Happy Anniversary

one year...........

12 months.......

52 weeks.........

365 days.........

525,600 minutes ago

I began my blog.

January 10th, 2009 I sat before my keyboard...... and started pecking!!!!!!

This blog has served more than one purpose for me.

1. It gives my friends and family current photos of the monkeys. (I'm not so great about sending pictures)

2. It helps me document all the "little nothings" that I'm positive I'd forget.

3. It helps me take more photos.

*bonus: I'm discovering that people I barely know are reading about our crazy life. That's awesome!!!!

So............ Happy first anniversary "mommyofthree"

Okay, I'm going to throw some pictures on this blog that may not be for the weak-of-stomach. I've had these pictures for over a week. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Then I began thinking...... I'm all about preserving memories, right? I'm not sure that I want to remember this, but I'm afraid the scar on my finger won't let me forget.

As I have mentioned to you, we have been experiencing mighty frigid temperatures in Missouri. Poor T-bone, who lives in our garage, is a sensitive sort. He loves comfort. 65 to 75 degrees is wonderful to him. I'm afraid that Missouri only offers those temps. about a week out of the year. The rest of the time, it's either -0 or 101. No in between. I felt a little sorry for T one day. He was shivering. It was a little like watching a grown man cry. It melted me.

My brain began turning. I could let him in? He is 200 pounds and stinky though. Hummm, what to do?

Alright T, you can come in for a little bit. Then I will put you in the kennel with Jesse (she has heat lamps).

So, I'm in the bathroom showering. Getting ready (putting on my face). I hear a ruckus in the kitchen. A loud, banging, clinking ruckus. Dare I check?........... Jeez, I'm afraid I have to.........

T-bone, what are you doing? He instantly knew his error. His head was hanging two inches off the ground. He had those pouty lips and sad eyes. ARRRRRRRRR!!!!!! He emptied an entire garbage can into the kitchen floor. Icky scraps, used toilet paper, and coffee grounds ALL OVER!!!

OUT YOU GO!!!!

So I put on my cold gear (hat, gloves, thick coat, boots, long underwear, another hat, scarf, ski mask, two sweatshirts, heated socks and a blanket). Grabbed a 20 pound bag of food (so the doggies would be well fed) and two cans of wet food (so it would taste better) and headed out the door. Gus slipped out with me (that will be important information in a minute).

T gladly followed me (I was carrying food..... he likes food). I opened the kennel door to let the big guy in.

Then I realized that Gus Bus entered the kennel also. My hands were full..... I couldn't stop him. This is a big deal because Jesse, our female, doesn't exactly LIKE Gus. That's probably being too kind. SHE HATES GUS!!!!!!

Instantly the fight was on. Usually fights are between two parties, but not this one. It was Jesse fighting and Gus whelping!!!!!!! I dropped all the food on the ground and tried to separate the doggies. STUPID.....STUPID.....STUPID!!!!!

I was bit.

There was blood.

Lots of blood.

So much blood that I couldn't tell who was hurt, (me, Jesse or Gus).

I had a strange adrenaline rush so I suddenly acquired these crazy super powers. I was able to lift our 170 pound female with ONE HAND, open the kennel door with the other, and lift our 70 pound Gus out the door. All the while, Jesse was fighting me violently trying to attack the fat bulldog. Don't ask, I have no idea how I did it.

So below are the photos of my finger (or finner as my Aunt P says)

The stitches come out Thursday. YEAH!!!! I'll be so glad. The skin is dry around the wound and it itches like crazy. It's just a huge irritation.

I know that your day wouldn't have been the same without those photos. Huh? Sorry!

My friends, I'm the biggest baby you have ever met. I drove myself to Carrollton (Rick was working in the ER)

OH-OH-OH..... I left out the part where Ian had to help me change clothes. Poor kid. He didn't talk for two hours afterwards.

Anywhoo..... Rick gave me a shot to numb it before he could stitch. I said bad words. In front of my kids!!!!! After I said "the words", I looked up. Ryan was smiling and Ian was appalled! Mommy usually doesn't say the S-word. Mommy said it 15 times in one sitting. Opppss!

