a new one because they are so expensive, so until I find a great sale we will be hand washing. Do you guys know if there is a time of year when appliances are a good price? Until then my kids might be learning what it was like for most of us as children to wash dishes after dinner every night.

still waiting

Last week we painted over the kids' rubber ducky yellow bathroom, including a yellow ceiling. It is a boring, calm beige now. I am so thankful we (we said loosely as Ben painted it) did that as I have spent more time in their bathroom over the last two days and I am pretty sure that the yellow would not have been a fun color to be sick in.

I know some of you have heard that passing kidney stones is similar to child birth. Here is another thing. I am so sick that not very much sounds good but I have a strange craving for mashed potatoes and gravy. Weird I know.

Kidney Stones (4 of them)

I had a visit to the ER this morning. I don't really want to post about the whole thing now but need to get a post in for today. So please pray that I pass these kidney stones with minimal pain, as it has been very painful so far.

Big Ginger Cookies

I have tried a few years, and accomplished last year, to blog every day in the month of November. I will give it the ol' college try again this November. I will start you all off with a recipe I needed to email a friend and decided it was worth sharing with ya'll. It is a great Holiday cookie and most men love this recipe.

Martha's
(as in Stewart
not Wilson)
Big Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/2 cup sanding or granulated sugar

Directions
1.Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (I like parchment paper with these so don't cut this step out), and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice, and white pepper; set aside.
2.In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter with light-brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg; mix well. Add the reserved dry ingredients, and beat until just combined. Form dough into a ball, and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
3.Remove dough from refrigerator. Using an ice-cream scoop, shape dough into 2-inch-diameter balls. Pour sanding sugar into a large bowl, and roll balls in sanding sugar, coating well. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spaced 4 inches apart; flatten each into a 3-inch-diameter disk.
4.Transfer to oven, and bake until brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

I will say that I like these cookies soft. I usually add potato bread to the container I store these in as they help keep them soft and sometimes make them even softer.

And the above picture is not one I took. The cookies do look JUST like these but I don't take pictures of the foods I make. I found one online and "borrowed" it.

random thoughts on weather

When we went to bed last night there was a frog singing. I love listnening to frogs and it was so comforting to fall asleep with a frog croaking and the rain falling. I miss the sun and its heat but I do love to listen to the rain.

I am also bummed that today is such a beautiful day and Sunday is supposed to rain. Seems such a waste of good weather.

Alicia and I heard that some areas back East buy snow suits and decorate them so that they don't have to cover their costumes with coats. She thought this was a great idea.

Return of the Quack.

Last year I posted the video for "I love my Ducks:I Smell Roses." I just had to add the new one that is out. I know it's been out a bit but I like posting things so I can find them again.

I love my Ducks!

And here it is: Return of the Quack

Holiday Season is upon us

How can I help? EASY AS PIE.... Order a pie or cobbler from us, or anyone attending Stayton Christian for that matter. Alicia and Ethan are both trying to win a class party. Please help them out and have your pies, fruit and cobblers back just in time to bake up fresh for Thanksgiving. Order extra for Christmas too. ;)
Pies available: 40 oz
Pumpkin Chiffon $13 Specialty pie of the month
American Apple $12
Marionberry $12
Cherry Crunch $12
Mini Pies: $4 "Pie for YOU or pie for TWO"
American Apple
Cherry
Marionberry
Raspberry Rhubarb
Peach
Cobblers: $9 26 oz.Forrest Berry
Marionberry
Peach
IQF Fruit: $8 2 lbs ripe fresh berries frozen
Blueberries
Red Raspberries
Strawberries

Thank you Alyssa. I cut and pasted from your blog. hehe

Birthday shopping

Since my kids were itty bitty my mom has come up on Columbus Day and taken me shopping. We use to take the kids with us, then they started school and now they are both in all day school!! Some years my birthday falls on Columbus Day sometimes not. This year it did but the Christian school gave them a 5 day weekend and they were home on Columbus Day. BOO. So my mom came up on Wednesday and we went out for our day of fun. We went to Salem first for breakfast at Word of Mouth. That place is so good. So good. We have decided to add that to our annual date. Then we headed up to the Woodburn outlet for some shopping. I found some things for myself and some Christmas presents for the kids. I also bought some snow pants. That has made my week. My old snow bibs were from college. They do not fit well at all!! So now I can go out with my kids and not worry about those awful pants.

