we are so good looking

thanks, mindy!!!

Trick or Treat? My babies say... YES, PLEASE!

I haven't posted in forever, but that's because I was having an affair with Facebook and we decided to take it to the next level. I like that it is more private in that I can make things "friends only" without people having to log in ONLY to see my page like it can be with blogger. Now that that's over with...

There are a few words around this house that will get a surefire response. "Bath" is one. It creates smiling, stripping children hightailing it to our new claw-footed tub (which Mommy loves even if it does lack showering capabilities). "Caillou" and "Kipper" share a similar response, which is the kids scrambling to find their lost sippy cups so Mommy can make them some sweetmilk* and appo juice.

There is one word which has a response that is absolutely consistent and overwhelming, and that word is

TREAT.

Imagine Maine running towards you, screeching with an ear-to-ear grin with his arms in the air like he's on hill one of The Scream Machine. That's my pleasure every time I have occasion to utter that magical word. Jones, on the other hand, struggles through the rush of adreneline with staying pragmatic: "MOMWHATISIT?!?!"

The best part about it is that in my kids' eyes (as probably is the case with most toddlers), a sippy cup of hot chocolate is a treat. Reading a book in Mommy's bed? HEAVEN. Playing with the hose? So good it must be a sin. Their all-time ultimate best-ever favorite pastime, getting spun by the arms? I'm pretty sure they would choose that over candy.

We went to the first of two trunk-or-treating nights last night at my MIL's ward building. Jones had it down after two cars, saying "Trick or Treat" softly but firmly, and repeated until the candy hit the bag, then yelling "Thank you!" over his shoulder as he ran to the next car. Maine did his Maine meandering, flirting with every lady in sight by waving his long eyelashes with his head tilted (who's been showing this kid romantic black and white movies, anyway?), and getting a few pieces of candy along the way. It may have helped that the candy was free to the taking inside the building, and that for some reason we decided that frozen yogurt was a good way to end a candy-fest (because it's delicious!), but the kids were perfectly happy with their couple of Tootsie Roll Pops and a sippy cup.

My point is, trick or treating was fun and candy is yum, but there is nothing like knowing what your kid likes and being able to give it to warm a Mommy's heart.

*sweetmilk is something that I created which incidentally (and accidentally) created a monster in my house. My husband has a fondness for Nesquick powder which is shared by my older son. One night we were out of the chocolate stuff, and so I decided I might be able to put a little agave or maple syrup in Jones's milk and it'd suffice. He's probably only had 2 glasses of "white milk" since, but considering I only add one turn of maple syrup to a 10 oz sippy cup (vs the heaping tablespoons of Nesquick powder required to make the milk "CHOKWIT" enough aka brown enough to as to be seen through the dark blue plastic of a cup), I'm alright with that.

EDIT: I have actually started just adding a packet of stevia to the milk instead. Jones still loves it and no extra sugar!

So i know im really terrible about updating this but thats just how its gonna be. heres some pictures from my camera that has been out of commission for the last 6 months. enjoy.

lds.org is my faaaaaavorite. these are all on overcoming doubt

Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other. The simple fact is we all need to constantly build faith and overcome sources of destructive disbelief. The Savior’s teaching comparing faith to a grain of mustard seed recognizes this reality (see Matthew 13:31–32). Consider it this way: our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. You might ask yourself this question: “Is my own net faith positive or negative?” If your faith exceeds your doubt and disbelief, the answer is likely positive. If you allow doubt and disbelief to control you, the answer might be negative.

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=162a230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=4ab1a27ac5eeb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=b02242629f5fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

here we is

we are just having so much fun in thatcher! we have made some good friends already and that is what it is all about for me! we have actually been in chandler since friday staying with mindy while scott studies for his big tests... i miss my hubby but i am glad he is so close to being DONE! jones is loving seeing his little cousin jace, too.

i have been eating up a storm out of mindy's backyard - i made minestrone using her regular and cherry tomatoes, carrots, green onions, basil, oregano, parsley, red and green peppers, and some added black beans and pasta. i was originally making tomato sauce but it was too good to save!

i have eaten about 40 figs since friday... their tree is making them like crazy. i think it knows i am here!

today i roasted some tomatoes and added basil, oregano, and parsley and served to the babies with egg noodles. i don't think they like fresh tomato sauce nearly as much as i do, but jones likes to try whatever mommy is eating and jace pretty much eats anything! i also made some fried green tomatoes and they were pretty good but i forgot to put salt in the cornmeal! next time... jones loved them anyway - he's my true southern boy!

i have a pot FULL of carrots in the fridge and i am trying to decide what to do with them... i was gonna roast them and make nelly some frozen baby food but now im thinking about carrot cake... what do you think?!

Almost settled

We've been living in Thatcher for about two weeks now, but we spent one week in St. George so we're just getting used to our new place. We are in a TINY apartment for now, but we'll be building a house soon right by where the temple will be. I love it here but Scott is still getting used to it.

And now, unrelated but way overdue, pictures of us and our chilerns. From October.
I know. Worst Blogger Ever.

sorry!

2 babies keep you busy! why didnt anyone warn me! :P

i will post baby pics soon, but i wanted to remind you all that we will be moving to arizona in TWO WEEKS!!! i can't wait to see everyone again!

yikes. need to get packing!