Then I started feeling a little woozy. My ears started buzzing. My head was suddenly 50 pounds. I felt the blood leave my head and go to my feet.

NO, I DIDN'T PASS OUT..... but I sure wanted to.

I drove myself home then vegged on the couch for the rest of the day. I ordered people around. I need a drink. I need some grapes. I need a hug. I need, I need, I need.

Then Rick informed me that my legs work fine.

Domestic wanna-be

There isn't a word for how cold it is outside.

I agree with Congo. I'll stay inside where it's warm and look out the windows.

Being cooped up in the house has caused a bit of boredom for me. There is plenty I "need to do". But "want to do" is a completely different story. This weather makes my eyelids heavy. I want to curl up on the couch. Drink chicken noodle soup from a cup. Then watch movies and nap between them. To fight off the doldrums, I thought I would whip up some bread. Not out of a can or from the frozen section and especially not from a plastic Wonder bag.

I've always wanted to be an expert bread maker. I've tried a couple times....... and failed. Today, I woke up with a brand new attitude. "By Golly......I'm gonna make bread........and it's going to turn out this time"! The act of confessing out loud is mighty...... mighty I tell ya.

I am not a stupid girl. I figured that if I tried two different recipes, one of them should turn out.

I'm raising the odds.

My first recipe is called "friendship bread". This bread requires patience.... work..... and a little love. You stir it twice a day for 5 to 10 days. Basically, till it rots. You then remove a cup of this dough, called "starter". Mix it with the rest of the ingredients, throw er' in the oven, and enjoy. The idea is to give friends, family and likewise starters. That way, they can make their own bread. Isn't that SWEEEETTT?

My second recipe is Grandmother's bread. I made this before and it was wonderful! The monkeys sure devored it!!! Within 3.9 seconds!!!! Click on the link for the recipe. Easy easy peasy.

Who else thinks that yeast is amazing? I think about things like that. Call me crazy!

Congo and I are both so ready for Spring.

Rick...... I think that we settled in the wrong state. MISSOURI? Why-oh-why?

Dawn's COLOR CHALLENGE

I've decided to participate in Dawn McVey's 21st Color Challenge. This is my first ever!!! I'm thriving....... remember? The idea is to include all the colors in the above photo. Wasn't too hard for me. LOVE THOSE COLORS!!!!! I'm glad she threw the yellow in there. I would have never thought to do that. Hence, the name...... challenge!!!

So, here she is......

My middle child has been doing some creating of his own.

Ian wants to be a chef...........

but I think he would make a wonderful engineer.

He fiddles tirelessly over little plastic pieces. Connects them magically.

It miraculously begins to transform into..........

something I recognize.

Then we watch the gears turn 'round & 'round.......

until we both are sick to our stomach.

I just had a genius thought. He could combine his gift of cooking and building. Ever seen Ace of Cakes....... enough said!!!!!

Build-A-Bear

Last Saturday Dana, Logan, Gracie, Ian and I headed to the city. Logan had a gift certificate to the Build-a-Bear-Workshop. Yeah!!! Gracie, Ian and I gladly helped him spend his money.

Me: "Logan, Look at these sunglasses"!

Gracie: "Logan, a fluffy tutu"!

Ian: "Here is a MU costume"!

Dana: "Look at those shoes"!

He made some very fine choices. All by himself!!! He opted for a adorable puppy that he named Buddy. Buddy was soft.....and cuddly. He was so stinkin' cute.

Is it weird that I am 34 and want to make animals at build-a-bear?

These were adorable. But I'm more of a Theodore fan.

Who could go wrong with Hello Kitty......... HELLO!!!!!

Luke, "I am your father"!!!!

If I stuffed an animal. I would stuff an owl. I love owls.

Gracie would have made this one.

After working up an appetite at BABW, we headed to Bravo. Logan and Ian had pizzas bigger than their heads.

Ian wouldn't get near me.

Ian hates his picture taken.

Ian would rather have a flu shot.

Gracie loves pictures.

Gracie is a ham.

Gus is indifferent.

He wants to sleep.

He works hard all day.

He deserves rest.

Cute tongue, huh?