We had time left so we then headed to Target where I found the decorations for my kids bathroom. I have wanted to redo it since the day we painted it yellow. Now I know which direction I want to go.

It was a super day, the weather also cooperated.

I love the time I get to spend with my mom. I hope we do this for another 30 years. I would love to start this tradition when Alicia moves off.

homemade bolognese sauce recipe (gluten free as well)

This is my new favorite bolognese sauce. I got it off of The Pioneer Woman site. She had a guest cook on about a year and a half ago and he made this. It is also his picture as when I made it today I didn't know I would be blogging about it and didn't take a picture. :)
I love it in lasagna as it stands up really well. It doesn't get runny and leaves a piece of lasagna looking good. It also tastes better and I know what is in it, completely healthy and gluten free.

Hope you try it and find it is just what you have been looking for. O, and it has a hidden veggie for those of you with kids.

Ryan's Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients
■½ cups Olive Oil
■1-½ cup Grated Carrots
■1 whole Large Red Onion, Diced
■2 pounds Ground Beef
■2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
■2 Tablespoons Dried Basil Flakes
■1 can (6 Ounce) Tomato Paste
■5 cloves Garlic, Minced
■1 cup (to 2 Cups) Red Wine---------I use cranberry juice and still love the taste
■2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
■2 cans (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
■1 cup Milk
■Salt And Pepper, to taste
■Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Preparation Instructions
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add grated carrots and onions and cook for a few minutes. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and then add in the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes until brown, gradually stirring it into the carrot mixture.

Throw in oregano and basil. Use fresh if you have it; if you don’t, it’s fine. When the meat is browned and combined with other ingredients, make another well. Add tomato paste and let it heat. Add garlic and stir to combine.

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add red wine (or cranberry juice). Stir together. Add Worcestershire and stir. Add canned tomatoes. Finally, pour in milk, stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours—however long you need.

Serve with pasta and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Fall sports

So the kids are doing soccer again this fall. This year Alicia is old enough to be on a team of just 3-4 grade girls. I am loving watching her. There is such a difference in the ability between the 1-2 grade team and this team. I mean I enjoy watching Ethan but watching his sister is so much more exciting. :)
And because they are an all girl team they can have a color like pink for their tee shirts!!
Ben is helping coach Ethan's team again this year. Ethan likes this but it makes game days a bit harder. Ben has to stay with Ethan and I go with Alicia if their games overlap. Kind of stinks for him to miss her games but I am glad I get to be the one to go with her. hehe They both seem to like being forwards. Alicia has gotten her fair share of being a goalie as well this year. She has decided she doesn't really care for that position.




They both seem to love soccer. I think we will continue this sport every year while we can. I know Alicia has most likely decided not to play basketball again this year. She didn't enjoy it that much last year.

Choose to SEE Him!

"...when the path is darkest , He leaves little bits of evidence all along the way-bread crumbs of grace-that can give me what I need to take the next step. But I can only find them if I choose to SEE."
Mary Beth Chapman


I just finished Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. It was suggested by Alyssa Worst and it was a great recommendation. Mary Beth writes about her life and some of her lifelong thorns. She also walks through the process of adoption and then about the loss of her youngest, Maria. I cried at almost every page. The Chapman family has gone through some amazingly tough situations and through it all have been able to turn to the Lord. They are still walking through tough days but they have not let Satan tear them apart. I wish I had bought this book in real hands-on format but I got it on my Kindle. Otherwise I would be loaning it to every one of you. It talks mostly about how their family walked through the loss and kept the faith but it has something for everyone who has gone through any type of problem.

In the background they talked about their son, Caleb, who has started his own band. I went online today and I love his voice!!! LOVE IT. I would download his songs but sadly I don't really care for the songs themselves. Hmmm, I am hoping I can follow this young mans career and find some songs I would love to buy.

