Girly Girl

Lexi always wants to accessorize. I love it. This is us just having fun at my mom's house :D

I love Jacob.

We have a little problem in our house.

My boy likes to find anything that can draw, color, or make a mess and expand his artwork onto the walls, floors, COUCHES, and my desk. I'm trying really hard to keep everything out of reach or in hiding places...but seriously...how do you hide everything potentially hazardous or harmful to him (or my house!) it just doesn't seem possible.

So in my effort to stop the coloring madness, my family and friends and I have put hour heads together and this is our solution.

Every night we're having a 30 minutes Coloring Fun Time! If Jacob is obedient and doesn't color on anything or open pens and leak them all over my carpet, or draw on my desk with permanent makers (i could go on and on) then we get to have a super fun coloring time! This will give him something to look forward to and a little incentive to be obedient.

Yesterday, I also had his on a drawing program on the computer for 10 minutes. He liked it, but is still a little young and is learning the mouse thing.

Last night, it was so cute! It was night 2 of our color session and it seemed to work yesterday. No mishaps during the day. He was so excited when it was time to color. We never really color at home, but he colors every week at church. So last night he said, "YAY, MOM! Its time to have primary coloring in mommy's house!" :) I smiled and cheered with him.

More thoughts...my boy is just artistic like his dad. I honestly think he just needs a way to get all that creativity out of his head and onto a medium that is appropriate. I'm loving the bonding time with the kids and its also a time to learn letter, colors, and numbers. I also try to sing songs with the kids..that's a whole other story.

Have a great day.

-pj

110 degrees+ everyday...

The weather here is so interesting. For those not in the loop---I'm living in Arizona. We've been here about 5 months. I can honestly say that the weather is do-able. I'm getting used to the heat. Yes, I feel like I'm sweating all day long, yes my electric bill is high, and no I can't play at the park with the kiddos. (woopdiedo). We find other things to do. Today my husband was commenting that he remembers my RELENTLESS complaining whenever we would visit his parents ward in Palm Springs. I would literally be complaining that I'm melting. Church was miserable all because of because of the 1 minute walk to and from the car. Oh my gosh I was such a princess. love it. (this was before we were married---I'm surprised my heath was willing to marry such a complainer...lol.) I love it here. The storms are very interesting too. We have dust storms and thunder storms often. I guess since it's monsoon season this is normal. Crazy. One of the trees in our backyard blew down yesterday. It was funny driving to church today and seeing all the trees that were broken. Well, I guess that's not funny---now we have to deal with the clean up. But you know what? One of the best nights I've had here in AZ so far...was me and my kiddos sitting on the front porch in our jammies with our feet in the rain. It was so fun and the kids LOVED the lightning and crazy wind. That's all for now. :D Have a great week.
pj

What's for Dinner?

Wish Me Luck, Cheer Me On, Give Me Recipes!
The Challenge - 200 meals in 365 days!
What's the count? 30 (keep track with me on my sidebar!)

Week 10 - What's on the menu?

M: BBQ Chicken Salad, Jello (yup...I'm braking my rule about only having Jello on the 4th of July...I'm making layered Jello again tomorrow. The kids LOVED it on the 4th of july. Why not :D

T: Taco Soup! Thanks to PolkaDotApron. :D

W: Summer Salad: Romain lettuce, chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, broccoli, craisins, coconut, hmmm. maybe that's it. Dressing: light italian.

Th: Teriyaki Chicken & Brown Rice Casserole, veggies.

F: Eat Out?

Sat: Heath in charge :)

Sun: Heath in charge :)

What's on Sale at Fry's this Week? Click HERE.

Playdate at the Splash Pad

They were so happy. =) I was so hot. Wish I brought my swim suit and a really big ice water. My bottle of water was hot (even in the shade) in like 10 minutes. But I loved to see the kiddos so happy. We're surviving the summer here in AZ with fun events like this. Thanks to Joanna in our ward for planning this fun activity and bringing Popsicles (in a cooler :).

Morning---Wood U Pleez change my diaper.

Hahaha. I think I'm so funny. Poor Lexi woke up with this little diaper trouble. Love it. PS - not poopy...

The past month with the Avery Fam

"Helping" mommy at the computer. I'm not sure what's on her face...black something? Wait, I know---her daddy's chalk. UGH! I was so frustrated about that one--but it looks so funny!