The more he relaxes, the further it sticks out. He was only half relaxed here.

The "C" Necklace

Below is a funny conversation I had with Gracie today. All this happened in Target........ as she was showing me a shiny, silver necklace with a letter C hanging from it (the C had faux crystals, in case you were wondering)

Gracie: "Mom, look".

Let me explain before moving on. I don't always answer after the first time my children call me. I hear the word "mom" 1,694 times a day from my children. Sometimes "mom" is said nicely. Sometimes "mom" is said loudly. Mostly, it's said like this....... "mom........mom.....mom....mom....mom..Mom.........MOM!!!! That's when I answer. Often, I would like to change the word that americans use for "mom". For instance, it could be "rumple". (Rumple, could I have a friend over? Rumple, could I have peanut butter and honey?

Ohhh.... who am I kidding? Rumple is terrible. Moving on......

Me: "That's pretty"!

Gracie: "Can I have it"? (Which means, buy this for me.)

Me: "Gracie, it has a C on it, your name starts with a G"

Gracie: "I know mom, it could mean Christian. Cause I'm a Christian" (as she says this, she blinks her long eyelashes, and smiles softly. Very CUTE! Very CUNNING!)

Friends, that is how badly she likes to buy things. She would even settle for a C necklace when her name starts with a G. She has quick wit, I must confess. I couldn't have come up with an answer like that so quickly. Rick and I are in for it in 10 years. Possibly less at this rate.

It's sure hard not to giggle at things like that. Or buy cheap Target necklaces with letter C's on them. I fought off the urge to splurge though....... and bought her a DS stylus instead.

or Which would you want?

Goodness...... I should have bought the "C" necklace, huh?

My New Friends

Ohhh friends. It's time to snap myself back into reality.

Let me introduce you to my new friends.....

Mr. Elliptical......

Mr. Treadmill.....

and lastly, Mr. Torture

Ugh!!!!!

I've signed myself up on www.myfitnesspal.com and I am joining a jazzercise class. (weeping)

Remember the days when you could shove things in your mouth all day and not gain a pound. What happened? It really isn't fair. (weeping harder)

I am thinking about the times when I sat down with a tub of frosting and a spoon....... then ate. I'm thinking of hot buttered popcorn at the movie theatre. I'm thinking of cookies and cream ice cream with hard shell on the top. (sobbing uncontrollably)

I love food.... and food loves my hips.

FOOD...... I'm breaking up with you!!!

Temporarily......... don't go to far.......... or see other people! Wait for me!!!!!!

One Little Word

I love new beginnings. Don't you? Sometimes they are scary. But usually, it's refreshing. Like a blank notebook or a new outlook. I sometimes call them do-overs.

I always make New Year's resolutions. Do you? Mine are usually very boring....ordinary.

A couple years ago I made a resolution to bless someone every day. It didn't have to be hard. A thank you card, compliment, phone call, or smile. I renewed that resolution last year. I like to think that I've been successful. I purposefully think of it often. I also plan on doing it again this year. No harm in blessin', right?

However, I think I'm up for a bit of a challenge this year. I'm going to up the anty. I'm also adding a second resolution (suggested by fellow blogger, Ali Edwards) I'm picking a word for the entire year. A word that has meaning to me. I am going to put this word on my inspiration board in my craft-room. I'm going to try to blog once a month about how I am using this word in my life.

I challenge you to join me. Pick your own word. It could be any word. CHANGE...... ORGANIZE..... LEARN........ ENJOY. Whatever tickles your fancy. Put your word where you will see it. Let's see how this changes us friends.

My word for 2010 is: THRIVE I nearly chose GROW, but I certainly don't want to pick a word that will make my pants even tighter. I thought thrive was very appropriate.

according to Webster's Dictionary it means:

1: to grow vigorously

2: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances.

I hope that your New Year is blessed and happy. Please be safe my friends.

This is my inspiration board in my craft room. I've been busy as a beaver organizing. I hope to show you photos of it next week.

Ian plays guitar at the Baptist Home

Ohhhh....isn't this fun!!!