Go to the library today and read this book. You will find something in it will speak to you. It also may give you a desire to adopt. :)

blogging stats

My sister-in-law has quit the blogging world for a bit. When she decided to stop she got to looking at the stats page that blogger.com gives each blogger. I knew it was there but didn't know it would tell me which countries also look at my blog. She informed me of this. Some countries have readers that visited a post once or twice but I think I may have an actual reader in South Korea. I don't know why 26 different South Koreans would visit my blog. I think it must be the same person visiting 26 times, 7 times just this month. Kind of cool huh? The country that comes in second with 17 visits is the Netherlands! O, how I wish I could visit these countries, or at least the blogs of these readers.

Have you guys ever checked out your stats?

Are you an out-of-country reader of mine?

Post here if you have an answer to either question.

More information

Addendum for those who have asked:
Alicia started to loose her teeth at 4. Most of her baby teeth are gone now and the teeth most kids loose between 10-12 she is losing now. They need to make a little room for those new teeth. They said she is at a 6, and at a 7 they pull teeth. They are using braces right now to shift teeth and make room for those teeth that are loose. They still put braces on most kids in junior high but she really has a mouth of adult teeth needing some help. When they are done she will need a retainer. Probably one that looks like this rainbow thing. :)

Another first today

Alicia got 4 little braces today! She also got spacers so next week we go back and they will add bands. She will have her teeth worked on for the next 30 months and, hopefully, sometime in 5th grade have everything taken off and have beautifully straight, perfect teeth.

This was the first time at this building so they walked us through each area and what Alicia will do at each appointment. Then then took xrays, pictures and molds of her teeth. She then got the braces put on.
Can you see the little key ring thing she is holding? That is all the colors she could choose from! there were SOOOO many. I wasn't back there when she chose so I was surprised by her choice. Hot pink. They look so cute on my little girl.
It was all very fast.


She is now in a bit of pain. She is hungry but doesn't want to eat. Poor thing.

Class of 2020

I just now realized that my daughter will be the CLASS of 2020. I think that sounds really cool. And, thankfully, that sounds a long ways off.

Ethan will be the class of 2022! Yowsers.

Summer Beach Fun 2010

We were extra blessed this summer. We were able to do our normal day trips to the beach and we were also given a free weekend at Depoe Bay and one at Otter Crest. Depoe Bay was in an adorable beach house and the other in timeshare condo units. We had all kinds of weather but two weekends ago when we were at Otter Crest we lucked out and had the most amazing weather. AMAZING. The kids played so well that Ben and I got to sit and read for hours. It was truly a super weekend.
I didn't want to leave any random beach pictures out so I am putting all beach pictures together in one post. I love the one above where the shadow of my fam is picked up in the tidepool water.


Can you tell which days were good weather and which days were overcast and freezing, well at least freezing to me?

The last weekend in august

For the last 3 years Ben has taken Ethan to "hunting camp" the last weekend in August. His family hunts so they go and Ben takes Ethan and they camp. Ethan LOVES it. This year he got to shoot a BB gun and had a plastic bow and suction arrows that he used. He had a grand time.

But this post is not about that. As some of you remember I have posted over the last years about looking for fun things to do while Alicia and I are left behind. We have watched movies, did our nails, ate candy, and other girly things. This year Alicia and I headed up north with the boys on a Thursday and got dropped off at PDX. We caught a plane and headed to Disneyland!
We got there in the late afternoon. We didn't go into the parks that night but the next morning we headed out and were there at gate opening. I took Alicia on the Indiana Jones ride first off and that ruined the rest of the trip for me. She was scared to death. TO DEATH. She did not want to do any big rides after that.
I can't remember every detail but I do know Friday was very hot. We were wilting. It was miserably hot. (O, and the crowds were insane, i.n.s.a.n.e!) Come early evening Alicia was beat. That should have been a sign to me. We didn't stay for fireworks because Alicia just wanted her bed. That night she woke up sick. (puking and fever) The next morning she was still feeling pretty poor. We did head back out next morning and stayed to have our scheduled lunch at the Blue Bayou. I was impressed with the place but Alicia was clueless. After lunch we went back to the hotel for a nap. Alicia was really not feeling well. I felt so bad for her because she wanted to make me happy but she really only wanted to ride the train around and around the park. After our nap we went back and did a few rides and shopped and we made it to the fireworks show We then rushed back to our room and bed. Poor Alicia. By the end of the trip we rode the jungle cruise, the train, and Buzz Light Year numerous times. We also ate some amazing things in just two days. YUMMY things.
Sunday morning we woke up and she was feeling much better but today was the day we were taking a plane home.
As we checked in at the airport I went to take my cell out of my pocket as we we went through the scan and realized it had fallen out in the shuttle bus! I was anxious as Ben was picking us up on his way home from hunting camp. We weren't sure exactly what time he was coming so I had to borrow some cell phone and use some pay phones. It was very annoying.
Ben did finally meet up with us and we headed on home. The next day the kids started school so I was anxious to get the kids home cleaned and ready for a school day.
We didn't really have a great time. We did make some memories and we did bond but it was not fun. But Ben and I had agreed on the girls taking this trip because Alicia and I needed some time together without fighting. That was accomplished.
(Ali is her nickname down in Creswell. We took this picture for my mom.)

