First cake

Sam was sooo ready for cake he was dreaming about it. From the moment I started baking the cake he kept asking about it. He was so confused as to why I was baking one and wanted to know whose birthday it was. (it is obvious we don't have cake in our house unless there is a birthday) I had promised him that once the cake was done (after my class) that he could have a big piece. Unfortunately we ran out of time at our class and were unable to finish decorating them there, so we needed to finish at home. I did not expect Sam to still be up when I got home from class that night, but he was and was all set and ready for his cake. I felt so bad telling him that I still had more decorating to do and he could not have it until the next day. Poor guy, woke up the next morning waiting for that sweet bit of cake goodness, but, um, I had not finished the cake yet, so he had to wait til later in the day (sorry kiddo)
Here is Meghan at class with the start of her cake. . mine...
And here it is what you've all been waiting for... the fruit of my labor. I just keep reminding myself, just wait to see the improvements (can't help but to improve on this one!)
But, I guess the proof is in the pudding and I got 2 thumbs up by 2 very tough critics!

The class

So, I had thought about making one of my New years goals about doing something fun and out of the box, but since I wasn't sure that would work, and the fact that I already had a ton of other goals I thought I'd better not add it. Well, I think maybe I should have added it, because if I had I could have something to scratch off my list as DONE. Oh well, (note to self, put things on goal list that you KNOW will happen so that it looks like you DID actually achieve something!)
Sorry about all the rambling, I just got back from my girls night out (Bunco) and managed to drink several Dr. peppers so I think I am going a little zippy. Back to topic...
My friend Melissa called me up and said, hey, Kelly, do you want to take a cake decorating class with Meghan and I? It starts tomorrow and we need to sign up in the next few hours. Ok, as most of you know, I am not the most spontaneous person in the world, but I have always wanted to take one of these classes, and it is always more fun to do with friends right?! So, I called Kirk (since he would need to come home early those nights to watch the kids) and signed right up! I am so glad I did. It has been fun. I am learning a lot of neat "cake secrets" though I am not sure that I have the ability to repeat them ha.
Here is the class homework... bake a cake and make butter cream icing... The kids are enjoying the fact that mommy has homework!


honestly, are those not some pretty happy faces?!
oh, and yes, there has been a couple of time that I have regretted the fact that I have given my children and abundance of sugar during the day... those people who say it is an old wives tale about the sugar making children hyper, well, they have not seen these two in action post icing beater licking!!!

Haiti help

If you are looking for some way to help out the victims of the Haitian earthquake here are a few reliable organizations that are working diligently in Haiti. The mission organizations listed below are sponsored by our church

http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/

http://www.namb.net/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=9qKILUOzEpH&b=227361&ct=7805655

http://www.gainusa.org/site/c.ihLNK3PFLmF/b.5719947/k.9987/MAJOR_EARTHQUAKE_HITS_HAITI.htm?msource=NJI1B2

www.missiontohaiti.org.

Fresco Taco coupon

Try the Fresco Taco FREE at Taco bell. Just go HERE and print your coupon. Might just have to try one of these....

moaning groaning and a whole lot of whine

It is a sad, sad day around here. Miss Molly is well, shall we say under the weather?! Unfortunately for her, change in personality is not an indicator of illness. (though I have to admit, we have really, really enjoyed sweet Molly lately. She truly has been a lot of fun since around Thanksgiving) Molly started off the day clinging and moaning (not unlike other days) so I really didn't think anything of it. I did notice she was laying around more than normal, but I just thought she was tired. when did I finally realize she was not feeling well, you ask?! well, it was a tell tale sign --she refused to eat. Yes, she has started getting pickier, but this was no breakfast, no snack, no lunch... poor baby. This is the pathetic site I saw following me around the house:
At least she had 3 of her most favorite things: Her green pacifier (hidden) her blanket (she is quite attached to this blanket) and of course mowmow (elmo). Oh, yeah, have I mentioned her new love of hats?!

Sam, well he seemed fine, but the fact that he FELL ASLEEP on the couch today during nap time (I told him he needed to "rest" for a while) was a little bit of an indicator, 2 1/2 days later... fever, causing him to miss out on a fabulous birthday bash here. :(
Thankfully for Sam, "germies" (his word, not mine) only last for a day or two... Molly, poor thing, it goes a lot longer.

survivor is back

Woo Hoo Here it is... they revealed who will be on the 20th season of Survivor "Heroes vs Villains" I think I am gonna like this season!! A few of my all time favorite players are returning.. Rupert, Colby, James even Rob. I also enjoyed not liking Russell this past season and though I did not watch the entire season, thought he should have won. Now you know what my Thurs night plans are for come Feb. 11!

Do I need on umbrella

here is a pretty cool site that you can go to to find out the weather and chance of rain in your area. I know, I know you can go to the news station and see the weather, or turn on the tv etc, but this is pretty fun regardless.

