Just been very busy!

I am still around and would love to revive my blog. Just trying to figure out how to fit it into my hectic schedule!  I have 2 birthdays next month (both even birthdays which means they get parties), my oldest is officially graduating and we are having an open house next month, planned a trip to Provo, Utah and Rexburg, Idaho so my son can check out both of the BYU campuses and on top of all this he is just about to put in his mission papers as soon as he has 1 more interview!!! It has been an exciting, crazy, busy, but very blessed time in our lives right now. Just a little more chaotic than I  prefer....Oh yeah and I have been "growing" a baby for the last 13 weeks!!
That is where we are at at this point in our lives. Maybe blogging will happen and maybe it won't! :)

Hot Pad First Aid Kit

 Tuesday Tutorial: Hot Pad First Aid Kit

I am sure you have seen these around.  I made one at church about a billion years ago, but no longer have it. So, I thought I would recreate one from memory.

Supplies:

*Hot Pad (got a 2 pack at the $1 store for...$1)

*Scrap of decorative fabric

*Button

*Snack size ziploc bags

*twill tape or bias tape

WARNING: This tutorial has about a billion pictures...not because it is hard though. Only because I took a lot hoping that it would be more clear. Sometimes a picture is just easier to follow!

 Take your ziploc bags and lay them on top of each other alternating which side the zipper part is on each time.  Pin them so that they are secure while sewing them.

 Sew them together by just sewing down the middle...just eyeball it! :)

 This is what it should look like now...hopefully your sewing is a little straighter than mine!

Now carefully cut off the excess of each bag. (that would be the bottom part of the bags) Then set the baggies aside for now.

 Get your decorative fabric and pin it to the top of your hot pad. You could iron the edges under and make it more precise, I just happen to be a little lazy when it comes to ironing if my iron is not out.

 Sew around your fabric. 

 This is what it should look like now.

 Flip your hot pad over.

 Put your baggies in the middle of the hot pad.

 I did not use pins. I thought it was easier to just hold it in place while I sewed through the layers of bags and hot pad.  Obviously, I want you to sew the bags to the hot pad now.

 You can skip this step if you want. I just did it to reenforce the seam where the bags are attached.  Fold under one end of the bias or twill tape and line up with the edge of the hot pad and over the seam where you just sewed the baggies on.

 I started by sewing over the edge of the bias/twill tape that I had folded under. Continue to sew until you get about an inch from the other end.

 Fold this end under...it doesn't have to be perfect!!

 This is what it should look like now. Almost done.

 Flip your hot pad over and this is what it looks like now.

 Fold your baggies down like this, so that when you sew your button on you don't sew your baggies to...that would be sad :( !

 Place your button in the middle on the opposite side of the loop.

 Sew the button on.

 This is what it should look like folded in half.

 This is what it looks like all buttoned up!

 These are some of the things I put in the first aid kits I made.

 Opps, how'd my little assistant make his way into my tutorial!? Oh well, I couldn't take him out! (and yes I know he has a wonky eye and he is getting it fixed with surgery in the next month or so)

 These are what my first aid kits look like all filled up with their "goodies".  

I realize I do things a little bit in excess, but I made these for Christmas gifts and I have a big family!!

Let me know if you have any questions. I know I can be as clear as mud sometimes!!

Pinterest Recipe...Andes Mint Muddy Buddys

Made these tonight and they are AMAZING!!!

Andes Mint Muddy Buddys

The recipe is in the above link but, here is how I made them. I knew we would need
way more than the recipe made for my crew!

I put 10 cups of rice chex in a large bowl. (I should have put 11)

 I opened up 2 bags worth of andes mints (8.5 oz each).

 I melted them in the microwave in 1 minute intervals the first two times
 and then 30 seconds until they were smooth.

Dump melted andes mints on the chex.

Mix them up...covering your chex in minty goodness!

I used about 1 3/4-2 cups of powdered sugar.

Final result: Delicious minty Muddy Buddys!

This recipe is a winner!!!

10 weeks pregnant...

or not.

I debated back and forth on whether to post this or not. I wrote this several weeks back as I was going through this difficult time. Obviously, I decided to post it...
I went to the doctors this past week for my first prenatal care appt.  We are more than thrilled to be expecting our 8th child.  I had all the routine stuff done and left with an appointment for July.  The doctors office called me the next day with my lab results and said everything was fine, but did I want to get an ultrasound to check my dates. My response was uhhh, no. I am sure of my dates, like absolutely positively sure.  So I asked why, what are my hCg levels. The nurse asked me to hang on and then came back on the phone and said let me call the lab and I will call you right back.  She called me back and said my levels are where they should be at for 5-6 weeks pregnant. I stood there in stunned silence thinking 5-6 weeks?!  I am 10 weeks plus 1 day.  Then the reality of it all started to sink in. Something is wrong.  She told me she could set up an ultrasound and I said that sounded great.  We went for the ultrasound 2 hours later and they found the baby measuring at 6 weeks but no heartbeat.  They told me the baby measured right under where they would expect to find cardiac activity. So no one would definitively tell me the baby had quit growing or maybe everything would be OK.  I know my dates and this tells me that something is most likely seriously wrong. Short of a miracle, which I do believe in, I am afraid we will lose the baby.  I do not like living in this limbo where I have no idea what is going to happen, well I guess I have an idea but, I can't help but hope that they will find a heartbeat this week when they do the next ultrasound.  I feel like I am living with an ache in my heart knowing that I have probably lost this little baby. I just wish I knew what was going to happen so I could move on.  I trust my Heavenly Father to know what is best for me and my family and I know his will is perfect.  I know I need to have more faith.  As I have been going through this trial I sat down at the piano to pour out some emotion in my piano playing and opened the hymn book randomly. It opened to Count Your Many Blessings. As I played and sang and cried I did start to count my many blessings starting with my amazing family...my husband, my mom, my children, my sisters, my friends, and just so many more that are too numerous to name.  I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and I know he does not ask for me or any of us to pass through anything that we can not handle, we just have to remember He is there for us to lean on.
I did lose the baby almost 2 weeks later.  It was a yucky miscarriage (not that any aren't) and I am grateful that I have a wonderful support system to lean on as I grieve losing this little life that I was so excited to add to our family.