Horse lover

Should I state the obvious? It's been awhile since I have posted. I have so much to catch up on too, Disneyland, soccer, summer fun, etc.! Today I will post on my beautiful daughter.

Last year at our school auction Ben and I bid on horse riding lessons for Alicia. She had been asking for years and we had put her off for about as long as we could. We bid on two separate beginner packages and won both. So Alicia started two weeks ago with the 2 lesson package from a parent of her classmates. That was a great way to start. We trust Kim Cathcart and Alicia was familiar with her. Alicia loves loves loves it. Next week she starts the other package. It is 10 lessons at a place just down the road from us. I hope she loves this lady and farm as much as the Cathcarts.




Kim said Alicia has natural talent and if she sticks with this she could be really good. This is not a real surprise to me as she just has a way with animals. They don't scare her and she respects them. But it is nice to hear.

She needs to get boots so if you know anyone who has riding boots in a size 2 they have outgrown we would love to have them. :) They are expensive and we don't want to spend the money until we know exactly what we are getting ourselves into. If she want to stick with it, where she would continue to take lessons, how much it costs, etc.

number 9 and number 10

We have all heard the rhyme:

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice
And all that's nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

I used to think that rhyme was warped, wrong, and downright mean to boys. Now that I am a mom I understand it a bit more. Also, I am an auntie to 8 kiddos (from both sides of Ben and my family), and only one of those is a girl. There are lots of boys running around in my life. They are full of energy and very dirty. I love these boys and I have fun seeing them play but I would love more girls.

Last Sunday my sister-in-law told me she is having a baby in April!!! I am so excited and am praying God blesses her, us, with a girl. Another boy would be fun and we will love that boy BUT a little girl would be so “nice.”
Then Tuesday night a different sister-in-law came by to say they are having a baby, also in April.
Two babies.
Two babies in April.
I am so excited. I love when the mother goes into labor and the Wilson family heads down to the hospital and we all wait the arrival of the wee one.
But best of all we now have two chances for "sugar and spice."

I love summer fruit. yummy. For the last 3-4 summers my sister-in-law brings back, from Washington, some CHEAP peaches. This year I bought 2 boxes of fresh peaches. They are really good. I thought I would can and jam them but so far I have been preparing them for pies. You prepare the peach pie recipe and then freeze them in foil in the pie dish. Once frozen, take foil out of dish, wrap them up and slip in a freezer bag. Then when I want a fresh peach pie this winter I just unfoil them and they will fit right back into the pie dish! So easy. I figure these will be great for desserts to bring places or to give families. I may just do all the peaches this way, minus the ones we eat on through the week! Well, I may freeze a few for smoothies for the kids for the school year.

I am hoping to freeze some blackberries this week as well. Blackberries are my very favorite.

So You Think You Can Dance

So I just watched last nights finale and I have to say that the "Super Star" had me busting up laughing so hard. I think that may be one of my favorite moments in 7 seasons. The dance she danced with Twitch was one of my favorites that was done earlier this season.

Still laughing!

Go here to watch it!

Not too many exciting things going on around the Wilson house. But I figured it was time for a new post.