Thank you soldiers

Go here to hear the 3rd grade students from Tussing Elementary in Colonial Heights singing a song written by their music teacher. It is on Youtube and very sweet.

Deals, free breakfast, coupons, and music

IKEA is offering a FREE breakfast this weekend!I Go there January 9th or 10th before 11am to get a FREE breakfast! You will receive a small breakfast and small cup of coffee.

**Offer not valid at IKEA Houston or IKEA Direct.

Michaels has a great coupon! Saturday, January 9th from 1pm-9pm and Sunday, January 10th from 1pm-7pm get an additional 20% off your entire purchase with this coupon! The best part–this coupon includes regular, sale, and clearance items

The Biggest Loser and Subway are offering a free download of their workout mix. Just go here and use the code SW107 at checkout

No title, will let the post speak for itself

It started off like any other crazy day in our little world. Sam has decided he REALLY loves his sister and NEEDS her to be around him. This morning was no exception. He wanted Molly's chair next to his while they ate pop tarts and watched morning cartoons
I couldn't resist, had to put this one in here... apparently I made a better door than window for Miss Molly--- I kept getting in her way during the photo shoot :)It wasn't that much later after the sweetness of the kids sitting together that I headed to the kitchen to make us all some lunch... As I was cooking the grilled cheese sandwiches I looked out into the family room. I saw an ugly, yet familiar site. This is what I got when I reached for the camera--- apparently little Miss powder was quite pleased with herselfAs I go to the table to assess the damage, I see this... Molly deciding to take a load off after all the hard work she had done. (or better yet, I think it was her calculated way to get powder ALL over the couch) I also love the way I captured Sam checking out the mess."Oh, yes, sit back and relax, that's it, maybe no one will notice that I sprinkled powder everywhere" notice Sam telling me that she even got it all in HIS blanketOh wow!! I have been missing my favorite green friend. I must have left it here while I was destroying the house. Better get it now before mom sees it, it might place me at the scene of the crime. Hmmm, I bet the powder has a great flavor.See, I will just stand over here and smile. She will never suspect me!! I bet she blames my idol the one they call SAM... this looks like something he would do.See, I told ya, click HERE

Free blockbuster kiosk movie

Get a free rental at BlockBuster Express with these codes!

GW11B1 – Get a free rental. (exp 1/12/10)

GT11A - Get a free rental. (exp 1/31/10)

KIOSK - free one night rental (exp 2/10/10)

GT9SA - free one night rental (exp 2/28/10)

Remember these codes are limit 1 per credit card. Movies are due by 9 pm the following day to avoid having to pay an additional $1 to rent the movie another 24 hours.

Go here to find a Blockbuster Express kiosk near you!

Free redbox movies

Get a free rental at The Redbox with these codes:

SNSV25 – good anywhere

DVDATWAG – only good at Walgreens

BREAKROOM – good anywhere

go here to find out where to find them etc.

end of 2009

go here to see a funny rendition of the events of 2009. It is pretty funny and covers quite a bit of the major headliners! have fun

Happy New Year

This is what we have done a lot of this week, we call it BONDING" ha haNew Year, A New start. Happy 2010! Wow, 2010. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the turn of the century into 2000.
This year I have BIG goals... BIG I tell you!!! Well, it is big for me, I guess, you see, I don't usually have goals for the new year (weird, I know) so, ANY goal is big right?! One thing I do know for sure is that I will not be as "sassy" as I was 2 years ago... you see, I never did do that crash diet and still don't have the swim suit bod I was anticipating. But that is ok, it has ONLY been 18 months (ugh)
I am keeping a more specific list that I hope to check frequently throughout each month, but for the sake of accountability for myself, I shall share the broad topics on line.

In no specific order, during the year 2010 I shall :

Set goals for myself
Be a better wife and mother
Memorize more scriptures
Not just stick to my budget, but come UNDER it each month
Laugh at the little things that my kids so that drive me crazy
Work on my patience
Be more thoughtful and considerate to those that I appreciate, and let them know they are appreciated
Be more giving
Consider those less fortunate than me and make a difference
Feed my children more fruits and vegetables
Get rid of all the junk stuff taking over my dining room
Put pictures in the empty picture frames throughout the house, update pictures in all the other frames
Scrap more, be more creative
Plan a vacation
Be more organized
Teach my children more about Jesus
Clean out and rearrange "my room" so that I can actually know what is in it and use it!!
Keep my house "company friendly" 90% of the time
Lose the weight I have gained since being married
Be on the computer less, but blog more
Plan ahead
grow my fingernails pretty again
Clear out (some of) the clutter
Finish the projects I have started
Redecorate a room in my house


whew, looks like a lot huh? do you think I can accomplish it all within 12 months? I do, I WILL!!!! Hopefully I will have status reports throughout the year (mainly for myself) to see how "on track I am" what about you? Did you set any goals for yourself this year?

haircut

It was time, way past time. Molly's hair has been in her eyes so much and those rubber bands and bows for some reason just don't seem to stay in. So, we took the plunge, we got bangs and a trim. I did not let her take very much off the back, though I am not sure why, she has staright as a board hair so it is not like I was worried about cutting off those beautiful curls ha!