Memorial Weekend

We had a fabulous time at the lake this last weekend!  It was a little strange since our oldest had to stay home because of work. We have entered a new phase in our life and I am just not quite ready for it.  We did the typical things at the lake...tubing, eat yummy food, swimming in the lake and just enjoying family time without other distractions! I will have to find my cord to upload pics from my phone.  I brought my camera but for some reason lately we always forget to use it and just use our phones!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day!

I do have a few sewing projects and other things I am working on that I hope to post about soon!

Where in the world have I been?

Just living life.  Apparently blogging to make it on to my to do list! I live, I mean like breathe for my to do lists! Every day I have a list where I cross off everything I get done.  Well, I guess I should have put blogging on there. I have been the lamest blogger know to man!  I am hoping to revive my blog a bit now that I am up to date on my last 3 birthdays that happened.....ummm....like months ago! Whoops!! I would love to post pics of all the fun things we are doing from pinterest and all the crafty things I hope to do this summer!  So here is to getting back to blogging...I think I will put it on my to do list! :)

Peter is 4!! (in January):)

Peter my sweet, ornery 4 year old

Four things about Peter...

1.  Peter is an absolute mommas boy!

2.  Peter loves legos.

3.  Peter sleeps with the same blanket and pillow pets every night.

4.  Peter is a very sweet big brother (most of the time anyways)

and a few more things...

He absolutely loves a sweet dog named Samson who moved to Idaho a few months ago! ;(

Peter really is a very sweet boy, even though at times he exasperates his momma!

Love you tons and tons Mr. Pete!!

Austin is 17 (yeah his bday was in December too)

Austin is 17

This year has been a pretty big eye opener for me.  Our child is almost an adult.  It is exciting and scary!! He is a great kid/young adult.  

17 things about Austin

1.  He is a fabulous big brother.  His little brothers really look up to him.

2.  He is a great son...always willing to help me, especially when I am stressed!

3.  He still loves legos.

4.  He is graduating a year early!! so that...

5.  He can serve a 2 year mission for our church, which he can do when he turns 18 next December.

6.  He is always willing to try new things.

7.  He loves to go to early morning seminary.

8. I have never heard him say something unkind about any of his teachers. (never complained he had a boring teacher or anything)

9.  He is a self-motivated kiddo (most of the time)

10.  He is taller than me!!

11.  He loves to write.

12.  He is an intellect.

13.  He loves to sing.

14.  He reads and has a remarkable understanding of the scriptures.

15.  He is a good leader.

16.  He likes to look for those who need a little boost and help them out.

17.  He is not to cool to say "I love you, mom" when we get off the phone no matter who is around him!

I am so grateful for this amazing son that Heavenly Father has blessed us with!! Love you Austin!!

Christian is 11 (in December that is!)

I really can't believe how fast time is flying by with my older children.  I feel like they are just toddling around one day and then you turn around and they are on the brink of teenage hood!! 

11 things about Christian:

1. He is a pretty serious kiddo. I wondered if this was just an age thing, but the older he gets I think not.  I do like this about him, most of the time! :)

2.  Christian loves anything electronic: WII, DS, MEEP, TV which means I have to be good about limiting it or his brain would turn to mush!!! ;)

3.  He loves legos.

4.  He comes into my room every night to tell me he loves me and gives me a hug! (seriously the best!!!)

5.  He really looks up to his older brother.

6.  He looooooves cheesecake! He has asked for a cheesecake every year for the past several years for his birthday cake.

7.  He loves to help others.

8.  He is sensitive.

9.  He is a great big brother to his younger brothers and sisters.

10.  Christian has a good sense of humor!
11. Christian loves to share his testimony of Jesus Christ and does it every testimony meeting we have at our church!

So grateful to have this kiddo in our lives.  He blesses us in so many ways!
Love you tons and tons Christian!

Selah - God Be With You

This song has helped me get through some very difficult times in my life.  I can't hear it without a swell of emotion overcoming me.  I miss my dad and my little brothers so much but, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there for me with their arms wrapped lovingly around me if I will but stop and let myself feel!

Noel is 6

 My Sweet Noel Is 6!! ummm like 2 months ago!!
So I have not been the best at keeping up on things...no time like the present to start!

I was looking for a picture of her and these are the two I found from her birthday that were just of her and we have cheesy and crazy...but that's Noel!

6 things you may or may not know about Noel:

1.  She has a ready smile for everyone!

2.  She loves to learn.

3. She is my little helper, she loves to help in the kitchen, help me clean (most the time), help her daddy at work...she just loves to help!

4.  She is a great big sister.  She loves to play with her little brothers and carry around Tyler.

5.  She loves to sing!

6.  She has a sweet, loving and kind spirit, but she does not lack for strong will!

We are so blessed to have Noel in our family, I love all the things she teaches me every single day!