Our house is ready for school. We have played lots of legos, gone swimming about twice a week, played some electronic games, gone to the zoo, had a weekend at the beach, had play dates at the park, read a few books, taken a long road trip, watched Toy Story 3. Not much more to expect from a summer break.

It's about time for school to start. Just a couple more weekends.

It's killing me

I hate driving. Have a crazy fear/hatred of it. Will not drive on I-5, really try to avoid even going to Salem.

I would love to take my daughter to Disneyland when the boys head to hunting camp the last weekend in August for just a few days. But the plane tickets/transportation from airport to hotel is too much. I know if I was brave enough to just drive down and back I would have a better chance at swinging it but I am not brave. I am a coward. It's killing me that I let fear get in the way of doing things I really want to do.

I know I took out a chunk of that fear when I got my licence 4 years back and I know I am a little more confident about driving but I still cling to my fear. Sometime I am going to have to take a swing and knock some more fear off my back! It is not Godly. It is not healthy.

So there you have it. Fear is what I need to work on.

What does a 15 year old know of love

In 1992, eight years before I married Ben, I read a poem in The Return To Zion, by Bodie Thoene, that I loved. I loved it so much that I wrote it in my journal. Today is a big day and I knew this day deserved a special post. I knew I had to find that poem. I hadn’t read it since I put it in the journal but I remember it was all about love and would be perfect for today. So I went page by page through the journals and found it.

10 years ago today Ben and I got married in a little church in Creswell. It was a hot day but it was perfect.

Here is that poem I loved as a 15 year old:

There are pools that do not reflect the sky,
There are stars that are not diamonds,
There are sunsets that do not inflame the imagination,
But there is no look deep into your eyes
That does not make my heart beat faster
And my breath come quicker.

There are drinks that do not quench thirst,
There are meals that are not feasts,
There is sleep that does not refresh,
But there is no embracing you,
no touch from you that does not fill my heart with love,
my soul with peace.

There are songs that strike no responsive chord,
There are poems with images that fail,
There are love stories whose partners find no counter part in us,
But there is no “all-surrounding,” “lost without you,” LOVE in all the world for me
. . .but yours.

As an adult I am not in love with that poem as I was as a teenager that never knew what love was. I am not really a poetic person and this is a bit corny for me today. BUT there is an underlying truth to it that I feel with Ben. He can still bring feelings out of me 10 years later that no one will ever do. He still brings me laughter and fills my heart with love and peace. I still love when he holds my hand or looks at me with his blue eyes.

I have had a pretty great 10 years with Ben. Here is to 60 more!

I love you babe!

Kindle Frustration

So I have moved on to trying to download MP3 songs to play in the background of my kindle. I thought it would be easy. We have bought lots of songs on itunes and I thought I would just move them over. Wrong. They are not in the right format. So I thought hey, I will put the old fashioned CD in the computer and move those over. Wrong. They are not in the right format. I bought one song off of amazon but I don't want to buy more and I certainly do not want to listen to that one song over and over again as I read. So I am back to square one. No background music.

What do I do? Any experts out there? I need songs in MP3 format, not M4A or WMA, or whatever.

And I cannot wait to take this kindle to the beach with me on my girl weekend. No paper books getting sand blown into every page making the book twice its normal size.

popcorn recipe and girlfriends

I get to go away with some of my bestest girl-friends.
Friends that know me really well.
Friends who have seen me at my VERY worst moments and have been with me for my very best.
I love these girls.

I have to wait two weeks. I get to go away with them in two weeks for an overnighter. I am beside myself with excitement. Cannot wait until I see them. And shop with them. And eat with them. And of course laugh my head off with them.

This post is actually brought on by my thinking about what snack I want to bring. I decided on peanut butter popcorn and went looking for the recipe. Almost didn't find it so I decided to add the recipe here on my blog so I can have access to it at anytime! This recipe was used when my youth group would get together and one of the moms would make it. I love it.

Peanut-butter Popcorn recipe

4 quarts popped corn
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 ½ cup peanut butter
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Add sugar and syrup together in pan and bring to full boil. Stir for 30 seconds stirring constantly. Remove from heat and beat in peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over popcorn.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

No eating Out!