Molly was as good as can be, she was a little confused, but so long as she could see and hear me (and of course had her special green friend in mouth) she was good.

punishment

Molly has been getting into a lot of trouble lately. (I know, how can that cute little girl get into trouble right?!) Well, the "jail" has made it's appearance yet again in the family room. This time it really a "jail" and well, Molly has been planning her plan of escape. I guess when we brought it out, we didn't really think about the fact that Molly is a climber and climbs on EVERYTHING (Entertainment center, stairs, chairs, dining room table etc etc)

The pictures only show half the story, what you can not see is the blood curdling screaming that she doing and how purple her little face is from this little fit of rage.

What?! it is almost CHRISTmas?

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Um, ok, so like it just occurred to me that CHRISTMAS is this Friday. Friday, like less than a week away!!! Wow, how did it sneak up on me so fast?
I thought I was WAYYY ahead of the ballgame as we celebrated Christmas with my family when my brother and his family came in for Thanksgiving.

But I guess it just went to my head because it has gone downhill from there.
I was delayed in getting the tree and decorations done (I think that since I usually get them up earlier I thought I had more time)
Our Sunday school class Christmas party was late (last night)
Yeah, other than that, I don't really know why, but I am now SOOO far behind...
kirk's birthday is TOMORROW and because I thought I had more time for Christmas, I thought I had more time for his birthday.

ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
What are you so behind you might ask? well, it is Dec 20th and where do you think my Christmas cards are?

yup, you guessed it, they are sitting right here next to me, all unlabeled and NOT ready to go. I have no stamps and I think I still have a few gifts to buy and I definitely have gifts to wrap...UGH! I am counting on my friend AMAZON, i ordered something for Kirk last week and supposedly it should be here on 12/24!!! (whew, that is what I call cutting it close!)
What is done you might ask?! well, my closet has been purged and cleaned out (and looks sooomuch better I might add)

my pantry is more organized, the humongous clothes pile is now ironed and put away. The goodwill pile is now at goodwill. The kids are clean and well fed (well, at least they eat cheese) and of course... the BLOG is UPDATED (priorities my friends/priorities ha)


MERRY CHRISTMAS -- gotta go and finish up! I have less than a week :)

snow

WOW, is this Texas or Michigan? The unimaginable happened on the 2nd day of December... We got SNOW!!!! I think we actually got a snowfall before my friends up north did this year!!! It was a very, very wet snow that we woke up to and it was melting as we walked/played in it, but it was fun for like the hour or so that it lasted.
It was 9 am when I decided we could go and play, it was 9:00 and 30 seconds that I realized we live in Texas and are ill-prepared for this kind of fun!!! Molly has a coat, though she had not had the chance to wear it yet, and I did not want to ruin it for a minute of fun. She also has no sweat shirts or sweaters or anything really heavy to wear. So... out comes some of Sam's "hand-me-downs" She was so layered that she started resembling the Michelin man.
Sam was just thrilled to be able to wear his rain coat and boots and play in the snow
Molly could care less about playing in it, she enjoyed EATING it (surprise anyone ha)I love this one, with the roses blooming in the background and snow on the ground

geese, ducks and a pwicwick (picnic)

It was beautiful out before Thanksgiving week so we took the opportunity to go to the park with our friends and feed the ducks (yet again!!)
Sam was a little more taken back by the (giant) geese, so he preferred to just sit and let the smaller ducks come to him.Molly on the other hand, well, she enjoyed chasing them, feeding them, and teasing them (holding the bread out for them only to eat it quickly before they could get it ---- yum, stale bread... my favorite!!)And yes, like the good friend/photographer that I am, This really the only picture that I have to prove that our friends were with us (oops)

move over Elvis, here comes Samuel

Sam 's 3-4 year old mission friends sang in "big" church this morning. Sam did great singing up front! He has been practicing his songs for a few weeks and the past couple of days didn't really want to sing along, so I wasn't quite sure what we were going to see this morning. He really did not seemed phased by the fact that he was up front, I don't think he even realized people were watching them sing! Of the 4 songs he learned, this was by far his favorite. Poor guy has a hard time getting all the words out fast enough so he is usually about 2-3 words behind. That doesn't bother him though, he belts it out anyway! If you turn up the volume you an actually hear him singing. We are so proud of him!!! I am so excited that he is actually starting to learn about God and His son Jesus. Sam has a very tender heart and we just pray that he will come to understand and know Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age.




notice my view suddenly becomes obstructed at the end of the song--- BUMMER! It was hard to see him for the rest of the songs.
This is when it is good to have 2 services at your church... that way you have a second chance of seeing your child sing.