Baptism

It finally came.  Madeline was baptized on Saturday, and the day worked out quite well.  We had my mom, and 2 of Maddie's cousins come on Wednesday, and my dad flew in on Saturday.  Bj's two sisters and their families came, as well as his parents.  Her non-LDS teacher from school came too (we love you Mrs. Ludeke). We also had a fairly big showing from our ward family as well.  I felt so glad that this day turned out well for my little one. 

Madeline was the second to be baptized, and as I walked her into the font, we realized the water was really low.  I mean very very very low.  It came up to Bj's knees (maybe).  Bj just looked out at the leaders, hoping someone would fill the font, but he just did it.  Madeline practically had to lay down on the bottom of the font.  But, it was a good memory and something to remember.  While listening to the speakers and enjoying this day, it all became worth it.  All the preparations, all the stress, all the late nights putting together a baptism memory book for her, all of it was worth it.  My little one was making a huge covenant with her Heavenly Father, and I was blessed enough to be a part of it.  After she came out of the font, we took a moment and just hugged (and I got all wet), and I asked how she felt.  She said she could feel the Spirit.  Ahhh, I hope she loves that feeling because that will get her through her life.

Afterwards we had everyone over for a light dinner, the food was delicious, the company better, and the joy of having that stress checked off the list even more enjoyable.  

So, now that is over what are we doing?  Preparing for school, which starts on Monday.  My kids are so excited to start again, to see all their friends, to learn new things, to have new teachers, and to play at recess.  Happy Day, all is well.

Remember?

My friend, Lydia, had this on her blog and I thought it might be fun to try.

1. Leave a comment here telling me about one memory that we have together. It doesn't have to be big, just anything you remember.

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Ready, Set, Go!

Again.

Yes, it happened again.  Liz is attacked, this time, by a stink beetle.  This poor child, I swear she is going to become a shut in if things don't change soon.  This time it happened at our ward BBQ.  It was late, around 8:30 (yes, that is late to me), and she was playing with her sister and some ward friends at the water fountain when she started screaming.  You know, the "scream."  Of course, I ran over to see what was the matter, and my sweet dear Madeline was screaming "A beetle is on her, a beetle is on her, we can't get it off."  and each time Maddie screams, Liz cries louder and louder.  After about 30 seconds I finally find the beetle, which is crawling in and out of Liz's shirt and skirt.  The thing was seriously huge, probably 3 inches or longer.  Anyway, I finally get to the darn beetle, and he runs under her skirt.  Madeline is still screaming, "he's still there, I can see him" and I am turning Elizabeth around trying to see where this beetle could be hiding.  Liz is screaming, and I can't find that beetle.  Each time Madeline screams she sees the beetle (which is quite a few times) Elizabeth's fears are renewed and she belts out another scream of terror.  So, I finally find the blasted beetle, and get him off her.  Then comes Mitchell to the rescue, he promptly starts torturing the thing.  Poor Elizabeth wouldn't leave my side for the rest of the night.  I don't know what it is about my little one, but I wish these events would stop occurring...to her at least.   But, at least the last two run in's haven't been with a poisonous animal.

A week of Celebration

This has been Madeline's week of celebration.  She turned 8 on Sunday, and we had so much fun celebrating the whole week.  After downloading last weeks pictures I realized there is plenty to blog about (which is probably why there weren't a whole lots of entries last week).  We had swim lessons, ear piercing,  birthday parties, more birthday parties, and more birthday parties.

Swimming

So here it goes.  The kids had swimming lessons this week.  Usually the do it all summer, but it didn't work out this summer.  So, one week for them, and that is all.  Maddie and Mitch both moved up to level 5, and sweet Liz gets to stay in level 2.  I was very pleased with Elizabeth in the pool.  Up until this point (this year), she hasn't wanted to swim without a floaty, but not at swim lessons.  She was happy to jump in the pool, and swim back and forth to her teacher.  

 

Here are some swim pictures:

Ear Piercing

We also decided that 8 would be our families age for ear piercing.  Madeline was slightly nervous about this until about a month ago.  Bj bet me $5 Madeline would come home with only one ear pierced.  I can't say I have $5, but Madeline did earn it for me.  She was so brave.  SO brave.  Not even a flinch.  She is one tough monkey.  She went with her friend Aubry, and we had fun watching these two great friends go through this rite of passage together.

Birthday Party

We also had the friend birthday party.  Since, of course, the 8th birthday is so special, we had to do a fantastic party.  A big girl tea party was the thing for us.  We had such a great time, we had a little etiquette lesson before we left, then we went to a local tea room.  We enjoyed the Mad Hatters tea. We all chose our own tea cup, and then enjoyed tea sandwiches, scones, and fruit.  We then headed home for cake and ice cream...which no one was hungry for, but I at least had to offer it (it was a birthday party after all).

Friday night we also celebrated Nana Laura's birthday at the Olive Garden.  We don't have any pictures, but we can't leave out any of the birthday parties.