El Pollo Loco Fun after the Summer Movie...and other summer movie pics!

Thanks for being my 2nd mommy at the movies mother! =) Jacob being Jacob. haha.

4th of July Fun!

Here's the only 2 pics from 4th of July. I made layered Jello and Heath grilled us yummy ribeye steaks, pineapple, and veggies. After dinner we watched the fireworks from the library parking lot. It was lots of fun and the kids loved it! We had out own little spot and it was great! I was having camera trouble...sad face.

What's for Dinner?

Wish Me Luck, Cheer Me On, Give Me Recipes!
The Challenge - 200 meals in 365 days!
What's the count? 26 (keep track with me on my sidebar!)

Week 9 - What's on the menu?

M: Zucchini Casserole

FHE Treat Idea: No Bake Cookies - kids can help!

T: Turkey Tacos (ground turkey instead of beef), black beans, Avery Mexican Rice

W: Chicken Something...any ideas?

Th: Salmon (not sure how I'll cook it yet), brown rice, salad, veggies?

F: Mexican Haystacks (didn't get to it last week!) with Tomatillo Dressing.

Sat: Family in Town? TBA

Sun: Heath, TBA

What's on Sale at Fry's this Week? Click HERE.

What's for Dinner?

Wish Me Luck, Cheer Me On, Give Me Recipes!
The Challenge - 200 meals in 365 days!
What's the count? 23 (keep track with me on my sidebar!)

Week 8 - What's on the menu?

M: Going Mexican (again) with Avery Family Mexican Rice & Heath's Chicken Fajitas (made by me of course!)

FHE Treat: Ice Cream in a Bag - SUPER Easy! Each kid can me shaking their own bag of ice cream during the lesson...keeping them entertained! I'll try anything!!!

T: Balsamic Chicken Strips, very fun site! You can adjust the portion size and it will automatically adjust the recipe for you, from 1 serving up to 20...Wow!

W: Broccoli Stuffed Tomatoes, brown rice.

Th: Dinner Salad. Maybe with grilled chicken?

F: ? Not sure yet...

Sat: Frozen Pizza

Sun: Heath, TBA

What's on Sale at Fry's this Week? Click HERE.

New Calling

Did I blog about this yet? I'm 1st counselor in Primary. I'm the leader over the scouts and I'm really excited about my calling! My first sharing time is next week and the topic is:

Reading the Scriptures Strengthens My Family.

The theme for the year is: My Eternal Family.

I'm so excited! This is such a great topic and I know that we can all benefit from this. I know that when my family conducts faithful scripture study I feel lighter. Literally, I feel like my burdens are easier to bare, my days feel more meaningful, and my life has more purpose. I love that when we follow the counsel of the Lord that we are blessed. I'm so thankful to have the gospel in my life to help and strengthen me. I love my calling and the opportunity I have to serve someone else - to step away from my own life - and bless the lives of the children in my area. My friends' children. That is such a blessing in my life.

So here's a quote I found this morning while researching my sharing time lesson.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "I promise you that daily family prayer and scripture study will build within the walls of your home a security and bonding that will enrich your lives and prepare your families to meet the challenges of today and the eternities to come." (L. Tom Perry, "Back to Gospel Basics," Ensign, May 1993, 90)

What's for Dinner?

Wish Me Luck, Cheer Me On, Give Me Recipes!
The Challenge - 200 meals in 365 days!
What's the count? 21 (keep track with me on my sidebar!)

Week 7 - What's on the menu?

why so late? - I was out of town :) and not cooking!

W: Teriyaki Chicken and Rice, salad, veggies

Th: Sloppy Joes with manwich sauce & ground turkey

F: Neopolatin Baked Ziti from Rachel Ray!

Sat - 4th of July BBQ! Ribeye Steaks (if I can get my husband to eat the beef..he's on a no beef diet) grilled corn on the cob, fruit something, salad.

Sun: Mexican Haystacks

What's on Sale at Fry's this Week? Click HERE.

9:30 am

Lexi just woke up. Ahhh. Blissful. I slept until 8:30. Miracle. Jacob woke up at 7, said hello to me, then played in his room. What the stink? Can he please so that everyday instead of waking up his sister?! I really needed this sleep today after my trip home last night from CA. I was literally dancing and singing to myself to keep awake and alert. It was hilarious. THANK YOU!