We are not eating out this month, our month runs 7/10-8/10. It was kind of a dare to see if we could do it. It is usually hard but when we all agreed to it it became easier. Usually I like to call Ben when I can't think of anything to make, or don't have the right foods to throw together, and have him grab something. And usually we eat out 1-2 times a weekend. Not expensive dinners but they all add up. Now I am having to be responsible and think through every dinner before dinner time. :) I am actually enjoying it a bit. We will be going on small beach vacation during this time period and of course no eating out. So I have been making and freezing food so we won't eat out but I won't waste my vacation away cooking and cleaning. So far I have frozen lasagna, chicken enchiladas, quiche, and twice baked potatoes. I will make frozen fruit salad later today and hopefully get to making some homemade bread and cinnamon rolls this week. And while I was at it I made a lasagna and twice baked potatoes for some other time. I love having frozen food put away in the freezer. It makes me happy.

Do you guys have foods you like to freeze for later?

Drum Roll Please

So The contest is now over. I was surprised that two of my friends who I know read never posted but they are probably enjoying summer and not checking my blog.

So here is a list of what everyone thinks should be read. I agree with many of you as I have read about half of the suggestions and now will be looking at picking up others.

1. Karrie-Sam’s Letter to Jennifer, 19 Minutes
2.Chrissy- The Help, The Forgotten Beast of Eld, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the Passion
3. Donna- Every Woman’s Battle, Safely Home, The Choice, The Love Languages of God
4. Amy Wood- Gospel Primer, Dug Down Deep, Gospel Power Parenting
5. Martha- Safely Home
6. Sarah (Smiles)- Shepherding a Childs Heart, Don’t Make Me Count To Three
7. Sarah Arnold- The Help, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Seven Miracles that Saved America
8. Candi- Terri Blackstock books
9. Rachel- Bringing Up Boys
10. DG- The Help
11. Alyssa-Dear John

Donna and Alyssa, I love Nicholas Sparks books, have read them all. I think The Choice was one of his best and I just watched the Dear John movie last night.
Chrissy, DG, and Sarah A., I have just had The Help added to my Kindle. I had it on my wish list at paperbackswap for about 6 months but it is taking too long to get it. Can't wait to read it.

Thank you all for entering. Now for the winner. I entered the numbers 1-11 into random.org and out came #4. So that would be. . . . Amy Wood. Amy I will be sending that gift card to you in the next week. I am not sure how soon I will read your books though. They are not easy reads. :) haha

Starbucks Gift Card contest

Today is the last day to enter to win a $10.00 Starbucks Gift Card. Just add a book you think I should read to this post or the one down below that I first mentioned the contest in. You can enter once. I need some more ideas do keep them coming.

LOOKING FOR

James and the Giant Peach on DVD. We really enjoyed the book on CD when we were on our trip and would love to watch this with the kids when we go to the beach in a week and a half. I would buy it but the new version comes out in September and I cannot find an older version. I reserved it from the library BUT they are all out right now and I don't know if it will get to me in time. Anyone, anyone. . .

Just 5 days left

So right now if you have entered the contest I am running you have a great chance at winning. 1 in 4. I am not sure where all my readers have gone but they are missing out!

In the spirit of my contest I want to recommend a few books myself. I just finished the third book in a series. The first of the three is called The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I really enjoyed Stieg's writing style. It has a bit more depth then a lot of mystery books. There are very few books, that I read, that I feel I can recommend for both sexes. I think both male and females will enjoy this series. I just finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. I liked the way he wrapped up the series but I am going to miss the characters. I really came to like them. And since the author died shortly after he gave up his manuscripts there will not be a 4th book.

I was waiting for my favorite author, Charles Martin, to release his latest book earlier this month. Sadly it wasn't one of my favorites of his. I liked it and at the same time felt there was just something I didn't like about it. Not sure what though. This book felt more like a Nicholas Sparks book. Which isn't bad as he also is one of my favorite authors. Before this book, I liked that they had a similar writing style but went in different directions with that.

I am about to start a Sherlock Holmes book. Been awhile since I read one of those but I am ready for a classic.