Birthday Dinner

On Saturday we spent the day having fun, and anticipating "the big present" Madeline was going to get that night.   For Madeline's special birthday dinner, she requested potato soup and bread bowls.  My adorable and lovely Elizabeth couldn't resist these bread bowls, and promptly stuck her finger in the side bread bowls to pull out the middles.  Arghhhh. (she also ate off the top of the birthday cakes the day before).

Bread Bowl Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup warm water (110

degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 TBS active dry yeast

1 tsp. sugar

2 cups hot water

5 TBS. oil/shortening

1 TBs. salt

3 TBS. sugar

6 - 6 1/2 cups flour

1 egg white to brush on top

DIRECTIONS:

1.

In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Wait 5-10 minutes.

2.

Mix together the rest of the warm water, oil, salt, sugar, and half the flour. Mix well. Add the rest of the flour in, mix well. Let rise for 30 minutes. Punch down. (can do up to 3 times) Knead dough a little.

3.

Form bread bowls to about the size of your fist, or slightly bigger. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Make an X cut on the tops with scissors or a knife.  Lightly brush the tops of loaves wtih egg whites.

4.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, then check...add time if needed. Should be very light golden brown on top. 

Potato Soup Recipe

butter

3 leeks (use white part only)

1 medium onion

4 cups chicken broth

4-6 potatoes

1 cup cream

dice leeks and onions.  melt butter and saute leeks and onions in pot until golden brown.  add chicken broth and potatoes.  bring to a boil.  lower temperature to a simmer for about 30  minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Either mash or blend potatoes, be careful to leave a couple chunks of potato.  Add cream when the soup is hot, but not boiling.    Salt and pepper to taste.

Family Birthday Party

Madeline received very big girl presents this year.  She got an ipod shuffle, a digital camera (our old one), and a new sewing machine.  Every time I get ready to work on my quilts (while the kids are awake) she wants me to help her make a quilt.  We are all excited to start her quilting her own stuff, and see what creations she can come up with.  Where did I get this machine?  Overstock, you gotta love that place.

And for those of you out there that care....here is Madeline's baptism announcement.  If you really want to know the time, date, address...let me know.   I'll email you.

Random

The picture is pretty fuzzy, but here is our red, white, and blue breakfast.  The kids came up with this idea, and we were all too happy to oblige them.  It's just blueberry muffins with a few swirls of red food coloring.

We finally finished this 2000 piece puzzle.  It has been haunting me while it sat in my living room, unfinished.  It has also been a huge temptation for many a 2 year old coming to visit.  Lest you think we did this all by ourselves, I would like to thank all those who helped.

A big thanks to:

Nana Laura

Denise Avey

Seth Avey

Wendie Jarman

Dyana Johnson

her friend April

Bryan Jarman

Brian Rassmussen

The puzzle now is framed and on the wall in our game room. I am not a big puzzle person, and I don't think this puzzle has made me into one.  but I do appreciate all those who enjoy doing them, it has helped this get finished!

Madeline's 8th birthday is coming up.  We have been planning birthday parties, getting ready for visitors, taking pictures, and getting ready for her baptism.  Even Elizabeth is excited, she spent a good part of the time we were in the pool baptizing us all.  This truly is a wonderful time, and I feel so blessed to be Madeline's mother, and watch her make this covenant with her Heavenly Father.

Gratitude:

I am so grateful for my sweet husband.  He does little things for me every now and then that mean so much to me.  Like today, he has meetings every Sunday morning (usually from 9-1 and then church starts at 1), and that means I get to spend the morning preparing the sweet little ones for church.  Well, this morning is fast sunday.  Fast Sundays are a little bit more of a challenge.    Well, much to my surprise, Bj came home at about 11 and got the kids ready for church, and helped them get a snack, while I worked on Madeline's baptism announcement and got ready for church.  He even ironed my skirt.   Now, he is back for more meetings, but I am so grateful he came home to help while he could.  Not all husbands are as thoughtful as he is, and I am supremely grateful to have him as mine!

Boycott the Reptiles

I have decided we cannot play with reptiles in this house.  Yesterday, Bj caught this beautiful lizard.  I was pretty excited about it, lizards are pretty fun.  He carried it through the house and Elizabeth was anxiously awaiting petting it.  She did, of course, with many smiles of delight. Until, it bit her.  Seriously!  It held on as she tried to tear her finger out of it's mouth, but it kept grabbing.  She cried a very real cry, and I must say my heart broke.  Couldn't the darn lizard have bit Mitchell instead?  I mean really, what kid needs to have all reptiles attack?    After the ordeal was over, and we protected her from the lizard by keeping it in our recycle bin outside, we googled the lizard to make sure it wasn't poisonous.  It wasn't poisonous, but it did say that they bite.  I could have told you that.  I asked Elizabeth what we should do with the Lizard, she said...."kill it, ....or feed it."  ha ha, nice options.