Ian has been taking guitar lessons for nearly two years. His teacher is Joyce Stark, she is an angel. He goes to her house every Tuesday from 5 to 5:30 pm. I thought that you would enjoy seeing how much he has improved. (this new tricked-out guitar that Santa brought isn't bad either)

Click and enjoy!!!!

sleddin'..... Smith style

Snow, snow....... and more snow!!!!

Do you remember me asking for Christmas snow?........ well someone must have a sense of humor, because snow I GOT!!!!!

There are different types of snow in my opinion.

1: wet snow- this is when the heavens cannot decide whether it wants to rain or snow....... so, it does both. This snow usually makes DELIGHTFUL snowmen! (and snowballs)

2. dry snow - this snow falls from the sky like baby powder. It won't stick together, so snowmen and snowballs are out of the question.

The snow that came last weekend was a 3rd type. I call it.........

3. crazy snow - this snow likes to fly. It comes down sideways, then does twists in the air, somersaults, and backflips. It doesn't want to lay on the ground all by itself. So it joins the other flakes in "the drift". "The drift" can have so many flakes in it that it covers small-ish bulldogs and children. "The drifts" around our house were up to my knees.

I love crazy snow!!!!! Crazy snow has attitude!!! Personality!!!

Rick agreed to pull the kids on sleds behind the 4-wheeler. We did this when the kids were much smaller. Ian hit a bump, flew through the air and landed on his nose. His nose bled. Ian doesn't like blood. Blood confirms that there is an injury. It has been a few years though and he has (mostly) forgotten. So he agreed to do it again.

My man is under all those layers. Do you see him?

Ian fell off the sled. No bloody nose this time. He wants back on. Yeah!!!!!!!

There was only one minor injury this time.

Ian and Gracie flew off their sled during a sharp turn. Ian landed on Gracie and her face was smashed in the snow. It wasn't really an injury, but more a discomfort. There were tears, but they were short lived.

Our Christmas Eve

It amazes me every year..... you spend months and months planning, then it's over. Things go back to normal. Is that weird to anyone else but me?

Santa, as always, was WAYYYYY too good to us.

Rick is reading our last Bible passages for the nativity.

I thought you might enjoy Gus from a new angle. This is, "I'm about to pounce on you angle, because you are on the floor and accessible to me".

This is the, "Does my breath smell okay to you angle?"

Congo is trying to figure out what Santa is searching for. Cat nip? A furry mouse? What is it?

Are you lost Santa? Do you need my guidance?

.....or do you just need some love?

Daddy is reading "The Night Before Christmas".

Ian always has trouble falling asleep on Christmas Eve. Santa knows if you are sleeping though. So, he didn't come to our house till all the kids were tucked in and asleep. Do you see him in this picture. Ian, not Santa....... Look very closely!!!

We have made reindeer food since the kids were wee lil' ones. This isn't ordinary reindeer food because Santa's reindeer aren't ordinary!!!!!! We add glitter, chocolate chips, carrots, and oats. In case you're wondering...... glitter is like magic to reindeer. It helps them fly!!!! Did you know that?

If you want to totally blow any sort of diet you are attempting. Try these babies!!!

I got this recipe from a dear soul. She doesn't seem to mind that I already have a "tight jeans" situation. Or that I am going to Florida in THREE MONTHS and have to wear a swimming suit.

If you are too thin and need to put on a few pounds, this is your recipe. Because I care, I will share it with you. NOTE: if you are going to be laying beside me on the beach in Florida, please eat a double batch. I need all the help I can get. (wink)

Alicia Early's Sticky Buns

Buy a package of Rhodes frozen (jumbo) cinnamon rolls

Follow the package instructions

When they have nearly doubled in size, you will begin the gooey deliciousness.

In a medium saucepan mix together:

1/3 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup of white corn syrup

Cook on low heat until sugar is combined and butter is melted.

Pour the gooey heaven into the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan. Sprinkle at least a cup of pecans into the mixture. Put the rolls on top. Bake at 350 degrees until rolls are done. Invert into another pan (the sticky gooey love will be on the top). Enjoy......... but be warned!!!!! People have been known to do crazy things for this sort of goodness. For instance, my husband danced on his tip-toes the first time I made them.